by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary,
“I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD.”
2 Kings 22:8
One of the many advantages of living in an old home is the opportunity to be on a life-long scavenger hunt. You never know what you’ll find in the creepy attic or just underneath the soil outside our door. It’s an adventure and one I often enjoy.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said about King Josiah, one of very few godly Kings in the Southern Kingdom. While refurbishing of the Temple was underway, the high priest uncovered the one thing they needed the most: the Book of the Law.
Wait a minute. Exactly where was the Word lost? We read it right. The Temple. Church. God’s house.
Surely that couldn’t happen today in the Church. We keep the Word visible and in every pew, right? Sadly, I know, and perhaps you do as well, that keeping the Bible visible in our homes – or God’s – does not preclude spiritual vacancy within our hearts.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Homemade snow cream (with chocolate chips added, of course!)
Friend today, foe tomorrow.
Suspended ice sculptures…beautiful,
but a definite foe for this old roof.
Nandina berries — ice below — sun behind.
A friend all around.
A vintage metal glider pie-crust design.
The creator of these classics will always be a friend.
The record-breaking snowfall this week
befriended me from the start.
As any good friend,
it opened my eyes to God’s amazing handiwork,
it compelled me to slow down and to be still,
and it produced much laughter and a few kicked cans.
Three days later, however, and cooped up in the house,
the snow is turning to ice
and my mind is turning to slush.
So…
Farewell snow, both my friend and foe.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
So, you’re probably asking at this point what kicking a can has to do with scenic pictures of snow.
If you’re a fellow Twilight Zone fan you may recall the episode where a senior citizen in the local nursing home fondly remembered playing “kick the can” as a child. He longed to play again and asked other residents to join him, but they declined.
When Zach called to say that he and Sarah were walking over with sleds in hand, Brian turned to me, smiled and said, “Let’s kick the can!”, pointing out how easy it is to become too comfortable as we age, believing we’re too old to participate in certain activities — when in actuality, it’s more a matter of comfort. He was right (as usual).
With that, he and I suited up, headed to the park, and proceeded to kick the can sled down hills with our kids.
We had a blast! (We missed you Brandon & Megan!)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
but:
- I’ve gone to the store three times in the past 24 hours (and have forgotten ketchup all three times).
- I charged my Kindle knowing full well if the battery died, the power would too.
- I’ve asked Brian if we can stay awake until the first flake does fall. Coffee, anyone?
- My camera is primed and ready to go for a walk in the morning.
- The stainless steel bowl that caught fresh snow when our boys were growing up is the same stainless bowl that will be precariously propped on our back steps tomorrow awaiting its fill. Milk, lots ‘o sugar and vanilla flavoring will transform the fluffy white stuff to a delicious concoction known as Snow Cream.
O. K., we’re ready. Bring it on!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“I think I can! I think I can!”
We all know the story of the little engine that could, but this little engine learned long ago that any mountains in need of climbing had best be fueled by the flame igniter Himself, the Holy Spirit.
So then, how did I find myself quickly losing momentum on a recent climb to what I believed to be a mountaintop experience? Right fuel, wrong gear.
My desire to write never dwindled, but actual time spent in my writing nook certainly did. I was in a holding pattern of my own making, waiting on God to somehow validate my desire to jot down amusing words, peculiar names, and every idea under the sun. Right motives, wrong methods.
Enter Kevin DeYoung’s book: “Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.” (Yes, that’s a real title!)
“Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? And the answer is no. Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives. And yes, we can be assured that He works things for our good in Christ Jesus. And yes, looking back we will often be able to trace God’s hand in bringing us to where we are. But while we are free to ask God for wisdom, He does not burden us with the task of divining His will of direction for our lives ahead of time.”
With every passing word, I felt the tight grip from my holding pattern slowly release as the Lord graciously revealed the error of my way. Freedom was mine. Freedom to try. Freedom to fail. Freedom to succeed.
Oh, and the sound you hear in the background? It’s the clinking of my chains plummeting to the ground as I climb up the stairs to my writing nook with a fresh assurance, fueled by the Holy Spirit.
I think I can! I think I can!
(Two shelves that surround my writing nook for fun inspiration!)
“I have come that you might have life in abundance.”
Love, Jesus
