Archive | July 2025

Just Live

It was nearly 40 years ago when I came across my parents and my aunt and uncle talking like their lives were over. I don’t remember what all was said, it was so long ago, but I remember that anger erupted out of my spirit like a roar. I verbally chastised them for thinking and talking that way. I do not choose to be disrespectful to my elders, but they were on a fast track of taking down their own lives.

We greatly underestimate the power of our words!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21

The enemy knows this, and uses this as leverage throughout your life, planting thoughts and suggestions aimed at tearing you down. He can’t take your life; you have to partner with him for that to happen. ‘Oh, I would never partner with the devil!’, one adamantly declares.

Are you sure?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become aware of your words.

It takes discipline and hard work to re-train your speaking, but if you determine to do this, the Holy Spirit will help you. You will find your words echoing back at you if they don’t align with the Word. But words don’t begin in your mouth, they begin in your mind. To take control of your mouth, you must first control your mind. We must take every thought captive that rises against the knowledge of Christ. The Passion Translation says it like this . . .

“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.” 2Corinthians 10:5-6 TPT

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Basically, when you become aware of thoughts that are not life, and are not pleasing to God, take them captive. Speak that out, instead of the thought. Speak the Word against it. You are not responsible, and are not held accountable unless you continue to entertain the thought or speak it and make it your own. “Take no thought saying. . .”

This is a discipline that is hard work, but bears great fruit and just may save your life!

One can never lay their guard down! I am thankful for those close to me, that remind me when I am getting off track, as my son did just yesterday. He courageously corrected my ‘stinking thinking’ and I am grateful that he loves me that much!

Go and love someone enough to tell them the Truth!

So, what happened when I corrected my loved ones from their stinking thinking? Well, they were in their early 60’s at the time, and that was nearly 40 years ago. They were speechless, which tells me they recognized the Truth. They didn’t try to justify, blame or excuse–just listened and took the reprimand to heart–as I did yesterday, when my son spoke.

Truth brings clarity, not shame.

I didn’t just tell them what they were doing wrong, I told them to LIVE! That they had a long, full, life ahead of them and they needed to stop living death and live LIFE!

Truth brings life!

They listened and made an immediate adjustment– so immediate that it even surprised me. The fruit of their efforts is that they lived long and full lives, with many, many, loving friends that enjoyed the life of God emanating from them. My uncle lived to be in his 80’s, his wife until age 96. My parents, as you may read from the recent post about them, are still alive at ages 95 and my dad will be 98 in September. That’s a very long life past 60! I am convinced it would have been different, had they kept up the talk of their death.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Recently, my parents and I celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary at a sweet, lakeside restaurant in a village about an hour drive away. On the way home my mom was reminiscing about all the great places they used to enjoy eating out at. “Why don’t you do that now?” I asked. “Because it’s so hard.” came her quick reply. “Yes, but didn’t we have a wonderful time, and wouldn’t it break up the monotony?” She was silent for a moment and then said, “Yes!” It was three days later that she asked me to help her get tickets to the “Glenn Miller Orchestra” which was coming to town to the Opera House. We had about a month of anticipation, while they eagerly looked forward to the event. I sweetened the anticipation by borrowing the “Glenn Miller Story”, from the library. A dvd starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson; a good movie, that enhanced my enjoyment of the concert, because I remembered the progression of his career as I listened to the music played. The orchestra leader informed us that the Glenn Miller Orchestra has been traveling and performing continuously over a span of 80 years! Adding new band members as needed, of course.

My dad wasn’t feeling well the day before the concert and prayers were intense that they not be disappointed by not being able to go. The next day he was better, thank the Lord, and we went. My cousin came along, and she also enjoyed the concert immensely. It is her mom and dad that I spoke of above, so it is only fitting that she was there to enjoy this with them. I grew up hearing this music from my parents, so I could appreciate and enjoy it even if it differs from my personal taste. We each have an era of music that takes us back to the youth that our spirit still enjoys, for our spirit doesn’t age, just our bodies. A time that is less stressful and reminds us of happiness of long ago. This was their happy place and it planted a sweet memory in my heart as I glanced over to see my mom and dad snuggle up, clasping their hands together, like teenagers on a date, and I realize that true love never ends–it just grows sweeter with time, and trust.

I love you mom and dad. ♥

Thank you, for sharing your happy place with me!

Thank you, for a memory I will always cherish–thank you, for truly living!

“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16 RSV

“You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” Psalm 91:16 TPT

His Perfect Timing

Jul22

On my way to feed the homeless yesterday, the thought came to me to stop and check my post office box for mail. I keep that box strictly for book ministry mail and normally always check it on the way back. Reasoning, that I would have more time if I checked it later, resulted in my simply brushing the thought away. How many can join me in finding that, hindsight, often speaks louder than the Lord?

So after a delightful evening of beautiful sunshine, laughter with friends–my homeless and some, non-homeless family–after having served up a feast from, 5loaves2fish, of fresh-caught lake trout, thank you Carlson’s of Leland, fresh garden salad, potato salad, fresh fruit compote, dinner rolls and warm chocolate bread pudding. All homemade–all infused with love! Now, incredibly content, and heading home, I stopped to get my mail. My heart was already full and happy, but yet, there was more– for there in my box, leaned a long white envelope.

It’s always exciting to see real mail.

There is an old adage, “The road is paved with good intentions.” Many say, and intend to do something–even declaring it, but never do it. Truly, pavement, is all a ‘good intention’ is worth, if one doesn’t ever follow through!

However, in Heaven, the Bible tells us, the streets are paved with pure gold!

This ‘pavement’ in my mailbox is–pure gold!

The envelope contained a check from the U.S. Treasury Department, and it took me a minute to realize what it was. I had received a letter from Nicholas about a week ago. Nicholas is a prisoner I have written about before. He had contacted me for books for a class they had allowed him to develop for his prison, in conjunction with Duke University, Divinity Grad School students. He wanted my books to be mandatory reading for the class. With many thanks to Chaplain White, we were able to make that happen. The class was so popular, they graduated 3 classes of men and had over 40 men still on a waiting list to take it. Unfortunately, Chaplain White, either retired or transferred, and the new chaplain shut the class down–declaring that it wasn’t regulation. He also stopped Nicholas from preaching and nearly broke his heart. I urged him to be patient. The chaplain’s reasoning for not allowing him to continue preaching was that he wasn’t an ordained minister. No one can stop God’s plan though, and a visiting clergy came in a few weeks later, told Nicholas that God was pressing on him to come back and ordain him. Two weeks later, he did just that! Nicholas’ preaching has brought many men to salvation and his last letter to me stated that he is blessed to have baptized 119 men in 3 years. I am happy to report that the new chaplain has since gotten to know Nicholas, and he has been allowing him to preach again.

So, why am I telling you all this? Well, the check was from Nicholas, and he had told me that he wanted to join me in feeding the poor. He states that he has a heart for the homeless and wants to serve them when he gets out. He dreams of having a food truck that he can drive around and serve them, right where they are at. Since his circumstances prevent him from doing that, he is starting right now, right where he’s at, and sent a check asking me to get what I could for them.

In God’s and (my) eyes, that $5.00 is like 5 million!

It’s not about the amount is it?

No, it’s all about the heart ♥

“He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.'” Luke 21:2

Nicholas tells me they take half of his check for restitution and out of the remaining he gives to 4 churches and a ministry that helps women that have become victims of sex crimes. This is a man that has repented, received the cleansing Blood of Jesus, and has a committed heart–

A heart of ‘pavement’–the purest gold of Heaven!

“Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, ‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2Corinthians 9:7-10

We can take a lesson from Nicholas–he KNOWS he messed up. It breaks his heart every day, the harm he caused others and especially the hurt his family is experiencing. Yet, he’s not sulking and shutting down. He has reached out to God and received forgiveness and His abundant love, to first be restored himself, and then to share it with others. He’s surely not free physically, but he is living the freedom the Lord Jesus has bought and paid for him–and doing more valuable work than many will ever do in their entire lifetime.

How about you?

Are you living the life Jesus bought for you or does it need tweaking? Do you even know Him–really KNOW Him???

Be encouraged, Nicholas, is proof that God can use you in any situation, no matter what you have done. All He needs is for you to turn to Him and say yes!

Don’t wait to the end of your life to find out what you may have missed. Life is too short and you are needed now!

Seek Him today!

So, why did I title this “His Perfect Timing”? It wasn’t just because of the check that came on the day I served the homeless, but also a letter, that I had written to Nicholas, took 6 weeks to reach him, and when did he receive it?

Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day, Nicholas. It’s long past, but your wife tells me your oldest son is getting baptized this weekend!! You won’t be reading this but I’m just throwing that out there to you. I know you are busting your buttons over him! It’s such a blessing to ‘hear’ you, through your letters, proudly talk of all your children and your wife. I pray that you will soon join your family again . . . In the meantime, thank you for the check and all your hard work in leading men to Jesus . . .

Thank you for doing your part right where you are!

Our Heavenly Father, is busting His buttons over you!

I am excited to announce that an order for 1,200 prison books, the “His Voice In My Heart” series, is at the printers now and will soon be sent to Prison Book Project, the ministry that sends them on to prisons, jails and rehab centers all over the country; and even to our men and women serving our country overseas. It’s but a widow’s mite in my heart because, frankly, I can’t get enough books into their hands; but for what I have been able to do, I am eternally grateful. A big thank you to everyone that has contributed to help me in this ministry!

To all of you, and to Nicholas, this scripture is for you . . .

“It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever. He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:5-7

Painting By Faith

Jul17

I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but my day today is chilly, blustery and spitting rain. Spitting is such an appropriate term, for it’s just little bits of water hitting randomly on your face, much like someone standing too close, excitedly talking.

I’m ok with today, but let me tell you about yesterday . . .

I have been painting the exterior of my house, and this is the third year! I have requested so much vacation time for this that my manager asked me if I was continuing the project or actually repainting my house every year. It feels like I’m painting the Mackinac Bridge, which is the longest suspension bridge in the country–spanning 5 miles over water. By the time they sandblast and paint the entire bridge, it’s time to start over. Yep, feels like I’m painting the Mackinac Bridge. If I had seriously thought about it, I probably would never have started such a daunting project, but I just dove in.

How hard could it be?

A year before my husband died, I came home from work to find him painting the house. “Why are you painting the house?”, I asked. “Oh, the snow blower must have taken some paint off the house.” How nice, I thought to myself, that he was right on it. It was looking great or so I thought.

After he died, I discovered I couldn’t wash the windows. They were amazingly dirty, all of a sudden, but I soon discovered that the air-seal between the double panes of all the windows around the back of the house had been broken; rendering them all cloudy, and no longer capable of being cleaned or to see through them.

The mystery continued as I began to notice a path of paint bubbling and peeling all around two thirds of the house, mysteriously though, only up to a certain height. Whereas, the original paint, though fading, was still tight and intact.

Finally piecing the story together . . .

There came the time that I could no longer ignore what was happening to my house and this is when I jumped in, without much thought, to tackle it. During the scraping process, along with the evidence of peeling paint, I could trace the path that my husband took in his painting process. The grain on those boards was severely raised, and then suddenly it dawned on me that he must have rented a power washer. Evidently he used a much too-powerful nozzle, which damaged the siding and took out all my back windows. He had made it around over 2/3 the house before noticing the damage that was done, or maybe he never noticed at all. I expect with that big bad tumor, deep in his brain, he had no clue at all.

So, I spent a lot of time sanding; trying to smooth the grain back down on the boards. They seemed great until I painted, and then it didn’t seem like I had done anything at all.

All that work for what?

Next, I discovered that it’s not a good idea to lean too far while holding a power tool. This ripped me right off the ladder when I was up at the peak of the roof. Yeah, I laid there awhile, prayed my way through, and learned the hard way not to ever do that again!

So, yesterday, they were calling for thunderstorms at a 73% chance. I had a lot of raw board that had just been scraped and sanded, and was determined that wasn’t going to happen before I got the primer on. It was supposed to start around 1:00pm. My prayer conversation with the weather started at 10:00am and in faith I started to paint. I looked at the weather app at 11:00 and their prediction changed to 3:00pm, same storm. I continued painting and telling the weather it wasn’t going to rain on my house. The black clouds came and went throughout the day and throughout the day I continued to command them to leave. Each time, the sun would return and the clouds would leave; meanwhile the weather app again changed the storm to 6:00pm and then to 10:30pm, while I continued to paint. Finally finishing at 7:00pm, I looked up at the sky, giving it one final charge . . . “You will not rain on my paint until it is dry!”

At 10:30 I took my dog out and it was pouring, hard!

I’d love to say I was all confident, after a successful day of commanding my way, but no, I had an active imagination of coming out the next day to see a milky-white primer splash all over my already painted siding. Did it have enough time to dry?

My faith wasn’t quite as bold at the midnight hour!

The thought of re-scraping and re-sanding all that work had severely deflated my confidence!

But the Lord put me out of my misery, when He assured me that everything is alright and the next thing I knew it was 9:00 am and I don’t remember the last time I had slept so sound and so late!

So, in the lightly-spitting rain, I went out to investigate, only to find that it was just as the Lord had said . . .

Everything is alright!

Thank you, Lord, for protecting my paint!

We had a major storm go through here a few years back. The neighbor across had trees uprooted. The neighbor to the side had their entire yard filled with branches and rubble. I walked out and picked up only two small branches, even though two of my trees are very old! I have experienced numerous incidences regarding weather, too numerous to list–we can rebuke adverse weather; declare and receive God’s protection.

I am not alone in this. Many have come to realize the authority that comes with living as citizens of the Kingdom. So, I urge you to live your life as a King’s kid, you are a child of the KING! But, I highly suggest you hire a professional painter–I don’t wish this sort of mess on anyone!

If you are not His child, what are you waiting for?

Receive Jesus into your heart today!

“Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.” James 5:17

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’ And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?'” Mark 4:39-40

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.” John 14:12

Never Forgotten

Jul2

Rick O’Neil – 1951-2015

His Happy Place!

Troop 30 ♥

Today marks the 10th anniversary of my husband going to his forever home. It’s never been easy, but today, being a milestone marker, is such a mixed bag of emotions. I really would have thought I would be further along with this. It seems I just can’t find a day that’s not laced with him somehow. I don’t live in sorrow, but the memories are always so entwined in my life. Yet, at the same time, it seems like ‘that life’ was really someone else’s that I just observed, because it seems so very far away. It’s strange I know– a wrestle in my heart.

So, today, I was walking my dog, Houston, on the trail and the Lord spoke something beautiful to me. I wish I could have written it down so I would have the words; but it was more like I understood, and He then wrote it on my heart.

He said that this marks a new beginning. I know that sounds cliche’ but then He said, and it begins “Right Now!” and just as He said that, a fresh breeze suddenly whooshed around me. It was refreshing! Cooling and swift, yet gentle . . .

It carried hope.

He related building my life to that of a puzzle. This too, would seem cliche’, but yet, I have never heard it explained this way . . .

Again, I can’t remember the words so I will just try to describe it because this is for anyone, this is for you!

The life you are building is your creation, because you choose the pieces to fit. He doesn’t control our lives, but He leads us to situations and people to our path–the pieces in our life to choose from. Some we will try to include and they lock in for life. Others, no matter how hard you try, it just won’t work–won’t fit. We work and fuss, often focused on the one piece at hand, not taking the time to look up–see the broader picture. Does it please you? Is that how you wanted your life to look? When you’re not looking at the bigger picture, you may leave pieces in place that you never wanted to be. Your life builds around them and now there’s no changing what was. You can only continue to build-learn from it, change and build beyond. We must become aware in the moment and not try to force a piece that just doesn’t fit.

In the meantime, while you’re fussing over that one piece, life is passing you by!

So, actually He didn’t say any of that last paragraph except for that first sentence, so that just came out in the moment, just for fun.

What He did relate to me was this . . .

Most people begin a puzzle by finding all the outside edges. They piece them together to build the frame, the outer parameter, and then work to fill in the center. He reminded me of a puzzle I had when I was a kid. It was called “The Shape.” It had a free-form outer edge that was interesting. It was different and fun to put together.

That type of puzzle building, the first and most common, is easier. You have a clear framework to build on, but it’s rigid and locked-in. There is no room for free expression and your life is contained, limited and restricted.

Rather . . .

Each piece must come from your heart!

You build out of your heart and add to it from what you see in your heart. In this way it flows in whatever way your heart, your spirit, is leading you. Ever-evolving and ever-changing, creating beauty in your life from the rock solid foundation of your heart–the Spirit of God, within your own spirit.

Beautiful!

I think there would be less heartache and pain if we built our lives this way. Instead, we set our boundaries, fill in the blanks, and spend most of our lives trying to fix what never fit to begin with. Futile work!

So this is a rather odd and puzzling post, pardon the pun, but I couldn’t resist–born out of a heart that seems at polar opposites at times. Wrestling with a section of my puzzling life that I can no longer change and yet, even though it’s way deep inside the picture now, it still commands my attention . . .

A puzzle only God can fix!

Rest in peace my love. You will never be forgotten and I know that I will see you again one day. I just ask that, for now, you would allow me to Rest, in Peace!

“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 afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Psalm 34:1-8