15 Year Anniversary Congress

We are off to St. Petersburg, Russia. These are not my pictures but they give you a taste of some of my favorite places in St. Petersburg. SO EXCITED!!

Here is a picture of some of our corps people in St. Petersburg, taken in March of '97!

Mother May I?

Mother may I?
A game we played
In the courtyard.

The back of a
Stain glassed Jesus
Looked on…

Mother may I,
Take three small steps?
Yes, you may.

And
Three small steps
I took.

Mother may I?
Leap like a frog?
No.

You must stand still!
Unfair!
I whined.

As
My brother
Passed me by.

All the while
The stain glassed Jesus
Looked on.

Now in life it's
much the same
Or should be.

Lord,
May I go forward?
Yes! He says.

And I
Move toward
Him.

Lord,
Is this your will?
No, My child,

And
I stand
Still.

Another
Passes me
By.

Yet, He
No longer
Looks at me

from a
A stain glassed
Perch.

The courtyard
Is
My heart.

And
He is flesh
And blood.

Lord,
May I?
Yes! You may

And
I draw
Near.

A little closer
A baby step
A giant leap.

It’s not who
Gets there first
That counts.

But, that
We may
Approach.

And
Closer
Still.

Each
Step
We take,

We
Draw
Near.

May I?
Yes! My child,
You may.

- cjb

Clouds from a plane

Clouds white like marshmallows.
Spreading out beneath us.
Cool whip swirls.
With sunbeams
Breaking through.

What would it be like
To run in them?
To wrap them around my body
Like a feather comforter,
For a Sunday afternoon nap?

Too bad it’s only vapor.
Not as thick as it looks!
No real substance to hold.
I’d fall through, I’d get cold.
But beautiful from afar!

Appearances of comfort,
of softness, of warmth.
Inviting- but nothing…
Only vapor.
Spreading out beneath us.

-cjb

The Pope and his wife

I met with the Pope and his lovely wife today! Jason and Kelly Pope.
It was our first meeting, only really knowing each other through blogging. I really felt it was a divine meeting. I had a sense as we were talking that in the future this moment would come back into my mind to orchestrate something bigger. The providence of God is a mystery. I wait with anticipation to see how God will unfold His inspired plan.
So thanks Drew for pulling me into the deep end of blogging!

Vacation in Atlanta and Jefferson, Georgia

Isaiah 60:5 " Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you....."

Daniel 3:16-18

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."


Even if..

Even if none of my words are fulfilled.
Even if things continue on as they were and no one changes.
Even if my adversary is not exposed.
Even if my name is thrown into the fiery furnace,
I will not submit,
I will not bow down,
to anyone but my God.

He can deliver me,
but even if He does not....
I will still serve Him.
I will still believe in the goodness of my God.

Even if I never feel your love.
Even if nothing changes and all my needs go unmet.
Even if you never shower me with blessings.
Even if my heart is cast into the flames.
I will not submit,
I will not bow down,
to anyone but my God.

He can deliver me,
but even if He does not....
I will still serve Him.
I will still believe in the goodness of my God.

Even if I never hear your voice.
Even if you never show me your face.
Even if I lack all confidence and grace.
Even if my assurance is thrown into the fire.
I will not submit,
I will not bow down,
to anyone but my God.

He can deliver me,
but even if He does not....
I will still serve Him.
I will still believe
in the goodness of my God.

I believe in the goodness of my God.
I believe in the goodness of my God.
I will see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.
I believe in the goodness of God.

cjb

The lesson of the Samovar

Have you ever given something to God and then forgot about it?
I once asked my husband for a Samovar ( see picture!) and for whatever reason at the time he didn’t think it was possible. So in my heart, like a little girl irritated for not getting her own way, I went to my Heavenly Father with my request. I know a Samovar is not a huge request for the King of Kings but at the time it seemed to be a big deal to me. So, I asked God and every time the desire for this Samovar came into my heart or mind I would give it to him. Eventually, I forgot about it and was content with the answer from God of “no”. I figure he either took Alastair’s side or he thought me shallow for asking. At any rate, he decided I didn’t need it and I let the request go into the air and out of my heart and mind.
Three years later we were no longer living in Russia. It was our anniversary and Alastair brought in this fairly large box and placed it before me. At the time, I honestly had no idea what could have been inside. I am sure you have guessed ……..there it was…..my Samovar.
Not only was it a great gift but the timing of when it was given was a reminder to me of how God really does work all things out in His time. He hears every prayer and the whispers of my heart. My shallow request are just as important to him as the ones I deem as having some depth.
This all happened many years ago yet I am reminded of it now because God did it again!
No, not another Samovar but another answer to prayer, a secret desire of my heart.
Alastair and I have been invited to St. Petersburg, Russia for a Congress, celebrating 15 years of the Army in St. Petersburg. When I heard about this congress and how everyone would be gathered together, my heart went once again to my Heavenly Father. If this was going to happen it would have to come from HIM! I asked God back in May even though I had been thinking about it and desiring it since Feburary. I carriedthe request in my heart until the middle of July. In July I figured time had passed and for whatever reason God must have decided against it. Once again, I let my request go into the air and forgot all about it. I was disappointed but had a peace in my heart. On the first Sunday of Old Orchard Beach camp meetings after the alter call was finished, Commissioner Moretz approached Alastair and me. He told us that the Eastern Europe Command has invited us to the Congress and he was pleased to let us go for the occasion. I was taken by surprise to say the least! The Congress is this Labor Day weekend. When I heard the words I was overwhelmed once again with the perfect timing of God. I think I scared the Commissioner since I was instantly overwhelmed with tears. Alastair reassured him that these were happy tears and although he was not crying he was excited about the invitation too. :)
God’s grace and expression of love to me is in the simple fact that he really does know the whispers of my heart and this is the greater gift everytime.

I can trust him with my request. I can trust His answer…whether it is no, yes or wait……..for HIS timing is perfect!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

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