Day 229: August 31, 2016 Mining With Basic Observation

August 31, 2016

Day 229

Mining With Basic Observation

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he (God) raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Ephesians 1:17-23

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Today I was reading Ephesians 1:17-23. I often type out a passage and then pepper it with questions, as if I were a journalist; who, what, where, why, when, and how. (example below) This is so I can SEE, really SEE the text. Or better yet comprehend what I am reading. When I do this I am looking for the obvious, the stuff that hits me between the eyes. After I do this then I can begin to understand, interpret, and apply the Word to my life. But first things first, I must read, really read by asking basic questions.

The Holy Spirit flies the obvious off the page and slam dunks it into my soul. Today, I began to see the need for my spiritual eyes to be enlightened for there are many powerful things my spirit needs to know, REALLY know! As well, the explanation of His incomparably great power bored into my inner being. I do not even know what to do with the Church as the fullness of His Body that fills everything in every way. But you can bet I will be meditating on it.

The simple basic journalist's questions uncovered brilliant spiritual truths for me today proving again careful observation is an excellent mining technique.

I keep What? asking that Who? the God of Who? our Lord Jesus Christ, Which is who? the glorious Father, may Do what? give you Who? the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, Why? so that you may know him better. I pray also that What? the eyes of your heart may be enlightened Why? in order that you may know What? 1. the hope to which he has called you, Also what? 2. the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and also what? 3.his incomparably great power for us who believe. That What? power is like What? the working of his mighty strength, which he What? exerted in Who? Christ when Who? he (God) What? 1.raised him from the dead and What? 2.seated him at his right hand Where? in the heavenly realms, Where? far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the What? present age but also in the What?  one to come. And Who? God Did what? placed What? all things Where? under his feet and Did what? appointed Who? the church, which is his What? body the What? fullness of him who Does What? fills What? everything How? in every way.

Day 228: August 30, 2016 Jesus is the Answer

August 30, 2016
Day 228

Jesus is the Answer

I am grateful for this dude, Andre Crouch. Seeing him in concert was a treat how ever many years ago! And his songs continue to minister to me today how ever many years later. This summer has been a summer of understanding faith at a new level, a precious level. Andre's song with the ancient message continues to roll through my being as the days go by. Jesus is the answer for every prayer, every need, every issue, every problem, I have.  Jesus continues to remind me, "Sure Lynne, it looks different every time I answer but I am always the answer. I am the answer for the world today." 

What a privilege it is as the Trinity describes to me Jesus, my answer, on a new and deeper level. They bring me to the still waters, they cause me to lie down in green pastures. I am at rest! 

Sing it! Jesus is the answer for the world today, above Him there is none other, Jesus is the way!

Day 227: August 29, 2016 Present Day Hero

August 29, 2016
Day 227

Present Day Hero

As I learn to know this woman's endurance, patience, and brutal honesty, my respect soars. She is my hero. She is down to earth, authentic, and hard working. To her, "quit" is not a word. Instead, she races the Ironman everyday, overcoming obstacles while jumping hurdles she never knew existed. She is constantly learning and self reflecting and not content with status quo. Instead she relentlessly pursues more maturity from deep within, even while owning her crap. And for this she suffers.

She stands tall while her heart bends and cries. Her love is strong and loyal and it demands tough. And for this she pains. But she is a survivor and will continue to move one foot in front of the next as she learns more of love. And one day she will reflect and be thankful for desiring maturity and responsibility. She will. And hopefully others will follow suit for this is her heart's desire. For now, she suffers bravely.

May God fulfill your desires, dear brave woman, and pull you graciously into a land of freedom where your heart will soar and stand as tall as your physical stature. May it be so.

She is my hero.

Day 226: August 28, 2016 Age Old Institution

August 28, 2016
Day 226

Age Old Institution

We have been to more weddings than barbecues this summer. And weddings are hard for me. The hope, the joy, the romance, the kissing, the looks, all of these should pull me in to wonder but instead they scare the crap out of me. For I know it takes years for the "feelings" to root in a deep understanding of the commitment made on the wedding day. So, I am the one in the crowd grimacing, wincing, fidgeting, screaming in prayer -"Lord, help them to honor one another. Lord, give them perseverance! LORD!!!"


Though I am blessed with a man who honors, respects and is entirely beyond kind to me, I am also blessed with a human. We live in a fallen world with boomerangs flying out of nowhere and it makes even good marriages difficult.

The day Lynn and I said "I Do and I Will" was another day of another couple continuing in one of the oldest institutions on this planet. Not only is it ancient, but the marriage institution is one of the most productive unions on the face of the planet. For this union (when between a man and a woman) is designed to produce more scientists, innovators, musicians, artists, diplomats, presidents, kings, queens, etc. And it is also designed to establish a community of committed individuals. This Saturday was a privilege to be part of Brendan and Rebecca Burke's wedding ceremony. They too are entering the age old institution. They became a new family.

May they understand the purpose of their commitment. May they look to their Savior for fulfillment. May they honor one another. May they desire to see each other grow in their gifts and do what it takes to help the other fulfill them. May they learn to bless one another. May they grow deep in their relationship with Jesus. May they take their vows seriously enough to not harm one another with words or actions. May they instead build each other up to be more of who they were created to be.

Blessings Brendan and Becca, blessings!

Day 225: August 24, 2016 The Raft

August 24, 2016
Day 225

The Raft

There is a raft on Canandaigua Lake that I sit and ask Jesus to come and be with me. And He does. These moments are always different, unique, and laced with a particular message. The other day He came to the raft and pulled me under the water where we swam while breathing. My heart heard something like this, "Lynne, you can do the impossible with me. I can (Jesus) so that you will." That phrase resounded through my heart the entire day- I CAN so that you WILL.

The Raft -Canadaigua Lake, Rushville, NY

Breathing while swimming underwater is something I have done many times in my dream life, which has been vivid since I was a little girl. Was I receiving a dream interpretation for all the underwater dreams I have had over the years? I believe so. That moment was refreshing, invigorating, affirming, and energizing.

Jesus loves when I ask Him to come and be with me. He is all about conversations, moments, and one on one time. He always has something different to say and to show while swirling around the same theme - Love; intense, relational, substantial, and redemptive!

Do you want to try it? Determine a happy, secure place for yourself. It might be your favorite room or chair or place. Maybe it is your backyard swing from your childhood. But go and sit and ask Jesus to come and be with you. Then let Him lead. This is not Lynne losing her marbles (they've been gone a long time - no more to lose), this is relating to your friend and Savior, Jesus. C'mon, just try it.

(LeTourneau Christian Center was my all time favorite place to be as a little girl. I adored this place. It still exists and worthy of you checkng it out. The FingerLakes is the best kept secret!)

Early AM Kayak ride with Kathryn on Canadaigua Lake

Day 224: August 23, 2016 Time Well Spent - As A Mom

The amount of praying I did on this vacation watching the children on the knee board, wake board, and tube...Diane too!

August 23, 2016
Day 224

Time Well Spent - As A Mom

What is a mother's main job? To feed her family, to clothe them, to house them, to keep them safe? I assert that a mother's main job is to pray for her husband and her children. All the other jobs are so vital, so important, so necessary but it is prayer that is of the utmost importance, sailing past the others far and beyond. For prayer is where you fly into the throne room of grace and you either petition with fervency or thank Him with a deep appreciation.  But it is where the action, the energy, the potential is and will forever remain. It is the place I find myself, in His throne room.

No one sees you praying, you might even seem lazy or uncaring, but you are doing the work that is vitally important and equally significant. The only one who needs to know what you are doing is God and God alone, so I never worried about others' views. The amount of time I have spent praying while sitting with a child, lying with a sick child, waiting at a stop light, sitting in a doctor's or dentist's office, watching them on the playground adds up to thousands of hours.

When one of mine was sick I would hold them and pray even if it was all night. "God, would you heal this child ? God, what do you want me to do? Am I to take this one to the doctor, please tell me. God, heal this child." For the child out late I have stayed up and prayed. For the child acting in rebellious ways I have prayed. For the child who was or is lonely I have prayed. For the child learning to walk and climb up the stairs, I prayed. For the teenager learning to drive, I was yelling (I got to be honest).

The greatest service I can offer my children is to pray for them. And likewise the greatest gift I can offer my grandchildren is to pray for them as well. I bless their little hands, their feet, their head, their heart, to hear others, to love others, and to respect others, just like I did with their momma. Prayer is vital and necessary and was never overlooked in my mothering. For prayer is an admission of need, of weakness, of lack, it is a calling out to someone else and asking them to lead, to guide, to help, and to assist. It is an admission of need. And no one knows more of my intense need than me! Mothering forces my knees to the ground.

But my most fervent prayer was, "Lord, please let them hear YOU!" This has been my constant prayer from the day each of them were born. If they can hear from God, through His Word, through dreams, through others, through me and my husband, that is where they find direction. And I ask them now and again, "Are you hearing from God?" My mothering boils down to one very vital activity, prayer.

Day 223: August 22, 2016 Appreciation for Connection

August 22, 2016

Day 223

Appreciation for Connection

There is enchantment on this property and we do not take one bit of it for granted. Instead, Lynn and I often take moments to appreciate what God has given to us. This piece of land would not be ours if it were not for the kindness of others. The story is a credit to God's goodness and mercy and in telling the story we can only give glory to God for we did not obtain this piece of property based on our financial success or acumen.

Six months after the purchase the land became Industrial Commercially zoned. Who knew? God did. The town moved from one end to the other and we found ourselves in the center of the activity. While others were not happy with Walmart and the other businesses we welcomed them. Sure we missed the fields but we loved the activity and convenience.

Coffee is a connector, we watch it happen every day. We enjoy watching the connections, the friendships, and conversations occurring on our property. Coffee is about relationships and what an honor to assist in many.


This past weekend a dear couple, Matt and Sarah, asked if they could celebrate their twin daughters' fifth birthday on our property. What an honor. Friday night was the big night for the birthday girls, Lydia and Lucy, and it was beautiful. The weather cooperated and the conversations at the different tables filled Lynn and I with encouragement. We do not take this property for granted. It is a place of connections and Lynn and I are grateful and honored.