The Journey: Let Them Eat Cake

ACT I
SCENE ONE

Her eyes bulged and she looked at the numbers again. "No! That can't be right. There is no way I gained three pounds!" Her eyes fill with tears. "It's not fair! God it's not fair!"

"Fine. Fine. What good does it do to even try?" With her hand braced against her aching back, she hobbles into the kitchen, takes milk and eggs out of the fridge and slams them on the counter along with cinnamon and nutmeg. "It's been months since I've had french toast. I love french toast." She whisks the ingredients together.

"See that God. That's what I'm having for breakfast!" She dips bread into the egg mixture and places two pieces in a skillet, then grabs the butter and syrup out of the cupboard. She's crying hard now, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's not fair. Not fair," she sobs, realizing the more upset she gets the more her back hurts. "I'll never lose any weight. My back is never going to feel better."

"I stuck to my diet this week . . . all except that small ice cream cone I ate yesterday. It was a small one . . . and the sherbet I had four times this week, but they were small servings . . . "

After setting the toast on a plate, she slathers it with butter. "Do you see this? I'm using butter!" Drizzling syrup over the confection, she adds, "And syrup!"

The meal completed, she stands and stares at it. She doesn't even want it. She's too upset. Instead, she goes to the fridge and takes out a container of yogurt.

_____________

This could be a funny scene. But it's not. It's pretty close to what happened in my house this morning.

Perhaps this is even too transparent for me, but I've just got to be real about this. Taking off a facade of perfection is the only way we can truly help one another.

I am so ashamed of my attitude and disrespect toward God. He's the One who loves me more than I can even imagine. The One who has stood with me through good and bad. The One who has not only forgiven all of my wickedness but who offered His own Son so I could spend eternity with Him.

When I stood on the scale this morning it was my own sin that stared up at me, no failure on God's part. It's true my metabolism is on the slow side, but I know that. I am well aware of my parameters for weight loss so when I blow it I'm the one at fault.

The french toast went down the garbage disposal and I went to my Heavenly Father and asked for His forgiveness. He is full of grace, and I am forgiven. Our relationship is restored. The next step was to ask Him for His help. After prayer, I went to a devotional that I love -- Streams in the Desert. These words shouted at me from the page. "A life without prayer is a powerless life." 

I pray, all the time. But strangely enough, I haven't been praying about what I eat or what I'm about to eat. I haven't asked directly for guidance about what ought to go in my  mouth--a HUGE oversight. I don't comprehend why I haven't done that. I'm a prayer. This matter for prayer is going to become a new habit. I'm going to pray often . . . not just about the big stuff (or so called), but about every bite that goes in my mouth.

I will get back to you on this. In the mean time, Let THEM eat cake. I'm not having any.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Our Life Matters

This morning while sitting in church something my pastor said, rang out at me. He quoted a statement from J. Stafford Wright. "Man knows enough to be held responsible for whatever he does or fails to do."

We have no excuses. We know what we ought to do. There is a voice inside that speaks to us, if only we'll listen.

Our life matters, and every day is filled with opportunities. The whole idea of living a life of significance thrills me right down to my toes. We may ask, "What am I supposed to do?" Micah 6:8 gives a straight forward answer. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Each day we face circumstances that force us to ask what should I do? God says demonstrate justice, mercy and humility. If we consistently exhibit these qualities we'll have a positive impact on those around us. And not only others, but ourselves as well.

My pastor said something else, about the Lord, that set me on fire. "He wants our life to adorn His grace." I thought, Wow! That's beautiful! That's powerful! I want that!

Even though I fall far short of perfection I know if I keep my eyes on the Lord I WILL look more and more like Him and my life will adorn His grace. Amazing! And it can happen only because God loves His children and works in their hearts.

Shall we look into His face and know Him? Only then shall we be transformed.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Sisters

I just received this photo and memories flooded me. These are fabulous women! I can't wait for heaven when we'll have eternity to chat together, pray together, and praise the Lord together.

Many months ago I was asked to speak for the Wapato Valley Baptist Church. As I drove to the coast last weekend I listened to worship music and prayed. I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me, telling me that I'd been chosen for this time, this place and this topic. I felt humbled and honored. I had little idea, however, that although I was the "teacher" God had a lot for ME to learn.

When I arrived at the beach house in Lincoln City I was thrilled. It was absolutely beautiful! And the team of ladies who met me there immediately felt like family. I knew it was going to be a great weekend.

By the time the rest of the women from Wapato Valley Baptist began arriving my back was having a hayday. I have a bad back, and it flairs up from time-to-time. Interestingly it chose this weekend to get cranky. In spite of it, God saw me through and I was able to fulfill my "obligation".

I watched the ladies love and care for each other, and they didn't forget to have a lot of fun as well. And through my pain I was introduced to the beauty of the women of this church. These lovely ladies prayed for me, cared for me and spent time with me. Although my body was hurting my spirit was being nourished.

In the months prior to the retreat, as I prepared to teach about Living Without Masks, I was challenged. As I studied and worked through scriptures I learned so much, and then when I shared with the women during the retreat God spoke to me. By the end of the weekend, He'd given me a glimpse of His plans for me and revealed a mask I had no idea I'd been wearing. I must say, I was stunned at the revelation. I'm in process on this one, but I'm excited to discover what God has in store for me.

We serve a great God. He doesn't miss anything and He knows what each of us needs in order to grow and mature so we can better serve one another. I thank Him for his love and grace, especially that which was so beautifully demonstrated through His servants.

I'm always amazed at how God can take a group of His children, throw them together and make a family. The ladies of the Wapato Valley Church are my forever family.

God uses people and circumstances to cause change in us. May we all open our eyes and our hearts to Him and discover a deeper, richer relationship with our Lord and with others.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Grace vs Work?

Ephesians 2:8 -10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

On occasion Christians take sides -- either grace or works. The verses in Ephesians clearly state that our “goose would be cooked” without God’s grace. It is only because of His gift of grace that we can be assured heaven will be our eternal home. And so we need to begin there, with the acceptance of His undeserved gift.

After we believe does that mean there’s nothing more to do? Nope. That’s not what The Word says. Although I believe heaven is available even if we never do a thing for God (remember the prisoner crucified alongside Christ), I’m convinced God doesn’t intend for us to believe and then go on our merry way unconcerned with Him or His plan for our lives.

Verse ten of Ephesians Two says we are created to do good works, which were prepared for us to do. It seems to me that if we refuse to do good works we’re walking in disobedience.

God gives each of us gifts and abilities to be used for His service. So I say, let’s use them.

One of the statements I often hear is, “I don’t know how to do anything.” Or, “I’m nothing special. What can I do?” If you look at God’s Word you see that He used plain, ordinary people to spread the good news of Christ and to reach the world with His message of hope.

There is so much joy and beauty to be discovered when we work together—reaching out to one another, to the people in our church and in our communities. Life is meant to be full—of love and grace and service and Christ.

If we’ll just receive the gift God offers, then share it with others we’ll be awash with delight and wonder as we see God's transforming power in action. Giving of ourselves doesn’t end, but is a lifetime of devotion.


Grace and peace to you from God.


Bonnie

Tips For Trimphant Living--Trust God

This comes late, but I’ve been sick and laid up for a few weeks. Still, I feel compelled to post this message.

Tonight is November 4th, election day. The news is in. We have a new president—Barack Obama.

I did not vote for Mr. Obama. However, he will soon be the president of the United States, my president. I will respect him and do my best to support him. Above that I will, as a citizen, assist my country. I will remain informed, and stand up and speak out when necessary and maybe even hold up a sign in a public protest. I pray we will all be diligent citizens. America is the greatest country on earth and each of us must serve as guardians for truth and freedom.

For those who are disappointed in the country’s decision, take heart, God knows all there is to know. He has not forgotten His children. His eyes are upon this country. I pray for mercy, but no matter what comes I trust our Heavenly Father.

During Barack Obama’s acceptance speech I was moved by the emotion in the crowd there in Chicago. Especially the tears I saw in the African Americans' eyes who have waited and dreamed for such a day. A hundred years ago, the election of an African American for president was an impossibility and something one dare not even hope for. It is a huge step in our history and for that I am proud of my country.

I will pray for our new president as I have for previous presidents. And I will pray for my country, that there will be an awakening, that eyes would be opened and that God’s righteousness and grace would sweep across our land. And I will go on, serving my Lord and doing my best to fulfill His purpose in my life.

As children of God, may we all seek truth, share the gospel and love one another.

Grace and peace to you from God.



Bonnie

Tips for triumphant living -- Face Your Giants

I don’t like giants.

My first inclination is to run from the things in life that are scary, painful or just plain difficult. I try to face my giants, but often I'm quaking in my boots.

When reflecting on battling giants you’d think my first thought would be David. After all, he stood up to Goliath even after being warned not to.

David didn't listen to men. He obeyed God and knew he’d been called to that moment, that challenge. And so with nothing more than a sling, a stone and his faith, he brought down the giant and saved his people from slavery.

Still, it isn’t David I think of when my thoughts go to giant slaying. It’s my sister.

Several weeks ago I sat in a courtroom and watched her stand up to one of her giants. She did so with resolve and courage even though the giant she faced was the man responsible for her nineteen-year-old daughter’s death.

Two and a half years before her daughter, Crystal, died in an automobile accident. The man who’d been driving had been drinking when he drove off an embankment. Crystal died instantly. The driver had no injuries and I can only guess at those he carries inside.

With no noticeable remorse he sat in the courtroom awaiting his sentence. My sister remained composed as she faced the accused. Bravely and eloquently she told him all that he had taken from her and her family in hopes that it would impact him enough to change his ways. She spoke with honesty and without malice.

I wept, and in my heart I cheered. I was proud of my sister, not because she spoke eloquently, not because she was honest, or because she lacked malice, but because she faced this “giant” with courage and grace. She offered him mercy. And she told him about the love of Jesus, sharing God’s grace with him. She asked him to place his trust in Christ so that he too could spend eternity in heaven, right beside her daughter who already resides there.

My sister’s strength and faith is an inspiration to me. The same God who stood with David stood with my sister and He stands with me and with you. He offers courage and strength.

He whispers in our hearts, “Do not fear. I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Do you have a story about one of the giants you've faced? We'd love to hear about it.