Gentle Guidance

Chain Blog

2007-01-07T16:00:00.000-05:00

My hubby got tagged with this questionnaire, and in turn tagged me. I don't usually get into "chains"....but I'll give it a go.

1) What’s the most fun work you’ve ever done, and why? (two sentences max)

Once when I worked for the Town of BE they were having a golf tournament for the Police Dept and I got to drive the beverage cart around the ritzy golf course all day. That was fun.

2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)B. Name one thing you’ve always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)

A. Gardened a lot growing up, wish I had a small garden now.
B. I want to learn how to make pottery.

3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)

A. Pottery, love it and would be cheaper to make than buy.
B. I'd like to get to know the Barefoot Contessa from the Food Network. She's groovy. :) Also, Francine Rivers...my favorite author.

4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?B. Now list two more words you wish described you…

A. Hard worker, smart, quiet
B. Funny, good singer

5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes– three sentences max)

I love to read, love hubby and love my dog!

6) Write–and answer–one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)

Q. What drives you in life?
A. My car. Ha...seriously, I want to make a difference in people's lives.

[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
Isn't there more to life than this?

Dusk

2006-11-20T19:53:00.000-05:00

At the chill of oncoming winter
My soul is warmed by an unlikely source.
It is the palette of monochrome
delivered at dusk and moon's rising.

It is simple and simply profound.
It is the mark of my Creator, my God.
None other could conjure the abstract barren limbs
Silhouetted against a smooth, gradated sky;
Limbs whose movement assure me you see my pleasure in your work.

My hands try to recreate this image now stored in my mind's eye.
Yet, my feeble attempt of brush stroke on fabric
Serves only to further heighten my awareness of your artistry.
It is the mark of my Creator, my God.

Fall, Fall, Fall

2006-10-31T17:24:00.000-05:00

Today we went for a walk and enjoyed a beautiful autumn day in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love walking down a path covered with crunchy leaves. One of the simple pleasures in life that I am thankful for! Fall is a season that truly seems to be here today and gone tomorrow, so I have to remember to enjoy it while it is here.

I was very happy that we actually got to experience fall twice this year. We were in CO when the aspens were turning colors, then we came home and had another show a few weeks later. Here is a shot of us in the aspens.

The Kindness of a Stranger

2006-10-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share that today I was touched by the kindness of a stranger. I was in a store looking at quilts when a lady came up to me and told me she had a coupon she wanted to give me. I asked if she didn't want to use it herself and she said she had an extra one. Then she handed me a 25% off coupon and turned and walked away. She didn't make a big hoopla out of it and wait around for me to gush over her "niceness." She just came up, handed me the coupon and went away. That was such a sweet thing for her to do. Such a small and simple thing can be a big blessing to someone else, so we should always look for those opportunities.

Erica :->

I'm a Chiquita Banana

2006-10-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

I'd like to start this post by asking a multiple choice question, so indulge me if you will.

When someone observes your life, be they Christian or not, how is it that they will know you are a Christian?
a. You are a walking Strongs Concordance from the vast passages of Scripture you've memorized.
b. You are such a faithful church attendee that the neighbors can set their clock 3 times a week by your coming and going.
c. Debate 101 is your middle name, and boy can you wipe the floor with any foe who takes you on.
d. You sing to yourself "I'm a Chiquita Banana, hmm, hmm, hmm" as you hope to display the fruit of the Spirit, and above all, be known for your love for others.
e. All of the above.

While none of the options are bad in and of themselves, when it comes down to it we should strive to be known by our love for each other. (Ding, ding, ding, ding. And, the correct answer is "D".)

As I see it there is a fine line (or maybe not so fine a line) between love and works. In the end it is not going to matter if I won the Bible Bee for most memorization, if I had gold stars for 50 consecutive years of perfect attendance or if I could outwit, outlast, outplay someone else in debate. In the end all that matters is what is in the heart, that it is a heart of love.

The following is 1 Cor. 13 from The Message, and a breath of fresh air to me:

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.

We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

Living a life in Christ is easy...we just have to keep love at the forefront!

Erica :->

"They'll Know We Are Christians by Our _____"

2006-10-23T00:16:00.000-05:00

I am writing this post in response to some very disappointing things I just read out in blog land. I have spent at least the past hour reading the comments section of 2 different blogs that left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. What upsets me so much about reading these comments and posts is that the commentors were "Christians" beating up on others. It really grieves me to see this...no wonder the world is so leery of Christians. Why would anyone want to become a Christian when they witness "Christians" bashing each other with such hateful tones? As far as I can tell all this does is reinforce the stereotype that Christians are just judgmental and narrow-minded.

While you may win an argument against other Christians by having the most support and hurrahs from your groupees...please remember that the world is watching how we respond to each other; they are taking note and, sadly, finding another reason to tune us out.

Isn't it the goodness of God that draws people to Him?

Aren't we supposed to be recognized for our love of our brothers and sisters in Christ?

Mirror Mirror

2006-10-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

Of late I have started noticing funny things about myself and people in general I suppose, for surely I'm not the only one in the whole wide world who thinks like me! :)

I guess I've been putting 2 and 2 together and now see that the things that are my "pet peeves"...you know, the things other people do that just drive me up the wall...those are the very things I find myself doing.

I have a family member, who is dear to me mind you, but being around this person sometimes makes me want to scream. However, the hardest pill of all for me to swallow is that sometimes I feel like I'm looking in a mirror by being around them.

Is it that I'm genetically predisposed to be like this person, that our traits and character *flaws* are innate? Or could it be that because I've been around this person since birth I've just grown to be like them, that they've rubbed off on me?

I'm thankful that I'm catching these glimpses. Sometimes looking upon the mirror of the heart can make me wince, but it is a much needed exercise.

Erica :->

One Final Glimpse of Summer

2006-09-17T11:18:00.000-05:00

Did you know the average lifespan for an adult butterfly is 20 to 40 DAYS? No wonder these two didn't mind sharing a little treat from this thistle...I mean, come on, you don't have time for fighting when you're down to 10 days and counting, right?

How lavish it would seem that such intricate designs are displayed on species that last only for 20 to 40 days. It just goes to show that you can't place a value on something based on how long it will last, and you might work hard for something only to enjoy it for a moment...and that's okay.

Generosity in the Face of Greed

2006-08-24T11:09:00.000-05:00

This past week I have witnessed acts of greed and acts of generosity within my family. The first was greed, plain and simple. A selfishness which drives out any feelings of care for another. The second was an act of love and caring which brought restoration.

In seeing all of this happen, it has made me look at myself and ask which scenario I would find myself in. Would I be the one who brings hurt and strife, or the one who brings healing and restoration? That is what I take away from this. It is a lesson for me in how our actions impact others. Beyond that, our actions have the ability to hurt or heal those who were not even directly on the receiving/taking end.

I read a book a while back that had a statement which has stuck with me, and one I think of often. I'll summarize it because I don't have the book now to directly quote it.

The inevitable destination of selfishness is isolation.

I've thought about this comment over the past year or so since I read that book and have seen the truth of it. Selfishness drives away anyone and anything that stands in the way of ME. To the extent that, eventually, all that is left is ME...

That is a sobering thought. I want to carry this lesson with me and pray that the Lord will remind me of it often and fill me with His love and compassion for others.

Fall is in the Air...Almost

2006-08-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

We've had a couple of days this week that have the feel of autumn, which happens to be my favorite season. The long shadows, the stark blue sky, the nip in the air, the smell of the earth getting ready to sleep...love it, love it, love it!!

I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy with a hobby I love...capturing a moment in time to be remembered and relived through those memories. I'll share a few with you here. Enjoy!

Wellsprings of Life

2006-07-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts." The Message

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." NLT

"With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life." NAB
Proverbs 4:23

One of my favorite pastimes is spent with a good book. I love a book that you start and can't put down...one that plops you down right in the middle of the story and you just have to know what happens next. Even when you're washing dishes or at work, you can't stop thinking about what's going on in Novelville. Those are the best ones!! Another thing that separates words on a page from a work of art is when I feel like I've met God between the lines. I recently read a book that delivered on all these points. It is When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. I've read all 3 of Charles Martin's novels, and this newest is, in my opinion, his best work yet.

Beyond the great story that drew me in, the book inspired me to think about the human body and how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made".

This is just a small excerpt from the book that struck a chord in me of how awesome our Creator is:

"The human heart is remarkable in that it is designed to pump continuously for 120 years without ever needing to be reminded what it was meant to do. It just does it. In all my reading and study, I have come to know one thing without any shadow of doubt: If anything in this universe reflects the fingerprint of God, it is the human heart.

While it pumps more than a hundred thousand times a day without stopping, funneling hundreds of gallons of fluid around the body, it derives no benefit from the blood it pumps, making it the most unselfish of organs. In order to feed itself, it siphons from its own flow then reroutes it through three main arteries that loop back around the outside of the muscle to feed itself."

Thanks to Charles Martin for this wonderful depiction, and also thanks to God for giving us creative ways to marvel in His magnitude.

Am I Who I Think I Am?

2006-06-05T22:58:00.000-05:00

Yikes!! It has been embarassingly long since I put on a new post. (The date this is posting is wrong...it's actually June 16th!) Well, that's not to say I haven't been thinking about it...is that good enough? :) hehe

The thing I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks now came about sort of out of the blue. My husband & I were watching TV and he was making fun of some commercial that was on and said, "Are you who you think you are?" That question has just been rolling around in my brain since...which would be exactly what the commercial people want, but frankly I have no idea what the actual commercial was even for!!

Am I who I think I am?

Are you who you think you are?

I feel like by now I'm getting to know myself pretty well. Yeah, sometimes I can still surprise myself, but for the most part I'm able to predict how I would react in a certain situation or what I would think about a certain topic. But...and here's the kicker...is the way I view myself the same way other people perceive me? And does it really matter?

Well, I can feel that I'm the sweetest little ol' gal that ever wuz deep down inside, but if I didn't come across that way to others then am I really? Also, that can go vice versa in that I could be a complete groucho in my heart and thoughts, but always put on a smiley face and dish out compliments. Who would I really be then?

My hope is that I can be honest with myself and honest with others and let my true self be the one that comes through (I feel inspired to sing right now... just let your true colors shine through, let your truuuuue colors, don't be afraid to let them show... HA! lol). Only in being honest with myself and others will the person I think I am be the person everyone else sees. Hope that makes sense.

The other thought that I have been chasing around in my head with this topic is, "Am I who God thinks I am?" By that I mean, do I see myself as God sees me? This is especially important if I'm having a bad day or struggling with self-esteem (and we know that we all deal with this at times).

What I have gotten out of this question is that when I feel like I'm just a spit out piece of chewing gum I need to remember, "Yeah, but how does God see me?"

He sees me as his child who is greatly loved.

He sees me as his treasured possession.

He sees me as worth the cost of sending his only Son to die for me.

Pause, and calmly think of that!

I'm taking my ball and going home!

2006-05-28T08:57:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been thinking about how much we "Christians" argue over things. You can open up a can of worms just by the mention of a few words...gifts of the spirit, women in ministry, when is Jesus coming back, is the King James the only translation? I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. Why do we focus on these things that are "hot potatoes" instead of thinking about things that really matter in the end...things like loving God and loving your neighbor (even if you don't agree with each other).

We've disagreed so much and over so many things that we've just created a new denonimation every time we hear something that doesn't tickle our ears.

There's the Southern Baptists, Independent Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Free Will Baptists, Grace Missionary Baptists, PCA Presbyterians, USA Presbyterians, Reformed Presbyterians, Methodists, United Methodists, Church of God, Church of Christ, Oneness Pentecostals, Pentecostals, "Celebrity Pastor" churches, Assemblies of God, Foursquare, "Non"-denominationals, Interdenominationals, Word of Faith, Episcopals, Lutherans, Missionary Alliance, and more I haven't even mentioned.

Why? Because every time we have disagreed with each other we just say, "Hmmph, I'm taking my ball and going home!" Then a month later we're a block down the street with a new church operating our style.

I live in the South (you know how it goes, "If this is the Bible belt, then our church is the buckle!"), and we have a LOT of churches here. We definitely can't say that the reason there are so many churches is for the sake of convenience and saving gas on a commute. The average person, on their average drive to church, has to pass 3, 5, 10 or more churches on the way to the one they feel most comfortable associating with, probably passing by some of the same denomination. All the while, thinking smugly to themselves, "Yep, I'm glad I'm not a member at that place. Do you know they have communion every week?"...or, "Can you believe that church allows drums and an electric guitar to be played during the service?"...or, "Boy, I'd be bored stiff if I had to sit through that meeting."

What we end up doing is browsing through the buffet of churches and picking the one that makes us most happy. "I like their music style." "I like the pastor." "I like the childrens ministry." "I like the way they dress." "I like their style of preaching." Then we become members and associate with our group of people who also chose this church because of the things they liked about it... after all, we're sure to get along if we all chose the same church. ;)

Another thing I don't like about this is the way we use it to gauge each other's spirituality. "Where do you worship on Sundays?" Then, based on the response, we can easily put that person into a neat little box and sum up who they are because, after all, they attend the _____ church (fill in the blank with anything other than your own denomination). I can just brush aside anything this person says because they have been influenced, deceived or not enlightened enough.

I've personally been worn down by all of this competition and naval gazing behavior. While we are caught up arguing over every jot and tittle, the world is paying attention. Instead of being known for our love for each other, we're known as hypocritical, judgmental and arrogant. Is this really the message we want to convey? Are these really the attitudes that will bring glory to God?

Unfurling Fronds

2006-05-20T19:32:00.000-05:00

Something that amazes me about creation is the way different things grow. Take this fern for example. I saw it today in its growing stages and took this picture. Ferns have always been interesting plants to me...the way they emerge from the earth rolled tightly up in a ball that slowly unwinds to leave a beautiful plant. What's so special about that? Well, what I like to think about as I look at this fern is the creativity of God. He could have made the fern just shoot up out of the dirt in a straight spike, but instead he gave this species a little mystery and uniqueness. And the benefit for us is that every day as the sun's beams coax the fern a little more from its cocoon, we have a different picture to enjoy. I appreciate that!

Until next time,
Erica :->

In a Fog...

2006-05-08T19:09:00.000-05:00

I took this picture last week while standing on my front porch. As you can see, it can get downright foggy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact, sometimes it gets so foggy that we can't even see to turn out of our driveway onto the street. When that happens, all we can do is stop, turn off the radio, roll down the windows and listen for any traffic that may be coming. (Remind you of Stop, Drop & Roll?) I'll admit its kind of scary to be in that situation. You just have to trust that you're ears are not deceiving you, because you definitely can't rely on your eyes.

Fog is a strange phenomenon isn't it? Just think, we're walking through the clouds, and they aren't always predictable. Sometimes the fog comes and goes quickly, and other times it settles in to stay a few days. In the case of this picture, it had the look of the type that would be hanging around for a while, so I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. You can really find beauty in even some of the most dreary circumstances. But, what this "fog storm" made me think of was the fact that sometimes I'm in a situation where I feel like I can only see 10 feet in front of me and don't know which way to turn...I can't rely on what I see to determine my next move. I just have to stop, get quiet and wait to hear direction from God as to which way to go, and God is always faithful to lead. The key to this is that I have to recognize God's voice when he calls, because there are often many other distractions to choose from. I like the scripture from John 10 that talks about sheep knowing their shepherd's voice. In this analogy we are the sheep and Jesus is the Shepherd. He calls to us and we follow him because we recognize his voice. However, there is sure to be a sheep rustler out there in the field, and if we aren't familiar with the right voice we could walk blindly into the fog, right into oncoming traffic. No matter how dense the fog, the voice of the Shepherd will always lead us the right way!

Home Sweet Home

2006-05-04T20:05:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things I've received lately was this simple birdhouse from my dad. He made it from some scrap pieces of wood he had, and put it on this old fence post for me. "That's the best thing you've gotten," you ask? I guess it's kind of like kids overlooking their brand new birthday toy for the empty paper towel roll, huh? But, to me it was more than just the 5 or so pieces of wood nailed together. It was the new home for one lucky family of bluebirds, and that's what made me smile. :) Just a few days after we put the house up, I looked out my bedroom window and saw Mr. Blue investigating the new single family dwelling that was ready to occupy. I stood there and watched a few minutes, and soon Mrs. Blue stopped by too. I guess they liked the accommodations, because it wasn't too long before they were moving in their furniture (straw, grass, anything else soft for nest building). Now, they busily spend their days carrying food to their little ones, who loudly chirp their approval for the tasty meals mom and dad prepare. So, how could this not make me happy? I'm taking joy in their joy...their joy of building their nest and filling it with little mouths to feed, their joy of finding food and waiting for just the right moment of safety to take it home. I guess its the same way with our Father, don't you? He smiles on us and finds joy in our joy. He finds pleasure in watching us enjoy work, home, each other, life, and especially in enjoying His creation!

Erica :->

Tweet Tweet

2006-05-02T22:48:00.000-05:00

Spring...its a good season. I'll admit its not my favorite (that would have to be fall), but there is something about it that makes me happy. One thing is the return of the birds. A few days ago I was standing at my kitchen sink, getting ready to turn around when something caught my eye. I turned back to look out the window and realized it was movement, somewhat camouflaged, but it was there. It was a little bird digging in the fallen leaves for its supper. I stood there and watched it digging around for a little while. It was actually more like dancing...too cute. It would jump forward and then use its feet to sweep away the leaves as it jumped back. Then it would investigate its handiwork in hopes of a meal. A little bird, almost unnoticed, yet God cared enough to instill in it the skills necessary for its survival, and in the meantime blessed me with a little natural entertainment. What I loved about seeing this bird was that he could have been anywhere digging around for food, but he was right there where I would see him at that exact time. I think God knew it would bless my heart to watch him, and that's why he was there, and I'm sure he got rewarded with a nice juicy bug too!! Be sure not to miss the God-moments in the everyday things.

"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds."
Matthew 6:24, The Message
Free and unfettered,
Erica :->

Ready for the Plunge

2006-05-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I am new to the blog world and this will be my very first post, of course! :) My husband just created a new blog and I was sitting here watching and saying, "Oh, no, don't say it like that...gee, put it this way instead..." you get the picture. Finally, I just said, "This looks fun. I'm just going to have to make my own blog and say things my way." So, here I am. That keeps us both happy by each saying what we want and how we want!! After 10 years we are finally learning the art of compromise.

My idea for this blog will, I'm sure, be unfolding. I am a woman, and have the right to change my mind every now and then! :) Kind of like the weather, you don't like this idea, hang around 5 minutes and it might change. LOL! Just kidding, I'm not that bad.

Gentle Guidance? I'm a big lover of nature. To me, nothing else points more directly to the Creator than His creation. How can you look at the delicate petals of a flower with their intricate shading and perfect shape, or how do you see the power of a waterfall and not think of the Father who made it all for our enjoyment? That's exactly what Gentle Guidance is to me, creation gently leading me to my Creator.

If you are interested in my observations and thoughts, then come on back ya' hear! I'd love to hear your stories of being gently guided, or reactions to mine. :)