letter to my daughter

Days before Christmas and prior to the first doctor appointment which set all this in motion, I sat in the still of the morning and penned this poem and letter to my daughter, who in her zeal to decorate our home for Christmas accidentally broke an angel's wing. Little did I know that these very words would eventually minister to my own heart.

wounded one with broken wing

shattered bits lay under thee

rest for an apportioned time

and wait for Him whose glory shines

upon your hurts that fade away

for in His hands you gently lay

then you shall mount on eagle's wings

soaring high above all things

Olivia,
When the Christmas angel's wing was broken in your care, I stopped unloading boxes and felt her pain for a moment. Your sweet daddy undertook for her, gluing her wing back on without anyone asking him to do so. Some day, when you experience pain, know that your Abba Father will be there for you to pick up the pieces that seem too difficult for you to put together.

Romans 8:28,

Mom

by His stripes we are healed

(how gracious of Him to give me this last line)

absolute surrender

My Lord, O King, according to Thy saying, I am thine, and all hat I have.
1 Kigs 20:4

O God, I accept Thy terms of absolute surrender.

thinking about resurrection

I've been thinking resurrection thoughts here lately. You'll understand why in a moment. You see, I last closed this site to get back to the basics...God, family, friends, less time on the computer in general. I know you've had those thoughts too.

In the span of time that I've been away, there has been a new job, a new move, and as of this week, a new diagnosis. Months ago I realized that my vision had changed. Surely the new pair of glasses that I got a Target were the result of a bad prescription. Took those back. Got back home, tried on my old pair of frames. Closed one eye. Then the other. Right eye no worky. I'll deal with that later. There are boxes to be packed and things to be done. Fast forward three months. My family is blessed with a new home, a dream home really where the sunset is the highlight of the day from my rocking chair, but I must tend to this lame eye so future vistas can be enjoyed.

Visited optician who said, hmmm, let's do another test. Hmmm, and another, and another. This isn't good she said. You must see a neuro-opthalmologist. Went. He says, you need to have an MRI. Went in the tube this week. Next I am referred to see a neurosurgeon. Called to make an appointment and they said, you need to come in yesterday. Went to the appt and he told me I need surgery because of a benign tumor in the dura matter, one inch by one inch.

That's why I'm having resurrection thoughts. That's why I'm resurrecting this blog. The words are begging to come out.

Yes, I'm still looking to the Son, the Son who bore stripes on my behalf, the Son who intercedes to the Father for me, the Son, the Son. I love Him. I need Him, now more than ever.

dear reader

Thank you for your faithful visits to Sonflower and spending your precious time to share comments and insights along the way. I must let you know that for a variety of reasons I will not be continuing Sonflower. It has been a pleasure to spend time with each one of you. You encourage. You have pointed me to the Son too. Let us keep looking to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. God bless you all.

~Angie

sweet treats

Four peeled Clementine oranges sat in bowl at the center of our dinner table. Passing over tenderloin and noodles, my little Zach reached for his orange with great anticipation. The sweet, juicy treat was more than he could resist, but I quickly reminded him it was intended to follow his meal, a way of cleansing his palate.

After explaining the art of eating to him along with finishing my own meal, I too stretched across the table for my orange. Thumbs diving in, I broke into the small orange pulling apart segments, revealing a single white seed.

At this sight, my mind chewed on the meat of God's word.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Galatians 5:22

Consider now His fruit. It too is irresistible. It is sweet. It satisfies. And yes, it has seed hidden inside.

When the fruit of the Spirit is offered to others, it is deposited with a seed that is sure to germinate and produce like fruit if there be any good soil hidden inside and yet another comes along to offer a bit of living water.


O Lord, help me crucify this flesh with its affections and lusts and live, yes, walk in the Spirit where there is life...life more abundant, not only for me, but also for others. Thank you for your life-giving fruit and your Spirit manifested in so many wonderful ways.

perspective

Driving in car with Flydaddy:

"That's a pretty little area," I point to an offroad spot along the countryside.

"Yes it is, but it looks nothing down here as it does from above. I've flown over this very spot many times by helicopter. Amazing how differently it appears from above," he answers.

~~~~~~

From above...how must things appear? I'm remarkably familiar with this earthly perspective which is full of limitations. Obstacles occlude my view. People get in the way. Mountains are difficult to scale.

From above...He says He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6).

From above...O to have His heavenly perspective! Yet, His word says that he MADE US SIT together in heavenly places. This faith flight, which causes us to rise above a temporal existence has already been performed. I/we only need to appropriate what has been done.

So then, how do things look from above? Perhaps this helps us understand better...

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory...therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col 3).

walk and talk

I often instruct my children (who come to me multiple times a day for questions and discussion) to "walk and talk". Many times I am on my way to do a task or we are headed to fulfill something in our schedule, so we simply walk along as we talk. Don't get me wrong, we do have our moments of intimacy...sitting on daughter's bed, brushing hair, with love whispers or test flying folded airplanes with son sharing sweet nothings all the while.

But what about this idea...walk and talk. Isn't that the concept behind our relationship with Abba Father? Consider Noah. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9).

Think. Did Noah have tasks to complete along with a busy schedule? Ahem, 120 years to build an ark, animals to gather, all the while preaching to a mocking crowd of gawkers. Yes, surely He needed to walk and talk with his Father. Not only that, but he required specifics to build this never before built ark.

Are there specifics in your life that you need answered by God? I sure do. We have another potential move on the horizon and need to know the where, the how, and the when. Look at Noah's undertaking. As he walked and talked with God, he was instructed on which materials to use, how many cubits, stories, windows, and where/which animals to bring on the ark along with the necessary food and supplies for his long voyage.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. I am so glad He is concerned with the details of our lives. We need only walk and talk...and listen.

channels of blessing

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened, but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

taken from KP Yohannan's Revolution in World Missions:
Born into affluence, freedom and divine blessings, Americans should be the most thankful people on earth. But along with the privilege comes a responsibility. The Christian must ask not only why, but also what he should do with these unearned favors.

Throughout Scripture, we see only one correct response to abundance: sharing.

God has not given this superabundance of blessings to Western Christians so we can sit back and enjoy the luxuries of this society--or even in spiritual terms, so we can gorge ourselves on books, teaching cassetes and deeper-life conferences. He has left us on this earth to be stewards of these spiritual and material blessings, learning how to share with others and adminster our weath to accomplish the purposes of God.

A solution?

Gospel for Asia is bringing the truth of Jesus to the over 2.7 billion unreached people of Asia. The harvest is ripe, but the workers are few. 100% of all giving goes into the field. None is taken for adminstrative purposes. Consider...

still celebrating

I can't believe my last post was July 4th. I realize I have mentioned something in the past about blogging without obligation, but I somehow feel remiss when I go long lengths of time without staying in touch with anyone who would take the time to visit this place. Please forgive me for the lack of attention to you, my friends.

So much has happened this summer, most of which revolved around a major job change for my husband. He is still flying helicopters, but this time in a big ship that flies over big water, which requires big faith for this little girl.

Today I felt that familiar lump in my throat, the one I felt even as a young'n on the first day of school. I always seem to exit the school bumping into others for a last chance glance at my dear ones. I rest in the fact that they stand on solid ground. Little boy has his Bible tucked in backpack and young lady dares to be a Daniel. Each is prepared to give answer for the hope that is within them. I surrender them to His good care. Hot tears in the back of my throat disappear.

I choose instead to linger on these gifts given over the summer...

Zach's first official fishing rod.

Pop demonstrates the perfect cast.

The way Olivia always walks arm in arm with me.

Reminds me of street scenes from my trip to Spain and Italy.

Love gifts from Mom and Dad. The blessings never stop!

Laure...sensing...knowing...helping me hold my hands raised in praise with her words and shared song.

braids, beautiful braids

long, heart to heart visit by phone with my dear friend and cousin

a perfectly cooked fried egg on toast made for me by 9-yo son

birthday celebration with the best mother-in-law a girl could ever hope for

Doorbell rings. Opening the front door to the most wonderful neighbors singing "Happy Birthday" to me

marker memories

spending the day with a boy of many talents and his wonderful parents

Sweet Sandy, who taught me that when she falls to her knees in her sometimes feeble state, that that is where she needs to be anyway, talking to Jesus. Sandy, if you're reading this, know that WE got the blessing when we came to your home. I'm looking forward to our next visit!

Glory to God from whom all blessings flow.

I look forward to getting back in touch with you all now that I have more time!

celebrating freedom

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Psalm 119:45

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 18:19

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1