Ten Things I Love That Begin With "F"

Donna reminded me that Sherry at Semicolon has been handing out letters. I was assigned the letter "F".

Ten Things I Love That Begin with "F"

1. Fiction, particularly a well-crafted, redemptive story. I hope to read more of it in 2007.

2. Friends (human) and Friends (furry).


Rolly is visiting again for a few days.

3. Fellowship of the saints. A necessary good.

4. Fenelon. Let Go is a gem of a book .

5. Fuji apples. Boring but true fact: I eat one nearly every day.

6. Family Fun magazine. To inspire creativity.

7. Fragrant Flowers, especially David Austin and Romantica roses.


Yves Piaget, a Romantica rose.

8. Freecycle. Whoever came up with it is a genius.

9. Family. Self-explanatory.

10. Faithful and True One. Fount of Every Blessing. Forgiving Father. Friend.

If you'd like a letter, please let me know in the comments section and I'll pick one for you.

"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. " John 15:15

43 Reasons

...why I can praise God on my birthday:

43. I am still alive.
42. I can still run (slowly, but I can run!).
41. He lavishes me with His grace daily.
40. He speaks to me through His Word.
39. He is faithful and true.
38. My husband kisses me every day.
37. My husband still likes my cooking after all these years.
36. My kids love me (insert big grin).
35. I am able to homeschool our kids.
34. My best friend is the best.
33. I have the most amazing friends.
32. Our family is helpful and giving.
31. My dog. Period.
30. I am surrounded by good books (insert happy sigh).
29. He provides for all our needs.
28. Our church is alive and growing.
27. I am a child of God.
26. I am going to spend eternity with Him. (Hallelujah!)
25. He is sooooo patient with me.
24. His sovereignty is trustworthy.
23. All His ways are righteous.
22. He gives me treasures in the darkness.
21. He guides and leads me.
20. He gives good and perfect gifts.
19. He hears and answers my prayers.
18. I have the privilege of telling others about Jesus.
17 He gives salvation to everyone who believes.
16. All His promises are "yes" and "amen."
15. He gives the peace that passes understanding.
14. The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower.
13. The battle has already been won.
12. He saves my tears in a bottle
11. All my days were written in His book.
10. I was blind, but now I see.
9. He will never, never, never leave me.
8. He fills me with His Spirit.
7. There is joy in the Lord.
6. My Father is the King of kings and Lord of lords!
5. No one can snatch me out of His hand.
4. I am not perfect yet He loves me.
3. He loves me perfectly.
2. He calls me His own.
1. Jesus.

Thank You, Lord.

This list is just the beginning.

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:16

Laying Up Treasures

In my single and early married years I was a "successful" professional. I wore the expensive suits, drove a nice car, ate at the finest restaurants and had a big fancy title. By the world's standards I looked like I had it all together, but I was miserable inside because I was not walking in obedience to God.

After I rededicated my life to Christ, He changed my life goals and desires. His purposes became my purposes. His priorities became my priorities. He gave me a desire to devote my life to my family and to serve Him.

I am now a homeschool mom. Most of the world would scoff at my role in life. People don't covet my "title." I don't bring home a regular paycheck. I don't bring home awards. I've traded in my suits for jeans, and Nordstrom for Target. But I'm far richer, more content and joyful than I've ever been before because of my relationship with God.

I have been given the most important job in the world: raising my children to glorify the King of kings and Lord of lords. I am laying up treasures in heaven. He has given me a vision of eternity, and the world simply pales by comparison.

"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21

6:42 a.m.

The sun is just peeking from the horizon as I slip out the door. I've been waiting an hour and a half for this moment. It is cold. No, not just cold. Freezing. I should be thankful I live in Southern CA instead of colder climates, but to this Hawaiian girl 35 degrees is brutal.

Remind me why I'm doing this, Lord.

I'm wearing a wind resistant long sleeve shirt, pants and gloves. They feel paper thin on me. The chill seeps through. I start to run and hope that my body warms up before I pass out. I see a few cars go by but no other runners or walkers. They're smart. They're lying under warm comforters right now.

I pick up my pace for an interval and start to warm up a little. I don't hear any birds chirping this morning yet. They must be shivering in their little nests, bundled together. The air is crisp, and I can smell wood burning fireplaces around the neighborhood. The only sound I hear is the chatter in my mind--sometimes to myself, sometimes to God.

I turn the corner and see another runner. I note she is wearing a thermal vest over her shirt. Good idea. We say "Morning!" as we pass each other.

By the time I hit the one mile mark I'm feeling good. Hitting my stride. Enjoying the run.

I check my watch and realize it's time to do another interval. I hit the split button and pick up the pace. At that moment the wind decides to pound my face, my nose, my ears, my body. An instant headache rises up and my head begs for mercy. My fingers feel like popsicles despite my gloves.

Keep running, I tell myself. Just keep running.

I make it to the end of the stretch and take a walk break. My head still feels like it's going to fall off my neck at any moment. Okay, now's not the time to quit. Keep going!

You are my strength, Lord. Help me to go from strength to strength.

I start running again, this time toward home. I pray as I think of people. The headache is at a simmer now instead of full boil. I spot a man walking his scruffy yellow lab. We smile and nod to each other.

One last interval. Hit the split button. Run hard. Almost there. Keep going. Almost there.

Leaner. Stronger. Faster. Yeah. That's right.

Interval is over. Two blocks from home. I start walking to cool down.

There it is. Home. I made it! Shadow greets me excitedly at the door.

Thank You, Lord. An awesome start to a great day!

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1b-2a

My Strength is in Him

Last day of the year. So many memories to treasure from the year past; so many things to look forward to in the year ahead. One thing never changes: God's faithfulness. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

At our last women's retreat, Catherine Martin of Quiet Time Ministries challenged us to pray and seek the Lord for a special WORD and BIBLE VERSE(S) that would be our theme for the year.

For 2005, my word was "Surrender." My verse was "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved" (Psalm 46:5). Over and over again throughout the year, during trials and tribulations, this word and verse were brought to my mind. It was a source of great comfort and encouragement in time of need.

So as the year-end approached, I was eager to see what my new word and verse would be for 2006. For the past month, I've been praying about it and seeking the Lord. He is so faithful. Early on, I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon my heart that my word for the next year would be...

"Discipline."

Gulp. Are you sure, Lord? Discipline?

Nah. Has to be something else!

As I prayed, I started to see this word and theme everywhere. On my bookshelf was a book titled The Disciplined Life. What an awesome book! I had started to read it a while ago but never got past the second chapter. Why? No discipline! ~laughing~

This book has been sitting on my linen cabinet beckoning me. How it got there, I'll never know.

Then one night during our Advent read aloud time, Alan asked if I could take over the reading of Bartholomew's Passage so that he could finish some work-related business. I flipped open to that night's reading. The chapter was titled "Discipline."

And the signs kept coming.

Discipline. Okay, Lord, that will be my word for the year. How about my verse for the year?

I prayed and kept searching for one during my quiet times. So many awesome verses but none that seemed to be the "right" one. Day after day went by, and I began to wonder if I'd ever receive my verse for 2006.

Finally, this morning, on the last day of the year, I was reading Psalm 84 when verse 5 jumped out at me:

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You."

Strength in You. Not in myself. Yes.

When I went for my run this morning I prayed and received confirmation that this was indeed my verse for the year. Yes, I need discipline to accomplish His work. But I also need to rely on His strength for that very discipline. He knows how many times I've tried to depend on myself--picked myself up by my own bootstraps--only to stumble or fall. It was only when I found my strength in Him was I able to accomplish great things.

"Discipline."
"Blessed are those whose strength is in You."

Good words to live by.

Happy New Year!

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11