Happy Thanksgiving!

Family in town and cooking like crazy! Just popping in to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving Day. We all have so much to be thankful for this year. If you're reading this, you are alive and functioning, your eyes are working and your fingers can move. That's more than a lot of people can say!

My prayer for us all is that we truly appreciate all God has done in our lives and all He will continue to do! Share your blessings! Stay bless-able! Praise the Lord. Give thanks!

Blessings to you and yours,

Lynn

Recipe for Success

I love learning and finding new things that make me think, take me through a new concept I had not considered or perhaps not contemplated in depth. In my reading this morning I ran across a passage about building steps to become a person of persistence in all that we hope to achieve.

The first thing that caught my eye was that we are to set goals under God’s leadership; goals that are challenging and demand our best AND require His help. That may sound like a ‘no brainer’ but DO we really purposely set goals with those requirements?

As Christians, we often set the goals we want to accomplish and then ask in prayer that God bless our efforts in obtaining those goals. I had not considered creating my goals up front with the mandate that they include God’s leadership. Maybe it’s just me but I have to say, I bet I’m not he only one putting the cart before the horse.

The second concept was to then develop a passion for the goal to drive us toward our desired outcome. Most any book you pick up on goals will tell you to determine what it is you are passionate about, make the goals; then the work toward it.

In the world, perhaps that is the key. In God’s economy, we are to go about it from this other perspective. We make a goal that requires God’s leadership and challenges us to be the best we can be. Then we strive for the passion to continue on when we run into obstacles; an attitude of persistence.

Additionally, we should refuse to listen to criticism; surrounding ourselves with people who will encourage us. Certain steps may fail, but we should look for a personal lesson in every defeat.

Finally, we are to believe that we can reach the goal, and then must rely on God to enable us. The circle is complete.

When we start out with God in the goal making decision process, relying on Him throughout the process and end believing He will enable us to reach the goal, we have come full circle. The focus is not about what we can accomplish but what God can accomplish through us.

A recipe for success if ever there was one!

Recipe for Success

I love learning and finding new things that make me think, take me through a new concept I had not considered or perhaps not contemplated in depth. In my reading this morning I ran across a passage about building steps to become a person of persistence in all that we hope to achieve.

The first thing that caught my eye was that we are to set goals under God’s leadership; goals that are challenging and demand our best AND require His help. That may sound like a ‘no brainer’ but DO we really purposely set goals with those requirements?

As Christians, we often set the goals we want to accomplish and then ask in prayer that God bless our efforts in obtaining those goals. I had not considered creating my goals up front with the mandate that they include God’s leadership. Maybe it’s just me but I have to say, I bet I’m not he only one putting the cart before the horse.

The second concept was to then develop a passion for the goal to drive us toward our desired outcome. Most any book you pick up on goals will tell you to determine what it is you are passionate about, make the goals; then the work toward it.

In the world, perhaps that is the key. In God’s economy, we are to go about it from this other perspective. We make a goal that requires God’s leadership and challenges us to be the best we can be. Then we strive for the passion to continue on when we run into obstacles; an attitude of persistence.

Additionally, we should refuse to listen to criticism; surrounding ourselves with people who will encourage us. Certain steps may fail, but we should look for a personal lesson in every defeat.

Finally, we are to believe that we can reach the goal, and then must rely on God to enable us. The circle is complete.

When we start out with God in the goal making decision process, relying on Him throughout the process and end believing He will enable us to reach the goal, we have come full circle. The focus is not about what we can accomplish but what God can accomplish through us.

A recipe for success if ever there was one!

Picture This

There are snapshots in time that move our emotions to a point of wanting to freeze the moment so we can look at it longer. Those of us old enough, remember when those were referred to as ‘Kodak Moments’. This morning I am having one long Kodak Moment.

I’ve spoken about how much we love the view from our front deck. This morning it is breathtaking; I can see it from my desk and am distracted to the point of not being able to work. So I will write about it.

We had a storm roll in overnight and the sky is still heavy with clouds. It’s not raining for now so I ventured outside to get a closer look. As you step out the door you are greeted by the wind. It’s stronger than a breeze; steady cool wind coming from the southeast. An American and Texas flag are waving in unison on the porch columns of the house across the street. From my higher point of view, the palm tree behind that house sways a little though it looks like a soldier standing at attention behind the flags. With the variation of greens of the trees in the valley behind it, the grays and blues of the skyline and overhead, the colors of the flags stand out proudly.

Though not flying about as usual, birds of many species are singing out a morning song. A rooster somewhere in our ‘village’ joins in, though not in harmony! Two houses over an old cottonwood tree stands like s sentry in the front yard. It is taller than any tree near it so you can clearly see how the leaves are turning colors as they dry out. I love this tree because I enjoy the particular sound its leaves make rustling in the wind. My house sits on a hill; this one does not, so the top of the tree is at eye level. The wind is blowing all the leaves in all the trees but this one has the advantage of the large dry leaves to be heard above the rest.

I heard an aircraft overhead high above all the clouds. It served as a reminder that even though we have storms around us, life goes on. In the valley across from me the slow and low rumbling of a train makes itself known. Before long I can see glimpses of it through the trees. We are in the country so there is no need for whistles, just the low rumbling. It moves on and is gone as quickly as it came.

The clouds are the real showstopper. From the deepest blue-gray across the tops of the distant hills to a wide band of blue-gray that reflects just enough light to allow the blue to be more dominant. Next, the layer of flat bottomed white clouds shooting high into the sky with their marshmallow looking selves. As you turn more to the west, the white clouds are less dense, less high. Above them all is a blanket of thin wispy clouds in shades from white to smoky gray to patches of more serious looking gray. As they move across the sky an occasional clear patch can be seen and through it, the sun shines. It makes changing patterns of light as they march on to the northwest. The sun’s rays that do get through the clouds dance on the tops of tress. Some, brilliant chartreuse in color, look alive in the light and dance in the wind.

The scene has changed a great deal since I sat to write this. Darkness fell and large drops of rain began to hit the glass door. Thunder rolled overhead as the clouds released the rain again. It fell hard against the wooden deck and roof. I love that sound.

Now, there is a stillness that has enveloped everything. The only sound I hear is that of the keys clicking on my keyboard. No rain, no thunder, no birds, no train or plane, just an engulfing quietness as a foil against the clicking keys.

Watching the majesty of a storm move across the sky is rather like a peek at the power and strength that is God. They excite with their creative beauty yet you realize that you have no control, you are not in charge. The seer power and energy of lightening cutting through the darkness is glorious to behold. I can’t even imagine what the view will be like in heaven but I know it will be awesome and I look forward to it. For now, I will enjoy the blessing God has given us. A silent gentle rain moves in as the next act of the show!

The Flip Side

Though I often complain about the hot weather in South Texas, any part of Texas really, there is a flip side to the searing, breathtaking heat. It’s our very long growing season! This is mid-November and I have multiple tomato plants with blooms and tomatoes on them. A rogue squash plant or two coming up in my compost pile, my ‘blessing’ basil plant in the veggie garden is doing so much better than the ones I actually planted in the herb garden. I call all volunteer plants “blessing’ plants. I have several, all types, thriving in the veggie garden this fall. The Swiss chard and mustard greens are beautiful and lush. They are the only thing growing better than the weeds that took hold during the drought.

After years of unsuccessful attempts to grow chile piquin peppers and having tried all forms of sow/growing methods to no avail; I have a ‘blessing’ piquin plant that popped up by itself! This was a delightful treat to discover. My Honey says it will need to be transplanted to a spot where it will have some shade. With any luck at all, it will survive the winter and be hardy enough to transplant in the spring. Since it began as a ‘blessing’ plant, I have high hopes!

Green beans are producing nicely, they are not edible but there are plenty of them. Guess the timing and weather plays a big part in the tough, bitter pods. I’m leaving them to go to seed for next year; they replenish the soil, bonus!

And the big exciting news is that my treasured fig tree has little figs all over it. This poor little tree has survived two years of drought and a shaky start considering it is planted on top of our hill, our rock hill. It’s still barely above knee height; my knees…I’m short, ‘nuff said. So to find it covered in leaves and figs after it dropped all leaves and shriveled during the roughest of summer heat, well, lets just say I give all the credit where credit is due…prayer and the Master Gardener, God.

As with most of my long stories this one does have a point, an analogy, or a modern day parable. In this world we often find ourselves in places and situations we find less than desirable. I love the view from our hilltop vantage point but, because we have that view, we do not have good gardening land and normal soil. Our typical weather is hot to extremely hot nine months out of the year. The other three months, we can vary from fabulous to chilly with moments of actual cold. Towering trees we do not have but we are on the Monarch Butterfly migration path in the fall; they fly directly over our front deck. Too awesome! God-given flip sides.

I’ve said all that to say this: regardless of location or circumstance, regardless of stage we find ourselves in life, in spite of the highest highs and lowest lows that come our way….God holds us in His hands and little miracles, like my blessing plants, come through as if to say, “Behold, I am with you always.”

Dream Song

This is the dream I had last night:

I worked in a facility that had the feel of a large hospital. Music played as people were coming and going through double swinging doors and long halls. At one point a young man that appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties hesitantly came through the double doors closest to me. He would step through then have a change of mind and turn around and go back. This happened several times; each time he looked more troubled. After watching this and pained by his obvious doubts and hesitations, I approached him and asked if I could help him. He looked at me with eyes of caution and suspicion. I tried to reassure him that all was well. He shoved a folded piece of paper at me and stood back. His demeanor was partly defiant and part embarrassment.

I opened the crumbled, folded paper and read the handwritten note; it said his family owed a debt. I told him we had someone he could talk to about it. It was a large debt and I felt that was why he acted ashamed. He shook his head no; he was not willing to talk to anyone. I explained that he could start making things right by simply talking to the person; arrangements could be made for the debt if he would just go talk to them. He darted off down the hall and out through the double doors again. Time and again I would catch glimpses of this young man. It was as if he could not help himself; he kept coming back but just could not commit to talking to anyone about the debt.

Finally, I took him by the hand, holding on tight, and walked him through the double doors. I did not let go though he pulled against me. Though music still played, the halls were different now; they were lined with gurney like beds with people in different conditions. Some sick, some in parts, like half a person or just body parts on the bed but it wasn’t scary. The young man clung to my hand tightly; he asked about those in pieces. I told him they were the broken people and they came to be fixed, made into a whole person again. We walked up to a desk and I told the woman in charge that he wanted to make arrangements for his family debt. She said that was simple to do and as he relaxed, I left him with her.

Later, I would still see this young man in the halls; he was working there now, too. He was busy with a purpose and he was happy. One day he came through the double doors with my dog, Chelsie. She is the epitome of love and compassion, wanting nothing more than to lay her head in your lap and looks at you with pure love in her eyes. He took her from one broken person to the next; smiling as she would lay her head and front legs on them, like a hug. He would wave when he saw me and move on to the next bed.

It was at this point I woke up. I lay in bed thinking about the dream; it felt so real. I asked God if He was trying to tell me something. In my spirit I still heard the music. I had slept in the guest room with our puppy in bed with me. He was struggling and cold, so I slept with him under my arm; still snuggled against me, he had slept peacefully all night. I felt the Lord say He was same way with us, though we are broken and dirty He tucked us under His arm and we sleep in the warmth of His love. Music still resounded in my soul. I listened to the harmonies and only then could hear the words that filled the halls of my dream and the depths of my spirit, “Home again, welcome home again. My child, you are always welcome home again.”

Thanksgiving Traditions

The holiday season is upon us. From my perspective as a grandparent, I have a lot of family holiday memories; some are great, some are not so great. My Proverbs reading today, Chapter seventeen, verse one, stirred up many of those old memories. It reads: Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. The common denominator between Biblical times and our contemporary traditional family gathering is people; food and people.

We have Hallmark commercials and Norman Rockwell showing us what an ideal family meal might look like. We have grand expectations of a picture perfect Thanksgiving with multiple generations gathered around a bountiful table. Then people show up and reality sets in. Life is not like a sixty second commercial and we are setting ourselves up for disappointment when we think it should be.

I love to cook, love to have a kitchen full of family bustling around in harmony to get everything done; working together like a fine tuned watch. In my world there are those of us that work toward making that happen, and then there are those that sit in the other room visiting while we are making that happen. Interestingly enough, it seems the line that divides in the preparation is also the line that divides when it comes time to cleaning up, as well. It is not gender specific; it is not age related.

I considered counting up the number of able-bodied people attending such an event over the age of, say five. Five year olds can place napkins around the table, train them to be a part of the solution. Anyway, as people come in, have them draw a bean out of a small bowl which contains two types of beans. All of the brown bean holders are now the Prep people and the white bean holders are the Clean-up people. Yes, I’ve considered that but some will show up at the last minute or late…not conducive to the Prep group…..and often with their contribution not ready to be served. Throws the timing of the meal and the ‘bean plan’ right out of the window! Soon, those not doing the prep work start milling around because they are hungry. They want to snack on the food the Prep people have been trying to get to the table! This is usually the point where I start slapping hands and ordering people out of the kitchen unless they have a spoon stirring a pot.

One year in a moment of total frustration, my daughter announced that no one, NO ONE could have dessert until the kitchen was cleaned up from lunch. She’s a genius! The flurry of activity that followed was astounding.

Every family comes complete with frustrating times and characters. Yet, we love each one and look forward to the next time we gather our chicks. Love overrides it all. God gave us family to begin with and we have so very much for which to be thankful. Whatever other traditions you pass on to your family, make sure the Lord is primary among them. Isaiah 59:21 says:

As for Me, this is My covenant or league with them, says the Lord: My Spirit, Who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from henceforth and forever. Pass that around the table!

Selah

The words listen and silent are constructed of the same letters. We are instructed in scripture to “..be still and know that I am God...” There is a time for doing and a time for hearing what the Lord has to say. You simply cannot be hearing if you are busy doing.

Additionally, we are living in an age where we are bombarded constantly by sound bytes and images from around the world. Most of the newscasts are filled with sad and/or bad news. It is easy to get caught up in the never ending barrage of information. Fear and concern are constant companions and our focus is riveted from one tragedy to another.

In the midst of the uproar we need to be silent and listen to the words of the Bible. They are as timely today as the day they were written. I like the Amplified Bible because it is true to the original Greek and Hebrew. Remember Psalms were written to be sung. Let this be the song of our hearts:

Psalm 46:1-11 (Amplified Bible)

¹GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,

³Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

⁴There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

⁵God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning].

⁶The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth.

⁹He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire.

¹⁰Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

¹¹The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Regardless of what it looks like in the world today, GOD is still in control. Selah! Pause, and calmly think of that!

Seeds of Joy

Ideas are basically seeds of dreams. Between the three of us, Me, Myself & I, a lot of ideas are conceived but rarely live to the birth pain stage of fruition. I’m an excellent incubator for dream seeds. I have enough creativity to form the dream seed, and in my mind, raise it up to a colorful vision complete with sound and smells. Being a tactile sort, I can even feel it…in my mind.

Some dream seeds come during times that I call fantasy folly. For instance, I have redesigned and reconstructed our master bath many times over the 8 years we’ve lived here….again, in my mind. I want to rip out the small shower stall and its companion linen closet and replace it with a larger walk-in tiled shower that has a window on the exterior wall that overlooks a tiny walled courtyard lush with plants and a wall fountain. I think that would be awesome and relaxing. The existing narrow window in the room would be taken out and a French door installed in its place. I’d need a way to access the tiny courtyard, after all.

Ok, that’s the fantasy folly part, here’s the reality. As pretty as the dream bathroom is in my head, it is neither practical nor warranted. I take short showers, five minutes tops and that’s if I’m washing my hair…the conditioner needs two minutes. We have a huge corner soaking tub that has been used maybe five times in the eight years, maybe. I’ve tried to take luxurious baths but by the time the huge tub is filled I am beyond ready to get out and move on. I can’t bear to use that much water for one bath since I’ve been in countries where people have to walk a great distance with jugs just to have drinking water. My husband and I rarely use the long vanity with double sinks at the same time, so even that common set-up isn’t needed. What we want and what we need are often two different things. It isn’t wrong to want or dream. In and of themselves, dreams are harmless. I entertain myself a lot with them.

The problem comes when we allow discontent to seep into our minds and hearts, stealing our joy because the dream is just a dream and not our reality. If as Christians we are to emulate Jesus who lived a lifestyle of simplicity, should we not be cautious of always wanting more? Jesus didn’t have a closet full of clothes; He didn’t have a home or even a bed on which to lay His head. I imagine my small shower would have been luxurious to the traveling disciples. Dusting sand off your feet before lying down to sleep is a far cry from a hot shower.

Dreams can dance around in our minds, entertaining us but we need to be diligent about protecting our joy, and appreciation for all we have been given. Thankfulness brings satisfaction. Satisfaction brings joy. Joy brings appreciation. Appreciation brings thankfulness. If you’re going to birth anything, let the circle of thankfulness be your choice.

The Dance of a Lifetime

Many years ago I fell in love at the wedding reception of a friend. It was a loud, boisterous Italian event with lively music and people crowded around the dance floor. A semi-formal event, the men wore tuxedos and the women were dolled-up in their best ‘after five’ dress. The mood was joyful and light, the décor was festive; a perfect wedding reception.

One of the bride’s friends from Houston asked me to dance. This was not the stand apart from your partner and wiggle kind of dancing, it was a waltz. I had learned to waltz for a stage production high school…way back in high school; but this was a fast tempo waltz to the classic song ‘New York, New York.’ I declined the invitation to dance but he persisted. I informed him I didn’t really know what to do but, once again, he extended his hand and simply said, “Just follow me and hold on for the ride.” I’ll never forget those words.

Though I felt like a three legged cow as I stepped onto the floor, he did know what he was doing and he did it well. If it is possible to glide at the speed of light, we did. We spun around the dance floor with more style and grace than I could have imagined. Though the tempo was fast, indeed, I did as instructed; I followed him and held on. It was exhilarating! I felt a freedom and excitement I had not known existed. I did not want it to end. I wanted more and more of that emotional high. All these years later I can still feel it; I fell in love with ballroom dancing right there and then. It is a love affair that lives on today.

That dance experience was a lot like accepting Jesus, if you think about it. The invitation is extended and not always accepted People often are concerned that they will not know what to do, how to act. The three legged cow of awkwardness syndrome comes in to play. They want to but are so afraid of not living up to some standard that they may hang back. The invitation is still there for the taking, if they would just reach out and take the hand offered.

There is no other emotional high like the one you have when you experience the joy of knowing Jesus and being filled with His presence. The new found freedom you feel as, one by one, chains of bondage are broken off your life is like no other. There are times, as in a dance, when you feel closer to the Lord and times you are extended out; though He is always there holding you as you move through the steps of your life. It is the love affair of a life time if you accept Jesus when He says, “Just follow me and hold on for the ride.”

Talk Doesn't Cook Rice

I read a Chinese proverb yesterday that caught my attention. I like to collect quotes that impact me in some way. This one did. It was a short simple statement. ’Talk doesn’t cook rice.’ On the surface it looks too simple to be of much consequence but when you contemplate the message the sentence is making, you begin to see the wisdom within.

We are in an age of instant communication and, quite frankly, I believe that is not necessarily a good thing. At any moment in time you can be bombarded by people talking, people talking over other people, people throwing out opinions like candy at a parade. We’ve all seen it, there are people lined up beside the road waiting to see what they can get. Then the floats come along and candy is tossed out. Some people scrambled to get as much as they can, other act nonchalant about it but do not hesitate to take what comes in their direction. Of course, there are those that stand back and try to get out of the fracas. Remember, this is an analogy, we are still addressing people talking and throwing out opinions; the results are the same.

Be they political in nature, religion related, who’s kissing who, food you should eat or how you should have raised your kids and what clothes you need to wear this season; opinions are flying on talk radio, TV talk shows, newscasts, internet, back fences, café tables, PTO meetings, newspapers and magazines to name a few sources. A whole lot of talk is going on!

Frankly, I’m fed up with all the opinions floating around. If you listen long enough you will hear opinions change and morph into something else….politicians are the champs of morphed opinions; a firm stand on issues today is merely fodder for the crowds of supporters standing below the platform like puppies wagging their tales. These same ‘supporters’ will be disappointed when their candidate of choice moves in a different direction or does a 180 degree turn around when they bump up against the reality that they do not have the power to do all they promise to do. Worse case scenario for them is when their candidate does nothing at all. They come to the sad realization it was all talk. Nothing but talk to whip them up in a frenzy so they would run around telling everyone else how enlightened their candidate was and then sharing their own opinion about why the other candidate was not so good…opinions and talk, our world is full of them.

Perhaps they should read Proverbs 11:11-14

By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:29 says He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the foolish shall be servants to the wise of heart.

Turn off the noise of all the talk out there and get into the only solid information we can count on. That’s my opinion, for what it’s worth. Today I plan to be a woman of more action and less talk about action! Today, I am going to cook rice.

Situational Morality

The first time I heard the words ‘situational morality’ used together in a sentence I mentally checked out of the conversation for a moment to ponder the implications of the term. What I considered to be conflicting terms were being used as a rationale for questionable decision making on the part of the person with whom I was speaking. I was taken aback by their blatant acceptance of knowingly functioning with situational morality. It must have made an impact on me because here I am some twenty-one years later, still talking about it.

While I was a bit stunned at that moment, it did not take me long to start recognizing situational morality all around. I would love to say I never tiptoed through the tar pit of it myself, but that would not be true. What I can say with all honesty is that I have made an effort to be aware of when I was leaning toward doing just that and made the conscious choice not to do so more often than to do. Still, sometimes I fall into the tar trap.

I know there are people that happily swim in the tar pit never caring a hoot about morality, situational or not. However, I believe most Christians get tripped up over little things, but no matter how little the object you trip over, you can still find yourself face down in tar.

For instance, I know a man considered by all that know him to be a fine Christian man, a man of prayer, a man that eagerly serves the Lord; yet he has a library of bootlegged videos. In spite of the Federal Warning on each one, he has made a practice of buying these videos, knowing they are illegally copied - Situational Morality. It’s not up there with grand larceny but it is still not legal. What kind of mixed message might that send his children and grandchildren? That’s where the tar gets real sticky.

If someone lies on or ‘embellishes’ a resume, will they make a trustworthy employee? I had a woman tell me once she didn’t cheat on her husband; she just played around the edges. I have worked with men that considered themselves ‘good’ husbands and fathers but would go watch someone else’s daughter dance naked around a pole while they ate lunch; after all the place had a good buffet. Borrowing a friend’s weed-eater and returning it dirty, and then only after they ask you to, may not seem like such an offense but what does it say about the value you have shown for your friend and their property?

There are thousands of little tar traps around and we must step carefully lest we step on one. Having become aware all those years ago to watch out for situational morality in my own life, a lesson I appreciate learning, has made me think more before jumping feet first. The tricky part comes in the life of a Christian when we know to avoid the large tar pits and think we are above tripping into one but moving along in our self-elevated state, we step on a small patch of situational morality that sticks to us like tar on the bottom of a shoe. No matter how you try to slough it off, tar will stick to you.

One last point, the pungent stink of tar lingers when times are hot; just something to think about.

Though the Rain May Fall

I believe God can use any situation as an opportunity to teach us a life lesson. In the moment, we may not recognize it as such but when we develop a habit of looking for them, we can see them all around us. Yesterday was such a day for us.

We, my hubby and I, were taking a small contingent of kids from church to an air show. These kids are part of a pilot (no pun intended) program and we use an analogy of training to be a Top Gun; encouraging them to strive to be the best they can be, setting their standards higher, expect more of themselves. Planning the trip to the air show seemed an appropriate motivator and they were excited. We planned to leave straight after church, take a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it.

On the day of the air show, our normally draught stricken part of Texas was under heaving, looming rain clouds. It started raining before church started and poured the duration of the service. People from church were saying the air show was rained out; we might as well stay for lunch. The air show and our church’s Thanksgiving meal together fell on the same day; the smell of the traditional feast wafting all around. We had have travel quite a distance to even get to the air force base and we were being told the weather was worse in the area of our destination; hot turkey and ham vs. soggy picnic lunch…..hmmmmm. Doesn’t sound like much of a competition, does it?

Yes, temptation called out loudly to us in the form of growling bellies and those that thought us crazy encouraging us to stay! Pay attention, here comes the life lesson.

Conventional wisdom would have us scrap our plans and indulge our flesh; stay warm and dry, eat in good company. This outing, however, was not just a picnic to have fun; it was a teaching tool in our service to the Lord. We were committed and prepared to see the mission through.

Preparation included a lot of prayer leading up to and the day of; especially when the rain started. We had thanked the Lord for the rain and asked if, perhaps, it could rain on our house instead of the air show for a few short hours.

Our picnic food was planned and packed intentionally in such a way we were able to eat in the car on the long, wet drive over. Though not hot, we had turkey and ham! We packed lawn chairs, umbrellas, and a water-proof mat for the kids to sit on.

The crowds were smaller this year, guess a lot of people thought the rain would win out. Then, there may have been those that were fearful to come to a military base after the tragic event at Fort Hood. Fear and circumstances will dictate actions if you let them.

Close to our destination, the rain stopped. We picked out an excellent spot from which to view all the activities, left our stuff in my Honey’s capable care and jaunted off to see the planes on exhibit. Then, clouds parted and planes took to the sky! We had an awesome time. From time to time, it did drizzle so we would pull out the umbrellas when needed and stash them back when not. Look what we would have missed if we listened to the nay- sayers!

Lesson taught: When you are serving the Lord, no one says it will be a picnic. You will have obstacles and circumstances that make your objective look unlikely and impossible. You will have people around discouraging you and saying it can’t be done. BUT when you are standing on His strength, all things are possible. Start with and stay in prayer! When you honor your commitment, not letting fear or what you see all around you hold you back, pushing on through the rain, the Lord parts the clouds just in time. THAT is walking in faith!

A True Sad Story

Dear Friends........

It appears I am not to publish a posting today. I do not know why, but after many failed and rejected attempts I am accepting this fact. I wrote one, reviewed it many times for mistakes and merrily sent it on its way. It was rejected.....beats me! Got an error message I have never seen before..... don't have a clue what it means. Tried many more times to set up blog anew.....no go! Deleted it and started from scratch.....nope! Stopped and cooked two eggs before coming back and trying with a new attitude....not happening! New attitude quickly fading!! Pray for me, I need it.

I have mentioned before that I am technically challenged but I did try everything I knew to try to no avail. Just wanted you to know I DID try and try and try..........Pray for me, I need it.

So, I'm throwing in the towel for today, not even sure if this note will go out. The really scary part for me is that I have a writing project deadline coming up and needed to be 100% in the right mindset to work on it today. What do YOU think the chances of that happening now is? Hmmm? Right! Looking bad for the home team. Pray for me, I need it.

Have a great weekend. We will be busy all weekend long!!! Pray for me..... yep, I need it!

Fire Insurance is Not Enough

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are insuring that you will go to heaven instead of hell; basic fire insurance.

The sad fact is that there are far too many people that put on the helmet of salvation and set out into the world filled with traps and snares laid by an evil spiritual enemy. There they stand, helmet on head but naked and vulnerable every where else.

God gives us a full armor to protect and prepare us. When we grow in our knowledge of and faith in Christ, we are putting on the whole armor. The armor helps us live victorious lives. Jesus defeated the enemy and that’s a done deal but in our time on planet earth, he (the enemy) still roams around looking for ways to destroy people and lives.

Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) …Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

One final note, have you ever considered that the armor covers the front of you? Given that any thought? I believe such is the case for two reasons. First, we are expected to stand facing our enemies in complete confidence that we are covered in and protected by our knowledge of and faith in Christ. Secondly, I totally believe there was only a need to cover the front because Jesus has got our back!

Make a Joyful Noise!

I was out of town on family business yesterday, thus no blog posting. Driving alone is a great time for thinking. I’m not one that requires something in the background making noise all the time; I’m quite content to have the time for retrospective reflection as well as thinking through how best to use my time in the upcoming holiday season.

Solo travel in your car is also a great time for exercising the rusty vocal chords singing along with the radio or CD. It’s cleansing to just belt out the songs with gusto, no concern what others may think; assuming you have the windows up. I made a round trip; I had time for both thinking and singing.

I have a quote on my screen saver that says “Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what’s right about God” For me, that’s exactly what happens when I sing either praise or worship music. My world and worries melt away and the magnificence that is God becomes consuming. It’s like a shaft opens up and I can glimpse into the heavenlies. Thoughts and feelings bodily struggles bring fade as I open my heart, mind and spirit to seeking the Lord. An energy fills me where there was little to begin with. A sense of contented peace replaces earthly concerns.

An important note to make here is that I said this happens when I sing. Listening to praise and worship music is good, too, but it does not usher in the same depth of emotion and passion that using your own voice to honor and worship the Lord brings. It’s in the singing, the doing; giving yourself over to the worship that takes you to the place outside of yourself. It is in the surrender of YOU to the Lord that brings an authentic worship. Anyone can go through the motions but without the surrender of all of you; it is like a hollow shell, pretty on the outside but nothing on the inside.

Sadly, there are people in churches and choirs everywhere that practice that type of worship week after week. Some may say they don’t have a voice to sing. This is the voice God gave them; it will come as no surprise to Him and will sound sweet when used in genuine worship. Others are concerned about how they may look to those around them. Personally, I don’t care what my pew neighbors think of my singing; it’s not for or about them. I know there are people more reserved than I and this is not to disparage them, that’s just the point…it is not about them and when they let reservation dictate how they worship their Lord, they are making it more about their personal comfort level than they are about the one living God of all creation. They are worshipping to please themselves rather than making it all about pleasing God. There is no surrender of self when you place your inhibitions as boundaries around your worship. Think of King David, mighty warrior king of all Israel. David danced in his undergarments with joyful abandon and surrender as he ushered the Ark home. His wife disapproved and chastised him. God called David a man after his own heart; an important point made.

I’m not saying you should dance up the aisle of your church in your underwear…well, unless God tells you to…but I am saying that we need to make worship about God and not ourselves. Some people will go crazy watching a football game but clam up when it’s comes to praising God; their priorities are out of whack. The person standing next to you in church will not be standing next to you when you stand before God accounting for your life. Take a chance on some bondage breaking and belt out some praise and worship songs to the Lord. You might find a new spiritual freedom you didn’t know existed.

“Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what’s right about God”