6. August 2010 by Starr.

I am blessed to have a condition. I have an inflammation in the frontal lobe of my brain which causes chronic headaches and chronic migraines. This condition is difficult for others to understand, for it is completely unpredictable. If you have migraines, then you get where I’m coming from. They hit when you least expect it and it is impossible sometimes to plan things due to the unpredictability of the migraine attacks. You must learn your triggers and try to hold them to a minimum. Most migraines are triggered by chocolate, red wine, loud sounds and bright lights.

Summertime in hot climates is a challenge. Recently, I have accepted a new challenge in my life. I have been praying for a couple of years now about a specific prayer. About a month ago, God answered that prayer and led my family and I exactly to the spot where that prayer was answered. There was only one problem with that location…it had no air conditioning in one area of this location…and it is July at this point…and very hot.

Funny how God does this with me in my life. I kind of have to smile at this because every mission trip I have ever been on has been to an extremely hot climate zone in the heat of their summer season. Once again, I am finding myself with a major change in my life, going into another “mission trip,” even though it is only across town, in the highest heat season of my state in the middle of our summer.

My heart feels that God is speaking into my soul that when we are on a mission for God, He wants us to be on FIRE. He doesn’t want us to be cold or just mediocre. He wants us to just be full of passion and fire for His work, wherever it is. No matter if it is across the world or across town.

And…how does that affect my migraines?

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame” (Isaiah 58:11).

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22. July 2010 by Starr.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “high maintenance.” Perhaps, you’ve even used it. This term is sometimes used when one is considering purchasing a home or a commercial building. This term is also used concerning people. I can recall a phone call that I had with a friend and this friend said to me, “I can’t date him. He’s just too high maintenance.”

In relationships and marriages, the Bible clearly states that we can’t be unequally yoked. This “high maintenance” topic can creep into marriages, also. For example, the wife may want to purchase an old historic Victorian Queene Anne style home that she can take on as a project with her husband in the marriage to restore and rebuild to it’s original beauty. The husband, however, may see that as “high maintenance” and require a new contemporary brick home that requires little, if any restoration beyond the normal maintaining requirements that come with a home.

Lets think about people. When you consider dating someone, do you look for people who are healthy and fit that can climb mountains and run marathons or lift weights? Do you require a person to be able to receive a preferred rating on their life insurance? This type of person is not going to be high maintenance, for now. Everything has it’s season.

Perhaps you are someone who feels that this type of thing doesn’t matter, however, and you are just looking for a good heart in someone and feel that someone that is that into their physical features is just not for you. Maybe you feel that someone who is a bit overweight and a little more “high maintenance” with some health issues is just fine, as long as they love you, and are of the same religious beliefs, and have the other qualities that you seek in a person.

Sometimes, I feel that we are too quick to state, “Oh…that’s too high maintenance,” or “She’s, too high maintenance,” about people and places,” and can sometimes miss a blessing and lesson from God.

 Last week I posted Isaiah 58. I’d like to show you some specific lines from that chapter, beginning in verse 10.

  “ If you take away the yoke from your midst,
      The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
       ¹⁰ If you extend your soul to the hungry
      And satisfy the afflicted soul,
      Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
      And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
       ¹¹ The LORD will guide you continually,
      And satisfy your soul in drought,
      And strengthen your bones;
      You shall be like a watered garden,
      And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
       ¹² Those from among you
      Shall build the old waste places;
      You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
      And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
      The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

We can learn from these verses, that if we if we extend our souls to those who may be high maintenance in body and soul…who are hungry and afflicted, then He will guide us continually. He will strengthen us. Then We shall build foundations of many generations, and through that, (by whatever means that means in  your life…I know this means a thousand different things to many different people…this means something specifically personal to me)…we can restore those high maintenance houses and streets to dwell in. Another meaning is….high maintenance marriages can be restored…homes can be restored…literally old houses can be restored.

Pray for God to guide you continually. Meditate on Isaiah 58.  We can’t be high maintenance when we are a child of the King. We are exactly how Christ means for us to be. Wherever Christ places us, and whatever task He sets before us, He will guide us continually and will give us the strength to accomplish it.

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24. June 2010 by Starr.

Dad & Papa 

Born: February 22, 1942

Promoted into Heaven: June 24, 2004

I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found peace at the close of the day.

 If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh or kiss.

Ah, yes, these things I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much-

Good friends, good times

A loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my times seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now, with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Farewell my loving wife and family.

We will meet again.

Written by Gary E. Yarber~

Dad, you are loved and missed so very much. I will see you soon.   Starr~

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19. June 2010 by Starr.

This is Father’s Day weekend, and for some, it isn’t an easy weekend, nor is this entire “father” thing an easy concept to grasp. If you’ve had a father in your life who supplied your needs without you having to coax them to provide you shoes, coats, food or provide for your emotional needs, then it’s much easier to have confidence in the truth of how our Heavenly Father provides for all of our needs. 

However, many who suffer the pain of abandonment, by fathers who fail to supply their children with their needs (and I’m not just talking about physical=  physical needs can be met, but if emotional and spiritual needs are left out of the picture, the physical needs feel empty, and the abandonment is still just as real) often marry partners who are abandoners also, in one form or another, and so the cycle continues.  Basically, if you are fatherless, you are abandoned, and if you are abandoned, you are widowed or a widower.

My friend….how did that feel to read that?  How did those words feel to your heart?  Did they ring true?  Did you feel…”Oh, yes, that’s me?!” 

Dear reader, that is NOT for you. You are NOT that.  You may have EXPERIENCED those occurrences in your lifetime, but that is NOT who you ARE.  You ARE a child of God. Period. You are not your experiences.

You have an Ultimate Father in Heaven who is the Father to the Fatherless and who will never abandon you.  Who will supply every single need that you have, if you only let Him.  Here’s a kicker….many people say that you also have to ask, or that you have to do your part and that He helps those who help themselves.   No.  God knows our needs before we know what our own needs are.  He knows His plan for our lives when we were created in the womb of our mothers.  He certainly doesn’t need us to ask, nor does He need us to do a thing.  I’m sure He loves us to ask.  (Matthew 7:11 says for us to ask) Yes.  But He doesn’t need us to, is my point.  Sometimes we can’t ask…..sometimes we don’t know what to do or what to ask for.  Know what I’m saying here?

God knows our needs and He will supply them according to His will.  We just need to believe Him.  We just need to believe not only IN Him…but BELIVE HIM. First, submit into His hands our lives…then believe Him to do HUGE things. 

This Father’s Day….Let Him be the Father of your world for all eternity.

 ”Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-this is God, whose dwelling is holy” (Psalm 68:5 NLT).

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

~You are welcome in this place, Mighty God.  You are welcome in this place, Abba Father.~

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12. June 2010 by Starr.

Imagine that you just purchased a new Maserati..  I’m sure there would be boundaries as to where you would drive it….and where you wouldn’t.  You may even have stipulations as to who would drive it and who wouldn’t. You may even have rules as to who would ride in your new car. You would want to protect that investment that you worked so hard to attain.  Driving a car along a highway, is not so different than leading a life.  

Consider this scenario:

So, we’re driving through life each day in our new Maserati.  As we go along, many people cross our paths. When that happens, we have a choice….and so do they.  T.S. Eliot once said, “In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.” 

It’s the same concept with people.  We are driving our life.

Question 1:  Who will we allow around our car, in our car, and who will we allow to drive that new car while we are driving around, in our life?  

Question 1 Echoed:  Who will we allow around our life, in our life, and who will we allow to drive our new life while we are driving around, in our life?

Get the picture?

Folks, have you ever invited friends or family to come on vacation with you?  Has any of them ever responded by, “Sure, we’ll come with you!”  Did you feel pleased when you looked in your rear-view mirror when you saw that small caravan behind you on the highway and noticed the group of people following you, supporting your plans?  These are the people along life’s highway who help drive your life.

Unfortunately, not everyone responds that way.  There are those people who will respond by saying something like, “That idea is ridiculous!  Don’t expect me to come along.”  Friends, beware of these types of statements.  People behind these statements are the ones along life’s highway who usually don’t only NOT need to be in the driver’s seat anywhere near your life, but they do not even need a seat in one of the cars.  These need to be left at home to mature a bit more as you pray for them with love and patience.

Then you have the types of people who just wander in to say, “Hey, I hear there’s a vacation.  Can I tag along?”  They aren’t really caring about your plans, or the trip, or the why of the thing…they’re just in it for the “What’s in it for me?” idea (and the free food).  They will get into a car with their rumpled clothes and a plastic bag with one outfit and floppy shoes with no socks, and no money to pitch in, expecting someone else to pay their way.  These types of people can’t drive their own cars because they have no drive at all of their own, so their only hope is to hop on someone elses caravan and go along for a free ride.  These folks need help, yes.  They need prayer, indeed.  They need structure, discipline, and lots of love.  But, enabling them won’t help them.  This situation needs to be assessed on a case by case basis.  I suggest you talk to God to ask for guidance with how to deal with the “no drivers” of the world.  God will prompt you with what to do.  But remember, sometimes when they get left behind, is when God teaches them the best lessons about “growing up.”

You can’t take everyone with you as you are driving your life. Not everyone is ready to get in the car with you…or get in one of the cars along with you or following you in encouragement and prayer, as you drive along.  

Get serious about who is and who isn’t ready for your life and draw boundaries.  Friends, get serious about YOUR own life.  Drive that thing like you mean business!  Get behind the wheel and pray.  Basically, protect your life, with your life.

Whoever you are reading this…..know that you are loved.

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2. June 2010 by Starr.

I recently had a conversation that went something like this:

“Starr, I keep thinking about a title of one of your blogs. I am a bit surprised, knowing you as I do, that it says in the title, “The Heart of Tears Doesn’t Always Begin with a Four Letter F-Word.”

I responded, “Well, I think Fear should be a bad word.”

My friend said, “I see what you mean, but not necessarily.  Certainly not always. Fear can be legitimate and healthy if it prevents arrogance and promotes a trust and reliance on God.”

There I had an “Aha moment!” My friend was right.  I had been wrong about fear being a Four Letter F-Word.

As humans, and yes, even Christian humans, sometimes we are high on the mountain top, and suddenly we find ourselves low in the bottom of the swamp, in the midst of trials, seeking peace.  Sometimes we get there by God’s own tests of our character by God’s will and sometimes we get there by our own disobedience and sins.  But that life in that swamp, that life where we just want peace, is not the life that God planned for His children at all.  He planned for a life of power high on that mountain of faith in Him, of love for Him and of rest in Him and of peace in Him. 

Therefore the key to peace…and here’s the Aha…is to fear NOT having peace and rest.  To know that we do not want to be in that swamp but we want to be on that mountain top and we want God and we want what God wants for us up there.  We will not know what His plans are for us until we get up there, either.  If you’re tired of not having peace and rest, then you know what I mean.

My friends, I stand corrected.  What have I learned in this?  Fear is only a Four Letter Word if we let it stand between us and God.  Fear can be a good thing, it is the beginning of wisdom.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Ps. 111:10

If you are tired and weary, and seek rest…trust God with that.  Just lay it all down.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavyladen, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

We have a promise in entering His rest.  Let us fear NOT having it…so we will strive to retain it.  Let the fear work for you, not against you.  Let it bring you closer to God and let it help you climb to your mountain top.

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” Hebrews 4:1

Dear reader….do not let fear steal your faith, love and peace in God.

(Special thanks to my friend who taught me a very valuable lesson in a gentle way.  It’s funny how even with fear in the glass, it can still be half-full.  I thank God for you and all you have done for me and my ministry.  God bless you and keep you and watch over your goings in and comings out forever.)

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18. May 2010 by Starr.

Recently I watched a documentary about the life of writer, dancer, and painter, and extraordinary woman, Marta Becket.  I can’t stop thinking about it.  She left New York after finding a run=down theatre in a small town with a population of 10.  The town is Death Valley Junction, California.  How amazing that she would bring life to a place that was surrounded by sands of the desert.  What some people might see as “wasteland” or “badlands,” Marta saw as passion potential. 

Passion potential.  I think in every artist, be they painter, writer, dancer, singer, songwriter, sculptor, actor, or etc., has that passion to accomplish what their soul is crying out to fulfill.

Henry James once said, “We work in the dark- we do what we can- we give what we have.  Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task.  The rest is madness of art.”  Some may call it madness.  Therefore, therein lies the quandry for us.  For many do not understand that passion or that madness.  

Marta Becket speaks in the documentary about her Amargosa Opera House, that she was not a perfect wife.  She said that her husband left her in the midst of her Opera House project.  She was painting murals on the walls and ceilings of Amargosa.  She mentions that she feels that perhaps he left because, even though she had great passion for her craft, and she had great talent for painting and for the dance…her talents didn’t include being a gourmet cook or doing tasks that wives usually did.  She says that, for example, her kitchen was filled with paint.  That makes sense to me, for, the kitchen is the heart of the home.  If her heart is filled with paint, doesn’t it make sense that her kitchen would be? 

But Marta’s husband did not understand that.  Therefore, her husband left.  She was greatly hurt by his abandonment, not only of her, but of her project.  My take on this, as a fellow artist is, to Marta….he abandoned her passion.  For a partner, a mate, or someone who is supposedly the other half of our lives to abandon our passion….this is the greatest of travesties.  It is treason to our souls.  It is not something that can heal easily, if ever on this planet.  Only the Healer, God Almighty, can help us with that one.

I completely relate to Marta.  I used to dance in my life, and recall how it felt to do so, but that part of my life is now in the past.   It is hurtful to discuss, but that is an over subject.  I, too, have been abandoned by a husband in the midst of a project.  I know the pain of that.  I also, feel my passion in my “kitchen.”  My first devotional book for women is titled, “Watermelons In the Kitchen.” 

However, in my home, I’m not sure my kitchen is the heart of it.  I think my bedroom is the heart of my home.  I have a wonderful large sofa, and a wonderful antique desk and an antique lamp that is the only project my mom and I have ever done together.  That room is where all of the important talks go on.  That is where I do most of my thinking…praying…crying, and all of my first drafts of everything are written in there, either in my mind or on paper.  That is where the heart of this home is, I believe. 

That room is where most of the ink is, also.  Papers, pencils, pens, notebooks, books…but it doesn’t stop there.  Folders, books, manuels on various subjects, market guides, envelopes, reams of paper, staplers, pencil sharpeners, slips of notes where I have jotted down ideas or thoughts that only make sense to me lay almost everywhere, and it may look like mayhem to someone else, but to me, it makes perfect sense.  I am sure it is difficult, for someone to accept this “mess” as “art.”

Another thing Marta said that broke my heart when I heard it, she said about her husband, “Didn’t he know, that I was working on a project, and that one day it would be finished?  I just wanted to do well.  Didn’t he want me to do well?”

Some of us are just created to be passionate, artistic, people….that run for the “madness of art.”  We can’t help it.  We just are created that way.  Some people just don’t “get us.”  They don’t understand why we aren’t “normal.”  I have had someone say to me…”Why don’t you just live in the real world?”  Well, if I lived completely in the real world, I wouldn’t be a writer, would I?

Marta Becket talks about how she chooses her world of the dance, and of her Opera House, instead of the “real world” outside of it.  And because of that, she has created this awesome place in the Death Valley.  I’m so glad that she did.

Marta…I’m glad that you wrote “To Dance on Sands.”  You are such an inspiration to passion-filled artists everywhere.  You are definitely a flower in the desert.  I’m sorry you never got your Dad’s approval.  I know how that feels to never get someone’s approval, also.  But  know, that your Heavenly Father approves of you very, very much. 

http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com/

Author’s Note:

My special thanks to Marta Becket, for giving me permission to use her image for this blog, and to Richard Rignell, Director of Operations, Amargosa Operation House & Hotel, for responding for Marta via email and ensuring that she read this blog.  (Marta, I’m glad that you were touched.  You have touched my life, also.)

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28. April 2010 by Starr.

Today I was in a store and I heard this little girl say to me, “Isn’t this birthday card funny?  My daddy would love this.”  It took a moment for me to realize that she was talking to me.  I was lost in thought, while standing at the notebook section.  I looked at the birthday card and said something like, “Yes, that’s rather cute.”  I thought the conversation was ending there.  God had another idea.

In my eyes, this moment began here, with this little girl.  In God’s eyes, it didn’t, for I am convinced God had it planned.  Just this morning, I had asked God, in my prayer time, to use my day as He wished and to send someone who might need me, across my path today.  I told God my life was His.  My heart was wanting so much to be in His service.

So, I chose a notebook and was looking at the other supplies when, there again was the little girl, chattering away to me about American Idol.  She wanted to know if I liked it or not.  I answered and still, I thought that she was just making conversation for a moment.  But, then, after the American Idol question, she said something that caught my attention.  She said, “My dad’s girlfriend likes it.”  That’s all it took for me to hear the change in her voice and I knew that something was different.

I looked back at her, and asked her if she liked it, however?  That opened the flood gates.  She started talking to me about all kinds of things and as she was talking, I stood there looking into the eyes of this precious little girl and I realized, that she needed someone to stop and listen and I just happened to be there.  She told me about a lie she told her grandmother recently.  She told me about how bad she felt about it.  She told me about her father’s girlfriend who is constantly packing her bags and pretending to leave him and how that makes her feel.  She told me about how she thinks this girlfriend is coming in between her and her relationship with her grandmother.  She told me about a fight she got into on the bus after school and that she feels so guilty about it.  She told me that her mother died when she was four years old and she misses her mom. 

The entire time I stood there, holding my notebook, listening, responding, nodding, wondering.  I learned her name and met her grandmother, who found us there, talking.  I learned that her grandmother plays piano at a church.  The grandmother seemed tired and worried, to me, but hopeful.  I gave Hannah a big hug, and my phone number and told her she could call me any time to talk and the grandmother let me write my number in her address book.  I told Hannah I would be praying for her and that when she feels worried or lonely or missing her mom or guilty, she can talk to God about it anytime, and God has her. 

Hannah looked at me and said, “I’m really an A student.  I really am!  You can go to my school and see.”  I told her that I didn’t need to go to the school and see, that I could see what was in her heart.  I told her that even if we really aren’t in the visible…but we are in our hearts…that means we really are because we have that in us and then all we have to do is bring it out from the inside to the outside and it’s done.  She smiled very brightly and hugged me again and said she was glad she met me and I told her the same.

Then as I was getting ready to check out, I heard her call my name and she ran up to me and asked…” Oh…one more thing…what do you think about our president?” 

A girl full of questions, that one.  She wasn’t letting me out of there without an answer and one that she could understand.  I gave it to her, truthfully from my heart.  She sighed relief and said..”Oh, me too!  I feel the same way, and did a report on that today and got a 100% and that’s not a lie!”

I wonder how many “Hannahs” do we miss out on meeting because we are simply too busy to stop and take notice.  We just move on through our days without really listening or noticing others.  I’m so thankful to worship a living God who notices the person…who pays attention to their heart and what they have to say.  The Word tells us we are to be more like Christ and to be Christ to others. 

I’m so blessed that God brought Hannah my way today.  The enemy would have liked to suggest, “You’re busy and in a hurry, she’s just a little chatty girl who will slow you down and you have better things to do with your time.” 

Christ would suggest, “A friend loveth at all times.  Be a friend to  her, for she is My child, also.  Show My love to her.”  I’m glad I took the time to stop and listen to her, and show her friendship.  Don’t we all just sometimes need someone to take the time to stop and listen to us when we need to just vent and make a new friend in the process? 

I think no matter how old we are….if we are in the third grade…or if we are thirty…the Golden Rule still stands as a guideline for us all.

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31

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22. April 2010 by Starr.

 Recently I was traveling down a country road and saw a buzzard (otherwise called vulture) for the first time ever, in real life.  It was standing there on the roadside eating it’s roadkill, minding it’s own business, not worrying about my vehicle swiftly heading it’s direction at about (ahem) 60 miles per hour.  I was amazed at how that buzzard didn’t budge!

It just kept focusing on it’s task at hand and as the vehicle went past it, I was wondering if it was thinking, “The greater good!  The greater good!”  For, if it got smoked by my vehicle, then it becomes roadkill, and the next buzzard will only come along and clean it up and then the cycle of life continues within it’s job, so…by being roadkill itself, it is still serving it’s purpose, and therefore, serving the greater good.

While my mind was swirling around in the “Buzzard Moment” I couldn’t help but think about the buzzard world and how it compares to us in ours.  Here were some of my thoughts.  See if you can relate.

As the buzzards fly, they do not fly gracefully like the other birds of prey do.  As a matter of fact, they fly in patterns of unsteady paths, crisscrossing over and under one another, then moving up and down, then picking up speed on the downward tilt and raising up, only to turn back into another draft.  They fly together in that unsteadyness, however.      (Ever gone to an event with a group of friends or a missions trip or a youth group event or even a conference with others?  I can think of several Christian womens trips I have been on where our paths went unsteady on that trip…we literally crossed over and under each other, for we were all over that arena…we picked up speed…turned back, slowed down…but still stayed together….AND…in essence….we still ended up solving some accidents and some problems for people for Christ, in the process.)   Which, brings me back to the buzzards:

Those buzzards are cleaning up the accidents.  Isn’t that what their purpose is?  Unfortunately rumour has it that they spread disease.  Ever heard a rumour about yourself or your “gang” that you spread something negative?  Well the vulture gang doesn’t spread disease, as a matter of fact, they are quite clean, because their systems keep disease from spreading because they clean up the carcasses.  Basically, they are nature’s flying janitors.

To the ancient Egyptians, buzzards were deities, emblems of motherhood.  They represented the giving of life and then later taking it back.  Persians accorded them royal status because of their size and the elegance in which they glide.  Romans used buzzards to represent military strength.    But to America, they have been known as “flying rats” and “bottom feeders” according to a Times article.

Now, I admit, buzzards kind of give us the creeps.  They feed on flesh, they aren’t the prettiest bird in the air….but looking at life from their perspective, I think we can learn something.  To me, here’s the thing….

Ever been told this —–>    “You’re scum.  You’re a lousy street gang member!  You’re a member of what church?!  You are the wrong color or size or ______, so therefore, worthless.  You’re a janitor (or put your own job description here) so you’re bottom of the totem pole.  You don’t “fly” as nicely as the rest so,  you’re not as valuable.”

Get the picture?

Basically my point is….those buzzards are fulfilling their job, for what God intended them to do in the first place.  They are awesome birds.  They are cleaning up behind accidents that nature leaves behind.  Even the fact that they’re bald and don’t have feathers is a plus for them in the job they are doing.  (I’ll let you look up why for yourself!)  They are like nature’s street gang, going around and strongly taking care of business.  They don’t keep our schedule…or anyone’s schedule.  They don’t care about their formation.  They aren’t fancy smancy like another bird class that wants to be straight careful with their flying lines.  I don’t see a problem with that.  Honestly, if I were a bird, I’d probably be a buzzard, because I’m not that graceful, myself.  I trip over thin air and when I was a twirler, I never could march in formation to save my life!

Anyway, I’m just thinking out loud today about what we can learn from the buzzards….and the lowest thoughts within ourselves sometimes, as well.   I’m so glad I saw that buzzard, (I also saw a great bait shop called “Fuzzy’s Bait Booze”-  that’s another blog!).

One major thing we can respect in the buzzards, is their “Greater good,” attitude.  I liked how that buzzard kept focused on his task and didn’t flinch.  If we could hang onto that attitude in our own spirits, and focus on our work for God, and in what He created in us to do, we could just do that thing, whatever that is without flinching, no matter what was heading our way, just imagine how different our lives would be.  Now, I’m not saying, that if I’m sitting in the middle of a train track writing, I’m going to sit there and say, “greater good” if a train comes storming my direction….I’m definitely going to move out of the way.  I’m just saying…ask God the direction, find out that “thing” that you are created to do and do it with all of your heart, mind and soul….and then, don’t flinch from that path.  Call on God’s help…and don’t lose focus.

Fly with the buzzards, and clean up a few messes in the process, don’t be afraid to start at the bottom, don’t be worried about what the turkeys say or what the eagles say about you….just worry about what God says and fly.

God bless you and keep you.

Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.  They can only be killed through a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Services.  Among groups that are working to protect vultures include the American Bird Conservancy, the Carolina Raptor Center, and the National Audubon Society.

Buzzards, Bats, Bumblebees:

The Buzzard: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The Bat: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

The Bumblebee: A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That’s the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. But faith looks up! Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and trust in our Creator who loves us!.

“Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6.

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19. April 2010 by Starr.

My friends…I just felt compelled to write this reminder today.  There will always be those out there who will always feel the need to try to keep us down.  The enemy will use others to suggest to us that we have a shady past, that we aren’t perfect…that we have issues…that we are sinners…that we have problems….that we can never overcome anything….that we have faults.  People will call us names, try to hold us under, try to zap our courage, our strength, our creativity.  If they do not like what we have to say about Christ, they will call us, “Bible Thumpers,”  “Holy Ones,”  “Jesus Freaks,”  etc.

Oh, well.  To me, it just shows that they aren’t seeing what we are seeing.  In fact, a portion of what they are saying is right.  We aren’t perfect…we do have faults.  How true!  In fact, I don’t try to claim to be holier than anyone…however, I do just point to God when my imperfections and faults creep up. 

This issue is especially difficult for the new Christian or for the Christian who has come from an abusive relationship.  I can only suggest when these slings and arrows come at us from those out there of those personalities, do two things:   1.  Pray for them.  Pray that they develop compassion and that God speaks to them in a personal way.  2…take a look at what God has to say about it.

Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another. [1 Peter 3:8]

And He has assured us that none of us who bear His name shall come to shame; this is because that will reflect badly on His Name (Rom. 9:33; see Jer. 14:21). In whatever situation we find ourselves — in the water or fire — God will defend the honour of His Name which we bear (Isa. 43: 1-2).

He is our defender and our advocate.  Don’t let someone get to you who tries to keep you down.  Bear His name proudly.  It is not your argument or battle to fight.  God knows what’s going on.  Let Him deal with that person as God sees fit and relax in the knowing that God will handle it in His own way.

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