DanishDoll's Xanga

Norway ROCKS!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:59:47 GMT

Hello, Dear Friends!

The weary travelers arrived home late last night. To do that required us taking three ferries, (one is for seven hours!) as well as several hours of driving. We basically just dragged all our bags in and up the stairs to our apartment, put the fish we brought back in the freezer and went to bed. ZONKED! I feel like I could sleep for a week.

I missed all of you so much! Often God brought you to mind in my times of prayer, and I ask Him to bless you and keep you. He is so faithful. Pea Hater FORGOT HIS COMPUTER! I find that hard to believe, but it is true, nonetheless! I think it was good for him, actually. I was only able to get online once and that was just to check Junglewife’s site and see how baby Claire was doing. We had been praying for her. She is MUCH better! Thank you, Lord!

Let me just say.... I LOVE NORWAY!!! I experienced incredible beauty and my camera could never do it justice.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by to read and comment. I will be back to reading and catching up tomorrow, but for today, I really have to rest and unpack.

Love,

Mae

Yep. Norway rocks! There are lots and LOTS of rocks!

This is a farmer's field on the island of Rørvær where we stayed. Rocks.

Panoramic view towards the mainland.

Look at those mountains! Many of them still had snow on them or were shrouded by clouds.

Fishing boat in the island harbor.

The channel at Rørvær that heads to the open sea.

Running on Empty

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT

"... O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalms 63:1 KJVR)

Have you ever experienced a time when your spiritual life was so dry you could hardly spit out an a-men? You felt like your prayers floated to the ceiling, bounced off it and hit the floor with a "splat?" Have you ever had a time when the effort to drag yourself to church was so much that you just didn’t bother, and forget about reading your Bible.... you don’t even know where it is!?

It’s hard to get anywhere on an empty tank. It’s hard to move forward without anything to fuel the motion. If we don’t put anything in, pretty soon, there isn’t going to be anything to take out.

We all go through some dry periods from time to time. We may get busy and wander away from the One who brings us to the living water. In those times you may have to go a little farther and dig a little deeper for the good water. Sometimes, you have to go back to the place where you left the Shepherd and get back in step with Him again. He can lead you to some good water. Isn’t it worth it for the refreshing drink you will get?

"So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;" (Acts 3:19 AMP)

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." [Acts 2:25-28, 31.] (Psalms 16:11 AMP)

How long has it been since you sat in His presence and "filled up your tank"?

Not What We Deserve

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJVR)

I wonder what would happen if God treated us the way we treat Him. Whew! I think if that happened, we may as well just wrap ourselves in asbestos and hope for the best!

We want God’s protection, but often we put ourselves in places where He has not directed us to go. We engage in activities of which He does not approve, and we ignore His commandments. Hmmm.....

We desire God’s blessings, yet often are so unwilling to bless Him with any of our time or finances. We do pretty much what we want, when we want, but if we find ourselves in hard times, who do we usually blame? Yep. God.

We expect God to be there, ready to listen whenever we cry for help, yet unless we are in trouble, we often spend very little time with Him.

We expect an awful lot from God, and it’s a good thing that He is so patient with us. I think we may forget sometimes that a day will come when we are going to reap what we have sown. "Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others--ignoring God!-- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit." (Galatians 6:7-9 MSG)

How thankful I am for His mercy! I never, never want to be one who would, by my wrong choices, try to misuse or make a fool of God! I am so grateful that He does not give me what I deserve. He spoke to my heart today about being careful to keep things in the right order, and having a right attitude. I want to plant God’s best in my life. I want His peace, joy and blessings! I want His goodness and mercy to "follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23)

What about you?

I'm Rich!

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Yep! I am rich! Do I have money in a savings account? Uh, no. Do I have investments. Hmm.. Not on this earth! Do I have stocks or bonds? Nope. Do I own vast amounts of property or other things of earthly value? You must be joking! Well, than how can you say you are rich?

A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.

(1 Timothy 6:6 MSG)

I am rich in many ways! I have much to be thankful for. Here are some of my riches.

* I love what I do. I feel I am doing something which will have eternal value.

* I am a part of the Body of Christ, and it is awesome!

* My children, and my family are serving God.

* I have a wonderful, godly husband.

* The word of God is in my heart and working in my life.

* I am in good health.

* I have amazing friends.

* God is faithful to supply all my needs.

* Goodness and mercy follow me.

* I am full of the joy of the Lord, and this makes me strong!

* I am free – my sins are forgiven.

* I know God protects me.

* I have a storehouse of God’s wisdom to turn to whenever I need it.

* I am assured of a place in Heaven.

* I love knowing I am doing what my Heavenly Father wants me to do.

* I have the Holy Spirit to keep me on the right path, and to show me what I need to see.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-2 KJVR)

What’s in your "spiritual bank account?"

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We are off for Norway and will be away for a week, so no Xanga for me! I will be posting my usual devotionals, and I do hope you will stop by, read and comment if you want. I am sure I will come back with LOTS of pictures to share with you.

*************************************************************************

Guarding Our Hearts

"Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23 MKJV) How do you guard your heart? And, while we’re at it – what is meant by "heart" in this verse? The heart is "the seat of our mind, will and emotions.

The mind. There’s a saying about the mind being the devil’s playground, and there is truth to this. It is in our thoughts we are often attacked. It is what we choose to think about that can get us into trouble. What we allow our minds to dwell on will have a strong influence over us. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that what a man thinks in his heart, is what he is. So, to guard our heart is to protect our thought life from fear, anger, jealousy, unfaithfulness, pride and the like .

The will. It is important that we keep our will submitted to the will of God. When we wander into the realm of "I, me, my, mine" we are giving our selfish pride control, and heading into trouble. When we cannot receive correction without being offended; when we argue and whine instead of humbling ourselves and admitting our mistakes, we are not guarding our hearts.

The emotions. We must watch where our affections lie. We will become like what we love. If we love being entertained, or if we give our devotion to material things, we will be shallow, spiritually powerless, unhappy people.

WHY is it so important to keep a strict control over our mind, will and emotions?

"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 MSG)

Our heart will either be the place where we meet with God, and where His love and joy bubbles out of us, or it will be the dark, deceitful place that leads us away to sin and the destruction of our souls.

We must watch over our hearts carefully, for if our heart is right, our life will be right.

Are Your Weird?

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:49:48 GMT

"For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord." (Psalms 27:5-6 AMP)

Last year I had an opportunity to take some classes to learn a new therapy technique. I was excited to have the chance to learn useful information to help people. The classes weren’t at all what I expected, but they were interesting, and I tried to find take good notes.

There was one exercise the instructor ask us to do which both frustrated and delighted me. We had been discussing art as therapy to help clients express their emotions. The key was to guide them to explain an original drawing and use it to bring understanding. We were asked to pretend we were a client, and to draw a picture of some fear or problem we had. We were given crayons, a piece of white paper, and ten minutes to make our picture.

Well, I sat there and sat there. Every time I thought of some fear or problem I could draw, I felt God’s peace, and I had to admit it really wasn't a problem. I honestly could not come up with anything which was a big concern for me! I’m not saying I am problem free, but I do know where my help comes from. I know worrying about stuff isn't necessary when you turn your problems over to Jesus. I am so thankful for His wonderful peace and His loving care over my life.

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." (Psalms 32:7 KJVR)

Well, the ten minutes were nearly up, and my paper was still blank! I had been sitting there just quietly rejoicing in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. The instructor ask me if I was having trouble. I told her I didn’t see it as trouble, really. I just didn’t have any anxieties! Hmmm... She was not happy with that answer. She assured me that EVERYONE has anxieties and that I was just not in touch with my "inner self." Whatever!!!

"..The Lord is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1 AMP)

I knew it wasn’t the time or place to get into the kind of discussion I wanted to have! So, I just agreed that I was weird. I like being weird. If I have to choose between having fear or anxiety or being weird and trusting God, I am going to go with weird.

Are you weird?

Photos of This and That

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:47:18 GMT

Hello, Folks!

Happy Sunday! Did you Americans have a good 4th? We have been enjoying nice weather which allows us some "out with the camera time." Yesterday as I stood in the grass taking a picture of fields, stinging ants decided to go for a hike up my legs. YIKES! I did a lot of jumping around and swatting before they were all off me. See what I go through to get photos for you?

Our sweet little grandson celebrated his 5th birthday last Sunday. Isn't he adorable?

Pea Hater took this picture of some beautiful doors in downtown Viborg.

There are many little churches around Denmark, and I like taking pictures of them. The State church, which is Lutheran, receives tax money from the government for the upkeep of the buildings and grounds, so they always look well kept.

I was quite smitten with the old rock fence in front of this one.

While I was taking this photo of an old barn, the owner came out to see what we were doing. He invited us to "come to his table" but we declined. Sweet, though.

I took a lot of pictures of this boat on the lake. It just looked peaceful. The water was so calm.

I love the shot Pea Hater got downtown looking through an entranceway into a courtyard.

More windmills!

Isn't this a great old stone barn?

See the stork's nest on the roof?

Now do you see it?

These rolling fields with the various colors and tracks through the wheat kind of remind me of a big quilt. This is the scene of the ant attack!

I liked the reflection these things made in the still water. I think the ring is where someone ties their boat.

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Psalms 23:1-6 AMP)

I pray that you will allow the Lord to lead you to still, restful waters this week.

Let Freedom Ring!

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:55:37 GMT

No matter whether it’s our country’s freedom or our spiritual freedom, we need to remember it came at a price. Blood was shed, sacrifices were made and we need to appreciate that. Freedom really isn’t free.

The soldiers who have defended our country are often sent to foreign lands and must suffer under poor conditions. The King of glory gave up Heaven to come to earth and live among us. Both the soldier and the Savior went willingly.

The solider defends the flag while the ignorant and rebellious spit on it and burn it. The Savior defends His creation, while mankind continues to make choices that lead them in a downward spiral of sin.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound," (Isaiah 61:1 AMP)

Some of us live in a free country, but we are not really free. Some of us are bound by fear, or sorrow, anger or unforgiveness. Some us feel trapped in an abusive, loveless marriage or a dead end job. Did you know that sometimes bondage is a choice? Sometimes we have been deceived into thinking that nothing will ever change, so we sit in the prison cell of our sorry life. The door is not locked, and if we would but choose to, we could get up and walk out. Not making a choice to be free is making a choice to remain in bondage.

Do you want to be free from the things that hassle your soul? Choose to be free. Make a plan. Make a decision.Do what you need to do. Forgive. Let go. Start saving. Read your Bible. Buy the patch. Get counseling. Get training. Lose weight. Laugh more. Get to church. Change old patterns of thinking and behaving. Stop complaining. Stop blaming other people. Will it be easy? No. Remember, freedom costs something.

Freedom is worth it. YOU are worth it.

Etiquette for the Throne Room

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:59:36 GMT

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (Psalms 95:2-6 KJVR)

The other day I was doing some "googling" about the proper protocol for meeting royalty — not that I expect to meet the Queen of Denmark or any other royal person any time soon! I was just curious. I think it’s interesting that there are rules for conducting oneself in the presence of royalty. For instance, you must always stand when they enter the room. The royal person should be address as "Your Majesty," and one should never chew gum when one speaks to them. Men should bow their head slightly and women should execute a small curtsy, and you only shake hands if the royal person extends theirs first. You should not turn your back, but step back from royalty, and if you are attending a dinner where they are, and they stop eating, so must you!

Aren’t you glad you know now? It’s a good idea to be prepared.

Have you ever thought if there is a proper protocol for meeting with the King of all kings? Should we not give Him the highest praise and the most honor of all? Being invited to come into His presence is a wonderful privilege. We should not take it lightly.

"For GOD is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap; Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags. GOD made the heavens-- Royal splendor radiates from Him, A powerful beauty sets Him apart. Bravo, GOD, Bravo! Everyone join in the great shout: Encore! In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might. Bring gifts and celebrate, Bow before the beauty of GOD, Then to your knees--everyone worship!" (Psalms 96:4-9 MSG)

"Honor GOD with everything you own; give Him the first and the best." (Proverbs 3:9 MSG) I love this verse. My King deserves the first and the best!

"That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11 AMP)

All earthly royalty pales in light of His majesty! He is worthy of all reverence and honor.

That's ALL, Folks!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:57:07 GMT

Sometimes I take a certain word and study it through the Bible. This can be interesting and rewarding. Today I chose the word ALL. What is the definition of all? It means every single bit –the whole thing. OK. That was my definition. Let me go check wikpedia. ............. Yeah, close enough!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 MKJV) So, based on our understanding of the word ALL, we can confidently say that when we love God ALL things work together for good. Not, some things, or an occasional thing, but ALL things. Right? Isn’t that good to know?

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]" (Matthew 11:28 AMP) Would you agree with me that ALL who are burdened and stressed can come to Christ? Everyone. Everyone including you!

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 KJVR) WHAT? With God, anything is possible? Anything? Yep!

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37 KJVR) Hmmm.... Love Him with your ALL – every single bit of ALL of you.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness," (Romans 1:18 MKJV) I guess there is not any ungodliness that doesn’t upset God. It ALL bothers Him, so we need to be careful!

"...for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 MKJV) This seems to be a hard concept for prideful man to get, but it’s pretty clear. We are ALL sinners.

"If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men." (Romans 12:18 MKJV) Even mean bosses, noisy neighbors and unpleasant cashiers? Yep.

"Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 MKJV) Everything we do – ALL things – should glorify Him.

"Let all your things be done in charity." (1 Corinthians 16:14 MKJV) Always love.

I could continue with this study, but maybe you would like to get a concordance and finish it. There are lots more great verses. I hope this has blessed you all.