2020 may become known in American history as “the year of the masks.” No one knows who is behind the masked person you meet at a safe distance. The “Lone Ranger” formerly held the distinction of being called “The Masked
Man” along with Zorro, of course.
I feel uncomfortable when I hear the term “the best version of yourself” in some Christian writings in recent days. What is being implied? That there are other versions of myself from which I may pick and choose at will? Are some versions better or worse than others? How many faces do I have that I may show to the world?
In this upsidedown period of being sheltered-in-place, am I wearing a different mask than I wore in the public arena?
Is there a version I wear when I'm all dressed up for church? A pious version? A home-style one that I can put on during this pandemic when I'm sequestered with my family who know me only too well? A bedroom slipper version? (Or a pandemic version?) Or a business or professional version?A briefcase version? Or a private, intimate version that only God sees? The heart version, the inner man?
Are my versions interchangeable like masks which I may change on a whim depending on the situation? I don't think so. It would seem that God is in the business of transforming us into one authentic version—what you see is who I am. Do I really know who I am?
The mortal part of me is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who wants to reflect the spirit of Jesus through my flesh. God's plan is to develop my character into a unified version through His power, one that will manifest the Fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians chapter five.
The Jesus-version is the one single version God is working on through all the seasons and circumstances of my life. He doesn't allow masks like in a masquerade party to disguise who we really are or to keep people guessing. The Jesus-version is one-size-fits-all. We are each unique and God has the very best version of us in mind from the very beginning—He has promised to finish working on what He has begun. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
MASQUERADE
I play games with myself
and with others too
pretending to know who I am
where I'm going
and why.
Sometimes I even convince myself
that I have it all together.
I put on a mask
to keep you from knowing me
although I want you to know me
but I'm afraid
that the me you'll see
is not the one
I want you to know.
I put on a facade
even to God
but it doesn't work
for He sees right through
my flimsy mask
yet never asks
me to be something other
than what I really am.
Since I am in Christ
I can put away
my various masks
and all of that sham
and reveal Who lives in me
and who I really am.
The Rest of The Way
THIS PRESENT DARKNESS
1/12/2021 5:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“LET FREEDOM RING!”
1/11/2021 10:40:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE
1/8/2021 5:17:00 PM by: Leona choy
NEITHER ROBOTS OR PUPPETS!
1/4/2021 12:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL CLIMBING NEW HILLS
1/1/2021 12:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ARCHI AND THE FINISH LINE
12/29/2020 5:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOTWEAR
12/26/2020 2:57:00 PM by: Leona choy
“STAR OF WONDER, STAR OF NIGHT...”
12/24/2020 9:26:00 PM by: Leona
UNSCRAMBLING SCRAMBLED EGGS
12/22/2020 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE REVEAL!
12/19/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
[ in-foh-dem-ik ] INFODEMIC: WMD of 2020
12/14/2020 10:16:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIP VAN WINKLE AND THE FIRST ELECTION
12/7/2020 5:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!”
11/30/2020 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS
11/27/2020 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE GRINCH (VIRUS) THAT STOLE THANKSGIVING
11/23/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THANKSGIVING STORY
11/20/2020 12:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FIXING YOUR EYES
11/15/2020 5:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LIVING THROUGH THE “NOT YET”
11/12/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARPE DIEM IN LOCKDOWN
11/9/2020 10:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EXTRA FOR ELECTION WEEK
10/31/2020 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ATTENTION: ALL FRETTERS!
10/29/2020 1:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS OFF!
10/26/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SPECTACULARS
10/22/2020 3:12:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE LATE GREAT ELIMINATOR
10/19/2020 11:09:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RAINY DAY REMINDER
10/17/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLIES
10/15/2020 6:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER?
10/12/2020 6:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUT IF HE DOESN'T?
10/8/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
READY OR NOT—HERE I COME!
10/6/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A TESTED HELP
10/5/2020 10:03:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ENCHANTED GROUND?
10/1/2020 11:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER
9/28/2020 6:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR PREOCCUPATION WITH “SETI”
9/24/2020 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINE THROUGH ME
9/21/2020 12:57:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“THINGS TO COME...”
9/17/2020 10:47:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIDING THE SHOCK WAVES
9/14/2020 3:10:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SLEEP WITH OUR CLOTHES ON
9/10/2020 3:13:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW DO YOU SMELL BY NOW?
9/7/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"I AM NOT A ROBOT!”
9/3/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PROLIFERATION OF DROPOUTS
8/31/2020 12:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MESSAGE FROM 8TH CENTURY B.C.
8/27/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona choy
BRIDGES TO SOMEWHERE
8/24/2020 11:43:00 AM by: Leona Choy
GET UP OFF THE FLOOR
8/20/2020 9:39:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"Under" the Circumstances?
8/17/2020 7:51:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH STUFF
8/13/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Pacemakers and Pacesetters
8/10/2020 7:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Bug Out Bags and More
8/6/2020 10:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIVE ME THIS DAY FRESH BREAD
8/3/2020 2:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FAMILY TREE HUGGERS
7/30/2020 11:17:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHO WERE YOU?”
7/27/2020 11:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WALKING WITH JESUS
7/23/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
7/20/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HEARING VOICES
7/16/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A TIME TO BE HELD
7/13/2020 11:23:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
7/9/2020 10:50:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
7/7/2020 10:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
7/5/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Leona choy
MY OWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
7/3/2020 6:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S OUT THERE?
7/1/2020 11:51:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SPIRITUAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
6/25/2020 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST FOR FUN
6/23/2020 1:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO'S COUNTING?
6/20/2020 3:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
6/18/2020 7:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
6/16/2020 7:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SQUEAKING HINGES
6/14/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“US WOMEN ON OUR OWN”
6/12/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PREPARING AN ETERNAL “NEST”
6/10/2020 3:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
6/8/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
6/6/2020 2:58:00 PM by: Leona Choy
POKING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS
6/3/2020 11:27:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
5/30/2020 10:22:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
5/29/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY A CHAPTER
5/28/2020 6:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WOUNDED WARRIORS
5/26/2020 7:21:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARY OR JUST TIRED?
5/24/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARING PAJAMAS IN COMBAT?
5/22/2020 3:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RETHINKING THE PREPPER MINDSET
5/20/2020 5:44:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
5/18/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CONTEST OF THE CONDIMENTS
5/15/2020 3:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
5/13/2020 6:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
5/12/2020 10:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BALCONY CONCERTS
5/11/2020 9:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
5/8/2020 7:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT ABOUT THOSE GRASSHOPPERS?
5/6/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
METATHESIOPHOBIA!
5/4/2020 6:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WITHERED HANDS
5/3/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
5/1/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CASTING PRACTICE
4/30/2020 3:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MASKS
4/29/2020 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LAST STRAW?
4/28/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
4/25/2020 3:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEGUE TIME
4/24/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MEANWHILE, WE GROAN
4/22/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
4/20/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona choy
CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
4/19/2020 10:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
4/16/2020 10:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PSALMS IN COLOR
4/15/2020 5:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TV WATCH AND PRAY
4/14/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST PASSING BY?
4/9/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROCK
4/8/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GETTING A GOOD SHAKING
4/7/2020 11:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
4/6/2020 5:34:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
4/4/2020 8:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
4/3/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BLOOMING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
4/2/2020 6:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
4/1/2020 9:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
END OF THE STORY
3/31/2020 8:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
3/30/2020 9:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
3/28/2020 11:06:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SURFING THE PANDEMIC WAVES
3/25/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW ARE YOUR “WITS” DOING?
3/24/2020 3:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FALLEN ROCKS
3/23/2020 10:32:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
3/21/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENT DWELLING
3/21/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
3/20/2020 2:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
3/19/2020 3:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SUBMARINE LIVING
3/18/2020 11:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A NEW HAPPY DANCE
3/17/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SOCIAL DISTANCING
3/13/2020 12:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE RELUCTANT PILGRIM
3/11/2020 6:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
3/8/2020 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONE DOLLAR DAFFODIL
3/7/2020 1:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BOUND BY AN INVISIBLE THREAD
3/4/2020 9:43:00 PM by: Leona Choy
NOT SILENCED
2/26/2020 12:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEING OWLISH ABOUT WISDOM
2/24/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
2/20/2020 3:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
APPLE OF HIS EYE
2/9/2020 12:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
1/24/2020 9:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PLATFORM, PODIUM, PULPIT OR PEDESTAL?
1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
1/12/2020 5:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
12/31/2019 12:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SAG
12/30/2019 1:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERY OF TIME
12/28/2019 9:21:00 AM by: Leona Choy
2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
12/26/2019 11:02:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Post Surgery Report
12/3/2019 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURGERY ENCORE
11/23/2019 8:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS SHAKING MY TREE?
10/30/2019 5:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS THE BOSS OF ME?
10/15/2019 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
LORD, MOVE MY MOUNTAIN!
10/13/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANOTHER WAITING ROOM
10/11/2019 9:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
DON'T BE SHEEPISH
10/10/2019 12:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE VALUE OF SELF-TALK
9/28/2019 3:59:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LASER PRAYER
9/27/2019 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
9/12/2019 1:39:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARRY ME, FATHER
9/5/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WORKOUT
9/4/2019 10:55:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
9/1/2019 12:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Lessons from My Cup
8/20/2019 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STRAW & THE CAMEL'S BACK
8/7/2019 12:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BECOMING MORE "FRUITY"
7/10/2019 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CREATIVE ENCOUNTERS
7/3/2019 2:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PITCHING IT RIGHT
6/30/2019 11:46:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
6/25/2019 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
34580 and COUNTING
6/18/2019 2:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MOUNTAINS AND MOLEHILLS
6/14/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CHEERLEADING
6/6/2019 9:52:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
5/22/2019 11:38:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GRADUATION DAY
5/17/2019 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I THINK BOOKS
5/13/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
5/4/2019 8:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HO-HUM FAITH
4/18/2019 12:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BREATHTAKING THOUGHTS
4/7/2019 1:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE?
3/31/2019 5:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
3/4/2019 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
AVOIDING A SPIRITUAL "OOPS!"
3/1/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PURSUING WISDOM
2/19/2019 1:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THORNY MATTER
2/15/2019 10:42:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A SOMEWHAT GRUMPY CHAT WITH GOD
2/12/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A FISH STORY
2/8/2019 3:40:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LET'S EAT NOODLES TOGETHER!
1/21/2019 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SATISFIED--A SECRET TO SHARE
1/11/2019 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL RUNNING
12/29/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RESISTANCE TO ASSISTANCE
12/6/2018 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CHALLENGE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
11/26/2018 3:19:00 PM by: Leona Choy
KEEPING A TRADITION
11/15/2018 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PUBLISHING FUND PROGRESS
11/5/2018 8:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"GOING STEADY" WITH MY "SUGAR CANE"
11/3/2018 2:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SHOUT-OUT FOR A NEW BUTTERFLY
10/31/2018 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER
10/7/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REPEAT OFFENDERS
9/30/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINING WHEN YOUR BATTERY IS LOW
9/21/2018 5:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I DESERVE IT...DESERVE IT NOT....
9/13/2018 7:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
9/10/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GOD'S DUE TIME
9/3/2018 7:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STONES AND COVERUPS AND HOLY EARS
8/31/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES
8/29/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY CELL TOWER
8/27/2018 3:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
8/13/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
8/8/2018 2:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHEN'S A GOOD TIME TO "EXULT"?
7/30/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Survey For the Calendar-Challenged
7/25/2018 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Destiny Decisions
7/19/2018 10:25:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEDROOM SLIPPERS OR HIKING BOOTS?
7/18/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Hurrah for the Prepper Bridesmaids!
7/13/2018 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
7/10/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BARNACLES
6/5/2018 2:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
