It's Better-er

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me...
(Psalm 34:1-4 ESV)

I had a really bad day, yesterday. All of my tests are down for one reason or another. The one I thought I had fixed aborted after 1.5 hours (It's a 22 hour test) My very important project is still sitting idle and I'm all out of ideas on how to fix it. Then I had a very frustrating hour and a half phone call that kept me an hour over.

That was then, this is now...
I started out the day by praying the entire way to work. I prayed first of all, that my attitude would be positive and bring glory to God whether things went the way I wanted or not. I prayed for each test, and every contact I needed to make. I prayed for my co-workers. I prayed over my schedule. I prayed.

By the time I got to work, I marched in with confidence and a positive outlook for the day.

Guess what...I had a great day!
My co-worker and "right hand man" encouraged me, "It will be better-er", he said with a grin.


I was able to replace the one part without totally disassembling. I tore the test down and built it back up without the slightest hitch. Every tight fit and problem area "miraculously" slid together and I got the test up and running in record time - even with replacing a part!

I sent out an e-mail looking for the replacement parts I've been anxiously awaiting to repair my equipment. The response was almost immediate (@ 6:30 in the morning!) that my parts should arrive by Monday! Woohoo! Praying this is the answer to my troubles with a certain test rig. This same rig had two other parts replaced and calibrated without any problems - all before 10 a.m., AND I calibrated the instrument with one phone call and it's now running better than ever. (That person must have been waiting for me to call, too!) 

Not everything went well. My reference test failed again, but at least I have a troubleshooting plan in process. I have hope. I know who has my back and He will lead me - or catch me. He hears and answers my cry for help; my job is to cry out to Him.

Thank you for the encouragement.
Thank you for how you planned out my day and answered my cry in every way.
Thank you for allowing me to "see" your answers, today.
You are AWESOME God! You make all things "better-er", in Your time...

Ingredients for a Delicious Life!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

This is the verse of the week - one stored in my heart for many years. A truth that has carried me through many challenges over the years, and yet, still as fresh and encouraging as it was the first time God proved it true in my life.


I know it's true today, and am confident God is at work in my life and in the lives of those I love...for our good and His glory. 


I love the illustration in my study. I've heard similar, but since I'm a chocoholic, this one I can relate to:

"- Begin with bitter chocolate.- Stir in some dry, tasteless flour.
- Add several raw eggs and some sour milk.
- Mix these and several more ingredients thoroughly.
- Bake in a hot oven.
- The end result: a (YUMMY) chocolate cake. Now think about your life - the bitter, the dry, the raw, the sour, the mixing, and the heat. Sounds bad, doesn't it? And it fdeels bad when it's happening! But in God's hands, these things - these unpleasant and uncomfortable and unlovely elements and components of life - will result in something good." ~ p. 177-178 Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George (my paraphrase)

So, when I write that I'm dealing with "disappointment, hurt and frustration", don't think I'm angry. I'm just missing all those good things that have slipped away: those good times I remember, and good people I cherish. It's those good close relationships that are changing. It's all those very good things that I am thankful for having experienced in my life over the years. It's because of God's abundant blessings in my life (and in the lives of others) that I am where I am in life, today: New jobs, careers, cities to live in, college to experience, new challenges, new fellowships, new opportunities.


But...I am also very excited for what God has in store for the next chapter. The page is turning slowly, but it's turning and I "can't wait" to see what the author of my life is going to write on those next pages.  God is working it all out!


I heard this song today, after I had written this blog last night. Today was one of those days...I'm feeling like everything I touch just falls apart, breaks, fails...So good to know He's always there to Steady my Heart"...


Lord,
I love the ways you steadied my heart, today:

• Much needed rain showers that stopped long enough for me to jump out and get a signature.
• Meeting and chatting with a "down to earth" executive.
• The floppy windshield wiper - and a short way to drive. It made me start my day laughing. 
• Laughing with the young (& cute) security guards. They remind me to take myself lightly and enjoy the moment.
• Being "harassed" by fun co-workers.
• A "10 minute chat" with my sister before leaving the grounds that turned into at least a half hour - maybe longer. I lose track of time when I'm with her. <3  :)
• A song that I connect with after "one of those days".
• A quick, simple dinner.
• The promise of a walk.

"What's good and what gets broken happens just the way that You plan" 

Thanks for the reminder!

New Blog: Chronicles of The 4-C's

Check out my new blog about the happenings of our family, affectionately known as "The 4-C's", also the name of our boat:

Chronicles of The 4-C's

This blog will continue to be my thoughts, discoveries, and ramblings about life.

Thanks for visiting!

I Press On

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:14 ESV)

While on vacation last week, I picked up my Bible Study that I had ignored since we decided to take a break from the Ladies' LIFE Group I have led for the last 6 years - almost without a break. I have been spending much time in prayer and discussion with my hubby regarding God's desire for my life, my service, my gifts and talents. Having studied His Word for the last 17 years, I know in my heart that He has a plan in all of the changes in my life and will use the events of the last year or so for my good and His glory. It doesn't necessarily make dealing with the disappointment, hurt and frustration any easier.

As He always does, He gave me just what I needed from His Word to encourage me:

"Abraham...Moses...Samuel...David...Paul...John...

The list of God's people who pressed on toward God's purposes and served the Lord until the end of their lives goes on and on. At one time or another during the race, each of the men of faith just mentioned had a valid reason to quit. People told them 'No!' God told them 'No!' to something they wanted. Circumstances seemed to scream 'No!' to their personal desires. Yet not one of them quit, resigned, or retired. They knew they hadn't finished the race, that there was more work to be done, that their purpose wasn't fulfilled, and that God had other plans for them and could still use them. They knew that by God's grace they could make a difference for His kingdom right up until the day they left this earth and went to be with Him. They pressed on." ~ Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George

 My spirit was so lifted and my heart encouraged as I read and studied. It confirmed the conclusions my hubby and I had come to. I was so overwhelmed by God's presence and love, that my emotions released and tears welled up to overflowing.

With a new sense of purpose, hope and joy, "I press on toward the goal!" and allow God to use circumstances in my life to conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yup, it's all about Jesus!



God's grace to me:
* A vacation from routine to get refreshed, refocused, renewed
* A family that is flexible with plans
* A young friend sensitive and caring enough to ask, "Is everything ok?"
* Forever friends who are always there for us - especially when we make less than stellar decisions
* A card from a friend to encourage me, arriving at just the right time
* A Bible Study that has ministered to me in ways I would have never imagined


Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me, for walking with me, for never leaving me, for knowing and providing just what I need when I need it most. Help me serve you with joy until you call me home. Help me love people like you love them - especially when I don't "feel" like loving.  It's all about You, Lord Jesus. You are truly all that I need. Amen.

Becoming More Like Jesus?

I struggled to finish the book, "Sing You Hom3" by Jod1 P1coult because of the content and the writer's agenda, yet I was determined to see how the controversial subject was handled and how Christians were portrayed. I was disappointed, but have to admit, that it is (sadly) mostly true. I could not stop thinking of this song by Casting Crowns - especially the words, "Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against.."

Jesus, Friend Of Sinners lyrics

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to 
swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah,yeah,yeah

Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees 

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we 
judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like 
You did
Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah(hold note)You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Lord, 

I want people to know what I'm for; I LOVE JESUS; I hunger for God's Word and stand on it's TRUTH! Help me love people like you do. Help me to love them to You. Grant me wisdom, understanding and your words.

"...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19