The Annual Apple Annie's Event!



Harvest Time

On Saturday, we took our grandchildren Abby & Zachary to Apple Annie’s in Willcox, Arizona for autumn fun and frivolity!  We rode hay rides, picked out pumpkins, got lost in the Corn Maze and ate expensive junk food!

 

Not unlike the popular commercial:

 

 

Streams in the Desert

Rainy seasons in Arizona are a curiosity. Even though it is called the Monsoon Season more often than not, it is a non-soon. This year has been a blessed exception for a dry and barren desert, one fraught with savage wildfires.

An 11-year-old drought has bruised Arizona's billion-dollar cattle ranching industry, pushing one of the vaunted “Five C's” of the state's traditional economy closer to extinction. Arizona's five major resources: Cattle, Citrus, Climate, Copper, and Cotton are commonly referred to as the “Five C’s”.

Memorial Day 2011

Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."

And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In Jesus' day, Jews did not enter into the homes of Gentiles. The centurion knew this, so he was being considerate of Jesus in saying, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof . . . just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Isn't it amazing that this Roman had such faith in Jesus?

Further, when Jesus "healed the sick", it no where mentions that He healed 'some of the sick' or only those who had 'enough faith'. Not the 'righteous'. Not the 'deserving' among the sick.  But "the sick."

Each time Jesus healed, knowing the person's heart and mind, He had to forgive not only the past sins but those in the future too. 

I find this comforting. He heals me, too. Of my past sins and of my future sins.  May I live in accordance with what it is I believe!

Now, back to our Centurion - and to our soldiers of today: to those who are under the 'authority' of a commander and carry out the orders they are given.  Bless you! And may you be reunited with your loved ones soon.

My prayer:

Abba, Father~ hear my prayer! Help us to watch over your children near and far.  Help us to work for a world where wars end and soldiers fight no more. ~Amen.

Yours, because we're His,

Hoarding

James 5:15-17 (NIV ©2011)

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Have you ever watched any of the “Hoarder” programs on television? I have and I find them disturbing and somehow fascinating at the same time. Each time I watch a program like this I determine that I am going to minimize, down-size, and give-away those things that are cluttering up my life and home.  At least annually we have a Yard Sale.  I've been known to look at something I've placed in the sale and 'take it back'.

What strikes me about the program is how the person who is being focused on has trouble seeing their hoarding as a problem and will rationalize that the items may be needed at some point in time. Generally there has been some catastrophic event in their life that has caused them to go a tad bit 'over the edge' with regard to collecting (read hoarding here) items.

On one such program the person of interest eventually became so belligerent, she sent the organizing/cleaning crew away. She was actually keeping chickens in her living area, a lot of them and a number of them were dead. I was mortified by what I was witnessing on this program! How could someone possibly live their life in this manner?

Later, as I was reflecting on this program, God moved my heart into the realization of the things (read sin here) that I am quietly hoarding away and allowing to pile up in the quite recesses of my soul. I wonder if He ever wonders how someone could possibly live like this… Yes, the seven deadly sins are alive and well and being hoarded in my spirit. So what to do? Confess. Repent. And find someone I can trust and become accountable to and with.

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer. Forgive me the many sins I commit. Forgive me those sins of omission. Help me to purge, eliminate and clean up my life. Help me to rid my spirit and my soul of all the debris I have willing collected. Guide and direct my steps this day. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Hope

Job 4:6 (New American Standard Bible)
 

6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

It’s been busy here in the southwest. Last week was the Law Enforcement Torch Run or LETR. My agency participates by giving of funds or walking, riding a horse, a bike and carrying the “torch” through town for the Special Olympics. All funds raised go to that most honorable event. Then we also had appreciation week for the Corrections Officers.


Cinco de Mayo was celebrated this week and culminated with a parade today. So much of the SW is filled with the Hispanic culture in the form of architecture, art and of course - food.


The Relay for Life event was held last night beginning at 6 p.m. and ended today at 8 a.m. This annual event is held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society where the lives of cancer survivors are celebrated and those who lost the battle are honored.


Then we celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow.


Our grandchildren spent the night with us and wore us out! We bought them roller skates, helmets and made them wear kneepads. I believe our granddaughter Abby will be training for the Roller Derby.


As I look back over this list of events, I’m struck by how in some manner that all exude hope. Hope for the continuing understanding and acceptance of those in our communities who are mentally challenged; hope that our Corrections Officers know how appreciated and honored they are, not just during this week, but all year long; hope that tolerance and understanding will be afforded to different cultures and different ‘tribes’ in our communities; hope for those who battle a most formidable foe – cancer, and finally hope for the Mothers who believe that life must continue on.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – fill us with hope. Grant us compassion and tolerance for those who are different. Grant us empathy and understanding for those who suffer in one form or another. Grant us the energy and stamina to raise children and grandchildren. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Today's Devotional

TODAY’S VERSE
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
I Thessalonians 1:2-3, 7-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christianity is more than a belief system; it is a way of life. It is more than a way of life; it is a tour of duty. When we became a Christian, we enlisted in the service of Jesus Christ. There is a spiritual battle in the world. Poverty, injustice, abuse, and hatred are all part of the human condition going on around us. Depression, divorce, drug abuse, psychosomatic disease is all part of the world we live in and God has created us to be His ambassadors of love. You and I have a purpose beyond mere existence. We are disciples of Jesus Christ. No one knew this better than the church in Thessalonica. Paul was blown away by their seriousness and dedication. He thanked God for their faith, love and hope and committed himself to pray for them. But it wasn’t what we would consider “faith, love and hope.” Listen to what Paul wrote. He said, “your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope.” When is the last time we did something because of faith in a mighty working God? When did we labor in love? When have we had to endure hanging on to nothing else but hope? That is what it is to serve Jesus. You take the responsibility seriously. You involve yourself in the life of others. You step out, way over your head and know that only faith in God can get results. You take on situations that try your love beyond reason. It is hard, hard work. And when nothing else seems to be working, God comes through and you are inspired to get up and do it all again because there is hope. There is a hurting world. We have the answer. May we follow the example of the Thessalonians.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, give me faith to live for You today. Help me love today the way You want me to. Fill my heart with hope so it spills over onto everyone I come in contact with. Lead me on, dear Jesus  ~Amen.

~Tamara