Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Fast and Furious

Psalm 119:44(MSG)
Oh, I'll guard with my life what You've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever;

It's interesting to me how we become protective of information that we sense may somehow either benefit or harm us.  We guard our social security numbers, birth certificates, driver's licenses, bank account numbers and the list goes on.  These items contain our identity and allow us privileges and freedoms that we would not have without them.  Today, as I have listened to commentary on the news stations regarding the "Fast and Furious" situation, I see this behavior in full swing. 

Apparently the president is invoking "Executive Privilege" over the documents dealing with the details surrounding the actions taken from a committee dating back over eighteen months ago.  It appears, in this particular instance, that the information being protected might be an attempt to cover up mistakes or poor decisions that have already had a harmful impact on at least one individual, if not an entire nation.  As I listen to the banter, it sounds similar to the conversations I heard on the television during the Watergate scandal.  The political fallout and effect on our nation's security will remain to be seen.
The Lord knows your heart.
Today's verse tells me to "guard with my life" the revelations that He  has given me.  The Lord reveals to each one of us important truths.  He lovingly uncovers the shape of our heart and whispers His healing words over the broken areas of our lives.  Guard those precious words of life giving balm.  If you are a child of God, then you recognize His voice.  You know when the Lord has unearthed important treasures in your life.  Don't ever let anyone or anything create doubt within you.  Stand firm in confident faith and guard the revelations that He has given you.

God,
Help me to protect and guard the words that You so graciously speak to me.  Place within me a strong assurance that You know my heart and the deep needs that lie within it.
Thank You for Your unending love,
Amen

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Blog Review: The Cavewoman Speaks by KyAnne Weaver

My Photo
"The Cavewoman Speaks"
Blog by KyAnne Weaver
 The Cavewoman Speaks by KyAnne Weaver (click here) is a wonderfully encouraging blog filled with Godly wisdom for immediate application and lots of humor!  Her zeal for Christ is contagious and her passion to partner with women in their walk toward a more meaningful relationship with our Lord is her primary focus.

I enjoy reading books and reviewing them.  I also enjoy reading various blogs.  I have never actually reviewed a blog, so today I thought it would be fun to try it out.  This blog, The Cavewoman Speaks by KyAnne Weaver is one of my many favorites.  KyAnne introduces herself as a lover of Christ, wife and mother of three boys (young men now), teacher, and author of the book titled:  Diary of a Cavewoman.  If you would like to read my review for that book, please click here.

KyAnne's posts are transparent, succinct and always uplifting.  She has the ability to address important subject matters with a gentle humor that allows the reader to reflect on heart issues in a nonthreatening manner.  I always leave her pages with a lighter step, a spirit of freedom in Christ, and a renewed resolve to apply the truths of God's Word.  One of her most recent posts titled "Hindenburg Parenting" (click here) had me laughing out loud at my desk....as so many of her posts do. 

If you are wanting another blog to add to your Blog Roll, you will definitely want to consider this one, The Cavewoman Speaks by KyAnne Weaver.  Enjoy!!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Book Review: George Washington Carver by John Perry

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book George Washington Carver by John Perry. 

The book George Washington Carver by John Perry was an interesting biography of a gentle and intelligent black man whose passion for God and desire to learn everything about His creation moved him to great works.  His humble dependence upon God is inspiring.  
The book profiles his life beginning with his birth into slavery and the miraculous way that God's hand of protection was upon him. It concluds with his peaceful death after a life filled with accolades and accomplishments as a scientist (largely focused on developing products from peanuts) and professor at Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee, Alabama.  His dedication to science, agriculture, people, and His God are clearly communicated throughout the writing.  One of my favorite parts of the book, is the prayer that George Washington Carver was reported as saying:  "Lord completely guide us in all things and let us be gladly led by You."  His students regarded him as one of the kindest and most patient teachers they ever knew. 

This was a very well written and inspiring book about a man whose patience and trust in God allowed him to accomplish great things.  I appreciated the tenacious spirit and persevering methodical personality that the author so easily portrayed within each of the chapters.  While reading this book, I felt the tension between the black and white race that was a part of our country not so very long ago.  I quietly appreciated that we live in a different world today.   

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for this free review copy of George Washington Carver by John Perry provided to me through BookSneeze.  The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Learning Dependence

Psalm 119:43(MSG)
Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever--Your commandments are what I depend on.

I was sitting at my desk enjoying the sights, sounds, and feel of summer the other day.  The birds were singing, the warm breezes were gently blowing the scent of sweet flowers into the room, and the distant sound of laughter from children playing filled the air.  The sun shining brightly through the trees creating dancing shadows on the wall had hypnotized me into a trance like state, until suddenly the sound of the door slamming and feet rushing down the hall jolted me back to reality.  "Mom...Mom...come quick!  A bird is hurt and we have to help it!"

Now, being the conservationist that I am...err....want to be, I do know a little something about the ways of the "wild ones".  What I definitely know without hesitation is that these independent creatures are better left untouched.  I prepared my speech, cleared my throat, and began the spiel to my daughter about why we will "leave the bird alone".  I concluded the ten minute dissertation with the explanation that if we remain inside and observe the scene we will see the bird's parents swoop down and rescue it.  "We must only be patient and it will happen," I confidently reassured her.

We waited.  And waited.  And waited some more.  Meanwhile, the bird continued it's flopping state on the pavement without progress and with no rescuers showing up to save the poor unfortunate victim.  "Well", I said, "we can gently place him in the grass by the field.  Surely there, the parents will find him." 

After gingerly setting the little fellow on his bed of grass in the shade by the tree he probably flew or fell out of, we went inside.  There.  Done.  Until, that is about three hours later, when my sweet and most compassionate daughter came assertively marching back into my office to report that the bird had been screaming for the past two hours and there were no parents in sight.  "Please," she pleaded, " now he is stuck in the grass with all of the tall weeds and can't get free!  Will you get him, Mom?  Please!"  Just to be clear that I understood her request, I restated it back.  "You want me to climb through the barbed wire, traipse through the waist high weeds filled with ticks and chiggers, and cut the bird free.  Is that right?"  Of course she responded, "Exactly!"

I know that you know what I did.  I know this, because if you've followed my blog for very long then you have read my post entitled " Bunny Beatitudes".  (Click here to read it.)  If you've read it, then you know that I am a rescuer.  I have tales of heroic "saves", and yes, this shall be another one!

Scaling the barbed wire and narrowly averting disaster with the sparkling sharp razor edges, I snaked my way through the fence.  Once on the other side, I literally swam my way through the tall weeds with the sound of the flailing bird as my GPS.  My daughter was right.  This bird was trapped and doomed.  That is my first and really only prerequisite for attempting to assist a "wild one".  They have to be in a situation where without our help they will die....not maybe die...but will die unless we intervene.  They must be totally dependent on us with no possibility of nature helping out.
 Our injured Northern Flicker Woodpecker.

He met the rescue admission criteria.  The poor little beautiful thing was completely tangled in the weeds with one of the strongest plants acting as a rope and nearly severing off it's wing.  Carefully, I used my gloved hand to untangle and free the bird.  Scooping him up, I passed him off to the waiting loving gloved hands of my daughter. 

Mere minutes away from a certain demise was this bright and healthy looking woodpecker.  I worked feverishly to cut the long strands of tough grass off of his wing.  Whether he was aware of it or not, he was now relying on us for all nourishment and help.
I went inside and got a medicine dispenser full of water and gave it to my daughter to feed to the bird.  She held the water out for him and he gladly drank....and drank...and drank!  Yep.  He was totally dependent on us for that drink.  He also had no ability to fly.

I love today's verse because it reminds me of the dependence I have on my God.  Life is so precious and so fragile.  We can't afford not to trust Him.  He is a good God and He does good.  He has a perfect plan for each of our lives.  He has counted the number of hairs on our head and He is with us.  He is for us.  He loves us.

As for our little bird friend, you will have to return for part two of this story to find out what else we learned from him.  

Father,
Thank you for allowing us to depend so completely on you.  I know that there are heavy burdens being carried tonight.  Please lift us up and shelter us as we allow You to become our everything in obedience and dependence.
In Christ's name,
Amen