Who Is Jesus to You?

How often do you think about this? If you are a Christian, you're probably thinking about Jesus and who He is to you, or maybe who you are to Him. Most of the time we're not really thinking about this, are we? He's our Savior. Holy, fully God, fully Man--right? 

A mentor (Bev Nottingham) I had during my years as a young mother recently challenged her Facebook friends to try and explain who Jesus is to them. And I had to agree with each one who commented. Yes, yes, yes! That's who He is to me, too! But then, I thought, WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? Remember Him asking this question? He asked this while He still walked on this earth as a man. And that really challenged me--who am I saying He is? 

I pulled out an old list to go see who He is in the Bible. It really was something to renew my view of Him through all the names given. Maybe this list will also remind you of who Jesus is. Is He all of these things to you? I admit that my human mind sometimes cannot comprehend or take in all of these things at one time. This year my "word" that I'm focusing on is PEACE, so when I think of Jesus, I think, "Yeah, He is the Prince of Peace" (and you know I'm singing that song in my head, Emmanuel. :) Matthew 1:23)

Who do you allow Jesus to be to YOU? Ultimately, He's just what so many have commented to my friend, Bev--Savior. He saved me! 

Advocate - 1 John 2:1

Almighty - Revelation 1:8

Alpha - Revelation 1:8

Amen - Revelation 3:14

Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7

Anointed One - Psalm 2:2

Apostle - Hebrews 3:1

Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2

Beginning - Revelation 21:6

Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25

Branch - Zechariah 3:8

Bread of Life - John 6:35,48

Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15

Carpenter - Mark 6:3

Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4

The Christ - Matthew 1:16

Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18

Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25

Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20

Dayspring - Luke 1:78

Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19

Deliverer - Romans 11:26

Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7

Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23

End - Revelation 21:6

Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6

Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14

First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23

Foundation - Isaiah 28:16

Fountain - Zechariah 13:1

Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19

Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7

Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15

God - John 1:1

Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1

Good Shepherd - John 10:11

Governor - Matthew 2:6

Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20

Guide - Psalm 48:14

Head of the Church - Colossians 1:18

High Priest - Hebrews 3:1

Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 41:14

Horn of Salvation - Luke 1:69

I Am - Exodus 3:14

Jehovah - Psalm 83:18

Jesus - Matthew 1:21

King of Israel - Matthew 27:42

King of Kings - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16

Lamb of God - John 1:29

Last Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:45

Life - John 11:25

Light of the World - John 8:12; John 9:5

Lion of the Tribe of Judah - Revelation 5:5

Lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16

Master - Matthew 23:8

Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5

Messiah - John 1:41

Mighty God - Isaiah 9:6

Morning Star - Revelation 22:16

Nazarene - Matthew 2:23

Omega - Revelation 1:8

Passover Lamb - 1 Corinthians 5:7

Physician - Matthew 9:12

Potentate - 1 Timothy 6:15

Priest - Hebrews 4:15

Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6

Prophet - Acts 3:22

Propitiation - I John 2:2

Purifier - Malachi 3:3

Rabbi - John 1:49

Ransom - 1 Timothy 2:6

Redeemer - Isaiah 41:14

Refiner - Malachi 3:2

Refuge - Isaiah 25:4

Resurrection - John 11:25

Righteousness - Jeremiah 23:6

Rock - Deuteronomy 32:4

Root of David - Revelation 22:16

Rose of Sharon - Song of Solomon 2:1

Ruler of God's Creation - Revelation 3:14

Sacrifice - Ephesians 5:2

Savior - 2 Samuel 22:47; Luke 1:47

Second Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:47

Seed of Abraham - Galatians 3:16

Seed of David - 2 Timothy 2:8

Seed of the Woman - Genesis 3:15

Servant - Isaiah 42:1

Shepherd - 1 Peter 2:25

Shiloh - Genesis 49:10

Son of David - Matthew 15:22

Son of God - Luke 1:35

Son of Man - Matthew 18:11

Son of Mary - Mark 6:3

Son of the Most High - Luke 1:32

Stone - Isaiah 28:16

Sun of Righteousness - Malachi 4:2

Teacher - Matthew 26:18

Truth - John 14:6

Way - John 14:6

Wonderful Counselor - Isaiah 9:6

Word - John 1:1

Vine - John 15:1


Jesus. There's something about that name that means so much to so many. Does He mean anything to you? I hope so. 

God's Thumbprints on My Life Story--and on Yours

It appears that gloom and doom are taking over the world. We have much to be sad and angry about, (we think,) but in spite of all that, there is a joy to possess.  What I have learned in my over half century of life might help someone else (or at least be a warning to that someone else--a scary warning.)

My goal is to have the last laugh in this world because I know that Jesus said, "In this world you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NIV. I laugh and scoff at strife and hard times.

My story began in Noblesville, Indiana. On that day a blizzard was in progress. My dad was off trying to earn enough to take care of my arrival and my next 20 years by driving a semi-truck loaded with auto parts. My doctor was outside the hospital hunting rabbits, or some such critter, and told the nurse to call him in when it was time (can you imagine? Only if you are old, I suppose.) My mother was busy with her body and first born fighting her from the inside out. She said I was the toughest thing she ever met (I take issue with that,) but always told me I was the most beautiful thing of her entire world. There’s something profound and God-like in that sentiment, if only we would possess it and believe it.

Crystal in Noblesville, Back in the Day

Noblesville has changed dramatically since that day, and  dear Dr. Dillon has gone to a better place (along with both my parents.) I have changed, as well, but there are some things that are sure and true, no matter what. We all have our stories, like all human beings. Each story (each life) begins with God's thumbprints all over him or her. The Psalmist said,"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 NIV. He's a hands-on kind of God.

If you need a real boost in your worth in the world then read this, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV)

We had an Aunt Lola who used to say, "Ain't this the life!" not as a question, but a statement. She said this long before, but even during battling cancer and while knowing that she was in the fight of her life. She used up everything God gave to her. Every time I think of her, I think of her smiling face and bald head and I'm thankful that I was able to be a witness--and a participant in this life so I can say with conviction myself--"Ain't this the life!"

No matter what you are going through there is a God who cares and is in control. He has already triumphed for you. He puts His thumbprints all over the place, but where those thumbprints show up the most is on you and me--and in our stories. Tell me a good story. I'll tell you mine.

Where are you seeing God's Thumbprint on your life today? What is He doing for you?  

Garden Party

Coral bells, coreopsis, delphinium, Lily of the Valley

This spring I finally decided to take ownership of my gardening. At my last house I had spent tons of time outside, planting and working on my perennials, my herb garden, veggie garden, various apple trees and planting nut trees, working on the look and joy of my gardens. Then, I was forced to move. I wasn't happy about any of it and went kicking and screaming. This house didn't have anything I really could bond with and even the layout went against my nature.

Over the last 17 years with so many deaths of those I've loved, plus, the death of my "dream" home and not fitting into this community well, I've floated along, not really caring how anything went. I was angry and grieving quite a lot. Each year I'd put something in the garden (perennials being my favorites) but since this place was mostly shady, I had a hard time finding what I should put out. Nothing worked. Many plants and trees died. I continued to feel everything was ugly.

 But then last year I started to feel some ownership. I discovered some plants that did well here in spite of the harsh, clay soil and lack of sunny areas. Hostas were not only thriving, but huge. Coral bells work. Lily of the Valley was out of control. And hummingbirds showed up and entertained me.

This hosta has leaves larger than my hand.

One of the things I'd done was tear out lemon balm. First I had moved it from the backyard to the front. Then I realized it was about invasive as a weed. I had it growing everywhere--and I hadn't planted it there! So I ripped out tons of it and THREW it over the hillside in the woods. This year I noticed lemon balm--growing profusely along the woods' edge by the yard. Tons of it. And it looked nice. It's fragrant when crushed and grows in neat bunches.

The Lemon Balm I never planted, but just threw over the hill!

I also noticed that the wild plants that grow in our woods were encroaching our nurtured areas and I liked them. Mayapples, sassafras trees, blackberry bushes, wild ginger, and Queen Anne's Lace--I felt like welcoming them. They grew into my heart, as well as in my yard. I didn't plan it, but somehow I felt I needed to include such things into my plans. I did. And it made me happy. 

More Lemon Balm (and a geranium) but this time I planted it here and it's doing well. 

Sometimes these Purdue gnomes and my turtle, Henry, take walks in my gardens. You never know where  they could show up!

I still had some editing to do, but things are shaping up and I feel peaceful. Even though I am still not included  in many places, I feel I've found peace and my own world right here in my home. I used to spend a lot of time looking for another place to live. I'd dream of selling this place and moving somewhere that I could make sense of everything and feel included. But this summer I feel differently about it. I know I'm not still not included in communities around me, but finally I feel a peace with where I am and am content on being here and making my own world by writing and tending those right here. 

The view from my front porch isn't perfect, but I like what I see. I feel  peaceful about it and don't mind that I'm rarely included elsewhere.

It's not a bad place to be. I know that God meant for me to be here. He made it abundantly clear I was supposed to be here, even 17 years ago. I can't really see His purpose for me in that, but it did force me to go outside my immediate world and reach out to others all around the country in the writing world. 

I know that being in God's will is a good place to be and maybe my heart is finally catching up with it all, maybe even healing. There are some people gone from my life forever either through their choice or by death, but I'm finally ok with that. I can put roots down right here for the moment and if it changes tomorrow, well, then, I know God has me in the palm of His Hand. Just like my Lemon Balm, thrown out from the garden and tossed on the hillside, I took root and found nourishment and plenty...and it's a pretty place to be. 

Book It Mondays: The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan

I always have books to read. It's both a blessing and a curse. Right now I have a book called The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan on my desk, which is a New York Times Bestseller. You can see more at http://www.theGodBoxproject.com . You can even download a sample to read first.

What attracted to me to this book is the nostalgia--and that Mary Lou's mother had left behind these treasures. This happened to me, too. My mother left behind letters, newspaper clippings, verses in her Bible, also saving things I'd made for her that makes me feel as if the conversation is still going on with her. My mom, also, was good at forgiveness and "letting go" of past hurts and was able to allow God to work. 

My mother had TB when I was just about a year old and had to let someone else take care of me while she got better. Now that I'm a mother, I can understand just how hard that was--especially since she had miscarried so many babies and then finally got me. I wish I had the letters that she wrote to my Grandmother during that time, but I doubt that anyone thought to keep them for me. It would have been a wonderful legacy. 

Mom getting me back after she came out of the TB hospital. I had "grown up" and she missed so many things in my childhood.  

Here is what is said about The God Box: 

When Mary Lou Quinlan started to write The God Box, she hoped to share the remarkable discovery of her mother’s God Boxes filled with wishes and worries. But the more Mary Lou searched the little handwritten notes, the more she realized that, even after death, her mother kept teaching and reaching out. Enjoy this book about growing up as a devoted daughter and her mother’s best friend. See how to create a legacy of love for your own family. Feel the heartache and the uplift of learning to let go.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting time to read this book.

Have you read it?  Any thoughts to share about it and the idea of leaving behind your prayers in a book or box? 

P.S. Did you notice the new header? This is fun--the two boys are sons of my son's teacher from elementary school. My friend, Mary Lynn, who makes my headers, keeping them fresh, does lovely work with photos. Check out her website where she shares many of her creations there with readers/friends. Thanks, Mrs. Sarah Southworth! And thank you, always, Mary Lynn. 

Wednesdays Far to Go: Prayer

You know, I never understood what St. Paul and what Billy Graham meant when they said, "Pray without ceasing." How could anyone do that? Pray, pray, pray--and how do we continue to do that? It wasn't until I was much older that this became more of a state of being. It is how I approach every moment of life and what comes to mind . 

We could literally pray every waking moment because there are so many things in our lives that need God. Isn't that what we need--God? Not just for needs, but for praise and just talking to Him as a friend. As I age, I find a desire to be with the LORD throughout my waking moments. I could understand, at last, why some folks want to enter a monastery in order to devote to prayer. His Holiness Benedict XVI, the Emeritus Pope, vowed that he would devote his waking moments to prayer and I feel a great relief and yes, an admiration that he said he would do this. 

I still feel I'm at a stage where I am like the disciples with Jesus in Gethsemane--I'm failing when He has asked me to stay with Him to pray to the Father throughout the night. I get tired, discouraged and I often don't understand what or why something happens. Many times I have fallen to the floor asking God why, and asking Him to please understand my pain and to please just hold me. To understand that which I couldn't sort out and to take my tears and groans and make sense of them. 

I don't know what you are going through, but if you ask me to pray, I can present you to our LORD. A very wise woman whom mentored me when I was a young woman discussion leader in a very large Bible study once told me to pray for the women in my charge until they left. She said I needed to let them go if they wished and unless God specifically put that person on my heart, to pray one last time and then put them into God's hands. It's a good place to be and I needed to trust Him with that. After all, God loves that person much more than I ever could. I can't take God's place--I can only pray that God would see that person's heart and need. 

Anyway, I will be learning about prayer for the rest of my life. People have written whole books about prayer and the spiritual life, and there will always be something new to understand about it. We just need to keep the faith, no matter what comes across our paths and to "consider it joy." 

What are your thoughts when you go to prayer?

Wednesdays: Far to Go

When I was a little girl, I read the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books. I loved them. That doesn't mean I wanted to live Laura's life--far from it! I didn't like camping as a little girl and I still don't like it much. Her life was worse than camping in my opinion (ha.) Still, having a house in an area where I can view wildlife and am off the beaten path--as long as that house stays warm and I can come back in for a cuppa hot coffee--well, that gives me the best of both worlds. 

One of Mrs. Wilder's books was called The Long Winter. While I didn't have to live through a winter as Laura did on the prairie, it did seem to me that winter hung on a might bit longer than it was welcome this year. By Palm Sunday when spring was still illusive and we had a snowstorm, I was thinking, "Hey! Don't I still live in Indiana? We didn't pull a Dorothy and suddenly find ourselves in Nome, Alaska, right??" (And I'm not so sure if I didn't answer myself, because I was getting spring fever in the worst way.)

I went to bed seeing this on Palm Sunday eve....

And woke up to this! 

Psalm 143:7-8Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Last fall I had planted about 300 tulip bulbs. It was cold when I planted them and I had get my son Bryce to help me out. I did it all in anticipation of seeing a glorious spring display like the one I found in downtown St. Louis last spring. 

St. Louis Downtown Tulips 2012

The snowstorm this year pretty much killed that idea. The few daffodils I had did come up, but were frostbitten-looking and I was beginning to feel down and like winter might never end. I was nearly ready to give up. And when you feel like that with no escape in sight, it begins to mess with your whole general outlook. Not good. 

I became angrier and angrier and felt like complaining. I ached and wanted to just cover my head with blankets. Not only that, but I had the flu twice over the winter, sciatica acted up, and a series of headaches and migraines showed up. As the Bible says, I felt sick clear down into my bones with a heavy heart. 

Then...

...Spring is coming...softly...gently...in her own time, bringing cheer to this girl who was nearly ready to give up. 

I had forgotten my Crystal's Rule #4 to Live By....Never Give Up. 

When it looks dark and cold and as if life will never change, the change that God planned out so many years ago serves as an encouragement to us. Spring is coming! 

I'll post those tulip photos later as a few are coming up now. And if this spring doesn't show out like my expectations, I can always remember the Spring of 2012 in St. Louis to hold me over until my own Spring Tulip Festival shows up. 

Never Give Up! Stay Committed to Jesus. He hasn't forgotten you and gives a promise of Spring. He IS coming back. 

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

What verses do you turn to when your winter seems to go on forever? Share with us.

Spring Can't Come Soon Enough!

Last Spring I took some photos and I'm desperately needing some spring RIGHT NOW. I took a chance that you might need some too, so here are some of my favorite views of springtime around me...and I'm still waiting. Just a few more days and it will start anew--I hope. And hope springs eternal! 

It's hard to see but the floor of our woods breaks out in skunk cabbage in the early spring. It's usually one of my first signs that spring has sprung. This is 30 feet down and by the creek. 

We took a trip last spring to St. Louis to watch the St. Louis Blues hockey team play. They were a few weeks ahead of us weather-wise and I snapped this photo in front of a business downtown. It was just what I needed. Last fall my son Bryce and I planted hundreds of bulbs, so I'm anxiously looking for them to pop up! (And hopefully look a little like this.)

This "volunteer" Trillium is one of spring's true natives in Indiana. This one grew right by my front step and I look forward to its return each spring. 

This is a crocus that I planted years ago by the "entrance" to our woods (a trellis that leads to a path  30-feet down.)  Every year I can barely wait for it to pop up. It's stunning!

Another crocus by the woods. Cheerful yellow--one of my favorite colors. 

These daffodils were by our back porch. Not sure if they will come up again because we had to do some work on the posts and digging was involved. 

Hope this little dose of spring is just what you needed today, too. Blessings! 

2012 in the Midwest

....I read through the entire Bible--again.

....I read 60+ books about God/the Bible/Christian spirituality and faith.

....I read over 50+ fiction books.

....I played a lot of golf at Walnut Creek Golf Course in Grant County, Indiana and a few places out of state, too, like Kentucky.

A golf course view in Kentucky

....I took care of family, people, animals and my husband the best I could and saw 100+ degrees on the thermometer outside.

Yeah, it was over 100 degrees in Indiana in 2012!

A family banner for my blog made for me by my friend, Mary Lynn

....and it stormed, downing trees, and lightning struck our house, wiping out many of our electrical things.

Pieces of bricks from our struck chimney, which also struck our electrical system

One downed tree of several from a storm

Bricks from the top hit and damaged the chimney on the way down

....I traveled on a motorcycle with my husband, and sometimes our friends, all around the state of Indiana.

Matthews, Indiana Covered Bridge

The sculpture in Bluffton, Indiana

....I saw great places in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.

St. Louis Arch

Natural Bridge, Kentucky

The sky lift for Natural Bridge, but we took the hard way to the top

Cloud Gate in Millennium Park in Chicago

....I rooted for my St. Louis Blues hockey team.

My family at a St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks hockey game

....I spent time with my boys, husband and really good friends.

My son's senior thesis art show right before his graduation. It included these portraits of his brothers and dad. One other son in this photo graduated this summer from college, too.

....I saw 2012 in with a GREAT family at my house, and saw 2013 in with the same people.
 

....I prayed endlessly.

....I wrote some stuff.

....I put up tons of ancestors on my Ancestry.com tree.

Dawson family photo from early 1900s taken in Tipton County, Indiana

....I scanned hundreds of old photos into my computer files (and still have more.)

Pierson family photo from 1953 in Michigan at their father's funeral (My mom is the blonde, third from right)

....I played some music with the band in a park in Marion, Indiana.

....I worked on ACFW Book Club.

....I saw and experienced all kinds of weather at my house, and observed much of nature.

All of these photos were taken by my house in Indiana

It was a wild year filled with storms, defeats, triumphs, graduations, illness, fun, heat, cold, faith, prayers, repairs and laughter. 

And now in FAITH I'm heading into the adventures in Indiana for 2013. Looking forward to it--how about you?