Morning Musings,  Apr. 29, 2007

We really like our new pastor and his wife.  We had a big welcoming service at church Sabbath.  About 12 relatives came from Oahu to see him preach his first sermon at his first church.  Dale and Patsy bough leis for them  and they provided a decorated sheetcake that said "Welcome, Roland and Alana."  Beverly made fancy ti leaf leis as well.  Conference president was here to not only introduce them to us but to oversee a dedicatory service of them to us, and us to them.   It is so wonderful to have talented young lealdership.  It is a miracle they have been given our little church to work in. 

Tuesday was my first day to do caregiving for a cute little German lady named Gretchen.  I spent over three hours cleaning her little ohana studio apartment.  Later after I returned home, Randy and I went to the New Moon offices and swept and mopped and mopped some more. I sprayed water from side to side on the cement chasing as much dirt as I could to a certain corner of the room where there was a small drain opening to the outside.  This room will be a new office, but changing water buckets and mopping really  tired me out, and I  was glad when I got home and could just fold clothes and iron.  

My other little lady I stay nights with is in constant pain and no one knows how to effectively alleviate it.  Her pain meds aren't really making her comfortable.  I'm so sorry.  I get up every four hours through the night to give her more pain meds.  Fortunately I can go back to sleep easily, although  I'm sure the interruptions arent that good for me.  

Someone made an interesting observation about the commandments.:  "God put the two great commandments in parallel...in spite of the fact that God is infinitely greater than humans, and only God (and not humans) must be worshipped.  That's why we're able to love God only through our fellow human beings and thus, our fellow human beings are the principal means for seeing God. 

We will see God in our neighbor, however imperfect the reveleation...we will see God in the good acts people do for us, in their needs and in their suffering...in their beauty and in their human dignity.  We shall see Him in their beauty of character."

"He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me.  And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love Him and manifest myself to Him." (John 14:21)

God's revelation to us, then, depends on our attitude.  It depends on whhat we want to see.  We will see Him according to our love and esteem for our closest family members, our friends, our neighbors, the refugees, the stranger whose name we do not know, those who need our help or those who need peace, calmness, and relief from sufferings...All we need in order to see God is to open our eyes to people around us." 

Make me a blessing today.

Morning Musings, Monday, Apr. 30, 2007

Left at 10 today for Kona.  Tomorrow I work for the little German lady with the cute little ohana house.  I'm taking some of my own cleaning supplies to make it go faster and smell nicer.  After I freshen up her little apartment I help her with her bath.  Her memory is not real great, but her attitude is so pleasant and appreciative. 

In ohana tonight we talkd about rest, and what keeps us from it.  It's interesting what scripture has to say about it.  When defined as that which rejuvenates our bodies and souls, then it is seen that rest is not just sleep. "Come apart and rest awhile" was the injunction of Jesus to His disciples.  They wanted to just sleep.  He urged them to come with Him into the hills where he loved to come and talk with His Father.  He found it relaxing and restful.   It rejuvanated Him for the responsibilities and opportunities of the day.  He went forth refreshed from having been in the presence of His Father.  He wanted his disciples, as well as us today to know the refreshing from the presence the Lord,  that was not only his custom, but His lifeline.  It was more to him than His necessary food.  It was true rest of body, soul and spirit.  So much we can learn from his example if we will take the time to ponder it. 

"These things I have spoken unto you that you should not be made to stumble." John 16:1.  He gave the disciples these words of truth so they they would not stumble in all that awaited them.  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil One." Luke 11:4).  "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one (John 17:15).  The enemy is real and desires to destroy our effectiveness as Christians...Therefore we need to regularly go to the Father and ask for His protoection, and He will greatly strengthen our lives aginst stumbling  in our daily walk with God.'"

"Rest in the Lord."  Good idea. Be at peace with Him.  May we find oneness and rejuventating peace from Him whose presence Jesus advocated and adored.  So be it.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Dear Jesus, where shall I begin?  It's not like its a long-distance letter with lots to tell, but I know that I need you.  Only you can lead me into paths everlasting.  "The impossible feat of overcoming sin and living in obedience to god's law becomes...inevitable when the love of God empowers us.  "We are more than conquerors thru Him who loved us.'" (Rom. 8:37) -- Ty Gibson.   May I delight to do thy will O My God, (and may) "your law be within my heart." (Ps. 40:8)

Syncier went with her family to their taro patch yesterday so didn't come to church with us.  But our friends, the Clubbs from Kona were there.  After potluck we took a walk to where the lambs were last year but they must have had them somewhere else this time.  It was a beautifuol day and the kids pcked up mac nuts and touoched sensitive plant leaves to make them fold up, and smelled passion flowers.

The Lord answers prayer before we even ask Him.  Prayed for my neighbor lady at church, for the doctor to find another way to relieve her pain.  The Tylenol with codeine was just drugging her so bad leaving her with nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, depression so bad she felt hopeless, and it didn't stop the pain.  Now whe has a patch wich is for pain.  I'm so glad her doctor found another way, although its side effects are yet to be seen.

Wendy (not her real name) told a story to the children of how she got lost on her walk on that nob of a hill in Waimea.  After an absolutley wonderful hike to the top, she couldn't find the trail to combe back down.  She went the direction she thought, but came to precipices, and thick trees, and mud she had to crawl through to keep going straight.  She had seen wild boar tracks and did not want to stay alone on the mountain after dark.  It was not quite dark when she finally saw a man, who when he saw her exclaimed, "What in the world happened to you?!"  According to him, she was very luck to find her way out.  "The Lord will provide" promise was evidenced in her finding her way home, and it will be the same for us on our spiritual journey.  He knows we are lost.  Hopefully we know we are lost.  He is the only way out, and when we trust Him he will show us His way out.  :) 

Lord, give me the humble contrite spirit that will empower me to pursue the plans that you have for me.  From Psalm 25: "To you O Lord, do I lift up my soul,  in you do I trust, O my God... Show me your ways, O Lord,...  be gracious unto me, for I am lonely and afflicted... Guard my life and rescue me... because my hope is in You."

Morning Musings, April 23, 2007

Show me my heart, O Lord, as you did the rich young ruler.  Show me the way out of selfishness.  May I not be found lacking in measureless love to my fellowmen. 

Holy Spirit, show me what I need this day. I need you.  Teach me to pray as you did, ever in a spirit of listening and working to se others free.  Let me observe how you are working in the lives of those I pray for that I might tell of your wonderful workings. 

Morning Musings, April 25, 2007

Monica has a wonderful home life with her parents.  They are really wonderful giving people.  But her failed marriage has left a distrust for men in general.  We all need to look to Jesus our source of wisdom and light and confidence and hope.  He will make our way plain and show us gently the steps He would have us take.  Many times they may start with a test of faith to see if we really will trust him to provide in the face of standing along in a crow with a different mindset.  But as He was WITH Daniel in the lion's den,  WITH the three Hebrew in the midst of fire, he will be with us and see us THROUGH each dark valley.  He does not deliver us FROM temptation, for we must all have our faith triend and tested. 

Rose's birthday is tomorrow.  I took her to lunch today where the Old Hawi Bakery was.  (I can't think of the new name.)  Tried their roasted vegetable sandwich.  It was big.  It was delicious, and it was filling.  She is so delightful and inspiring for her 86 years. 

Lord, give me this day my daily bread.  Nourish my soul and help me walk patiently the paths of service today.  I have only one life to give. Work through me today.  Give me someone to minister to.  And may I like the good Samaritan love my fellowman as myself.

April 26, 2007

Society is becoming more and more secular, and people avoid God and anything to do with Him.  THere are some who would like to find out about how to have a God-relationship, if that is what it takes.  I ran across a wonderful website especially for college-age folk that has a series of downloadable ipod talks on learning to walk with God.  If you have an ipod I strongly recommend this site:  www.salvationcoach.com  Click on podcasts and then download.

Morning Musings, Friday, Apr. 20, 2007

Morning Musings Apr. 14, 2007

To those who do not seek to know God better, or are unwilling to trust Him, he will be a stumbling block.  I found this text by King David in 2 Sam. 22:24-27 in my NET Bible:  "I was blameless before Him; I kept myself from sinning The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior.  You prove to be loyal to the One who is faithful; You prove to be trustworthy to the One who is innocent.  You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse." 

Where we place God in our life, how we relate to Him, whether it be full devotion or a character up there to appease, shows our true relationship to Him, which accurately reflects our view of God.  It is important then, to realize that whatever disturbs our peace in any way, disturbs His heart as well, for He made us.  We are his creatures.  Hostage on a sin-sick planet, to be sure, but He has done and is doing all that could be done to rescue us and prepare us for transplant when He returns to sweep us up with Himself and His holy angels on our way to heaven.  (I Thess. 5:17.)

We must seek him daily with all our heart.  He will be fouond by those who earnestly week His will.  We may be treated unfairly, but nothing can disturb our peace of mind if we truly trust God has our best interest at heart.  "Great peace have they  that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." 

Morning Musings, Apr. 15, 2007

A week ago my son told me he had a disturbing dream.  High school students were pelting him with snowballs.  A little later he found himself in an ice-skating rink with kids closing in on him from all directions.  When he couldnl't get away in one of the corners, they made sure he took a cough drop against his will.  I'm afraid the emotions of fear and being "forced" to do what he doesn't want to do is his reality and bottom line to his dream.  And he feels ganged up on whenever I  (not always everyone else),    triy to explain something that  is expected of him.  "Lord, be constant to help him be renewed in the inner man of the heart." He wants to make the rules and change them at will.  Life is not like that.  Handicaps (dare I even say the word?) never excuse us from a humble cooperative spirit.  To each is given a certain amount of faith and light, and to it we must not hide but embrace and live that which is given us.  Regarding what is truth and having to lit          it, I ran across this statement:  "Those whose hearts are in harmony with truth and duty will search the scriptures with a heart prepared to receive diving impressions."  Then in our lives will be "the bud, the ear, and after than the full corn in the ear."

I wish we might all find our happiest moments at the feet of Jesus, trusting in his every word, with boundaries that are born of the freedom of trusting his heart of love.  Instead of deploring the circumstances observed, may we remember to pray and trust Jesus for solutions.

Morning Musings, Apr. 12, 2007

Today is the day of our school program called "The Trial", this year's easter presentation.  Roy worked hours beyond belief transcribing and adding created parts so that all the students in K-8 could have outstanding parts.  Christal worked on the uke songs and teaching  the upper grades their songs.  I did costumes again.

At dress rehearsal one of Jesus characters mentioned that she did not have a costume yet.  This was 6 hourse before the program.  Fortunately another character who was a priest was wearing two white gowns and I did not have to make another costume that afternoon. 

The program was longer than usual (1 hr. 15 minutes).  I was happy that all four of the ladies I invited from the Tuesday morning Bible Study  came.  I sat by Molly in the 2nd row back.  About 20 minutes before the end of the program, she remarked to me that her hands were getting real cold and clammy and she wondered how much longer it would be.   I didn't know what to do about her hands , so assured her it wouldn't be much longer.  She couldn't hear what I said and I indicated it what I had to say wasn't important anyhow.  A little after that she began to lay her head on my shoulder.  I looked over at her and smiled.  Then I noticed her head had fallen forward like she had gone to sleep.  Because she was kind of leaning on me, I looked at her more closely and tried looking into her face asking if she was alright.  There was no response.  I was unnerved, and wondered if she was having a stroke, alternately with wondering if she was dead.  I leaned my self right up against her head, trying to get it up as straight as I could without being noticed.  My thinking was that if she was unconscious she should at least have an unobstructed airway.   The other three ladies were in the pew directly behind us and one began to ask questions.  I indicated that Molly was not alright.   Meanwhile the students bravely carried on amid the unexpected commotion.  Lani came forward and tried to be of help, calling 911.  A mother of one of the students present came forward and checked her pulse and general situation, and tried to get her to lay down.  After about 5 minutes she began to rally and come back.  I was so glad for that.  She did go get checked out at the ambulance, and they did taker her to the hospital overnight, I think.    Her friend said that she occasionally needs oxygen, and that she just refuses to take it with her when she goes out.    

The program was memorable, the kids performance outstanding. Aunty Sandy did  a chalkdrawing of the open tomb on the side during the first part of the program. But the event was traumatic in that I was talking to Molly one moment and the next she was unconscious and I didn't know if she would "come to. " But she did. 

"To God be the Glory, great things He has done. So loved he the world that He gave us His son, Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, And opened the lifegate that all may go in.  Praise the Lord….." 

 Life is fragile.  The only thing that will give us peace is when we believe God will take care of us whether we can see it or not.  May our lives show we know God will provide.   Believe it when He ways "I will take care of you."