Patti Wolf

Monday: Doulos – Slave

Do you not know not know that … you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price.
I Corinthians 6:19-20

The book, “The Gospel According to Jesus” by John MacArthur, has been around for some time. This past week, I had the opportunity to turn its pages as the sun glistened through my window.

Having been a warmer week, the pond struggled with whether to stay stiff or fluid. Nature has a way of tetter-tottering back and forth with its state of being in short periods of time. Rain or snow, hot or cold, and balmy or blustery can all happen in a day’s time. As I partook of the information in “The Gospel According to Jesus” I realize the Greek word “doulos” has something in common with Wisconsin weather.

You see, I needed to grapple with an idea so many people have had to decide for themselves as to it’s meaning in the Word of God. Doulos, if translated properly, actually means “slave” not servant. Because of the negative understanding of the word slave through centuries and of its misuse by man, most Bible transitions prefer to place the word servant into the spot slave actually should be used.

When I read this statement, “A servant gives service to someone, but a slave belongs to someone,” by Murray Harris, a light went on for me. And it shown almost as bright as the sunshine pouring into my window on that cold winter day. Perhaps, I decided, I needed to tussle with whether daily I am just in service to God (going about my duties to family or ministry) or am I dutifully bonded as a willing slave to serve God. Am I just giving of myself or do I truly belong to God who paid my price of sin, which had kept me from Him, by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ?

I realize there is a thin line between rain, sleet and snow depending on the temperature. At any one point, precipitation can control the weather and our daily lives. Is it so, with the words servant or slave? I think that it may an issue we each need to deal with as we follow a risen Savior.

Witness in the Sky

His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.
Psalm 89:36-37

Crystal moon on bed of twilight sky,
trees stretch tall then groan a call;
to iridescent moon so sober and shy.
From prickly branch owls hoot why;
next to luminance orb I am so small.
Stillness comes and cease the cry.
All is nigh, all is nigh as time goes by.
Yet, moon is a witness in ageless sky.

Monday: On Frozen Pond

A year ago this pond was dry. Most of the wild life found new homes. After a year with plentiful rain, it is full to the brim. It’s amazing what a good year of rain can accomplish.

During winter months, small troops of deer stop to visit as they gracefully skate across the stiff water looking for a mouthful of grass. A solitary fox strolls along the bushy edge looking for his lunch or a place to make a den. For the most part, the pond lies still as the winter allows brittle grass to tinkle and glitter on sunny days.

The pond is ever changing. Come March elegant cranes will dabble in fresh cracks of water. There they’ll find spring peepers endlessly calling for a mate. One morning, several pairs of geese will attempt to claim pond’s rights for nesting. As the big birds argue, small ducks will have already laid their eggs. Only thin layers of ice will remain, as the March thaw begins.

I wonder if our spiritual life faces change. Is it stiff and frozen or flourishing as a spring pond. As I see strings of new life grow in my marshy pond, my hope is to see new life in my spiritual walk. My prayer is that you too are flourishing in your relationship with God.

Craft Challenge One

Trying something new at Persimon Dreams. Click link to participate. Have fun!

Above is my interpretation of #1

January 1, 2023 by persimondreams 6 Comments

Welcome to Season 14 of Project QUILTING! I know you’re all equal parts excited and overwhelmed right now – with the holiday season and all the love and stress it brings coming to a close, and now the dawn of a new year. Whew.

Ashes

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3

Don’t throw my ashes to the wind
which chills the bone, don’t let it in;
that old blower who tosses about
aged trees as stormy seas shout.
Let butterfly wings flutter my ash
in golden garden gates that flash.

Don’t hold my ashes when we’re apart.
Instead, tuck memories in your heart
walk through a lush, green wood long;
seek the warming sun, hear bird’s song.
In His great Light, that’s where I’ll be;
my constant prayer that you’ll join me.

Monday’s: New

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:5-6

Most people like new stuff. From the youngest of six children to the poor man with a rusty vehicle; there is that longing for new clothes or a new car. New stuff is all around us tempting us to BUY! Stores, stores and more stores filled with spanking new objects.

I did a search on animals that like shiny things. This is what I found regarding why crows like sparkling things: “The same reason humans collect shiny things. It marks their territory, shows hunter/gatherer skills, and improves the possibility for breeding with other crows. You will find that collecting shiny things is also learned behavior.” Magpies and raccoons are noted to be attracted to bling too!

With all this in mind, let’s approach a new year with seeking shiny new ways of drawing closer to God. If we are strengthened spiritually, we will shine the light of Jesus even more. Maybe it’s time to find a new time or way to study the Bible. Perhaps, someone’s prayer life is suffering. What about taking a walk and talk with the Heavenly Father. Ask Him to show you a new way to grow in Him. Let’s learn something new. Amen!

Heart of Gold

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.
Proverbs 17:3

When streets of gold long linger,
past twines of darken thick timber
laden with purity of fallen snow,
it’s there my soul will anxiously
wait the blessed eternal Temple.

Golden are the streets of Heaven;
here only moments of eternal joy.
Earthly trials will be over-shadowed:
all sin, all sorrow and all suffering.
Lord sees the heart, in winter’s chill.

When streets of gold long linger,
twilight tucked away like child
swaddled in mother’s loving arms,
our gracious Savior still is waiting;
no greater joy to warm an icy heart.

Winter’s Nest

He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
Psalms 147:16

I must go through the wood again:
to gentle meadow, drowsy sky;
to trek about powdery drifts.
To feel ice sprinkled about my face,
my feet dance atop the stiff snows;
as December’s chilly wind blows
a song much like young babe’s cry.

I must go through the wood again:
snow as down upon a thistle. To
feel crunch in cumbersome boot,
sweet chick-a-dee on thorny branch,
far from wild mountain’s avalanche.
It’s here I come to visit cold to
face it with steps strong and bold
to hear land wail, wheeze and whistle.

I must go through the wood again;
it’s there the Christmas trees grow wild,
where child’s laughter can still be heard;
past private, prickly empty nest
where song birds no longer find rest.
Winter’s lost tales are often unspoken
in lingering steps, unseen cloak veiled;
as a child ages… like the evergreen.

Monday: A Song

Magnify: “And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:47

How can you magnify the Lord toady as you rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation? “… for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. Luke 2:11

Humility: “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48

Humility is a difficult quality, however we have the strength of the Holy Spirit, “The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9

Holy: “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:49

Do we understand the power of His righteousness granted to us on the day of our Salvation? We have been renewed by the blood of Christ and should, daily, call Him holy. “…and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:23-24

A Servant’s Fear: “And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50

Fear is a strange thing. Sometimes burdens draws us to the point of seclusion from the world. However, Mary’s prayer was not out of that type of fear, but the fear which carries abundant respect to God and a heart to want to serve Him. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

Meekness: “He has shown strength with His arm;He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.” Luke 1:51-52

I believe Mary exhibit meekness in her character. There is nothing more beautiful than a gentle spirit in the life of any woman. Think of your sisters who love Jesus and follow God closely. Do they not show the meekness which is available to each of us if only we are willing to receive this gift? “…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4

Those in Need: “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” Luke 1:53

We can’t follow Christ on our own; although we try. Is it our ability to nurture which gets in the way of seeing our own neediness? Or maybe it’s Eve’s boldness and drive forward attitude which allows us to think we are filled with our own richness; even in faith. God wants us to call on Him; to ask Him to fill us. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”Psalm 145:18-19

Helper: “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his seed forever.” Luke 1:54-55

God speaks to each of us. Our focus should not be on the things of the world which tears us away from a healthy relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. He is our HELPER; truly believe in that truth. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Remain: “And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.” Luke 1:56

Ladies, slow down. Bath in the Word of God. Be assured He knows far greater than you as to your life: past, present and future. Not sure what He’s doing? Be like Mary and look to God and His great promises! “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Today I Lost My Friend

For my boys: Dan, Barry & Nolan

You’re not just a dog
you are my dog who
danced across the floor
with pitter-patter of paws
which still linger in my heart.

I miss you most at night;
our long snuggles in bed,
my leg warmer, tender
hearted friend; always at
my side with every stride.

You trembled with excitement
upon my arrival, no one else does.
I am hers and she is mine till the
end; yet, forever in my heart!
For today, I lost my dear friend!