Anyone who knew my dad will likely remember his use of the phrase “spaced repetition”.  He was a firm believer that in order to really learn something, understand it and put it into practice we need to hear it over and over again, spaced throughout time.  I have come to realize the wisdom in that phrase.

Lately, as I have spent more time than usual with my youngest grandson, I have listened  to “Wheels on the Bus”, “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Where is Thumbkin?”  over and over again. Much to my annoyance, I find myself inadvertently singing these songs in my head.  I have even found myself saying out loud the words “digger” when I see an excavator and “school bus” when a bus goes past me.  And sadly, that is when I am by myself in the car. The things I hear again and again quickly surface.

Yet, I have so many things crammed into my brain that it is sometimes hard to remember the names of people I know well.  I can tell myself to remember something, but unless I write it down it may not be thought of again.  And of course then I have to remember where I wrote it. But first, I need to remember again what I am looking for! By then, I may have forgotten why I was looking for it in the first place!  Many things I realize I know, but I need my memory stirred to bring them to the surface again.

God knew we need to be reminded of spiritual truths. He reminds us in several ways:  Through his Spirit;  John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Through his Word; Romans 15:15
  I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me
1 Cor. 15:1
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 Peter 1:12
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.

And through other people;  1 Cor. 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

He also asks us to do the remembering and reminding. Where do you focus your thoughts? We focus our thoughts and set our minds on the things most important to us. I’ll never have His Word, His Spirit and the reminders of his way of life I learn from other people if I don’t put myself in front of these things.

Philip. 4:8
  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Col. 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

“Stop!  Stttoooooopp!”  I screamed as I, donned in my bathrobe, went tearing out of my house across the snowy grass to the middle of the road. Jordan, our 14 year old golden, was stretched out on the road and a huge garbage truck was barreling toward him at full speed.

As I wrote yesterday, Jordan has a temporary illness called Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome, which lasts about a week.  During this time he is an invalid.  He is completely disoriented, nauseous, and can’t walk without trembling and falling over.  Wyndham had lovingly carried Jordan outside for his morning business, and then let him lay in the grass and enjoy the outdoors while Wyndham ventured out for a prayer walk.  I guess it was more than Jordan could bear to see his master walk without him.  Though it seemed he would not be able to move any further while quietly enjoying the breeze,  he somehow found a way to get up and try to follow Wyndham.  He only made it to the middle of the street, where he lay helpless. I looked out of the window just in time to see this near- tragedy unfolding.

I saw the truck speeding ahead and then couldn’t see Jordan anymore.  My heart melted – and then as the truck passed I saw Jordan looking up at me.  The truck had missed him by inches.  I ran out and snatched him up (adrenaline works well in these situations) and brought him back inside.  My heart pounding, I was grateful for the good outcome, and that Wyndham would not face such a devastating situation upon his return.

I realize I may have lost those of you who are not “dog people”, but those who are can relate to my feelings.  As I took some time this morning to “Be still and know that He is God” (from Psalm 46:10).   I thought about this situation and the lessons I could take away from it.

Immediately, one of my favorite scriptures in Jude came to mind.  Jude 1:20-25
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. [21] Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
    [22] Be merciful to those who doubt; [23] snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
    [24] To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– [25] to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

What an upward call to me today. 1) to take personal responsibility to build myself up in holy faith and to pray.  2) to keep myself in God’s love….and not spiritually wander so I am more vulnerable to “garbage” running over me  3) to be merciful to those who doubt…combined with the appropriate fear of God and pursuit of holiness and 4) to have as much concern for my spiritual family to snatch them from harm’s way as I felt this morning for Jordan.

I’m inspired by Jude’s benediction….that my God is able to keep me from falling, and through Jesus, present me to Himself without fault and with great joy. Wow.

The good news is that our electricity is back!  Just as I had taken the last of the used- to- be frozen things from the freezer it came back.  Yes, we will be eating lots of fish and pheasant, as will our neighbors. I hurried to my daughter’s house, to pick up my things and our dogs and return home.

Jordan, our 14 year old golden retriever, was on the floor when I arrived and could not get up. He looked disoriented and scared…in really bad shape.  I called the vet, who was eager to see him.  When my son- in- law returned from work, he loaded Jordan in the car so I could take him to his appointment.  Fearing the worst, I cried all the way there…praying and telling God that I needed my husband for this scary trip to the vet.  Wyndham was on a plane, due to arrive home later in the night.

When I arrived at the vet, I began to sob… thinking of all the wonderful memories with Jordan and that I might not ever take him home again….and that my husband might not be able to tell his beloved dog goodbye.  The doctor (who is very partial to golden retrievers) brought him in for examination and explained that he had Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome.  The great news was hearing that in 85% of cases it clears up within the week.  Happily, we loaded him back up and my neighbor brought him in for me.  I was told that he would be a total invalid during this time and needed extra TLC and reassurance…as it was frightening to him. He would have to be carried outside (and he weighs 60 pounds). Wyndham arrived back late…and carried him out then and again this morning in hopes he would figure a way to relieve himself (which amazingly he did though I will spare you details). This syndrome causes a dog’s head to tilt and eyes to twitch. They are often nauseous because they lose all sense of balance – not knowing which way is up or which way is down.  Watching Jordan try to walk is pitiful.  He looks like an old man in a drunken stupor…who wobbly walks in circles and then falls down.

As I heard him whimpering before daylight and went out to lay on the floor beside him (a mother’s ears are always tuned in to pain) I realized that perhaps I was pretty pathetic looking – laying on the floor with our dog while our other dog stretched out on the sofa above me.  Immediately after I arrived, Jordan fell back asleep beside me. Since the floor was kind of hard, I did more thinking than sleeping.  I thought about how Jesus felt about those around him who were completely disoriented by their own choices and their lack of looking to him for direction. Mark 6:34
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

I also thought of Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Watching Jordan’s helplessness will prayerfully help me today look at others through Jesus’ eyes of compassion.  As much as I love Jordan…I know each person is a true treasure – though often disoriented, helpless and harassed.

Today I am posting a longer “blog” than usual.  Though I wrote this several months ago, it seems a timely reminder for me and for all of us to remember the poor.  As I am going on my fourth day without electricity, I am reminded of the millions upon millions of children (and their parents) who daily go to bed hungry, cold and without running water. I have been given so much, and I need to remind my heart to be generous and gracious – and to more closely strive to follow in Jesus’ steps.  May your heart and imagination be stirred as to ways you can make a difference.

Over about a ten year period during my employment with the wonderful benevolent organization HOPE worldwide I did quite a bit of traveling. Our children were still in school at the time and our families lived far away so I needed to be convinced that the value of this travel outweighed the difficulty of being away.  While I was able to see amazing parts of God’s handiwork across the globe our travel was not to the typical vacation sites.  Instead, I had the privilege of visiting many of the most severe slums of the world.

When I encountered the children in these places, sometimes I didn’t think my tears would stop flowing.  I spoke to children roaming the streets and lepers whose limbs had been eaten away.  I saw children being organized by their pimps for sex trade and children with AIDS dying all alone. I saw young boys in the subway halls with bags of paint pressed to their noses.  I talked and played with hundreds of children who had no parents.  I enjoyed the company of some young ones who lived on top of garbage heaps and others who were hungry.

Memories are vivid of one particular day when I climbed down into the sewers of Romania.  I encountered not only children, but teenagers who had children of their own.  I took a snapshot of one little “family”.  There only request was that I could come back with the printed picture, as they had never had a photo.  Like a broken record I heard the  the words, “Can you help me?”  I felt so helpless, in comparison to the magnitude of the needs.

Even now, as I think about these individual souls, I feel a sense of being overwhelmed with the task of responding to their pleas for help.  As we walked the sewer passages we had flashlights and candles to light the way and to see people’s faces when we came in contact with them.  When I was in the sewer numerous lessons begin to be thrust into my cup of learning.  I pray I never forget them.

I can’t do everything, but I can do what I can.  I am reminded of the woman Jesus commended in Mark 14:3-9

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

    [4] Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? [5] It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

    [6] “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. [8] She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. [9] I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

 Even in this account, Jesus knows the plight of the poor will always be with us.  I know I need the poor in my life.  They awaken my compassion, but also test and “grow”  my heart.  They help me know whether my Christianity is theoretical or practical.  In this passage Jesus is at the home of a leper.  We then see a woman come to anoint Jesus,  which he describes as an act preparing him for burial.  That appreciation and pure, devoted love for Jesus is held up for me and for all of us.  I need to consistently help the poor, but keep as first importance my devotion to the Lord.

From the sewer,  the discourse recorded from Job describing his efforts to understand and defend his plight is a challenge and upward call to me.

Job 29:11-17

    Whoever heard me spoke well of me,

        and those who saw me commended me,

    [12] because I rescued the poor who cried for help,

        and the fatherless who had none to assist him.

    [13] The man who was dying blessed me;

        I made the widow’s heart sing.

    [14] I put on righteousness as my clothing;

        justice was my robe and my turban.

    [15] I was eyes to the blind

        and feet to the lame.

    [16] I was a father to the needy;

        I took up the case of the stranger.

    [17] I broke the fangs of the wicked

        and snatched the victims from their teeth.

 I know I have a long way to go to have this kind of heart and reputation.  The sewer reminds me of the need, but I live a long way from this sewer.  However wherever I go I can speak up, and I can have an open hand.

Proverbs 31:8

    “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

        for the rights of all who are destitute.

Deut. 15:11

    There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

 As you drink from your cup of learning, remember the poor and remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16

I’ve had the privilege over the last few weeks to spend some extra time with several of my grandchildren.  Kristen’s prescribed bed rest has given me extra opportunities to take little Micah along as my assistant during some days. Also, Melissa and Kevin were traveling and I watched their three on Sunday afternoon and evening.  I am amazed as I watch and am reminded how much children take in from what they see and hear around them.  They absorb the words, faith, attitudes, purposes and values they see portrayed.  They listen to and imitate what they see with incredible perception and accuracy.  I am particularly reminded of two scriptures that teach this axiom.

Luke 6:40

    A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Philip. 4:8-9

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

We learn best from what we see modeled and communicated from one heart to another. I love watching my grown children parent.  I am so proud of them and the ways they are training their children.  Earlier this week I received this picture from Melissa with the following text: 

Melissa to me:  Lexi to me with my shoes and book.  “Bye mom.  I’m going to a bible study.  I gotta preach bout Jesus”.

This was a reminder to me that someone is always watching us.   I am also grateful that I can continue to learn from watching others who have strengths that I wish to emulate.  I remember a scripture in Deuteronomy 6 that we strove to put into practice when our children were young.

Deut. 6:4-7

    Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [5] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. [6] These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. [7] Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Of all the things I remember about my parents, the thing that stands out the most is that they loved God with all their heart and soul and strength.  Whatever is first in our life is clear to our children.  Our words, actions, compassion, faith, attitudes and purposes will shine through…one way or another. May today and each day be a day where we are alert to learning and teaching in ways pleasing to God.

I’m still recovering from my car’s diagnosis as I’m waiting for the repair to be completed.  My husband was out of town, and I scheduled an appointment after hearing a rattling noise from the fan that starts whenever the heat or air conditioning is turned on.  I described it as the noise a card makes when flicking in the spokes of a bicycle.  Then the noise started getting louder and louder!  While checking in to the service department I noticed the notation on the repair sheet just as I had described it to the service department…”Makes a horrible noise!”

I also asked them to see what they could do about a raunchy smell that I supposed had something to do with the great amount of rain and warmer than usual weather we had been having.  A year ago, after a fishing adventure my husband had organized, some “fish juice” (from freshly cleaned fish) spilled on the carpet in the back seat.  I was not at all thrilled with this rotten smell in my new (new to me) car and Wyndham lovingly worked very hard to get rid of the smell.  So, when my car began smelling like death warmed over I figured the fish smell had been reactivated by moisture and warmth.

I stared in disbelief as I got the news of my car’s problems.  It seems a mouse family had made a nest in the car, near the fan.  The little noise happened when the nesting materials fell into the area around the fan.  However, the disgustingly horrible situation that became a loud noise happened when the whole family moved in…Let’s just say things really “hit the fan” at this point!  Thus, the disgusting smell of death warmed over (which caused me to ride down the highway in cool weather with windows down) was exactly that.  As the service attendant began describing the problem I began to feel a bit nauseous.  Then he handed me a voucher for a complimentary lunch at their café, while I waited.  Was he kidding? How was I to think about food?!

Since the car also had a few recalls to fix, the dealership offered me use of a free rental car for the day.  As I drove home I thought a lot about the scripture in James 1:12-15

    Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

    [13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Temptation takes all kinds of forms….the temptations to be lazy, stingy, selfish, short-tempered, deceitful, impure, condescending, gossipy, prideful, (and the like) come at us every day.  It’s not sinful to be tempted.  It’s when we let the temptations start bringing their nesting materials in to our hearts and minds that we get into dangerous territory.  Then one sin comes in to rest in the nest and invites its entire family.  That’s when things start to “hit the fan”.  Unless we clean it up and disinfect (like what is happening to my Toyota now…except I’m speaking from a spiritual point of view)  our life begins to stink!

After hearing of my disgusting car situation I asked the service attendant how I might avoid this problem in the future.  He told me what he does – which works for him.  He suggested I could get a cat (not going to happen…I’m a dog lover but allergic to cats!)  or I could (as he did) purchase two rubber snakes, put them in the driveway and park the car over them.  He said this would scare the mice away.  I will have to remember that these are fake snakes, and will need to warn my family and friends.  I hate snakes and I’m afraid I might forget these aren’t real!

What I do need to always remember is that by keeping my heart and mind on spiritual things (Philip. 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.) sin won’t be able to make it’s nest in my heart.  I want to keep it like that!

James 4:7-8

    Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Sometimes life moves at a challenging pace.  The past several weeks have been particularly swift and challenging; thus, my lack of recent posts.  Amidst all of the family drama over the past few weeks (much of which I have previously written about), a week ago our church hosted a large national conference which kept us all very busy.  The conference also included some pre-meetings and post-meetings for me…all good,  but tiring nonetheless.  On the last day of the conference (actually more like the first day) I felt a level of tiredness than made it difficult for me to function with a sense of alertness.  I was also shuttling back and forth to a downtown hospital  during this time, where my daughter is still “holding” in preterm labor.  She’s been hospitalized for 16 days now, and many of those days I’ve had the wonderful privilege of keeping her 20- month-old son.  He’s been wonderful, even though it’s a confusing time for him.

This last day of the conference as I awakened with a terrible cold, I stared with dismay at my bag containing a fruit- designed apron, a  headband draped with plastic fruit and a pile of large foam fruit heads. I wasn’t ready to face the task this bag represented, and would need help to get my heart into what was to come later that morning –  an action-packed song and dance- filled hour of “Fruity Tunes”, a performance for about 200 children.   I prayed that morning to claim the promise in Colossians 1:29 –  the energy that God promises he can mightily inspire in me.  For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. Col 1:29 (NRSV)

I’ll share a short synopsis of the simple message of “Fruity Tunes”:  “Fruity” introduces “Loving Lemon”, “Joyful Juicy Juice”, “Peaceful Pineapple” and “Patient Peach” to all the children.  These “spiritual fruits” all have messages and songs to deliver to the children.  After each introduction with songs and dance “Rotten Apple” appears, bringing his terrible messages and dreadful songs – all threatening to take away  the love, joy, peace and patience that is being offered by the fruit.  “Fruity” helps the children chase “Rotten Apple” away with scriptures and songs.  “Tippety Teapot” gets involved  in the action throughout as she helps the children continually pour out their love, joy, peace and patience.  In the end, all the fruits and teapot unite the children in pouring out all of their love, joy, peace and patience onto “Rotten Apple.”  This turns him into a happy, loving, repentant apple!

This simple message was just what I needed that morning.  Before we started I really didn’t feel like giving, loving, or being joyfully excited or animated.  Satan, whether by circumstances, ill health, or various tempations  is always trying to steal our love, joy, peace and patience.  However,  God, through his Spirit, continually pours these qualities into our hearts. I’m so grateful for this promise!

Romans 5:3-5

    Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Fruity calls for the children to read a Bible verse and sing a song  to make Rotten Apple go away.  Funny, I find the same things help me!