Today, I went to buy a new cell phone. I really liked my old phone and it did everything I wanted it to, which is talking and texting, but it is discontinued and can no longer be updated. Plus, it turned itself off at very inopportune times!
I walked into the store thinking I was sure I knew what I wanted. I was greeted by a group of guys that reminded me of Hooty and The Blowfish. They each had a different opinion of what I needed and the only thing they agreed on was that I didn’t need what I thought I wanted. My criteria included talking, texting and it had to be red.
It took me weeks to figure out my old phone and we had finally become friends. Hooty promised me that my new phone and I would be friends in no time.
Finally, Hooty picks out my phone, downloads my contacts for me, makes me sign my life away and tells me it will be fine. I tried to believe him.
I was glad that experience was over and looked forward to lunch with my friend.
She was to call me with the location of lunch depending on how much time she had. I assumed the place she would want to eat so headed that way.
As I walk into the restaurant my phone rings and the caller identification said it was my friend. I tapped and pushed every inch of that phone and could not get it to answer. I let the waiter seat me and by then the phone stopped ringing. I decided to try to call my friend back but noticed a little green lock glowing on the face of the phone. I tapped and tapped and it didn’t move. I opened up the keyboard and started pushing buttons but the lock did not go away.
The phone rings again and I can see that it’s my friend. No tapping or pushing of buttons put her on the phone. I was so frustrated, I wanted to put the phone down under one of my tires and run over it.
About an hour went by, I had four glasses of tea and ate the bread on the table wondering where my friend has been all this time. Finally, I leave, after leaving a tip for the poor waiter, and head home. I decided to put the phone in my purse so I could not see it or hear it.
Once I got home I called my friend the old-fashioned way, a home telephone. She was a little irate. She sat at a restaurant she decided on which was not the one I was sitting at.
What a week! This was the day after my granddaughter dropped my keys, with key fob, in the toilet. I have no more keyless entry now. I backed my red Saturn into my husband’s white Tahoe and I threw the parts of a new $200 faucet in the trash because I thought it was the old one.
These are the kind of things that make me crazy. I wonder why me? What have I done to deserve such a wretched week?
But, as I take a second and stop feeling sorry for myself, I realize how really blessed I am. These things are annoying but not serious. God didn’t promise us a life filled with no annoyances. He did promise that He would always be there to hear us when we need to vent or need His intervention.
“How blessed are the people who are so situated; How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!” Psalm 144:15
When it seems you are having a bad day, take a second to stop and count your blessings! I’m sure you will find many.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Everything Happens For A Season
My husband and I were driving down the road the other day and passed a church that had this message on their marquis: “Everything Happens For A Reason.” I repeated that several times and thought that was a little cliché for a church sign. Obviously “everything happens for a reason!” I know that God has a reason for everything that goes on in this world and they are not always reasons we understand or are supposed to understand.
But, then it occurred to me, as I investigate my own current season, that “everything happens for a season.” Just as we experience fall before turning into winter, and see the many environmental changes that take place, we know that it is all temporary. After winter, we will see the emergence of spring with beautiful, vivid colors and lots of flowers blooming. Then comes the heat of summer, then the crispness of fall once again. It’s all temporary and ever-changing.
There is a comforting hope in knowing that we have seasons of our lives. Periods of time that are temporary. Of course we want the good times of life to last forever and the bad times to go quickly. That is human nature.
When Jerry and I got married, I wanted our honeymoon to last forever. When I gave birth to each of our girls, I wanted the awesomeness of those moments to last forever. The first time we had to visit the emergency room with our child, I wanted it over as quickly as possible.
When our girls were babies, I thought that I may never have a life of my own again. Then, before I knew it, they were off to college and I had more time to myself than I could bear. I missed them terribly. I had to re-invent myself. Now I see those times as some of my seasons of life.
We are told in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 of the New International Version:
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to tear apart, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
I have come to the point in my life that I have learned to embrace the seasons of my life. I am very blessed to be in a season where I get to wake up every day to a wonderful husband, spend quality time with my grandchildren, still have a trick or two to teach my daughters and wait in anticipation to see where I can serve the Lord.
Everything does happen for a reason and a season!
But, then it occurred to me, as I investigate my own current season, that “everything happens for a season.” Just as we experience fall before turning into winter, and see the many environmental changes that take place, we know that it is all temporary. After winter, we will see the emergence of spring with beautiful, vivid colors and lots of flowers blooming. Then comes the heat of summer, then the crispness of fall once again. It’s all temporary and ever-changing.
There is a comforting hope in knowing that we have seasons of our lives. Periods of time that are temporary. Of course we want the good times of life to last forever and the bad times to go quickly. That is human nature.
When Jerry and I got married, I wanted our honeymoon to last forever. When I gave birth to each of our girls, I wanted the awesomeness of those moments to last forever. The first time we had to visit the emergency room with our child, I wanted it over as quickly as possible.
When our girls were babies, I thought that I may never have a life of my own again. Then, before I knew it, they were off to college and I had more time to myself than I could bear. I missed them terribly. I had to re-invent myself. Now I see those times as some of my seasons of life.
We are told in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 of the New International Version:
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to tear apart, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
I have come to the point in my life that I have learned to embrace the seasons of my life. I am very blessed to be in a season where I get to wake up every day to a wonderful husband, spend quality time with my grandchildren, still have a trick or two to teach my daughters and wait in anticipation to see where I can serve the Lord.
Everything does happen for a reason and a season!
Do You Need A New Latitude…Or A New Attitude?
Definition of attitude: a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that show one’s disposition or opinion, i.e.; a friendly attitude, a bad attitude, an arrogant attitude (www.dictionary.com)
1. On an average daily basis, is your glass half empty or half full?
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2. Most days do you think your attitude reflects the attitude of Christ?
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3. On a scale of 1 thru 10, how do you think others would rate your attitude?
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4. When faced with a difficult task, whether in your career or your personal life, is your first response that of a “can do” attitude or “I can’t” attitude?
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5. Is there an attitude about something or someone that is stopping you from conducting yourself in a Christ-like manner?
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6. When a more spiritually mature woman is mentoring you, do you have an attitude of gratitude or do you perceive it as someone criticizing you and bossing you?
7. When you are in public, your attitude toward a sales clerk, a waitress, other drivers or maybe the cop giving you a ticket reflects who Christ is in you. How do you think you measure up?
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8. If a problem arises in your life, do you see it as an opportunity or as a stumbling block?
9. How does it make you feel to be around someone who always has a negative attitude about everything?
10. How does it make you feel when you are around someone that always has a positive attitude about everything?
11. When you do your daily prayer, do you start off by asking God to take care of more things in your life or do you start by praising Him for all the wonderful things He has already done for you?
12. Do you have an attitude of humility?
A. Are you humble about your material possessions?
B. Are you humble about your relationship with God?
C. Are you humble about the Gifts God has given you?
13. Is there someone in your life that you admire for their attitude?
14. Is there someone, other than yourself, that you feel you need to pray for because of their attitude?
15. Do you recognize days you have a negative attitude? If so, do you stop to ask for God’s help in reversing it?
16. Do you believe that your attitude can be the encouragement and motivation someone else needs to see?
17. What are some ways you can improve your attitude so He can better use you?
18. Do you believe that God can use you and your attitude to be an example to others? (When it is positive or negative?)
19. Close your eyes and picture yourself and how you look to others when you have a negative attitude. When you have a positive attitude.
20. How does your attitude (good or bad) effect your whole day and those around you?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Lord's Prayer
The kids at the coffeehouse used to make fun of me for never using recipes when I cooked. I’m not crazy about reading directions and recipes are directions. I don’t like using a pattern when I sew either. It takes too much time to cut it out and read it. And then there’s the measuring……oy!
It has taken me a long time to realize that God has a pattern for my life. He already decided who I am and who I will be as I grow older. I really want to be on that same page of the pattern that He is, but I can’t be if I don’t read the directions and pray. He has an entire book to help us lead our lives and become the people He has designed us to be.
Every day part of my daily prayer is that God will reveal more to me about becoming the woman He designed me to be. Some days I am so busy being the woman I think I should be, or my sinful nature takes over and I am who the World wants me to be that I don’t hear Him. Also, I should stop telling Him how to do his job while I am praying. He does a pretty good job at His job without my help.
Sometimes it is hard to know how to pray to Him effectively so I’m not just rambling about what I want and how I want it. Last week, Pastor Holle told us that the best prayer to pray is the Lord’s Prayer. It gets to the point and helps us make a connection with Him. I decided to really put the emphasis on Him when I pray it, like this:
OUR Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be THY name.
THY Kingdom come,
THY will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us THIS day our daily bread.
And forgive us OUR trespasses,
as we forgive THOSE who trespass against us.
And lead us NOT into temptation,
but DELIVER us from evil.
For THINE is the kingdom,
The POWER
And the GLORY.
Forever and ever.
Amen!
It has taken me a long time to realize that God has a pattern for my life. He already decided who I am and who I will be as I grow older. I really want to be on that same page of the pattern that He is, but I can’t be if I don’t read the directions and pray. He has an entire book to help us lead our lives and become the people He has designed us to be.
Every day part of my daily prayer is that God will reveal more to me about becoming the woman He designed me to be. Some days I am so busy being the woman I think I should be, or my sinful nature takes over and I am who the World wants me to be that I don’t hear Him. Also, I should stop telling Him how to do his job while I am praying. He does a pretty good job at His job without my help.
Sometimes it is hard to know how to pray to Him effectively so I’m not just rambling about what I want and how I want it. Last week, Pastor Holle told us that the best prayer to pray is the Lord’s Prayer. It gets to the point and helps us make a connection with Him. I decided to really put the emphasis on Him when I pray it, like this:
OUR Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be THY name.
THY Kingdom come,
THY will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us THIS day our daily bread.
And forgive us OUR trespasses,
as we forgive THOSE who trespass against us.
And lead us NOT into temptation,
but DELIVER us from evil.
For THINE is the kingdom,
The POWER
And the GLORY.
Forever and ever.
Amen!
U-Turns Allowed
Not long after we moved to this area, I joined our church softball team. They played in a league in the next town over. The first few weeks were challenging for me to figure out the best way to get there. I have always had a tendency to just keep driving thinking I will accidentally come upon the road I need to be on. Amazingly enough, that does happen a lot. The only time it becomes an issue is when I have a specific time I have to be somewhere, like a softball game.
On my way to the first game, I was on the highway for awhile when I realized I should have been going west, but I was going east. I needed to turn around. It seemed as though I had driven for miles without seeing an exit. I then saw a turn-around on the highway with a sign that said, “Authorized Personnel Only.” It looked like my only chance for miles to turn around, so I made a u-turn.
I had my two girls in the car with me. They were 4 and 7 at the time. My seven year old could read the sign. She asked me if I was “authorized.” What was I going to say? So, of course, I lied. I told her that all moms are “authorized personnel.” Well, she decided to call me on it. She said that she believed that only policemen were considered “authorized.”
My four year old had just learned in pre-school about confessing your sins and that you need to do that not only to God, but to someone who has authority over you like your parents, or…a policeman.
She started yelling at me and telling me that I was not authorized and I broke the law and she needed to tell someone for me. It was her duty for my sake. I thought for sure that if we didn’t discuss it any longer she would forget about it and maybe we could discuss it later.
Many of the women on the softball team had kids. All the older kids would watch the younger ones and they had a blast hanging out with each other while their moms played softball. Just as I was up to bat, I looked over to see where the girls were and my four year old was talking to the security guard. I took my turn batting and popped out to centerfield.
As I was walking off of the field, the security guard called my name and motioned for me to come over to him. He explained to me that my daughter told him about my indiscretion and he scolded me for setting a bad example for my children. I promised him, and my daughters, that I would never make an illegal u-turn again.
Fortunately, God encourages u-turns. I need that opportunity, sometimes daily, to turn back to Him when I am being willfully disobedient. Most of the time it is my attitude that causes me to act more like me and less like Him. God tells us in Isaiah 45:22, “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other.”
Sometimes it is really difficult to know when you have taken a u-turn in the wrong direction. God will put people in our lives that can help us get back on the right path. Sometimes it is our job to gently let our friends and loved ones know they have strayed from the path. James encourages us in James 5:19-20, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”
It’s okay to make u-turns in life, as long as the arrow points back to God!
On my way to the first game, I was on the highway for awhile when I realized I should have been going west, but I was going east. I needed to turn around. It seemed as though I had driven for miles without seeing an exit. I then saw a turn-around on the highway with a sign that said, “Authorized Personnel Only.” It looked like my only chance for miles to turn around, so I made a u-turn.
I had my two girls in the car with me. They were 4 and 7 at the time. My seven year old could read the sign. She asked me if I was “authorized.” What was I going to say? So, of course, I lied. I told her that all moms are “authorized personnel.” Well, she decided to call me on it. She said that she believed that only policemen were considered “authorized.”
My four year old had just learned in pre-school about confessing your sins and that you need to do that not only to God, but to someone who has authority over you like your parents, or…a policeman.
She started yelling at me and telling me that I was not authorized and I broke the law and she needed to tell someone for me. It was her duty for my sake. I thought for sure that if we didn’t discuss it any longer she would forget about it and maybe we could discuss it later.
Many of the women on the softball team had kids. All the older kids would watch the younger ones and they had a blast hanging out with each other while their moms played softball. Just as I was up to bat, I looked over to see where the girls were and my four year old was talking to the security guard. I took my turn batting and popped out to centerfield.
As I was walking off of the field, the security guard called my name and motioned for me to come over to him. He explained to me that my daughter told him about my indiscretion and he scolded me for setting a bad example for my children. I promised him, and my daughters, that I would never make an illegal u-turn again.
Fortunately, God encourages u-turns. I need that opportunity, sometimes daily, to turn back to Him when I am being willfully disobedient. Most of the time it is my attitude that causes me to act more like me and less like Him. God tells us in Isaiah 45:22, “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other.”
Sometimes it is really difficult to know when you have taken a u-turn in the wrong direction. God will put people in our lives that can help us get back on the right path. Sometimes it is our job to gently let our friends and loved ones know they have strayed from the path. James encourages us in James 5:19-20, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”
It’s okay to make u-turns in life, as long as the arrow points back to God!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Are You Under the Influence?
When my oldest daughter was a baby we lived in Evansville, IN where my husband was transferred for his job. He worked all day and took classes three nights a week to finish his degree. I had about thirty minutes on those nights to give my husband dinner and have an adult conversation.
My daughter was never much of a fan of naps so I had to be pretty creative in entertaining her all day. She also was not much of a fan of the grocery store so I usually went late at night when my husband got home from class between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m.
One late night I had to go to the grocery store, I grabbed a Diet Pepsi to give me a little energy. I had one of those plastic cup holders people used to hang from the window in their cars and I dropped the Diet Pepsi in it. After I was about a mile from home I popped the top on the soda and it blew up all over me and my car.
Shortly after that, I heard sirens and saw flashing red lights behind me. I was wondering who the officer was after and then I realized it was me! I pulled my car over and started to get out. Apparently, that was not a good idea. The officer told me to stay in my car for now and wanted my license and registration. I asked him why he pulled me over. After he checked to see if I had any outstanding warrants, he told me to get out of the car and he asked me if I was “under the influence.” I asked him WHAT influence that might be. Then I realized I was swerving trying to wipe ice cold soda off of me and he thought I was drunk!
In one long breath, I tried to explain to him that my husband worked all day, had classes at night and we had a baby and I could only go to the grocery store late at night and I was tired so I got a Diet Pepsi and it blew up in my face and I was trying to wipe it off and I may have swerved and that was why he thought I might be drunk.
The officer decided that no one could make that stuff up and he let me go with a warning, “Don’t drink and drive!”
There are many influences in our lives that can affect the way we think and our actions. Sometimes it is difficult to weed out the worldly influences and listen only to God’s influence. God promises us in Ephesians 6:11, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil.”
Scripture is the best weapon to use against any negative influence. It is easier to succumb to the negative influences, because the World offers so many, than it is to embrace the positive influences given to us from God.
We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”
That’s an influence I can be proud of!
When my oldest daughter was a baby we lived in Evansville, IN where my husband was transferred for his job. He worked all day and took classes three nights a week to finish his degree. I had about thirty minutes on those nights to give my husband dinner and have an adult conversation.
My daughter was never much of a fan of naps so I had to be pretty creative in entertaining her all day. She also was not much of a fan of the grocery store so I usually went late at night when my husband got home from class between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m.
One late night I had to go to the grocery store, I grabbed a Diet Pepsi to give me a little energy. I had one of those plastic cup holders people used to hang from the window in their cars and I dropped the Diet Pepsi in it. After I was about a mile from home I popped the top on the soda and it blew up all over me and my car.
Shortly after that, I heard sirens and saw flashing red lights behind me. I was wondering who the officer was after and then I realized it was me! I pulled my car over and started to get out. Apparently, that was not a good idea. The officer told me to stay in my car for now and wanted my license and registration. I asked him why he pulled me over. After he checked to see if I had any outstanding warrants, he told me to get out of the car and he asked me if I was “under the influence.” I asked him WHAT influence that might be. Then I realized I was swerving trying to wipe ice cold soda off of me and he thought I was drunk!
In one long breath, I tried to explain to him that my husband worked all day, had classes at night and we had a baby and I could only go to the grocery store late at night and I was tired so I got a Diet Pepsi and it blew up in my face and I was trying to wipe it off and I may have swerved and that was why he thought I might be drunk.
The officer decided that no one could make that stuff up and he let me go with a warning, “Don’t drink and drive!”
There are many influences in our lives that can affect the way we think and our actions. Sometimes it is difficult to weed out the worldly influences and listen only to God’s influence. God promises us in Ephesians 6:11, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil.”
Scripture is the best weapon to use against any negative influence. It is easier to succumb to the negative influences, because the World offers so many, than it is to embrace the positive influences given to us from God.
We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”
That’s an influence I can be proud of!
It is amazing how well baked-goods would go at the coffeehouse after people would ask, “Is that made from scratch?” and the answer was “yes.” Most of my recipes came from my mother-in-law, her sister-in-law and my Granny.
When I was in kindergarten through second grade, I lived with my Granny and she made my clothes “from scratch.” Unfortunately, she would use whatever material she had laying around the house and sometimes my underwear was made out of flour sacks. I’m not sure if you have ever felt the fabric of flour sacks, but it is very scratchy.
I had to take a school bus to school each day and there were two little boys that were cousins on the bus. Each day they would try to pull the curl out of those banana curls. They would make fun of me mercilessly until I socked one of them in the nose one day. They stopped making fun of me.
First grade came along and we had school all day. That was hard because I liked hanging out with my Granny in the afternoons. She always let me help her roll out the dough for the pies she made daily from scratch and pick the stems off of the green beans she grew in the backyard. But, first grade was interesting.
About a month after school started, a new girl came into our class. By then, everyone had established friendships and had their cliques started. I never was a fan of cliques, even back then. This little girl always wore a headband with a big flower on it and ruffled dresses. I always had dresses on, but sometimes they had a picture of a flower on them advertising baking flour.
I already had quite a few friends in class because of kindergarten and riding the bus with the same kids for the second year. The new girl didn’t ride the bus, her mother dropped her off each day.
I introduced myself to the new girl and showed her where to put her lunch box and coat. I made a point to have her sit with me and my friends at lunch time so she did not have to eat alone. The other girls made fun of her huge headband and ruffled dress. That really made me mad because I remembered what it was like to be made fun of so I let my old friends know that this was my new friend and it was not very nice to make fun of people.
This went along for several weeks until the other girls accepted the new girl and invited her to join them at lunch and at recess. Before I knew it, the new girl was quite popular and started making fun of my “made from scratch” dresses.
I told my Granny about the situation and what had been going on and she told me that my dresses were made from scratch with her two very own hands and with much love. The new girl didn’t even know who made her dresses. Somehow, that made me feel better.
Granny also reminded me that I was “made from scratch” with God’s two very own hands.
David fully understood this concept when he wrote, “You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” Psalm 139:13-16
How special is it to know that you were made very uniquely? Don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowds because you have the same beliefs as David. I’m proud to be “made from scratch!”
When I was in kindergarten through second grade, I lived with my Granny and she made my clothes “from scratch.” Unfortunately, she would use whatever material she had laying around the house and sometimes my underwear was made out of flour sacks. I’m not sure if you have ever felt the fabric of flour sacks, but it is very scratchy.
I had to take a school bus to school each day and there were two little boys that were cousins on the bus. Each day they would try to pull the curl out of those banana curls. They would make fun of me mercilessly until I socked one of them in the nose one day. They stopped making fun of me.
First grade came along and we had school all day. That was hard because I liked hanging out with my Granny in the afternoons. She always let me help her roll out the dough for the pies she made daily from scratch and pick the stems off of the green beans she grew in the backyard. But, first grade was interesting.
About a month after school started, a new girl came into our class. By then, everyone had established friendships and had their cliques started. I never was a fan of cliques, even back then. This little girl always wore a headband with a big flower on it and ruffled dresses. I always had dresses on, but sometimes they had a picture of a flower on them advertising baking flour.
I already had quite a few friends in class because of kindergarten and riding the bus with the same kids for the second year. The new girl didn’t ride the bus, her mother dropped her off each day.
I introduced myself to the new girl and showed her where to put her lunch box and coat. I made a point to have her sit with me and my friends at lunch time so she did not have to eat alone. The other girls made fun of her huge headband and ruffled dress. That really made me mad because I remembered what it was like to be made fun of so I let my old friends know that this was my new friend and it was not very nice to make fun of people.
This went along for several weeks until the other girls accepted the new girl and invited her to join them at lunch and at recess. Before I knew it, the new girl was quite popular and started making fun of my “made from scratch” dresses.
I told my Granny about the situation and what had been going on and she told me that my dresses were made from scratch with her two very own hands and with much love. The new girl didn’t even know who made her dresses. Somehow, that made me feel better.
Granny also reminded me that I was “made from scratch” with God’s two very own hands.
David fully understood this concept when he wrote, “You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” Psalm 139:13-16
How special is it to know that you were made very uniquely? Don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowds because you have the same beliefs as David. I’m proud to be “made from scratch!”
Stuff!
George Carlin did one of his stand-up comedy skits on “stuff.” It was hilarious!
He talks about how everyone has their own “little pile of stuff” and how people always have to have it safe. So, “when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn’t want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff, ‘cause they always take the good stuff! They don’t bother with that crap you’re saving. Ain’t nobody interested in your fourth-grade arithmetic papers, National Geographics, commemorative plates, your prize collection of Navajo underwear; they’re not interested. They just want the good stuff; the shiny stuff; the electronic stuff. So when you get right down to it, your house is nothing more than a place to keep your stuff…while you go out and get…more stuff.”
I remember when we moved from Troy to St. Jacob. We were moving from a house that had 3500 square feet to a house that had 1125 square feet. The barn is 1175 square feet. We had to sell a bunch of our “stuff” before we could move into the new house because there was no way it would fit.
When we lived in the old house, I bought a huge oak dining room set from my sister in law when she got divorced because she wanted to see it stay in the family. She vowed to buy it back whenever and if she ever got remarried. She got remarried and bought herself a brand new cherry dining room set. The oak dining room set was “old stuff.” Our new house had no dining room so we had to sell it, but it went to a young couple just weeks away from getting married. So I was happy that some of my “stuff” was going to a good home.
It’s amazing how men and women look at their stuff quite differently. I left a kitchen that was huge and had a big island all the teenagers hung out at to move to a home that the kitchen was the size of a pantry. In fact, it is now a pantry. I had to get rid of a lot of kitchen stuff to fit into the new place. My husband got a barn and a garage for his stuff. The day we moved in, he kept telling those that helped us move where to put HIS stuff then would turn to me and ask where I wanted my JUNK to go. His stuff was stuff … my stuff was junk! Interesting!
Some of my stuff got put into the rafters of the barn and I haven’t seen it in 8 years. It was really important stuff, too! But, for the life of me, I can’t tell you what the stuff is.
One year for Easter, when all the grandkids were young, I set up an art area in my kitchen for all the kids to sponge paint tee shirts. My sister-in-laws were appalled! They couldn’t believe I would let these kids use paint in my house. The kitchen floor was linoleum and the paints were water based paints so it really wasn’t a big deal. It’s just “stuff.” Stuff that can be cleaned or replaced. The kids had such a great time and I still have several of those tee shirts with their names and the date on them. I have always wanted people to feel comfortable in and around my stuff.
I have heard people wonder out loud what stuff they would grab on their way out of a burning house. Of course there are things that can not be replaced easily like family photos or the family Bible, but it all is just stuff in God’s eyes.
Jesus puts it very simply, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure upon earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Now that’s GOOD STUFF!
He talks about how everyone has their own “little pile of stuff” and how people always have to have it safe. So, “when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn’t want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff, ‘cause they always take the good stuff! They don’t bother with that crap you’re saving. Ain’t nobody interested in your fourth-grade arithmetic papers, National Geographics, commemorative plates, your prize collection of Navajo underwear; they’re not interested. They just want the good stuff; the shiny stuff; the electronic stuff. So when you get right down to it, your house is nothing more than a place to keep your stuff…while you go out and get…more stuff.”
I remember when we moved from Troy to St. Jacob. We were moving from a house that had 3500 square feet to a house that had 1125 square feet. The barn is 1175 square feet. We had to sell a bunch of our “stuff” before we could move into the new house because there was no way it would fit.
When we lived in the old house, I bought a huge oak dining room set from my sister in law when she got divorced because she wanted to see it stay in the family. She vowed to buy it back whenever and if she ever got remarried. She got remarried and bought herself a brand new cherry dining room set. The oak dining room set was “old stuff.” Our new house had no dining room so we had to sell it, but it went to a young couple just weeks away from getting married. So I was happy that some of my “stuff” was going to a good home.
It’s amazing how men and women look at their stuff quite differently. I left a kitchen that was huge and had a big island all the teenagers hung out at to move to a home that the kitchen was the size of a pantry. In fact, it is now a pantry. I had to get rid of a lot of kitchen stuff to fit into the new place. My husband got a barn and a garage for his stuff. The day we moved in, he kept telling those that helped us move where to put HIS stuff then would turn to me and ask where I wanted my JUNK to go. His stuff was stuff … my stuff was junk! Interesting!
Some of my stuff got put into the rafters of the barn and I haven’t seen it in 8 years. It was really important stuff, too! But, for the life of me, I can’t tell you what the stuff is.
One year for Easter, when all the grandkids were young, I set up an art area in my kitchen for all the kids to sponge paint tee shirts. My sister-in-laws were appalled! They couldn’t believe I would let these kids use paint in my house. The kitchen floor was linoleum and the paints were water based paints so it really wasn’t a big deal. It’s just “stuff.” Stuff that can be cleaned or replaced. The kids had such a great time and I still have several of those tee shirts with their names and the date on them. I have always wanted people to feel comfortable in and around my stuff.
I have heard people wonder out loud what stuff they would grab on their way out of a burning house. Of course there are things that can not be replaced easily like family photos or the family Bible, but it all is just stuff in God’s eyes.
Jesus puts it very simply, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure upon earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Now that’s GOOD STUFF!
Weeds!
When our girls were younger, we took “driving” vacations across the country. For about 5 years we packed for every weather condition, got to the end of our street, opened up an atlas and we took turns each year throwing something at the atlas and that was where we went for vacation. One year we went to Canada because our youngest daughter threw her chewed gum at the atlas and that’s where it landed.
I finally got tired of driving around until two in the morning looking for a hotel room and started planning our vacations and making reservations-like normal people.
We had one of those big, gas-guzzling vans that had a sofa that made into a bed, a VCR so we could watch movies and a built-in cooler for water and juice. Because my husband drove a lot for his job, I usually did the majority of the driving. The television, unfortunately, was right behind the driver’s head. That really stunk because Jerry and the girls watched every Three Stooges ever filmed, National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” and “Animal House.” Can you tell who chose the movies?
The girls especially loved the Three Stooges. They knew all the dialog to each and every one of the tapes we had. I wasn’t a fan of their violent behavior, but they were pretty funny.
There was one skit that the girls and my husband especially liked and still performs. Moe, Curly and Larry are in the kitchen wrestling with an artichoke without much success. Curly is ready to give up on the whole idea when Moe asks him what he ate as a child and Curly said, “Weeds!” For some reason, this skit would make our girls crack up laughing every time.
I was thinking about that skit as I was cutting our grass last week. We are surrounded by farmland and all the farmers are preparing the land for crops. The farmer to the south of us has the most beautiful crop of purple flowers you would ever want to see. I thought he planted these flowers on purpose. Then I found out that these beautiful purple flowers are weeds and the farmers fight quite hard to eliminate them.
Wikipedia.com says that “A weed, in a general sense, is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-made settings such as gardens, lawns or agricultural areas. Generally, a weed is a plant in an undesired place.”
I have about two hours on the mower so I have a lot of time to think. Some would say, maybe too much! As I looked at those beautiful plants that the farmers were working so hard to get rid of, it occurred to me that those weeds were a lot like sin. Sin is definitely “unwanted” and ends up in “an undesired place”-our lives.
It reminds me that sin is sometimes disguised as something that is pretty and good for us. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a weed and a good plant. Take for example, Dandelions. They are classified as a weed and yet people make wine out of them and children make wishes on their seeds blowing in the wind. Who would think that is bad? How often do you think sin is disguised as something perfectly acceptable and harmless?
There are a lot of buzz words out there these days such as “tolerance” and “choice.” I suppose it depends on what you are “choosing” to be “tolerant” of. Scripture makes it pretty clear what God will and will not choose to tolerate. He does not try to “pretty it up” and disguise it as something it is not.
Once a sin becomes an acceptable behavior, it spreads like a weed. It begins to blur the line. If everyone else thinks it’s okay, it must be okay.
The best place to look and see if something is okay or not, is the Bible. Paul tells us in Romans 14:23, “…whatever is not from faith is sin.”
I suppose you could look at the Bible as a great WEEDeater!
I finally got tired of driving around until two in the morning looking for a hotel room and started planning our vacations and making reservations-like normal people.
We had one of those big, gas-guzzling vans that had a sofa that made into a bed, a VCR so we could watch movies and a built-in cooler for water and juice. Because my husband drove a lot for his job, I usually did the majority of the driving. The television, unfortunately, was right behind the driver’s head. That really stunk because Jerry and the girls watched every Three Stooges ever filmed, National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” and “Animal House.” Can you tell who chose the movies?
The girls especially loved the Three Stooges. They knew all the dialog to each and every one of the tapes we had. I wasn’t a fan of their violent behavior, but they were pretty funny.
There was one skit that the girls and my husband especially liked and still performs. Moe, Curly and Larry are in the kitchen wrestling with an artichoke without much success. Curly is ready to give up on the whole idea when Moe asks him what he ate as a child and Curly said, “Weeds!” For some reason, this skit would make our girls crack up laughing every time.
I was thinking about that skit as I was cutting our grass last week. We are surrounded by farmland and all the farmers are preparing the land for crops. The farmer to the south of us has the most beautiful crop of purple flowers you would ever want to see. I thought he planted these flowers on purpose. Then I found out that these beautiful purple flowers are weeds and the farmers fight quite hard to eliminate them.
Wikipedia.com says that “A weed, in a general sense, is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-made settings such as gardens, lawns or agricultural areas. Generally, a weed is a plant in an undesired place.”
I have about two hours on the mower so I have a lot of time to think. Some would say, maybe too much! As I looked at those beautiful plants that the farmers were working so hard to get rid of, it occurred to me that those weeds were a lot like sin. Sin is definitely “unwanted” and ends up in “an undesired place”-our lives.
It reminds me that sin is sometimes disguised as something that is pretty and good for us. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a weed and a good plant. Take for example, Dandelions. They are classified as a weed and yet people make wine out of them and children make wishes on their seeds blowing in the wind. Who would think that is bad? How often do you think sin is disguised as something perfectly acceptable and harmless?
There are a lot of buzz words out there these days such as “tolerance” and “choice.” I suppose it depends on what you are “choosing” to be “tolerant” of. Scripture makes it pretty clear what God will and will not choose to tolerate. He does not try to “pretty it up” and disguise it as something it is not.
Once a sin becomes an acceptable behavior, it spreads like a weed. It begins to blur the line. If everyone else thinks it’s okay, it must be okay.
The best place to look and see if something is okay or not, is the Bible. Paul tells us in Romans 14:23, “…whatever is not from faith is sin.”
I suppose you could look at the Bible as a great WEEDeater!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
HE Is Risen!
When my daughters were in pre-school and grade school we got stuck with several homeless guinea pigs, hamsters, frogs and turtles. Every time someone brought some cute animal into the pre-school or grade school, the teachers didn’t have the heart to tell them “no”, but these animals needed to go somewhere else for the holidays and during the summer months when school was out.
One year the pre-school was given a guinea pig on a Friday and by Monday morning there were two of them! That took some special explaining to the pre-schoolers.
So, once the baby was weaned from his mother we took him home to live in an aquarium in my daughter’s room. We got the standard promise of “I’ll take care of him. You won’t have to do a thing.” Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that one!
“Cuddles” lived with us in my daughter’s room for about 3 years. She kept leaving a light and a fan on for him when she would leave for school and that made my husband see kilowatt hours going round and round in his head. In order to keep peace, one day I turned off the fan and the light and left the guinea pig in his aquarium. What I didn’t realize was that my husband had turned off the air conditioner and opened all the windows in the house except my daughter’s bedroom. Needless to say, Cuddles didn’t make it.
I felt absolutely horrible. I blamed myself and had to explain to the girls what happened.
We had to make a coffin for him out of a shoe box with a silk pillow and blanket. Both of my daughters had a little something they wanted to say at the service and they sprinkled in some scripture liberally taken out of context. It was a lovely service and several of the neighborhood kids were there to pay their respects. We buried Cuddles under the Weeping Willow tree half way between the tree and our pool. The girls thought that was very appropriate. They could still be close to him when they were swimming.
We never really knew why our willow tree grew so quickly until one of our neighbors told us that they thrive on lots of water. We backwashed the pool every couple of days and let out gallons of water that went toward the tree so it never lacked water.
One summer day the girls and several neighborhood kids came running into the house yelling something. All I heard was, “He has risen just like Lazarus and Jesus!” I asked them who had risen and their unanimous response was, “Cuddles!”
I went outside to see what had the girls so upset and there was Cuddles’ casket, or what was left of it, floating on top of the ground where a puddle of water had formed from the pool to the willow tree. My youngest daughter kept yelling, “See, he is risen just like Jesus!”
We had to take the children into the house and do some explaining. As much as my heart broke for my daughters because they thought they had another chance with Cuddles, I was so excited that they paid attention to the Biblical stories they were taught in school. They understood and accepted Jesus rising from the dead.
Well, needless to say, we had to have another funeral and several more talks on the difference between Cuddles and Jesus. Oh, to have that child-like faith!
Jesus recognized how complete and unwavering the faith of a child is. Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
Jesus is a Man of His Word. He promised He would rise from His grave to live again-and He did! When the women went to Jesus’ grave they were greeted by an angel that said, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” Matthew 28:6
He IS risen…He is risen INDEED!
One year the pre-school was given a guinea pig on a Friday and by Monday morning there were two of them! That took some special explaining to the pre-schoolers.
So, once the baby was weaned from his mother we took him home to live in an aquarium in my daughter’s room. We got the standard promise of “I’ll take care of him. You won’t have to do a thing.” Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that one!
“Cuddles” lived with us in my daughter’s room for about 3 years. She kept leaving a light and a fan on for him when she would leave for school and that made my husband see kilowatt hours going round and round in his head. In order to keep peace, one day I turned off the fan and the light and left the guinea pig in his aquarium. What I didn’t realize was that my husband had turned off the air conditioner and opened all the windows in the house except my daughter’s bedroom. Needless to say, Cuddles didn’t make it.
I felt absolutely horrible. I blamed myself and had to explain to the girls what happened.
We had to make a coffin for him out of a shoe box with a silk pillow and blanket. Both of my daughters had a little something they wanted to say at the service and they sprinkled in some scripture liberally taken out of context. It was a lovely service and several of the neighborhood kids were there to pay their respects. We buried Cuddles under the Weeping Willow tree half way between the tree and our pool. The girls thought that was very appropriate. They could still be close to him when they were swimming.
We never really knew why our willow tree grew so quickly until one of our neighbors told us that they thrive on lots of water. We backwashed the pool every couple of days and let out gallons of water that went toward the tree so it never lacked water.
One summer day the girls and several neighborhood kids came running into the house yelling something. All I heard was, “He has risen just like Lazarus and Jesus!” I asked them who had risen and their unanimous response was, “Cuddles!”
I went outside to see what had the girls so upset and there was Cuddles’ casket, or what was left of it, floating on top of the ground where a puddle of water had formed from the pool to the willow tree. My youngest daughter kept yelling, “See, he is risen just like Jesus!”
We had to take the children into the house and do some explaining. As much as my heart broke for my daughters because they thought they had another chance with Cuddles, I was so excited that they paid attention to the Biblical stories they were taught in school. They understood and accepted Jesus rising from the dead.
Well, needless to say, we had to have another funeral and several more talks on the difference between Cuddles and Jesus. Oh, to have that child-like faith!
Jesus recognized how complete and unwavering the faith of a child is. Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
Jesus is a Man of His Word. He promised He would rise from His grave to live again-and He did! When the women went to Jesus’ grave they were greeted by an angel that said, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” Matthew 28:6
He IS risen…He is risen INDEED!
MEN-O-Pause........................
MEN-O-Pause…
Last week I talked my husband and another couple into going to see “Menopause-The Musical.” My husband was a really good sport. There were two words in that title he never thought he would find entertaining-“menopause” and “musical.”
There were four women in this play that sang and danced for an hour and a half without any intermissions. They all looked too young to know what they were singing about, but the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s styled songs were very accurate.
There were more women than men at the play, but you saw every head nodding at one time or another in agreement with one of the poignant songs.
One actress sang a sultry “We’re Having a Heat Wave, A Tropical Heat Wave”, then another sang the old Bee Gee’s favorite “Night Sweats”, I mean “Night Fever!”
As the cast discussed how tired they were because of this particular season of their life, they went into full chorus with “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’.”
As the play went on to explore the many personalities of women in menopause, the actors sang, “The Great Pretender.” Then, discussing the various pills they consumed to dig themselves out of depression, they sang “A New Attitude.”
There were a couple of women sitting behind us making observations about how men should be more understanding and, somehow, are responsible for this female malady. They also were contemplating how many words have “men” in them such as “menopause, mental illness, menstrual cramps, menacing and meningitis. They further observed that it appears that all problems begin with “men!” I’m sure there are many men who believe all problems of this world begin with women.
Take, for example, the story of Adam and Eve. They were given a beautiful, lush environment to live in with everything they needed. Within all this beauty, they had only one rule-do not eat from the
“tree of knowledge.” Genesis 2:9, 16-17.
Eve, obviously, was not a fan of rules much because she was told by a snake that it would be okay to eat from that tree even though her Creator told her not to. Eve made a conscious decision to be disobedient to God and justified it by believing God really didn’t mean what He said. That concept created a whole other world of future problems for men and women.
And, when confronted by God, what did Adam do? He did the most logical thing-he blamed the woman! When God confronted the woman, she blamed the slimy snake. Neither of them wanted to accept responsibility for their own actions.
Can you imagine how bad Eve felt after she figured out how bad this decision was? God had provided everything she needed in her life. She didn’t have to do anything but enjoy it. She realized she was naked and tried to hide from God, but He is the Creator, He knows everything about everything. This probably was the beginning of women having negative body image issues.
I’m not sure why God gave us that “free will” stuff because it usually gets me into trouble. Unfortunately, I know myself well enough to know that I would have done the same thing Eve did. I know that I can justify to myself that God isn’t paying attention or that He really didn’t mean what He said in scripture, He was only making suggestions.
Part of my daily devotions is that God will just take over for me. I know that I can be my own worst enemy. He knows that, too, and loves me in spite of myself! That gives me the faith I need to live my life.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
David advises us, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men.” Psalm 118:8
Now THAT will make you take PAUSE!
Last week I talked my husband and another couple into going to see “Menopause-The Musical.” My husband was a really good sport. There were two words in that title he never thought he would find entertaining-“menopause” and “musical.”
There were four women in this play that sang and danced for an hour and a half without any intermissions. They all looked too young to know what they were singing about, but the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s styled songs were very accurate.
There were more women than men at the play, but you saw every head nodding at one time or another in agreement with one of the poignant songs.
One actress sang a sultry “We’re Having a Heat Wave, A Tropical Heat Wave”, then another sang the old Bee Gee’s favorite “Night Sweats”, I mean “Night Fever!”
As the cast discussed how tired they were because of this particular season of their life, they went into full chorus with “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’.”
As the play went on to explore the many personalities of women in menopause, the actors sang, “The Great Pretender.” Then, discussing the various pills they consumed to dig themselves out of depression, they sang “A New Attitude.”
There were a couple of women sitting behind us making observations about how men should be more understanding and, somehow, are responsible for this female malady. They also were contemplating how many words have “men” in them such as “menopause, mental illness, menstrual cramps, menacing and meningitis. They further observed that it appears that all problems begin with “men!” I’m sure there are many men who believe all problems of this world begin with women.
Take, for example, the story of Adam and Eve. They were given a beautiful, lush environment to live in with everything they needed. Within all this beauty, they had only one rule-do not eat from the
“tree of knowledge.” Genesis 2:9, 16-17.
Eve, obviously, was not a fan of rules much because she was told by a snake that it would be okay to eat from that tree even though her Creator told her not to. Eve made a conscious decision to be disobedient to God and justified it by believing God really didn’t mean what He said. That concept created a whole other world of future problems for men and women.
And, when confronted by God, what did Adam do? He did the most logical thing-he blamed the woman! When God confronted the woman, she blamed the slimy snake. Neither of them wanted to accept responsibility for their own actions.
Can you imagine how bad Eve felt after she figured out how bad this decision was? God had provided everything she needed in her life. She didn’t have to do anything but enjoy it. She realized she was naked and tried to hide from God, but He is the Creator, He knows everything about everything. This probably was the beginning of women having negative body image issues.
I’m not sure why God gave us that “free will” stuff because it usually gets me into trouble. Unfortunately, I know myself well enough to know that I would have done the same thing Eve did. I know that I can justify to myself that God isn’t paying attention or that He really didn’t mean what He said in scripture, He was only making suggestions.
Part of my daily devotions is that God will just take over for me. I know that I can be my own worst enemy. He knows that, too, and loves me in spite of myself! That gives me the faith I need to live my life.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
David advises us, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men.” Psalm 118:8
Now THAT will make you take PAUSE!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Are You A Blooper?
There are those who would say I am a walking blooper! My staff at the coffeehouse caught many a faux pas on the chalkboard as well as in the weekly newsletters.
My most memorable blooper had to be on one of the newsletters I sent out to over 500 people announcing the graduation and musical recital for one of my employees. I learned the very valuable lesson concerning trust in spell check and the importance of one little letter. I left out the “i” in the word recital as I invited our customers to join us that evening. So, it read, “Please join us at Johnny’s (not his real name, but he knows who he is-and so do 500 people!) senior rectal.” I got many responses, including a response from that young man. It was nice to know people actually read the newsletter!
One day, a few of the local police officers were leaving the coffeehouse and cheerfully I said to them, “Be careful and go service our community!” My staff let me know there may be a different way to take that comment.
Some of my favorite bloopers are in church bulletins. You know that the intent of the meaning is always pure, but sometimes things get a little twisted.
For example, a church in Indiana posted this in their bulletin: “The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.” I bet the pastor had a lot of responses to that one!
In an effort to make younger couples feel more comfortable attending services, one church posted this in their bulletin: “For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.”
I’m sure that the pastor of this church felt greatly appreciated after this bulletin announcement: “During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.”
This bulletin item will give you the confidence you need to bring a covered dish for the church potluck: “Potluck supper; prayer and medication to follow.”
If you are looking for a little compassion and sympathy, you may re-think trying this church after reading their bulletin: “Don’t let worry kill you off-let the church help!”
Now, this is a friendly church: “Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.”
On a church bulletin in Minnesota: “GOD IS GOOD, Dr. Hargreaves is better!”
This bulletin announcement will make you show up on time to church: “Ushers will eat latecomers.”
If confidence is an issue for you, this church bulletin may not be helpful: “The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.”
This church gives us something to add to our prayer list: “Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.”
The author of this comment in a bulletin could be the folks that sit in the pew behind me: “Hymn 47: Hark! An Awful Voice Is Sounding.”
Bloopers, or blunders, are what can happen when human beings are in charge. Over the years, we have seen many people in the media make bloopers. A blooper is a mistake that someone makes unintentionally. The Bible was divinely inspired so you don’t have to worry about any “bloopers”.
David tells us in Psalm 12: 6, “The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.”
Lent is a great time to re-familiarize yourself with God’s Word. If you spent 5 minutes a day reading your Bible, you would be amazed how differently you will look at your world.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
No, no bloopers there!
My most memorable blooper had to be on one of the newsletters I sent out to over 500 people announcing the graduation and musical recital for one of my employees. I learned the very valuable lesson concerning trust in spell check and the importance of one little letter. I left out the “i” in the word recital as I invited our customers to join us that evening. So, it read, “Please join us at Johnny’s (not his real name, but he knows who he is-and so do 500 people!) senior rectal.” I got many responses, including a response from that young man. It was nice to know people actually read the newsletter!
One day, a few of the local police officers were leaving the coffeehouse and cheerfully I said to them, “Be careful and go service our community!” My staff let me know there may be a different way to take that comment.
Some of my favorite bloopers are in church bulletins. You know that the intent of the meaning is always pure, but sometimes things get a little twisted.
For example, a church in Indiana posted this in their bulletin: “The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.” I bet the pastor had a lot of responses to that one!
In an effort to make younger couples feel more comfortable attending services, one church posted this in their bulletin: “For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.”
I’m sure that the pastor of this church felt greatly appreciated after this bulletin announcement: “During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.”
This bulletin item will give you the confidence you need to bring a covered dish for the church potluck: “Potluck supper; prayer and medication to follow.”
If you are looking for a little compassion and sympathy, you may re-think trying this church after reading their bulletin: “Don’t let worry kill you off-let the church help!”
Now, this is a friendly church: “Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.”
On a church bulletin in Minnesota: “GOD IS GOOD, Dr. Hargreaves is better!”
This bulletin announcement will make you show up on time to church: “Ushers will eat latecomers.”
If confidence is an issue for you, this church bulletin may not be helpful: “The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.”
This church gives us something to add to our prayer list: “Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.”
The author of this comment in a bulletin could be the folks that sit in the pew behind me: “Hymn 47: Hark! An Awful Voice Is Sounding.”
Bloopers, or blunders, are what can happen when human beings are in charge. Over the years, we have seen many people in the media make bloopers. A blooper is a mistake that someone makes unintentionally. The Bible was divinely inspired so you don’t have to worry about any “bloopers”.
David tells us in Psalm 12: 6, “The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.”
Lent is a great time to re-familiarize yourself with God’s Word. If you spent 5 minutes a day reading your Bible, you would be amazed how differently you will look at your world.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
No, no bloopers there!
The Hokey Pokey…Is That Really What It’s All About?
Okay, can you tell I have been spending a lot of time with a 7-month old baby? I must sing the “Hokey Pokey” song about 20 times a day. The sad thing is, I can barely remember the words to the other nursery rhymes so I usually make up words. My granddaughter doesn’t know any different.
Some of the nursery rhymes, like “Rock A Bye Baby”, has depressing words in it. “When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby cradle and all.” Really? That’s a pretty scary image.
Then, of course, there is poor little Jack and pitiful little Jill. Someone sent them up a “hill to fetch a pail of water.” Why would anyone send two small children to “fetch” water? Then, the horrific fall where Jack “broke his crown” (whatever that is) and then silly Jill “came tumbling after” him. More “falling.”
My granddaughter has a piano that plays several nursery songs and one of them is “London Bridge” which is apparently in disarray because it is…”falling down.” Again, with the “falling” thing!
I went to www.rhymes.org to look up words to some of the old rhymes I could not remember and it is quite interesting. This website gives you not only the words, but the story behind each rhyme. It appears that most of our childhood nursery rhymes were based on tragedies mostly in England during the 15th and 16th centuries.
We all grew up with these stories and told them to our children without really thinking about the words or the origins of these well known rhymes. There certainly was no harm done and we should read and sing with our children and grandchildren. But, one day, for some reason, I got to thinking about the end of the “Hokey Pokey” song…”that’s what it’s all about!”
Then, one Sunday afternoon, my husband and I were out driving around looking at houses and neighborhoods in hopes of finding something that would be less work than our 10 acres, and we saw a new subdivision for the “50 and over” group of people. Well, that is us!
They had two open models to take a look at so we did. They were beautiful homes with every modern convenience anyone would ever want. These homes were on little postage stamp sized lots so you could throw a rock into your neighbor’s living room window (not that I would ever do that!), but the association took care of all the grass cutting and weed eating. Now you have my husband’s attention!
When we left, the nice lady gave us a brochure and it said, “Put more life into your living. That’s what it’s all about!” All these years, I thought the “Hokey Pokey” was what it was all about! How wrong could I be?
It did, however, get me to thinking about what life is all about. It would certainly make life easier for us if someone else did all the outside yard work and maintenance, but they had a lot of rules. I’m not much of a fan of too many rules. One of the rules for the community was that they would not let you put a swingset in your yard for your grandchildren because it would not fit in with the landscape or atmosphere for a “senior community.” Right now, a swingset and the joy of my grandchild and future grandchildren are very much in my atmosphere.
It is very important in this season of my life to spend every moment I can with my husband, children and grandchildren. This is my calling…for this season. As we all know, seasons change.
God has blessed me with so much love in my life that my heart is full and that makes me want to share this knowledge. You can, too! We are given this concept by God in I John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and every one who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Now, THAT’S what it’s all about!
Okay, can you tell I have been spending a lot of time with a 7-month old baby? I must sing the “Hokey Pokey” song about 20 times a day. The sad thing is, I can barely remember the words to the other nursery rhymes so I usually make up words. My granddaughter doesn’t know any different.
Some of the nursery rhymes, like “Rock A Bye Baby”, has depressing words in it. “When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby cradle and all.” Really? That’s a pretty scary image.
Then, of course, there is poor little Jack and pitiful little Jill. Someone sent them up a “hill to fetch a pail of water.” Why would anyone send two small children to “fetch” water? Then, the horrific fall where Jack “broke his crown” (whatever that is) and then silly Jill “came tumbling after” him. More “falling.”
My granddaughter has a piano that plays several nursery songs and one of them is “London Bridge” which is apparently in disarray because it is…”falling down.” Again, with the “falling” thing!
I went to www.rhymes.org to look up words to some of the old rhymes I could not remember and it is quite interesting. This website gives you not only the words, but the story behind each rhyme. It appears that most of our childhood nursery rhymes were based on tragedies mostly in England during the 15th and 16th centuries.
We all grew up with these stories and told them to our children without really thinking about the words or the origins of these well known rhymes. There certainly was no harm done and we should read and sing with our children and grandchildren. But, one day, for some reason, I got to thinking about the end of the “Hokey Pokey” song…”that’s what it’s all about!”
Then, one Sunday afternoon, my husband and I were out driving around looking at houses and neighborhoods in hopes of finding something that would be less work than our 10 acres, and we saw a new subdivision for the “50 and over” group of people. Well, that is us!
They had two open models to take a look at so we did. They were beautiful homes with every modern convenience anyone would ever want. These homes were on little postage stamp sized lots so you could throw a rock into your neighbor’s living room window (not that I would ever do that!), but the association took care of all the grass cutting and weed eating. Now you have my husband’s attention!
When we left, the nice lady gave us a brochure and it said, “Put more life into your living. That’s what it’s all about!” All these years, I thought the “Hokey Pokey” was what it was all about! How wrong could I be?
It did, however, get me to thinking about what life is all about. It would certainly make life easier for us if someone else did all the outside yard work and maintenance, but they had a lot of rules. I’m not much of a fan of too many rules. One of the rules for the community was that they would not let you put a swingset in your yard for your grandchildren because it would not fit in with the landscape or atmosphere for a “senior community.” Right now, a swingset and the joy of my grandchild and future grandchildren are very much in my atmosphere.
It is very important in this season of my life to spend every moment I can with my husband, children and grandchildren. This is my calling…for this season. As we all know, seasons change.
God has blessed me with so much love in my life that my heart is full and that makes me want to share this knowledge. You can, too! We are given this concept by God in I John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and every one who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Now, THAT’S what it’s all about!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Got GPS?
Those who know me, especially my husband and daughters, know that I am geographically challenged. That’s a really nice way of saying that I don’t know my left from my north!
Years ago, I worked in real estate and decided that I was the worst real estate agent that ever existed. Not only did I talk people out of buying houses if they could not afford them, I would have to have them drive themselves so I could follow them.
Oh, I always printed off maps from Mapquest or Google maps, but they had different names for roads than what was on the signs sometimes. So, that confused me even more.
My poor husband bought me many gadgets to tell me where I was going. This was before GPS was affordable and available.
One time he bought me a thing that fit on my dash and I had to plug it into the accessory outlet. It showed north, south, east and west, but one day it said 120 degrees. I was so sure that this thing was junk that I called my husband and told him there was no way it could be 120 degrees outside, it was only 72! He asked me if I had ever heard of longitude and latitude! Of course, I had. What did that have to with anything?
My daughter gets so annoyed with me every time we go to St. Louis to the airport because I still can not remember if we take 170 north or 170 south. I am never sure what I am north or south of.
Part of the reason I have no memory of direction is because if I am driving, I always have someone in the car who pays attention. If I am the passenger, the driver is there to always pay attention. I am enjoying the scenery or the conversation. Besides, I always get to where I am going. It may not be in the direction or time frame my loved ones would choose, but I always get there!
The irony of this is that I love to take vacations across the country and I am usually the primary driver. But, if I am not the driver, I am the navigator and I really can read a map. If you are on a driving vacation you can take your time and enjoy the scenery.
If you are one of those people that take vacations by car and have a specific itinerary and time frames for the things you want to do, then you should not go on vacation with me. God put me on this earth to randomly stop and smell the roses. God also gave me a husband that needs to be reminded to smell the roses. But, my husband does know his left from his north. That’s why God put us together!
I have spent almost 54 years trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I seem to forget that God already has a path laid out for me. I just wish that there was a billboard on Hwy. 64 somewhere telling me what that is.
David reminds us of God’s promise in Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Sometimes, I think we all get in our own way. I know that I can be my own worst enemy at sabotaging my path. I either put unnecessary obstacles in my own way or I perceive there are obstacles that don’t exist.
It is very comforting to know that God has the most updated GPS for us, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
So, the next time you are feeling a little lost, let your Bible open up to you a whole new world of GPS. You could learn your left from your north!
A Prayer For Every Day..........
My former pastor and my friend wrote this prayer:
Prayer: I know there are many things in this life over which I have no control. Not all things are fair or just in this world. But I look to You for strength to help me with that which I can control... My heart. Since You have brought me to Your side and made me your baptized child, sin no longer has control over me. ...That is the greatest freedom anyone can have. Help me make the best of this new freedom. Help me be the best disciple I can be. Help me discover goals that are pleasing to You. Right now and throughout this day help me to make the next wise choice in life that glorifies You and blesses others as I continue to pray: "Amen, Come Lord Jesus."
Prayer: I know there are many things in this life over which I have no control. Not all things are fair or just in this world. But I look to You for strength to help me with that which I can control... My heart. Since You have brought me to Your side and made me your baptized child, sin no longer has control over me. ...That is the greatest freedom anyone can have. Help me make the best of this new freedom. Help me be the best disciple I can be. Help me discover goals that are pleasing to You. Right now and throughout this day help me to make the next wise choice in life that glorifies You and blesses others as I continue to pray: "Amen, Come Lord Jesus."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Got GPS?
Those who know me, especially my husband and daughters, know that I am geographically challenged. That’s a really nice way of saying that I don’t know my left from my north!
Years ago, I worked in real estate and decided that I was the worst real estate agent that ever existed. Not only did I talk people out of buying houses if they could not afford them, I would have to have them drive themselves so I could follow them.
Oh, I always printed off maps from Mapquest or Google maps, but they had different names for roads than what was on the signs sometimes. So, that confused me even more.
My poor husband bought me many gadgets to tell me where I was going. This was before GPS was affordable and available.
One time he bought me a thing that fit on my dash and I had to plug it into the accessory outlet. It showed north, south, east and west, but one day it said 120 degrees. I was so sure that this thing was junk that I called my husband and told him there was no way it could be 120 degrees outside, it was only 72! He asked me if I had ever heard of longitude and latitude! Of course, I had. What did that have to with anything?
My daughter gets so annoyed with me every time we go to St. Louis to the airport because I still can not remember if we take 170 north or 170 south. I am never sure what I am north or south of.
Part of the reason I have no memory of direction is because if I am driving, I always have someone in the car who pays attention. If I am the passenger, the driver is there to always pay attention. I am enjoying the scenery or the conversation. Besides, I always get to where I am going. It may not be in the direction or time frame my loved ones would choose, but I always get there!
The irony of this is that I love to take vacations across the country and I am usually the primary driver. But, if I am not the driver, I am the navigator and I really can read a map. If you are on a driving vacation you can take your time and enjoy the scenery.
If you are one of those people that take vacations by car and have a specific itinerary and time frames for the things you want to do, then you should not go on vacation with me. God put me on this earth to randomly stop and smell the roses. God also gave me a husband that needs to be reminded to smell the roses. But, my husband does know his left from his north. That’s why God put us together!
I have spent almost 54 years trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I seem to forget that God already has a path laid out for me. I just wish that there was a billboard on Hwy. 64 somewhere telling me what that is.
David reminds us of God’s promise in Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Sometimes, I think we all get in our own way. I know that I can be my own worst enemy at sabotaging my path. I either put unnecessary obstacles in my own way or I perceive there are obstacles that don’t exist.
It is very comforting to know that God has the most updated GPS for us, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
So, the next time you are feeling a little lost, let your Bible open up to you a whole new world of GPS. You could learn your left from your north!
Years ago, I worked in real estate and decided that I was the worst real estate agent that ever existed. Not only did I talk people out of buying houses if they could not afford them, I would have to have them drive themselves so I could follow them.
Oh, I always printed off maps from Mapquest or Google maps, but they had different names for roads than what was on the signs sometimes. So, that confused me even more.
My poor husband bought me many gadgets to tell me where I was going. This was before GPS was affordable and available.
One time he bought me a thing that fit on my dash and I had to plug it into the accessory outlet. It showed north, south, east and west, but one day it said 120 degrees. I was so sure that this thing was junk that I called my husband and told him there was no way it could be 120 degrees outside, it was only 72! He asked me if I had ever heard of longitude and latitude! Of course, I had. What did that have to with anything?
My daughter gets so annoyed with me every time we go to St. Louis to the airport because I still can not remember if we take 170 north or 170 south. I am never sure what I am north or south of.
Part of the reason I have no memory of direction is because if I am driving, I always have someone in the car who pays attention. If I am the passenger, the driver is there to always pay attention. I am enjoying the scenery or the conversation. Besides, I always get to where I am going. It may not be in the direction or time frame my loved ones would choose, but I always get there!
The irony of this is that I love to take vacations across the country and I am usually the primary driver. But, if I am not the driver, I am the navigator and I really can read a map. If you are on a driving vacation you can take your time and enjoy the scenery.
If you are one of those people that take vacations by car and have a specific itinerary and time frames for the things you want to do, then you should not go on vacation with me. God put me on this earth to randomly stop and smell the roses. God also gave me a husband that needs to be reminded to smell the roses. But, my husband does know his left from his north. That’s why God put us together!
I have spent almost 54 years trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I seem to forget that God already has a path laid out for me. I just wish that there was a billboard on Hwy. 64 somewhere telling me what that is.
David reminds us of God’s promise in Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Sometimes, I think we all get in our own way. I know that I can be my own worst enemy at sabotaging my path. I either put unnecessary obstacles in my own way or I perceive there are obstacles that don’t exist.
It is very comforting to know that God has the most updated GPS for us, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
So, the next time you are feeling a little lost, let your Bible open up to you a whole new world of GPS. You could learn your left from your north!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Dancing With God
My daughter, Jami, sent this e-mail to me and I thought it was well worth sharing...
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i"..
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance Through 2010!
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i"..
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance Through 2010!
Customer Service…Oxymoron?
I went to the grocery store on Monday and had one of the most annoying hours of my life. I was looking for almond milk and frustrated that it was not in any of the aisles I thought it would be. So, after wandering around aimlessly looking for someone employed there (notice I didn’t say “work” there) I found a young man stocking shelves and asked him if he knew where the almond milk was. He commented that he didn’t know you could milk almonds! I have to admit that as annoyed as I was, I had to laugh because I think he was serious.
I passed 4 more employees on my way to the alleged aisle that had the almond milk. Not one person smiled, made eye contact or acknowledged my existence.
Finally, I find the almond milk and go to check out. There were 2 checkers and about a hundred customers standing in those two lanes. After reading half of the magazines in the checkout aisle and ignoring the headlines of the other half, I am next to check out. I took out that little bar thing to separate my groceries from the groceries that belonged to the lady in front of me and she wanted to know if I was worried about her groceries touching my groceries. I tried to explain to her that bar thingy was to let the checker know when her order ended and mine began. She still looked insulted.
Then, I have a twenty-something young lady that had her tongue pierced and I could not understand one word she said to me. I got to the point where I just smiled and nodded. Next thing I knew, I have donated $5 to (I think) the humane society.
This checker never smiled, never made eye contact and grunted when I asked her how she was doing. By the time I was done with her, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to adopt her or ground her. I did tell her that I thought that she obviously did not like her job. She wholeheartedly agreed.
After being in several customer service type businesses, I am very aware of the customer service I receive when I am out. If I receive good service at a restaurant, I tip very well. If I receive good service in other venues like the grocery store, a department store, my insurance agent or any service that does not require tipping, I make a point to let those people know they have treated me well and I really appreciate it and I will tell everyone I know. However, if I receive poor service, I will tell everyone I know.
If I lost a customer, in whatever career I was in, it would make me crazy if I did not know why. That’s a “be careful for what you wish for” kind of thing, but maybe I would have had a chance to remedy whatever the problem was.
With the way that the economy is, everyone should appreciate having a job because there are those who do not. And, I can not understand people who do not desire to do a good job at what they do.
If we all did our job as if God were our boss, wouldn’t we be much more conscientious about doing a good job? We are told in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Not only does God want us to do a good job at what we do, He wants us to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” Philippians 2:14
Doing a good job for God may be easier than the
“without grumbling” part, but, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. That includes keeping a smile on my face the next time I walk through the grocery store!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Prayer...Your Last Resort?
Years ago I attended a women’s seminar and the guest speaker had us take a quiz. She asked us questions like, “After your husband loads the dishwasher, do you re-load it? Is it possible for you to give your children chores to do that you don’t take over and do yourself?” You could start to see the theme being set here.
I never perceived myself as being a control freak until I went to that seminar. I came to my own conclusions long ago that if I wanted something to happen, then I needed to make it happen. I have preached that sermon to my daughters as well. In some circumstances, that’s true.
Unfortunately, I am sort of a control freak with God as well. I try so hard to turn things over to Him and let Him do His job, but I wind up trying to take it back over. Besides, He does a much better job than I do anyway.
I have a list of things I pray about every morning and every night before I go to sleep. It recently occurred to me that this was my agenda, and, although I know I am supposed to pray about everything, I was doing all the talking and no shutting up to hear Him speaking to me. By praying this way, I don’t know what His agenda is so I might be missing out on some good stuff.
I taught women’s Bible study for about five years some time ago and I had this lady that came back to every session who never felt like she could take EVERYTHING to God in prayer. She thought she should share only the big stuff with Him. Paul tells the Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” found in Philippians 4:6.
Paul did not say, “Take only things you think are really important and you think God wants to hear to Him.” He said “EVERYTHING”!
Prayer is like having a conversation with God. Wikipedia defines conversation as “the spoken exchange of thoughts, opinions and feelings; talk.” In order to have an “exchange” of anything, you need at least two people. That means that sometimes you talk and then sometimes you be quiet and He talks. That would be an exchange.
When you read the Psalms, you will see that David, someone besides me, talked a lot and interrupted and just needed to be quiet in order to hear God. God even told him to “…be quiet and know that I am God” in Psalm 46:10. David did, however, understand what it meant to take “everything” to God in prayer.
Do you think there is a wrong way to pray? Yes, there is and I have been guilty of that myself. When we pray it is to hand things over to God and to ask that His will be done. I have a habit of telling Him what His will should be. Stormie Omartian wrote a book called “The Power of The Praying Wife.” In this book, she teaches you how to pray to God for your husband. God already knows what is wrong with him. He also knows what is right with him and what he needs. So, instead of telling God to make your husband put the dishes in the dishwasher the proper way, you could ask God to help you be more tolerant of your husband and thankful that you have a husband who puts the dishes in the dishwasher.
People sometimes have a tendency to try whatever they can to resolve an issue and if all else fails…pray! And yet, it is the most significant thing you can do. It’s the only real power you have.
You can’t send a million dollars to Haiti? You can pray that God will provide the food, water, medical supplies and people to distribute them.
We don’t have the means to fix all the ills of this world, but we do have the power of prayer. So, don’t ever think prayer is the last resort…prayer is our best hope.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Best Day Ever!
Okay, the first best day was the day I married Jerry. He was such a blessing to me and still is. We don’t have much in common but our faith and yet it has worked for 31 years.
The second best day ever was when Emily was born. I was so sure that I had no maternal instincts I bought about a dozen books on parenting. Our pediatrician told me to throw them away that I had maternal instinct. He just met me...how could he know?
The third best day ever was when Jami was born. We lived in Texas and she had a little southern twang when she first started talking. Emily was so thrilled to have a little sister. The girls were 3 years apart but always very close. They still are.
The fourth best day ever was when Emily got married. We had the wedding on our property and it was the most beautiful October day I had ever seen. Jerry and I were honored that the kids decided to get married on our anniversary.
The fifth best day was when Jami got married. It was a little unusual to spend a week with another family you have never met before (the in-laws), but it worked out. We had a beach house in North Carolina that was very accommodating for all the families and even though it rained, it was a wonderful wedding and a proud moment.
Of course, the sixth best day ever of my life was when my granddaughter was born. Now that she is 5 months old, I see so much of her mother and her Aunt Jami in her. She is a very complicated young woman already and pure joy. She must have gotten the “complicated” part from Jerry’s side of the family!
Although life seemed to only begin for me the day I got married, the really best first day for me is the day God made me… “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5. He was there for me from the beginning. Did He plan a perfect life with only joy and no sadness for me? No. But, He was always and is always there for me.
God put wonderful women in my life while growing up like my Granny. I lived with her off and on until I was 21 years old. Whoever said “you can never go home again” did not live with Granny. Everything, all the time was exactly the same. That may sound boring, but not to someone looking for security and peace and the best bowl of Potato Soup ever!
There are many more women throughout the years that have been great examples for me and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. One such woman is Phyllis Wallace, talk show hostess for Woman To Woman.
Many years ago, we attended the same church and she was the Bible study leader for Wednesday Women. It was a Bible study that met at our church but was attended by women of many different denominations. She asked me to speak on a topic of my choice for one of our gatherings. I couldn’t believe she would ask me. I was such a baby Christian who was quite clueless and rebellious. But, I love a challenge!
From that day on I felt the need to further my own Bible studies and God encouraged me to further step outside of my comfort zone. I was so bold as to suggest a women’s retreat called the Woman’s Day of Renewal held at Good Shepherd in Collinsville. This event is now going on its tenth year and has grown from 52 women to well over 400.
If God never “formed” me then my daughters would never have been born and my wonderful granddaughter would never have been born and all the wonderful moments that were waiting just for me would never have happened.
I’m so glad God gave me that very first best day! Just imagine how life would be for others if God did not give you your very first best day!
“We love, because He first loved us.” I John 4:19
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