Petals from the Basket

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Apologies and Announcements

Oh my heart. I have no idea why the e-mail went out with an OLD post yesterday. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience!

Secondly, I apologize for the fact that the Online Bible Study worked for a day and then stopped working. However, that worked in your favor! Here’s how:

To allow you to view this free course in a hassle-free way, we removed the “glitch-causing elements!” Thank you for your patience, sweet e-mails, and even sweeter second and third e-mails to tell me that it wasn’t working correctly on your end of the line!

Soooo….

The announcement is that we think we really are up and running this time! YAY!!!! Enjoy! Seriously, please enjoy this study on WHY and HOW we study the Bible.

Thank you for your patience as we worked out the glitches (most of them human error on my part!) with the Online Bible Study!

After reading the instructions below, click the following link to begin the first lesson of our first course: Introduction to Bible Study.

  1. After reading the material on the “Overview” page, click on the “Buy This Course” button at the bottom of the page. You will not need to create a user name or password for this course since it is FREE! Note, however, that even though you click “Buy This Course,” there is NO FEE! It’s just a “thing” in this computer program to have you click the button in order to move to the next step!
  2. When you click the “Buy This Course” button, you will be directed to the “Curriculum” tab to print the worksheets and begin viewing the first video lesson.

Lesson Two is scheduled to post on July 27; Lesson Three on July 29; and Lesson Four on July 31. In the meantime, feel free to register and begin this FREE course, laying the foundation for the importance of studying God’s Word.

Future courses include:

Choosing to Change when Change Happens

Depending on God when Doubt Surrounds You

Every Single Sunday (designed specifically for those with “no spouse in their house” and those who minister to them or with them)

Studies from The Captain’s Corner

Thank you again for your patience as we work out any future “glitches” in the system along the way. We trust they will be few and far between! We are grateful that you chose to join us for this exciting new endeavor!

Joe and Brenda Henderson

By Petals from the Basket | July 24, 2018 | Online Bible Study |

RE-POST – Destination: Known

The Captain’s Corner

petals-photo-of-joeUPDATE: It’s hard to believe that Joe has written not only multiple posts for “The Captain’s Corner” over the last year and a half, but that he has also compiled them and has published a book by the same name (click here to learn more about his book). I thought it was time to re-post his first entry on the blog just as it appeared on January 5, 2017! (It’s still one of my favorites!) 

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Welcome aboard!

This was my familiar and repeated greeting to passengers boarding our airline flights. Now I greet you, dear reader, and welcome you to the inaugural writing of “The Captain’s Corner.” Yes, welcome aboard!

My goal for the “Corner” is to share life lessons that I have learned—not because I’m superior in example or exceptional in achievement, but because of what God has taught me through His Word.

Thinking of an airline flight and passengers reminds me that life is full of what I call “be sure” situations: “be sure” that the fuel is on board; “be sure” that the right destination is planned; “be sure” that this switch is on or that this switch is off; “be sure” that the flight plan is correct; and the list goes on.

All flights have a destination. The pilot wants the navigation—also known as getting from origin to destination—to be certain so that there is no doubt that the destination will be reached. Be-sure navigation (my own terminology) begins with making a good departure—always starting from a known position.

“If you don’t know where you’ve been, you can’t find out where you’re going” (original author unknown). In a similar way, every life has a destination—a forever living place. That’s why believers need a “be-sure” verse. A be-sure Bible verse provides a specific beginning—a definite departure point for walking with God toward an eternal destination.

During my college years, claiming a be-sure verse put a stop to my doubts of God’s forgiveness of my sins, ending my dependence on what I thought I had to do and helping me to receive and accept what God had already done to give me an eternal destination with Him. My personal be-sure verse is Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Because I knew that I had called on His name, I knew that I was saved!

If you have not already done so, you can be certain of your departure point; ask Christ to be your Savior, and He will! A be-sure verse will help to give you the confidence that your destination is secure and that your path is firmly established!

I look forward to our next “flight” here in The Captain’s Corner!

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Our first Online Bible Study will be available next Monday, July 16, 2018! We’re eager to share this Introductory study with you at no charge! Be sure to subscribe to the e-mails (We won’t spam you! You will only receive e-mails from us when a new post appears on the blog. Click here to subscribe.) and/or follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates on new studies!

By Petals from the Basket | July 9, 2018 | Bible Reading, The Captain's Corner |

Have a Seat at the Christianafe (Cris-chee-AN-a-fay)!

This sweet little Idaho boy grew up to be my dad!

As a little boy in Idaho, my father eagerly anticipated each trip to the “Mechanafe” (meh-CAN-a-fay). This “mechanical cafe” in Boise, Idaho, not only offered a wide variety of food; but more importantly to a young, quickly growing boy, there was a lot of it!

Established in 1929,* the Mechanafe was—to bottom-line it—similar to our current-day all-you-can-eat buffets. The difference was that you didn’t have to walk to various stations or slowly trek down a long line to select your food. Instead, the food came to you! As my dad would tell it, the customers sat around a centrally located rotating selection of food options and could simply take the plate of meat, vegetables, fruit, salad, dessert, etc. as it passed by. And they could sit there and keep choosing new plates of food until they were full!

Even in his later years, Dad would get a happy twinkle in his eye as he recalled the joys of eating to his little heart’s (tummy’s) content—for only twenty-five cents, I might add!—at Boise’s one and only Mechanafe!

Matthew 5:6 states: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” As I read this verse yesterday, I couldn’t help but think of how Scripture is like a “Christiánafe,” providing us with more spiritual food than we could possibly eat in one sitting and constantly filling us up with the “milk” (see 1 Peter 2:2) and “meat” that our souls need. As Christ’s followers who walk in His steps (i.e., Christians), we need to avail ourselves of the soul-nourishing truths found in His Word.

We don’t have to roam around, looking for answers to questions we face or for the balm that can heal our anxious hearts. We simply need to be seated at the table of Truth (God’s Word—our “Christiánafe”) and anticipate the joy of having our spirits filled!

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To continue this thought of feasting on God’s Word through Bible reading and Bible study, you will want to check back later this week to learn how to take our first Online Bible Study: “Introduction to Bible Study.” This is a FREE course that you can view and study in the time frame that works best for you!

*To confirm the facts as I remembered my father telling them, I found this article regarding the Mechanafe and used it as a source to verify the facts for this post: Mechanafe History.

By Petals from the Basket | June 24, 2018 | Bible Reading, Family, God-and-I-Time, Life Changes, Online Bible Study |

“I love your outfit!”

The burdens from the previous week were pressing in on me. I felt alone, misunderstood, overwhelmed, and surrounded by the temporal values and philosophies of the world around me. I needed the fellowship, support, and encouragement that a church service should provide and the love of those who would be in church that morning, worshiping our merciful and gracious God alongside me. I not only needed it; I longed for it!

As I walked through the doors, my heart—both anxious and eager—was beating in an almost joyful rhythm, anticipating the balm that the body of believers would certainly and unknowingly provide.

“Hi! I love the new ‘do! It’s cute!”

“Um…thanks.”

In that one instant, my rhythmic heart dropped a bit of its joy. The conversation continued in outwardly focused topics, and I found myself looking for a reason to walk away, thankful when one presented itself. As I continued down the hallway toward my Sunday School class, I took a deep breath, pulled my shoulders back, and knew that I’d find a respite within the walls of the smaller gathering of similarly aged believers.

“Ooooh, I love your outfit!” Were those really the first words my aching spirit heard after days of hoping for an understanding friend?

I don’t recall my reply. It was undoubtedly fake. It was possibly even abrupt in its conclusion as I attempted to get to my chair before the impending tears found their way down my cheeks. With the hard swallow that prevented their appearance came a resolution that I would make a change in that very moment: I would, from that point forward, when greeting others in the context of corporate worship, speak first about heavenly things and then approach the things of this earth.

Stop. Don’t go there. I’m not being pious. I’m not condemning the kindness of others’ appreciation for my attempts to look nice or take care of my appearance. I am, however, re-prioritizing those elements of my initial conversations with people. I want to put into practice the “one another” passages in the Bible, which primarily focus on the heart, on edification, on encouragement…on the true elements of loving others. For example:

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24, NASB).

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2, NASB).

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13, KJV).

So now, if you see me at church, expect to hear me ask about your week, follow up on your recent prayer request, or, in the spirit of accountability, ask how things are going with your decision to shine a light for Christ in the workplace. I don’t know what your smile hides or what your words will reveal. But as your sister in Christ, I’m willing to find out and willing to listen.

And then…only then…will I comment on your super-cute haircut or your dreamy new outfit!

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By Petals from the Basket | June 19, 2018 | Bible Reading, Ideas, Life Changes |

Happy Man of Influence Day to the Men – Now Here’s a Great Love Story for the Ladies!

At the risk of stereotyping the genders (which I actually may be doing a bit), when a group of men watch football, the women often like to find another television in the house on which to watch “chick flicks,” as they’re often called. (I’m an avid football fan, so I have to run from one room to the other, getting updates on both the current score and the movie’s plot line!) This afternoon, I figured that a lot of the male readers of this blog may be out trying out their new Father’s Day gifts or resting up after an extra-generous Sunday dinner—rather than reading blog posts (Joe’s posts in particular). So I decideded that this was a great time to share a sweet love story that took place on June 17, just two short years ago!

[The following excerpt is quoted directly from Petals from the Basket (Book 3), in which this story appears as the final chapter of the book.]

“This is the Lord‘s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” Psalm 118:23.

The official launch date for this book is June 17, 2016. I chose that day for a reason, and I thought it would be fun to close the book with a little explanation—and a simply marvelous surprise!

You have welcomed me into your hearts and homes for over four years now, so I wanted a very special day in my life to be one that we could all celebrate together, even if it’s only through the pages of a devotional book! I can’t contain my “secret” much longer, so I’m going to start with that and then give the “backstory” to share with you what our amazing God has been doing!

Are you ready?

As of June 17, 2016, I will be engaged to be married to Captain Joe Henderson (US Airways, retired)!

Yes, after fifty-five years as a single, never-been-married woman, I will be married later this summer!

The sequence of events and details are too numerous to share in the closing chapter of a devotional book, so I’ll try to give you the Reader’s Digest version!

In 2015, my mentor-friend of nearly forty-five years, Betty Henderson, passed away and joined my father and countless others who are fully focused on worshipping our amazing Lord in person and who are undistracted by the things of this world any longer! She has no more pain, no more sickness, and no more tears. And for that, I am thankful. But I miss her. Her wisdom, laughter, and friendship remain in my heart as some of my greatest treasures.

Interestingly, God was doing an incredible work in my heart during the last half of 2015 and into 2016, pruning away the fruitless branches of selfish desires and demands and replacing them with a contentment in Him alone—a true, genuine, God-is-more-than-enough contentment. Little did I know that He was clearing away the withered petals of sin from my heart so that He could fill it with a bouquet of marvelous surprises.

Earlier this year, Captain Joe Henderson (my dear Betty’s widower) asked my mother and me if he could take us to lunch at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in nearby Middlebury, Indiana, along with his pastor and pastor’s wife, also dear and mutual friends of ours. I had written a tribute that was used at Betty’s funeral, and it was sort of Joe’s way of thanking Mom and me for our family’s friendship through the years. We had a delightful time, and the blessings of true friendship were clearly enjoyed by all.

Not long after this group lunch, Joe began to communicate about other possible trips to Northern Indiana, and he also began to communicate via handwritten letters to my mom and me. Before long, I was receiving handwritten letters addressed just to me, and I was receiving them more and more frequently. In fact, I began to wonder if these were “let’s be more than friends” attempts and started praying about what I would do if Joe were pursuing me. I spoke of it only to the Lord and asked Him to make it very clear to me, because I needed Him to lead through Joe.

As the letters in the mailbox increased and the time between receiving them decreased, Mom looked at me one day as I came in from the mailbox, letter in hand, and she said, “Well this is getting interesting!”

“I know, right? I’m not exactly sure what his intentions are at this point, but I know that he is a godly man of character and that I enjoy communicating with him very much, so I’m willing to stick around and find out!” Then I headed to my room to read my letter and ask God to guide my thoughts, hopes, and expectations.

Because Joe and I are both well into our adult years, it was soon apparent that this new turn on an old friendship was pointing to a conclusion that neither of us had expected or had even thought of. It was no longer a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.” Unlike many couples who have just started dating, we have known each other for forty-five years. We already knew each other’s love for God, each other’s character qualities, each other’s highs and lows, and each other’s personalities. Now we just viewed them from a different perspective!

After we spoke to one another of the love God had placed in our hearts for each other and Joe had verbalized his long-term intentions, he gave me a wondrously beautiful pendant—at the red covered bridge at Das Dutchman Essenhaus—as a symbol of that love. We could not help but claim Psalm 118:23 (listed above) as “our verse.” Our relationship—something God brought about in His time and in this season of our lives—truly “is the Lord’s doing.” Therefore, “it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Joe’s unshakable love for his late wife, my dear friend Betty, let me see that this was a man who loved so dearly that he was ready to love again. In God’s infinite wisdom and mercy, He chose the recipient of that love to be me. I am honored, grateful, and yes, thrilled beyond words!

Though our relationship has been “unconventional,” we’ve laughed, cried, talked, and embraced the silence—and we’ve enjoyed doing those things together.

So on June 17, 2016, the day that this book is launched, Joe and I will once again go to the red covered bridge on the property of Das Dutchman Essenhaus, and we will officially become engaged. Yes, I already know those details! (We’re unconventional, remember?) But I know nothing at all about the ring that will symbolize this commitment. So that will be a surprise for me!

And this book will be a surprise to Joe! In case you didn’t notice before, you can look on the Dedication page, and there you’ll find the very words that I will open the newly published book to and show to Joe in reply to his question! Lord willing, our story is only beginning. I also hope that the opportunity of sharing my life, the lessons God is teaching me, and my new God-given love with you will continue for many years to come!

Since you can’t see the Dedication page of the book, I will share it with you here:

To Joe

Yes!

A thousand times yes!

Happy Engagement Anniversary, Joe! I love you more than the whole wide world—and back again…seven times!

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By Petals from the Basket | June 17, 2018 | Events, Family, Friends, Life Changes, The Captain's Corner |