"Peace" ful Trip

Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Tuesday, August 15th, 2006

“I don’t think it bothers the world that we sin. I think it bothers the world that we act like we don’t. There are times that instead of being myself and exposing my own weakness and hurt, I portray a character of the person that I know I should be. But when I expose myself as weak and frail at times, it frees the Body of Christ to restore me as it should and invites others to unmask as well.” (Matt. 23:25-28 / Matt. 7:1-6 / John 8:7-9 / Galations 6:1 / I John 1:9 / I Corinthians 15:9 / 2 Cor. 12:9 / Romans 14:1)

"I couldn’t have said it any better myself…so that’s why I put this comment from the members of Casting Crowns – “LifeSong” CD. I love music….the Creator has a way of speaking to my most deepest hurts….healing the wounded places….that no one knows are there….sometimes I don’t even realize they are there and how deeply wounded I am, , until something or someone from the outside, pokes through my “armor” and “ouch…..” I feel it to the core of my whole being!

Well I’m here in beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, it’s Tuesday and I woke up with a headache…not feeling well at all. The kids and Rod took off to Silverwood, the water park without me. Ugh! It’s supposed to be a family vacation and I can’t even join them! I thought I’d better lay low today and try and recoup. I think the travel and stress of the last few days have caught up with me today. So, I’m here in this beautifully decorated condo with a view of the Lake. Wow! It’s so beautiful Lord. With a headache, I have to have peace and quiet and the lights dimmed low….migraines are such a PAIN! So I obey the limits of my body and decided that I would get on my laptop and write. I don’t realize how much I have missed my journaling. I really like blogging and being able to get things out on paper. I probably won’t say much…..this week…..on my blog, because I’m offline now and when I get back I will paste this into my blog.

I think this day I will take advantage of my illness by nurturing myself…it’s what I need, I guess today….body, mind, spirit and soul.

So I’m listening to music, this CD that was loaned to me by a friend. It’s so encouraging. So….I will just write the words to a few of the songs….I hope that whoever reads my blog, will be as equally encouraged by these words.

I’ve been hurting a lot emotionally these past few days…some extended family issues that are going on. I’m in shock I think over some comments and beliefs of some of my siblings. When we have members in our family who are hurting…we need to not attack ……we are the Body of Christ and we need to come along side to bring healing to the person, not tare them down, condemn, judge…..hmmm…..

This song from “Casting Crowns” is so applicable to all of our situations in life! It’s called “Stained Glass Masquerade”

Is there anyone that fails / Is there anyone that falls / Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

‘Cause when I take a look around / Everybody seems so strong / I know they’ll soon discover / That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay / If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too / So with a painted grin, I play the part again / So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people / Under shiny plastic steeples / With walls around our weakness / And smiles to hide our pain / But if the invitation’s open / To every heart that has been broken / Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there / Are there any hands to raise / Am I the only one who’s traded / In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing / And we know every line by heart / Only when no one is watching / Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free / If I dared to let you see / The truth behind the person / That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open / Or would you walk away / Would the love of Jesus / Be enough to make you stay

What I have learned through this experience:

"That the Body of Christ is not just inside the 4 walls of a building on Sunday, Saturday, or Wednesday nights!

We are the Body of Christ when we are REAL all the time with those along the road….to those who we meet everyday and who HE puts in our path….just because “some” may view them as “outsiders” that is not our place to judge those things…..we are to abide by the greatest law….the law of love…..extending REAL grace, mercy and compassion……love, grace, mercy, compassion is what draws the hurting……I want to shout this TRUTH from the very rooftops…… “Let my LifeSong Sing..” to extend love to the hurting and unlovable…I know what it is like to screw up royally…to be wounded beyond what I think that I can handle…..and still feel HIS love for me…I want others to know this….. those I meet in the day to day to know just one thing……..that I love them…Why?? Because HE first LOVED Me……


I dedicate this next song to my beloved sister, Jackie…..I love you sis….I know how you are hurting……I pray for you everyday and for your little ones, Faith and Gracie….just their very names are a testament to what you have allowed God to do in your life!"


“Love Them Like Jesus”

The love of her life is drifing away / They’re losing the fight for another day / The life that she’s known is falling apart / A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart.

You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words / You trying to make – sense of it all / She’s desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view / She’s looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him / His yoke is easy, His burden is light / You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions / Just know that He loves her and stay by her side / Love her like Jesus / Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue / Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon / Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray / As the little one slips away

You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words / You trying to make sense of it all / They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view / They’re looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him / His yoke is easy, His burden is light / You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions / Just know that He loves them and stay by their side / Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands / The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands / The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands / He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus / You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions / Just know that He loves them and stay by their side / Love them like Jesus / Love them like Jesus

"I dedicate this next song to ‘little’ Paula (3 yrs old) and to PJ (17 years old)"

"Does Anybody Hear Her"

She is running / A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction / She is trying / But the canyon’s ever widening / in the depths of her cold heart / So she sets out on another misadventure just to find / She’s another two years older / And she’s three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? / Can anybody see? / Or does anybody even know she’d going down today / Under the shadow of our steeple / With all the lost and lonely people / Searching for the hope that’s tucked away in you and me / Does anybody hear her? / Can anybody see?

She is yearning / For shelter and affection / That she never found at home / She is searching / For a hero to ride in / To ride in and save the day / And in walks her prince charming / And he knows just what to say / Momentary lapse of reason / And she gives herself away

If judgment looms under every steeple / If lofty glances from lofty people / Can’t see past her scarlet letter / And we never even met her

and the next song….to “P” (Peacemaker)

"Set Me Free"

It hasn’t always been this way / I remember brighter days / Before the dark one came / Stole my mind / Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead / Fighting voices in my head / Hoping someone hears me crying in the night / And carries me away

Set me free of the chains holding me / Is anybody out there hearing me ? / Set me free

Morning breaks another day / Finds me crying in the rain / All alone with my demons I am / Who is this man that comes my way? / The dark ones shriek / They scream His name / Is this the One they say will set the captives free? / Jesus, rescue me
As the God man passes by / He looks straight through my eyes / And darkeness cannot hide

Do you want to be free? / Lift your chains / I hold the key / All power on Heav’n and Earth belong to me

You are free / You are free / You are free

I love you God man, Jesus…..You are beautiful to me……

Tuesday, August 15th

My Prayer: “Today in Israel and Lebanon…there is a cease-fire……we need a UN resolution for a cease-fire in the whole world today, Lord….in our towns ….in our families……Come Lord Jesus!”

My Grandma Rose’s last words and prayer for all of our families, before she passed away… “We need peace in our family…pray for peace!”


P.S. Today is my Dad’s Birthday (he’s in Oceanview, Hawaii)….Happy Birthday Dad


“Lord turn the hearts of the Father’s towards their children….bring peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in our world and homes…”