Question of the Week, March 31-April 6

Referring to the NIV version of I John 2:16, summarize the way John describes carnal, worldly living.

I John 2:16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

What are your thoughts?

Combine it with this quote from C.S. Lewis in "Mere Christianity":

People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, 'If you keep a lot of rules I'll reward you, and if you don't I'll do the other thing.' I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.


I'll be back later to post mine.

Be blessed!

Deena

A Thank You...

Last night, by phone, a dear sister in Christ did just that. She asked how I was doing, and I answered with my standard, "Oh, just fine..."

She replied, "Now, Deena, I've read your blog...so come on...tell me the truth..." or something very close to that...I do know it involved my blog...

So, I admit it...I'm still struggling...with some physical pain and some emotional pain. Satan has been diggin' up bones in my life, and I'm dealing with approval issues and abandonment issues I thought I had nailed to the cross.

But, I'm doing better than I would have a year ago...I'm stronger now, and able to talk about it now instead of hiding it in shame. And I would appreciate your prayers.

So, dear sister, THANK YOU for "looking me in the eye and saying 'Tell the truth'"...

Be blessed, and don't settle for a quick "I'm fine" from the people you care about...really stop and do an "eye check"...

Deena

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!!

Don't you just love change? NOT!!

I'm in the midst of what is commonly known as "the change"...hormones run amok in my system...chin hairs sprouting like weeds...personal power surges strong enough to cause black outs in 4 states...dry, flaky skin AND pimples (isn't it in the rules that menopause cancels out puberty?!?!?!?!)...and mood swings that reach the sky, and plummet back to earth in less than it takes to blink...

(For all you twenty- and thirty-somethings out there...imaging PMS on steroids:-)

Along with these changes to my body, which I'm still not used to...come the changes to my emotions. Dark days tend to be even darker...happy days tend to come and go more often...anger flares unexpectedly...depression could be my new best friend, if only she wasn't so depressing to hang out with:-)

I'm tempted to blame everything on hormones...I have a good excuse. But I know better. I know when it's my body gone haywire, and when my spirit is needing a good check-up. Evil Gertrude would love nothing better than for me to give in to my aches, pains, and hormonal tides...she would be in control, and oh, does that woman love control!

But no matter what season of life I'm in, I'm still a child of God. I'm still a daughter of the King, and I must behave like one. I may fight harder to keep my tongue in check, to keep my temper from flaring, and to keep my tears in perspective...

But where I am weak, He shows Himself strong. A sister posted a comment to my blog that her pastor now prays for her to be weak, so that God might show Himself strong through her weakness. That thrills me and terrifies me at the same time.

I don't like weakness. My mother taught me that tears are a sign of weakness, so I refuse to cry till I'm sick with the need to bawl like a baby. My sisters taught me that depending on a man is a sign of weakness, so I'm reluctant to let my husband be my lead and my defender.

But to be tough...what does that mean? Think about it...do you like your steak tough, or tender? Do you like your potatoes hard, or soft? Do you like your bread crusty, or fresh? Do you like your love stiff, or mushy?

We need to be tender, soft, fresh...and yes, even a bit mushy!! And it's okay to be weak (unless you're coffee, but that's another post)...because His grace is sufficient for me...and for you...and where I am weak He is strong.

I don't know about all of you, but I'm tired of keeping a stiff upper lip...it makes it hard to put my lipstick on for one thing! I need to let myself be myself, and rely on Him to cover me in His grace, to see me through the storms of life--be they hormonal or otherwise--and to be magnified through my struggles.

So, while I won't let it all hang out and give Evil Gertrude her head in this season of change, I also won't fight so hard to do it all myself. On those days when the tears flow and the hormones rage...I'll just rest in Him.

And get out my tweezers and mirror...know where I can get a magnifying one?? My eyes just aren't what they used to be:-)

Be blessed, and don't be afraid to let your true self show...He shows Himself strong through your weaknesses...and He looks good in you:-)

Deena

Psalm 42

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the
house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
from the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls:
all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8 By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will
yet praise him, my Savior and
my God.

Father, bless all who pass this way through Your word. Let the words of this Psalm soak into the soil of their souls, and let it bring forth much fruit. Where we are dry, drench us in Your spirit. Where we are broken, bind up our wounds and heal us. Where we are complacent, stir up a fire within us. Teach us to walk in Your ways, and to longingly cry out, "When can I go and meet with God?"

In Jesus' name, amen.

Be blessed!

Deena

Oops, I Did It Again!

For those who've been reading my blog lately, you all know I had a meltdown this weekend. Too much to do, too many memories, and too many tears. So, Monday morning came, nothing had improved, and I didn't want to stay that way. God and I had a chat that went something like this:

"What happened, God? We were doing so well!"

"Well, Deena, when's the last time you opened My Book?"

"What? Oh, just yesterday, God. Don't you remember...oh, of course you do...my bad, Lord. But it was just yesterday..."

"But that was at MY house...when's the last time you had Me over to Your house?"

And it hit me. I'd been reading God's Word alright...for Bible study, for lessons, in devotionals, and in preparation for teaching...but I haven't been reading it JUST FOR ME...

I don't know if you're this way, but this is how I am...My husband and I talk together. A lot. About kids, school, work, church, home...but even if we talk every day, for two hours, about all of those things...if we never talk about US, if we never just spend time being Dave and Deena...I feel a distance begin to grow.

It isn't the conversation that intertwines my heart to his...it's the kind of conversation...so we make time to just be US at least once a week now. To find ourselves amidst the business of the days and weeks.

I find I'm the same with God. I can read His Word for a multitude of reasons, but if I don't read it just for me, just to be Deena, sitting at His feet...I feel a distance growing between us. I need to be still, hear from His Word, and let it soak into my bones, just like I need to feel the sun on my face after a dark and stormy day.

So, yes, I did it again. I fooled myself into thinking I was doing ok...till I crashed and burned. But I'm praising God that it only took a mere 24 hours before the two of us got to the heart of the matter. And it was good to grieve...I don't let myself do that very often.

In fact, it was Boomama's wonderful post of Psalm 103 that helped open the dialogue for me. So, in honor of that post, Wednesdays are going to be a little different around here.

Instead of my wonderful, warm wit...**grin**...I'm going to post a passage of Scripture for you to chew on, to savor, and to enjoy...along with maybe a devotional now and then that spoke to me. I'm calling it "In Other Words Wednesdays"...look for it beginning tomorrow.

Thank you again for your prayers, encouraging comments, and love...you all mean so very much to me!!

Be blessed,

Deena

You know God loves you...

When you have "one of those days," get in your car, turn on your radio...and
hear 'your song'...**heart**heart**

Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out The Soundtrack of My Life at Junk in the Trunk!

Be blessed,

Deena

Downer of a Sister!!

Well, I've been a ray of sunshine these last two days, haven't I?? I almost didn't even post, but I knew I had to be real and honest, and I knew I needed your prayers. They helped SO much!!

I'm climbing out from under my rock and proclaiming "God is good, and while all is not right in my world just yet...the Son is shining once again!!" (Even thought the weather outside my window is gloomy and doomy...)

I found Him all over Bloggy-land today...at Boomama's, where she posted a Psalm that went straight to my hurting heart...at Faithchick, where Rachel Hauck shared about praying God's Word...at Sarah's, where I read about answered prayer (and I was privileged to be allowed to pray for this family)...and many other places.

Ever feel like your life is pointless, and then God gives you a George Bailey moment?? He did that for me, and it made me realize that the enemy wants to take me out, because I have a job to do for the King, and he doesn't want me to see it through.

But I'm pushing past the darkness, asking God to blow away the clouds of hurt and doubt, and letting Him wash my eyes with tears so that I might see Him more clearly and love Him more dearly...and these are the things I pray today.

Thank you all for your love, comments, and prayers...this is just a great bloggity world, and I'm so glad you all let me play in it!

Be blessed! It's a great day in Christ!

Deena

Back To Square One!

I'm covering old ground again. It's such familiar territory. I recognize old landmarks, and recall memories from certain spots. Just truckin' along, singing with Willie, "On the road again...!"

Why is it that you can have a multitude of friends, but that one person that won't play with you can make you feel so unloved?

Why is it that you can receive hundreds of positive comments, but that one comment made by someone who took you out of context is the one you remember?

Why is it that you can have a ton of good memories of a loved one, now gone, but it's the bad memories that you can't keep from flooding your heart?

Why is it that you can trust God for so much in your life, but that one area you keep out of His reach?

Why is it you can get it right 99 times out of a hundred, but that one time you got it wrong seems to define you (at least, in your own mind)?

These are the questions that I'm wrestling with...gonna go sit with God and reason it out with Him...although I have a feeling He's going to be doing most of the talking!! Feel free to leave any thoughts.....

Be blessed, today...and know God loves you, no matter how you feel!

Deena

Not much...

to say today...

I miss my mom so much.

Bad memories of when she died keep popping into my head.

I thought I had dealt with it all.

Please pray for me today.

Deena

Question of the Week, March 24-31, 2007

Based on Philippians 2:1-4, list the characteristics Christians should have, and how much do you see in your own life?

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Oh, wow...I TRY to do things because I want to honor Christ and serve others...but sometimes I do things just because I feel better about myself if I do them. Which would make them done in selfish ambition or vain conceit.

I'm in no way trying to "puff myself up"...but just to feel worth something. To feel like I matter. Which falls in the same category, like it or not.

I never really thought about it much till now.

And where Paul says "in humility consider others better than yourselves"...I don't think he means it the way I tend to take it. My translation always reads a little something like this:

"Wow, Beth Moore is such a great Bible teacher. I could never teach like she does."

"Man, I wish I had the confidence and skill at leading like L does...I could never be in charge of anything...I'm too forgetful."

"V cooks like a pro. I could never have her over for dinner...it would be like inviting Martha Stewart to dine with Rosanne Barr."

See what I'm getting at? That's not the humility Paul talks about. He cautions against getting puffed up and thinking we're better than the rest. Against thinking, "Man, that lesson rocked! Let's see D teach like THAT!"...more along the lines of what Paul is saying.

But, sin is deceptive. We can think we are exhibiting the traits Paul writes about, and be fooling ourselves. Which is why we need to always pray, "Lord, look into my heart, and see the wicked way in me. Reveal it to me, and change me, that I may be more like You."

How about you? What are your thoughts?

Be blessed...and in humility bless someone else today!

Deena

Isn't It Just Amazing?

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool," Isaiah 1:18.

The Message puts it this way: "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out. This is God's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool."

Imagine that. The Creator of the Universe...the One who spoke and all came into being...the great I Am...invites us to sit with Him, to talk with Him, to converse with Him.

Imagine the greatest figure in history inviting you to have a conversation, to discuss matters of great importance with him or her. Wouldn't you be thrilled to be given the opportunity to speak your mind, to share your heart?

And here we have God Himself, inviting us: "Come, let us reason together...let's discuss this matter, you and I."

So, since this is so amazing, such a privilege...I have to ask myself...

Why don't I take Him up on His invitation??

Oh, I do when it's crunch time. When I've blown it bigger than I've ever blown it before. When I have a huge decision to make, and I want to make sure God and I are on the same page. THEN I show up for a little convo with my Creator.

But what about those other times?

Don't you have someone in your life that you just love to hear them speak? Love what they have to say, how they say it? You just can't talk with them enough? They fascinate you in how they think, how they phrase what they think...how they share their heart??

That's how God feels about you and how He feels about me. He's fascinated with us, not to the point of worshipping us...oh, no. But He adores us...just like we did our kids when they were little and they tried to tell us all about the movie or the cartoon they just saw and how it was so funny and how we just have to watch it with them and how they want to watch it again...and we just soak it in, drink it in...because we love them so much...we just can't get enough...

Well, I'm convinced that God feels that way about you...about me...

Of course, there's the part where He says, "Come, let US reason together..." Which means He wants to share His heart with us as well. He wants to be a part of this dialogue. So, we'll have to hush a minute or two and let the Almighty speak to us.

I don't know about you, but I get a thrill every time I "hear" His voice...every time I know without a doubt Who just spoke and heard every word He uttered to me. So then I have to ask myself...why won't I let Him get a word in edgewise?

It's like your kids, again, when they are running off at the mouth about something so critical, so important, and you literally have to cover their mouth with your hand gently in order to get their attention to share your well-earned wisdom.

So, today, on this beautiful spring day (at least, where I'm at:-)...what do you and God have to talk about today? Will you let Him have His say? Will you honestly and openly share your heart with Him?

There's nothing better...not even chatting with a friend over Starbucks...that rates high on my list...but I'll take a chat with my Father over it any day of the week.

Be blessed, and sit and visit with God today...enjoy His presence as He enjoys yours.

Deena

A Commercial, of sorts...

Usually, this little blog is all about me; my thoughts, my inspiration, and my charming wit:-)

But today, I would like to introduce you to MY daily inspirations...

Meet Shalee from Shalee's Diner...and read her post on notes from Jesus...

And here's TaunaLen, and where she's from--because we often must know where we're from before we can be clear on where we're going...

Meet Iris from Sting My Heart, my Thankful Thursday buddy--go check out what she's thankful for today...

Have breakfast any time of day with Jennifer at "Life Is Not A Cereal", and check out her viewpoint of missions...

Let me introduce you to Sarah who, while in the midst of it, takes time out to defend a friend, and see what her wish for her family is

And when you stop by, give a shout out, say, "Hey", or "Hi there"...and let 'em know Deena sent you...

Be blessed, and look for inspiration everywhere, because you never know where you'll find it!

Deena

Just Passing It On...

This is a wonderful post about hungering after God's Word. It blessed me, and while I wanted to "borrow" it, I thought it would be better to introduce you to a new blog I've discovered. So, click here and be blessed!

Deena

An email message...from my Ethel!!

Hey! I received this in my email from my "Ethel" (you know who you are!!) in response to several of my blog topics lately. I got permission from the author (wasn't that nice of me:-) to share it with you, so here it is!!

Yes honey, I just read your blog! Good stuff I must say and it seems that a lot of what gets accomplished is that you are always giving yourself a "good talkin to!" Its kinda like you are your own best therapist and we can all go to school on you!

Don't get me wrong, I mean it when I say it is good stuff because it is all about letting go and letting God! You cannot control all things in the lives of others, even your own family members and no matter how good you are at balancing those eggs they are gonna crack sometime and you cannot put all those humpty-dumpties together again!!

No, life is not fair...we have to adjust or We will crack up! Right? We just have to look to God, the author and finisher of our faith to take us through the big ol egg-beaters of life.

We can PRAISE and BE RAISED or we can complain and REMAIN! (like the Israelites)

The secret I think is giving God that "sacrifice of praise" when it is the hardest to muster up and when we don't know what else to do anyway! We just need to praise Him above all else, delight ourselves in Him and He will give us the desires of our hearts, right!

He will make the crooked places straight! He will restore balance, if we let Him. We fulfill our purpose when we praise Him above all else. He must be number 1.

Yet we are pulled in so many directions! All I know is that when I praise Him...the load seems lighter, my days seem brighter and HOPE & PEACE spring forth anew! That JOY is where I get my strength to keep going and trusting!

All I can say is "Preach it, Sister Ethel!!" LOL!! I just love her, and I knew it would bless you to read her heartfelt words! Remember what "Ethel" said:

We can PRAISE and BE RAISED or we can complain and REMAIN!

On that note...I'm outta here!!

Deena

How's Your Breath??

You know how it is...you surrender to your craving for onions on your burger, or give in to the extra garlic toast with your salad. Then it's back to work...and suddenly your co-workers are holding up a hand as they talk to you, backing away as their eyes water.

"What?" you ask, "Is my breath bad?"

Sometimes we need to do a spiritual breath check as well. So I've devised a few handy-dandy tips to let you know if you need a quick spirit brushing:

1) When you speak, do you feel like you're belching smoke, or does the fragrance of grace waft with your words?

2) Are your words seasoned with grace, or are they coated in sarcasm?

3) When their eyes water, is it due to thankfulness at your gentle rebuke, or due to the cutting remarks sent forth?

4) Does a sense of sulfer follow you everywhere, or do you emit the aroma of God?

5) Does this post gently tickle your funnybone, or annoy the beejeebers out of you?

So, before we speak the truth, we need to check for the love; before we offer the rebuke, we need to inspect it for gentleness; and before we encourage one another, we need to look for the sincerity.

**HHHHAAA** So, how's my breath??

Be blessed, let God give you a breath check-up, and then go out and spread the sweet fragrance of God's grace everywhere you go!!

Deena

She's Gonna Blow!

Warning: I'm venting here!

Ok, I've been surfing blogs and reading posts and comments, and I just gotta get something off of my chest. Actually, it's two things:

1) Church family--we have GOT to realize how we impact people for the Kingdom and within the Kingdom;

2) You cannot be a fully empowered believer without a church family.

Now, I know someone out there in bloggy-land is going to get in an uproar about this, but too bad!

People are hurting. People are struggling. People are lonely. And woe to us as a church body if we don't realize this and reach out in GENUINE LOVE!! I talk with people every day about how they've been wounded by a church....our little church seems to be a safe haven for those who've been hurt, and praise God for that!

But it saddens my heart that the ones who are meant to bring hope and healing to this world all too often injure their very own. No matter what we do, whether it be teaching and instruction, rejoicing and celebration, or rebuke and correction...if it isn't done in love, it is SIN.

We should be so drenched in the love of Christ that it literally DRIPS off of us. That no one who comes in contact with us could ever doubt God's love. In order to do this we MUST be spirit-filled. We must walk in His truth. And we must set aside our own agendas, wants and desires.

I am so incredibly blessed to be a member of a church who does this on a continual basis.

Let me give you some examples of what a church should be:

A little girl in our local community recently passed away from cancer, and our church reached out to them with cards, flowers, food, and several missed Sunday School to go and show support to the family at her memorial service. One of our members saw the litle girl's mom at a grocery store, went up and took her in her arms and they just sobbed together. This family is not a part of our congregation...but it doesn't matter....they are family to us.

A couple in our church has a son living in So. California. He came and visited with us for several months while he attended school. We loved him so much we wanted to keep him! But he had to go home to his wife and begin his career in firefighting. Not long ago we received word that he had a tumor on his spine. We had members praying and calling for updates round the clock. When the news came in that it was cancer, and they found another tumor, the prayers just went up even faster. Dad was at church Sunday and had a praise report that just blessed my socks off, and I was so honored to be his sister-in-Christ, supporting and loving this family.

When my mom passed away unexpectedly in August of last year, I couldn't even begin to tell people how they could help me in my grief. The ladies of my church started bringing food, helped at the memorial service, and would have even come to do my laundry, freeing me to help settle my mom's estate with no cares at all. At the memorial service, they got to meet my brother for the first time, the one they've been lifting up in prayer for months now (he is dying of a blood disorder)...you would have thought they knew him from way back, the way they hugged his neck.

To see how they honored my husband at his recent ordination, go here

I realize that not all churches reach out as they should. I realize that often times it is our church family that hurts us so deeply. And I realize that we have an independent streak a mile wide, telling us we can worship God anywhere, any way we choose.

But I'll say this, and then I'll slink off into that good night: I would not have wanted to go through anything I've been through without my church family.

If you don't have a church that feels like family...it's time to find one. The days are evil...temptations abound...our kids are falling prey to the enemy...our marriages are under attack....it's time to circle the wagons, protect our own, and let the world hear us loud and clear:

"WE LOVE JESUS, WE LOVE EACH OTHER, AND WE WANT TO LOVE YOU!"

Church, it's time to make the newest among us feel like they've been with us for years. It's time to make sure everyone has a place in our midst and a part they can contribute. It's time to kill the belief that the church can't get along with herself, so how can she help the world. It's time to be the church of Jesus Christ, filled with love, compassion, and standing rock solid on the Word of God.

I apologize for speaking so forcefully, but I believe so much in fellowship and community, and it just breaks my heart when we hurt one another and don't fulfill God's purpose for the church.

Please, be blessed, and reach out to someone in your church today...maybe it's someone on the fringe, afraid to get involved. Ask God for eyes to see and ears to hear...and then do it.

Deena

If You're Lucy...Then Where's Ethel?

I recently had a conversation with a dear friend that went something like this:

Her: "I just thought you didn't need me. You have so much in your life..."

Me: "Huh? I thought you didn't need ME. You always seem to have it all together..."

It was then the light came on and we both realized that we had been duped by the devil into thinking we were dead weight...useless...not needed. (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but you get my point?)

When did we ever get the idea that the Christian life was meant to be lived solo? That we were more than capable of getting the job done, and doing it better, if we did it all ourselves? That fellowship is a four letter word, and it only leads to heartache and pain?

Too many women are feeling isolated from their churches, and their hearts are longing for a "kindred spirit", a "soul sister"...someone who totally gets them, and even if they don't totally, they are ok with the parts they don't get.

We end up feeling like little girls lost, alone on the playground, never picked for the team, and always the one being whispered about.

And that is SO wrong!!

This is a tough topic for me, because for most of my life, I was that little girl lost. I have a hard time making and keeping friendships, mainly because I've never really thought much of myself, therefore others don't think much of me either (or so I thought).

But praise God I've been given some wonderful, Godly women in my life as friends, and they are teaching me how to love God, love me, and love others. At times they are even capable of helping me feel like I'm nifty-cool!

We need each other. You may never have a "posse"...but you need a pal...a gal-pal who'll help you laugh, learn and love. And she's is out there. You may even know her right now. Pray for her, and for you to know her when you see her.

Don't assume that someone has it all together...most likely, it's probably an act designed to keep her safe and secure. Don't assume that she's the life of the party...most likely, she feels alone in a sea of faces. Don't assume that she's more spiritual than you and would judge you...most likely, she fears raising her hand in God's classroom and looking like a fool.

So, "Lucy"...who's your "Ethel"? And remember...even the Lone Ranger had Tonto...

Be blessed, and let someone be your blessing today...God has a friend prepared for your heart...so don't look with your eyes...look with your heart.

Deena

Breaker, Breaker...

I had just washed my hair, and was getting ready to blow it dry. I plugged in my hair dryer and hit the switch.

Nothing.

Being highly intelligent, I clicked it back and forth a few more times, then gave it a good shake.

Still nothing.

Then my eye caught the oversized plug at the end of the cord. Oh, yeah! It has a breaker switch built into it. A safety feature. Just in case I decide to dry my hair while showering:-) to save time, or in case the circuit overloads. Somehow, the switch was tripped.

I simply pushed in the red button, heard a "click", and voila! Hot air!

Wouldn't it be nice if life had a built in circuit breaker?

Oh, wait....it does...

The Holy Spirit will give off a warning; we just have to learn to pay attention to Him. "Slow down, you're gonna burn out!" He'll tell us as we load our daily plate too full of things to do. "Watch out, you're getting awfully close to temptation!" He'll announce, telling us to back away from the thing that so easily lures us.

All too often I override His caution, pushing the release button and plowing forward. I can't claim ignorance...I saw the signs and chose to ignore His warnings. But when He gives me that Holy "Uh-oh"...well, it's time I learned to obey.

Circuit breakers are there for our protection...overriding them is foolishness. The Holy Spirit is there for our protection...overriding His is foolishness. Something to think about...

Be blessed, and ask God for an extra measure of "circuit breaker" in your life today...then listen and obey...

Deena

Question of the Week, March 17-23, 2007

What does the Bible say about a controlling spirit in I Peter 4:15?

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters."

Hmmm...A busybody in other people's matters...well, I DO know this...I suffer when I try to meddle or control someone else's life.

For instance, my husband is a pastor. He is a very good, capable and compassionate pastor. But he also works a second full-time job as a county employee, and he is often balancing both his calling and his occupation...and sometimes things slip through the cracks...so I've taken to "reminding" him of what he should do. In essence, helping him pastor.

But I'm NOT the pastor, so the added stress I take on in thinking I have to help him wears me down, making me less effective in what God has called ME to do. And it doesn't help him be a better pastor...it frustrates him, and sometimes it even discourages him. Which again causes me to suffer, because then he cannot be effective in what God has called HIM to do.

My children have issues in their lives: my son has two older sisters who constantly try to (s)mother him; my oldest has strayed from the Lord and struggles to find her way back; and my middle daughter has a learning disability and wrestles with self-acceptance and believing in herself.

So, guess what I do?? I dive in headfirst, trying to smooth out the bumps and lumps of life for each of them, dispensing motherly wisdom liberally, and making decisions that are far better than any they can make themselves, because, after all, I'm older, wiser, and more experienced.

I get so busy living their lives...I forget I have one of my own to live, with my own decisions to make, my own choices to evaluate in light of God's word, and my own purposes He has laid out for me. I'm too exhausted to do it all anyway...living four lives at one time wears me out!

And I'm suffering for it.

Don't misunderstand me. We must be moms, and we must be wives...but sometimes we cross the invisible line between training and helping into doing and being...and it is tricky to balance ourselves if we don't learn to heed His spirit and watch for what He does.

So, what does I Peter have to say about a controlling spirit? In a nutshell...
"Choose it, and you'll lose it!"

Be blessed, and be a blessing for those who desperately need a touch from Him,

Deena

In honor of St. Paddy's Day...

May those who love us, love us.
And for those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he can not turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we may know them by their limping.

Watching out for limpers and limpets!

I'll be back later to post our Question for the Week!

Be blessed today...

Deena

Yay! Today I'm **100**!!

No, not years....blogs!! Yup, I've reached the first major milestone of blogdom. In honor, I'm going to follow a tradition I've discovered along my blogging highway, and post...

100 Things About Me You Wanted to Know
But Were Afraid You'd Find Out

I'll take pity on you and list them in clumps...

1-10: I am a mother of six children, ages 27-13; A., S., E., V., K., and J. and I have homeschooled the youngest three, (V., K., and J.) and my baby is a boy of 13 (yikes!)

11-15: I graduated from high school in 1981, from college in 1984 (jr. college) and in 1986 (Cal State Chico)with a B.A. in English, and discovered I was pregnant with my 20 year old daughter the day I graduated.

16-20: I married my husband in 1985, and we celebrate 22 years of marriage in June. I'm going to be 43 years old not long after that, in July.

21-28: My husband is a pastor, and this is his second church to pastor. The first was in Ord Bend, California; the second is in Loma Rica, California. I gave birth to our last child right after he was ordained the first time. He was recently ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, and no, I'm not having a baby this time!

29-45: I work as a part-time church secretary and have had the same job for 9 years. In my lifetime, I've worked for the sheriff's department, the employment office, a gas station (where my husband was my boss--NOT fun!), as an English tutor, a cook and cashier for KFC, a cook and shift manager and clown at Pizza Hut (yes, I said clown--my name was Peppi-Roni), and now this. I've also sold Avon, Tupperware, and Beauty Control.


46-54: I love words and I love to read and write. Ninety percent of what I read is in the Christian market, but I also enjoy clean, cozy mysteries, such as "The Cat Who..." series. I have a bookblog where I post reviews of what I read. I've been told I have a gift for writing; in fact, if I had a quarter for every time I've heard "You need to write a book!" I'd be able to stay in Sonic Diet Cokes with Cherry/Vanilla flavoring all my life!!

55-60: I also have a twisted sense of humor; hence, my funblog where I just enjoy myself. I don't think normally...I can find humor just about anywhere, which is a blessing, and a curse (thanks for that line, Monk!).

61-70: I enjoy criminal dramas such as CSI (Original, Miami, and New York), The Closer, Monk, Criminal Minds, and Numbers.

71-79: I don't tell many people this, but I've written 5 full-length novels, all in a series. I stalled on number 6, but I may go back and finish it one day. I write mainly for fun, and to quiet the voices in my head...

(of the characters...what were you THINKING!!)

I haven't been published, and probably never will. I just can't take rejection...or acceptance...or fame...or fortune...or poverty and obscurity either!! Seriously, I'm too lazy to do the work, and I'm content reading other people's stuff!

80-85: I love Jesus with a passion that scares me at times, and wears me out other times. I wish I could do nothing but sit at His feet, but life distracts me so. I long for the day when all sin and all suffering is done away with, and nothing will divide my attention, and it will all be His. Till then, I'll keep being the ADHD Christian I feel like I am, praying one day to get it right.

86-91: Like most women, I'm crazy about Beth Moore and her teaching. Right now I'm watching a teaching series based on her newest book, "Get Out of That Pit!" on DVD with a sweet friend of mine, and I hope one day to lead a Beth Moore study at our church. I blogged in a book club about the Pit book, and I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on the book--it was almost as good as a live discussion!

92-100: I started this blog as an extension of our women's fellowship, Wholly Devoted. We can only meet once a month, and I wanted to be able to encourage and "teach" our ladies during the weeks before our study. Of course, they teach me, sometimes more than I feel I can teach them, each time we meet. We are studying "Having A Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver, and we'd love anyone to join us, either by blog or in person. Of course, one blog was not enough, so I began my bookblog and my funblog, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I've met some incredible bloggers, and I encourage you to visit them (they are listed on my blogs). And today I've reached my 100th blog on Wholly Devoted!! WOO-HOO!! Thanks for hanging in there with me!!

Be blessed, and know you've have blessed me beyond measure!

Deena

Cast Me Not Away...

Remember the movie "Castaway" with Tom Hanks?

I never saw the movie, but I was reminded of it this week when I read a dear sister in Christ's blog entry. She was talking about her streak of independence, the attitude of "I can do it myself, all by my self." God got her attention in a mighty way...

Don't we get that way, especially as women? We don't need any white knight, riding in on his mighty steed, rescuing us from our stressful existence. After all, there'd probably just be horse dooky to clean up, and then the knight--he'd end up wanting to rest a bit, put his boots on our coffee table, and expect something to eat...

So, we plow forward, bent on saving the world and saving money at the same time. Our can do attitude at full throttle, and pity the fool who offers a hand of assistance! We'll just shove it full of their junk stuff garbage belongings and yell at them to "put this stuff away or I'm throwing it out!"

But, when we do that, we are, in essence, castaways of our own making. When that streak of independence flares up, it isn't only people who get side-lined...God does as well.

We find ourselves cast away from Him. No longer basking in His presence or walking in His spirit, we are so busy about the work, we forget about the Lord. Next thing you know, we think we've made a major discovery on how to do it better, and we grow long, shaggy beards, start talking to a volleyball with grass hair, and don't bathe...

Oh, no. Wait a minute. Got caught up in the moment for a second...my bad!

But we are grouchy, moody, and resentful... "always pickin' up after these people...when's it gonna be MY turn to take a break...want to get paid for doing dishes...no one pays ME around here...don't even pay ATTENTION, they don't, do they..."

The Bible does talk about casting...our cares. "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you," I Peter 5:7.

When we do it all, by our own selves, under our own power, on our own agenda...we end up just that way.

On our own.

Alone.

The song doesn't say "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do" for no reason...

So, instead of singing that song, how about "Help! I need somebody! Help! Not just anybody!" and ask God for His strength, His wisdom, His guidance...and instead of being castaways, we will be able to cast our cares away...

And leave the volleyball in the backyard where he belongs!

Be blessed, and LET someone else be a blessing to you...I know, I know **off taking my own advice!**

Deena

I Don't Want To Lose Readership, But...

I just HAVE to tell you about this blogger I've discovered! She makes me laugh every day, and she imparts wisdom wrapped in humor in the style ofErma Bombeck and Chonda Pierce.

Go check her out...please, please, please!! But don't forget to come back to me...I had you first!! **stomping feet**

http://fiddledeedee.net/

You'll be blessed! Trust me!

Deena

Please be in prayer...

A family in our church just found out their son has cancer. The dr.'s have already removed two tumors from his spinal column, and discovered a tumor on his brain. On Friday (March 16) at 9 AM Pacific Time, they are going in to remove the tumor. As soon as he has recovered sufficiently, he will be undergoing radiation and/or chemotherapy. This precious family has been rocked by this sudden diagnosis, and I know would desire the prayers of believers everywhere on behalf of their son, his surgeons and doctors, and on their behalf as well. His name is Henry, and he is in his late 20's-early 30's.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Deena

Gone Missing??

The guard at the archaeological dig was suspicious of a worker who left every night with a sack of material that was to be thrown away. Thinking the worker had mixed in some valuable artifact with the dirt and rocks, he checked his sacks as he left each night. But, alas, the guard found nothing. This went on for a full year.

Twenty years later, the retired guard spotted the former worker at a cafe. He sat down with him and said, "I always knew you were stealing something but I couldn't figure out what. Can you tell me now what it was?"

The former worker took a sip of his coffee and said simply, "Sacks."

Let me ask you...while you are watching out for the big things in life...what is the enemy stealing from you??

Be blessed, and think about it...

Deena

Oh, no! My Eggs!

Yesterday I was making lunch for my family. They like breakfast burritos any time of day, and I'm trying to be a good steward, using what I have before going out and getting more.

I chopped up the leftover ham, and browned it up in my skillet. Then I began to add the eggs, cracking them one at a time. Suddenly, the egg carton tipped, threatening to dump the rest of its contents on my kitchen floor. I gasped, grabbing at it with one hand while stirring with the other.

I had been mindlessly pulling the eggs out one at a time, not realizing the carton wasn't balanced on the countertop (my counters are just a SMIDGE cluttered). The remaining eggs were all on one end...the end pointed at the floor. A little off balance and gravity does the rest.

After moving the remaining eggs to the center of the carton, it hit me...Those eggs are my life. I know, weird, huh??

I give, but don't let anyone give to me. I do for others, but refuse help from anyone in my life. I blog, but I rarely read God's blog to me (the Bible). I work, but don't get enough rest during the day. I share, but I don't expect anyone to share with me. I pray, but I'm reluctant to ask anyone to pray over me.

I'm out of balance.

And, just like my washing machine when it gets out of balance, something starts knocking inside of me...it's Evil Gertrude, wanting out of her cage! She always appears when I'm tired, stressed, overworked, underfed (from God's Word), and roams free until I can find the spiritual strength to put her back in her place.

And my family ends up like those eggs almost did...out of balance and nearly crashing and burning. Because it's always my family who suffers most when I get out of balance. Even if all of the doing and going and giving is for them, eventually I burn out and get crabby and cranky and resentful toward them..."When will it be my turn???????" I tend to cry out in frustration.

Those eggs couldn't move themselves so that they didn't go splat...and neither can I. I need God's hand in my life to shift around priorities, loads, and burdens in my egg carton of a body, so that things stay in balance and don't tilt out of control. I need His wisdom, His Word in my life, showing me areas of weakness, independence and even outright rebellion.

I'm so out of balance it's amazing the entire world isn't tilted. And I'm not doing anything bad...it's just that sometimes we can get caught up in doing too much good. So, I'm working on my priorities with the Father's gentle hand guiding me. I don't know what He's going to do with me yet...but already I feel at peace.

My eggs are safe. And my life is safe in Him. Oh, and the burritos?? They were delish!

How about you? How balanced are you?

Be blessed, and then spend some time with the Father today...let him rearrange your eggs...you know it's good for you!

Deena

That Evil Flesh Woman, Gertrude...Sheee's Baa-aack!!

This chapter study has revealed WAAAYY more about me than I wanted to know. I'm finding out I give into Evil Gertrude more than I thought I did.

Take this morning, for instance. I have a bad habit of not getting enough quality sleep. So I look forward to days when I can sleep in just a tad more than usual. No problem there, right?

Except sleeping in tends to make me feel lazy, groggy, and generally uncooperative. So, when my dear husband calls and tells me for the fifth time in 3 months he has to go in on a Saturday to work, well, I just am not a happy camper!

"That's just not fair!" I yelled at him over the phone. "Doesn't anybody see what's going on over there?!"

"I know, and I'm sorry," he apologizes.

Ok, why did HE apologize? I'm mad at them, not him. The unfairness of it, the stupidity of it all drives me nuts. Problem is, I take it out on the one who has no say in any of it.

I know life isn't fair...I've even used that line on my kids when they whine about fairness to me. But it should be fair. It was fair, before Eve ate that stupid piece of fruit, which wasn't EVEN coated in chocolate, and it was before PMS was around, so what stinkin' excuse did SHE have...

Oh, excuse me...I digress...

My point is this. Life ISN'T fair. I know that. But when something unfair occurs, especially if it directly affects me or those I love, the claws come out and the whining begins. Only problem is, the claws and the whine rarely affect those creating the unfairness...usually my targets are those who are victims of the unfairness...which really isn't fair...and so the story goes.

We were created for so much more than this life. I think instinctively we all know this, believer or unbeliever. The difference is in how we gain more than this life has to offer us. As believers, we look to the Source of Life for our meaning and our purpose.

Non-believers will claw and scratch, rant and rave, and do whatever it takes to get the most for them...the flesh warring against the world.

So, when I claw, scratch and whine about how life isn't fair, how no one cares, how this isn't the way it is supposed to be...I'm letting Evil Gertrude have her head. I need to be willing to bend my knee, bow my head, and cry out, "Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven..." and allow God to decide what's fair for my life, for my circumstances, for my family...and just do what I'm supposed to do.

Because, in the end, when all is said and done...life will be fair. God will make all things right, just as they were meant to be...and isn't that what I'm supposed to be living for anyway??

I've gotta go. I've gotta call my husband, and let him know that, no, it's not fair...but God will be with him through this, and to apologize for making him feel so badly...

What about you??

Be blessed, and bless someone who doesn't deserve blessing...because life is not fair, and they probably know that...give them a glimpse of God today....

Deena

P.S. I apologize if this doesn't make much sense...lack of sleep and all that...

If You Like What You See...

I've had several ask me if they can "borrow" a blog, or quote me, or link to me, or take a graphic to use...

The answer to all of the above is "YES"...

I would appreciate a link back to me, if and whenever possible...

Although, when I'm famous and know the blogging world over...you'll owe me a quarter...

Be blessed!

Deena

P.S. This is on all of my blogs...so, no, it's not deja vu!!

A Special Treat: Tuesday's Top Three!

Top Three Reasons Why I Have The Best Husband In The World!

1) He thinks everything I do is cute or funny.

2) Even though I'm WAAAYY more woman now than I was when we met, he still thinks I'm the most beautiful of God's creations.

3) He can make the Bible come alive for me, and he is so very passionate about all things Godly.

Ha! Top that, ladies...LOL!! Seriously, why do you think your hubby is the bestest? Check out more answers by clicking here...

Deena

Momenator: Or, How I Got My Nickname...

Reading this chapter in our study, I had to duck my head and hide my eyes when I got to the part about "Do you want us to call down fire from heaven, Lord?" (See Luke 9:51-56) That is SO me!

My kids affectionately (or fearfully) call me "The Momenator"...a take on, well, you know...I can go from feminine to fiery in less than 10...nanoseconds.

Take for instance our little neighborhood bully seven years ago. I tolerated the little delinquent for some time...but the day she cornered my oldest daughter in the cul-de-sac and started pounding her...

I slapped on my sandals and stormed out the front door...feet pounding pavement and blood pounding in my ears. I spotted the little gang of vixens and zeroed in on the ring-leader. She took one look at me and let my daughter go...then stood toe to toe with me as I proceeded to describe to her what I would LOVE to do to her if I wasn't over 18 and what I WOULD do to her if she ever laid a hand on my kids again.

She never messed with them again...and her friends went the other way if they saw me coming...lot's of yelling and name-calling...but not a hand on any of them anymore.

Then there was the time I went shopping with my oldest sister this past Christmas. I got ready to snag a highly coveted parking space in a very crowded shopping mall, when another car made like to turn and swipe it from me. With steel in my jaw and a firm grip on the steering wheel, I showed him how NOT to barge in on my turf, and let him know with a cut of my eyes he'd better say "thank you" and move on down the road!

I was proud of those moments...until after the adrenaline washed away and the realization of how I must have appeared hit home. Until the Holy Spirit reminded me who's child I was and what mercy was supposed to feel like.

Oh, I know I would have been right there, calling down fire from heaven, just like in Old Testament Sodom and Gommorah..."How DARE they deny the Son of God a place to rest!!" ZZZAAAPPP!!

But Jesus shows me a better way. A way of peace and mercy, not wrath and anger. A way to salvation and redemption, not condemnation and judgment.

So, I've adopted this rule for me: How would I feel if this person came to visit my church? And then I try to act accordingly. It's kept me from snatching a lot of heads bald, let me tell you.

I'll still wear the Momenator badge proudly...one look and my kids fall in line. That's a power I won't deny. But I'll also exercise mercy and grace...and let Jesus fight my battles...

At least, I'll try to...

How about you??

Be blessed, and love the difficult ones...one of them might be me!!

Deena

A Confession, and a Prayer Request...

Last week, with our oldest daughter back home, did not go well. It did not go well at all.

Please continue to pray for our family.

I just don't know what is next for her.

I'm so confused, and so very tired.

Deena

And I'm Not Even Jealous!

I need a little pick-me-up today, and I thought you might as well. So I'm choosing to share from our study, "Having A Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver, the story she told about the young woman who claimed "I know God loves all of us, but I do believe He loves me more than y'all." (pg. 52)

She goes on to share about Grandma Nora (pg. 54)...the special memories she had of their relationship...and how, when Nora passed away, sitting around with her siblings, they each felt they were the "favorite" one.

Who do you have in your life that loves you like that? That loves others like that, so that they feel as if they are the favorite, when in reality they are just gifted with a special kind of love...

My mom had a way of making me feel as if I was "it", but I was jealous of her love for others. My sister-in-law, Brenda, however, has a knack for making me feel like I'm "the one"...and I watch her love on everybody else, and it's ok...I know she loves me more, so she can love you too...

She thinks I'm funny, she thinks I'm wise, and when I'm not, she helps me be wise, and never makes me feel ashamed. She hugs like there's no tomorrow, and can give you a 1.99 special from Wal-Mart and make it a festive party treat! She just has a way of making every person she meets feel as if her love is all theirs, and then has more to go around.

Beth Moore strikes me as that kind of woman as well. The way she roams throughout her audience, making eye contact, and talking right to each woman's heart like a dear, sweet friend...even in crowds of thousands...if you haven't yet, I encourage you to check out her Living Proof Ministries blog to get a taste of what I'm talking about.

And God loves us infinitely better than anyone we could ever think to name. And He loves us individually, custom made, never runs dry, never changes with a whim, and wraps us up in its warmth like nothing else can.

God loves me, and He loves you, too...and I'm not even jealous about it! Because I know my God has enough to go around, and then some.

So, who do you have in your life like that? Who do you love like that...so much that they think they are "it", but so does this person and that person, and this one and that one, too...

No more reading and lurking...you just gotta share on this one...I don't care how long or short it is...I need some encouragement here!!

Come on, bless me...lift me up with your testimonies on this one....

Deena

The Party's Over...

And what a party it was!

Over 900 blogs logged into Mr. Linky, and I visited at least 1/3 of them...I'm pooped! But I met some wonderful new blogging friends, and was blessed by what I saw and read this past week.

I met The Preacher's Wife, and found so much fun and wisdom in her posts! Her blog has just had a makeover, so be sure to stop by...

Our oldest daughter is on her journey back home, and it is not an easy road to travel. So it was the hand of God guiding me to Partners In Prayer for our Prodigals. Many Christian families have children who have wandered away from God, and we need to lean on Him and on one another. If you have a prodigal in your family, or know a family who needs support, I highly recommend stopping by here.

I visited Life Is Not A Cereal, and was so blessed...and I won a prize!! It's for my bookblog, but can't resist showing it off over here as well...

I've met so many more wonderful bloggers...too many to list in just one post. I plan on sharing them with all of my readers and friends in coming days. So feel free to click on a link and visit one of my new blogging buddies!

Be blessed...God's blessings are too numerous to count, so surely we can find one each day to be thankful for...we just have to look.

Deena

Question of the Week(s), March 3-9 & 10-16

I went to post this week's question from our study, "Having A Mary Spirit" and it dawned on me...

I never posted a question for last week! I am SO sorry...with Dave's ordination and Victoria moving back home for a week...well, the old gray matter just ain't what it used to be:-)

So, I'm posting TWO questions...one for last week (my bad!) and one for this week...answer both or pick one...or none...but please think about responding, k?

Question 1: As you were growing up, what irritated you most about your siblings (or a cousin or friend if you were an only child)?

I basically grew up as an only child...by the time I came along, my brother was 14 and he was the youngest of the other three kids. I felt left out because I was so much younger, and I still do. They have a lot of shared history with one another because they were born 1, 2, 3,...and then there was me. And there was a lot of sibling rivalry, because Mom and Dad were completely different people when I was born, so I got a different set of parents in a way, and it made me a different kind of person.


Question 2: What brings out your flesh woman?

Situations where I feel out of place will bring her out in force. I will either think too little of myself and withdraw, or I will try too hard and make an idiot of myself. A few years ago I was finally diagnosed with panic attacks...there's a more technical term that makes me feel better about it, but I can't remember it:-) So I have learned the signs of one coming on, and I'm learning how to cope in better ways. But sometimes feeling inadequate will bring her out.

Another time she shows herself is if I get a little too big for my britches...but God loves me so much that He always lets me go just too far enough to shake me up and to realize Who is really in control here. Never enough to totally humiliate myself, but just enough to get my attention off of me and back on Him.

How about you? It's Your Turn...........

Be blessed, and tell Flesh Woman to take a hike.....!! Then be a blessing to someone in Christ's name.

Deena

Ruts In The Road!

We live in a small Northern California town named Marysville. Actually, it's a suburb called Linda, but because we aren't incorporated, we still count as part of Marysville.

The area we live in is fairly run down in some spots, but our stretch of neighborhood is nice. A quiet street, with some very nice homes, and some okay homes...gets a little rowdy now and then, but not bad, for the most part.

Except...

The streets are HORRIBLE!! Filled with ruts and potholes and dips...it's a wonder we only lost the entire transmission, instead of just the bolt that holds it secure...right after we bought our Kia...because of the condition of the roads...

Did I mention that they are TERRIBLE??

And because we are not in an incorporated area, we are the last to have any work done on our streets. Usually, it's just a quick blacktop bandaid that holds until the rain comes, or the diesel drives over it a half dozen times.

Then it's back to pothole city.

So, why am I sharing all of this loveliness with you today?

Because my life has felt a lot like the roads around here...full of ruts, pits, and dips (ok, that's funny, and it's not supposed to be:-)

Our oldest daughter has finally decided to let God turn her life around, and has asked to come back home so she can make the transition and get things in order. I was so afraid to let her back in, to try again. We've grown so used to the four of us that I feared becoming the five of us again would be too destructive.

Well, I wasn't TOTALLY right...

We've had a multitude of disagreements (the ruts), a series of misunderstandings (the pits), and a lot of attitudes that desperately need adjusting (the dips). My innards feel totally shaken, and my head hurts from all of the jolts and jerks along the way.

The final decision hasn't been made. She may or may not return home to live. Keep in mind, she's 20 and has lived a life totally opposite of ours, so foreign to me sometimes I look at her and wonder "Who is this person she keeps telling me about?"

Pain, disappointment, and anger rise to the surface at the worst of times. We all bear scars from the last months and years. We are all works in progress, and we all battle our sinful selves, wanting desperately for the Spirit to do a work, but too stubborn to get out of His way.

So, please, continue to pray for our battle scarred family. Pray for wisdom as we travel down this worn, too well travelled road. I have many companions...other moms who watch and wait for prodigals to return...other moms who suffer as their children suffer...other moms who wait for the miracle they beg for in the middle of the night.

I know I'm not alone. And we need you to pray...as we will pray for you.

Be blessed, and cling to the memory of past blessings...allow them to be the milestones that guide you back when you've lost your way...and tell your children of how the Lord has blessed you greatly!

Deena

New Blog Premier!!

Ok, I have to be too serious over here, and it's killin' me! (Ha! Me---serious---but really now...)

So, I've created a little playground for my mind called "Junk in the Trunk". The link is on this page under my other blogs, but here it is for those of you too tired to hunt it down:

http://trunk-junk.blogspot.com

Remember, this baby is brand, spankin' new, so don't expect much at first. But look for quizzes, jokes, cartoons, and the occasional hairbrained comment I'm known for the world over (or at least in MY world).

See you on the playground!

Deena

Defrag My Heart, Lord!

As a mom, a wife, an employee, a church member, a sister and a friend, I sometimes feel pulled in so many directions. It seems that someone somewhere always needs me for something, which is great, because it is wonderful to be needed, to have a sense of purpose.

But if I allow too much to pull on me, get too many things going at once...well, I can become like my computer hard drive.

We run a lot of programs, and sometimes we get so much going that our computer bogs down. As we run programs and pull up web pages, little pieces of everything we do gets left here and left there.

Eventually, it slows the system down and we begin getting error messages, the screen freezes up, or the computer just crashes. We found that it is very helpful and necessary to run our defragmenting program.

It swoops in and picks up the pieces, putting them back where they belong, or deleting them all together if they aren't necessary. But we hate running it, because for it to be most effective we have to let the computer set while it runs.

I've been pulled in so many directions lately, and had to do so much for so many people all at once...that I'm bogging down. I find my mind freezing up, and unable to process thoughts or remember things. And right now, I feel on the verge of crashing.

It's time to hold still and let God run His defragmenting program on me. To be reminded of His power in my life. To be reminded of the need for prayer, and not just in times of trouble. To be washed in His Word. To be still in His presence. To know He is God and I'm His child...not His mini-me...

But I don't want to do that. In order for God to clean me up, I must be still. I must be quiet. I must be patient in His presence...and there's just too much to do, too many demands, too much tugging at me.

It's a choice.

Run the defrag program regularly, and operate more smoothly on line.

Let God defrag me regularly, and operate more smoothly through life.

I'm feeling pretty fragmented lately. I need some down time in His presence. I'll catch you later...and I'll be in top form, once the Father has His way with me.

Be blessed, and be defragged (that's a new word...be careful how you use it!) in Jesus' name!!

Deena

Come On, Baby, Let's Do The Twist!!

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God...

I read that and thought, "Hey, I've got that Scripture nailed down!" Felt pretty good about it, too, until I realized that Paul wasn't saying do it for free...

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light...

Again, thinking, "Cool! I have this one down pat!"...til I realized that Peter didn't mean be an oddball for Jesus.....

So you can see how easy it is to get Scripture twisted a little. Of course, I'm being a little silly here (no, really!)...

We need to read it in context...what came before, what comes after, and what's the overall message of the text.

We need to really meditate on it...soak it up into our souls.

We need to discuss it with others, hear their thoughts, and share ours with them.

We need to be taught, through Bible study, Sunday school, and messages at church.

We need to pray and ask God what He wants us to understand about His Word.

For instance, I read this one day: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise...the fruit of lips that confess His name," Hebrews 13:15.

I asked, "Lord, what is a sacrifice of praise? Do I offer them to You?"

And He showed me. When I'm tempted to focus on circumstances, on life's troubles, to host a pity-party...and I praise His name and give thanks for what He has done in my life and in the world around me...

That is a sacrifice of praise...praising God when I don't wanna.

And He's teaching me to offer these sacrifices to Him more and more and more...

So, let's NOT do the twist...there's enough manipulation of the Word...let's get back to being people of the Book...and get to know the Author better and better.

Any twists you'd like to share???

Be blessed, and be a blessing to others (now, by that I don't mean you're God's gift LOL!! "Hey, you'd better be thankful for me...I'm your blessing~~!!)!

Deena

Mom's Mondo-Mega Messiah Complex...

Is anybody out there like me?

Can I get a witness here?

Two of your kids are fighting...you have to step in, settle it, make them make nice, repent of all past transgressions, achieve world peace, and fix dinner by 6 pm.

Your teen and your husband are going at it over their laziness, lack of motivation, and lack of discipline (the teen's, not your husband's)...and you have to step into the ring, send them to their neutral corners, give each a pep talk/lecture, and ring the bell for the next round.

Your friend/co-worker/sister/ has a problem...and you have to quote the correct passage of Scripture, pray the right words to call down the power of Heaven, and give them the proper advice from a spiritual warrior.

Your budget is out of whack, so you have to chastise yourself for your excess spending, repent of your extravagant taste, and somehow balance out the finances...without letting anyone know you're struggling.

Maybe it's your weight, maybe it's your job, maybe it's your kids, maybe it's your marriage....there's an issue and you have to solve it, fix it, analyze it...and not let anyone know you have things in your life to deal with, because you have to be a pillar of strength and a tower of faith...

Am I the only one??

Please pray for me. I really, really struggle with this. It will destroy my health, hurt my relationships, and keep me from being fully effective for God. Plus, it's contagious...my kids are developing the same traits, and I don't want them battling this.

But I can't deliver them...God must do it. And I must get out of His way....

Be blessed, and just bless someone generously with your presence today...

Deena

It's Official...

My dear husband is an ordained Southern Baptist minister of the gospel and ordained pastor of Loma Rica Baptist Church...

It was a beautiful service, and I enjoyed it...once I calmed down enough to sit still and listen:-0

It means so much to him, and I do believe my favorite part of the entire day was watching just how much our church loves him. Feels good to know your church thinks you're way cool!

So, thanks, God, for a great day spent with You and Your people.

Deena

Takin' It Easy...

Had a big, hairy discussion with my youngest daughter last night...lot's of tears...little bit of yelling...

"Mom, I just want it to be easy for once. Everything's always so hard for me. But I know you never take the easy way out," she says.

Oh, no, Babygirl...yes, it's always hard for you...but Momma DOES take the easy way out...

Momma likes those instant potatoes you heat in the microwave and that boil in a bag pot roast...so she can pretend she really did cook you a meal when she is tired.

Momma likes flannel pajamas, so with one mighty wipe of her sleeve, the dust on the coffee table is gone! And company can finally come over and not know how bad a housekeeper she really is.

Momma likes blogging so she can share with people and not see them face to face, that way they can't see how messed up she really is.

Momma likes whining and complaining about how lazy her kids can be so she won't have to focus on how lazy she herself is.

Momma likes being busy, busy, busy...so she won't have to worry about not doing enough for God and feeling bad about her poor self.

So, yes, Babygirl, Momma knows what it's like to take the easy way...

But she also knows that Jesus didn't take the easy way when it came to her and loving her...no, He took the hard road all the way to Calvary.

And Momma knows that easy isn't always good for us...that difficulty builds strength in your faith and in your character, and that's what God wants for us.

So, even though it seems hard for you all the time...you have such depth and such strength...don't let the devil rob you of that by tempting you to take the easy route.

This life can be so very, very hard...but our God is infinitely good. And that makes the hard so much easier to bear...

Momma loves you, Babygirl. Don't you ever forget that. You are one of my heroes.

Be blessed, and hug your kids, your nieces, your nephews, your grandkids...hug yourself and pray for those who find life difficult right now...encourage them to hang on...to Jesus.

Struggling away in my little corner of the world...

Deena

Wide Eyed and Mystified...

Counting blessings...wanna watch?!?

Blessing #1:
We had 14 women at our monthly Bible study fellowship today...had to pull out extra chairs, and we'll have to add an extra table next month!! WooHoo...way to go, God!! *high fivin' everybody**

Blessing #2:
Not only did my daughter K go with me, my oldest daughter V went with me, and my sister LJ was there as well! Incredible, studying God's word with the women in my family....

Blessing #3:
God lets me teach such wonderful, wonderful women of God...I stay amazed that anything that comes out of my mouth is worth hearing, let alone learning from...but thank You, God, for using me...

Blessing #4:
Tomorrow, my husband will be ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister of the Gospel....Nervous, but thankful...

Blessing #5:
Our prodigal has finally come home......oh, Lord, I'm overwhelmed...

Blessing #6:
God is using this blog, this humble offering, to reach out and to minister to women all across the U.S., and even some in other parts of the world have visited.

I'm still counting...how about you??

Be blessed, and know, dear friend, that you bless me just by stopping by here. Feel free to say "Hi!"

Deena

All Guests Are Welcome!!

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you stopped by!

I'm Deena, and I'm a mom of 6 (3 step-children and 3 teenagers), a pastor's wife, women's fellowship leader, and all around wacky God-chick.

Wholly Devoted was created to build fellowship among the women who attend our monthly Bible study at Loma Rica Baptist Church in Northern California. God has used it to touch lives, to change me, and He's still moving through the blogs, the comments, and the hearts of those who hang out here.

Most of what you'll find at Wholly Devoted is (what I hope) inspiration to get you through your busy, hectic days, and to point you to the One who truly loves you, struggles and all.

I hope you enjoy what you find here. And I hope you slip your shoes off, put your feet up, and stay awhile.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Deena

Ultimate Blog Party!

There's a whole bloggy world out there, and I've made some new friends through blogging.

5 Minutes for Moms is hosting the Ultimate Blog Party...just click on the button and check it out...

You might find another blog to love...I know I did...but don't forget to bookmark "Wholly Devoted"....I'd miss you if you left!!

Deena

Hangers or Containers?

All too often I wear my faith as a list of do's and don't's. Christians do this, Christians don't do that. Christians believe this, Christians don't believe that. Christians stand for this, and against that.

I teach my kids, "We don't (talk like this, walk like this, dress like this, go here, go there) because we're Christians.

My faith hangs on me and clings to me and covers me up. Only problem is, when you wear your faith...what stops you from slipping out of it now and again? Pulling on those old comfy clothes of compromise, that suit of sinfulness, that party outfit that screams "ready and willing to ____"?

No, we aren't supposed to be faith hangers.

We're supposed to be faith containers.

God's spirit dwells inside of us. He empowers us to walk in the light of His Word and to live out what we take in. We're to let His love and His light fill every dark place in our hearts, and to let it transform us from the inside out.

When we do this, our flaws won't be hidden anymore. We will be exposed, and vulnerable.

But the neat thing about being a container of our faith in Him is this: He leaks out through the flaws, the cracks, the nicks...the areas where we are weak is where He is best able to shine.

When it's inside us, flooding out of us, THEN we wear our faith like a second skin. It's not something we can take off at will, or when the whim to sin strikes us. It becomes permanent, a part of who we are.

Then it doesn't matter what we look like on the outside...the light of Jesus in us blinds others to our shortcomings, and we simply look more and more like Him. (I'm not talking about sin--that's an entirely different matter).

So ask yourself--am I a faith hanger, or a faith container? Do I wear it like a cloak of disguise, do I take it off and put it on as it suits me? Or am I allowing God to fill me with His spirit and His truth and His power, so full that it spills out and over and through the cracks in my being?

The choice is ours to make.

Praying I'm leaking Jesus all over the place, and praying the same for you!

Deena

The Balance Beam

Sometimes we treat lives like a balance beam.

We try our best to keep ourselves totally lined up with Scripture, thinking that a small bobble here or a toe off the beam will cost us a tenth of a point in eternity.

We do backflip after backflip to impress the judges of our lives...our kids, our parents, our boss, our spouse...remembering everything, going everywhere, and doing for everyone.

Occasionally we'll try to straddle the struggle of home and work, or home and church, trying to keep our footing and our balance as one weighs heavier than the other. Only it ends up feeling more like a teeter-totter rather than a balance beam.

Then we look to the big finish...and hope and pray we can stick the landing and look good enough to win the medal...the crown...the brownie points needed to please God or whomever will care enough to watch.

We fall, we get bruised, and we bear the scars of trying to walk such a narrow path...when if we'd just climb down onto the level, wide open floor of freedom to be real...

I've never been good at gymnastics...so why do I try to balance my life so narrowly...to jump through so many hoops?

Lord, put me back down on solid ground....teach me to serve, to work, to play...for an Audience of One...because You're really all that matters.

I'm hopping down...how about you?

Meet you on the big mat...let's just bounce around for awhile!!

Deena

Come Join the Carnival!!

Ever feel like your life is one big carnival, and you just want the show to close?

There's the emotional rollercoaster of hormones (either PMS or menopause, take your pick) that hits every month, sending us scrambling in the couch cushions for that M & M that we dropped a few days ago.

Then the Tilt-a-Whirl of raising kids...you spin at high speeds keeping up with their schedules, homework, friends, recreation...and then the bottom drops out when one goes astray into the wilderness of the world.

The merry-go-round of housework, meals, shopping, laundry....housework, meals, shopping, laundry....housework, meals, shopping, laundry......breakfast is over and you hear "Mom, what's for lunch..." "Didn't I JUST wash this shirt??!!" "What happened to all the clean towels??"

Ahhh, the bumper cars of church life, home life, kids' lives, husband's needs, personal needs, work issues...when they bump and nudge at one another...there's just nothing quite like it.

And don't forget the ferris wheel of love...you never know when you're going to get stuck on that thing and not move for hours...days...weeks...months.

Seriously, life gets complicated. We get busy. We get stressed, overcommitted, overtired, and we feel underappreciated.

What's the solution?

We must learn to rest in Him. To take time to pour our hearts out to the Father, and then to let Him pour His heart back into us.

It's time to climb out of the madhouse and get back in the funhouse...a little Godly perspective goes a long way.

Take this self check: 1) How's your Bible reading? 2) How's your prayer life? 3) When's the last time you consciously thanked God for your blessings? 4) When's the last time you just sat on the Father's lap and let Him lavish His love on you?

No...don't tell me you don't have time. You can't afford to miss this....This is our oasis of sanity amidst a world gone mad....

So step outside the carnival we call our lives, and sit on the bench...take in the sights and sounds of this creation....and soak in the Son.

You can't afford not to. And ya know ya wanna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be blessed....and see you at the bumper cars@@!!

Deena