Monday Blueprint Madness

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Fran Hart

It seems that in some houses the builder thinks to himself (or herself) “Gee, since I’ve already got plumbing here, I might as well take advantage of the waterlines.” It’s not unusual to group a toilet with a shower, but to throw in a washer and dryer? Why? Just because you can?

I’m reminded of the times in my life when I’ve wandered without purpose. Doing things because I can, not because they make sense or they are part of a greater strategy. At one point I wanted to be an interior decorator. Hubby likes to bring this up whenever we talk about my future as a writer. He says “it’s not like when you wanted to be an interior decorator.” He doesn’t really articulate how it’s different but I think I know.

One other element of this misguided bath/utility room that strikes me as a common misstep in life…the clock on the wall. How easy it is to sense the relentless passing of time and to feel the need to rush through – jumping from where we are today in our sincere desire to be where we think we should be tomorrow.

God, help me to know Your purpose for me. Whether or not I know Your will for me, don’t let me be distracted by things that I *can* do, if those things are not in line with Your goals for me. Help me to embrace the journey. Grant me patience through the growth process. Help me appreciate learning and developing the skills needed to fulfill Your purpose, Your will, in Your time.

Amen.

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Café Chat May 16th

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Fran Hart

Today’s topic:

“If Fear or Finances (or any other stumbling block) were not a problem, is there something you have always wanted to do or try that you have not done?
Do you think eventually you will do the thing you mentioned above? Explain your answer. “

I can’t speak in terms of something I’ve *always* wanted to do but haven’t done…but I can speak of a relatively recent/renewed desire. I picture myself one day writing full time. Fiction and non-fiction.

When I was in high school, almost 30 years ago, I had dreams and aspirations of writing. Then, life happened. I married young and children right away. When I went back to college, I investigated getting a degree in something (Journalism? R/T/F? Communications?) that involved writing. But God had different plans for me, and I ended up back in Engineering. And that degree has certainly served me well.

The years went by and my career blossomed. Blessings abounded. I certainly felt like I had found my calling and any thought of writing was far from my mind. A few years ago hubby and I went on a Cursillo weekend. On the first day we were asked to write down our dream and I wrote “be a writer.” If anyone had told me on that day that I would in a relatively short time have an article published, be writing almost every day as a blogger, or that I would be studying the scripture and writing articles with burgeoning scriptural confidence, I don’t know that I would have believed them.

Now I trust in God’s plans for me. I believe that those plans include writing. I see that some day I could retire from my current career and be a writer. In God’s good time.

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Then Sings My Soul – "I am a Friend of God" by Israel

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Fran Hart

It turns out I should probably accept the fact that I don’t travel well. We are in the middle of a quick trip to Minnesota for a mini- family reunion (on my husband’s side). The last half of the flight involved me spending lots of time negotiating with my stomach. Negotiating that went something like “no barfing, please, no barfing, please no barfing….” And in the middle of that I kept reminding myself that I am friend of God.

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Thirst for Wisdom

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Fran Hart
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous…They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them…They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. (Psalm 112:4-10)

Lately I find myself avoiding television and seeking that which satisfies my thirst for truth and righteousness. Television is like junk food, satisfying an immediate craving but rarely satisfying our inner hunger. It rarely provides lasting gratification. In seeking wisdom, and in looking for biblical guidance, I am rewarded with a spiritual meal that fills me and holds me over. My effort to read the Bible in a year often means I’m not stopping and lingering as much as I’d like, but my nourishment is steady and eternally satisfying.

Yesterday’s reading wrapped up with these passages from Psalms and Proverbs. I love the message of Psalm 112. Be generous. Be compassionate. Be righteous. (Note: “righteous” not “self-righteous” not “perfect”)

I like that in seeking satisfaction in godly things, we see that in godliness there is reward. There is strength. There is fearlessness. With God on your side, who can stand against you? You don’t have to worry about anyone or anything that rises up in your path. Put your faith in Him and let the rest slink away.

Amen.

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Tips for Better Living

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Fran Hart

Today’s tip: Assume God is looking out for your best interest.

In life, we all know that stuff happens. How should I respond in the face of “stuff”? Should I cry out “Unfair!” or bemoan my fate? No! The more I accept that God is looking out for my best interest, the easier it is to recognize how I benefit from each trial that I face – keeping in mind that no trial is ever faced alone.

Just recently I have experienced a number of minor “learning opportunities” – trusting that God is looking out for my best interest and having that trust affirmed. Prayerfully stepping out in faith and having my faith rewarded. If we see discipline as punishment, we are forgetting that parents who love their children discipline their children. If we see accepting the consequences of our actions as punishment, we are forgetting that parents who love their children allow their children to experience consequences.

God loves us. God is looking out for our best interest. Believe it.

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Engineers are problem-solvers

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Fran Hart

The other day I arrived at the office about the same time as one of my engineers. He’d played racquetball on the way to the office and had forgotten to bring a belt. He scrounged up a cord from the box of discarded electronics in the “hardware reclamation bin” (otherwise known as dumpster diving). Here’s a picture of the fashionable outcome of his efforts:

The only thing that might have topped this look would have been if he’d used a mouse cord, and left the mouse attached.

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Monday Blueprint Madness

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Fran Hart

On the heels of Mother’s Day, I thought it appropriate to share the “Mother Goose” building. I couldn’t find any scriptural references to geese explicitly, but the Psalms make several references to being under the protection of God’s wings.

He offers protection like a mother hen. God is more than our Father – He is also our Mother!

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Praise Him! I will gladly nestle in the warmth and comfort found beneath his loving wings. He is faithful in his protection of us. Today I took another step in faith, delivering a hand-written apology to someone I was short with on Friday. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but in my work environment – “never show weakness” is the motto. But I’m determined to set an example based on God’s desires and direction for me. “Be humble,” He says. And so I shook off my pride and said “I’m sorry.” Tonight, I’ll nestle into the safe place behind my shield and rampart. Tomorrow is another day.

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Sunday’s Study: Judges

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Fran Hart

Today’s study continues with Judges, during the period following Joshua’s death and before Saul became the first king over the Israelites. The first judge, Othniel, is introduced in Judges 3:7-11.

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Café Chat May 9th

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Fran Hart

Today’s topic:

What are things we can do as wife (friend, relative, etc.) when we have a husband (friend, relative, etc) who does not know the Lord?

What are things we can do as wives when our husbands once had a growing relationship with the Lord that now seems to be stagnant? (Remember feel free to substitute the wife/husband relationship if you are not married)

Last, what are things wives can do to help our husbands grow deeper in their walk with Christ?

I’m blessed with a husband who is currently walking with me. We attended Cursillo a few years ago and we both embraced the life-changing aspects in pursuit of lives as apostles. The one piece of advice that I would give to anyone who is struggling with their husband’s relationship with our Lord is to embrace the scripture that is often the most difficult to embrace (especially in these times, in this society):

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18)

A man cannot help but be drawn to faith if that faith translates to harmony in the home. As long as submitting to his will is not counter to God’s will, your submission speaks volumes and will go farther than any words or arguments in showing him the greatness of our God.

I am a strong-willed, stubborn, self-confident individual. Yet I’ve learned that most of the battles of the home are NOT worth fighting over. I’m changing my behavior to respond more often with a statement of my opinion and desires, then submitting to whatever he decides. I have not perfected this practice, but I’m finding that it is very compelling behavior and I’m seeing changes that I could not have forced through a constant barrage of nagging and complaints.

Praise God, for the wisdom of His ways!

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Then Sings My Soul: “Here I Am” by DOWNHERE

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Fran Hart

There is a long preamble in this video, with a story of how this song came to be. I love hearing the artist explain background, but if you don’t – jump to about the 6th minute of the video to just hear the song.

This week has been rough. In many ways I’ve felt inadequate. I’ve felt my failings, my shortcomings. I can only cry out to God that I’m still here. I’m still willing, with His help, to do whatever it is He wants me to do. I will continue to do my best, even if from where I’m sitting it seems I’m falling short – that’s relative to my own expectations. From God’s perspective, maybe I’m doing just fine. I trust His purpose and His vision.

Downhere – Here I Am
From the album Ending Is Beginning
Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit’s breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity

But I’m a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say

Chorus
Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it’s hardest to stand
I know that You will finish what You began

And these broken parts You redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I’ll fail You in the end
In this mess, I’m just one of the pieces,
I can’t put this together but You can

Chorus

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You, to You
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan
Here I am

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