A Thomas Kincaid Christmas

 

An email came across my this week describing what kind of Christmas I must be having.  This person only briefly knows my through my books.  We have met over coffee and keep an email relationship.  She knows the general area where I live yet has never been to my house. 

Bless her heart, she had described this beautiful Thomas Kincaid picturesque Christmas that she was assured I was having.  You know the kind…..

The immaculately clean house with decorations delicately placed.  The house toasty with a crackling fire in the fireplace.  Sitting with grandma’s quilt, kitting in my hands while pies cool in the kitchen, apple cider filling the air.  The noise of happy children playing contently.  And delightful conversation of older adult children.  Presents all wrapped and snuggled under the tree.

A beautiful Christmas tree donned the corner with ornaments saved over the years.  Dinner with all the trimmings soon the grace the long table filled with excited family.  Everyone home, all getting along, giving the best to the other person, laying down their own desires for other family members. 

The dog curled up by the fire, the cat next to him contently purring.  The Spirit of peace and love filled the air.

This woman knowing I am a fiction writer….just thought I would have a fiction Christmas…..Okay camera man……turn to camera this way….to reality!  Okay, let’s be real…..

There is fire wood, at least a few peices, may have to cut some more before the day is over.  But we don’t have a fireplace!  That is our heat and we are gonna be freezing our tushes if we don't get out there and cut some.  And never mind the mud trail coming in the back door.  But then again you probably had to step over a bag of trash that never made it down the driveway to the trash trailer.  OOpps!

The decorations, mix matched that they are, at least move the dust around so that everyone is sneezing.  And the poor tree, who knows…you get what you get when it’s live and by Christmas day needles cover the floor!  Two years ago, the tree fell over breaking some of our dated ornaments. 

Oh and the grumblings of stringing popcorn and cranberries can be heard by the neighbors, but not near as loudly as the wailing of Christmas card making days! Of course back aches from days of baking preceded these days.

The beautiful description of the Nostalgic Christmas was touching.  I have thought upon her words for days.  Thought about what Nostalgic means.  I too would have loved her description to be true, but one thing Nostalgia has is…. perfect people & perfect settings & perfect endings.  I like to think that Heaven will the epic Nostalgia. 

Because what she didn’t see….in her imagination and heart…

Putting up a Christmas tree with disinterested children.

Having Thanksgiving the day after with a split crew of sons and girlfriends.

A prodigal son, whose relationship was several damaged with his mother and whole family over the past two years.  This was his first Christmas away.  It comes with all that baggage….

A son who could only spare a few hours two days after Christmas….even those few hours he was tired and there was bickering among the children.

A 16 year old rebellious teenager who knows everything in the world and is in a constant state of disrespect.

A husband who is doing the best he can but is effected by all the same things as myself, but does not always know how to help.

And a body that is in constant pain, and there is still Christmas dishes to wash!

What is Nostalgic about all that?

I don’t want to bust her bubble.  What she wrote is really true, but you have to look at it through the correct lens….

The Season from Thanksliving…..through Christmas:

Was filled with:

Baking for my friends.

Taking a loaf of bread to each of my neighbors with a Christmas card…..visiting with them.

Meeting a lonesome woman and her son and helping her with food, money and friendship…just loving on her.

Being a friend to her son when no one else gives him time of day.  To take him to the movies and let him spend the night over.

Taking baskets of goodies and cards to the elderly and singing to them.

Hugging a neck of a friend who is struggling and wiping her tears. Assuring her New Mercies each morning.

Taking another friend for coffee who husband had just got his termination papers….praying with her.

My son bringing a gang of teens over with 5 min notice!  Love it…messy house, who cares get out the popcorn popper and cookies!

Another friend lost her step mother Thanksgiving day…she is a close friend calling her, praying for her.

Another friend’s son walked out in a mad rage on Christmas day…she called me a few days later for help.

Emails, phone calls. Visits to encourage those God puts in my pathway and most of all prayer for them.

Meeting Jessica and offering her help during this very trying time and getting to meet a new friend on that same day.  Making cards to bless others.

Christmas cards to friends far and wide…the time making them with my unwilling family..but the blessing they have been to others.

Doing things way out of my box…..

Worshipping my God like never before…

Seeing Redemption on every street corner.

Back to this beautiful area I live in….chopping wood in the freezing cold…is NOT nostalgic.

But here is the new lens view:

I am Thankful my prodigal was here…he is showing signs of change…not where I want him to be with the Lord, but closer than last year.  There is hope for him.  Can I trust in my prayers for God to work in  his life.  He even called me yesterday to thank me again for making Christmas so wonderful for him.

My other son, has to walk his faith journey too….I am thankful I had any time with him at all.  He is not disrespectful.  I am thankful we live only 4 hours away and that he has a good lady friend that will point him closer to God.

My 16 year old got another glimpse of his brothers areas that he does not want to follow after.  That is good for him to see.  We have had a good few days.  That is something to be thankful for. 

I forget to be grateful I have a husband who loves me and cares.  He does not always express that but I am reminded of the loneliness many experience during the holiday season and it makes me thankful I am not alone.

And I will always hurt physically and I did end up sick, but have got some meds and am on the mend.

So  you see, out here in the country we were toasty warm, there was love and laughter.  There were tears of repentance.  There were new memories being made, new pictures being carved in our family.  There were hurtful words and there were mending words.  There was play and there was work. There was popcorn and cranberry stringing for the Christmas tree….there was much joy in our hearts because the joy comes from within….and none of those outward situations could take that away from me.  I love Christmas because I love Jesus…and He is the One who my thoughts and actions stay centered on (at least I try!) He is the one who wipes my tears and holds my hand and keeps me going.  Yes, the Spirit was thick among us…..for that I am eternally thankful.

And I still did the dishes…..but with joy as I prayed and thanked the Lord for my imperfect family having the imperfect Christmas….because one day we will have the perfect Christmas…when we see Him face to face….until then….it’s all about Nostalgia!

The Covering

 

The Covering

A mitten is a form of covering

For cold weather and storms hovering

They are needed to warm the hands

In all of winters work and play demands

Nostalgia puts mittens on display

For riding through the snow in a sleigh

Or fun building a snowman in the cold

And snowball fights between the young and old

Winter brings us to a special season

Marking Jesus' birth is the reason

A King born, a human babe, grew up

Humiliated, beaten and given a bitter cup

On the cross He gave up His Life for me and you

His blood covering our sins both in and out of view

Realize the magnitude of the sacrifice that was given

His death enables us to go to Heaven

His love covers us like a mitten

By His Life have you been smitten?

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:13

Merry Christmas

With love ~ The Wiggin Family

Merry Christmas

J is for Joshua. He is 20 this year! He’s had a big year. Seems like he is in the season for big years lately! Last September Josh signed up for the US MARINES in a delayed program. While Josh waited for the call, he worked steadily at Wal-Mart, stocking shelves and giving away smiles…what he does best! Then in April, nearly a month early, he called me from town saying they had called and he was leaving in two hours! SO in a mad rush to get him his things and get him to Huntsville, this was his welcome into the US MARINES. (He has never done things the easy way!) The following 8 months are way too harsh to write about. Sherman and I prayed for him a lot! The things he went through at boot camp, School of Infantry, and his personal training, were weeks of intense break down like he had never known. He also conveyed that he learned lessons that could not have been learned any other way. And that he saw God in ways like never before. So all in all, he was thankful to have gone through what most would consider hell on earth. He ended up, funny enough, selected to (not go to Afghanistan with his buddies) but to go to Washington DC for Ceremonial Drill tour for two years. Though a shock, and so opposite of what he was trained for or expected, he is enjoying the “beni’s” that working right on Capitol Hill offer him. He loves running in the monument areas and all the big city perks (like real cell service—not rotary dial up!!), though he tells me every day on the phone, he misses my cooking and being at home in our old fashioned simple life style. He has many adventures ahead of him. We are just trusting that he will run hard after the things of God wherever God takes him. We are trusting and praying….

E is for Encouragement. As long as it is today…encourage someone in the Lord. It has been humbling to watch God bring forth my dreams of sharing His love to others. Though it has not been without it’s trials, I have learned that each of these hardships have been there to make me more and more compassionate, to love deeper than before and know His comfort in new way. How can I comfort a broken heart without having one, How can I care for the sick without being sick, How can I share the Grace of God without first experiencing His grace in mighty ways? Mountain tops in the mundane….I must experience it before teaching it. The Ripple Effect Conference is taking off slowly but firmly with God taking me and my speaking partner every step of the way. My dream to be a conference speaker and tell others just how AWESOME my Jesus is…is happening! That is very exciting. Along with that I still sit with a friend over a cup of tea, wipe a tear, pray over a crying mother, advise a teen, put together missionary projects, encourage the weary! That is what getting your assignment everyday day looks like. LOTS of life happens around here because God is using His servants to comfort and encourage others…..may you find yourself asking Him for your assignments this next year…I promise He will answer! Trusting and lots of praying…

S is for Samuel. He just turned 22 a few weeks ago!! We praise God for him every day! Boy it seems strange to be writing this letter with a 22 year old! He has had a big year too! He has grown into a wonderful young man! He had been working in a West Tennessee Penitentiary since the January before last. And then last November he switched to working for the Sherriff’s Department in Henderson County as a jailer, hoping of course to move up and eventually into the TBI or the like. But that didn’t happened but instead….there came along a GIRL…and as they say….the rest is history! Now things are different. In considering he needed a better income and his sweet girlfriend lives near where he worked at the penitentiary…guess what he did recently? He went back to his old job. He has brought Laura home several times and we love her! We have much to be thankful for this Thanksliving! Samuel loves Jackson, where he went to Union University and plans to stay around the area. He is currently splitting rent with a school buddy. We pray Sam deepens his love for God. Trusting….lots of praying….

U is for us. Sherman and I celebrated our 29^th anniversary this year! We went to New York! It is something we have never done. It was strange for it to only be the three of us. But Zechariah didn’t seem to mind milling around NY with old people (yes we are getting old!!) It was a place like no other. Yes I was inspired to keep my keyboard busy but I have been too busy with volunteer projects to get much writing done…..hummm maybe we will have to go back, I can claim in my old age I forget easily!! But then that would mean outrageous toll fees (like over $100), nearly being run over by taxi drivers and jumping in and out of crammed subways. Oh and be with thousands of non-English speaking tourist and unhappy locals. Germ-X took on new meaning on that trip! BUT we did end the trip with Niagara Falls and that was so beautiful…beyond description. I did write a few blogs on this trip you can check out. We are happy and still very much in love! We took several trips (3) to see Josh. One to each of his schools including his Graduation from Parris Island….which was the first time we saw him in 13 weeks. Then to visit while in SOI and lastly we took him his car for his birthday….while there we went to Arlington Cemetery…..I said as I left…..”I could write in this place!” Sherman crinkled his forehead….and said, “You get inspired in the weirdest places!” Guess who is writing a book about Arlington Cemetery?????

S is for Sherman. He is still working for DIA at Redstone in Huntsville. He still loves his job! His favorite thing at work is to try to tell me (Laura) how to use or fix my wayward computer over the telephone!! Ugh! A patient man! He did go to Australia this past February and he loved it! The pictures were cute of the kangas! He still enjoys cutting wood for our heater every year, only he can barely walk afterwards! He’s been riding his bike a lot more this year and at times we do it as a family! AND he has even started running a bit….who knows he might outrun us all yet! He still teaches Sunday School and helps with the youth. He still blogs so if you are a computer person, check out his articles. You are sure to be challenged and encouraged to walk more humbly with God. But mostly he spends time with his boys and Laura. Those are his favorite things! He has our house up for sale…..gas prices and fewer kids at home has us looking at moving closer to his work. Trusting and lots of praying...

I is for Internet. I am trying my best to stay up with the electronic “times”. We are ALL on Facebook. If you are, PLEASE Friend me (us). A great way to stay in touch. Also you can take a peek at our hearts by way of our blogs…..

www.The-Weekly-Thread.blogspot.com (Laura) *

www.TNThoughts.blogspot.com (Sherman)

www.laurawiggin.tateauthor.com Laura’s Book (The Bus Ride) web page. You can also go to her book email, etsy store & blog spot from there….love for you to leave a response! Contact her for speaking engagements and testimony sharing opportunities!

www.therippleffects.com is Laura’s conference website

www.rockwithjosh.com Joshua’s web page

wavesofgracehome@gmail.com (our regular email address) send us your updated email please!

105 Raby Hollow Rd (our mailing address if you wanna send us some snail mail….we still check our mailbox!!) Fayetteville, TN 37334

(931) 759-6855 (old fashioned phone number)

Z is for Zechariah. He turned 16 this year! He is growing up fast! A handsome young man! He has kept his curls GONE! He is doing great in school, now in the 11th grade. Zech is built like a football player, big broad across the shoulders and strong. His favorite team is Alabama. He keeps up with the team as much as possible. He has been training faithfully. In Sept. he ran a “sprint” triathlon, his first. He did great in all three areas, swimming, biking and running. He was toast after that but it was a great experience and he wants to do it again. He also ran a few 5 Ks too. He has slimmed down in all his training….Hummmm….makes me think he is getting ready for this thing called GIRLS! He loves to collect knives and throw the football around. Daisy the wild & hyper lab puppy, now fully grown….keeps us on our toes. We call her the bullet dog for a reason. When we let her off her line….she runs like a bullet train all over the place! She is adorable but we still have not managed to get her back into the house! Zech still aggravates Stryper (the cat). He consumes books like candy (sometimes both at once!!). He has his permit and is ready to get his license…but we are not! Trusting and praying….

L is for Laura. Laura’s big news is that her 3^rd book A Season of Rebuilding (in A Season for Everything Series) came out this year! If you did not get her second book called The Beat of My Heart! You still can, just let her know. If you loved Peter and Lilly in the first one, The Bus Ride. You got to see them in the second one! It has many of our California memories and favorite sightseeing places all mixed into a fabulous story of Hope! The journey has been an absolute humbling experience seemingly all in one big blur! It all happened so fast and still continues to keep her buzzing to different interviews, book signings and speaking engagements and conferences. But if I were to say,…this is so Laura….certainly all her card making years were preparing her for this moment in time! She still loves to make cards, as she is an encourager at heart. But writing is her passion and love. This new work is a fiction book about the tornadoes that ripped through southern Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. It is intriguing all the while inspiring collection of 5 short stories that anyone can relate too. She has been told by those who have read it….that it is of the same quality as The Bus Ride….tender, inspiring and full of encouragement and Hope! You can get Laura’s books at Amazon, bookstores and from her as well. Just let her know and she can get them out to you. They are still only $20 a great author discount. I have had several young kids ask me “Are you famous?” I reply “me, naw, the only difference between you and me is a page! We all have a story; just some of us write it down.” It has been an awesome journey! She has started yet another series called Foster Friends! She has already begun! Oh and she ran her first 5K this year! Trusting and praying…..

O is for Others. It seems to be the year for extended family sickness, cancers and surgeries. It only reminds me to value today all the more. Our every breath is a gift from God….use that gift for His glory and your heart will be full of joy no matter the suffering around you. We lost my sweet aunt Bobbie last year and that was hard too. I think of her often. Trusting and lots of praying……

R is for Read. Of course we encourage you r to take a stroll through our blogs, some are quite funny! And also a new friend and blogger, my speaking partner Jessica www.AwakenedAnew.com And of course I wish everyone to read my books! However, even as an author, I must still encourage you to read God’s love letter to you. My prayer for you this year is that you come to a place of craving…where you crave the Word of God! Trusting and praying…..

D is for Drop In. WE LOVE COMPANY! We made all the visits this year. We loved the visits to family as well as our visit to the Wellman’s and the Brown’s and we are going to see the Jessee’s soon. So come on over and sit a spell with us! If I am going to “spend” time…I’d rather spend it with you! So come on by…the rockers are on the porch! And ice tea is in the fridge! Hope to see you this year!

If you have followed our lives for any length of time, you know I can never just “cut and paste” from year to year! Way too much happens. Every year I say I am going to start my Christmas cards and letter in January so I am not so rushed to get them out by the end of the year. Before I could act on that idea it was December again! Not to mention, so much happens on a daily basis, I would short change my readers!

(Though I was tempted as fast as this year went by to just put 2014 on my letter and cards and send them out “early” for next year and skip this one, because time just goes so fast!)

With love---

The Wiggin Family--- Sherman, Laura, Samuel, Joshua, Zechariah

The Art of Listening

 

The art of listening begins with these two words:

         SHUT UP

The art of listening is nearly extinct.  In observation…..the thought of attentively listening because you care about the person speaking just doesn’t happen these days.  We have become such a self centered self absorb, instant chat society. 

Just send me an email or better yet, just text me……has become our mantra.   But it leaves behind the beauty that comes from the art of listening!  Just as with all the “arts” there is a beauty that can be gained by the user. 

One of the hardest things in a conversation is to be quiet.  As self centered creatures, we have a natural knack of turning the conversation back to ourselves.  Or “upping” the other person with one of our stories.  Or we constantly interrupt.

As I have prayed to become more like God, He has shown me much.  This is an area I greatly lacked in.  But the joy of sitting across the table with a friend or stranger and letting her bear her heart, without my  interruption, my advice, my scripture input, without looking at my watch or yawning.   Learned forward intently listening, digesting, praying and loving….that is the art of listening. 

For practice God has put me in countless situations/conversations where I have actually had some pretty heavy stuff going on in my own life…..the temptation to unburden was strong.   I have had to encourage someone else while my own heart was breaking.   But the beauty is….the art of listening is coming forth.   I gain overflowing joy by putting the other person first by engaging in this art of  listening to them.

The art of giving of ourselves 100 percent in a conversation without getting

anything in return is a masterpiece worth keeping!

So…

Shut Up & Listen Up!

 

The Non-Verbal Mr. Verble

I met a man who didn’t speak.  His name was Mr. Verble.  Though he uttered not a word I heard him say many things.

His deaf ears told me of the whistling and explosions of mortar shells.  The loud blast of the guns from world war II silencing the screams of the wounded and dying.  His blank stare reflected The purple heart he had earned.  His eyes no longer focused, blinded by the memories of this thing called war. 

His cane well told me of his active life.  A life filled with family and friends.  A life filled with adventure. 

His hat told me of the loving father he had been to his three sons and the lovely granddaughter he had raised.  His nice clothing told me of his career as the mayor’s recorder. 

His wedding band told spoke of his faithfulness and love for his beautiful wife. 

His serene peaceful countenance told me of things most important….this had been a man of God.  His face spoke of peace and love to all.  He had been a man that was a faithful servant of God.  He had ministered at his local church for many decades. 

So though this man was non-verbal.  He said much.  His name Verble.  The grandfather of a good friend of my oldest son. 

I learned alot from silent Mr. Verble. 

I ask you…..

If you were not able to see &  hear, if you were old and broken down.  What would your countenance say? 

Would it speak of peace and blessing or hatred and cursing?

The choice is yours!

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Prayer Matters

I am in my forties.  I have been married 29 years.  I have played sports as a kid and on some adult leagues.  I have been making crafts for numerous years.  I have designed hundreds of cards.  Inspiration runs through my veins.  I love home decorating.  I have created many word quilts and fashioned many unique themes. 

I have raised three handsome boys.  I have homeschooled for 20 years.  I have served on many church committees, served many a meal, and done much mission work.  I have taught Sunday School for years, i have passed on my heart of Encouragement to as many as possible.  I have written books, spoke at retreats and even developed my our touring conference…… Needless to say i have had alot of compliments over the years.

BUT……

In all my life, the compliments here and there over all these accomplishments pale in comparison to this one compliment:

    “Mom, will you pray for me?”

Two of my sons are already gone from home, with one teenager still at home.  It has not been an easy thing to raise kids.  Trying to show them how to follow Christ when you are still trying to figure that out yourself. 

Not to mention, i am a busy person.  My mind and body are engaged most of the time.  One day when my son was in great need……he called and asked:  “Mom will you pray for me?”

You could hear the desperation in his voice.  He was in great need of help.  But along the side of desperation was faith.  Faith in me that God would listen to me. 

Now that is a humbling compliment.  That my son wanted me to pray for him because he believed i bend the heart of God! WHOA!  I was touched. It was no passing flippant prayer request.  It was gut earnest cry for me to go before The Almighty on my son’s behalf.

Now that caused all kinds of emotion to surge through me.  Why did he ask me?  But there was no denying, he thought if i prayed it would make a difference.  Humbly i went before The Lord….

No compliment could ever beat this one.  That someone thought my life represented one with great faith in God and in a prayer lifestyle that showed.  I was undone.

but not as undone as the answered prayer the next day and days to follow.   I was reminded once again, just how Awesome and Powerful my God is and yet so very tender and loving to His children. 

May your prayers become as often as your breathing……

AND your faith as steadfast as your heartbeat!

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

 

Stung by the Enemy

 

Have you ever been stung by the enemy?  Most of us have.  I have many times over.  But this morning my “sting” was a blatantly clear reminder as a child of God, i do have an enemy and he seeks to not only destroy my day but to destroy me.

Here is what happened…… many of  you know one of the big areas of personal struggle is weight……partnered with exercise.  It is totally a love/hate relationship….i love to eat & hate to exercise!  If the truth be known…..i could easily work for Frito Lay….i am a total couch potato!  Hence the weight problem.

I have been really trying hard to lose weight, and those of you who know where i come from KNOW it is only through hard work & commitment that the pounds come off.  There is NO MAGIC trick, pill or solution. It is only by good old fashioned determination and hard work.  As of yet…. it is just as hard as it has always been.

So…. on this morning, the enemy was working overtime on me.  I had a fabulous spirit filled time with God very early.  Then i dressed for the gym and headed out the door.  Only to find it was raining.  So i text my jogging partner and she was not going to be there.  So do you see how the enemy was already working against me! 

So to save gas, i decided i would just jog at the house.  So i waited until it was just barely daybreak so no country varmints would attack me living way out in the boon docks.  Three strikes against me….rain, cancelled partner and having to wait until daylight (which often times, i end up getting consumed in a project waiting for sunrise…..then missing the exercise all together.)  So the enemy has it going on….and is trying his best to derail my exercise efforts, which then causes my healthy eating to falter.

Here i go jogging between raindrops, telling my hungry stomach too bad, arguing with my legs that this is good for them……when it happened.  Out of nowhere (okay out of the woods) something stung me on the earlobe.  Piercing pain followed.  It was still dark (6:30 am in Oct.) so i could not see the stealthy little thing….but oh boy, i could feel it! It hurt like crazy!  How in the world did this thing find my earlobe…..out of all the places and spaces it could consume!

Needless to say i turned around and ran as fast as i could home, searing pain on my ear.  Sure enough when i looked into the mirror, evidence of the dirty deed was beginning to swell.  Still 6 hours later…..it still hurts!

Now i am telling ya….. that little whatever was demon possessed!  Out of all the countryside, acres upon acres of beautiful hillside…and this little thing decides he wants all the road air space!  Really!

satan was trying to defeat me….I am very venerable in this area…..and he knew it.  He did all he could to get me not to go out the door….he did some pretty creative moves to get me back in the door right away, thwarting my success. 

Isn’t that how the enemy works.  he doesn’t distract us with things we don’t like but things we do.  he tries to sabotage our determination and drive a wedge between us and God. 

And if that don’t work….he will just outright stings you to accomplish his plan.  he is very clever and deceitful.  So watch out for him!  satan is a liar and will stop at nothing to stop you!!

So while you are “running the race” as stated by the Apostle Paul, do not look to the left or the right.  Do not sop for anything.  he has set yp traps for you mines of disaster and defeat.   he has sideline distracts that are a match to your personality. 

Don’t get stung by the busy bee….. run hard and think of BUSY…..Being Under Satan’s Yoke. 

Now…..i have to go take a nap due to the Benadryl i took!

You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. 

Psalms 31:8

 

 

 

Run to Win!

 

Running in Saturday’s 5K race was not about winning but about crossing the finish line.  For years I have dreamed of accomplishing this feat with my feet!  But winning had a deeper meaning….

I had two goals, one to finish and the other was to  not walk on any part of the course.  It wasn’t about time, or winning awards for me.  It was about finishing strong.

The Lord and I have been on this journey towards this place in my life for several years.  At times it has been grueling.  I have been defeated in my attempts.  I have been hindered by my health over and over again.  Discouragement has left me limping along. 

But on this day all of that changed.  The enemy sought to dissuade me….. my son came in from out of town, a sure distraction for I wanted to be at home.   It was pouring rain!  My running partner and friend fell into the duck pond at the park ten minutes before the race began. 

Looking around, I felt out of my league at all the trim fit people in their matching running clothes and expensive running shoes.   I was reminded of my two goals when the sound horn blew starting the race into action.

All the people quickly sped away, leaving me in a puddle of despair threatening to drown me.  But I prayed in the face of my fears.  My friend though soaked from the pond, along with my regular exercise partner, and I began running at a slow but steady clip. 

This was a spiritual journey I was on.  Though I had kept my goals to myself, the Lord knew them.  Oh it got so hard to keep pressing on.  But God through my friend kept pressing me on.  When I got out of breath, she praised God on my behalf.  When I felt like I could go no more….God carried me.

Somehow in the midst of the course, it just happened!  God made it happen.  I floated on the clouds Jesus sent my way.  I would not leave my regular running partner behind…..It was a joy to go back and run along side of her, taking my friend along with me. 

Call me crazy….but it wasn’t about the time, but the win….the win in God’s race.  The race He has for us is all about others and not self.  God honored my heart and efforts to stay with my partner and not leave her behind. 

I won both of my goals…..to finish and I ran the whole way without stopping.  Now that is a high that only God gives!  Grabbing the ladies in each hand we stepped across the finish line together!

Completely undone by my Jesus I walked on with my friend, praising God out loud as I cried.  He had empowered every step.  My joy could not be contained! 

So it is, with the spiritual race….God will empower you to run without stopping until you cross the finish line!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off

everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down

at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

 

 

Write your Obituary ---Now!

If you are reading this, you are writing your obituary right now!  I know, your thinking…..how morbid!  But not really.  Because once you are gone, you no longer have the chance to write anything on the palette of your life. 

Right now, this very moment, the story of who you are is being quickly scribbled in the notebooks of all those that surround you.  How would they describe you,  What would be said about you?  How you lived your life?  What you thought was important?  What would your family and friends say you valued the most?

If only one sentence was allowed to describe you….what would it be?  This question stood out loud and clear to me as i was reading in the book of 1 Kings.  As i went down, King after King it says this one blurb.  “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord”  out of 10 to sometimes 40 years of their reign it was summed up in one sentence!  If all the things were boiled down that a king had done…..he was still known as….A King that did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

That gets my attention.  If all of your life were penned into say three paragraphs…..and one sentence was the summary…would it be ______ did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  OR _______ did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (as a very few Kings did)

You have today to write your own life history……

will it be yourstory or HIStory?

Even a child is known by his actions,

by whether his conduct is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11

 

Ditto Calves

 

We often disregard the fact that our sin can have long lasting consequences.  Even after we have repented and turned away from a sin, it can come back to haunt us.  That is why it is so important to really focus on following God with all our heart. 

In the book of 1 Kings we see a ghost of Aaron’s sin come back to haunt him.  Though Aaron is long deceased, his sin carried on into many generations.

1 Kings 12:28-31 tells us that King Jeroboam built 2 golden calves.  He then told the Israelites to worship these calves that “brought them out of Egypt!” And then he appointed priest from every clan ignoring that only Levites were to hold that position. 

This shocked me.  Then it amazed me further to know that the Israelites did it!  Hook, line and sinker. Had they wondered so far from God that they did not know this was majorly wrong.  It is amazing how stupid we can be with it right there in front of you!

What you focus your time, energy and money will reveal your God.  I just think that if the Israelites had kept there hearts steadfast on God, they would have instantly known the calves to be idolatry.  And even when the king used the phrase, “brought you out of Egypt”that should have sounded off a big alarm.  But no, they had wondered so far away from the One True God, they didn’t even know what He looked like.

This is sad.  I can imagine that Aaron would be distraught had he been alive to know that his sin caused once again for Israel to stray into wicked idolatry.

This is a clear lesson to remember that our actions do matter.  What we do affects those around us now and possible for years to come.  Was Aaron forgiven, YES!  But the consequences of his sin was far reaching.

Remember, your actions, show what you worship.  Perhaps, your most worshiped idol is yourself and having your way.  May God melt your golden calves so that He is clearly known!

"You shall have no other gods before me.
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 

Exodus 20:3-6

 

Doing RIGHT when it’s WRONG!

If anyone had reason to do wrong it would be David. We find in the story of King Saul and David a deep dedication to God. Read the story. For no reason, King Saul tries to kill David several times until David has to flee to spare his own life. We see that King Saul continues his demented pursuit of David.

Twice David is given the opportunity to easily kill King Saul. What would you do? I mean the king had tried to spear David to the wall, (while David was playing the harp for him!) Then he relentlessly pursues David to where David had to leave the King’s home, his wife and family, his best friend and for years, live as an outcast, a fugitive on the run. All of this takes place after David was actually anointed king!

In 1 Samuel 24 and 26 we see very clearly that God did hand King Saul over to David to make a decision. What would you do? You can see in these passages that David struggles with his flesh. He is tried of being on the run, he had not done anything wrong to the King to deserve this horrific treatment.

And now…..he has the chance to end all his fugitive running. Twice he has the perfect opportunity to kill King Saul. David had to think…..perhaps this was the way God had intended for him to become king!

But in the moment of indecision, fighting his flesh to take “rightful” revenge into his own hands…..he stops and remembers….He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." 1 Samuel 24:6

I find in my own life the hardest things to get through in my walk of Faith is when someone wrongs me. Especially for no apparent reason. It is hard to let it go and bless them back. BUT scripture talks about doing just that! But it is hard.

May we be reminded in the story of King Saul and David that God calls us to honor and obey Him in all situations.

Do what’s RIGHT even when you have been so WRONGed!

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak,

do not stop him from taking your tunic.

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:27-31

Circumstance Christianity

 

Have you ever had those times of decision making that were confusing as to what God would have you do? Those situations can be difficult to see clearly what God’s direction is. Though I don’t claim to understand this fully, but wanted to share some insight from the book of 1 Samuel.

Let’s look at King Saul. Read with me 1 Samuel 13:7-12

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear.

He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to

Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.

So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings."

And Saul offered up the burnt offering.

Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived,

and Saul went out to greet him.

"What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the

Philistines were assembling at Micmash,

I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

Right here we see that King Saul takes it into his own hands to make an offering to the Lord….that was NOT his place. But he thought it was OK to do wrong……with a “spiritual purpose”. You can’t “spiritualize” wrong doing…..no matter the reason or the excuse. He knew better, and he suffered great consequences for this.

It is hard to see at times what to do, especially since our hearts are wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Our hearts are a master “twister” of things. It knows how to make the most ungodly decisions and “spiritualize” them. So, be careful! We do know that your decision will not go against scripture. So first always check it against scripture and the whole context of scripture. And PRAY until He answers you.

It is never RIGHT to do WRONG for the RIGHT reasons!

Together We Cry ~ Together We Celebrate!

Have you ever been in a situation where “body language” said it all? Where no words were uttered yet you got full understanding. A place where love for God and love for others didn’t have to be explained, you just saw it. For a moment in time, The Holy Spirit was so evident……..it left your speechless!

As a writer that does not happen to me very often, the speechless part, but Sunday July 28, 2013 did just that. I journeyed over 3 hours to a small town that had so inspired my book, A Season of Rebuilding. I had never been to this town before, and knew no one.

They were having a dedication to a new church building, as well as a celebration service of all the GREAT things God had done. I slipped in the new pew unnoticed. I was an observer. I needed not to tell folks who I was. Nor did anyone know I had written a book in attempt to express my grief and sorrow over the devastation that happened to so many on April 27^th, 2011.

As I drove around the small town and through the community….the evidence of the EF5 tornado, were still very visible to me. I shuddered as I saw foundation after foundation, with empty driveways going nowhere. My heart cried as I saw steps that used to lead up to homes and lives of Smithville residents, blown away two years ago. The markings of a town with thriving businesses, now have tall weeds growing where their buildings once stood.

How can I write about these things? When I began to write a few months after the tornados had hit, it was with fear and trepidation. I wanted to honor the people who had lost so much. I wanted to help in some way. Writing was my way of sharing in their grief. I purposed to write a fiction work, so as to not be offensive, but I longed to listen and weep with real lives and real stories.

Interestingly I never got that opportunity. So when I found out about this celebration day, I went to celebrate with them, as a silent visitor. I sat there in the midst of celebrating people. Their warm welcome and love spoke words of great faith. Their faces told me of the most important part of the story. They told me in their countenance that God gets the glory in all things. This church’s strength was in God’s faithfulness. In no way could I imagine their grief that day or the days that followed, but it welded an unshakable faith that cannot be explained.

The closeness that the whole community had baffled my mind. I have never seen so much together in such a torn apart place! Only God can make that kind of together, and that kind of faith. I can see why they were celebrating!

A tornado can destroy lives, buildings and things……

….but it can never crush hearts that belong to God!

Thank you Smithville Baptist Church for showing me that truth!

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your

faithfulness known through all generations.

Psalm 89:1

Cutting out Sin!

I was peeling potatoes for dinner one night and God gave me a glimpse of just what sin can do to a potato…I mean a life!

I saw the spot but hoped that with one swoosh of the peeler it would be gone and I could go on to the next one.  But that is not what happened.  I peeled over and over the same spot and instead of it going away….it only got bigger.

I ended up cutting off the whole end. Then I had to take a knife and dig out the rest of the rotten.  I sighed when I looked at what was left of the now horrifically deformed potato. It was a mess, nothing of it resembled the potato I had started with.

You ask…why didn’t I just throw it away?……Because God doesn’t throw us away!  You bet sin destroys & deforms, sometimes permanently!  Yet as God helps you dig out the rotten (sin) in your life, though you may not be as you started, you are still loved and usable to Him. 

So I cut up the little part that remained of that potato and it was able to be used as it was intended, yet it was not able to give everything to the purpose (Yummy garlic mashed potatoes for company!)  However, it was still used!

In our lives, knowing how difficult sin is to cut out of our lives…..the best thing to do, it not let it come in and take up “residence” with us!  It will in no time spread and root itself and rot us from the inside out! 

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Upside down Thinking

Upside down Thinking

 

The Lord showed me a picture of myself!  So get out your mirrors……I think you might see the same picture!  Driving down the back roads home I saw this pitiful sight.  In the middle of the road was a turtle, on it’s back, all four arms reaching up for help!

 

That is how we are!  Completely dependent on God for everything.  There was no way without someone intervening in that little turtle’s life to reach down and turn him over would he survive.  That is so true for us.  If God had not reached down when I was dead in my sins to save me…..I would be like that turtle without hope. 

The Same is true though for our everyday living as Christians.   We need to surrender everything and let God do with us what He has planned.  We need to reach out our hands and hearts up to God because we can’t live this life without His help in……”turning us over” to be more like HIM!…..

So get on your backs “spiritually speaking”

and let God do the rest! 

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Normal?

 

We think “our life” is normal

We live in a very self centered society and I am no different when it comes to the word normal! Of course I am normal…..everybody else is weird. Of course we wear normal clothes….everybody else is weird. Of course we do normal everyday living….anything different is just plain weird………

That is how we think. We live in the sphere of our world….more specifically our daily routine….and anything different well….becomes the oddity. I have traveled much in this country. I have lived in many different states, yet I find that wherever I am….becomes the new normal!

I thought living in California would have prepared me for anything…..but not New York City! Here are just a few things out of the norm:

We paid close to a hundred dollars in toll fees on our way to NY City! As much as $13 one time….$7.50 the next etc. They didn’t nickel and dime you to death…it was billed to death! Around here…..we don’t charge ya extra for driving down our roads….we are glad ya here!

I thought my husband drove a long distance to work in Huntsville (an hour and ten minutes) Well everyday in NY, we drove in Staten Island along with all the crazy---non following traffic rules---people to the Ferry parking. Then we pay, climb the stairs and walk to the huge waiting area………and wait, as long as 3o minutes depending on if we missed the last boat. Then ten minutes before the ferry boards….a couple thousand people begin moving to the big doors. As soon as the doors open, masses of people crowd and press in to try to get there first. Sitting among the hard faces of the people we travel 30 minutes across the water. Then we debark along with throngs of rushing people. We climbed down the stairs, wishing for some germ-X to the outdoors. Then you have to walk a short distance to the subway, buy tickets…..try to figure out what in the world you are doing, while people and trains whizz by. Then you wait for the right train in the dirty, strange hole in the ground for your correct train.

Suddenly your ears cringe as the screeching of your train comes in. You wait anxiously for the people in the subway car to get off, blocking your entrance. Finally you jump on knowing the doors will shut instantly leaving you behind. If you are lucky enough to find a seat you bounce and tussle, hoping not to touch the person sitting next to you. You don’t look anyone in the eye…….and you don’t smile or talk to anyone (it’s an unspoken rule I learned right away!) You ride and ride until you finally see your street name come up. Then you better stand and get close to the door….or you will be riding longer than you need to!

Then you climb the stairs again. Finally coming out of the hole in the ground, right into NY City. You have to get your bearing to see what direction you need to walk. As people squash around you quickly heading to their destinations. Then you wait at the corner for the “Walk” signal. Then you wait for the cars to stop…..then you wait for a signal again. The cars, taxis, and buses do NOT stop at red lights, so you have to walk out in front of them! Sheww! You get across (and you may have to cross several times before arriving at your destination!) Then you walk, walk, and walk some more. Trying to keep up with your group is no easy task! People weave in and out all around you. People cut in front of you….they are rude and determined. Horns are constantly blaring! You have to keep your eyes peeled or you will get run over! It could take almost two hours just to get where you need to be!

Then you walk around the attraction, then if you are doing more than one thing that day…you do all of that again and again except for the ferry which you have to do when you are ready to leave.

Now that is VERY different, than my normal of driving up, parking and going inside a business! I was so toast at the end of each day….my body hurt and my legs ached! New York City is not for the faint hearted, the handicapped, or the elderly.

My normal…a red light means stop, a stop sign means stop and wait your turn. My normal….let others go before yourself……NY folks have no such considerations. My normal….don’t honk just because they don’t go fast enough….their normal….they honk at you even if you are turning! My normal….help others….NY normal….do it yourself and be quiet. My normal…..look around and see how to be a blessing……NY normal…..argue and fight with your co-workers, be loud and heartless while waiting on customers. My normal….everyone is a person…….NY normal……you are just one of the mass cows going to market. My norm….pay a reasonable price for food…..NY normal…..$20 for 3 cups of coffee and two desserts! My norm…a nice quiet coffee shop with great coffee and a mocha motif….NY norm….no motif, the tables are dirty, most people stand to eat and they have terrible coffee. My norm…most every store has a bathroom, or there is a public one. NY norm….notta! Restrooms were nowhere to be found!

My Norm….a few sky rise buildings, smaller buildings for one of our “Big city” downtown areas, NY norm……….miles and miles of sky scrapers as far as the eye can see.

My norm….identifiable schools of all levels……….NY norm…never saw a single school. My norm….there is a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and a church of Christ on nearly every block. NY norm…I never saw a church of any kind.

My norm….A Wal-Mart in every town that has a McDonalds. NY norm…there is no wal-Mart in the entire state!

My norm, sky scrapers are for businesses and corporations. NY norm….sky scrapers are your Walgreens, your dry cleaners, your deli shops, McDonalds, apartments, specialty shops like Hershey’s chocolate store & M M candy store, shoe stores and TV Broadcast and corporations, stocks etc. We even made a purchase at a Walgreens in The Empire State Building!

My norm…the homeless really look like it and there are only a handful at any given place. NY norm…they are everywhere! Some will sing or do something with a bag for you to put change in. Almost every time we rode the subway there was someone different asking for money. It is much more in your face….but I am not sure what “poor” or “homeless” really means in NY! As soon as it rained someone was panhandling umbrellas at every door.

My norm….temp change means fog! NY norm….temp change mean smog! My norm at age 15 you are taking you are eager to take your drivers permit test and start driving asap. NY norm….I think there are thousands who live there all their lives and never learn to drive or own a vehicle!

Motel 6 does not exist in NY! Only sky rise VERY Expensive options! Our norm….is to obey the law to moved over for emergency vehicles. NY norm….doesn’t move or even flinch with emergency sirens and lights behind them!

Our norm….a few policemen protect our small little town, most of which I see drinking coffee with a person he might be writing a ticket for. NY police are everywhere! I have never seen so many! But I wonder what laws they enforce since so many are belligerently broken.

Our norm….to see families laughing at the park together, or shopping. NY norm….didn’t see many children (and those I saw I think were tourist) The word family to NY people is an unfamiliar term.

Our norm….several parks, with trees, squirrels, play equipment, and a few picnic tables, maybe an a pavilion. NY norm…one park, called Central Park…it was quit unique, I had hundreds of benches where I am sure on a nice sunny day they would be full (it was cold and rainy the day we were there), It had the most exquisite detailed sculptures, tiled pictured pavilions, ornate amphitheater, famous water fountains, a carousel, major landscaping with each area lined with flowers. It was over 800 acres. Just like everything else in NY…it seemed to be exquisite to the hilt, biggest, prettiest and best ever….yet the people the very things that matter most, seemed to matter the least!

Our Norm for a special event in a park would be…..a watermelon seed spitting contest of a hot dog chow down race. NY norm…is a movie or TV series being filmed….I had the chance to be on Law and Order. They simple cone off where they want to film, put up a sign that if you go in that area you are agreeing to be a volunteer non paid extra for that scene clip! There was a line…this seemed very in the ordinary for NY folks….for us…it was weird!

A Few NY abnormal signs: (1) NO standing anytime (They even had sharp pronged apparatus around the pipes and hydrants so people wouldn’t sit on them! (2)Rat Warning in the subway (3) Fresh Bagels sign instead of Fresh Donuts! (4) Lawn open hours 9am-6pm (this was in the park on a fence) All the grass areas were fenced off with ornate fencing to keep people off the plush grass except in certain areas!

Our norm to go to the top of a skyscraper…. Get in the elevator and go to the top and look out over the city. NY norm…to go to the top of The Empire State Bldg. was $45 per person! Then you had to weave through the ropes, get your picture made, weave through some more, get a pat down, check purse and backpack, weave some more, ride the elevator (which they CRAMED you into) to the top, stay in line to look around the top (we only paid to go to the 86^th floor!), take a quick picture before someone moves you on!

Our norm…to see advertisements on billboards along the hwy. NY norm to have gigantic electronic screens for advertising. Sometimes a whole building face was the electronic screen!

Our norm for taxi’s….we don’t have any! We would call from a bigger city to come fetch us. NY norm….more taxis then cars by far!

Our norm…Iced tea with lemon is common in any restaurant. NY norm….canned tea or nothing.

Our norm…to talk to or maybe even go to lunch with someone you meet at a gas station. NY they are not friendly at all…and I don’t recall seeing any gas stations either!

Our norm….wear comfortable shoes or just good ole flip flops. NY norm to see woman of all types wearing high heels on the subways and walking down the streets.

I learned a lot through our differences, but I was so thankful to return home…the trip caused a great contentment to wash over me!

When we left I shook my head and wondered how someone from NY would manage in our small southern town!

I agree with Dorothy……There is no place like home

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:23

The Smileless City

 

The Power of a Smile

As I prepared for our vacation I made sure I had a variety of different gospel tracts and of course my favorites. We made several stops before actually arriving in New York city. We arrived on day 4 of our ten day adventure. We had visited friends in which I did not need to share tracts with. Then our first day after leaving our friends home we stopped in Philadelphia PA for a history lesson. This was a little taste of what was to come. It had a lot of people and there were lines. We took a carriage ride and after I got off I realized what an opportunity I missed by not giving our driver a tract. So I vowed to not miss another opportunity.

Right away in NY on the Ferry I tried to look for opportunities, but the faces never really looked my way, or people just seemed occupied, and I had not yet learned the “be quiet and mind your own business” unspoken rule! So when it was time to leave I gave an older man who seemed sad a tract. He was reluctant to take it (you would think I was handing them a loaded grenade!).

I watched for opportunities on the subway to give away my favorite tract…but everyone was so rushed I knew that tract would be useless in this fast paced city. I prayed and really was broken by the thought I could not even pass out tracts….these people were so closed.

So, I had to go back to the basics……………A SMILE! I ended up giving away LOTS of SMILES! I made it my goal to get as many people to look my way and when they did….i gave them a winning smile ear to ear. My eyes resonated caring. My heart reached out with all the tenderness my body language could say.

I ended up giving a couple of tracts away to the hotel clerk and to waitresses. I was able to give away a tract to every beggar when I gave them money. I prayed they would hunger and thirst for Righteousness as much as they wanted to fill their bellies.

I have never felt so helpless, so constrained and yet so burdened for a people as the three days we were in the smileless city. One thing is for sure….they were not used to seeing a smile…occasionally I caught one smiling back!

Never underestimate the power of a SMILE!

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:13

The BIG Apple - The Fruit of Sin

For decades people have associated the apple with Adam and Eve, the first people on earth and the sin that caused all of us to live in a sinful, fallen world. Though there is no real description of the forbidden fruit and I am not sure how the apple got such a raw deal as becoming “the poster” for the first sin, but it did. Most movies, pictures and story books put an apple in Eve’s hands.

I am not sure the origin of New York City’s nick name, The Big Apple, but I could help but think of the apple, sin and the garden, when seeing The BIG Apple mentioned on the streets of NY City and on memorabilia and keepsakes. After spending three very full days in the city I am convinced there is a connection!

The biggest sin I saw in New York City was selfishness……isn’t that the same reason Eve reached for the forbidden apple? She wanted it, she took it, she ate it. Her yearning to satisfy her own desire over obedience to God was the root of the first sin.

The reason the NYC drivers honked, ran lights and drove crazy was selfishness…their desire to get where they wanted to be ruled over their desire to obey the laws of the city.

The reason there is an ocean of elaborate sky scrapers is their desire to build bigger, better, more expensive, fancier than anyone else………pride rules their hearts instead of humility and generosity.

The reason there were no visible signs of churches….is obvious there were no hearts desire to gather with the redeemed to celebrate New life is a low priority.

The reason people shoved in the Ferry line and crammed into over full subway cars is their selfish desires ruled over putting others first.

The reason people argued and yelled at each other is obvious…they want their “rights” that too is selfish…..

People were plagued by fear. You could see it on their faces….that too is selfishness. The opposite would be putting your trust in God to care for you. Or at the very least, one could say that a self centered life….hardens the heart toward others….a hard heart never smiles.

Perhaps the reason people didn’t smile…..is purely selfishness in not wanting to bless others with even the upturn of their lips. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit and it very quickly drives selfishness away.

The people of NYC seemed driven by the lust and pleasure of this world to indulge their own flesh. I am burdened for these people…they need to know LOVE!

Love is to be the root of all our thoughts words and actions!

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world,

the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the world.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

I John 2:15-17

Playing Dress-Up

As a little girl I often played dress-up. Putting on my mommas dresses and high heels.  Pretending to be somebody I wasn’t.  No matter how much make up I put on, or how fancy the clothes….I was still just me!  No matter how many jangle bracelets I slipped on my arm or rings on my fingers…..I was still just me.  Though it was wonderful to play…..like I was someone else…..in all reality….I was still just me!

And we still do that as adults don’t we?  We play “dress-up” when we put on our pretty clothes and make-up and pretend everything is going great, when our worlds might be falling apart.  We think if we just pretend the situation will go away.  We run away from our problems when we play dress-up instead of facing them in faith and prayer.

BUT who we are is still there when we take off all our “dress-up clothes and make-up”.   When we crawl in bed, and there is no one to impress we find we are still the same person as always.

Moses knew he was a Hebrew, yet he played “dress-up”everyday, pretending to be someone he wasn’t.  And no matter how much he wore, how much he tried to look like an Egyptian, he was still a Hebrew underneath and in his heart. 

He runs away from God, not realizing that is impossible and hides out where no one will know his true identity.  Or so he thinks.  Even his wife Zipporah calls him an Egyptian when she first meets him.  But though he may have fooled his wife for a time…….he never fooled God. 

If we are a believer then we need not to play “dress-Up” with the worlds wardrobe, trying to be someone we are not.  But to clothe ourselves with righteousness so that the world will know…..who we really are!

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

   Romans 13:14

Forgotten Cries

One day last week i was burdened by an old familiar feeling.  From a time in my life i don’t often look back too.  A time of great darkness and pain.  As years have gone by the pain and suffering are a mere distant memory.  But the scars….are there to remind me of God’s greatness and the blessing of just being His.

Earlier in the  week I stopped by the church to talk with the secretary about a mission trip.  As I looked into her face, it told me…..all was not well.  She had to cancel our meeting because her daughter had just miscarried…..again.

With my hand to my chest, my heart broke for this woman.  Suddenly the overwhelming pain came flooding back.  How I wish I could go to her and ease her pain…..but I knew there is no remedy, no words, no tonic that can take the pain away….The loss, the empty arms can only be filled by Christ and Him alone. 

The next day as I strolled along our country road lined with big oak trees I took in the Spring freshness.  The breeze on my face was perfect.  It was green all around.  The trees had started their resilient coming out. 

Suddenly I stopped.  At my feet was a tiny leaf.  This leaf was perfectly formed, fresh and bright green.  I wondered why such a perfectly formed leaf was discarded, left alone on the side of the road.  It had no blemish or deformity, yet it was dropped by The Master.  Then the Lord showed me…..it is through the leaves that have fallen that give the tree it’s nutrients and makes it grow even stronger.

I thought of the lady who had lost her baby.  I remember being in her shoes, and now some 23 years later, though I still remember it vividly…..i don’t focus on the loss so much as how God grew my faith stronger than ever through it.  Though at the time, i could not comprehend how anything good could ever comes of such suffering….But God did and He was patient as He changed me through it.  It made the “rich soil” that my faith needed to follow after God no matter what storms come my way.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28