MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF A LEMON!

You have heard this a million times!

How could I bore you with such an "old" statement? Doesn't everyone have to learn to do that whether we want to or not? It does follow that Biblical statement that Paul made in Phillipians 4: 12

"I know how to be abased and live humbly in straightened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

Phil 4: 13 goes on to say "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)." Amplified Version

It is what it is, deal with it!

When you make lemonade you have to squeeze the lemons. The juice comes out willingly sometimes and sometimes not. It depends on the age of the lemon. The lemon could be really fresh, or have been around for awhile. Situations in life do require us to get squeezed a bit, don't they?

Our lifestyle, too busy, family, friends, lack of finances, job, confrontations, tiredness, death, illness. Many, many scenarios can squeeze the life out of us, or we can make lemonade.

This past month has been one of many squeezings. Just about everything on the list has been a squeezing me and then you add the weather. Driving through monsoon weather capped it off for me last Wednesday - loosing our annual Saturday night cookout to the weather didn't help. However, I decided to apply the term being "content in whatsoever place you are." I decided to squeeze out quickly and freshly to make lemonade. There has been physical death this month, dreams of accomplishing that went away, conflict resolution, and loss of time. Helping friends with their losses, counseling people and their losses, and what should have been spring rains bring May flowers, just didn't happen.

Whatever your squeezing is this Memorial weekend- summer kick-off; just remember Phil 4: 12 and 13. And, that we can DO all THINGS in HIM who STRENGTHENS US! Also, that promise is His truth for us. Oh, while we are at it, let's add a little sugar free sweetener to this pitcher of Lemonade. Our smile and Thank You's to the One who provides answers, solutions and helps us deal with whatever it is. He is our FREE get out of the pit card. Laugh, Love, and live Loud! He will walk it with you! Deut. 31: 8.

FACING IRON CHARIOTS!

Hello again, and praise God for the sun yesterday and today. Feels like we live in Seattle around here.

Today I want to share something I wrote 30 years ago, but I still love this analogy.

"What Iron Chariots are you facing today?" Maybe none. Even though I highly doubt that, because on some level we can turn in any direction and see more Iron Chariots then we can comprehend.

Deut. 1: 20 (Amplified Version)

"When you go forth to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, DO NOT be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you."

As I mentioned, we all have a battle here and there that seems like the solution, or back up help can never undo. I listened to Fox News (which sometimes - is that good or is that bad)? The worry over Medicare for all ages looms large in the horizon. What will our grown children and our grandchildren face?

We have family members that are in serious financial trouble, have medical problems, have a family member who died and you are left to clean up after them, unsaved friends, and family. This is for you D.G. - "I am 70, but I like to think I am 18 with 52 years experience!" But reality prevails. What will happen to us in the next 15 years. Ah, yes. . .DO NOT be afraid, The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.

Egypt, now that is another metaphor I like. Name your Egypt. Is it fear of the future, is it worry over finances, your grandchildren, what will happen down the road?
Many of us read the Bible and look at it as truth. That was then, this is now. I disagree. Look for what God is telling you in these passages that pertain to you today. Had I been that "lookout" person who went ahead to see what was happening and come back with information. . ."yep, let's run everyone!" "There are too many iron Chariots, the army is huge, and you should see the size of those horses!"

It is all about perspective. God wants us to have perspective. If He, in fact, works ALL things together (Romans 8:28 through 33) then I need to embrace, put that on like another skin, and trust He is with me (you)(us).

Tough, but true. No excuses. Take no hostages truth. If we win in the end, let us gear up for here. Deut. 1: 20. Learn it. We need all the reinforcement we can get.

HOW BIG IS YOUR BUT!?

No, you don't need to report me to the FCC. It is B U T! That part of our daily language that always seems to include a B u t!.

But, if I only had time to do everything I need!

But, if I just had time to spend in prayer with God!

But, if I just had time to read the Bible!

But, if she just wouldn't act like that, or he!

But, if the preacher would just stop talking about money!

You get the jest. I heard this at church last week, and I can't get it out of my mind.

My favorite saying is, "Well, but. . .!" See some personalities just mean well, but they never quite come out and say what is really keeping them from doing something, they know they should. And, of course, something they shouldn't.

I was impressed by how much we use that term to explain away what we rationally and actually try to cover over. It is hilarious.

In my counseling I tell couples, there are three words we need to take out of our vocabulary every single day. Want to take a guess at what they are, if you don't already know?

Why, always and never. These three words get the b u t going on next. But, why am I supposed to take those out? I need to show him/her how right I am! Yep! But, she just doesn't get it. But, she is always late to everything and it makes me late too. But, he never listens to me. But, my kids always want to know why about everything and it is driving me nuts.

Why, always and never brings out the "Shoot out at O. K. Corral!" We become instantly defensive and come out of the corner ready to duke it out, even if it is just our little kid on the inside of us, we're ready to fight.

Always is absolute - Never is absolute. He or she may - most of the time be late, but not every time. See, there was a but! They are also defensive mechanisms that bring everyone out ready for a showdown.

I Peter 1: 13/18.

Be obedient, pursue God with all your focus. I and 11 Peter are full of how we are to conduct ourselves in our short life here. I now say there are four words that need to be taken out. However, as humans, we know we will slip up, B U T, be reverent and full of your own awareness. Hear yourself, evaluate what you say and hear. Take it to God and confess. "Ask for a new mouth!" - as Joyce Meyers would say. I add, with a new spirit. It is also good to plead for spiritual surgery sometimes.

I love Anna Bells's coined words for her young grandson. "He is a Holy Handful!" I also believe we can be a Holy Handful for God. Let us THINK, CONSIDER, PONDER what we are about to say each and every day. I also love Psalms 70. It says "Come in Haste, Lord Jesus!" I agree - but, my trigger has a short fuse, and I don't always do that careful evaluating. BUT, it is my commitment today and I hope you will to, agree to be watchful, pursue obedience and let the Holy Spirit thread good positive language skills through the person God made us to be.

**It is my commitment very soon to blog on Wednesdays and Sundays. TBA

SIX WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE!

What if someone asked you, maybe even the Lord our God, what six words best describe you?

Why six - you ask? Someone ask a prominent life affecting icon - a write/author, "Write a short book containing six words, can you do it?" "Something that best describes your life. It may even be put on your grave marker."

It turns into an art form of thought and draws your focus to perfection. Several examples can be used.

"I truly did it my way!"

"Saw it, reached it, celebrated it!

I am working on it.

"Risked life, failed some, celebrated victories!"

"Meant well, failed some, celebrated victories!"

Anyway, I heard that today, and it has a lot of merit to examine oneself in life. Life can end suddenly and we won't get to evaluate or desire a "do-over"!

Risked it, is definitely a perfect fit for me. I am also going to work on my high need to find the solution and go until I know. Maybe they both mean the same. I certainly failed some, but I am seeing many victories today - God is answering prayers like never before. We are approaching the end times I am convinced. it is highly important that we reach others for God. Be passionate in your prayers for family who are resisting God, for friends that are resisting God and all peoples who resist the one and only God.

What six words best describe your life? If you can't come up with it, this would be a good time to ask God to show you how to be His servant on this earth.

SOMETIMES WE DO!

Have to make our own Spring! Here it is April 30th, John is in his winter coat fixing the broken water line, the deck is all set up for someone to sit on and enjoy, but it is too cold to go out there. You look out the window and see all the beautiful silk flowers I put out A MONTH AGO! and you look up and see what? The Land of the Black Sticks. The Bradley is one month behind, and I can prove it. April 4th of 2010, it was out and gorgeous. Peaked April 11th. Red buds and Rhododendrons were out and peaking by April 11th. I can barely see purple and the Rhododendrons are out now. Bradley is just getting there. What the hay!?

So, we just have to keep our eyes on the FAKE azaleas and other things. Thinking about putting the side by sides on Facebook to prove to everyone WE'VE BEEN ROBBED!

Oh well, like I tell lots of people a lot of times, get your big girl, big boy pants on and go with it. I am not always a good sport.

This has been a very different week. They all seem to be anymore. So many changes, so many losses. Yet, we learn don't we. We learn that ultimately God is always in control. Sometimes we use that phrase and don't take it seriously. It is to be taken seriously. He is always there for whatever we go through or about to go through. Who knew last Sunday when I was walking Dakota on Jack and Joyce Covell's property that when I looked over at the house, I saw their gathering for dinner. The men were outside and Jack's brother Jim had just arrived with his fiancee Suzanne. John, Jack and Jim have known each other their whole lives. Jack and Jim's dad was John's doctor. Jack is a retired doctor. John and Jim graduated high school together. A couple times a month, Jack, Jim, John and John Hursh go for pizza at the Pizza Forum.
And, so I looked over and saw Jack and Jim conversing and ready to go in for a big fancy meal that Joyce prepares every year at Easter. I thought - how nice, the whole family is together (22 of them) and that is so special. Who knew! It would be their last with Jim Covell. Monday night the guys got together and ate pizza. Who knew it would be their last time with Jim Covell. They kidded him about how he needed reading glasses and John Hursh even bought him a pair so he could read the menu.

Wednesday, Jack and Jim as usual went to their two hour lunch date. Jim didn't feel so hot, but continued on. They ate, and decided they needed a few things at Walmart. Jim collapsed inside Walmart, and later died at Lutheran Hospital - Ft. Wayne. He was having an aneurysm. They took him to surgery but it was too late. People have these type of shocks everyday around the world, but when it comes to your back door, it just flies over our heads. God give Jack and Joyce (family and friends) all the grace and strength there is. These two guys went to lunch every day, every gun show in the tri-state area and mowed their huge properties together. Sometimes we do just need to
take stock of every day and make sure it brings glory and honor to God. Everything we think and do. All our responses, all our losses, all our weather irritations, all our everything to God. He will bring SPRING - he always does. No matter where we need it, or what form it comes in - He will bring Spring and a rainbow.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET!

As I pondered on Good Friday, Sunday's Resurrection, it brought up a lot of things that troubled me last week.

A woman that was going through her cancer scare in 2008 along with John, passed away Thursday. How does that work anyway? But when you turn it around, what better time to go and spend eternity with Christ.

I had other thoughts about friends who lost their elderly mother and their beloved dog all in the same three day event. My hairdressers beautiful Piraneese (spelling) 11-year-old dog is passing away from lymphoma cancer. They struggle with putting her down and so we talked about that whole loosing, death, and dying routine. My Dakota is 11 years old and going blind. I think constantly about that moment when I have to make a decision about her. It made me angry. It made me sad. It made me remember the day I was driving through Churubusco and I started talking out loud. "Hey, you people, don't you know my dad walked these streets too. He ate over there at the restaurant, bought groceries at the Super Value." It felt like no one knew, or remembered, or cared he was once here. My hairdresser brought up a great point. She talked about the Indian culture and how she had heard this story. It was the story of an old Indian who was about to die. He told his family not to cry, just continue to tell stories about me, keep me in your heart, and others as well.

I could get into that. That is why we have family pictures sitting around, I have a million pictures and little movies of Dakota everywhere. I have her on my I-Phone. And, my family as well. We just don't have to forget them when they go, we must remember them by sharing them with others.

That is why Jesus is so alive today - He is risen today so we could tell stories about Him. We must never forget to tell others about His saving grace. Where would we be without that Great Story. Honor your pets, your family, your God. Never Forget to Tell the Story of how much they (He) did for you and what they (He) means to you.

Celebrate a risen Savior everyday!

CONVICTION - COMMITMENT - CHANGE!!!

You know, full disclosure can be quite overwhelming. It can be very convicting and all we want to do is run an hide. Can you imagine back in that day on Palm Sunday when Jesus got on the donkey (sign of peace in those times) and rode through town, what was he thinking? He knew. They didn't. Actually as the research indicates, they thought he was instilling peace - role modeling the power of peace in that nation. The Romans were riding in from the other side of town on their great big white stallions and were role-modeling POWER! We are in control, back down, be quiet, stop yelling and singing!

Jesus, on the other hand, is thinking about what He will have to endure next week on Good Friday. He was convicted to do His job for His Father. He was committed to do His job so the world could be changed from sin to peace. He was certain that His horrible beating, death, and resurrection would CHANGE the world forever. It was the only way.

He told them, speak out, or the stones will cry out. Luke 19: 28 through 40. Read it.
The stones were grave sights. The Jews believed, that their ancestors would raise up and come in with Jesus. The Romans are shouting, be quiet. Jesus insists that we rise up and speak out to celebrate the truth. With others.

In my practice I use this Three C's concept for all kinds of issues. Conviction is important. It keeps us honest. It brings us to commitment to Change. We certainly do not have to be whipped, crucified, and resurrected as Jesus was; no one could ever go through all that - only Jesus. However, what we can do is ask Him to show us His plan for our life. Show me where I need to clean it up. Show me where I need to commit my life to be a new creation. Show me where I can sign up for CHANGE. Change that comes only from inside. Jesus Christ being there on the inside. Is He?