Smiles for a Friday!

Lord's Lass will return to its regular programming next week. The AWOL authoress has been on spring break, and enjoying the delights of travel and sunshine far more than is good for her. Monday marks the beginning of schedule and order again. ;)

But in the meantime, here are some of my Friday smiles!

1. Flowers. Carnations, to be exact (my equal-favorite. with Gerbera daisies). Because they were a good price at the store and I couldn't resist!

2. New, super-comfortable, PURPLE Born shoes! :D

3. Chalk paint to give Dottie (new laptop!) a fresh & happy look!

4. Tulips blooming in the front!

5. Happy music!! {great for cleaning the room and getting projects done!}

6. This nearly-done project!

7. A week with weather like this....

...in which you can drive with the windows down...

...and music up...

...and freeze to death, but be completely happy...

...cuz the sunshine is warm, and it's only the breeze that's remembering winter!

8. Also food. The sugar-free chocolate cake Rachel made. Coffee with my cleaning-gang-girls at Old Town Battle Grounds. Fruit!! {no pictures, because these things don't exactly last long...}

What's making you smile today?

Watch-It Wednesday: Joy!

This video makes me smile...

Have a joyful Wednesday!

30 Day Book Challenge! Day 17: And I Quote

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Day 17: What is your favorite quote from your favorite book?

We've already established that my favorite book (as much as I can have a favorite book, which is rather impossible) is Surprised by Joy. The most amazing quote therein is the whole reason why I call this book "favorite":

"...it is that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy, which...must be sharply distinguished from Happiness and from Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again."

I love this definition of Joy - the feeling of longing for that which we can not, of ourselves, gain. When you have those moment of intensely wanting to be with Christ, to see His face, isn't that a feeling of "unsatisfied desire"? One which you wouldn't trade in a million years for an easily-satisfied desire, like chocolate or sunshine? Wouldn't you rather have that moment - or live that life - wherein all you want is Christ, rather than want a snack and get it? Yes, true Joy is keeping our eyes on Christ and desiring to be like Him and pleasing to Him - and that's a desire we can not satisfy apart from Him!
 

30 Day Book Challenge! Day 14: Author + Book

A right logical question to follow yesterday's, I suppose.

Day 14: What is your favorite book by your favorite author?

This is an impossible question. Logical, as I admitted, but impossible. I mean, really? An author who writes wonderfully and has the talent for spinning ideas in ways you've never heard of before can hardly have a best book. He might have a worst one - from the beginning of his writing career, or when he got a bit too carried away with themes or ideas and abandoned his outline in raptures - but I think it would be very hard to have a best. Thus, when I am asked for my favorite book by C.S. Lewis, it does not mean I value or like any of his other books less (with the exception, perhaps, of Out of the Silent Planet) but simply that this book had an idea - a definition, specifically - that was so completely refreshing, bang-on, and different-from-anything-I'd-ever-heard that it immediately became my favorite quote and, in a way, my motto. It is from the book...

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Surprised by Joy is C.S. Lewis' autobiography, and aside from being enjoyable both because of his style of writing and the thought-provoking lessons he learned in life (from his earliest recollection through about the time he became a Christian) it was enlightening to see how he got to certain conclusions which one finds throughout his writings. At times I disagreed with his end philosophy, but still found it very interesting to see how he arrived at each one. For example, "Jack" believed that, as Christians learning and studying Truth, we ought to study not only the Bible, but other religions - because every lie has a small germ of truth to make it palatable - to find the truth encased at the bottom of the weed. While I do not agree with this (I am not saying that one shouldn't study other religions, or at least know the basic tenants and logical thought progressions of religions he comes in contact with, simply that I disagree that one should study them to learn truth), it was interesting to learn why he advocated this: because, in his pursuit of joy and his determination that the answer could not be God, he essentially "tried out" just about every religion presented to him before becoming a Christian. Working as He always does, supernaturally, God did reveal to him a little truth in each fake pursuit, although Lewis could not see what was truth and what was lies until he came to know the Truth.

My favorite quote from this book - the reason I call it my "favorite" - is Lewis' definition of Joy, which you will know by now if you know me much at all. If you don't know it, however, you will have to wait - that's a question coming up later! :) In the meantime, I shall leave you with another passage which is also quite profound:

"...I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy. The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation."
 

The Joy-Thief

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She is beautiful. Clothed with impeccable taste and fashion, the deep purples and scarlets of her gown simply add to the allure of her tall, slim figure and flowing, dark hair. Tenderly, delicately, she glides amidst the assembly, turning the heads of all by whom she passes. Pearls adorn her neck; diamonds, her wrists. Gems dance through her tresses, and gold sparkles on her fingers. All press near to her, desiring nothing more than to be in her presence. But their infatuation with the Lady of Kingdoms is not held by her person or adornment alone – oh no! – there is yet another fascination which holds them spellbound: in her graceful, dainty hand, there shines a golden chalice.

Eyes flicker from face to the goblet, hungry with expectation. Finally, with a light, musical laugh, the lady turns towards the crowd and, lifting high her gleaming glass, speaks:

“My kings! My princes! Dear nobles and ladies! I have brought here for you tonight my happiness, my life. This I willingly share with you. Taste my power! You will find within all that you desire. Beauty and knowledge, riches and youth – all can and shall be yours this day. Do you see me here before you? Is there any here my equal? Does anyone pretend to know more than I? I am she who holds the secrets, who grants to you the knowledge of what your life was meant to be. Taste my cup!”

Both those who have already savored, and those who wish to learn the taste – the crowd swells forward with one accord toward the polished, sparkling glass held forth. As it passes from one guest to the next, a sort of craze comes upon the sippers. Their eyes are only for the cup; no desperate, grasping brain spares even a thought for its dazzling, magnanimous hostess. The one consideration is for another drop. More. Just one more sip is all that is needed. Just one more. The lady knows she is forgotten, and so her evening masquerade has ceased. Gone now is her kind and gentle smile, her loving, sympathetic eyes. A cruel hatred in her demeanor pierces those around her, and contemptuous, sardonic sneers fall upon one and all as she looks down from her throne.

All night the guests continue in their mindless gluttony. More. More. More. Is the endless chant.

Gladly, the Lady of Kingdoms refills their glasses.

More. More. More.

 Overwhelmed in their thirst for further fulfillment, the kings and noblemen, ladies and princes, do not realize the changes that have come upon them. They have grown taller, their robes have changed to colors of greater and more brilliant hues, the reflection of diamonds flash in every direction, and yet, their faces grow more distressed, more frantic with every sip.

More. More. More.

The lady promised them this cup held their desires. Surely, one more taste would quench the thirst, would end the suffering, would fill the hole they feel more keenly with every disappointed hope.

More. More. More.

At last, in desperate exhaustion, one by one, they fall. In delighted scorn, only one remains. The Lady of Kingdoms stands tall and vengeful in the center of a dead room. A slight murmur attracts her attention and her cold eyes narrow in deepest hatred when they light upon the One. Gently, He approaches the death-like forms. Silently, He pulls from His satchel a different glass: clear, cool, and translucent. Tenderly, He offers the drink of Light to those who have despaired in the darkness, and, lovingly, He lifts them to their feet. Once again, the lady’s guests have changed. The diamonds disappear and the robes fade, yet on the faces of those who felt His breath, the truest beauty dawns. A beauty so deep, so brilliant, and so complete, no one questions what it is.

Joy. At last.

Never again will they believe that the lady’s cup holds their answers. They have finally received what it was they sought.

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”*

What steals your joy? Learn to flee its glittering gold, and to rather drink deeply from the clear waters of the Word. The thief and her cup will ever fail to satisfy.

* Psalm 34:8, emphasis mine

Off the Face of the Earth - Part 1

A week and no post? I bet you thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth (because of course, you noticed and missed me, right? Right)! Well, you're just about correct, for I've certainly had a glimpse of heaven since last I blogged. The Heritage Bible Church Family Camp took place Labor Day weekend - and what a fun-filled, fellowship-packed, iron-sharpening time we had!

Camp preparations began (for me) on Tuesday, when I jumped at the opportunity to accompany and assist with the grocery shopping. Let me tell you, skating through Costco with a couple filled-to-the-brim shopping carts is an experience worth paying for. :p  We repeated the adventure on Thursday, when we shopped for the cold food items, and Friday morning I was actually at camp!

It's nigh-impossible to know where to begin in describing camp. I got to see and hang out with my dear friend from St. Louis (they moved away two years ago, but came back so two of the girls could get baptized with our church family):

Volleyball is the game of choice at our camp. We have the speed volleyball tournament Saturday morning, the teams-of-four volleyball tournament all weekend, and if you happened to stroll by the gym at midnight on any of the evenings, your ears would be greeted with cries of "Service!", "Mine!", loud thumps, and cheers.

Saturday is the truly crazy-packed day. After morning prayer meeting, breakfast, and chapel, there's the speed volleyball, apple bobbing...

First the Little People

Then the big girls (I abstained in order to take pix :)

...and then the big boys...

Then, of course, sack races!! Meggers almost didn't want to do it, but she finally agreed at the last moment to run with me in the open-ages girl race. :)

Hmmm...I think the person who borrowed my camera was having too much fun... :)

After these, there was the traditional egg toss, and then (drum roll, please) Family Challenge! This year was fantastic because it was actually hot outside, and we got to add a water-on-your-head relay to the team challenge. So much fun! I only got pix of one station before I got way too carried away with the competitive spirit decided I should help out more with the games.

Two barrels...

A small wooden roller...

A rope...

...and two, 3 ft. square mats - could you get over 20 people across 100 feet without touching the ground? :)

Little girl friends

Waiting for their turns

Explaining the difficulties of eating while talking on the phone? :)

Top Saturday off with the side-splitting talent night (videos coming...soon. :) And it makes for one, long, more-fun-than-you've-ever-had day.

I Saw God Today

The line of crowding, hungry people stretched as far as the eye could see. Little ones whimpering for their dinners, women calculating how many mouths they had to fill, men impatiently shuffling from one foot to the next - all waiting for the food, wherever it was coming from, to materialize before them.

At the front of the line, standing tall and resolutely behind the three food tables like so many soldiers - and in truth, they were soldiers - the servers cast apprehensive glances, one to another, each reminding his neighbor to be frugal with the helpings. The meal was far from plentiful.

Scurrying around in the kitchen, the cooks were a smattering of mixed emotions. While some bemoaned the lack of food and the surplus of people, most reminded each other, in hopeful tones, that God would provide.

And they knew He would. For there, standing in a corner of the gym; and there, stirring a crock pot of gravy in the kitchen; and there, peering through the doors at the thick, unyielding line of hungry individuals; were the prayer warriors. As their eyes roved to and fro over the crowd, these faith-firm soldiers prayed blessing after blessing down on those who came seeking food. They asked that those lining up for dinner would come to crave the true nourishment of the Word. They asked that those being offered a free meal would have their ears opened to hear the ultimate offer of free and eternal life. And they asked that, if it would be to His glory, the Lord might provide for all 300 people who sought their evening fare at the "Lord's Gym" that night.

And provide He did. It was with amazed and awestruck giggles of pure glee that I, after helping prepare only two-thirds of the normal dinner amount, and serving it to nearly twice the typical number of guests, filled and set aside seven spare containers of chicken-and-gravy. Yes, the stuffing, salad, bread, and dessert were gone, but we still had leftovers. Leftovers. Left. Overs. Extra.

"Well," said Grandma Vi, Queen of the Kitchen, and one of the many people I must do a post on one of these days, "I asked the Lord what to do about having too little chicken, and he told me to put in extra gravy, and that it would all work out if I did. And it did."

God provides in miraculous - and such amazingly cool - ways! It boggles the mind to think of how He intervenes for us, doing it in such a way that we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it was His hand which saved the evening. Not our foresight. Not our ability to collect resources. Not our hard work. Not our time spent. Not our ingenuity.

It was our King, the Ruler and Creator of the universe, interposing His will on our circumstances.

I saw God today.

I Can Only Imagine

Have you ever been so amazed by real beauty, that it made you short of breath? Made you feel as though you would burst? Made you feel, somehow, like there was a void deep inside of you that only that beauty could fill, if only you knew how to really embrace it? It’s rare, but when I do have it – whether it has been triggered by a heart-wringing strain of music or a breath-taking glimpse of God’s creation – it is not only beautiful, but it hurts. It makes one inexplicably happy, and senselessly sad; sad in an intense, longing sort of way, not in a sorrowful sense. Does that even make sense? Not really, but it is the case, nonetheless.

Anyway, there is something truly beautiful and mysterious about the book of Revelation. Its pages fill me with a wonder and desire that I cannot understand or explain. Today, reading this passage in church, that feeling over-whelmed me again:

“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

Around the throne were twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.”  – Revelation 4:3-6

Think of the beauty of the power, and the fear of the power, and the awe of the power of God that we will feel when we see this scene. Think of what it will be like to sing with all creation “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13b) O! Do you get goose bumps just reading those words?

Who can comprehend a beauty so great, it frightens?

Who can understand a sight so breath-taking, it terrifies?

Who can envision a scene so stunning, it petrifies?

How beautiful! How exciting! How amazing! How awesome! If simply reading this passage gives such an indescribable feeling, what will heaven be like?

I can only imagine.