It's a dangerous business, Christine, going in your door.

I work with a group of homeschool moms to create quality history-focused experiences for our kids. Choosing and preparing the literature portion of the day is my job. I laid out twenty authors, and we are nearing the end. Second-to-last is The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. I have already enjoyed her autobiography and a good modern biography, so I knew this was going to be a soul-stirring business.

I wasn't prepared for the evangelistic tone of Teresa's writing. "The door is right before you go through it." She conveys the urgent certainty that there are no other adventures. She proclaims that you will never be the same, and if you are it is a disgrace to your soul.

If you need a book to get you off your spiritual backside and back to your search for the Beloved, this is your book. Go in the door to your soul and keep trekking until you reach the Beloved at your core. This book is a classic in several genres. Give it a look.

A dichotomy of thought.....

The last few weeks have been interesting to say the least but then came "This week." On one hand I am reciting Charles Dickens "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times" and on the other hand I am singing "Standing on the promises of God."


I have tried for exactly one year to move back to Cumberland, my home, for several reasons. I have an aging parent there that is in good health physically but succumbing to the insidious dementia more and more on a daily basis. I also like the thought of having long-time friends and family look in on me every once in a while. This phase of my journey,here, has been lonely and isolated. I'm not complaining as it has served it's purpose-just sayin'. But the most important reason is that I believe God IS doing something great in Cumberland and it will only become more "brighter" as the darkness gets darker and I want to be part of the light there.


I came home this Monday to find a note from my landlady apologizing for the inconvenience but telling me she is moving out of the area, putting this house on the market and I will need to move by the end of the month. O.....K


But where-do I look for a place here or do I look for a place there? My job is here. Can I get a job there at my age. Then today I read a timely writing from John Ortburg about Revelations open door. And I remembered (duh) that every time I have made a move that I have prayed that prayer "Lord-if this be of you-Let that door remain open that no man can shut and if this is not of you-Let that door remain closed that no man can open." That prayer has never failed me. I must admit though, there has been a time or too that I have kicked the door open regardless of my prayer. Not a good thing.


Today I will see this closing as another door opening, I've said my prayer, I will refrain from kicking doors as I "test" the waters of the open door and see what God has in store for this old gal now.

It's Going to be Awesome!

    It's interesting to live through difficulties in life, and learn lessons along the way. There is a deeper understanding that comes with it, and a calmness of heart that was not there previous to the lessons learned. Kinda like a, "Yeah, and, what now", attitude that accompanies it. In my life, I have seen things that would make your hair stand on end. I share those experiences with a few people. I only say this because a few weeks ago, God opened the door for me to share some things with a few people, that happened to be my daughters friends. It was accidental on my part, but on purpose on God's part, type thing.
    We picked up some friends of Sarah's, that were children of our mutual friends, from school. We had a lovely meal, then their dad and Paul, went to Bible study. We were previously unaware that we were about to have our own bible study. We began to speak to each other of angels, gifts that God gives The Body of Christ, brought out the Bible and read scripture. Questions were asked, and I wasn't the only one with all the answers. The Holy Spirit always pointed to scripture as we read, for confirmation of personal experiences. Then we ended with a wonderful prayer from several of us. God heard it and heal me, over the course of a few days, of the injuries I spoke of in a previous blog. It was awesome! These were 7, & 13 year old kids that were sharing, hanging on every word, and praying. That doesn't happen, unless God is involved. It was the coolest thing I have been a part of in a while.
    When people talk about the generation coming up now, they tend to be derogatory. This is nothing new. I can remember the phrase, "Young whipper snapper," as thought the person of mature age uttering the phrase, were disgustedly saying bad words, while referring to my generation. However, when I see this new generation. God has given me the ability to see young people with many gifting's from God, that are going to kick some Devil butt! To that I say, "Yeah"! "You go"! Honestly, I can't wait to see what God does with them, cause it's going to be Awesome!

A Woman of True Beauty

We are celebrating the life and homegoing of a dear friend today, who has been like a mother to some of us, and has touched not only our lives, but the lives of countless others with the love of God.  I would like to share with you a poem that was written by a young woman whose life was obviously impacted by our friend.  

A Woman of True Beauty

by Katy Raper

Have you ever met a woman of true beauty?

Not just a woman who is beautiful in shape, color, or form.

But also a woman whose beauty can be seen through her actions.

Her beauty is shown in kindness through her outstretched hand as she reaches to the needs of others.

A woman of true beauty is one that lives every day to serve others above herself. 

You can feel God's love flow through her as she embraces you with a hug.

She will always make you feel as though you were always a part of her family.

She is a protector.

When her mouth opens, she speaks words of wisdom.

She always rejoices with the goodness of the truth.

Her inner strength gives her courage even in times where she may be physically weak.

Her fear of the Lord is displayed when she raises her hands in song and prayer as she completely immerses herself in His love.

She shows a never ending patience.

A woman of true beauty is someone you can always trust.

Her love will be one of encouragement.

Everyone who enters her life is a blessing to her, and she is a gift to them.

Her heart is one that carries all others.

And when she leaves this earth to enter into eternity, every heart she carried will in return, honorably carry hers.

They will forever remember her persevering kindness and love.

They will rejoice in the truth as she once did.

For they know she will be in a place that has no more sickness.

She will not have to endure the pain and suffering of this world any longer because she now dances with the Lord.

For all of eternity, she will give all the glory to Him that she did in this life, joyously in Heaven.

As for us still on earth, her legacy will live on.

She will always be one of those women that we can use to measure true beauty.

For she was as beautiful inside as she was on the outside.

Rest in everlasting peace Sue, we will carry you forever in our hearts.

Enjoy, You Just May Find You like It

    Cranky people are annoying. Especially if they are loved ones. If you are the cranky one, it's worse. I love that song by Pharrell Williams - Happy. I totally get into it. I want to play it when others are cranky. Lately, my husband and friend had been cranky. Normally, I wig out and try to make things all better. This time, I was like, "What ever", talk to me when your normal!
    Life happens to all of us. My wonderful friend and co-blogger Jeanne has suffered the loss of her home and belongings. That is a horrible life event that isn't just a pain in the butt, it's a real tragedy. God works all things together for the good to them that love Him, and are called according to His purpose. She will come through this like the champion God made her to be, but it still sucks.
    So my question to you is, why are you cranky at times? Make the joy of The Lord your strength. Sing a song to God and see what He does. Even when things are not great, God can do great things in the midst of it. Since others have been cranky, I have begun like five future blogs, instead of barely getting them in at the last minute. Yes, you poor people will have to endure me for at least five more blogs, and who knows how many more, peace be with you...lol. Seriously though, most people are giving up things for lent. Why not give up being cranky and intentionally make an effort to be Happy instead. Imagine what would happen if you did something wild and crazy, like walk up to a complete stranger and say, "You look really nice today", to someone that looks like they really need a compliment. You may just save someone from killing themselves, or turn their crappy day around, then they may be kind to someone else. Imagine the possibilities. If you have trouble, ask God to see through His eyes. You never know, compassion and love may just flow from you. If God can make a dead person live, He can do anything. Enjoy today, you just may find you like it.

Happy Ending

When I heard about Jeanne's house fire I was terrified at first until I got to the words, "We're all safe." A house fire brings such terrible losses, some of them irretrievable, but we'd all been spared the worst. One more day to pretend there's a happy ending somewhere, hopefully in nearby proximity to us. 

One thing about studying the saints is that the specificity of a person in an exact place and time brings the giant aphorisms about faith and God's love reachable for me, a specific person in a specific place and time. Real lives come with real sorrow, real struggle, a general glom of reality. I want to appropriate their real faith for myself. I want to know that there is a happy ending nearby.

When All is Lost: For Jeanne

This is my friend, Jeanne Kincaid Miller's house that burned down recently.

When All we had is Lost

Facades are Stripped Away

The Ruins Pile around us

Harsh in the light of Day

The Shock is Overwhelming

The Spirit Reels, Hands Shake

As, Holding those still With us

Great Gratefulness we Take

Suddenly, People Show us

How much they Really Care

When Things are Gone completely

Find So Much More is There

The Father’s Arms surround us

True Friends amaze with Love

Where once we took our Comfort

Replaced from Heaven Above

The Things will come again

God knows our every Need

But what can’t be Replaced or Touched

Is every Thoughtful Deed

Our lives are Changed Forever

But everything is new

Life’s Unasked Chance to Start Again

Experienced by Few

Unwanted as it Is

Cataclysmic in its Sound

Yet, when All Things are surely Lost

 All that is Real is Found

Starting Over...

Three nights ago, my sister, Jeanne and her family lost their home and most of their belongings when their house caught fire. We are so grateful that everyone got out of the house unharmed. Now they are trying to move forward and carry on as a family from a couple of hotel rooms.  

As things stand now, the insurance company has put them up in the hotel, and is working on locating temporary housing on a more long term basis. The children's clothing needs seem to be well in the works, and they are still determining whether Gene and Jeanne's clothing are salvageable.  Gift cards to local restaurants and other stores could be helpful at this time.  If you are local to the Cumberland, MD area, items may be dropped off at Calvary Christian Academy in Cresaptown, MD.  If you are out of the area and would like more information regarding this, you may email me directly: terri_thomas128@hotmail.com.

For anyone who may be interested in helping them, their band, Longing For Eden, has set up a fund at their online store where donations can be made to assist Gene and Jeanne. The link is  http://www.longingforeden.com/store/#!/Help-Gene-and-Jeanne-Miller/p/47522109/category=0