Ripe Words

Link to the Q-Tipping Mom

2010-07-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

IAs I mentioned in a previous post, I have begun a new job as the principal of Legacy Christian Academy and at one of our meetings for prospective families, I gave a little talk about saving money and how to afford a Christian education for your children. Of course, "couponing" was one of the standards, but I sensed that some of our younger generation was not sold on that idea UNTIL a certain lady started coming to our area and teaching us about coupons and how to make it work very successfully. I am including her link her so that you can start learning about this great money-saving tactic as well...

The Q-Tipping Mom

Daddy's girl...

2010-06-04T23:38:00.003-05:00

I began a full time job this week. It was definitely a meandering path that brought me here. Lots of twists, turns, disappointments, prayers, tears … I know I SHOULD trust the Lord’s timing … I do believe that His timing is best … just hard to grab hold of that some days.

The journey for this job began about a year and a half ago. I had just left a secretary position at my church and decided to re enter the education field. I realized January was probably not the best month to do that so I had prepared myself not to really get a job until the next school year. I continued a little eBay business I had started but the further I got into applying for a teaching job, the less time I had to devote to that. Finances were a real problem, adding a large amount of stress to the situation.

About April, I began applying in earnest, widening the range of my search considerably, both in physical distance and in the type of job. I am a school library media specialist by degree. I applied for those jobs, teaching positions, library aides, reading positions, well, pretty much anything that paid something. I was willing to travel long distances. I had LOTS of interviews. I received some beautiful rejection letters … but no job offers. I struggled on … finances still in awful shape … sold LOTS of “stuff” … survived Christmas … New Year looked really bleak … thinking McDonald’s jobs looked pretty good about now …

January brought a new challenge … my dad, who had been living with us for five years, was diagnosed with lung cancer and began daily radiation treatments. Now the picture was a little more clear … my little family was the only family Dad had nearby … I took him to those treatments and often thought, “What would I do if I had a job?” I was thankful to be able to help him during this difficult time in his life ...

I also began meeting with a group in our community about the prospect of forming a new Christian school … and something started tinkling in the back of my mind. The school finally had a Board of Directors and they initiated a search for an administrator/principal. I started praying about this … and asking the Lord for a “sign” ~ I know, a little baby in my faith but I was pretty shattered from the financial strain of no job along with the reality that Dad’s life was probably not going to last much longer. I also held tightly to the verse, "He remembers we are just dust," so I asked the Lord for one of the Board members to mention to me the possibility of the job … didn’t happen right away … but about a month later TWO of the Board members asked me during a meeting would I consider applying … wow, would I ever …

The rest is history. I went through the application process and was hired. The picture became really clear at that time … my timetable was just not my Father’s and His was best, of course. The meandering path finally led to Legacy Christian Academy and now I am trying to trust the Lord with His timing and plans for this school of His…

My dad went to live with Jesus on April 21st of this year. I had started working part time with LCA in March. About a week before Dad died, I was going to work and his wonderful sitter had come to stay with him. Dad was in his recliner and we knew the end was close; he could hardly talk. As I was going out the door, I went over to tell him bye, let him I know I was working and Jimmy would be with him. Dad nodded and managed to say, “You on pay woll?” much like my two year old grandson would have spoken. I replied, “Yes, Sir,” and he grinned and nodded his head.

Through my tears, I know this gave Dad some of the peace he needed to let go … he had tried to take care of me my whole life and he had been so burdened that I could not find a job … now the Lord’s plan allowed him to know I would be okay … not the same without him, but okay…

You know, I was so blessed to have a daddy that did everything he could to care for me and I AM so blessed to have a Daddy-Father that does everything He can to care for me … even when from my perspective, the road was winding, full of pitfalls and so rough to travel, He knew the path was straight, narrow and exactly where I needed to go. Yep, I’m a Daddy’s girl …

My dad and me one Christmas while in France ...
definitely a Daddy's girl

Things I learned from Cindy ... Well received!

2010-05-19T08:06:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Cindy has been living in Heaven with Jesus for over 3 months … I still can’t believe it! I learned so much from her life here on Earth … I do regret not telling her these things while she was here … the LORD is trying to teach me to be an encourager and one thing I’ve learned is to tell people more often how they are blessing my life so I am using this venue to “tell” Cindy…

Cindy was one of the best “receivers” I’ve ever known. She delighted in a surprise. I do so poorly at remembering to get gifts for special occasions and it dawned on me one Sunday that Cindy had just graduated from college. She went back to college as a mom, just like I had done several years earlier, so she was special to me, and I forgot to get her a gift! UGUGGGGHHHH! But I quickly recovered and offered to take her family out to eat after church one Sunday night. I still felt pretty lame but wanted to do something. She was thrilled and told me how much she loved surprises. Not a lot of “oh, you shouldn’t have” or “that’s is too much” or anything like that. She appreciated the gesture and used her gorgeous smile to let me know. I’ve never forgotten how good she made me feel by accepting my surprise with such genuine delight.

She was sick awhile before she left us and people wanted to help her. I remember one time a mutual friend said she was coming from town, was there anything Cindy needed ... Cindy replied with an order for a fish dinner she loved. Of course our friend was so happy to get Cindy something she liked. I admired Cindy because she was willing to accept the gift and bless the giver by allowing her to give. Others gave her certificates for the ice cream she loved; she just beamed telling me about it. There were so many more that gave to Cindy. She received each gift and act of kindness with such graciousness that it just blessed your socks off to give her something or do something for her.

She was such a good giver that I never expected her to receive so well. Many with a giving spirit are hard pressed to receive. I have learned through Cindy and others that we steal people’s joy when we don’t allow them to do what God has called them to do. We should be generous in giving and receiving …

Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]. But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:17-19 Amplified Bible)

Jesus was such a giver and still is but I truly love the example He gave us when He was a receiver …

Now when Jesus came back to Bethany and was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very precious perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor.

But Jesus, fully aware of this, said to them, Why do you bother the woman? She has done a noble (praiseworthy and beautiful) thing to Me. For you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. In pouring this perfume on My body she has done something to prepare Me for My burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news (the Gospel) is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told also, in memory of her. (Matthew 26:6-13, Amplified)

Lord, You are the great Giver and I am the grateful receiver. Please forgive me when I have not received well, Your gifts or the gifts of others. Thank You for the gift of Cindy; it sure seemed short to me but I know Your time line is just not mine. I do appreciate the memories, Lord, You are gracious to let us keep those sweet times in fond memory until Eternity. Thank You for Your examples of giving and receiving. May I bless others by doing both in Your Name. Amen.

Silent Saturday

2010-04-04T18:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Good Friday, the day that we remember the death of our Lord Jesus on that cruel cross. Even in its most horrible moments, that day is truly good for us because it provided our salvation.

Tomorrow will be Resurrection Sunday, Easter as many call it, and it is a really great day because the empty tomb proves that Jesus lives!!

But what is today? As I think of the Disciples and other believers, I wonder what they thought of today, the day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday ... what were they talking about? Were they in hiding wondering what the past three and a half years were worth? What had they given up and how could they make it? Why didn't Jesus do something about it? Why hadn't He come off that cross and put everyone in their place? Why did He allow this to happen? We do know they had lots of time to think because today (Saturday) in their time was the Sabbath...

"Then they went back and made ready spices and ointments (perfumes). On the Sabbath day they rested in accordance with the commandment." Luke 23: 56

We know they were together on Sunday; we know the ladies had prepared spices for His body so they were thinking He was still in that tomb...expecting Him to be, well, dead...

But Saturday, their Sabbath, had been so quiet, no word from their Lord ... so many questions unanswered. Surely their faith was troubled...

But what was Jesus doing? What was going on on the "other side?" Jesus was doing the work required for our redemption ... He was strongly working on our behalf ... but "our side" had no evidence of that yet. To them, it was just a horrible Sabbath day, questioning all that had transpired...

Just a word of encouragement ... when it feels God has left you alone, if you are questioning what He has told you, when you cannot "feel" His presence ... remember He is working on your behalf, maybe in a way you could never comprehend, but He has not gone away in this "silent" time, He is working for you ... and Sunday is coming!!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ~ Hebrews 12:1-3

LORD JESUS, thank You for working on behalf of me and those I love; please forgive my doubting heart. I thank You for enduring the cross, despising the shame, rescuing me when I am so unworthy; I bless Your Name and Your unfailing faithfulness, even when it seems You are silent. I will choose to trust Your word ... You will never leave me or forsake me. I love You and adore You!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

2010-01-09T08:47:00.002-06:00

I have just passed a BIG milestone in my life...I have reached 50 years of age...never imagined what 50 would be or look like...it's a time when mirrors are no longer our best friends, especially those magnifying ones that make things look so big!!! Remember when we were younger and got a zit on our face and thought it shouted to the whole world, "Look at ME!!" Now, I kind of feel like that looking at wrinkles. In fact, I went back to contacts because I thought the little cute glasses I had actually magnified those wrinkles under my eyes!

A lot of focus on the outside, huh? Makes me think of an episode of Berenstain Bears (can you tell I have some GRANDangels??) where Sister thinks her ears are big...Mama tells her that what's on the inside is important; just like Grandma used to tell me, "Pretty is as pretty does." Didn't make much sense to a 10 year old...wondering why she didn't just say it like Mama Bear...sorry, Grandma, not really comparing you to a bear...

A familiar scripture from I Corinthians 13 talks about mirrors... "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror..." Wonder what it would be like to have a mirror that could see inside...kinda like a X-ray but only for attitudes, intentions and motives....

Sometimes I don't even want to think about my actions much less my motives. It takes time and energy to think about why I did something. It's pretty easy to diagnose my ugly actions...usually jealousy, envy (can't believe you got that promotion when I deserved it!), revenge (you hurt my feelings, I hurt yours.), trying to be God (Um, you need some consequences to that sin, Girlie, and I am just the one to give it to you!) and on I could go... But do my good actions reflect the LORD? If I am generous, do I want someone else to notice? If I am kind, is it so I can get something good in return? If I read my Bible every day, is it so I can be sure folks in my Sunday School class know it?

And if we "see through a glass darkly," can I really even know my motives? I can't trust them all the time but I am beginning to trust them some of the time. This helps me:

And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them. Luke 6:31

Do exactly to others as I would want them to do to me...not what was done to me or mine...not as I think they "deserve"...not so I will look holy...pretty simple...don't have to worry much about steamy mirrors or ugly motives with that one...

Dear LORD,

Thank You again that Your ways are simple, Your Word is true. Forgive my wrong motives, intentions, thoughts and actions. May I reflect Your love by doing for others exactly what I would want them do to (or think about) me. And please help me to be honest about that.

Updated 11 seconds ago · Comment ·

Help, I've fallen and I can't get up...

2009-12-09T08:37:00.009-06:00

Well, I'm guessing you could probably figure out my age by the title of the post today; you have to be a certain age to remember this phrase. It was originally in a 1980's commercial for Life Call, a company that marketed small touch devices that would "call" emergency services for you. Although as a maturer adult, it doesn't seem quite so funny (guess I'm thinking, "That could happen to me!") I remember laughing so hard when I was younger. Not really at the lady who fell but at all the parodies that came out; I even think there was a Saturday Night Live episode about it.

All this talk of falling brings to mind a scripture...

"for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." Proverbs 24:16

My last post was about a dark time in my life. I wrote it about a month ago and I am doing better. I don't think I am completely in the light yet, but the dark days are definitely fewer.

I find comfort in the words of Proverbs 24. It assures me that righteous people do fall. For whatever reason: sin, sickness, depression, heartache, weariness, family trauma, financial strain, etc. I guess it really shouldn't surprise us that there will be dark days. The most comfort for me comes from the getting up part. Yes, we will fall, but we will rise again. The LORD will sustain us, walk through the rough times with us (Isaiah 43), guide us and comfort us. I am so thankful He walks through with us, does not desert us in our dark times.

The end of the verse says that the wicked are brought down by calamity. I can certainly believe this because I don't know what I would have done during the dark times without the LORD. Yes, there were people who cared and reached out to me, but in the darkest night, there were just the LORD and me and that was enough. I guess the one thing I have learned over and over is that people can help but ultimately it has to be just the LORD and you, that has to be enough. God is gracious enough to provide family and friends to help, but HE is the source of all our needs and HE has so proven Himself to be true to me.

During the dark times, that is tough to remember but at the end of the day, it is the truth I need.

I will fall, I will get up and the LORD Himself will sustain me. Enough. And as Kim Darby said in True Grit, "And enough is a feast."

Thank you, LORD, that You are always enough, enough to sustain me, provide for me, comfort me, love me... enough for whatever is my need. I am glad that I will get up because of Your steadfast love. Thank You that you did not design me to stay down but at times allow darkness because I need to reach out for You, only You. You are amazing, Faithful and True.

It's getting dark earlier...

2009-11-12T17:51:00.020-06:00

***Please note: I did not write the following to obtain pity (I only invite a very few to my pity parties, you know who you are and thanks for coming and not judging me while you were there); it was something I felt I needed to write to be real, true to who I am and I feel better in my spirit for having done so. Thanks for your understanding.***

During a particularly dark time in my life, the song, Blessed Be Your Name, became my anthem. These anointed lyrics were penned by Matt Redman. The following are a few lines:

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name...

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name...

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name...

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name...

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Well, I did list more than a few... but they spoke to me SO much then, especially...

the desert place...wilderness... a place not of my own choosing

road marked with suffering... my soul and spirit suffered greatly

pain in the offering... some days it was really HARD to praise...

darkness closes in... very dark but a glimmer of light was always there...

still I will say...Blessed be Your Name...

You give and take away... so, so true ... never felt it so much

Still my heart will choose to say, "Lord, blessed by Your Name!"

Lately it has been dark again, LORD, and I am thankful You have reminded me of Your Word through Job and Matt. Not the same circumstances at all but still just dark. Thank You that there are so many more light days than dark days. Thank You that You allow me to especially take care of myself during dark days. Thank You that Your Word is full of folks like me that had dark days, too. Thank You that You are the Light. I know the dark days probably will not cease immediately but they will pass and I will choose to say, "Blessed be Your Name!!" Even in a dreary place.

{Job} said ... The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord! In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:21-22

Work is hard, LORD!

2009-09-24T13:43:00.004-05:00

I have been looking for "work" for over 9 months without much success. Job hunting, writing and rewriting resumes, filing applications, going to interviews, trying to say the "right" things, getting frustrated and saying the wrong things (BTW, this strategy does not work for all you fellow job-seekers), getting "nice" rejections notes and phone calls (this is rare, wonder what has happened to this practice?), etc., etc., has been the theme of 2009 for me and I have not enjoyed it one bit. Okay, traveling a little has been enjoyable but to be honest the "work" part of job hunting has not produced a happy face, nor a job at this point :(

Then, of course, the LORD reminds me that "work" is not supposed to be easy, hence the word, "work." Decided to do a little digging on that one...

According to Google, work is defined as: 1) exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity (um, I was always taught not to use the word itself to define it, but oh, well, what do I know compared to Google?); 2) be employed (okay, I don't "work");
3) exercise...(I definitely don't "work" in this context); 4) move in an agitated manner (well, I surely do "work" if this is the definition ~ LOL).

These are just some of their definitions. But get the idea, work is generally hard, doing something that matters. Even mental work is difficult and sometimes physically exhausting. Goodness gracious, even talking can be work, believe me, I KNOW about that one. But the idea I am getting from the LORD is that work is supposed to be hard. Yesterday, this verse came to mind:

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)

Those of us who love Jesus probably know this verse by heart ~ we use it whenever difficult times assault us. It brings us comfort to know the LORD is "working" all things together and fitting it into a plan for good. Now we know, nothing is really hard for the LORD but I think from our perspective, waiting for everything to work together is hard. My challenge was to think through the roughest thing I have ever faced and ask myself,

Did this work for good? ~ My answer is a definite "YES!"
Did everything feel good? ~ "NO!"
Was it pleasurable? ~ "NO!"
Was the "work" hard for me as GOD "worked" it for my good (and for the good of some of those involved in my life?) ~ "YES!"
Am I being blessed today because of the "work" done then? ~ "ABSOLUTELY YES, YES, YES!!!"
Would I go through it again ~ please, don't go there...

Anyway, I have to focus on the good that happened then while I am going through some difficulties now and the LORD Who brought good from awful ~

To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (Amplified Bible)

Moreover, the LORD is telling me to trust Him for my family's, my friend's, and my loved one's lives. OUCH! That work is harder, LORD, somehow trusting You for them is even harder.

LORD JESUS,

Your work is easy; Your burden is light, forgive me when I have taken Your work to do myself. No wonder it is so hard. Forgive me when I have been lazy in doing my work because it seems too hard. Help me to see the difference between Your work and my work. Forgive me most of all for not trusting Your "work" in my life and the lives of those I love. Your name is Faithful and True. I believe, help my unbelief.

...that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

RePete

2009-09-11T22:50:00.002-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my GRANDsons!! They are so precious to me and I really enjoy spending time with them. They are 21 months apart with the oldest being 3 1/2 and the youngest almost 2. The most fun we have with them right now is seeing the younger trying to imitate the older, in words and actions. It is just hilarious to see a clumsy 2 yr. old trying to copy a more adept older brother. We call them, "Pete" and "RePete."

Thinking of "RePete" brings to mind a scripture in which I always thought the apostle Paul to be a little boastful, maybe having a little swagger in his pen when he wrote it (Oh, come on, he was a man after all!):

Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (I Cor. 4:16-17)

Can you imagine asking someone to imitate you with their Christian walk? I can't, God forbid! But what if they did? What if everyone participated in Christianity the same way you or I do? Would there be a church anywhere? Would anyone accept Christ as their Savior based on your witness and testimony? Providing quality, secure childcare during worship services? What about missionary support ... Sunday School, Bible study, small groups? ...monetary support of the Kingdom? ...help with the homeless, unfortunate, widowed, orphans, those who've lost jobs? ...those dying or grieving for a recent loss? Of course, I could go on and on...

What would others learn from how I treat people ...would they hear criticism, gossip, inappropriate humor, racism, hatred, bitterness ...Or would they hear positive thoughts, kindness, clean humor, compliments, forgiveness, support, truth, mercy, grace, love...

I've heard it said statistically, we influence 7 people in our lifetime (on average), either for the good or the bad ...what are your 7 people doing? What about mine?

Paul was certainly bold and probably not arrogant. If new Christians can't imitate seasoned Christians, what are we in the business for anyway? Of course, we ultimately need to point everyone to Christ, but could we say, "Imitate me" ... scary words ... who's imitating us?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (Amplified Bible)

Cash for Clunkers!

2009-09-03T13:44:00.006-05:00

Recently, while at a doctor's office, my hubby asked if he was just getting "old!" For some reason the following quickly popped out of my mouth, "Well, I have heard of this program called 'Cash for Clunkers' where you can trade in old models.' " The doctor was greatly amused; his assistant was also amused; my hubby was not. I felt it was hilarious and believing humor to be stress relieving, I imagined I was being helpful. Guess not.

Some people have discovered there were parts of "Cash for Clunkers" they did not know: needing to own your trade-in car for a specific amount of time; your trade-in having to be from a certain time period; and paying tax on your "incentive" money. Wow, pays to read the fine print...

As I have mentioned before, my marriage has had its ups and downs (like a roller coaster!) but like "Cash for Clunkers" sometimes I felt cheated, didn't really get what I had bargained for ... didn't fully comprehend "for better or worse" ... and so on. Occasionally I think, "If I had known 30 years ago what I know now, would I have made the same choice?" I sure would have missed a lot of enormous blessings but would that have been enough or would I have bailed?

Then I think of what God must have thought before the foundation of the earth ... did He contemplate bailing because He certainly knew what I would do ... what a "clunker" I turned out to be ... how I would betray Him ... disgrace His name ... reject Him ... hurt His people ... lie ... seek my own glory ... judge His chosen ones so mercilessly ... be horribly selfish ... YOU even know the despicable sins I am yet to commit ...

Oh, Dear GOD, how could You know all of this about me and STILL choose to send Your one and only SON to die in my place????? I cannot, cannot comprehend it but I am so humbled and eternally grateful You did. Thank You for that great sacrifice and all that comes with it ... I am unable to even imagine what it must have cost You Both ... but I do feel so very loved (and, um, thank You that I can't see the future.)

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners,
Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
Romans 5:8 (Amplified Bible)

Roller Coaster, ugh!

2009-08-21T12:45:00.004-05:00

I recently celebrated my 30th Anniversary to my dear hubby and what a thrilling ride it has been, much like a roller coaster (although I hate roller coasters!) I like the beach, plain, beautiful, flat, nothing up and down, peaceful, quiet (if most of the other folks would leave LOL!) But the good Lord has not allowed my life to be a beach but a roller coaster, screamingly exciting at times, terrifying, fun, blessed, heart wrenching, etc. Ups and downs, ins and outs ... through my roughest trial, definitely a downhill, scary ride, the verses the LORD used to sustain me were Isaiah 43...

BUT NOW [in spite of past judgments for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior ... Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.

When I was about 15 my mother and her sister took us kids to Atlanta, GA, to Six Flags. My older cousin and I got on the Great American Scream Machine and about midway through the ride I promised the LORD if He would get me off safely, I would never get on another roller coaster! So , see I am not comfortable on one. Likewise, I do not like the roller coaster ride of my life ... I don't like going through anything ... I just want the gentle peace of a beach ...

But God knows I need the roller coaster, else I would probably fall asleep, get sunburned and be worthless after a few days. But boy, going "through" is difficult, no jump overs, no free rides, no detours, no by-passes, just going through!

The promises are so true ... "You are Mine ... I will be with you ... they (waves) will not overwhelm you, you will not be burned or scorched ... because you are precious in My sight ..." So I have survived and continue to survive these roller coasters of life because of the promises. The LORD is truly there with me. And then there are some blessed "beach" times in my life and because of the roller coasters, I sure do appreciate them!

Now I am working on ...

"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience." James 1: 2-3

Not quite sure I am at the wholly joyful stage yet....

LORD, Thank You that You are the Master Architect and know exactly what I need when. Forgive my distrust in You although You have proven Yourself so many times to be Faithful and True. Forgive me for trying to work through the roller coasters of life on my own; I truly need You to go through with me. I love You and am amazed that You call me Yours and I am precious in Your sight. May I be wholly joyful in whatever You set before me even though that is hard, LORD. And thank You so much for allowing some "beach" time in my life!!

Merry Christmas!

2009-07-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

"Heaven's Loss" by Ron DiCianni

I am an avid participator of Facebook ~ I simply love staying in touch with so many people in such a simple way. I get a lot of inspiration and encouragement from it also. Today is one of those days. It is my Mama's birthday but it is the 5th birthday she has celebrated with Jesus, so I am a little melancholy. That added with being desperate to get a job (think it has been about 9 interviews and 8 rejections thus far this summer!), some family health issues, other stresses... Anyway, you get the picture but then on Facebook, someone posted this scripture,

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8-9, Amplified Version

The person was speaking about God answering our prayers but usually in a way that we never expect. However, what really got me was a comment from someone else. They referred to Jesus being born in a stable.

So I'm thinking, "Wow, the answer for all the world, born in a stable!" What a surprise out of nowhere; who would have EVER imagined our Savior being born of such humble beginnings?

But wasn't it perfect? The timing, the place, the parents, the multitude of angels, the shepherds, the star, later the Wise Men? Anyone can relate to Jesus because He has been through it all. And later we learn that He humbled Himself for this ... because He was truly worthy of only the best. A picture posted from artist Ron Dicianni captures my feelings about the loss that Heaven must have felt ... but what gain for us!

So I am going to start looking in the strangest places for my answers ... hum, where should I start? In my least likely acquaintance? In a job that I don't think I could do? Listening to someone I don't think knows much? Listening to my husband ... oh, where did that thought come from??? Anyway, I am on the hunt ... Merry Christmas!!!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You that You humbled Yourself to become my Savior. I am in awe of Your humble beginnings ... a place no one would have ever expected but that was the exact right answer for the world! I know You are working on behalf of all my situations and I know Your ways are higher and better and more glorious than mine ... I can't wait to see what You are doing! May I have "eyes to see and ears to hear" and give You glory for answers in unexpected places!

LAVISH

2009-07-14T12:03:00.003-05:00

I am just convicted today; no funny words or cute. meaningful stories...

"For she has not noticed, understood, or realized that it was I [the Lord God] Who gave her the grain and the new wine and the fresh oil, and Who lavished upon her silver and gold which they used for Baal and made into his image. Therefore will I return and take back My grain in the time for it and My new wine in the season for it, and will pluck away and recover My wool and My flax which were to cover her [Israel's] nakedness."(Hosea 2: 8-9~Amplified Version)

Oh, LORD, how often have I attributed Your riches, grace, mercy, benefits, blessings to something or someone else ... called it "luck" or "fortune" or somehow, thought that I even deserved or earned it. Forgive me for not noticing, understanding, or realizing that You are the GREAT GIVER, for You daily LAVISH on me such richness!!!! And, oh, Dear JESUS, I humbly ask that You forgive me when I have taken Your blessings and used them to accomplish my will with my idols. May I have eyes to see and ears to hear Your Word and more than ever follow Your way. May I use Your example today and lavish people with love, praise, kindness, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, attention...May I be a giver patterned after You. I love You!!!

Sandy Shores

2009-07-09T12:21:00.003-05:00

My family and I were blessed to have a short vacation at Destin Beach earlier this summer and I, oh, so badly, want to go back...not necessarily there...but to a beach somewhere...for awhile. Sigh, guess real life takes over and most of us can't live that dream life. But recently I was reading a scripture about sand...

Do you not fear and reverence Me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before Me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go? And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purpose]; though [the billows] roar, yet they cannot pass over that [barrier]. [Is not such a God to be reverently feared and worshiped?] Jeremiah 5:22

And I'm thinking," Wow!" Do you ever gaze across the ocean or big body of water and think, "Wow, what an amazing God we have?" To think He created all of this and we get to enjoy it?

But what about the sand? Usually I like it for a few minutes and then it gets irritating, trying to get it off of you, out of your clothes and shoes, off your little ones, etc.? It is in the car, in the hotel room, in your hair, everywhere! You'd think there wouldn't be much sand on the beach anymore with all that we seem to cart off with us!

But this scripture, penned so many years ago, lets us know the real purpose for the sand: it's the boundary for the sea, an everlasting ordinance, so it will always be there, telling the sea how far it can go. Sure, the sea sometimes go over its "boundary" in floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. but it ALWAYS retreats back to its boundaries.

So...doesn't "Mother Nature" truly teach us that there is an awesome, almighty Creator God? I think it does. We can call it by many names, but ultimately and truly, it is GOD!

And think about some of this verse ~ the waves toss and shake, the billows roar and yet they cannot ultimately prevail against the feeble grains of sand that are doing just what they were created to do. So when things are crashing around us, shaking and roaring, we can rest assured that they will not prevail. We may feel flooded and swamped, but it will pass. GOD has set boundaries in our lives too and the enemy cannot prevail against them! Even if our boundaries seem "feeble," remember the sand, how tiny, but, oh, so capable of doing just what our GOD created it to do!

Dear Creator God,

Thank You for the witness of the sea and sand. Thank You that everything is within Your control from the boundaries that You have set. I do stand in awe and amazement of You as I look upon the sea and the sand. You are a God to be reverently feared and worshiped!! Forgive me when I have feared the roll of the waves, when I have not had faith that YOUR boundaries are in place in my life. Today, I choose to trust YOUR boundaries and YOUR good plan for my life. Thank You for the sand!

Let...

2009-05-01T11:42:00.005-05:00

"Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated) you believe in God; believe also in Me...Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you, Do not let your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid." (John 14: 1, 26-27)

Editorial: "Let" is an action verb ~ You decide what you "let" happen, so do not LET your heart be troubled...

Instead, LET your heart, mind, etc... think on these things...

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things...practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Phillipians 4:8)

Um, that's a little embarrassing, Lord!

2009-03-27T09:58:00.001-05:00

Ever had the Lord ask you to do something embarrassing? Mary and Martha did. Their brother, Lazarus had died. Jesus showed up four days later. They knew if He had been there, their brother would not have died. He wept (remember, shortest verse in the Bible - John 11:35) . We don't really know why He cried, some say out of compassion for the grief of the sisters. Maybe so for a few scriptures later it records He was deeply sighing and disquieted as He neared the tomb where they laid Lazarus. But then He gives this command,

...Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?" John 11: 39-40 AMPLIFIED

Okay, I'm just sure I would have exclaimed also! I really love the way the King James version records, Lord, He stinketh! And I bet he did, remember that is kind of desert region over there? Perfume doesn't work that long!

But Mary and Martha finally did what He asked and the rest of the story was the biggest miracle Jesus had performed up until that time - Lazarus was brought back to life!!

Wonder what is waiting out there for me because I won't do the seemingly silly, embarrassing, unthinkable, distasteful thing Jesus is asking me to do? Is He asking me to turn around and help someone, pick up clothes off the sales floor that I didn't let drop (not my job, Lord, besides, it's job security for someone else), ask someone to church, tell someone about Him, go where I don't want to go, do what I don't want to do, and on and on it goes. Yeah, and I complain right along with Martha, you know, trying to tell the Creator of the Universe, what He already knows? Talk about silly.

Lord Jesus,
I praise You for knowing all things. Thank You that nothing is silly or wasted in Your kingdom. Thank You that Your timing is always right on time. You are never late; You are never early. Forgive me for fretting, fuming, spewing, worrying and making excuses. I pray for the boldness to be obedient while I am waiting on my huge miracle!

Run, Run, Fast as You Can!

2009-03-23T07:40:00.003-05:00

I love it when Jesus describes Himself as a Shepherd. I can feel Him lifting me in His arms and gently carrying me away from danger. Prayerfully, I don't continue to rebel to the point He has to break my leg!

As I was reading about the Shepherd in John 10, I was compelled to contemplate about verses 4-5:

When He has brought His own sheep outside, He walks on before them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. (Amplified)

It saddened me to know that many times I have listened to the "stranger," the very enemy of my soul and the enemy of all who are God's own sheep. However, I do rejoice that the longer I serve the Shepherd, the more I recognize His voice and direction.

But the part that struck me was "...will run away from him..." Do I really "run" when I hear the enemy's voice, direction, lies, etc. or do I take a few moments to contemplate, debate.... Wow! You know it brings to mind that other scripture, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NIV)

So... I should be running from the stranger, submitting to God, then the stranger will run from me - WOO HOO!! I'm putting on my running shoes because...

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10, AMP

Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You are indeed the wise, compassionate Shepherd. Thank You that I can trust You to act only for my good. Please forgive me for listening to the stranger, the enemy of my soul, who only works for my defeat. May I rejoice in, love and cling to Your voice in every situation remembering that there is NO darkness in You, ever.

I Don't Understand!

2009-03-16T18:14:00.001-05:00

There are times I just don't understand God, DUH! Times I just don't see His hand moving...like when some Godly men I've known are taken from this life so early...the most recent was Mike Blaylock, a friend of ours who worked for the University of Mobile. He was dearly loved by his family, work associates and students. He had such a ministry of encouragement. He was the former chaplain for the Kansas City Royals and author of The Right Way to Win. After several years of battling cancer, Mike recently went home to be with the LORD. Same with my beloved pastor, Dr. Ivo Livingston, my children's principal and coach, Tandy Gerald, our wonderful friend, D.L. Crain, and our dear friend and fellow pastor, Bill Trapp. I just don't understand when I think they needed to touch so many more lives....

The Disciples were faced with some difficult decisions, too...like trying to trust Jesus when He was talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:56). Of course, we realize He was speaking symbolically now, but then, many just could not understand this bloody talking. In fact, the scriptures record later in this passage that many fell away from following Him. At that point the Master asked the Disciples, "Will you also go away?" Then comes mouthy Peter (I can SO identify with that man!) declaring, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." But it is the next statement that spoke to me today...

And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God. John 6:69 Amplified Version

The Disciples did not understand this talk of Jesus' but as Peter stated, they had learned to trust and believe in Him...so I take comfort in that. If they walked with Jesus day by day and still had areas in which they had to just trust, then I can learn to trust even when I don't understand...some things are just too hard for me...

Thank You, LORD, that You are higher and nobler and righter and wiser and more than anything I am...thank You that You are so worthy of my worship and adoration. Thank You for allowing these men to touch me and the lives of those I love; I pray their witness and influence will continue throughout the ages. When I don't understand, LORD, I will choose to leave that with You and just trust.

Waste Away

2009-03-03T08:24:00.003-06:00

The LORD has been impressing upon me lately about waste...of time, resources, energy, food, money, love, etc. Remember the feeding of the 5000+ in John 6...after everyone was full, this is what Jesus had to say...

When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, "Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost or wasted." John 6:12 (AMP)

Well, I've heard a few sermons on this - there were 12 small baskets of leftovers, maybe one for each disciple - talk about your "hands on" lesson that the LORD is truly sufficient.

But what Jesus said about nothing being lost or wasted has prompted me to take an account of how much I waste each day...

time, like continuing to lie in the bed when I am really awake or staying on the Internet too long or watching lots of cooking shows when I don't really cook that much...

resources, like letting the water run while I brush my teeth

food, like by simply eating more than I need (Ouch, Lord!) or letting food spoil in the frig instead of making a diligent effort to use it

money, like eating out too much or not making my trips to town be efficient

energy, um maybe I don't waste energy since I don't exert much :(

love b/c I don't remember that people are more important than things

You get the idea. Now, I don't want to become obsessed with not wasting but I do want to get the message. Maybe we in America have simply wasted too much for too long. Maybe we need to take an account of how much we can save instead of "wasting away."

Parental Behavior

2008-08-21T11:08:00.004-05:00

My hubby of 29 years and I recently took a little shopping trip to Atlanta for our anniversary. We both love to bargain shop, me for about anything, him for tennis racquets. We found some great bargains, mostly Plus Size clothing for ladies and tennis racquets. You'll find them soon in my eBay store, Mimi's Discount Boutique.

Being an educator, I guess it is second nature to want to "educate." Today I have a shout out to a parent in the Marietta area. We had been to a lot of Goodwill stores and various other consignment shops and thrift stores. Unfortunately, we saw a lot of "bad parent behavior," not bad child behavior. In an attempt at control, parents (and sadly, some grandparents!) yelled at their children, threatened to call the police, yanked, pulled, or just generally ignored child behavior that did need correcting. But this one dad needs applauding. He was coming from a store and was holding his child's hand. The child evidently wanted Mom (who was back in the store.) But Dad did not yell, he used a calm voice and continued to tell the child that, "We are going to the car; we are not going back in the store," as he gently pulled the child along. The child was probably around 3-4 yrs. old. But I just loved that Dad stayed in control of himself and his child. It was wonderful!! No need for yelling and useless threats (and by the way, just an editorial comment - PLEASE, PLEASE do not threaten your child with the police, fireman, teacher, nurse, doctor, etc. - they may actually have to depend on these people for their lives one day and I would hate for them to be scared witless because of threats from their parents!!)

So here's my cudos to an in control parent - it can be done!!!

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

2008-07-07T20:52:00.004-05:00

Nothing special tonight but Brotherly Love...

I am a member of an eclectic group of entrepreneurs called OSI Rock Stars. The amount of love and compassion they show for one another is simply phenomenal. Recently one of our own, Janieruth, experienced an awful accident at eBay Live in Chicago. She was visiting an art museum and fell 10 feet from a banister. Since then, she has been hospitalized with a serious head injury. OSI Rock Stars have shown an outpouring of love, prayers, concern and even developed a fund to help with her expenses. And most of this comes from folks who have never even met each other. Amazing.

Another one of our own, Rina, recently lost her sister unexpectedly. Again, OSI members showered her with love, support, and prayers. In a response to this, Rina reminded us...If you have a relationship "fence" in your life that needs some mending, please don't delay ... act today! I know how hard it can be to take that first step, but "too hard" can turn into "too late" faster than you can possibly imagine. Wow.

I took that to heart tonight and called my only brother. I had not spoken to him in over 6 months. There were really no hard words between us. Lack of communication was mostly from lack of effort, I suppose. At times I thought, "Well, the phone works both ways." And it does. So what?

It felt really good to hear him answer that phone, to hear his voice. Just to chat. Nothing special except "brotherly love." Yeah, really good.

Thanks, Janieruth & Rina, for reminding me how special family really is.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

Bittersweet Fellowship

2008-05-15T12:03:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, May 3, I had the bittersweet pleasure of hearing Mrs. Sherri Burgess (wife of Rick Burgess of Rick and Bubba Show) speak to a large group of ladies at First Baptist Church Center Star in northern Alabama. I have never witnessed the power of God come on someone as it did Sherri. This was her first public message since the loss of their precious son, William Bronner Burgess.

I think many people wondered if she would share a lot about Bronner but she did Bronner the honor of sharing about his heavenly Father instead. You could certainly tell her heart was broken as she shared a little about that day but as she continued, she mostly focused on the Lord Jesus and how He was able to help them survive this tragedy. What an awesome, bittersweet time it was to witness just how the Lord was using this couple. Many in that audience were in tears and left to wonder if we could survive a crisis and have the faith that they have so strongly exhibited.

Her theme was from Matthew 7:25 - "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." That rock, of course, is Jesus.

May your foundation be on that Rock also.