Why My Backyard Fence?

When I was a child, neighbors would visit with one another over their backyard fences. There would be a fence on either side and one in the back. These fences were not barriers to keep others out, but rather a means to define one's property. Sharing with a neighbor a smile or perhaps a story, or even a piece of pie was not uncommon. I love people and hope to bring joy and encouragement to my Friends and Neighbors over "MyBackyardFence." And, yes, I now live in the Oregon Outback. Beautiful place.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

TOTAL PILLOW

I have trouble with my neck and have a terrible time coming up with a pillow that works for me. Well, recently I went to a local garage sale and low and behold, in a FREE box, there was a brand new TOTAL PILLOW. That is the one that was advertised on TV some time back that is scalloped around the edges and is shaped like a donut. I knew it was a "gift". It worked great! I used it in the bed and I used it in the recliner. I was so excited over this crazy little pillow. You can relate if you have ever had neck trouble! One evening while watching TV I noticed my foot rest on my chair was hung up on something. I kept trying to force it into place and it wouldn't go. Further investigation proved that my little pillow was hung up in the mechanism of the chair and I had torn a big hole in it. All the little beads were falling out on the floor. Needless to say, I was not happy. I have learned by my experience that nothing is quite the same when you have to sew it; glue it; tape it, etc. So, after a few seconds of grieving, I threw my "gift" into the garbage can. The giftedness of my little pillow continued beyond that point. I got to thinking about where we are when we come to the Lord and how we get sometimes even after walking with him for a considerable season. We get caught up in the trials of this life and the attacks of the enemy or our own unwise choices and we end up with a big hole in our heart. When God, our Creator looked upon us in the beginning, He said, "It is very good." Not just good, but very good. Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this,He who began a good work in you will continue it  until the day of Jesus Christ..." In Psalm 139 we learn that he actually formed us in our mother's womb. God will NEVER look at us and say... "I guess I just have to throw that one in the trash." He is our Healer; our Deliverer. Nothing is too difficult for Him to fix. You may have been led to believe, as I was growing up, that you are stupid and you will never amount to anything. You may be believing the lie that you can't do anything right and that God is "having to put up with you". We are not junk. We are never broken beyond repair. We who believe are children of God and our Heavenly Father would never throw his children away. Some of the horror stories you hear of what earthly parents do to their children is unbelievably true. But, God is not an earthly parent. He is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is hard for some to fathom because of the depth of their injuries. I, for one, have been healed from much. Jesus can be the center of what the Native Americans call the medicine wheel. We can be healed Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, and Culturally. Don't allow yourself to be lied to any longer. You are not and will never be a "throw away". You are a highly valued, strongly loved, Child of the Living God... so valued that Jesus ran in front of all that was coming to bring death and gave His own life so that you and I can live abundantly, free and forever!