PERFECTIONISM

When it comes to perfectionism there is no harsher critic of me than me. For as long as I can remember I have longed for everything in my life to be not simply “practically perfect in every way” as Mary Poppins allowed, but my preference would be, “without flaw.”
With Christmas just past and perfection in mind, I am reminded again of the times in childhood when I received new coloring books and crayons. The alluring beauty of the photos on the front covers helped me choose colors that were as close to perfection as possible to use for the first pages of pictures I would color. Once started, I would feel devastated to have ruined the fresh, clean pages with my childish marks of imperfection. Usually I garnered the courage to start afresh on another page but I was always more than simply aware of the ruined (in my opinion at least) pages of past efforts.
It would be nice to be able to say that with age I have moved on but more honest would be to say I have perhaps mellowed a fraction. With perseverance, eventually I did learn to color to my satisfaction and pleasure…mostly. I know (and always did know) I will never be a quilter based on my desire for those corners to come together perfectly (there’s that word again). Over the years I have found other projects to create that have given me the satisfaction of near perfection, counted cross-stitch being the closest. And thankfully the computer allows me to create cards that print wonderful pictures and fonts so my imperfections don’t have to be seen until I fold and/or sign the cards.
But, real life, like the pictures I colored in the books of my youth, ends up with many daily “pages” that are filled with marks that are less-than-perfection and there are disappointments that mar the memories, sometimes causing me to feel I don’t have what it takes to keep trying new pages because I know I will smudge the fresh beauty. However, this is real life, not a coloring book, so I will try again because I know that even with my imperfections, through the blood of Christ, God helps me make those daily moments and pages as fresh as they were when they were brand new…perfect…and He will help me as I choose to continue to walk daily with Him.
1 John 1:7 states: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
My longing fulfilled if I but remember:
Perfectionism: Without Flaw…God’s way
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 12-30-2009

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

Recently I received an e-mail asking I respond to the question, “What are you thankful for?” Based on the recommended scripture, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change," (James 1:17), it didn’t take me long to come up with many answers and I’d like to share some of my reasons for thankfulness at Daily Diamonds.
It is not just at this time of year, but so often during the year...almost each Sunday when my thoughts center around Christ's death, burial and resurrection in celebration and remembrance of His supper as we are commanded to do (Luke 22:17-20,I Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7) that I thank God that Jesus was willing to come to live on this earth. That kind of boggles my mind, that He would be willing to leave Heaven...what kind of love is that? I pray that I learn to love more like that but know I am far from beginning to fathom even the smallest inkling.
Following that my thought is often coupled with how thankful I am that because Jesus came to this earth and lived an obedient life to the point of death, was raised and is at the right hand of God, and I have chosen to follow Him as God's child, I have the privilege to pray in Jesus' name! Without Jesus as my Mediator, God would still have to see me as a sin-filled being, but now instead He sees me through the blood of Christ. (Romans 8:1-4)
I am also thankful for the stories and lessons left to us of Jesus' time on this earth… His very own words and answers to some of life's questions. I can go to the Bible at any time and read the messages presented that Jesus wants me to have.
I am thankful for the people who helped teach me about Him...first my family who instilled in me that the answer for life is/was God, because as a child I always knew He was and is. Hebrews 13:7-8 says, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever.”
In summing up a few of my responsive thoughts, I am thankful that in an ever-changing world, the good and perfect gifts I was given at the beginning have been with me throughout my life and will continue to be with me right through to the end and on into glory!
What gifts I have been given! I am thankful!
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 12-17-2009

LET US REJOICE

It’s that time of year again and while many of my age have memories of folks cheerfully calling out, “Merry Christmas!” as a general greeting, such is fast becoming politically incorrect. While there is no place in the scripture that specifically tells us to commemorate the birth of Jesus at a specific time or times, as is the guidance given for remembering His death*, we, like the angels, respond in joy when we consider what the birth of our Savior meant and means to this world!
Today I had the blessing and privilege of visiting with a happy young man who has spent hours preparing his house and yard with decorative lights to celebrate the upcoming festive season. As a neighbor, I wanted him to know that I was going to appreciate his efforts so I stepped toward him from across the street as I called out, “Merry Christmas!”
He looked up with a smile as he momentarily stopped his work and said, “Merry Christmas! I’m trying to get done a little early because we’re expecting a new little one next Tuesday!”
As I stepped closer, my face must have lit up enough to challenge any number of strings of bright lights that now adorned his house when I said, “A baby? I love babies!” I then went on to explain how I was the last after three big brothers and always thought a little sister would have been a welcome addition.
He had a big grin on his face as he explained that their son, about four years old, whom I had met earlier, is really excited and wants his baby brother right now!
With encouragement to let us know if they needed us for anything and wishes for all to be well, along with smiles, we parted company for today, but I came home with thoughts of comparisons between the world this baby boy will be entering and the world entered by the One much of the world takes time to remember in December each year.
While there are world differences between then and now, just as surely as God had a plan for that Bethlehem Babe, so too, He has a plan for our neighbor’s newborn child.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16 (ESV)

And now, just as in that long ago, there will be rejoicing in that a child is born.

*Luke 22:17-20,I Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 11-28-2009

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

As my friend shared her writing about her search for the perfect picture-taking opportunity of fallen autumn leaves, in my mind I walked through the falling leaves with her, and heard the crunch underfoot while looking around at all the trees while she waited for the perfect day for all the colors to be just right. In addition, I joined her in the disappointment of having to wait, knowing from past experience that one day of wind and rain could mean missing out all together on the perfect moments of ultimate color. Ah, but then, (sigh)...relief! I rejoiced with her when the perfect day and opportunity arrived when she fulfilled her heart’s desire with the photos she wanted!
As I thought on her story, I was reminded, too, that sometimes we don't get what we ask for, but that God has something else entirely planned. Sometimes, the winds and rains come swiftly and within a day the world of brilliant color is turned to drab shades of gray and brown. The crisp leaves absorb the moisture while drowning in the puddles and turn to mush in the now muddy walkways on the ground.
Still, there is often opportunity for beautiful, though simple, black and white photography in those stark branches reaching towards the sky on those gray days. It is not the gorgeous, colorful autumn scene we had pictured in our photographer minds, but sometimes God has a different scene planned beyond our close-up vision. All we have to do is be willing to open our eyes to see what else He has prepared. If we are willing to look beyond our limited frame, He will help us see what He wants us to find.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 11-14-2009

ARE YOU MY NEIGHBOR?

This morning as I read the "Who is My Neighbor?" story of "The Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:30-37, two phrases in particular stood out. About not one, but two men, it is written that they "passed by on the other side", but about the third man on the scene it says, "He felt compassion and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him ... "etc. What about you? Me? Which character action would be ours? Would we pass by on the other side or would we have compassion and be willing to go out of our way to help bring comfort to a sufferer?
Even knowing we are not likely to come across an identical situation, as we consider the message from our Lord found in chapter 10 of Luke, can't each one of us conjure up images of possible circumstances where we might find opportunities to become involved? The choice of path is ours to follow. For example: when scurrying around to greet our friends between Bible classes and worship time on Sunday mornings, do we take time to notice the strangers in our midst or perhaps particularly that one woman who always sits all alone? Maybe she prefers that but have we asked if she would like to come sit by us so we know for sure? And, how about when you're ready to make a quick trip for that tasty special cup of coffee, do you think about offering to pick up and take the recently widowed woman or man to join you? It might take a little more of your time but to the lonely one it could help shorten a very long day.
I could go on with more examples but I am sure you can think of many instances without my help. Sometimes all it takes is opening the eyes of our hearts and becoming aware kind of as I did when I read those earlier mentioned verses that in my many years I have read many times, yet seemed to really see those phrases in a different way than ever before.
The question that started the story in the book of Luke was, "Who is my neighbor?" The question I have is: “Are we each other's neighbor?”
Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 10-29-2009

HE LEFT HIS HOME IN HEAVEN

He left His Home in Heaven to come to earth below.
First child in the family, His mother Mary watched Him grow.
An infant in the Temple, blessed by Simeon,
Seen by Prophetess Anna was He, too…
An old man and an 84-year-old widow…
What God gave them to view!
Mary cradled these things as she cradled her infant Son;
She pondered and she treasured them, one by one by one.
The infant grew into a toddler just as our own sons grew,
He took his first wee baby steps, there appeared a tooth, then two.
He found a bug of interest, a bird sang to Him as well,
He’d watch a cloud drift slowly by or run down a hill pell-mell!
All nature seemed to call to Him – He had a gentle way
With brothers and some sisters, too, at home in work and play.
We know how brothers love to tease their little sisters so…
Imagine that of our Lord –wouldn’t it be fun to know?
We know at twelve He went into the Temple once again
And while there for One His age He astonished learned men.
We don’t know much from there until He started His ministry,
But this we know - we know He loved and served obediently.
Within His earthly home He grew and as He grew we wonder,
What did He know - and when - Mary’s not the only one to ponder.
But Mary gift was special, that of raising God’s Only Son,
With that Gift came responsibility, what an awesome one!
And with that Gift came pain that we can only touch in thought
Because to begin to imagine all with which she dealt, we cannot.
And Jesus left His home again…this time the one down here;
He set His face; He knew His time was soon to end, ‘tis clear.
He walked among the crowds and healed so many disease-ridden;
He taught within the synagogues -- wherever He felt bidden.
Then came the time He was betrayed by one who called Him Friend,
But Jesus knew and so He said, “What you do, do quickly.”
The beginning of the end…
Into the Garden to pray went the disciples and He,
He for His disciples and for you and for me!
When the soldiers came searching for Christ he asked, “Whom do you seek?
With His answer, “I am He,” they fell down upon the knee!
He was taken and tried in a mock-trial, but the beating He was given was real…
As real as the nails used to impale Him on that tree…
The one He knew He’d hang on when He left His Home in Heaven for you and for me.
As He hung on that cross His blood dripped away
Spattering in dust puffs where the implanted cross lay.
He gave up His Glory and followed God’s plan, this Son God freely gave;
He honored His Father through life and through death, from birth right to the grave;
And now He sits by God’s right hand awaiting that Special Day
When with the words we long to hear, we will hear Him say,
“Welcome, Good and Faithful Servant, enter into the joys of the Lord,”.
It’s more than these few years on earth He lived and died and gave us…
He wants to share His heavenly home, the one He left to save us,
John 3:16 and John 15:13

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 10-1-2009

BE ALWAYS READY AND TEACH THE SAME THING

Based on Biblical teaching, my mother used to say, “We should all teach the same thing.” In I Peter 3:15 (NIV) the scripture teaches us, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” It seems eerily uncanny how often it is that I find ministers from the pulpit teaching thoughts I have recently had and shared with loved ones! How can these men be secretly invading my thoughts?
Our son and his family visited with us the weekend of the 4th of July and that Sunday morning as we gathered around the breakfast table prior to going to church services, I made the comment that I wished more people could learn to see God as “Daddy”, not Santa Claus, but Daddy. From comments I have heard there are too many people who feel God is so unreachable or high and mighty that they give up before trying. I explained that I know not everyone has had a good earthly daddy with which to compare but I have a deep desire that everyone could better understand God with the Daddy concept. The conversation ended and we went on our way, gathered for Bible Study followed by worship service. I shouldn’t have been surprised and perhaps I wasn’t but the morning’s message had a lot to do with understanding God as Daddy… just what I had been trying to get across…only my words saying the same things were not so well stated!
In the minutes between Bible Study and the worship hour yesterday, I spent some time visiting two precious sisters discussing our recent family prayers concerns. In the course of conversation I spoke of my coming to grips with the realization that it would be easy for me to cross over that line to hate some people and in that realization, I knew I needed to learn to love as God does. I said, “Pray for me.” (Maybe “hate” is too strong a word because I cannot say I have ever wished for anyone to perish in Hell.) What they didn’t know was that for a few weeks I had been praying that I learn to love more as God loves, knowing that I need to see all people more as God does. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) tells us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” and that includes persons I perceive as enemies as well as those who in my mind are trying to do what is best. So, after my explaining my need for learning to love as God does, what was the lesson that was preached from the pulpit? It was based on I Samuel 16:7: “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” I sat through that lesson with full understanding of what was being taught and was able to walk away knowing that while I still needed to grow, I would always be ready to teach the same thing! And there is nothing secret in any of it. It’s all found in God’s Word.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 8-17-09

IN WHOSE SHOES WOULD YOU BE STANDING?

A few evening back our Bible reading for the day took us to Mark 2:1-12, the story of the paralyzed man whose friends, determined to get him into an already overcrowded house to see Jesus, took him pallet and all, to the roof where they removed enough of the rooftop so they could let him down through and into the house! Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” He knew the scribes were sitting there thinking to themselves, “Only God can forgive sins!” so he turned to them and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to this man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to tell him, ‘Get up, pick up your bed and go’? But so you will know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” Jesus then returned to speaking to the young man, “Get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” Later, in absorbing the story, the question came to my mind, if I were there, who would I be?
Let’s consider the characters in the story:
It doesn’t mention any women but since it does state they were in a home in Capernaum, it seems safe to assume that women were present. Would you have been a Mary staying nearby to hear each word of Jesus or a Martha busy being a good hostess?
Would you have been a small child holding the hand of a parent wondering exactly who this person was yet feeling such an attraction that you stood on tippy-toes somehow knowing you wanted to get close enough for Him to rest His hand on your head?
Maybe you would have been one of the friends who, upon seeing such a crowd, took it upon himself to make the decision for all to climb to the roof knowing once there, a way would be available to get to Jesus.
If you had been the home-owner, what would your feelings have been? Were you immediately up there on the roof asking, “What do you think you are doing?” or were you quick to help remove the clay tiles and branches to provide an opening?
Is it even remotely possible you would have been questioning, “Who does this man think he is, saying, ‘Your sins are forgiven’?” After all, those were just thoughts, not spoken aloud. And, only God could forgive sins!
That brings us to the paralytic man. Would you want to be in his shoes? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such a one-on-one visit with Jesus as this man had, right in the middle of this throng of people?
Few of us would choose to be in a paralytic state, yet this young man had friends who loved him enough to see to his needs, to get him to where he had to be, at the feet of Jesus. Do we love our friends that much? Jesus saw the paralysis but took care of the man’s immediate need first, that of his soul, teaching a lesson to by-standers as He did so reminiscent of the way He later did at the gravesite of Lazarus in John 11:41b-42 "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
Whose shoes would you want to be in? Until we are walking daily with Jesus we are in the state of the paralytic before he met Jesus; if we have followed the Gospel Call, we can be free of the paralysis of our sins, washed in His blood.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 8-11-09

LIVING LESSONS OF LOVE

If you ever wanted to learn a couple of lessons on how to love you might have been impressed with the actions of the husbands of recently-released Laura Ling and Euna Lee once these women were again in their presence for the first time in four-and-one-half months.
The two women descended the steps of the plane and once their feet were on the floor of the hangar their husbands and Euna’s four-year-old daughter swiftly came together in a beautiful embrace. The desire in each one must have been to never let go but the men…these husbands…showed what it means to love others more than themselves when instead of huddling aside as two separate units, they each gently guided their wives to their parents and other waiting family members.
Whether or not these men ever read Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others…”, they were living lessons of love.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 8-5-09

MY CYBER FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ME

My guess is that most of you reading this message have a list of e-mail addresses that is not just a list of names. A few of the addresses are for companies but the majority of names represent individuals. The names in my e-address book represent those people who are family members, friends, and some people I have not met in person but whose paths have crossed mine somewhere along the way.
Most of the time when I sit down to send a message, as I look at each individual name, something akin to the good endorphins that come about with laughter appears to occur. Perhaps that is because God created me to be a “people person” or a natural-born communicator. People are important to me, not so much as a group but as individuals. It goes against the grain when I have to use a group listing instead of going down through the list one-by-one; however I do make the group listing exception for the purpose of making sure no one is missed on updates for prayers requests or something of a similar nature.
I like my e-address list to be organized alphabetically according to last names but one of my e-mail programs uses first names alphabetically. I can deal with that but it is not the program I use most often, and recently when I was in a hurry I sent a message to my friend Beth instead of my daughter Beth. Immediately upon realizing the error of my haste, I re-sent the message to my daughter and then sent a brief explanation to my friend. Thankfully my family and friends all know me well and my friend probably didn’t even need any explanation.
When I send an e-message I “see” faces and often feel as if I am having a brief but personal visit with each person on whose name my tiny pink ribbon cursor lands. That means that while sitting in my chair in San Angelo, Texas, I get to visit family and friends in Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and of course I make a few stops in several places in Texas as well. There are times when I become so lonesome to visit familiar faces and places that it seems I can hardly stand it, but a few words from, to, and with the people I love, helps tide the tears. So many miles apart, yet so quickly and easily connected with a few clicks of the keys, my cyber family, friends, and me!
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…” Philippians 1:3 (ESV)
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 8-4-09

WHAT IS OF REAL VALUE?

I often battle with the impression that I would be of more value in the eyes of my fellow sojourners if I were more successful by worldly standards.
Just a couple of days ago I mentioned to friends how I’d always wished I had the skills to draw. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be a world-renowned artist? When I was young I tried to draw with pencil and was able to do some very simple circle drawings that resembled bunnies and kitties but to go much beyond that took a lot more imagination than even I had to decipher what showed up on a piece of paper. Art classes were offered to me in junior high school for the first time in my life and the embarrassment of my efforts there nearly drove me away from school with the unique experiences of being introduced to less than stellar grades. Okay, so I learned that art was not my God-given gift but that didn’t mean I was without other valuable talents.
Homemaking is a skill I could and did excel at but if you look at 25th and 50th Anniversary write-ups and obituaries, homemaking skills fall last in the long line of achievements of couples or persons, if mentioned at all. They certainly do not include, “She worked at whatever job she could find while helping him get his college degree,” or “She made a home and helped them develop new friendships as they moved multiple times in a few years.” In the world today I am conditioned to hear the question fall from lips filled with disdain, “How is that rated on the success scale?”
I like to write and I plan to do so regardless of any disparaging critics with the subtle yet unspoken push given from time to time that says, “Unless you publish something and are making $$$, your writing is not worth the time it takes for me to read it.” That being presented to me several times over might as well be, “You are not very valuable until you are a published author. When the world says you are important then I can look up to you and loudly and proudly proclaim I know you well.”
Thankfully God does not look at me through worldly eyes nor judge me by such standards. He helped me with my drawing…it was good enough to entertain little children sitting beside me in church. He helped me realize that I was not created to excel at everything I tried or wanted to try…there’s simply not enough time in life to live through that many experiments and experiences! He gave me skills to fulfill my heart’s deepest desires from childhood…to be a wife and mother. Now I write and who knows what from my pen is already circulating that may someday be noticed, published, and bring about my worldly success that seems so important to some people? And, yes, I would like to have writing success but that would not change my value except, sadly, in the eyes of the world. Until then…if then…and even after…I’ll value God because He keeps showing me what is of real value.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 7-20-09

THIS IS SCARY

Today I received another message with a title: “This Is Scary.”
My husband and I pray together faithfully for the leaders of our world and our country as we think with concern about how far removed we have come from the origin and intent of the founding of our nation. We pray that capable men and women of faith and substance will step up to carry the charge laid at their feet because we believe this nation's only hope is to return to God and the principles upon which the United States of America was founded.
On more than one occasion I have heard, "All it takes is one generation," and it makes me sad to say I feel I am living to see that statement come true. The differences I have seen in my three-score-years-and-ten are numerable.
Some of my first memories are of a nation united and committed in every possible way to winning World War II. The ultimate goal was more than about being victorious: we were in that war to help others gain freedom from the foot of a vicious dictator determined to bring himself to absolute power. Many lives were lost as the result of one man’s selfish goals but our country became more united than perhaps we had ever been in finding all kinds of individual creative ways to help defeat that man’s powerful machine. Little kids knew to collect aluminum scraps, we understood the concepts of “Victory Gardens,” “War Bonds,” “Black Out Curtains,” Loose Lips Sink Ships,” Rosie the Riveter,” etc. My just-barely school-age brother decided to collect aluminum foil and knew if he separated the pieces from the gum wrapper papers he could make a ball of aluminum to help our fighting men. Do you have any idea how many gum wrappers he must have had to collect to make a ball about the size of a baseball? Even as a child I, too, knew I could make a difference. Birthday money was immediately taken to the post office to buy special stamps (similar to the idea of S&H Green Stamps®) to fill up a booklet that, as I recall when full, could be used to purchase a War Bond.
There was great pride and sense of accomplishment when WW II was over but too soon on its heels came the Korean Conflict in the 1950’s, then in the mid-1960’s the US entered the Vietnam War followed by the Gulf War in the 1990’s. The attack of the Twin Towers on our own soil on 9-11-2001 was soon followed by what seems a never-ending war in Iraq. There appeared no major victory in Korea; indeed the whole world is still receiving threats and jabs from North Korea. And where was the support for the Vietnam Veterans who battled just as faithfully to keep this country free as the men and women who fought in WW II? A downhill slide had started somewhere. I didn’t understand it then and have yet to wrap my head around the thinking that those following orders of the political leaders of this country not only deserved the punishments rained on them with Agent Orange but also should be shown whatever displays of disgust could be heaped upon them as well. The impression seemed to be they should be ashamed if they dared show themselves in public upon their return to the US Soil if they be so “lucky” as to be able to make it back! Why weren’t those displays of disgust directed towards the political leaders instead?
Hello? Is anybody listening today? Do you think it is time to make a difference? Remember the little kids during WW II and the belief they held that one little kid could make a difference by plying one layer at a time from an aluminum gum wrapper, that it could finally add up to maybe a half pound? Or the little girl who took birthday money for stamps that eventually added up to enough to fill a book to buy a War Bond? How about your one-person vote? Do you think your vote makes a difference on who leads this country? Or do you think your one-person letter to your congressman or congresswoman makes a difference?
In case you haven’t seen the signs, please look around more carefully: this country is in trouble. Groups of people are trying to remove God from all we hold dear. One person’s complaint is all it takes to get a lawsuit started to remove God’s name and or any reference to Him from a piece of public property as in the case of “Don’t Tear Me Down” the story in the video included on the right side of this site or at: http://www.donttearmedown.com/ Be ready for more of this unless we stand in the gap. "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB)
Let’s leave a good land, a Godly nation as our forefathers planned, for our little boys and girls. God is looking for one good man and/or woman. Are you the one?
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 7-16-09

YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM

A new-to-me recliner adorns a place of honor in a corner of our guest room. As I walk by in the hall I look up with a smile and see not only the chair but in my mind I also envision the happy giver, a longtime friend who first owned and took many hours of pleasure and comfort from that chair. Having recently replaced it with a newer model and because she loves us she offered it to members of our family.
After the chair was brought to our home and carefully positioned in place, I took pictures to e-mail so my friend could immediately see how it looked in its new home. I expressed my happiness but also my growing concerns that I now expected guests would either spend all their time in the guest room sitting in the chair when they came to visit or like guests do with hotel towels, might just decide to take the chair with them when they leave!
We continued our e-message chatter off and on for a while when my friend once again mentioned a tear in the arm of the recliner. I explained that I had yet to observe a tear commenting I thought I had recently written to her about “keeping what is worth keeping…and with a breath of kindness blowing the rest away…” I went on to express my meaning to be that with the chair I would see what is worth seeing and ignore the rest because at that point I had not seen any tears on the arm of the chair and I wasn’t planning to go searching for such.
I suppose one could say I am not being realistic with my attitude. I think I am being very realistic. I know there is a tear in the arm of that chair. How do I know? Because I have seen it? No. I know because my friend has told me so, but I have chosen to ignore it because I prefer to see the rest of the chair in its beauty, not the little tear. Does the tear in any way hinder its usefulness? No. Does the tear harm its beauty? I’d guess not since it is not an obvious flaw in the fabric.
Let’s take this just a step further and compare this with our attitude in the way we treat people. Sometimes we know a person well enough to know “there is a small tear in the fabric,” so to speak. What are we going to do about it? Are we going to keep staring at the “sore spot” using unkind words and/or deeds until we make the hole bigger? Will we diminish the usefulness of another simply because they do not measure up to our yardstick of perfection?
An occasion that lives on in our lives occurred many years before my husband was born so certainly long before I came into the family. His maternal grandmother known to most as Nana seemed pretty close to perfect in so many ways but apparently she was human on occasion! In her younger days, Nana, as the wife of a minister and the mother of four young daughters, complained to her husband, “Why am I, with all these young ones always expected to be the one to peel and cook the potatoes for the Sunday dinners for all these people?” Now, Nana was not one given to much complaining, and when she later told the story about herself in a lesson to the family she said that Grampie laid his hand on her shoulder and said, “You gotta love ‘em, Momma.”
Today, two days after the delivery of the recliner, I have chosen to overlook the tear. I will take the word of my friend that there is one there, but I choose to not see it because to me the chair is as Mary Poppins would say, “practically perfect in every way.”

“Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
I Peter 4:8 (NIV)

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 7-12-09

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS THINK IS IMPORTANT…OR IS IT?

Whether it was from admonition or impression or both, I grew up believing that what the neighbors think is of vital importance.
What we grow up believing tends to stay with us long into adulthood whether it is truth or fiction. One of the side effects is that we may then add undue conflicting issues into the lives of our own children as they are growing up.
A real life example was the long-ago occasion when our nearly-college-age daughter decided on her own to bleach her hair. My first thoughts were, “What will the neighbors think?” My next thoughts turned into words directed her way, “You go right over to W.T.Grant and buy the hair color that most closely matches the natural color of your own hair and dye your own color back!” I have since apologized to my daughter.
Looking back, it sounds pretty silly but that was then and this is now and that does make some difference; however, the approach I took was still wrong. I should have considered the importance of the relationship between my daughter and me above “What will the neighbors think?”
I am sure “What will the neighbors think?” was based on more than the simplicity of that question. In my own case, I know it was. I believed (and still do) that as a Christian I was and am held to a higher standard in the world, that I am to set a Christ-like example. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (I Thessalonians 5:22 KJV) At the time of the hair-coloring incident, the late 1970’s, most girls didn’t change the color of their hair as we see being done today…nothing like we see being done today…so it stood out more than it would now. I felt I was guiding my daughter on the right path to include modest dress, to set a better example for others including her non-Christian friends, etc., but my approach was wrong and didn’t go over very well. (That’s putting it mildly!) Today I would handle things in a far different manner (does hair color really matter in the long run?) for far different reasons (is it really important what the neighbors think?).
My growing-up belief descriptive terms for “what the neighbors think” would have included “putting up a good front” or “making up a show” but that is not how God would have us be. He wants real people representing His real love in this world. Here comes that 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV) again: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” What the neighbors think is important but not for the reasons I grew up believing.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 7-7-09

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

I like to laugh, not exactly like the character Ed Wynn played in Mary Poppins, but a bubbling from way down deep belly laugh is good for the whole self sometimes.
Laughter at his antics is a good part what caught my attention to a particular classmate all those years ago when we were in high school and that man is now my husband John. That alone should prove the point that laughter is good for a person!
Laughter shared is truly doubled. While sitting at our dining table last evening I had an opportunity to share some laughter. Usually my husband is the one who makes people laugh and this time I had the fun! Somehow we started discussing the importance of letting companies know when their products are not satisfactory so I told of the time recently when John decided to call a toilet tissue company to tell them that their toilet tissue didn’t tear straight. I wasn’t privy (pun intended) to their conversation but he later related to me that they carefully explained that they knew exactly what the problem was, that the batch had gotten through when the blades were so dust-laden that they weren’t properly punching the holes, therefore causing the malfunctioning tear-off portions of the papers! Well now we had the answer!
While going through all this explanation with our family members I told them that all these years John had been blaming me for the inability to tear the toilet tissue evenly and finally we have learned that it is not my fault after all! It is simply malfunctioning equipment at the factory! We laughed and laughed and that shared laughter felt good! We even chuckled a bit more as John explained that his call did earn him a coupon worth up to $14.00 off one double roll package of his favorite brand of toilet tissue and the biggest I could find was worth only $6.97!
Proverbs17:22 tells us that “A merry heart does good, like medicine…” Isn’t it great to know that God has created us to have such fun and that it is good for us besides?
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 7-4-09

LESSONS WHILE STANDING IN LINE

I observed a modern day parable while standing in line at a store yesterday. In front of me was a family that consisted of a mom, a dad, and a boy of about age 7. Standing behind me were a young boy and a woman I assumed to be his mother. With the sale taking place at the head of the line I had the opportunity to observe with pleasure both young boys and their parents.
The boy ahead tried on some sunglasses that were strategically placed to tempt the hands of grown-ups but could not have been better set for eye level had they measured from the center of this lad’s eyes to the counter top setting! Naturally he put a pair on, made a cute little face for his dad to see and then carefully placed them back in the bow-hold holes of the display rack. From time to time he glanced back towards me and had even more interest in what was happening with the boy and his mother who stood behind me.
The boy behind me, probably about 8 years of age, had a children’s Bible in his hands and as I looked back, he held it up towards his mom to show her what appeared to be a sticky tab on the binding. She bent down to look more closely then explained, “It looks like someone cut it when they were opening the box.” She had already spoken with him about going to the Christian store afterwards so she said, “Why don’t we leave this one here and get one for you at the Christian store instead? This binding is likely to fall apart.” They bent their heads together as they both fingered the binding more carefully as though trying to prove or disprove each to self and the other the truth of that statement. He said, “But I want this one. I looked so very hard to find this one.” She said, “We can probably find one like that there.” I turned away as he stood heavily first on one foot then the other while looking at her with pleading eyes but I knew he probably was continuing to vacillate between wanting to argue yet realizing she was being most reasonable.
By this time my turn at the checkout had arrived so I made my purchases and once finished I looked back and saw that the Bible had been set aside along with the high hopes of ownership by the young boy. I hoped I could be an encouragement to both his mom and him so I commended him for his good attitude in listening to his mom about it and assured him that I knew she would help him find a good one. She softly said, “Thank you,” and we smiled as I added that I understood that it was hard to wait, adding that it was something I was still learning.
As I walked away my heart sang praises for the lessons her little boy was learning in growing up with a mother who lives a Christ-like love. It was obvious this boy had learned that he could trust her word: she said they’d go to the Christian store later…he knew they would. He had learned to listen to reason…she explained what probably had happened and why the Bible would likely fall apart. He knew it was true. He had learned that some things are worth waiting for, even though he really wanted it now and had carefully chosen it. When he is a grown man what he will realize is that his mom taught him a lot about God even while they stood in a line at the store some days. That particular little Bible won’t seem so important then but the lessons that came from God’s Word will last a lifetime.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible):
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing those from whom you learned, and that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 6-24-09

THE INVITATION

“He is the Maker of heaven and earth and the ocean.”
Psalm 146:6a (New International Reader's Version)


THE INVITATION

The alluring Atlantic…
Please tell her, “Hello!”

I hear her invitation…
In my imagination
In each photo I possess
In each sea scene painted by the most imaginative of artists
On each notecard depiction

Stepping on her shores I hear…
The waves swoosh in
The waves rush out
The call of the gulls
The distant foghorn

The ocean calls…
The invitation has been sent
The invitation has been heard
When will the RSVP be sent?
Please tell her, “I’m already here!”

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 6-18-09

THE BIRTHDAY OF A GRANDDAUGHTER

Today is our granddaughter’s birthday. She turns nine years old. I wasn’t there at the moment of her birth. I hadn’t sewed any cute girly dresses or crocheted any frilly sweater and hat sets in anticipation of her birth yet this was a long-awaited moment because at the age of eleven years she chose this time to be born anew into the Family of God. (Romans 6:4-6; Galatians 3:27)
Because I am her grandmother, different than when she was physically developing in the womb, I was able over the intervening years to have something to do with the nourishing of her soul. After her physical birth it was five months before I saw her in person but there came a time when to my great delight I had many hands-on experiences with her. There was a day when the leg of a chair I was sitting in collapsed and both her mother and she came rushing to be sure I was alright. Finding me scrambling to get up from the floor and receiving assurances that I was truly unharmed, this three-year-old dynamo put her hands on her hips, looked me square in the eye, and said, “And don’t do that again!” How many times might she have heard that from me and the other adults in the four generations surrounding her at the time? And, just as well-intended, too! She and I had occasions when opportunities arose to learn many daily grandmother-granddaughter lessons together that to this day each of us remembers with a special fondness of heart and everything was always based on the foundation of “because God made it so” coming from His admonitions found in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (Holman Christian Standard Bible):
“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
For me as her grandmother when her physical birth took place, I wished I could have been there to cuddle her instantly; so too, at the time of her spiritual birth how I would have loved to be immediately able to wrap her in my arms to welcome her as my sister in our Lord and Savior! But, just as with her physical birth, I had to wait. Eventually the time came when I was able to hold her in a welcoming hug that completed the grandmother-granddaughter-sister circle on this earth.
So today I wish you a very Happy Spiritual Birthday Granddaughter and many more in His service!
© Marilyn Sue (Libby Moore 6-14-09

WORTH SHARING

In Luke’s early verses of chapter 15 we read the story of the woman who has ten silver coins and having lost one searches diligently for it. Once she has found it she is so filled with rejoicing she calls her friends together to celebrate her joy with her. Some things are just too good to be kept to oneself.
During my growing-up years my family and I lived in an Air Force Base city. Attached to the base were many first time away from home young folks, some singles, some couples, who drew the attention of my parents like nectar to bees. My parents saw a need in these young ones that they could fulfill and in their doing so taught me the valuable lesson of taking advantage of life’s fleeting moments.
More than a half-century has passed between those years and the present with some of us still in touch; now I live halfway across the country from the land of my birth but once again I am delighted to live in an Air Force city. The mission of this base is different but we often see students assigned for short periods of time. Not very long ago my husband and I had opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the companionship of “two of America’s finest” when these young men, military students close in age to our son, had some time off that they chose to share with us during and following Sunday morning church services and/or other times during the week. It didn’t take long for us to grow to love them like family and in our rejoicing we, like the woman who had found her coin, wanted to share “our find” with family and friends.
Parting with these two was painful but not too long after they left another young man came to our city and we looked forward to getting to know and love him as we had them…lunches together, lazy Sunday afternoons in our home giving him the opportunity to get away from the base if he so chose, just getting to know one another…but issues got in the way this time and we didn’t make the diligent effort seen in the woman in Luke 15. Our knowledge of him was surface but still there remained that sense that he was very special. Whenever we did see him at church we tried to have contact but it was lacking and too minimal to be satisfactory. Recently the Sunday a.m. announcement was made that this was the last Sunday the young man would be with us. After the service was over I made sure I got to speak to him and as I went to shake his hand he enfolded me in a gentle one-sided hug that told me he understood we meant the planned invitation to get together. We said our good-byes and my knowing we have each other’s e-addresses helps but somehow I feel I have lost a valuable coin. I wish we had somehow made the time to get together as we did with those young folks of half a century past or those “two of America’s finest” of the more recent past because people are just too good to be kept to oneself!
©Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 6-9-09

JUST BE

I am a doer. I am a fixer. My daughter once referred to me as the Energizer Bunny®. Probably the longest I sit still is when I am in my recliner with a book in my hands, having nodded off in momentary slumber. So how can I just be? And what does “just be” mean anyway?
A favorite scripture for many people is “Be still and know that I am God…” from Psalm 46:10a (KJV). Could “be still” and “just be” fit together some way? The NASB version of Psalm 46:10a puts it this way, “Cease striving, and know that I am God...” When we read and consider all of Psalm 46 we realize it is about God’s protection to us; that’s when the phrases “Be still” and “Cease striving” make even more sense.
We have all heard of the need for lifeguards to calm near-drowning victims before they can save them or their task is going to be much more difficult or impossible. With that in mind, are we near-drowning victims in the sea of life, refusing the calm assurance of the help God is offering when He tells us to “Be Still”, to “Cease striving”, maybe to “Just be”?
Does a lifeguard ask a near-drowning victim to be the hero and/or to take on the complete job of bringing himself/herself into the safety of the shore? No, but the one being saved in our scenario does bear some responsibility, that of being still, to cease striving, to just be, while allowing the would-be rescuer to do his/her work.
Jesus was the Ultimate Lifeguard when He died once for all that He might bring us to God (I Peter 3:18) and now we have the responsibility of resting in His promises as we get back up to walk on the shore or swim in the surf because we live in a troubled world much like the one described in Psalm 46. And as we do we can “just be” because God wants us to cease striving and know that He is God.
Just be.
©Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 6-2-09

WHAT HAVE YOU FIXED LATELY?

On earlier occasions I have mentioned that by nature I am “a fixer.” Maybe that’s what all members of the female gender are but not each one admits to it so I don’t think each one is; however I do believe the majority of moms are “fixers.”
I once read a definition that the word FIX means “to permanently attach.” Oops…not good if we’re referring to moms here! Fixing is one thing; permanently attaching is quite another!
Oh, how we do love to see things set right and going along smoothly though. Quite a while back the popular phrase, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy,” came to my attention and I had to admit that yes, it seemed true in our family when the kids were growing up. And would you believe it’s still true today and the nest has been empty since 1982? What kind of power does that give one with the personality of a fixer?
At age ten, our daughter Kim tripped over the feet of her friend landing in such a way as to break her clavicle. At that point it was the momma part of me who immediately knew that the fixer had to turn things over the doctor. I knew my limits as a fixer, no question there, but the majority of matters of everyday life are not always so simple, are they?
As Kim’s collarbone was in the process of healing, the doctor had me put my fingertips over the broken bone area where I could feel a round, rough knot. He carefully explained that part of the healing process was going to wear the knotty edges smooth and eventually that area of the bone would be stronger than it had been in the first place. Wow! Naturally I had kept a watchful eye so our daughter would follow the doctor’s orders, but was it really possible that all of this extra was going on without my personal input (a.k.a. fixing) it?
In much the same way, could it be that God doesn’t need my help as much as I so often lead myself to believe He does? Can I really trust Him to take what is broken and fix it to be stronger than it was before? The scriptures tell me I can…now all I have to do is remember, rely…and remove myself…
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7 (NLT)
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-28-09

EXAMINING TOUGH LOVE

After many confrontations, the father turned his son in to the authorities because the son had been dealing drugs and growing marijuana in a business establishment the father was helping fund. The television program we watched last night was pretty much opposite of the Bible story referred to as The Prodigal Son except for the love the father held in his heart for his son; however as mentioned, the love of the father also bore some familiar similarities that in more recent society have come to be known as “tough love.”
Maybe you, as I, had never thought of the father in the Prodigal Son story found in Luke 15:11-32, as having had tough love but think of what it must have taken to let his son have his own willful way knowing it could lead to no good, to physical harm, and possibly even to his death. Sometimes we as parents/loved ones have to stand by and let our family members and friends make foolish decisions because having done all we can to guide them we do not and cannot live their lives for them. I see this as our training ground to a better understanding of our Father God’s great love and desire for us as His children to choose the better way as He patiently watches and waits while we go our willful ways. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT) He only wants the absolute best for us now and eternally.
Even though we see ourselves as the obedient, faithful family members and friends, does that give us “the right” to tell our wandering loved ones how to live their lives? Do we do as Jesus did with the accused adulterous woman brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees or are we more prone to behave like her accusers? Perhaps we should carry a rough little rock in our pocket or purse or have a larger one sitting on our desk as a reminder to look inside ourselves and see that we too, have sin. Sometimes I have to stop to seriously think about being judgmental: I don’t really want to throw “rocks” and I really don’t want “rocks” thrown at me! Until we willingly make a conscious habit of looking within we will continue to sit in smug judgment; until that time we will not render or experience forgiveness. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 NLT)
Anyone who has practiced “Tough Love” knows it is painful, perhaps more for the one handing it out as a means of drawing a wayward family member back than for the loved one to whom it is directed. Because of the consequences of his son’s additional entanglements, I have no doubt the agony expressed by the father in the television story will live with him until he dies, yet he did what he felt was a last resort to help his man/child. We know the father in the story of the Prodigal Son was in such a huge hurry to welcome his son back home that when he saw him from far off he ran to greet him! The image in my mind is as described in an earlier portion of Luke, chapter 15, verse 10 (NLT), “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
After thoughtful consideration have we turned our loved ones and ourselves over to the One with authority Who always judges righteously knowing He will take care of everything with firm patience and ready forgiveness while treating us with His special brand of tough love? “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NASB)

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-26-09

MEMORIAL DAY 2009

Memorial Day, 2009….Memorial…Memories…each word or grouping of words brings its own mind images and the visions in my mind are different than the ones you pictured when those same words were first introduced. I see my older brothers as they once were, teenagers in the US Navy uniforms of WW2 issue while my 6-year-old brother and I at age 3 stood by their sides for parting pictures, I unaware it could be the last. In later years Memorial Day observances in our family became visits to the graves of grandparents and other family members who had gone on but thankfully not those brothers because of that war. However, this country’s observance of Memorial Day is bigger than just my family or yours.
Yesterday I had some errands to run and arriving at our local post office I had to stand at the end of an amazingly long line for nine-thirty in the morning. Not one to waste time I decided to see if I could make it pleasant so spoke to the woman ahead and said, “ I guess we need a lesson in patience.”
She mentioned she couldn’t understand why they would have just one customer representative working the windows but said, “At least I am not in a hurry.”
Seeing she was gaining on me in age I added, “And we don’t have toddlers in tow to keep entertained!”
She found agreement in that, then noting the line had moved, reached over to grab a large box from a desk unit to put on the shelf closer to us explained, “This is Jell-O® for my son who is Afghanistan. He has a bad tooth and eats this. He is supposed to be home sometime in July.”
I said, “Please tell him thank you for his service.” I went on to tell her of some of my family memories of WW2 and how I miss the patriotism that was so evident even to a child during those years. I explained how after growing up during those years then having a son born in an AF base hospital brought the prayer to my heart that he would grow up never having to go to fight in a war.
She told me that her husband had served two tours in Vietnam and I wondered what his thoughts must be about his son’s being in Afghanistan. I could relate from the point of view of being a mom but not from that of a dad who had memories of having been in an unpopular war whose son was now in a similar situation.
I didn’t have to ask about her thoughts about their son’s service. In word and deed she came across as it was expected of him as a citizen of the United States, like, “What else would you expect?” She said she just doesn’t understand those who say, “Not my son…”
Deep down inside I have to say I think most mothers are in the majority when it comes to the feeling of, “Not my son.” When it comes right down to it, I am thankful I didn’t have to make that sacrificial choice but there are many parents who didn’t have any say in regard to the lives of their sons and daughters; wives and husbands who had no choice but to kiss their mates those good-bye kisses and children who had to pose for the last family pictures.
Jesus has said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NASB)
Let’s remember Memorial Day is more than just my family and yours.
For a Memorial Day History check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-23-09

PONDERING OVER THE PUZZLE PIECES

Does it ever seem that your life is one great big puzzle with you lost somewhere in the middle of those thousands of mixed up pieces, not knowing where you fit or which way to turn? I often “picture” God as being The One who sees the completed puzzle picture with every tiny pixel perfectly in place.
Yes, the One Who created the entire world has unique plans for each individual and He made those plans even before He created the world! Ephesians 1:3-8a explains, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”
In recent years many people have chosen this verse found in Jeremiah 29:11 for their own personal promise, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Although God was speaking directly to the Jerusalem exiles there we know that scripture is to be used for our encouragement and hope. Romans 15:4 states: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
As I wander through the mazes presented by the puzzle pieces of my life I want reminders of these promises for my hope-filled future and while I love being able to open God’s Word to find them there, too often I become bogged down with the day-to-day details of life and I neglect to take time to look back at the clearer picture on the cover of the box…in other words, to take the time to study His Word. When will I ever learn? Those first verses quoted from the NASB version of the book of Ephesians remind me that the phrase “In Christ” or some form of it is used thirty-two times. It’s only IN HIM that I can take hold of His promises, the plans He made for me before He created the world! And it’s only in Him in study of His Word that I can find the hope, encouragement, and comfort of His promises, each perfect and pretty piece of the puzzle.
God does see all the puzzle pieces put together like the completed picture on the front of the puzzle box while all we sometimes see is the bits and pieces, partially framed and put together like what we have scattered over the tabletop while working the puzzle, but He does have a plan for each entire life…one for you and one for me…and He has not lost any of the puzzle pieces! He is putting them together one piece at a time to create a fantastic future and a fulfilled hope.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-14-09

WHAT BEING A MOTHER MEANS TO ME ~ PART TWO

Years ago I came across a lengthy poem where a young mother looking into the future of herself asked an older version, “Is the way long?” Certainly when I envisioned becoming a mom, my mind conjured up images of infants in my arms, chasing chuckling toddlers around grassy yards, tears dripping off my chin as I bade them goodbye on their first days of school, followed by bits and pieces of the future beyond that but, “Is the way long?” Even with my enlightening imagination I couldn’t possibly dream far enough into the future to see the end of the mother road.
When our children were little I thought I'd be done raising them when they were grown. Since then I have learned that while I have finished raising them I will never be done with being "Momma". Yes, my children grew up and they are quite independent but I dare say they still like knowing that Mom is still nearby not necessarily in a literal sense.
With all the years of practice that have gone before I am as ready as ever with prayers and words of loving comfort that I can provide but I still can't kiss away the pains of my children now anymore than I could kiss away that broken collar bone so many years ago. The hurts are even deeper now and while the desire to help has grown right along with it so too has the understanding that some things have to be handled by the adults they have grown to be.
But I’m a mom and aren’t moms supposed to fix things? I struggle with the weight of a multitude of concerns of so many I love. Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem tells me He fully understands my desire to fix everything! (Matthew 23:37) "…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…” Yet in Christ’s example I see again the need to let God work His will in His time. Though I don’t know the future He does, and His will is perfect.
The years I have lived say the way has been long but the memories in my mind clearly recall the feelings of the first-time placement of the newborn infants in my arms, the snuggling breaths of the sleepy toddlers against my chest and neck as they trusted me to hold them away from the rest of the world, and the letting go of the dimpled hands as I entrusted them to a bigger world than I could provide when they wandered into their classrooms on their first days of school…
“Is the way long?” The answer must lie further down the mother road.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-9-09

WHAT BEING A MOTHER MEANS TO ME

With the approach of what has come to be known as Mother’s Day I decided to share some of my personal thoughts regarding what being a mother means to me.
From the time I was old enough to know about anything my heart's desire was to be a wife and mother...in that order, too! I remember standing by the corner of the little house in the country in West Garland, Maine, when I was eight years old and praying that God would not give me any babies until I had a husband because babies needed a daddy! WHAT brought that on I have no idea but I remember it as a prayer of importance and sincerity from the depths of my heart that God heard!
I was so very young but before I was truly smart enough to make such a lifelong wise decision, first came my attraction to that high school football playing funny guy with curly hair who sat in front of me though several high school classes, then marriage, and a year later our first bundle of joy to answer those prayers along with others I hadn't known to pray!
A couple of years later our son arrived to make our family complete. You have heard the words to the old song? “A boy for you and a girl for me…” Well, that is how the song goes, but God had other ideas. A poem I found that I like to use when I make baby congratulations cards says:
“When God wants something special done in this world...
He sends a baby and then...He waits.”
(unknown author)
He must have rejoiced mightily with the surprising plans He had for each of us when He added a second daughter to our family tree! Now at 24, my early prayer had been answered: I was wife and mother of three stair-step-in-age children, 5, 3, and infant.
My primary desire was and still is to be a first-class wife and mother only now with the added years, wisdom and wrinkles, an addendum portion to my prayer adds thankfulness for those who I at age eight didn’t think to pray for: the children who were born and grew up to marry my children and the children, now my grandchildren, and the cycle of life that God has planned to continue on until we all walk with Him in the Place Prepared.
“Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NASB)
©Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-8-09

DELETED UNREAD

From time to time our local newspaper requests readers put pen to paper to write their thoughts and memories of specific holidays and/or occasions. The last Presidential Election was just such an opportunity and having known in advance there would likely be an interest I was geared up only I felt the story I had in mind would be better done by one of their reporters so I contacted him by e-mail in July. I had no response so by the time the newspaper was requesting articles in the fall I decided to write my own and send it in. I missed the deadline for the Election Day articles and although the title was misleading (THE MISSING VOTE) since my article wasn’t about the candidates though timely, I decided to e-mail it in as a “MY TURN” anyway. MY TURN is another invitation from our newspaper to local writers to see our names in print while sharing personal stories. I was momentarily stunned when almost immediately for the first time ever an offering I sent was returned with the message, “Deleted Unread”.
After thinking through all the reasons listed above and contacting the editor to explain why such should not have happened, I realized I needed to be thankful that God doesn’t do that with my messages! Furthermore, God wouldn’t have needed any detailed explanation because He watches over me all day long each and every day and knows and understands every detail of my life anyway! Just look at what Psalm 33:13-15 (NLT) says about Him:

“The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
From His throne He observes all
who live on the earth.
He made their hearts,
so He understands everything they do.”

There’s nothing DELETED UNREAD about us with God. Aren’t you thankful?
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 5-1-09

THINK ABOUT IT

“Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) How do you do that? Has that question ever come to you? Do you wonder how, in all the busy times in your life you can possibly pray all the time since, after all, that is what to pray without ceasing seems to mean?
With the many examples and teachings we have of the prayers of Jesus, we know He did not always position Himself on His knees in a private area to pray. The one example that immediately comes to my mind is of the gravesite of Lazarus when Jesus used prayer as an example for those standing there: “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me." (John 11:41b-42) Jesus took advantage of the moment. It wasn’t the length of the prayer we have recorded in John, chapter 17, but still shows His life as an open line of communication with His Father. Think about it.
Lately between our own family and dear friends, my heart goes to God more often than ever with thought and prayer on a regular basis. As a result I am frequently in memory of a discussion I had with John's very wise and wonderful Nana who lived 107+ years and who I believe, loved and taught about the Lord from the time she was able to think! We didn’t have a lot of time together and on one brief visit I noted that she had several handwritten pages tucked inside the flyleaf of her Bible that I assumed to be a list of folks for whom she prayed on a faithful basis. If my assumption was correct, and if as I suspect, her retreat to the guest room each morning, noon, and evening was to pray, she was indeed a faithful prayer warrior. On one particular day I said something to her about finding time to pray for so many people who were on my mind and her comment that has stayed with me this quarter-century in between was, "I believe that just a thought is a prayer." If her wisdom was/is correct than many more prayers than even those of which I am very consciously aware have been and are being prayed!
Just think about it! And continue to pray without ceasing.
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 4-29-09

ALWAYS THE SAME

In this world I have grown to expect that things are ever changing but I was really thrown for a loop a few days ago when I heard that the area known as “Four Corners” where the four states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico come together has been declared to be off by two-and-one-half miles! We have been there, had our pictures taken there, and even bragged to folks that our Little Doggie Tray once posed for a picture with one foot in each of four states at one time. Now we learn that the boundaries we once thought true were not based on accurate surveys.
Now I wonder: Is it possible that the original survey was accurate but the earth is subtlety shifting in the interim due to earthquakes, etc? Since I know nothing of land surveys and have no other way to prove or disprove what I am being told, I have to depend on those with expertise and allow them to state the facts as they have determined them to be even though I find it so difficult to accept as true. I am not sure why I find this occurrence such a difficult concept except I don’t like change and this involves a big change in thinking that came about suddenly. I guess I’ll have to continue to wonder about it while I wait to see what the news will bring as the surveyors continue their work of determination.
As I thought on these things I considered the fact that one unchanging thing I know is that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NASB) I will not wake to TV news one day that Jesus has changed in any way because I have His promise to the contrary not only in one place but several in His Word.

"In the beginning you made the earth secure. You placed it on its foundations. Your hands created the heavens. They will pass away. But you will remain. They will all wear out like a piece of clothing. You will make them like clothes that are taken off and thrown away. But you remain the same. Your years will never end."
Psalm 102:25-27 (New International Reader's Version)

Since I don’t like change I am very thankful to know that in Him I have found The One Who will always remain the same.
©Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 4-24-09

THEY ALSO SERVE WHO SIT AND WAIT

There’s a wonderful story in the Old Testament that I have always loved. It’s found in I Samuel, chapter 30. As you read it ask yourself, “Do I know anyone like this?”
That story tells of several battles: David and the men of the city are away when the occurrence of the first battle on the horizon affects each one of them greatly, a raid occurs where David’s wives and families are living and they are captured along with all the other inhabitants; no one is killed, but the city is burned to the ground.
The next battle is between David and his men who are angry with him and want to stone because their wives and families have been captured. David seeks God’s counsel and learns that they are not only to pursue the captors but that the captors will be overtaken and the captured will be rescued!
Of the six-hundred men, two-hundred were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor so they stayed behind. Can you imagine the battle that waged in their minds, knowing that their wives and children were somewhere up ahead being held hostage and they simply could not go one step further?
As the four-hundred pressed on the next battle came in the form of a servant of the captors whom they found in a field. He had been left behind because he had become ill. He explained that he had had no food or drink for three days and nights but once fed, he revived, told them he knew of the destruction of the city, and agreed to lead them to the band of captors once they promised to not kill him.
Then came the planned big battle and as God had promised, the victory belonged to David and his men. They won back all that the captors had taken including all the wives and children, safe and sound…nothing was lost…spoils were gained…the battle had been won! Hallelujah! Rejoicing? Songs of praise? Oh, but wait! Once they arrived back at Brook Besor, yet another battle was looming when some of the four-hundred men said, “The men who stayed behind can have their wives and children but that’s all! None of the spoils belong to them since they stayed behind!”
Now here’s the part of this story that speaks out loud to me! Hear for yourself as David answers, "You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike." (I Samuel 30:23-24 NASB)
Oh, yes, they also serve who sit and wait! Do you know anyone like that? I suspect you do and whoever comes to your mind right now, why don’t you send this little story to them just as a reminder that God knows who they are and sees them as they serve Him by sitting and waiting?
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 4-20-09

IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME

Yesterday would have been my daddy’s 99th birthday. I wonder who besides me remembered. I am sure one of my brothers was as aware as I and perhaps a few others as well. As the day approached I knew my niece would be aware of the day since from her birth she had shared Daddy’s birthday and we had many happy family meal celebrations topped off with her mother’s creative confections. It was a special time in life.
It seemed to so many of us that Daddy just prior to his 57th birthday was taken from this life too soon, yet we knew that God’s timing is never wrong and we knew that regardless of his age, Daddy was ready to continue his walk with God in the Heavenly Realm.
As memories have taken me back over the days of Daddy’s life and death I have once again been reminded of God’s plans for Daddy as well as for each one of us so beautifully described in Psalm 139 (NASB):

13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them


1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand When I awake, I am still with You.

Daddy’s life was precious to those of us who knew him well and as we read these verses from Psalm 139 we know God knew him best, planned for his life before it was…even to the number of his days. Daddy’s path was a walk with God and that night when he made his final bed on this earth he was a breath away from waking still with the Lord!
It was a special time!
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 4-18-09

UPDATED VERSIONS OF OLDER MODELS

A few weeks ago I took a picture of an updated version of an older model of a car. I took the picture because it reminded me of a car my oldest brother had once owned and because I knew my next-in-age-to-me brother would fully appreciate it as much as I did, not only for it’s aesthetic beauty but for the shared memories it brought to his mind as well. I was right but later I started thinking about a spiritual application to the scene I had captured.
Since my brother explained the car was a 1938 Chevrolet, yet the outside which was all I got to see looked brand new except for it’s fashion lines, it was obvious someone had taken great pains to do one of two things: either the car had been kept in pristine condition from the day it left the manufacturer or it had been totally refurbished from its undercoating all the way to it’s outer sheen. Since the color was as bright a red as any Santa’s suit ever seen and as shiny as a reflective ornamental garden ball, my guess is the latter best fits the car’s past. It was definitely eye-catching and a beauty to behold with memories to recall. With those images in mind, I wonder, is that how I appear as one of Christ’s attractions and reminders in this world?
Oh, but I am no longer fresh off the showroom floor and the dust of this world keeps trying to dim the shine! Family members and dear friends are suffering severe physical ailments, precious loved ones are dying, and personal daily life changes are discouraging. However, just as with that antique car (only with a “forever inside and out fix” for me!), “I do not lose heart, but though my outer woman is decaying, yet my inner woman is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for me an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while I look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. That is why I never give up. Though my body is dying, my spirit is being renewed every day. For my present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for me a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So I don’t look at the troubles I can see now; rather, I fix my gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things I see now will soon be gone, but the things I cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Paraphrased MSM)
Come, stand beside me and let’s shake off the dust of this world together while we share this shining spiritual scene!
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 4-16-09

DWELLING ON A DREAM

This morning I woke with such a clear image in mind of a very happy barn swallow soaring straight into the sky with its wings tucked right up against its sides; every once in a while it would open it wings out to either side long enough to let a shower of rain wash them and its body clean. How the swallow was happy I do not know but in my mind the symbolism grew to mean preparing to leave this earth, cleaning off the dust as it were, for new life.
As my thoughts remained on what this dream might mean I wondered about those we prayed for just before sleep last night: our friend who has been given weeks to live, another friend who today is heading to M. D. Anderson miles away from her home for treatment for multiple myeloma that returned following a 3-year battle, and still another friend who is due for a 2nd chemotherapy infusion tomorrow if her blood count is up enough for her to take it.
My dreams are few and far between and the majority of the ones I do have are not easily remembered. This morning’s dream lingers and I am comforted to know that regardless of any intuitive meaning it might or might not have, Jesus cares about my dear friends whose ailments weight heavily on my mind. He cares about my anxious thoughts and me, too. In His teachings regarding anxieties Jesus even mentions the birds: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NASB)
Thank You, Lord, for being more dependable to dwell on than our dreams.
©Marilyn Sue Moore 3-15-09

THE ROOT OF FRIENDSHIP (From A Woman’s Perspective)

Where do friendships begin? And where do friendships end? Generally it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of a friendship’s start although we recall the planting of the seeds; however with a friendship’s end it seems there is a big bang. “A huge blow-up,” is often used as it’s descriptive phrase and we get the picture without the need for a thousand words.
Today this is on my mind because I have some pretty patient friends and what they tolerate from me makes the fact that some of them are medical patients currently undergoing serious severities seldom escapes my mind. Because of that I try to do what I can to lighten their load in little ways.
One of the first things we think about after hearing the words “cancer” and “chemotherapy” is “Will I lose my hair?” Frequently the answer is, “Yes.” My friends had seen me go through the loss of my hair a few years ago so they knew I would understand if they chose to speak openly with me about their feelings and we did have some conversations about those shared feelings. It may seem strange but it is amazing how attached to our hair we become! (And you thought it was the other way around, didn’t you?)
Do you remember when you were a bare-headed infant or were you one of the ones who came into the world fully-tressed? Either way your recall is probably only because of pictures, not actual memories, but even looking at those pictures won’t necessarily help prepare you for that day when chemo has its way and you look into the mirror to see, not yourself, but more than likely a person from an earlier generation looking back at you! So you cover your head with one of the scarves or close-fitting stretchy coverings and go about your days as best you can choosing to see this shiny head as another sign that the chemo is working.
So, in an effort to do one of those earlier mentioned “little things” I stopped by my friend’s house a few days ago around 9 a.m. with a couple of maple cake donuts, one for her, one for her husband, in the hopes she would be able to enjoy one of her favorite treats since it would be tasty, hopefully enough to help overcome the medicinal tastes with which she has to deal and soft in her mouth, therefore not hurting her mouth and throat sores…a little love.
When she answered the door, I immediately spotted the newly acquired closely-fitted soft head covering. As I passed her the donut bag and she started to look inside already knowing what was in there, I pointed towards her head and said, “Are you losing it?” She answered in the affirmative and invited me in but I was being careful to help her avoid germs I might be carrying that day so I declined and hurried home. It was after I got home that I realized what I had said to my friend. I was startled into laughter when I related the conversation to my husband realizing the double-meaning of what I had said!
Later in relaying this discovery to my friend, I said, “Do you realize what I asked you the other day? When I saw you were wearing a soft hat I asked you, ‘Are you losing it?’ You could have taken that either of two ways.” Maybe she was so overcome with the thought of a donut for breakfast she hadn’t even heard what I said, but I prefer to believe that because she is my friend she had listened with her heart and the root of our friendship goes far deeper than chemo can reach.

"…A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17a (NASB)
With loving thanks to my Inspiring,

Example-Setting Friends,
SHERLYN and WANDA,
as you each gracefully deal with each difficult day.

© Marilyn Sue Moore 3-8-09

THE PERFECT GIFT

Have you ever had a perfect plan made only to have things go awry? It happened to my husband John a few days ago but as often happens, God had other plans with the situation well in hand.
On that day I had come close to the limit of my energy level before 11 a.m. so I had said as soon as I finished whatever the next thing was on my list I was planning to take a nap. I was aware that John was dressed up a bit more than usual for a day around the house but I figured he planned to go get some orange juice he’d seen on sale. I was getting ready to see him off before heading for my nap when he stopped me, looked directly into my eyes and said, “Now I know you said you were going to take a nap but would you like to go for a little ride with me?” How I hated to have to tell him I was just too tired. I probably have, but I can’t remember ever having said that to him before. He graciously accepted my need to nap and headed off alone, only to return later having had breakfast at a pancake place where he was seated at a table near friends who, when they saw him, said, “Come sit with us!” He did and told me they’d all had a wonderful conversation but missed me. With a grin, he added, “But I got a chance to talk!” (What could that comment have meant? Hm-m-m-m…) I was ready to laugh with him since I felt rested from my good nap.
I was surprised when he again was ready to “go for a ride” and asked for my company. This time I didn’t say, “No.” We ended up at a furniture store where I assumed we had come to get the long-needed new box spring and mattress set but that was not on my husband’s agenda that day. When he was out earlier he had been searching for and found a recliner for me not orange juice! Now we were here for my approval of his find.
For a long time now I have been using my husband’s old recliner, a long time being about 4 years. Let me set the scene for those of you who don’t know us personally. My husband is a big man. He stands 6’ 4” so is about a foot taller than I. It seems strange I never thought too much about how vast that difference must look to others until I started planning this writing. I have been forced to consider the weight difference from the start because clothiers would look at him then back at me and ask, “Where did you find him?” as they obviously wondered where on their racks they were going to find a suit to fit his massive hulk. Over the fifty-one plus years between then and now stores that cater to tall and big men have cropped up across the country so selections are better including furniture which is how we ended up with a recliner suited better to his size than mine.
When his health required the assistance of a lift-chair I inherited his recliner that had already seen a few years of wear and tear serving his needs. It wasn’t long before I put an old bed pillow under the seat for additional cushioning…then another over the footrest extension to balance it out. Thankfully I was able to place each of these pillows between layers of the chair’s cushioning so they were mostly hidden from view while providing comfort. Providing comfort that is, until I, being a foot shorter of stature than Daddy Long Legs had to half bounce my way with a little hop-jump to get my backside all the way to the back of the chair when I tried to sit down!
Then came the day when we had the discussion that perhaps we needed to do our part to help lift some of the economic woes of our nation and plan to purchase three things in the future, the second on the list (at least in my mind) being a recliner for me. Apparently it was not #2 on the list for Big John. His work of this day reminded me of …”Ask and ye shall receive…” but it also reminded me that while he was looking out for me God was providing him with the loving care of very special friends who gave him something for which he hadn’t thought or planned to ask!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 (ESV)
While I thank God for my husband who makes plans for my comfort I also thank God for His provisions for my husband’s comfort!
©Marilyn Sue Moore 3-6-09