Do You Have Beautiful Feet

The majestic rock formations rose up around us in ancient hues of amber, rusty sienna, and algae green. Radiant heat of the day, broken only by short puffs of cool air from a waning waterfall or hidden cave, enveloped us. I was in awe of God’s handiwork in Zion National Park and could barely take my eyes from one regal display of grandeur to the next. Behind us was the Spearhead formation, providing shade as we ascended the trail to the Emerald Pools. 

As much as I wanted to only gaze upward at the incredible spires, cliffs and wildlife, I had to tear my eyes away and focus on the dusty trail, lest I trip and fall. Our goal was to reach the Emerald Pool and back to the lodge by sunset. The only way we could reach it was by this trail, one cautious, sandy step at a time. 

We were rewarded as the path opened up into a small, damp canyon. It was alive with frogs singing praises from their hidden choir lofts in the clefts of the rocks surrounding the pool created by a gently trickling waterfall. 

After exploring the vibrant canyon and resting at the pool, we began our descent. Sometimes I think I notice the oddest things. Shoeprints of all sizes littered the dusty pathway. There were huge boot prints alongside cute little baby hiker shoeprints that brought a smile to my sweaty face.  One set of shoeprints kept repeatedly drawing my attention. It was obviously a woman’s shoe. It had beautifully etched flowers inside of a teardrop shape that was impressed into the dirt with every step. I thought to myself, I want to have beautiful footprints too. At first, my thoughts were only meandering about the actual shoeprint, but as I continued down the path, my musings shifted from the earthly to the sacred. 

I don’t want just a cute pair of shoes. Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes. But I want to leave behind me a legacy of beautiful feet. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

As the path descended into the valley and grounds of the Zion Lodge, we were greeted by a herd of deer grazing. Unintimidated, the families of deer enjoyed dinner amongst the human families picnicking in the cool of the evening. I continued to be amazed at the colors of light reflecting sunset and bouncing off the rocks in a spectacular show. But I was hot, sweaty and sticky.  I had sand in my shoes and wanted to soak my feet in the tub of our air-conditioned cabin. 

Cool air hit us as we entered our cabin, and I proceeded to my goal of a refreshing bath. I sat down next to the tub and pulled my foot up to remove my shoe… and laughed. There, staring me in the face, was a shoe with a teardrop middle and beautifully etched flowers. I was wearing the shoes that made the footprints in the sand that I had so blissfully admired. 

As human beings, we tend to view ourselves through impaired lenses. We either think to highly of ourselves, or, all too often, we look at ourselves as unworthy, unlovable, ugly, less than intelligent, irrelevant, damaged goods. We compare ourselves, wanting to be what we don’t think we are or can be.

We need to see ourselves through the blood colored glasses that God sees us through because, of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139 and even more importantly; We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God knows my heart’s desire, to leave an eternal, positive and significant impact on those I am called to walk with. Through his refining power, He is giving me “Beautiful Feet.” 

*If you know me, you know that I would almost always choose to be outdoors rather than in. I can think better, breathe better, worship better, and just be better under the canopy of creation than the confines of four walls. Most of our vacations are marked by what we did outside. Hiking is one of our favorite summer getaways from the noise of this world’s chaos. If you are able, I encourage you to spend some time today fellowshipping with the One who created His sanctuary for all of us to enjoy. 

Sacred Snorkeling

Sacred Snorkeling

I love how God reveals Himself to me through nature. I have often said there is no separation of the sacred and the secular. Everything is sacred, and that includes snorkeling. In fact, snorkeling is one of the most religious experiences I have ever had.

It has taken some practice. My family can tell you stories of my first snorkeling experience in Captain Cook, Hawaii. It wasn’t pretty. I had never been swimming in the ocean with fins, mask and snorkel. My snorkel had a valve that malfunctioned. I could not breathe, which led to some panic and maybe some yelling. I made my way to the lava rock wall, pushed myself up, and promptly sat upon spiny sea urchins. Then some youngish SCUBA divers popped up and asked me to get out of their way! Like I said, it wasn’t pretty. 

Over the years, I have learned how to swim with fins, regulate my breathing through the snorkel and clear the fog in my mask. How can all of this be sacred? 

Adorning my gear, I submerge my head in the cool water and am called into worship as I observe God’s incredible creation. The outside world, the noise, the disease, the chaos is suddenly muted. My focus is on breathing in, breathing out and searching for the treasures under the surface of the deep blue. I have to admit, I may squeal like a little girl when I see a school of brightly colored tropical fish flitting in and out of the coral reef. I try to shout to my husband “LOOK, LOOK,” wanting him to experience the same joy I am.  

Speaking of my husband. He is a former search and rescue, motor lifeboat driver in the Coast Guard. He approaches snorkeling in a search pattern in order to most efficiently cover the area.  He likes to kick hard and go down as deep as he can. The fish, however, are a bit more random in their swimming patterns. I like to follow the fish. 

The bad thing about following the fish is that they can swim to places that will most definitely be dangerous to me. Also, it is never good to snorkel or swim off by yourself. Occasionally, (okay, way too often) I obsess with following a particular fish or see something that draws my attention and have found myself swimming out to sea where the water is choppy, and the waves are big. For safety, I have to choose to stay in close proximity to my husband.

During one of our recent sacred snorkeling adventures, this parallel occurred to me. I want my husband to lead us on this voyage. I trust he is a stronger swimmer and has my safety in mind. It takes us a while to get into sync, me trusting, he leading. Sometimes I try to keep up with him only to get kicked in the head or whacked with a flipper. It is probably better to swim next to one another. He wants to see all that the ocean has to offer as much as I do. Sometimes he ventures down where the eels live or further than I am comfortable with. But he feels responsible for me and desires my safety more than he desires the underwater quest. 

I have to admit, I try to follow or stay in sync, but sometimes it is hard. I am a leader by nature, gifting and training. It is said “to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower.” In and of myself, I could never be a “submissive wife.” Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can I be who God created me to be, participating in sync with and along side my husband. 

Husbands need to follow God in order to appropriately lead their families. They cannot be distracted by shiny objects or schools of fish swimming out into the unknown… Unless that is where God is leading. Husbands, if you are leading according to God’s Word (gentle, above reproach, etc) your wife will respect you and want to swim beside you, navigating the waters of life. 

Wives, we need to desire for our husbands to be good leaders. We cannot make them be good leaders but need to give them the support and freedom to be what God created them to be. That does not mean that we blindly follow. It does not mean we don’t get to experience life in its abundance.

Husbands, follow God, not every cool thing that crosses your path. Lead in a way that makes your wife want to swim along side you. And for goodness sake, don’t kick her in the head when she is trying her best to be a good follower. 

Ephesians 5:21-33

Silent Night

While I doubt all was calm as Mary was giving birth in a stable or a cave used to house animals and their caretakers, a sense of peace and deep comfort settles over me as I listen to this sacred hymn. It refocuses the lens of my life, replacing my view of me and my needs with the blessing of salvation brought to us on that cold night in the form of the Baby Jesus.

When my kids were babies, this was our go to lullaby, no matter the season. The peace that filled me flowed out of me and into my babies and brought rest into our home. I want that peace to flow through me again.

I have been reminded over the course of this past week that silence brings an opportunity to breathe deep, listen and be refreshed. Throughout scripture, we are encouraged to be still, be quick to listen, slow to speak and be quiet before the Lord.

The busyness of this season can rob us of the joy of making the time to do exactly what this season is for, adoration. I talk too much. I think too hard. I make too much noise. I need to be still and know that He is God. I can’t hear the Silent Night with the TV blaring, the music playing, or the traffic racing by.

So, I will take time this week to listen for that gentle quiet whisper that is our Heavenly Father speaking the truth to me that He loves me, that He cares for me, and that He sent His only son to bring peace on earth and goodwill toward men. I will hear that whisper in the waves and in the bird’s song. I will take time to be still and adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Psalm 62:5-6 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.(NLT)

Receiving the Gift

Luke 21:1-4 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

“It more blessed to give than to receive” is a phrase we hear often this time of year. We go into hunter gatherer mode the day after Thanksgiving in search of the perfect gifts to give our children, spouse, family and friends.

Do you take time to ponder the heart that went into the gifts that you are receiving? Sadly, I have probably not always articulated my gratitude appropriately. 

As my students were preparing for a Thanksgiving chapel, one of them came to me with a gift. Because I had my classroom decorated in “Americana” style, and collected eagles, Derek was thrilled to present me with a bracelet made of little heart shaped flags. I put it on my wrist and proudly wore it the rest of the season.

I treasured the thoughtfulness of this gift. When I saw Derek’s mom, told her how much I loved the bracelet and thanked her. She said, “Oh no, don’t thank me.” Observing my puzzled look, she explained that Derek had very carefully inspected the jewelry at a party she hosted, picked this bracelet out, went to his room, emptied his piggy bank and purchased the bracelet for me. The gift took on a more significant meaning. Coming from his parents, the bracelet would have been a very nice gesture of appreciation. From Derek, it was a sacrifice of his personal finances and a heartfelt gift of gratitude to bless his teacher.

I don’t ever want to take a gift for granted or without the proper gratitude. I want to receive every gift with grace and with the heart attitude with which it was given. The way we receive a gift is as relevant as how we give them. 

Christmas is a good time to stop and think about the heart of the most important gift ever given. God gave His only son to come to earth, be fully human yet fully God, to rescue us from ourselves and our sin and give us the gift of eternal life. All we have to do is receive it with a grateful heart. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

My Marie

Today my childhood best friend turns fifty-seven. Why is that significant? Well for all of us every new day is a gift, but for Marie, it is a miracle. Forty years ago, this fall, the doctors diagnosed Marie with Lupus and gave her five years to live. They told her she would never be able to have children. God’s ways are not man’s ways, and I am so grateful. I am working on writing our story. This is the first installment.

Like water to my soul; that is how I would describe my friendship with Marie. This story is not just about giggly girls, although that could describe us at times. This story is about friendship, faith and a common bond that unites our hearts. It is about a journey of a lifetime with my BFF and the lessons we have learned along the way. It is about strength and tenacity, about sorrow and joy, about pain and healing; it is about showing up for each other when life is pretty and when it is pretty ugly. This is a story of how two little girls became friends, grew up together, faced adolescence, death and disease, marriage, military, ministry, children and even grandchildren together. Most importantly, it is about how our good God has been present every step of the way, being that friend that sticks closer than a brother. 

The world may have a different view of what faith, courage, and tenacity look like, but when I think of those words, one person comes to mind, Marie Edna Beydler Williams. As four-year-olds, we were carefree, somewhat shy and rather ornery, innocent of all of the challenges that would be tossed in our path, potentially derailing our friendship. If we would have known then what we know now, we would have asked to be excused from the party.

I was an extremely shy little girl. So shy that when a grown up would speak to me, I would actually feel sick to my stomach and was often rendered speechless. Even now, I can get tongue tied and sweaty thinking of speaking to someone with whom I am unfamiliar. 

One Sunday morning, when I was about six years old, I had a feeling of confidence. My mom had made a new lavender dress for me and fashioned a headband to match. I felt pretty.  I was so excited to see my new friend at church. We had met when we were only four years old at a work event for our parents. Her dad and my mom both worked at the phone company. My new friend had just started attending our church and would be going to our Christian school soon. 

As my new friend approached me, I saw a funny look on her face, maybe even one of incredulity. She just looked at me and said, “You know you don’t need that hair band.”  I don’t know why she said that or remember what my initial reaction was, other than being a little hurt, but I do remember that this moment was seared in my memory as the beginning of our life-long friendship. As I read this to her, she started laughing. Remembering that encounter, she recalled my hair being so pretty and had no understanding of why I needed a headband! For fifty years, I thought she didn’t like my hair! James one tells us that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Really, he is telling us to not be so sensitive and to slow down, get the facts before we get our knickers in a knot. Most importantly He is telling us to not be easily offended. 

In hindsight, I think Marie’s brutal honesty marked the beginning of our friendship. Proverbs tells us that faithful are the wounds of a friend. And boy, have we been faithful!  Over the years we have hurt one another’s feelings, sometimes been harsh, and have given new meaning to the idea of a friend’s wounds. However, as our friendship has grown, so has our ability to sense each other’s needs and respond with words or actions to encourage, challenge, and even rebuke. As snarky YOUTHs, our goal was not always to build one another up. As we have matured, so have our hearts and minds. We believe that God has given us a special discernment where our friendship is concerned.  

Now, even though we may talk like we are solving the worlds problems, our conversations almost always come back around to where our hearts are, what we are learning through life and through scripture, and how we can encourage each other. We, sometimes, have to remind each other of Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” While in our conversations, we do not tear each other down, but we can really let it rip about other people who may have a splinter in their own eye. We have to remind each other to let go of past and present hurts or injustices and focus our hearts on our Creator as His creation and part of His first fruit, speaking the truth in love. 

Each year brings new challenges. In the past 12 months, Marie has endured cancer, open heart surgery, potential kidney (the transplanted one) rejection, medication debacles, and copious amounts of God’s grace.

Psalm seventy-one speaks her testimony well… yet I will praise you.

14 As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more.

22 I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion.

(NIV)

Scones, Skivers and Hospitality: Part Two

Scones, Skivers, and Hospitality: Part Two

That hospitality comes in many forms. Sometimes, it is leaving the front door open for us, sometimes it is serving us ice cream. At least once during our time in Solvang, she will insist on us going to the Solvang Restaurant where they serve authentic Danish food. They know Gerda there and treat her like the royalty she is. They seat us quickly and keep our coffee hot. 

Aunt Gerda, my husband’s spunky 90 something year old aunt, came to the US from Denmark when she was only five. Her family has been an integral part of the Solvang, CA community for more than 80 of her years. My husband spent most of his youth there as well. Gerda always insists on feeding us when we are in her town, as hospitality is something that is as important to her as breathing.

Solvang, and particularly the Solvang Restaurant is known for a melt-in-your mouth, ridiculously delectable treat called Aeblskivers. It is a sphere type pancake made in a special pan with wells that you fill with batter and slowly turn using a special stick or knitting needle.

Years ago, I discovered one of these treasures packed away and forgotten. My husband had saved his money and purchased this for his mother when he was only eight years old. He educated me on what it was and quickly added that NOBODY makes aebleskivers like Aunt Gerda. I promptly got her recipe and began experimenting. 

If you have ever stayed in my home, you have probably been a recipient of this handed down mound of hospitality. Pretty much everybody gets the opportunity to partake in an aebleskiver feast, but more importantly gets to participate in the art of aebleskiver making. It is not only a delicious way to entertain company, but it gives me a chance to share a gift that was given to me, handed down from one generation to the next. 

While a good recipe is important, the most vital ingredient is heart. I always balk at recipes that list “love” as an ingredient, but without love, food is just a means to an end. For me, the love part of this recipe comes in sharing a part of our family heritage, in teaching, in practicing hospitality not by just offering food, but friendship and the genuine delight when guests get their first taste of deliciousness covered in powdered sugar or jam. 

I still use the fifty-plus year-old, cast-iron, well-seasoned pan. If you go to look for one of these pans, I suggest cast-iron aebleskiver pan with deep wells. You can find them on Amazon, but honestly, the best place to find a good old-fashioned pan is in an antique or thrift store. 

My desire is not just to share a good recipe, but to honor the moms, aunts, and grandmas that have inspired me not to be ordinary; but be who God created me to be and to share hospitality beyond the four walls of my kitchen from my heart to yours. 

Romans 12:9-13 (NIV) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Aunt Gerda’s Aebleskivers

*Begin heating cast iron aebleskiver pan to a high-medium heat to ensure it is heated evenly. 

4 cups flour

4 Eggs

4 cups buttermilk* 

¼ cup oil or melted butter*

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1Tbs sugar

*The amount of buttermilk and oil can vary depending on how thick you like your batter.

  • Separate eggs
  • Beat egg whites
  • Add oil, buttermilk, and egg yolks into to dry ingredients
  • Fold in egg whites
  • Put about ½ to 1 tsp of oil in each aebleskiver well and let warm up a bit.
  • Do a test run with only one aebleskiver to ensure your pan is ready
  • Fill each well with batter to just below the rim
  • Let cook for about one minute 
  • (If you want to fill with jam, fruit or other filling, do so now.
  • Gently insert knitting needle straight down and pull partially cooked aebleskiver up one quarter turn
  • Repeat previous step until aebleskiver is cooked all the way through and is crispy brown on the outside
  • Serve with powdered sugar, your favorite jam or syrup and whipped cream 

It usually takes a batch or two to perfect your art of aebleskiver making. Keep trying until you get them the way you like them. Add your own spice and fillings. If you have a cake pop maker, you can use it. But the best aebleskivers are made with a lot of love and a good cast iron pan. 

Scones, Skivers and Hospitality

Several years ago, I was having tea with friends at an adorable little tea cottage. We could choose our tea from an extensive list, but our food was a set menu. Two pots of fragrant steaming tea were served with dainty sandwiches and succulent fruit. Anticipating the next round of food, my enthusiasm waned when our server set before us, what she called buttermilk scones.

I thought to myself, “That is a biscuit with sugar on it, I could do that.” The very next day, my scone recipe was born. I will share it here today, but I want you to know that it is not the ingredients or recipe that make my scones good. It is the joy I receive in using the gift of creativity as a means to share the gift of hospitality that comes from a deep place in my heart. 

As we approach the holiday season, we often get caught up in shopping and gift giving, admittedly, two of my favorite things. It may look different to every person, gift or giver, and however exciting it is to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member, a gift of the heart always wins.

Keri’s Scones

 2 cups flour                                ¼ tsp cream of tartar

¼ cup sugar (or so)                    ½ cup butter

4 tsp baking powder                  1 egg

½ tsp salt                                      ⅔ cup buttermilk or cream 

*Cut butter into the dry ingredients (I started using a Kitchen Aid for this, and it works great!)

*Mix in wet ingredients

Fold in the ingredients of your choice:

Berries & vanilla

Cherries, almonds, & almond extract

Chocolate, almonds, & almond extract

Blueberries & lemon juice & orange juice concentrate

Shredded Cheese and herbs

Pumpkin & Candied Ginger

Apples, Cinnamon and Cinnamon Oil

*Add flour as needed when you are kneading

*Make into a ball and flatten and cut in 8 triangles or two balls and cut into 16 triangles

(I usually freeze them at this point, then take them out and use them as needed) 

* Heat oven to 350° (My oven is a bit hot so I bake at 325°)

* Put on parchment to bake

*    Coat with milk, egg, vanilla, almond extract, or OJ concentrate and sprinkle with raw sugar or something yummy

*Bake for 20-25 min depending on your oven. 

Serve with your favorite jam, curd, or cream.

Keri’s Mock Devonshire Cream:

Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 1 Tbs soft cream cheese, 1 Tbs of almond extract, and powdered sugar to taste.

You may want to experiment a little to make your scones a gift from your heart…

I Peter 4:9-10   Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Next week… What is a skiver and what does it have to do with hospitality? 

What is your favorite scone flavor?

A Cup of Contentment Sweetened with Sprinkles of Gratefulness

1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

I love to give gifts. More than giving them, I love to see that the receiver is grateful and excited to use the gift that I have given. The more I see someone using that gift, the more I want to continue giving them gifts. It is sad when you joyfully give a gift to someone you fully expect them to use and enjoy but see them just shrug it off like “Oh well, I could have lived without it.” Regrettably, I have probably been that person a time or two. Some of the sins that God says He hates (jealousy, stealing, lying, cheating, and a haughty spirit) are a direct result of an ungrateful spirit. 

Working with adults with disabilities, I have had the opportunity to be grateful for my physical and mental wellness. One of these ladies who had cerebral palsy and no use of her right hand, frequently had food on her shirt after lunch, never could pull her pants up straight, but she always had a smile on her face and joy in her spirit. I commented one time about her always having such a good attitude. She told me, “It just makes things easier.” Wow, what a powerful lesson from someone the world would consider “less than.”

When we moved to San Diego, we had only planned on staying long enough for my husband to complete school. At first, we lived in an apartment, which quickly became too small with the addition of a daughter. So, thinking we would only be here for a couple more years, we bought a mobile home. I was okay with it for a while; we entertained, had grandma live with us, and added to our family while there. But after a while I started to resent it; the old carpet, the leaking roof, and admittedly the stigma that went along with living in a “trailer”. I did what I could to make it our home but did not really allow myself to be comfortable or content. 

I was no longer grateful for what I had at one time viewed as an answer to prayer. Through a series of convicting conversations with the Father who loves to lavish gifts on His children, (Matthew 7:11) I realized that I needed to be grateful for what I had and be content until He decided to change our living circumstances. Once that decision to be content was made, I also decided to make our home as nice as we could with the money that we had. We bought some carpet and linoleum remnants and began the transformation. The day we were putting the carpet down, a lady came by and wrote us a check for our mobile home that was just perfect for her mother. 

We rented a house for a year and were quite content there. But God had other plans, better plans than I would have ever thought possible. Through the hospitality, generosity, and skill, God used a sweet family to help us get into our first “real” house; three times bigger than the trailer, twice the size of the rental, and brand new to boot. If that was not enough, He even gave us wonderful Christian neighbors on a street named after HIM! 

James 1:17  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I fully believe that God loves to lavish us with gifts (some tangible some not so tangible), and when He sees us using the gifts that He has given us, he is pleased and wants to bestow more gifts on us. He never promises us that we will live in a big house, drive a nice car, or have a big family. The world’s view of success is not God’s view. Sometimes gratefulness and contentment are visible to the eye, but more than that, they are attitudes of the heart. Remember, God does not look on the outside, He looks at our hearts. Are you missing blessings that He has waiting for you because of an ungrateful heart? Look for the things, small and big in your life, that you can be grateful for. You will be amazed at how you are blessed with contentment by simply practicing gratefulness.

1 Timothy 4:5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 

The Shepherd’s Wife (Book Review)

There is nothing better than getting a new book in the mail, except when that book is from a kindred spirit, fellow alum, and amazing author! Angie walks us all over the countryside of ancient Israel as we accompany the brothers and sisters of Jesus in their journeys of faith and family. I could feel the dust between my toes, smell the earthiness of the animals in the story and see the places Jesus walked as the story unfolded.  I got goosebumps as Jesus’ siblings realized his divinity and sacrifice. 

Whatsoever is Lovely

There is so much ugliness in this world. How we respond to the events that unfold this week will be a true test of our character. We can allow ourselves to become angry and overwhelmed by what we see as ignorance or injustice.

But what would Jesus do? He would say, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

He told us in Philippians 4:8  “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Sometimes unwholesome thoughts creep in and plague us, but we are told to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I have to picture taking those thoughts and putting them in a prison cell and handing the keys over to Jesus. 

The beauty of birds, from the tiny hummingbirds to the majestic hawks, always reminds me of God’s tender care and how he is watching over me. What do you see in your daily walk that reminds you of what is true, noble, right, pure and lovely?   

We cannot bury our heads in the sand. We do need to speak the truth… IN LOVE. We do need to make sure our hearts and motives are pure. “Even a child is known by his doings.” 

How will you respond this week to conflict? I am reminding myself often that “A soft answer turns away wrath.”

We have to make a choice about what and how we think. We have a choice to make about how we respond. If the love of Jesus is in our hearts, our hearts should respond in love.

I desire to think about what is lovely and choose to respond with love. 

I Want Candy!

Cape billowing in the wind, Batman bolted down the street. Recovered plunder in hand, the masked crusader stopped, gazed down into the carrier of priceless treasure and exclaimed “Mom, this is AWESOME!” 

As a young mother, I was averse to Halloween. I didn’t even let my kids eat candy, why would I let them go around and beg candy from strangers??? Eventually a friend convinced me that it was just a good opportunity to have fun with my kids and be a light in the darkness to the community. 

Still wary of the evils of sugar, I only allowed a couple of pieces of candy after dinner each night. That is what my dentist did with her kids after all, so that seemed like a reasonable procedure. 

However, a few years into trick or treating, I heard “Mom, you never let us eat our candy. All our friends get to eat all they want.” Knowing this battle was going to continue, I said “Go ahead, knock yourselves out. Eat all you want.” It wasn’t long before groans began, “Oh mom, why did you let us do that? My stomach hurts… I feel awful…” I let them explain it to me. “You knew it wasn’t good for us, but we wanted to eat candy so much that we had to learn for ourselves how it would make us feel.” (paraphrased)

Even as adults, how often do we make choices based on what we want instead of what we need or what is best?  The choices may not always be life impacting. They may involve food or the books we read, how we spend our time, or how we treat our spouse or children. 

Throughout scripture we see example of how God teaches his children through allowing them to “eat the candy.” In fact, the Israelites whined to God about only having manna. They wanted meat. He provided quail. They ate so much they made themselves sick. 

I think the lesson is that God’s provision is enough. God is enough. He has our best interest in mind. His plans are better than our plans. His ways are better than our ways. When we surrender our will to His, we will find peace. We will find joy. We will find rest. 

I am not implying that there will not be heartache or pain along the way, but in the midst of life, we might need to stop, observe our good and perfect gifts and exclaim “Daddy, this is AWESOM.”

Finding Freedom in Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not once and done for us finite and fallible human beings; it is an ongoing process of the heart. Often we can offer forgiveness for an “offense” and never think about it again or look back and even laugh about it. All too often, however, the offense is repeated, the wounds reopened, the knife is twisted, or we allow ourselves to wallow in the hurt of past violations. Every. Single. Time. Our freedom comes in releasing control (and I am a control freak) of our hurt and anger, surrendering it and the person or situation to God, and practicing the seventy times seven principle (Matthew 18).

I “accidentally” found the book, “Forgiving What You’ll Never Forget” by Dr David Stroop, in the airport bookstore. The back cover described counsel I needed to let wash over me. Dr. Stroop packages forgiveness as a gift that we all need to give and receive. He biblically distinguishes between forgiveness and reconciliation as well as explains the ongoing process of healing that forgiveness brings. He helps the reader understand that, of course, we won’t always forget everything we need to forgive. Not forgetting, yet surrendering the pain and bitterness to the cross, helps us to not repeat the offense, guards our hearts from further hurt, and protects our children and loved ones from similar offenses. Forgiveness offers freedom in so many ways. Dr. Stroop guides his reader to that freedom.

I have come to realize that forgiveness is:

  • Obedience
  • An act of worship
  • Healing and contagious
  • Grace with boundaries
  • Does not mean you have to be a punching bag
  • A cure for anger and bitterness
  • Faith not in humans’ fallibility but in God’s tender care for our hearts
  • As much for the forgiver as the forgiven
  • Allowing God’s love to flow through me
  • Something I am incapable of doing without divine intervention
  • A free gift

Forgiveness came to us through the cross. We have all endured hurt and heartache, but because of the cross we have the supernatural ability to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 

As I write this, I feel there is so much more to say, but forgiveness is a personal story and the final chapter can only be written by you.

Created to Create

WE ARE CREATED TO BE CREATIVE – A Blog especially for teachers and parents

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… Then God said, “Let us make man in our image.” He looked at what He created and said “It is Good.”

Many years ago, I took a group of adults with developmental disabilities to a Van Gogh exhibit. Many of the students worked in Sophie’s art studio and gallery in El Cajon and were familiar with some aspects of fine art. We all donned the headsets and proceeded reverently through the exhibit. As we approached a particular painting, one of the ladies stopped me and asked me why Van Gogh cut off his ear.  I remember discussing how sad he must have been, and that art was his way of expressing his feelings, but somehow that was not enough. I don’t really remember much more of the conversation and the student with whom I had it, but I do remember the comments of another member of our group who had come along as a sponsor of the trip. He was a veterinarian who had little experience with this special population. He took me aside and said, “How did you do that?” Shaking my head, I asked what did I do? He told me that I had explained in very simple terms what even he had a difficult time understanding.  

As teachers and parents, we will often be called on to give meaning to what may seem like chaos around us. We also need to be diligent to listen and understand what our students’ art is telling us. In order to do either of these, we must be grounded in the One who created us and how we use our gifts to infuse His spirit into every one of our lessons, planned or unplanned. 

Every person/student has a God given desire to create or be creative and natural curiosity that drives that creativity. As educators, as parents, we need to recognize and guide students in using those gifts and curiosity as a way of fulfilling our ultimate purpose here on earth, to glorify God. 

We also must recognize that individuals will express that creativity differently. I would consider myself a very creative person, but I am not an artist. 

I was to draw the playground. I remember drawing a square box with handles for the playhouse and a rectangle with lines for the monkey bars; then I drew odd circles that were connected as an illustration for the steps. I was kind of proud of my kindergarten artwork when I placed it on the teacher’s desk.  I can still see that picture in my mind… with a big, fat, red D at the top. I don’t remember any other instruction than to draw the playground and no follow up as to why my creation was unacceptable. What I do remember is that feeling that defined much of my youth and early educational accomplishments. I might as well have that big red D stamped on my forehead, announcing to everyone my lack of ability, artistic or otherwise. I love that teacher, and I still exchange Christmas Cards with her, but to this day… 52 year later, I still don’t get it. I share these examples as reminders to be careful with the hearts that are entrusted to us.

As teachers (and parents), it is our responsibility to encourage, guide and direct the exploration of each student’s creativity. It is good to recognize those talents in art just as you would recognize a student’s extraordinary skill in math or language arts. We have the unique opportunity to help shape a child’s view of himself and the world through our interactions while teaching art (or any other subject).

Ron D. Van Der Pol, in his master’s thesis, states. “Art is a process of making and interpreting visual reminders of God‘s creation. A Christian philosophy of art education begins with the fact that God created us in His own image as aesthetic beings, able to respond to and appreciate the physical beauty of the world. He also gave each of us the desire to create in our own right.” 

I love this statement. I realized a few years ago, as I was using my creativity in decorating my house and designing/creating my backyard oasis; that I am worshiping as I am using my creativity. Too Often, I will sit in my house or yard and look at the “one more thing that I could do.” But I recently came to realize that it is good to sit back after a project is done and say, as God, who created us in his image, said “and it was good.” Just enjoy the beauty of a job well done. Galatians 6:4 says:  Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

I wonder if Van Gogh would have cut off his ear or carried out his suicide if he would have heeded this verse. The world and its critics are harsh. We need to remove the fear and introduce the freedom of creativity. God is not a God of fear but a God of order, creativity and confidence.

The Currency of Friends

If friendship was currency, I would be wealthy…

It is a chilly Oregon, fall morning. I hear the rooster crowing, the goats bleating, and I am awaiting my first cup of coffee. I am snuggled in on the hide-a-bed in my friend’s living room and being grateful that I have one so dear to me. 

We need friends. Friends are good soul water. Proverbs 27:9-11 (The Passion Translation) Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence. Friends are good therapists Proverbs 27: 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.  When I go for periods of time without being with my friends, I feel like I have been hiking in the dessert without any water. Not that I don’t love being with my husband and family, but friends fill a different place in my heart. 

My very oldest and longtime friend is my sister. Besides sharing our DNA, we share some of our deepest secrets, deepest joys, deepest pains, abiding love… and clothes. 

Some of my earliest memories are with my childhood best friend, Marie. Probably what drove us to friendship, other than divine appointment, was our need for a friend. As a six-year-old, she was new to the church, and I was painfully shy. Fifty years into our friendship, I believe that turned out to be a winning combination. We have walked through the valley of the shadow of death together. She has been an example of faithfulness to me. James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Enter the college stage; being thrust into living with people you never knew before either makes you good friends… or not. Fortunately, I collected several life-long friends who also happened to be room or dorm mates. Julie, Melissa, Kelly, Dawn, Linda, Lisa to name a few held me accountable, encouraged me, challenged me, and filled the empty and lonely place in my heart. Psalm 68:4  God sets the lonely in families. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a  Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help…

My husband is my dear friend. He balances me, loves me when I am unlovable and takes great joy in being my provider. He entered the picture when I was twenty-two. As we established our family, we developed our friendship but did not really have many close friends in our daily life. In hindsight, that probably would have helped our first few years of marriage. However, I don’t really think I saw the deficit of missing friendships and wise counsel at the time. 

Yet, God saw the need and began adding arrows to my quiver. After a period in a ministry desert, God brought us to our church family. It was a tiny fledgling church. The pastor and his wife were just a bit older than Harold and me. We hit it off pretty quickly. Harold was cautious to not insert himself into their lives too quickly, as he was sure they were busy with the church and their lives. A niggling voice kept telling me that they needed the friendship and encouragement. And that was true thirty-two years ago, just like it is today. Marguerite is not only one of my dearest friends but my neighbor in every sense of the word. 

My dear sweet Ginny girl entered the picture a few years later. She and Ron had just moved back to the area from Calgary, Canada. God, in His providence, placed her right, smack dab in the middle of my work territory. Back before the days of cell phones and clean public restrooms, she was a God send. One of my first memories of her is seeing her walk across the parking lot, looking a little peaked, and I thought, “She is pregnant. She needs a friend. She needs me to feed her.” Turns out she has feed me, physically and spiritually, more than I ever imagined possible. Our kids played together. We taught both Sunday School and elementary school alongside each other. We love to go to garage sales and shop together. And we were at each other’s sides during our greatest losses. When my career, as I knew it, came to a screeching halt, she was there to help me pack up in a matter of minutes. No words were needed, it was her presence that was the gift.  When we were awaiting word of her husband, who is now with the Lord, we sat together in my car, praying, crying, and reading Psalms together. It is her hide-a-bed I sit on now and offer thanks to the God who made me as one with such a deep well to fill, also be the God who sees me and gives me such wonderful friends that pour their lives into me. (I have to quit typing here. I can’t see through my tears; See my last blog post).  

I really could go on naming people and dear friends, but this would turn into a book. However, I would be remiss to not mention my dear Tam. She also happens to be the best neighbor in the world. We have shared 1,000 plus cups of coffee together, and probably as many tears. She is a soul sister who feels my pain and celebrates my joy. She is a picture of the mercy and grace of Jesus in action, and I am blessed to be a recipient of the gifts God has so generously given her. 

In my years of friend gathering, I have been fortunate to have friends ages ten to one hundred. I learn from them all and thank the Lord for placing each one in my life.

If you are reading this and are wishing you had soul friends, I would encourage you to reach out and be that friend to someone else. Pour refreshing water into their empty well. In doing so, you will also be filled. 

I join Paul in his prayer of thanksgiving for his dear friends. 

Philippians 1:3-9 (NLT)  Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Tears in a Bottle

Tears in a Bottle 

I cry. A lot. I always have. Not because I am a whiny baby. I cry when I am happy. I cry when I am sad. I cry when I am mad. I cry when I am moved. I cry when I sing. I cry when I speak. I cry when I pray… in public and in the quiet places of my heart. 

Psalm 56:8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?

God knows why I shed every tear. It is a language that he created with a purpose. 

Scientist have hypothesized about why we cry, what our tears contain, and the different types of crying. Real heart tears (not the fake manipulative ones) contain a multitude of impurities. Create in me a clean heart oh God, is often my prayer.  I figure, I either have a really clean heart, because it is constantly being purged, or the tears are God’s way of cleaning up that dirty mess down in my heart.

I don’t always have the right words to say to a hurting friend, but if I look at them in their state of pain, my eyes immediately well up with tears. It shows compassion and empathy from my heart without having to awkwardly tell them everything will be okay, or I know how you feel, or some other platitude.

Pavlov’s dogs have nothing on me when it comes to a trained response… maybe. My friends won’t even look at me during worship time. They know to do so will start their water works by seeing mine. My 5th graders loved our Friday morning worship times. I would lead from the back of the classroom. Hearing children lift their voices in praise, I would, of course, have liquid worship running down my face; the kids would turn to look at me, and upon seeing the tears, declare success. 

When my husband gave me my first harp on Christmas morning, the tears of gratitude poured out of me. When my daughter paid for my trip to see my childhood best friend recovering from heart surgery, I had no words, but my tears spoke volumes. 

Some of the most meaningful tears have come as loved ones pass from this life to Glory. Not really because I am sad, although I do miss them, but the indescribable emotion I feel, picturing them in the presence of Jesus, is overwhelming. I recently read the eulogy at friend’s memorial. I read the facts of her life just fine, but when I read the final line about her meeting Jesus at sunrise on a beautiful May morning, the tears broke through like the sun breaking through the clouds.

In college, I spent a summer with a traveling music team from my Christian college. I cooked; I was not one of the musicians. I attended most of the concerts with them, some in churches, some in very large venues. Every. Single. Time. I would be a teary mess by the time the concert was done. I told one of my stoic singing friends that I was praying God would take the tears away, maybe it was my thorn in my flesh. She rightly chastised me and said that my tears were a gift from the Lord, it showed my tender heart, and I should never ask Him to take that away again. I never have.

I have jokingly said, “When I get to heaven, I will know which house is mine, because the angels will be singing ‘A Hundred Bottles of Tears on the Wall’.” After all, the God who created tears also created laughter. 

What is Next

My name is Keri Willis. I am a semi-retired educator. I spent a great deal of my career working with adults with developmental disabilities and many years in elementary education, in the classroom and as an administrator. My main ministry now is coordinating the women’s ministry for our church in San Diego, CA. I have been married thirty-four years and have two grown and married children. I now have a head of full grey hair and good ideas.I believe we are created to use our gifts and to be creative. That comes in many forms for me. I love to woodwork and use power tools, design, decorate, garden, and create new recipes. And I love to write. One major lesson I have learned in my writing journey is that I need to be still and listen to hear God’s voice before I am prepared to put into words the message he has instilled in my heart. This has been much easier since I am no longer working full time, but it is so easy to get distracted and not listen, which almost always ends with an empty page in the form of writer’s block.While I have written many articles for newsletters and local newspapers, I did not consider myself a writer until I self-published my first book, Teapots and Power Tools. https://www.amazon.com/Teapot…/dp/1466458763/ref=sr_1_3…The idea emerged as I was working on a project in my garage. I had worship music playing, power tools out and saw dust flying. I glanced up and saw my delicate teapot sitting on my router table. The message was clear. Sometimes we are using the power tools God gives us and sometimes he just wants us to be still and have tea with him. The book became the foundation for a women’s retreat, and then my amazing niece helped me work through publishing it on Create Space (now KDP).At least five other projects are in different stages of production. I joined hope*writers to help motivate me and keep me focused and accountable. I am still trying to figure out the whole website and blog thing.

An Audience of One

From our very first breath we are cheered for what we do. From the baby burps to first steps, we offer praise to those little humans for their actions. Students learn to expect praise for grades, how they play with others, and their attitudes. We discover, early on, that performance in sports, dance, or drama can bring a wide array emotional response. 

As we grow and mature, we become accustom to performing with the expectation of a response from our audience. It may come in the form of a good job evaluation, a pay raise, or the opposite. I often question the crooked lines I leave when I mow the grass, thinking the neighbors are judging how I mow. But now I just shrug and think, “But I did mow the grass.” 

Critiques, self-imposed or from an outside source, can be beneficial. We need to comprehend the consequences of our choices, words, and actions. However, far too often we associate those critiques with our intelligence, self-worth, or value. How many people like my post? Who showed up to hear me speak or sing? Why did that one person not like my book? The list goes on. 

All of those questioning thoughts are racket that distracts us from our purpose, to glorify the One who created us. I Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

I have never been able to do anything well if someone is looking over my shoulder, ask my typing teacher or my husband. I cannot be “creative on demand.” I become a bumbling goof. I am distracted by the “noise” of the appraisal of my work. 

When I set out to play the harp a few years ago, I jokingly said that I play for me and Jesus… and the dogs. The music is only as sweet as my audience.  When I write, it is the message He puts in my heart. When I garden, it is to create a sanctuary of worship. When I clean my house, it is an act of appreciation for what He has provided. 

As my hair has turned grey, my heart has not become hardened to that racket, but I am learning to put the earplugs in so I can hear the applause of my Audience of One. 

Galatians 6:4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

How Grandma Willis Would do 2020

Reposted to celebrate Mother’s Day, my rich heritage and the gift of my godly mom-in-law. This is the brief overview of a life well lived. For a more in-depth story of her life see my blog from January 24, 2022

My mother-in-law lived to be 100 years old. She was born on the heels of WWI and the Pandemic known as the Spanish Flu. As a teenager, she lived through the depression, and as that era was ushered out, she became a bride with a bright future.

Just as the dread of WWII was looming, she became a mother of a son. And in the wake of Pearl Harbor, she became the mother to a baby girl.  In the throes of a world in a complete upheaval, she gave birth to another baby girl who was whisked away from her “too weak to live.” Still reeling from the loss of her baby girl, she received the news that her only brother, a pilot, was shot down in the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Eve 1944.   

Sadly, her story was not completely rare in that time period. I can’t help thinking that this changed the makeup of her constitution and that of our whole country. 

So this morning as I received news of yet another friend losing his job, and looked at the numbers of more precious souls leaving this earth, and the craziness in our economy, I turned on “Grandma’s Playlist” on my Amazon Music account and realized how she not only survived but blossomed into a beautiful tree planted by the rivers of water. 

Here are the songs on her play list… If you don’t know them, look them up and take a listen. These songs were all written in times of great uncertainty and pain, yet with the hope not in our government but in our Savior.  In this order… Yeah… you can cry with me… you know who you are… you already are:

I Need Thee Every Hour

I Surrender All

God Will Take Care of You

No One Ever Cared for me Like Jesus

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Take my Life and Let it Be

Victory in Jesus 

Rock of Ages 

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Soul Water

Living Water for a Thirsting Soul

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