Our Coach

You never know when the Lord might speak to you.
Several weeks ago, He spoke to me after the NCAA semifinal basketball game, after the KU Jayhawks were victorious over Ohio State.
I was listening to the postgame news conference and interviews, and that is when the Lord spoke to me!
One of the reporters asked KU's Elijah Johnson, "What are you going to do to prepare for Monday night's championship game against the University of Kentucky?"
Elijah answered, " We trust our coach (Bill Self).  He always comes up with a good game plan, and we will follow what he says. He's been here before (the Final Four and the championship game), and we trust him."
Wow.
And I thought, "God is a great Coach.  We can trust Him.  He's been here before, and He has a great game plan for our lives.  We can trust Him."
Yes, we still have to work hard and learn the plays as we practice our Christian faith. We have to stay in spiritual shape so we can execute His game plan for our lives.  But, then we must trust Him, and not head off in a different tangent, a different game plan for our lives.
We've got a great Coach, and we take trust Him.

Oxytocin

I had a great visit at Moira and Dan's over the weekend, and when I was reading her Prevention magazine I came across a great bit of information:

"Scientists have shown that when we're around loved ones, we release a chemical called oxytocin that promotes feelings of calm and well-being."

I agree!  Now I know why I gain such strength and encouragement and peace when I am in the presence of those I love and who love me!  I have felt that my whole life, and especially the past year.

I'm thankful that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". Psalm 139:14

Nursery Curtains and Crib Pads

have just returned from several days of sewing in Topeka. Emery helped me sew curtains and bumper pads for her baby brother's nursery. We also helped her mommy decorate Emery's new big girl room and her big girl bed which she has just moved into. So cute! Such fun!

Baby L's Quilt

This will be a project blog! We are expecting a new grandbaby in September, a baby boy. Here is the quilt that I have been creating for him. His mommy, Megan, chose the colors and the fabric and helped with the pattern, and I just finished machine piecing it. Now it's ready for the borders, and then on to my favorite part: hand quilting!

A very good quote, by John Smith

Our God is a God of healing. He is a mender, a fixer of broken things. And we need such a God, because we tend to break and spoil much of what we touch. When we allow Him to come into our fretful hearts, He works quietly and gently; and with the skill of a tender craftsman, He begins the work of restoring what is lost.

From "Hugs for the Hurting"

John Smith

Trusting His Caring

One of my favorite authors is Hannah Whitall Smith, who wrote a century ago. Her book, "The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life", was a book I first read when I was in college, and I have been a fan of her's since. I have a devotional collection of her writings called, "God is Enough", and the following is taken from the April 24th reading:

One of the greatest obstacles to an unwavering experience in the life of faith is the difficulty of seeing God in everything. Nearly everything in life comes to us through human instrumentalties, and most of our trials are the result of somebody's failure, ignorance, carelessness, or sin. We know that God cannot be the author of these things, yet, unless He is the agent in the matter, how can we say to Him about it, "Thy will be done"?

Besides, what good is there in trusting our affairs to God if others are allowed to come in and rearrange them; and how is it possible to live by faith if human agencies are to have a prevailing influence in molding our lives?

Secondary causes must all be under the control of our Father, and not one of them can touch us except with His knowledge and permission. It may be the sin of man that originates the action, and therefore the thing itself cannot be said to be the will of God; but by the time it reaches us it has become God's will for us and must be accepted as directly from His hands. No person or group of persons, no power in earth or heaven, can touch the soul that is abiding in Christ without first passing through His encircling presence and receiving the seal of His permission. If God be for us, it matters not who may be against us; nothing can disturb or harm us.

Thanksgiving at Moira and Dan's 2010

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Watching pizza making

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