Just Suppose....

Just suppose that when Christ came to live on the earth, He was not hated. Suppose for a moment that everyone loved Him and wished Him well. Choose to think that the Pharisees would pat Him on the back as a gesture of affirmation and the Sadducees would be so bold as to give Him a "high five" for His wisdom and insight. Possibly Judas would have loved Him so much that money would have not been an issue. He would not have betrayed Him because no one would have asked Him to. There would have been no reason at all for Him to be put on trial, whipped and beaten beyond recognition, made to carry a cross down the via Dolorosa and crucified on Calvary. WRONG!!!!! Our love did not crucify Him, our sins did. Our affection and admiration did not spare him from the cross. It was our affinity for disobedience that drove those three spikes into His hands and feet. We love Him today but we still succumb to the temptation to sin. We are jealous, bitter, judgemental, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, etc. Nothing has changed. He gives, we take. Isn't it time to grow. Isn't it time to stop living in disobedience and making useless sacrifices that He does not need and usually does not want. The only sacrifice He desires is "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart" He will not despise. I guess supposing can change the picture for a moment but the end result has to be the same...His death = our life. Thanks be the Jesus!

Turn the Other Cheek Love

I've never been a fan of tough love. I know sometimes it is a necessary evil but I don't favor it. Tough love happens after all other resources have been exhausted. You are at the end of your rope so it's time to get tough. Maybe I can't see past the trees into the forest but that's how tough love comes across to me. I don't know that Christ ever exercised it. Some may want to argue the point with me but I feel secure in my opinion. "Turn the other cheek...do good to those who spitefully use you...seventy times seven. It's all there, written in red. The Man who knew one of His disciples was a thief and had the potential to work evil against Him didn't exercise tough love with him. Instead, He washed his feet and fed him with the fishes and loaves.

I had the oppotunity to choose between tough love and "turn the other cheek" kind of love several years ago. Someone I love very much had given himself over to the enemy, slowly killing himself with drugs. This individual lied to us, stole from us and sacrificed our safety for his pleasure. Did he love us? Yes, I know he did because sometimes, while he was asleep I'd go into his room and pray for him. I wrote out a prayer once and left it for him to find. Later I found it tacked above his bed. When I asked him why, he said he needed to read it before he went to sleep. This was not an easy road our family walked. There was much fighting, crying and praying. Too many times we did not know whether he would come home in one piece or even come home at all. But still we kept loving, fighting and praying.

A few nights ago he was home doing laundry. As I walked past the bedroom I looked inside and saw him folding his clothes, yes folding his clothes that he had washed. I do not know the last time he folded anything. Usually his clothes would lay in one big pile and slowly move to another dirty pile. But there he stood folding away. I was impressed, not with him but with God. There was a time when I believe he would have died if we had made him leave. But here he is, very much alive all because of God and His incomprable grace. I was relating a story of a family member who has been in dire straits and he said something to me I don't believe I have ever heard him say. He said, "I'll be praying for him". Those five simple words might be just a vain promise but I choose to believe that my son means them.

I know there may be a place and time for tough love- you have to decide for yourself but I'm grateful to have the excellent example of Christ and His "turn the other cheek" love.

Can you hear??

I was passionately moved to tears by a song today. Alright, I'm a "Drama Queen". I admit it. I am very "in touch" with my emotions and I want to make everyone else in touch with them, as well. Anyway, this song ministered to the very core of my being. We are all faced with those "voices". You know them. I'm sure you've heard them. Some of you may be on a first name basis with them. The old faithfuls who remind you of how you've failed, what a disappointment you are, how unattractive you are, etc. At times they sneak up on you when you least expect them. You have had an amazing day and something goes wrong and bang, there they are. "See, I told you so. Why do you even try when you know it will always end up like this." Sometimes they wake up and crawl right out of the bed with you. They watch as you brush your teeth, making snide comments all the while. They get in the car and go to work with you and you say "it". That's right, you chime right in and say "it's gonna be one of those days". Well, thanks to Casting Crowns I heard a different voice this evening. The voice of truth shouted loud in my ears (I had the CD player up really loud) It gave me a different story than the one I am used to on my drive home. It told me to not be afraid. It told me that these things I go through good and bad, mountaintops and valleys, celebrations and trials, overcoming and failures are all for His glory. That's when I realized, once again, that my life is not about me. It's about Him and how I display His character during the trying times and victorious times. It's about what he is doing in me not where I am at the moment. I have to focus, focus, FOCUS on Him. Then I can hear the voice of truth. Can you hear His voice of truth?

The Internet

It's been awhile but let me crack my knuckles and see if any words of wisdom or any other kind of words decide to flow from my brain through my fingers. Let me see...oh, yes-
Tonight I spoke to my grandchildren who live in Seattle through the marvel that is the Internet. I saw their cherub-like faces and watched Oliver stretch his mouth with his fingers and stick out his tongue as Anna blew some kisses my way. We said our happy birthdays to them and not only heard but saw, and may I add, felt them say, "I love you". Almost everyday, through this wonder, I catch up with people I have known most of my life. We share news of our families and make each other laugh and/or cry depending on what we're walking through at the time. We reminisce about the good old days and feel blessed to still have each other in our lives. We live in a wonderful and amazing time and all in all, with the good and bad it brings our way I have to say that this night I am grateful for the Internet. Thanks, Al!

What if tomorrow was your last day on earth?

This thought provoking question posed on the 94.9 this afternoon and it made me think, what would I do? How would I fill that last day if I had knowledge that it would be my last? At first I thought circle the wagons of family and friends. That seems logical, right. Then I thought what about ______ ? I don't know if they are ready to go out into eternity. I could not leave knowing I might never see them again. And that goes for ________, and ___________, and __________ (all names supplied in my head for my viewing only). Then I thought, why wait? I may never get the opportunity to say that I want you to spend eternity with God. You are too precious to me to waste your one and only life and then end up on the downside of eternity. You may ask me, yeah, but what if you're wrong? What if this life is all there is? My reply to you is "then I have lost nothing". But what if I am right and and there is an eternity to spend in the presence of the One who gave everything for us? Then you, my friend, will have lost everything.

Right and Honor

"Commit your right and your honor into God's keeping." ~ Andrew Murray

At first glance this quote seems ordinary enough but it bears contemplation and deeper study. When was the last time you were wronged? For me, it is as recent as yesterday. The temptation to give payback is strong, right? Thoughts ruminate over and over in our minds about how and when we can revenge ourselves. We need to feel that good has won out and we have been vindicated.

Jesus stood before the High Priest and then Pilate listening while all manner of slander regarding Him was tossed into the arena of His trial, yet He spoke not a word. I wonder if he was mortified inside. Did He want to ball up His fist and pay out a little retribution of His own? He was, after all, man as well as God. It's easy to believe He endured the wrong in silence if He was only God. God is above everything. But His humanity endured the wrong, as well. How?? This is where I choose to interject the quote above. His right and His honor were committed to God's keeping. This ordinadry quote takes on new life when placed in this situation.

It is the same for us, too. "Commit your right and honor to God's keeping". He leads us through difficult places - He leads us through, but He does not leave us there. Every wrong we endure, every praise we receive is part of His process in our lives to create the character that Jesus exhibited in us. The next time you suffer at the hands of someone else remember Jesus' actions and ask yourself if your right and honor are committed to God.

Blessed

Rick, my most excellent husband, and I have been married for 34 years, come this Sunday. In this period of time we have witnessed so many things. We have been blessed with four children, all of whom make us proud to be parents. We, as a family, have lived on two continents and vacationed on three. I was fortunate to homeschool my brood and in doing so spent every waking minute with them so I did not miss a thing in their growing up. It's all in my storehouse of memories. All of our precious grandparents have departed for more congenial accomodations. One sweet baby who we never got to know is with them. Boy or Girl, we don't know but it makes no difference to us. He/She was ours and we missed out on everthing with them. We survived, though, just as many people before us have, and countless others will do.
We've celebrated birthdays, holidays, and special occasions galore. How wonderful to get to spend all these precious moments with the one man I adore. He makes me laugh and yes, he sometimes makes me cry. He tells me I'm beautiful when I know he's lying but he tells me anyway. He is my defender, my knight in shining armour. He is mine alone and his lover's heart belongs to me and none other. I cherish him and thank God for these 34 years. Not to sound too greedy but another 34 years of the same would not hurt my feelings:)

Just when you thought it was safe to back into the water...

Okay- I've been cruisin' along at work- no sign of the "change wave" when suddenly it crests right under my feet and I'm knocked for a loop. You would think I would keep expecting it to come back but I refuse to live constantly on my guard . So I allow myself to be lulled back into my comfort zone and then - POW!

On the bright side, the waves are becoming fewer and farther between. So now, what is left for me to do but - HANG TEN!!!!

A Tribute to my Sisters

I am blessed to have have two sisters- B.J. and Melody. In our "Brady Bunch" family, I am the oldest, B.J. came eighteen months after me and Melody is the baby sister.

B.J. is a visionary that sees what most people cannot or will not. She shoots for the moon and if she only lands in the stars, so what. At least she took the risk. She is a lot like our dad in that there is always a dream hatching or a scheme brewing. Her brain is constantly at work to make "things" happen. She also has an amazing capacity to care for others. If you are in need she will take care of you in every way possible. I think she feels best when she knows she is needed. She is so beautiful inside and out and, wherever she is there is music.

Melody is efficient, practical and extremely beautiful inside and out. She is steadfast in her devotion to God and family. She strikes me as a problem solver. You have a problem, she will listen and help you find the solution. She's great like that. As adults we have walked hand in hand through our different situations and she has always exhibited a grace and a poise under pressure that I can only hope to demonstrate. She is a gem and much like her name, a beautiful Melody that takes
music wherever she goes.

When I grow up I hope I am just like them:)

I'm Tired of this Program, Please Turn the Channel...

Today is Thursday and I have the day off. I should be happy except there is a fly in the ointment. I can't stop thinking about work. I dream about work, talk about work, whine about work, etc. I can't seem to stop. I have been in this position for four months and for four months it has dominated my life. Yuch!!!!! I am so overwhelmed with this situation that when I finally have a full day off, I'm still at work. Maybe I need a vacation, a get-away with my sweetheart. Someplace exotic would suit nicely. We could cruise the Carribbean or jet off to Maui. Shoot, I'd settle for Waco and a nice Mexican dinner if I could just separate my work life from my personnal life. HELP!!!!

Oh, Cain- Where are you????

I should probably change my name to Cain. Really. I made a bad choice this week and only myself and God are aware of it. I can feel him peering into my very soul, every corner and crevice. And even though he knows exactly where I am and what I've done, He still calls me. I am the reluctant one. Reluctant to come forward into His light. Ashamed that I failed a test. Unwilling to sully his presence with my sin. OOOh, did I say sully? I did because it fits my loathsomeness. What horendous crime did I commit? Well, I refuse to state my sin because by our standards many will think, oh, you're being too hard on yourself, but I beg to differ. Sin is sin and we should feel the weight of it. Whether its a lie or murder or all sins in between, we should feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We should feel the shame of wrongdoing.

I am going to make my journey today, humbly and repentantly, to His feet. I will beg His forgiveness. He will pick me up, dust me off, love me and say "go and sin no more". How do I know these events, before they have happened. Because that's the forgiving and loving God I serve and because that is what He always does- FORGIVE. The hardest part is forgiving myself.

Will You Be Having Whine WIth Your Meal?

"Work on Saturday again", she whined as she read this week's schedule. "Why do they have to open the bank on Saturday?"

Why? Isn't Monday - Friday enough. How I miss my Saturdays. What did I do on Saturdays that is so all-fired important? Nothing. I guess its just the idea of losing something that belonged to me. My Saturday, not theirs. I could get a pedicure if I wanted, or go to the movies. Maybe I would have a picnic with my sweetheart or take the grandkids to the zoo. But today, that's a no go because I have to work. Tired of my whining? I am a little tired of it as well. After all 4 hours is not that long. We're only opened until noon. (she said gleefully)

Gee, I wonder if it's too late to set an appointment for a pedicure?

(Sometimes you just feel like having a little whine :))

Critical- Again???

I found myself being critical today. Once I see myself being critical I begin to wonder how many times a day I am critical without recognizing it. It doesn't really matter who I was critical toward or the reason, they were in blissful ignorance of my criticism. What matters is God knew. He knew my thoughts as they were being conceived. He knew I would think them. Perfect me critical of imperfect whoever. Yuk!!!! I remember in the "olden days" preachers would say to be careful pointing a finger at someone else because you have three pointing right back at yourself. So true!

Please Lord, help me to remember that you were the only perfect man who walked this earth. We are all works in progress. Help me not to judge others but to pray for them as I hope someone is praying for me. The next time I am so inclined to compare myself to someone else, may I compare myself to you first. I think the process would be stopped dead in its tracks. Thank you, Lord.

MUSIC...

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
- William Congreve

So true. Put music in any situation and you will change the perspective of that situation. I have turned the radio on our alarm clock to classical music instead of the blaring foghorn where it was set. It is so much nicer to wake up to Brahms and Bach. Rick likes to go to sleep with the soothing sounds of John Talbot emanating from ITunes. There's one thing I have discovered- I cannot sleep very well to music. Why?? I am either trying to sing with it, in my mind, or compose to it. Well, I guess I'll go crank up the volume and get ready for work :)

I rode the Change Wave and all I got was this Stupid T-Shirt

Well, I made it past the ugly change wave I have been riding the past two days. Things feel normal, once again, and I use the word loosely. Is your normal living with parents, children and grandchildren - 10 people in all?? Well ours is for now and I love it. I come home to two munchkins that greet me like its been ages since they've seen me, not the 8 hours it's really been. Today Nick and Shayla (son and daughter-in-law) had dinner prepared when I got home and it was delicious. They told me they raided the pantry, put it all in a pot and called it Chicken Corn Chowder. Did I say I was blessed??? Isn't it interesting what a difference a day can make? Or maybe I should say, isn't it interesting what a difference God can make of a day:)

God - the Master Conductor

Have you ever read the Book of Ruth?? Ruth, a Moabitess, left home for Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. She left her family, mother, father, sisters, brothers, to go with Naomi even though she tried to discourage her. We are all familiar with Ruth's statement - Where you go, I will go. That's beautiful in itself but going deeper into Ruth we can hear the symphony God is conducting. So far the instruments have just been tuning. Now the music begins, flutes and violins make their entrance as Ruth and Naomi take their journey. French horns join the movement as they set up house and begin the daily business of living. Drum roll as Ruth realizes she needs to work the fields in order to take care of her mother-in-law. Back to violins and add cellos and violas as she and Naomi discuss where she will glean. The rest is history. Boaz spotts her and God set in motion His marvelous plan. She eventually marries Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, and becomes one of the ancestors of Jesus.(Tympany roll and resounding cymbal clash!)

You may be thinking, what a romantic story. Someone should make it into a movie. What I see, though, is more than a love story. I see a great symphony, with God as conductor. Who could orchestrate a more beautiful love story with such a happy ending. Ruth played her instruments: selflessness in leaving her home, faithfulness to Naomi, willingness to work and take care of her. Boaz played his instruments: generosity to let her glean more than the leftovers, tenderness in seeing to her needs while she was working, protectiveness in allowing no one to molest her. And at the end of this masterpiece, Naomi praised God because she could hear the music and knew God had remembered them. Listen - Can't you hear the music, as well?

Seasickness???

Today I hate waves. Not the kind at the beach- those I love. No I'm writing about waves of homesickness, waves of sadness, waves of ... well, you name it. It seems I am pounded too often by waves of discomfort in my new job. Once the wave is passed I am good for a few days until the next one hits. Does anyone have a remedy??? OOPS- gotta go catch the wave :)

Oliver's World

In Oliver's world, Sesame Street is all that matters. Oliver is my 2 year old grandson and as long as he can play with his Sesame Street characters- life is good. He plays all day long with the likes of Big Bird, Super Grover, Cookie Monster, etc. and never gets tired of that world. Too bad it's not the same for us. We play all day with our own Oscar the Grouches, Counts, Elmos, etc. and we get very weary. We tire of having to say the same thing over and over. We tire of expectations that we cannot meet. We become frustrated when passed over for raises and promotions. Yet play with them daily, we must. Maybe we should take a lesson from Oliver and realize this playtime we have does not last forever. We should make the most of the hours we have to interact and then rush home to our real, safe and comfortable haven we call "home".