New friend, New Hero

Yesterday I met a new friend. We only had conversation for a total time of 35 minutes, but in that small amount of minutes and seconds, she has changed my outlook on life. She came to the volleyball game and found herself, not having had the time to get to an ATM, without the means to enter. She had never been to the gym we use and didn't realize those necessities were not available. My husband, the fixer, noticed that she was sitting outside and went to question. She told him her plight and he fixed it. They began to converse. I arrived late, and came to greet him. He introduced me, said, "Listen to her story" and went inside.

And I listened in silence. She is a teacher. She was in her elementary classroom on that tragic 9/11 in New York City, one and a half blocks from the Twin Towers. She began telling me what it was like to hear the initial explosion. The building rocked, windows were blown, children and adults were terrorized.  The horror, the smell and the sounds, parents who worked all over the city arriving in 20 minutes screaming for their children while the world outside their classroom was marked and changed forever.  Even 11 years later she was overcome with emotion as she talked and graciously answered my "20 questions". I was struck with the fear, and yet such resolve in her words. She gave God all the credit for her escape that day. She, herself, had to wait until all the children were with their families, then tried her best to get to hers. 

Her memories and recollections are forever etched in my mind. I can't get over some things she told me. As she talked, I realized that in a very real way this was an actual hero of one of the most horrific days our nation has ever experienced, watched and read about.  And I was honored to be in her presence. Her sense of God on that day was what got her through.

Now, she is a teacher.  Now, she still has some fear. Her family moved out of the city very soon after that.  She told me she still hasn't been able to bring herself to go back and visit the memorial site. She would like to...just hasn't yet. It's still so real.  She says that every morning when her students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance that you can bet they are standing straight and tall and honoring this great country. She has no patience with anyone that downplays and degrades our military, police officers and firemen. You see, she saw them in action, coming to get her. As the ash blew down the streets like a wave of smoke, she watched them go into the towers, and she watched them picking up the wounded on the streets. She was a first hand witness to the greatness of what our country stands for...and she doesn't tolerate criticism of them.  She is still so overcome when Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the 9/11 Anniversary comes around that she "falls apart"..as she says.


From my new friends testimony and life story I have learned and been reminded of this:

*God is in control in the chaos of our lives.
*Even on the darkest of days, we can praise Him.
*Even when we don't feel like it or don't want to, we can praise Him.
*Our Heavenly Father can make something precious from devastation.
*God wins, every time.


With the election coming up, I was reminded of this verse:

Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him.

Romans 13:1


We don't need to get ourselves worked up about what is going to happen. God already knows. In fact, He has ordained it. Are we willing to suffer through whatever it takes to bring revival to our land? God is to be praised in every moment, good and bad in our lives. That's how we show Him to our world. He is worthy. He is worthy. He is worthy.

Sitting on a bench outside, a true hero of the faith reminded me that God is worth everything we go through. We are here to make Him known.

It's His story, not ours.

 



For Love of the Stuff

I love coffee. I'm not someone who grew up drinking coffee, though. Actually, when my mom would drink it, I thought it smelled bad and wanted nothing to do with it. My love affair with the java began in Bible study..as God intended (grin).  We were studying II Timothy 4..with GW, my favorite.. that cold evening in January. The discussion began with what Paul would have been going through in that dark, damp jail cell and the conditions he was forced to endure. We got to the passage that begins in verses 11-13:

"Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come---and the BOOKS (my emphasis), especially the parchments."

With the phrase, "bring the cloak" I began to envision the temperature and I found myself getting cold. I went into the kitchen where only coffee was available. Because of being cold, I gave in to need for something warm and fixed my very first cup of coffee. It was loaded with cream and sugar and warmed my soul. I was hooked. I felt like a grown-up as I left church that evening. And so began my obsession with the dark brew that makes everything better for me. Ever since that day, I can't do Bible study without coffee right beside me. Rustling pages and the aroma of the coffee pot just go together.



I say all that to say this: It has been 14 days since my last cup of coffee. Our HS Girls Bible classes are participating in the 40 Day Challenge that goes along with See You at the Pole.  It's quite involved with different activities for the duration of the 40 days. And as good teachers, we are participating also. One of the things we were asked to do was fast from something in the time period.  We were to pray and ask God what it would be and declare it at the commissioning service.  I prayed, God answered, I prayed again, God didn't say anything, I begged, I pleaded, and still God didn't answer. He reminded me He had already given the answer. I threw myself on the altar and begged for mercy as I gave in to His desire. One of the things I believed I couldn't do without, God asked me to give up...for 40 days.

I also asked , "Lord, do You know it's October and Pumpkin Spice Latte time?"

And again...Holy silence.

So, now I drink water in the mornings and evenings. Now I make the coffee for our women's Bible study and don't drink it. Now I only smell it in the kitchen at work. And it's ok...God is growing me in ways I never been through before. His still small voice is heard a little more clearly.  He is showing me that what I think I need, I don't. I only need Him. He is sufficient for all my wants, needs and desires.

I still love the stuff. It comforts me.

But I love God more.


"Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable."      Psalm 145:2-3



A Prayer to Finish Well

The Bible says:

   * Do not be anxious about anything...Philiipians 4

   * He gives strength to the weary and increases the power
      of the weak...Isaiah 40

  * No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.   Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace...Hebrews 12

   * All athletes are disciplined in their training....So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadow boxing...
      I Corinthians 9


I am counting on all of these truths and more. This weekend I will be running in a local 5K. It's a first for me and today my mind is saying, "What were you thinking?".  I'm really just a "wanna be" runner. I admire the ones who can run like the wind, as some would say. The Olympics seemed to spur on my desire to participate in this area of the sports world, and frankly, I just wanted to give it a shot.

I live within a family that lives and breathes the sports arena.  If they don't play, they watch it. If they don't watch it, they still can converse about it from the almighty ESPN viewpoint. And when the sports world becomes their occupation, that puts everything on another level. This has been the only time I have been able to consider myself a "part of their world".

In getting ready for this day, I've learned a few things:

1. My respect for those who are true athletes has risen.
2. I have discovered that I am undisciplined .
3. It doesn't take long for my body to cry out in pain.
4. When I run I can totally zone out for a while.
5. I hear Jeff Galloway's voice in my sleep.
                        and
6. I have the desire to give this everything I have.

I have been waiting for that Eric Liddell moment...you know the one, "When I run, I feel God's pleasure." It hasn't happened yet. Maybe it never will. Maybe I will get that sense when I have to run up the hill tomorrow. Or not. I don't really know what will happen. George Halas once said,                " Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it."

I want to give my best. I want to finish well,,,or really, just finish. I want to think like Paul, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.." Whatever happens tomorrow, I want to honor God.

My prayer and promise:

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings as eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Dear Lord, please don't let me faint. :)

Cup Full of Love

 

 





 

Today I learned a lesson:

 



 

We took a drive this afternoon and came upon quite a sight. On the corner of a main thoroughfare and a side street of houses were the most adorable little girls setting up their lemonade stand. They had the table and chairs, pitchers of lemonade, a cooler on the side and signs. One was shouting, "Get your lemonade" to every car that passed by.  We drove past them and turned right back around on the next street. I couldn't help myself. Just the sight of these girls, doing their thing, having fun on a Sunday afternoon was more than I could handle. I was in love with them before we got out of the car.

 

As we approached the "place of business" I saw the sign that said "Lemonade: 50 cents". I don't know if we were their first customers and 10th, but they greeted us with gusto. Just their smiles put a smile on my face. The dad came quickly out as soon as he realized they had customers. He was bringing  reinforcement pitchers of lemonade, and they were setting the selections in order. As we were handed the properly-paid-for drink of choice, one of the entrepreneurs asked if we would like some ice to go with it. My husband said, "Yes" and she reached her HAND in the ice chest and placed it in his cup. It was priceless! We waved as we drove away and talked about the sweetness of the encounter.

 

 

These girls taught me the lesson today. They believed in what they are doing. They had joy and contentment in the labor of their work. They expressed happiness in showing their products to people passing by. Their smiles were a picture into their hearts. They loved what they were doing. As Christians. we could learn much from these little ones who had no idea of the lessons they were showing me on the corner of a street in a small town.

 

So, I learned something today. I learned that sometimes things really do cost only 50 cents, and I learned that God can speak through just a smile and a simple cup of lemonade.

 

 

I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.  I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

 

Phil. 4:12-13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Hearts....Common Bond

I read a quote today--

"A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go."

We ( the husband and I) have been blessed to each have a mother that loved us, cared for us, disciplined us and did the "whatever we needed" with us.  They both lived different lives, but one of the things they had in common was the fact that they each loved their children.  In their own way, they provided and cared for their families with the fierceness of a lioness guarding her cubs.  They worked long and hard to keep their children safe and secure.

One worked in a school and office situation. The other worked in a factory. One had seven children to care for, the other had two.  Both loved their children in such a way that they sacrificially gave up what could have been theirs, for those they gave life to. 

With Mothers Day approaching I tend to get more sentimental than usual. Maybe it's the fact that for the first time in our  lives we don't have Mothers with us. That is a difficult realization to come to terms with.  Maybe it's because none of our children live here or anywhere near here and I miss them.  Maybe it's simply that I miss both of our mothers.  They gave life and made life very sweet and we were blessed to have them while we did.

Those last hugs were priceless. I can still feel them today. The quote is true...the hugs lasts long after they let go.  And we would give anything to have one more.

Proverbs 31: 25-28 says,

She is strong and is respected by the people.  She looks forward to the future with joy.  She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.  She watches over her family and never waste her time. Her children rise up and bless her.

One of the very last things my mother whispered in my ear was, " I have always loved you."

Oh, Moms.....we have always loved you. Happy Mothers Day.



Lest We Forget

Today a man--a husband, a father, a God-loving man--gave his testimony in church. He spoke of his salvation and God's work in his family. He spoke of a daughter that in the course of her life had taken a trip on the wide road.  As he spoke and testified of God bringing him through a difficult journey, you could sense the love of a father for his daughter and the agony of his despair.

His daughter was in church today.

Sometimes we forget just how Great and Good our God really is.  Sometimes we think God works in other people's lives much more that in ours.  Sometimes we forget that God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, to bring Himself shockingly into the forefront of our lives.

This morning God stepped down and made His Almighty Presence known.

On the first note of the invitation the daughter stepped out into the aisle.  When she reached the Pastor and said, "I want to be saved", she met Jesus in a real relationship. There were no small amount of tears going on in the building.

The father was obedient to testify about God in his life. The daughter heard it, loud and clear. The spoken word became the catalyst of an eternal father/daughter bond--both earthly and Heavenly. Only God can do that.

I pray that we are not forgetful listeners.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart." Deut. 6:4-6

Keep reminding us, Lord, that You are still working in and around us everyday. Thank You for the "shock and awe" today. Keep reminding us, lest we forget.

Faith - Works = Nothing

Today we went to a home. A home where children live that do not have parents or their home environment is not safe.

It rattled the stained glass windows that we call normality in our individual worlds. Eleven teenagers and two adults found out today that what James describes as "pure and undefiled religion" really is our mandate as believers. We were amazed at the way God provides in unprecedented maneuvers. We are shocked over the fact that there are children in this day and time that live through atrocities we cannot even bear to think about. And we were humbled by the generosity in regular people that are simply living out day to day what God commands in His Word:

James 1:27---Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

I asked the question when we finished today..."What does all this mean to you?" These were our responses:

COMFORT

HOPE



THEY ARE COURAGIOUS

FINALLY SAFE



LOVE

WHEN SEEING OTHERS PROBLEMS

YOU'LL GRAB YOURS BACK



REFUGE



STRENGTH



A GLIMPSE OF TRUE LOVE



FAITH, HOPE, LOVE



THEIR PAST WAS DARK,

THEIR PRESENT IS STARTING TO SHINE,



THEIR FUTURE WILL BE BRIGHT



We do not want to be a "forgetful learners".  Nothing good comes out of learning for the sake of learning.  Lord, help us be the hearers AND the doers.

"God's Word is meant to work"

Our Magical Mom

Sunday, January 29th would have been my Mom's 74th birthday. I miss her on a daily basis. She was one I always bounced idea's off of.  Many times she gave me answers I wasn't thrilled to hear, but most of the time, she was right. When we were younger she was very diligent in handing out the discipline. We kept a clean house, and by we, I mean my sister and myself. Of course it was clean to my Mothers standards, not ours. She took us on adventures and always made everything we did exciting. Even though we grew up in a situation that wasn't always pleasant, I never knew the gravity of it until I got older...because of my mother.  She just plain out, all in, unconditionally loved us. And we felt it.

When we were growing up one of our most favorite places to go was Disney World. We were there when it all began...before Space Mountain was a glimmer in Walt's mind. We loved it! When you walked down Main St you were suddenly transported to a world where everything was good and happy and clean. I have eaten enough frozen chocolate banana's for a lifetime.  And my mom was the one who made it all so special.  As we got older and began to have our own families, we just passed it all down to them.  We have spent many a happy day on that specific property. 

So, on Sunday, in honor of the birthday, we decided to head down to Kingdom and step into the magic. The children, the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren were all in attendance. We chose the Studios for different reasons and once again, WDW did not disappoint. It was a day to have lots of family fun and remember our mom in a special way. There was a lot of laughing going on....well, some screaming and a few tears, too.  But it was a day to remember.  On the way out of the park that night, with my children and grandchildren walking ahead of me, I turned to look back once more down the main street and then looked ahead to my mothers legacy walking, laughing, punching and loving each other.  Each one at different stages and places in their lives, but all of us coming from a mother that loved the Lord with all her heart and loved us as well.  As I froze that frame in my mind, I breathed a prayer of thankfulness for all that has happened and all that will be. I bet my mother did that a time or two herself.

Thanks for all the memories, Mom. We miss you.

God Calls. Who Will Answer?

Within the realm of the Christian life, we are commanded to go and reach people for Jesus. Many of us take it for granted that "others" are more equipped and "more called" than we are and we sit idly by letting them do the ministry that we, as believers are all called to do. And while there are many ways and many ideas to reach people for the Gospel, we have to get up and actually put it into action.

On Sunday, our church heard a presentation on The Praetorian Project. While I have heard it before, it again became fresh and new as the vision was cast. Pillar Church, in Dumfries,Virginia is a body of believers that sits on the outskirts of Quantico, the "Crossroads of the Marine Corp". God has given their pastor, Clint Clifton...aka my son-in-law...and the people of Pillar a ministry vision that has an explosive future.

The apostle Paul said, "my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel...so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard.."  In this passage comes the premise of this project.  Pillar church doesn't want to measure her success by the numbers in attendance each week. They would rather "measure her success by the number she is able to scatter to establish new churches".  They are endeavoring, with God leading the way to establish churches at the four major Marine bases; three in the U.S. and one in Japan. It's huge, it's mind-boggling, it's way beyond their scope of completion, but not beyond the God who ordained it.

Take a moment and look this up:

www.praetorianproject.org

You will be blessed. You will be inspired. Most of all, your heart will be touched by the fact that God can get His story out using ordinary people like us.  We just have to be willing and say, "Yes, Lord".