Into the Fire

The promo for Season 8 of the long-running TV series Magnum P. I. Loved this show. Tom Selleck was fantastic as the iconic former Naval officer turned private investigator and security provider for the lavish Robin's Nest coupled with the rigid and cunning estate manager Higgins (John Hillerman) and his two Dobermans Zeus and Apollo.

Lord, may your Spirit search Hollywood and seek those whose hearts are open to your Son. You're the only One who knows our hearts and what we are capable of. May these talented people know you are the One who gave them their incredible abilities. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

For a smaller kitchen, this definitely works. Beautiful wood and brick. Efficient and pretty in a small space.

Ah, Lord. So pretty. You give such talents and gifts to people. Thank you for them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

We are settled into our new home. Sort of. We've now spent one week in this small town out in the country with a magnificent view and the various translations of this city's name proving to be true – as we knew they would. "City of the evil winds" is one translation of Enumclaw (pronounced ee-numb-claw), and we had some of those last night for the second time. I'm not a fan of high winds. They scare me. I prayed through and they have moved on. This is not uncommon for March around our parts – not just in Enumclaw. Hopefully, March coming in "like a lion" will mean it must leave "like a lamb".

High winds, metaphorically speaking, occur in our lives at various junctions along the way. Right now the political climate in this great nation suffers through the howling turmoil of restless winds. As with all solid structures, it takes a huge storm to damage them, and the USA has weathered many a case of high winds in its history, the most recent being the past eight years under a pseudo-leader who has shown no affection for or devotion to the country and the process which allowed him to be in the vaunted position he holds.

Pain and suffering flow through lifetimes, some preventable, some not. Justice careens in and out of situations while final judgment awaits those lifetimes. Evil has its way in all of humanity, but the real good will prevail in the end. There is an outcome designed, methodically plodding and at some point accelerating toward the end of what is known.

High winds can flow through an area and leave debris or they can topple trees and leave great damage in their aftermath. Physical, emotional, and spiritual thrashings result from untethered high winds of the soul. As a people, we have one way to save ourselves from the terror of uncontrollable winds. His Name is Jesus. Laugh, scoff, ignore, or discard at your own risk.

The road to eternity takes its course through high winds. Only One provides a safe outcome.

God, you alone provide salvation from our wicked ways and damaged souls. Thank you for sending your Son to take our sins upon Himself and die in our place.  Thank you for resurrecting Him as you will do for us who believe. We're sin-stained flesh and blood, Lord. No one knows that better than you. We're desperate for you whether or not we realize it. It's hard for us to shed our humanity and look upon the miracle you put in place. Death and resurrection? We struggle to believe in the supernatural and miraculous – yet some will believe in aliens but not demons and angels. We are a fallen lot. We deserve eternal damnation in a place of burning sulphur. Yet your mercy calls us to believe in the One who set us free from eternal death in an endless hell. Thank you is never enough for the eternal rescue from high winds. In the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus, Amen.    

     Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.

     In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!"

     "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

     All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread to the surrounding area.

Luke 4:31-37 (NIV)

This is our now kitchen before we redo the decidedly retro/70's look. This puppy is around 400 sq. ft. of room. What you cannot see in this shot are the windows facing a magnificent view of our regal Mt. Rainier and the Cascade foothills and range. Also not pictured is a brick fireplace with a wood stove insert. What you also can't see are four pantry doors next to the refrigerator (you see part of one) and a large space to the right in front of the windows which will accommodate a big or small table. The kitchen will be transformed and repainted but will keep the same format. The island will be raised – it's very low. The cooktop will be eliminated (it's a grill of some sort) and the right side (facing it) will be extended for stool seating. And the pot rack is already gone. New cabinetry, floor, a different dishwasher (this one screeches when it opens and leaks slightly), and countertops.

It's all hard to believe for us. And to say we're so thankful is a disgraceful understatement. No words.

Father, all this is made possible by you and you alone. You did this. We're in awe of all you've done for us. As always, we're desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.

     Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your home town what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'"

     "I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his home town. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed – only Naaman the Syrian."

     All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:22-30 (NIV)

Five things that have become the most difficult about moving:

Fitting items to a box size while attempting not to make them too heavy for me to lift

Feeling overwhelmed as each room is pictured with all that must be packed

Realizing my kitchen will be "under construction" almost immediately for probably 4 to 6 weeks

Hoping our horse and dog will adapt quickly

The sheer volume of "stuff" that must be transported

I am not complaining. We are the new owners of a home!

Father, you've given us a new place to fill with your design for our lives. May we honor you in all we do from there. Thank you is never enough. We love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
          

                         Interesting but not for me.

Lord, thank you for it all. Everyone can find something they like from the creativity you spread around. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday, we are leaving our home of 30+ years. Moving. Finally. We're excited and cramming to get so much stuff sifted and ready to transport. We've taken several loads already to an outbuilding, but Sunday is the real deal.

I apologize for the sporadic posting during this time of transition. So much is required right now that my ability to be original or creative is clearly on a break. We shall return to your regular programming at some point. Bear with me, please. And thank you for all of your visits, thoughts, and comments. Love you. Love them.

Father, help us. We can do all things through you who gives us strength. Thank you, Lord. Desperate for you always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Contemporary elegance with the contrasting whites and dark wood. Bren Anderson, you like this one?

Father, what more can be said? You incorporate beauty in the hearts of your creation. Please help us to remember that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.