Female in Motion

Photo courtesy of davidjeremiah.blog 1 John 1:7 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. There is a dark, gloomy corner of my basement. That's where my laundry room resides. The overhead light from the middle of the room just can't seem to reach that murky place. The Hubster added a lamp, but all we had was a 40-watt bulb. Couldn't even call that a light--it seemed to be more dark than light. I had trouble losing socks and other small items, and couldn't identify and pre-treat stains. (Did I mention I'm a laundry fanatic?)   Recently, the weak bulb burned out, and I replaced it with a powerful, 100-watt bulb. What a difference! What was once dim and dreary, is now sharply defined. Socks are discovered; stains are vanquished at last. Darkness is where guilt and shame reside. They grow like mushrooms--popping up and rapidly expanding as we ...

Last week marked six years since my first chemotherapy dose. Looking back at photos of that time, I can't believe how long ago it was (seems like a lifetime), and how fast it went by. I was asked how the first dose went--what it was like--and it brought me back to the first day. After researching, I had a backpack loaded with helpful items. The tech checked me into my suite and I settled into the heated recliner. She suited up and brought in four IV bags. Bag #1: Benedryl and saline--To help me stay hydrated and prevent an allergic reaction to chemo. Bag #2: Steroids and saline--These prevent nausea and other stress responses to chemo. Bag #3: Taxotere: Used to treat breast cancer; neuropathy and permanent hair loss are side effects. Bag #4: Cytoxan: No longer available in the U.S.; causes inflammation and loss of nails. As the first bag went in, I just felt a cool sensation. No pain at all. And then I had to pee. And then I napped. The next five hours were basically na...

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Last week, I wrote about strength. This week, the other side of the coin--weakness. Every time I fail, or flop, or generally mess up, any semblance of strength that I possess evaporates. My heart cries out to God for help. And He is there. His mercy flows over me and I find the relief I seek. Thank you, Lord. I'm so glad You're there. *** Notable Quote: "Trouble and perplexity drive us to prayer, and prayer driveth away trouble and perplexity."--Philip Melanchthon

Photo courtesy of emerge.coach Exodus 16:15-16 (KJV) And when the children of Israel saw it , they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was . And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. While the children of Israel wandered around the Sinai desert for 40 years, God provided for them. He sent fresh manna every morning...but only enough for one day. This provision from the Father was conditional. The offer was only good for 24 hours. If the Jews kept the manna overnight, it spoiled. Strength is another of our Savior's qualified gifts. He gives us just what we need to face each new day. I believe it's all I can handle. Any more than that, and I would start feeling invincible--like a superhero. Fa...

Photo courtesy of www.pcog.org. Philippians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I've always had a big imagination. Sometimes, when I'm working on something creative, my thoughts come so quickly, I have trouble sorting them out. My process is to write everything down, then sort out the good from the bad. There are times when I try to sleep, but my thoughts race and jumble together--regrets of the day, old memories, former failures. Earlier in my life, I believed I had no choice but to relive and suffer through. That was a lie from the dark one. The Bible is chock full of ways to handle my thought life. I love the imagery of the quote from 2 Corinthians 10:5 "...taking every thought captive." I don't h...

Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star This joke is an old favorite of mine: One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.          The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost."          God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this?  Let's say we have a man-making contest."  To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!"          But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."          Th...