She had a smile that brightened her entire face when she used it . . . and she used it often. When I was a year and a half old, my parents moved in to the parsonage of her church. Dad, being the pastor was quite chagrined when I toddled over and began getting into her purse. She smiled – even as mom got after me.

Sometimes friends are friends for only as long as you are affiliated with that place of service. Then, there are those that become life time friends. Mrs. Greathouse was one of those. After her husband went home to glory, she came to my parent’s new place of ministry, serving faithfully in her position.

Her homespun wisdom and kindness made a great impact on my childhood. A few days ago, life was extremely busy. I found myself in greater need to make sure I took time to meet with Jesus before my hectic day began. One morning, God brought to mind this little exchange that had happened when I was young.

Mrs. Greathouse and I were “chatting” – most of it coming from my heart and out my mouth. “I just LOVE plants,” I was going on and on. Then I said, “I just can’t remember to water them!” Her smile turned into a beautiful chuckle as she replied, “you don’t really love them, then.”

How true! Love is much more than “spouting off” the familiar words, “I love you.” It shows up in our lives by what our heart prioritizes. “I love you, Lord,” is much more than words, it’s a lifestyle. A beautiful love relationship given to us by the Hand of the Father so we may KNOW Him, and help others know Him too.

This old hymn says it wonderfully . . .

Take time to be holy, speak oft with Thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak.

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.”

William D. Longstaff

 

FGG/ Janene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am on my slip covered couch and staring at ashes from last night fire while homeschooling echoes through our home but in my heart I am somewhere completely different. In my heart, If I close my eyes I can picture it, I am on a white sand beach at sunset, I am in the middle of beautiful green pastures, I am walking through a peony and rose filled garden. In my heart I am in all these places with the only One who could be in these places with me. He meets me in the stillness of my soul and as I exhale I can close my eyes and see such sweet fulfillment as we spend time together.

To be honest, it has been a very busy and very stressful season so far. The garland on my tree which still has no lights seems was thrown up on it while I was headed out the door. A cable guy came to fix our TV and had to take all my mantle décor off so that’s still scattered in various places around the room.  I have three gifts bought (insert nervous emoji here), so there’s that. I could go on but I don’t think you need any more visual of the cluttered space in which I’m sitting. Clutter is confusing and causes uneasy feelings especially if it exists in our hearts.

A chaos covered heart cannot bring peace and contentment but Jesus can. He can organize our craziness way better than we could. He has a way of slipping in and simply clearing the confusion so we can see Him better.

This is what I’m figuring out: I may be in the middle of chaos colored Christmas lights but in the stillness of my soul He meets with me. He whisks me away into His presence and nothing else matters. It all migrates to a back burner, every cluttered detail and He takes priority releasing a warmth in my heart that only comes from coming home.

I feel like in this world we are addicted to the fast and the fury, the speed and the noise. The “one more meeting”, and then the exhaustion that hits us at the end of the day. We’re running on a high until we run out of air and then we come back to the arms of the healer and He revives our weary souls once again. In my quiet time God has been guiding me so sweetly to remain calm in His presence and listen for His voice.

With Him I am Home and that’s all the matters. So I’m challenging myself as I write this to remember to let me soul become still and sit a little longer in His presence. To let Jesus be the one who clears the clutter of my heart so I can see Him more clearly. Wanna join me?

Much Love

Elena

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.”

Romans 10:15

 

How many do you have? Shoes, I mean. Living in a country which has known the blessing of God most of us have more than one pair. We have our “running shoes,” “dress shoes,” “work shoes,” (or boots) — and then there’s that “favorite pair” that may be as “old as the hills” but are simply too comfortable to throw away! Shoes.

In Romans 10:15, the Bible gives us an example of those with “beautiful feet.” “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.” It is true — a simple pair of shoes can be used to bring glad tidings.

When our church mission team journeyed to Guatemala, they took all of the suitcases allowed for their flight. They filled them — not all with personal belongings, but with things needed for the people of Guatemala. One of their greatest needs is shoes. Paula remembers the line that stretched long, and then even longer than she could have imagined with people longing to get their feet in a pair of shoes—USED shoes at that. Some had no shoes. Others had shoes boasting no ends — but feet pushing through where the toes should have been. Other feet had been pushed into shoes too small for so long that they were covered with blisters and sores. Some didn’t get a pair . . . There weren’t enough . . .shoes.

Recently, a friend of mine who lives out of town relayed this incident. A young man we will call Mike* lived his life with a giving heart not generously found in the ways of those his age. As a teenager, he loved life, did well in school, and played his personal best at the sport of soccer. After high school graduation in 2007 he joined the Marines, and, literally gave his all for our country.

As his friends mourned their loss, one shared a story — a story very few knew — another story of what can be done with just a pair of shoes. One day Mike came to his mother with a need. His soccer shoes were wearing out — he was certainly needing some new ones. So, Mom went and bought for him the shoes he needed.

Soon after filling this need, Mom was picking Mike up from practice when she happened to glance at his feet. “Why are you wearing your old soccer shoes?” she asked. “Why aren’t you wearing your new ones?” Mike’s response showed the bigness of his heart. You see, there was another boy on the team who’s shoes were worn out too — Mike thought his friend needed shoes worse, so, he gave his friend his own brand new shoes.

Mike had no idea his deed that day would be part of the story characterizing the legacy of who he was. After all, it was “just a pair of shoes.”

It’s in the simple things we share Him — carrying His peace and glad tidings wherever we go . . . And who knows, someday, here or in Heaven we may here a story of what He did — through our “pair of shoes!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

*Names changed for this story

 

Every year I set out a beautiful antique pair of skates that my grandma Dubbeld gave me for Christmas. She cleaned them up, put some stockings in them and added some Christmas décor to them. They are darling. Well last year I got all my décor out including an old suitcase that I had painted a snowman on but I couldn’t remember where I put my skates. It was so sad. I looked everywhere but went through the whole season without them. When the “after Christmas blues” came around, I began putting everything away and opened the snowman suitcase to see if I could store anything in it and what did I find? MY CHRISTMAS SKATES!! If I had only remembered to look in there at the beginning of the season, right? Is it possible that we forget the things in life or even the people that bring us the most joy?

I want to take you to Jonah chapter 2 verse 7. I was writing last night in my prayer journal and accidentally knocked my Bible off of the couch and it opened to this. I thought I would just see where it was and read a little and boy am I glad I did!

“When my soul fainted within me; I remembered the Lord”

Your probably thinking “that’s it? seriously!?” Hold on, God showed me something in those 10 words.  Now recall we are in the book of Jonah and this is the moment where he realized the desperation that was closing in around him.

I got to this verse and it was like God slipped in beside me and I realized that even when we haven’t remembered Him, He always remembered us. He forgets the pain and hurt that we have caused Him but He remembers us, His children. He has, is, and will remember. Check out Micah 7:19. I especially love that verse in the New Living Translation.

Sometimes we wake up and realize we are totally off shore and can’t remember how we got there but we do remember who can help us get back to the shoreline. So we call upon the one who never for a second lost sight of us and He reels us back in. Back in to His safe loving arms. I want to abide in those arms forever. Who’s with me?

Love Always,

Elena

The night was long . . . the drive even longer. My son chattered to his dad in the front of the vehicle while I dozed in and out. Suddenly I heard the insistent voice of my son say, “Dad, dad!” Instantly, I was awake! It was most unusual for my husband to be THAT tired! Needless to say, we pulled off the next exit to get some rest!

Have you ever felt like you’re “up and at it” but a part of you is still asleep? Physically that is a dangerous place to find yourself! Spiritually, even more.

I love the story in Luke 9. Peter, James and John had just climbed a mountain with Jesus. Jesus was awake – praying – talking with His Father, and with Moses and Elijah. Peter was tired. So were James and John. Something stirred them in their slumber. Verse 32 tells us, “when they were fully awake they saw His glory . . .” My heart thrills just reading it! Can you imagine being there? They were so thrilled they wanted to stay there! (I would, too!) They couldn’t stay, but the experience impacted them greatly!

Fully awake. It seems our world is bent on spiritually lulling us to sleep. Desensitizing us to sin. Numbing us to wrong. Making a whole patch of gray where black and white used to be. But those who choose to stay awake – who want to “see His glory,” still can!

He hasn’t changed! Our God is as powerful as He has even been. His Word is still Truth. He is willing to reveal Himself in His glory to those who diligently seek after Him. My prayer today is, “Lord, keep me fully awake, and may I see YOUR glory!”

“ . . . and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory . . .” Luke 9:32

 

Happy Fall Friends! Can you believe it? It’s finally here! The most beautiful season there is. There is such a comfort in the autumn air and beauty that casts its beams of light everywhere. It makes one wish that it would linger a little longer. I wonder to myself if I wait upon the Lord as much as I wait upon this season. Do I crave the first glimpse of His coming and the comfort that comes from within Him? Do I wish to feel His light brush my face as He comes closer and want more time with Him? How different our lives might be if we approached the creator like we anticipate this season that He created.

Fall is the only season that really makes me want to have a pic-nic, sit in the leaves with a PSL and just enjoy the prettiness of it all. We live about 20 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and recently I have been wanting to take a drive through the mountains, put on an oversized sweater and reduce the idea of having a time limit while I’m up there. It’s so beautiful yall! If you are ever close to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall you must go.

Once again, what if I approached Jesus like I do this season. To take a day putting no restrictions on it and spend time with Him enjoying His beauty. Yes this season is beautiful but His love for us is even more beautiful and He craves spending time with us even more than we crave this season. There really is no comparison to how much His loves us. So today maybe your busy, stretched with time limits and can’t see past the clock. Take some time this weekend to set aside a morning or an evening and spend time with Jesus. Go outside, Bible and coffee in hand and fellowship with the creator. You might even enjoy your time with Him more than this season.

Jesus-may we want to sit with you,

enjoying your presence and the beauty

that you bring to us. Help us to crave

time with you like we crave the falling

of the first leaf.

All my love,

Elena

OHHHH–Keep scrolling to see a picture of my grandma!!!

 

 

 

It was almost over. I waited on the other side of the gate as everyone unloaded from the ride. It wasn’t a huge ride, but big enough that younger children had an adult that rode along. Our children were past that stage, so I smiled, waved, and took the memory keeping snapshots.

The ride stopped, and everyone unloaded, heading quickly for the exit gate. The first person pushed. It didn’t open. They looked around for the person making sure the ride went smoothly. Others came. Adults pushed. The line was getting long . . . On both sides of the gate. All were looking around, trying to figure out why the gate wouldn’t open.

Then, one small boy — not over intelligent looking — just an average boy stepped up to the gate. He saw things different than everyone else. He simply pulled instead of push — and what do you know! It opened!

I nearly laughed aloud. One small boy with the ability to simply pull instead of push opened the gate so everyone else could get out into the open space.

Remember another young boy? The armor didn’t fit. He saw things differently. He used a sling and a stone.

Then, there was the One who taught in the temple. He, too, saw things differently. He thought his parents would know He was “about His Father’s business.”

Faith has a vision all its own. Born into the hearts of those who embrace its vision it takes its viewers to places others rarely even imagine. Faith that sees beyond leads with a hope that others want to follow. It sees things differently — heads into the open places — sometimes takes it’s victory stance with a “sling and a stone,” — and, always is about the Father’s business.

Jesus, give me eyes of faith!

FGG/ Janene

Did you know that God’s presence has no limits? There is no place that we can go where God can’t meet us. God never goes off the grid to stroll along sandy beaches. He can sweep us up in His love any second of the day. In a world packed with apple watches and cheap plane flights, God never once thinks of leaving. We must look at Christ and His love for us completely different from any love we’ve ever known. There are no conditions to tie around His willingness to love us. I think sometimes we confuse our circumstances with His love, which in reality don’t relate at all. God’s love doesn’t lessen over a job promotion or a relationship status. It stays steady, never wavering.

Have you ever looked over your life and thought “I can’t believe I’m still here, in this situation that I thought was temporary”. Maybe you thought God’s plan for your life was completely different. You’re confused and seeking answers. I felt like today I should whisper through the screen to you a message of hope.

God’s plan for your life is still ongoing.

Maybe this little story will help you understand.

There is a school play with the 4th grade class. Everyone is quieting down as the lights do the same. Out of the side entrance of the stage walks out a freckled face little boy dressed as a star. He walked to the middle, where the spotlight hit in a circle and then began to sing. “Twinkle, Twinkle”. At this moment the curtain was supposed to come down and a big papier-mache moon was meant to glide behind. He wasn’t sure what the hold up was but he knew that his teacher was on it, looking into every detail. This is how we must trust our Father. He is working on our behalf even when we don’t see it.

It can be confusing trying to figure out what He has for you, but just walk through the doors He opens. Hold on, keep claiming the promises God gave you and believe. His expectations for you surpass anything you expect for your life.

Even though we feel it’s time, the curtain can fall-we’re ready: trust your teacher, He always knows the lesson better than we do!

OH, One more thing!!!! Download our new scripture screensaver below! Maybe it will get you in the mood for fall!

Much love,

Elena

The beginnings of fall are here again, and school is in full swing for some people – nearly ready to start for others. New beginnings, new teachers, new friends – the mornings which begin before the sun comes up.

There is always something special about beginning new, but sometimes it can be just a little frustrating. I remember well my first day of – I think it was fifth grade. (Shh. . . it’s been a few years ago!)

We didn’t have uniforms, and my mom was quite a seamstress. I was so excited because mom made me a brand-new dress. It was a brown plaid with lovely yellow buttons. I felt so good in that dress. (Yes, styles were different then, too.) I wasn’t nearly as excited about the “briefcase looking” red, and blue with silver buckles, book bag my dad convinced me would be the best thing for that year.

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Two’s company, three’s a crowd?” Well, I had two very good friends, but that old adage has never been truer. Sometimes they liked me, sometimes they liked each other, but it seemed like it never was the same, no matter what I did. (They probably felt the same way about me!) It changed with the weather – causing my emotions to do the same! We “had a talk” about the situation and decided we were “growing up” we decided, and it was time to get along! So, here we all came on the first day of school. I had a new dress, and a new determination to have better relationships with my friends. What could go wrong?

School began and soon it was recess time. My friends and I were doing our best to work everything out, so we all headed for the swings. Now, the swings were those black rubber kinds that formed around you when you sat in them. Since there were three swings in one section, we decided to loop them through each other so they would all be connected and we could swing together. After they were “looped” my one friend got on one side, my other friend got on the other side, and I was supposed to swing in the middle. I took a mighty jump, endeavoring to land in the swing – and totally flipped out and landed on the ground on my back. Of course, they were howling with laughter, and I managed to get up and make it through my “awful disgrace” somehow.

After we were all back inside, I was so excited because I had finished my work early and got to go to the “reading section” and pick out a book. Somehow in the process of all of this, I squatted down, got my heal caught in the hem of my new dress, and when I stood up, it made an awful rip. I nearly died on the spot . . . what a first day!

In everyone’s “new,” there are always the unspoken questions. How will I know when . . . what if I mess up . . . will they like me . . . will I belong? The whole thing is – it’s ok. The person next to you is either trying to figure it out, or concerned with some “situation” of their own. We need God, and we need each other. Let’s do our best to encourage each other and lift each other up. The Word of God tells us in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” I also like the way the Message translation says it, “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.” Let Jesus help you customize your words for each day. Your words display who you really are – and kind words make you attractive to others, and pleasing to God.

It’s amazing how a smile and a uplifting word are always welcome. Look for the good in everyone . . . and if you get a chance – compliment it. Pray for the things you see that aren’t exactly the way you want them. God answers prayer – so He can change you or change the circumstance – whatever He sees best. Let’s do our best this year – in the “new” – and even after the “newness” is all worn off to help each other find a place to belong – in Christ and in His family!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

She stepped onto the cold concrete heading for the door with blue ribbons tied in her pigtails. It was all she could do not to drag her overflowing backpack. With a bittersweet smile she found her classroom and organized her school supplies. New stuff, new shoes, new friends and a new school. She was beginning to not like that word, new. The clock drug on through the day, the new girl couldn’t wait to get home but first there was Math. She knew she didn’t like that word either. The teacher explained something called division and then asked if anyone didn’t understand and would like a repeat of the lesson.

Being the rookie, the girl didn’t want to raise her hand, what if everyone else understood it but her. Behind her, a little curly headed brunet raised her hand. Oh good, I can just turn around and watch her, she thought. Have you ever tried to read something upside down?? Not easy right? Well this was the problem, the little girl still didn’t understand so this time she raised her hand. The teacher thought it ridiculous that she asked for help considering she had turned around and seen it all again. No, they must move on, there wasn’t enough time. She shrunk in her chair and for years to come, she struggled with division.

I have been asking God for some inspiration to write recently and He reminded me of this story. I think because for a long time I felt like to spend time with Him I had to have a good prayer ready and I couldn’t possibly come to God with too many issues in my life. I needed to have it all kind-of together before I could spend time with Him. I mean, He has reviewed the lesson so many times, erased my wrongs, helping me make them right, teaching me over and over again and this time I thought I just can’t raise my hand again.

                                                                                                       Have you ever felt this way?

With all the confidence one can have I must relay something to you, He isn’t like my grade school teacher. It doesn’t bother Him to share the lesson one more time. It’s not an inconvenience or a waste of time. My heart is so full of emotion writing this, so overwhelmed with gratitude for the one teacher in my life that had no favorites. His daily planner is wide open, in fact He doesn’t need one because He isn’t on a time schedule and there is nothing that stands in the way of spending time with us. His priority is His children. He is the teacher who cares, who loves, and who certainly likes the new kids.

Show me your ways oh Lord,

Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,

For you are the God of my salvation;

on you I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5

Much love,

Elena

Just one more thing: I have no hard feelings toward the teacher and am thankful for her discipline that helped me push through and come out stronger.