Burnt Popcorn

PONDERS AND WONDERS: I got up this AM, the sun is shining, sweet sea breeze, humidity is less than 70%, and the aroma of burnt popcorn greeted me! I sure did not expect that, last evening I over popped a mini bag, threw the popcorn down the disposal, threw away the bag and started over. NO problem. Until this AM.
I am acutely aware of the aroma this AM, and the scripture from 2 Corinthians 2 :15-17 came barreling into my mind and heart. "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance of life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God's word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in His presence." I can chew on this word for a LONG time and it will always have flavor!
First I am the aroma of Christ to God among......so I am thinking today, am I the lasting fragrance...as I smell the burnt popcorn, I think about what do people smell when I am gone from them. Even though I would prefer NOT to smell like burnt popcorn, I would sure like to have the staying smell power!! I would love to leave a refreshing sweet breeze of love, mercy and compassion, so that when people get up in the AM, they will remember with fondness that Christ was among them.
Of course to do that, means that I need to be STANDING IN HIS PRESENCE. That is the difference between being the long smell of burnt popcorn, or the sweet smell of Him. The longer I am in His presence, the longer He and His aroma rubs off on me, then I carry it out. Sounds so simple, however in the busy of life I am challenged to stay and stand long enough to be saturated with His aroma. Sure I run in get a little "Febreeze", run out, but that has no LINGERING effect.....to be totally SOAKED in HIS presence, so that my entire being gives off the sweet aroma of God!
WOW, I am going to go and SOAK for awhile.....love you Lord, di

New Growth

PONDERS AND WONDERS: today the PNEUMA website had a face lift....springing into the busy summer season. As I watched Kenny methodically and carefully create, change and give the site exactly what it needed I was so reminded of my Heavenly Abba. He gives me exactly what I need, even though I do not know it...He sees the final picture, just like Kenny. He tweaks me, moves me, gives me the right amount of information (even when I am craving more) because the final product must clearly display His glory and bring others to know Christ.

In today's world that is changing at the pace of lightning, God reminds that He is never changing and always the same. Although my vision may expand or be limited He is the same. His love, compassion, forgiveness, discipline and grace are the mirrors through which others will view Him if I so allow.

As PNEUMA moves into summer we will have so many opportunities to be the love, hands, feet and heart of JESUS...yet the truth is....TODAY I have those same opportunities...moment by moment, Lord keep me open to see, let me not be asleep when you ask me to stay awake with you...most of all keep me near that I may Hear, See and Respond to you,

As we begin the New Growth started in our lives from last summers RAIN....may I be open to all you are, have and desire for me and the world around me...love you Abba

is vs have

PONDERS AND WONDERS: This AM as I sat and celebrated time with Jesus!! I became more acutely aware of a truth, known to me but now like BAM....so God IS LOVE, God IS PEACE, He IS IS IS IS IS....because He lives within me, I have those characters that are HIS...but the reality is they are NOT ME!!! Sounds so simple, yet how I long and desire that when people meet me....it IS LOVE, IS PEACE...that who HE IS...would be WHO I AM.....that all the me can be snuffed out, and the aroma of CHRIST would be the sweetness to fill and bring love to the world. Is vs Have....I guess I never truly pondered all that means....except today to know HE IS I AM.....Father thank you for this time today....Lord may ALL you IS...be all I BE!! love ya

And they will know we are Christians by our LOVE

PONDERS AND WONDERS: Today as I ponder the upcoming inauguration of President Obama, I reflect on our wonderful Celebrate America Ball last evening....the words of an old folk song,....

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord and we pray that all unity will one day be restored....and they'll know we are Christians by our Love by our love and they'll know we are Christians by our love.

I wonder what it would look like, that in unity there would be no more discord, no more agendas, no more blinders and turning of heads, no more NO MORE NO MORE......Jesus prayed in John 17 that we would be one as He and the Father, Lord may this be the beginning of the answer to Your prayer....starting with ME.

New Year to Dance

PONDERS AND WONDERS: WOW what a wonderful holiday season.....I traveled to DuBois to spend Christmas with my sons and parents and of course got to see the grandchildren!! It was wonderful, of course the underlying remembrance of Neill's soon departure to Iraq was always beneath our conversations. We celebrated with peace, joy and laughter as the boys traded sunglasses, football jabs and of course mom got to wear the "Cool" glasses as well. Spiritually it was an incredible holiday.
It began Christmas Eve at St. Rose...as the Choir sang Emmanuel, Father Sebastian walked up the aisle with baby Jesus lifted high over his head....we sang until we knew the heavens and the congregation were one....it was a tremendous God thing....I felt like I truly was celebrating the birth of my King in heaven....even now as I reflect, the moment is still so sweet. The service was full of all the awe and wonder of Christ, but Father's strong words reminding us that this time of year is that we are prepared for His coming AGAIN, not just to celebrate a birth of 2000 years ago, but are we as the virgins with oil in our lamps and ready...I am reminded of a wonderul old song by Newsong, fingerprints and noses...about children plastered to the window watching and waiting for JESUS....as children...that seemed to be the theme of the entire holiday.....that I would be as a child...in my belief, in my worship, in the awe and wonder not only of Him, but of all creation....
Following our time at the lake, I went to Jeanne's....WOW what an amazing finale to the 11 days. We bundled up and faced the wind to take sandwiches and socks to the homeless, and they were thankfully all snuggled in a shelter warm, because we found NO ONE on the streets....it was a challenge to some to realize that the time was perfectly spent, laughing, praying and celebrating the fact that there was room in the inn that night....reminded me how the plans of God are so different than my own. I then went to a wonderful Catholic Church in the hill district...it sure felt like St. Rose, same hymnals, same warm spirit..and Challenged by the Priest....we were challenged to believe and worship without limit....WOW NO LIMITS on belief or worship...well what about the big IF IF IF....or the WHO's....or the THE THE THE...simply believe and worship with no limit...then I remembered Houston....everyone worhipped in the rain that afternoon...NO LIMITS only LOVE....yep I guess that is the New Year's challenge...to DANCE in the RAIN, to LOVE and WORSHIP without LIMITS...to truly believe that HE is coming again and live like today is the Day.
I was reminded of how presumptous I can be about tomorrow. As I took Neill into my arms to say Good-bye, I thought this could be the last time I see him....as I cried in the car on the way home, I asked the Lord to let every hug this year be one without the presumption that again I will have tomorrow....that I will not only live like I am dying...but in the realization that we ALL are.....a new year Lord to Dance, Sing, Worship and truly BELIEVE....thanks Lord I sure LOVE YOU BIG