INTO THE PATIENT WAITING...

Streams In The Desert, May 22 He worketh  ( Ps. 37:5) . The translation that we find in Young of "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass," reads: "Roll upon Jehovah thy way; trust upon him: and he worketh." It calls our attention to the immediate action of God when we truly commit, or roll out of our hands into His, the burden of whatever kind it may be; a way of sorrow, of difficulty, of physical need, or of anxiety for the conversion of some dear one. "He worketh." When? Now. We are so in danger of postponing our expectation of His acceptance of the trust, and His undertaking to accomplish what we ask Him to do, instead of saying as we commit, "He worketh." "He worketh" even now; and praise Him that it is so. The very expectancy enables the Holy Spirit to do the very thing we have rolled upon Him. It is out of our reach. We are not trying to do it any more. "He worketh!" Let us tak...

This morning, my husband woke up sick. Not fun at all especially when he is the one who usually doesn't get sick. So when he's sick, he's really sick. Although sickness isn't fun and "going to church" isn't possible this morning, it provided me with time to reflect on this past week and the lessons that God has taught me. One lesson is faith. The lesson of faith has come through a Bible Study I do every Friday morning with my "Panera gals." We have faithfully met to study God's Word and to build one another up for a couple years now - difference faces have come and gone in it but the central purpose of our study remains the same: to pursue God together through His Word. This year, we are studying Romans. A realization that we've all come to in this study is how God desires our heart - not our good deeds. He desires us to be honest with our sinful condition, our inability to do anything for salvation, and His ability to save us alone...

December 10th, Streams in the Desert But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer. And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort. —2 Cor 1:6-7 Are there not some in your circle to whom you naturally betake yourself in times of trial and sorrow? They always seem to speak the right word, to give the very counsel you are longing for; you do not realize, however, the cost which they had to pay ere they became so skillful in binding up the gaping wounds and drying tears. But if you were to investigate their past history you would find that they have suffered more than most. They have watched the slow untwisting of some silver cord on which the lamp of life hung. They have seen the golden bowl of joy dashed to their feet, and its contents spilt. They h...

Streams in the Desert: December 7th "This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 2 Kings 3:16-18 To human thinking it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God. Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom. Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God. The ...

Every year, Christmas rolls around and with that comes Christmas cards and family photos in abundance! It's always been my mind to do something different with our Christmas cards - not for any particular reason except that I want it to be interesting and insightful about our lives. In the past, I've done the usual Christmas photo card. It's always nice and people appreciate the photos but I realize more and more with social media distancing ourselves from people that many don't actually know what is going on in our lives or where God is taking us. It occurred to me that a newsletter would be a great way of communicating to family and friends instead of a photo. Not a lengthy newsletter. Rather, a snippet into all parts of our lives - like an infographic! If you dare type into Google search the words "Christmas Letter Infographics," you will be amazed and slightly overwhelmed at all the possibilities out there. Seriously -just type it in. See what you...

December 3rd: Streams in the Desert "Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?" And she answered, "It is well." (2 Kings 4:26) - Be strong, my soul! Thy loved ones go Within the veil. God's thine, e'en so; Be strong. Be strong, my soul! Death looms in view. Lo, here thy God! He'll bear thee through; Be strong. - For sixty-two years and five months I had a beloved wife, and now, in my ninety-second year I am left alone. But I turn to the ever present Jesus, as I walk up and down in my room, and say, "Lord Jesus, I am alone, and yet not alone--Thou art with me, Thou art my Friend. Now, Lord, comfort me, strengthen me, give to Thy poor servant everything Thou seest he needs." - And we should not be satisfied till we are brought to this, that we know the Lord Jesus Christ experimentally, habitually to be our Friend: at all times, and under all circumstances, He is ready to prove Himself to be our Friend. -...

November 30th: Streams in the Desert "And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord . “But I will give your life to you as a prey in all places, wherever you go.” Jeremiah 45:5 A promise given for hard places, and a promise of safety and life in the midst of tremendous pressure, a life "for a prey." It may well adjust itself to our own times, which are growing harder and harder. What is the meaning of "a life for a prey"? It means a life snatched out of the jaws of the destroyer, as David snatched the lamb from the lion. It means not removal from the noise of the battle and the presence of our foes; but it means a table in the midst of our enemies, a shelter from the storm, a fortress amid the foe, a life preserved in the face of continual pressure: Paul's healing when pressed out of measure so that he despaired of life; Paul's Divine help when the thorn remaine...

Lace + Kimono = oohlala! This is a current listing on my Etsy page for an upcycled vintage lace tablecloth turned into a trendy kimono.  Leave a comment and let me know if you'd like to see more kimono's like this one in my shop . Happy Monday!

"He has filled the hungry with good things." Luke 1:53 I read this today at church and asked Jesus, what good things will you fill my hungry heart with today? Immediately, my mind went to the "good things" that are described in Philippians 4:8. "Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Yes, these are "good things" that Jesus can fill my heart with and I was blessed when I read it. But my mind became filled with hundreds of questions like: how? how will You fill? do i need to "do anything" to make these meditations possible? how do i think of lovely things? i don't have anything in me that is great to think on, so where do i start?  God stopped me in my tracks and He reminded me of this: He is the one that fills. He is the one that will give me something to meditate on...if I strive to "do" it, He c...

Over the past few months, Tim and I have really tried to incorporate rest into our lives. Not necessarily the kind of rest that means eye lids must be closed, but a rest that means "stop doing lots" and start "breathing more" and "being present" and "soaking in the moment." I think Jesus did a lot of this while He walked on this earth too. Rest is like a recipe. A recipe that when made properly and consumed in moderation can actually help a person and nourish the soul. Let me give you an illustration to think on: When you're making dinner, do you ever try to think of all you can do "before the timer goes off"? And then, you try to do it? How successful are you? I have done this so many times and some are successful and others...not so much! But today, I was making Kanelbullar (a Swedish Cinnamon Bun) and while I was waiting for the bread to rise, it struck me that I needed to rest just like the bread needed to rest. The bread...

As I rode my bike home today, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness, peace, and a hopefulness for the future. There was nothing out of the ordinary that brought these thoughts about. There was nothing incredible that happened or life-altering. It actually is the fact that life has seemed more normal than ever. Life has a rhythm to it that is beyond what I've experienced the past five years...God is making the rhythm and He is asking me to fall into step with it.  In the past, I created my own rhythm and I even tried to join in with other's rhythms and activities. This happened with my job, my church life, social media, and even friendships. It left me worn out, my husband frustrated, and made me a not-so-happy-people-pleasing-person. The past few months have been about embracing something better than people pleasing: God pleasing. For Tim and I, that has meant letting go of activities that have left us frazzled, relationships that have depleted our energy, and letting g...

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb . . . and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev. 12:11). When James and John came to Christ with their mother, asking Him to give them the best place in the kingdom, He did not refuse their request, but told them it would be given to them if they could do His work, drink His cup, and be baptized with His baptism. Do we want the competition? The greatest things are always hedged about by the hardest things, and we, too, shall find mountains and forests and chariots of iron. Hardship is the price of coronation. Triumphal arches are not woven out of rose blossoms and silken cords, but of hard blows and bloody scars. The very hardships that you are enduring in your life today are given by the Master for the explicit purpose of enabling you to win your crown. Do not wait for some ideal situation, some romantic difficulty, some far-away emergency; but rise to meet the actual conditions which the Providence...

Ever read Streams in the Desert? If you haven't, you'll be challenged and drawn closer to Christ by the devotions that this woman has put together over years of hardship and suffering. April 29th's devotional was a balm to my weary heart when I read it because my faith has been tested so much the past 8 weeks. My faith in man, the church and "good things" has failed. Faith in those items will not last and will eventually crumble. However, faith in God will never crumble and my faith in Jesus Christ has only gotten stronger. And this post - my friend - is why. Streams in the Desert: April 29th Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. James 5:17 Thank God for that! He got under a juniper tree, as you and I have often done; he complained and murmured, as we have often done; was unbelieving, as we have often been. But that was not the case whe...

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 This article was recently posted on Instagram and it was an immense encouragement to my heart this morning. Why? Because there are some seasons of life where tears just seem to be never-ending. Tears of all sorts but tears nonetheless. And yet, the work remains the same in each season despite the tears. May these thoughts on tears be an encouragement to your heart as they were to me. - There is nothing sad about sowing seed. It takes no more work than reaping. The days can be beautiful. There can be great hope of harvest. Yet the psalm speaks of “sowing in tears.” It says that someone “goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing.” So why are they weeping? I think the reason is not that sowing is sad, or that sowing is hard. I think the reason has nothing to do...

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. Romans 8:14 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye. Psalm 32:8 And so the question must be asked: who is leading? As you get up each morning and make plans for the day, who is leading? As you have another conversation with your husband about future plans, who is leading? As you sit down with coffee in hand to read the Bible, who is leading? All too often, I am the one leading and I am the one guiding my own footsteps. But it shouldn't be that way at all - it should be my Savior leading and guiding. My friends, let us let God and His Holy Spirit do what they want to do - lead us! They crave to lead us and show us the way we should go. Let's crave to let God lead and let's desire to be...

Bless the LORD, O my soul! All that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your iniquities (amen!) , who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction (amen!) , who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 - - -  Those of you who know me well, know that I can be a "forgetful" person (which is why I need coffee to help me remember things! Isn't that what coffee is for?!?).  The Lord has reminded me the past few days that even though I do forget some things,   He has written in His Word that I am not to forget all that He has done for me. We get so distracted     with life and we get "wrapped-up" in ourselves to the point that we can only see what this world has to offer rather than what God has offered in His Son Jesus Christ - LIFE!  - ...

This morning, I started to read a little booklet about the terms of commission   for a follower of Jesus Christ.  Our Lord and Savior has set terms that His disciples must follower.  It is convicting to ask oneself,  "Am I following His terms? Or am I following my terms?" Quotes from the booklet: 1. The Sovereignty of our Master "ALL authority is given unto me." Rejected, slain by man, He is now enthroned at God's right hand and made "both Lord and Christ," invested with absolute authority in every sphere. How will He use that authority? He will use it with sovereign grace for the blessing of the nations. Therefore He gathered His servants around Him and gave them their marching orders. 2. The Scope of Our Ministry "Make disciples of ALL the nations." His grace, because it is sovereign, leaps over the narrow confines of Israel, and the message of His blessing for man is carried to the nations and broadcast amongst the Ge...

This is the AMPLIFIED version of John 15:7-15. However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. I hav...

How many times do you read a verse in the Bible and not actually read it? Scripture: Read Titus 2:2-5...perhaps you'll see what I saw! Take a look at verse 5...                            Observations: The purpose of these words in Titus 2:2-5 is for older women to teach younger women. As I studied the passage, I kept looking and re-looking at the end of verse 5. The passage is more than just being a godly woman, wife, mother, grandmother (although they are good and noble aspects of these verses); it is so much more! Look at verse 5. The purpose of all this is so that the word of God can not be blasphemed. Sisters...do you see the seriousness of these words? Do you see the beauty of these verses?  After reading Titus 2 in my NKJV, I grabbed my Amplified New Testament (it's pretty good at amplifying a message!) and was struck by the awesome and high calling God has given to women who proclaim Jesus...

Take a look at the stove top in the Haugrud home....is there something wrong with this picture? ~ As I was concocting a soup, I couldn't find the black ladle to stir the soup. Mind you, I had placed it directly beside the pot and had not registered this in my mind. So - what else should I grab but a spatula? Here I am, stirring soup with a spatula. The timer goes off for the rolls in the oven so I quickly place the spatula down and look at the rolls. Tim comes home, too. Slightly distracted and in the mad rush to "stir the soup" one more time (why?), I couldn't find the spatula!! Instead of taking a breath to look for the spatula or even the black ladle again, I quickly grab the first thing I see! A whisk. The whisk is used to give it a stir. Voila! Soup is finished! At this point, I take a breath and notice a few things. The stove top. The black ladle. The spatula. The whisk. The opened spices. Cooking is quite the adventure :-)