Yes and Amen

I was awakened this morning, while it was still dark, by the sound of a train whistle off in the distance. Keeping my eyes closed (and hoping to go back to sleep), I could hear the train rumbling on the tracks, and my thoughts turned to all those people that lived even closer than I. How could they sleep? 

I couldn't, and eventually scuffed into the kitchen to make coffee. 

Later, as I settled into a plate of eggs over easy, in my cute little breakfast room, I opened my bible randomly to the OT. 

 
I happened upon a page that had a verse highlighted and underscored, and I'd written multiple notes in the margin. Two were just dates: 6/23/03, and 5/9/08 ~ no notations. 

Another one read "4/12/05 Took communion and worshipped. Received this word before going to take mammogram." [The doctors have been telling me for decades they have concerns.]

The big note at the bottom of the page brought a smile to my face. "5/18. Received a physical 'wave' of the Holy Spirit at RWC [Women's Conference], and heard in my heart 'never again'. On 5/8 I had a physical & am being sent to GYN to rule out cancer. It's already been ruled out! DONE!!!" 

Here's the verse that was marked up? 

Zeph. 3:14-15
Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!  The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.*
There's an asterisk on the last line of those verses with a final side note: * "Never again will you fear any harm" 

I think, and I believe, that in the middle of our night seasons, when we can't sleep and we're rumbling down the tracks of our life, the Father hears the cries of our heart that come to His ears like a train whistle. But instead of turning away and making coffee, He gently leans down and whispers to us, saying "Never again".   

Counting My Blessings

xo Susy

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, 

to the glory of God through us.  ~2 Cor. 1:20

Hot Spots and Peppers!

I'm heading out shortly to have coffee with a local grassroots organizer and the head of a minister's alliance in my city.  The purpose of our meeting ~ to discuss a request from our police department to have teams of citizens PRAY in gang 'hot spots'.  That's right, PRAY!




It's going to be modeled after successful prayer-walk efforts in the city of Salinas, CA. and Boston, MA.  called "Night Walks".  Apparently, those involved with violence prevention programs believe that involving the faith-based community is essential to impacting neighborhoods.

I've been invited to "the table" because I founded and facilitated an intercessory prayer group, CityWatch, that met monthly and prayed for ten years for our city.  I'm humbled to be a part of this huge step in the "church of the city" connecting with city government for the purpose of transforming community.

In the meantime, I'm making pico de gallo from some of our garden peppers.

Hope you're having a great Monday!

Counting My Blessings

xo  Susy

True Faith

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
             ~George Mueller

George Mueller [1805-1898] was  a Christian evangelist and Director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England caring for over        10, 000 orphans in his lifetime.  He also established 117 schools which offered Christian education to over 120,000 children.

The remarkable thing was, Mueller never made requests for financial support, nor did he ever go into debt.  Many times, he received unsolicited donations only hours before they were needed.

On one well-documented occasion, he gave thanks for breakfast while all the children were sitting at the table, even though there was nothing to eat in the house. As they finished praying, the baker knocked on the door with sufficient fresh bread to feed everyone, and the milkman gave them plenty of fresh milk because his cart broke down in front of the orphanage.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything 

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

 let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds

 through Christ Jesus.

 Phil. 4:6-7

 

 

 

Counting My Blessings
xo Susy

 

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Stay and Fight

Stay until I say "go",
fight until I say "rest".

That's what I heard in my heart this morning as I was praying for a friend.

And here's how we're able to do that...

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22-23

Counting My Blessings

xo Susy

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It's Up to Us...

For some, the world has stopped.  For a community the processing of an unfathomable evil, that will shape their future, has just begun.

For the rest of us ~ we cry, we pray, we care from the bottom of our hearts.

I believe the tragedy of Newtown is a clarion call to the watchmen.  Be alert, be vigilant.  Pray for families, schools, churches, and your city.  Prayer walk your neighborhood and your school yards and set a hedge of protection around them.

Make Psalm 91 your address and your declaration.

Counting My Blessings

xo Susy

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The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Psalm 34:18

Lammiekins

Lammiekins is new to the Nativity this year.

He came all the way from Hopi House at the Grand Canyon to be a part of the team. 

The first day on the job this week was a little stressful.

There were already three little lambs on the set, and he felt a little out of place.  

They were lambs, he's a sheep.

 He was fuzzy ~ they weren't

His ears stuck up ~ their's didn't

But he did his very best to fit in.

He found his mark

and was verrrry still and quiet

Everyone thinks he did great

and I agree.  good job Lammiekins.
You're my favorite thing this week!

 bahhhh

Counting My Blessings,

xo Susy

I'm joining the flock over at Claudia's house.

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

 She has a new sheep too!

Footnoot:  Like many of you, I'm sure, I've cried and prayed today

 for the families, friends, school mates and staff
  that tragically lost their precious children today.

My heart goes out to all of them.

What To Do ~ When You've Done All You Know To Do

Humble yourself, therefore, under God's mighty hand of blessing, that He may lift you up in due time.

Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

 Father, I acknowledge I'm not able to produce the outcome that I need ~ so I wholeheartedly lay my circumstances at your feet. Help me not to worry or be fearful, but to genuinely put my hope and trust in You and Your incredible love for me.  Amen.

Counting My Blessings,

xo Susy

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See you in a few days

 

 

Notes from the Potting Bench #3

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Edited for My Favorite Thing @ Mockingbird Hill Cottage

I'm so very grateful for the ladies of my Life Group ~ we really DO do life together.

Twice a month, on Monday evenings, you'll find my living room packed with women of various ages and backgrounds.  They come early and stay late (sometimes continuing their conversations outside long after I've turned off the lights.)

They have their favorite spots to sit.

  Some like the sofas near the coffee table. 

Others like the comfy chairs back in the "loge" section

 

 While the group was originally formed around

 our mutual interest in business (and still is)

 

 we can not escape the challenges of relationships, finances or health issues

 

A few have come and gone, but the core group

 has been together for several years now

 

 Over time we've lost parents, marriages, businesses, jobs, and houses.

  One lost her infant son.

On the other hand, some have grown their business,

 found meaningful employment, and written books

we've been healed from cancers, and restored to families

We've cried, laughed, been inspired, hugged and clung.
  We look to each other for strength, support,
 understanding and accountability

We sing, we study, we pray - oh how we pray. 

 I think the best part is seeing how this group of women

has learned to pray in faith, and see their prayers answered

 

I've watched them stabilize, mature, cross over their "red seas",

be transformed and then, in some cases, move on.

  It is an honor to be considered their leader

 and to have the privilege of sowing into their lives.

Collectively, they are one of the joys of my life,

  ...and the reason I still put up a Christmas tree (:

Counting My Blessings,

xo Susy 

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My Favorite Thing

What was I thinking?

It's been said ~ A new identity means a new mentality, and a new mentality means a new destiny.

It's true!  We have the power to change our present circumstances and our future outcomes ~ by changing the way we think. At the core of how we think, is who we think we are.

I love what Paul states in Romans 12:2.  He's not talking about thinking positive thoughts, or happy thoughts ~ but about aligning our thoughts with God's word; who He says we are, and what He says we can do.  It means being changed from a caterpillar into a butterfly.  Permanently ~ no going back!

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.   Romans 12:2 NLT

Here it is from the Message Bible

It's a process and will require hard work, but we can do it!

 Isn't He good to us!

Counting My Blessings,

xo Susy

 

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A Starfish Named Samuel

You've probably heard the story of the little boy on the beach tossing starfish back into the ocean.

The Starfish Story

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The youth replied, "throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son, the man said, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?

You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said,  "I made a difference for that one."

 

I met a starfish once ~ his name was Samuel.

Three of us had gone down to the beach to pray for our city.  We were standing at the edge of the water, and a young man came up and asked what we were doing. After we explained, he asked if we would pray for him.  He was down and out, looking for work, and more importantly, direction.  And of course, we did.

 As I was about to walk away, I asked, "may I give you a little money".  We had actually locked our purses in the car and I was thinking I'd have to go back and get it.  But instead, as I asked the question, my hand went into my pocket and pulled out a $20 dollar bill.  Someone had given it to me earlier in the day and I'd completely forgotten about it.  But it wasn't forgotten.  I handed it to Samuel and gave him a final hug and we left him sitting on the beach.

As we walked away I looked back over my shoulder, and could see Samuel wiping away tears.  We really hadn't done much ~ we were just in the right place at the right time ~ but it was meaningful to Samuel.

  Thankfully, we were able to say, "we made a difference for that one."

Counting My Blessings,  xo Susy

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