Lynna Clark

By Lynna Clark

I mentioned in an earlier story that we had a refrigerator hoopalah. So here’s what happened. Our old house is a wonder; as-in I wonder how we should fix that? I wonder what’s under that carpet? I wonder how much it would cost to change that out? The faux slate tile linoleum in the kitchen had long outgrown its loveliness. In fact, while we were having our den floors refinished, we accidently tore it when we had to move the sofa into the kitchen. Good times. BUT it gave us a peek underneath. Ooooh. More pretty linoleum. I had been shopping for retro flooring in keeping with the style of the house. So we decided to pull up the top layer since it didn’t seem to be glued down. It came up rather easily. I can say that because David was the one on his knees ripping it out. When he got to the cubby that used to be a closet but now holds the refrigerator, we couldn’t get the rest of the lovely fake stone out. Both of us worked way beyond our vast wisdom and strength. But the stupid stuff wouldn’t budge. Plus even though he used an appliance dolly, the refrigerator would not co-operate. David is a strong man so basically he manhandled the fridge out of the little hole and we eventually got enough of the old flooring out so that it wouldn’t be too obvious when we resituated things. Then we worked together to get the crazy thing leveled in our very UN-level kitchen. Since there were no leveling feet or wheels this brought the tension up to ‘lose your mind’ level, which was not the level we were striving for. Then! And this is where the hoopalah comes in, during the night, our refrigerator died.

Yes it was plugged in.

We’re not sure what happened. But apparently during all the wrestling of said appliance the poor thing gave up the ghost. It made both of us so sad because our Life Group Bible study friends had purchased that refrigerator for us when David had been out of work for a while. Now once again there was nothing to do but buy a new one. Poor David was so discouraged. Though we’d saved a couple thousand dollars by finding and uncovering the old linoleum, now we had to buy something we didn’t really want to spend house money on. He sat at the kitchen table staring at the dead elephant in the room while I browsed online for a refrigerator that would fit in that hole. Though I found one just like the dead one, I pondered the wisdom of buying the same brand hoping for a different result. The thing was not that old. To the side of the screen an ad popped up. Apparently Amazon keeps track of our dreams. At some point I had drooled over retro appliances in bright colors, only to determine we could never afford them. But I clicked on it anyway. And guess what. They were having a very short sale, 35% off.
For less than what I was about to spend on an appliance I did not love, I could get the RED one of my dreams! AND it would fit perfectly in the hole. PLUS it came the next morning! Oh my stars! It is just so pretty!
Every once in a while, things fall into place. Well… I’ve heard that about other people but I never assumed it could be true for us. So mark it down my friends. Our hoopalah was turned into a hootenanny. Only the Lord of all creation would care about my crazy love for Fiesta Ware and all things bright and colorful. Thanks to Him my new/old kitchen is a party waiting to happen. I just love it!

PS- I ordered a rug from Home Depot. It covers enough of the old linoleum that I am completely in love with my brand new old kitchen. Oh happy day!

By Lynna Clark

Our daughter Hannah gave her two nine year olds an art lesson using the example of Grandma Moses. Then they tried to draw some of the lady’s work. Marie copied each detail while Jesse made it his own. He added a mailbox and other touches just because it made sense to him. Both pictures turned out great, but very different.

I wish I could draw. I admit to having a bit of creativity, as-in currently our den is tangerine orange and our dining room walls are turquoise. You probably have a word besides creative to describe that. Feel free to leave that special word in the comments. But I kinda love it. For me, it’s important to not do the same thing everyone else is doing. I think different is good.

The Lord is the most creative of all. Just look at His world. Who but Him would come up with a zebra? Or a giraffe? Or a weiner dog? A bullfrog or me? How funny! What’s amazing is that He considers me a work of art.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

Sounds like He made a plan, then put us together in such a way that we could accomplish His purpose. A companion verse might be Philippians 1:6. “And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Let’s think on that the next time we feel “less than.” We are who we are for a reason. God will work through us to complete His great plan. In fact, when He looks at us, He already sees a masterpiece.

By Lynna Clark

So yesterday was my birthday. 67. I know right? Confetti flew, roses bloomed, parades were thrown and children sang. And that was just on Facebook. I felt like a Queen! Then I opened my Daily Bread for a bite of wisdom on my special day. The subject was Memento Mori, which means “Remember you will die.”

Hey. Thanks a lot Lord. That was a lovely reminder on my otherwise cloudless day. How funny. At least I thought so. But I’m a bit crazy like that. I’m actually amazed to have lived this long. I kept thinking I’d die and wished I’d hurry up. But no more! The Lord has replaced the evil years with good and I am walking in sunshine! Truthfully it’s more of a swaggy waddle, but hey! You won’t hear me complain! Well, unless you ask me how I feel. Then you’re gonna need to sit down a while to hear the answer to that. There really is no short answer.

All sorts of age related ailment are popping up. Though the doc says my eyesight is fine, I beg to differ. I was reading a book last night and it said the guy stuck his head in the gravy. I couldn’t help but wonder why a man would do such a thing. I kept reading to find out but it just made no sense. So I went back to the gravy part. Turns out he stuck his bread in the gravy. Ohhh… okay. That explains things.

Today’s verse comes from Ephesians 4:1. It’s one of those I have written out as big as a notecard will hold and put on the bulletin board near my nest. Not because my eyesight is failing but because my memory is. Like I tell David when I repeat a story wrong. I’m not a liar but I am a forgetter. Anyway the verse says, “Lead a life worthy of your calling.”

Whatever the Lord has asked us to do as our calling, let’s do that. And no matter what, let’s keep our head out of the gravy

By Lynna Clark

Aw man! I missed my opportunity! Yesterday was Ground Hog Day. Not only that but the date was 02.02.2022. How many times will we witness that in a lifetime? One of our favorite movies has Bill Murray and Andie McDowell in Groundhog Day. Just so funny. Poor Bill gets stuck in a loop and wakes to Sonny and Cher singing “I Got You Babe” every. single. morning. Each new day continues like the one before except he can change the outcome. So he tries.

He experiments with piano lessons, robbing a Brinks truck, saving lives, and best of all romance with his lovely and noble co-worker. Each new day he tries different ways to woo her. Sometimes he wins a smile, or a laugh, but more often than not he gets his face slapped. Little by little he falls out of lust and into love. But how can he win her in only one day? For when he awakes the next morning, all is forgotten and he has to start over again. Not only are his mistakes not held against him because nobody remembers them; but he also can’t build on the relationship either. So everyday he wakes with a better plan to start again, to be the best he can be in order to win his lady.

I’m sure you can draw your own spiritual parallels to the story. So one verse seems wise for today.
Psalm 90:12 says “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Okay, so one more verse comes to mind. “Forgetting those things which are behind and looking forward to those ahead.” -Phil. 3:13

Everyday is a precious gift. May we learn to offer each one back to the Lord Who gave it.
“Only a minute, but eternity is in it.”

By Lynna Clark

A few weeks ago we were doubly blessed. A big snow storm blew in overnight that coated our area in white. Oh! Everything looked so beautifully clean and bright. Then the full moon rose above it all shining down on pristine conditions. Even our meager back yard sparkled like a bedazzled Christmas card. All we could do was stand at the back door in awe, whispering praise to the God of all creation. It nearly took my breath away. You know, some days it’s just easier to count our blessings than others.

This morning however, the snow is all gone, the yard is soggy, clouds have rolled in and so has the pain. I can hardly think. I have no idea why. It could be weather related or food related or just plain meaness. That’s the most likely reason. Hey… I did not appreciate that loud chorus of “Amens” I heard coming through Cyberspace. But I am doing my best to give you a word from Scripture every weekday. So our thought for today comes from Galatians 6:9. “So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Hmmm… a “harvest of blessing.” Sounds like more than would fit in a cornacopia. Man I wish I had spellcheck. Anyway, that little horn thingy that holds all the fruit. So better than that.

I wonder what the Lord means by a harvest of blessing. Maybe I’ll just try to be faithful and find out. It might take some extra prayer; even a time of being still, which I hate; or even the conscious decision to turn off the noise and purposely listen for His voice. That last one is really hard. But the blessing is promised.

“So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Beloved reader: The Lord loves you so much. The harvest will come at just the right time. Please don’t give up.

By Lynna Clark

This thought is deeper than I usually venture and longer too. So if you’re not into searching out the Truth of God’s precious Holy Word, stop here. See what I did there? If you quit now you obviously don’t love Jesus. Just kidding. But I wanted to warn you ahead of time that this is a different kind of article.

So here’s the thing. I have questions about an oft quoted verse. The writer Paul says in Philippians 3:13 to forget the things behind and instead reach forward. Did the man really forget the past? Apparently not. Just before that, he lists off key experiences from his life. Within that were memories that surely brought him shame.

As I thought on this, I recalled things that used to haunt me too. Guilt and shame for things in my past tormented my life. In fact I used to live in so much fear that I finally gave in to counseling. Guess which passage we covered? Philippians 3: 13,14.

The jist of it says, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…”

Maybe an underlying message behind the challenge to forget and press on is that it is a process. Letting go takes time as well as conscious effort.

Two verses I use to help me with that contain the word ‘casting.’ Not like casting a fishing line or net where I would draw something back to myself; but instead casting like hurling or throwing so hard that it takes a while for that fear to float back my way. The next time is a bit easier since I recognize it as a sin that weighs me down and refuse to allow it in. Listen to this good word.

“Casting all your care upon Him for he cares for you!”

* And,

“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” **

The Lord Himself had to set aside the shame of the cross in exchange for the joy ahead.*** We can press on too beloved. Cast aside your hurtful past. That load of guilt and pain was never meant for you to bear. Your bright future, your influence for Christ and your sound thinking depend on it!

*1 Peter 5:7 **2 Corinthians 10:5 ***Hebrews 12:1-3

By Lynna Clark

This is the year! 2022 is when you will FINALLY read the Bible cover to cover. Even the maps! But not the Concordance. That would just be weird. As it turns out, it’s a LOT of reading. You’re five days into the new year and already you find yourself three days behind. But you’ll catch up! Honest you will!
May I humbly make an observation? If not, stop reading here.

This is your exit. This is where you will jump off the guilt train. When reading Scripture becomes a chore, then you might need a different plan. Can I make a confession? I’m not sure if chemo caused it or just plain getting old. But currently I am dealing with a large amount of brain fog. For whatever reason, I have a really hard time hearing the words coming off the pages. I seem to have the attention span of a puppy in a yard full of squirrels. Focus is just not happening.

So! Here’s what I’m trying and it seems to be working. I hold my Bible to my chest and get as still as I can. Since it’s all I can do not to look out the windows at the birds on the feeder and the neighbor’s cat and the plethora of squirrels jumping from limb to limb and my bottle tree as it catches the light…

Wait. Where was I.

Oh! I was clutching a real Bible with honest to goodness paper pages which have notations of trials past and answered prayers. I was hugging it to my chest with my eyes closed and I was waiting. Silently asking God for the Words. This week the word Philippians came to mind. One “L” and two “P’s.” Philippians.

So I opened there.

After the intro I read one small paragraph and didn’t hear a thing. So I read it again. Then again. It began to be clearer. So I read it again and asked God for help. More meat was found on that bone. So I stopped and wrote the blog Certain of the Good Work. It wasn’t astounding but it was definitely a word from the Word.

Here’s the thought for today. Let’s not go through the motions in our relationship with God. Let’s not start the day by giving Him His marching orders or by instructing Him on how to handle the things on our mind. Let’s rest in Him. Let’s listen. Let’s pay attention as best we can. Let’s go so far as to ask God for this from Philippians 1:10a.

I want to understand what really matters.

Bless the Lord!

By Lynna Clark

Because of my plethora of allergies and subsequent mystery illness I read every label; food, cleaning products, toiletries…

Did you know that a certain brand of flushable wet wipes is made with advanced wipe technology? Yep. It says so right on the package. Not only are said wipes developed with advanced wipe technology, but they have also been scientifically tested.

I wonder how they do that.

Can you imagine running into an old friend from high school. You’re trapped in the cosmetic aisle because it’s just so narrow and everybody needs to push a cart. It’s been a while and they ask, “So where do you work now?” “Umm…” you say. “I’m actually in the field of science… new technology… and stuff.”

“Wow!” they say. “You’re searching for the cure for COVID?”

“Umm… no, but there’s just nothing like a soothing wet wipe.”

Hey.

We can’t always come off looking like a genius. However, I for one appreciate the advanced wipe technology and the scientists who were thoughtful enough to add safe effective ingredients like aloe and witch hazel.
So! Our focus for today is from 1 Thes.4:11,12.

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands… Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live and you will not need to depend on others.”

May the Lord bless the work of our hands. And may He give us special grace and strength to mind our own business.

Quite an ambitious prayer! But according to the verse, it may be the key to reaching those who don’t know the Lord.

Imagine that!

By Lynna Clark

New Year’s Day: typically a day of new beginnings. I don’t know about you, but I tend to live on a guilt trip. There is just no resolution big enough to fix all the areas where I feel inadequate. For example: As I look over recent Christmas cards it reminds me of all the people I love that I didn’t get around to sending a card. And this was going to be the year. I think I sent out three. Sorry if you didn’t make the cut.

I’m hoping to pick up my blog again with a little change. Instead of the five to seven hundred words I usually write, I’m trying to keep it around three.

Three hundred that is. Three really would be a challenge. Annnyyywayyy…

Here’s what the Lord gave me today. Philippians 1:6 says “And I am certain that God Who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
A couple key thoughts jumped out.

It is God who began the work in me. It is also HE who will continue it through me. And best of all, it is HIS work, not mine.

Think about that.

It’s not even up to me. So take that GUILT!

The Lord is faithfully working in me even when I feel so very inadequate.
May we rest in the knowledge and certainty that the Lord is faithfully working within us in spite of our weaknesses. In fact, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. [2 Corinthians 12:9]
Happy New Year beloved ones!

“God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 1: 8

By Lynna Clark

A few years back, David decided to sell his motorcycle. It just seemed like time. I knew he was sad about it. Except for it, the man’s never had a toy so to speak. Poor guy hardly had Pepsi money for years. Though it was a wise decision, it didn’t feel good.

We decided together that a different “toy” might be a good solution. So he picked out a nice camera in order to take up a different hobby. One of our daughters bought him a book to go with it; Nikon D3400 for Dummies. He was not offended. In fact, one look at the camera told him he needed help.

Quickly he was able to set up his new toy for easy shots. But he knew there was so much more to the camera than that. So he hunkered down for several days in his spare time to study the book. When I asked how it was going he sighed. “I guess I should have gotten the Nikon book for Morons.”

Of course the word moron is pronounced “MO-ron” here in the south. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Like a lot of folks, the older we get the more we realize how little we know. Like why in the world would our bank change the way our online statement and bill-pay looks. Don’t they understand that if it is not broken, they don’t need to fix it? I just now got used to how things work. Then my phone updated and installed a different calculator. I know it sounds small, but I like a running total. I do not want to have to hit equal after every entry. Dang stupid update. Then I got my laptop repaired and that guy installed a different document program. Now spellcheck is gone. Word look up is not there. No dictionary or thesarasus is built in. I probably didn’t even spell thesarasus right. I had no idea how much I used those things until I couldn’t.

Aggravation!

I really don’t mind learning things unless it’s forced on me. Maybe that’s why trials are so hard. It feels a bit like being hoisted onto a 3000 pound bull and being told, “All you have to do is stay on.”
Okay…

So my prayer for today is from Psalm 90:12 and 17:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” And while You’re at it Lord, please “make our efforts successful.”

That’s probably enough to ask for one day… especially when dealing with a couple MOrons.