Angel Wings

 

“I love the angel wings, Grammi!”  I quickly looked up as one of my little granddaughters proclaimed with excitement.  Could it be she really was seeing heavenly hosts in my living room?  There was no way my home could be good enough to entertain a majestic visitor!  My eyes scanned the room with such precision that only Grammi’s possess, but I couldn’t see anything. For a split second I was a little bit afraid of where this might be going, and I was reluctant to encourage the imaginary intelligence of this little precocious preschooler.  She caught me scanning the room and once again she proclaimed,  

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” 

Well, by then I was convinced only she had been given the ability to see what I couldn’t.  I asked her, “You see angel wings?”  With an assured confidence, she nodded yes. I delicately asked her, “Can you show Grammi where the angel wings are?”  Without any hesitation she points in the direction of the piano, and there it was.  I could it see through the eyes of a child, the “Angel Wings” were nothing more than a crystal bowl I received as a wedding present from my best friends many years ago.  But now I see it completely different.   That day I realized I WAS in the presence of three little angels staying at Grammi’s, but I was also reminded as clearly as the crystal bowl that we are to continue to love each other with true Christian love.  Not forgetting to show hospitality to strangers, neighbors, co workers, or friends that need HIS love.    

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this

Have entertained angels without realizing it!

- Hebrews 13:2

Deadly Disclosures

So, I’ve been sick with a cold and sinus bug, but I have to tell you, I couldn’t put it down! This book is intriguing and full of suspense! I just finished reading the first book in series of three Dinah Harris mystery books, written by the Australian writer Julie Cave. 


Set in the most powerful city, Washington DC, there are people willing to kill for secrets that could change the very foundation and principals of which this great country was founded on, with unknown catastrophic results. And there is one person, Thomas Whitfield, Secretary of the Smithsonian, willing to die to expose the undeniable truth of our Creator. This suspense-filled fiction is combined with stunning revelations of intrigue and conspiracies. Great description of the characters and the author brilliantly entwines their connection, with a few revealing surprises at the end. 


The battle still continues between evolutionists and Christianity and how science is pivotal in this argument. A must read book; you will love Dinah Harris, the FBI agent who struggles with her own shortcomings and experiences the redemptive power of Christ. Visit her website @ julie cave.com Let me know what you think!

RIP My Friend, RH "Bob" Hawkins, Sr. (1922-2010)

This week I learned that one of my bosses from a long time ago graduated from this life and is now at home with his Lord and Savior after a long and arduous struggle with Parkinson’s disease. I don’t begin to understand why people come into our lives, sometimes for a season, but this remarkable man and his wife, Shirley made a deep and lasting impression on my life. His dedication to “helping the hurts of people” was clearly evident in his enthusiastic approach to doing the work of the Lord. Some people are chosen to serve and honor the Kingdom, and Bob was one of them. He sowed many, many seeds through the thousands of books he published and sold with unsurpassed passion. I can see his great smile and the way his face lit up with excitement when a galley came in. That season, when I went to work for him at Harvest House Publishers, I was one of those broken and hurting people. I was able to see and learn more about Gods unfailing love, and hope that was available to me by God’s grace. Being young, I had no idea what a giant this man was in the Christian publishing industry, all I know is that I am so blessed to have known Bob Hawkins and to be a first hand witness on his bold approach in working on things that are eternal, what an inspiration!

Be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

- 1 Corinthians 15:58

God's Sovereign Majesty

Even in the gloomiest of winter's day,

the brilliance of His Presence is worthy of praise!

A Sweetheart Chosen

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I realized that I have shared 28 years of my life with My Sweetheart. YES I still call him My Sweetheart!

What might have started as a steamy episode between lovers, life with this gentle giant has been one filled with adventure!

I am so grateful that God has been orchestrating HIS love in both of our lives. Because of HIS love, I can appreciate the devotion and tenderness of My Sweetheart. HIS love has taught me to grow in love, to forgive, to trust and to love others.

There are three things that will endure - Faith, Hope, and Love

- The Greatest of These Is Love.

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

Love Is Dancing The Hokie Pokie

She has never had a dance lesson, but Kyrstin, our little Great Granddaughter has skillfully mastered every move in the "Hokie-Pokie" dance.

When she visits her "Papa and Gramma Berta" she is so eager to show us her grace and elegance as she stretches and points her right foot in, and puts her right foot out and then she shakes it all about. She does the "Hokie-Pokie" and she turns herself around. Now that's what I'm talking about.

"Love Is Priceless"

We all applauded as if we've just seen a ballet show on Broadway, and then she continues on with her left foot, and repeats the whole thing again. The best one is when she throws her whole self in, and throws her whole self out..well, what can I say, you know the rest of the song because admit it, you are singing along right now. Aren't you? I wish I could hear you!

At that moment, this precious little two and half year old has just asked her 70-something year old Papa to dance with her, and without reluctance he jumps to his feet and is entertaining the rest of us with his skill and dance moves. Mind you, he's learned a few steps watching Dancing With The Stars. That night only one star was in the room and that was Kyrstin. Do you suppose our Heavenly Father watches us with such delight as we do our loved ones? I think so. He allows us to be called his children. That night was priceless. Love is priceless. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16

Grammi, How Did God Make Me?

This past weekend, we had our three little granddaughters spend the night so that mommy and daddy could have a date night. Well their usual MO is talking us into letting them stay up late so they can spend time with us. How can I resist their brilliant logic of negotiating! Of course you know the rest of the story, these little girls are up at the crack of dawn ready to play and make the most of their day! While we were having breakfast at 7:30 in the morning, my four year old granddaughter asked me,

"Grammi, How Did God Make Me?"

Mind you, I am working on solely one cup of coffee at this time. I knew this was a God wink, and I had to think fast! Lately this particular granddaughter has become aware of some of my artwork around the house. She is always so complimentary and just makes me feel like I am the best artist around. The best way I could explain it to her was to relate it to how Grammi likes to make things, I told her God is an artist too and He made her cute little face, hands, her smile and her little heart and put it all into her mommy's tummy until she was born, and when He saw what He had created, He said Kiana Moon is so beautiful and good, that He did it again. Then mommy had Kalea Star, and God said Wow! She is beautiful too, so God did it again and then Lilija May was born! For now, all the kids just smiled at this story. And marveled at how creative God is to make them all so special because there is no one else that looks like them.

We Are God's Masterpieces!
- Ephesians 2:10

Valentine's Day with Friends

As Valentine’s Day approaches I get all excited at the thought of getting a bright red box shaped like a heart full of little chocolate surprises. Some with nuts, some with caramels, some with those yummy sugary marshmallows, some with chocolate that squishes out at every bite, I can hardly wait! I just wanted to share one of my most memorable Valentines Day I ever had. I guess with the snow falling outside and the aroma of the fireplace burning inside, it has triggered a delightful memory that I just have to share with you. We were at our Lake Arrowhead house, and I invited a few friends over for a romantic weekend. I figured every one could use a break from the hectic schedules we had. I had a dozen red roses in each of their rooms as a surprise; the down comforters had all been fluffed. I had stocked up on some fine wines to share. I had made reservations in one of the most romantic restaurants on the Lake, had ordered flowers for our table to surprise my friends who were celebrating their anniversary on Valentines Day. Well, this particular Valentines Day turned out to be one of the largest snow storms in the history of Lake Arrowhead. As the last couple crept up into our driveway, we were all giddy (remind you we’re Californians) at the snow falling. As the snow flakes, the size of chicken feathers fell and accumulated outside we quickly realized that we were not going to be able to get out of our steep driveway. We called the restaurant where we had dinner reservations to cancel, and much to our surprise they offered to send a driver to pick us up. Well we were ecstatic, and up for the adventure…they sent a huge van to pick us up and all ten of us piled in and off we were. Let me tell you, that ride into town was like an “E” ticket at Disneyland®. The roads were treacherous and slick, we were all sliding around banging our heads, some major S.O.S. (slide over sweetheart) going on. We finally slid into our destination, had an awesome dinner and dessert, enjoyed some great wine, the flowers were beautiful and the fellowship of friends was one that I will never forget. We were the only ones in the restaurant that evening, but the memory and laughter we all shared that night was for a lifetime. As it turned out, what I thought would be a one night stand for Valentines Day, ended up being snowed in for days! We shared great conversations over breakfasts and lunch we had gourmet dinners, played in the snow, rode our sleds down the hill, played some pool, danced to the cool sounds of Motown, and just laughed our heads off! I’m reminded of Solomon’s - There Is A Time For Everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to give grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. That night God had made everything beautiful for its own time.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

So... "What Is Your Story? Tell Me Your Story"

Recently I was at a brunch with a group of new found friends that gathered to celebrate the anticipated arrival of a new baby girl. As I sat around the dining room table, enjoying a cup of coffee, and taking pleasure in the delicious French toast, quiche and array of fresh fruits on my plate, one of the ladies sat next to me. After a few minutes of idle conversation she asked me …

“What Is Your Story”?

 

Time stood still, and I was sure I looked like a deer in headlights amidst the fog that was in my head. No one had ever asked me anything so personal? What did this stranger really know about me, what had she heard? Could she possibly know any of my secrets? I realized at the moment I didn’t know anything about her, though we’ve been at Bible study together for two years. We’ve shared private prayers together, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve hugged and we’ve learned from one another and yet knew so little about each other. As I sat there speechless with a fork in my hand, for what seemed like an entire lifetime, I heard her say again… “You know, tell me your story, what are you all about. What makes you tick?”

At that moment, as I sat there in silence and realized how could I, possibly verbalize the fragments of what had once been my shattered life over a cup of coffee. Could I trust this friend with my inner most secrets? Was she just being polite? As I came to grips with the realization how brief my life here on earth is and that each moment we have is but a breath. I found myself freely sharing my story. My story of redemption and about God’s unfailing love demonstrated towards me through my wonderful grandmother who raised me after she had raised her own family.

Always a very private person, I amazed myself speaking of all the good things in my life. I felt as though my words were on fire. In speaking of the good things in my life, I realized how blessed my life has been because of my rich ancestry and through God’s amazing grace. Though by this time, by the look on my friends face, I’m sure she regretted asking me, “What is your story”.

Thank you to my friend for your genuine and candid approach that made me stop and evaluate what is my story. I discovered something wonderful and glorious that morning. We ALL have a wonderful story when we are part of God’s eternal family. You CAN trust all your secrets to Him.