puget sound morning..early dawn

The smokey grey clouds reflect in early dawn Puget Sound waters. The bay is like a smooth glass mirror edged in reflected fir trees..swirling clouds...the seagull makes a short cry. The crab boat will soon mysteriously appear and part the waterways in silence. How can I sit and not paint this scene? Soon the lone  Kayaker that faithfully paddles past our house each morning will emerge. The clouds now slowly change formation, the last morning star fades and the sky brightens.....Good Morning. As the old Scandanavian custom..to arise early and go outside and say Good Morning to God first. This inland passage called Elb Inlet could be in far northern Norway, southeast Alaska...Scotlands coast. I love my Puget Sound..I love my Islands. I could get in the canoe and literally paddle around the world. That is the  feeling of freedom and liberty  that living on a  bay that connects to oceans gives. Each evening we have a faithful Blue Heron that flutters and croons and silhouettes aginst the massive Madrona tree on our beach. Last week during our Beach Fire I was strumming the guitar. This fabulous bird came closer, closer...stood... listened... fluttered... and flew over us in grand display , as if to say, "I like your song". Western Washington has everything I found and loved in other countries. The British cozy misty days of mues and inspiration toward proes, poetry, fire and brisk tea. It has the Scottish moors and Highlands, Bays and heather,skies of light and glory. Switzerlands alpine splendour. Our Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges are unmatched in beauty. Our Pacific Ocean..like Alaska's rugged shore. Fishing, Hiking, The Rain Forrest...nestled between the Historic Lake Quinalt Lodge....and The Lake Crescent Inn. These centennial old destinations breathe history. Teddy Roosevelt and his cousin Franklin all had their hands in these" natural-setting hide-a ways." It is rumoured Winston Churchill also payed his visit. We haven't yet mentioned the beauty of Lake Cushman..true Hiawatha country. The one and only Hood Canal where Bill Gates has his summer house and the old Alderbrook Inn stands facing the Olympic Mountains with the Puget Sound surrounding in breathtaking beauty. We haven't yet spoke of Astoria to the south at the mouth of the columbia River. Next writing we will go East and follow that mighty river..I thank God every day for the beauty that surrounds me. It is God that created this marvel. It is God that maintains it. The sun comes up...the sun goes down! The moon rises ...the tides are obedient...the rivers do not overflow their banks...the sealife is hidden but complex beyond our human comprehension.  I feel like King David..."When I consider your heavens..the works of your fingers...What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man that you visit him? selah...God Bless..... Susan Shoemaker

Two Brother part II

Gudmund and Arne were both Christian gentlemen that worked hard and led their families in Gods way. When I was six years old my sister Nancy and I visited Uncle Gudmund and Aunt Dorothy. My sister and I were on the couch in the living room. I heard my uncle Gudmund reading his Bible aloud and praying loudly with my aunt. These two brothers were not ashamed of their spiritual commitments. When I was in my early twenties and travelling in Europe and singing in various Christian settings I remember my father talking to me abouit Christians that compromise. He emphasized the importance of keeping that close open channel to thge Holy Spirit. He told me clearly every choice we make affects that relationship. Loving God with all our hearts means...all. He said again.."Don't let anyone talk you out of your convictions and beliefs". He always emphasized the deep love of God that fills our hearts when we do what is right. He made me promise him that no matter what other Christians did that I would not touch alcohol. What an amazing experience I had when in a restaurant in Holland with a group of Christians having dinner, I simply said "no Thank-you" when offered wine. It was as if I had dropped a bomb..Reactio! "why?'etc. I simply said "i PROMISED MY FATHER TO NEVER TOUCH IT" Immediately calm...then respect...then "you are lucky to have someone in your life who cares". I have forever been grateful that I can say I also kept my promise to my Dad. I have only been in every conceivable way blessed because of it. The anointing of the Holy Spirit in one's life comes with a cost. That cost is full surrender...Smith Wiggelsworth the famous 19-20th century evangelist said .."I've never seen a man use liquor and keep the anointing....I've never seen a man use tobacco and keep the anointing". The anointing of the Holy  Spirit is the deepest peace,joy and touch of God. It is usually found in full surrender of heart. The striving is over, the oppression is broken, the depression is removed! The deep sense of Life Purpose replaces vain and aimless wandering. He removes the burden of sin and we live Light...One sign of a true conversion is deep joy . Another is a craving for the Bible and the things of God. Another is a strong sense "old things have passed away, all things have become new". Our eternal soul is the most important thing to attend to. Everything of this world will eventually pass but our soul is forever. We have been" hard wired" for God to lead our lives. Is it well with your soul? It can be. The Bible says "Call upon the name of the Lord and He will answer!!!"  Salvation is a gift...A gift we must receive.  God Bless all the young people of America...may this be a generation that rises up and says.."Enough Already...I will be sober, live sober and be a man or woman of conviction."  The Bible commands "Be sober, Be vigilant Be strong for your adversary is like a roaring lion, whom resist steadfast in the Faith".  Let us walk the narrow path to life and peace and leave the broad path that leads to destruction. Stay as far away from the cliff as possible! We all have impact on others..may our lives bring light , Truth and great Joy to all we meet. amen...susan shoemaker

the story of two brothers

In 1923 two norweigan brothers age  eight and ten traveled across the ocean with their family from far northern Norway (FAUSKE) to AMERICA (Tacoma, Wasington). Arne the eldest and Gudmund his younger brother. They were immediately enrolled in the local Roosevelt Grade School. Because they did not speak English, they were both sent to first grade until they were fluent in English. I believe the parents learned through reading the newspaper and local norwegian immigrants who helped each other. Everyone wanted to be American and became citizens as soon as possible. They had a little sister aged five named Ruth. Arne was excited to almost immediately land a job delivering newspapers. He was able to earn enough money to buy clothes for himself and his brother! Yes at ten years of age. In those days it was called "Pedaling Papers". As they became teenagers a wonderful Christian layman named Mr. Vincent beagan a boys brigade at thr local Roosevelt Heights Christian Church. He included wood working skills, long athletic runs across town to Stadium High School and back. He also included Christian Character training and talked to the boys about the power of making commitments. These included living right with a clear conscience, and making a pledge to abstinence from alcohol and tobacco . He explained the health benefits and the spiritual moral results from having a life purpose with Christ at the center. My father (Arne) and his brother took all of this teaching to heart and made serious commitments to Endeavor to walk and conduct their lives in an upright manner. My father truly took this so serious he never touched a drop of liquor in his life. He also never touched any form of nicotine. My father  was a deeply compassionate man and he always had empathy for those who suffered physically. My clearest early childhood memory was my father every morning kneeling in prayer. He was a quiet man and did nothing for show. This was his genuine habit.prayer first with the Bible. I really respected the fact that you could never think of talking my father out of his convictions!

Higher Ground

When choosing friends my beloved late father always advised "associate with those who share your values". He warned beware of thinking you can pull others up if they have chosen a path you do not approve. The likely case is , you will be pulled down. In other words to quote a Biblical proverb.."Bad company corrupts good morals"..or I will know you through the company you keep. Most people do not begin drinking alcohol on their own. Tobacco is rarely sampled without a "friend" offering it. Hence the caution ...be careful who, where you spend your time. I have never met a person proud and excited about being addicted to drink or tobacco. However I have often heard remarks like."He never drinks or smokes..he is clean cut and disciplined." My husband worked as a Psychologist for twenty-four years in the prison. He said often you would hear a guard or even a prisoner speak of a "hypocrite..who called himself a Christian, but smoked and drank etc." It is so sad when I meet Christians pushing alcohol as a liberating experience. They rarely take into account the fact that others with weakness toward such items hear, justify, rationalize..and follow down the road to addictive Hell. Do booze help you become a better parent? Spouse? Are your relationships deepened? How about God? When The Bible admonishes to sober living..awakened state of mind!?  The bottle will destroy you! It will take your sensitivity to the conscience God has given you and numb your heart! It  will destroy your health! You will lose your money to waste. You will hate yourself and have no spiritual strength left to help your fellow traveler. You will lose your compassion for lost souls and live for your own cravings. Your children will lose respect for you and despise your counsel.  Wake Up!!!!The Bible says" he that tarries at the wine is foolish. "  The Bible says" Watch Be sober! Be vigilant for your  adversary the devil is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, whom Resist Steadfast in the Faith!" Thomas Edison allowed no scientist in his laboratory who smoked or drank. The smoking he said weakened their perspective in eye-   sight and understanding and drink dulled creativity and mathematical skills. Plus the morality was weakened through substance abuse. God created each human being to be fully alive, creative, inspired, awake and fully engaged in real life. Choose today LIFE! God said through Moses in Deuteronomy..LIFE!!!!!!!! He gave each person the capacity to choose...Don't make excuses! Stand tall and say enough already!!..."As for me and my house we will serve the Lord"!!!(Joshua).  Bow your knee to Christ . He will DELIVER YOU!!!!!Humble yourself before the Lord and He Will Raise you up!!!!!! Stand tall , smile and practice saying"No thank you". Walk away!!! The Bible says RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FL:EE FROM YOU!!!!!!!!  I dedicate this to my children and grandchildren and all of their friends....Susan Elizabeth Shoemaker