Leaving Civilization for Awhile

We are leaving tomorrow to go camping at LBL (Land Between the Lakes) for 13 days!  Our clothes are packed, the food is mostly packed, the dogs are strapped to the top of the van (just kidding), and we will be heading out in the morning after final preparations like hooking up the camper and getting gas.  It only takes about an hour to get there, but it feels like a world away from everyday life.  This will be our third annual LONG fall camping trip.  We like this time of year, because it is very peaceful.  Most of the campers are retirees who don't venture out too much, and we just about have the place to ourselves.  This is a blessing, because most of us don't like crowds.

I did my final run to the grocery store today.  I am usually a stickler for fairly healthy eating, especially watching our refined sugar intake.  HOWEVER, this is CAMPING, and different rules apply.  I got marshmallows,  honey graham crackers, oreos, chips, and a few other junk items, along with the usual 10 pounds of apples (my son, Josh, eats at least 3 per day!), bananas, chili fixin's, eggs,  pancake mix, etc.  One thing I didn't bend on was the processed meats like sandwich meat and hot dogs.  After reading another article on the nitrites put in those meats to improve color and preservation and how unhealthy they really are for you, I decided to avoid them whenever possible.  I am sure that at some points here and there we will consume these things, but it won't be because I have them in the house to eat.

Anyway, the least relaxing part of the trip will be the DOGS!  In case you don't know already, we have four - two Australian Shepherds, Gabe and Ellie, a Border Collie, Sahara Desert, and a Shih-Tzu mutt, Jazmyn.  Sahara and Jazmyn are used to traveling, but our almost one-year old babies, not so much.  Not only that, but they like to bark a lot more than the other two.  Do they make Dimetapp for dogs?  (just kidding, kinda)  But we will adjust, and hopefully they will all make great strides in Camping 101.

I love to get up early and walk around the campground before too many people are up and moving.  I usually take one of the dogs with me for a little stroll.  Almost always, Josh is already up and riding his bike here and yonder, with his boundless boy energy.

We usually try to get a spot right on the lake.  If it is available, our favorite spot has the trees situated just right, and when we back up into it, all you can see out the back window is beautiful lake, like we are on a houseboat!

Of course, we grill a lot, make fires to sit around, take walks and bike the trails (I usually skip this part due to allergies and not catching my breath well).  We play team football in the nearby field, card games, board games, and take LOTS of pictures.  We drive into the nearest town a couple of times for lunch or grocery shopping.  This year, we are picking up my mother-in-law, who just moved into her daughter's house, and taking her to lunch one day.  She doesn't drive anymore, and is looking forward to getting out with us.  And Jeff and I will be taking one night out as a date night! Woohoo!!

I don't know if Jessie will be with us during next year's camping trip, because we don't know exactly when she will be leaving for Africa, and how long she will end up staying.  She has been called to work with orphans in Uganda.  We aren't sure which orphanage just yet.  If you haven't read her blog, please do!   And please pray for her safety, and that God will work out a way for her to arrive safely in Uganda without a "mission team".  And if you can donate any amount to help her get there, that would be such a blessing.  She has already been diligently saving her money, and is looking for a job.  She also has received over $200 in support already!  The "donate" button on her blog is linked to an account that is solely for her trip expenses.  (http://www.caringfortheorphans.blogspot.com/)

Anyway, we expect to have a very blessed time on our camping trip.  We are a very close family, and enjoy spending time together.  I am thankful for their presence in my life, and I am thankful that we have the means to go on this trip. 

If we cross your mind, please pray for our safety :)

Blessings,
Debbie

What Jesus would Say to Me

I was waiting at an appointment with my daughter today, and began thinking about what I could write for my next blog entry.  I decided I would pretend that Jesus came to my house, in person, and examined my life and my heart in their current states.  And then I thought about what He might tell me, teach me, or admonish me about.  The following is what I came up with:

He would remind me that as His child, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and encourage me to eat even more healthy than I am - to cut back on caffeine, eat even more whole grains, and eat more raw foods.  He would say I am still abusing my body too much.

I think He would be proud that I haven't taken any medicine since May (my liver thanks me as well).  I have learned that even though I have aches and pains, I don't have to pop a pill.  And yes, if I was dying, I would definitely take life-saving medicine!  But menstrual cramps, headaches, leg aches, etc., I can tolerate.  And I will not ever take an antibiotic except as a last resort.

Jesus would tell me that sometimes I am still entirely too selfish, and to remember to always put others first, even when I "don't feel like it".  I suspect this will be the thing He has to keep reminding me, hopefully less as time goes on.  I don't know about you, but it just doesn't come naturally some of the time.  I can easily be polite and prefer others by holding the door open and letting them go first, or letting a car get in front of me that is trying to pull out.  But things that hurt more, or inconvenience me more, are harder to do - though not impossible.

I think He might compliment me just a little on beginning to grasp that the church doesn't exist inside four walls, that pure religion is widows and orphans (James 1:27), not a sermon and a song and send me on my way, although I do love my hymns and worship music.  That every person doesn't have to "do church" the same way, even if on a day other than Sunday, as long as we aren't forsaking fellowship.

He would tell me to take EVERY thought captive, which is truly an exhausting job some days.  And that just because I was raised a trucker's daughter doesn't justify the words that cross my mind sometimes.

He would remind me that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and that my early morning rants at myself before I rise are neither Godly nor accurate.

He would tell me that my lifelong insecurity is totally inappropriate for a daughter of His.  That He loves me and my identity is found in Him and Him alone.  And that although my past affects who I am, it is NOT the deciding factor of my present or future.  That by His power, I overcome all things.

I think He would be fairly pleased with my love and devotion for my family, but even then, would probably have some words of advice for me.  Because no matter how well we do something, it's never quite exactly how He would do it.

I think He would be glad that I know what I believe, but would want me to soften my defense of it at times (even more than I already have over the years).  Although, to be sure, He wasn't very soft with hypocrites.  Only with those who had a heart for Him.

He would probably tell me to read my Bible more, and my Christian fiction less.

And although I have made great strides in prioritizing my life, He would tell me that sometimes I still make too big a deal out of small things, "Debbie, that does not warrant such turbulent emotions," He would say. (or maybe, "Get over it, would ya?")

He would tell me that considering what a stubborn, independent woman I used to be, I have become a fairly submissive wife, but that some days He thinks I have forgotten everything I learned.

He would tell me that my children were given to me to guide, train, and love, and not to fall apart when they prove they are, indeed, human.  To guide them through the mistake (sin) and pray they get it right the next time.  (and that really, dirty handprints all over my walls are NOT the end of the world).

He would tell me He's glad I usually do the speed limit because we can't afford speeding tickets. :)

And the Father would look down and say, "Debbie, I am glad I sent my Son to cover your sins, because if it were up to you to make it, I wouldn't be seeing you someday."

So, now that I've critically analyzed my life, I plan to commit these things to some serious prayer, and continue on the journey to being more like Him. :)

 Because I do want to be like Him.  I love Him so much.

I hope my confessions have helped in some small way. 
   

Part 2: From the book "Is God on America's Side"

This blog of mine is to share my heart on issues - whether they be spiritual issues or health/natural living issues.  This particular entry is to continue my notes from my journal on the book "Is God on America's Side" by Erwin Lutzer.  

This was not a long book, but I did enjoy reading it for the most part.  It made me think about the way I think about what our duties as Christians are.  The basic premise of the following excerpts is that as believers we should focus on sharing the gospel, which actually saves a person for Eternity, and by this salvation to change the person's heart by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which then changes their lives and the way they live them, as opposed to focusing too much energy and time trying to change legislation and "reclaim America", which may change policy to make it more user friendly for the believer, but doesn't and never will change morality of the people.

So, the rest of this blog will be my notes from the book.

Even among the churches who believe the gospel message, there are many who choose to focus on some of the more positive aspects of scripture without declaring the whole counsel of God (note from me: which isn't always positive!)

Let us humbly admit that we have slid too far to think that we can reverse the course of this nation simply by having "the right people" in Washington.  The unseen battle is more fierce than the one we see in our newspapers and on TV.

Our task is not to save America but to save Americans (I love this) by living the gospel.  There are some things only God's word faithfully lived and believed can do.  We do not take the cross that should humble us and turn it into a club that would make the world shape up.

We (should) disagree humbly.  We don't (shouldn't) complain when the media is unfair, just as Christ didn't complain when the soldiers were unfair.  We don't (shouldn't) castigate others as if our cause is dependent on endorsement or fair reporting.  We should not be alarmed if unbelievers act like unbelievers; we should be alarmed, however, when believers act like unbelievers.

We do what is right and take the consequences.  It is not necessary for us to win in this world in order to win in the next.

God's success does not depend on the favor of the city of man.

Amen.   You can get the book here.