About Fog and a Nomadic Lifestyle

School delay today.  It is important to have a school delay, for this morning visibility is extremely limited due to fog.  Thick, fluffy, fog.   The girls get to sleep in--how wonderful for everyone! 

Sometimes I think we need to pray for the fog to be lifted, don't you?  Do you ever feel like your ideas, thoughts, dreams are unclear-foggy?  I do.  I do a lot.  I was reading in the book of Numbers this morning. Maybe because of my years, or maybe because of the focused time that I have been given to study.  But this morning a couple of things occurred to me.  As I have talked about before, life is all about 'change', and if we spend our time whining that 'we don't like change' then we are going to miss a good portion of our life--through out complaining.

If you are like me, I sometimes think that if I had been wondering around in the desert, following Moses, I would never have complained, I would have just seen the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea--and fresh manna every morning.  And, I would keep in mind that 'the Promised Land' was coming. 

Plus, from my vantage point, thousands of years later, I know that they do, indeed, enter the Land.  Of course, many didn't make it 'in'--not Moses, Aaron or Miriam--or ten of the twelve spies sent to Canaan...or the original people that left Egypt...Do not miss the point here:  God was not being 'mean' by not allowing them to possess the Land, no, this was the consequence of their sin--the constant complaining, whining and sowing seeds of dissension.  Rememeber?  They did not trust Him, or the man that He placed over them, Moses.  However, the ones born during the years in the desert, the Israelite nation as a whole, did get to enter the land flowing with milk and honey.

The Land was promised long before the Israelite nation existed or exited from Egypt.  Remember, their Father Abraham was promised that his offspring would be as numerous as the sand.  He and his family lived as nomads, in tents, traveling throughout their lives.  And, for this season realted in Numbers, the Nation of Israel became nomadic, as well--traveling and living in tents--for forty years.  For even though they lived as slaves in Egypt, they had routine, they knew what their day to day life looked like--we humans like routine and predictablity, don't we?  On the move, though, they had to be instructed about everything--they were given specific instructions about their posture toward God, their relationships with each other, how to live thier lives.  They were given specific instruction about where to make their camp in realtion to the tabernacle, where the Lord's Presence Dwelt among them!

The 'worries' of Abraham and Sarah had been about how and when they would actually receive that baby that God had promised them.  They did not seem as concerned about where they would get their next meal, or drink of water.  The Israelites were very concerned about the quality and variety of food, and their water supply--and were not shy about making their concerns known to Moses. 

In the desert, God taught the Israelite nation that He is faithful--that He can be trusted for their basic needs, but above all, he expected obedience and their personal holiness--and He intended to bless them, with a land not their own, that they would possess. 

What about us?  Do we need to be taught any lessons?   My family & I have a little experience at living a sort of modern-day nomadic lifestyle.  No, we didn't live in tents--or hunt for, kill and eat our food, or have to dig wells for fresh water--but at the same time, we lived for a little over a year without a 'home' to call 'our own'. We learned many lessons about trusting God's provision--His timing--and His grace. 

My friend, Ian, once said, "Don't sin in the desert--you'll be there longer!"  True?  I think so, if we don't learn in a timely manner, we may not even make it out of the dessert.  We need to learn the life-lessons as we go.

In order to recognize the lesson and learn it--we must possess clear thinking--so, Ask for the fog to be lifted from your thinking, Ask for God to bless your effort at thinking clearly--and Ask for wisdom to know 'the next thing' to do--for we know that God is faithful.  Remember, we have been told that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart!--The clearer He becomes to us, the more we love Him--the more our desires line up with His--and He will bless. 

Take a lesson from Numbers--pursue personal holiness--pursue a life where you are not complaining or grumbling, but enjoying God's provision--remembering that it may not look exactly like we expected!  Live your life in obedience and expectation.  Be Blessed.

Can Life be BOTH?

Both, what?  Both refreshing and busy?  I have been refreshed to the point that I am eager to 'get on with it'...and very busy in that pursuit.

The refreshing part came from the two weeks I spent recently in Redding, California.  The first week, I got to connect with good friends, and focused time learning.  That week, I deepened my knowledge of the wisdom literature contained in God's Word--or, Pursuing Wisdom. 

Let me just say that I will never approach the book of Proverbs in the same way again!  I have a deeper appreciation for the Song of Songs, and somehow, the Book of Job.  What a difference focusing on this topic has made--I still have so much to learn--but I have a couple of projects to put together that will help in that respect.  Also, this class time was unique in that we were able to, with the wonder of modern technology, have about 14 students join us each day from their classroom in Missouri!  What an amazing tool--and an amazing time to be alive!

My week end was spent doing home work (and, of course, laundry!)  I did get to enjoy the sunshine a little--but mostly I had much to finish from my week of wisdom, and a little to do to prepare for the coming week. 

My second week of class, I studied Events in Church History --there is much to be said about what we can learn by studying the past, giving a new lens by which to view and consider the future.  Do you realize that one of the stabilizing factors, when the Roman Empire fell, was the Church?  The Church at that time was well organized, and was a place that dis-placed people could look to for stability and strength.  What does that say to us in 2013?  I think it says a lot. 

How stable is The Church today?  Allow me to be clear--I am talking about the Body of Christian believers everywhere. 

How effective is the church today at representing Christ to others?  How effective is the church today to ministering--truly ministering to people's deepest need?  Come on church--wake up--the fields are ripe for harvest--people are obviously searching for something--just consider the news headlines.  We know that something is Truth and truth.  If you do not know the difference, you should.  Be reminded--God has prepared things for us to do that will bring Glory & Honor back to Him--this should be our main concern.  What am I supposed to do today, in light of the fact that Jesus bled and died and rose again for me to able to live?  What is it? 

We can begin by taking serious, the things God has placed before us to do today. If you serve on the board of your church, or you are in a volunteer position in ministry--get the cob-webs out of your thinking.  Ask for wisdom and clarity of thinking.  Be honest in your dealings--strive to live a life of integrity--through and through--for we are running out of time to make a difference. 

NO, I am not predicting gloom and doom--but if there is breath in your body--you know that life is fleeting--and we never know if we even have tomorrow.  Get busy today. 

Remember--tell the truth to each other--stop lying and, stop covering up other people's lies.  This is HUGE.

Take your role in the Body very seriously--the blood of martyrs should speak to you about how very seriously those in the early church took theirs--be inspired and do something radical.  Radical would be to demand honesty from fellow members in the Body, especially those that serves as leaders. 

We are called to obedience--that includes keeping your tongue from gossip or slander--and it calls for expecting your leaders to lead well--not just go with the flow--this is serious business.  Sometimes leaders quote to "desire to be a leader is to desire a good thing'  And, it is but sometimes, in certain cases, we fail to remember that those words were written at a time when persecution and death were very real to those that chose to lead.  --Yet Paul tells us that to desire to lead is a good thing--even if you are called to die for because you do it.   

Stop and think about it--are you radical enough to take your place as a 'board leader' or 'minister of the gospel' or 'ministry volunteer' to truly live and model a life of integrity--which sometimes means that you will be called to do extremely difficult things--like telling the truth and/or not making decisions based on monetary means.  I'm just saying that we each need to take our life and our role on the board or team very seriously as we are representing Christ.  Then, as a bonus, not if, but when things crumble--the Church will be stronger for our effort at pursuing and demanding integrity now! 

I'm not scolding you--actually on the contrary--I want to encourage you!  I am concerned for future generations--my children and grandchildren need to see me live a life of integrity before them--and a life of faith before them--that is the stuff spiritual heritage is made out of...and it will do us all good to pursue that in unity--no matter your denominational heritage. 

I have to stop writing now...for I could literally write all day--oh, wait--that's the 'busy' part of my title.  Very busy now, in this season to finish my coursework--so, for today, I must prioritize my efforts to study and then write about what I've studied.  I am thankful for this opportunity to study--and thankful to you for reading this blog. 

So, now, go and get serious about your role, and Be especially blessed today, and always!

Brithdays and Mexican Food

Birthdays, this is the month of birthdays in our family...Today would have been Macy's 12th birthday, but to her daddy & I she will always be 3...

Our family always goes to a specific Mexican place to eat and laugh together on her birthday.  Today we did not do this--for we were all together yesterday for lunch.  Today, it is really cold and rainy--a good time to stay in an contemplate life.

I have only cried once today...but I think there were more tears than that shed by others in our home--who will remain nameless, here.  However, I think tears are a really good thing--they are good for your soul and for your complexion and sometimes, even help to adjust our attitudes!

Today I am reminded of that precious little baby that we welcomed in to our home...our home that already seemed to be brimming with girls--we added one more--proving that you never 'run out of love' when you add another child to your life--the love just keeps growing for all of them--at once!

May God richly bless you for reading this blog...for praying for our family...for loving us...and mostly for giving us Hope that we can boldly proclaim:  Jesus is LORD!
For today, these words from the book of Isaiah spoke to my heart--I won't write anything after I share them--just know that they spoke to my heart--read them s l o w l y and perhaps, I'm praying, that they will speak to yours, as well...


Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.
But Zion said,"The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me."
(Thus says the Lord...)
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." 
Isaiah 49:13-16

Speaking of Neighbors

“With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.  … A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.” (Pr 11:9 & 12)

Who is your neighbor?  Our next door neighbor and I share the same home town in Southern Illinois.  We didn’t know each other way back then but we know a lot of the same people and share memories of ‘hometown’ traditions.  The Sunday school definition of “our neighbor” is usually along the lines of anyone we meet…everyone is our neighbor.  And, while that is true, we are closer to some of our neighbors than others, aren’t we?  Whether by distance, or by relationship, we just know some people better than we know others. 

Later this evening some of my favorite people on the planet will be visiting us—people we have known for many years, people we have shared victories and defeats with, we have been present when our babies have been born and when we have buried our loved ones.  Truly our neighbors, but the majority of them live a distance from us.  Yet, the proverbs above remind us how we are to speak of our neighbors.    

It truly matters how we speak about one another.  It is important that we spend time reconnecting and connecting the dots of our lives since we last saw each other.  It will be fun to come to a greater understanding of each other, for since the time we were last all together, many changes and challenges have happened in our lives.  My hope for this evening is that we will honor God with our conversations, as well as encourage one another. 

In conversation, the words we choose to use are important and the tone with which we use them is equally, if not more, important—isn’t it?  When we speak of others we must be mindful of what our listeners might be hearing that we are not verbalizing.  This has been a difficult lesson for me, one that I am still working on, but have not mastered—for sometimes my words take detours that they should never have taken.

These proverbs were among those I read this morning.  They screamed out to me in particular because I do not intend to speak without knowledge or from a place that lacks understanding.  However, it is easier just to speak first, and attempt damage control later, isn’t it?  At least that’s where we work from sometimes.  I know that there have been times that I have not always sought to understand before trying to be understood.  I have not always had all the knowledge I have needed to effectively speak in to a situation.  And, unfortunately, I do not know everything—I know that is hard to believe, but it is true!  One of the lessons I am trying to practice is to be slow in speaking—and that is a challenge for me, for I dearly love to speak!

For me to apply these proverbs in my life isn’t about knowing or understanding everything as much as it is about holding my tongue.  Not speaking before I have at least a greater understanding, and a deeper knowledge of the motivations/reasons that my ‘neighbors’ (loved one, friend or even strangers) do the things they do.  Without knowledge and clear understanding, we can destroy or deride the person we are speaking of…so stop talking and listen. 

And, in those words I am reminded of another proverb that says: When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.  (Proverbs 10:19) 

For today, let’s make an effort to hold our tongues, in an effort to edify our neighbor—not destroy.  When we hold our tongues, we have more time to seek understanding and knowledge—for this is wise!

BE wise. 

On Rain and Being Thankful

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Ephesians 5:19-20 (italics added by me)

When we are thankful, we are able to focus on something or someone other than ourselves.  When we are sad, or when we are grieving—especially when we are grieving—it is good to find a place of thankfulness for our thoughts.  When we cultivate this, it is an exercise in renewing our minds that Scripture encourages us to do…so let’s try it this morning…

Rain.  I love it—the very sound of the word is gorgeous.  Rain.  I love to listen as it hits the roof.  And rain.  This is the stuff that rapidly melts the left over snow.  And, let’s face it, a snow storm on the ground for two weeks has lost a little of its beauty.  In fact, after two weeks, most of the piles of snow have become grey and dingy.  And so, the rain is a gift to clean up the landscape, and rid our view of the grey leftover mounds!

Today, it is to rain most of the day.  That is fine with me, for I do not have to work outside.  For those of you who face that kind of day: wrap up, and put on your rain gear! 

Weather—it’s ever changing and certain, sometimes surprising, but always gorgeous in its own way.  Savor and patiently enjoy the changes—for the current situation will change soon enough.

Today, I am thankful for the view, a front row seat to see the weather changes.  I am thankful for the rain, and a roof that does not leak.  I am thankful for Madison & Mallory—who have always added their own element of surprise to our family.  They are precious to me, and in the sight of the Lord.  I am thankful for Holly Ann, for she brings her own brand of humor and excitement and places much value on a good long nap, or movie, and sometimes both at once.  I am thankful for Alayna, for she also has her own brand of humor, common sense and clear convictions for right and wrong, and is not afraid to express herself.  I am thankful for Wesley, for he is patient with all of us, he brings laughter and wisdom beyond his years to our family conversations.  The two of them together are good parents, with a conviction to make certain that their children know they are loved.  And, oh my goodness, I am thankful for those little ones—Will with his all the sudden toothless smile, Ally with her DIVA-like traits, and Anna and her all the sudden smile that contains teeth! 

And, today I am thankful for my husband, who works so very hard for us to all get along, and love each other.  He also works very hard at his job, for which we are also thankful in these economic times.  This is a man who rarely complains, and is pretty quick to find the humor in most situations…often we laugh for the most obtuse reasons, that only the two of us will understand. 

I am thankful for the school the girls are attending—and the fact that we can be there in just a few minutes.  I am thankful for vehicles that are in good working order—and thankful for my driver’s license, (for to obtain that was a labyrinth of requirements, two trips to the BMV—and much studying). 

I am thankful for the wisdom that has come to me from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and parents who have spoken in to my life—sometimes indirectly, and sometimes in very direct ways—wisdom that helps formulate a better approach to life. 

Now, make a thankful list and then, do not be shy about telling someone that you are thankful for them, and why you are thankful for them—people need to hear good things—especially affirmation and encouragement.  Today.  Start with today.  Be encouraged.  Be Thankful.

Book Ends--Somehow, it makes Sense

The blank pages of my grief journal were filled in, yesterday.  I began that little journal a little before my grandpa died in 2007, and it will be closed with my grandma’s death, 2012.  I have not written my perspective about her life in it but I soon will.   These events are like book ends—many memories and much writing between.   

This past Saturday, (between my grandma’s funeral on Friday and our girl’s birthday party on Sunday) I packed up all our Christmas decorations from this past season.  That process had come to a complete halt due to the two feet of snow that had to be waded through to get to our shed where all the decorations are stored.  This delay was OK with me, for I dearly love Christmas decorations! 

As I began packing, I was reminded of my maternal Grandma, Virginia Sisk.  I was reminded of her because our Christmas tree was decorated in red and gold, with tassels and bows, cardinal birds and bird nests.  Virginia loved cardinals –so they were sort of in her honor.  Another part of the decorations on that tree were made way back before ‘recycle, reuse, repurpose’ was popular, by my paternal great grandma, Lucille (AnnaBelle’s mom) and me.  She loved to crochet and she loved craft projects.  One day in the middle 1970’s, she and I worked all day crocheting Christmas ornaments.  They were red and green circles—yarn crocheted around coffee can lid-rims, and then little bells attached in the center.  (I know, but they look better than that sounds—and I have the memory of working with her!)

This past Saturday, as I placed the ornaments carefully in the storage container, I was overwhelmed with a wave of emotion.  It somehow made sense all of a sudden that I would be grieving AnnaBelle as I packed up the decorations from celebrating our first Christmas in our new home, 2012.  This, too, seemed to be another type of book end to losing my grandmas.

The last time we purchased a home was in the summer of 1991.  As I unpacked Christmas decorations that year, I was grieving the loss of my sweet Grandma Sisk.  Grandma was excited to come spend Thanksgiving Day that year, at our new house, for she hadn’t been able visit since our move.  That morning my mom went to pick her up only to find that she had already left.  She was 87, still lived on her own; she had gotten dressed and then, peacefully went to Heaven—what a merciful way to go—what a shock for those of us left here without her!

As the Christmas season opened that year, I would unpack a box of decorations and cry…(I can also remember crying as I used my crock pot during those days—for that was an ‘engagement present’ she purchased for Randy & me as soon as she heard that I had an engagement ring—eleven years before!)  I was crying for my loss, not the fact that grandma was in Heaven…just that we missed her!

And so, the opening of one Christmas season, and the closing of another—twenty-one years apart…somehow, it makes sense.  For this season of my life, our life as a married couple is a season to make memories with our own grandchildren.  And, someday, they will be writing or talking, I hope, about G-Mar and Grandpa…and, I can Only Imagine!

Over Thinking Birthdays....

The answer is YES!  The birthday cake was so cute, and it was so good—for the Best Birthday EVER! 

The girls had a full, fun day with family and friends—just celebrating.  Yes, they are seventeen—those years have gone by quickly.  However, I do want them to continue to grow up, because that is what happens to our children if they are healthy and alive—they grow up!

Perhaps I would not be so sensitive to this, if I did not have a child in Heaven that will not celebrate her twelfth birthday, attend middle school, high school, a prom or graduation—from any educational institution—we will not walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.  So, parents, if you can hug your little ones right now, breathe in, enjoy the moment (for it is fleeting) and lean in to their growth—celebrate every milestone.  The alternative is that they either have health issues that prevent them from developing normally—or they have left this life as children—please do not take this for granted, value them as they are for this day!

I heard the “new week end guy” (forgive me, for I do not remember his name) on Fox News yesterday morning say something that struck me.  The three of them were having their own little “gun control” debate.  The new guy mentioned that when the Twin Towers on 9/11 were destroyed, killing 3,000, we did not demand that airplanes be outlawed or banned—for those were the weapons used in tragic event.  They all were commenting that the focus is on the weaponry instead of actually finding out the ‘reason’ that such heinous crimes are committed in the first place, basically don’t blame the weapon, investigate the motivation of the one (or ones) that take innocent lives.  Because I am simple minded, I think the short answer would be that our society has ceased to instill and uphold a value system that includes valuing human life.   

Human life is sacred, and yes, we weep and mourn when our loved ones die.  I am not talking about that –I’m talking about selectively valuing a few—this spills over to those that would brutally kill and then turn a gun on themselves (was that person ever valued?)  There are many aspects to consider about that sentence, but one keeps coming to my mind, I’ll explain why in a moment.  Consider for a moment the attitude society has cultivated since the Roe v Wade ruling concerning the value of human life. 

One of the things that ruling establishes is that we have a ‘right’ and in some cases a ‘responsibility’ to be selective about which human life we honor (from unborn babies, to the elderly—for that ruling has opened us up to think about the quality of life questions, as well) and allow to draw in breath. 

That is a dangerous road to travel, for whom do we trust to make those decisions?   Politicians and drug designers would say that it is the choice of the woman about what she does with her body.  However, her choice goes away if she abuses her little child after it is born.  It all connects, somehow—wait and see—or don’t wait—just get on your knees and pray for restoration of the value of human life. 

This issue is close to my heart because it is birthday season in the Bishop home.  The twins were born on the 6^th, Macy was born on the 13^th and Randy on the 20^th of January—a birthday celebration every week for three weeks.  These three weeks give me time to think and reflect about such things…and, the reason for this sentimental journey?   As I consider these past seventeen years, I have to remember that the girls were born on the 6^th, I am their mom, but I didn’t even know that they had entered this world until the 8^th!  They could have been aborted, but they were not…they could have gone to other parents, but they did not… 

We had been praying for the child/children to be placed in our care for at least 1-1/2 years before their birth…God certainly blessed us with them.  Four years after we welcomed them into our family, I find myself pregnant, just before I turned 39….abortion certainly was an option for me…never a consideration…

No, I felt honored that I had been given such a gift.  And, you know what?  The reaction from people as we moved from a ‘normal sized family’ to a large family…was not always pleasant, sometimes even scornful.  It is such a good thing that I really didn’t care what people considered OK, for it just doesn’t matter.   I knew that our family was blessed—truly blessed with life, and that is valuable!

I am probably over thinking this (that would not be out of the realm of possibilities) but last Friday afternoon, we buried my dear ninety year old grandma.   A woman who made you feel better about yourself just by having a conversation with her—no matter who you were to her—friend or family, stranger or not. 

I can remember Grandpa as he aged saying that the respect and concern for his well-being that he received from medical professionals lessened with each passing year—as if medical treatment was valued for those much younger, that is the impression he was left with during hospital stays and medical procedures.  There’s something wrong with this picture. 

There are those that would argue that after a certain point, elderly folks have nothing to offer our society and are a ‘drain on the resources’—of course I believe that stance will change as those who hold that view have more and more birthdays!

The insight and wisdom that can be gleaned from forming relationships with those that are elderly is invaluable.  Their perspective is priceless, but we seldom seek it out.   All life is valuable…we need to be living that out day to day.

I love it that A.W. Tozer once said, “If we are to have any satisfying and lasting understanding of life, it must be divinely given.  It begins with the confession that it is indeed the God who has revealed Himself to us who is the central pillar bearing up the universe.  Believing that, we then go on to acknowledge that we have discovered His great eternal purpose for men and women made in His own image. 

…Man as he was originally created is God’s beloved.  Man in that sense is the beloved of the universe.  God said, “I have made man in My image and man is to be above all other creatures.  Redeemed man is to be even above the angels in the heavens.  He is to enter into My presence pardoned and unashamed, to worship Me and to look on My face while the ages roll on!”  No wonder we believe that God is the only certain foundation!”

Please do not misunderstand my words here.  My hope is in the Lord…in the fact that my Lord went to the cross and bled and died and rose again to give me hope for the mis-guided decisions I have ever made, every lie I believed that caused me to sin…and that forgiveness, newness of life is available to all!  I love that about Our God…the only certain foundation for life, for valuing life, for living life…unashamed and forgiven—go live it to the full!