Guest post: Good morning!

Enjoy our guest post by Rhonda Posein Schmidt, who blogs at fearless ... the anthology.
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I saw this beautiful sunrise this morning and I had to snap a pic. So pretty...the sun trying to peek above the horizon, color infused sky with a smattering of clouds. I ran outside and crouched behind my dahlia's to try to capture the essence of what I was seeing and upon looking at the pic I had taken~realized there was no way of doing that.

The air was crisp and clean with a hint of a breeze. I could smell the remnants of combining and the straw that had been left in the field. I could hear our two baby hawks that are now full grown as they called to each other from the top of the Spruce trees where they used to nest but now come back just to check up on the place. Somehow all of those things were lost in the picture itself.

I guess I realized it's a new day...DUH! Seriously, I had already had my coffee so it wasn't a fog induced coma type of thought. It was a full blown smack me up-side the head kind of thought that today I get to do better.

Better at being the kind of person I would like to be friends with, better at being the kind of wife I always envisioned myself to be, better at encouraging others like I need to be encouraged, and better at being at peace with the "me" I have become.

So, happy TODAY everyone~make it a good one!

You in your small corner ... and I in mine

The sun's out! Again! How I love the light-filled days, the warmth (70os is hardly "hot"), and the breeze-less air hanging in the forest behind the house.

"How do people keep up, working a full-time job?" My friend and I had tea together, mulling that puzzle this morning. Both of us have left previous 8-5 office obligations to do good work from home. Now we toss laundry in during the day, pause to finish chores as we walk by, and run errands when we feel like it.

And we get to visit! Social life was hard to prioritize when we were exhausted after a long day of working for others. I've had three "meetings" this week with colleagues and friends ... with three more scheduled this week and next. I'm no social butterfly, but catching up and maintaining friendships and networks is easier when I don't have to wedge lunches into an hour of "maybe Tuesday before I go to another meeting."

I'm so grateful for seasons in life. It seemed like good fun when the kids were young and homeschooling. The days flew by and we spent many of them in creative endeavors. Now I watch the young moms and feel worn out just watching them pack a diaper bag.

I loved working for Northwest University as Alumni Director, connecting students and former students, informing alumni and administrators, looking for artists for art shows, planning events, and writing e-news. Happily, someone else has the privilege now; like I did, he loves his job, while I'm happy to have moved on.

The bluejay outside my window is dropping pine cones from the gutter onto the deck. He's flitting about, busy at his work, designed by God for gutter-clearing and cheerful talk.

Each of us has a job to do, whether I'm a disabled vet praying for friends, a grandma nurturing the young ones, a professional giving a presentation, a track-hoe operator digging a hole, or a mom soaping stains off an infant's bib. God is pleased to applaud our work as we serve with all our hearts.

How can we do good work? Here are some ideas:

1. Do the task at hand. Serve at a big or small job as though God himself were your boss. (Um, actually he is.)
2. Look for ways to serve with excellence. Go beyond what you MUST do to what you MAY do.
3. Be grateful for work. Others wish they could do what you are called to do today.
4. Look for ways to make others look good. Lend a hand, point out a short-cut, or take someone new under your wing. 
5. Don't promote yourself beyond necessity. You don't have to brag about your accomplishments. Others will do that for you if you are an exceptional employee!
6. Pray for those around you. Be sensitive to the needs of coworkers and willing to be a friend. Someone may need to hear about Jesus' love or see your concern for them. Many people (especially in cities) have no one nearby whom they can trust to help or listen during stressful or difficult times.

 "Have fun at work," my husband says as he goes through the check-out at the store. He loves his job. I like mine. And we hope you enjoy yours today!

Read more:

*Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God. Psalm 95:2-3

*Jesus said, “Give to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17 (NIV)

*All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8 NLT

Moravian Prayer: You alone are good, O God. We give you all thanksgiving and praise! You alone are great, O Christ. We bow before you in humble adoration! May the joyous sound of grateful hearts never end as the strains of truth and trust resound in you, our Savior. Amen.

Party time

Do you ever look forward and then backwards at the same event with a smile?

Yesterday I had the privilege of celebrating a milestone with family, friends, encouragers, and mentors. As I walked from one group to another, I remembered stories of their faithful love for God, diligent integrity, and care for other people.

Each of the guests has known the highs and lows of life. They have risen to challenges, swept victories under their belts, and climbed impossible mountains. They have also persevered as they suffered illness, loss, and ruin in many areas.

My folks and I talked about the wonderful people W and I know in Seattle. Many of them have accomplished more and influenced more people than I could imagine, while remaining simple, humble friends. Some are incredibly smart: we often wonder what we're doing in such a crowd. (Mind you, Einstein claimed, “I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.”)

In light of the friends who bless W and me, my mom reminded me that any gifts God has given––ease in speaking to few or many, playing piano as easily as breathing, the instinctive desire to connect people and resources, the ability to learn and write, even the enjoyment of mentoring––will never produce a sense of prideful accomplishment. Faithful stewards recognize that those things don't belong to us ... they're simply God's gifts.

Mom reinforced the attitude we have seen in our most talented friends. The ones most dear to us hold loosely their gifts and accomplishments. They lavish their lives and resources on those around them––for the glory of God. They inspire me to do the same, considering my life verse: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." (Luke 12:48b = Jesus' warning after saying a servant who did not use the talents given by the Master deserved flogging. Ouch!)

W and I read the cards and good wishes last evening with grateful hearts. Our celebration included acknowledging that God is good. He is faithful and kind. How we thank him for the many special, multi-gifted friends who enrich us day by day!

Read more:

*But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31:14-16 NIV

*The Lord executes justice for the oppressed; he gives food to the hungry. Psalm 146:7

*Jesus took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to dis-tribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. Mark 8:6

*Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

*Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-3

Moravian Prayer: Dear Lord, with your love, our sighs turn to song, and through darkness we can walk toward light. Our spirits wait for you, our living Word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Perfectly normal

I laughed when I saw this cartoon. So few of us would see other people's families as normal. Some of us even think our own tribes are a bit crazy. And many of us grew up in nuthouses, where the grown-ups refused to take responsibility for their character or actions.

My folks provided a stable environment. Dad left work at work, brought home a regular income, paid the bills. He also made us do Canadian Army calisthenics, built winter slides out of wood and water, and let us tunnel through the backyard when the snow drifts got deep. Mom stayed home, made sure our clothes were washed, our food was deliciously nutritious, weeded the yard and garden, and tucked us into quiet, clean beds at night. We had daily family devotions and went to church three or four times a week. We volunteered, took music lessons, and did our chores.

We had curfews, too. I was expected in by 11pm, while I was in high school. "Aw, Dad!"

"What's there to do after 11?" he countered. (He was right, as usual.)

My friend Penny shocked me when we were 18. "Your family has always been 'different,'" she said. We were sitting in the car, chatting after an evening out. "You just follow your father like sheep. My mom said, 'If those Daher kids heard their dad say, Jump, they'd ask, How high?' Your parents are control freaks."

My parents were controllers? That had never crossed my mind. Our respect for our folks was a bad thing? I was stunned. They looked out for us, loved us, and let us experience life in creative and fun ways, as well as instilling discipline and keeping an orderly household.

On the other hand, Penny didn't respect her much-older parents. She didn't mind them, either. They had a detached sort of relationship: she'd never think of discussing boyfriends, her feelings, or anything that was important to her.

In contrast, we laughed, shared our days, and argued nearly every topic of interest in our kitchen. We ate supper together every night, and we talked about whatever interested us, including what was going on in church, school, home, among friends and family. ... Of course we had our teen secrets, growing up, and trying to get away with whatever we could. We pushed the boundaries, tested our limits and the patience of our parents.

And we knew that if Dad forbade something, that was the end of it, at least if we didn't want to get punished. Or if we couldn't negotiate a better deal. The year I was 15/16,  I was grounded for parts of 4 months: for coming in 6 minutes after curfew, for sassing him or mom, and ? Can't remember what it was all about, but it was a simple, effective - well, sort-of-effective - discipline.

"Do you think this is working?" I asked Dad, the fourth time.

"Not taking away anything from me," he replied. "Working for me, I guess."

That made me chuckle, but it also made me think about my actions and their consequences. I liked going out, and missed the weekly swims, roller-skating, or other dates. I tried to mind better. Maybe it made Dad think, too. He never grounded me again.

God's family is strange too, let's face it. Viewed from inside or outside, we are dysfunctional, petty, stubborn, and hypocritical. We try to make ourselves look good by dressing up inside and out. But really - let's admit it - most of us have "issues," whether rooted in our characters, our backgrounds, or our experiences.

Around our Christian family table, it's best to be honest about life, loving, and serving, rather than coming with masks and defenses ready. We may be as nutty or individualistic as non-Christians, but we come together to be lavished with (and to extend) loving-kindness, gain knowledge of God our Father, and to comfort and care for each other. We may not always agree, but we trust God for insight and wisdom as a community - as the family of God.

I love to meet with believers who have integrity. They may not air all their grievances, dirty laundry, or wretched past with every bystander. But they speak Truth from their deeply broken humanity, in a community of faith. Forgiven, they forgive. Created, they are creative. Deeply loved, they love others the way they love God and themselves.

Oh, makes me want to go to Church, just thinking about it. Ready to join us?


Read more:
*But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV