Article on Nanny...and a pretty cute picture too!

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_177888.asp

Loss, Relief...and Celebration

I attached this picture because I love the stained glass heart. I got it at the Captivating Retreat. Dennis and I both have bookshelf lamps and I attached the heart on the knob of the lamp. Every morning and every evening when I turn the light on or off...there is the heart.

My grandmother, Nanny, died yesterday. I wish I had something beautiful or profound to say, but really I would do a complete injustice to all that I have experienced with her.

In truth I have had some of the most important experiences of my life with her. My Nanny developed Alzheimer's in her early 50's. She was 75 when she passed. That's a long time. In a span of nearly 25 years I have had the opportunity to serve her--to watch my mother server her-- in ways that have shaped my life. There is a humility that comes when you serve someone who depends on you...when they cannot do it themselves...when they can't tell you what they feel or what they need. And while this sounds like taking care of an infant (which sometimes it was a little like that) there is something more humbling still to do this for an adult. To watch the years on their face as you help them eat, clean them up, brush their hair--it makes you feel small. It made me reach outside of myself for help...for God's grace when I couldn't understand what she needed, when I was tired or afraid.

Our hearts are so valuable. The last thing Nanny spoke to me that made any kind of sense was about Jesus. While her mind was going--her heart knew. She said she was so grateful that He loved her and that the only reason we were able to love was because He loved us.

Yesterday I felt the most bizarre combination of emotion. It swept over me like a hurried breeze. Sadness over her loss. Relief that she would hurt no more. And celebration of her being with her God--Who loves her.

What do you Love?

I am re-reading Waking the Dead by John Elderedge. It is one of my favorite books. Today it had an assignment for me...:

"Take a moment, set down the book, and make a list of all the things you love. Don't edit yourself; don't worry about prioritizing or anything of that sort. simply think of all the things you love. Whether it's the people in your life or the things that bring you joy or the places that are dear to you or your God, you could not love them if you did not have a heart. A life filled with loving is a life most like the one that God lives, which is life as it was meant to be (Eph. 5:1-2). And loving requires a heart alive and awake and free." (Elderedge, John, Waking the Dead, pgs. 47-48)

So I decided to do just that! I want to share with you the things I love and wonder...do any of these resonate with you? I would love for you to send your "loves" in the comments if you feel comfortable, of course.

I love:
...nature- being surprised by it. Like flowers popping up in the desert, elk in the snow, the chipmunks and birds in my back yard. I love the beach- the sound of waves crashing on the shore literally lowers my blood pressure. I believe that it reminds me of my Savior's voice- the sound of rushing water. I love the feel of sand beneath my toes and the foamy water tickling my ankles. I love the slow, long sips of coffee in the morning and red wine at sunset...prairies, sea oats blowing in the sticky, salty breeze, a crisp fall morning, walking in cool grass on a summer night, the music of cicadas and tree frog that I've only ever heard in the South, the feel of my momma's and daddy's arms about me in a loving hug...my husband's heart-which now brings tears to my eyes. It is beautiful and strong. I cannot even speak to it fully. There are no words- only God will be able to tell him on the white stone he will receive.
...my cats- God teaches me constantly through them. I love seeing how they show forth God's creative glory-millions of tiny strands of fur, pointy, satellite dish ears, soft paws, the sweet sound of purring, the gentle lift of black tummies as air goes in and out and my favorite little sweetness- the shape of their mouths that stay in a constant smile....

Well, my list can go on and on; but these are some of the things that stir my heart in awe of my God. I love how He loves me- passionately, relentlessly, powerfully- beautifully. He is my God- my treasure- my Reward!

...so tell me...What do you love?...

Bara and Yatsar

This is one of the coolest concepts I have ever read. In Beth Moore's Believing God bible study Beth gives us a glimpse into how we were made.

"Two different Hebrew words are used in the Genesis account for the means by which God caused things to exist: bara and yatsar. The Hebrew word bara represents an act only God can accomplish. It is the solely divine act by which God creates something from nothing. The Hebrew word yatsar, often translated formed, can represent a thing formed from previously existing materials. Interestingly, both bara and yatsar are used in reference to the process by which God brought forth man." (Moore, Beth, Believing God, Week 2, Day 4, pg. 42)

So with this in mind let's take a look at the two places she is referring to:

1. Genesis 1:27 AMP- "So God created (bara) man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created (bara) him; male and female He created (bara) them." (emphasis mine)
2. Genesis 2:7 AMP- "Then the Lord formed (yatsar) man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. (emphasis mine)

There are a couple of things that excite me about this.

1. There is more than just our outward appearance (our bodies) that make us male or female ("male and female He created (bara) them"). In the image of God He created male and female--out of...in the Strong's Concordance the word has several descriptive definitions, but one of them is "of birth, of something new, of miracles." It is miraculous- and only something God can do!
2. God is eternal. To be created (bara) in His image would mean that this created piece is eternal. The formed (yatsar) piece fades away. "Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is (progressively) decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being (progressively) renewed day after day. For our light, momentary afflictions (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory (beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!) Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I believe that this is saying that the yatsar is what is fading, but what was bara is being renewed day after day. What do you think?

The word of God is so amazing to me. While there is simplicity in so many things, I find day by day that our God is incredibly intricate. When I think "Oh yea, I've got a handle on You and Your heart now..." then He blows me away with something brilliantly deep and complex and beautiful about His nature- His heart.

Seriously, what do you think?

God is Love

I just wanted to share with whoever may read this tonight...God is
love. And His law...it's the law of love. Hmmm...the law of love- what
peace there is in that statement.

God is love- He cannot separate Himself from it. He's so beautiful-
isn't He?!

Our God. Our Love!

Sent from my iPhone

Mawwage

Ah the famous lines from The Princess Bride!
Actually, my brother gets married tomorrow. I wish him and his
beautiful bride to be all the happiest!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJMqHDynnoY&feature=youtube_gdata

Sent from my iPhone

What was said to the rose...

These roses hang on a trellis in my back yard. They reminded me of these lyrics this morning:
"And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest"
- "Here is Our King" David Crowder Band

The Lord gave me a beautiful picture.

"But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves (released) from the stall and leap for joy." Malachi 4:2 AMP

The rose opens up to the rays of the sun; and we (those who revere and worshipfully fear the name of the Lord) open up into a beautiful display- reflecting God's glory to those around us.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, worship the Lord, reveal His glory to the world around you- you who are image bearers of the Most High. You speak of the beauty of the Lord just as the roses on my trellis. How gracious of our God!!!

Please enjoy other pictures of flowers from my back yard below!

The rose trellis

Pink Peonies

I have no idea...but they are pretty cool...

Dark pink Peonies with spider iris