Seasons of Calm

      My granddaughter Zion                                                       INDIAN SUMMER

 asked me this morning, what is your favorite season? " Now,"I said. It's called Indian summer." Its the time of year when the nights are cooling off a bit and the monsoons have begun. When the stillness of a change is in the air. I told her to look up in the sky. She exclaimed "Balloons"! Where we live, hot air balloons began to dot the skies when the air in the morning is cooler.  Several drifted over as we were enjoying the patio outside. You began to see a  slight change in the leaves on the trees especially up toward the mountains. My morning glories are beautiful this time of year draping our fence in their hot pink hues and our sunflowers are towering up toward the blue, blue morning skies. Underneath them are deep orange marigolds and purple statis. The hummingbirds are still coming, but a little less frequently.The golden and house finches are still feasting at their seed socks. In the garden, our black-eyed peas are growing like crazy and the squash is finally coming along. Our peach trees are weighted down with loads of peaches that need just a little longer before picking. The days are hinting that cooler weather is on the way. The pumpkins will be ready in about 8-10 weeks and freezing and canning will be a typical sight in the kitchen. I love the gradual slide into fall around here. Our pool is still open but we are only taking a few dips a week now. Kids are in school, and the anticipation of football games are on my mind. Green chilis are being  roasted and you can smell the wonderful New Mexico aroma filling the air at most grocery stores and open markets.  I love the time of year!

Brooke and Megan

Dick and Jaden 

Zion

Eden , Anya, Jaden and Poppy

Mother and Dad

Fran and grandparents

Dick, Becky and Fran, Brooke and Megan,grandchildren  and countless friends

Today is a day of remembrance. It is a day to remember the blessings from the Lord. Like  my parents who did their best to train me in the ways of God. They were my life coaches who prepared me and equipped me for the road ahead.  My grandparents  were the major encouragers in my life who thought  I could make it to the moon and back and encouraged me to do so. I have sisters who I am forever grateful to have who were mainstays in my life and are friends forever.

Becky and Jamey

Many friends who had my back loved me no matter what I did and were there when I came to my senses. Thankful for teachers who had true hearts of  love that gave leadership and direction  to my life. The experiences I have shared   were good and bad and helped form me into the strong person that I am today. Spiritual mentors  the Lord gave me told me the truth that nothing was impossible with God  and that no matter what He would always be there walking with me in times of grief, misunderstanding, sorrow and joy. They taught me the Word of God and kept me focused on truth and grace.  My husband has shown me the true heart of the Father and has loved me through thick and thin, good times and bad. He has shown me what unconditional love is and picked me up and held me when I were sick or depressed. The Body of Christ is my large family who I learned along with  and many have become some of my closet friends. We have two wonderful girls,  Brooke and Megan    that have made my life worth living and brought such joy and fulfillment to my life. Grandchildren, Eden, Jaden, Anya and Zion  are my shining stars that I can brag on and encourage

                                                               

• along and impart to and have fun with. I learned early about Jesus from my mother and the Methodist Church I attended as a child. Sunday School teachers taught me the stories of Jesus and His love for me. I was always drawn back to Him when I drifted because I knew He loved me and died for me. I have had a good

Billy

life. Oh yes, there have been times of hurt, disappointment, loss and pain but all in all, I have been blessed because of all of the things and people I have remembered today that influenced me, many of those I don't have a picture for but you are in my heart!

Karl and Cathy

James and Kate

Mike and Lynda Schell 

Ron and Carey Lee

the Fords

Karen Bridges, Henry and Sheridan Harnly

Connie 

1. 
   

God is full of surprises

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying , "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

  I was outside on this cool  day reading this passage in Matthew when I heard the Spirit quietly whisper, don't be afraid to receive those things I am about to do because they are conceived by the Spirit of God. I knew the Father was drawing me to himself as I could feel the nudging to get alone with the Word and just read and listen.  Many of God's people will miss some of the workings of the Spirit because they will look strange, won't line up with their doctrine, will not be logical and will cause disruption.  I have heard many brothers and sisters say, it can't be the Lord because it caused disruption and division. I want to say if you think Jesus birth didn't cause disruption you need to think again. No woman had ever conceived a child by the Holy Spirit without knowing a man. Let me tell you that God is about to do some things that won't have the touch of man on it. These things will only have the signature of the Spirit of God on them and they will look strange. We have been warned and warned about strange fire to the point that , real fire will be missed because our minds are on alert to discern anything that looks unnatural.  But when God pours out his Spirit, you will know because you will have a witness in your spirit. The natural mind receives not the things of the Spirit because they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I hear the Lord say the body  needs to  spend time with me, seeking my mind and my Word. I will show you great and mighty things that you know not and have not because you have blocked your minds to spiritual things. You have made up your minds  not to receive anything you can't understand. Jesus birth would've have been offensive to you. It wasn't logical. It didn't make sense. Open your hearts and minds to the workings of the Holy Spirit because the Lord is going to began pouring it out in deep, unimaginable ways.

Ways that will bring awakening and renewal like we have never seen. Many will miss it because of intellectualism, skepticism, and legalism. But God wants to show us and prepare us for a great outpouring. His heart is to share it with you. Open your hearts. God may appear in ways our natural minds won't comprehend. Don't miss Him!

Seasons

I am becoming more aware of the season's changes.The little green stems underneath the dry tops of last years plants show me that they are still alive .Even though things look dead and gray, underneath are the signs coming forth of new life. Suddenlies emerge forth from one day to the next. New growth is waiting to spring forth, buds  begin to appear on the trees. However if budding happens too early , the freeze will come and kill them. No fruit will result. God shows his principles in nature. Waiting on God's timing is critical. When we try to go forward too soon or to push the season forward too fast, death of our vision comes and opportunities are lost. The fruit that we were to produce is gone and can't remain. I have had to learn the lesson over and over. Arthur Burk of Plumbline ministries says that if we don't take the seasons of calm, the times away with Him during certain seasons of life, we will miss our inheritance, our birthright, our day of visitation. We humans are known for impatience when it comes to waiting on God's timing for us. If we make our own

season, and walk in the light of our own fires, we will not be the force of influence that He created us for. Selah

January 16 2014

    Windows of  opportunity are coming open and are motioning for us to come nearer and to look through them to see what God has planned and provided for us this year. There are openings in every area .Dreams are revealing them and becoming" ah ha" moments as we step up to the openings of our promises. A still calmness is arriving in the crazy chaos that is trying to disturb our peace, our Shalom,.Watch me, watch me! Look over here!" Come see what is happening here", the world shouts. Calmness overtakes us, the promises coming forth from our dreams drowned out the chaos. We are in a different Kingdom where righteousness, peace and joy reigns. We are kings and priest unto our God and we know, yes we know Our King. . We laugh at the frantic worldly reports  because we aren't of it..We are apart of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken where our King  rules and reigns. We are secure in this kingdom and we can move through out it with assurance and peace. So look though the windows and go through the open doors this year, when you see what He has provided and planned!

You will simply be amazed!

Today starts a New Year on the Roman calendar January 1, 2014. I have been aware of His presence since I got up this morning. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and calm hovering over us .  I awoke to birds chirping  and a warmth of sunshine coming through the east windows of our bedroom. Outside the wind is blowing and the trees of the field are clapping their hands!

      The verse that comes to mind is "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it". I feel His pleasure and I want to run and do something joyfully celebrating a new season ; one filled with expectation and awe! But I can't seem to move from this place , thinking if I move  I will disturb this moment of rest. Shalom means nothing missing, nothing broken as my friend puts it. I want to revel in that as long as I can. I am aware today of His wondrous love and unfailing grace upon my life. . Father, sovereign God, is spreading a blanket of hope and comfort over us. I believe its a reminder that He will be with us, Immanuel, each and every day of this next year.