Author Archives: Marie

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About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

WHATEVER

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There are many who resolve to make life changes on New Years Day then fail within the first week to keep them.  I used to be among those people.  I no longer do this.  Instead, I choose and memorize a scripture that will guide me through the year ahead.  Often, during the selection, I am led by life circumstances to the one I will need.  This year’s selection is Philippians 4:8.

Think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and good.

What is true?  Is it something that has been scientifically proven?  Perhaps.  Real truth is in the Word.  The more familiar we are with the Bible and what God says there the more we are able to deal with truth in life on an every day basis.

What is honest?  Integrity is the character trait I desire to be remembered for.  It is so important that we model a life style of no hidden agendas.  One of the problems I had as an elementary principal was children and adults lying.  There seems to be a cultural decline in this area based on the models we have around us.  The attitude of many politicians, actors and actresses, and those involved in sports is – – ‘if I don’t get caught there isn’t a problem until I do’.  Oh my friends, teach your children well as the old song says.

What is just?  This legal term is about judging what is right and wrong.  We need to be constantly aware of what we say and do and keep it under the umbrella of fair and righteous (making right choices).

What is pure?  A life that is pure filters itself in ‘the fire’.  Like melting gold or other precious metals what floats to the top or sinks to the bottom is the impurity in the metal.  What is left is the pure and real thing.

What is lovely?  We have such a ‘thing’ in our culture for beauty.  We place body image, age, monetary worth and a long list of other things in this category.  For me, thinking on what is lovely has more to do with reality than culture.  When I see a handicapped person or one bent with age or one extremely ill I wonder what life circumstance put them in this position.  True loveliness is the life that is and has looked upon the face of Jesus and now reflects that on the world around them.

What is virtuous?  This word can also be translated as moral excellence or goodness.  This is not a fluff word because it can also be used to speak of strength.  Morality is personal to each of us.  It is how we filter all the stuff that enters our mind.   Do we have the strength of character to dwell on that which is good and forget the rest?

What is praiseworthy?  Some of my day is spent thinking on the people and events around me.  Too often these thoughts lead to others and I’m entering the mindset of negativity.  That is where this verse and many others come in.  As soon as I go there I start mentally reciting verses that will bring me back to reality and a more positive frame of mind.  Deliberately having praise in the heart helps offset the negativity that creeps in.

What is good?  It is about the things we do for others.  It is about seeing a need and doing something about it.  It is about genuinely wanting what is best for those around us.

Let me close with this…I once heard a speaker say that people are thinking less about us and more about themselves.  When I get into a mindset of what is that person thinking of me I remember that 75% of the time they’re really thinking of themselves.

Father in heaven, Mighty, Holy, and Just God, my Counselor and Savior hear my prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus.  Forgive the times I start thinking of the negativity and meanness around me.  Grant me the joy of seeing the world through Your eyes of love.  Let me live each day basking in Your love and sharing it with others.  Amen and make it so.

A Candy Cane Messiah

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Is Christmas to commercialized?  I think so.  Yet, if we take the time to use the “eyes to see and ears to hear” (Deuteronomy 29:4) we can find the Spirit of Christmas in a lot of things and events. 

While creating a devotional for the Spirit Sisters Bible Study based on the symbolism in the Candy Cane,  I was also preparing to sing in the Defiance College Community Chorus/TSO production of The Messiah.  As I read through the origins of the Candy Cane, and what it stands for, I was struck by the choruses in The Messiah that match the symbolism of the Candy Cane.

As the story goes an Indiana candy maker wanted to create a candy that would be his occupational witness.  He wanted the birth, ministry, and death of Christ to be easily discernible.  So…

He used pure white candy to symbolize the purity, the sinlessness of Jesus.  In the Messiah the chorus – “And He Shall Purify” (Malachi 3:3) reminds us that our offerings to the Lord are to be righteous, without sin. 

The J represents the Name.  Isaiah 6:6 and the words of the chorus “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” resound with the names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.  When turned upside down the J becomes a staff.  The shepherd’s staff was crooked so the sheep that had fallen could be rescued.  Isaiah 53:6, and the matching chorus “All We Like Sheep”, helps us remember that we are just like sheep.  We go our own way, every one of us, but we can be rescued.

The stripes are symbolism of the beating He took so we could be healed.  Isaiah 53:5 says “And with His stripes we are healed”.  His blood was shed for our sins, hence, the red coloring.

As we celebrate this season let us remember the reason for the season is all around us.  HE is everywhere.  Look and listen.

Ah Lord God, bless us with the ability to see You in the trappings of this season.  Remind us that You are the greatest gift giver of all.  Help us experience the Reason in all we do.  You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.  Let Your Glory be seen in us.  Let Your Light shine through us.  You alone are worthy!  Grant these petitions in the Name of Jesus.  Make it so.

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY

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I would be hard pressed to name one Christmas song or carol that I really don’t like.  As a vocalist there are some that are hard to sing or are written in keys that are not good for me.  I could listen to Christmas music all year long.

As a student of Music History I learned that the a carol was originally a Greek word that meant a circle dance with flute accompaniment.  Later on the dance was accompanied by singers.  Somehow those singers began using songs with religious meanings and these became carols. 

There are very few known Christmas Carols before the 1800’s.  One of these is a favorite of mine called “The Holly and the Ivy”.  The religious reference in this early carol is “…and Mary bore Lord Jesus Christ to be our Sweet Savior…”  (Luke 2:6)  The chorus of this carol is a reference to everyday life and the God-created world around us.  “The rising of the sun and the running of the deer the playing of the merry organ sweet singing in the choir.”

Heavenly Father open our eyes to the mystery, beauty, and miracles of this Holy Season.  Thank You for the greatest gift of all, Jesus. 

Why?

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Have you ever experienced the pain of the Spirit within?  Have you ever been so totally unsettled with a spiritual decision that you can’t even find the words to pray about it?  Have you ever known with all your heart, mind, and soul that something being done by those who are your leaders is not only wrong, but totally not in the best interests of the body?

Can you explain to me why people want to change God to fit their earthly desires?  Can you tell me why the Bible isn’t big enough for some?  Can you tell me why there is such a feeling of defeat when this happens?

What is the solution?  Where are the words?  When will man stop trying to do it better than God?

My heart is breaking, my soul is aching, I have no words, I fear for the future.  Yet my Lord has clearly shown me in so many of these situations that my empty prayers are going to Him with groans and utterings that I can’t understand (Romans 8:26).  He has told me that He truly has my best interests and future in His plan (Jeremiah 29:11).  He sent the Paraclete, the Holy Counselor, to advise me when things don’t seem right (John 16:6-8).  And above all He loves me so much more than I can even fathom (John 3:16).

Abba, I know You are in control of all situations.  I know You have a plan.  Lord calm my heart and give me the peace that passes all understanding.  I believe You and Your word.  Give me peace, Lord.  As I lift this prayer before the throne let me and anyone else who doesn’t get it know that You are working in the background for the greater glory of the Kingdom.  Amen and Make it so.

MIRACLES AND MERCIES

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It hardly seems like a year has passed since our Great Miracle, yet it has.  On October 30, 2010 Ray fell over the cat gate causing a Traumatic Brain Injury w/ Subdural Hematoma.  He was taken to Bryan Hospital Emergency who diagnosed the situation, then was life-flighted to University of Toledo Medical Center (formerly MCO), where surgery was performed to remove the blood that had gathered.  After 5+ hours of surgery the surgeon met with me and told me that he was in very critical condition, his brain had shifted right of center, and had only a 50% chance of survival.  He was in a drug induced coma, with feeding tubes and respirator for 20 days.  When he awoke he knew me and others as they came to visit.  (Please realize there was a very real possibility he would know no one.)  As days passed after that more and more of his memory was regained and he was sent to UTMC Boot Camp Therapy.  He learned to walk, talk, think, and go about the business of life.  On day 39 he was released from the Hospital TO COME HOME.  He had several months of rehabilition ahead but he was home.  (The original prognosis had been 6 months in the hospital and a year or more of intensive rehabilitation.)

I can’t even describe how thankful I am for this great miracle.  Everyday, as I sent out emails to let family, friends, and colleagues know what was going on I ended the post with, ‘GOD IS IN CONTROL’.  And He is.  Every part of the care Ray received was exactly what he needed.  From his brain surgeon, Dr. Guidon, to his ICU nurses, to the many other doctors, technicians, etc., who gave his care, were in God’s control.  How do I know this?  I put it there.  I told God I had no idea what decisions to make and needed His help when I was told in the initial diagnosis at Bryan that Ray was in Serious Critical condition and would need to be life flighted.  HE clearly told me HE was in control and would help me in every way.  HE DID. 

There was one other thing that was happening too.  That was the prayers of the Faithful.  Hundreds of old and new friends and family were alerted to the situation in many churches across the country and our Glorious God heard them.  He not only is incredibly merciful in His actions but we have been told of many who now believed that God still does miracles.  We do not always know what His definitive plan is but we do know that we were in His arms every minute of the situation.  I was able to rest in the comfort of His love constantly without fear and with the knowledge that he was there with me, again.  “Oh, How He Loves You and Me!”

Many who love us, more than I ever thought possible, were with us that day and for the many that followed.  They were there because they knew how much I needed their physical comfort.  They were there because the Spirit was saying Ray and Marie need you.  I am so blessed by all of you.  I can’t say thank you enough.

Shortly before Ray told me he had a serious problem, several hours after the fall, I had been dreaming.  I drempt that I was quietly walking, in a soothing garden, with Jesus.  We were not talking, we were just enjoying one another’s company.  I know without doubt that, as I look back on it, He was saying I am here, let Me lead.  Whether one believes in dreams or not the memory of that was enough to get me through and remind me HE IS HERE for us.

God’s Word is true.  When He says in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for us HE MEANS IT.  When He says in Jeremiah 29:12-13 that He will hear the prayers of His people HE MEANS IT.  When He says He will answer in the same verses HE MEANS IT!

Ah, Lord, God, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come, You are all we need in the overwhelming trouble that surrounds us.  You are more merciful and loving than we deserve.  You hear me and answer me.  You still perform miracles.  You are the One and Only,  Awesome God and Jehovah Jirah (my provider).  Continue Your healing and giving us strength and forgive us when we forget that You are the One in control.  I lift this prayer to the throne in the Precious Name of Jesus.