Father Time

Today is the last day of 2012.  Yesterday I posted a timeline of the last twelve months with some major events that occurred in our family.

Among those stories in pictures were:

• An uncle recovering from a stroke
• A niece informing the family of her pregnancy
• The purchase of new property
• The acquision of a new [rescue] dog
• The milestone of our son becoming a Senior in High School
• The middle son becoming a Freshman in College

There are so many other things that took place in between.  As I look back on 2012 I have to ask myself "What have I accomplished?"  What did I agree, or "resolve" to do in January 2012 that I can say I actually did? 

I don't remember exactly!  I do know this...today begins a new list.  It will be a much busier year as we have already lived through our last high school homecoming event, we prepare for prom, senior pictures and graduation. 

We usually begin with changing our eating habits, making an effort to workout more, spending more time with family and before February comes, I have violated all those resolutions. 

I have given more thought to things I am thankful for.  First, we have three kids that are well on their way to adulthood.  My prayer is that God will speak to them and use them in a mighty way.  Second, I still have my extended family in tact.  When I returned from a trip to Fredericksburg, I discovered that a former partner from one of my squads had lost his son in a weather related accident.  I prayed for him and thanked God for my family.  Thirdly, I must concentrate less on leading and more on private worship. 

You see, my Heavenly Father has waited for us to follow him....Father Time waits for no one.  The clock keeps ticking and whether we make the right decisions or not, life and time go on without you.  God wants us to follow him and be obedient to His Word but we can't put it off forever.  

My greatest desire for 2013 is to live a life worthy of my calling and to make myself available for that call.  Paul had the right idea when he wrote his letters. I'm already in trouble as Paul said "...be completely humble, gentle and patient.  I have trouble with all of those.   I pray that in 2013, I will have a timeline that reflects those things along with service, growth and faithfulness.  What about you?

Be Safe!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:1

Woman of Virtue....me?

Well here I am again.  Bet some of you thought I fell off the face of the earth...I did not!  I was without my computer for a few days and have done some traveling too.  We just got back from a trip to the hill country.  My second in two weeks and it was fun. Before that was a trip to San Diego and I have to tell you....it's been fun!

I was recently thinking of a very dear friend of mine that called me a couple of weeks ago.  She is a former co-worker who retired a few years prior to me.  She wanted some direction on a woman's event that she was putting together at her church. 

I was super excited...right up my alley.  We both loooove the color purple and her theme colors were purple and gold.  She wanted direction on a "give away" for the ladies.  All she knew was she wanted some kind of "box" to give away....the rest was up to me.  The theme was Woman of Virtue. 

I decided I would meet her at her home and we could "discuss" the particulars of the box.  I thought "I'll go to Pappasitos, pick up some lunch, drive to her home and we'll talk."  Upon having that thought, I told myself ...."No-I don't want to "pick-up" Pappasitos...I want to be served!"  I wanted someone to serve me so I didn't have to "bother" with picking up, delivering it to my friend's house, setting up, and then the mess.

I was so honored that my friend would call me and then...I wanted to be served! The nerve!  You see, the irony in this is that my friend suffers from macular degeneration.  She is in later stages and has difficulty getting around.  If we were to go out, I would have to go get her, drive her and the inconvienence would be on her and I wanted to be served......was I reflecting a woman of virtue?

In the end, she gave me card blanche on the idea anyway.  She said "Just put it together and whatever you come up with is what we'll go with."  The idea was not that I be served but that I serve! Not only my friend, but the women that were going to be honored. 

I recruited my sister and we got to work. I assumed the responsibility of putting together the give away.  I purchased white small boxes and filled them with a gold acrylic shoe, a small purple tea light candle, a mint wrapped in shiny gold wrapping, and a purple or gold ornament with "Woman of Virtue" written on it. 

My reasoning for using those items was this:

The Shoe:  A Woman of Virtue should have a godly walk.  "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:19

The Mint: A Woman of Virtue should be filled with the sweet word of the Lord. "Then he said to me, 'Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.' So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth." Ezekiel 3:3

The Candle: A Woman of Virtue should be a light in a dark world.  "You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Matthew 5:14

The Ornament: As we display an ornament, so should a Woman of Virtue display a godly life. "In everything set them an example by doing what is good." Titus 2:7

The box was then wrapped in purple velvet ribbon with gold piping and it looked beautiful.  I also wrote a poem titled Woman of Virtue..something only God could do, and gave each lady a copy.

I delivered the 25 boxes to her and received a call in San Diego the day of the event.  My friend stated that the women were elated and knowing the passion that my friend has for Christ, there is no doubt she presented a "Holy Spirit" message. 

I am honored to call her friend and am honored that God would use me to walk this journey with her.  Being served....no! Serving others is what makes a Woman of Virtue.  I pray that God will use me and that I will walk in the light of his word displaying a life that is reflective of the Word of God.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30



Thank you to my sister Cynthia Garza for her hard work and creativity on the bows for the boxes!

Daddy..Daddy...Daddy

I don't need to say this again.....Oh yes I do!  I am a daddy's girl.  First born girl, first girl in my family to talk, first girl to walk, and first girl to establish that relationship with my father.  The other two were behind me...and I do mean behind. 

I have always had a special relationship with my father long before I heard the term "daddy/daughter dates."  In fact, my father and I didn't begin "dates" until I was well into adulthood.  We purchased season tickets to TUTS and everytime a new show opened, we went and sat in our normal seats [which I might add were great] and we'd enjoy the show. 

Another thing we enjoyed was conversation.  You see with five kids, it was difficult to get conversation time...even as an adult.  As an adult, you don't talk about schoolyard bullies or class work or athletics.  As adults, you have career conversations and with five different careers, we all vied for time.  When I was younger, I always managed to get in this conversation time.  Tenacity helped, I just didn't give up.  I would follow dad when he got home.  I would walk behind him to his dump truck if he got home from work and it needed repairs, I would hold the light attached to the extension cord when it got dark and the others had retreated to the television or homework, I would hand him a screwdriver when he asked for a wrench.  All the while, you guessed it...I was talking! 

Ocassionally dad would respond and sometimes it was with a "hold the light higher" but I will never forget those times.  As time went on, I found dad to be a great listener.  Often times I would say "I need to talk to you....alone...in your bedroom" and we would sit on the bed where I would spill my heart.  My father would respond like only a father could, with the deepest compassion and understanding.  Talk about feeling loved! 

Unfortunately, the other day my husband and I, along with our son Matthew were sitting at a restaurant.  It was a hibachi type where you share the grill/table with six others.  A man and young girl sat next to us.  The girl was beautiful and about 10 years old.  She was talking to her father who was scrolling through his blackberry and responding "uh huh."  Of course looking at his device, he was not making eye contact with the girl.  She continued to talk to him about the events that took place at school and she searched to meet his gaze which was again focused on the blackberry. 

He eventually put the device down and my husband said to him "Enjoy her company....in a blink she will be gone."  The man replied "Yea, she's already so big.  We're out on a date!"  He had it wrong.  As she was calling "Daddy.....Daddy......Daddy..." he was busy. He was deaf to her request.  When she called, he did not respond.

My father was never deaf to my request.  He made time for conversation and although he didn't always agree with me, he was always there for me. 

So it is with my Heavenly Father.  He is always there when I call on him and I don't just call when I need something.  Daily I call on him just to chat and to say thanks and to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness.   My Heavenly Father is not too busy with technology or anything else.  I am his daughter and when I call "Daddy, Daddy...." He is near!

Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  Proverbs 4:10

Navidad

I returned to the public school room this week after the incident in Newtown, Connecticut.  I saw the faces of the precious children in the classroom.  I only thought things were different when I began this journey.  Yesterday I found changes in the school in wake of the sad incident.

I will not share those changes for obvious reasons but they are changes that the children are oblivious to.  I searched the room for an answer as to why this would happen and I did not find it here.  I went about my day with a completely packed schedule.  The teacher left an awesome sub-folder with extra instructions.  I pushed to complete every assignment.

Alas, I was going to fail.  I simply could not do everything and surmised that she had given me extra work in the event that we had extra time...I did not.  I looked at the last assignment, a book titled Navidad.  I thought to myself "I just do not have time to read this, the children are restless, it's the end  of the day and they want to go home."  No! No! No! I can not read it.

Something drew me to the book and I told the children that I would begin reading it but we could not finish it.  I did not need to finish it.  The message was in the first few pages. 

Navidad es cuando nacio el nino Jesus.  Christmas is when baby Jesus was born.  That was the message of the book!  I would have missed the opportunity to deliver that message but more than that, I would have missed the messages the children had about the birth of Christ. 

Although I am bi-lingual, Spanish is not my primary/daily language but there was something so beautiful about hearing a six year old share their story about the "baby Jesus" and the "manger" and Christmas in Spanish. 

In the wake of the heaviness related to the incident that took place at Sandy Hook, it was refreshing to hear these children.  I wanted to hug each one of them.  I was grateful that the teacher left the book for me to read to the class but I was grateful that I found the time to read it.  Chances like that don't come around too often. 

I will not let anyone deny me the right to say Merry Christmas.  For some, it is a holiday party but the truth is that it is a time of our Savior's birth and it is important that we keep sharing that even in the schools.

Feliz Navidad!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son [Jesus].  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7

Pray America

In the weeks leading to the election, our church added a weekly meeting on Sunday nights.    It was  called Pray America. It was a service on Sunday nights that began at 6:00 pm.  It was open to everyone.  I found that it came at a very crucial time.  A time when our country truly needed to be bathed in prayer.

When you walked into the sanctuary, the foyer displayed a large sign that read "Enter in a Spirit of Reverence." The tone was one of reverence.  It was a special time to enter into conversation with our God.  It is a self lead prayer time.  My husband and I usually pray our private prayers, then we prayed openly and publicly for our country.

Today, I found myself longing to walk into our church at 6:00 pm in the spirit of reverence, to pray for our country.  In "our" world, we often forget that "we" consist of 50 states, we consist of numerous cities, and many small towns. 

This week, one of those fifty experienced tragedy...another city has lived through an incident that took the lives of many children, most of them six years old.  The lives of several adults protecting these children were also taken.

There has been a constant display of images, interviews, and opinions on how this happened.  Many will suffer from this for years to come.  As much as we grieve for the families left behind, the students who must return to school and the leaders that must once again lead them...there is still another group that we must pray for and those are the first responders. 

No one is ever be prepared to spend hours at a scene trying to find answers for the family,  no one is ever be prepared to be surrounded by the images that only they will see, no one will go home with those images burned in their memory and walk with them as their constant reminders, no one will face the challenges and responsibilities of those first responders that must clear the scene and prepare the way for the others. 

Those children have a home with Jesus.  Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." [Matthew 18:14]  Such a tragedy reminds us that we must continue to pray.  Everyday we must pray. 

What has happened in Newport, Connectitcut is sad for our entire country.  When one cries, we all feel it.  It is a time of sadness and grief both for those gone and those left behind. It is not a time to make this a platform for political issues, it's not a time to place blame, and it is not a time to question what could have been....it is a time to Pray America!

More than Words

"I pledge Alligence to the flag of the United States of America...."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part...." 

Both of those phrases are very impacting to me however, without commitment, they are just words. I have seen a generation of kids that can not even recite the Pledge of Alliegance much less pay respect by removing their hats. 

Regardless of where we are, who we're with, or what our surroundings are, if I hear the National Anthem...I'm singing.  Why? Because I love my country and I have a commitment to respect my freedom and those that went before and continue to go in my place to secure that.  

Our wedding vows should merit the same commitment. It's easy when we're all happy and we skip along holding hands but when reality sets in.....not so much. When we're dealing with everyday events and issues, we don't want to think about what the economy is doing to our bank accounts, or how we will survive the teenage years or how losing our job will affect us. 

Things will change....that is a given...you can take that to the bank....and all those other cliches.  When some of us married, we never considered taking care of aging parents, taking in family members, giving up the empty nest for a revolving door, raising grandchildren and so on and so on but those things do happen. 

There have been many decisions made for me about my country and I don't agree with alot of them but I don't leave it.  I don't pack up and get my passport and just leave.  I don't go on strike and refuse to participate in the Pledge of Alliegance or the National Anthem.  I don't support some decisions and I certainly don't agree with them...but I love my country!

Just like we commit to standing and reciting the Pledge of Alliegance, we should remember the words of our vows and live them out.  I have a friend that would tell the story of his wedding band.  He told us that he would often point to his wedding and ask his kids if they knew what it meant.  He would then tell them that the ring was a symbol of his love for their mother and that because of the commitment they made, they would be together for life. 

It is important to be the example to a generation that is so easily impacted by a society that lives in the here and now. Committment, loyalty, and alliegance take more than words.  "I pledge alliegance" means more than "when I feel like it" or "if things go my way" and so does "til death do us part." 

"...at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 
Matthew 19:4-6

White Towel

We had a nice flight both to and from San Diego.  Although I did not really want to come back, I missed my son and anticipated the return.  It was an amazing flight.  I surprised my husband with first class seats on both flights and it was nice.

You immediately receive attention!  Even before everyone else boards, they are already taking your drink order.  Headed there it was orange juice, coffee, milk, water, soft drinks...you name it.  Then they took your breakfast order.   It was omlet, quiche, yogurt, and fruit.  It was awesome.  But before you got your meal, they came by with something else. 

The flight attendant came by with a hot white towel.  She handed it to you with tongs so that you could clean your hands.  It was so neat and the towel was so warm to our cold hands.  We wiped our hands and then she collected our towels.  The towels had cleaned our hands from the newspapers we had read, or the handles we had touched from our suit cases, or the boarding passes we had handled.  I believed our hands were clean but I still took the towel thinking,  "how nice that is to leave all your grime, and dirt on your white towel." 

You know, God offers us a "white towel" of sorts.  He promises to forgive and cleanse us from our sins if we call out to him.  I could have told the flight attendant that I did not need a white towel, my hands were clean but I would have missed out.  I would have missed out on feeling the warmth of the towel and the clean feeling it left. Better still, I would have fooled myself because although my hands felt clean, I had still touched various things that hundreds of other people had also touched just getting through security!

When I returned my towel, I felt comfortable that my hands were clean. When we confess our sins and God forgives us, we can know with certainty that he has cleansed us! Our "white towel."

If we claim to be without sin, we deceibe ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9

In a Fog

I love visiting San Diego. It is a time of rest and relaxation...if you've ever been on vacation you know that's not exactly true.  You only have a certain amount of time and you want to do everything! Often you return more tired than when you arrived.

We have not had good nights. The time change has really affected us. I was falling asleep at a theatre watching A Christmas Carol. I know those actors saw me sleeping on the second row.  Of course we got home and after sleeping for a couple hours, I couldn't sleep!  I tossed and turned  for several hours.

I suspect I didn't sleep becauseI knew in the morning I would have to do my long run. I would have to run 10 miles.  I woke up with that on my mind and couldn't not go back to sleep.  Perhaps it was the fear of running in a new place.  The last time I did that it landed me at the ER.

At any rate, we have a bay view room which is wonderful for the view but when I woke up around 2:00 AM,  all I heard was a fog horn. It sounded forever! At 5:00 AM it was still going. So.....I decided to count how often it went off.  Every 15 seconds! Yes-that's what I said....every 15 seconds.

It has been very foggy and the horn sounds to let ships know they are close to land. While I was tossing and turning, I began to think "Just how often do ships need to be warned?". Well...its like us! How often do we need to be reminded that temptation lurks around the corner? I would venture to say that every 15 seconds would not be enough. We need to be reminded constantly and yes, it may become annoying but if it keeps us from falling in, wouldn't it be worth it?

I want that internal fog horn to go off in my life and remind me that sometimes I need to be alerted to dangers of sin.  So if I "walk around in a fog" I pray that I will hear the warning sounds and pay attention instead of finding it annoying.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38

Don't take it away

I don't think I need to tell anyone how society has changed in the last 20 years or so.  When I was growing up, my mom stayed home for most of the time.  Today, a large number in our society consists of two working parents.  It has only been in retirement that I have discovered how much time "life" really takes out of you.

I spend quite a bit of that time on my computer.  I research, write, create, communicate and so on.  I have not been as deligent as I would like in keeping up with this blog.  I really believe the enemy rejoices in that. 

Yesterday I found out that I have a "mega virus" that precludes me from doing things I need to do.  It has affected my search engine and created a slow, slow, response time for my computer.  For someone as energetic and task driven as I am...that is difficult. 

I told the tech that I would drop it off Wednesday since I would be out of pocket for a couple of days and that would be perfect timing to "give it up" for a while.  I did however, put up a fight.  "Can't you do something here?" as if you could just give it an injection or a pill and make it better.  "Do I have to give it up?"  I ran the gamet from minor to extreme..."Well, I'll just go buy another one." (my husband didn't like that option.)

At any rate, the day is here....I must "pull every plug", dust it off, and drive it to the computer place.  I can physically feel the pains of withdrawl.  When I found out I had to give it up, I told the tech..."But I need it, you just don't understand, particularily these next few days, how will I keep in touch..." and so on and so on.  The tech responded "You have and ipad and an iphone...can't use those?"  Duh?  Yes I can but it's still not my computer!

As the time gets closer and I get separation anxiety [ha ha] I have to think of one thing...."Would I react the same way if someone told me they were taking my Bible for a week?"  So simple a question yet so profound.  We [I speak for me] have made technology a lifeline.  It is a way of communicating with our loved ones though we may be miles or states away, it is a way of researching anything in the world, it is even a way of "seeing" our loved ones through technology. 

With my Bible, I can research anything also.  I can communicate with God and actually feel his presence, I can respond to any question and know with certainty that there is truth in that response if it is found in His Word yet in being frank, many would not miss their Bible if it was misplaced from Sunday to Sunday. 

I am grateful for my ipad because the tech was right...it serves the same purpose.  It even has a Bible app that I rely on often.  The biggest drawback to that is that I am a writer!  You know what I think and how I feel by opening the pages of my Bible because I write it down! 

So, in the big scheme of things, I will miss my computer for a few days and I will give it up willingly.  However, if I have a choice....I will not give up my Bible and I will stand by my statement.."Don't take it away."

Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; mediate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8

The Ugly

I have a friend that recently began a Facebook "closed" group called The Last Wives Club.  I love the idea and am grateful to be a part of it.  Recently, I contributed the following:

Almost three weeks ago I had a running accident.  One of my injuries continues to linger...I experienced serious "road rash" to three of my fingers on my left hand.  The injury is extremely painful to the touch but the pinky injury is an eye sore.  I tried to keep it covered but eventually had to remove the band aid.  That is my hand where I wear my wedding ring.  My beautiful, shiny wedding ring.  The diamond shines bright and beautiful but I have to tell you, whenever I look up at my hand, my eye is immediately drawn to the ugly.  The injury is ugly.  It cut to the bone and healing is slow and painful.  I have caught myself re-directing my focus long enough to see the beauty of the ring, but the "ugly" always wins.

I discovered that many times in marriage, we take our eyes off the beauty of what God brought together and we focus on the ugly.  Perhaps we were injured, betrayed, didn't feel loved or respected.  It is detrimental to keep going back to the past and wishing the injury had never taken place.     Everytime I go there, I re-live the accident and feel the pain all over again.  I might add that "when I go there" I linger....another detriment. We can not grow if we keep going back to it.  Get off the ugly,  look beyond it, put it behind you. 

I know that can be difficult because like my fingers, you may have a constant reminder but if you don't get past the injury, you will never have healing.  Even worse, the beauty of marriages stands before you and you will miss it if you keep going back to the ugly.  Like my ring, marriage is beautiful and it was made to shine and glorify our Father...don't get distracted by a past injury or the ugly.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past...I am doing a new thing.  Isaiah 43:18 

What is real?

Today I began my Bible Study Class by passing out Hostess cup cakes.  I asked my class "remember those?"  I really didn't have to say a thing.  Many of them had comments about the cup cakes as we remembered how we use to eat them.

My favorite way to eat a Hostess cupcake [since I don't like chocolate cake] was to "roll" the frosting off, peel the chocolate cake part and head straight to the cream filling.  Others had their own stories of how they ate them. 

The issue was not how you eat it, the issue was the Hostess cup cake.  You see, one of the most recognized aspects of that particular cup cake was the squiggly white line on top of the frosting. The cup cake looked real, it looked genuine, it looked like the real thing....but it wasn't! 

Since last week when Hostess announced that they were filing for bankrupcy, there was a mad rush to purchase their twinkies, cup cakes, ding dongs and other favorites.  I could not find twinkies or cup cakes anywhere so I opted for a "counterfiet" a "fake" and tried to pass it off as a Hostees.  The most recognizable aspect of the cup cake was there...the squiggly line.  My presentation of the cup cake made it believeable.

The group liked what they saw, the presentation was right and I [the teacher] sold it.  How could that be wrong?  Too many get wrapped up in the packaging and presentation instead of opening the Word of God.  Truth is not found in a celebrity selling their belief.  It seems that the higher profile the individual, the more believeable he or she is to people. 

Today, there are many claims of who the "true God" is.  I have the answer.  It is in God's Word.  There is only one true God and only He is real.  He is a loving, living, God and Salvation only comes through Him.  Don't be fooled by someone trying to "sell" you anything else. 

Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God... 1 John 4:1-2

Cover-Up

This is never a good way to begin anything...cover-up.  In history, we have lived many allegations of "covering up" in one way or another.  We have had CEO's of large corporations that have allegedly covered up incidents and actions.  We have heard of political cover ups, right up to the Presidents of our country and we have heard of criminal corruption and cover ups.

Today, my cover up is simple.  For over a week I have displayed a black eye from a fall.  I have run from my family, taken detours, missed a family wedding, all in the shame of wearing this black eye.  Well the day came when I had to leave the house.

I had not worn makeup in a week and due to other scrapes to my face wasn't going to start now either.  So...I decided to just go with a concealer over the bruise.  The eye lid looked like a dark eye shadow so no problem there.  It was the area below the eye that was getting all the attention.  I merely took my brush and my concealer and went to work.  I worked that brush around that tender area until the bruise was no longer visible.  I then added a little concealer to the other side for good measure. 

The finished product looked great.  No visible bruise.  I was off to face the world.  The problem came when the cover up began to wear off with time.  Throughout the day it took it's toll.  At one point I went to the ladies room and discovered that the concealer had melted away and the bruise now looked like I had awakened to a eyes smeared with mascara.  The bruising was showing through.  I could tell something was wrong when people began looking at be in a strange manner.  I wondered what they were staring at and that prompted the trip to the ladies room. 

A lesson I already knew was reinforced that day...we can cover-up but we will soon be discovered.  In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve specific instructions.  Eve failed to adhere to the instructions and was taken in by a crafty serpent.  When their eyes were opened, they discovered what they had done and they tried to cover their sin. I first covered up my bruise; then when the make-up wore off, I walked around trying to hide my face.

With Adam and Eve, God already knew.  He knew then and He knows now...we can not cover up our sin, we can not hide from God.  The good news is that we don't have to.  He died on the cross to cover all our sins...no need to cover up.  

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desireable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.  Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden Genesis 3:6-8

X Marks the spot

I am one that will take shortcuts when writing short notes.  I am meticulous in writing but for a short note, I like short cuts.  I will often write "xfer" for transfer or "what x" for what time.  I never consider that someone might think I mean really mean Texas when I write "tx me" and I really mean "text me."  "I need xtra time to fulfill added xpectations with the x change." Get it?

I get frustrated when people don't know my intended meaning....after all, I know!  I got to thinking of what I am really saving by using this short cut.  I comfort myself by saying that doctors do it all the time.  After all, how can you get "prescription" out of Rx?

A few weeks ago however,  I was thrown into a new awakening.  As we were watching The Voice, we realized that Christina Aguilera has changed her team name from Team Christina to Team XTina.  I told my husband that she did what society did with Christmas. 

For years, Christmas was widely recognized when we wrote or read Xmas. It was understood that the word was Christmas.  Being much younger, I didn't really see any negative significance in the abreviation.  In looking at her team name, I told my husband "she almost did what society did.  She almost took CHRIST out of her name."

Isn't that what society did with Xmas?  It began with replacing the word "Christ" with an X. Today, our culture chooses to go one step further by taking CHRIST out of Christmas and calling it Holiday Season or Holiday Parties or Winter Festivities.  Society has chosen to take any idea of the birth of Christ out of Christmas. 

In watching the show, it is very clear that when chosen by Christina the contestants are welcomed into team "X-Tina."  However, when you see the word Xmas, we still say "Christmas."  We may have lost the words but let's pray that we never lose what we say.  Even though it was replaced with an "X" it will never be
"X-mas."  It will always be Christmas because God sent His son to be born so that we could have a chance at eternal life. 

If X marks any spot or makes any statement, let it be in your heart.  Let your heart receive the true message of Christmas regardless of what society does or says.  Like Team Christina, society can make a decision to replace Christ with "X" but they can never replace it in our hearts because we believe the truth of God's Word.

"Do not be afraid Mary, You have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdon will never end."  Luke 1:30-33 

No More Scars

Years ago I was at my parent's home and decided that I wanted to wash my car, a bright red, 300ZX. These were the days before Bubbles and there was a car wash down the street from my parent's house.  I drove there and parked my car in one of the stalls.

I had my quarters ready and plenty of them.  You don't want to run out of quarters in the middle of a wash.  Having washed the car, I moved on to the rinse.  In the process, I held the wand and put my quarters in the machine.  In those days they did not have wands with safety activation triggers either.  Once you put your money in, the water burst forth from the wand.

I was not prepared for the intense water pressure or the temperature.  The wand slipped from my hand and was waving uncontrollably through the air.  The water pressure was strong and it got to my face before I could protect it. 

I immediately drove to my parent's home where mom tried to pamper me and urged me to go to the emergency room.  I took one look in the mirror and was devasted.  I had two cuts from my forehead, across my nose and to past my cheek.  I just knew that my face would never be the same.

Twenty five years later there are no signs of those scars.  Unfortunately because of my recent fall, there are new ones.    As I look in the mirror at the cuts and bruises on my face I have hope.  I have hope that it will not scar me for life.  I have hope because of past experiences.

I can not remember the scars of the car wash, I can not even picture them in my mind....they are gone, kaput...a distant memory.

So it is when Christ forgives us of our sins.  We often want to hold on...to remember the sin even when God has said "If it's forgiven, I remember it no more." 

I will never live sin free-but I have the hope of forgiveness!  With forgiveness, the scars of sin will vanish.  While I may fall to sin daily, it can not hold me captive or scar me because Christ offers that forgiveness.

Although right now I look in the mirror and see cuts and bruising, I know one day they will be gone and I my face will be restored to freshness as my life in Christ is restored through forgiveness.

Let go of your sin, put your hope in Jesus Christ and let him remove all scars of sin!

For as high as the heavens are above the the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103: 11-12

Stay in the light

Today I decided to run with two of my friends.  They have been running together for a while and while I have been running on my own, I wanted to run with them since we will all be running in an event soon.

With daylight savings time, it is much darker in the morning. We took off and it was not long before I realized this was very unfamiliar territory.  I drive past it often but could not anticipate the dips, cracks, or dangers of the route...in the dark!  I had to keep my eye on the surface and watch for these changes.

On the way back, I heard voices behind me, maintaining my pace I glanced behind me to see how close they were. Of course I was going to get out of the way so we didn't crash.  Unfortunately, I took my eyes off the route and did not see the "lip" on the sidewalk. I tripped and felt "slow-motion" fall. Bam! Face-first.  I have never taken such a fall. My two friends stopped immediately to offer assistance.  I was lying on a sidewalk staring at the stars....in pain.

If I had only kept my eyes on the surface! If only I had not become distracted by the runners behind us, if only I had not run in unfamiliar ground, if only I had stayed in the light.

That is the way it is in our Christian walk.  If we walk in the light, if we walk in the truth of Christ, we will always be under his protection. We must not be distracted by voices that try to convince us otherwise. So in your walk,don't lose your focus...stay in the light.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7

Sin Exposed

The other day we were at our property doing some work.  My husband was working with concrete when he realized he forgot his "mixing drill" to mix the cement smoothly.  It took forever to make this concrete and still it was not flawless. 

In mixing it, there were clumps of cement that had to be broken up much like a cake mix has to be mixed.  He eventually had to use his hands to mix it with his hands.  It was self leveling cement that we were going to spread on one of the floors.  We could do no more than two bags and that took about two and a half hours.  My patience was wearing thin and all because we did not have the mixer!

With that job complete, we moved on to another project.  Within hours, my husband asked for hand lotion.  I looked at his hands and the skin looked cracked and dry....all because he had mixed the cement with his hands. 

I started thinking and wondered "what our sin look like if God exposed it?"  Many times we hide in the cover of darkness, go to another city, or  maybe even hide in our office.  Truth be known, we may be hiding from everybody else but we're not hiding from God. 

If God chose to expose our thoughts, what we view, or our hidden actions, what would that look like.  What if everytime we had an inappropriate thought our hair turned blue or what if everytime our eyes lingered on something inappropriate, the pupil of our eyes turned red, or what if everytime we sinned in hiding we got a rash on our face? 

The whole world would know your sin.  Try as you may, there would be no where to go, no where to hide...your sin would be exposed. 

I praise God that despite our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and remember them no more.  Do not be deceived however; even though your sin is not exposed publicly, you can not hide from God!

For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13

Vote? It's a priviledge

Today, my father-in-law voted. So what? You might ask. Well, He is 97 years old and this is a "historical" day.  You see, this is his twentieth time to vote! How many of us can say that?

The very first time he voted, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Alfred M. Landon were on the ballot. All of the elections have resulted in a male winner. In his lifetime, he has seen the likes of Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Lyndon B, and Nixon on the ballot.

He has seen names on the ballot like Carter and Ford, Regan and Mondale and Clinton and Bush.  Many of us remember those but only he can say he has seen the others.

He has seen the close races (Kennedy 49.7%-Nixon 49.5%) and he has seen "blowouts." He voted in the 1976 election of Ford vs Carter-I missed voting in this election by months. My first opportunity to vote was in the 1980 election-my father-in-law had 13 on me.

While many of those years he held his head and shoulders high and walked confidently, today he shuffled into the building electing to leave his cane behind. He walked in confident none the less and ever so informed.

A couple of months ago, he relinquished his right to drive. He understands that due to the nature of life and aging, he will lose rights and privileges. We all realize that no one can take away his constitutional right to vote.  Today, he proves that by voting for the 20th time in his life!

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.  Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Casting Call

When I think of the word "cast" I think of fishing. I love to go fishing, especially with my family. We love to see who can cast our line furthest. The three of us girls always compete and then we ooooooo and owwwwww when we cast it far.

We believe that the further we cast our line, the more successful we are. We always feel better when we cast our lines way out there.

This week, my son had his basket ball try outs. It can be a very stressful time at our house when this happens.  We are quite proud of Matthew and pray for the best.  On the day of try outs, I texted him a verse from 1 Peter.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him..." Cast.... Throw it away...far...let it go.  My son responded with two words, "Thanks Mom!" we prayed and believed. Whatever the outcome, we knew we had asked God and the outcome was in His hands.

Sunday evening we went to church to a Pray America.  They handed out a verse at the door. The verse? 1 Peter 5:7. I showed my son and he beamed.  Surely this was affirmation he would make the team.

Today was the big day. I worked today so I had no telephone contact. About 3:30, I received a phone call from my son. I asked "don't you have practice?" his response was simple "I didn't make the team." my heart broke.

How would I explain that sometimes when we "cast our anxiety on God," the outcome may not be what WE want but it will surely be what HE wants and in the end, it won't be wrong.  That's hard to explain to a 17 year old whose heart is in the game.

As I was dealing with that, my husband began telling me about a situation where "evil won over good." my instinct was to ask "Where was God in that situation?" Immediately, I asked for forgiveness. I wasn't really asking that question, I was just expressing my own disappointment because if we are in Christ, evil never wins over good and we unjustifiably define "not getting our way" as evil winning out.

What a disappointment on both counts. Double jab for me bam bam! How could I comfort anybody?I re-grouped and I told my son that God loves his children and if we believe that we can cast our anxiety on him, then we have to believe the second half do that verse.....because He cares for you!

While our hearts break in disappointment, we take comfort in knowing that God is in control. He allowed both of these outcomes for a reason.  We have to believe in His plan and purpose. With that behind us, it is no longer causing us anxiety.  What is God calling you to let go of? Will you listen to that "casting" call and let it go?

When you let it go remember this....He cares for you! You are not alone!

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

The next day...

The next morning I was in a hurry to get to work when I realized my son's truck was parked behind my vehicle. Ugh! I had to run back inside, get his keys and move it so that I could get out.  My mood changed as I got into the truck and saw the card that was handed out the night before at Pray America.  The card with the verse (1 Peter 5:7) was standing on the dash board.  Just a reminder to 
him that God does care for us. 

Stand in the gap

Today, as I was driving home from the mall, I drove into my father in law's subdivision.  I let my thoughts wonder about the voting season.  My husband and I have already voted and I wondered how we could allow my father in law to exercise his right to vote...even at 97.

We voted at the Kingwood library and while the line was long, it went quick.  We waited about 20 minutes then headed out of town. 

My first thought was that we could all three drive to the library and I could go stand in line.  I could then call my husband in the parking lot and he could walk his dad up to my place in line.  Then all the logistics came to mind.  Surely there would be at least one individual that would question me allowing two men to "cut in line."

I would then have to explain how my father in law is 97, and we're trying to make this easy on him because he took a fall last week and is still sore, and he really wants to vote and on and on.   Why would anyone question that when they can see a man shuffling to get in line?  They see the obvious but what they are missing is that I am merely standing in the gap.

I am holding his spot so that he doesn't have to stand and shuffle and stand and shuffle!  After all, even Moses needed someone to "stand in the gap" for him when his hands got heavy.  Even bigger than that, Jesus stood in the gap between my sin and salvation.  He stepped in and took my place so that I would benefit. 

I wish I could tell you that we followed our plan...we didn't.  In the end, we decided we would just take him to the local community center to vote.  We know he would enjoy seeing the faces of the community and neighbors.  Well, it was a good thought.

All I can say is that I will never turn anyone down if they want to stand in the gap for me.

Don't forget to vote!

When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only but in the one who sent me.  When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.  John 12:44-45

Amazing journey

I love watching movies like Pride and Prejudice. I love the era, the dress, the opulence. In the case of Miss Elizabeth Bennett, there was no opulence however Mr. Darcy lived in a mansion. In alot of these type movies, there  almost always seem to be meticulously trimmed hedges that form a most fabulous maze.

I love the parts where the girl just wanders in for a stroll then looses her bearings and ends up lost in the intricacy of the maze. The scene is heightened by a look of fear or ominous music. Alas, the master of the home comes to her rescue. Why can he do that? Because he live there, he has memorized the maze and he knows exactly how to rescue her.  The beauty of it all is that he will always rescue her before darkness falls upon her.

As I read through my Bible this morning, a scripture I read was right on point with this. 

Many times as we wonder along in life we may fall into a maze. We may go left with no relief or go right with no outlet. In fact, the deeper we go, the more trapped we get. We may stay in there so long that the darkness falls upon us.

How do we make it out of our self imposed mazes? We look to the Master. He has given us what we need to get out of our maze and follow him to an "A-mazing Journey."  So if you feel lost, stuck, disoriented, or confused; if you fear darkness will fall upon you, know that He has given you what you need to live a life of godliness and keep you out of the maze. Rely on His divine power and His Word.

His divine power has given us everything  we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them, you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

But God Called Me To

A few seasons ago I taught a class called Total Forgiveness. It was not an easy class as there many issues that require forgiveness but our insistence to hold on keeps us hostage. This book by RT Kendall was a gift given to me by a dear friend.

The other day as we sat with a group of folks at a sporting event, I made a comment about a horrible play. You know...one of those "why are they playing him?"kind of comments. What ensued was a stabbing glare from a woman near me. I sunk at the thought of offending her or her child.

It truly ruined the evening for me because I felt such a burden to apologize. A friend told me "Forget it, it's all in the course of the game!" I knew different. I knew in my heart I needed to apologize but despite that,  my heart and my head battled to do what I knew God was calling me to do. 

When all was said and done, I approached the woman and apologized for my comment stating that my passion for the game at that moment overrode my brain. I apologized if I offended her or her son and asked her to forgive me.

The woman looked up at me, glared into eyes and with the venom of a rattler said "Forget it!" then turned and walked away. In her wake she left a defeated spirit. I thought of my lifetime experiences where a friend, a parent, a co-worker, a loved one or even a stranger rejected my sincere apology at one time or another. I thought of the ladies in the Total Forgiveness class, I thought of our "need" for revenge, I thought of Jesus crying out "Father forgive them for the know not what they do ." 

Ultimately, I willed my legs to move and go on. Days later, the burden still on my mind I ask "why?" I wondered if i should have listened to my friend and just walked away. Why did I even approach her? The only answer I have is "because God called me to."

It is important that you know these things happen. Not everyone is going to accept your apology or extend you forgiveness but I learned in this class, when we forgive, it's not for them, it's to free you! So if you feel the need....ask for forgiveness-or forgive your captor, yes I said captor. Unforgiveness holds us hostage so let it go because when you release it, you are no longer captive. Do it because God said so.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

I'm in the King's Army

"I'm too young to march in the infantry, shoot the artillery, fly over land and sea, I'm too young to ride in the cavalry but I'm in the King's Army."

I remember singing that little chorus when I was a kid growing up in our small church.  We sang it with the hand signs at open voice.  Somehow, it seems much easier to believe as a kid that it does now. 

We had a pretty hectic day yesterday.  A day that adversely impacted a member of my family, a day that was packed with events, a day that lasted way beyond 24 hours.  In times like these, it is important to support those you love.  It was not unexpected.  It is rarely unexpected because the more you sign up to serve in that army, the more you are attacked. 

Sometimes, in the battle, you get caught in the crossfire.  It is those times where it becomes most important to be equipped with the armor of God.  Nothing can penetrate that shield of faith, helmet of salvation or breastplate of righteousness unless it goes through God first. 

And you may be exhausted at "fighting the battle" to the point you want to give up.  Let me just say this....don't!

Where would we be if Moses had given up?  Instead, he persevered and saw the glory of God.  What about Abraham?  He held on until God fulfilled His promise of a son even if Abraham was in his 90's. And what if David would have feared Goliath like everyone else?  The Philistines might have liked a different ending.  Our God is an on time God...not our time, His time.  He is the commander of this army!

There is no giant too big that God can't handle, and there is no army too powerful to subdue.  Do not be afraid, take your position and hold on and see the deliverance of the Lord.  After all, you're in the King's Army!

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours but God's.  You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.  2 Chronicles 20: 15 & 17  

The Rock

Several months ago I injured my ankle.  While running on some uneven ground (in pink rubber knee high boots), I strained my tendons in my ankle and knee.  It caused me to use crutches for a couple of weeks.  I was miserable. 

When my doctor released me, he said "You still can not run for another three weeks and when you do run, it can only be on level ground." 

I have run in alot of places.  I have run on the beach, on mountain sides, in rock, on smooth surfaces, on inclines and on level ground.  I have "never" injured my foot, ankle, or leg in the process.  As I prepared to begin running all over again, I remembered what the doctor said "...on level ground...."

Seems simple enough right?  I have done a pretty good job of avoiding inclines, cracks in slab, tree limbs and other objects.  I has not been difficult to avoid those but those rocks....oh those rocks!  I find that even the smallest one could bring me down. 

To give you a visual, if you were trying to adhere two 2 x 4 pieces of wood and there was a rock between them, there is no way you could do it.  I have found my self looking at the ground when I run or walk for that matter, to ensure that there are not rocks that could hinder my journey.

This morning as I walked to church, I found myself walking through the parking lot looking for rocks.  One wrong step on a rock could set me back again.  I was busy looking for rocks and trying to avoiding them when I remembered what Jesus told Peter. 

"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church." I couldn't help but ask my self, am I a rock that God can count on or am I just a stumbling block? 

Whether you have given it thought or not, stepping on a small rock in your path could throw you off and bring you down; and a rock as a foundation could uphold your house.  Ask yourself if you are the rock or stumbling block that is going to interrupt someone's journey or are you the rock Jesus called you to be?

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  Matthew 16:18

Know for sure

It is amazing how often I have heard a scripture twisted to accomodate an individual's opinion or position.  It's even more amazing how often scripture is taken out of context for the same reason.  How can one know if what they hear is true?  How can one know for sure?  I say read the Word.

I was watching a local morning show several months ago and they did a story on a product for the hair that contained formaldehyde.  They had conducted an investigation in which it was discovered that many hair salons were using this product and did not make the consumer aware of the ingredients it contained. 

Customers were paying high prices for this process without having this knowledge.  In one case, a salon owner of a pricey California salon was interviewed about his knowledge of the contents.  He was asked why he was denying  knowledge of this ingredient when customers asked.  His response was "I lied to [customers] because they [makers of the product] lied to me. If I lied to them it's because I didn't know."

There are times when we as consumers can lose out if we are not told the truth.  We can purchase a defective product, we can use products that are harmful, and we can lose in the end all because someone withheld information. 

In life, it is important for us to know the truth.  We do not know, and we can be in error if we do not study the word.  If you are armed with the word of God, then you will know the truth.  You will know for sure that what it says is true.

Jesus said "You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the Word of God." 
Matthew 22:29

I need your touch

I expected this morning when I woke I would take my father-in-law for his follow up doctor's visit.  Instead, my son woke me up in the wee hours of the day telling me he was sick.  He stated that he was not feeling well and was sick to his stomach. 

I got out of bed and did the best I could for him but eventually took him to Urgent Care hoping for relief.  He could not keep anything down and had severe pain in his stomach.  His impatience at the office was overshadowed only by his pain. 

When I got him home, he did not appear any better although he did sleep for a bit.  When he awoke, he kept telling me "Mom, rub my stomach, it doesn't hurt when you rub it."  I laughed at the absurdity of it but I sat and rubbed his belly like I did when he was younger. 

I don't really believe that I have the power to stop a stomach ache merely by rubbing it.  I believe that it was the power of "being mom" and "having security" that made him feel better.  If mom is there, then everything will be better. So I stayed at his side and rubbed.  He just needed to "feel me."

As I sat there rubbing his stomach, I travelled back to a time when I just needed to "feel God." I was at a point that nothing helped, no meds, no advice, no company....I just needed to know God was there...with me, beside me, holding his child.   I needed his security, his power, his love. 

Often at this age, mom's get in the way.  Today, however, I was needed and I was glad that I could be there to fill the void of fear, pain, anxiety and the unknown.  My son needed my touch and he reminded me of how much I need the touch of God's hand. 

Heal me O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.  Jeremiah 17:14

In this very room

Whew! Again, another busy week.  My father-in-law was in the hospital, I worked a couple of days this week, bible study classes, school functions,  and so on and so on.  Everything ran to the very last minute.  I was off to support our son at a football game while my husband was waiting to have his father discharged from the hospital and somewhere in the night we met. 

We also had an unexpected trip we had to make this weekend-again, rearranging our schedule.  As we returned home, we unloaded and I went to see my father-in-law as my husband went to the grocery store.  I decided to change his sheets.  I went to the linen closet and pulled out fresh sheets as he waited in the living room. I stripped his bed and for some reason, as I pulled the fitted sheet onto the side where my mother-in-law slept, I felt the mattress, closed my eyes and thought "In this very room." 

"It was in this very room that I lost you.  In this very room you had a massive stroke that took your life ten days later.  In this very room your husband recognized what was happening and tried helplessly to come to your aid. As I stand here, I miss you because I know you would make things better-in this very room. "

I felt sad.  I know there is nothing more in the world that my-father-in-law would want than her.  A love so true, so pure, so missed.  As I continued to make the bed, the tune and words to this song led me through the assignment.

In this very room-there's quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom
For Jesus.....Lord Jesus, is in this very room. 

At that moment I felt like I needed joy and hope and love.  I needed that power to chase away that gloom and I realized that only her memory was there and she could no longer comfort me but Jesus...Lord Jesus was in that very room and He could. 

In This Very Room was a song I sang with our church choir several years ago.  It was beautiful then and it was beautiful today.  Since I always sang it at church, "This Very Room" was always a sanctuary filled with numerous people.  Some needing comfort, some needing joy, and others needing hope.  But today, for me...."this very room" was my father-in-law's bedroom, and even there, Jesus....Lord Jesus, was in that very room. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going to prepae a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  John 14:1-3

Not the same

Ever wonder where we would be if no one gave us a chance?  I taught a group of kids the other day that had extremely short term goals....tomorrow.  When I asked why, their reply was "why not?"  Their role models had gone no further and this inspired them to believe that they were done.

When I think of the potential, I have to ask myself why those children wouldn't change their direction, why they wouldn't aspire to reach higher heights? 
We are much like that ourselves.  We live in situations that are self imposed when God offers so much more.  He offers life and peace and happiness and goodness, and mercy and grace.  Regardless of where we have been, what we have done, the model someone else has left us, God gives offers forgiveness and a changed life. 

What if Paul had "stayed where he was?"  What if he would not have come to Christ and remained one who persecuted followers of Christ?  Paul's road would not have ended with eternal life.  He could have continued to do that but God had a plan for him just like he does for each of us.

Others may fail us, role models may fade but God's plan will never disappoint us.  Regardless of who we were in the past, or what road was laid out for us in this life, God's plan does not include failure.  Many times, we fall back into our unbelief.  Perhaps that is because the pull of the world, or someone who went before us is so strong. 

I thank God that He has shown me the way and I pray for those whose unbelief keeps them where they are.  There is so much ahead for those who chose the way of Christ.  Paul gave the credit to Jesus Christ who gave him strength.  God will us strength.  My prayer is that everyone will come to know Christ and that their unbelief or "threat of the past"  will not keep them from that.  There is a promise for a better tomorrow. 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  1 Timothy 1:12-14

Keep Your Eye On The Prize

Recently I signed up for a Beth Moore bible study class at my church.  My dear friend June facilitates the class and after teaching my own classes, I wanted to "be fed."  I have to say that I highly recommend the Daniel Bible Study for those of you considering one. 

One of the things that Beth "suggested" was that we evaluate ways that we might "defile" our bodies and she suggested that we abstain from that for a period of six weeks-the length of the first portion of the study.  I thought about the "challenge" and had a couple of things that I considered abstaining from. 

The one that kept coming to the top was.....popcorn.  You might ask "Popcorn, really?" And some of you may think that I might have been mocking the idea but give me a second to give you my reasoning.  For months I have been stuck on popcorn.  I go to a specific store [I won't mention which] to purchase two bags of popcorn every other day. 

On days I could not go, I would call my husband and ask him to pick some up on his way home.  Some days, my husband would "surprise" me and just bring it home.  I was hooked!!! We would retire to watch tv and I had to have my two bags of popcorn.  This was every day!

I had the discussion with my husband about my choice and asked him if he thought my "sacrifice" was too childish.  His response to me was "You giving up popcorn was more significant to you than if you had given up chocolate."  You see, if I had given up chocolate it would have meant nothing...I'm not a big chocolate fan. But to give up popcorn....whew-that hurt!

What I found was that through the study, I grew more than I ever thought.  In completing my first six weeks this past week, Beth Moore "gave me permission" to release myself from what I had withheld.  I went to class knowing it was the end of the six weeks and you guessed it.  I was ready to drive right out of church and go buy my bags.  What I found however, was that she gave us a stipulation.  You must do homework first!

As I was driving home, I was so ready to do my homework and I was going to do it all in one day!  One would think that I was a "dedicated, honorable, committed to the study woman!"  We would all like to think that.  Unfortunately, my only thought was popcorn.  I settled into to do my homework when I got disrupted by an emergency phone call.  Once that was taken care of, I was driving home thinking "Stop and get popcorn!"  The other side of me kept saying "Honor God-Daniel did."

As I drove, this thought came to mind "Keep your eye on the prize."  That became my mantra.  As it did, I thought of Paul and his challenge.  What happened that my prize became popcorn?  [This should be affirmation of what sacrifice this was].

I wondered what Paul would think if he knew my "prize" at this moment was popcorn?  I was so close.  I had done without for six weeks and now I was willing to sacrifice it before time.  I could wipe out the entire purpose by purchasing popcorn too soon.  I still had two days of homework to go.  I just couldn't ruin it.

I drove home and went straight to homework.  We had a busy evening and when I returned home, I had forgotten to go buy popcorn.  I was finished with homework now and I was "free to eat it."  I made my husband get dressed and we drove to buy popcorn. 

I settled in and pulled out my bag-I had purchased three.  I ate my bag with ease and enjoyed every bit of it.  Sorry but I even lifted the bag to get every crumb.

As I sat there completely full of popcorn, I realized just how much I had not missed it.  It was good don't get me wrong but somehow, the excitement, the need, the pleasure was missing.  You see, I kept saying "keep your eye on the prize" thinking that the popcorn was the prize.  I quickly discovered that the prize was the precious lesson I learned through the study.

Keep your eye on the prize of the Word of God.  What an awesome study this has been.  What awesome lessons I have learned, what awesome friendships I have cultivated, what awesome women I have met.  Yes that is the prize. 

So if you're sitting at home feeling like you're missing out, I highly recommend a ladie's bible study.  I promise you they will stretch you and grow you like you never thought.  Get up, do it and keep your eye on the prize!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

Happy Home

WOW!  What a weekend.  And what a season.  Don't ever think that you will never have nothing to do.  I have found that there will always be something to do, something that needs to be done, someone who needs your attention, someone who needs your help and on and on. 

Every week I keep thinking "Next week will be better" and things just happen.  I wake up thinking "I don't have anything on my calendar and before I know it, it's covered from wake up time to sleepy time. 

This weekend, my husband and I facilitated a workshop at the Happy Home Conference in my church.  What a blessing.  God completely orchastrated that.  I have to tell you though, in the weeks approaching the big date, I was feeling anxious.  I was preparing for my ladies bible study class that I also lead, preparing for a Sunday School Class I was teaching that weekend, and making an "effort" to prepare for the workshop.

Each time I asked my husband about preparation he responded "God is so gonna show us what to say, what to do, how to lead."  I have to admit I would walk away completely exhausted and doubting.  Why would I do that?  Doesn't the book of James say that "any who lack wisdom should ask?"  And really?  I needed wisdom on blended families? I have been living it for the last ten years.  My anxiety was winning the battle.

Then just days before we presented, we got on our knees and prayed and then we went to work.  What awesome material God directed us to.  The title of the session was Oil and Water do Mix.  What an awesome title when it describes us perfectly.  I am the Oil, he the water.  He is ever accepting and accomodating...Me? ever resistant.  I am the subject of the two not mixing.  Oil is heavy and resistant to the water that just wants to accept it.

I must say that in this position and with time,  I learned three things:

First, I have learned to overlook offenses.  I'm not talking about serious infractions, I'm referring to the petty stuff.  Who cares if they don't wear socks when you want them to wear socks?  In the end what will it matter?  And if another parent wants to change a schedule, work with them.  There are some things you just don't need to hold on to.  Let it go!  So someone gets the upper hand-don't hold on to it.  All it will do is steal your joy! (Proverbs 19:11)

Second, I have learned to impress and instruct.  As a blended family, there is nothing, nothing more important than the eternal future of your children.  Regardless of the homes involved, yours must be the example.   Teaching your children that Christ is first and foremost in your home is invaluable.  Impressing and instructing are the things that stick in their hearts.  Don't be discouraged if they walk away, don't be stifled by the  "now" believe that in the future, they will look into their hearts and know what instruction they received and what you impressed upon them. Believe God's promises.  (Deuteronomy 6: 5-7)

Lastly, there must be love.  That can be difficult when we live in a self absorbed, competitive world.  You have to believe that if God brought you together-all of you, He will see you through because love never fails despite the challenges. (1 Corinthians 13:8)

While the changes or acceptance may not be immediate, it will be obvious in the end. Again, I am OIL and those things worked for me but first, I had to be receptive. 

God did not create divorce but He does extend grace and while we as adults have choices, children most likely do not.  So if you're there-in the mix of a new blended family, hold on and trust the God of grace.  His plan is for a family linked by grace.  His plan is for a Happy Home!

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
 Proverbs 3:33

Changing Colors

On February 13, 2012, I wrote a posted titled True Colors.  I wrote of a cup that I had purchased at our church during a particular sermon series called Counter Cultural.  The cup was one that changed colors with the temperature of the beverage in it.  For instance, with my morning coffee, it turned white.  With iced tea it remained black.  Heat caused it to turn white and it was a pretty, bright white. 

This summer I carried my cup in my car and left it out a couple of times.  When I went back to my car it was obvious that the temperature had caused it to turn white.  What I noticed however, was that the color "white" was a little more dull and a little less bright.

I was saddened that leaving it out in high temperatures had affected the effictiveness of the cup.  Again, it reminded me that we who are in Christ are different.  We shine bright and show his radiance by staying in His Word and honoring and obeying Him. 

It is unfortunate that when we slip up, we become like that cup.  It was in the unprotected elements long enough that it finally lost it's brilliance.  It became dull and although it still reacts with heat, the change is a gray, dull color rather than the bright white.  It changes colors but you have to look close to see that there is truly a difference. 

Can't that happen to us?  Can't we fall out of fellowship and wonder off into the ways of the world to where we eventually just fit in to that element?  Rather than shining and being different, we merely begin fitting in and it is diffiult for others to see the difference. 

I pray that my life will never lose the radiance of Jesus Christ.  I pray that I will remain obedient and honor Him in all his ways.  I pray that it is obvious to others that I serve the one true God.  I don't want to be a part of the element that causes others to question my who I serve.  

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Water your own yard

This season, we have been studying the book by Ed Young, Jr. Fatal Distractions.  It has really been eye opener for me.  Issues that we see as "Seven Deadly Sins" but really don't apply to us.  Could they?

Last night we studied envy.  One of the questions posed was "Is there a difference between jealousy and envy?" We learned that there is. The definition as given in the book was an eye opener:

Envy-being sad about someone else's successes or blessings and glad about someone else's failures or troubles. 

Jealousy-to have a desire for something that is rightfully yours.

Big difference I would say.   As I think of Cain and Abel, I have often heard that Cain was "jealous" of his brother but I would venture to say that Cain was envious.  Young also stated in the book that "Envy sets up a person to lie in order to get what others have and what he thinks he should have."

When God looked on Abel's offering with favor, Cain's anger began to surface.  He was not happy at Abel's "successes or blessings" and he made a move to kill him. He deceived his brother to going into the field and then killed him.   Cain then lied to God when God asked "Where is your brother?"

Like many of us, Cain's envy overpowered him to the point of "taking out his brother."  How many times do we allow that to happen to us?  Many times for things not really worth the effort.  Oh we don't literally kill them but with words and actions, we may kill their spirit and it doesn't even faze us. When it's all said and done we discover that many times the consequences of our actions are much greater than our desire to have what we want. 

In Genesis 4 after God decleared Cain's punishment, Cain cried out "My punishment is more than I can bear." We might be envious of someone else's possessions, positions, or status and we might actually go after them in search of gaining what they have. 

There was a story of a genie in the book where a man was given a wish.  He was told "...whatever you wish for,  I will give double measure to the person you envy so much."  The man thought it over for a moment then said "I wish for one blind eye."  That is the spirit of envy!  He would continue to see while the one he envied most would be blind. 

Envy has a driving force.  Today's society of bigger and better feeds that drive.  It is ugly!  So before you envy your friend, family member, coworker, or anyone else, stop and think of what the consequences might be.  I would venture to guess that had Cain worked a little harder and had a heart for God like Abel did, God would have honored him to. 

Envy is rightfully called the "green eyed monster."  Instead of "eying" what others have and being sad that they are successful, we could put that effort in to our own successes. 

I heard someone say "Yes, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but that's because it's being watered!"

So water your own yard and then you won't have to envy what someone else has. 


Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 
1 Peter 2:1

Fatal Distractions/Envy, 2000-Thomas Nelson, Inc. Ed Young, Jr.

He's my son

The other day, I sat with my son in his room and we had a good discussion.  He has come to the point in life where we have to expand our boundaries.  He is a senior now and next year he will be going off to college.  I have always told my self "I'm ready."  "I really am ready!" Who am I kidding?

As parents, we often think on the day when our kids will eventually leave our home.  We have had two leave already and he is our last to go.  The day we sat and talked, I knew he was injured about an incident that had taken place.  He was feeling a mix of emotions and together, we worked through it. 

I recall watching the movie The Green Mile where the prisoner (Michael Duncan) took on people's ailments, injuries and hurts.  He got a hold of the correction officer (Tom Hanks) and "took on" his ailment and relieving Hanks of his pain and trouble.  As a result, a great friendship was formed even to death.

I wish it worked that way.  I really do.  I would take on my son's pain, injury, hurts, and ailments so that he would not ever suffer.  Unfortunately, God's Word tells us that's how we grow, it's how we are refined, it's how we build character. 

I recall going to bed that night telling God-I want it!  Give it to me....give me my son's pain but relieve him of it.  Yes...we all make mistakes, we speak to much and often listen too little but when the reprucussions come, we just want relief. 

I told God "give me his pain, I don't want to see him sad or troubled.....he's my son!" and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I heard "..and HE was MY son!"  Jesus IS God's son and he did suffer to the point of death for us.  He sufferred ridicule, pain, injury, troubles, criticism, and still he went to the cross to give me eternal life and our Heavenly Father watched as his son did that for us. 

We don't want our children to suffer even for a moment, but it is inevitable.  My prayer is that my son will recognize that through it all, the God who gave his own son, will never leave him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose....He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:28 & 32

I love you Matthew Eller!

Can you hear me now?

Several weeks ago I almost got myself in trouble.  I took a  trip to Dallas and as I left the city, I was driving behind a pickup truck.  It was older and had "junk" in the bed of the truck.  Upon closer examination, I discovered that there was an old pay phone in the mix of the stuff. 

Of course I am intrigued by things of the past.  I love antiques but even more so, I love the story they tell.  I followed this truck through red light after red light contemplating what my next step would be.  I thought that I would approach the driver, an elderly man, and offer to pay him for this "old" pay phone.

I was adamant that I was to have that pay phone.  I already envisioned in my mind, teaching a Bible Study lesson using that phone.  I just had to have it and I needed a plan.  I even prayed about how to get it.  I drove on and it just appeared that it was destiny that I get it.  We stopped at every light!  It was early in the morning about 6:30AM and the sun was peering out so bright.  It was a good morning to benefit from a great find.

Then just for a moment I thought that with every passing day, our technology changes more and more.  I remember when bag phones first came out and how everyone longed to have one.  Then came flip phones, razors, iphones and the growth continues. 

It got me to thinking...like that old pay phone in that truck, are we stuck on the old when we try to communicate with God?  Do we do fail to grow in our prayer life?  Are we so busy, tired, or pre-occupied to pray.  Do we say thank you for my food, thank you for the day or thank you for the weather and then end it? 

When Jesus spoke with the Father, He went to a place where He was alone and communicated with him.  Not by making demands or His own wish list but by asking for God's will to be done.  We have become a society so busy that there is hardly any down time.  We are on the phone when we wake up, at the grocery store, at public restaurants and yes-even in public restrooms!  We are always talking on the phone.

I wondered if we calculated the time we are on the phone how it would outweigh the time we talk to God.  I also wondered if in talking to God, I was stuck using an old pay phone when all along, the iphone5 was available. Today, we can even talk face to face on a phone.   How do you communicate with God?  Are you really talking to him or are you stuck on the "Can you hear me now?" God stands ready to listen for those who are ready to meet and communicate with him. 

Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3


By the way, I did not approach the man.  Instead, I left him at a red light and turned right as I headed for the freeway.

Leave the stump

When I write in my blog, I usually do not use material or scripture that comes from my own personal devotion.  God usually shows me material that does not require me taking from somewhere else but today.....today I have to share something with you.

A couple of "seasons" ago, my friend Peggy Pickens told me "You just have to do the study on Daniel."  Of course being a teacher myself, there is never time in my schedule.  This season however, I decided to take the Beth Moore Study facilitated by my friend June Richards.  "God has a word for you" is what June always tells me.

In just four weeks, I have learned so much.  Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  Let me tell you...today was I got some knowledge!  You see, like many of us, I went through the fire.  I say I went through the fire because I have finally come out on the other side. Many of us fight the fight of "why me" or "when will it end" or "God please save me."

Mine was "I just don't understand."  In my self righteous attitude I didn't know why God would allow me....me who was serving, singing, teaching, loving God, why he would allow me to go through this fire.  I probably would not have survived had I not completely, absolutely, and without reservation relied on God.

Today, as I read the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4, God did speak to me!  He showed me how in my fire, he did not leave me nor will he ever leave me.  My faith needed to be refined.   

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large tree that was strong and great.  It had to be brought down in order to expose his pride and arrogance. Like this king, the evidence of God not leaving me is found in verse 23 "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump..."

You see, God was not "taking me out" he was refining me.  In the process however, he had to expose and get rid of the junk!  I have to tell you my heart leapt when I read this.  It leapt when I realized that God desired to use me not have me taken out.  He left me hope when I was cut by leaving the stump with deep grounded roots. 

It makes me sing Halleluah when I look at it that way.  My prayer is that I have been faithful in my re-growth.  Many of us have full schedules...I do as well but if I had stayed at home or cleaned house or run errands, I would have missed this word and today, the word was for me.

You O king are that tree! You have become strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.  You, O King, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground." Daniel 4:22-23