Golden Apples and Gift Boxes

I'm not talking about the kind you can eat, though they are very good.  I am referring to a fitly spoken word.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:11,12:

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear."

If I do something that's wrong and my friends don't say anything to me about it then I don't feel very loved by them.  Maybe that's because they didn't care enough about me to help me be a better person. I appreciate it when someone says something kindly to me to help me make things right.  It may be hard to hear, but I know that they care.  If I am willing to listen then I can make things right.  That is a huge relief, knowing that things are going in the right direction. When I can be a better person than I can be an obedient ear that displays the ornament of fine gold.

To those of you who care enough about me to give me fitly spoken words....thanks for the golden apples in silver settings.  You are a beautiful gift box.

Treasure Hunting

One day my husband, Don, bought me a book on gold panning.  He even bought me a pan and some other stuff to go with it.  It was a great read.

There were stories about those searching for gold in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains.  Prospectors would "hit pay dirt" and find a fortune.  Eventually it would become necessary to go get something to haul their fortune out of the mountains.  They hid in a cave or dug a hole and buried it so no one would find it until they returned.  Then they marked it in their memory by looking at the surrounding terrain planning all the while to come back and find their treasure right where they left it.

Unfortunately many didn't make it back.  Some couldn't remember where they had buried or hid it or because of weather or time the terrain changed and they couldn't find it. Knowing there was hidden treasure so close by made me want to go hunt for it.

Solomon wrote about treasure hunting.

"My son(daughter), if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you; so that you will listen to wisdom, and open your heart to understanding; yes, if you desire knowledge, and ask for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you shall understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5.

God gave Solomon an opportunity to ask for anything he wanted when he was anointed king.  Instead of asking for fortune and long life he asked for wisdom.  God granted this request.  And because he attained wisdom he also lived long and became the richest king in history.  Smart guy!

This text just gave us the way to search for and know the mind of God.  WOW!  Isn't it cool to have access to the greatest mind ever anywhere? No wonder Solomon was a smart guy. Let's go treasure hunting together.  When we find it, let's not hide it, but spend in on each other.  Come on! It's going to be fun to see what we find.

Comfort One Another

I was on the phone late last night talking and crying with a friend.  She related a story to me that broke my heart.  When her daughter was 8 she was molested.  As she talked I could feel her tears and her heart just aching.  The complex emotions that were still raw and the anger towards those who would do this and those who didn't help her daughter when they had the chance like their pastor were evident.

We talked about my own experience with my daughter and how she suffered and is still suffering from a bad relationship that left her devastated and trying to figure out how to raise two boys now on her own. A whole range of emotions of anger, hurt, frustration, and sadness have taken its toll. 

It is hard to protect the ones we love as human beings.  I am sure that God when He sent His only begotton Son to this world must have gone through the same emotional gambit. At His birth there was joyful singing.  But through Jesus' life there must have been tenseness, hand wringing, and wishing, by God, that He could just snatch His Son and bring Him back into the protection of heaven so that He didn't have to suffer at the hand of those terrible sinful humans guided by the enemy, Satan. Yet Jesus remained and endured it for our sakes.

My friend has a strong faith.  It shines pearls and diamonds.  It is treasure that she shares with others so that they too can enjoy the brightness and beauty of what God is doing for us while we are still here on this earth waiting for that wonderful day when Christ our lover and friend will come and get us.  This is what she shared with me, not in text but from her experience in dealing with such hurtful experiences:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Cor. 1:1

 Be encouraged dear ones.  Know that you are not alone.  God is merciful and loving towards you.  Put your head on His shoulder and rest.  Be comforted.  You are precious in His sight.  More precious than diamonds or rubies.  He loves you with love that prompted Him to come and die in your place.  He is risen and preparing for us. (John 14:1-3) Soon we will be with him in Glory never to be hurt again.  Have faith and hold on.

Why I Started This Blog

I have a Women's Bible Study group that meets in my home every week.  These ladies have become good friends and are very precious. They are beautiful! Many of them had heart breaking issues and they came to figure out how to get through it or to comfort others.  We are currently studying the "Breaking Free" series by Beth Moore.  I have seen a wonderful transformation in these ladies.  And I have added them to my prayer life and have been greatly enriched by them.

I went to the Women of Faith conference last year in Denver at the Pepsi Center.  It was amazing.  When I first walked in there the place was filled with women of every walk of life, every shape and size, every faith.  I was overwhelmed with a sense of beauty that God had created and it was all gathered together in one place, all praising Him. Tears came to my eyes.

We all want to be beautiful.  We want to be seen for the beauty that God put in us both physically and deep inside.  The text that is posted above, Isaiah 51:3 has become a wonderful theme of hope.  One day we will be adorned in beauty.  What woman doesn't want to be beautiful, dressed in her finest - adorned with jewels - smelling wonderful?  What woman doesn't want her man - lover - to be proud to display her to the world on his arm. Everyone that I know has dreamed of her wedding day when she can be the princess all decked out in her wedding gown and walking toward her handsome lover dressed in his awesome tuxedo.

Christ is that person for us.  He is our lover, friend, and caretaker. 

"For your Maker is your husband,
      The LORD of hosts is His name;
      And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
      He is called the God of the whole earth. "Isaiah 54:5

 So this blog is for all those who wish to feel and be beautiful in Christ.  Who want their lives enriched, encouraged, and changed.  I pray that you will find Jesus to be your knight in shining armor - your savior and protector.  Your friend.