Weighty Thoughts

I Thought You'd Never Ask

2010-03-16T23:33:00.003-04:00

Almost 28 years ago, my college roomie and I were walking home from a local deli, close to our college campus. I remember this young man running by, in real running shoes, only serious runners had those back in 1981. I actually turned to watch him run and said to her, "now that could make me start to run!" He was cute! I met this fellow the very next week and discovered he was the cousin and roommate of one of my dear friends.

A Sadie Hawkins Dance was being held at my school. My many friends all encouraged me to ask this boy. I talked to a mutual friend to see what he thought I should do. He said, "I'll talk to him and get a feel for whether he would like it if you asked him to the dance." That was the last I heard, until about a week before the dance when Andy called me and said "He'll go." "He who? will go where?" having honestly forgotten our conversation from the previous week. "Chuck! He said he would go with you to the dance." My heart honestly fluttered at the thought of calling him and asking him to go with me. I waited until about two days before the dance to finally get up the nerve to call. "Well, Andy told me he asked you to go with me so I guess we can meet for dinner and go to the dance." We went out that night and had a wonderful evening full of conversation. Did I mention he was cute? We married about 17 months later.

He told me long after our first date that he had cancelled a trip to the Kentucky Derby in order to go to the dance with me . He asked why it took so long to call. He shared that when I finally called, he thought "girl, I thought you'd never ask!"

I know you are probably wondering what this has to do with my walk with the Lord. Well, there was Another that waited for me to call. I had known the Lord for many years but saw people that had the sort of relationship with Him that I really wanted. I wanted to know Him like these others did. So I prayed. In my journal I wrote: Lord, give me the desire for your word. It was almost as if I heard Him say: "girl, I thought you'd never ask!"

God desires this intimate relationship with us. He is just waiting for us to ask. To know Him more, to hunger for his Word. It is one desire He is sure to fulfill! If you have never tried, ask Him now. Ask Him to give you the DESIRE to know Him more.

Do you see what I see?

2009-12-22T21:29:00.006-05:00

There it was. The night sky I so love to gaze up into. And as I stood there on this cold December night, I realized that the sky I peered up at was the very same sky that once led shepherds and wisemen to the savior Jesus. The very same sky! There is no longer a brilliant star pointing the way. Nor is there a choir of angels that fill the sky, at least not that I see tonight. Yet, we are still drawn to Him. Because we still need a savior.

During these busiest of days, I pray that I will take time to remember that. That this babe, whose birthday we celebrate, is the Savior of the world. My world. My Savior.

Praise Him!

John 4:42

Little lesson

2009-08-11T09:40:00.013-04:00

He entered the room with the quiet assuredness of a man in charge. Walked right past me, in his flashy shoes, towards the bookshelf and pulled from it two of his favorite readings. Making himself comfortable on the couch in the corner of the room he sat and flipped through the pages as only one familiar with the content would do. His blue eyes occasionally peering upwards to see the next person coming through the doorway. He involved himself in the setting throughout the hour but always returned back to that reading area. And then she entered. Long blonde hair and a brilliant smile. She herself appeared to walk with confidence. She headed toward the computer.

She sat down in the plastic chair and began working on that computer. Suddenly it was as if all the air, along with her confidence, was let out of this gal. She sat in frustration and cried out, "I can't do it." Her frustration with the computer screen and mouse obvious to all in the room. Then the quiet young man in the corner of the room left behind his books and walked over to the computer desk. He pulled up a chair next to her and sat down as she continued busily trying to figure out the computer program. She voiced again, with more volume, "I CAN'T DO IT!" He gently looked at her and said, "You can do it; I will help you."

Sound like the beginnings of a love story? Of sorts, it was. For this was the love of Jesus that this little boy reads and hears about. Our hero's name? Will. Will is a three year old in my Sunday school class. This young "reader" and student had taken to heart the Good Samaritan story that he had just heard during the first hour of Sunday school. The group of young learners had all shared different ways, in their all so entertaining style, that they too could be kind to others. But Will? Will had taken this story one step further. He sat down next to a tired, frustrated preschool girl and offered kindness. Encouragement. Help.

It was the most beautiful picture of LOVE in action. As I watched this precious young one offer assistance, and later remembered this act, I could almost hear the Savior say to me in my own moments of frustration, "You can do it, I will help you." Little do we know who or what God will use to teach us a lesson. Sunday it was Will.

Galatians 6:10: " Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Praise Him!

Cops and Robbers

2009-08-04T16:33:00.007-04:00

It was a muggy Monday afternoon as Molly and I headed back into the parking garage at the hospital. We had just spent a short but enjoyable thirty minutes visiting one of our loved ones. We were walking side by side, arms linked, giggling and chatting our way back to the car. I unlocked the car as I came around the tail end of it and noticed my window. Instantly I realized that something was wrong. I knew I hadn't left my window down. Then I noticed the thousands of shards of safety glass at the foot of the door and knew what had happened. We had been robbed. Yup. Robbed.

I peeked inside where we had hidden both our purses and they,along with two phones, were gone. My seat was covered in the same glass I first noticed outside my driver side door. We glibbly marched our way together back into the hospital to find a security guard. No more giggling.

I have to admit, my first reaction was shock. The second was anger, followed by fear. It was then that Molly and I decided we must forgive. We spoke to each other about what it must take to steal. Hunger. Sick children. Any number of reasons. We hoped out loud that the money would be used for good. Somehow we thought that would make us feel better about the episode. Somehow it didn't.

After what seemed like hours(it wasn't)the police arrived. I was expecting to watch him dust for prints or search the stairways. To my disappointment all he did was take down the information and fill out a report. He then told me "You should plan on leaving everything except your driver's license at home next time you come. Never leave your purse in the car. If you bring it with you, lock it in your trunk." The smarty pants in me thought "well, thank you but I already knew that!" But I thanked him and headed home, slivers of glass poking into my toes and elbows.

This morning as I sat and had my quiet time I was still venting to the Lord about this thing. And truthfully I thought again about what the policeman said to me. I did know I shouldn't leave my purse locked in the car, even if it was out of sight. But I did it anyway. Somewhere in my spirit I felt the Lord reminding me that I can say whatever I want. I can say "I trust You Lord." I can say "I believe You Lord." I can say "I have a heart for those who do not know the Lord." I can even say that "I know I shouldn't ever leave my purse in the car." But if I do not act on that belief, then it is really as if I didn't believe at all.

Praise Him!

P.S. In case you are wondering, our thieves first stop with our money....DVDExpress!

Praise HIM!

2009-06-27T13:14:00.002-04:00

I arrived home on Saturday from a wonderful vacation to the gulf side of Florida. Clearwater Beach to be exact. It was a refreshing time for me. Extended time with family. Catching up time with best friends. And time to reflect over the past winter. It was good.

Like me, you may have noticed how gloriously long the daylight is this time of year. I love it. It seemed to me that as we sat at the beach, the days were even longer. We watched the sun dip below the horizon almost every night. It appeared to melt into the water, the horizon line became the place where water met heat. It almost looked as if lava poured out over the seas. Blazing, beautiful, bold. I can hardly find the right words to describe this sight. But what came over the next 45 minutes was also truly beautiful.

Nightfall. It began behind our backs as we viewed the Gulf. It seemed as if the gray shadows began to creep up quietly. Inching ever closer until finally the darkness itself dropped completely into the sea. And then it happened. Little bits of twinkling lights appeared. First one. Then another. Until finally, when darkness settled in, the sky lit up. Every inch of the night sky was completely covered by both large and small lights. Stars existing so far in distance that this feeble mind of mine can't even fathom. The funny thing is the stars were there all day long. Only in the brilliant Florida sunshine I never saw them. It was not until the deep blackness of night settled in did they appear.

It occured to me as I sat viewing this amazing site, that God too reveals some attributes of Himself only when we are in the dark places. His character never changes but parts of Himself are disclosed only during the night-time periods of our lives. It makes me thankful, in a different way, for those difficult seasons. The seasons that make us wonder why we are asked to praise "at all times." I've been there. You probably have too. Let's be encouraged by what David wrote during one of his very difficult times in
Psalms 34:1-6"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."

What a reason to praise! That when this "poor" girl "called," " the LORD heard" her!
Praise HIM...at all times!

Tip

2009-03-10T08:13:00.002-04:00

I made chicken parmesan, First Place style, last night. When I came to add the provolone or the mozzarella at the end of the recipe I realized I had bought the wrong cheese. So my tip is, if you need some mozzarella...try string cheese. I used the low fat version and only used two cheese sticks for the entire recipe. It was perfect to fit on the chicken tenderloins I used!

Here is the entire recipe:
Chicken tenderloins
Olive oil-2 tsp
2 cans of tomatoes
Italian seasoning
garlic powder
parmesan cheese (I used low fat, can style)
mozzarella or provolone (here is where I used string cheese)

Heat skillet and add 2 tsp. of olive oil. Brown chicken tenderloins on both sides(approximately 2 minutes per side). While they are browning, blend with your hand blender the tomatoes right in the can. Add the seasoning to taste. Pour entire two cans, blended, of tomatoes right over chicken. Cover and cook on low for about 25 minutes. Add parmesan cheese and string cheese to melt at end. Serve over whole wheat pasta! Delicious...and it smells wonderful! An added benefit! Enjoy .

Praise Him!

Yummy Vegetable

2009-02-21T10:16:00.004-05:00

Want an EASY way to add some vegetables into your life? Try this quick prep recipe!

Slice zucchini or yellow squash into discs
Spray with some olive oil or spray butter
Sprinkle lightly with parmesan cheese (the finely grated from the can is the easiest with this recipe)
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes on 400. Delicious!

Do you have any quick and easy ways to add healthy food into your busy day? Share them with me!

Rain on Me

2009-02-13T17:37:00.008-05:00

Each day I travel the same route on the way to work. The final jaunt on the journey takes me around quite a curve. I love that curve in the road. It makes me slow down(the speed limit is 25mph) and I get to just take those few seconds to enjoy the calm before the hurriedness of the day sweeps in. Just to the side of that bend in the road there is a small lake, probably more like a pond. The towering pines hover over the pond and there have been many mornings that we catch the sun heading up over that tree line. Ready to begin it's own busy work day. But over the last week there has been a change in scenery on my morning drive. The lake, once full with water and ducks doing their morning swim, is now down to just a muddy puddle. What was once hidden beneath the water is now visible. Stumps. Hundreds of them.

Drought does that. The sun busy at work warming and evaporating can drain a once full lake. It is what the sun does. During normal weather conditions the rain that comes balances out this work. But not now. Not when the rains are sparse. And so we are left without the shadows of trees on a glistening lake. We are left with the stubs of the past. Hints of what once was.

As I passed by the curve on my way from work this week, I was taken by that picture. What I must look like when I refuse to be refreshed with HIS living water for a time. A spiritual drought, not brought on by the climate, but by the deliberate refusal to drink. This spiritual drought can bring back to my mind pictures of dead pieces of my old self. Stuff that I know has long been forgiven, but without being nourished by HIS truth, the enemy lets me think the remains are still present. But there is one more thing in the landscape that I noticed. It is a canoe. A red canoe lying on the banks of the lake. It appears to wait with expectation for the rains. A picture of perfect hope. And the good news is that the rains have come. Both here literally in Columbia, but spiritually too. I find that as I wade in the living water once again that He covers over old wounds and makes me whole again. Jesus, He is my own picture of perfect hope.

Colossians 3:7 "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. "

Praise HIM!

Hurry, Hurry

2009-02-05T17:52:00.009-05:00

On Sunday, we ate at a small chain restaurant here in town. We sat down and the waitress ran to us and chunked down the menus and promised to be right back. We watched her as she ran from table to table trying to keep a couple of dozen hungry patrons happy. She returned and I said "wow, you are busy!" I wanted to pray for her at our blessing time but didn't really even get the chance to ask her if there was anything specific to pray for. She had already dashed to the next family. When I left, I felt disappointed because although we did pray for her and the other three or four immensly busy workers, she was too busy to even tell her and bless her in some way. A tip on the bill hardly seemed enough. I really just felt sorry for her.

So today I worked out, took a shower, made coffee, made breakfast, ate breakfast, read my Bible study, loaded the dishwasher, swept the floor, made lunch, fed the dogs, carpooled three kids to school, went to walmart, back to work, met with a student, spoke to a class full of juniors, ate lunch with my wonderful guidance department, checked on ink I ordered, made copies, made nametags, answered students' college questions, returned phone calls, returned emails, confirmed our speakers for tomorrow's retreat one final time, checked the progress of an online survey that I sent out to parents yesterday, went to Staples, printed certificates, printed programs, reminded myself to slow down and.."breathe, breathe, breathe", labeled forty folders, checked on speakers, gathered items for tomorrow's career day retreat, headed out the door, dropped off kids from carpool, came home, sat on the couch (for 2 minutes), took Chad to the community center, went to the grocery store, left the grocery store, unpacked the groceries, folded a load of towels, put away dishes, and sat down to read home email and post here. When I write it all down it sounds just about as crazy as it feels. Busy. Busy. Busy.

So when I read back over the day, I see nothing major. Nothing back-breaking. Just a constant buzzing and flitting around. But I noticed the glaring similarities to the busy waitress' day on Sunday. Hurry, hurry. Busy, busy. Never slowing down enough to bless. Never slowing down enough to be blessed. I can't help but wonder, what am I doing this all for? And what does HE have for me that I may be missing? What person have I missed out on blessing, or being blessed by? All because I'm too busy. And I realized my own busy-ness, when looked through in a new light, was to be pitied as well. Too busy for quiet stillness with HIM is just too busy.

I confess Lord that in all the busy-ness I have failed to relish in the peace you have for me. I confess also that I have missed opportunities to speak your peace into others. I confess that I may have confused a busy day with a full day. Lord, let me be so full, that YOU and YOUR hope will spill over unto all that I come in contact with. Help make my feet fixed, if only for a few minutes, to dangle my toes in Your LIVING water. To be refreshed in and by YOU and Your presence. Thank YOU Lord!

Isaiah 58 (The Message)

Praise HIM!

Groundbreaker (Re-post)

2009-01-27T16:47:00.000-05:00

I have heard it over the last several days. The reverberations of a chain saw wielded by the strong hands of workers in my next-door neighbors yard. They are busy slicing through hard and soft wood trees readying the land for their expanded garden. These are not new trees. Some must be years old and deeply rooted in the land. All being removed to break up ground that has long been covered with roots, rocks, and the shade of the woods. But boy, they have plans for some delicious sounding summer vegetables. I can't wait to see the bountiful by-product of all this work later this year.

It reminded me of a verse in God's word that teaches us to "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12.

I have chewed and chewed, as my dear friend Ann recommends, on this verse the past few days. What is the "unplowed ground" in my own life? As I have asked HIM the Lord has shown me much in my life that I need to "break up" in preparation for His harvest. The massive roots of unhealthy thinking and the deceit of the enemy which huddle just beneath the surface. The pebbles, rocks, and sometimes boulders of sin that crowd me and prevent HIS good fruit from growing to its fullness. And the shady areas of comfort and complacency that keep me from stepping into the fullness of His light.

So I begin to break up the ground. With His word. Replacing the enemy's lies with HIS truth. Removing the rocks of sin with THE ROCK of Ages. And stepping out of my settledness and into the adventure certain to be heated at times, but ready for an abundance of HIS fruit! I'm ready for a good tilling, planting, and a harvest with an abundance of His righteousness. Rain on me Lord!

Praise HIM!

Dwelling Place

2009-01-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

I left my house and children one evening in the care of a dear family friend. I arrived home later to a greeting of "SURPRISE!!" Surprised? Stupefied, dumbfounded, and a wee bit angry would be more like it. That sweetie friend of mine had been watching way too much HGTVand had decided to re-arrange my den furniture! This was a great miscalculation on her part. She must not have known what all the wise know... you just don't mess with a southern gal's husband, children, or her decor (probably shouldn't mess with her hair or shoes either.) This was my house and my arrangement and I was quite pleased with the way it looked, thank you very much. Let's just say as soon as the door slam....closed, I put it back the way it was supposed to be. I giggle a little now, but honestly.

So, I think the Lord must be taken aback by the way HIS home is sometimes treated. Too much junk food, too little exercise, way too much self-criticism, and a great lack of sleep are just a smattering of the things we subject these bodies to. With thoughts like "I'll eat another heaping helping of the latest item from the how to have a heart attack menu" Or I'll catch up on my rest over the weekend." Yes, I act like I own this body.

Oh, but I am reminded that it is "not my own" and furthermore, "it was bought at a price". A great price! So next time I think, "I'll eat what I want" I will think again. I will remember the great care that the LORD gave to the building of the tabernacle. Exodus 25:8-9 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."

With the same care and purpose, He created me. And you. I can no longer ignore the fact that as I misuse my body in any way, I am destroying the very place HE dwells. I don't want to do that. I won't.

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Praise HIM!

Good Gifts

2009-01-14T20:49:00.008-05:00

We have a feather topper on our bed. It has really added a lot of comfort to that old queen sized mattress. Only the topper has seen better days. The feathers had gathered to a few corner quilted squares leaving the area that my husband and I tend to lay on FLAT. So I began talking to Chuck about a change a few days ago. (I tend to get something in my mind and proceed to talk a lot. )"We need to replace this topper."; " I think we should get a new mattress topper, don't you? ; " I really love this thing but it needs to be thrown out..it has been washed one too many times. " It was true though. There were more feathers stuck in my pjs than there were left in that topper. So tonight, I returned from Bible study and there my husband is with a giant box. Yup, a new memory foam topper. And what do I say? Thank you? NO. I said, with a quick and biting tone, " you know I don't like those memory foam things." I could tell that it was a verbal zinger that really stung. I felt horrible. I later headed up to our room, apologized and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. We put the mattress topper on and I tell you what, it is comfy! Much better than the old thing and so much better than I ever expected.

I imagine my husband is not the only one that has had a taste of my ungratefulness and sharp tone. The Lord himself has been on the receiving end of a not-so-good grumbling party in response to His good gifts. Sometimes we set our minds on how we want the Lord to respond to our requests and when He gives us better than we asked for, we turn to him and say "You know I don't want that." Maybe we do it when we are on the precipice of a bad decision and He provides a way out. (1 Cor. 10:13) Perhaps it occurs when we are busy sulking in our self loathing over our latest sin, even as He stretches out His arms and offers forgiveness. I know one thing, I don't want to put the look of pain and rejection that I saw in my husband's face tonight on anyone. Especially not on the ONE who always has my best in mind. And you know what, you can bet that ANYTHING He gives will be much better, so much better than we can ever imagine!

Matthew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Praise HIM!

Moving Forward

2009-01-04T22:52:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that 2008 is behind us and we are now into our first week of 2009. I am always excited to start fresh! Aren't you!

I heard a comment today by a bible study leader at our church. He talked about Moses and his talk with God in the burning bush. (Exodus) He pointed out how many excuses Moses made in trying not to accept God's call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He was, of course, enjoying a nice life helping his father in law. Nothing bad about the work he was doing. Good actually. But, and this is the thing that hit me, good can become "the enemy of God's BEST." (Bryan Beyer) Wow!

Now I don't know about you but I had a pretty "good" 2008. Not great, but pretty good. But has my "pretty good" kept me too complacent to step into "God's BEST"....the promised land that He has in store? It is all part of trusting HIM. Trusting Him with my health. Trusting Him with my pursuits. Trusting HIM because my good will never compare to HIS best.

Our First Place(www.firstplace4health.com ) session here in SC this winter is called Moving Forward. I love that God doesn't make us go back to where we were and I love that He doesn't leave us where we are. What a God we serve, one who invites us to move forward with HIM to the land of the very best.

Praise HIM!

6:59pm

2008-11-04T18:59:00.006-05:00

The polls are just beginning to close in some of the east coast states. Northerners, southerners, young and old, the entire melting pot we call America, waits to see who will lead us. Who will be President? Who will win congressional seats? Will my taxes go up or down? Will more people find jobs or lose them? Will the economy rebound or falter further? So many questions.

I don't know who will win. And I certainly don't know what kind of changes to expect in America after the election. I don't know a lot of things.

But this I DO know:
I know that I love and serve a God who never changes. Who is the "same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8)
I know that my GOD can carry the weight of my worries and my government, for as Isaiah 9:6 says, the "government will be on his shoulders."
And I know that instead of worrying about all the questions, or even the answers, that I should look to His Word for truth and for comfort. Phil 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

So I petition to our GOD to hear our prayers.
Lord, I thank you for your strength in times of uncertainty. I thank you for your leadership in our lives. Help the change, that we so desire, to begin in our own hearts, in our own families. Use our new leaders in America for YOUR glory! Help me Lord to be a good citizen of the United States and most especially, a good citizen of your kingdom. For we know Lord, that one day "every knee will bow" to YOU! Father, I praise your HOLY NAME!

Habits

2008-10-24T17:00:00.011-04:00

It is a cold and rainy Friday afternoon! The wind is blowing and the leaves are falling almost as quickly as the raindrops. So, what is your normal reaction to that kind of day? Put on the old, tattered robe and curl up under a warm blanket? Fix a pot of soup? Pull out a good book? I would answer all of these! As a matter of fact, I love an occasional chilly, wet fall afternoon to have an excuse to hunker down and snuggle up!

When the storms roll in, there is something protective and comforting about returning to old habits. The danger here is that sometimes those old habits are not necessarily healthy habits. Sometimes they are, in fact, downright destructive. Like answering an emotional afternoon by returning to the pantry...seven times. Or cleaning out the freezer, and by cleaning I don't mean scrubbing. Or by extending the warm time under the blanket way past the rainy day.

It is why formulating these new healthy habits are so important. Drinking adequate amounts of water. Tracking our First Place week. Eating a diet full of God's great foods, varied and delicious. We must prepare! The storms will come in a myriad of ways. Let's get ready by ingraining these healthy choices into our lifestyle. So that they become our "old habits" that we return too!

Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. "

Praise HIM!

Trust!

2008-10-06T21:34:00.004-04:00

See that picture? That is my then 19 year old, sweet little daughter climbing 160 feet up Red Rock just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. She and my husband took a little trip out west last March and spent a day learning this new sport. According to my dear ones, it is quite a difficult yet exciting adventure. Acrophobics need not apply.

They were blessed with a wonderfully skilled and seasoned climber as their instructor. They both donned special climbing shoes, a climbing harness complete with a belay loop, a carabiner(which looks like a keychain to me) and a helmet. After instruction time, they each began their ascent. Molly made two climbs and fell in love with the sport. My husband was satisfied with one attempt.

Now here is the interesting part. When you descend, you must put your hands at your side, and just sort of bounce back down using your feet only. The belayer below holds the rope. Talk about trust. Your life is literally in the skilled hands of the instructor below. Try taking back control of the return to ground , like my husband said he did, and you will find your moving shins introducing themselves to mr. solid rock wall, making life much more difficult. My husband made it down safely, but not without scrapes, bumps, and bruises on those legs of his. I admit, I would have been just like Chuck. Holding onto the rope for dear life. I do not know many who would relish letting go of the the life-line holding you 160 feet above ground. Surrendering both life and limb into the hands of an instructor who you met only hours earlier?

Obedience and trust. Huge issues in rock climbing. They mean the difference between a smooth return to ground and a bumpy ride down. Unharmed shins or bruised ones. Huge issues in Christ following too. Obedience. Deferring to the expert. Following the instructions. Submitting to another's will. And Trust. Placing yourself into the hands of THE skilled Expert.

Praise HIM!

Psalm 9:10 :" Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Tell Him!

2008-10-02T21:27:00.008-04:00

Today was a beautiful day! The air was crisp and cool and the sun was shining so brightly. It was the kind of day that you let your car windows down and you just enjoy the breeze.

That is exactly what I was doing this afternoon, when along comes this adorable boy walking with his Dad. He was actually bouncing along, with his end-of-the-day, boyishly sweaty, brown hair and a big toothless smile. You could tell by that bounce in his step he was excited about something. His dad's car was parked next to my own so I overheard some of the conversation. The dad was busy loading up the jeep with the goods from Walmart. His son was holding what appeared to be a special purchase. This fellow looked about 7 years old and apparently had had a good math lesson today. He looked down at his purchase and read, "Dad, this has a one-seven-O on it. Dad, did you know that if you take away the zero you have 17?" He chattered on, "and if you add 3 to the 17 you get 14?" ( I am guessing he meant take away, not add.) Then as he was climbing in the car he said, "and Dad, did you know if you can't get the difference, you re-group?" Then the door to the jeep shut, and the excited youngster's conversation with his dad disappeared.

I keep thinking about that conversation. It was late afternoon. The end of probably a long day at school and work. But there they were. Dad listening quietly. Son voicing every lesson that he learned during the day...and with an almost ecstatic voice. This boy truly wanted his dad to know everything he knew. He wanted his dad to understand that this had been a momentous day, at least as far as math goes. You could tell this little guy just wanted to share, with his dad, the great joy that learning that math had brought him.

It made me sit quietly in that breeze I had been reveling in all day. And I wanted to tell DAD, my heavenly DAD, all about the joy that cool, crisp, sunny day had brought me! Praise Him!

Psalm 105:1,2
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."

Seeking first

2008-09-22T17:28:00.008-04:00

Have you ever gone looking for something, and on the way discovered a forgotten treasure? I set out recently to find a jounal to recall some of the ways the Lord had worked in my life. As I dug through my crowded drawers, seeking that old journal, I came across a letter that my mom had written me. My heart jumped as her familiar handwriting peeked through the stack of papers I was rummaging through. It was as if she was speaking to me again. I sat quietly and just stared at my name on the envelope. I read the short note and then finished by treasuring the closing."Love, Mommy", it said. A few precious moments spent re-reading a note sent many years ago. The note wasn't what I set out to find, but indeed it was an added blessing along the way.

Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Keep seeking Him first! You never know what he may add along the way! I learned that again!

Praise HIM!

Bad News, Good News

2008-05-26T19:44:00.011-04:00

Soaring gas prices, declining property values, and messages of fear and dread are filling the world. I must admit, I too have succumbed to the nagging thought that life as we know it may soon disappear. I don't like that feeling. And so I remember. I remember my God.

I remember that God is my Deliverer. He is the "ever present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). I remember that His faithfulness assuages the hangover of alarm left by the nightly news. "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."(Ps.112: 7) I remember that when these disturbing feelings of anxiety envelope me that I have a Savior who calls me to Himself, calls me to bring my burdens to Him. Phil 4:6-7"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "

Yes, even though American Airlines has announced they will begin charging for each piece of luggage you check, we have ONE that has promised to carry all our baggage. The price to us: FREE. So when the world seems to be falling apart, and worry seems to be your constant companion,stand on the ONE who is not falling apart. Stand on the truth of HIS Word. No matter how you feel.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Praise HIM!

Cry Out

2008-05-12T21:27:00.004-04:00

I know that some of you reading this are going through "stuff". I know that it isn't fun. It isn't nice. It isn't good. I have been thinking alot about you today. I have called out to HIM with you. For you.

It hardly seems right to tell HIM some of the "stuff" of our lives. Even though He knows it all already, it still tears at our core to hear ourselves utter the wrongs we have done. Utter the pain we are in. Utter the despair that we feel. Rebellious wrongs. Unimaginable pain. Abysmal despair. This perfect God surely doesn't want to hear it all....again. Does HE?

I don't pretend to understand it all. But I trust HIM. He says to call out. To cry out. Over and over throughout His word we see it. Those lost, wandering, rebellious, hurting, shoulda-learned-the-first-time people found themselves in messes. The Israelites, Samson, the Israelites, Jonah, the Israelites, David, well you get the picture, they cried out to God. And not just once. Many times. And guess what? He heard them. He rescued them. He had mercy on them. He had compassion on them.

I love the way the Message describes God. In Nehemiah 9:26-31 God, Our God, is described as the God of "bottomless compassion". So think this black hole of pain, suffering, or sin is your eternal abyss? Not with Christ. Because His mercy trumps our failings every time. His peace is the soothing balm for our pain. And His "bottomless compassion" goes deeper than any despair. Cry out to HIM. Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the millionth. He will hear you.

It is just who HE is. And He is who HE is no matter who we are. That is the simple truth of it all. No matter what dilemma we face. No matter what sin we have committed. No matter what unknown future awaits us. No matter what. HE IS. HE will always be. Rest on that friend.

Praise HIM!

Adopted

2008-04-26T17:54:00.000-04:00

The unknown womb. The place the Lord decided to "knit me together". The place I was "fearfully and wonderfully made". Yet, though my bones were formed, my limbs grew, and my body was nourished by an unknown woman, HE knew. He knew exactly whose womb He chose to have me grow in. And after I was born, He knew exactly where I would continue to grow. You see I was adopted. Until I was four months old, I was a child without parents, living in foster care. Abandoned by a mother who I assume could not take care of me. But there were parents who were waiting and praying for me to be their own. Parents He chose.

I will tell you what my parents told me when I was a little girl. Actually,they told me all of my life, how much they wanted me. "Of all the babies in the world", they said, they chose me. In my own mind, as a young child, I imagined that my parents walked along a long corridor with all the young babies lined up in bassinets behind a large picture glass window. I could just imagine them walking slowly along, just a few steps at a time, until they spotted just the right baby. Then they stopped, pressing their faces up to the glass to get a closer look. They pointed me out to a masked angel, disguised as a nurse, who brought me over to the window as they shook their heads yes, yes, that's the one! That's the baby girl we came for!

Isn't that just what Christ did for us all. When the world says we are abandoned, orphaned, or destined for nothing, Christ Jesus,with outstretched wounded arms, peers down from the cross. I can almost see HIM scanning the faces of the crowd. Looking, looking until His eyes rest on you. Or me. Can't you just imagine the moment. When no more are you abandoned, or lost. Because He calls to you....Yes, yes, that's the one! That is the child I came for!

Praise HIM!

Ps. 139

Please pray

2008-04-19T22:47:00.002-04:00

Mike Starnes, who many of you prayed for, passed away on Thursday afternoon. Please pray for his family. Thank you.

The Oreo

2008-04-13T16:52:00.015-04:00

A friend came into the room I was sitting in this morning. Totally out of breath. I was almost afraid for her. She told me in sentences, broken with deep breaths, that she had just climbed a flight of stairs to try and get to church on time.

I was there just one short year ago. Explaining to others why my conversations were stilted. Why I couldn't walk up the stairs any more quickly. Why I couldn't play basketball with my son. It is amazing what extra weight does to our bodies. It is amazing that it took me so long to do something about it.

But here I am, one year later. Although this weight loss journey is FAR from over, I am closer than I could have imagined 13 months ago. Sometimes all it takes is to take the first step to health. The first day of healthy eating. The first moment of surrender.

Just over one year ago, I surrendered "oreo" cookies. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with those delicious creme filled chocolate cookies. But they were representative to me of all that was wrong with my diet. I tell you this, and you can laugh if you want, but in my spirit I heard the need to lay them on the altar. So I got off of the couch, where I had planted myself along with the cookies and milk, and physically put the package on the fireplace...the closest thing to anything resembling an altar in my home. I knelt before the Lord and surrendered to HIM. I couldn't do it my way any longer. And as my friend Lauren at Faith Fuel http://championyourdreams.blogspot.com/ writes: "He takes the white flag of surrender out of your hand, and in replacement,He puts His own Hand in yours. " What a beautiful picture!

Waving the white flag is not a sign of defeat to HIM, it is a request for victory. Victory in HIM. It is a sign of our hope in HIM. And in that hope, we are promised renewed strength.(Is.40:31) Please know that surrender, for me, is not a one-time event. It is part of my daily walk with HIM. I guarantee you that everytime I attempt to do this weight loss dance without HIM, I end up with egg (or is that ice cream) on my face and extra pounds in my pockets. But with our GOD, we can begin again. And I do.

Oh, I am so very thankful for HIS invitation to surrender. Grateful that His invitation is open to all. For I have learned that I am a winner when I walk in Christ's victory. And in HIS victory I am a loser....of pounds that is! Thank you Jesus! Praise HIM!

Please read the prayer request post below this post. Thank you!

Is 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Please pray

2008-04-08T20:38:00.003-04:00

Please pray with me for this wonderful family. Visit their website where you will find their story.www.thelatestonmike.blogspot.com. Mike is our athletic director at the high school where I work. His wife, Diane is the daughter of a dear family in our church. I know you have seen GOD work HIS mighty hand in many ways. We are asking HIM to comfort, strengthen, and heal. What a God who hears our prayers! Praise HIM!

Pretty?

2008-04-04T16:28:00.002-04:00

I saw a portion of an interview with Sylvester Stallone recently. Have you ever watched the original Rocky movie? I love the now famous scene as Rocky stands triumphantly raising his arms at the top of the stairs. Those Philadelphia stairs represent the epitome of Rocky's successful finish to his training. Running up them to the song, Gonna Fly Now. Can't you just see and hear it right now! Arms extended upward as he stood at the top. Looking over the city. Knowing that he was ready. This was a man waiting to be crowned boxing champion!

Contrast that to our Savior's finish. Dragged through the city. Beaten repeatedly. Derided. Nailed. Can you see it and hear it right now?Arms extended outward. Hanging from a cross at the top of Golgotha. Looking over the faces outside Jerusalem. Knowing that He was ready. This was a man/Savior ready to be crowned. "It is finished".

Living in obedience does not always have a pretty finish. Our work is not always tied up in 2 hours of reel with beautiful music playing in the backround. Sometimes it is hard. And dirty. And difficult. Like feeding the children amongst the refuse of years of yesterdays in faraway lands. Or working in the pits of medical facilties to make sure that the forgotten are fed and bathed. Or searching endlessly for a home for a weeping unwed mother whose family has abandoned her.

It doesn't appear so picture perfect. But HE did it. And He calls us to it too. Want to be His followers? Then expect to get a little dirty. It may not be pretty but it is the most beautiful thing you will ever do! And the rewards? They are eternal!

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

This I know

2008-03-24T16:28:00.000-04:00

"Jesus loves me, this I know..... ". I had the pure and utter delight of listening to, and singing with, a group of 7 toddlers in Sunday school recently. And you know, when toddlers sing, they really SING. Raise the roof loud kind of singing. I wish that every one of you reading this could have been there. Loved it!

It is one of those moments to hang onto. The moment to remember when life doesn't sing. Like when the new sheet doesn't fit the mattress. Or when the spaghetti sauce adorns your new spring shirt. Or when your best laid plans are interrupted. Little things or big things. Whether it is a blip on the screen of your day or a life altering event, unexpected, unplanned, and even dreaded things happen in our lives.

There are not many things in this world that we can count on to be fitting, true, or lifelong. But this one thing I KNOW: Jesus loves me. And He loves you too!Isn't it wonderful to have that kind of surety. Isn't it wonderful to hear the voices of young children remind you of this truth! The God we serve, we can count on! Forever!

Exodus 6:7 "I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians."

1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. ..."

Praise HIM!

2008-03-23T17:10:00.001-04:00

HE is risen!

The Treasure

2008-03-16T14:57:00.011-04:00

I have a red-headed daughter who is now 22 years old. Oh, but just the blink-of-an-eye ago, she was a mere little angel girl. Like many little girls, my Ashley loved to dance. We enrolled her in a pre-tap class. I'll never forget her first recital at four years old. All dressed up in her turquoise satin and spandex outfit, accented with gold sequins, Ashley was ready to show us what she had practiced each week over the past year. We could not wait.

Large, bulky first generation video camera in hand, my husband and I joyously looked forward to filming her feat(or feet). Out came her class parading to the music. The dance began. And the shimmery gold sequins began flying off the costumes as the girls tapped away. Chuck panned the camera to make sure he got the entire class on film and then zeroed in on our own cutey pie. And there she was. Dancing? Why, NO. She was down on her hands and knees scraping up the fallen gold sequins. Scooping them up and tossing them back into the air. Having an absolute blast as we watched and wondered why we paid the lesson fees each month. Would have been a lot cheaper to hand her a bottle of shimmering sequins just to throw around! But Ash was happy as a lark! Our little red headed sweetheart had discovered gold while all her classmates continued to dance for the audience.

So maybe Ashley was right. Maybe we are all so busy dancing for the applause of man that we miss out on the real treasure. What a blast is in store for those who find it!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Don't Forget

2008-03-15T20:46:00.010-04:00

Our family language has been unofficially replaced. "Sneeze, sneeze, cough, cough" have become the most oft uttered sounds heard in our home. Along with teenage angst, traffic jams and temper tantrums, the proverbial winter yucks are some things I would just rather forget.

But there are some things I don't ever want to forget:
I don't want to forget that I was chosen.
I don't want to forget that I am loved.
I don't want to forget that I am valuable.
I don't want to forget that my life came at a high price.

And so I will remember that He gave His life.
For Me. And for You.
So let us, you and I, never forget to praise His HOLY NAME!

Psalm 103
Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Conversations

2008-03-01T14:36:00.020-05:00

Friend: Hey, sorry I couldn't get up to run this morning. I was so tired after traveling yesterday.

Me: That's OK, I was tired too. I'll walk or run later.

Friend: So... Libby picked me up yesterday in Charlotte and we went shopping.

Me: I bet that was fun!

Friend: (Laughingly)Hey, I thought I may get a job at J.Crew. Libby told me that you get 75% off three items a month because they want you to wear their clothes. But I found about 150 things I would like to buy.

Me: You get 75% off?? Wow! That is great! And you would be great in retail. You know how to talk to people so well.

Friend: Yeah, but .....

And the dialogue moved from the light-weight surface chat to the deepest thoughts and concerns that are only shared between good friends. Quickly immersed into a conversation that runs the gamut from shopping to politics to family concerns, all in the span of 30 minutes. This particular conversation is one that began over 37 years ago. It matters not that we live in different states. Or whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 days since our previous talk-fest. It is easy. Comfortable. Truthful.

Conversations. Rich repartees over politics. Whispers of secrets told in the dark. Recollections of youth leading to the inevitable return of muscle-aching belly laughter. Or deep discussions of life that begin at the dinner table and continue well into the late night. Conversations with friends.
Oh, what a blessing these are!

I am especially thankful for the conversation with the ONE who "sticks closer than a brother". Who has listened and responded throughout the peaks and ebbs of my life. Sometimes the conversation consists of an admonishment resonating from a Mighty God to this obstinate child. Other times it is the gentle utterance of encouragement as I cry out in despair. Always a resounding of HIS Word as I seek direction. Not always comfortable. But always truthful.

This particular conversation is one that began many years ago between a girl and her Savior. One that started with a merciful whisper penetrating to the very depths of a young girl's soul:

"Step close child. Step close to the cross. It is ME. I AM your Savior. I came for you. Now come to me."

Praise HIM!

Lord, I pray for the one who is reading this post who is not already in conversation with You. I ask that they will have ears that will hear You calling them! So that they can begin a life-changing conversation that will forgive, save, heal. A conversation like no other!

Proverbs 18:24 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Luke 23-24

If you haven't begun a conversation, please talk to someone who is a Christian. Seek out a Bible believing church in your area. OR email me at the address on my profile. HE calls to you friend!

Just shoot

2008-02-24T22:38:00.001-05:00

I'm upstairs in our playroom listening to the bounce, bounce, bounce of the basketball just outside. It is my son. It is a good sound, the continuous dribbling with an occasional pause as he shoots. He practices out there a lot of evenings between homework and waiting for Dad to arrive home from work. Dribble, dribble, shoot. Dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot. Never moving the ball down the court; it is just a driveway with a hoop. But dribbling just the same. I suppose he is waiting to get his nerve up or just waiting for the perfect timing or perhaps that sweet sense that occurs just as the ball "needs to be shot". Whoosh! There it goes again!

How much time we spend waiting for the perfect shot. Dancing around the edges rather than stepping confidently into our place of purpose. Half-hearted attempts to know Him more. A Hokey-Pokey type of existence summed up with "you put your right foot in, you take your right foot out". Never fully committing to that which we have been called to. Our purpose.

So as for me, well it's time to stop dribbling around the court. It's time to turn my eyes toward the goal and take the shot. Releasing control of the ball. Putting aside the desire for my own perfect game. Surrendering all fear of failure. Giving my all over to this God that has proved Himself over and over. It is time to trust Him fully. Time to seek HIM earnestly. Time to live wholeheartedly for HIM and in HIM. Time to let HIM bring me into my own land of milk and honey. My purpose place. The purpose He created me for, that which will bring HIM glory.

Praise HIM!
Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

1 Kings 8:22-24 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today."

Joshua 14:7-9 "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' "

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. "

Time Well Spent

2008-02-17T15:06:00.009-05:00

As many of you know, I spent this past week touring Washington, DC with my son and his 8th grade school group. I boarded a bus loaded with 13 and 14 year olds and rode for nine hours in a somewhat cramped seat. But the long drive with limited leg room was well worth it. It was a spectacular visit!(Although a bit frigid for this child of the sunny south.)

I felt like we took a quick tour through the history of America. Our visit began at the FDR memorial. Next, we visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and viewed the many changes in flight that have taken place throughout history. We toured the United States Capitol and spoke with our Congressman who was busy making policy and law. We marched up the steps of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. We even treked along the same ground that George Washington once plod, Mt. Vernon. The docents there shared that in just one year, George Washington had over 612 visitors to spend at least one night on this plantation. Can you imagine the conversations that must have taken place as this young country began! But you know the most amazing aspect of this trip...it was that everytime I looked over I beheld this slender, bright eyed, red-headed young man alongside of me!

I loved being so near to him as he learned, as he explored, and as he interacted with his many friends and teachers. I was especially delighted when he occasionally ran up and swung his gangly 14 year old arm around my shoulder and and quietly told me "I'm glad you came, Mom!" Just a few simple acts allowed me to hear those precious words. Setting aside time from work. Packing a bag. Pulling out my snow boots. Three little things to prepare me for the great pleasure of walking alongside my boy. To know him better. That friends, is joy! Time well spent!

I love the fact that we have a Father who invites us to walk alongside Him. And all it takes are just a few simple acts. Setting aside a time. Finding a quiet place. Pulling out our Bible and partaking in the conversation He begins in His word. Three little things to allow us to know better this Creator of the Universe. This Savior of the world. To know Him more. My friends, that is joy! That is time well spent!

Deuteronomy 4:7 " What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?"
Matthew 4:18-20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him."

Lord, thank you for inviting us to walk alongside you! For inviting us to know You more. Your word is a "lamp unto my feet" and I praise you for that light. I thank you that I live here in America where I am free to read your Word. Let me never forget that freedom. Lord, continue to give me and others the desire to spend time with YOU. For Lord, every minute with You is time well spent! I praise YOU!

Praise HIM!

Love Letter (re-post)

2008-02-11T20:31:00.000-05:00

This is a repost from last fall. I'm off to Washington, DC with my youngest on a one week field trip. To my Chuckles, see you on Thursday!
Dear sweet precious one,
I remember the day you were born. You and I both labored for you to make your way into the world. Each of us struggling with one final push and then there you were. That moment everything changed. I was captivated by you. Oh, how I cherish that first moment when the doctor handed you to me. I held you close and watched you breathe. I felt your little heart beating so quickly under your tiny chest. I looked at your tiny fingers and toes, counted them one by one. I breathed deeply the sweet scent of your freshly born baby skin. I touched your nose and lips and precious downy hair. I peered deeply into your eyes and wondered what you must be thinking. I remember whispering "Hello little one. I am your mommy and I love you. Your daddy and I love you." Yes, precious one, everything changed.

It has been a while since we were first introduced. I no longer have to count your fingers and toes. But sweet child of mine, I still like to step into your room at night and watch you breathe peacefully as you sleep, or smell your sweet skin, or touch your hair. O child you are more precious to me than you were even the day we first met. I have watched you walk and stumble, pray and fall, wound and be wounded. I am still watching, waiting, hoping and loving. I love you dear child. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.

I am at once struck by both amazement and peace to know that I have a Heavenly Father who chooses to love me like that. A FATHER who has watched me walk and stumble and pray and fall. One who has watched me wound and be wounded. A Father who still watches and waits, who hopes and loves. Who calls me His child. Who loves me. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.

Father, thank you for choosing to love me. Sometimes it is easy, so easy to love my own beautiful children and yet so difficult to understand how you could love me. But I thank you that you do and I humbly accept your love Lord. I thank you for the moment that YOU changed everything.

Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise Him!

You are what you eat!

2008-02-04T19:05:00.000-05:00

In my house, we love Italian food. I mean we really love it. We have a theory that the greater the amount of garlic in a recipe, the greater the satisfaction to the palate! The only thing better than the enticing fragrance as the dish cooks is the savoring of each delicious bite. But tomorrow always comes. The garlic that delighted the previous evening greets everyone you meet with its noxious odor for the next couple of days. You try scrubbing. You try soaking. You try brushing. But try as we may, we can't get rid of the smell. Each breath delivers a whiff to those who dare to stand close. In short, we stink!

Did you know that when we fill ourselves up with Christ and His power, we can smell up a room for HIM. Not the noxious odor that comes along with last night's spaghetti. But the sweet, sweet aroma of a saving GOD who reaches to all the senses of the lost! The "fragrance of the knowledge of him" that "through us" Christ "spreads everywhere". Why that makes me hungry! For HIM! A hunger that is satisfied only with this God who fills up our lives, and penetrates all our senses. I want to be the child that with just one sniff, others will know whose I am. I want each exhaling breath to deliver a whiff, a whiff of an incomparable God! Who, when we are in HIM, makes us a new creation. Not a fixed up reproduction of our old selves, but a totally new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!")

So breathe deep. What do you smell? May each breath deliver a whiff of Christ who is in you. Anything else just stinks.

2 Corinthians 2:15 "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

Praise HIM!

A Little Help

2008-01-29T16:44:00.000-05:00

We all need a little help sometimes. On Sunday evening, after a good bowl of home-made vegetable soup, we all sat down to watch old home movies. It was so much fun. A memory walk down over twenty-two years of our family life. We purchased our camera shortly after the birth of our first child. And like every Dad with a new gadget, my husband filmed everything Ashley, our first, did.

He documented on film her laughing, her crying, her crawling, her walking, and her eating out of the dog bowl....Yikes! (You could hear me scolding him in the background on that one!) We filmed Chad our youngest when he was able to participate in his first Easter egg hunt. We would ask, "do you see an egg?" and he would respond the same way everytime in his 2 year old delighted and oh so squeally voice "Yes, I doooo!" Adorable, at least to us.

But one of my very favorite memories that we relived Sunday night was when Ashley, who was about 3 and 1/2 years old, tried to teach her one year old sister how to play golf. Our own budding Tiger Woods first tried explaining directions on how to hit the golf ball. Next, she tried showing Molly by example. " See, you put your hand here and here. Then you swing at the ball. Look Molly!" She finally grabbed Molly's hands and put them on the club "Like this Molly". Attempts by the young student to remove her hands from the vice grip were thwarted handily by Ashley. Determined , Ash continued on. At last, the teacher was able to keep the bare tips of her young pupils fingers on the club and actually swung for her. Encourager that she was, she then said "that was great Molly!"

We all need a little help sometimes. There are times when we need some explanation. Other times we need to be shown by example. But sometimes, sometimes when we just can't do something by ourself, we need a fellow sojourner to grab us by the hand and swing for us!

Lord, I am thankful that when we need help, You are there. I praise you for your Word which instructs us, giving us directions and DIRECTION. I am overwhelmed by how over and over You show us by example how to live. How to love. So that all men will know that we are your disciples. And in those times when we keep trying to do life on our own, attempting failed swing after failed swing, you gently grab us by the hand and swing for us! I Praise You LORD!

John 13:34, 35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Praise HIM!

Diligent Pursuit

2008-01-17T16:59:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been on a long road trip when suddenly you looked up and noticed that there were no longer any other cars with your states' license plate on them? Where do all those cars that started out side by side with you on the highway go? When did they all exit? When did you become the lone car from your state en route towards your set destination?

I was thinking about that as I spoke with a student recently about his career plans. This young man, a senior in high school, with great theatrical talent, told me how others constantly remind him of how few people really "make it" in the theater. I agreed that those he had talked to were correct. Indeed, many of my students do dream of performing on stage or film and yet, historically only a few are living that dream. But I wanted him to focus on those who do "make it". What was different about them? Some would say it is luck. But most successful people, of any field, will tell you that what kept them on the road toward their destination was hard work. Diligence.

At just over the two week mark into 2008, I am finding that I need to be reminded of just how this "diligence" thing works. For I am quite sure that diligence doesn't mean "try hard for the first few days of the year and then coast". Nope. Diligence is defined as "constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken", "steady effort", "attentive care". Constant, earnest, steady, attentive. Not quick. Not temporary. Not rash. It is a life change that He seeks, not a momentary blink. It is a renewing and not a short term fix. It is a steady endurance of all that may come our way in order to reach our final destination. It is this constancy, earnestness, steadiness, and attentiveness that He is characterized by. So when Christ calls me to be diligent, He is calling me to follow on His road. For He himself, our Savior, traveled down a path that had a lot of exits available, none of which He took. Hebrews 12:2,3 finishes with "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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "
Lord, let me remember your own endurance of the cross when I grow weary on my sometimes long road.
Ezra 7:23 says:
"Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven..."

Lord, I pray that whatever you prescribe along this long road, I will do it with diligence. For my body is Your temple, the temple of the God of heaven.
1 Timothy 4:15 reads:
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress."
Lord, I desire to give all my desires, dreams, and goals wholly to You, being diligent in my pursuits so that all will know I am Yours.

Oh Father, forgive me for so often taking the exit ramp instead of persevering down this road. Help me to stay on the path you have set before me. I await the day I arrive at my final destination, looking up into Your Devine presence. For the fullness of Your Glory awaits me! That is worth the long road!

Praise HIM!

Weather!

2008-01-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

It's sleeting! Whoopee! Well, nothing is sticking, but boy you can hear it as it pelts down upon the street and sidewalk. And in the south, we are forever hopeful for an awakening to the big white stuff. Right this minute it sounds like there is a high-speed watermelon seed spitting contest going on right outside my window. You may not be familiar with that contest if you haven't spent a warm, sunny summer in little town, South Carolina. But take my word, it is one that is performed with pride at any number of our June, July, or August celebrations. It could happen at the Peach Festival, the Okra Strut, or even at the Annual Chitlin Strut (don't ask). I love this place. And right now, I'm loving the small slimmer of hope that the weather man has put out there for SNOW!

What a great God we have! That He, the creator of the universe, would take the time to give a bunch of middle aged grown ups and their kids, reason to run around outside in their jammies celebrating the momentary change in seasons! Ah, though it may last only an hour or two, it has filled our hearts with joy!

Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Praise HIM!

Question

2008-01-11T17:18:00.000-05:00

Have you ever felt so deeply for someone who later rejected you? If you have, you probably know the constricted feeling in your throat, that awful tightness, that comes as you try to hold back tears when he or she calls after a long bout of silence. So, here is my question. Do you think that God Himself, who longs for a relationship with us all, gets that same choked up feeling when He is rejected by one that He created?

the transformation

2008-01-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

Oh how much I would love to hug whoever came up with THE FOOD NETWORK concept! I think my husband and children would share that sentiment with me. Over the past 25 years of marriage I have cooked. Good, home cooked meals. But with very little variety in the dinner menu. Food Network changed all that! Do you watch any of the shows? My daughter Ashley and I were watching Rachael Ray in her 30 Minute Meals show last evening. We both commented on how much we admire how she conducts her show, which is really a lesson. She starts out by grabbing our attention and then grabs all the ingredients. Even the gathering of her ingredients from the fridge and shelf looks like fun, piling things all into her "garbage bowl" to carry it over to the counter. She then sets out with such intensity in heating the pan, dropping in some "EVOO", and dicing up the onions, garlic, or other vegetable. She grasps her knife with great zeal and begins to cut up a chicken breast, all the while telling us alternative ingredients we can use. It is this intensity and zeal that is so contagious. And always true to her shows name, a delicious meal is all plated and ready to eat in "just 30 minutes".
I think it is her attentiveness to her audience and their busy life that makes this show so successful. For although the purpose of the show may be to demonstrate how to change simple staples into a wonderful meal, the real beauty is that she has changed simple viewers into cooks. All this because she tells us we can and then shows us how. Replacing thoughts like "there is nothing to cook" with "there is something here I can put together". Substituting feelings of inadequacy at the stove top with knowledge of how to whip up a great dish in no time. That is empowerment! You just gotta love a gal like that.

What Rachael has managed to do for lowly kitchen slaves like me, our God has been doing since time began for all men. Transforming the lives of lowly sinners into people who live and serve and become ever more like HIM.
Philippians 3:21"who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Who replaces thoughts of "I'll never be good enough" with the truth that HE alone is good enough!
Romans 8:1-3"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering"
Who substitutes the wages of my filth and sin with the willing sacrifice of His precious atoning blood. Blood spilled for me. For us.
1 Peter 1: 18-19:"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
You just gotta love a God like that!
Praise HIM!

The Modem

2008-01-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

Modem:–noun1.an electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a computer via telephone or other communication lines.
–verb 2.to send or receive information, data
To all you much more technologically savvy friends, you already knew this definition. I had heard the word tossed around several times never giving it much thought since my husband is my very own "go-to man" when it comes to anything techie. Typing I can do. Surfing I can do. But reconfiguring or rebooting or re-anything is way out of my area of expertise. And so, I didn't really understand a modem's use or it's importance. Until it stopped working. So now you know why I have been off-line the last several days. My husband has been out of town and I was home with a broken computer.

I cannot even count the number of times I attempted to connect to the internet. Last evening, after much long-distance coaxing from my husband, I even tried to unplug lines and re-start the computer. Then I finally gave up on the methods I had tried and I called for help. Did you know that the Time-Warner cable technical support team was just waiting for me to call? Emily, the precious tech, pronounced the diagnosis right over the phone! She thought the modem didn't work. She was right. The cable worked. The computer worked. But the little electronic device that transmits incoming and outgoing data had seen it's final day. Therefore, even with power, the internet was inaccessible. I only wish I had not waited for days to call.

I've experienced this before. Oh, not with the cable. But with my own faith walk. Maybe you have had these times yourself. Times when you desperately try over and over to reconnect. Furiously attempting to create a breakthrough. Knowing full well that there was a problem. But not wanting to give in to defeat. All the while slipping deeper and deeper into "the mud and mire". Allowing our heart to harden slowly, becoming less sensitive to His prompting. What I have learned, mostly the hard way, is that I should just give up. Call for help. Those of you who know our Savior know what I always re-discover. God Himself, the God of the universe, has been waiting for me to call. Waiting to lift me out and "set my feet" back on a rock, giving me a "firm place to stand". Waiting to transmit His forgiveness and mercy through my own little modem, a heart now ready to receive.

Oh gracious Father, forgive me when I am slow to call out to you. When I continually try to do it on my own. And yet, when I do cry out to You, You respond. Thank you for answering my call. Always.

Psalm 40:1-2, 17
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 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."
17 "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."

Praise HIM!

Computer issues

2008-01-07T15:49:00.001-05:00

Our computer has been out. I'll post again this evening! Thanks to all my blogging friends who I have missed visiting!

Still

2008-01-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

It still happens. Mornings that I awake to a sense of uncertainty. A vague uneasiness that wafts its way into my day. A cloud of self-doubt that hovers over me, encircling every thought. And as I kneeled on my floor earlier, I knew I must confess this return of insecurity. I didn't want the disquiet of my soul to be how I started this year.

I was taken back to a memory that was made just short of four years ago. It was a warm April afternoon and my Mom wanted to go out on the front porch. My father and I carried her and helped her into a small lawn chair. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer just two months earlier, leaving her frail and weak. As she sat on the chair, I sat on the step below, leaning my head against her knee. She gently scratched my head. I can still hear the crackling sound as my hair moved about on my scalp. The sun, peeking through the canopy of trees, poured it's warmth down on my head, increasing with the every touch of my mom's hands. I remember the profound sense that pounded in me "remember this Kim, don't let this memory go un-marked". It was such a time of uncertainty. I realized that this could be one of the last times that my Mom would be my Mom. That she would be mothering me. Comforting me. Touching me. Me, her little girl, sitting at her feet. No words were spoken. It was just the stillness of the moment. A peace permeated through the uncertainty as I sat there just being her child. It is a treasure I will always cherish.

And so as I knelt at the foot of the bed this morning, the Lord reminded me of the peace and certainty He offers. If I will just sit at His feet. In the stillness of the moment. Just being His child.

Psalm 46:10-11 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Praise HIM!

New Beginnings

2007-12-26T19:02:00.001-05:00

Are you telling everyone that your jeans shrunk two sizes in the dryer last night?
Are you wearing anything with elastic around the waist?
Are you tucking more than just your shirt into your pants?
Is Santa not the only one in the neighborhood with a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then welcome to the day after Christmas in America. Where the average person puts on a whopping five to eleven pounds over the holidays. FIVE to ELEVEN pounds? This is one time I don't want to be above average! How about you?

In all seriousness, we as believers, must pick ourselves up and live as the citizens of Heaven that we are. So get ready for transformation!

Philipians 3:18-21 "For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Don't you just love it! Our Lord, Jesus Christ, intends on transforming "our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body". I don't know about you, but this one "lowly" body is ready. I pray that you will consider joining me. Let's surrender to HIM. Let's stand up and be proud citizens of HEAVEN. Citizens who are recognized quickly by just one glance. No sense in putting it off. Let's get started.
New beginnings! That is why He came!
Praise HIM!

P.S. If you are looking for a way to get rid of excess weight, live well, and grow in your walk with the Lord, look for a First Place meeting in your area. Live in Columbia, South Carolina? New First Place sessions will begin in January and February at Spring Valley Baptist Church.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T17:56:00.000-05:00

May the love, hope, joy,
and peace that is
Christ Jesus be yours!

Making Time

2007-12-21T09:37:00.000-05:00

I once heard Governor Huckabee interviewed about his weight loss. The interviewer asked " Governor, with your busy schedule, how did you ever find time to exercise?" The Governor responded and I paraphrase, " I don't find time. I make time. If I waited until I found the time to exercise I would never get it done". How true is that! If we wait until we find the time to do anything with our busy schedules, especially during this harried week, we would never get it done.

I am reminded of that when I lay down my Bible until later. Or when I pass by my running shoes on the way to put another load of laundry in. Or when I grab the snacks that are easily available instead of sitting down to a healthy meal.

This time of year is busy. Making our lists and checking them twice. Digging out from under heaps of wrapping paper. Scurrying to deliver the last gift. Places to go. People to see. But we (I) must make the time for those things that honor our Lord. I think He would prefer His temple in good repair. Don't you?
So, pardon me while I head out for my run! See you later!

1st Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Praise HIM!

Going "through it"

2007-12-18T17:26:00.000-05:00

"Five year old boy shoots and kills a bear twelve times his size! Story after the break" announced the anchor on Fox News Sunday morning. I did not hear the story but it flooded me with memories of working with three and four year old children in the preschool where I helped teach. We used to play a game called "I'm going on a bear hunt!" Maybe you remember that game. The leader of the game would start the hunt by saying "I'm going on a bear hunt!" Echoes of children repeated "I'm going on a bear hunt". "I'm not afraid!" "I see a cave" the leader continues, followed by the quick repetition by the little ones. "I can't go over it, I can't go under it, I can't go around it, gotta go through it!" The eyes of these children would widen with excitement. They stomped their hands as they marched into the make-believe cave. "Gotta go through it!"

Being the third Sunday in Advent, we lit the joy candle yesterday. This season is full of joyous celebrations. Christmas music resounds in every car, home, or mall. Christmas parties each evening in someones home. Preparations for the annual family turkey dinner. Cards from distant family and friends with wishes of joy for the season.

But like me, you may have people in your life today who are not experiencing joy. Who, instead of hearing "Joy to the World" replaying in her mind, recalls a phone call notifying her of her young adult sons death in a motor accident. A young father who instead of rsvp'ing to a Christmas party, stands in a solemn office making his next chemo appointment. A middle-aged wife, who instead of planning her annual family Christmas dinner, soaks her pillow with tears because her husband of 20 years has left her alone. Christmas cards that won't be arriving. Music that won't be played. Loneliness. Hurt. Anger. Grief. An abundance of emotions, but for many, joy is not one of them.

I am reminded by these that sometimes we can't go "over it" or "under it" or "around it". Sometimes we just "gotta go through it". But I am comforted that I don't go through anything alone. Neither do any that know and trust HIM. Dear friend, maybe it is you that is hurting. Know that we have a God that if we "gotta go through it", He will go through it with us. Psalms 9:9-10 says "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." The Message says it this way: 9-10 God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked.

Lord, help me be mindful of those whose sorrow is great. Whose pain is deep. Whose loss is unbearable. Let me shine your light into their world. You, who came into this world to bear all our sin. All our sorrow. All our pain and loss. Father let your love penetrate to the very core of those deep emotions. I pray that the hurting amongst us may fall into your hands. Hands that are big enough, gentle enough, compassionate enough, and faithful enough to carry them "through it". There is joy in that. In knowing you are our strength! The "joy of" you O Lord "is my strength" !(Neh. 8:10)
Praise HIM!

Joy

2007-12-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

Joy: as defined by http://www.dictionary.com/
1.the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated

Joy as defined by me:
A newborn babies first cry.
The doctor saying "it's a girl" or "it's a boy".
Hot chocolate on a cold day. (sugar free, of course!)
Cold lemonade on a hot day ...made even better while sitting on a front porch swing!
Camping trips complete with songs around the campfire.
The feel of warm sand between my toes while taking a walk on the beach in the early fall.
Hearing the rustling of the leaves on a quiet mountain.
Making it to the top of the mountain.
Making it back down again.
Watching a young child, a teenager, or an older adult step out from the pew and walk to the front of the church to confess their belief in Jesus and make a public profession of their faith.
Hearing "I love you".
Saying "I love you!"
Hearing a big ole "HEY MOM" on the phone!
Watching the night sky while lying on the dock at the lake.
Hearing my three children in another room giggling together.
The Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

But neither dictionary.com nor I can adequately describe the joy that appeared one night over 2000 years ago. Just a babe? No. Just a man. Hardly! God in the flesh. God here on earth. A joy so great that only a heavenly host would do it justice.

Luke 2: 10-13:"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your arrival here on earth. I thank you that with it you brought hope, peace, joy, and love. I thank you that these gifts of Christmas are still available to those who seek you. Father, help me to remember that these gifts are also mine to share. Help me to deliver them..your hope, your peace, your joy, your love.Praise HIM!

Not on my own

2007-12-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

I spent an entire day this past weekend with 60 students at a rally with over 25,000 people, collecting canned goods to give to our local emergency food bank. This was a student-led project, but they needed their sponsor there as well. Don't get me wrong, although it was hectic, and at times a bit chaotic, it was a joy to work alongside them. These high school kids eagerly gathered well over 4000 cans in eight hours of labor-intensive work to help feed the hungry. (Kids are really so much more caring than we often give them credit for.) But I must tell you, this middle-aged body came home exhausted. Bone-tired. Worn out enough to weep. And weep I did when I walked through my doorway.

I left my kitchen before 7am that morning, and I left in a hurry. Walking out on counters cluttered with dirty dishes, dirty laundry, and emptied boxes that needed to head back to the attic. It was all I could do to pack up the items I needed for that day. I expected to return to the same dirty dishes and cluttered counters that I left before sunlight. But joy of joys, I walked into a spotless kitchen. Laundry...cleaned, dried, and folded. The empty boxes from the Christmas ornaments... packed away. The things I KNOW that I could not have done on my own were done for me. Sweet husband!

We have a God like that too. One who reminds me often that I don't have to do it all on my own. One who has done the hardest work for me. I don't have to face a "cluttered with sin" past. It is as "far as the east is from the west" from me. (Ps.103:12) Could not have done that on my own. I don't have to face my own "dirty laundry". He has washed me "whiter than snow". (Ps. 51:7) Again, done by Him. And He continues to "pack away" the pride, selfishness, and other assorted character issues. All the things I KNOW that I could not have done on my own. Done for me. Sweet Heavenly Father!

Father thank you for your work on the cross, for your work in me. I thank you for reminding me that YOU alone have saved me. I praise You for the peace You offer as you guard our hearts and minds in You. For doing all that none of us could ever do on our own. Praise YOU!

Praise HIM!

The Nativity

2007-12-06T18:03:00.000-05:00

Like many of you, we have slowly been getting our house and yard decorated for Christmas. Many years ago my husband's grandfather, who we called Papa K, built a beautiful and very simple nativity scene for our yard. Papa K's hands were worn and strong and talented. He, a carpenter by avocation, carefully crafted many gifts for us over the years. There is no question that these three, Mary, Joseph, and the Jesus manger, are probably the most dear to us. We spotlight them out front this time each year.

Here in South Carolina, we tend to have fairly mild weather. The last few days have been the exceptions. Wind gusts strong enough to take two wreaths right off my windows. Blasts of cold have strewn anything not bolted down all over the yard. So, Tuesday at work, I had a call from my neighbor and she asked, "did you know your Joseph has tumbled over?" "No" I replied, "I didn't", but I wasn't surprised after the winds we had experienced that morning. That afternoon when my son arrived home from school, he ran inside. He voiced what my neighbor had called about earlier, "Joseph is on the ground". Again. But then he added, "Mom,it looks like he is worshiping the Lord." I went outside to look for myself and found that Chad was right. The wooden Joseph's face and body fell prostrate at the foot of the manger.

Sometimes there are no words that can adequately express our adoration and worship. Sometimes we just need to fall prostrate at the feet of our Lord.
Praise Him this Christmas season! Praise His Name forever!

Matthew 2:11 "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. ..."

The Partner

2007-12-04T18:32:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I did something I didn't think I could do again. My dear friend and fellow FPer, Pam, and I ran a 5K together. I won't tell you we won. We didn't. I won't even tell you we ran a great time. We didn't. But we did run the race that both of us were, or at least I was, more than a little apprehensive about completing.

The weather could not have been more delightful. It was cool, but not too cold. The warm sun elevated the temperature enough to thaw our toes and nose. It was an absolutely marvelous December morning! The sidelines were full of cheering crowds. Clapping. Arms waving. Cheers of "Go, Go, Go". (It is possible that the crowds were just in a hurry for us to pass so the Annual Christmas Parade could begin, but the encouragement was welcome just the same.) But the very best part of the race was having a running partner!

Pam's continual encouragement is what made the race doable for me. We talked a bit. We laughed a bit. We slowed down for each other...OK, she slowed down for me. We kept each other going.

Down the first hill. Confidence. Back up another. Urging. Marking our distance. Reassurance. Simultaneously grabbing our cups at the water station. Refreshment. And finishing. What a great feeling to finish something you aren't even sure you can begin! All along being lifted up and encouraged by a fellow runner, a fellow sojourner. All the way to the finish line.

So it should be no surprise that this encouraging business is of HIS design! And it is not just for running a 5K race. It is for losing the weight. It is for being disciplined to study the Word. It is for tackling the job hunt. It is for facing a dire illness. It is for waiting for the right time or the right thing or the right person. Encouragement. It is for living the life.
Give it. Receive it. All the way to the finish line.

Romans 1:11-12 "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

1 Thessalonians 5:11"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Praise Him!

P.S. By the way, Pam and I did outrun one of the younger ladies.(so Pam, do I tell them she was six?)

Valuable!

2007-11-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

You may remember that my darling daughters were home last weekend for Thanksgiving. Because of a late class on Monday, Molly was able to spend an extra night with us. So late Sunday afternoon my sweet angel headed into my closet to search for a sweater to wear to a party the following week. (I admit, I may have "puffed up" with a bit of motherly pride that she would actually want to borrow something of mine.) She proceeded to pull out three adorable Christmas sweaters. Examining each closely, she chose one and then turned and asked me "do you think this would be the best for my TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY?". Tacky?Tacky?? Does she really think this seven (OK, maybe 10)year old red sweater with large knitted snowmen is tacky? Did she not take notice of the adorable puffy "snow balls" attached to the zippers end? I was flabbergasted. Does she not recognize the value of this fashion treasure? The worth of that button nose or two eyes made out of knitted coal? Since I own this sweater I had attributed value that the eyes of my daughter did not see.

Value and worth. Those words come up a lot lately. They are often associated with what we do, what we wear, how we look. What one person may think is valuable or lovely or beautiful, another may not. A few are so confused about their own value that they may even want to give up. Maybe their past haunts them. Or their future terrifies them. The truth is, I often must remind myself of the good news that my value is not based on what I think. Or on what anyone else thinks. My value was established many years ago. When God chose to send His Son. His one and only Son. Because I am worth it. And you are worth it. Not because we are good, or righteous, or beautiful but because He is!

So this Christmas season I will thank Him once again for assuring me of my value. Our value. As seen through the eyes of our "Owner"!

Romans 5:6-8 says "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Praise HIM!

Praise Him!

2007-11-28T20:13:00.001-05:00

I just came back in from Bible Study with the most amazing group of people. It is a group of mostly women and one very wise man who are working to give Christ First Place in their lives! I am continually amazed by the conversations and insights that the Lord directs. This is one precious group of Christ followers! Why am I still surprised at how much strength is derived from being in fellowship with other believers? Why am I ever surprised at all by this God of ours!

This ever faithful God, the one who parted the seas, who helped a small boy slay a giant, who defeated armies? Our Savior who walked on water, who raised the dead, who forgave sins?

Our Lord,the designer of the ultimate relationship, also designed us to be in fellowship with others! I am so thankful for His way. I am so thankful for His design. And I am so thankful for the fellowship with others who are totally in LOVE with Him! That is you sweet friend! My wonderful husband, family, neighbor, fellow First Place member, or you precious new blog friend. Thank you for allowing the strength of the Holy Spirit to spill out all over me! I praise Him for YOU!

Lord, thank you that you made a way for me to follow You! Thank you for allowing me the great gift of getting to follow you alongside others whose walk inspires and challenges me. Lord, thank you for your great outpouring of love! Thank you for the overflowing strength! Let me continue to be surprised and awed by YOU.

Colossians 1: 3-6
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Praise Him!

The strangest meetings

2007-11-28T16:13:00.000-05:00

Isn't it funny how we meet people or run into people in places we least expect to? I am meeting Christian brothers and sisters from all over, some close in proximity to my own home, and some from very far away. I will write more later but I wanted you, my friends and fellow bloggers, to be sure to meet someone I have come to know on the blogosphere. Her name is Angie and she shares such encouragement and just real-life, where the WORD meets life, in her blog. I know you will be encouraged to read her blog. Check the site out at Sonflower http://asonflower.blogspot.com/

The Unexpected

2007-11-26T19:36:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful long Thanksgiving weekend! Each year, as our children grow older, the time we spend together becomes more and more precious! My husband and I absolutely delight in their company!

I don't know how you spent your time but we spent a busy fun-filled few days in our home. We had one yummy Thursday of eating turkey, one frazzled Friday of after-Thanksgiving shopping, and one chilly Saturday ready for our annual tromp to purchase the Christmas tree. It is a tradition that my children have come to expect. And we are all too happy to oblige!

As much as we love cutting down our own tree, time is short this year so we decided to forgo that tradition. Off to the lot around the corner with the freshest trees in town. It took us all of about 15 minutes to find the tree perfectly grown(and cut) for us! We loaded it in the trunk and made the two mile trip back to our home. The frasier fir we chose was positioned in its new stand and we added the twinkling white lights. Sunday, after church, the five of us gathered around the lit tree and began doing what many of you do. We turned on the Christmas music, made hot chocolate, and began unloading the boxes of old ornaments. I love to hear my children recall memories of their favorite bauble. I love to hold some of the handmade trimmings, garnished with love by a godmother gone to be with the Lord, or by my once small child now entering teen years or adulthood. The last items added are always the shiny red bead garlands and the plaid bows, both now over 15 years old. Standing back, it appears just the way we have come to expect our tree to look. Sweet, sweet memories.

You can imagine my surprise when I stepped into the sunroom at 6:30am today, ready to add water to the stand, and found the tree...fallen. Flat. As in flat on the floor. It is not what I expected this morning. Not what I expected at all.

Unexpected.
I just could not get that word out of my head all day.
Unexpected.
An angel speaking to Mary. A virgin with child.
The child "will be called the Son of God".
Wrapped in cloths. Placed in a manger.
Unexpected.
Unexpected.
Unexpected.
A most unexpected arrival for the awaited Savior.
The God of the universe placed into the arms of a young Mary his Son, who in turn placed Him into a manger. The world placed Him on a cross heavy with all our sin and in turn He placed us back in the presence of God. Unexpected.

Lord, Most High, thank you for sending your Son. Thank you for making a way for us to be forever in your presence. Keep me in eager expectation of YOU! Expecting the unexpected! Thank you!
Praise Him!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T10:10:00.000-05:00

My heart is full of thanksgiving! Today I have been busy mopping, dusting, laundering, mowing, and running errands all in excited anticipation of Thanksgiving day. I can't wait. I love this holiday, one that is specifically designed for us to stop, look around, and be thankful! Be thankful! Pretty simple.

So, I must tell you that I have spent the busy day reminding myself of this simple idea. Be thankful! Dirty feet that just finished an afternoon game of football just trampled all over your shiny floor. Be thankful! Two lovable doggies just scrurried back in the house, bringing with them all their dust-covered fur. Be thankful! Heaps of dirty clothes mysteriously appearing after the last load began. Be thankful! Beautiful yellow, red, and brown leaves covering the yard approximately 15 minutes after you finished mowing. Be thankful! And the last item from the grocery store that has been forgotten the last few trips! Be thankful!

I am thankful for the dirty feet for they were those of a delightful 13 year old son who fills our house with boisterous joy! I am thankful for the dust bearers, our doggies, devoted fans, who are eager to greet us every morning with jumps of joy and love- lapping kisses! The laundry courtesy of two beautiful daughters arriving home from college! Those leaves, well they are the very same ones that shaded our house throughout the sweltering heat of summer. And finally those items from the grocery store, well they will help feed the mouths of some of the people I love most in this world-my family!

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Happy Thanksgiving! Praise HIM!

Escape Routes

2007-11-19T17:02:00.000-05:00

Have you ever taken a cruise? We did and oh, what a vacation! We flew to Vancouver and set sail on a chilly Saturday afternoon. I can't adequately describe the scenery, to say the least it was all spectacular. We saw seals and salmon. We spotted grizzly bears and cubs. Hundreds of bald eagles, many clasping dinner in their talons, soared over our heads. We hiked up trails that were once the highways of gold miners. We rafted down beautiful mountain rivers once canoed by natives. We walked out on glaciers, watching the "white thunder" fall to the sea. The complete range of weather kept us guessing as to what to dress ourselves in each morning. But the absolute artistry by our God more than offset any fashion shortcomings. It was a marvelous week!
But do you know how every cruise begins? If you have been on one, you already know what I was soon to discover. The first hour that you are on the boat the near-deafening blaring of the ship's horn booms over the loudspeaker and the PA system announces that every passenger must proceed to your assigned area for a mandatory drill. No getting out of it. Each room is checked by the stewards as passengers are hurried to the largest dining hall. We hurried too. If you know me, you know I was paying attention! Ready to quiz my hubby and children afterwards.The captain and other staff have you practice putting on a life jacket. They explain how the life boats work and how cold the water is(in Alaska that equals VERY COLD). They finish by pointing out all the emergency escape routes. I'm happy to say that our biggest emergency on the entire trip was discovering our camera battery was not fully charged for another full day of picture snapping!

This memory of the drill does remind me of something God says in His word. He promises in 1st Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Sometimes God makes the "way out" very obvious for us to see as my captain did on the ship. Sometimes we must search for the "way out" that He provides. Either way, we know that we can take comfort that He is "faithful". Not some of the time. Not most of the time. He is "faithful" all of the time. Always.
As we approach this holiday, and a grand feast at the dining room table, we need to remember that. We can push away from the table with our pants still buttoned. We can pass up a second or third helping of our favorite food. We can take an extra jog around the block. We don't have to be over-full. We can just be thankful!

Thank you Lord that you already see the temptations that await me this week. Thank you that they are not uncommon. Thank you for reminding me that they are not too much to bear. And thank you that when they are, when my power and might are too weak, that You by YOUR SPIRIT, will provide that emergency escape route so I can stand up under it!
Praise Him!

Pray

2007-11-17T19:28:00.000-05:00

Mark 14:32-36They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Overwhelmed with sorrow, our Lord was overwhelmed with sorrow. I sometimes forget how human our God became for us. How he experienced so many human emotions. Including the one described here. Overwhelmed with sorrow.

My husband's co-worker, our friend, lost her son this afternoon in a tragic motor accident. We are all overwhelmed with sorrow with her and her family. So we will do what Jesus did. We fall to the ground and we pray.

What do you see?

2007-11-15T17:04:00.000-05:00

Several years back, a new restaurant opened near our home. One Sunday following worship, our family headed over to give it a try. The restaurant was bustling with other first-time customers who appeared to have also just come from their own church. The service was speedy, the food was scrumptious, and the tea was o so sweet. All signs of a winner!

After consuming our meal quickly, which you do when you have a five year old boy, we packed up and headed out the door. Busily relaying to one another what we each loved about our meal, I hear this small voice. The voice of my youngest, who at the time was a kindergartner just learning to read. My daughters had both declared their A+ rating of this place when Chad chimed in. He furled his brow in all seriousness and said "There is one thing I don't like about that place." "What?", we all answered in unison, surprised because we liked it so much. He answered, "they like people to smoke". "They like people to smoke?" we questioned in disbelief. "I didn't see anyone smoking in there" I said; "why do you say that?". He tugged at my hand and pointed slowly to the sign on the front door....THIS IS A SMOKE FREE RESTAURANT. I giggled. You gotta love a new reader! What was plain as day to the rest of us more seasoned readers, was totally missed by this new one. In his own mind, the restaurant wanted you to smoke so badly that they would let you do it for free.

I often remember those words spoken by my young reader. It makes me wonder what I miss seeing that is plain as day to my Heavenly Father?

Clara Scott penned these words in her famous hymn:
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Lord, thank you for all that you have already shown me! Keep my eyes open and seeking you. I so look forward to the day that I see you "face to face"!

Praise Him!

The Finish Line

2007-11-14T20:22:00.000-05:00

I read the following quote tonight at the Boston Marathon Website :"This is one of the major differences between elite runners' marathon training and others training for the event. Most runners or joggers are simply trying to finish the event in halfway decent condition. Elite runners are essentially "racing" the event." http://www.bostonmarathon.org/

I have this nagging thought that I can not let go of tonight. I must begin training like an elite athlete for this journey the Lord has me on. I think much like those casual(if there is such a person who runs ANY marathon) runners, I have often run my own race as one who just wants to "finish the event in halfway decent condition." This week's Bible study has been a great awakening for me.
How many times have I read 1st Corinthians and yet never realized that God wants me to run like I want to WIN this race!

1st Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

WIN? Middle of the heap is always where I've been quite content thank you. You know, not first place, not last, but somewhere in between was more than fine with me. But that is not apparently what my Lord wants for me. He wants me to win this race. Not someone else's race mind you, but the race He has set out for me.

Hebrews 12: 1 "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."

Because I enjoy running, actually it is more like a slow jog, I really love the analogy that God uses in His Word on how we are to prepare. He tells us not to run "aimlessly".
1st Corinthians 9: 26"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."

So what is aimless? I am a terrible map reader. If you put me in charge of the map and told me where to go, it would take a VERY long time to get there. But there is this new device, the GPS and I'm telling you, for those of us that are map-challenged, it is a real life changer. It tells you where to turn, how far you are from your destination, and even includes markings of where the next restrooms are(now that's an answer to prayer). But you know what you have to do first? You have to tell the system exactly where you are going.

In the same way, we must know where we are headed. For both the physical race to health and the long term race to standing before my Lord,I must know that I will approach those finish lines a winner! And you dear friend, you too will have your own "crowning"moment. He did that for us! And at the end, I can just hear Him saying "I knew you could do it child! I told you so! "

I hear Him cheering me on now!

Praise Him!

Give Away Winner!

2007-11-14T07:32:00.000-05:00

Donna Johnson, you are the winner of a new copy of Living Well by Carole Lewis. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have!

Swirly impressions

2007-11-09T23:34:00.000-05:00

We were driving down the road one afternoon this past summer when one of my daughters propped her feet up on the dash. I quickly reminded her to take them down, safety nut that I am, but not quickly enough to avoid her leaving her toe prints on the windshield. I must admit, it was a few months before the inside of my car was washed. Recently I headed out in my car and spotted them. The remainders of her swirly toe prints left from that summer stretch. She had left her mark!

Don't you know we are covered with the fingerprints of our HOLY DESIGNER? Before He began shaping us He decided just how He would make us. A sprinkle of this and a dash of that until finally we were just right for the purpose He planned for us. He formed us...think of that picture. With God's hands, the very hands that created the universe, was formed a girl or a boy.... on purpose. And He continues molding us even now, through our experiences, either those He allows or those He purposes. I love remembering that God himself DECIDED and then CREATED....ME. I love that those swirly impressions are still being left on me. His mark. No windex needed...these are prints I want to keep!

Lord, I praise you for "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps.139:14). I thank you that wherever I go, you are there, that you "have laid your hand upon me"(Ps. 139:5) and continue to leave your mark. And Lord let me never forget the prints you left for my salvation come from nail-scarred hands.

Praise Him!

The Promised Give-Away!

2007-11-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

Ok friends, as promised a give-away to one of you who leaves a comment anywhere on the blog this week. The give-away is a copy of a great devotional that I was blessed to receive last spring(thank you M and P). Carole Lewis, the national director of First Place put this together and I tell you I LOVE IT! I know you will too. So go ahead, leave a comment and you will be entered in the drawing to be held next Tuesday. The winner will be posted right here on the blog Wednesday, November 14 .

Hitting the Brick Wall

2007-11-04T20:46:00.001-05:00

I remember my initiation into the sport of down-hill skiing. I must have been about 12 years old. The mountains of North Carolina were close to home and seemed to challenge us to a run on their snowy slopes. You should know that at 12 years old I seemed to fear anything out of the ordinary.I feared airplanes, natural disasters, and most especially the disease of the month thoroughly described in my mother's ladies magazine. (I believe my mother actually discontinued the subscription after the umpteenth time that I finished an article and began exhibiting every sign and symptom of the latest disease.) Sadly, my fears also extended into recreational activities, in particular those activities involving speed and loss of control!

While my family and I climbed into our new ski apparel, I imagined poking my eye out with the ski pole, or going off the side of the mountain, or losing toes to frost-bite(another article I read). The ski instructors reassured all of us and even pointed out the hay stacks at the bottom of the slope "just in case" you can't stop. That seemed to assuage my fears long enough to get me out to the bunny slope. Snow-plow down, go back up, snow-plow down, go back up. You get the picture, definitely not Winter Olympic material. But my mom, she was brave. She promptly took off for the first hill. She made her way to the top and began zipping along right down the slope. I looked over and said to myself "I don't think she is going to stop! Good thing there is that hay down there!" She used the man-made wall to complete her run. And then she got up...bloody nose and all. That seemingly soft wall of hay was actually a solid block , no actually a solid wall of ice! It stopped her alright. But good humored mom that she was, she just wiped her nose and giggled her way to the lodge. At least it gave me a good excuse to get my, now sure to be semi-frozen, toes out of the boots and in front of the blazing fire. Mom was ok and I liked it much better inside.

Ever hit a brick wall? (or a frozen block of hay?) I seem to be running into that wall lately. If truth be told, it seems to be a wall I may have erected myself. Beginning my walk to good health was a breeze and I too was "zipping along" at full speed. Then after a good run, I hit the brick wall. I seem to have lost the same three pounds several times now.It isn't that I have given up, I just seem to have lost more steam than pounds. So how do you stay motivated to continue a life-time plan for living well?

Here are some of the things the Lord has shown me as I have been searching the Word on how to stay motivated:
-Quit relying on my own strength.
1 Chronicles 16:11 "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

-Stop making this all about me.
Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

-Remain steadfast
Psalm 57:7:My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

I looked up steadfast and here is what it says:
1.fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2.firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3.unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 06 Nov. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/steadfast>.

What power in the word steadfast! Fixed, firm, and unwavering! Sounds a lot like a Savior I know.

Lord, keep my eyes fixed on you, "the author and perfecter of my faith"(Hebrews 12:2). It is through your strength that I can break and even avoid brick walls. Remind me when I focus too much on my own body, that it is not my own, but was "bought at a price"(1 Cor.6:19-20). And Lord, help me follow your example, remaining steadfast! Thank you Lord!
Praise Him!

Tell me how you stay motivated!

Thankful Thursday

2007-11-01T17:30:00.000-04:00

Colossians 1:3-5 "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints__the faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel "

I am thankful for my God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the priviledge for praying for you.

I am thankful for your faith in Christ Jesus, it is a great joy to watch that faith and to learn from it.

I am thankful for the love you have for all of those you come in contact with.

I am thankful for the faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up in heaven.

I am thankful for the word of TRUTH, the gospel.

I am thankful, truly thankful for YOU fellow sojourner of faith!

Praise HIM!

For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Crystal at http://candlebabe299.blogspot.com/2007/10/thankful-thursday-blessings.html

The phone call

2007-10-29T20:12:00.000-04:00

Saturday night SEC football in the Tennessee mountains! There was a tremendous crowd of devoted Gamecock and Volunteer fans. The excitement was palpable with both sides anticipating a win. This was going to be some night! Swarms of people from both sides were donned in their school's colors, myself included. The wind was crisp and it felt like fall had finally arrived. You could not have asked for a better evening! Great weather, great friends, great football!

My husband picked up his cell phone and started talking. I could only hear his side of the conversation. It went something like this "Yes, this is Chad's father. What happened?" An enormously long pause as he listened to the person on the other side of the phone line. "Yes, you have my permission to treat him." A second agonizing break while he listened. "Yes, you have my permission to stitch him up." All the while, my heart is racing and I am clamoring for the phone. I wanted to speak with someone and find out what had happened. My husband handed the phone to me as he tried to reassure me that it was OK. The phone lines faltered, the crowd was loud, and I heard only bits of the doctor's explanation. All I know is that Chad is going to be stitched up and I'm not there.

I wanted to hear Chad's voice.

I wanted him to hear mine.

I wanted to be with him. Instead I'm stuck five hours away in the middle of a crowd of 105,000 people who I no longer found interesting or fun. I just wanted to be with my boy. I wanted to hold his hand while he was getting stitches. I wanted to tell him he was going to be alright.

I wanted to comfort him, encourage him, give him my strength. But I couldn't even talk to him because we lost our cell phone connection.
I prayed.

A few hours later, a call came through from the doctor who stitched up Chad's arm . A backyard football injury, certainly not life threatening. He was ok. My boy was OK.

As we have been studying prayer this week, I couldn't help but be reminded of our Heavenly Father's desire to have an intimate relationship with us.
He wants to hear our voice.
He wants us to hear Him.
He wants to be with us.
He wants to comfort and encourage us and give us His strength.

Prayer so often is THE ANSWER, not just the way we seek or receive the answer. It is this gracious and amazing gift from a loving Father who wants to be in relationship with me, with you, with all of us.

Deuteronomy 4:7 "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? "

Thank you my Father. O Lord, my God, thank you for drawing near to me. Thank you for wanting to.

Praise Him!

Demolition Crew

2007-10-22T16:57:00.000-04:00

I love home improvement television. Weekend Warriors, Room by Room, Curb Appeal, you name it, I love it. There is one particular show on Sunday evenings that I especially enjoy. It introduces us, the viewers, to a deserving family chosen to receive a total extreme home makeover. The family is usually surprised to a loud "HELLO ......FAMILY" and then whisked off to a dream vacation while the construction of a new home takes place. There is always a point in their vacation that the family gathers around a small computer screen to watch as the host zooms his camera in on the demolition of their old home. The scene is characterized by the crushing swing of a wrecking ball, tumbling walls, dust clouds hovering in the air, and a host scurrying from the debris. The response of the family varies but often includes a gasp and even a little weeping as they watch their old home crumble to the ground. I sometimes think "seriously, you are about to get the home of your dreams and you are crying as you watch that dilapidated old thing fall?"

But then I remember. I remember having similar responses to my own personal stronghold demolition. Not all strongholds but, though it may sound strange, some strongholds are often like an old rickety home for us. Why would we want to hold onto anything that keeps us from freedom, keeps us from the full life that God has planned for us? It may be a battered, broken-down, decaying half-life. Yet sometimes, it is all we know, and we grieve its loss. And so it goes, our own clinging to the stronghold allows it to stay another day. And again I think to myself "seriously? ".

But here is the good news, this very demolition, if we will allow it to take place, leads to the rebuilding of something so much better! And the weapons used to demolish the strongholds? They are no ordinary "weapons of the world". These weapons have "divine power"!

So when I am bemoaning the annihilation of some old familiar stronghold, I will remember. I will remember that Christ "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). I will remember to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," so that I can "run with perseverance the race marked out for"me (Hebrews 12:1). I will remember that"the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Rom 8:21). And I will remember that glorious freedom begins when I stop clinging. I will remember to let the demolition begin!
Praise Him!

The recipe

2007-10-17T21:25:00.000-04:00

The first time I celebrated my dear husband's birthday as his wife, I wanted to make a cake for him. I knew that he had two favorite cakes, German chocolate and Carrot cake. I decided to attempt to bake the German chocolate. I went to the store, bought all the ingredients, went home, baked the cake successfully and served it lovingly(and somewhat proudly) to my hubby. He LOVED it! He gobbled down piece after piece until there was not one crumb on the plate nor one drop of milk left in the carton. Within a couple of days the entire cake was GONE. You can just imagine how great this newlywed wife felt.

That weekend we went to his parents hometown . This is the type of small, southern hometown that people dream of. You know, the town reminiscent of Andy Griffith's Mayberry complete with the front porch and creaky screened door. He was so excited to tell his grandmother, Mammie, about the birthday cake I baked him and how delicious it was. She was delighted to know that I actually cooked for him. Of course, the town's cake baker that she was, she asked me for my recipe. Recipe? I sought to remember. Did I hear her ask "what was in it" ? I struggled to visualize the ingredients on the side of the Duncan Hines box. Flour, yes that was in it...chocolate, butter..yes, those too. She was gracious enough not to prod further. I'm sure she recognized the ineptness of my answers. I was quickly deflated. I realized that though it may have looked good, a box cake was not really all that special in a home where HOURS were spent on perfecting each recipe. I felt I had made only a replica, a sort of cheap imitation of the real thing.

Lord, don't let my life ever be a cheap imitation. Let me be real. Let me be authentic. Your word says in 2 Corinthians 3: 18 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Lord, take whatever ingredients you deem necessary to transform this gal into one who reflects your glory! I thank you that you include in your recipe a big, heaping helping of grace and forgiveness.
Praise Him!

I've got a lot to learn!

2007-10-15T17:29:00.001-04:00

So, I am about two weeks into this blogging thing, still begging my friends(yes, you) and family(and you too) to join in by posting comments. I have learned a lot...mostly that there is a lot to learn. I have learned that in creating a blog site, using a template is the simplest way to get things arranged. I have learned how to add pictures to the posting, but haven't quite figured out how to put them on the sidebar. I have learned how to add a poll to the blog, but not how to make it last longer than six days. I have learned to re-arrange my template, but not how to stretch the header(title) across the entire top of the site. I have even received a "warning triangle" when I try to add something that the program won't accept. Yup, I still have a lot to learn.

It reminds me of our walk to health with the Lord. So, this week maybe you learned how to write down all your food choices, but not how to count that pesky casserole. You have learned that exercise is important, but not quite how to add it into everyday life. You have learned that having a quiet time with the Lord each day is precious, but not quite how to get the "quiet" part in with little ones at your feet. Maybe you have even gotten your own little "warning triangle" in the form of a scripture to remind you not to add(eat)something that you don't need. Yup, we all have learned quite a bit in the last few weeks, and you know what? We still have a lot to learn.

I am so thankful for a Master, Teacher who allows us to continue learning each day. I am thankful for His patience and gentleness even as he may teach us time after time before we finally "get it". I thank Him for allowing us to sit at His feet, to relish in His Word, to allow us to go on... with a lot to learn. Praise Him!

2nd Timothy 14-17: 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Between

2007-10-13T11:11:00.000-04:00

We have all seen them, the before and after pictures that accompany every ad trying to sell the newest weight loss program, or amazing cleaning product, or home makeover addition. I realized today that somewhere from the before to the after of our weight loss, or home makeover, or you fill in the blank, there is a great big "between".

This morning, as I decided to plant some beautiful fall mums and pansies, I discovered I would first have to do a lot of work raking, pulling, and digging. That is hard labor! "Why I'm not sure I'm up to that this morning", I thought to myself. I mean I want my yard to look like some in my favorite home magazine....you know clean, tidy, well-manicured, and teeming with fall colors spilling onto the garden walk. But raking? Weeding? Surely there is another way. You see, the great "between" was scaring me off.

That seems to be a running theme with me: a deep desire for the after without much thought of the great "between". Like this desire to live a healthy life at a healthy weight, the "between" often looks daunting and too demanding. But there is no "between" that I can think of that must have been more difficult than the "between" my Christ suffered through.

Heaping piles of guilt, sin, and blame all put on one guiltless, sinless, blameless Jesus. My guilt and yours. My sin and yours. My blame and yours. What was that "between" like for Him? What was that separation of a perfect man/God from His heavenly Father like? How great was the agony for this sinless Jesus to carry sin? And yet he did. He bore my sin and suffered the "between". This "between" was the most significant of all betweens. It had an after like no other.
Next time the "between" looks tough, I will remember....

One God's before and between, for the after of us all. Talk about makeover possibilities!

Matthew 28:6:"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. "
Praise HIM!

Lost pup

2007-10-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

As I drove home from Walmart tonight, I came to a four way stop sign and saw the red glint of an animal's eyes heading toward my car. As I stopped, an old wolf-looking dog ambled up to my car door. Nose up toward my window, I couldn't help but notice he looked scared and lost. I stopped the car, got out to pet him, and checked for identification. He had on only a red bark collar and another collar. His old gray face perked up a bit as I stood and petted him. I tried coaxing him into my car in the hopes of driving around to find his home... or something. I felt helpless. Nothing I tried persuaded him to get into my car. He finally walked away, leaving me crying in the dark and wondering if he would find his way home.
I drove quickly back to my house to get a few biscuits and my dog- loving 13 year old son. We drove back to where I had last seen my gentle friend... but he was gone. I guess sometimes you only get one chance with the lost.

I am so very humbled and so very thankful that we have a God who seeks the lost. If not, this is one gal who may still be wandering in the dark, looking for home.

Ezekiel 34:16 "I will search for the lost and bring back the strays"

Keep on , keep on, keep on

2007-10-07T19:16:00.000-04:00

Remember the Brady Bunch song? That song has been swirling through my head all day. It could be that it was a tougher weekend than normal as far as keeping my commitments, or maybe I'm still hoping to turn out looking like Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. OK, so I am a closet Nick at Night fan!

On days when every corner seems to offer me the chance to ditch any or all of the commitments, I need to remember 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Have you heard some arguments against this journey toward health and total wellness? I have. I have argued with myself throughout the weekend . The mountain just looked too big. As I rode in the car to pick up my son from an afternoon movie with Sunday school friends, I just whispered to the Lord "I don't have the strength to fight the arguments today Lord". He reminded me that His word says that I can not only fight but I can "demolish" those arguments. We demolish them with His word..our sword. But today even that reminder fell short in strengthening me completely. The sword just looked too heavy to even lift, much less wield. It was as if my spirit heard Him say, "just ask, I'll lift it for you". You better believe I asked, and asked immediately! You know what? He did. He did lift the sword! I pray for all of us that when we are too tired to fight anymore, that we allow the strength and mighty power of our Father to fight for us! He is not only the giver of the sword, but often is the Knight who can strike with it. Praise HIM!

I am so encouraged to read your posts and email. They help me "keep on, keep on, keep on". How about you? What encourages you?

Weighty what?

2007-10-04T18:38:00.000-04:00

Weighty thoughts, an odd name? The idea is to "weigh in" on how the Lord meets us in our weight loss adventure and our everyday life. I am excited to see how the Lord uses this time and this format to grow us closer to Him.

For all of my fellow FP'ers, welcome ! Thank you for any insights you have.

In each post I will spend a little time sharing about what the Lord is showing me in His word or in my life and I would love to hear your thoughts. I am no theologian, just someone who loves the Word and the Word Giver..Our Father and Lord!

We will stay away from complaining but we will look for answers on how to work through some of the things that may hold us back from the "abundant" life that He promises! That is why He came, to give us life and give it more abundantly!

Blogging novice that I am, forgive me for any mistakes or blog etiquette faux pas. So here goes:

Sometimes we may run into Jesus when we least expect to see him.
Today I had one of those "big smile" kind of moments, you know the ones that make you grin from ear to ear and from inside to out! For you to fully understand, let me begin with a minute from yesterday afternoon. I met a new friend Ella, the precious six year old daughter of a co-worker. We spent a short but wonderful time discussing how much we both enjoyed American Girl dolls and catalogs. She told me she had a doll of her very own that she "named on December 25th". She was so proud to tell me all about this doll and how she wanted 100 more dolls soon. Ella was bright,cheery, and vivaciously verbal. Fast forward to today. As I walked to meet a visiting college rep at the main office of the high school where I work, I spotted a group of young elementary school aged children in single file heading to an event at the auditorium on our campus. I looked over and there was Ella, pointing out to her friend the door to the main office. I could see her saying, as she read the sign on the door, "that is my mommy's work, see...M A I N(spelled it and said it to her friend), that's the MAIN office". You could see that she was excited to show her friend where her mommy works. Then she spotted me and her small hand went up in the air forming the beginnings of a great big wave! She was quickly swinging her arm wildly to say hello and there I was smiling and BIG waving back! Wow! That excitement made my day! See, she recognized me. I was someone she knew and I saw her quickly lean toward her friend and tell her that she knew me. I don't know what words she used but I did think to myself later that this adorable conversationalist would probably explain how we met, that I knew her mommy, where my office was, and that I had two daughters who still occasionally play with their own American dolls. You know... everything she knew about me! I am only guessing of course, just based on all I learned in ten minutes about her doll, her friends, and her school in our own visit yesterday.
Don't you know that that is what testimony is all about. Delighted excitement to share about our "Friend" and Savior. I pray that we will always be excited to share about our Jesus, who He is to us and how He is taking us on this life journey. And I hope the next time we see Him, whether through his word or through something that happens during the day, that we too will lift up our hand and give him a great big wave! Now that will be a big smile moment!