Happy New Year!

Good Morning and Happy New Year Everyone!

Yes, yes, I know.  It's been a long time!  I'm still here--have just been super busy since I last posted.  We had a very good Christmas, though, as all of my siblings and their families and our parents were able to meet together at my older sister's house in Florida.  This is not as easy as it might sound, as one sister is a missionary overseas, and my brother is out in Arizona so we are spread far and wide.  In fact, this was the very first Christmas ever that our entire family was together ever since we kids grew up and left home, which has been 25-30 years ago!  So it was very special indeed!

And today marks the beginning of a new year.  A fresh beginning.  A new page in our life's journey.  Do you like to make New Year's resolutions?  I do not usually make a written list of resolutions, as I know only too well how difficult it can be to completely stop or start doing something.  But even though I do not make formal resolutions, that does not mean I do not take some time to reflect on the past year, and to pray about the new year coming.

In my reading this morning, I came across a special letter that I wanted to share parts of with you.  It is rather lengthy, so I will be selecting paragraphs out of it to share, but if you would like to you can always go and read the letter in it's entirety since it is published in a book called "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 2, by Ellen G. White.  The letter begins on page 261, and is actually a letter that Ellen White wrote to her son on his birthday, when he turned 19 years old.  But even though it was written as a birthday letter, the truths in it are just as applicable when thinking about starting a new calendar year as well.

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"Another year of your life closes today.  How can you look back upon it?  Have you made advancement in the divine life?  Have you increased in spirituality?  Have you crucified self, with the affections and lusts?  Have you an increased interest in the study of God's word?  Have you gained decided victories over your own failings and waywardness?  Oh, what has been the record of your life for the year which has now passed into eternity, never to be recalled?

"As you enter upon a new year, let it be with an earnest resolve to have your course onward and upward.  Let your life be more elevated and exalted than it has hitherto been.  Make it your aim not to seek your own interest and pleasure, but to advance the cause of your Redeemer.  Remain not in a position where you ever need help yourself, and where others have to guard you to keep you in the narrow way.  You may be strong to exert a sanctifying influence upon others.  You may be where your soul's interest will be awakened to do good to others, to comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak, and to bear your testimony for Christ whenever opportunity offers.  Aim to honor God in everything, always and everywhere.  Carry your religion into everything.  Be thorough in whatever you undertake.

". . . Be not deceived.  God is not mocked.  Nothing but holiness will prepare you for heaven.  It is sincere, experimental piety alone that can give you a pure, elevated character and enable you to enter into the presence of God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable.  The heavenly character must be acquired on earth, or it can never be acquired at all.  Then begin at once.  Flatter not yourself that a time will come when you can make an earnest effort easier than now.  Every day increases your distance from God.  Prepare for eternity with such zeal as you have not yet manifested.  Educate your mind to love the Bible, to love the prayer meeting, to love the hour of meditation, and, above all, the hour when the soul communes with God.  Become heavenly-minded if you would unite with the heavenly choir in the mansions above.

"A new year of your life now commences.  A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel.  What will be the record upon its pages?  Shall it be blotted with neglect of God, with unfulfilled duties?  God forbid.  Let a record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels."

Greenville, Michigan, July 27, 1868
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 2
p. 261-268, Ellen G. White

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Isn't that letter inspiring?  And sobering?  All at the same time.  The time is now--right now, this minute.  And the goal is Him.  Jesus.  Abiding in Him.  Working in Him.  Communing with Him.  Everything is Him.

A lot of people you see on Face Book choose a word for their word of the year.  I think that is a neat practice, though I have not participated in that myself.  But I think if I were going to, I would have to choose instead a word of my life, and that word could only be "Jesus."  For that is what I want, this year, next year, and every year after that.  Jesus.

And deep down, isn't that also what you want?

Because if we have Him, we have everything.

And without Him, nothing else matters.

Have a beautiful day with your Savior.  And may you grow closer to Him than ever before in this New Year.

~Susan

Thought for the Day

A thought for today--from some of my Bible study this morning:

"When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God.  He bids us, 'Be still, and know that I am God.'"
---Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 58

A simple thought--quietness.  But how often it is difficult to find!

Pausing. Stopping.  Sitting.  Being.  Listening to God's voice.

May you have quietness today, and hear Him speaking to you.

~Susan

A wisdom story--the three hairs

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever heard a story and it was SO powerful that it just stuck with you for years afterwards?  These kinds of stories are rare, I admit, but every now and then one comes along.  Maybe it is just the mood I was in that particular day, or maybe it had something to do with what was happening in my life at that time--I have no idea.  I only know that years ago--I have no idea how long ago, really, I heard a story that has stuck with me ever since.  I do not even know WHERE I heard the story from--I only remember the story.  

Anyway, I have a dear friend who is currently going through a very difficult time in her life.  And a little while ago, as I was thinking about her/praying for her, I remembered THE STORY.  And I knew I wanted to share it with her.  The only problem is I didn't have it in print anywhere, and had no idea how to find it.  But thanks to the wonders of Google, after typing in several phrases describing THE STORY I actually found it!  On the story web site where I found it, there was no original author listed, so I am afraid I cannot give proper credit.  But if anyone out there knows who the author is, please share the name with me and I will note it.  

This story is so very simple.  And so very profound at the same time.  And it has absolutely nothing to do with hair--even though the entire story is all about hair.  Instead, it has everything to do about attitude.  But that doesn't mean that we can just cheerly choose to have a positive attitude and all will be well in our lives--no, I do not mean that at all and I do not believe THE STORY means that either. Life is much too complex to have problems solved so simply.

To me, THE STORY tells me that my circumstances do not matter.  Because of Who my God is, my life can be beautiful regardless of how difficult or ugly my circumstances are.  

And so--for my dear friend (you know who you are)--I pray that you understand what this story means to me.  Please do not think I am belittling what you are going/will be going through, because I am not.  I am only trying to share something I have found helpful in my life.  You are one of the most beautiful people (inside AND out) that I know, and God blessed me abundantly the day He brought you into my life as my friend! :) 

So here it is--THE STORY that I have never been able to forget!

~Susan

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A Wisdom Story--The Three Hairs

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmmm..," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YAY!" she exclaimed. "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.

May we all learn to "Dance in the rain!"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Here we are--first day of a brand new year, just waiting to unfold.  A time when many people plan and dream about how things will be better in the new year than it was in the past year.  A time for hope.  A time for promise.

But what happens when the new year starts looking suspiciously like the old year?  Things happen to us that we have no control over--no way to stop.  We lost my father-in-law in the year 2013.  I didn't want that to happen, but it did.  We lost my beautiful mother-in-law in the year 2012.  I didn't want that to happen either, but it did.  Sometimes the year is hard. . .

But in spite of what "may" happen, we do not have to face the future alone.  You have probably heard the expression that goes like this:  "We do not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future."  We never have to go through any trials alone.

A new year at our house brings several new calendars which are posted in different rooms.  As my daughter unwrapped her new calendar to place it on the nail in her room last night, there was a sheet of cardboard that was wrapped up with the calendar--the purpose of which was to keep it from bending as it was being displayed in the store.  Nothing unusual about that.  But what caught my husband's eye as he helped her unwrap the calendar was that there was something printed on this piece of cardboard.  Her calendar was from the DaySpring company, and printed on this piece of cardboard was a message from the DaySpring co-founder, Roy Lessin.  My husband and I both loved this message, so I thought I would share it with you here:

"Just think,
you're here not by chance,
but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you
and made you
the person you are.
He compares you to no one else--
you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing
that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here
at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose
for this generation."

And then they had printed this Bible verse:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Isn't that a thoughtful message to find in your calendar?

Then I wanted to share my favorite quote from a book.  This is a short little quote, but it has brought such power and comfort into my life--especially during hard times:

"We have nothing to fear for the future except as we forget how God has led us in our past."  E.G.White, Life Sketches, p. 196

Just one little sentence, and even it could be boiled down even further--we have nothing to fear.  Nothing.  Why?  Because God is with us.  No fear--because God.

And then just this morning in my reading I ran across this Bible verse:

“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;” Psalm 46:2

I think I am seeing a theme here--a theme of no fear.  Of facing the new year unafraid, because God is with us.  Of knowing I am right where my Creator wants me.  Will there be hard times in the year to come?  Probably--because I live in a world of sin.  But more important than that, my God will be right beside me.  Which makes all the difference.

And my year will be like this:

Happy New Year to you!  And may you walk ever closer with your beautiful Savior! 

~Susan

From My Journal

Hi Everyone!

I have been thinking about words today quite a bit.  It all started this morning when I read a blog post by a friend of mine about words.  Right after that, I read a quote in my quiet time reading that "happened" to be on the exact same subject--words!  Makes me think that it was NOT a coincidence!

Anyway, I have been thinking about this quote all day, and thought I would share it with you here.  I confess--it sort of makes me want to take a piece of tape and put it across my mouth, just to help keep me from using my words in the wrong way!

"Every day of Life is freighted with responsibilities which we must bear.  Every day, our words and acts are making impressions upon those with whom we associate.  How great the need that we set a watch upon our lips and guard carefully our steps!  One reckless movement, one imprudent step, and the surging waves of some strong temptation may sweep a soul into the downward path.  We cannot gather up the thoughts we have planted in human minds.  If they have been evil, we may have set in motion a train of circumstances, a tide of evil, which we are powerless to stay.

"On the other hand, if by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good.  In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence over others.  Thus hundreds and thousands are helped by our unconscious influence.  The true follower of Christ strengthens the good purposes of all with whom he comes in contact.  Before an unbelieving, sin-loving world he reveals the power of God's grace and the perfection of His character."
                                                          Prophets and Kings, E.G. White, p. 348

How powerful our words are.  Out of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Create a new heart in me, O God!

~Susan

From My Journal

Hi Everyone!

This has been a difficult week for my family.  This past Wednesday evening, my father-in-law passed away from causes due to the ALS that he has struggled with for years.  He beat the odds--he has been living with an "official" diagnosis of ALS for around eleven years.  He chose the most positive attitude I have ever seen--he did not let his negative medical diagnosis define who he was or how he lived his life.  My mother-in-law told me once that when they left that doctor's appointment where he was first told the words "ALS," they talked about it and both decided they were not going to live their lives any different because of it.  And they didn't.  Things changed, of course.  He went from using a cane to a wheel chair and recently to not even being able to operate his electric wheel chair.  The largest blow for him was losing my mother-in-law very unexpectedly last September.  And now my husband has lost both parents in the matter of ten months.

I was looking through my journal this morning, and this entry stood out to me.  I know it is true--and I am hanging on to it.

"From the stars that in their trackless courses through space follow from age to age their appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature obey the Creator's will.  And God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created.  He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear. . . No tears are shed that God does not notice.  There is no smile that He does not mark."  Steps to Christ, E.G.White, p. 86

God knows.  And He cares.

Good-by Dad.  I will see you on resurrection morning--you won't need your wheel chair then.

~Susan

True Love

Good Morning Everyone!

I realize I have not been around here much lately.  Part of that has to do with summer, and the business summer time brings to our family.  Part of it has to do with different summer schedules, and things not being the regular routine that they are during the school year.

For those of you who know our family personally, you have probably heard already that my mom is currently in the hospital.  One of those routine in and out in one day proceedures that did not turn out exactly as planned.  One thing led to another, which led to another. . . as of this moment, she is still in the hospital, though we are starting to see some improvements which we are VERY thankful for.  I do appreciate everyone lifting her up in prayer!  Current "new" problem is problems with her heart, and the doctors are trying to determine the best medication for her to be put on to help with that.

Watching all of this unfold over the past several days has made me think of several things.  Mainly, I have been thinking of true love--what true love really is.  I think every little girl loves those fairy tales where they "lived happily ever after."  The handsome prince comes riding in and swoops the princess (or soon-to-be princess if she isn't already one) off her feet and they ride off into the sunset together.  Can't you just see it?  The birds are singing, the bunnies stop their hopping around to watch the two lovers riding off together.  Can't you hear the music in the back ground as well?

Well, I used to think this was true love.  But as I have gotten older (I said older, NOT old!) I have changed my mind about what true love is.  Instead, I now think that true love is seeing my dad reach out and hold my mom's hand when she is in the hospital bed getting ready for surgery.  True love is him waiting at the hospital--even when he is not allowed to be with her--just waiting for those times when he will be allowed to be with her.

True love is not always pretty.  It is not always music playing and birds singing.  Sometimes it is helping to hold someone when they are throwing up.  Sometimes the specific circumstances surrounding you are ugly--but the true love itself is beautiful.

Sometimes true love is nailed to a cross.  But the beautiful thing about true love is that it never dies a forever death.  Because true love is from the Father, and He is greater than death.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son  into the world to condem the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16,17

That--is what true love really is.

~Susan

From My Journal . . .

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

Thought I would share this beautiful flower from my yard as well as some beautiful thoughts that I recorded recently in my Quiet Time Journal.

Yesterday I was reading in the book of John, and ran across this verse:
"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."  John 10:14

Then, when reading in one of my favorite books on the life of Jesus, the Desire of Ages by E.G. White, I ran across this quote:
"Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.  He knows us all by name.  He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant.  He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house, to find one of His sheep."  Desire of Ages p. 479

Isn't that beautiful?  Just think about what it really means. . . Jesus knows ME.  Jesus knows where "I" live!  He knows the quirks of my old house like the toilet handle in the kids bathroom has to be held down a long time for it to flush, and my daughter's bedroom closet is open through to the coat closet in the hallway.  He knows I never got  a lot of things planted in my garden this spring, and what I refer to as the "laundry folding table" doesn't usually get any laundry folded on it because instead it is a convenient place to pile things. . .

He knows I am thirsty--for Him.  And He has promised to someday come back to this sin-sick world to rescue me.  He has prepared a place for me to live with Him.  He has promised.

~Susan

What is Holiness?

Hi Everyone!

Happy Sabbath!  I was spending a few minutes looking through my journal this evening.  This is not a diary type of journal, but rather a blank book where I write down special Bible verses that speak to me, or quotes from other spiritual books that really seem to touch my heart.  I thought I would share with you the very first thing I wrote in this journal--it was a definition of "Holiness."  This really gave me something new to think about, and I hope it does the same for you.

"Holiness is not rapture:

it is an entire surrender of the will to God;

it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God;

it is doing the will of our heavenly Father;

it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light;

it is walking by faith and not by sight;

it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love."

The Acts of the Apostles by E.G.White, p. 51


Isn't that a beautiful definition?  I especially love that last line--"relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love."  Did you catch that?  RESTING in His love--not working harder.  Not working faster.  Not working more.  Not even praying the "perfect" prayer.  It is not getting the "right" words in the "right" order that will "make" God answer our prayer.  No--He asks us to trust Him--and to rest.

As the Holy Sabbath hours begin anew this evening, may you trust Him and rest.  And may I as well.

Happy Sabbath!

~Susan

Happy Sabbath!

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

I know I have been quiet this past week.  Just too busy--as always!  But couldn't let the coming of Sabbath arrive without wishing all of you a wonderful and blessed "Happy Sabbath!"

Ran across this picture of our college campus today--I love this picture.  Love how it shows the school surrounded by the hills.  God's school.  God's hills.

Can't help but remind me of these verses:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  Palm 121:1,2

So often, our eyes are on what is before us.  What is in our hand.  The road at our foot.  And that is good--most of the time.  We do need to pay attention to the task at hand.  But every now and then, it does us good to lift up our eyes, and remember where our help comes.  Our help comes from the Lord--Maker of Heaven and Earth!

~Susan

Take Time to Pray

". . . God must be served from principle instead of from feeling.  Morning and night obtain the victory for yourselves in your own family.  Let not your daily labor keep you from this.  Take time to pray, and as you pray, believe that God hears you.  Have faith mixed with your prayers.  You may not at all times feel the immediate answer; but then it is that faith is tried.  You are proved to see whether you will trust in God, whether you have living, abiding faith.  'Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.'  Walk the narrow plank of faith.  Trust all on the promises of The Lord.  Trust God in darkness.  That is the time to have faith."

~E.G.White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 167.

Faith in God

"Every saint who comes to God with a true heart, and sends his honest petitions to Him in faith, will have his prayers answered.  Your faith must not let go of the promises of God, if you do not see or feel the immediate answer to your prayers.  Be not afraid to trust God.  Rely upon His sure promise:  'Ask, and ye shall receive.'  God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from His saints that walk uprightly.  Man is erring, and although his petitions are sent up from an honest heart, he does not always ask for the things that are good for himself, or that will glorify God.  When this is so, our wise and good Father hears our prayers, and will answer, sometimes immediately; but He gives us the things that are for our best good and His own glory.  God gives us blessings; if we could look into His plan, we would clearly see that He knows what is best for us and that our prayers are answered.  Nothing hurtful is given, but the blessing we need, in the place of something we asked for that would not be good for us, but to our hurt."

E.G.White, Vol. 1 Testimonies, p. 120,121

God Will Provide

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

It is a beautiful Fall afternoon in my neck of the woods.  I have been spending some time this afternoon reading in some Christian books, somewhat looking for some things in particular, and somewhat just following "rabbit trails" as I read from one thing to the next.

While doing so, I ran across this beautiful section--I'm sure it will already be familiar to some of you. But it is so beautiful and encouraging that I felt impressed to share it here.  May it bring courage and blessings to you, the same that it has to me.

"Worry is blind and cannot discern the future;  but Jesus sees the end from the beginning.  In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief.  'No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.'  Matthew 11:30; Psalm 84:11.

"Our Heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.  Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet.

"The faithful discharge of today's duties is the best preparation for tomorrow's trials.  Do not gather together all tomorrow's liabilities and cares and add them to the burden of today.  'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.'  Matthew 6:34.

"Let us be hopeful and courageous.  Despondency in God's service is sinful and unreasonable.  He knows our every necessity.  To the omnipotence of the King of kings our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of the tender shepherd.  His power is absolute, and it is the pledge of the sure fulfillment of His promises to all who trust in HIm.  He has means for the removal of every difficulty, that those who serve Him and respect the means He employs may be sustained.  His love is as far above all other love as the heavens are above the earth.  He watches over His children with a love that is measureless and everlasting.

"In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, have faith in God.  He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people.  The strength of those who love and serve Him will be renewed day by day.

"He is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the help they need.  He will give them the wisdom which their varied necessities demand."

~~~The Ministry of Healing, p. 481-482

My favorite part in this passage is when the author refers to God as the "covenant-keeping" God.  When you really think about it, all the beautiful promises in the Bible would be worth nothing if God didn't keep His promises.  They are only valuable because He is so trustworthy.  He CAN do what He promises, and He WILL.  He will never forget you.

Have a beautiful week with your covenant-keeping God!

~Susan