Wise Guys from the East

Mysterious Magi….More questions than Answers?


Who were they? When did they come? How did they know about ‘A New King of the Jews?’ Where was the East? If you need every blank filled in about the magi , you may want to consider removing them from your nativity scene. Hold off on recycling them into the caravan that Joseph arranged for safe travel for he and Mary to Bethlehem. They have something to teach us. The shepherds were Jewish. The Magi were Gentiles. The shepherds were poor. The magi were rich. The magi travelled with servants. The shepherds travelled with lambs (cute, cuddly, warm, and smelly!). The shepherds visited a manger and the wise man visited a house. The shepherds were used by God to spread the word of Jesus birth. The magi provided the means for Jesus and his parents to travel to a safe place and not be butchered by King Herod.

But disregarding all differences, the greatest thing to remember is both the shepherds and the Magi recognized Jesus as the New King of the Jews and honored Him with their worship. Which leads to a self examination; am I honoring the Lord and worshiping Him alone?

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son Matthew 2:1-12 (The Message)

Blessing as we quickly approach Christmas!
Hugs and love to all,
Mimi

Just for fun

I wrote the following for a writing group that I am a part of on Tuesday evenings. Enjoy!

A Page from of the Journal of Annabelle Claus


December 23, 1959



As I kissed my Nicolas goodbye this morning, I reminded him, “Now remember what Doc said at your annual visit in July, and with my best Irish brogue, I mimicked Doc’s words verbatim; “Now, don’t you go letting one little night trip undo all of your hard work of these last six months. You go and eat only a bite of the cookies and have your helpers enjoy all of theirs, but saints be declared, the very next day it’s back to the program for you, Nicolas” The doctor was a wee Irish lad that loved the North Pole and moved North with his wife and seven wee ones three Christmases ago. Some said it was the scenery; others knew the truth of the matter and the cold and difficult travel did keep his mother-in-law at home; her home on the Emerald isle, that is,

My Nicolas always planned for his annual physical exam to be in July when he was always was at his peak physical shape but after several months at the Pole ole doc had joined the other men of the Pole for his morning coffee break at Shinynickels. The sledders, miners, fishermen, and Santa and many of the elves were really old Jim’s only customers. When Nicolas’ workshop reopened every year on July 1—that’s when the letters started coming in from children in Australia and New Zealand where it’s winter down under— Jim cut back his hours. Half of his customer base had become busy, busy, busy. He’d take off for fishing singing something about a cat’s cradle.

My Nicolas always made New Year’s resolutions, and they never vary—get fit, lose weight; and then take Annabelle to Hawaii during my October vacation. I’ve yet to see any surfers riding the curl. My departing words this morning to my dear Nicolas, “Remember, Nicolas, just one bite from each cookie. The elves have a metabolism that matches their pointy ears. They need to eat the whole cookies left for you at the houses they visit—but for you, one bite only!” As I headed out the door to my mother’s house for our annual cookies bake-athon and preparation for the First Day of Christmas Feast, I knew I needn’t worry about myself being in bikini shape any time soon.





Update: December 23, 2010



Hawaii was wonderful again this year! When Nicolas brought back the news in 1962 that many people were foregoing the celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas due to the increase in the price of partridges, gold, and the ladies dancing, lords leaping, drummers drumming from the Actors Guild, we decided to limit our feast days to the first and the last. What would Christmas be without the celebration of our Lord’s birth and the visit of the Magi honoring Jesus as the new King.?

As I kissed Nicolas goodbye this morning, heading off to Mother’s for our annual visit to the new spa that’s opened down on Polar Bear Lane, I reminded him to dodge all of the satellites, take only one bite of each cookie, and of this year’s motto which Nicolas and the elves would pronounce on every house visited, “Joy to the Whole World—and Let it begin in YOUR Heart!”

Mimi

Do something to make yourself happy today.

 This a give your self  break day. I've decared  it and so it must be true!  Maybe you too have been doing lots of  prep work for Christmas.  My break is going to be time in my swing under our large oak tree. It is a great example of God's hand and thought in creation—its leaves wait until spring to drop when survival of new leaves are more possible. So, as soon as it warms up a bit, I'm heading out with a mug of cocoa in my hand!
Blessings
Mimi

Mary's Song and Dance

Luke 1:46-56


Please do not think I am being sacrilegious but Mary was responding to the faith building experience of Elizabeth’s words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit . She was bursting with the good news of God and rejoicing or as the Message puts it “dancing the song of my Savior God.” I imagine Elizabeth didn’t just stand still but “danced” in her own way, too. Remember she was an old woman with child and John was going to be special, true, but pregnant is pregnant —and light on your feet, it’s not.

Mary’s response included a tribute to God and the child within her—showing humility by accepting and embracing the gift of giving birth to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. There’s an E (example) here for us who follow the SPACE method of discipleship time with God.* Following the example of Mary, we should accept, embrace, develop, and most of all use the gifts God has given to you. God’s mercy is new every morning we wake up and say, “God morning, Lord.”

As a beach bum living in the high desert 500+ miles from the ocean, I love the fact that God’s “mercy flows wave after wave” on those who are in awe before Him. That is a refreshing word picture for me. Notice the present tense of our position/relationship with God—it’s present tense, happening now. Remember this is the day to draw near to God and He will be near to you. Speaking of remembering, that is what Mary did next; recount God’s faithfulness to His people. If you are not familiar with the Old Testament’s accounts of God in the lives of Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, David, Ruth, Esther and others, you are missing out on some foundational blocks of the Christian faith and some examples of living in obedience to God and the gift of God’s forgiveness. Check them out.

How long do you think Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in this experience? I can read the words in about 28 seconds. I think during the actual experience the words were savored and the moment fully lived. Rejoice in God’s work in you and may ourFfather be glorified today in our lives.

Hugs,

Mimi

*SPACE a daily devotional practice that includes: Sin for us to confess, a Promise of God for us to embrace, an Attitude for me to change, Command for me to obey, and an example for me to follow. I first heard of SPACE from Billie Hanks.

Another look at the Preparation for Jesus' coming

Luke 1:26-46


One month after Elizabeth‘s retreat ended, she had a surprise visit from her young prima Mary. Folks around the neighborhood had visited with plates of cookies so they could see if this old woman Elizabeth was really pregnant as had been rumored since Zech had been doing the women’s work of drawing water from the well. He had avoided busy times of drawing water but still, how could you overlook a man going to the village well every day for months on end?

The sentinel of God, Gabriel, had another message that was a whopper…..another one of a kind birth but even more unusual than an old woman conceiving. His mission which he gladly accepted was to head to the tiny village of Nazareth and tell a virgin that she would bring forth a baby son who would be called holy, Son of the Most High and whose kingdom would never end. After he answered Mary’s, “What you say?” and Mary gave him a high five of agreement, Gabriel returned home and Mary hightailed it down to Elizabeth’s casa.

After Elizabeth was greeted by Mary the Holy Spirit spilled over from the baby she was carrying and filled Elizabeth with the Holy spirit, causing the voice of this old pregnant woman to sing exuberantly. Wow! This experience would come in handy as she would have a child in this Holy Spirit-filled condition starting at day one of his life.

The beautiful praise that Elizabeth was honored to sing out was a gift to:

Mary: “someone understands me”

John: (years later) oh, yes! You are the Son of God! I’ve been doing the prep work for these stubborn people and now they are ALL yours!

Elizabeth: We are blessed! Thanks for saying yes to what God has called you to do!

After Mary’s song she had a three months retreat before returning to face the reality of the Nazareth tongue waggers and the shame of divorce from her betrothed.

Advent is a special journey we get to take each year. It is not an Express but help you to stop and smell the pines during this season.
Hugs around, Mimi

The Gift of Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

Luke 1: 8-12

The right place is whatever duty God calls us to do. Don’t overlook daily duties, mundane things, as what he is calling you to do.
Do wholeheartedly unto the Lord whatever your hand finds to do.
Once in a life time chances-take them if God’s directing you to do so.
Call the intercessors. Great things happen when people pray together.
Angels show up without warning or announcement but they are easily recognized as angels. They can throw us “off balance.” They are messengers of God.

On this first Sunday in Advent we prepare to experience  Christs coming as we celebrate His birth/
 
Blessings, Mimi'

Living honorably before God

Luke 1:5-7
Oh, that it would be credited to me, like Zachariah and Elizabeth that I lived honorably before God. Wouldn’t you love it, too? How is it possible or is it possible? They were careful to keep the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. If I want the clear conscience before God I am going to have to be careful to keep His ways front and center. I’ll need to let them act as a filter of my thoughts, words and actions. Yes, even my attitude. You know we do get to choose our attitude….brash or brave…..cutting or caring and so forth. So this advent season I don’t want to look just at the ‘must do’s of God’ but also at the ‘heart of the manger’ and love with the same humility.
‘Tis the season to draw near to God and he will draw near to you.(James 4:8).

A fellow seeker,

Mimi

Living beyond a shadow of doubt

A few people were looking for the messiah to come.  Some were extroverts and seen as un poco loco by those around....the other cousins of John the Baptist probably did not go out into the desert to extend an invitation to their family reunion.  Some were introverts....Elizabeth, perhaps.  A childless couple would have some folks whispering, "You know, the couple without any kids..." More to come about Elizabeth moving out of her comfort zone.

My advent meditation will be Luke 001 and 002 from the Message version of the Bible, with a New King James kept nearby.

It's written to an individual, Theophilus, so we are reading someone else's mail. Theo means God and philus is loving. You do the math....a God loving fellow.  And yet Luke feels compelled to write quite a long letter so Theo and yo so we " could know beyond a shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught."

Luke was an eye witness and Theo, like us, came later and fall into the Hebrews 11:1 category, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.".

My prayer today: I believe beyond a shadow of doubt in your coming, Lord. Help me to live not in the shadow but in the light.

The picture is one of my attempts to capture Fall.  The interesting part to me happens where the light is shining. It is the back gate to the museum in Silver City.

Preparing my heart for Christ mass,

Mimi

What will you find AMAZING today?

It's the weekend, folks.  What will you find amazing?   Another Giants win? Bob doing our grocery shopping?  Saves us $!  What will be your gift that the day brings?   A chat with a friend? A trip to the mountains? The changing of the leaves?  Only 47 shopping days until Christmas if you keep the Sabbath a day of rest?  Spending time with grandchildren..lucky ducks! Whatever you find to do today, I hope you will see a gift in there somewhere. Then pause and thank the Lord for it.  He is the giver of all good gifts!

Blessings on your day until they are dripping off you onto another and another and another, etc.

Hugs all the way around,
Mimi

A Help to Just imagine

Sometimes I like to listen to the Bible on tape—yes, I know there's lots of websites and the CD versions but those are hard to do in the swing under my oak tree!—to make the Scripture fresh and be renewed by hearing the Bible as if for the very first time or as if I was there when the event was happening.  My prayer, care, and share group has been study Mark and Diligence and we've come to the Mount of Transfiguration—WOW! To have been  mouse on that hill or a hermit in a nearby cave!
 Think about it:  Jesus gets shined up, THE prophets of old show up, and God the Father speaks up!  Now if that doesn't get you excited, check your pulse!   Then the show was over and Jesus told the disciples mums the word.
Just a few thoughts from one who will not give up...fight the good fight of faith. parte de I  Timothy 6:12 check the rest out.
Have an awesome day!
Mimi

Saying Hello to the World

I realized the other day that each of us in my family has a distinct event of saying hello to the world—those times and places we walk into alone, knowing no one.
Here's the first of three blogs with the account of mine. Enjoy and God bless.
I rapped on the door and not waiting for a reply I opened it, saying,” Come on, Marlyne Irene. It’s a beautiful day. You can study later. Let’s go toss the football around.” Flipping the nerf football around as Marlyne finished the bookkeeping problem she was working on, I realized that our friendship was my reward for” saying hello to the world—those times and places we walk into alone, knowing no one. If I hadn’t made the decision to D & E College, I would never have met this dear friend from Cleveland who has since lived in Baltimore for the past 35 years..



It was the fall of 1971, I said hello to the world with no fear or trepidation, no thoughts of loneliness for my family, friends, or the familiar and I said “said adios” to Silver City. I knew I did not want to be in Silver City and so I started driving. Not aimlessly, like the flower power children heading to San Francisco, but east to Elkins, West Virginia. This small town in the hills of almost heaven West Virginia is the home of the prestigious Presbyterian affiliated college of Davis and Elkins, my Dad’s alma mater. It had been the first playground for my older brother Michael. I have been told that he wandered the campus and the neighborhood at 3 and 4 years old and my mother would blow a whistle three times as a “Come home, Michael” signal. What a great idea until other neighborhood mothers picked up the practice!

to be continued...
Hugs, Mimi

Hello World: Here we go!

Jumping into my packed to the gills ten year old VW bug and promising on my Girl Scout honor to not pick up hitchhikers, I started driving east, all the way across Texas—one big state. The 2,000 mile trip to Elkins was broken up by short visits with my grandparents in Little Rock, Arkansas, cousins in Kentucky, and my Aunt Soocie’s family in Charleston, WV. The bug was in need of some mechanical work and the college did not allow freshmen to have cars on campus—even those who had driven across the country to get there—so Aunt Soocie and I made the trek to Elkins in her new VW bug. After driving old blue across country, I thought I was arriving in style. On our way up the mountainous road, my aunt demonstrated how to straighten the curves of the country roads.


Dorm life is an animal of its own—sharing a bedroom with a complete stranger, a bathroom down the hall that typically has a waiting line for the showers, and one telephone in the hall for 18 girls. Remember this was 1971—no cell phones, internet, nor laptops. Most of my memories forty years later have little to do with the academics of my freshman year. Finding myself unprepared academically was a shock, as high school hadn’t taken much effort for me to ace. I quickly decided not to pursue a degree in mathematics which had been my original intent

Hello World:wrap up

Elkins hosts an annual Fall Festival, boasting to be the home of the most magnificent viewing of autumn’s artistic touch on the deciduous trees of the surrounding hills. Indeed, it is a breathtaking sight with the hillsides of orange, yellow, red surrounding Elkins and nearby hamlets of Beverly, Mabel, and Kearns. In 1971, the Fall Festival’s special guest was President Nixon who was in office at that time. The secret service men blended into the campus’ population like oil mixes with water. It was exciting that Davis and Elkins had been selected to host President Nixon’s six hour visit but as a student working in the school cafeteria, I never did see him come through the serving line. I did see his distinctive wave as he was welcomed by the Mountaineers.


The green of Davis and Elkins was sloped, expansive and edged with big maple and oak trees. Before fall gave way to winter, those big trees had to let loose of their leaves, creating a sea of browning orange, red, and yellow leaves. It was a new playground for me. Marlyne and I tossed around the nerf football —the only one we knew we could catch— giving us a reason to run through the quilt of autumn’s glory and not look like we were just playing in the leaves.

Fall’s splendor turned into winter’s reality and this ‘roadrunner’ decided that being in the coldest place in the continental USA—as Elkins was several times that year—was not the notoriety that I appreciated. The crystal clear blue skies of the southwest were nowhere to be found; there was no salsa to be had; and the school offered no classes in the field that I had become interested in pursuing—Social Work. I started looking around for a different school and found Trinity University in San Antonio had a BA in Sociology with a social work emphasis. Close enough—close enough to home and blue skies; close enough to excellent salsa at Mi Tierra; Trinity would accept my credit hours from Davis and Elkins and the summer sessions I attended at Western New Mexico University; and the clincher, reduced tuition for Presbyterian p.k.’s, preacher’s kids.



I sincerely believe that we are given life to enjoy and make it more enjoyable for others.

The best way to do this is to get in the middle of it. Henry L. Harrel, Sr.

Quick pick-me-up

Too often, I opt for the Snickers or the latte when what I really need is a sound bite from God’s Word. Open the Bible to Psalm 119 and take a bite, chew on it for awhile and be refreshed. Or how about the book of Proverbs. Some of those will nail you faster than a fly is attracted to a drop of honey left on the countertop.

Be diligent with your honor. Live true to yourself. Pursue your highest ideals and your best dreams. Honor others; treat people with kindness and integrity. Keep your word. Live your life knowing the small things count. Now that is a step toward the abundant life of John 10:10. When you honor yourself by your thoughts, choices, and actions, you honor God as well. Today is the day to live with honor. Why wait? Done 21 days in a row and it becomes first response.

To me the highest thing after God is my honor. Ludwig Van Beethoven.

So for a pick-me-up that lasts
Forego the caffeine blasts;
Go for strength and power,
Sufficient for any hour.

Hugs around,
Mimi

Yes, I've read THE Book

We have had an ongoing science experiment this summer—issuing a formal invitation to Charlotte the 16th to continuing building her web in her choice of location.


Hello! My name is Charlotte the XVI and though I prefer to live in barns,

there was not one available. Besides, what a view I have from this deck!!!
I am an invited and treasured guest so please do not disturb me!
( I live on the deck off living room.)
Feed me! Feed me! Feed me! If you turn on the deck light after dark, you may watch God’s creative hand in action—me catching delicious morsels {squitoes a la crème, moths marinara, and ufos, unidentified flying objects for spiders} which help me grow.



We have thoroughly enjoyed watching Charlotte the XVI this summer. Rural residents are easily entertained. I have taken enough pictures to make a scrapbook for her but I realize her time is coming to an end. To observe the intricacies of her movement and the wrap up of large ‘dinners’ has been truly delightful. The size of her web is smaller now.It's about time for Wilbur and I to have a good cry.

Her seasons in life are brief compared with ours. Are you making the most of this season in your life?

Just a little question from a friend who is thoroughly convinced of John 10:10(“I have come to bring you life, life to the full.") and who knows most of us need a little nudging every one in awhile.

Maybe there's time for one last photo.

Hugs all around,
Mimi

More Science experiments?

My latest experiment is tepache, a drink made from the peel of the pineapple. Tepache takes 72 hours to ‘brew’. The countdown is on….we are at 72 at this point! Google it and you may be surprised by the details of the how to’s and end product.


I heard about tepache from a good friend from Mexico whom I bought a pineapple from. She asked me if I used the peeling. My surprised look gave away my answer, “For what?” That’s when I learned of Tepache. Tonight is the tepache tasting! Stay tuned!

I've found myself humming, "You've got to live a little, give a little...." The tepache is but a small example of this practice I've adopted to keep my life in balance as to work and play.  Every day I think about what I've done that's been a pleasure to me.  If nothing comes to mind within about 15 seconds, bells and whistles go off and I make a list of what I wnt to do this week for fun.  It helps me keep a smile on my face, a light hearted attitude, and makes me more fun to be around!  Try it.
Hugs,
Mimi

Science experiments.....you are never too young or too old!

I think what we lump into the science category of life points us towards God. From the reasons for the  seasons to the the intricacies of the human body I see our creator.

We are getting reading for a visit to San Antonio and I am taking along a bulb vase, used to force bloom a tulip, amaryllis, or another bulb. I haven’t bought the bulb yet but it will be a lesson of creation and patience for my four year old granddaughter and her two year old brother. Hopefully, it will work and they will enjoy a pretty flower in just a few months. Either way it will be a lesson in life….and a botanical cognitive building block!

When we observe nature we come to see the hand of our Creator is still active, not just a thing of the past. And if he’s active in nature, don’t you think He wants to continue his work in you and me? I’ll leave you with the question and you can connect the dots for the answer. Wait until I tell you about my Summer experiment and the one that is brewing as we speak!
 Hugs,
Mimi

This morning's sunrise

I sat down at our kitchen table with a cup of coffee and looked out east.  We have a great view of the kneeling nun, a rock outcropping on a near by mountain. The scenic was majestic and reminded me of the saying, "May there be just enough clouds in your life to make a beautiful sunset."  The prettiest clouds were the ones where the sun was shining through. The difficulties in which we allow God to shine through will be the ones which will impact and draw others to Him. Remember the closer you stand to the light  the greater the illumination.
Hugs and blessings,
Mimi

It's green chile time

Things that smell yummy.....coffee...baking bread....and green chile roastin'! Here's a simple recipe that's delicious:
Baked Chiles Rellenos
6 eggs separated
1tbsp.  of flour
1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp pepper
 roasted, peeled, seeded Hatch green chile
1/2 lb. of cheese, cheddar or jack, sliced
Beat egg whites until stiff. Mix flour, salt, and pepper with egg yolks; then fold in beaten egg whites and pour half of this mixture into a greased 2x9x13 baking dish. Next slit each chile lengthwise down one side and lay flat over egg batter and then cover with cheese slices.  Pour rest of egg mixture over cheese.Bake 25 min. in a 325 oven. Cut in 3-inch squares and serve with salsa if desired. Serves 4.

We put 20 pounds in the freezer this weekend.

Enjoy!
Mimi

A Deep Plowin'

Good morning!  July has been a busy one but we can now say adios to it.
I am plowing my way through Philip Yancey's Reaching for the invisible God.  One of the thoughts he share in the book is that he has become more comfortable with the mysteries of life—the questions that we don't have the answers to than those that are spelled out clearly. He also contends that our relationship with God will always have an element of doubt.  I think this is true of evey relationship....the last child to be picked up frpm soccer practice asking , "When is my Dad going to get here?"  They usually don't say I wonder if he is coming at all but there is doubt expressed nonetheless.

Think about.

I had a great time out at the Christian Center yesterday.  Our western landscape is greening up nicely so the drive out was beautiful. Jesse Liles was preaching and that topped it off for me.

Gift of the day Reconized

Recognizing the Gifts of each Day


July 2010



With each day comes a gift to you. Something that you see, hear, feel, accomplish, etc., that makes you feel special. Try for a week to identify and journal the gift of the day and see what you are blessed with. Limit yourself to one gift only. This can be hard but it really was a beneficial exercise for me last year when it was “the assignment” of my Tuesday writers’ group. You can write lists or short entries about the gift or long. It doesn’t matter. Just ask yourself what made my day, and that is probably your gift.

Example

My gift of July 14, 2010

I felt incredibly happy when I complemented a person on what a delight it always is to call her because she is so upbeat and exudes positive vibes every time I talk with her. Well you would have thought she had never received a compliment before by her sincere, “Michelle, that is just what I needed to hear today! Thank you so much!” You would have thought I had sent flowers, brought her a chocolate cake with nuts and cream; but no—just a sincere compliment, some kind words. Are they that rare in our workplaces? Yee, gads?! That is an easy fix.



I hope you will try journaling your gift of the day for a week and see if it’s meaningful to you. If it is, don’t let ‘a week’ stop you…..keep going!

Loving the yuccas this year. They are extraordinary.  Mira!
Hugs, Mimi

A little piece of earth in heaven

While cleaning beans at my kitchen sink, I glanced over to our neighbors who were sitting out enjoying their patio. At 150 yards away, I couldn’t tell if they were looking at me or just in my direction. I remembered that they enjoyed the sound of running water made by our fountain. With the beans on the stove in the first cycle of my boil-soak –rinse method I headed downstairs to plug in the fountain.


The fountain needed water added to it, and the rose bush next to it looked dry so I gave it a drink. With hose in hand, I looked around and everything looked like they could use a good soaking. So I started in, watering everything in sight including my bare feet.

I started chuckling as I remembered Pop telling us during our visit in the summer of that he had watered his lush garden in Kentucky only twice that summer. Pop Cobb was married to my Grandma and he was one of the kindest men I have ever known. He was an Arkansas boy who couldn’t read very well but, boy howdy, could he coax more cucumbers, strawberries, okra, tomatoes and whatever else you’d like from his garden. Pop Cobb said there was something special about working in a garden right as a rain shower was ending, the rain is sweeter then. I think Pop just liked to get out in the rain. Pop never could see our pleasure in living in the desert Southwest. Easy to understand from a gardener who grew three types of string beans.

There came a time when Pop decided he needed to cut back on the size of his garden. His rule of thumb was to plant what you could tend to, not what you have room for. Pop would be real tickled with my two pots of tomato plants on our deck which are thriving..

. As Pop’s gardens grew smaller and took longer for him to tend, a light began flickering in his heart, reflected in his eyes. One late spring morning Pop got up from his easy chair, slipped on his mud boots, and snatched his gloves from the hook by the door. The screen door slammed behind him, leaving Frisky on the wrong side of the screen door. His constant companion since Grandma had passed, Frisky knew Pop would be back when he finished in the garden and he would get a treat if he was good. Frisky sat patiently by the door, waiting for Pop.

As the sirens got louder Frisky forgot about his treat and he started barking and howling. Mrs. Shannon who lived next door and who helped Pop with cleaning and cooking had found Pop face down among the carrots and onions. Pop had left his little piece of heaven on earth, taking a bit of earth with him as he entered heaven.

Running up the stairs, I had three thoughts which crossed my mind:

You are too old to be running in the house.

I sure do miss Pop Cobb… And….

There’s not a darn thing you can do with burnt beans.

A face even a mother could love!

Hello! My name is Charlotte the XVI and though I prefer to live in barns,there was not one available. Besides, what a view I have from this deck!!!I am an invited and treasured guest so please do not disturb me! ( I live on the deck off living room.)feed me1 feed me1 feed me1 if you turn on the deck light after dark, you may watch God’s creative hand in action—me catching delicious morsels {squitoes a la crème, moths marinara, and ufos, unidentified flying objects for spiders} which help me grow. Lesson: Me doing what God has designed me to do let’s me know His creative hand and others to see Him in action.
Have a great day and remember to look up, look around, and listen to the quiet.
Michelle

The Gift of Intimacy

We are fortunate to have quite a few yuccas on our five acres in God's country—you do know that God's country is wherever He has planted you?—and this one is part of our yucca garden. Take a good look at it and you will notice the new stalk has wrapped itself around the old. Lots of lessons to learn from this picture and if you will hang with me, a visual learner, you may find God speaking to your heart, too. The obvious lesson is to develop an intimacy with God, sometimes I say "tight with Jesus" . But however you word it is get to know God . We know the basic how to's of developing a relationship with the Lord: confession of sin, acceptance of forgiveness, and growing in knowledge and grace through prayer, Bible study, meditation, and fellowship with believers. That last point leads to the next "message" that God gave me through the intimate wrappping around of the young stalk with the old. Who of the next generation are you in relationship with where they are strengthen for their tasks ahead and you are blessed to be used by God to impart what you have learned along the way?  If you are open to doing this work of God, He will bring people throughout your life to you.  What a privilege I have had in this area. The gift of nurturing the young comes with a definite price but it is so worth it! What pleasure I have received in this calling of God and, by the way, it's on everyone's life! Often these relationships are for a season only but oh what a glorious season it is! Intimacy with God precludes intimacy with His power with others...."and now may God our Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do....I Thess. 2:11"
So look around, look up, listen, lean on Him and others, and have a good day!
Hugs all the way around ,
Mimi

Landscape delights in God's country

What happened to June?  It was a whirlwind!  Check my facebook and work website www.gilarangers.com/leamos.htm and you will get my drift. 

But I have had some fun, too, taking a few pictures that have taught me a thing or two about our loving Creator
. Enjoy listening to others for what you receive may be a new friend.
Magdalena was a reluctant participant in our literacy workshops until I listened to her story of un creciendo, a sudden rushing of water down a dry arroyo, when she was a child.  The water came up in her grandmother's yard and took her two brothers down stream. They were rescued after clutching a tree for several hours. Magdalena had a Cinderella story as a child but no prince to the rescue. Her stepmother would not let her go to school but instead kept her home to do the chores.  Knowing very little English she has lived all of her life in Grant County. During workshops for two years I would say, Please teach me some Spanish! She mainly ignored my requests and would seldom make eye contact. After listening to her story the face in the picture became her typical greeting accompanying, "Hola, Michelle." 
Lord send someone today for me to listen to and show your love for them through me.
Con el favor de Dios,
Michelle

God's country

Leaving behind the rolling, forested hills and the large rushing creeks and rivers of West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, my family travelled west in a station wagon filled to the gills and pulling a homemade pop-up tent camper made by my parents. We were modern day pioneers, leaving the land of the familiar and venturing forth to a place with the nickname of the “the land of enchantment.” To this eight years old child’s way of thinking, a land of enchantment must be filled with pixies, fairies and gold dust. Instead, I found many true treasures: wide open spaces, the starlit sky that seemed to stretch right up to the throne of God, and sunsets that must be fresh from His palette of many glorious colors.


My greatest treasure in this new land however were the people embraced by my soul and entwined in my heart. I met real cowboys and ranchers who were more comfortable riding fence and hearing the silence of God than sitting in a church pew listening to my daddy’s sermon and hearing the choir sing of God’s majesty. Daddy learned how to cowboy in the next few years and enjoyed the company of many of those good, hard-working men.

Our neighbors became our family; this young family of four, their grandparents who came to town often from San Lorenzo, and their glamorous and single Aunt Josie from California. Momma traded fried chicken for fresh homemade flour tortillas and I knew we always got the better end of the stick. Grandpa Joe tweaked my blond braids and the red ones of my little sister as he doled out candy from his pocket most every visit to all of us waiting on the curb of Kelly Street. Years later I would have my little neighbor friend in my wedding. After many more years, her son would be the ring bearer in my son’s wedding.

The land of enchantment was true to its name then and now. The compassion, respect, love, and acceptance I have received from its people, I treasure.

Have fun—Alliterate!

Want to extend your conversation with someone? Try answering a typical question with a little bit of pizzazz. Yesterday …. yes, on a Monday …someone asked,”And how was your weekend?” I responded with “Super!” “Oh, really what did you do?” received an answer that brought a laugh and a lifted eyebrow, a query for an explanation. My reply was, “It was great because it was full —of dirt, dancing, dragsters, and dominos. “ If I had toted my camera around with me, I’d scrapbook it! So what’s the truth behind all those “D’s” which made for a dandy weekend? The truth of the alliteration was I got my hands dirty while repotting plants; we went to a street dance downtown; walked around some ‘you wouldn’t believe it if you didn’t see it’ modify cars, that were down but not totally dirty (some would be offensive to liberated women of the world united); and wrapped up the weekend with my dapper and dynamic parents playing dominos and joining us for dinner. “So how was your weekend?”  Now for a repeat of a super weekend, even though I know "It's only Tuesday!" and I do  love what I'm doing between now and then!



Remembering that “This is the day that the Lord has made and I am rejoicing in it,”

Mimi D.

There's nothing new about S.P.A.C.E.

There's nothing new about  S.P.A.C.E, a way of enriching our relationship with God during ou study of the Bible.{ Sin, Promise, Attitude, Command, Example}. Read the previous blog for more of an explanation.


In Psalm 19, David speaks of his relationship with God that revealed his knowledge of his propensity to sin. He had it, I’ve got it, and so do you and every one else walking on two legs and putting slacks on one leg at a time. It’s a good read, Psalm 19 …..Including “Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sin.” Check it out.

We can ask like David did, “Cleanse the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work.”

And what do we gain for admitting our errors and mistakes? Just the way to grow in a better life. That’s all. The gardener knows the need to feed the soil before planting. So you can learn from errors and move beyond them. Ask for forgiveness if needed. Don’t waste time and energy in self – justification. Ask God to help you learn from mistakes and move on down The Most Excellent Way, His road for you.

Hugs and blessings,
Mimi D

A Powerful Statement to Get you through Friday !

A powerful statement by Alexander Maclaren:  The riddle of Providence is solved when we have grasped this conviction—all events do serve me, for all circumstances come from His will and pleasure, which is love.  Everywhere I go—be it in the darkness of disaster or in the sunshine of prosperity—I shall see standing before me that familiar and beloved shape, and shall be able to say, "It is the Lord!" John 21

How do you get to such a place of conviction?  Something that really helps nurture our relationship with God is during our daily quiet reflection, give God SPACE:  While reading through HIs Word, look in the passage for a SIN to confess, a PROMISE to receive, an ATTITUDE  to change, a COMMAND to obey, an EXAMPLE  for me to follow.
Be mindful of His Presence with you and in you today!

Hugs,
Mimi D

Reminder: You are special and beloved!

Good Monday morning!  Well here's to hoping anyway.....This liitle bunny is Starburst. He is helping us keep the grass between the blocks of our front walk mowed. I will try to keep the coyotes away from him. I saw two taking a short cut through our property on Saturday! Bob saw a little garter snake while discovering some cane sprouting in our arroyo.  It's been a 'nature weekend' for us!  The next one will be full of watching Lance Armstrong and the likes of him tackle our mountain roads ala bicycle. The five day Tour of the Gila starts Wed.

Just like the bunny you are special and beloved by the creator of both.
Make someone smile today!
Mimi D.

Inspiration requires exhaling

Inspiration requires exhaling and in doing so we create more room for more  inspiration.  It's a wonderful habit to develop. Here's a quick exercise that will get your blood flowing through a heart of gratitude.  Choose someone—friend, co-worker, family member, neighbor— close to you and write them a list of appreciation for the little things they do for you. You will be blessed by letting a wave of gratitude wash over you....and any little nit picky things about them that drives you nuts, will be put in perspective; they really are just gnats in the big picture.
Hugs to all
Mimi

Let Inspiration have it's work in you — TODAY!

Invite Inspiration 4/22/10


Breathing in divine influence

Along The Most Excellent Way there are places to pull off the road and take in a scenic view. Often we don’t do them because pedal to the metal we are ‘making good time!’ We need a change of perspective here folks; for it may be as we pull off the rapidly moving thoroughfare of life that we find the inspiration to stay on the Most Excellent Way, living a life based upon and living I Corinthians 13.

Three great sources of inspiration: People, Nature, and a nurturing relationship with God. Inspiration requires lingering, not an easy task in today’s world but definitely beneficial. It is the key to being able to do the rest of the list.

Give God’s Word S.P.A.C.E. in your life’ an idea that first heard from Billie Hanks. When I read a passage of Scripture I look for a sin for me to confess, a promise for me to receive, attitude for me to change, command for me to obey, and an example for me to follow.

Two definitions for inspiration are “breathing in” and “divine influence.”If you have never tried this, today is a good day to begin!

Hugs to each of you,

Mimi D.

Be authentic

Who likes or needs or wants another hypocrite in their lives? No one who lives on my block that’s for sure! Authentic goes beyond what you see Is what you get to what you see is what I am. We think of synonyms: genuine and real.


However, according to my red-letter dictionary, it also has the meanings of authoritative, trustworthy, and reliable, too. So our challenge to live in the Most Excellent Way is to nurture a relationship with the Lord which makes us through and through a reflection of Him. One way to do this is to sing His praises as you go throughout your days. The realization of His love for us starts my praising, His provision for our needs—material, spiritual, emotional, social—sets my feet to dancing! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say rejoice!

Hugs,
Mimi

Ten Ways to Create Community

Let's put our heads together and come up with ten ways to create community.We had better first think about what is community.It's the group of people who you don't always say, "Fine. And you?" when asked how you are doing. So....#1 Find folks who you are comfortable with and spend time with. In person is best but in touch if they live at a distance from you. #3 Help wherever you can , at your church, your child's school, as a community volunteer,etc. #5 Realize that friends may be plentiful but confidantes are few and far between. Treasure them and do not neglect them. #7Take a good look at your neighbos. Isn't there some way to get more connected to them. #9Think outside the box of like age, like mindedness , same hobbies, etc. Since we are putting our heads together, let me know how you create community.
Hugs all around, Mimi

#2 could be just that—hugs!

Take a sabbath

From the list from Now is the time...to take a day of rest. Allow me to share my self talk with you. " Take it before you need it. For a 24 hour period do only those things which promote a rested body, a soul at peace, a mind that is carefree, and a spirit of harmony with God and folks.Often we have to plan ahead for it, guard it with the tenacity of a bulldog, and then joyfully receive it as a gift from God. Next thing I 'm doing is looking at my calendar for an available date"...
Power naps are good but there's nothing like a good day of rest.
Mimi

The Makings For An Abundant Life

I am enjoying making my way through a book of short readings, Now is the Time…insights for living the abundant life from Christian Life. It’s one that has so much to think about and work into your soul and spirit that I’m not very far along in the book and I’ve been at it awhile. Not a real page turner, in other words.


I came to a list today that is interesting to me as it seems almost contradictory when first read. The list is “Now is the time to* invite inspiration* find your balance*work wholeheartedly* take a Sabbath*eliminate distractions* choose your conversations* create community*be authentic*live artfully.” At first I thought of them as a list to check off and that’s when they seemed contradictory. But when I gave it some thought and changed the list to a “stew”(choose your own favorite blended item) the savory stew, and of abundant life, is found in the blending of the ingredients. I think the list covers the ingredients pretty well!

Some of my choices of blended items: mocha, chocolate chip cookies with pecans, a stylin’ outfit

Invite inspiration......Hmmmm....today!
Hugs,
Mimi D

Easter 2010

"You smiled and the sun burst through the shadows of chaos." Thom Shuman

We began our Easter morning with a fire in our firepit that is on the eastern side of our house...and a cup of coffee, of course. The scenic landmark in the background is the kneeling nun.  So I guess you could say that we started our day with a praying sister in sight.

 

After a wonderful oatmeal pancake breakfast (recipe follows) we got dolled up and enjoyed joining others in worshiping our risen savior.

After a lovely early supper with Mom and Dad, it's a wrap up to our Easter Day celebration. However, there is Easter Monday waiting on the side stage. May our words and deeds be a reflection of His love.
Mimi D and her #1 sidekick

Oatmeal pancakes—wheat free and yummy!
Warm 1 cup of milk and add to it 3/4 cup of oatmeal. Take 3 eggs and separate them beating the whites until stiff. Add mixture of 3/4 oat flour, 2 T. of baking powder, 1/2 t cinnamon, one of the egg yolks and a wee bit of sugar to the stiff egg whites. Fry on a hot griddle.  May add applesauce if mixture is too thick.

Ready for the egg hunt

This is not a tribute to casual Easter apparel, though there is

certainly nothing wrong with it. Easter Sunday always brought a

time of dinner, fellowship, and an egg hunt immediately following

the church service. I didn’t find the golden egg that year—some teens

had actually buried it!—but I did win the award for changing out of

our Easter finery first. On my left is my older suster Chris and on my right is Beth Walters.  Many fond memories of Easters Past.

Enjoy the day!

Mimi D

Go ahead...Wear an Easter bonnet!

While trying on the umpteenth hat at a local store that carries from vintage to ultra modern hats, I found it. It is a nice little white pillbox shaped hat with large bow and netting.  Now for the dress....Not really but it has called for a different one than I had thought to wear. Fun, fun,fun!!!  I figured out yesterday why I had settled on that particular hat as a memory of Easter 1965ish came to mind.  A very generous lady from our church made dresses for my sisters and me.  All the same style but of different colors of rich brocade material. We felt like princesses as we were crowned by pillbox hats made by Mom of the same material. Mom had covered the bottoms of oatmeal boxes with the brocade material.  We were stylin'!  
This careful preparation of an Easter outfit communicated the significance of day to me  We didn't get new clothes at a drop of a hat like nowadays. . Don't need anything new?  I imagine there is a child near you who does.
Read more on my take on Easter and its parades in the April issue of the Desert Exposure, page 24 wwwdesertexposure.com

Blessings on your day,
Mimi D.

Breath of fresh air!

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking the day off and going out to a special place called the Southwest Churistian Center. It was a heart health spent day—clearing the mind, strengthening the spirit, and delighting the soul.  How so?  The mind was full of God's power to create and sustain as I see the beauty of the Mogollon Mountains and the huge cottonwood trees as ready as we are for "true Spring" weather.....but a lot more patient. The spirit through the fellowship of the ride out with my daughter in law, two grandkids, and their cousin and sharing around the awesome Dutch oven cooked lunch of my Pops was refreshed and renewed.  As I watched the three little kids all between 3 and 4 years old in age ( the director's little boy joined in the happy melee) enjoy each other my soul was delighted. 
Most days it takes a little bit more effort to find some good heart time and experience. It is worth the effort!  Blessings on your day,
Mimi D

Our heavenly Father is watching!

What's your initial reaction to the Scripture above? The continuim  stretches from "Yeah, right" to " Oh, my! He knows not only my actions but what makes me do what I do and don't do!"  The continuim also goes through the intersection of "I'm so glad He's watching over me" and "I'm glad He loves me not because of who I am but because of who He is."  If Everything we need to know we learned in Kindergarten, then I am beginning to realize that we need to just stick to the basics of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School!  Remember the children's song,"Oh be careful little eyes what you see......for the Father up above is looking down with love..." That song pretty well sums up what God desires from his folks.

Have a good weekend—rest. play, and give something away.
Mimi D

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top of the morning to you....and if you read this in the afternoon, the top of that to you as well!  Have some fun, tell someone about Jesus, and be sure to wear green!
Christ be with me, Christ within me,


Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.



Do you know how St. Patrick's life serves as a Christian model of forgiveness, preparation for service, and dream big for God and trust Him to do it? It's all in an article I wrote and it was published by the Desert Exposure, March issue,www.desertexposure.com in the Body, Mind & Spirit section.
Blessings on your day!
Mimi D

Foil Agent 666's attempts

Sometimes a lot of good comes from just knowing your place.  As a Christian it is behind the breastplate of righteousness.  It protects our heart and spirit. Receive and use this gift everyday. Jesus was given for you!
So stand stong in the Lord......yes, even on a Monday when  our internal clocks are hesitating to adjust to springing forward.
Time to walk with Jesus on the treadmill.
Hugs,
Mimi D

Enjoy God's Presence through Creation

I bind unto myself today                

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun’s life-giving ray

The whiteness of the moon at even

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks

The stable earth, the deep salt sea

Around the old eternal rocks.





Selah.

Only one week away!

St. Patrick's Day is only one week away!  Do you have your green ready?  I do!  But if the weather continues like the present, an inch of snow and 26, I may momentarily regret shrinking out of my green wool trousers.  Momentarily....Anyway, this newly added section to his prayer is powerful. As milk and cookies does a body and soul good, meditating on this will uplift your spirit! I "bind unto myself today" may sound a wee bit odd to your ears, no matter the color. "I arise today" "I confess today " also convey the idea.

I bind unto myself today



the power of God to hold and lead,


His eye to watch, His might to stay,


His ear to hearken to my need,


The wisdom of my God to teach,


His hand to guide, His shield to ward,


The word of God to give me speech,


His heavenly host to be my guard.

I am sure that I will at some point in my day today need every attribute of God identified in this section of the prayer.
 Hugs and blessings, Mimi D

Get off the beaten path!

Getting out of our typical Sunday routine, yesterday Bob  and I grabbed the essentials for a morning  excursion (coffee, banana, snack, binoculars, hat for the bedhead hair, a warm jacket , and camera—why travel light when you can take the pleasures of cumulus numerous with you) and headed up to check on the mountain snow at Signal Peak.  It was great!  We didn't get very far up the road but that was irrelevant.  The countryside still has snow in varying amounts among the huge giants of the forest, the ponderosa pines, and the creeks and dry ravines were running with water. So if you think you have seen NM because you drove through on your way to or from California, here's some photos to make you reconsider.

                                  I go to the Rock...                       Sorry you can t hear the running water

The air was refreshing!    May the road rise to meet you; may the wind be ever at   your back and May the Lord always keep you in the palm of his hand.  

Blessings on your Mondayy!         Do something different today!All of this good stuff was even before church!  Romans 12: 11 says "Don't burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. 

Time to make meatloaf for tommorow's meatloaf stew!

Hugs, Mini

Two part harmony

Practice playing second fiddle.
Now there's a thought from The Message which  is not advocated by many in our society.  But if we desire to live in harmony, that may be just the thing we need to do.  Realistically speaking, don't we find ourselves playing second fiddle more often than not? We might as well practice so we can play it well. It's the second, third, and fourth fiddles that bring the beautiful symphony to music and to our lives.
Hugs,
Mimi D

Planting and Caring for a Garden of Gratitude

Romans 12: 3 I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.


4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. Romans 12:3-6

Cultivating Deep Gratitude

TV shows that would probably not go into syndication: “Who wants to be a millionaire and give it all to charity?” or “GSB” (God’s Showers of Blessings). How about “and now a word from your daily sponsor…the TV gets brighter and totally silent….and in a still, small voice we hear God.” I don’t think we’d better wait for any of the above before cultivating a deepening Gratitude for all we are in Christ—a child of God loved beyond measure and part of His body. If you have detached yourself from His body, do you know that just as fingers, toes, and teeth are reattach able so are you? Everyone and their sister, including O, says keep a gratitude journal. That’s good and I say “Amen, sister!” but also cultivate a deepening gratitude in your heart by “living in pure grace” which is defined in the Amplified version as ….grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance].
And say thank you to God for the service He calls you to and enables you to do. Everyday.

“And now we return to our program, God’s Got the Whole World and Me in His Hands.

Time to kick up my heels,
Mimi D

I've got to be me!

My voice yesterday sounded more like the Tinman than me, especially the over the phone voice. But I was still me. This baby toe in the body of Christ was still a baby toe but was volume challenged due to a sinus problem. Folks who know me had to ask whom they were talking to. I assured them that it really was me!
 Romans 12:3 gives us a key to mental and emotional health
                                            "let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be"
It's enough for me!  Being me is a fulltime job! A lesson from the movie "Runaway Bride"—know yourself and be yourself then you can enjoy others and not flee intimacy  of relationships,
Hugs,
Mimi

Nugget from Romans 12

"God brings out the best in you,develops well-formed maturity in you."  Romans 12:2
 And it's true even on a Monday where you feel more like Monday morning coming down than Victory in Jesus is what the fiddler is playing in your heart today. My two questions to let tumble around in my mind are:  How can I today bring out the best in others? and What does well formed maturity look like?" My short answer takes on these questions:
Well formed maturity: built on a firm foundation of a strong relationship with Christ, walk matches your talk, and you look for places to serve.
Bring out the best in others through asking for their help from the place of their strength, expressing encouragement and appreciation, and strengthening your relationship with them.
Hey, I'm starting to whistle Victory....must have something to do with "Fix your attention on God."
Blessings,
Mimi D

"I yam what I yam!" — Popeye

Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. from Romans 12: 2


Another nibble from Romans 12

Do you like a phony? Not me! Last night’s Netflix viewing, Love Happens, was a case in point for sincerity …… especially when you write a bestseller and are rolling in the bucks (or £). But even if that’s not the case, who wants to make room for hypocrisy in your heart department? I find it exciting, incredible, and absolutely amazing that the Creator of the universe is creating a new me …..from the inside out. Wow! That should fills us with hope, confidence, and a sense of deep love—all from God.
Mimi D

A little something extra: I sometimes find I am thinking in cheers, or bumpersticker language. Here's an example, "Lent, well spent, will lead us to repent."  It's also the best preparation for  meaningful Easter.

24/7 with God

What season are you in? You may say late winter, early spring, empty nest, TAX, etc. Do you remember that we are also in the season of Lent and that makes it a great reason to read, ponder, chew on, reflect, and meditate on the 12th chapter of Romans, a handy plumb line of God. I do all of the above after reading a verse or two—too much and I might gag!—from several different versions of the Bible courtesy of biblegateway.com.


Romans 12

Place Your Life Before God

1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.



Giving God our 24/7 assures our progress towards spiritual maturity, which is really just a fancy way of saying being who God wants you to be. When we habitually respond to God quickly as he beckons the worm of selfishness diminishes, the dragon of doubt scurries, forgiveness flourishes, and the love of God increases in our actions.

If you don't believe me, don't take my word for it—try it!

Mimi D

A Really Great Reason to Journal

Remember the wonders He has done….. In the early 1980’s I had read through Colossians and looking for every time it stated Christ in you, the hope of glory There are a lot of them and as I read. I got excited. Yes, VERY excited! The thought that the Creator of the universe, the one who gave His life for me, the One who comes along side to strength, comfort, guide and correct resides within me and that His plan was for me to represent Him in the world was something to get excited about! That I would bring God glory was over the top!
During this time, an acquaintance asked what miracle I thought was the most spectacular I answered, “Christ in me, the hope of glory!” As I went on and on in my explanation of it, I think, she became sorry that she had asked! I believe that our excitement over God’s word should be a subject for show and tell. I don’t know how to glory in God and not show excitement and tell about it!
Fast forward twenty years in my life. I’m still hiking my trail of pursuing a rich and fulfilling life in the Lord. I once again come to a side trail entitled, Colossians. The first thing I think of is my golden nugget that I treasure so much “Christ in me. my hope of glory!” Yes, I’m still excited about it. No problem in being led to take this loop again for I know the many beautiful vistas which I will see as I have become more familiar with it than twenty years ago. I pick up the Message and read through the four chapters.* I found it so exciting and rich that I read again at an incredibly slow pace. As I read and savor a few verses at a time during this read through, one passage is in neon lights: Colossians 3:12-14.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

As I pondered this passage, I had a funny mini video run on the screen of my mind—a fashion runway for Christians set up in the center of a shopping mall. From the angel on the left of the stage, in a broadcast booth, halo glowing, minor wings a flutter, sharing his message with all who would listen. “And the signature line of this year’s Designer clothes from the Kingdom line of apparel is the classic look of love. You will be missing the mark of eternal Kingdom wear without it! Found in all shades, sizes, and styles, without the basic love of the creator undergirding your compassionate cape, your kindness kilt, or your humble fishnet hosiery, your outfit will be incomplete in the eyes of the One who you desire to please. Believe me I know about these things.” Then I noticed his halo was worn in a rakish fashion and his identity badge had ‘apprentice of school of humility’ stamped on it. I had the odd feeling that it wasn’t his first year in the course and that maybe my current badge bore the same stamp.

Choose Kingdom apparel. Christ in you is the hope of God’s glory, drawing all men unto himself. Make the decision to put on His wardrobe today and everyday.
* Which I strongly suggest to you to do!

Blessings on you and your day!
Mimi

Going out in style

The next morning we knew something special was up when the missus started thinking out loud about dinner before finishing her second cup of java. When applesauce returned with half of his jar gone and some red Jell-O sprinkled with nuts joined us Tofu got excited and shouted, “Must be company’s coming’ and that definitely lets us off the hook, my dear little tofu-substitute friend! She’s not going to serve leftovers to company and besides, there’s not enough of you left to feed more than two.” I wondered how tofu had become so knowledgeable about the D’Trics. I finally got up the nerve to ask him. With a laugh from his little jiggily body he told me, “The missus had read in a magazine article that I am good for people so she decided to give me a try. But so far, she hasn’t got up the nerve to spring me on her hubby! I’m sure I’m safe for quite awhile!”

The day flew by as we visited with every one, including Jorge, a blue rubber gecko that is placed on whatever food the missus wants her hubby to eat up at lunch. From Jorge we found out what more of the world beyond the darkness looks like, including the whole other closet in the kitchen, known as a pantry. It is where Jerky, my second-cousins lives.

When the missus got home, we hardly noticed any change in her usual routine until she started to get out dishes while mumbling to herself, “We had decided we should use the china at least once a month and here January is almost gone. There’s still enough of that nice little roast to slice it thin and serve it for dinner along with mashed potatoes, gravy and a veggie. That will be a meal worthy of thc good china. When I arrived at the table, the room was lit up with candlepower. The missus had Andy Williams on the stereo, crooning softly. I thought, “You know if you got go you might as well do it with style and grace!”

Epilogue
Tofu was relegated to the vegetable drawer, a safe ‘out of sight out of mind’ place and is said to have survived two of the missus refrigerator clean outs. During the third one, his demise was quick and sure.

Not totally loco

continued....

We all agreed that it was a ukulele accompanying the soothing voice and the crashing waves; I was hopeful that the missus would forget about me, nestled snuggly between the tofu and wheat germ. Someone with a high pitched green voice laughed, “The missus hasn’t had time to think of supper today. Maybe she’ll just make reservations.” Everyone around me was laughing but I didn’t know what reservations are. Finally ketchup that was turning redder and redder whispered, “That’s when cooking the food is someone else


s concern. We don’t know where they go but they always come back with a small white box that stays in our hood a couple of days and then leaves never to be seen again.

Then we heard the music get cranked up, we could feel the vibrations as the missus hula-ed around the kitchen. With fond memories of a belated Hawaiian honeymoon trip, the missus cried out, “It’s a perfect loco moco evening. I’ll just use some of that delicious roast as a sub for the ground beef!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! From the same person who had lovingly massaged me with onion soup just a few days ago was now insulting me with the most disparaging insult—me, subbing for that lazy, cousin of mine who changed his name after inheriting some dough. Tofu tried to calm me down. “You will have a soft fluffy bed of rice to lay on and you’ll be covered with warm suntan oil. And you won’t be alone. The missus will want an egg for her ‘authentic’ moco loco.” Changing the subject to get my mind off the inevitable, I asked where yogurt was. Tofu said for me not to worry about yogurt. Yogurts that are more active would be moving in soon. I heard a chorus of “alohas from the out of date bottles who are known to live on the edge.

Coming soon the conclusion...."Going out in style!"

Red or Green?

I was happy to be back in the hood…trimmed down but still recognizable. I guess the missus thought about the temptation that I might pose as the mister has a different lunch schedule than hers and may ‘forget’ the warning so I was placed in a cozy corner where she knew I would be safe—my neighbors were fellas the mister and I had never met: someone called yogurt, wheat germ, and tofu. When the door to our hood was opened through out the day and the sun shined on us we saw glimpses of a cloudy day for the mister and missus. We thought, “cloudy with a chance of meatballs” but as the chit chat of after-work continued outside our hood, music with a salsa beat began to accompany the chatter. The tofu, yogurt, and wheat germ who had been quite chatty throughout the day inched their protective circle closer around me. The tofu whispered, “It all depends on if it’s red or green, enchiladas that is. Green and it’s goodbye to Senor pollo, who to hear him talk was a real strutter in his day. But red….”


.I held my breath as the missus opened the frig saying, “What a perfect day for enchiladas! I’m so glad that Del returned my casserole dish with two containers of fresh red chile.” The dreadful red had come true! Pulling out tortillas, cheese, onions, and red chile concentrate, the missus said, “And a little bit of that roast beef will be perfect.” The wheat germ whispered as she was moved aside saying, “Don’t worry! Most of you will be back. This is as close as these two get to a meatless supper!” to be continued

My week with the D'trics

Like most guests, I was welcomed into the D'trics' home with a hearty handshake, even a hug, and then left to rest up a bit and settle in. It was a bit cooler than I was used to but I adjusted pretty quickly and enjoyed looking around at the new scenery. These D'trics seem to be quite the collectors of things past the date where most folks think of them as unusable.


I was feeling quite rested when I heard the missus say something about dinner and crackpots (once again I had been fooled by that accent of hers—she meant crock pot!). Anywho, it felt good to be massaged by her loving hands with dry onion soup (great for exfoliation) then wrapped in a bright shiny new outfit from head to toe, and sent off to a sauna, of sorts.

I was on a high for about an hour with my new found warmth. Before the missus left for work she turned my sauna down a bit.. The cool down to low was welcomed She promised to be back to check on my condition in the early afternoon. I was lulled to sleep by the lovely aroma of onion soup that had permeated my skin and the increasing warmth of my sauna.

True to her word, the missus was back by 2 and lowered my sauna temp just a bit to keep me warm. I had been sweating quite a bit by this time and really would have liked a glass of ice tea but instead I was served up with one a couple of hours later. I was whittled on which left me with mixed feelings to be quite truthful, but the ooh’s and aah I received compensated for my lost heartiness— about a third of my beautiful grain fed body was gone. I had been jealous of my ‘butcher trimmed’ cousins for years. Slim and trim they hardly sweated a drop when in, on, or under fire the heat. The Mister kept talking about leftovers for lunch. His tone of excitement and delight caused me some consternation but I perked up when the missus said, “Hands off, buddy! I’ve got plans for this little guy!” to be continued……

Shel's Chili and Snow slows 'em down

Finally the chili recipe. It is so simple that I don't think of it as anything special. Kinda like my cherry dessert where you pour the cake mix out of a box, over cherry pie filling from a can, top with pecans and melted butter, cook until golden, and serve warm with ice cream or dream whip.  Hey, how about that?  Two for the price of one! Much of our snow is gone now that the weather is back in the high 40's and 50's. That's why we live in New Mexico, four gentle seasons and sometimes experienced within the same 24 hours. From my perch in the dining room I can see part of the highway and the cars on it the other morning were moving at the pace of a snail in good shape—super spiral , I guess.  We can call NM DOT or just look out the window and see the pace of the cars on the stretch going down the hillside of the highway. It was a good day, people going slow but no flashing lights to be seen or people in need of tow trucks.That's what we have to do to let the presence of the Lord make us whiter than snow.Go through this life at a safe pace and you will find yourself whistling, smiling, and loving more.
Oh yea, the chili recipe

Whiter than snow

Another beautiful day in Southwest New Mexico! As I sit looking out towards the east, I see the snow draping the pinon, juniper, and natural vegetation. I breathe in the presence of the Lord as His Word of forgiveness, hope, promise and assurance comes to mind. “Though your sin is as scarlet they shall be whiter than snow” Isaiah 1:18 and “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” Psalm51:7. The whiteness of the morning landscape brings home to me the magnitude of the work that God desires to do in each of us. Just think about how much water you have to add to change a glass of red kool aid and make it clear….At least a decent swimming pool of water to get rid of the red….This is a good time to say good morning to your inner child and recall Dr. Seuss’ book The Cat in the Hat and the mess of his work! What’s it take to move from blood red to whiter than snow? It’s interesting to think that it takes our acceptance of the blood red  of Jesus’ sacrifice to become pure white  in God’s sight. First step. Then go on and continue to allow the Spirit of God to do His work in your heart and you follow up with obedience to what He asks of you and there you go……you are on your way to whiter than snow. Read around the verses of Scriptures cited and you will get a clearer picture of the awesomeness of God. The photo is one taken in our garden spot which has a wiring covering on top because it was built as an aviary. Great reminder of God’s love surrounding us.The other is the natural awning of vegetation around our "porch swing", a favorite place on our property/

Blessings on your day,

Mimi D.

Really! They weren't stuffed shirts!

Just got back from the Barrett Jackson Car Show or Auction...depends on the depth of your pockets....and these are some of the characters I met there.  I think Phil may be the last gas station man to actually pump gas for you.  He couldn't stop talking about his cousins, Gomer and Goober.
Mimi D

Another beautiful day in the Southwest

I just got back from a visit to our capitol, the Round house in Santa Fe. I found in very fitting that there is a statue of some children having a tug-of-war right outside one of the main entrances.. It seems to parallel what is often the activity inside very well. A friend posed with me and another snapped the shot. Time with friends is time in the sunshine for me—and just as necessary as Vitamin D.Do a quick reality check of your priorities and ask yourself what you have done for a friend in the last 24 hours. Remember sunshine is not mean to be contained!Share some of your sunshine today!
Hugs to you.
Mimi D

Chunks of Scripture

Good morning!  Sometimes I really can't eat the whole enchilada so I go for the part with the most chicken, chile, and cheese.  It's the same way with the Scripture I'm pondering.  My chunk of Matthew 6: 33-34 that I'm really chewing on is "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. "  What do you think of when you think of steep when it's a verb?  I think of tea, thanks to Diana's living in the UK and her husband who makes a crackin' cup of tea. Webster's adds the ideas of immerse, saturate, or imbued with. We so want the instant God-reality in our lives when He calls us to the steeped.  You will recognize the more common version of the passage: "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness..."
Steep your life in God -reality, God - initiative, and God - provisions today!

Blessings on your comings and goings,
Mimi D

New Year Revolutions and Veggie Cobbler

New Year Revolutions and veggie cobbler may go together quite well if you have made up-ing your veggies every day. One of my revolutions for 2010 is to grow deeper in my relationship with God. It is my#1 priority and so I've thought of some ways to move that from a revolution to a reality and in doing so will increase my Red Letter Days significantly.  A few things on the how to list are:

• 1)follow the advice of my old friend Anne Frank and get outside and get happy;
• 2) do only the activities that I know God has opened the door or given me the opportunity to do;
• 3) limit my work hours and my projects time;
• 4) increase my Bob time.
• Of course at the top of the list is the no brainer for completing this goal and that is daily time spent with God in prayer, meditation, and the Bible. How can you live it if you don't know it? 

Why Revolutions instead of Resolutions?  The changes of these revolutions are big time, eternal, and not accomplished only by my resolve but by His Spirit.
Help....I am trying to put the recipes in a format of a typical recipe book and after  the post. Anyone know how to do this one?
Blessings on your day!
Mimi D