DAY 29 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

MOTHER’S DAY

Reading for today:
Proverbs 31:10-31

I’ve driven past the homestead in West Virginia where ‘Mother’s Day’ as a celebration was conceived. Apparently Anna Jarvis thought mothers should have a special day – and after her death, her daughter – also named Anna Jarvis – became champion of that goal as a tribute to her mother. She sent 500 carnations – one for every person in attendance at her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia – to be given out May 10, 1908, at the first Sunday service honoring mothers. 

It was a ball sent rolling, that once started, quickly gathered support. By 1909 Mother’s Day services were held in 46 states plus Canada and Mexico. That’s a pretty fast turnaround for an event to catch on! It was quickly adopted as a commercial opportunity – which was not what she hoped for – and the rest, as they say, is history. 

When I was in high school I was asked to sing a special song for a Mother’s Day Tea. It is a memory piece in the puzzle of my past:

M is for the million things she gave me. 
O means only that she’s growing old. 
T is for the tears she shed to save me. 
H is for her heart of purest gold. 
E is for her eyes with love-light shining. 
R’s for right and right she’ll always be. 
Put them all together they spell MOTHER, the word that means the world to me. 

And my Dad had a poem he used to quote that suits the day beautifully:

When we were courting he promised me gold 
And all the furs my arms could hold
He said the world he would lay at my feet – 
I dared not believe, but it’s true and complete!

I have a gold filling – third molar, I think
And a purring old cat with fur soft as mink.
The world he tracks in all over the room 
And I sweep it out ahead of my broom – 

But I love him!


My Dad quoted poetry frequently – and he had a seemingly unending supply. Now those memories come back as joys – remembering, sifting through memories.

Thank you, Lord!

March 24, 1983 I wrote a little poem to my daughters that also suits this day well:

I’d like to be a daughter 
to a mother just like me
I’d like to help her cook and sew 
and go on shopping sprees.

I’d like to see her eyes light up 
with pleasure and surprise
When I did little special things 
like bake some berry pies.

I’d be so glad to be her kid
. . . I’d always understand
When she did what was best for me
I’d know that was the plan.

But I am not the daughter – 
I guess that’s plain to see – 
So I hope you like to be the kid
of a mother just like me. 


My college-aged middle daughter responded to my poem with one of her own December 8, 1995:

TO MOM

I love that I’m the daughter 
of a mother just like you.
I love your caring heart
And all the special things you do.

I love to come home and see you,
To feel your warm embrace.
I love to see the smile
That so lights up your face.

I love all the memories
Of our happy family
I thank God each and every day
For all He’s given me.

I wish that you had felt the love
Of a mother just like you.
I’m glad that God has blessed you with
This family whose love is true.

I hope and pray that someday
When I’m a Mom I’ll be
As wonderful and loving
As you have been to me.

For you have been the kind of mom
Every kid could ever wish for.
And I have been so blessed by God
To have this mom that I adore.

I’m so glad to be your kid
. . . I finally understand
when you did what was best for me
I know that was the plan

I love you mom and hope you know
How much you mean to me
As far as I’m concerned
I’m the luckiest kid there could ever be!

With love, E_ _ _ 


Both poems – hers and mine – are framed, and hang above my bathroom counter. I have been incredibly blessed. Incredibly, incredibly blessed. More than I ever imagined possible!

I’m not saying everything in my life is roses with no thorns. That’s how roses come – but red roses are still, hands down, my favorite flower. And the rose blossoms make it worth the occasional prick…. That applies to life, too. 


Our reading for today reminds us of a ‘superwoman’ of Bible days. I can’t be her – but I can be the best me possible by placing my hand in the Lord’s and walking with Him intentionally. 

DAY 28 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

WHILE WE WAIT – FEATURED MASHER FOR TODAY

Today is the birthday of a dear friend. 

Lucy and I have known each other since 1954.  I was still 8 and she was  newly 9 when we traipsed off for the first time to a week of Assembly of God summer ‘kid’s camp’ held in Ketchum, Idaho. She is the one who taught me to play the ukelele one year at camp when we were teenagers – and she has always made me laugh. We went to Northwest College together – agreed it was best to have other roommates so we’d get to know other people – but became part of a foursome of  life-long friends sometimes referred to as the “Four Musketeers”. Our lives took far different turns and we didn’t keep in touch as well as either one of us might have preferred – but now is not then – and I cherish the opportunity to say ‘Happy birthday on this special day!’ 

Lucy was just here to visit from May 6 - 9.  It was during this visit I realized that other than my 3 brothers, she has known me longer than any other person I have maintained close contact with.    Friendships are an amazing gift – and she has developed a special gift of being a cheerleader and encourager.  Thank you, Lord, for friends.  And thank you, Lucy, for being a precious friend through these many years.  

The masher I am featuring today was from a gal in Montesano named Linda. The masher is special to me for 2 reasons:  (1) because it was from the Shaeffer Logging Camp – and the Shaeffer family is a huge part of logging history in Montesano, and (2) it came as a gift from a friend.  It has an added benefit of triggering applicable messages for my Potato Masher Parables talk. 

Because it was from a friend it definitely reminds me of the treasure of friendship. As we walk through the journey of life, we share the journey with various people for various reasons – and various seasons. While we may not always stay in touch the way we’d like, our friendships help mold us. I am grateful for the many women – and a few men – along the journey who have become friends. They – and the memories of time shared and growth experienced together – are treasures. 

Because this masher was used by the cook in a logging camp, it also reminds me that God has work for all of us to do. Work as an occupation, where we rub shoulders with others and get to be his light in a dark world; and work for His Kingdom that He has entrusted us to do for Him.  Many times those two facets of ‘work’ merge.  We are called by God to be workers.  Not because he needs us – but because we need the tasks for fulfillment and growth. We need the constant awareness of being connected to the One who is the vine – and how better to feel connected, than to have the privilege of partnering with him in what he is doing in the world….


It reminds me also that a potato masher is an intentional tool – and we are called to be intentional in our Christian walk. May it be so.

DAY 27 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

A LOOSE END IN THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS

Reading for today:
Mark 16:9-20 

The NIV states, “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have these verses.”

The ESV states, “Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include Mark 16:9-20.” Then in its footnote says, “Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include 9-20 immediately after verse 8. A few manuscripts insert additional material after verse 14; one Latin manuscript adds after verse 8 the following: ‘But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.’ Other manuscripts include this same wording after verse 8, then continue with verses 9-20.”

No one ever told me that kind of stuff growing up. It needs to be addressed. We were told that absolutely every word in the Bible is absolute truth – that they are God’s words and that anyone who adds to them or takes away from them is in danger.  But I wasn’t told about the process of choosing which books were Canon – or even that there were passages that were in question.  I was an adult before I learned that there were many writings that were not considered worthy to be in our Bible, and that the Catholic Bible has some books my Protestant Bible does not have. 

It does not challenge my faith that every single word of the Bible as we know it may not be identical to what was originally written. What matters to me is that the themes of the Bible are clear. No matter how many men have been involved in its transmission down through the thousands of years it represents, the truth of God’s divine nature and sovereignty are still intact. That the Messiah was promised and came is intact.  The first century secular historian Josephus even wrote about Jesus the Messiah being a wise teacher who was crucified by Pilate. 

And – what I pay attention to in verses like these from Mark 16:9-20 is that if it is the only place something is mentioned, I probably shouldn’t put too much stock in it! i.e., I wouldn’t be comfortable with attending a church that considered handling snakes or drinking poison to be a valid part of worship. Like Paul when he was bitten by a snake, I know the Lord can override nature – but I wouldn’t want to use that as the test of my faith in His providence. 

The Bible interprets the Bible. The important themes of the Bible run through it in such apparent fashion, that there is no mistaking God’s interaction with and love for his created. Major messages are repeated more than once. If we lost this portion of Mark, we would have lost nothing vital to our faith. All of the important segments of these verses are reiterated elsewhere. And the dangerous parts – well, they’re dangerous – and not repeated anywhere!

 The Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament. The Law is a mirror showing us we can’t capably live life for God without His help – or receive His forgiveness without a blood sacrifice – and that forgiveness came through the shed blood of his only begotten Son. 

Eternity is beyond our grasp to understand, but we place our trust and our lives into the hands of the one who is Eternal, and His Word is secure. 

So, while there are people who adamantly state that every word of the Bible as we hold it in our hands is true. I would modify that statement to say: The major concepts are true. The God of all creation is True. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and is the Way, the Truth and the Life – and no one comes to the Father except by/through him. But every now and again, if something seems confusing or out of sequence, I can remember that lots of scribes writing by hand for centuries had opportunity to make a minor error here or there that could alter meaning slightly – and it is only rare that we can point to any passage where that might be suspect. This, however, is one of the few. 

I believe the Bible is God’s Word. I believe the accounts it tells of people’s lives are true accounts. If it says it is a parable, I know it is only a story…. I am literal – and for the occasional 'if it happens' this one facet of this passage raises questions – a red flag, if you will. Then when I read footnotes that tell me it wasn't in many of the early manuscripts –  and that the language used here is different than any where else in this gospel – it definitely makes it suspect. 

It certainly doesn’t say we should do these things. I just think it should be read with caution, considering this part may have been added by an unreliable messenger….


I also think we need to address the tough stuff – and that certainly is!


Footnote 5/12/2017:
2 Timothy 3:16  states, “All scripture is breathed by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 


It is important to remember that what was referenced as Scripture at that juncture was only what we know as the Old Testament, with special emphasis on the Law and the Prophets and some other selected writings.  The New Testament had not been written yet.   

DAY 26 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

ONE OF MY POTATO MASHER PARABLES

May 11 is a special day for me. May 11, 1985 specifically. It was Mother’s Day that year and it was the day our nephew came to live with us. He was 15 and at the end of his Freshman year in High School. The circumstances of his living arrangements had become very challenging. He threw his belongings out an upstairs window – said he was ‘going out’ to visit a friend, retrieved his belongings, and called Al’s Mom from the friend’s house. He needed a safe home. She called us and asked if we could take him. We convened a quick family meeting, explained that there would be challenges – but we felt we needed to help – all of us. The girls agreed. 

Our nephew’s Dad (Al’s younger brother) was murdered the night our middle daughter was born – technically the morning after – but it was within hours of her birth. She was born April 26, 1974. He died in the wee hours of April 27, 1974. And 11 years later we became ‘parents’ to his son, our nephew. 

One of my Potato Masher Parables recounts the time almost three years later after he turned 18 and decided he was a man and didn’t have to follow our rules any longer. The potato masher that is the segue for that story is a double masher that is easy to equate to a frog...and thus ensues my ‘frog’ story. 

I was very involved in the Grays Harbor County Child Abuse Prevention Council at the time, and one particular day got to a board meeting early – which was being held at the office of the psychologist who served on the board. I was early so Keith and I had some time to chat before the other board members arrived, and during our conversation he asked me how things were going – and I told him my recently-turned-eighteen-year-old nephew was driving me crazy – and proceeded to share the circumstances that were giving me gray hair. 

Keith said, “Do you see that terrarium over there – and the frog in it?” 

“Yes,” I replied.

“Well,” he continued, “that frog is a meat-eating frog. I have to feed it a mouse every Friday. But – when the frog is hungry if I were to put my hand into the terrarium it would take off a finger or thumb just like that!” And he snapped his fingers to demonstrate how quickly. “If it did, I couldn’t get mad at the frog for being a frog,” he concluded. 

I got the message. My nephew was acting his age. He was 18, and he was trying out ‘being independent’. He was a good kid who would outgrow these behaviors and become a good citizen given time. It was a waste of my time, energy and emotions to let his behaviors dictate my emotional response. I couldn’t get mad at a frog for being a frog. 

It is a life lesson that has served me well. I can’t expect anyone to be or do or give or respond in a way I would like them to. People are who they are. While I may choose a safe distance to avert being in the direct line of fire, I cannot get mad at a frog for being a frog. It is another lesson of not being responsible for feelings, but being responsible for actions. It was a good lesson to learn – and it has served me well.

And – the nephew. He grew up to be a kind, loving, caring, very involved Dad who has an amazing wife and 3 wonderful boys…. We were the kind of parents he needed – and now he is the kind of Dad we are incredibly proud of…. 


I became his ‘other-mother’ on Mother’s Day, 1985. The subsequent years hold a myriad of memories, and May 11 will always have a special spot in my heart.

DAY 25 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

ABC’s of God:

Several years ago I decided to try to see how many nouns and adjectives I could accumulate to honor who God is, inspired by a friend who told me she had made such a list.  My goal was to have at least one for every letter of the alphabet, but I quickly exceeded that. It’s an on-going list. Every now and then I think of another one. (I just added Servant, Unlimited, Limitless, Excellent, Fair, Just, Justice!) It is not just a ‘list’ but praise. He truly is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise.  Starting from scratch and creating my own over the past several years has been a blessing – and it funnels my thoughts to praise each time I read through it.  And when I pray, telling Him all He is, He lifts my soul….

My ABC’s of God: 

(Lord, You are:)

Adonai, Almighty, Alive, Amazing, Alpha, All sufficient, Above all           

Blessed, Beautiful, Bountiful, Beginning, Before all, Beyond all

Creator, Christ, Counselor, Covenant-Committed, Consistent, Caring, Creative, Calmer

Deliverer, Delight, Devoted, Diligent, Deserving

Eternal, Elohim, El Elyonna, El Shaddai, Er Kamkanna, Everlasting, Encourager, End, Excellent

Father, Faithful, Forever, Forgiving, Fair

God, Good, Gracious, Grace, Genuine, Generous, Gentle, Giving, G-D, Glorious

Holy, Holy Spirit, High and lifted up, Hope, Hiding place, Honored

Inimitable, Immutable, Instructive, Ioseos, Isa, I AM, Invisible, Indescribable

Jehovah Jireh, Jesus, Joy, Jealous (for our devotion), Just, Justice

King, King of Kings, Kind

Lord, LORD, Living, Love, Loving, Lord of Lords, Longsuffering, Loyal, Lion of Judah, Lamb of God, Lord of Glory, Life, Limitless

Mighty God, Messiah, Meshiach, Masih, Master

Near, Nurturing, Name above all names,

Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omega, One & Only

Powerful, Present, Prince of Peace, Pure, Provider, Perfect Peace, Perfect, Patient, Portion, Precious

Quintessential, Quickener

Righteous, Right, Royal, Relational, Rock of Salvation

Savior, Salvation, Spirit, Self-controlled, Servant

Truth, Trustworthy, Today

Unchanging, Uplifting, Unlimited

Voluminous, Veracity

Wonderful, Worthy (of all honor and power and glory and praise), WORD

X-ray (You are the ‘God-who-sees-me’)

Yahweh, YHWH, Yeshua,

Zenith                                                                                                                       

The Beginning & The End!

Inimitable:              So good as to be impossible to copy

Immutable:             Unchanged over time; unable to be changed

Omniscient:            All-knowing

Omnipotent:           All-powerful

Omnipresent:          Able to be everywhere at once

LORD, You are the God of all eternity – Yesterday, Today and Forever….
(I just couldn’t keep Yesterday under the Y’s because He cannot be called Yesterday as a stand-alone word.  He is Today.  He is Forever.  He is Eternal.  But yesterday standing alone sounds like He is the God of the past only, and I want the wording to reflect absolute Truth.)

This is a chorus we sang in my youth honoring some of the many names of God: 

HE’S THE LORD OF GLORY

He’s The Lord of Glory

He is the Great I Am

The Alpha and the Omega

The Beginning and the End

His Name is Wonderful

The Prince of Peace is He

The Everlasting Father

Throughout eternity

The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.  Praise floats up to Him as a  sweet incense.  Lord, receive our praise.  You alone are worthy.  (In the process of praising the amazing thing is: praise changes me!  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of praise.)

DAY 24 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

HE ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE

I spend a lot of time working on music for leading worship.  I love corporate worhip!  This past Sunday these were our songs for the Softer Sunday Service:

COMMUNION SUNDAY  -  May 7, 2017

In My Heart There Rings a Melody                    

1924 – Elton M Roth

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise                 

1984 – Kirk Dearman

All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises                 

2003 – Paul Baloche

Shout To The Lord                                            

1993 – Darlene Zschech                                                           

The Potter’s Hand                                            

1997 – Darlene Zschech                       

Above All                                                              

2006 – Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche

COMMUNION:

Worthy Is The Lamb                                             

2000 – Darlene Zschech           

Our first song was an old one we haven’t sung for a loooonnnng time:

IN MY HEART THERE RINGS A MELODY

1924 – Elton M Roth                                                                                                                              

I have a song that Jesus gave me

It was sent from heav’n above                           

There never was a sweeter melody

‘Tis a melody of love

In my heart there rings a melody

There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony

In my heart there rings a melody

There rings a melody of love

I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry                 

For He washed my sins away

He put within my heart a melody

And I know it’s there to stay

[chorus]

‘Twill be my endless theme in glory

With the angels I will sing

‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony

When the courts of heaven ring

[chorus]

One of the phrases that is part of my repertoire of common comments is “The Lord deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances.”   The melody He gives is not a captive of happiness or held hostage by our emotions – but is a reflection of the inner joy we have in knowing Jesus.  It clearly doesn’t mean we will always “feel” ebullient joy – but that we have an internal ‘joy’ that supersedes understanding – even in the storms that sometimes rage inside us.  

And speaking of storms – we had a doozie last Thursday.  The epicenter hit very close to us and the damage was substantial.  I am grateful for God’s amazing protection, that the losses involved property, not lives. 

The other selections sung during our worship set for May 7 were:

WE BRING THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

1984 – Kirk Dearman                                                              

We bring the sacrifice of praise

into the house of the Lord

We bring the sacrifice of praise

into the house of the Lord

And we offer up to you

The sacrifices of thanksgiving

And we offer up to you

The sacrifices of joy

ALL THE EARTH WILL SING YOUR PRAISES                    

2003 – Paul Baloche

(Chorus)

You lived, You died,

You said in three days You would rise
You did, You’re  alive

You rule, You reign, You said You’re coming back again

I know You will, and all the earth will sing Your praises        

All the earth will sing Your praises

 (Verse 1)

You took, You take our sins away O God

You give, You gave Your life away for us

You came down, You saved us through the cross

Our hearts are changed because of Your great love

(Chorus)

(Verse 2)

No one, no name can rise above you, Lord

One hope, one life will shine forevermore

Your kingdom in heaven and on earth

Your children stand to sing of  Your great worth

(Chorus)

You lived, You died,

You said in three days You would rise
You did, You’re  alive

You rule, You reign, You said You’re coming back again

I know You will, and all the earth will sing Your praises

All the earth will sing Your praises

All the earth will sing Your praises

SHOUT TO THE LORD

1993 – Darlene Zschech                                                           

My Jesus my Savior

Lord there is none like You

All of my days I want to praise

The wonders of Your mighty love

My Comfort my Shelter

Tower of Refuge and Strength

Let every breath all that I am

Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing

Power and majesty praise to the King

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your Name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands

Forever I’ll love you forever I’ll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have

Nothing compares to the promise I have

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

THE POTTER'S HAND                                            

1997 – Darlene Zschech                                                                       

Beautiful Lord wonderful Savior

I know for sure all of my days are

Held in Your hand

Crafted into Your perfect plan

You gently call me into Your presence

Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit

Teach me dear Lord

To live all of my life through Your eyes

I’m captured by Your holy calling

Set me apart  I know You’re drawing

Me to Yourself

Lead me Lord I pray

Take me  mold me  use me  fill me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand

Call me  guide me  lead me  walk beside me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand

ABOVE ALL

2006 – Lenny LeBlanc & Paul; Baloche                                                      

Above all powers above all kings                                            

Above all nature and all created things

Above all wisdom and all the ways of man

You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones                             

Above all wonders the world has ever known

Above all wealth and treasures of the earth

There’s no way to measure what You’re worth

Chorus

Crucified laid behind the stone

You lived to die rejected and alone

Like a rose trampled on the ground

You took the fall and thought of me

Above all

And for Communion we sang:

WORTHY IS THE LAMB                                            

2000 – Darlene Zschech                                               

Thank You for the cross Lord

Thank You for the price You paid

Bearing all my sin and shame

In love You came

And gave amazing grace

Thank You for this love Lord

Thank You for the nail-pierced hands

Washed me in Your cleansing flow

Now all I know

Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb

Seated on the throne

Crown You now with many crowns

You reign victorious

High and lifted up

Jesus Son of God

The Darling of heaven crucified

Worthy is the Lamb                                   

Worthy is the Lamb

He alone is worthy!   Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive all power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!  (Revelation 5:12)

And as I said at the beginning – no matter what our circumstances! 

DAY 23 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

FOCUS, FAITHFULNESS & FOLLOW-THROUGH

In May 2008 when I first went to my friend’s church as a “safe haven” it was called Faith Assembly of Lacey (aka FAL).  During the first years I was there FAL had annual themes:

2009: YEAR OF imPOSSIBILITIES:
God intervening to make the impossible possible by HIS power!
The im was crossed out – by a cross – symbolic of the reality that it is only through the sacrifice represented by the cross of Christ that the impossible can become possible. 

2010: YEAR OF COMMITMENT:
The theme was accompanied with a reminder that who we are is the sum-total of our commitments, and that first and foremost we need to have a full and complete commitment to serve and honor God. 

2012:  YEAR OF TRANSITION:
2012 year marked the passing of the baton from the Founding Pastor to the former Associate Pastor, who was definitely called, mentored and nurtured to become the new Senior Pastor.   

During those years the motto of the church was “Live Well.  Die Ready.”  I would have preferred “Live Holy. Die Ready” or “Live Ready. Die Ready” but the point was still made – even if it required an explanation.  

I’ve never attended a church that had themes – or a motto – but they are good. They provide focus. There is no wandering blindly wondering. It is faithfulness with intention and direction. And, God is honored in the process. That’s the key. 

The current pastor went through a very respectful process to change the name to reflect what the focus of the church most profoundly professes under his leadership:  Truth and Grace, thus the new name of the church – True Grace.  We may not always succeed as well as we’d like – but it is good to have the stated intention reflected in the name.  Good intentions matter because they are the seeds of achieving reaching that goal.  And, the name literally serves as a motto!

The day prior to my original writing of this entry I was sitting in a medical facility waiting room, waiting for someone who was having a procedure done, and I had the joy of talking with a stunning lady who was seated a few chairs away from me. Our conversation covered a lot of territory, but it reminded me that God is the God of fortuitous circumstances. Sometimes we also refer to those as Divine encounters – but generally only in retrospect if we see something good that came from the conversation. 

I already know there was something good that came out of the chance meeting: I met an amazing woman who has very good intentions toward her employees, and does something about it – even to the point of paying them while they do their homework if needed so they can succeed in school. Her work ethic puts people first. Her stated goals for her employees include what is good for them – even over what might be good for her financially – and in the process, what is good for them turns out to be good for her, too.... I hope it is not our last encounter. 


When we walk intentionally in our relationship with the Lord, good is also His goal.