Month: July 2024

It’s a political year, an Olympic year, a “last days” year…

It’s a year to cull out the people that drag you down, that have chosen a different path to tread.

I’ve written about this before, but these thoughts are still with me: it’s okay to move on!

Some of us have the personality that clings to people, each encounter with another human. If it doesn’t end in warm fuzzies we feel defeat and even guilt. We want everyone to love everyone.

As believers we strive to love—–everyone. Jesus told us to love our enemies.

That’s hard.

What does that look like, increasingly, in this world of 8 billion humans?

Lots of prayer.

Go ahead and let people go, but follow them with your prayers.

As people began to mock and deride me for my beliefs last election year I was stunned. When Brian died I shut down, a natural breaking point occurred. The dross in my life was skimmed off, and I was freer, let loose from the chains of bad relationships.

I kept the gold, the silver. I pray for those I “lost.”

God filled up my life with more gold.

Let go of the weights that press on you. Soar with the Holy Spirit and His breathtaking power in prayer.

God answers prayer. Jesus is coming soon. See the signs.

MARANATHA!

Corgi Hollows is buzzing with activity. I’m changing sheets for new guests daily, practically. The beautiful weather continues.

I ordered some mosquito repellent things recommended by one of my Chinese friends. I hope they are effective. I’m going to have to hand them out to my visitors. I’m still covered in bites.

The little pests are not going away! I stepped out at 3 am last night with Yuki and came in with feet covered with bites!! This is a memorable year for mosquitoes.

I wonder if they are as bad “up north.”

God is healing my heart.

Our pastor just completed a series on James. I said he should start over again—because it was so profound, so much more to learn! He laughed and agreed. Yesterday he introduced a series on the Holy Spirit.

The thought of this Person and His interaction with me —-not Jesus, not God the Father, yet God, hit me differently as my pastor spoke of Him.

The Spirit, and the verses quoted about the Holy Spirit, surprised me yesterday. Nothing I haven’t heard before, just a different take, a different time, a different conviction.

As my heart has been dark for quite awhile, trauma cut off my spiritual antennae, I have relied on my foundation of faith. I’ve relied on hope.

But I am starting to feel the love, too.

And that is a delicious feeling after a drought.

No number of words will convince anyone to be patient and wait for such a subjective experience—it happens individually, in God’s timing, in His way.

I can imagine Elijah’s wait for rain.

God knew he would answer prayer. I know God answers prayer. The waiting time can be dark and lonely, frustrating, wearing, discouraging, full of pain and even anguish.

Uff da.

I’m feeling a bit of rain, though. The dry, cracked ground of my heart is feeling a sprinkle.

It pays to have a grounded faith.

As I’ve said hundreds of times (literally): worldview matters. Faith matters. Theology matters, even. I stand on a foundation which embodies HOPE.

Faith, Hope, and Love.

How desirable and fresh, beautiful and sweet that third thing is—

LOVE.

MARANATHA!

We get to be together forever. That is love. (And we are all PERFECT there. Wow.)

The weather is perfect: cool, breezy, sunny, green warmth. Not sizzling hot, but Minnesota perfect.

Next week Cherie and I have tickets for a concert in Uptown and a tour in south Minneapolis. Two evening events. I’m excited for both of them. Always enjoy seeing my fellow fans at the concerts of Asian pop groups.

My son Jim and his wife came over with my grandson on Sunday. We were privileged to have one of my Chinese students also with us—touring the Landscape Arboretum and the Chinese and Japanese gardens in particular.

Sunday was quite the day! Precious worship times, interesting sermons (I got to hear two ;)) and sweet fellowship. Aforementioned garden visits. The hybrid rose garden was also in full glory. I had to recover from all the activity on Monday!

This week I’m trying to paint the infamous bathroom downstairs. As I age my eyesight isn’t what it was, and it’s hard to do the same degree of painting that I did when I was younger.

Excited to get the basement back in order before I leave on the cruise to Alaska in August. I still would like to visit the last two states I haven’t been to in the 50 United States: Alaska and Hawaii.

Alaska in August—perhaps Hawaii this winter?

When Joe and his wife moved out to Washington state I was able to tick off Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. I loved taking Amtrak out there on the James J Hill line.

Our trip to see our daughter Margaret in New Hampshire got me to Maine, but that trip ended tragically.

Since I lived down south I’ve visited all the southern states. I’ve also been out west several times. Colorado—-how I love you! I’ve climbed your highest peak–Mt. Elbert!

God has allowed me a full life. I am grateful.

Today I count my blessings. I have had a few disappointments lately, but God is still good. Look at how HE has blessed me!

I have a goal this summer of “doing art” every single day. So far goals have been met! Whether it is a quick drawing, making a blanket, a sweater or just a dish rag—sitting at the piano and playing through Handel’s Water Music or something else beautiful—

There is an art show at my church in September. I want to get my acrylics out again after quite sometime. There is a theme from the book of Jeremiah. I am excited to get my thoughts out about it. I may use my largest canvas! It’s been waiting for something like this.

Painting skills will have waned, but that is aging. It can be more impressionistic. Realism has always been my forte. This will be an experiment.

Beautiful summer. Thank you God!

Tastes of heaven to come…

MARANATHA!!!