I will honestly tell you that I have no idea what I am going to say to you today. Mostly I am writing for myself. I have this irresistible urge to get on here and type. Usually I have an idea of what I will say. Today, not so much.
I can tell you that the Lord has blessed me in unexpected ways over the last few days. After receiving a definite challenge to my faith, I spent a few days thinking about the words of my friend. I won't go deeper than that, except to say this, I think God allows things to happen that cause us to take a deep look at our personal walk with him. This is one of those times.
The word for the day has been "redeemed." I have heard it in song, in conversation, read it in scripture, and even in quotes in my journal. As I have sat wondering what God is doing, questioning what he is trying to teach me, suspecting I am wondering aimlessly, He simply reminded me that I am redeemed. Praise his name!!
I love this definition: to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage. Redeemed. Yet I find myself tangled up in ropes of my own making. I took a look back at my blog post from New Year's Day. Ugh. It's not necessary for you to go back, you will just see what a failure I have been. I dropped out of the nutritionist appointments early on. Yes, they got hard, and life got in the way. I quit reading "through" the Bible and starting reading different books. Kinda lost sight of the goal there. And today I am looking at a new year looming ahead and wondering what it holds.
This is going to be a great year. I will turn 55 years old. Five years until retirement! I will officially be a Senior Citizen and qualify for Senior Discounts. That seems a little crazy and I will feel silly asking for them! I feel like a little kid most of the time, but have noticed that my knees do creak a little more lately. I have already booked my flight for Haiti in June. Can't wait!!! So, you can see that I have lots to look forward to already.
Yesterday, though, I heard the Lord. Not literally out loud, but I heard him just the same; asking me this: Are you ready to finally take this journey with me? Walking with me? Trusting me completely? Are you ready to quit planning what you want to happen and start going where I take you? Will you do what I have prepared for you? Are you ready?
I screamed out, "YES!" Finally! I am ready! There are things the Lord revealed to me last night that I don't want to share with cyberspace. But I will tell you that I see an intense, personal, exciting year ahead. I am full of anticipation as I wait to see where he will send me. What opportunities will he place before me? What people will he bring into my life? What projects will he give me to work on? Who will touch my life and whose life will I touch? The probabilities are endless!
My friend, what are you thinking as this new year approaches? Will you make a list of resolutions? Can I just encourage you to walk with the Lord, giving him you full and complete trust? His plans are greater that we can imagine. His ways are not our ways. What will this year hold if we allow HIM to plan the way and not limit ourselves to our own limited-vision resolutions? May I encourage you that way? Walk with God this year.
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
"You're stupid."
So, I was at the grocery store the other day waiting behind my car as a young mom put her groceries into her own vehicle parked beside mine. Her buggy with her two children was pulled between the cars.
That's when it happened. I think the child was about three years old. She turned in her seat, looked straight at me and said, "You're stupid." What do you say to that? I just replied, "Oh! I'm sorry." As her mother was processing what was happening, turning back and forth to get more bags to put into her car, the big brother said to me, "She's bad. She has to sit in time out a lot."
It was that point the mother turned around and called the little girl's name. That's all. No apology. No reprimand. Just continuing her task of loading up her groceries. And there I stood. Awkward.
What do you do? Now, I know that kids say the darndest things. They can embarrass the life out of you, reveal family secrets in the most inappropriate situations, ask questions in public you can only wish they had waited until you were home to ask....but. But, to allow your child to be rude and not do anything right then, right there, to correct the behavior is only asking for trouble down the road.
I wanted to say to that young mom, "Honey, I see you must have your hands full with this little beauty. (She was a pretty child and I don't mean that to sound as sarcastic as it reads.) However, if you continue to allow her to say rude things to people and receive no correction from you, you are only setting yourself up for major heartache as she grows." Perhaps she fussed at her after I left. Perhaps she sat her in time out again when they got home. Perhaps mom had been correcting her all day and she was at her wits end by four o'clock in the afternoon and didn't know what else to do except cry. I have no idea what happened.
What I do know is that the Bible instructs us older women to get involved in the lives of younger women. To offer our wisdom and guidance. To teach what we have learned. To encourage and uplift. To be available for them to call when they need a shoulder, an ear, or advice. As I think back on that young mom in the grocery store parking lot, I hope she has someone to turn to. I hope she has an older woman she can run to and seek help from when she doesn't know what to do with her strong-willed preschooler.
The other part of the story that saddens me is the brother's comment. "She's bad." Wonder why he said that. He was only five. He told me so. He goes to kindergarten this year! He was proud of that. I'm afraid he was repeating the description he hears from his parents about his sister. Which raises the question, if children generally will rise to the standard we set for them, what's next for her?
I'm sure this post will outrage everyone who reads it in one way or another. I want you to know I am not ranting here to cause that reaction. I am writing all this to say:
Be careful with your children. Discipline them when necessary, and use words that give them encouragement and aspiration. When they embarrass you, know that mothers for generations have wanted the earth to open and swallow them up at some point because of something that came out of their child's mouth. Apologize nicely and keep going, but don't allow the behavior to continue. Young moms, seek out the older women in your life. Beg them to pour into your life. Older women, don't be afraid to step up and offer friendship to these young women. Take the initiative! Build relationships and live out your calling from the Lord as given in Titus 2.
4 Then they (older women) can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
All that said, the part that bothered me most of the whole situation was the brother calling the little sister bad. I just said we need to give our children aspirations. What does that mean? Webster's definition is: "a strong desire to achieve something high or great." Words heal and words hurt. Even though my accusation came from a three-year-old, her words stung as they hit me that day. As parents, we have a tough job. Again I say, be careful! While we must be firm and not allow improper behavior, I believe the worst thing you can do is use negative words to describe your child. If the brother was repeating what he had heard, what does she have to aspire to?
Whatever you do, don't call your children bad, stupid, or mean....
Jesus never called you those things.
That's when it happened. I think the child was about three years old. She turned in her seat, looked straight at me and said, "You're stupid." What do you say to that? I just replied, "Oh! I'm sorry." As her mother was processing what was happening, turning back and forth to get more bags to put into her car, the big brother said to me, "She's bad. She has to sit in time out a lot."
It was that point the mother turned around and called the little girl's name. That's all. No apology. No reprimand. Just continuing her task of loading up her groceries. And there I stood. Awkward.
What do you do? Now, I know that kids say the darndest things. They can embarrass the life out of you, reveal family secrets in the most inappropriate situations, ask questions in public you can only wish they had waited until you were home to ask....but. But, to allow your child to be rude and not do anything right then, right there, to correct the behavior is only asking for trouble down the road.
I wanted to say to that young mom, "Honey, I see you must have your hands full with this little beauty. (She was a pretty child and I don't mean that to sound as sarcastic as it reads.) However, if you continue to allow her to say rude things to people and receive no correction from you, you are only setting yourself up for major heartache as she grows." Perhaps she fussed at her after I left. Perhaps she sat her in time out again when they got home. Perhaps mom had been correcting her all day and she was at her wits end by four o'clock in the afternoon and didn't know what else to do except cry. I have no idea what happened.
What I do know is that the Bible instructs us older women to get involved in the lives of younger women. To offer our wisdom and guidance. To teach what we have learned. To encourage and uplift. To be available for them to call when they need a shoulder, an ear, or advice. As I think back on that young mom in the grocery store parking lot, I hope she has someone to turn to. I hope she has an older woman she can run to and seek help from when she doesn't know what to do with her strong-willed preschooler.
The other part of the story that saddens me is the brother's comment. "She's bad." Wonder why he said that. He was only five. He told me so. He goes to kindergarten this year! He was proud of that. I'm afraid he was repeating the description he hears from his parents about his sister. Which raises the question, if children generally will rise to the standard we set for them, what's next for her?
I'm sure this post will outrage everyone who reads it in one way or another. I want you to know I am not ranting here to cause that reaction. I am writing all this to say:
Be careful with your children. Discipline them when necessary, and use words that give them encouragement and aspiration. When they embarrass you, know that mothers for generations have wanted the earth to open and swallow them up at some point because of something that came out of their child's mouth. Apologize nicely and keep going, but don't allow the behavior to continue. Young moms, seek out the older women in your life. Beg them to pour into your life. Older women, don't be afraid to step up and offer friendship to these young women. Take the initiative! Build relationships and live out your calling from the Lord as given in Titus 2.
4 Then they (older women) can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
All that said, the part that bothered me most of the whole situation was the brother calling the little sister bad. I just said we need to give our children aspirations. What does that mean? Webster's definition is: "a strong desire to achieve something high or great." Words heal and words hurt. Even though my accusation came from a three-year-old, her words stung as they hit me that day. As parents, we have a tough job. Again I say, be careful! While we must be firm and not allow improper behavior, I believe the worst thing you can do is use negative words to describe your child. If the brother was repeating what he had heard, what does she have to aspire to?
Whatever you do, don't call your children bad, stupid, or mean....
Jesus never called you those things.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Quiet, please.
It is Tuesday afternoon. I have come home from work on time, but will be going back for parent orientation. It is so quiet here! Jack (our dog) is asleep on his pillow. The ceiling fan is humming and literally, that is all I hear. It has been a wonderful few minutes. Precious time.
Recently I picked up a book I read several years ago. I enjoyed it then, and now I am using it for a daily devotional, even though it really isn't meant to be. Last week I reached a point in the book that made me lay it aside for a while. It requires time, and since it is the first of a very busy school year, I wanted to wait until I have lots of time to direct to this chapter. The author raised the question, "What are your life dreams and goals?" Now, that would be easy enough to skip over, but since I am using this book the way I am, I cannot skip over it. She goes on to say, "I encourage getting away for an entire day of envisioning and recapturing those 'shelved' aspirations. Allow yourself to dream again!"
I plan to do that. If not for a whole day, at least for several hours. Why? When I read that it made me think. At my age life has become very routine. Work, study, laundry, church, sleep, work, study, laundry, church, sleep.... well, you get the idea, basically just survival mode. I began to wonder, do I have any dreams? I went back to the beginning of the chapter and read these words, "Without goals in mind you may find yourself spending way too much time and energy on the things in life that are actually the least important to you."
Now I have two questions to answer. First, do I have any dreams, and if I do, what are they? Second, What unimportant things are draining my time and energy? Ugh. This is going to require some soul searching!
Why am I telling you all this? To encourage you. You see, God made us with a purpose. He created me different from you. He gave me unique talents, abilities, thoughts, and ideas. He intended for me to live - did you see that word? L I V E, not simply exist. He gifted me with my very own special gifts that I should be living out, not sitting on!
To identify my goals, I first have to identify my passions. What gets me going? As my friend Jenn would say, what makes me come alive? You know, gets me excited, goosebumps and all? Answering those questions requires honesty and time. This weekend I am making the time to sit down with my journal and my colorful pens. The weather is going to be perfect, so I am going outside - maybe even to Red Clay! I'll take Jack and let me soak up the sun while I delve into the depths of my being and discover what dreams and goals I really have.
I'll let you know what I find out!
Recently I picked up a book I read several years ago. I enjoyed it then, and now I am using it for a daily devotional, even though it really isn't meant to be. Last week I reached a point in the book that made me lay it aside for a while. It requires time, and since it is the first of a very busy school year, I wanted to wait until I have lots of time to direct to this chapter. The author raised the question, "What are your life dreams and goals?" Now, that would be easy enough to skip over, but since I am using this book the way I am, I cannot skip over it. She goes on to say, "I encourage getting away for an entire day of envisioning and recapturing those 'shelved' aspirations. Allow yourself to dream again!"
I plan to do that. If not for a whole day, at least for several hours. Why? When I read that it made me think. At my age life has become very routine. Work, study, laundry, church, sleep, work, study, laundry, church, sleep.... well, you get the idea, basically just survival mode. I began to wonder, do I have any dreams? I went back to the beginning of the chapter and read these words, "Without goals in mind you may find yourself spending way too much time and energy on the things in life that are actually the least important to you."
Now I have two questions to answer. First, do I have any dreams, and if I do, what are they? Second, What unimportant things are draining my time and energy? Ugh. This is going to require some soul searching!
Why am I telling you all this? To encourage you. You see, God made us with a purpose. He created me different from you. He gave me unique talents, abilities, thoughts, and ideas. He intended for me to live - did you see that word? L I V E, not simply exist. He gifted me with my very own special gifts that I should be living out, not sitting on!
To identify my goals, I first have to identify my passions. What gets me going? As my friend Jenn would say, what makes me come alive? You know, gets me excited, goosebumps and all? Answering those questions requires honesty and time. This weekend I am making the time to sit down with my journal and my colorful pens. The weather is going to be perfect, so I am going outside - maybe even to Red Clay! I'll take Jack and let me soak up the sun while I delve into the depths of my being and discover what dreams and goals I really have.
I'll let you know what I find out!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
After Haiti
We have been back home for one week. I can't seem to get rested. It was different this year. Harder.
Looking back at my pictures (there are lots and lots of them on my FB page) I become even more aware of the ways God used us and blessed us. Three years after The Earthquake, the front wall of the church in Dano is finally back up. Assuming, that is, that the men in Haiti were able to finish what we didn't get done. We ran out of supplies but they were still working when we left. The Pastor's Conference led by our own Pastor Sterling was intense and full of great fellowship. My third time teaching the women of Haiti was the best time I have had so far.
In Dano we were told there wouldn't be any women to come for the conference. Thirteen women showed up! We had a wonderful, very close time of sitting together and sharing from God's word. My friend, Lucien, translates for me, and he is always encouraging and fun to be with. When we got back to the city we spoke to over 100 men and women at the church on Thursday night. That was the night that I knew without doubt that I was exactly where God planned for me to be, doing exactly what God planned for me to be doing, and enjoying doing it more than I ever have before.
It was a very emotional and heavy trip for me this time. I don't know why. Before I left here there was some medical drama here at home. Maybe that sent me off with a buried burden. As I went, I knew in the depths of my soul that there would be a test for me. And there was. But God got me through. When I was talking to my daughter last week and said, "That would almost cause me to not go again," her response was, "Really?"
(Insert sarcastic tone of voice.) And again, "Really?" No. Not really.
I will go. I look forward to next July and can't wait to get back!
What was different this time? We had church every night while in the village. On Monday night, two young men accepted Christ. On Tuesday night, our pastor prayed for healing for two women with ailments. They were back the next night healed! There were over a dozen children express a desire to accept Christ at the children's service on Wednesday. After church Wednesday night another lady prayed to accept Christ. Jesus was busy this trip! Before we have just gone to do work. This time souls were saved and lives were changed.
On Tuesday night after our team had finished dinner, we had a lot of food left. I was alone in the dining room. My friend Nahum, who is Haitian, came in and said, "Vicki, are we finished? Will anyone want more? If not, they have told me there are two boys here who are hungry. Could we give them this?" I said sure and that I would be happy to serve them. When he returned, Nahum had a look of surprise on his face. He said to me, "I didn't know who it was." That night I had the extreme honor of serving left-over rice and whatever else we had, I honestly can't remember, to the two young men who had accepted Jesus the night before. They had on the same clothes as the night before, but they were clean. They had looks of appreciation on their faces, and even though we couldn't communicate through language, the love of Jesus leapt all boundaries as I offered them all that the Americans had left. They ate it all. It was a lot. Then they came to church and sang and worshiped with abandon.
As you remember this story, will you pray for Joshua and Jonah? Here is a picture to help you remember. Can you see the glow on their faces? Life after Haiti? Forever changed. They are. I am. Praise the Lord!
Looking back at my pictures (there are lots and lots of them on my FB page) I become even more aware of the ways God used us and blessed us. Three years after The Earthquake, the front wall of the church in Dano is finally back up. Assuming, that is, that the men in Haiti were able to finish what we didn't get done. We ran out of supplies but they were still working when we left. The Pastor's Conference led by our own Pastor Sterling was intense and full of great fellowship. My third time teaching the women of Haiti was the best time I have had so far.
(Insert sarcastic tone of voice.) And again, "Really?" No. Not really.
I will go. I look forward to next July and can't wait to get back!
What was different this time? We had church every night while in the village. On Monday night, two young men accepted Christ. On Tuesday night, our pastor prayed for healing for two women with ailments. They were back the next night healed! There were over a dozen children express a desire to accept Christ at the children's service on Wednesday. After church Wednesday night another lady prayed to accept Christ. Jesus was busy this trip! Before we have just gone to do work. This time souls were saved and lives were changed.
On Tuesday night after our team had finished dinner, we had a lot of food left. I was alone in the dining room. My friend Nahum, who is Haitian, came in and said, "Vicki, are we finished? Will anyone want more? If not, they have told me there are two boys here who are hungry. Could we give them this?" I said sure and that I would be happy to serve them. When he returned, Nahum had a look of surprise on his face. He said to me, "I didn't know who it was." That night I had the extreme honor of serving left-over rice and whatever else we had, I honestly can't remember, to the two young men who had accepted Jesus the night before. They had on the same clothes as the night before, but they were clean. They had looks of appreciation on their faces, and even though we couldn't communicate through language, the love of Jesus leapt all boundaries as I offered them all that the Americans had left. They ate it all. It was a lot. Then they came to church and sang and worshiped with abandon.
As you remember this story, will you pray for Joshua and Jonah? Here is a picture to help you remember. Can you see the glow on their faces? Life after Haiti? Forever changed. They are. I am. Praise the Lord!Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Wilson
I will write more about my trip to Haiti later, but today I want to tell you about Wilson. We took our two friends, Moses and Wilson with us to Dano. Dano is the village where we went to work last week. It is isolated and remote, a beautiful place to spend a few days. These two young men work hard at the orphanage in Port au Prince cooking and providing anything we need when we are there. They needed a break and a time to rest. There were women in Dano to do the cooking and providing.
Even though we can't communicate with them because of language barriers, it is sweet to walk around and hear your name called only to turn and see a huge smile aimed your way. The hugs they give will crush your ribs. The love they have for us is evident in the way they seek to serve.
On our last night in Dano I watched Wilson prepare fresh Mango for us. He had a bowl of water and put the two fruits in it. Gently, ever so gently, he put his hand in the bowl and rubbed the water over the fruit for several minutes. Then he peeled it and cut it into slices, covering it with a paper towel until he passed it around for us to eat. He was there to serve. He never assumed the fruit was for him. He was doing this for us. (Of course, we shared.) He did it with obvious love and care.
During the week Wilson would come from behind, link his arm into mine and say my name. We would laugh and talk, somehow understanding one another and getting our message across. I sat with him on the bus ride back to the city. It's a rough ride up and down that mountain. At one point I heard Wilson call my name as he placed his hand on top of my head and push me down so that the tree limb coming through the window did not slap me in the face. When I needed my contact solution to clean grit out of my eye, he dug for my backpack and found it for me. I have to tell you it was funny to see his reaction as he called for Moses to look as I removed that contact from my eye. I heard three words in what he said that I understood: Moses, Vicki, contact. The looks on their faces were priceless!
Anyway, as we were saying our goodbyes on Friday night he said, "When you come back you will not see me here. I live with my mother now." The most natural thing in the world is to see those kids who work so hard to cook and clean. They are always there. They are the first people we see when we get off the bus. Why does that have to change? He began to cry and I did too. He told us how much we had meant to him over our visits there. I wonder if he will ever know how much he has meant to us. The good news is that he is in college and studying business. He had a statistics book that he was studying last week. Wilson is smart. He is steady. He will succeed.
Change is hard. There were many changes in Haiti last week. Most of the children had gone home for the summer. Some will return for school in the fall. Many will not. While I am thrilled for Wilson that he has graduated high school and is attending college, I am jealous that he will not be there next July. Then I wonder how hard it will be for Moses. He is there alone now without his constant companions. All of them are gone right now. Will they return in September?
I am very thankful for Facebook! As soon as Wilson accepts my friend request we will be able to keep in touch. Well, I am going to have to learn to read and write Creole, but maybe Google can help with that! And I am going to hope that he will do next year what he did this year -come spend a few days with Moses when the Americans from Shelter Church come to Haiti. May God bless these two special men.
Even though we can't communicate with them because of language barriers, it is sweet to walk around and hear your name called only to turn and see a huge smile aimed your way. The hugs they give will crush your ribs. The love they have for us is evident in the way they seek to serve.
On our last night in Dano I watched Wilson prepare fresh Mango for us. He had a bowl of water and put the two fruits in it. Gently, ever so gently, he put his hand in the bowl and rubbed the water over the fruit for several minutes. Then he peeled it and cut it into slices, covering it with a paper towel until he passed it around for us to eat. He was there to serve. He never assumed the fruit was for him. He was doing this for us. (Of course, we shared.) He did it with obvious love and care.
During the week Wilson would come from behind, link his arm into mine and say my name. We would laugh and talk, somehow understanding one another and getting our message across. I sat with him on the bus ride back to the city. It's a rough ride up and down that mountain. At one point I heard Wilson call my name as he placed his hand on top of my head and push me down so that the tree limb coming through the window did not slap me in the face. When I needed my contact solution to clean grit out of my eye, he dug for my backpack and found it for me. I have to tell you it was funny to see his reaction as he called for Moses to look as I removed that contact from my eye. I heard three words in what he said that I understood: Moses, Vicki, contact. The looks on their faces were priceless!
Anyway, as we were saying our goodbyes on Friday night he said, "When you come back you will not see me here. I live with my mother now." The most natural thing in the world is to see those kids who work so hard to cook and clean. They are always there. They are the first people we see when we get off the bus. Why does that have to change? He began to cry and I did too. He told us how much we had meant to him over our visits there. I wonder if he will ever know how much he has meant to us. The good news is that he is in college and studying business. He had a statistics book that he was studying last week. Wilson is smart. He is steady. He will succeed.
Me with Wilson (R) and Moses (L)
Change is hard. There were many changes in Haiti last week. Most of the children had gone home for the summer. Some will return for school in the fall. Many will not. While I am thrilled for Wilson that he has graduated high school and is attending college, I am jealous that he will not be there next July. Then I wonder how hard it will be for Moses. He is there alone now without his constant companions. All of them are gone right now. Will they return in September?
I am very thankful for Facebook! As soon as Wilson accepts my friend request we will be able to keep in touch. Well, I am going to have to learn to read and write Creole, but maybe Google can help with that! And I am going to hope that he will do next year what he did this year -come spend a few days with Moses when the Americans from Shelter Church come to Haiti. May God bless these two special men.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Will You Remember Me?
Have you ever wondered how you will be remembered or even if you will be remembered at all? The last few days have brought sweet memories of a wonderful lady. I knew her as a child, she mentored me as a young woman. She left a mark on my life. Throughout life I think of her occasionally, when I drive by her home or read a good book. When I pack for a mission trip, or even when I iron. Who is she?
Frances Armour. This woman who got a third grade education and no more went on to become one of the foremost librarians in the Hamilton County Baptist Association. She read every book, or had it read by a trusted reader, that went on the shelf of her library. She was called upon to train librarians across Tennessee. She loved a good book and kept detailed records about all that she touched.
As a young child I remember going into her library to check out a book. My favorites were the series on missionaries. Stories about people who had given their lives to go to someplace remote or far away to share the name of Jesus. Even as I write I can see the covers of the books with the pictures of people whose names I can't recall. I remember the excitement of getting to take that book home to read and learn about what they were doing. I remember thinking, I want to be a missionary.
Later in life, I was honored to work alongside Mrs. Armour. She became a dear friend. She taught me how to manage a library. I appreciated all she taught me. Though I did not have a desire to run a library for the rest of my life, the lessons were applicable to living. She expected things to be done right. Pay attention to the detail. Stand up for what you believe. Do not put anything on the shelf that you would be embarrassed for someone to read. The list goes on and on.
Today I live out the desire she allowed to blossom way back then. Each week as she would say, "This book is about...." somehow I knew she was opening the door to a beautiful new world for me. In just three short weeks I will travel to Haiti for my fourth time. I get to teach the women there and equip them for their own mission trip to the remote regions of their own country. I will spend the week in a village where white people are rarely seen (perhaps only once before.) I will get to sleep on an air mattress in a mosquito tent and may not even get to bathe all week. We're hoping there will be a latrine. Still, I can't wait! The people there have become family. Their daily struggle to survive yet maintain joy unspeakable is more than inspirational.
So, why the memories? She bought the cover for my ironing board when I got married twenty-eight years ago. I had to replace it yesterday. It was hard. Like throwing away a piece of her.
It all led me to ask myself, what have I done that people will remember? Have I inspired anyone to serve Jesus?
Thank you, Frances Armour!
Frances Armour. This woman who got a third grade education and no more went on to become one of the foremost librarians in the Hamilton County Baptist Association. She read every book, or had it read by a trusted reader, that went on the shelf of her library. She was called upon to train librarians across Tennessee. She loved a good book and kept detailed records about all that she touched.
As a young child I remember going into her library to check out a book. My favorites were the series on missionaries. Stories about people who had given their lives to go to someplace remote or far away to share the name of Jesus. Even as I write I can see the covers of the books with the pictures of people whose names I can't recall. I remember the excitement of getting to take that book home to read and learn about what they were doing. I remember thinking, I want to be a missionary.
Later in life, I was honored to work alongside Mrs. Armour. She became a dear friend. She taught me how to manage a library. I appreciated all she taught me. Though I did not have a desire to run a library for the rest of my life, the lessons were applicable to living. She expected things to be done right. Pay attention to the detail. Stand up for what you believe. Do not put anything on the shelf that you would be embarrassed for someone to read. The list goes on and on.
Today I live out the desire she allowed to blossom way back then. Each week as she would say, "This book is about...." somehow I knew she was opening the door to a beautiful new world for me. In just three short weeks I will travel to Haiti for my fourth time. I get to teach the women there and equip them for their own mission trip to the remote regions of their own country. I will spend the week in a village where white people are rarely seen (perhaps only once before.) I will get to sleep on an air mattress in a mosquito tent and may not even get to bathe all week. We're hoping there will be a latrine. Still, I can't wait! The people there have become family. Their daily struggle to survive yet maintain joy unspeakable is more than inspirational.
So, why the memories? She bought the cover for my ironing board when I got married twenty-eight years ago. I had to replace it yesterday. It was hard. Like throwing away a piece of her.
It all led me to ask myself, what have I done that people will remember? Have I inspired anyone to serve Jesus?
Thank you, Frances Armour!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A Fresh Start
As you can see, I have changed the look of my blog. It's time for a change. I was just playing around with the settings and found this color scheme. It made me happy, and it matched my butterfly, so here it is. Nothing else has changed, really. My welcome statement should change only to say that it has now been thirty years since I met Jesus. Otherwise, the new look is basically some spring cleaning and fresh decorations. I hope you like it.
Today is the first day of my summer vacation. It is perfect. The breeze is blowing in some rain, so I am sitting in my favorite spot on my back porch.
As the clouds gather in, the birds get more active. They are flying around and looking for food, singing loudly. Jack has gone inside to his pillow and is curled up for a long nap. And here I am enjoying the day.
I came across the most interesting statement in my Bible this morning. I've always loved the rain, sitting on the porch and feeling the breeze rush over me, watching the clouds gather and form into a summer shower or a full-blown storm. I think I feel the presence of God more in times like that. In Exodus, while God was giving Moses the commandments, the people of Israel were seeing and hearing what was happening. God had covered the mountain with a thick cloud. His glory was just too much for them. They stood below listening to the thunder and watching the lightening flash. They heard the trumpet and saw the smoke....and they were afraid. So, they said to Moses, YOU tell us what's going on, don't let God speak to us so we don't die.
Then, these words: "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was." I WANT TO GO WHERE GOD IS! I don't want to be the one standing far off while you and everyone else goes where God is. I don't want to miss out on what God is doing or even refuse to listen to him on a personal level. In the words of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."
I am going to listen intently to know what God is telling me. I am going to move and go where he is. It's more than spring cleaning and freshening up, it's a purposeful walk so as not to miss out on the things God has planned for me.
The rain cloud you see in the picture above just passed over. With it a brief shower and stronger wind. Behind it? Clear blue sky and sunshine.
What about you? Are you interested in listening to God or are you just waiting for someone else to tell you what they know about him? Have you missed out on a wonderful opportunity to serve because you didn't want to enter the cloud? Have you been there, totally in awe of his glory? Will you leave a comment and let us know how you have met with God and seen his glory? It's time to start Living Transformed.
Today is the first day of my summer vacation. It is perfect. The breeze is blowing in some rain, so I am sitting in my favorite spot on my back porch.
As the clouds gather in, the birds get more active. They are flying around and looking for food, singing loudly. Jack has gone inside to his pillow and is curled up for a long nap. And here I am enjoying the day.
I came across the most interesting statement in my Bible this morning. I've always loved the rain, sitting on the porch and feeling the breeze rush over me, watching the clouds gather and form into a summer shower or a full-blown storm. I think I feel the presence of God more in times like that. In Exodus, while God was giving Moses the commandments, the people of Israel were seeing and hearing what was happening. God had covered the mountain with a thick cloud. His glory was just too much for them. They stood below listening to the thunder and watching the lightening flash. They heard the trumpet and saw the smoke....and they were afraid. So, they said to Moses, YOU tell us what's going on, don't let God speak to us so we don't die.
Then, these words: "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was." I WANT TO GO WHERE GOD IS! I don't want to be the one standing far off while you and everyone else goes where God is. I don't want to miss out on what God is doing or even refuse to listen to him on a personal level. In the words of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."
I am going to listen intently to know what God is telling me. I am going to move and go where he is. It's more than spring cleaning and freshening up, it's a purposeful walk so as not to miss out on the things God has planned for me.
The rain cloud you see in the picture above just passed over. With it a brief shower and stronger wind. Behind it? Clear blue sky and sunshine.
What about you? Are you interested in listening to God or are you just waiting for someone else to tell you what they know about him? Have you missed out on a wonderful opportunity to serve because you didn't want to enter the cloud? Have you been there, totally in awe of his glory? Will you leave a comment and let us know how you have met with God and seen his glory? It's time to start Living Transformed.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Open Wide My Horizons
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request. I Chronicles 4:10
Commonly we call it 'The Prayer of Jabez.' Books and Bible studies have been written about it. Sermons have been preached on it. Songs are sung about it. For the last few days one line of a MercyMe song has been running through my mind over and over and over. "...open wide my horizons to share your name."
Maybe it's because of the new focus of our church. We are asking our members to invite at least one person to church each week. We have cards to hand to people. We are becoming aware of the people around us and making a conscious effort to share Jesus with them.
This week I became acutely aware of how limited my world is when I made a quick trip to Staples. As I drove up, I wondered what was going on; it looked like they were knocking down part of the front wall of the store. I walked in and realized it has been a long time since I was there last. The store is smaller and totally reorganized. I walked in the door thinking I knew exactly where I needed to go to get what I wanted. Frankly, I wasn't even paying attention to where I was walking until I looked up and noticed that the cash registers were not where they used to be.
I had to regroup. I had to look for signs to find the item I was looking for. I had to reorient myself and rethink what I was doing. I found what I wanted and had a nice chat with the cashier as she processed my purchases.
Then my brother called and asked me to run to the high school and pick up his son. No problem. I enjoy my little bit of time with my nephews on days like this. It was especially nice this time since Chris looked over and said, "This is a nice surprise," when I drove up.
Back to the topic....what struck me about the trip down to Ringgold was the fields that have been plowed. Fresh, rich earth is ready to plant. New fencing separates fields. A farm just down the road from us has gotten a face-lift. It's so close to home. Yet, I had not driven by there in what is apparently a long time.
This question came to mind: If I am asking God to expand my horizons, how can I expect that to happen when I continue to stay close inside my self-imposed boundaries and never venture out in the world?
If you are like me, you see the same people every day. You go to the same places every day. You might go to work or school and then home again. My day begins before daylight and I can't wait to get home at 3:00. Well, I do come to Panera some to meet friends, study, and write, but when I am here I don't talk to strangers.
I am too caught up in my routine. I need to get out more often and see what's going on the world around me. There's a lot of stuff happening out there and I am missing it.
How is God prompting you? I have found it so easy this week to talk to new people. Usually I leave the conversation to someone else. This week, though, I enjoyed a sweet conversation with that young woman at Staples who noticed my work badge and asked if I knew her cousin who had attended my school. Yesterday I had a nice chat with a lady as we rode in the elevator and walked to the parking lot together. Today I ran into a friend at Panera who invited me to join her for a few minutes. I sat down and we talked for thirty minutes! (Even though I really came here to blog, I am so glad my routine got interrupted and that I ran into her!)
I'm truly amazed, and those of you who really know me will understand. I'm not the person who runs up to the new person in the room. Years ago I would let me friend, Dee Dee, talk to the new people at church because she loved to ask questions and get to know people. She could ask people anything and they would tell her. I struggled just asking people their name. Then I would let her tell me a little bit about them and I would gradually venture into a short conversation with them. I've never been good at asking the right questions to get to know someone.
Until now. It seems like God is opening up a new world to me. He is broadening my horizons and giving me peace and security to go to the edge. I've enjoyed talking with people this week. Not about work or school or family or the weather....Interesting things, real conversation.
I want you to know this blog post surprises me. I am loving what I am seeing God do. It's exciting to be aware of His hand and to know He is doing a work in your own life. So, I wonder, what's on your horizon? Are you asking God to open it wide? Or, are you caught up in your own little world, missing out on the life that is going on around you. Friend, get up and get moving. Go where the Lord leads and let him show you some great and marvelous things!
Commonly we call it 'The Prayer of Jabez.' Books and Bible studies have been written about it. Sermons have been preached on it. Songs are sung about it. For the last few days one line of a MercyMe song has been running through my mind over and over and over. "...open wide my horizons to share your name."
Maybe it's because of the new focus of our church. We are asking our members to invite at least one person to church each week. We have cards to hand to people. We are becoming aware of the people around us and making a conscious effort to share Jesus with them.
This week I became acutely aware of how limited my world is when I made a quick trip to Staples. As I drove up, I wondered what was going on; it looked like they were knocking down part of the front wall of the store. I walked in and realized it has been a long time since I was there last. The store is smaller and totally reorganized. I walked in the door thinking I knew exactly where I needed to go to get what I wanted. Frankly, I wasn't even paying attention to where I was walking until I looked up and noticed that the cash registers were not where they used to be.
I had to regroup. I had to look for signs to find the item I was looking for. I had to reorient myself and rethink what I was doing. I found what I wanted and had a nice chat with the cashier as she processed my purchases.
Then my brother called and asked me to run to the high school and pick up his son. No problem. I enjoy my little bit of time with my nephews on days like this. It was especially nice this time since Chris looked over and said, "This is a nice surprise," when I drove up.
Back to the topic....what struck me about the trip down to Ringgold was the fields that have been plowed. Fresh, rich earth is ready to plant. New fencing separates fields. A farm just down the road from us has gotten a face-lift. It's so close to home. Yet, I had not driven by there in what is apparently a long time.
This question came to mind: If I am asking God to expand my horizons, how can I expect that to happen when I continue to stay close inside my self-imposed boundaries and never venture out in the world?
If you are like me, you see the same people every day. You go to the same places every day. You might go to work or school and then home again. My day begins before daylight and I can't wait to get home at 3:00. Well, I do come to Panera some to meet friends, study, and write, but when I am here I don't talk to strangers.
I am too caught up in my routine. I need to get out more often and see what's going on the world around me. There's a lot of stuff happening out there and I am missing it.
How is God prompting you? I have found it so easy this week to talk to new people. Usually I leave the conversation to someone else. This week, though, I enjoyed a sweet conversation with that young woman at Staples who noticed my work badge and asked if I knew her cousin who had attended my school. Yesterday I had a nice chat with a lady as we rode in the elevator and walked to the parking lot together. Today I ran into a friend at Panera who invited me to join her for a few minutes. I sat down and we talked for thirty minutes! (Even though I really came here to blog, I am so glad my routine got interrupted and that I ran into her!)
I'm truly amazed, and those of you who really know me will understand. I'm not the person who runs up to the new person in the room. Years ago I would let me friend, Dee Dee, talk to the new people at church because she loved to ask questions and get to know people. She could ask people anything and they would tell her. I struggled just asking people their name. Then I would let her tell me a little bit about them and I would gradually venture into a short conversation with them. I've never been good at asking the right questions to get to know someone.
Until now. It seems like God is opening up a new world to me. He is broadening my horizons and giving me peace and security to go to the edge. I've enjoyed talking with people this week. Not about work or school or family or the weather....Interesting things, real conversation.
I want you to know this blog post surprises me. I am loving what I am seeing God do. It's exciting to be aware of His hand and to know He is doing a work in your own life. So, I wonder, what's on your horizon? Are you asking God to open it wide? Or, are you caught up in your own little world, missing out on the life that is going on around you. Friend, get up and get moving. Go where the Lord leads and let him show you some great and marvelous things!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Nerves!
This is where I wish I were today. This beautiful path is high atop Lookout Mountain, headed down to Sunset Rock. Doesn't it look peaceful and welcoming? Can't you imagine that it is a place to sit and talk with the Lord? A place to escape the craziness of life and sit at the feet of Jesus?
Do you ever need to escape? Today my family is waiting for an answer to an important question. It's so hard to wait! I have carried my phone with me every step I have taken for two days. Waiting for it to ring. Waiting to hear what I desperately want to hear. Still I wait.
For the last few days we have been extra busy. There is so much to do! We have been painting and working to get things ready for the opening of our new church which is coming up in just a little over a week. It's one of those times in life when we run home long enough to change clothes and grab a bite to eat somewhere along the way. It's exciting. I don't want to miss a minute of it. I'm tired.
I need to sit down along the path and talk with the Lord. It's so easy to get caught up in fear and worry when you are waiting for an answer from the Lord. It's so easy to be busy doing things for our church, for our family, for our work....and it's even more easy to neglect time to drink from the living water provided to us, to sit in the garden and talk with the Lord. Today I have turned on Pandora and poured through the Psalms. "His steadfast love endures forever....His steadfast love endures forever....His steadfast love endures forever."
No matter what. No matter where I am. No matter how busy life becomes. No matter what is troubling my heart. God's love never fails.
Today I had to face the question, what if God doesn't answer my prayer the way I am pleading him to answer? Frankly, I don't want to think about it. I don't like the prospect of what that would mean. I can't imagine what it would mean. If his answer is "no" will I stand firm and proclaim, "His steadfast love endures forever?"
If his answer is "no" my heart will hurt. I won't understand. I will ask him why. Yet, like the song says, "I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for you are who you are....though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.:
Well, two days have passed since I wrote the paragraphs above. We got our answer from the Lord. He heard our cries and graciously granted our plea, and he is even providing more than we imagined. There was crying, screaming, and even some shouting. Celebrating the mercy of our Father. Celebrating his affirmation that the path we were walking was indeed the path he had set before us.
I can't help but be reminded that my heavenly Father, the God who created this universe, loves me. He gave me this beautiful verse this morning.....
God saw the people of Israel - and God knew. Exodus 2:25
What are you going through today? God knows. He knows. You may have to wait, but rest assured that he knows. His steadfast love endures forever. Even when you feel forgotten, he loves you and knows. You may have to wait, and if you do - praise him in the storm...because he knows.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Feeding Cows
For those of you who don't know, I live on a farm. When people find out where I live the first thing most of them say is, "Are those your cows?" The answer is, "No, they are my husband's." Farming is his hobby. He loves getting outside and working hard. It's work all year long, but in the winter it's harder. That's when you have to feed the cows. The grass dies back, and hay has to be put out. And that's where our story today begins...
I hate the responsibility of taking care of those huge animals. They are dangerous. They can knock you down and stomp you in a split second. If they aren't familiar with you, you are more likely to get hurt. My husband just walks right through the middle of the herd. They follow him because they know he is taking care of him. They don't feel threatened by him. Strangers, however, cause them to become alert. I am a stranger.
This weekend Connally is gone to a conference. He fed the cows yesterday, and he will feed them when he gets home today. Technically, there isn't anything I really have to do. However. (Don't you just love that word!?)
However, on Thursday night when he went to feed, he was very late coming back inside. In fact, I called to check on him. He had been saving the life of a cow. You see, he has a trailer parked beside the barn that just a week ago was loaded with hay. It wasn't the best hay in the world, but still they surrounded the trailer and ate it right there. My father-in-law used to say about this type of hay, "It's better than a snow ball," meaning that if the weather were to get bad during the winter and you had to feed more than normal, the animals would eat it because they had no other choice. Anyway, for the last week, Connally hasn't put out the good hay because they were satisfied eating the lesser hay off the trailer.
Then, Thursday, in an effort to get to the last of the hay, one of the cows put her front feet up on the ramp to try to get closer. The ramps are for driving the tractor up onto the trailer. They are not solid; they are slatted. You probably already know what happened. Her front feet got stuck. She couldn't get herself out of the mess she was in. Without help from her human, she would remain stuck, or break a leg in the panic of trying to get loose.
Connally had to get the tractor, put belts around her and lift her up so that he could get her feet out of the place where she was stuck. It's hard work for one person. I've had to help before with lifting cows, and it is a dangerous, heavy job. Frustrating even.
Remember that I told you he is out of town today? Don't you know that's when something will most likely happen? I opened the curtains this morning to see the cows around the trailer (not at the good roll of hay he had put out for them,) and one cow had her front legs up on the back of the trailer. Ugh. I did what any good farm wife would do. I prayed for that cow to get down! "Lord, please make her get down and move away from there."
Go ahead and laugh! God didn't. He immediately pricked my heart. "Are you willing to go?" Go where? Out there? Don't you know it's cold this morning, Lord? Don't you know we are under a winter weather advisory and it's supposed to snow? Don't you know those aren't my cows? Me? Go? Out there?
I went. I grabbed a jacket and threw it on over my pj's, slipped on my crocs over my fuzzy socks, and asked Catalina if she wanted to help. Of course, she did. She's always willing. (insert guilt here) Then the blessings started. Number 1: The ground was frozen so we didn't have to slip around in the farm mud. Now, in case you have no frame of reference, farm mud is much different than regular mud. Think about that. Number 2: No wind. Glory! Number 3: We laughed and had fun. We crawled up on that trailer and began to pull the hay apart and throw it on the ground. The bail was too heavy for us to push off, so we just began to peel off the layers and throw it on the ground.
More cows came to eat. They spread out neatly around the trailer and shared. It was calm. And all the while that one cow we had run off from the back of the trailer stood at the back of the trailer staring, waiting for a chance to get back at her spot. Finally, with a little prompting, she moved to the side where the other cows were. She didn't get in the line and begin eating; she just stood in the back, lingering. After a few more minutes she did get into place and begin eating the loose hay we had thrown down. I hope you realize it is easier for them to eat the hay that is thrown down that way.
Catalina and I worked and worked. We unrolled about half of the bail and threw it down for the cows. That, along with the other bail on the ground was really more than enough. Even on a cloudy, dreary, cold day. They will never eat that much, and most likely will just lie down in it later. An abundance of what they need - maybe not what they really want, but what they need.
We came back to the house, brushed off all the hay, washed our hands, and stepped into the wonderful warmth that welcomed us. Then it happened. Looking out the back window, we saw her. That crazy cow had climbed back up onto the back of the trailer!! Dumb animal. For a few minutes we just stood there a stared, sighing heavily, frustrated that we had done all that work only to have her go back to a dangerous place where she would have to work hard for her meal. The conversation went something like this: What's the matter with her? Dummy. Should we go back? No, I'm not. Why would she do that? Doesn't she know there is food right there ready for her to eat? That's just dummy. (That last phrase is one of my favorite Catalina-isms.)
It was then that the light bulb went on and I knew I had to blog this story. Isn't it a perfect example of us Christians? God provides. He gives us exactly what we need. He even sends a friend to help us get to a better place and we are reluctant to move from our perilous position. Finally, we start to taste what he has generously provided, only to return to the place we were in the beginning.
Maybe all this resonated so much to me because I have worked to memorize Psalm 40 all during the month of January. Thinking about that portion of scripture, I think it all hinges on the first line. "I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry." It goes on to say, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Here's how I see it. Those cows didn't wait patiently on their provider. They went ahead to dig into what was right there before them. The ground became muddy and slippery, and they sink into the mud when they stay in one place for a long time. Those cows are like me, and perhaps they are like you. I don't always wait on the Lord. If I do decide to wait, it's usually not a patient process. I trample the place I am in until I start to sink in the filth I have created. I try to climb out of the mud, out of the slimy pit I am in, and put myself in more danger in the process. I want what I want, and I am willing to place myself in a dangerous position to get it. Even when the Lord graciously lays something beautiful out before me, I might sample it just a little before reverting back to my old ways. I wonder how frustated He gets with me?
It's time. Time to move away from that point of impatience that gets me into trouble. Time to start letting the Lord act. He promises to give me a firm place to stand. I don't have to slip and slide my way through life anymore. I have a new song to sing, and I plan to sing it at the top of my voice! The Bible says, "Many will see and fear and put the trust in the Lord." I only pray that as you watch me stand firmly on the rock I have been provided, that you will hear my song of praise and put your trust in the Lord.
My friend, please read Psalm 40. It is such a beautiful promise! Let God lift you out of your pit and give you a new song! And then, dear friend, sing! Sing loudly! Let everyone hear what the Lord has done!
I hate the responsibility of taking care of those huge animals. They are dangerous. They can knock you down and stomp you in a split second. If they aren't familiar with you, you are more likely to get hurt. My husband just walks right through the middle of the herd. They follow him because they know he is taking care of him. They don't feel threatened by him. Strangers, however, cause them to become alert. I am a stranger.
This weekend Connally is gone to a conference. He fed the cows yesterday, and he will feed them when he gets home today. Technically, there isn't anything I really have to do. However. (Don't you just love that word!?)
However, on Thursday night when he went to feed, he was very late coming back inside. In fact, I called to check on him. He had been saving the life of a cow. You see, he has a trailer parked beside the barn that just a week ago was loaded with hay. It wasn't the best hay in the world, but still they surrounded the trailer and ate it right there. My father-in-law used to say about this type of hay, "It's better than a snow ball," meaning that if the weather were to get bad during the winter and you had to feed more than normal, the animals would eat it because they had no other choice. Anyway, for the last week, Connally hasn't put out the good hay because they were satisfied eating the lesser hay off the trailer.
Then, Thursday, in an effort to get to the last of the hay, one of the cows put her front feet up on the ramp to try to get closer. The ramps are for driving the tractor up onto the trailer. They are not solid; they are slatted. You probably already know what happened. Her front feet got stuck. She couldn't get herself out of the mess she was in. Without help from her human, she would remain stuck, or break a leg in the panic of trying to get loose.
Connally had to get the tractor, put belts around her and lift her up so that he could get her feet out of the place where she was stuck. It's hard work for one person. I've had to help before with lifting cows, and it is a dangerous, heavy job. Frustrating even.
Remember that I told you he is out of town today? Don't you know that's when something will most likely happen? I opened the curtains this morning to see the cows around the trailer (not at the good roll of hay he had put out for them,) and one cow had her front legs up on the back of the trailer. Ugh. I did what any good farm wife would do. I prayed for that cow to get down! "Lord, please make her get down and move away from there."
Go ahead and laugh! God didn't. He immediately pricked my heart. "Are you willing to go?" Go where? Out there? Don't you know it's cold this morning, Lord? Don't you know we are under a winter weather advisory and it's supposed to snow? Don't you know those aren't my cows? Me? Go? Out there?
I went. I grabbed a jacket and threw it on over my pj's, slipped on my crocs over my fuzzy socks, and asked Catalina if she wanted to help. Of course, she did. She's always willing. (insert guilt here) Then the blessings started. Number 1: The ground was frozen so we didn't have to slip around in the farm mud. Now, in case you have no frame of reference, farm mud is much different than regular mud. Think about that. Number 2: No wind. Glory! Number 3: We laughed and had fun. We crawled up on that trailer and began to pull the hay apart and throw it on the ground. The bail was too heavy for us to push off, so we just began to peel off the layers and throw it on the ground.
More cows came to eat. They spread out neatly around the trailer and shared. It was calm. And all the while that one cow we had run off from the back of the trailer stood at the back of the trailer staring, waiting for a chance to get back at her spot. Finally, with a little prompting, she moved to the side where the other cows were. She didn't get in the line and begin eating; she just stood in the back, lingering. After a few more minutes she did get into place and begin eating the loose hay we had thrown down. I hope you realize it is easier for them to eat the hay that is thrown down that way.
Catalina and I worked and worked. We unrolled about half of the bail and threw it down for the cows. That, along with the other bail on the ground was really more than enough. Even on a cloudy, dreary, cold day. They will never eat that much, and most likely will just lie down in it later. An abundance of what they need - maybe not what they really want, but what they need.
We came back to the house, brushed off all the hay, washed our hands, and stepped into the wonderful warmth that welcomed us. Then it happened. Looking out the back window, we saw her. That crazy cow had climbed back up onto the back of the trailer!! Dumb animal. For a few minutes we just stood there a stared, sighing heavily, frustrated that we had done all that work only to have her go back to a dangerous place where she would have to work hard for her meal. The conversation went something like this: What's the matter with her? Dummy. Should we go back? No, I'm not. Why would she do that? Doesn't she know there is food right there ready for her to eat? That's just dummy. (That last phrase is one of my favorite Catalina-isms.)
It was then that the light bulb went on and I knew I had to blog this story. Isn't it a perfect example of us Christians? God provides. He gives us exactly what we need. He even sends a friend to help us get to a better place and we are reluctant to move from our perilous position. Finally, we start to taste what he has generously provided, only to return to the place we were in the beginning.
Maybe all this resonated so much to me because I have worked to memorize Psalm 40 all during the month of January. Thinking about that portion of scripture, I think it all hinges on the first line. "I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry." It goes on to say, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Here's how I see it. Those cows didn't wait patiently on their provider. They went ahead to dig into what was right there before them. The ground became muddy and slippery, and they sink into the mud when they stay in one place for a long time. Those cows are like me, and perhaps they are like you. I don't always wait on the Lord. If I do decide to wait, it's usually not a patient process. I trample the place I am in until I start to sink in the filth I have created. I try to climb out of the mud, out of the slimy pit I am in, and put myself in more danger in the process. I want what I want, and I am willing to place myself in a dangerous position to get it. Even when the Lord graciously lays something beautiful out before me, I might sample it just a little before reverting back to my old ways. I wonder how frustated He gets with me?
It's time. Time to move away from that point of impatience that gets me into trouble. Time to start letting the Lord act. He promises to give me a firm place to stand. I don't have to slip and slide my way through life anymore. I have a new song to sing, and I plan to sing it at the top of my voice! The Bible says, "Many will see and fear and put the trust in the Lord." I only pray that as you watch me stand firmly on the rock I have been provided, that you will hear my song of praise and put your trust in the Lord.
My friend, please read Psalm 40. It is such a beautiful promise! Let God lift you out of your pit and give you a new song! And then, dear friend, sing! Sing loudly! Let everyone hear what the Lord has done!
Monday, January 21, 2013
DVR?
I love my DVR! My family got addicted to watching The Voice last year, but we weren't always home when it is on. So, we recorded it and then watched it when we had time, fast forwarding through commercials and backing up to see the good parts once again. It's a nice convenience.
I have caught myself a few times in the car, half paying attention to the radio, missing the traffic or weather or just catching the last part of what the DJ was saying and reaching for the rewind button. Only, there isn't a rewind button on my car radio. I was very disappointed recently when I missed part of Ron Hutchcraft's message. It was a rainy morning and I was carefully making my way to school. Cars coming toward me with bright lights made it difficult to see the dark, wet road. So, while concentrating on staying out of the ditch, I stopped listening to the radio.
That's when I did it. I reached up to push the magical button to back up the radio and hear what I missed. Sadly, I realized I just had to go on with the day without getting to hear all of the wisdom Ron could offer me that morning.
What about life? Did you ever wish you could rewind and relive a moment that you forgot to pay attention to? Did you lose focus and let a few precious memories pass you by? We all have. At some point we all get caught up in something petty only to realize something exciting was going on all around us and we were too preoccupied to notice.
There are wonderful times in life when we should indeed get lost in the moment. The minute a newborn baby is placed into your arms. Watching your child receive her diploma, and even though there are hundreds of people around, it's just you and her for now. Sunset. Sunrise. The hush of quite on a summer night. When the doctor comes out to tell you the surgery was a success. Your first kiss.
Too often things that seem important at the time cause us to miss out on the more important conversation going on around us. Too often things consume us so that we fail to notice the pain and confusion on the face of a friend. Too often people crossing our path need Jesus and won't get him from us. Too often.
Our challenge this year at church is to Celebrate Jesus. It's a theme I've been focusing on and trying to live out. It's hard. As soon as I decided to deliberately make this a focus, bad things started to happen. Angry, bitter words were hurled. Tension mounted. Frustration at situations I had no control over.
It's amazing how my outlook changed when I began concentrating on a celebration. This morning I had an appointment that I wanted to cancel. I reluctantly kept the appointment and left rejoicing. I discovered progress where I thought there had been failure. I was encouraged where I needed it most. God provided, and in that moment I had something to celebrate. Not because of anything I had done, but because my Jesus is faithful!
This week I want to encourage you to be alert. Don't get distracted by stuff. Concentrate on finding the celebration. Jesus is all you need. We don't need a DVR to back up and find him. He's always there. Waiting. Loving. Knowing.
And remember, when we celebrate something we are quick to share with people. Have you ever said, "Today's my birthday?" What about that time you got a new car (or new-to-you car) and drove it around so everyone you knew could see it? Probably all of us have posted pictures on FB showing off our kids, homes, vacations, parties.....
Live life to the fullest today. Celebrate Jesus!
I have caught myself a few times in the car, half paying attention to the radio, missing the traffic or weather or just catching the last part of what the DJ was saying and reaching for the rewind button. Only, there isn't a rewind button on my car radio. I was very disappointed recently when I missed part of Ron Hutchcraft's message. It was a rainy morning and I was carefully making my way to school. Cars coming toward me with bright lights made it difficult to see the dark, wet road. So, while concentrating on staying out of the ditch, I stopped listening to the radio.
That's when I did it. I reached up to push the magical button to back up the radio and hear what I missed. Sadly, I realized I just had to go on with the day without getting to hear all of the wisdom Ron could offer me that morning.
What about life? Did you ever wish you could rewind and relive a moment that you forgot to pay attention to? Did you lose focus and let a few precious memories pass you by? We all have. At some point we all get caught up in something petty only to realize something exciting was going on all around us and we were too preoccupied to notice.
There are wonderful times in life when we should indeed get lost in the moment. The minute a newborn baby is placed into your arms. Watching your child receive her diploma, and even though there are hundreds of people around, it's just you and her for now. Sunset. Sunrise. The hush of quite on a summer night. When the doctor comes out to tell you the surgery was a success. Your first kiss.
Too often things that seem important at the time cause us to miss out on the more important conversation going on around us. Too often things consume us so that we fail to notice the pain and confusion on the face of a friend. Too often people crossing our path need Jesus and won't get him from us. Too often.
Our challenge this year at church is to Celebrate Jesus. It's a theme I've been focusing on and trying to live out. It's hard. As soon as I decided to deliberately make this a focus, bad things started to happen. Angry, bitter words were hurled. Tension mounted. Frustration at situations I had no control over.
It's amazing how my outlook changed when I began concentrating on a celebration. This morning I had an appointment that I wanted to cancel. I reluctantly kept the appointment and left rejoicing. I discovered progress where I thought there had been failure. I was encouraged where I needed it most. God provided, and in that moment I had something to celebrate. Not because of anything I had done, but because my Jesus is faithful!
This week I want to encourage you to be alert. Don't get distracted by stuff. Concentrate on finding the celebration. Jesus is all you need. We don't need a DVR to back up and find him. He's always there. Waiting. Loving. Knowing.
And remember, when we celebrate something we are quick to share with people. Have you ever said, "Today's my birthday?" What about that time you got a new car (or new-to-you car) and drove it around so everyone you knew could see it? Probably all of us have posted pictures on FB showing off our kids, homes, vacations, parties.....
Live life to the fullest today. Celebrate Jesus!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year!
I slept right through it...even though there was apparently some Costa Rican celebration going on in this house as Catalina talked with her family, counting down in Spanish, while watching the ball drop. Usually there are fireworks on either side of us, but I didn't hear those either (if they happened at all.) I hope your celebration is full of rest, fun, and excited anticipation of what this year holds.
We all look forward to good things to come. None of us expects to be in turmoil or face serious sickness. We don't look forward to the new year and plan on financial failure, the breakup of a marriage, or a horrible, life-altering accident. The past three years were full of those types of surprises for me. My dad's sudden sickness and death followed by my mom's sudden cancer and surgery were certainly not on the list of things I would have looked forward to when thinking about those new years to come. We should, and must, give God control of our lives, come what may. I'm not saying we should not make resolutions; I believe it is very important to think about our lives and seek to make improvements. Still, ultimately, I am convinced that God is in control, no matter what.
My cousin put this post on FB: "My New Year's resolution is to be more positive and less sarcastic...I'll probably screw that up within 48 hours!!" Feel the same? That's usually my attitude when I make my new year's resolutions. I rattle off some standard response....lose weight, exercise more, read my Bible daily, be kind to strangers, take more bubble baths, take better care of my flower beds....you get the idea. This year, though, I put a little more thought into the whole thing.
Ever think about the word resolve? It is a verb (action word) defined as: To come to a definite or earnest decision about something, determine (to do something.) Hmmm. I like that. By default that means a resolution is a determination to do something. So, I ask you, have you made any definite decisions followed with the determination to do something about them? Some people make a list. Some people randomly state something too enormous to even attempt. Some people think it's a silly tradition, while one person I know takes her list of resolutions seriously enough to review and evaluate them at the end of the year before making a new list. Yes, I did make some resolutions. AND, in an effort to be more transparent and honest with you about what is happening in my own life - whether you want to know or not - here's my list...in no particular order:
1. Follow my nutritionist's and doctor's advice and keep doing what they say, no matter how hard it gets.
2. Memorize one passage of scripture each month. (verses and passages, not books!)
3. Complete and post two blog entries each month.
4. Daily be aware of my relationship with Jesus.
5. Find fun things to do with my husband and my friends.
Why these five things?
1. I can't stand the fact that my 77 year-old mother, who has had bladder cancer and serious surgery, is really healthier than I am. I'm too young to feel so old. (By the way, she is doing quite well. Her blood work and CT scan came back clear in December. Praise the Lord!)
2. I don't like to think about what life would be like for me if our Bibles were taken away - would I be able to recall scripture? We talk about this all the time. The church in some other country where Bibles are contraband. Where people tear out pages and pass them around. I take this precious book for granted. Add to that the fact that both of my grandmothers died from Alzheimer's disease; I want to increase my brain power!
3. God has graciously provided this outlet for me, and I don't take advantage of it. Whether anyone reads this blog or not, I get so much from the writing of it! However, I do pray that someone somewhere gets a blessing from it too. (Send me a comment if you do!)
4. I am tired of routine living and not living in the fullness of my salvation. I am tired of standard Christian living. Jesus is anything BUT standard and routine!
5. It's time to get out of the rut and enjoy life! It is passing far too quickly. I will be 54 years old this year. Now, THAT'S hard to believe! There are adventures to be taken and moments to be treasured that I have been letting slip through my fingers like sand.
We all look forward to good things to come. None of us expects to be in turmoil or face serious sickness. We don't look forward to the new year and plan on financial failure, the breakup of a marriage, or a horrible, life-altering accident. The past three years were full of those types of surprises for me. My dad's sudden sickness and death followed by my mom's sudden cancer and surgery were certainly not on the list of things I would have looked forward to when thinking about those new years to come. We should, and must, give God control of our lives, come what may. I'm not saying we should not make resolutions; I believe it is very important to think about our lives and seek to make improvements. Still, ultimately, I am convinced that God is in control, no matter what.
My cousin put this post on FB: "My New Year's resolution is to be more positive and less sarcastic...I'll probably screw that up within 48 hours!!" Feel the same? That's usually my attitude when I make my new year's resolutions. I rattle off some standard response....lose weight, exercise more, read my Bible daily, be kind to strangers, take more bubble baths, take better care of my flower beds....you get the idea. This year, though, I put a little more thought into the whole thing.
Ever think about the word resolve? It is a verb (action word) defined as: To come to a definite or earnest decision about something, determine (to do something.) Hmmm. I like that. By default that means a resolution is a determination to do something. So, I ask you, have you made any definite decisions followed with the determination to do something about them? Some people make a list. Some people randomly state something too enormous to even attempt. Some people think it's a silly tradition, while one person I know takes her list of resolutions seriously enough to review and evaluate them at the end of the year before making a new list. Yes, I did make some resolutions. AND, in an effort to be more transparent and honest with you about what is happening in my own life - whether you want to know or not - here's my list...in no particular order:
1. Follow my nutritionist's and doctor's advice and keep doing what they say, no matter how hard it gets.
2. Memorize one passage of scripture each month. (verses and passages, not books!)
3. Complete and post two blog entries each month.
4. Daily be aware of my relationship with Jesus.
5. Find fun things to do with my husband and my friends.
Why these five things?
1. I can't stand the fact that my 77 year-old mother, who has had bladder cancer and serious surgery, is really healthier than I am. I'm too young to feel so old. (By the way, she is doing quite well. Her blood work and CT scan came back clear in December. Praise the Lord!)
2. I don't like to think about what life would be like for me if our Bibles were taken away - would I be able to recall scripture? We talk about this all the time. The church in some other country where Bibles are contraband. Where people tear out pages and pass them around. I take this precious book for granted. Add to that the fact that both of my grandmothers died from Alzheimer's disease; I want to increase my brain power!
3. God has graciously provided this outlet for me, and I don't take advantage of it. Whether anyone reads this blog or not, I get so much from the writing of it! However, I do pray that someone somewhere gets a blessing from it too. (Send me a comment if you do!)
4. I am tired of routine living and not living in the fullness of my salvation. I am tired of standard Christian living. Jesus is anything BUT standard and routine!
5. It's time to get out of the rut and enjoy life! It is passing far too quickly. I will be 54 years old this year. Now, THAT'S hard to believe! There are adventures to be taken and moments to be treasured that I have been letting slip through my fingers like sand.
Last week I picked up my Bible to read. Not to study and prepare a lesson, but to read. I honestly didn't know where to start. I sat there with the Bible in my hands, thumbing through it, checking the table of contents, asking the Lord to give me a starting place. Surely, Lord, you don't mean to start - again - in Genesis!? That's a resolution I have made over and over again - read the whole Bible, beginning to end, in a year. There are plans written by scholars for such a grand task. Besides, there's all those lists of begats and begots. I have failed at the task of reading the Bible from cover to cover so many times before that I don't want to start now just to find myself a failure once again.
That's when God spoke.
He began by planting the word "beginning" in my mind. A new year, a new beginning. The start of something to be completed. The first step. "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start," as the song goes. Open and read. All these thoughts were going through my head. So, I did. I opened my Bible to the book of Genesis. Still reluctant to do this, I procrastinated by reading the notes at the beginning. That's when it happened. You know those commercials when someone is the 10,000th customer and the confetti falls, cameras flash, congratulations are shouted and the customer is standing there smiling and baffled about the whole event? That was me as I read these words:
That's when God spoke.
He began by planting the word "beginning" in my mind. A new year, a new beginning. The start of something to be completed. The first step. "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start," as the song goes. Open and read. All these thoughts were going through my head. So, I did. I opened my Bible to the book of Genesis. Still reluctant to do this, I procrastinated by reading the notes at the beginning. That's when it happened. You know those commercials when someone is the 10,000th customer and the confetti falls, cameras flash, congratulations are shouted and the customer is standing there smiling and baffled about the whole event? That was me as I read these words:
"Begin...start...commence...open...There's something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of a new day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first miles of a family vacation. Free of problems and full of promise, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions of the future. Genesis means "beginnings" or "origin," and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, of human history, of family, of civilization, of salvation. It is the story of God's purpose and plan for his creation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis set the stage for the entire Bible." (Life Application Study Bible)
So, as this new year begins, I encourage you to embark on your new adventure with the Lord. Soak up the idea that this is a new beginning, the start of something big, the "dawn of a new day." Give some serious thought and prayer to that list of resolutions you are making. Will they be things that deepen and strengthen your walk with the Lord? Will Jesus be glorified when you sit down on December 31, 2013, to review and reevaluate what you set out to accomplish in 365 days? I encourage you to make a definite decision and act upon the determination to see it happen. I hope you will walk with the Lord this year in a fresh and exciting way. I hope you will look back a year from now and marvel at how God reveals himself to you this year. I wish you a Happy New Year and an imaginative vision for the future!
So, as this new year begins, I encourage you to embark on your new adventure with the Lord. Soak up the idea that this is a new beginning, the start of something big, the "dawn of a new day." Give some serious thought and prayer to that list of resolutions you are making. Will they be things that deepen and strengthen your walk with the Lord? Will Jesus be glorified when you sit down on December 31, 2013, to review and reevaluate what you set out to accomplish in 365 days? I encourage you to make a definite decision and act upon the determination to see it happen. I hope you will walk with the Lord this year in a fresh and exciting way. I hope you will look back a year from now and marvel at how God reveals himself to you this year. I wish you a Happy New Year and an imaginative vision for the future!
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