Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Merry Christmas 2010

 Love~The Totten Family

Slip Slidin' Away...

 

Oh Deer...

Choosing Thankfulness at ALL times...

I absolutely love the huge tree planted in our front yard. It's a vivid reminder of each season transitioning into another. I can truly say I enjoy each magnificent display of change it offers. The Winter months can be desolate, cold and often unrelenting with wind, rain, frost, ice and snow. The branches are barren and lonely from loosing their colorful display of crimson red, burnt orange and vibrant yellow leaves of Fall. Winter eventually gives way to Spring. The small determined buds begin to appear in abundance. Hope is in the air once again as we see the sun shining between the rain showers and rainbows. Summer brings lush green refreshing beauty, as the tree beckons children to climb, find safety and mystery in it's height and strength. Then just as every season comes and goes. Autumn appears in all it's glory and graces the world with a canvas of watercolor. To pear up to it's branches is like an invitation to breath deep, enjoy, reflect upon all that we have to be thankful for.

As the leaves fall the clean up begins and the cycle starts all over again. As I looked at these leaves twinkling in the sunlight, I felt my spirit reflect that I have as much and more to be thankful for than this tree has leaves....My heart is full of gratitude too numerous to count!

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

                                                                                                                       Colossians 2:6-7

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...

the Words of Ecclesiastes 3 says it best.

  a time to be born and a time to die, 

   a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

  a time to kill and a time to heal, 

   a time to tear down and a time to build, 

  a time to weep and a time to laugh, 

   a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

  a time to search and a time to give up, 

   a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

  a time to tear and a time to mend, 

   a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

  a time to love and a time to hate, 

   a time for war and a time for peace.

In each season of life, there is an unveiling of life's,  joys or sadness, griefs or celebration. It is so good to know that God walks with us through it all. Storm or Stillness, God is with us, teaching us His will and His ways season by season.

My husband and I love to reflect upon this poem called the Paradox of man...no mater what season we are in we try to be....

Strong enough to be weak;
Successful enough to fail;
Busy enough to take time;
Assured enough to cry;
Leading enough to serve;
Serious enough to laugh;
Rich enough to be poor;
Victorious enough to lose;
Important enough to be last;
Loving enough to be angry;
Wise enough to say I don’t know;
Right enough to say “I am wrong”;
Compassionate enough to discipline;
Conservative enough to give freely;
Mature enough to be childlike;
Righteous enough to be a sinner;
Courageous enough to fear God;
Planned enough to be spontaneous;
Controlled enough to be flexible;

Free enough to endure captivity;
Knowledgeable enough to ask questions;

Great enough to be anonymous;
Responsible enough to play;
Industrious enough to relax.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Nothin' Says Lovin' ...

Like a Bun in the Oven!

I love baking, especially when the weather turns a bit to a chill and the leaves are flaring their most vibrant colors. My inspiration these days...

ARTISAN BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY

It's all about how to make great, healthy bread at home. The fun part is that it takes only five minutes of active preparation time.

This “6-3-3-13” Rule is Key

To store enough for eight loaves, remember 6-3-3-13.

It’s 6 cups water, 3 tablespoons salt, 3 tablespoons yeast, and then add 13 cups of flour.

The secret to the five minutes? Mix up a lightning-fast batch of moist dough,

save it in your refrigerator,

tear off portions over the next week or more, shape and

Bake, Be Creative, Bake some more and

Enjoy fresh bread each and every day!

Here's a link to the Artisan Bread in Five Minute Website:

http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

Happy Baking Friends!

YUM!

Light in the Darkness...

My husband and I went to the coast for a short get-a-way a few weeks ago. It was a stormy night and I found myself sitting on a balcony in the dark, looking out over the rough sea. It was a rare moment, to be alone, quite and still. My thoughts were swirling about all life has brought to our doorstep lately. I was comforted to be sitting in the presence of God, who is all knowing and is much bigger than any concern of my heart.

As I prayed and lifted my eyes out to the black edges of night before me. I saw a tiny light flash on the horizon. It flashed once and than the sky became black once again. Then out of no where the light flashed brightly again, making it's presence clear and visible for all to see.

The Light in the Darkness was a Lighthouse in the distance! In that moment, I felt the Lord allowed for me to see that light in the dark of night, to remind me of His power and His presences in the quite or in the storms of life. I was reminded that even when all seems dark in our lives, He is there. It was as if He spoke directly to my fear and said, " I am here in the darkness and the unknown of night, I will shine light into all of darkness and hidden shadows. It may seam as though I have retreated at times and the darkness may try to prevail. I have not gone away, I am here, I am at work, I will return and continue to shine light for all to see and the darkness will be known and will be no more. Darkness, can not exist where I am. Those that are lost in the blackest of night will come to find shelter, healing and rest only if they recognize and love the light."

"He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light." 
Job 12:22

I know lighthouses are often photographed and paired with Bible verses about Christ being our light, but it's with good reason. I was not able to take any pictures of that lighthouse the night at the ocean, but I happened to have been gifted a lamp recently. Amazing theme going on in my life lately! I love it when God does that! The lamp has helped remind me on a daily basis of Gods promises. I choose to place this lamp next to roses as a symbol of the unfolding of beauty that comes in time as light helps things grow, change and become more beautiful because it receives light.

"The Buds and the branches were all one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold." 

Exodus 37:22

Just as a lamp is used to shed light only a few feet before us, a lighthouse is used to warn ships of dangerous coast lines or reefs, unsafe waters, or other dangers. They both shine light in the darkness in different ways, but both allow for us to see and follow it's path. The lamps light is consistent but only shows us a few step at a time. A lighthouse guides ships safely into harbor with short burst of light and then dissipates. This is where walking by faith comes in. There is so much unknown before us and it is our choice to keep moving forward, even if the light seams to have gone dim. Before all our fancy technology the lighthouse was perhaps the only guide on a dark night. I trust you see the parallel to Christ as our lighthouse. Like a ship ignoring a lighthouse, we run a terrible risk if we choose to ignore Christ's guidance or warnings.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

Isaiah 42:16

As the weeks have passed since I sat in the glimmer of the lighthouse on that stormy night, I have spent time searching the scriptures for verses having to do with darkness and light. It seams the two go hand in hand! I am intrigued by light not just as a guide in our darkness, but also by it's power and beauty. I have found that light is often most powerful, gentle and beautiful when in contrast to darkness. The darkness is not fun, it is not pretty on it's own...but all in all the darkness seams to have it's purpose to ultimately give Glory to the Light!

I have been reminded time and time again of this truth. When I look at the moon and the stars in the sky, their beauty speaks volumes of our creator. Even when they disappear behind the clouds.. I know they are still there and God is still powerful! The mountains hide some days, but they are still strong and beautiful.

When I helped paint a house recently. I noticed that when a light color is painted over dark....it bleeds through....it took hard work and persistence to cover the darkness. This is how Chirst covers our sin. With His love and mercy He pursues us and covers our sin. The light then shines out of the darkness.

There are many descriptions of Darkness and Light in the Scriptures...some warnings, some... full of hope and healing... all worthy of our humility and surrender from darkness to light.

You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29

The many faces of Izzy!

Cover Me...

I woke in the middle of the night last night. The Lord spoke to my heart and brought this image to my mind. The image is of me sitting in the middle of a river. It's a photograph my husband took just a few months ago.

It was taken as a self portrait to go along with a series of photography assignments I've been participating in over the past year.

With the business of summer and all that life has had for us, it is not till now that I felt the nudge to reflect on all this image holds for me. I feel that it represents so much of what the Lord has taught me and brought me through in my life.

Before I elaborate, I would love to share this song that has been my prayer.

May you be blessed as you read these words and may The Spirit of God flow into your heart!

Let the River Flow

Darrell Evans

Lyrics:

Let the poor man say

I am rich in Him

Let the lost man say

I am found in Him

Let the River flow

Let the blind man say

I can see again

Let the dead man say

I am born again

Let the river flow

Let the river flow

Holy Spirit come

Move in power

Let the river flow

As I sit in the midst of the river. I look back at the smooth glassy water, giving thanks for all that the Lord has covered in my life. All He has forgiven and restored. He alone surrounded me, healed me and redeemed my life with His love. It was not until I recognized my need for a Savior and surrendered my life to Him that I found myself standing on a solid foundation. God became my Rock, my All, my Everything! He turned my sorrow into joy, my pain into dancing, my weakness into strength. He turned my life upside down and inside out and I am forever and eternally grateful. He has taught and continues to teach me

how to turn from myself and run to Him.

The warning in Scripture if we choose to live without God:

"The waters of the river will dry up,

the riverbed will be parched and dry."

Isaiah 19:5

It is by Gods Grace:

"He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light."

Job 28:11

It has been a journey with many twists and turns, bumps, bruises and detours along the way. I have stumbled, been broken and bloodied. There have been times when I felt helplessly pulled under and swept away in the rushing unrelenting waters. At times I truly thought I might drowned. I have found myself flailing, gasping for air and struggling in my own weakness.

Why is it we try to do so much of life on our own, forgetting about the one who is life? It is He, I want to reach for and trust without hesitation or fear.

It is His Strength, Mercy, Love and Power that we ALL need in our lives.

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells."

Psalm 46:4

It is not the approval of others, it is not the list of laws we need to "do" just so,

it is the Love of Jesus Christ we need to set us Free.

The Lord Himself is here, ALIVE and ready to

rescue and strengthen if we would only surrender ALL!

"Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree."

Genesis 18:4

He wants the GLORY and He Deserves it ALL...

after all He alone is God and we are not!

All we have to do is turn to him completely and turn away from anything and everything that pulls us or holds us away from knowing Him. This is easier said than done. But when you do, the living waters will change you forever and you will never be the same.

You will be Alive in Christ and there is nothing more beautiful than Him.

"He opened the rock, and water gushed out;

like a river it flowed in the desert."

Psalm 105:41

In all of our lives, the waters continue to flow, every day, through every season the waters push forward. Sometimes gently, sometimes with much fury and force.

As I prayed in the darkness of night...I heard the Lord softly remind me:

Come to the water, you who thirst and you will thirst no more

Drink from the Love that is pouring from my hands

Come to the river, be filled

Turn to me, wait on me, Trust in me,

I will guide you.

Come to the banks and be washed in the flow of my Mercy and Grace

Yes...Turn to me, Trust in me and I will show my unfailing

LOVE, HEALING and POWER

My streams of MERCY are Flowing Full Force.

I am the light in the darkness, I am with you in stillness or storm.

I will meet you in the calmness of morning and be with

you in any shadows that taunt or waves that try to

overtake you.

Just like a new day comes, so will trials make themselves known.

Let it not surprise you when battle and heartache erupt.

"When the river rages, he is not alarmed; he is secure."

Job 40:23

The past is behind you,

today is upon you and tomorrow is before you

I am in the midst of the current of life.

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

I am life itself, I am living water that flows about you

Hold onto me, my strength is sufficient.

I will provide, protect and guide.

"Let the rivers clap their hands,

Let the mountains sing together for joy"

Psalm 98:8

No matter what is behind or what is before you...I am here with

you... you have stolen my heart and I am

yours and you are mine!

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:8

All Creation

History Reveals...