So many things to write about - everyday life,gardening, cooking,France,Kansas,family,holidays, church,God,Jesus Christ,Christianity,missions, ministry,abortion, politics, art, music, "Sullivan" our English bulldog,reading .....
Friday, March 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Off the Roller-Coaster and Under His Wings
Several years ago I told myself I would never again say, "It couldn't happen to us" and, "It couldn't get worse" ... because it did happen to us and it did get worse. We were missionaries at the time; and missionary families are not immune to sorrows.
I've come through the shock, the anger, the "what-did-we-do-to-cause-this?" questions, the forgiveness, the "where-have-you-been-God-and-why-did-You-let-this-happen?" questions. I've come through them, though not entirely unscathed. There is still a lingering low-lying sadness that can be controlled, that doesn't take over every day - but still there, nonetheless. There is a loss of energy that can be, I think, attributed to sorrow and adversity (among the other usual reasons). God can certainly bring good out of painful situations, but life is never the same afterwards.
We continue to cope with family stresses. Sometimes I feel as if I am on that old roller coaster. Up. Down. Around the bend. Hang on! It's getting worse. Look out! We're going down fast! But I don't want to hang on. I just want off. Enough. I want to make all unpleasantness go away. I want to fix it. Can't I fix it, God? How long do I have to stay on this wild ride? And why? Why can't everything be like it is "supposed" to be? Why can't we all be perfect ... and happy ...and kind ...and loving? Why can't You just intervene, God, and make this happen?
When I read in Psalms I SO understand David. In Psalm 142, my study notes tell me, David was in a cave praying for deliverance from his enemies. He'd had enough. He wanted off of HIS roller coaster. He was tired. He was sad. He didn't want to hang on - he just wanted to let go of it all and have some peace, some rest.
"I pour out my complaint before him: before him I tell my trouble" - Psalm 142:2 NIV
"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" - Psalm 142:6 NIV
David yelled "HELP"! He was tired of trying to avoid his enemies. That took up a lot of energy. He was full of fear. Maybe he, too, had learned to never again say "it couldn't happen to me" or "it couldn't get worse".
"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" ... "help me, please!"
I often pray the same things when adversity strikes. Just when I'm thinking I can let down my guard and relax, when I'm feeling as if maybe God heard my cry after all - WHAM! Something new happens. But all I want is rest, and peace and to be free of the fears that arise with adversity and sorrow. I don't want to learn any lessons. I don't want to know the "whys" of it all. I just want out of it. Like David.
A good many years ago, when we still lived in France, I experienced one of those "it-couldn't-get-worse-but-it-did" moments. I'd had surgery on my nose for what had been thought was a minor problem, a perforated septum. During the surgery the doctor decided it was worse than he'd thought, and ordered a biopsy done. Later, I left my hospital room to go down to his office for the biopsy results. In France the doctors will rarely (at least back then) tell you that you have "cancer", if you do. Their theory is that patients do not want to hear it, so they will beat all around the bush to explain the problem rather than use, "the" word.
My doctor was no different. He stared at the ceiling as he told me he had the results back. My heart pounded and fear rose quickly as I awaited the verdict. He continued to stare at the ceiling, in silence (really!). I feared hearing the results but desperately needed to hear them. Finally, I grasped one of his arms and I used "the" word: "Is it cancer?" He nodded and said, "yes". Wow. Talk about sorrow, pain, adversity. And fear. Shock.
I was allowed to go home for the week-end, but was to check into a larger cancer hospital, in another city, on Sunday evening. I asked myself some of the same questions then, as I have asked myself at times during the past few years because of family crises. I cried out to God, as David did. "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need." I wanted to "fix" the situation - I wanted off of that roller coaster ride, as it was way too dangerous. I wanted to forget it all and rest. I didn't want any more sadness. Enough already!
I had allowed the fear to so burden me down that I'd lost sight of what our then-sixteen-year-old daughter had seen, in spite of her own fears about her Mom - that the only way "out" was through prayer. The only way out of the the fear, if not the cancer itself, was through crying out to God, through resting in Him, through trusting Him to handle it.
Our daughter had written Psalm 34:4 on a small yellow piece of paper (it's still taped into the front of one of my Bibles) and taped it to the top of the tissue box I'd packed for the hospital.
"I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears" (NIV).
I once again saw God's response to prayer (why do I ever forget?), as I read that verse on my hospital bed at two in the morning. I was terrified. And alone. And God came through, as He always does. Instantly. It was one of the few times in my life that I could honestly say God has instantly responded to my prayer. He just took that fear away. It was as if He'd literally lifted a huge boulder off of my chest. I called my husband and told him. Whether I had cancer, or not, I could cope - since the debilitating, suffocating fear was gone. Just gone. (By the way, after all the tests, scans and three biopsies were done, the doctors were puzzled, finally deciding I must have been given a wrong diagnosis - with one doctor not ruling out "miracle".)
God brought me through that fearful, stressful time. He can still do the same for me and my family now. We can all, with God's help, learn and grow stronger from the sorrows and painful situations we may go through. God can, and does, bring good out of some pretty bad things.
"If the murder of the perfect Son of God can be explained, how much more can we trust that God is accomplishing His purposes through the adversity we face every day?" (Charles Stanley, "Victory Over Life's Challenges", 199, Part II, 'How to Handle Adversity', p. 207.)
I don't welcome adversity. Let's be honest here. I would definitely like to flee from it when it appears. However, as we just read from Charles Stanley, I need to trust that God is still in charge, the He is accomplishing His purposes, even if I don't understand His methods. Even if it hurts. Even if it's
tiring. Even if it's sad.
I need to be still, and know that God "is" (Psalm 46:10). All my stresses, sorrows, angers need to be bundled up and handed over to Him. That's the way I can build my energy level back up. That's the way I can not only forgive, but continue loving and helping. That's the way I stop worrying, stop trying to fix it all myself.
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone: my hope comes from him" (Psalm 62:5 NIV).
Only in God will I find rest from adversity. I can let go and trust Him to work it out, according to His plans.
Psalm 91:4(a) NIV is such a beautiful picture of finding peace and rest from the trial and adversities of our lives: "He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge ...".
I am SO ready to snuggle under those wings and be safely covered by those soft, protective feathers.
Care to join me?
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
He Waits
"Come to Me",
my Savior said,
"and I will give you rest."
And, yet, I linger.
Tired, worn-out,
rarely at my best.
"Come to Me,"
my Jesus said,
lay down your weary head.
"But I'm too busy,"
I say to Him,
and struggle on instead.
"Come to Me,"
my Redeemer said,
"you will find release."
Then, "yes, my Lord,"
I say to Him,
and find rest, joy and peace."
-Sandra (Mers) Clayton-
(This was first published in the Christian magazine, "To His Glory" , Spring Issue, 2005)
I've come through the shock, the anger, the "what-did-we-do-to-cause-this?" questions, the forgiveness, the "where-have-you-been-God-and-why-did-You-let-this-happen?" questions. I've come through them, though not entirely unscathed. There is still a lingering low-lying sadness that can be controlled, that doesn't take over every day - but still there, nonetheless. There is a loss of energy that can be, I think, attributed to sorrow and adversity (among the other usual reasons). God can certainly bring good out of painful situations, but life is never the same afterwards.
We continue to cope with family stresses. Sometimes I feel as if I am on that old roller coaster. Up. Down. Around the bend. Hang on! It's getting worse. Look out! We're going down fast! But I don't want to hang on. I just want off. Enough. I want to make all unpleasantness go away. I want to fix it. Can't I fix it, God? How long do I have to stay on this wild ride? And why? Why can't everything be like it is "supposed" to be? Why can't we all be perfect ... and happy ...and kind ...and loving? Why can't You just intervene, God, and make this happen?
When I read in Psalms I SO understand David. In Psalm 142, my study notes tell me, David was in a cave praying for deliverance from his enemies. He'd had enough. He wanted off of HIS roller coaster. He was tired. He was sad. He didn't want to hang on - he just wanted to let go of it all and have some peace, some rest.
"I pour out my complaint before him: before him I tell my trouble" - Psalm 142:2 NIV
"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" - Psalm 142:6 NIV
David yelled "HELP"! He was tired of trying to avoid his enemies. That took up a lot of energy. He was full of fear. Maybe he, too, had learned to never again say "it couldn't happen to me" or "it couldn't get worse".
"Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need" ... "help me, please!"
I often pray the same things when adversity strikes. Just when I'm thinking I can let down my guard and relax, when I'm feeling as if maybe God heard my cry after all - WHAM! Something new happens. But all I want is rest, and peace and to be free of the fears that arise with adversity and sorrow. I don't want to learn any lessons. I don't want to know the "whys" of it all. I just want out of it. Like David.
A good many years ago, when we still lived in France, I experienced one of those "it-couldn't-get-worse-but-it-did" moments. I'd had surgery on my nose for what had been thought was a minor problem, a perforated septum. During the surgery the doctor decided it was worse than he'd thought, and ordered a biopsy done. Later, I left my hospital room to go down to his office for the biopsy results. In France the doctors will rarely (at least back then) tell you that you have "cancer", if you do. Their theory is that patients do not want to hear it, so they will beat all around the bush to explain the problem rather than use, "the" word.
My doctor was no different. He stared at the ceiling as he told me he had the results back. My heart pounded and fear rose quickly as I awaited the verdict. He continued to stare at the ceiling, in silence (really!). I feared hearing the results but desperately needed to hear them. Finally, I grasped one of his arms and I used "the" word: "Is it cancer?" He nodded and said, "yes". Wow. Talk about sorrow, pain, adversity. And fear. Shock.
I was allowed to go home for the week-end, but was to check into a larger cancer hospital, in another city, on Sunday evening. I asked myself some of the same questions then, as I have asked myself at times during the past few years because of family crises. I cried out to God, as David did. "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need." I wanted to "fix" the situation - I wanted off of that roller coaster ride, as it was way too dangerous. I wanted to forget it all and rest. I didn't want any more sadness. Enough already!
I had allowed the fear to so burden me down that I'd lost sight of what our then-sixteen-year-old daughter had seen, in spite of her own fears about her Mom - that the only way "out" was through prayer. The only way out of the the fear, if not the cancer itself, was through crying out to God, through resting in Him, through trusting Him to handle it.
Our daughter had written Psalm 34:4 on a small yellow piece of paper (it's still taped into the front of one of my Bibles) and taped it to the top of the tissue box I'd packed for the hospital.
"I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears" (NIV).
I once again saw God's response to prayer (why do I ever forget?), as I read that verse on my hospital bed at two in the morning. I was terrified. And alone. And God came through, as He always does. Instantly. It was one of the few times in my life that I could honestly say God has instantly responded to my prayer. He just took that fear away. It was as if He'd literally lifted a huge boulder off of my chest. I called my husband and told him. Whether I had cancer, or not, I could cope - since the debilitating, suffocating fear was gone. Just gone. (By the way, after all the tests, scans and three biopsies were done, the doctors were puzzled, finally deciding I must have been given a wrong diagnosis - with one doctor not ruling out "miracle".)
God brought me through that fearful, stressful time. He can still do the same for me and my family now. We can all, with God's help, learn and grow stronger from the sorrows and painful situations we may go through. God can, and does, bring good out of some pretty bad things.
"If the murder of the perfect Son of God can be explained, how much more can we trust that God is accomplishing His purposes through the adversity we face every day?" (Charles Stanley, "Victory Over Life's Challenges", 199, Part II, 'How to Handle Adversity', p. 207.)
I don't welcome adversity. Let's be honest here. I would definitely like to flee from it when it appears. However, as we just read from Charles Stanley, I need to trust that God is still in charge, the He is accomplishing His purposes, even if I don't understand His methods. Even if it hurts. Even if it's
tiring. Even if it's sad.
I need to be still, and know that God "is" (Psalm 46:10). All my stresses, sorrows, angers need to be bundled up and handed over to Him. That's the way I can build my energy level back up. That's the way I can not only forgive, but continue loving and helping. That's the way I stop worrying, stop trying to fix it all myself.
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone: my hope comes from him" (Psalm 62:5 NIV).
Only in God will I find rest from adversity. I can let go and trust Him to work it out, according to His plans.
Psalm 91:4(a) NIV is such a beautiful picture of finding peace and rest from the trial and adversities of our lives: "He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge ...".
I am SO ready to snuggle under those wings and be safely covered by those soft, protective feathers.
Care to join me?
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
He Waits
"Come to Me",
my Savior said,
"and I will give you rest."
And, yet, I linger.
Tired, worn-out,
rarely at my best.
"Come to Me,"
my Jesus said,
lay down your weary head.
"But I'm too busy,"
I say to Him,
and struggle on instead.
"Come to Me,"
my Redeemer said,
"you will find release."
Then, "yes, my Lord,"
I say to Him,
and find rest, joy and peace."
-Sandra (Mers) Clayton-
(This was first published in the Christian magazine, "To His Glory" , Spring Issue, 2005)
Monday, February 21, 2011
President Day Sale!
Everyone loves a sale ... come check this one out. :)
President's Day Sale at my online store, zazzle.com/samecla*, 20% off of hats, posters and t-shirts
Original designs and photos used to make up many different products: t-shirts, hats, posters, shoes, skateboards, magnets, bumper stickers, stickers, aprons, binders, phone cases, etc.
When you need a gift, try me out. Quick and easy ordering; product is mailed directly to you. Guaranteed returns if not satisfied.
Sit back. Browse. Choose. Pay. Wait for your gift to arrive at your door. Couldn't be easier. Try it!
President's Day Sale at my online store, zazzle.com/samecla*, 20% off of hats, posters and t-shirts
Original designs and photos used to make up many different products: t-shirts, hats, posters, shoes, skateboards, magnets, bumper stickers, stickers, aprons, binders, phone cases, etc.
When you need a gift, try me out. Quick and easy ordering; product is mailed directly to you. Guaranteed returns if not satisfied.
Sit back. Browse. Choose. Pay. Wait for your gift to arrive at your door. Couldn't be easier. Try it!
T-Shirt/Bible Verse from Zazzle.com
T-Shirt/Bible Verse from Zazzle.com
T-Shirt, for men or women, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 - "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". On the back is space for YOUR church name and/or group (youth group, choir, womens' group, etc.)
T-Shirt is available in several styles, colors, materials and prices.
Come take a look.
T-Shirt, for men or women, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 - "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". On the back is space for YOUR church name and/or group (youth group, choir, womens' group, etc.)
T-Shirt is available in several styles, colors, materials and prices.
Come take a look.
Greeting Card/Thank You from Zazzle.com
Greeting Card/Thank You from Zazzle.com
Beautiful mountain scene on front, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 ... "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". Inside: blue background and the words: "Thank you for following His example."
Beautiful mountain scene on front, with Bible verse: Mark 10:45 ... "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve". Inside: blue background and the words: "Thank you for following His example."
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Faith
In the middle
of the darkness,
in the middle
of despair,
I cling to the knowledge
that God is still there.
When the fires
fall upon me,
when the waters
race and flood,
God keeps me from burning,
He pulls me from the mud.
His strong arms,
they hold me,
and He does not
let me go.
In the middle of life's sadness,
He allows my faith to grow.
-Sandra Clayton-
of the darkness,
in the middle
of despair,
I cling to the knowledge
that God is still there.
When the fires
fall upon me,
when the waters
race and flood,
God keeps me from burning,
He pulls me from the mud.
His strong arms,
they hold me,
and He does not
let me go.
In the middle of life's sadness,
He allows my faith to grow.
-Sandra Clayton-
Parents And Prodigals
I am sad for you
so sad for you
you run and hide
yourself from whom?
we made you from our love
our very selves became you
and we know you more
much more than
you think we do
though you wound us
with words and care not
that we bleed
we open our arms
to you and your need
are you in sin?
are you afraid?
do you attempt to hide
yourself from you?
do you hear God?
do you know that He's there?
with His arms open wide
your burdens to share?
the tears that He sheds
mingle with ours
to form a dark river
of unending sorrows
yet He extends forever to you
a bridge of forgiveness
your life to renew
that bridge
is sturdy
and strong
and sure
the way back to Him
the way to the cure
-Sandra Clayton-
so sad for you
you run and hide
yourself from whom?
we made you from our love
our very selves became you
and we know you more
much more than
you think we do
though you wound us
with words and care not
that we bleed
we open our arms
to you and your need
are you in sin?
are you afraid?
do you attempt to hide
yourself from you?
do you hear God?
do you know that He's there?
with His arms open wide
your burdens to share?
the tears that He sheds
mingle with ours
to form a dark river
of unending sorrows
yet He extends forever to you
a bridge of forgiveness
your life to renew
that bridge
is sturdy
and strong
and sure
the way back to Him
the way to the cure
-Sandra Clayton-
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Valentine Supper
 |
| Our Valentine Day supper table |
Though Grandson, Christian, received a "bought" gift (a Hex Bug), his Papou (my husband, John) received a baked gift. A heart-shaped banana cake. Of course, Papou had to share it with us, too; but he didn't seem to mind. Besides the pretty rose-bud corsage my husband bought me, he also gave me a reproduction tin sign. Okay, I know some of you may not understand a tin sign as a Valentine's Day gift. However, I like "rustic, old, antique, unusual". I also like "new" mixed with "old", though I sometimes have to argue with my husband about that. So I love the sign, which advertises "cream separators" and shows the various kinds of cows that make the cream! The only problem is where to put it - this house doesn't have much space for wall-hanging, and what there is is pretty much taken up. I did, though, manage to hang it today - I switched it with something else, and moved the "something else" (grandson's framed pastel tennis shoe he did in art class) to a space on the living room wall. It works. Both tin sign and pastel shoe look happy. I am happy, too.
 |
| My tin sign Valentine gift |
 | ||||||||
| Grandson, Christian's, pastel tennis shoes |
 |
| My spur-of-the-moment recipe |
Sandy's Spur of the Moment Rice and Cabbage ..... I used red and green cabbage, since I had a half a head of each ....I heated a little olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet, dropped in about a half an onion, chopped, used a paring knife to cut the cabbage into shreds into the skillet, added a little salt and black pepper, to taste, along with a lot more garlic powder (love it!) - stir-fried it all a few minutes, then threw in a handful or so of dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Stir-fried another couple of minutes, then added the cooked rice (left over from another meal), maybe two cups, stirring some more to mix in the rice and let it get good and hot. That's it. Simple. Fairly quick. And really good.
 |
| The "Love You" gift cake |
Until NEXT Valentine's Day ...................................................................................................................
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Urban Angel | Sandra Clayton
Urban Angel | Sandra Clayton
Need a gift? Come see some of my art and photographs ... you might find something that grabs your attention. Give an ORIGINAL - something no one else has. Available framed or unframed, in various sizes and prices.
Need a gift? Come see some of my art and photographs ... you might find something that grabs your attention. Give an ORIGINAL - something no one else has. Available framed or unframed, in various sizes and prices.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Baby Onesie/Heart from Zazzle.com
Baby Onesie/Heart from Zazzle.com
Do you know of a sweet little one who would look so cute in this? Take a peek and see it. Cute, colorful hearts design, with both French and English: "Je t'aime" and "I love it". A great gift!
Do you know of a sweet little one who would look so cute in this? Take a peek and see it. Cute, colorful hearts design, with both French and English: "Je t'aime" and "I love it". A great gift!
T-Shirt Femme/St. Valentin de Zazzle.fr
T-Shirt Femme/St. Valentin de Zazzle.fr
Pretty woman's t-shirt/joli t-shirt femme ... with both French and English/avec francais et anglais ... "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you". Cute designs of colorful heart and fun African-American angels/dessins d'un joli coeur et des anges africain-americains
Pretty woman's t-shirt/joli t-shirt femme ... with both French and English/avec francais et anglais ... "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you". Cute designs of colorful heart and fun African-American angels/dessins d'un joli coeur et des anges africain-americains
Carte Postal/St. Valentine Cartes Postales de Zazzle.fr
Carte Postal/St. Valentine Cartes Postales de Zazzle.fr
Post card/carte postale ... St. Valentin/Valentine's Day ... with both French and English: "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you"
Post card/carte postale ... St. Valentin/Valentine's Day ... with both French and English: "Je t'aime" et/and "I love you"
Une carte de St. Valentine/Valentine Card de Zazzle.fr
Une carte de St. Valentine/Valentine Card de Zazzle.fr
Valentine card, with a colorful heart on the front and on the inside: "Je t'aime. I love you."
Valentine card, with a colorful heart on the front and on the inside: "Je t'aime. I love you."
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hwlp............
Oh, I need help on here. I spend hours trying to figure the technological things out ... like, how to make the "Feedjit" thing smaller ... or anything smaller, for that matter! How to shorten the "labels" column??? How to make my blog look as good as so many others that I see! And.........how do you get people to leave a comment, anyway?????
Help? :)
Help? :)
Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com
Greeting Card/Valentine from Zazzle.com
A sweet Valentine.....on front: original photo of a "praying" praying mantis, sitting on a pink zinnia ... inside the words: "You are the answer to my prayers. I love you."
Get one for YOUR special one!
A sweet Valentine.....on front: original photo of a "praying" praying mantis, sitting on a pink zinnia ... inside the words: "You are the answer to my prayers. I love you."
Get one for YOUR special one!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tasse de voyage/Coeur de Zazzle.fr
Tasse de voyage/Coeur de Zazzle.fr
Travel Mug with original heart design and the Scripture verse: Proverbs 23:12 - "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."
Travel Mug with original heart design and the Scripture verse: Proverbs 23:12 - "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge."
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