THE GOD OF PEACE...

This was taken by me to my feet when I was at First Responders at a murder site several months ago.  When standing right by a tree, I was told that my feet were where the murdered man had hit the ground right there.  We were praying for the nearby homes...none were connected to this murder, but his body hit their yard...and some people came by who had thought who the man was.  Anyhow, the Word of God grabbed me that time when I saw the photo.

About 15 years ago, my husband, Dave, had written a song, There is No Counsel/Underneath Your Feet.  After Proverbs 21:30, Psalm 2:2-4, II Corinthians 10:4, then this verse of Romans 16:20 was used:

 The God of peace, living through us, is crushing him,

 underneath our feet...

The God of peace is crushing Satan underneath our feet.

In the dust and broken laying underneath our feet,

 nevermore to rise again from underneath our feet....

The God of peace is crushing Satan underneath our feet.

Underneath our feet:

 underneath, underneath, underneath our feet!

We've played it many times in the past years and people sang and sang and rejoiced!!  Years ago Dave's favorite portion of the Bible is Romans 16:20.  I agree with that wonderfulness!!  Every day I think of it. 

BTW, trusting the Lord is all I can ever do, and focusing on Him from now to Heaven and then, when I'm there, I'll certainly continually focus on Him forever and ever.  Nothing else counts!  I can hardly wait!!

 

MY MOM

Itasca Lake,Minnesota 1983; 63 years old

Been thinking about my Mom a lot.  As of yesterday, January 30th, it was the 3rd year of her death when 90-1/2 years old. And 3 years ago, her first and forever immediately instantly time in Heaven.  Believe me, I look forward to seeing her there.

Much has been laid on me regarding the various skills she had as a young person, but those skills were only in and out most of the rest of her life from childhood.

WELL, since I am the oldest of her kids that she raised, I now have remembered how I, as a young 'un, learned what to do and how to do some things.  Most of the time, previously, of course, I have been focused on the serious, angry, battling events in our family.  Since I was the oldest of the kids by nearly 5 years, and in charge of the others so often until I graduated from high school, I rarely thought of the good options that had entered my life through her.

So, how did she drop my personal skills into me?

She played sax until after she graduated from high school in 1938.  She was a very tall girl [eventually 6'2"] and she looked like quite a player in the photos I finally saw a couple years ago.  

When I was 9 years old, 4th grade, she gave me her sax to begin to learn at school.  I had it until I graduated.  I didn't have an opportunity to have a sax again, and I didn't consider an option until I was 42.  My pianist and musician-oriented husband, who I had recently married,  asked if I could still do it.  I told him I remembered the sax fingering, but couldn't blow the same way.  He bought me,

over years, 3 different kinds of electronic instruments that, no matter what the sound would be, or it looked like, I could use the sax fingering.  Been playing on worship teams, at weddings, other events with/through my husband for years now... because Mom opened that door for me almost 60 years ago.

 She was a reader.  When I was 5, she got me some.  By the time I was about 8 years old, I would read the Encyclopedia and pick up some of the many books in the house.  I've been a reader and writer ever since.

One thing she did, that helped me, but I couldn't ever truly do well, was drawing pictures.  She was a really, really good one.  I did OK, but I quit when I was in junior high.  I went to the acting, directing and writing plays.  Didn't draw any more, ever.

When in 8th grade, studying Civil War, and needing to write a several-page history "book", the one thing I wanted to do, but couldn't, Mom did it for me.  She drew the pictures of Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman on the title cover page.  That was really a great help for me.

I've been thinking of my Mom in Heaven.  She was a hard worker.  Her last official working job ended at her 80th birthday. 

 She enjoyed working, but rarely could do those side things--music, art, reading-- she enjoyed so much. I have been wondering if now she is playing an instrument to worship, drawing pictures on heavenly home walls or doors, and reading -- while in Heaven, reading one kind of the Word of God or another that will be thoroughly entered into her heavenly heart, soul, spirit. 

I can hardly wait to see her in eternity... and none of the garbagy junk stuff that was in her life --- my dad's, too, of course --- [and mine, of course].

Mom, Dad, and me.  Portland, 1947

With Mom and Dad being friends in heaven now, after the years of fussing and fighting, is one of my most exciting aspects of when I get to go there.  

Mom made a difference in my life in a variety of ways.  She truly loved music, books, and art from childhood.  Now, she's got it again.  And my sisters and I, our kids and grandkids, and others, too, through what came through her to us. 

Another day of my heart hollering HALLELUJAH!

JOHN AND CHIHULY ...

In Tacoma, on Wednesday, July 17th, my daughter, grandkids, and other family connections, and I, went downtown.  Wanted to go through the touristy shops and a special location.  This place is a huge pile of Chihuly glass artware. 

HUGE!  A walking bridge area.  I'd always seen the blue glass when driving on the Interstate, entering Tacoma, but hadn't taken the time to go for this wonderful walk.

WELL, it was wonderful, but in more ways that one.

As we were walking across the bridge, in a bridge-covered location, a man was playing his flute.  The song at that moment was "Amazing Grace".  I decided to hold back for a bit of time and see if the musician and I could talk a bit.  This blessing of godly music touched my heart.

We talked... for about 20 minutes.  He is not ONLY a musician... but connected to Columbia and Uganda and other nations where children need to be brought to adoption.  A strong heart, a loving man.

John is in his early 50s.  He told me his back hurt.  He very strongly asked me to pray for him to be healed.  So, with people walking past, I laid my hands on his back, and prayed for him very intensely.  [Who, ME??]  And I have his name, email address, and ministry focus info, so now that I'm home, I intend to get in touch.

I went off to walk around the other artistic bits and pieces.  It was wonderful, gorgeous.

 Later, when walking back across the bridge, heading for the sidewalk and main street, he was still there.  We smiled, quickly hugged, and rejoiced together for another couple minutes.  What a treat!

Hope you love the photos.  Can't NOT include them.  Some over our heads, some in front of our eyes.  And, saying again, WHAT A TREAT!! -- both for a new spiritual brother and the view of all the gorgeous glass art. 

======================

OH, and BTW, Chihuly went to the Tacoma Stadium High School.  One of my sisters knew him when she was there.  How amazing is that?  He's known all over the world now.

PSALM 87:7

As well the singers as the

players on the instruments

shall say,

 All my springs --

my sources of life and joy --

are in You...

[May 12, 2006.  Dave's CD.  Our songs --  lyrics, melodies, and arrangements -- by Dave and I -- mostly Dave -- and composed over a period of time.  The rehearsal and programming was an absolute blast.  Dave is a well-skilled worship leader and wonderful pianist, believe me.  Truly loving and caring and pastoring for his "music family".  (I happen to be one blessed lady!)]