SEASONS OF LIFE

There are seasons of ones life that many call life cycles. Times of childhood and youth, college and career, marriage and family, mid-life, senior life. Each of these have their challenges and unique responsibilities. I have clearly entered that last season. I find myself saying to the Lord, "Please help me to finish well." I have a good legacy on both sides of my family, but I think I am facing a few things our parents did not have to face.

I want to talk about one of those things. Just as there are seasons in the development of an individual, from birth to death, so it seems to be with the history of humanity as we relate to our Creator. For this picture we must paint with a wide brush. I feel that we have entered a new age of Church history. The things that held the religious community together in my childhood through the marraige and family season are no longer in place or relevant for mainstream America.

We could go in several directions at this point, but I want to follow the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan through the ages. Zola Levit, a Jewish/Christian teacher, taught that the progressive development of Israel as a nation followed the same stages or seasons of the individual life of the Hebrew male. I have an idea that the spiritual pilgrimage of the people of God or the corporate Body of Christ has a similar parallel; with a broad brush stroke, of course. Let me try to explain what I am thinking and hopeflly explore the next season of the maturing of the Church or Bride of Christ.

After man disconnected from God and fell into disfunction, God came looking for His friends (His highest creation). His determination was not to punish or condemn, they had already done that to themselves. He came to remove their condemnation by bearing in Himself, to restore their original design and function, and re-connect them to Himself, heart to heart. We might assign "birth/infancy" to this beginning of man's history. God called Adam and Eve out of their hidding place, clothed them in animal skins and re-assigned them to their stewardship of the earth. They were to function by every word He Spoke to them in an ongoing friendship and dialogue. This is a VERY big missing piece for God's people through the ages, but JESUS DID IT. I have just given you a clue for where I am headed in all this: a fully matured Bride. . .followers who are doing the same works that Jesus demonstrated (and greater) John 14:12. .disciples who are fulfilling the prayer of Jesus in John 17 - that we be one with Him as He and the Father were one. Read the whole chapter.

We just may be the generation that sees the coming of the King. I am asking the Lord to prepare me for the next thing on His agenda. I don't want to get stuck in the past move of God. History won't last forever in it's current state. All creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19) and I don't think that the sons of God in the end times will be weak and shallow and coming up short when we face the final "Mount Carmel" demonstration of God's reality.

So, here is what I think I will do, my friends. This writing has given you the first season of God's progressive plan of redeeming history. I hope to move on to the second season in the next posting. See you then.

PEACHES AND CREAMSICKLE

I saw this cool treat in the Appalacian Voice that Tal picked up at the visitor center in the State Park. I have changed it to make it mine, of course. If you have children or grandchildren around, you might like to try these. Tal and I find one just right for evening treats or a light refreshment when working in the yard.

PEACHES AND CREAMSICKLES

1 cup of Peaches
1 cup Vanilla Yogurt
1 TBS. Honey
a pinch of Powdered Stevia or a few drops of liquid Stevia

Blend in blender I used a "Thunder Stick". This way I had small bites of peaches. You could puree 1/2 cup of peaches and chop the other half.

Pour into popsickles molds and freeze.

I added 1/2 of a Lemon juiced to keep the peaches from browning, but it is not necessary. I love to use lemons and limes, and it usually adds to the flavor.

Adjust the sweeteners to your taste. Remember that freezing deminishes the sweetness a little.

Let me know if this is a hit with your family.

In the kitchen again! Liz

OPEN HEAVENS . . .revisited

OPEN HEAVENS. . .Revisited

To say, "I am an open heaven" may sound arrogant and boastful. Probably not if you remember what I wrote on May 4 and 11. The Body of Christ often struggles with humility vs. laying hold of all Christ died to provide.

Was Jesus an open heaven for the disciples and the people of His day?
What was the purpose of Pentecost? Pentecost was God's provision to multiply Christ's model of humanity. This is what Adam and Eve and their offspring were to be like in the earth.
The Apostle Paul said, "Christ in me, hope of glory." I have that glory, that resurrection life of Christ, in me now.
Jesus said, "My House is to be a House of Prayer," not a den of theives or a graveyard of whitewashed burial places.

When people enteract with me, they ought to be able to discover that the Christ of God lives in side. It grieves me that the world does not see the power of the resurrected Jesus because I am still too self-protective and self-promoting. I have more faith in my fears, than faith in His loving care. What will change the paradigm of the people of God in America? Are we not done with striving to become . . .and to have. . .? Are we not done with conflict in our homes? Can we not see that the distressed soul is crying out for inner peace and tranquility? Our spirit, soul and body longs for Throne-room encounters with God. Can't we just drop everything that raises itself above the importance of nurturing ourselves in God?

Picture this: Down at His feet is my highest place.

See yourself kneel before Christ Jesus in adoration and awe. See the beauty there.
Smell the fragrance of the Thone-room, He is the Lily, the Rose.
Sense how good it feels to be accepted in this place. You at home here.
He opens His arms to you.
Rest your head on His pierced feet.
Wrap your arms around His feet, bath them in your tears of gratitude.
This is the position of true humility. "All of me for all of You."

Christ Jesus will always reach down, lift your face to meet His gaze.
Flooded with His love and grace, you find yourself "seated with Him in heavenly places." And your whole being RESTS. You return to the task on earth with His perspective and His companionship.

The Father longs for you to know Him in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24
The Father longs for heart connection with you.

Put down your "obligation" to always be doing or performing duties. Be at rest with Him. It is in this Secret Place with Him (Psalm 91), that you experience His sheltering and nurturing Presence. It is from this REST that we are empowered to meet the challenges of our earth journey as Jesus did. It is from frequent Throne-room encounters that you enjoy the intimacy with God that Christ died to bring you into.

AVOCADO/CUCUMBER SOUP

I have taken a leave of absence form blogging. Since my husband's retirement, my days are not my own and we are both adjusting to life in this new season. We have done a good bit of travel in the month of June and had lots of company, which we enjoy and lots of yard work, etc.

I tried a new raw (uncooked) soup for lunch that was good enough to share with you. It makes enough for two people.

AVOCADO/CUCUMBER SOUP

1 long English Cucumber
3 Mint Leaves
1 Avocado (divided in half)
1 small Garlic Clove (optional, but very benificial to your health)
Juice of 1 Lemon
Sprinkle of Sea Salt
Sprinkle of Cajun Seasoning or some spice blend with some heat in it.

I peeled part of the cucumber and left part on. My thinking was, I didn't know how green it would be. The color was a pleasing light green. I may leave all the peeling on next time. If you are using the common garden variety and it has been waxed, by all means peel the waxed peel off. If these cucumbers are from your own garden, you decide whether or not to peel. Another thing to consider is how old your cucumber is. The English Cucumber is light in flavor and the seeds don't get too tough.

I put the chopped cucumber, mint leaves, 1/2 of the Avocado, and lemon juice in the blender and reduce to creamy consistency. I added 1/2 half cup of water. Taste it, then add a high quality of Sea Salt and other seasoning to your taste.

Pour into two bowls. Chop the other Avocado half and divide between the two bowls.

I could have eaten the whole amount that I made. If I had made it for Tal, I expect I would have been able to take it away from him, but I was sharing it with my cousin Lynn who is visiting and she loved it. I served it with Bagel Chips.