Wednesday May 4 2016  EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER

Experiential knowledge is sometimes the best teacher. 

Think about a newborn baby, born into the world without any experience, no knowledge, and no language.  Just think of all the experiences that await that newborn in order to acquaint them with life.  Life is experience.  Experience becomes knowledge.  Knowledge builds and as we grow we draw upon our life experiences for each decision we make.  And through the experiences we go through we have better understanding and compassion for others who may eventually go through some of the same situations we have already gone through.

Some experiences are good.  Some experiences are not.  Some experiences cause grief and sorrow.  God never “makes us” to go through painful situations but it does happen, such as death, accident, injury, divorce, abuse, and many other situations which leave sadness and regret in their wake.  What the devil means for evil God turns it into something good.  And what more perfect thing can one do with their experiential knowledge than to walk alongside someone else who is now going through what they experienced.

Think about the ways that you can use the lessons you have learned through your experiences in life to help another find healing.  My friend recently lost her husband to Parkinson’s disease.  It was a long road of grief and sorrow for her before her husband died.  So many new obstacles to overcome as the unknown and dreaded disease took its toll.  It was not easy for her, nor for her husband.  She has been in support groups in order to help her learn and adjust to all the changes that took place in their lives as they battled this unrelenting disease.  And today she told me that she is still going to the support groups, but now it is to reach out to others and to help them walk through their journey.  Experience is the best teacher.  Suffering the emotional pain that she went through is the best teacher that enables her to help others make it through their pain.  God is bringing people to my friend who just need to talk, or cry, as well as those that just need to know there are others out there willing to help them get through one day at a time.   Experience, it speaks a thousand words, sometimes without even uttering a sound.

I would venture to say that none of us have gone through life unscathed.   What in your life has given you the experience to help another?  Think back to your darkest days and remember those who were there for you.  Ask yourself this question: “What do you think God would have you do with your experiential knowledge?”  Many people are hurting.  Each situation is a bit different but oftentimes the pain is universal.  Perhaps you could think about making yourself available to help others through something you have already forded.  Maybe it will even make a difference for their eternity.  When you reach out to another it is recognized and received as “LOVE”.  God commands us to go and love one another.  What a better way to do that, than to reach out when someone is in pain, and help them get through the kind of pain you have already experienced.  We ALL NEED HELP at some time or another in our lives.  Perhaps we should ALL EXTEND HELP at some time or another.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD’S GREAT PLAN

By Kathleen Martens

May 4, 2016

Just one life I have to give

In the perfect will of God to live.

When He beckons do I come?

Or away am I apt to run?

Pain and sorrow I’ve lived through,

And with that experience what shall I do?

Have I learned what I need to know

In order to show others new ways to go?

Have I wisdom to share with another,

To give a helping hand to a sister or brother?

Even when I have experienced sorrow

God makes it good in my tomorrows.

That I in turn will reach out and extend

A helping hand to stranger or friend.

To be their strength and give them hope,

Offering encouragement for them to cope.

Never underestimate God’s great plan

Of what He has for each woman, each man.

Your experience may save another’s soul.

Let God’s plan, be your ultimate goal.

God, thank You for all the people in my life who have helped me in so many ways.

Thank You Lord for every poem I write.

Thank You Father for being such a good Father. 

Thank You Lord for the plan You have for my life.

Thank You Lord that I am sitting here in the quiet of my office with my heart turned toward You.

Thank You that I still have the freedom to worship You in my country.

Thank You Father for daily opening my eyes to the needs of others.

Thank You Lord for the beautiful gift of song writing that you have given Your children.

*Thank You for Fanny Crosby.

Thank You Father for all the poems you have given me over the years.

Thank You Lord for being so awesome and loving.

Thank You Lord that it is well with my soul.

Thank You too for my three hole punch.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

From website:  www.wholesomewords.org

*Fanny Crosby

Tuesday May 3 2016   WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE?

There are so many topics swirling in head that I would like to write about.  I will tell you about just one of them.

I was listening to http://www.southlandchristian.org while at the gym this morning.  The sermons are only 30 minutes in length so I can usually listen to three or four episodes per workout session.  Today I was listening to the series “PERISCOPED”.  The sermon title is: “Peri-live” presented on November 15, 2015.  The pastor relayed a story about a 96 year old man who died.  This elderly man had known the Lord only the last three years of his life.  Before he died the man recorded the words he wanted to share with those who would attend his funeral.  After living 96 years in this world he wanted to share what he felt mattered most in his entire life.  He said, “If I could just tell you what matters I can also tell you what doesn’t matter.”  The man then spoke about what really mattered most to him by quoting the following verse:

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements, and possessions.  These are not from the Father, but are from the world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that everybody craves.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (nlt)

Just this little excerpt from Jon Weece’s sermon gave me much pause for thought.  What words would you speak at your funeral if you really wanted to get your most important point across as to what was most important in your life?  I wonder what words I would share?

I have never really been at a loss for words but this question has been circling around in my thoughts off and on throughout this day without coming to a full conclusion.  After giving this some serious think-tank time I have indeed come up with something I would like to share with others.  My first impression is that the most important thing for me to do would be to focus on my family, my friends, and those I come in contact with to make certain that I share God’s love and salvation with them.  And the most important question I could ever ask myself would be: “ WHAT CAN I DO WHILE HERE ON EARTH THAT WILL MOST AFFECT ETERNITY?” 

We cannot take anything with us when we die except those we love who have also accepted Christ into their own lives.  And one of the greatest investments of my time on earth was, and is, living a life that would be acceptable to God so that our children too would know and accept God’s love, and thus pass on that truth to future generations.  Our investment in our children’s and grandchildren’s spiritual destiny should be of the greatest importance.  It is only though our children and grandchildren that we can influence the future generations.

I AM BUT ONE

By Kathleen Martens

May 3, 2016

I am but one so what can I do?

That will affect now and eternity too?

What is most important, as I live my days?

Is it how much I accrue, or is it what I say?

Is it my possessions, or prayers for another?

My time on the job?  Or time with my brothers?

Years on earth short, eternity unending,

To the earth’s cravings I will be unbending.

When I give to the Lord my precious hours

He fills our lives with His amazing power.

When I share with others God’s precious love,

God pours down more from heaven above.

When I love not the world nor the sin it offers

My treasures are deposited in heaven’s coffers.

I need no pride in what I achieve

Rather place my trust in whom I believe.

When I please God I will live forever,

And throughout eternity we’ll never be severed.

So what is the best investment of my time?

To take to heaven those who are mine.

Thank You God for your amazing Living Word.

Thank You Father for the faith I have in You.

Thank You Lord for all the miracles I experience each day through Your love.

Thank You Lord that I had the opportunity to share a recipe with a lady I met at Walmart today.

Thank You God for a husband so sensitive that he waited to mow the grass so I could rescue a new little Trillium sprout.

Thank You for all the early spring flowers that bloom in our woods and yard.

Thank You for Bluebells.

Thank You for shade.

Thank You for Raspberry Jam!

Thank You that my husband is alive.

Thank You for the powerful sermons I listen to.

Thank You for loving me so much God.

Thank You too for libraries.

And thank You for Your Holy Spirit that speaks to my heart.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday May 2 2016  A TIME TO REMEMBER

Oh WOW!  I made it through the weekend.  It was busy, interesting and fun…and exhausting.  I didn’t feel the exhaustion until this morning.  And as I look back over this day I am very proud of myself for getting out of bed, dressing for the gym, doing my grocery run, and working out like a pro!  Had a great lunch and have spent the last two hours working out computer situations that had to be upgraded as well as new downloads that were past due.

All day Friday (the beginning of this past weekend) was taken up with errands and necessity shopping.  Rushed home, changed and attended a performance put on by The Philharmonic Chorus of Madison.  It was absolutely awesome!  It was held at a local church with great acoustics.  The harmony of sound reminded me of what one might hear in nature.  The voices were rich and mellow and the harmony felt as if it were velvet, caressing your heart.  I could just feel the smile spread across my face and fill my spirit to its depth.  It was a magical time of awareness, living the moment.  It was like being in a magic garden of soothing sound.  It was somber, yet lively.  It was both serious and light hearted.  There was a resonance that infiltrated into my soul.   Not only was it beautiful to listen to but a delight to watch the performers.  I could see the sincerity and intense enjoyment they received as their voices blended into exquisite significance.  The moments went by too quickly.

Saturday was an early day, work out time, lunch time, and then off to see a live production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  It was performed by Abundant Life Christian School which is the school on the campus of City Church, the place where we worship.  It was produced by Sarah Karlen, a long time veteran of many productions in the Madison and outlying areas.  She did a superb job.  The settings were grandiose, the costuming was simply elegant and amazing, and all the actors were outstanding.  The facility was packed with hundreds of people of all ages.  Dave and I both enjoyed it immensely.  Because we were gone while the tickets were being sold we ended up in about the farthest wing, in the third pew from the back.  And still we had a great view!  The show was bigger than life, the sound was excellent and I think I enjoyed the perspective of being so far back so I had a better visual command of the entire stage and surrounding areas.  There was a lot of acting and movement that took place up and down the aisles as well as close to the platform. 

We left the three hour production and headed out to Sun Prairie to pick up our grandsons.  We had a nice dinner out and then home to our abode.  Dave wrestled (the boys’ favorite past time when with Grandpa), I read stories and before I knew it, it was bedtime.  A little later than I would have liked because we all had to rise early the next morning.  At least, as it turned out, Dave and I had to get up extra early to get ready for church, and we didn’t know if the boys were ever going to wake up.  By 7:30 every one was up.  We had a quick breakfast, clean-up and teeth brushing and everyone was out the door by 7:50 a.m.  Gramma and Grandpa can make miracles happen when we need to.

We had a very busy afternoon (which is still a secret), and finally the youngest fell asleep.  Believe me, it was a much needed nap.  I prepared dinner, and the kids (older kids), came over for dinner.  Everyone left but I can’t remember what time it was.  All I remember is that after I had finished putting the house in order it was 9:00 p.m. and I then sat down to watch a little T.V.  That was the end of my day.  I was down for the count.  I did finally make it to my bed when I needed a potty break.

And then came morning.  This morning, when I had not one ounce of energy left.  It was if I had been ZAPPED!  But so far I have made it through the day.  As soon as this blog is published I will be showered and in bed so quickly that Dave won’t know what happened to me.  Another busy day awaits me tomorrow.

I have so much more to talk about.  Having the boys here this weekend reminded me of so many memories from the past.  It is quite uncanny to see how much Zachariah looks like his father.  His resemblance propels me back in time to the memories I cherish of my own little boy and girl.  I think I was fortunate to have one of each.  It’s as if two little boys instigate so much more rambunctious activity than did one little boy and one little girl.  Whew!  I dodged a bullet.  Sorry Amy that there are so many males that reside in your house.  Boys may be easier to rear when they are older, but they certainly are not easier when so young and full of vinegar.  Dave is a bit worse for the wear after being a human springboard in the wrestling arena on the living room floor.  He said the after-pain is worth it because these are the happy memories that his grandson’s will carry forward.  What they’ll probably remember about me is that this was a weekend without T.V., computers, I Pads, cell phones, or video games.  That’s how I planned it.  I didn’t say anything about the loss of such items until Zach brought it up and asked if he could use my computer.  He was not such a happy camper but went along without the use of electronics as graciously as any 8 year old boy could possibly do.  However, he did say he might not come back again.  Uh-Oh!  Oh well, we are still bigger than he is.  He said it with a smile!  He brought a book with him so when he was not engaged by one of the adults and Xander was sleeping, he enjoyed reading his book.  I also did a lot of reading to both boys.

IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE

By Kathleen Martens

May 2, 2016

How can I remember I need to slow down?

I forget old age has me bound.

I bite off a lot and it gets tough to chew,

And I’ll do it again before I am through.

Two little boys can run you ragged,

Make you tired and feel quite haggard.

But a mom needs a break as well as a dad

And so it’s our boon because we get the lads!

I’ll use my last strength as well as last breath

To do all I can before I meet death.

Making memories is the gift we can give

To two little boys, to remember as long as they live.

And it is so much fun to tell our stories,

Yet I’m sure at times it may be quite boring.

But the boring times they won’t remember

When they are old and no longer quite limber.

It’s hard to imagine that our years will end,

But I hope not before we can be their friends,

All grown up with families of their own,

With great-grandchildren who are yet unknown.

God, thank You for such a wonderful weekend.

Thank You Lord for the energy to make it through this day.

Thank You Father that I had honey roasted peanut butter in my refrigerator this weekend.

Thank You God that these two boys survived this weekend.

Thank You God that WE SURVIVED THIS WEEKEND!

Thank You God for the great sermons I am listening to everyday from SOUTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Thank You Father for being such a good Father to me.

Thank You God for all the smiles You have placed on my face.

Thank You God that I was able to get everything accomplished on my computer today.

Thank You for grapes.  They are so good.

Thank You for creating music Lord.  The very sound of beautiful music just seems to worship You.

Thank You for loving me God despite knowing me so well.

Thank You God that I still have some hair on my head. 

Thank You God for my fingers.

But mostly, thank You for two such wonderful grandsons.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.  GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU.