God With Us

"Where is God?" Pastor Ben asked during children's time one Sunday.

"He's in heaven," said one of the children gathered at Pastor Ben's feet.

File photos from children's time at church.

 

"Yes, that's right," Pastor Ben affirmed. "Where else is He?"

And one little girl took her pointer finger, gestured to her side, and said, "He's right here."

I was sitting in the choir loft. And shivers went down my spine as I watched her finger point to her side, just as if God were sitting there, cross-legged beside her, on the green carpet in the front of a church in Stafford, America.

I've remembered it many days since. (See why I'm a fan of children's time? I love Pastor Ben's messages, but he got a little help that Sunday from an 8-year-old, brown-eyed beauty.)

I thought about it again as I read more of the book, "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" by Philip Yancy:

"Let the imagination roam, placing yourself in the presence of God, affirming that since God is everywhere, He is here now. Think of Christ as standing at your side, sharing your experience."

That little girl didn't need a book to tell her a truth she's already discovering in her life: God is right here ... right by her side.

He's right by my side.

And He's right by your side, too.

Our lives may be broken. But, God is like a farmer who takes the broken pieces of a barbed wire fence and splices them together again so we can hold firm.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22

As we begin the New Year, the stockings come down from the mantle. We take the angel from the top of the tree and store it for the next 11 months or so in a plastic tub in the basement.

Out of sight, out of mind, right?

No, it shouldn't be that way. While I pack away the bright lights and ornaments of the Christmas season, I shouldn't pack away the truth of Emmanuel: God With Us.

That little girl had it right: God is right here. Right by our side. That's the Good News that we should celebrate long after the last Christmas hymn is sung. We should keeping singing that truth all the way until Advent next year. 

We shared this prayer in worship after Christmas. It's my prayer for the New Year (illustrated with some photos I chose):

God of Nativity, come and touch my soul with your love.

Bind my heart with bonds of peace.

Take my hand.

Guide me to the manger.

No gift have I to bring. 

By your mercy, receive my praise and adoration.

 Be born in me this day, O Lord, my Savior. Amen.

***

As we enter the cold days of winter, soup is often on the menu at our country home. Need some tried-and-true recipes to add to your repertoire? Try this Tomato Tortellini Soup. It's easy and delicious!

Tomato Tortellini Soup

Still have some leftover ham in the freezer from Christmas dinner? Try this Hearty Split Pea Soup from my sister, Lisa's, kitchen. Think you don't like Split Pea Soup? Try this one and you may decide differently.

Broken Chords

 

Music for the soul ... Back in January, when I first saw that topic for the June edition of the Lovely Branches Ministries' Vine Press blogs, I thought to myself, "That should be an easy one for me." Note to self:  Never think things like that!

As the days of May flew by with the lightning speed of spring on the farm, year-end music concerts, family graduations, a three-day church conference and life in general, I wasn't feeling nearly so confident.

I'm a musician. No, it wasn't my major at college. I chose journalism after my Dad wisely suggested that being a music teacher was probably not the best career choice for my DNA.

I thank him every so often for that. He was SO right. I just completed my 18th year as an accompanist for the Stafford School system, most in middle school choir. Let's face it: The majority of middle school kids would much rather be in gym class than music class. As a middle school music director, I would not have survived my natural bent toward perfectionism and order in the midst of the adolescent hormones.

However, I do love music, so that's why I accompany. I certainly have no illusions that I am the most competent accompanist around. Mrs. Lighter, my childhood piano teacher, would be amazed that I am the one of the three Moore sisters who now gets paid to play the piano.

If I am honest, there are days I'd prefer to stay home. Still, there are some fringe benefits. Every so often, there's a student or two who are true musicians. They don't just get the right notes. They interpret the music. They truly make music through changes in dynamics and tempo. They are open to suggestions that take their performance to the next level.

But, as I thought about the theme, "Music for the soul," I remembered a time when my "job" didn't have a thing to do with my time on the piano bench. Instead, it happened in a bathroom after class several years ago. The encounter forever changed how I looked at the time I spent at school.

On that day, I ducked into the bathroom after the bell had rung. A middle school girl was there, washing her hands, but she waited until I came out of the stall and said, "Mrs., I have a question."

"Sure," I told her.

She was standing in front of a full-length mirror, pushing her long hair back and adjusting her clothes.

"What's wrong with me? Is my hair a mess today? Am I wearing the wrong thing? Do I smell?"

"No," I told her. "You look great. I think your hair looks really pretty today. Your outfit is cute."

She stopped me. "No, I really want you to be honest," she said. "Tell me the truth! When I come close to some of the other girls, they look at me and say, 'Oh, __________, get away.' Or they will turn their back, and I can hear them whispering."

I said again, "I am telling the truth. I am being honest. I want you to hear me. Even though it's really hard, you need to realize that sometimes other girls can be mean. I don't know why that is, but it is. So it's not about you. It's about their need to feel better than someone else. If they can put someone down, then maybe, for just a little bit, they can feel better about themselves."

"Try to remember it's not about you, even though it hurts."

I could not get that girl out of my mind. I remembered my daughter's middle school years. They were the absolute toughest for me as a parent (and no doubt for Jill as well). I will never forget how mean they were to one another. For several years, I saved a note that I found one day in Jill's pocket. It was from a girl who was supposed to be her friend. It said something about Jill looking like a pig in her cheerleading outfit.

I don't know why I saved the note. Was it to remind me of the power of words? Was it to remind me to really listen to my kids - whether they shared the hurts of the day vocally or exhibited it with a quiet, sullen mood?

Am I naive enough to think Jill was never mean to another girl? Of course not. I'm sure she had her moments even though my constant soundtrack with both my kids was, "Be the bigger person."

So I worried about this girl who I didn't really know. She was a face in the crowd on the risers before I heard the anguish in her voice that day. On the night of the concert, I made it a point to find her and tell her how nice she looked in her dress-up clothes. When I would see her at ballgames, I would stop and visit with her - even after she graduated from middle school and became a high schooler.

You see, I have been that girl. I wasn't the thinnest girl or the prettiest in my class or the girl every guy was clamoring to go out with.

But as I've gotten older, I've realized that most women have felt like that. Even those girls who from the outside looking in have it all - the thin girls with the perfect hair and just the right fashion flair - have that nagging feeling that they just aren't good enough.

It's been kind of a revelation for me as an adult.

But it doesn't change the hurt of a 13-year-old girl peering at herself in the mirror of a bathroom.

So, I hope she heard me - really heard me. If she did, it was worth all the time commuting to town ... practicing at home ... being annoyed at the noise ... the nervous stomach before festivals and concerts.

It was worth every second. If she heard me. I pray she did.

Not long ago, this arrived in my email devotional:

God has a beautiful way 

of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords. 

--Charles Swindoll

Christian pastor, author and educator

And I again thought of that girl. And I thought about myself. And I thought about all of we women who are so quick to be critical of ourselves.

But then I thought about it a little more. By definition, a broken chord is any chord whose notes are not played simultaneously; a chord played with separated notes. A broken chord is the way an accompanist gives each part of a choir its assigned note before we put all the parts together. Each and every part - soprano, alto, tenor and bass - is important for a harmonious chord. Through the brokenness of our lives we can become the strong chord that God intended us to be.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It's in His perfect love that we are made whole, even in our brokenness ... kind of like that broken chord before the choir sings.

***

It takes just a few ingredients to come together for a yummy pasta dish that can be eaten warm or cold. And you might just be able to use tomatoes from your summer garden for this meal. Enjoy!

Chicken and Bowtie Feta Pasta

Or try this salad, which is also good for summertime family reunions and potlucks at church.

Cornbread Confetti Salad

A Father With a Mother's Heart

Thanks to Morgan Hildebrand for allowing me to use her chick photos from Priority Ranch, Stafford, KS

Check out her blog, Priority Ranch and see more photos of the chickens and other animals they raise on their farm.

... How often I have longed to gather your children together,

 as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings ...

Matthew 23: 37

The animal kingdom at our farm doesn't include hens and chicks. But as I read those words from Matthew 23, I think back to my grandparents' farm. Each spring, they would purchase baby chicks and put them under heat lamps in the brooder house until they grew big enough to survive without the extra pampering. When I was a child, I loved seeing those little balls of yellow fluff huddled together. I loved touching their downy feathers. They weren't nearly as cute when they grew up to be hens, and we had to move them out of the way to get to the eggs in the hen house.

Photo by Morgan Hildebrand, Priority Ranch

But even as I remember the pecking and racket of the hen house, I think about it a little differently now as a mother and grandmother - and I as read the words from Matthew. 

While most often we hear about "God the Father," the Matthew 23 verse gives us that maternal essence of God.

The birthing process is God’s idea. He’s maternally given birth to the universe, birth to our planet, and birth to us. Most importantly He’s given us re-birth. Simply stated, He is Father God with a mother’s heart. Waiting to wipe every tear; sitting up with us through the night; and listening to our troubles—solving them while we are yet speaking. 

Christian Author Susan Watkins

Each year, I am mystified by motherhood as we work with our cow/calf herd on our South Central Kansas farm. When we move the cow/calf pairs to different corrals or pastures, we separate the mamas and their babies to keep the babies (and the humans) safe.

The mamas don't realize we are doing it for a purpose. They protest - LOUDLY - when they are on one side of a fence ... and their babies are on another.

They bellow at the barn because they know their babies went that direction on the way to the trailer. Then they move the protest to the fence and watch as the trailer leaves them behind.

It's always amazing to me when it's time for the mamas and babies to reunite. The babies barrel out of the trailer in search of their mamas. 

It doesn't take long before the "lost" is again found by each mama and welcomed home for a nuzzle and a snack.

And isn't that how God seeks us? Our Heavenly Father has a mother's heart.

He seeks us when we're lost. (Luke 15: 3-6). He numbers the hairs on our heads (Luke 12: 6-8). He rejoices over us. His thoughts about us outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139). Isn't that just like a mother?

***

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and to my daughter. (She did the important job of making me a grandma. It's a pretty wonderful job description! I think there's a little Grandma in our Father God, too!)

***

Be sure and check out Morgan Hildebrand's blog, Priority Ranch. Again, I thank her for allowing me to use her chick photos. We have our share of cattle and cats here on our farm, but you'll want to see the menagerie of animals that live at Priority Ranch and the people who care for them. Click on the link to "visit."

***

To celebrate Mother's Day, try these quick bread recipes for a tasty start to the day:

Grandma's Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

Banana Pineapple Cherry Nut Bread

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

I'm Thankful

"I'm fine."

It's the automatic response, it seems, when someone issues the familiar greeting, "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

We say it whether we really mean it - or we don't. It's the socially acceptable way to respond. But a recent email devotional from The Upper Room challenged me to think about a new response.

It's "fine" to be "fine." But how would life change if I followed the author's cue and instead responded, "I'm thankful!"

He says that his "I'm thankful" response often elicits a conversation starter when the questioner probes, "Why are you thankful?" But even if it doesn't evolve into anything more than a pleasant response, it just might remind me to BE more thankful.

The Psalms provide plentiful examples of being thankful, including Psalm 105: 1-6:

Psalm 105

¹ Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
² Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
³ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
⁴ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

⁵ Remember the wonders he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
⁶ you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

One of my favorite hymns is Fairest Lord Jesus, a hymn that seems perfect for the Lovely Branches Ministries theme, April Gladness, this month.

At left and clockwise: The church sanctuary's stained glass behind the altar; a view of the front of the church; the piano where we gathered each week to sing Sunday School songs, much like the poster still on the wall in one of the classroom; the back of the church, where we would play on the steps and in the yard during our Mom's WSCS (now UMW) meetings and during VBS recreation.

Today, the words of the familiar hymn may be projected onto a multi-media screen during morning worship. But the message was imprinted on my heart long ago at my childhood church, Byers United Methodist. (I was there when the church closed its doors for the last time in 2011. See some of my memories by clicking on the underlined link.)

Dear Lord, as we turn the calendar to April and welcome spring, let us see our blessings with eyes wide open to You and your miraculous world. Let me truly be able to respond, "I'm thankful!" each and every day.

Fairest Lord Jesus 

(with my photo illustrations)

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,

O thou of God and man the Son.

 Thee will I cherish

Thee will I honor

Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows

Fairer still the woodlands

Robed in the blooming garb of spring

 Jesus is fairer

Jesus is purer

Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

 

Fair is the sunshine

 

Fairer still the moonlight

And all the twinkling starry host.

Jesus shines brighter

Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heaven can boast.

 Beautiful Savior!

Lord of all the nations! 

 Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor,

Praise, adoration,

Now and forever more be thine. 

**

Spring on a plate ... It's how I think about this Roasted Tomato and Asparagus Tortellini dish with asparagus and spinach. It can be served as a side dish. But you can easily make it into a main dish by adding cooked and seasoned chicken breasts or strips of beef, if you want a heartier meal ... or if any guys around your table would prefer that! Enjoy!

The Basin and the Towel

From my high school yearbook. The girls' basketball team. I'm hanging from the scaffolding at the lower right.

I was a member of a state championship basketball team. Actually, I earned two state championship medals, along with a third-place finish. You'd never know it looking at me. I'm certainly not a lanky 5'10" in my stocking feet, and I'm not particularly graceful or coordinated.

My alma mater, Skyline High School, earned state girls' basketball champion trophies in 1973, 1974 and 1977. I was on the 1973 and '74 teams, as well as the 1975 team that took 3rd at state. My sister, Darci, was on the 1977 championship team.

My sister, Darci, and I: In 2011, the Kansas State High School Activities Association celebrated 100 years of providing service to schools throughout the state. To commemorate their 100th anniversary, KSHSAA invited past state championship teams to the 2011 tournament sites. We were at the girls' 2A tournament in Manhattan.

I was more known for singing the National Anthem before the game ever started than scoring a winning bucket. My job was holding down the end of the bench. If the game wasn't tight, I might - just maybe - get substituted into the game in the last minute or so. As a high school girl, I often didn't see my role on the basketball court as particularly important.

But my Dad had a different philosophy. He always insisted that the people sitting on the bench were an important part of the team. And I don't think he was just trying to make me feel better. He was a basketball star in high school. He insisted that we bench-sitters were a valuable asset.

"Who do those girls practice against every day?" he would ask when I compared myself to the starting line-up and knew I came up woefully short.  "If they didn't have good people to push them during practice, do you think they could play as well during a game?"

I love watching college basketball, especially my alma mater, Kansas State University. In recent years, the announcers at Bramlage have added another component as they announce the game.

"Rodney McGruder for 3, from Angel Rodriegez," the voice booms out after a score. Instead of just recognizing the person who put the ball in the bucket, the announcer gives some recognition for the person who didn't take the shot, but rather, passed the ball and earned an assist.

Fans also play a pivotal role in the success of their teams. There's a reason that sports commentators talk about "home court advantage." When thousands of people are loud and cheering (and, in the case of K-State games, doing the Wabash Cannonball), it can't help but add to the excitement and urge the players to give their very best. It's true during March Madness or during any part of the season.

The Wabash Cannonball at a K-State basketball game

Is being a member of God's team so different? While He wants us to use our talents to the best of our ability, He also wants us to be team players. It may not be our time in the spotlight, but He wants us to be the assist guy (or gal) and His No. 1 fan. 

As we experience Lent and make the journey toward Easter on March 31, Jesus is calling us to be self-less, not selfish. He gives us example after example in the Bible. Before Jesus went to the Cross, He had one final meal with his disciples.  He celebrated the Passover Feast with the ones He loved in the Upper Room.

But no one volunteered to clean the dusty feet of the disciples.  Until Jesus…

Stained glass window at Youthville Chapel, Newton, Kansas

Jesus “got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.”  (John 13:4-5)  Even in this final meal, Jesus was teaching his disciples.

Jesus said: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

How are we washing others' feet today? Is it through that sympathy card you sent to the grieving spouse from your Sunday School class? Is it when you show up at a high school game when you don't have anyone playing any more and cheer on the home team? Is it taking a cake to a funeral dinner? Is it leading or attending a Bible study? Is it volunteering at the resthome? Do you pick up some extra food and put it in the box for the food bank?

The possibilities to serve as Christ's hands and feet in this world today are plentiful. I've always loved this quote by Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which He blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Teresa of Avila

I just came across this song called "The Basin and the Towel," by Michael Card. (Don't you love God's timing?)

Just some of the words are:

In any ordinary place,
on any ordinary day,
the parable can live again
when one will kneel and one will yield. ...

In humility, to take the vow,
that day after day we must take up the basin and the towel.

(Click here for all the lyrics.)



As we continue the journey of Lent and move toward Easter, it's my prayer that each of us - in any ordinary place and on any ordinary day - make the daily choice to "take up the basin and the towel."

 ***

If you're a mom and grandma looking for a fun project to do with your kiddos or want an easy way to add a festive touch to your Easter table, try these fun, no-bake Birds' Nests.

Doesn't this look like a pretty Easter dessert? This recipe was a prize-winner in a national contest by a woman from Sawyer, Kansas, the wife of one of my former classmates at Skyline High School. Try Double Berry Cheesecake Bars.