Transforming Together: Authentic Spiritual Mentoring

12-28 "Your Greatest Desire..."

2012-02-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

12-27 "Wisdom and Knowledge..from GOD!"

2012-02-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

12-26 "Gather/Worship/Seek counsel"....from GOD, not other humans!

2012-02-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

12-25 "Govening our "kingdom" well! FAMILY"

2012-02-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

12-24 "GREAT STUFF from the Living Word of God!"

2012-02-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

12-23 Life Purpose: Sharing Jesus w/Others!

2012-02-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

12-22 "Fear to Faith, Doubt to Trust!"

2012-02-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

12-21 "Learnin' and Burnin'" The results of being w/Jesus!

2012-02-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

12-20 "Discussion w/Intent" How purposeful are your conversations?

2012-01-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

12-18 "Remember!!"

2012-01-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

12-17 "Seek Life in LIFE, not among the dead!"

2012-01-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

12-17 Focus: Truth or Reality? Your choice!

2012-01-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

12-17 "Two words." What are 2 words that would describe you? How come?

2012-01-23T23:10:00.000-07:00

12-16 "To Whom will you entrust YOUR spirit on your demise?"

2012-01-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

12-15 "The 2 sides of Forgiveness"

2012-01-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

12-14 "Citizens or a Mob?" Sensibility or Shouting? That is the question!

2012-01-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

12-13 "The 'bonds' of friendship"..what are they? what aren't they?

2012-01-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

12-12 "Are your hearing filters dirty?"

2012-01-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

12-11 "Spiritual Warfare" YOU are part of it whether you realize it or n...

2012-01-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

12-8 Suffering and Grief:How to get through it.

2012-01-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

12-7 "Praying or Trying Really Hard?" What to pray. When to pray it!

2012-01-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

"As Usual" What are your 'usuals?' What needs to be applauded; added, a...

2012-01-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

"Among you it will be different" Leading or lording? What is your style...

2012-01-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

12-4 Talking or Conversing? Such a difference!!

2012-01-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Cycle of Giving Thanks

2012-01-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

12-2 "Being FILLED-FULL"

2012-01-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

#28 "Very Eager!" Who nourishes you emotionally? Who do you nourish emot...

2012-01-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Very Eager!!

2011-12-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

"When the time came, Jesus said, 'I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins.'" Luke 22:15

The time has come. 2012 is here.

What words would you use to describe 2012? Allow me to suggest a few.....perhaps....

Uncertain? Pensive? Change?

It caught my attention that Jesus, in one thought-sentence chose two words to describe His near future: "eager" and "suffering"

What may we, His Followers, glean from His example?

Here are a few thoughts for us to consider:

Focus: Relationship "....w/you" Jesus was focusing on others, not Himself

Future: "before" Jesus was not allowing Future to rob Him of Now. Instead He was drawing strength from the Present to be utilized in the Future.

Fuel: Jesus valued eating. He valued time w/friends. Both were nourishing.

As we step into 2012 may we, also, pause to consider OUR focus, OUR future, OUR fuel.

On Whom are we focusing?

Where are we living? In the NOW or in the Future?

How are we fueling ourselves? In Him? In Truth? w/ others on The Journey?

May we each pause to consider such thoughts as we step from one year into the next.

The time has come for such musings.....

Happy New Year!!

Very eager as well,

Ele

"Is there room...."

2011-12-19T07:58:00.001-07:00

"It's Christmas time....."

Christmas. CHRIST-mas. A purposed time of remembering, honoring, celebrating....

My heart and mind are a bit sad right now, friends. How come? Well, I guess I'm missing celebrating Jesus' birth with other believers a bit. Oh, at home we celebrate! The nativity is front and center on our lawn, under the tree, on the table as well as in our hearts. Carols softly fill the air with bells and chimes. The angel at the top of our twinkling tree keeps silent vigil....

"So," you may ask, "what's the problem?" Good question. Allow me to share. Sharing, not critiquing....

Don and I went this weekend to meet with other believers. Instead of lifting our voices in hearty praise and joy for the birth of our King with other like-hearted worshippers, we were reduced to observers, reluctant spectators, listening to one voice lustfully sing unknown lyrics to unfamiliar tunes. Since that means of expression was removed from us, my eyes searched for visual interaction with which to 'come and worship.' Instead of joining shepherds at a lowly manger where mother and child would be seen, there was an artsy-stark-white tree and a few oversized ornaments. No baby. No star. No wonder. No awe.

"Don't let the world around you squeeze you into it's mold, but be new and different." Romans 12:1,2

My heart, heavy, is still asking the question, "Whom is influencing who?"

I invite you to join me in the authentic Christ-mas: Cold-Barn-Birth-Shepherds-Angels-Glory-Radiance-Terrified-Reassurance-Jesus-Joy-Ponder-Treasure

"There is room in my heart Lord Jesus"........

Bending the knee only to Jesus,

Ele

#23 Parenting as Leadership: What is involved in leading a fam? Good que...

2011-12-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

#22 Christmas Celebration Ideas Part 2

2011-12-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

#21 Christmas Celebration Ideas Part 1

2011-12-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

#20 Parental Consistency in the Holidays

2011-11-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

THANKSGIVING: Making Memories

2011-11-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Priority of "Family"

2011-11-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

"Please" "Excuse Me" "Thank You" The importance of manners

2011-11-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Value of Valuing...

2011-11-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

How full of thanks are you...really?

2011-11-11T16:02:00.001-07:00

There were ten of them, all sick, discouraged, discriminated against, lonely. To top it off they were on the fringe, outcast, overlooked...forgotten...

Then Jesus came. They called out to Him. He responded. They were all healed. Off they went, back to where they once had been...

...all....except for one.

One returned. One thanked Jesus. One was changed from the inside out.

The other nine? Don't know about them.

What about us? We're terminally ill without Him, you know. Goners for sure.

Jesus has reached out. Touched. Made whole.

Have you thanked Him?

Thanking causes one to focus on something other than oneself. Refreshing.....

Thanking condenses a kindness to thoughts then to words. Resourceful....

Thanking cleanses the spirit, refuels the body and frees the soul. Regenerating.....

Be full of thanks. Say kind words to other humans....to Jesus....

On Thanksgiving and every day.

Full of thanks, Ele

#15 Happy Halloween?

2011-10-31T09:39:00.000-06:00

#14 Happy Birthday or Not?

2011-10-30T14:01:00.000-06:00

#13 Choices: To do or not to do, that is the question...

2011-10-29T21:40:00.000-06:00

The LIVING WORD OF GOD....nothing less.....nothing else

2011-10-23T14:47:00.002-06:00

The Living Word is clear in and of itself. It has purpose and states that purpose for the Reader, the Follower of Christ, to learn, to be corrected, to know how then we ought to live, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16. Also, the Holy Spirit is given to Christ-Followers as our Teacher, One who lives within us, so that we don't need anyone to teach us what it true. For the Spirit teaches us everything we need to know. (I John 1:26-27)

What amazes me is that humans, then, take it upon themselves to 'help out' the Holy Spirit in further clarifying what the Living Word says and also why the Living Word says what it says. How? By what we refer to as "footnotes"; as Intros to paragraphs in the text, as 'commentary.' Well intentioned; yes! Needed? Doubtful.

Would a couple of examples of this humanitarian over-stepping help clarify?

1. What humans refer to as "The Lord's Prayer" is clearly stated AS A RESPONSE to the disciples question, "Lord, teach us to pray!" Luke 11:1 So, IN CONTEXT of the Living Word, this very familiar and often quoted prayer is truly a Disciples' Sampler Prayer. The actual Lord's Prayer, or prayer of our Lord, is documented for us in John 17.

2."The Feeding of the 5,000" subtitled so in John 6 is inaccurate right off the bat. How do we know? The context! John 6:10 states, "The men alone numbered about 5,000." Since when don't women and children count? Since never, in God's eyes!! And, in actuality, the emphasis of this passage is not on the 'feeding' as much as on the test Jesus was administrating to one of His disciples!! (Check out the context in John 6!)

3. "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" Luke 15:11 states why Jesus gave this story. "To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story." So, what point was Jesus illustrating? The answer is given in Luke 15:1 "Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that HE WAS ASSOCIATING WITH SUCH SINFUL PEOPLE- even eating with them!" So, to instruct the Pharisees and teachers of religious law Jesus gave them three stories, this being the third of the three. The heart of the parable? THE FATHER'S Mercy and GRACE on His own; NOT on one of the 'sons!"

"Why make such a big deal about this, Ele" you may ask. Well, friends, we're holding the Living Word in our hands, Jesus "shrunk down" to the written page! Who are we to slice and dice Him into paragraphs, commentaries and bold print headlines? How dare we!! Ought not our posture be one of humble awe, trembling a bit as we enter into the Classroom of One with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher? Reduce the Living Word of God to anything less that who Jesus IS? May it never be!

May we choose, daily, to sit at His feet with the disciples of old, to fill ourselves on the Living Bread of Life, to drink to the full the Living Water, to interact with our Eternal Teacher....and so then, we will be taught how then to live.

Sitting only at His feet,
Ele

TRANSFORMING TOGETHER gone Youtube!

2011-10-17T16:55:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's true. It's official. Transforming Together has gone Youtube as well.

How come? Because one Saturday morning a few weeks ago I woke up to the Spirit announcing, "Ele, I'd like you to have a Youtube ministry!" You're surprised? Then you know how I felt. Youtube has not been on my radar. I don't 'surf' it, I follow no-one. I do see it from time to time when someone else shares something with me on Facebook. That's it. Besides, I don't photograph well. Don't believe me? Just hop on and see for yourself.

Anyway, this is merely an act of obedience. That's it. No glam. No glitter. Nothing. It's me, sitting in front of my Mac wherever I may be, sharing for 3-5 minutes what the Spirit gives me to say. Nothing more. The 'audience?' Humans. Women. Moms. Whomever the Lord prompts to 'tune in.' The subject matter? Biblical principles from the Living Word of God. Instilling Truth into our reality. The application is up to the viewer. Oh, I do give suggestions, and, at times, short examples. But it's up to the Viewer to apply or pass it over. Actually, that's always the case, isn't it?

So, why this announcement on this blog? To invite YOU to hop on and check out the Youtube site. At least once. If you like it, become a fan. If it's not for you, it might be for someone you know. So, please consider the following:

1. Check it out for yourself

2. Share the link w/others on your Facebook, Twitter and/or Email. (let them decide for themselves if they want to continue or not)

3. Pray for this attempt. We know there are lots and lots of people 'out there' who don't want anything to do w/ churchy stuff. This isn't churchy...it's just an older woman sitting in her home sharing a bit with another. Period.

Thanks. I am, quite literally, in my small corner being who the Spirit is asking me to be. I trust you are being the same wherever you are.

Won by one by one......for HIS glory.....

Elehttp://www.youtube.com/user/TransformingTogether?feature=mhee

Of Whose Kingdom are you?

2011-10-11T12:31:00.000-06:00

Loyalty. Allegiance. Honor. Identity. At birth we are born not only into a family but also into a nation, a kingdom. We, by right of birth, grow up with certain 'givens' as direct result of the 'kingdom' in which we happen to be birthed.

The same is true in the spirit world. When we are 'birthed' in the spirit world, "born-again" as John 3 puts it, we enter into another Kingdom, a Kingdom not of this world, a spiritual Kingdom. So, what does that mean, really, to us today?

Well, it means the following:

1. Our citizenship is no longer tied to where we were physically born. Our citizenship is in heaven as stated in Philippians 3:20

2. The Kingdom of God to which His children belong is invisible, but powerful.
   Romans 14:17 "The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

3. Because of the power, we have the potential to become incredibly influential in other kingdoms:

   Luke 13:18 "What is the Kingdom of God like? It is like a tiny mustard seed that is planted and grows to become a tree where the birds make nests in its branches." The Kingdom of God grows WITHIN us as we read the Living Word of God and is AVAILABLE TO OTHERS for shelter, safety and nourishment as needed.

   Luke 13:20 "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast used in making bread. Even though only a little yeast in put in, it permeates every part of the dough." The Kingdom of God INFLUENCES, permeates, affects what it is around. We as citizens have influence BEYOND ourselves as we live in 'other kingdoms.'

4. We're to pray that HIS kingdom come! This is seen in the Disciple's 'sampler' prayer Jesus gave us as recorded in Matthew 6. God's desire is that we, His children born into His Kingdom, partner with Who God desires to be in this fallen system...through us!

5. The kicker? Hebrews 12:28 reminds us the the Kingdom of God is UNSHAKABLE, cannot be moved, is grounded...come what may...

So, how then shall we live, Child of the King, Citizen of the Kingdom of God?

Another Citizen of the Kingdom of God,
   Ele

The Waving of the Red Flags

2011-09-19T11:15:00.000-06:00

We were sitting outside at Starbucks (no big surprise there!) We both were sipping on the Autumn delight of Spice Pumpkin latte...ahhh.... It had been nearly a year since we had purposed to invest time in one another...too long, but oh, so good to see this friend again.

Her life over the past several years had been invested in a position at a local church. Her intentions were honorable: to 'work for the Lord' helping here, organizing there, lining up volunteers for this and that, and earning a bit of 'extra' finances as well! However, what had begun as "part-time" had slowly, steadily overtaken her life to the point that her husband and family didn't want anything to do with "that place" or "those people" any longer. They were being replaced by church obligation and activity and they didn't like it.

Unique? Isolated? No, not really. Most humans enter into positions, responsibility within a church-body with the best of intentions: to help out; to become involved; to be active; to give back. However, when the "doing" overtakes the "being," spiritual red flags begin waving all over, but are rarely, if ever, acknowledged. How come? Those 'leading the charge' are caught up in the 'doing' even more than the followers! When those in position of leadership become enamored with 'growth', 'programs', 'staff' and finances to support what they've built rather than prayer, meditation, fasting, personal time in the Living Word, it's time to ask some clarifying questions. Harsh? Unreasonable? Heresy?

What was Jesus' example?
What occupied His time? His life?
In how many did He invest Himself?
What did He teach?
In what was His significance?

If "more", "new", "big" were the keys to spiritual growth, we would be living in a land of spiritual giants....

Observing the waving of the red flags,
Ele

Routine Disrupted

2011-09-11T15:01:00.000-06:00

What happens to humans when routine is disrupted? Depends, doesn't it? We experienced our national routine being disrupted on 9-11-01. We know what that was like: We're still living with the residue of that particular 'disruption.' For example, air travel will never be the "Come Fly the Friendly Skies" again: Routine Disrupted causes change.

Nations handle 'routine disrupted' in one manner. Individuals cope with 'routine disrupted' in various ways: Confusion, complaining, depression, frustration, withdrawal or digging-in, flexing, re-grouping...depending on the human.

The Living Word of God offers us another perspective, God's perspective.

Ephesians 2:10 says it like this, "You (Christ-follower) are God's Masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He has prepared, in advance, for you to do."

A couple things:

1. We are highly valued by God. WE are HIS Masterpiece! Wow! If we only believed this....

2. We are created. We're not from pus on the tip of slim from some pre-historic pond. We're hand-crafted by the GodHead!!! Another WOW!

3. We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works! We have purpose beyond ourselves...HIS purpose! (Third WOW!)

4. GOD, has PREPARED, IN ADVANCE, these good works for us to do!! Ahhh...there's the rub!! You see, GOD has NO 'routine disrupted' as HE IS THE AUTHOR OF BOTH 'ROUTINE' AS WELL AS 'DISRUPTION'! The kicker? To God, THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME!!

How do you respond to this? How does this Truth transform your Reality...or does it?

Would love to interact on this one!!

"Routining' in HIS 'disruption',
Ele

Distracted or Drawn?

2011-08-29T15:00:00.001-06:00

He was at the door. She opened it, welcoming Him in. Her thoughts went to dinner. After all, she was the hostess. Isn't that what is offered when another enters one's home? Her sister, Mary, sat at His feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. Frustration set in. Comparison, (or was it jealousy?) began to slither in her soul, accompanied by it's old companion, Pride, with Maryter close at hand. He just sat there, doing nothing but speaking into another's heart. Martha went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits there while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me!"

But Jesus had another confrontation in mind; one with Martha, not her sister. "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

No 'put-down' for the intent. Concern for one caught up in worry, upset over details, telling the God of the Universe what to do rather than drawing near to hear what might be said to her from the Divine!

Let's look at this very familiar account from Luke 10:38-42 together, shall we?

A couple of things, and then please, hop on and interact!!

1. Jesus went to Martha's home, not Mary's.
2. Martha welcome Him in!
3. Question: How come Jesus went there? To eat?....or perhaps there was another reason....
4. Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus; Martha chose to serve a big dinner.
5. Question: Is one choice better than the other? Hummmm......
6. The Living Word says that "Martha was distracted by the 'big dinner prep.'

The dinner became more important than the Guest. Bingo!

Thought: Does how what we do distract or draw us closer to Jesus? Is it about HIM or about the "prep?"

How do we know? The Indicators!

"Prep" indicators: Worry. Upset. Distraction. Pouring over details. Talking to Jesus about other humans rather than listening to Him!

"About Him" indicators: Focus on Him! Listening TO HIM!

So, is this account about ACTIVITY verses QUIETNESS? Perhaps not.

It's about checking ourselves to make sure that 'the ministry', 'the activity', 'the function', 'the meeting', 'the gathering' is secondary to the Guest!!!!

Are we DRAWN to Jesus or DISTRACTED by the all the 'preparations'?

Drawn,
Ele

Being Held Hostage

2011-08-12T16:03:00.000-06:00

She felt like throwing her IPhone across the room after the interchange but thought better of it. "I am sooo p.o.ed at her! Who does she think she is?!" The words barely crossed the threshold between thought and utterance when an all-to-familiar emotion began to ooze its way into her soul. "But you did hurt her feelings....now didn't you? You know how she is...how she needs those affirmations from you....." She tossed the IPhone into her purse. It soft-landed next to the credit card holder. She felt worse than before...Self-doubt was heightened by the unwelcomed addition of Guilt.

Guilt. A cruel hostage-holder. No care. No interest. Only demands...accusations....reminders....

The thing about guilt is that it carries an element of truth within that twists, turns, cuts and barbs. And it can gnaw on the soul of a person who is responsible, caring, desiring to do what is right, to 'be' for another, until that one is quietly hemorrhaging from within. Guilt.

Jesus has been 'growing me' in this area of guilt. Here are some of His thoughts. They have strengthened me. Perhaps they might be of help to you as well.

1. Listen carefully to what the other is saying.
2. Refrain from defending oneself. Focus on listening.
3. Remain calm, asking for clarification if necessary.
4. Talk to Him! Ask Jesus for help, to see the other, the situation through His eyes.
5. Apologize when necessary; restate when appropriate.
6. Commit yourself to the other, but not necessarily to 'solving' their perceived problem.
7. Keep in the Living Word daily for perspective and inner strength.
8. Pray for them, thank Jesus for them. Keep cleansing your mind with Truth.

Okay. Feedback. What do YOU think? How do YOU handle being held hostage by another dumping guilt on you?

Breaking out, Ele

"Not of our group"

2011-08-03T11:35:00.000-06:00

     It happened again last evening. We were seated in our living room. A book title was mentioned...a rather controversial book title, at least among some Christ-Followers. My heart sank a bit as one among us said, "The leadership of our church has recommended that this book not be read." "How come?" was my husband's reply. "They feel that the content of the book isn't in line with the teaching of our elders." "Hummmm," I thought. "Interesting standard...." My husband continued. "How did the author respond to their inquiries?" "Oh, no one spoke to him." "I see." Pause. Don inhaled and pressed, "What were their thoughts after reading the book themselves?" "I'm not sure any of them have read the book" our company responded. "It's just that, well, others have said that the book was 'off' a bit, so, I'm not going to read it either!" The last comment was accentuated with a bit of conviction...or was it arrogance?

   In the Living Word today I read these words. "Master, we saw someone using Your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group!" Luke 9:49

   Amazing! They spoke Truth yet missed it entirely. Someone was casting out demons IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!! Yet, their focus wasn't that humans were being delivered from the slimy grasp of the enemy. Their focus was "he isn't in our group!" He wasn't one of them.

   Jesus replied to those disciples of old: "DON'T STOP HIM! ANYONE WHO IS NOT AGAINST YOU IS FOR YOU!" Luke 9:50

   So, the question is: Do we get it? Us? THIS generation of Christ-followers? We have an enemy. His name is Satan; Lucifer, the Devil. He has helpers. They are called demons; evil spirits. "We wrestle NOT against flesh and blood...." Are we more loyal to powerful pastors, to captivating orators, to famous authors never personally met, to t.v. personalities, to denominations, to holy habits, to a group of men or women called 'elders' than we are to Jesus? Where is our focus: on Truth or on being in the 'right' group? Think about it! In whose 'group' are you? Jesus' or other humans?

   Grouping with Jesus, Ele

Form One Lane to the Right...

2011-07-10T08:48:00.000-06:00

It happened again just recently. We were driving to Flagstaff on Highway 17, cruising along. Signs started to appear..."One Lane Ahead" Then a very interesting phenomenon began occurring: Drivers began to speed ahead, to vie for who would get in the one lane first. Some drivers politely complied, forming the one lane to the right in advance. However, there were some, (we know the type...we ARE the type...!) that sped ahead to then crowd in at the last possible moment, to inch their advance to the one lane. EVERYONE wanted to get into the one lane to the right....

Fascinating. Intriguing. Telling.

People 'get it' on the highways. They see the advantage, the logic, the opportunity to continue on their journey by getting into the 'one late on the right.' It's the only way. It gets one from where they are to where they would like to be! There is no other way! No one stops, gets out with a homemade placard and starts protesting, "How narrow-minded!" "Prove to me that this is the only way!" "I'll make my own way!" No one veers to the left with a determined gleam in their eye to make another way. The lane to the right is full. Each driver enters the lane to the right....

However, some of these same people, when shown the 'one lane to the right', spiritually, balk. "Why, that's so narrow! Prove to me that Jesus is the only way! I'll make my own way! There must be MANY ways, not just ONE way!"

Jesus is THE "One lane to the right", my friends. "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. NO ONE can get to the Father except through Me!" John 14:7

Not a boast. A fact.

Not narrow. The only.

There is no other way. Jesus is not being exclusive. Just the opposite!! HE IS THE WAY FOR ALL HUMANKIND!! The "right lane" is there for EVERYONE. One just needs to take it!

May we 'get in line' with joy and appreciation. May we be full of gratitude. For, 'there is a way that SEEMS right' to a human...but that way ends in Death. Proverbs 14:12

Let's choose LIFE!! Let's 'get in the lane to the Right!'

In the Lane, Ele

A Step Back in Time

2011-07-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

It's been years since we had four little ones in the house night and day, day after day...until this week. Don and I have had the joy (and responsibility!) of four of our grandkiddos. Four. At the same time. All day. All night. Continually...

We raised four kids: three were less than four years apart. Two of those were were 17 months apart. At the time I thought I would remember it all: the short (or long) nights, the continual jabbering, the daily baths, the three (at least) meals a day, the bedtime stories, combing the hair, washing the clothes, planning the meals...the loves, the hugs, the tears, the wipings....

I must admit that over the years all these details have slipped, have softened, have submerged into the recesses of 'past' as the 'current' of life daily rises and falls.

It was 3:09 p.m. The reason I know the exact time is that I was going to take my morning shower...finally...after three days of wanting to take a morning shower. The house was clean, in a matter of speaking. The kids were bathed and fed...again. The dishwasher was humming and the aroma of fresh chocolate chips wafted through the air. The moment was there and I seized it....luxury. A shower. Alone. Ahhh.... The luxury abruptly ended at 3:21 p.m. How do I know? The scuttling, laughter and running broke the illusion. I was, again, "on call."

What have I relearned through continual time with four of my grandchildren? The importance of 'being.' The value of time. The joy of 'consistent.' I applaud all moms. My hat is off to Family. May you,
"mom" rise to the privilege of parenting: love on your kiddos every day, remembering that this, too, will pass. Your investment in time, energy and focus is worthy. One day you will look back on this moment, this day. May that future you be pleased with the mom you are now.

A Glimpse.....just a taste......

2011-06-24T17:10:00.000-06:00

******It was October, one of the best months of the year, at least to Cassie. Perhaps she loved October so much because of the leaves turning from summer greens to multi-shades of red, gold, bronze, fire-orange and browns. Her own reddish hair flashed with multilayer brilliance in the crisp autumn air. The depth in her still-water blue eyes was even more alluring with the backdrop of fall all around her. The combination was stunning. Cassie’s willowy frame added to the over-all affect, causing her quick movements to appear more like a fictional nymph playing hide and seek among the shimmering leaves than a young woman with lots to accomplish. “Come on! We don’t want to be late!” She was excited.

Cassie was oblivious to the effect that her physical appearance had on others. She relished life and the others within that life. Love seemed to bubble out of her. She knew that "being" was a gift beyond herself and she began each day, respectfully unwrapping every moment knowing the gift that lay within was beyond price. “Hurry up, slow poke,” she joked as Matt finished packing the back of his aging Jetta. “Not the coolest date car, for sure”, Matt had announced the first time he had come by to pick her up. “But it gets great gas mileage and it’s paid for!” Matt didn’t know it then, but his honest appraisal of his current life situation somehow had made Cassie relax around him. “I feel safe with you,” she had thought. “A guy who is good looking as well as secure in who he is! Kinda cool!” Matt was “decent enough” to use his words about himself. In reality he thought his appearance to be a bit odd. His Italian heritage bronzed his skin and darkened his curly hair. He thought it mildly interesting when people tried to guess his legacy. “Is he Latin?” queried Cassie’s friends when Matt and she had first started dating. Others wondered if his birthright was more Mid-Eastern or even Greek. Actually Matt considered himself one hundred percent ‘home-grown’, a “local product’, so to speak. A generation earlier his dad had run away from his home in Iowa to join the Navy at the beginning of WWII. His parents had met at a dance for enlisted men at a local bar near Bremerton, Washington. And Matt was the result of that dance. He sported his dad’s oversized nose and looked out at the world through his mother's blue, penetrating eyes. His thick, soft lips naturally curled up to one side, giving him an appearance that others described as “that” look. Matt had a growing awareness of how strong that particular unaffected gaze could be on others. At times it made him uneasy. ******

Well, dear Reader, a glimpse of Possibility. This is part of the proposed opening for Book Three. Pray with me for the Lord's will to be done in regards to the Trilogy of Choices.

Choosing His Will,
Ele

Authentic Mentoring 101

2011-05-06T19:15:00.001-06:00

She sat across from me, her sunglasses hiding the redness of her eyes. Sally was sipping her recently purchased frap trying not to let the tears flow. She had phoned me saying that she wanted to meet. We were casual friends from the same Body of believers. Our paths had once crossed with frequency but less during the past two years. So this meeting was purposed. Sally was frustrated, "p.o.ed" and sad...very sad. No gushing, no frivoless chatter was going to occur at this interchange; Sally was at the end of her spiritual rope, hand slipping, almost ready to just let go.

Sound desperate? Yes. Sound overstated? No, not to Sally. Sound like an isolated case? Those of us who have stepped into authentic spiritual mentoring would respond with a firm, "No!" Church buildings are full of "Sallys", people who have 'done everything right, have attended all posted meetings, who purchase all the current books...and yet are still left with that inner question that haunts them, "Is this all there is to following Jesus...to Jesus Himself?"

Authentic spiritual mentoring. What is it? What isn't it? Good questions! As one walks the pages of the Gospels, as one pauses to observe the Master Mentor, as one is drawn near to Him herself to listen, muse, ponder His questions for herself, one, almost unknowingly, steps into the realm of authentic spiritual mentoring. And then, as that same one looks up and sees other pausing, musing and pondering, it is only natural that they begin walking, together, on this Journey of Life. Authentic spiritual mentoring is earning the right to partner with Who the Holy Spirit is being in the life of another to then infuse Truth into their reality when it is appropriate to do so. It was appropriate to do so with Sally as she sat there trying not to cry.

"Ele, thanks for meeting with me. The boy are at school and I have some open time." "It's good to see you, Sally. Been awhile, hasn't it?" I responded, quietly slipping into the chair across from her. "What's on your heart?"

At that question the tears began to flow anew. After a pause in which she tried to compose herself, Sally began sharing, her eyes continuing to be hidden by her sunglasses. "I'm worn out, exhausted, disgusted, scared, disappointed..all rolled into one!" She exhaled. "I've been trying to be a good Christian every since college and you know, I'm about ready to just drop it all...the weekend services, the Bible studies, the Sunday school thing, the small group...' Her voice trailing off as hope worn thin.

"From where comes the pain, the weariness?" I queried. Sally paused as she pondered the question. "From where comes the pain?" she repeated. Sally adjusted her glasses up with her finger as she dabbed her eyes, catching in the softening tissue the new flow of tears. "Hummm...well, it has to be from disappointment, from being so very tired of being a 'church player.'...Ele, the only reason I keep up this charade is for the sake of my two boys and Jim. Jim loves the rhythm, the safeness of attending and being known in our small group. The boys enjoy their friends and most of the activities. But I..well...I can take it or leave it right now. I'm ready to leave it.

Sally's pain is not unique to Sally. Just the other morning I found myself at my computer with my customary piece of toast and cup of hot green tea. I was at my face book page and there was a note that had come in sometime during the night. It could have been from Sally, but it wasn't. Melinda had received the book "Transforming Together' in the mail that day. She was excited to open the package from Amazon. As she crawled into bed, Dave, her husband, looked at her over his reading glasses. "New book?" he mumbled. "Yep!" was Melinda's quick reply. She wanted to begin reading, so, snuggling in a blanket she opened the cover and began to read. Three chapters later David gently suggested that she 'turn out the light, please.' Reluctantly she obliged him. However, an hour later she awoke only to find herself still ruminating over the book...especially one sentence in the book. That sentence was the reason for the three a.m. face book message. "Ele, you stated that there was a time in YOUR life when you secretly whispered, "God, is this all there is?" And then Melinda added, "Is this all there is to You, to following You, to being a Christ-follower? Meetings, filling in the blanks,discussions, attending..If so, You know, 'thanks', but I think I'll pass." "Ele", Melinda wrote on, " I'm reading your book as one who is going under for the third time. I'm desperately trying to do all the right things to have that 'abundant life' we're told about. I'm dying, little by little, but refusing to roll over and be dead..IF there's a breath of chance that there's more to being a Christ-follower than I'm experiencing now. I'm needing to be rescued. Help me."

The organized church desires to be helpful, to be available, to teach well, to instruct fully. We offer classes, purchase bible studies courses, encourage seminars, sell DVDs..but do we mentor? Do we feel the heartbeat of another, hear their unspoken words, envision their dreams with them? "Transforming Together' takes the reader to those possibilities. The pages invite the ready to stop and sit at the feet of the Master Mentor, Jesus Himself. From that perspective, at His feet, one is introduced to organic mentoring; heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit. And after breathing in the fresh air of authentic mentoring one just may decide to stay.

Staying, Ele

A Week Left to Live

2011-04-27T11:34:00.000-06:00

What would you do if you knew you had only one week left to live? What life-changes would you make?

Who would you purpose to see? What conversations would you want to have? What food would you make sure you ate? Where would you go?

Interesting to think about, isn't it? Perhaps a passing musing as you take your morning jog, an option to talk-radio as you sit in traffic.....

But for Jesus it was more than mental entertainment: It was His reality.

"Uhh....interesting, Ele," you may be saying, "But Easter and all that kind of thinking just happened. You're a bit late with this post."

Maybe so. Maybe this post is "off" if thought of one's last week is confined to a date on the calendar.

But I think not.

So, what would you do if you knew you had only one week left to live?

How did that knowing affect Jesus' last week?

Let's find out:

Luke 20:47 picks up right after the now-famous "Palm Sunday" ride into Jerusalem, a week before He gave Himself for us on the cross. What does it say"

"After that, Jesus taught daily in the Temple...."

In other words, Jesus continued being/doing exactly as He had always been!!

You see, when life is lived from Jesus' perspective every day, nothing need change just because our particular time on earth is drawing to a close:

* Relationships are maintained; one is already in harmony w/those loved, a richness of 'iron sharpening iron" is part of the fullness of living, there is health in 'being' with others.

* Purposed conversations are had; laughter is quick and cleansing; one can go deep with eternal meaning as well as bob on the surface for mutual fun; forgiveness is given and received.

* Meals are with friends/family. Food is enjoyed as means to a greater end, not as an end in and of itself.

* Places visited are reminders of Somewhere far greater, not as "destination points" that know no equal.

Some day, some week will be our last week on earth. The slippery part of that truth is that we don't know when so we try to trick ourselves by ignoring, by cramming, by filling....

May I suggest an alternative? Live each day, starting now, as Jesus lived each of His: With purpose;
with focus, with intense love, with over-whelming passion, with other-interest, with Knowing.....

Living Each Day for Him,
Ele

The Bleating of One Sheep

2011-02-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Baaa......" When sheep bleat they are usually wondering because something seems amiss......" Here's the bleating of this Sheep.....

Shepherd. "Shepherding." Pastor. Pastoring Interesting words, "pastor," "shepherd." Two words that mean the same thing: Caretaker of sheep. At the very most not a coveted position: to work apart from the maddening crowds, isolated, poor. Why? Hazards of the vocation: caring for sheep. Dumb animals, sheep. Followers. Pretty much helpless; exposed to the elements, to predators, to disease....needing almost constant attention, care and preventative measures.

Why talk about pastors, about shepherds, about sheep? Because the Living Word does. Humans are referred to as 'sheep.' Not very complimentary....but accurate, true. Humans, at best, are followers. As much as we would like to think of ourselves as something else, we're not. We are in desperate need of a Shepherd.

Jesus is referred to as the "Good Shepherd." Implication? There are "not-so-good-shepherds." There are "bad" shepherds. There are "other" shepherds. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He, ultimately, cares for His sheep....us Christ-Followers. However, Jesus shares this position of care w/mere humans. To be a "shepherd, a pastor" is one of the spiritual gifts. The role of "pastor" is gifted by the Holy Spirit, not by committee. One does not 'apply' for the position, just as one does not apply for any of the spiritual gifts. By definition, the Holy Spirit GIVES the gifts to believing individuals FOR THE EQUIPPING OF GOD'S PEOPLE TO DO HIS WORK! How do we know this? The Living Word says so! Ephesians 4: I Corinthians 12....

So, my musing is this: How can one person, man or woman, pastor/shepherd 'sheep' they do not know, who do now know them? In John 10 Jesus reminds us how important it is for the shepherd to 'call his sheep by name' and for the sheep to 'know their shepherd's voice' in order for there to be trust. Relationship. How does one have a relationship with an image on a screen? Who is able to know the names of thousands of sheep who are herded in groups to the 'pen'? Where is the contemporary disconnect...or is there one? Is the current way of 'doing church,' of "feeding the flock" by DVD, web streaming,' conventions', mass gatherings, the best we can offer? Really? Or, perhaps, we may be sacrificing BEST on the altar of GOOD?

What do you think? Better yet, what is taught in the Living Word? My own personal standard is "how did Jesus interact with______________(insert any topic.) His way, hands down, IS THE BEST. So, I have to ask myself, "Whose idea was it is 'mass produce' shepherding?" and the more insidious unspoken question, "Why? Who is getting the glory?"

One Sheep Baaing.....

"Bedebe-boop!"

2011-01-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

"Bedebe-boop" the sound my phone makes when a text appears was heard. The plane was still on the tar mack rolling into it's appointed bay. Phone were heard clicking and singing themselves back to life. We had just landed.

I pulled my phone out, opened it up and read the following, "I am w/a friend who's 21-yr old son was killed in motorcycle accident last night..1st, asking 4 prayers. 2nd, I forgot my Bible. Could u send me a couple verses I can share?"

A few hours later, early the next morning, my phone made the same "bedebe-boop" sound. Another text. This was from another friend, "My hubby hit black ice on the way to work this morning...flipped the truck..he just called me in shock saying he doesn't know if he is hurt and ambulance is on the way...please help me pray!!!!!!! I'm not panicking, please just shoot up a prayer with me."

Texting: Friend or Foe? Neither. It's a neutral tool. How it is utilized determines if it is helpful or hurtful.

Why do I share this with you? Because I am reminded, daily, that we as Christ-Followers are IN the world but NOT OF this world's system! What does that mean? It means we can utilize ALL that this world offers...FOR CHRIST'S GLORY!!! That's why I Facebook. Actually, I have two Facebook accounts; a semi-personal one and one for those who have read Transforming Together and appreciate spiritual "shorts." I'm on Twitter. Yes, I tweet! Why? Because I have little to do? No..... because those 'tweets' are read by over 9,000 people a week! Do I know them all? That would be a "no." Does it matter. Again, that would be a "no"...BECAUSE JESUS KNOWS WHO THEY ARE and HE IS WHAT TRULY MATTERS!!!

So, back to texting. Yes, it costs a bit more. (I pay for each text as they come and go...works economically better for me....) Yes, it can be 'abused' and is....JUST LIKE ANY OTHER TOOL. However, it can also be UTILIZED FOR CHRIST'S GLORY. The above texts are witnesses to that.

Also, I know the vast majority of you who read this will not respond to me...AND THAT'S OKAY! Nearly 200 of you read these blogs each time they are posted. Maybe up to three respond by writing me back. Again...THAT'S OKAY...for IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, BUT ABOUT JESUS!!! THAT'S the response that matters!! How ALL of us, myself included, interact w/JESUS, MATTERS!!

May we choose our battles wisely, friends. May we not "diss" these and other tools God has placed in our hands. May we embrace EVERY means by which HIS NAME can be raised up and glorified.

You need to excuse me now....I'm going to have time in His Living Word w/a friend via skype.....

ALL for HIS GLORY,

Bedebe-booping, Ele

Full of purpose conversation

2011-01-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jesus was a Master at the art of communicating. He conversed with purpose.
How refreshing.
May I be frank with you? (Come to think of it, I always am!)
Many conversations that I hear are, frankly, boring, silly, superficial...downright annoying....
(Is that too frank?!)
How come? They are circular, beginning w/a person and....yes...ending there.
We're masters of talking...quite a distance from communicating.

Humans have made talking an industry: I mean, just turn on the t.v. if you have any doubt...!
TALK shows, 'reality' shows that...yes, talk about themselves....
TALKING leads to self-absorption which in biblical terms is self-worship.
So, what is our alternative?

Let's look at how Jesus chose to deal with this while He was here on earth:

1. He WAS. He 'hung' with people. But He hung w/purpose!

2. He was CLARIFYING. The very first words recorded for in the Gospel of John that Jesus spoke were, "What do you want?" This way all involved knew the openness or lack of w/in the conversation.

3. He was INTRIGUING. Instead of always responding right away, Jesus ENHANCED the conversation! The next sentence recorded in John is "Come and see." He GAVE OPTIONS! "Hey, IF you really are interested, invest a bit of time w/Me! If not,....."

4. He INVESTED TIME w/others. He really enjoyed hanging, listening, interacting...NOT DUMP and RUN!

5. He STUDIED people, LOOKING BEYOND WHO THEY ARE TO WHO THEY COULD BECOME! (BTW: HUGE, friends!) "Jesus, LOOKING INTENTLY at Simon said, "Your name is Simon, son of John-BUT you WILL BE called Cephas!" Inadvertently Jesus became safe because He offered hope of growth.

6. He HEARD WHAT PEOPLE WERE REALLY COMMUNICATING, NOT JUST WHAT THEY SAID.
He didn't take offense. Nathanael had rather dissed Jesus. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" When Jesus first met him, Jesus complimented Nathanael! "Now here is a genuine son of Israel-a man of COMPLETE integrity." Jesus knew Nathanael's heart. He OVERLOOKED the insult to the INTENT of the statement.

Okay, the above is all seen in John 1. What is your response? We see how Jesus turned everyday conversations into a moment of focus on God.

What about us? How may WE turn conversations that WE are part of into moments that glorify God and are helpful to all involved?

Would love to hear from YOU!! Please hop ON THIS BLOG rather than responding on Facebook. That way MORE can interact w/YOUR thoughts on this very key subject!!

May our conversations be 'seasoned w/salt', ENHANCING what is already being said....

Desiring to communicate,
Ele

Almost......

2010-12-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

We know life on earth has an end.
It has for every person before us.
It will for us as well.

However, few of us live as if we're going to die.

Today God gave Don and me a gift: Don almost died.

We were out to lunch. Right before Christmas. A moment just for 'us.' Nice!
Don loves Mongolian BBQs. You know, you go through a line pressing frozen pieces of meat, fresh veggies and noodles in a bowl, drowning it w/spicy water, handing it to a guy who tosses it on a hot platter and hands it back to you ready to eat?
So far, so good.

We sit down in a booth for some quiet conversation. Don takes one bite...another...and then.....he chokes.
Coughs. Head down. Hand to mouth, then to throat. Tries to take in a breath. Doesn't succeed.

Don is in trouble.

Slow motion sets in: My thoughts vacillate between "I don't want to bother others; Don, please, stop drawing attention to yourself...to us" to, "Don, are you okay? Don? Don?" No answer, just eyes looking at me bugging out. Skin going gray. Still no breath.

The guy in the booth next to us stands up and comes over. He's big. "Do you need help?" he asks sheepishly, shyly. I put my finger up trying to communicate, "Stay right there. Don't move." He gets it. He stands, motionless.

Don tries to breath again. Nothing. Not good. Now he's down on his knees next to the booth in the isle. He's in trouble.

Unbeknown to me someone calls 911. ("Thank you, whoever you are....) Another customer, Beth, comes and offers her help. Beth is a nurse. She encourages Don to breath. Good advice...but how?
Nameless comes up. She's an EMT, offering the same advice. Again, great input...but how?

Big Guy is still standing, motionless. "Please," my voice says, "start the heimlich maneuver on my husband." "I don't know how," was his reply. "Just grab him and squeeze," my voice states. Factual. Polite...belying how I'm beginning to feel inside.

Police arrive. Still no good breath. Don is now drooling, foaming....eyes bugging out.....
Firemen arrive in their big truck. Very surreal. As they run in with a gurney and oxygen Don's body lunges, shoulders up and back, head down. His body recoils with inner force and.....out shoots an unchewed peanut. "AHHHHHHHH........" Beautiful sound of gasping for air. All is well.....

The rest is 'clean-up'....firemen taking vitals, administering oxygen, writing out a report....

Don and I lock eyes.

My thoughts go back to the conversation in the car from our home to the restaurant. It had to do with death and dying. Both of us agreed that Death is conquered through Jesus (THANK YOU!) However, dying.....well, dying...the act of leaving the body and entering Eternity....that's another thing. We both agree we want to 'go' fast...no lingering painful departure....(as if we have a choice....) .... and then 'this' happened to Don...to me...to us....

Lessons brought to our attention? Well, a few things come to mind:
1. When God says, "Come", NOTHING can keep one from going
2. When it's NOT our 'time', NOTHING can cause one to go
3. We are ALL just a breath away from our eternity....literally
4. LIVE! SAY "I love you!" HUG...often! Dance in the parking lot! Have a picnic in winter!!!

EACH MOMENT is a GIFT from GOD!!

We all have an 'expiration date'.... The Living Word says it this way, "It is appointed to all once to die.."we just don't know when.

Please, if you need to connect with Jesus, DO!
   if you need to live, to love...DO!

We'll all just a breath away from Eternity.

Breathing easy in Him,
   Ele

Squeezed in or Set Free?

2010-11-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

The holidays are upon us. "'Tis the Season" we will hear...over and over and over again.

Men in red costumes, toys for all ages, everywhere, t.v. shows tantalizing all the senses....

And somewhere in all of the hubbub is Someone's birthday to celebrate!!

The Living Word invites us to be "new and different."

It says it this way, "Don't let the world system around you squeeze you into it's mold,
but be new and different..." (documented for us in Romans 12)

So, the question is: Are you crawling into the world's mold, allowing it to squeeze you into it's image OR are you walking in Truth, clean of cultural layers.....NEW and FREE?!!

No facts have changed.

Jesus, the Eternal One, chose to limit Himself, squeezing Himself into a human capsule, taking on all of humanity....all of God...in One.

He came, humbly, for two reasons:
1. To save us from ourselves
2. To show us how we then should live

The Gift is Himself.
The Giver is Himself.

HE desires to free you, not squeeze you into a mold.

May you choose wisely this CHRISTmas Season.....

The choice is in your heads, your heart, your hands....

May this be truly MERRY CHRISTSmas!!

Set free and loving Him,
Ele

FULL of Thanks

2010-11-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

The giving of thanks. It's that time of year when we "officially" bow our hearts and heads, fold our hands and offer thanks to God for His provisions. But do we truly understand what it means to give thanks, to be full of thanks?

Pause with me for a moment. What does the giving on thanks look like....feel like?

We're told that to give thanks is....

to express gratitude
to offer appreciation
to feel the benefit of another
to acknowledge contribution to our life

How are we doing? Daily? Today? Right now?

We know from the Living Word that 'out of the ABUNDANCE of the heart the mouth speaks.'

So, we give ourselves away, quite literally, by what we share with others, what others hear from us.

I would encourage ALL of us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, friends!!

We have so many reasons to be FULL of thanks!!

Why not take the next 30 seconds and write down for what/who YOU are full of thanks!!

If it's a person...TELL THEM!!! If it's an object, use it well and share it liberally!!

Let's be known as people FULL of thanks....all year long!!

FULL of thanks for YOU,

Ele

Entering into the Holy-Daze

2010-10-19T21:10:00.001-06:00

It's coming....almost here.......the holidays, or holy-daze as it seems to be.

When did the preparation become more important than the event?

We've really worked on "simplifying" our holiday season around our extended family:
  We draw names so that we purchase a gift for just one other person.
  We "home-make" crafts, bake our own Christmas Goodies....
   Sing around the piano and carol to our neighbors.....

All with the intent of 'keeping it simple' so that we can focus on the Main Event...
The Reason for the Season....Jesus Christ coming to earth.......

But do we accomplish what we set out to do?

Are we in awe at the fact that "The WORD has become flesh and lived among us?"
Do we really get that "In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God?'

May I remind myself and encourage you at the same time to keep first things first as you step into this most holy of seasons.....

Keep in the Living Word, my friend. There is no substitute.
Pause in the "fun" of it all to remember Whose you are and why you are still here.

It's coming...almost here....the holy days.......

Pausing in the 'days',

   Ele

Carrying....

2010-09-30T20:18:00.001-06:00

The conversation was one-sided. The person I was with was repeating, for the third time, their financial situation. Someone had done them wrong. Defaulted payments which, in turn, were putting them in discomfort, perhaps in jeprody. Not good.

I understood. I was feeling frustration and a bit of uncertainty in my own life as well. In these current times, perhaps no one is exempt. Her remarks were reasonable, understandable, acceptable.

So, why was I feeling devalued, empty, and yes, a bit upset when our time together was over?

Upon reflecting, I think I know why:

There was no interest in anything or anyone beyond herself. She was totally absorbed in her situation, her world, her pain, her potential loss, her...

A basic biblical principle had been violated.

Scripture teaches us: "Carry one another's burdens" Galatians 6:2

The art of "one anothering" is a not privilege. It is a command to Christ-Followers that manifests itself as a gift. Jesus understands the value of "carrying." To those who reach out, uphold and share; it is beautiful. It adds to life. It quiets the spirit and calms the soul.

Conversely, to other's whose main and perhaps, single thought, is themself, it is tragic. It is 'less.' It is disobedience. How exhausting to be driven by Self-Need.

So, what do we do in these uncertain times? How does one carry another's burdens?

I would recommend the following:
1. Pray. Tell God.
2. Thank Him for what He already has in mind for you.
3. Focus on the options before you, instead of repeating, over and over the wrong done you.
3. Ask others how they are doing in these tough times. Show interest.
4. Pray with them as well.

God is in control. Our future is secure in Him, come what may.

What brings God the most glory during uncertainty is how we choose to walk through rough times, not the absence of them. Who is Life all about, anyway?

The choice is daily.

Choosing to carry, Ele

"The Good Ol' Days..."

2010-09-06T09:56:00.000-06:00

We give ourselves away by what comes out of our mouths.

For example, there are those among us who begin many sentences with, "In my time...." "When I was in......." "It used to be...." "In my day...." (never have understood this one....." what "day" is "my" day?!!)

The Good Ol' Days.

God has an interesting perspective on the good ol' days: It's found in Jeremiah 3:16

"And WHEN YOUR LAND IS FILLED ONCE MORE WITH PEOPLE," says the LORD, you will no longer wish for 'the good old days.'

What do we see here:

* "When": A choice must be made on our part; it's not a given.

* "Your land is filled": The implication is that 'your land' is presently not filled. That which is around you, giving your purpose to get out of bed, sustenance as your 'cultivate' it, and nourishment as the fruit of the 'land' is enjoyed must be in the present, not the past. (Any farmer gets this one!)

* "Once more WITH PEOPLE": Ahhhh.....here is the key, my friend. Our land is just that, 'land, WITHOUT PEOPLE in our lives! Cultivating the lives of those around us, 'watering', 'weeding', caring for PEOPLE in our lives is the key!!

* "You will no longer wish for the good old days" ; The implication is that WITHOUT cultivating PEOPLE in our lives we revert to wishful thinking, to wandering in the past, to getting stuck among ghosts of thoughts, of events, of times long gone....

God is calling us to ABUNDANT LIFE....NOW....TODAY...IN THE PRESENT!!

How? By 'filling our land with PEOPLE!!.....not memories!!"

May we grasp this biblical principle, hold on to it and FILL OUR LAND WITH PEOPLE, remembering the past with gratitude and living into the present...for HIS glory and the good of others!!

Please join me in "filling our land" with people....today!

Filling my land,
Ele

She said that she said.....

2010-08-12T14:42:00.000-06:00

It happened. That phrase we all dislike hearing...."She is soooo hurt by you...."
Someone was at my home. She took it upon herself to represent another's feelings.
"She is deeply hurt by you." were the words I heard. Now I was hurt as well.
People were talking about me and it wasn't good.
Bummer.
What to do about it? Well, this is what I did:
1. I told the person who told me that please, next time, instead of talking ABOUT me, talk TO me.
2. I called up the person who was "deeply hurt" by me for clarification.....AFTER talking to Jesus about it...about 'them'.....

Result: Clarity.

Turns out that the person who I was told was "deeply hurt" wasn't.
We had a great chat instead of a confrontation.
I called the Sharer and she wasn't answering her phone. Hummmmm.......

What was learned?
That Matthew 18 is right on.

No big surprise there!!

Let's be women and men who live out our faith....in the "everyday"ness of life.

Straight talkin',
Ele

Options

2010-07-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

God ALWAYS gives us humans options. It's called "free will."
We are invited to join Him in LIFE from HIS PERSPECTIVE
....or we can try to figure it out for ourselves from our point of view.

OPTIONS.

A major option is how we are choose to think, how we approach life's "curves," that which we cannot see in advance.

The Living Word speaks to that in Philippians 4:6 in particular.

"Don't worry about anything; INSTEAD, PRAY about everything!"

Let's look at this a bit closer, shall we?

"Worry": Concern, distress, anxiety about the known and the unknown!

Isn't that JUST what humans feed on?!!

I know a person who isn't comfortable, isn't content, isn't settled UNLESS she's worrying, fretting, going over, AGAIN AND AGAIN, what was done to her, by whom and how it is affecting her. Her conversation is FULL of worry. Her fitful nights are TESTIMONY to her worry. Her perspective on life REFLECTS her love of worry....and yet she calls herself a Follower of Jesus! Talk about things that make you go "hummmmmmm!"

You see, worry is "SELF-TALK" talking to yourself about whatever it is that is worrying you. "How will I ever get out of this?" "What is our country coming to?" "Should I sell or stay?" Self-talk. Worry.
So, is worry a BAD thing or just a condition of being human?

Worry is a form of IDOLATRY. We put someone else in place of the ALL-KNOWING, the ALL-in-ALL.....we choose to worry. We choose to self-talk, to mull, muse, go over, again and again and again...at the alter of Self.

What is God's option ? INSTEAD of worry (which God knows humans will do) He offers HIS option: Talk to HIM about it!!
How come?
PERSPECTIVE.

He is GOD. Future, Present, Past are all before Him at the same time.
And the kicker is that He loves you tremendously!!
His desire for you is what will cause you to become more like JESUS.
It's a win-win, folks!!

To worry is a national pastime. To pray is the Christ-Follower's option.

May we step out in this weak world of ours strong, with perspective, clear-minded and FREE of worry, STRONG in HIS PERSPECTIVE!!

Taking HIS option,
Ele

Being "Full of Forget"

2010-07-14T09:25:00.000-06:00

The Living Word encourages us to "forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead."
   Philippians 3:13-14

Interesting. It doesn't say, "Forget the bad things and remember the good things."

The Living Word says, "FORGET the PAST. PERIOD. The GOOD as well as the BAD.
Now, that's something, isn't it?
How come?
Well, remember that the Living Word also says to "LOOK FORWARD to what lies ahead!"
You see, we're pulled to what we're focusing on.
IF we're focusing on past BAD things, we'll stay in a vicious, self-hating circle.
IF we're focusing on past GOOD things, we may be tempted to 'stay there', to think more of ourselves than we ought.

Jesus knows that about us.

He is FREEING US FROM OURSELVES when we're encouraged to be "FULL OF FORGET" and "FULL OF LOOKING FORWARD to what lies ahead!"

Looking forward gives us energy, passion, hope, perspective, focus!

Join me, today, will you, in BEING FULL OF FORGET and FULL OF FOCUS on what lies ahead!!

Forgetful,
   Ele

Have you ordered your personal copy of "Transforming Together" from Amazon?
   Remember to do so, today!!
I'm available for speaking at Retreats and Conferences. Contact me through this site.

Much joy in the Lord to YOU!!
   Ele

The benefit of JOY!

2010-06-28T08:16:00.000-06:00

Joy: What is it?
Delight? Happiness? Light-heartedness? A name?

Probably all of the above are accurate...as far as they go.
However, the Living Word refers to JOY as the LORD'S STRENGTH for us!!!

Joy: The undergirding KNOWING that all is well......in JESUS.
Deep, abiding confidence that GOD knows, cares and IS ABLE.

JOY is much more than an emotion. It is a FACT. It is tangible.
It pervades all of the soul; the MIND, the WILL, and the EMOTIONS of us humans.

JOY gives us PERSPECTIVE, ENERGY, WILL POWER, FOOD FOR THE MIND:
We're reminded in Hebrews 12:2 that "BECAUSE OF the JOY awaiting Him, Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame."

What do YOU need to endure? disregard?

Let's continue to align ourselves with TRUTH, my friend. The LIVING WORD of GOD IS TRUTH. JESUS IS TRUTH. JOY is part of that TRUTH.

"THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!"

Strong in Jesus Joy,
Ele

(If you would like to get in touch w/me please write me at
ele.parrott1@gmail.com)
I am available for speaking as well.

State of Mind

2010-06-23T08:42:00.000-06:00

"This dumb thing doesn't work!" "It's too hot!' "They don't ask me how I am!"

You get it. You know someone like this. Perhaps, at times, you ARE this!

State of mind. How one perceives life.

I was with someone recently. I hadn't been with this person for awhile so I was hearing his perspective with fresh ears. Everything that was said had a bent to it....a negative, "self" bent. The monologue went from the weather being too hot, to the birds in the yard pooping too much, to cars driving by being too noisy, to neighbors not being friendly enough, to gas being too expensive to....... What was to have been a cozy visit turned into a dumping of negativity.

State of mind. How one perceives life.

The Spirit of God knows that humans struggle with this; that we tend to filter everything in life as to how it affects....ME. The Spirit knows that this particular state of mind is small, is circular, is not honoring to God....is toxic.

That's why we are encouraged to "have THE MIND OF CHRIST!" May HIS mind dwell, live, take up residence IN US!!!

"Don't worry about anything; instead, talk to Jesus about everything! Tell Him what you need and THANK HIM for ALL He is doing!! THEN you will experience God's peace, WHICH EXCEEDS anything we can understand! HIS peace with guard your heart (your emotions) AND your MIND as you live in Christ Jesus!

FIX YOUR THOUGHTS on...
what is TRUE, HONORABLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY and ADMIRABLE.

THINK ABOUT THINGS THT ARE EXCELLENT and WORTHY of PRAISE!

KEEP PUTTING INTO PRACTICE !!! Philippians 4:6-9

State of mind: How one perceives life.

Join me, will you, in entering into HIS state of mind? There's such JOY, ENERGY, FREEDOM in that state!!!

Moving to His state,
Ele

Disappointment

2010-06-09T17:19:00.000-06:00

They forget your birthday.
The call never comes.
She pulls away for no reason.
He stops talking to you.
Disappointment: The failure to satisfy hope when expectations are not realized.
Been there, right?
It's not a good feeling. It hurts. It devalues. It robs strength and exposes the vunerable in us.

What are our options when humans disappoint us (and they certainly will!)
1. Blame
2. Pull away
3. Learn how to disappoint others from their example
4. Become cynical, self-protective
5. Stop interacting

I'm sure you can add to the list, but we get the idea.

Disappointment, if allowed to take root, reaps bitter fruit for all involved.

How does the Living Word handle disappointment?

Straight on.

"They counted on [it] but are disappointed. When they arrived, their hopes are dashed." Job. 6:20

"First here, then there- you flit from one to another asking for help. But your new friends will disappoint you just as [the old ones] did before!" Jeremiah 2:36

God knows that humans WILL disappoint other humans. But the Living Word doesn't stop there!!

"They cry to Me and are saved; in Me they trust are are not disappointed!" Psalm 22:5

"Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed!" Isiah 49:23

So, my friend, what to do with disappointment?

1. Make sure that our HOPE is in the right Source!! ONLY Jesus is worthy of our hope, in that desire to be fulfilled.
2. Adjust expectations. Humans have GREAT INTENTIONS, but rarely, if ever, are able of completely fulfilling those intentions.
3. Fill that empty place inside of you with TRUTH! Get in the Living Word so that it 'gets' in you!!
You will find that those disappointments are slowly replaced with perspective, with strength, with kindness, with desire.

Full of His Hope,
Ele

(If you would like to interact on this or any other subject, please feel free to contact me through this blog. Continue in His Grace. Ele)

Family: Who are they?

2010-06-01T10:06:00.000-06:00

You're born into a group of people called family.
Life passes as you "grow up" with this group of people.
Then, a different moment for each of us, we leave that group of people.
Sometimes we see them often after that; more than not, we "move on" from them.

I've thought a lot about "family."
It is something we're told to value; to honor, to respect; to treasure and cherish.
But do we?

As always I take my cues on life issues from the Living Word. I was particularly intrigued by Jesus and his relationship with His earthly family. One scenario in particular comes to mind:
It's found in Matthew 12:46-50
"Jesus was speaking to the crowds. His mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you." Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then He pointed to His disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. anyone who does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"

Okay, let's break that down for us today:
1. Jesus was speaking, was ministering, was with crowds of people.
2. Where were His mother and brothers? OUTSIDE!
3. They wanted Him to LEAVE WHAT HE WAS DOING TO GO TO THEM.
4. Jesus' response? NO! My family is ANYONE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER!

HUGE TRUTH here folks! Do we see it?

It's great to be involved in your earthly family DEPENDING ON WHAT GOD HAS ASKED OF YOU and WHERE THEY ARE IN RELATION TO THAT!!! Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 12 that He was going to remain right where He was. He would not leave and go "outside" to be with them. THEY were invited INSIDE to be with HIM!!

Now, I'm not sure how you are going to apply this to your family situation, the family in which you were born. I'm not sure how I'm to apply this to my situation either. The point is, to know the Living Word, to see Jesus' example and then to apply that to your life. Truth is not a means in and of itself. The Living Word says that "you will know the truth AND the truth WILL SET YOU FREE!"

May we be free in Him in EVERY aspect of life, of living.....

In His Family,

Ele

(If you are interested in having me join you and your group for a Spiritual Retreat please feel free to contact me via this blog. I will respond.)

Time

2010-05-25T17:09:00.000-06:00

Books are written about it; seminars are attended to maximize it: TIME.

A gift from God to humans.

The Living Word says "Teach us to number our days, to apply our hearts to wisdom." in Psalm 90:12

You see, to grow old is not an option; it happens to all living beings. It is part of the process of life, of growing, of aging.

However, to grow WISE IS an option!!

Now, THAT'S something to think about!!

There is nothing quite as sad as to see a person with age still coping with life the same way they did when young. The body grew older but the person did not grow wiser. Jesus offers us an option: To APPLY OUR HEARTS TO WISDOM.

What does that mean?

It means that we are in the Living Word daily.
It means that we are asking the Holy Spirit to teach us Truth.
It means that we live out the Living Word.
It means that we grow in Him!
We BECOME wise.

A choice.

How about you? Is it about TIME that you apply YOUR heart to wisdom?
Jesus invites you to do so.

Applying my heart, Ele

2010-05-20T11:36:00.000-06:00

Spiritual feeding. Something to which we nod our heads, silently indicating that we know the importance of it. But do we actually do it?

In the physical realm, we know when someone is not eating, don't we?
How:
* Their appearance
* Their performance
* Their bodily function (or lack of)
* How they invest their time.....

The same is true in the spiritual realm:
We know someone (ourself?) is not spiritually eating, taking in nourishment, when...
* We appear spiritually weak, thin, undernourished
* Our spiritual performance is lacking, dulled, non-existent
* Our spiritual function is no intake, no outgo
* We invest our time in other types of "feedings"...activities, entertainment,sleep....

I was listening to someone the other day who was "so done" with organized religion here in the U.S.
(No argument there!) However, when asked what this person did to spiritually feed themselves, the response was equally disappointing: Basically nothing. A little "thinking the good thoughts" (whatever that means!), a little talking to God.....spiritual feeding? I think not.

Friend, Jesus invites us to "come and dine" with Him! How? By being IN the Living Word SO THAT the Living Word can BE in us! It's just that simple, that profound, that direct. I would encourage you to open the Living Word to John, to "the beginning" if this concept is new to you. Take it slow. There are no "brownie points" for whipping through chapter upon chapter. That's just silly. Superficial. A show.
Just like when you sit down to nourish your physical body, you must TAKE A BITE. CHEW on that bite. SWALLOW that bite. And, without any purposed help from you, your body assimilates the nutrition from that bite. Then, you repeat the process.

The same is true in the spiritual realm.
Sit down, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you!
Take a bite. (Perhaps four or five word!)
Chew on that bite (think about it!)
Swallow that bite (internalize it)
Allow your spirit, the eternal part of you, to assimilate the nutrition from that bite.
Repeat.

Begin. Continue to grow.....spiritually grow.

Growing w/ you,
Ele

Baby Birth

2010-05-12T06:36:00.000-06:00

The call came at 2:45 a.m.......of course!!!! (Are there ANY babies born during the day?!)
"Ellen is in labor! We're going to the hospital! Can you meet us there?" Grandpa Don and I couldn't get ourselves dressed fast enough. We were across town, passing several Starbucks w/o stopping BTW, to get to where the birth would be.

New life. Possibilities. Freshness. Another chance.

It's good to pause and think about birth.
It only happens to babies. Obvious, I know. But important.
Birth is natural and needful for a baby. The baby HAS to pass from where she is to where she needs to be.
The baby does nothing to be born. That is done for the baby by others.
It is a process, not a moment. The "crowning" moment is full of anticipation; but each moment prior to and after that is just as important to ensure a safe delivery.
There is great joy at the safe arrival of the baby.
There is great grief when that safe arrival doesn't occur.

Do we see spiritual implications here?

New spiritual life. Possibilities. Freshness. Another chance.

Spiritual birth is needful as well. We MUST pass from who we are to who Jesus would have us be.
We do nothing to be born spiritually. That is done for us by Jesus.
Spiritual birth is also a process, not a moment. The "crowning" moment truly is full of anticipation; but each moment prior to and after that is just as important!
There is great joy at the spiritual birth of a human, stepping from Death into LIFE.
There is indescribable grief when that spiritual birth doesn't occur as the one chooses to remain in Death.

These are some of the musings this Nona is having as I await the birth of our sixth grandchild. My heart is FULL OF LOVE for little Micah BEFORE seeing him, before holding him, before......

.....just as God's heart is FULL OF LOVE for you....HIS child.

Grateful to be born again,
Ele

Angels

2010-05-05T08:13:00.001-06:00

We know of angels, don't we? They were there in the beginning, are here now, and will share eternity with us.

Angels.

Movies have been made about them; books have been written about them; why, even t.v. has had programs about them. Humans are basically fascinated with angels....their wings, the glow about them, their ability to appear at just the right moments.....

We need to be careful to base our understanding of angels on the written Living Word of God and nothing else, don't we? How quickly we are swept away in fantasy, allowing the stroke of a director's hand to dictate our theology on these beings.

The little that is shared in the Living Word is intriguing:
* Angels surround the Throne of the Living Holy God proclaiming continual praises
* Angels stand guard at the once entrance to the Garden of Eden
* Angels have various positions and responsibilities in the heavenlies
* Angels interact w/ humans as directed by God
* Angels can strike fear in the human heart, give timely messages or lead to safety
* Angels war against demons as directed by the Living Holy God
* Angels observe humans as they interact with their God

May we appreciate these other beings. May our focus remain on Jesus alone, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith. May we join the angelic host of heaven in bowing down before and worshipping the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ our Savior.

Bowing and worshipping Jesus,
Ele

(If you would like to know more about Jesus, please, ask someone you know who knows Jesus or I would also be very open to dialoging with you about Him.)

Being Salt and Light!! What does THAT mean?!!

2010-04-24T15:20:00.000-06:00

Jesus sat down to teach a bit. He was introing a new way of living, of life. Part way through His teaching He paused as if to say, "Oh, by the way, there are 2 ways I would like you to be of influence while in this world."

Let's look at those 2 influences:

1. "Be salt." What does that mean? Salt is very small. It is not good alone. It's purpose is to BRING OUT THE BEST in something else. Application: BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS. ENHANCE!

2. Then Jesus went on to say, "You are the light of the world!" Light IS. Light doesn't talk, impose, butt in....it just IS. HOW are we to be light? Jesus clarified that for us. ""Let your GOOD DEEDS SHINE OUT for all to see, so that everyone will praise YOU!! Ehhhh.....does it really say that? No! "Let your GOOD DEEDS SHINE OUT for all to see, so that everyone will praise YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!"
BE EFFECTIVE!!!

So, in very specific ways we are to ENHANCE others, BRINGING OUT THEIR BEST.
We are also to, in very general ways, BE EFFECTIVE, by our lifestyle!!

How about you? What do YOU think about being 'salt' and 'light?'

"Being",
Ele

Friends

2010-04-16T17:52:00.000-06:00

I just said good bye to a friend. She had come to "be" for a few days.
Some "stuff" was stirring in her soul; good stirrings, deep stirrings, and, at times,
painful stirrings.
She had come, hopeful of finding someone to help with the stirrings.

Friendship. What a gift! The invitation to enter a life, to sit and "be" with another.
Incredible!

How are we 'being' in this area of life?

Seems like many struggle with friendship; what it is....what it is not.....
who to invite in, who to ask to leave....

Perhaps the "glue", the "substance" of a friendship ought to be revisited.

If the purpose of the friendship is to "be", truly "be", then that friendship will last a lifetime
and beyond.

If the purpose of the friendship is to "do", to "fix", to add to "me", to "something other than be", then that friendship is in constant jeprody of running its course and, in due time, passing away.

May you, may I, continue learning to "be" in the life of others.....
and invite others to "be" in our lives.....
It is so very needful.

Being......,

Ele

"Remembered and Discussed" OR "Remembered in Disgust!"

2010-04-06T13:19:00.000-06:00

She knew what she would do. She had to do it. HE meant so much to her and this would be her way of showing Him just how much. She would do it!

She walked into the house. It wasn't her home, but she entered as though it was. She was a woman with a mission. She had her alabaster jar; she had seen it every day for years as it sat in the same place ....waiting to be chosen, broken and poured out....on her...but it was not to be. The valuable, fragrant contents would be poured out on the Worthy One, on Jesus!

She approached Him, walking past His disciples. They looked at her with questions on their faces: "Who is this woman?" "Why is she here?" What does she have in her hands?" And then, with throught-motivated movements, she opened the jar and began pouring the expensive contents on His head. She was anointing Him.

The disciples couldn't react quick enough. By the time words found their way from their thoughts to their mouths the deed was done. All the oil had been poured out. Jesus was anointed. She had done what she purposed to do: give her best, pour out her future onto Him. She smiled. "Whaaaat....what have you done?!" The words flowed from the disciples mouths piercing the quite moment with anger. "Whhhhhy, we could have sold the contents of your alabaster jar and given the proceeds to the poor......(you foolish woman!)" Those last words were not uttered but breathed out in their disgust of her.

Jesus spoke into their disdain. "Who are you to criticize her for doing such a good thing? Opportunities to help the poor are before you every day. But you will not always have Me here. She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."

And here we are, today, remembering and discussing her deed. The disciples were "in disgust" with her for the 'waste.' They were repremanded by Jesus Himself for this.

And you: What does what she did mean to you? Anything? What life-lesson is taught by this interaction between the woman and her Lord?

Remembering,

Ele

*Author of "Transforming Together" a book on authentic spiritual mentoring available on Amazon.com I am available for speaking and/or giving workshops on a variety of subjects. If interested please contact me through this blog.

"Remembered and Discussed" OR "Remembered in Disgust!"

2010-04-06T13:14:00.000-06:00

She knew what she would do. She had to do it. HE meant so much to her and this would be her way of showing Him just how much He meant to her. She would do it!

She walked into the house. It wasn't her home, but she entered as though it was. She was a woman with a mission. She had her alabaster jar; she had seen it every day for years as it sat in the same place for years....waiting to be chosen, broken and poured out....on her...but it was not to be. The valuable, fragrant contents would be poured out on the Worthy One, on Jesus!

She approached Him, walking past His disciples. They looked at her with questions on their faces: "Who is this woman?" "Why is she here?" What does she have in her hands?" And then, with throught-motivated movements, she opened the jar and began pouring the expensive contents on His head. She was anointing Him.

The disciples couldn't react quick enough. By the time words found their way from their thoughts to their mouths the deed was done. All the oil had been poured out. Jesus was anointed. She had done what she purposed to do: give her best, pour out her future onto Him. She smiled. "Whaaaat....what have you done?!" The words poured from the disciples mouths piercing the quite moment with anger. "Whhhhhy, we could have sold the contents of your alabaster jar and given the proceeds to the poor......(you foolish woman!)" Those last words were not uttered but breathed out in their disgust of her.

Jesus spoke into their disdain. "Who are you to criticize her for doing such a good thing? Opportunities to help the poor are before you every day. But you will not always have Me here. She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."

And here we are, today, remembering and discussing her deed. The disciples were "in disgust" with her for the 'waste.' They were repremanded by Jesus Himself for this.

And you: What does what she did mean to you? Anything? What life-lesson is taught by this interaction between the woman and her Lord?

Remembering,

Ele

*Author of "Transforming Together" a book on authentic spiritual mentoring available on Amazon.com She is available for speakin and giving workshops on a variety of subjects. If interested please contact me through this blog.

Good Intentions or the Right Remedy?

2010-03-31T13:24:00.000-06:00

Trying. Trying hard. Going without. Being kind. Giving. Coaching your kiddo's team.

Good intentions.

In fact, great intentions! Stepping out of yourself, reaching out to others.
Needful. Helpful. Wonderful.
However, in the spiritual world, one must be prepared, equipped, readied by a Qualified Source.
Good intentions have no place in this realm.

The Living Word states it like this:
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." Proverbs 14:12

The concept that something "right" ending in death is a tough one for humans to grasp when it comes to spiritual life.
"Isn't that mean of God?"
"Why would God judge someone's good intents?"
"How close-minded and small!"

Well, is it?

Let's take that "small and close-minded" principle to our good intentions and apply it to another dimension of life, shall we?

Let's say I'm a mom (which I am!)
I love my kids (which I do!)
They have a disease that is common but there is only ONE REMEDY that cures this particular disease.
Let's say I want to cure my kiddos by giving them the very best homemade chicken soup.
I give it to them and ........ they are still sick.
So, I try something else, because I love my kids.
I take them to the park, every day, and push them on the swings, help them run in the fields, catch them as they come down the slide....and they get no better.

So, what's wrong? My intentions? No! They are great! Good motives, consistent follow-through.....
BUT THE WRONG REMEDY!
SOMETHING ELSE, PROVIDED BY AN EXPERT, IS NEEDED.
My intentions can support the remedy, but CANNOT REPLACE the remedy.

So, the spiritual application is there for us, isn't it?
We have life.
It has a terminal disease, sin.
We love life and try, with good intentions, to cure the disease.
But, my friend, WE CANNOT.
ONLY THE EXPERT CAN PROVIDE THE RIGHT REMEDY!!
JESUS is that "Expert." HE PROVIDED THE REMEDY for EACH, for ALL of us!!

May EACH OF US, PURPOSEFULLY, TAKE THE REMEDY PROVIDED FOR US BY JESUS.

Our good intentions just won't cure the disease of sin that we are ALL inflicted with.
JESUS IS THE ONLY REMEDY!

In His Cure,
Ele

There's fear and then there's Fear....

2010-03-23T09:26:00.000-06:00

Fear. Afraid. Anxious. Anxiety.

It comes to us with various names. The result is the same: Control which leads to Captivity.

Fear. As I listen to people's hearts these days I hear a reoccurring theme: Fear.
Fear of the future economy; fear of possible climate change; fear of health or lack of it; fear of danger to the fam and kiddos....fear!

I am more and more impressed by the fact that the majority of this fear expressed is in the FUTURE: "What if......" "How should I cope if....." "Where do we go if....."

Now, some types of fear are good for us: "Don't cross a busy street." "Keep your hand off of a hot stove" type of fear. However, fear that paralyzes, fear that dominates thinking, fear that taunts and torments is another type of fear. The Living Word of God speaks to this in

2 Timothy 1:7 "For GOD has NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND mind."

What are we taught here? That there is more than one source of fear. Here we see that there is a SPIRIT of fear; one sent to us by the enemy of our souls to defeat, deflate and derail us as Christ-Followers. What is the antidote to this SPIRIT of fear? POWER, LOVE and a SOUND mind!

Okay, how does this antidote work?
When our WILL is attacked by fear, we counter-attack with GOD'S POWER!
When our EMOTIONS are attacked by fear, we counter-attack with GOD'S LOVE!
When our MIND is attacked by fear, we counter-attack with GOD'S SOUND (healthy) mind!

Where is the SOURCE of this antidote? THE SPIRIT of the LIVING WORD OF GOD!!

So, my friend, if you're not in the Living Word, open it and GET IT INTO YOUR MIND!
If you are in the Living Word, STAY THERE and PARTNER with the SPIRIT EACH DAY!

We are created to walk from STRENGTH to STRENGTH, not from fear to fear.
Let us be MORE THAN CONQUERERS not weak victims!

In HIS POWER, LOVE and SOUND MIND,
Ele

Common but not Natural

2010-03-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

Death. The process of the soul leaving the body.
Not a comfortable subject, is it?
Death reminds us that this part of life is temporary.

When a Loved Ones dies it rocks our world, doesn't it?
I remember when I received the news that my dad had died.
I collapsed to the ground, my strength leaving my body as the words entered my heart.
"NO! NOT MY DAD!" my soul, my spirit, my being cried out!
The realization that he was beyond my reach was overwhelming, suffocating....
My world had completely changed in that moment.

Death is our enemy, the Living Word reminds us.
To bury our Loved Ones 'stings', the Living Word says.

This is true.

We know, in our heads, that "someday" EVERYONE dies...
EACH OF US will have a "someday"......
"But, please, NOT TODAY!" we cautiously whisper......

You see, death is common, BUT IT IS NOT NATURAL!!!

We were created to LIVE, NOT to die!
That's why Jesus' sacrifice is SO COMPLETE!!!

HE knows! HE cares! HE understands! and HE IS ALL-POWERFUL to un-do the
eternal consequences of Death!!!

So, we grieve at the passing of our Loved Ones, oh yes, we grieve.
BUT NOT AT THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOPE!!
Following Jesus GIVES US HOPE THAT WE WILL SEE ONE ANOTHER AGAIN!!

Death has no victory!
The grave has no sting!

How come? JESUS has OVERCOME!!

So, my friend, ENJOY YOUR LIFE here on earth!
Reach out and embrace each day as the Gift that it is.
Some of us have Life-Gifts that are well into the '90s....
Other of us have Life-Gifts that are in the '70s....
Still others of us receive a Life-Gift of a day or two, perhaps a month.....just under a year.....

Is God mean? Uncaring? Not involved? NO!
EACH DAY is something more than we deserve!!
ANY DAY is a Gift from Him!!
So, may we MAXIMIZE THIS DAY for Him!
May we be full of thanks for TODAY, for THIS DAY.....

Living, today, in HIS TRUTH for HIS GLORY,
Ele

Common but not Natural

2010-03-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

Death. The process of the soul leaving the body.
Not a comfortable subject, is it?
Death reminds us that this part of life is temporary.

When a Loved Ones dies it rocks our world, doesn't it?
I remember when I received the news that my dad had died.
I collapsed to the ground, my strength leaving my body as the words entered my heart.
"NO! NOT MY DAD!" my soul, my spirit, my being cried out!
The realization that he was beyond my reach was overwhelming, suffocating....
My world had completely changed in that moment.

Death is our enemy, the Living Word reminds us.
To bury our Loved Ones 'stings', the Living Word says.

This is true.

We know, in our heads, that "someday" EVERYONE dies...
EACH OF US will have a "someday"......
"But, please, NOT TODAY!" we cautiously whisper......

You see, death is common, BUT IT IS NOT NATURAL!!!

We were created to LIVE, NOT to die!
That's why Jesus' sacrifice is SO COMPLETE!!!

HE knows! HE cares! HE understands! and HE IS ALL-POWERFUL to un-do the
eternal consequences of Death!!!

So, we grieve at the passing of our Loved Ones, oh yes, we grieve.
BUT NOT AT THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOPE!!
Following Jesus GIVES US HOPE THAT WE WILL SEE ONE ANOTHER AGAIN!!

Death has no victory!
The grace has no sting!

How come? JESUS has OVERCOME!!

So, my friend, ENJOY YOUR LIFE here on earth!
Reach out and embrace each day as the Gift that it is.
Some of us have Life-Gifts that are well into the '90s....
Other of us have Life-Gifts that are in the '70s....
Still others of us receive a Life-Gift of a day or two, perhaps a month.....just under a year.....

Is God mean? Uncaring? Not involved? NO!
EACH DAY is something more than we deserve!!
ANY DAY is a Gift from Him!!
So, may we MAXIMIZE THIS DAY for Him!
May we be full of thanks for TODAY, for THIS DAY.....

Living, today, in HIS TRUTH for HIS GLORY,
Ele

Intimidating or Inviting?

2010-02-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

It has happened to all of us at one time or other:

Someone enters the room and we instantly are drawn to that person or somehow dislike them, right?

They are either intimidating or inviting.

What makes the difference?

Good question!

We see in Jesus' life that He comes "in HIS FATHER'S NAME." He "enters the room" to please

His Father, NOT those "in the room." Actually Jesus even says, "Your approval MEANS NOTHING

to me!" speaking of the religious leaders of His time.

So, what do WE glean from this insight into Jesus?

1. Human approval means nothing to Him

2. He enter's in His Father's name

3. He makes "every effort" to please God.

Now: What about us; you and me?

Perhaps we need to rethink our relationships/friendships.

Are we needing/desiring approval from others or do we enter another's life with the thought of

making every effort to please God in the friendship? Do we enter in HIS name, for HIS glory? Do

we make "every effort" to please God in the friendship? Can we say with John the Baptist, "HE must

increase; I MUST decrease?"

The more we enter and interact in other's lives IN HIS NAME, the more the 'spotlight' is on HIM....

less on us.

Now THAT'S inviting, not intimidating!! John 5:41-44

With an open invite,

Ele

Temptation

2010-02-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

We've all know what it feels like to be tempted....

To want something we know we shouldn't want.

We also know what it means to tempt....

To try to get someone to do wrong, especially by a promise of reward.

The Living Word tells that that "great sorrow" awaits those who tempt.

We certainly can agree with that! Why, if something tries to get another to do wrong,

especially by a promise of reward, they OUGHT to have "great sorrow" waiting for them!!

However, read on. Remember, the Living Word ALWAYS tells the truth, right?

Jesus goes on to teach that the MAIN SOURCE of temptation, of trying to get you to

do something wrong, is YOURSELF!!

What?

YES!!

Jesus warns us that WE are OUR OWN MAIN SOURCE of temptation!

So, is it time to take a hard look at "me?" How am I tempting myself?

The Living Word states that we tempt ourselves through three main avenues:

Our hands, our feet and our eyes.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Now, the question is: What am I going to do about it?

Looks like I have to make a choice between "great sorrow" and "cutting myself off"

at how I try to get myself to do wrong, by promising myself a reward!!

The application is clear, isn't it? How am I tempting myself through

what I do.....where I go.....what I look at....

and then, what am I going to do about it?

"Great sorrow" or "freedom from myself?"

Choosing freedom,

Ele

Matthew 18:7-9

(If you would like to communicate with me regarding speaking please do so at ele@finishers.org)

ROI: Return on Investment, Spiritually Speaking....

2010-02-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Value. Investment. Return.

At times we may think that all this emphasis on ROI was something we humans came up with.

Well, let's take a look at that, shall we?

We're told in Matthew 10

"If you cling to you life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

ROI.

Let's think about this first in the physical, material sense, okay?

You have some money. It is yours. You've earned it. It has value to you. You choose to take that

money and give it to an investor, someone you trust. You literally place your money into the hands

of another, with the hope that that person will take your money, invest it, and, at an appoint time,

return to you not just the initial investment money but also all the interest earned on that money,

the ROI.

During the time of investing you have NO SAY as to how the Investor uses the money.

Now, if you are not willing to sign over your money to an Investor for a period of time, you do have

the option of putting your money into a savings account....at a MUCH LOWER ROI! However, you

still have control over that money; you can withdraw from or add to that savings account at any time.

Okay, we kinda 'get it' we understand how ROI works with money.

Now, let's take that understanding w/ us as we step into Jesus' teaching about LIFE:

You have a life. It is yours. You've been given it as a gift. You life has great value to you.

You choose to take your life and give it to Jesus, Someone your trust. You literally place your

life into the Hands of Jesus with the hope that Jesus will take your life, invest it, and, at the appointed

time, return to you NOT JUST THE INITIAL INVESTMENT of your life BUT ALL THE "INTEREST"

earned on that invested life, the Spiritual ROI.

Now, you do have to option to put your life into a "savings account." You still maintain control.

You can withdraw from or add to that 'savings account' at any time, at a MUCH LOWER ROI.

Are we beginning to "get it" spiritually? Are we beginning to see how Jesus is wanting us to have a

HUGE Spiritual ROI.....only we HAVE TO "GIVE UP " our life in order to "SAVE" it!

Oh, you may be wondering what the "investing" part of this Spiritual ROI is.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25: 31-46 Succinctly stated: OTHER LIVES!!

Isn't this amazingly great?!!!!!

No spiritual bankruptcy with Jesus!!

Join me, will you, in being a WISE Investor...HERE as well as for all Eternity!!

Investing my life in HIM,

Ele

(If you would like me to come and meet with your group of women, interact with you or others in any way, please contact me at ele@ finishers.org)

May we choose to continue be transformed, together, in Him, daily through the Living Word of God!

Look at FAITH w/ me for a bit, will you?

2010-01-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

We're told to "walk by faith."

The Living Word tells us that "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God."

We're also given the impression that only a few of us actually DO walk by faith.

That's not only sad, it makes me wonder.....

What IS it about "walking by faith" that we, as humans, just don't get?

Think with me for a minute....

Who has UNlimited perspective? GOD

Who as LIMITED perspective? That would be us.

So, even in a traffic jam we rely on faith; faith in people.

Let me explain:

You're humming down the road and then you see it:

A wave of red lights coming your way.

Oh, oh.....something has happened up ahead of you that probably isn't good: An accident.

You in your car and others next to you come to a halt. You can see nothing.

What do you do? Sit and fret? Perhaps?

Turn on the radio and listen to a traffic report? Likely.

How come? Because who is the BEST SOURCE to see what's happening?

The one in the HELICOPTER.

The one who is RIGHT OVER WHAT IS GOING!!

Ah, THAT'S your reliable source! Why?

BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE WHAT IS UP AHEAD OF YOU!

Can we make the application? Let's try:

JESUS is RIGHT OVER what is going on!!

JESUS is UP AHEAD OF YOU!!

Faith. Difficult?????

Why, to me, it's the ONLY way to go!!

Purposefully walking by faith in Jesus,

Ele

Why do bad things happen to good people?

2010-01-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

I've heard this so very often,

"My, and -----------is such a good person? Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?"

I get it. We're concerned. We see ourselves, others in light of yet others....

and we compare.

What we don't often say is, "In comparison to ---------- I'm really good! So, I should get a break on the bad stuff going around!"

That's too blunt, isn't it! .....It also may not be as accurate as we think.

Seeing life from the Author of Life may give us a better perspective.

You see, we're told flat out that "No one is good...no, not even one!"

Hummm..........

Then we're instructed that God desires to turn ALL for the "good! for those who love HIM!"

Wow! THAT'S quite a perspective, isn't it?!

So, perhaps the Truth is more "Why do good things happen to bad people?!"

Share YOUR musings on this.....

Thankful for His grace alone,

Ele

It Happened Twice Today

2010-01-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Before my first sip of Starbucks today, it happened the first time. I was listening to a mom who has nothing but love for her adult daughter. They had met for lunch the previous week and the younger of the two women began to share with the older, her mom. The daughter's job "sucked", the others at work were "sub-par" humans, according to the spillings of the daughter. She was only working there to pay the mortgage on her condo, and, to add insult to injury, there was no "man in her bed." She was 30-something, lonely and headed straight down a dead-end.

"So, what's the outcome of that sharing?" I inquired. I was envisioning a follow-up Starbuck date, a time of deeper sharing, a break-through spiritually for the daughter.

"Well," replied the mom, "she's not talking to me! Yep! Happens all the time. We get together, she shares, I try to help and then it's worse than before! The nerve of that girl!"

"How come?" I asked. "Do you know what set her off?"

"No!", exclaimed the mom. "And after all I do for her! Why, after she dumped on me, I turned and looked her right in the face and said, 'Let me tell you about MY day, girly-girl! YOU think you have it bad, well, sissy, you're not the only one! In fact, you should be grateful for a job in this economy! Don't even think of quitting! And, it was YOUR idea to get into that condo, not your father's and mine! And as far as a man not being in your bed, well, missy, you're certainly not going to meet the right kind of guy in the places you've been going to!' I'm so frustrated with her! She comes to me for advise and then has the nerve to pull away after I give it to her!"

Fast-forward three hours.

I'm now AT a Starbucks! Another is sitting across from me, enjoying a green tea, no water. (Order it sometime!) She was losing the battle of trying not to cry while sharing.
"I'm so p.o.ed at church-people! I am SICK TO DEATH on hearing 'how faithful God is', 'what a loving God we serve' and 'God is so good!' Every time I try to honestly share my heart with someone, how frustrated I am, how much God has hurt me, how ticked I am at God, they can't shut me up fast enough with 'churchy-crap! Auugghhh!!!! I am SOOOOO tired of being shut-down by these people who think they are my friends!"

What was it that happened twice today? People, WELL INTENTIONED people, got in the way of the Holy Spirit in the life of another. They SPOKE out of turn....too soon. too much, inappropriately.
What is it with us humans? I think we sincerely DO want to help others. BUT WE FAIL WHEN WE SPEAK TOO QUICKLY, TOO MUCH.

The LIVING WORD of GOD reminds us to "be QUICK to LISTEN, SLOW to SPEAK." Hummmmmm. Perhaps there's a reason!

Let's talk about this, shall we? I believe that most of us have been on the receiving end of this reality....receiving advise that we never asked for. Perhaps we've even given a bit as well....

Either way, let's interact about what happened today, twice. For, it is sure to happen again tomorrow if we are not aware.

Learning to slow it down,

Ele

Hearing or Listening

2010-01-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hearing is a given for most of us.

We have the physical ability to hear. Our ears are healthy.

We hear.

Ahh...but to listen....now, THAT'S an option!

Jesus knew this.

That's why He spoke in parables...stories....illustrations....

If one is merely desiring to hear a story, to be entertained,

A parable is sufficient.

But there are THOSE FEW who

WANT TO KNOW the "why" WITHIN the story.....the reason behind the telling....

.....the LISTENERS.....

Jesus says more than once, "Anyone with EARS TO HEAR
SHOULD LISTEN
and UNDERSTAND!

So, my friends:

We are invited to use our ears to HEAR

SO THAT we LISTEN with our being .....and the given RESULT is

UNDERSTANDING!!!

Bingo!

There's the secret!!

Once our understanding is stirred, it opens other doors as well, doesn't it?

Looking becomes SEEING
Feeling becomes TOUCHING
Walking becomes FOLLOWING
Reading becomes FEEDING
Shrugging becomes TURNING.....

All focused on JESUS!!

Join me in listening to the HOLY SPIRIT through the LIVING WORD of GOD!!

Understanding beckons us!!!

From One Follower to Another,

Ele

"Sticks and Stones...."

2010-01-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

....can break my bones,

But, WORDS will never hurt me!"

Remember that ditty from our childhoods?

Couldn't be further from the truth, right?

WORDS are POWERFUL!
In them lies health or sickness,
Life or death...
Kindness or hurt....

WORDS.

Jesus reminds us that "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say."

Oops....!

and, if that wasn't enough, Jesus goes on to remind us,

"You must give an account on judgment day for EVERY idle word you speak." Mt. 12:36

So.....what does "idle" mean, anyway?

"Ineffective" "Powerless" "Fruitless"

Does that help?

In other 'words', is what we say

EFFECTIVE, POWERFUL, FRUITFUL to others?

Or is our conversation, are our words

useless, weak, nubby, sour, small?

So, my friends, as we step into 2010,

as we continue to CHOOSE to live as Jesus would have us live,

may our hearts be filled w/ JESUS

SO THAT.....

our words are healthy and not sickening
life-giving and not draining
kind and not hurtful.....

Listening,
Ele

Choosing one thing

2010-01-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

2010 arrived very early this morning.
Fanfare, balls dropping, pots being banged.
The New Year has officially begun.

That usually means we think about our lives a bit, doesn't it?

What's working
What's broken
What needs to be fixed

Can be kind of depressing....thought-provoking.....inspiring....
Depends.

May I offer one suggestion to us as we stand on the portal of 2010?
Let's, together, choose one thing.

Let's, together, choose to get into the LIVING WORD of GOD....
so that....
The LIVING WORD of GOD.....
will get into us!

I'm not talking a Bible study,
a 'read this verse',
a 'fill in this blank.'

I'm suggesting that we open the pages of
One's Life and ask Jesus to walk through
2010 with us.

Side by side.
Daily.

Ask Jesus where He would like you to begin.
Go slowly, thoughtfully,
talking to Jesus as you read...
"How come this is here?"
"What does this mean?"
Teach, me, Jesus!!

2010 is new territory, my friend.
Only Jesus has been here before.
May you, TODAY, choose to BE in HIM....
daily......

There with you all the way,
Ele

Resolve to Resolute

2009-12-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

2010 is almost here.
Man, how did THAT happen?
Seems as though 2009 just got humming!!

So, how do YOU begin the New Year?
Par-tay har-tay?
Sleep it in?
Watch "the ball" drop in New York City on t.v.?

However you celebrate the New Year, one thing is certain:
It will come!

So, what are you "resoluting" this year?
Lose those holiday pounds?
Be a better person?
Visit Europe?

Whatever it is, it takes resolve to resolute!
You see, it's one thing to make a list (written or thought.)
It's quite another to actually have change occur!

What makes the difference? Resolve.
Resolve is to PURPOSE, to WILL something to be.
Resolute is to make a decision that something needs to change.

We see Jesus doing that at the cross: He RESOLVED to BE the Answer for the sad
condition of humanity. He PURPOSED, He WILLED to follow-though on what needed to be.

So, my friend, are you resolving to resolute this year?
Making that list?
May I encourage you to pray it though...give it thought....make it purposefully.

Jesus is already in 2010 waiting for us.
He will walk us through 2009 as we bid it farewell.

May we BE, in 2010, Who Jesus would have us be....
what this crumbling culture needs us to be.....

Resolved to resolute for His glory,

Ele

A "stable" Christmas

2009-12-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

The stable. Not too exciting, is it? Nothing real glamorous there. A stable. A dwelling, part of the place that people then called 'home.' A place of function and purpose hardly seems the right place to have a birth, let alone the birth of the King of kings! And the stable was not a place to receive guests. It was dirty. It was smelly. Functional. A stable wasn't designed to entertain. Its purpose was to ensure that the dailyness of the family was kept functioning. The stable was where the hay and grain were kept for the animals, a place where they were protected from the elements, where garbage was placed, where tools were sharpened and hung for later use. It was a place of storage, where supplies were kept.

It was for the family and no one else.

How inappropriate, how unacceptable...what a tragedy that this was where the King of kings was to be born....or was it?

We know that ALL things happened 'in the fullness of time'...."a just the right moment"......

GOD CHOSE the EXACT PLACE where He wanted Jesus to be born.
GOD DETERMINED that Jesus be born in a stable. This was no celestial haphazard boo-boo. God purposed, planned this, for God wanted the Temporal to interact with THE ETERNAL. God wanted every human, each one, to know much God was identifying with humankind, how approachable God is and how much HE loves each of us.

The stable was the means to begin to pave the path from who we are to who He would have us be. You see, by being born in a stable EVERYONE had access to Him! Those who lived around and about could come and go as they pleased. From the shepherds, the "untouchables", the "fringies" the "outsiders" the "trouble makers"....yes, the shepherds......to the villagers....to those surrounding them....to Wise Men from afar....to you....to me......all.....everyone is welcomed, at the stable.

God entered the mess in the stable that night. No mention of "cleaning everything up" is seen in the Scriptures. No new hay was brought out, no mucking out of the stalls to sanitize the obvious scent of the animals. God, through Jesus entered that stable. Nothing else needed to happen, no 'cleaning up' had to occur before it was "worthy" of His holy birth. For, you see, HE made the place worthy by HIS presence!! It was holy because HE was there, not because it was prepared for Him to be there. HE gave it value, gave that ordinary place purpose beyond itself.

The stable. Available. Open. Filled with Jesus.

"Lord, there is room in my life for YOU."

Being Favored by God

2009-12-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in a coffee shop w/ a dear friend. We were reading the account of Christ's birth from Luke. There is was: the word "favored" twice. It popped out at me, perhaps because, as a writer, I know a bit about the power of words, the choosing of words. The repeating of a word is a way of highlighting whatever that thought might be.

Luke 1:28-30 Gabriel appeared to [Mary] and said, "Greetings, FAVORED woman! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found FAVOR with God!"

Wow! Not only an angel came to her (which, by the way, would blow us all away!), he spoke to her. He not only spoke to her but spoke AFFIRMATION to this young woman! Again, Wow!

So, the musing came to me, 'How does one FIND favor with God?'

As with other musings, the Spirit kept me in HIS LIVING WORD for the response.

Elizabeth gives us the key. It's tucked away for us in Luke 1:45
"You [Mary] are blessed BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED THAT THE LORD WOULD DO WHAT HE SAID!"
There it is: Faith.

My, oh, my.

We're told in the Living Word of God that "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God."
Not difficult, not hard, but IMPOSSIBLE.

So, putting those two thoughts together, the one who is favored by God, the one who FINDS favor with God is the one who believes that the Lord will do what He says.

How are we doing? Evidently faith among humans is a pretty rare commodity. By definition it requires us to step out on to the INVISIBLE, NOT the NON-EXISTENT.... at first THEY LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME.....but one, faith, is strong and steady.

Take Mary. She inquired 'how.' The angel replied. She responded, "I am the LORD'S servant. May EVERYTHING you have said about me come true." No doubt. No detailing. No discussion.

Faith.....Follow.....Favor

May it be said of you, of me, that we, also, have found favor with God. How? By believing what He says. Living, by faith, accordingly. Being women and men, favored with God.

Ele

Spending or Investing?

2009-12-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

We're hit, big time, these days with the importance of investing, aren't we? I mean, we hear it on the radio, we attend seminars about it, we receive stuff in the mail encouraging us how to invest....

....And then the other shoe drops: Spending. Every commercial, each ad in the paper, every occasion, all require that we, yes, spend!

So, what's the difference between spending and investing? Is one better than the other? Or perhaps, are BOTH needed?

At this time of year it is quite evident that spending is essential. After all, there are gifts to buy, special punches and holiday dishes that require us to spend in order to have the ingredients needed, the supplies on hand, not to mention the "dailys" of living. Yes, spending is essential.

Could we say that we need to spend in order to invest?
We spend money in order to invest in our family: clothes, food, shelter, entertainment, education.... the list goes on and on.
We spend time, also, in order to invest in our family: Parent's adjust schedules to stay with, to take to, to pick up...so that our children have that care, those activities, certain memories...

I guess my musing this time is to encourage us to do both: to spend who we are, what we have, wisely, investing in that which is most meaningful, most important.

Jesus knows the impact of spending and of investing. He knows there is only so much resource, so many minutes to invest. I believe that is why He encourages us to BE in Him, first, and then DO as a result of that BE. Make sense? When "spending" DISTRACTS us from "investing", when it OVER-RIDES its purpose, OVER-STEPS its boundaries, then Jesus gently reminds us that there is only "one thing worth being concerned about."

So, friends, may we all enjoy this most Holy of seasons, the time of remembering when Jesus invested Himself in us. He spent all of Himself when He became human, squeezing Eternal into Temporal.

May His Investment be well Spent in your life, in mine.

Ele

Holly daze or holy days? Your choice!

2009-11-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm always amazed at some of the choices people make:
To over-look or to stare
To embrace or to ignore
To celebrate or to withdraw
To applaud or to fold the arms.....

We're in "that time" of year, aren't we?
The media, the stores, perhaps our own Want is tugging at....demanding to be satisfied.

What will be your choice?

To over-do or to do well?
To receive at the manger or pay at the register?
To rejoice over Truth or "ho-ho-ho" at Fantasy?
To be new and unique or tired and common?

Choice.

YOU can help form this holiday season into a time of
sweet holiness, wonder, depth, joy and giving for you....for your family.

Or, you can allow the tide of culture to sweep you
into the ocean of ups and downs,
waves of "get," of simplistic fable, of 'me, me, me.'

Holly-daze or holy days?.......

The choice, my friend, is yours....is mine.....

May we choose wisely.

The GIFT of Life

2009-11-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

A week. It was a week ago today that it all happened.
Life was on his way. We anticipated it. We planned for it.
Mama was doing her part. Her body was responding; expanding, softening.
Excitement filled the air in whispered messages:
"Baby is on his way!"

The heartbeat was strong, steady. Sounded sooo good, so full of, well, life!
Heart beat and heart beat, push after push. Rhythm, harmony, togetherness.....

Then.....silence. No heartbeat. Looks were exchanged. Mama made adjustments to accomodate this new life trying to be born.
More pushing.

Still no heartbeat.

No words, only looks. Another hurried movement of Mama in an attempt to get Baby out.

"Call 911."

Baby was in distress. Mama was exhasuted. Daddy was focused. Sister was fully involved. Nona praying through her tears.

"PUSH!!! PUSH THAT BABY OUT!" everyone yelled in unison.

Grandpa stood outside, alone, waiting for the Aid car to arrive.

PRAYERS!!!! "Please, God, please spare this life!!

Mama pushed with deep desire to help her son. He, at last, responded.

"Waaaaaaa!" What a GREAT sound!! LIFE had arrived!!

Joy!! Tears!! Prayers of thanksgiving!!! Kisses!! Embraces!!! LIFE celebrated!!

Then....again, that look.

"Call 911."

Mama was in trouble. The unbilical cord, usually a link between life and life,
was now dangling.... uncommonly alone.

Somehow it broke off internally, leaving a gaping hole where once life flowed.

Blood. Red blood. Lots of red blood gushing without control.

Baby, still damp w/ "birth", unwashed, unmeasured, unweighed,

Now in my arms to get dressed to accompany Mama and Daddy to the hospital....

for Mama's sake.

Challenge after challenge met. All finally calm.

Mama and Bab, ALIVE, in one another's arms, enfolded by Husband/Daddy.

Where was God? RIGHT THERE!

Why did this happen? Wrong question!!

How was God glorified through it all? Right question!

All remained calm in the crisis'.
Jesus' name was on our lips as a prayer, not a curse
Jesus knew. He allowed.
Those in pre-belief noted
Believers gave glory to God

We are more aware, more somber, just plain More.... because of HIM in this experience.

Life truly IS a GIFT! Each day. Each moment. To each of us.

How are you treasuring YOUR gift of life.....today?

Music, the Language of the Soul

2009-11-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

"Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves and making music to the Lord in your hearts." Eph. 5:18

One of the indicators that we are "filled w/ the Holy Spirit" is what comes out of our mouths via our souls.
Singing is mentioned here in Ephesians. The context is "understand what the Lord wants you to do."
First thing mentioned: "Don't be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life." No argument there.
(And, btw, have you ever found it interesting that alcoholic beverages are called "spirits?" Something for another blog!)
Then we're instructed to "instead, be fill with the HOLY Spirit, singing..."

The Language of the Soul: Music

No wonder it's such a "hot button" in cultures, in many church gatherings as well.
"What do those lyrics mean?"
"Why don't they sing something I know?"
"What's all that noise?"
"That's too slow, too out of date...!"

You've heard it all as well.

If we really grasp that Music IS the language of the soul the debate is over.

All believers need to worship, to "speak" in THEIR soul language.....their type of music!
The Living Word mentions three kinds:
Psalms
Hymns
Spiritual Songs

The point? Since music IS the language of the soul,
Each believer has the mandate to be "filled w/ the Holy Spirit" and the indicator of that is what spills out of their soul through their singing, EACH IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!! So, the wise leader in a gathering of believers offers options to those who have gathered: some of the songs being Psalms, some being Hymns, some being Spiritual Songs. That way each believer has at least one opportunity to lift THEIR voice, THEIR souls, to the Lord in their 'first' language in that corporate gathering. Anything other than this is less than what Scripture teaches. It is less than facilitating another believer to "do what the Lord wants."

May we be women and men of the Living Word of God....NOT of human tradition as allow Truth to be infused into our realities and thus transform us, together.

Ready to sing,
Ele

Music, the Language of the Soul

2009-11-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

It is said that music is the language of the soul.
I think that is accurate.

Music cuddles into the corners,
Music lingers in the memory,
Music stirs, settles, ignites...

Music is the language of the soul.

Music is a welcomed companion at weddings,
Music opens the heart and soothes the wounds,
Music sings with joy and weeps with grief.

Music is the language of the soul.

What language does YOUR soul speak?

Listening,
Ele

Heart Reading

2009-11-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Mind reading. We know about that.
The ability to discern what another is thinking.

But Heart Reading? What's that?
Well, the Living Word tells us what it is.
It's something that Jesus would like us to be aware of....
or He wouldn't have taught us about it.

"Out of the ABUNDANCE of the heart the mouth speaks!"

There it is: Heart reading: The ability to discern who I truly am. Oh!

"Whatever is in your heart determines what you say."

It goes on to say "We will give an account on judgment day for every idle word we speak.
The words we say will either acquit us or condemn us." Matthew 12

Pretty heavy for a blog, right?

Heart-reading: Indicators; "Aware-ers"; "Gate-keepers"......

....between Jesus and me.....Jesus and you......

Listening to the reading of my heart,
Ele