A Closer Walk

Letting Go of Regret

2012-02-04T06:55:00.002-06:00

Why is it so hard to stop beating ourselves up over the past? Are we doomed to relive our past over and over, wondering what could have been if we'd made one different decision? What if one thing had been done differently? Where would we be? Would we have accomplished more? Been happier? Had fewer regrets?

Living in the past is unhealthy. I don't have to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist to know this. I live it. The simple fact is that life moves on, whether we want it to or not. Constantly burying our minds in the past is a recipe for disaster. Instead of wondering "what if", I need to focus on what is. Why is that so hard to do?

When I look at the immediate future, I am angry at myself. I am where I am because of choices that I made, and I've come a long way. When I think about my past, I am angry at myself, regretting decisions that put me down roads I would much rather not have traveled. It has not been all bad, and there is no need for me to even intimate that it has. Decisions were made, I was able to meet some wonderful people that I still call friends. Decisions were made that generated encounters with people I hope I never see again. Thinking about past choices is enough to make the acid rise and make me think that a day spent in the bed with the covers over my head might be a good idea. I can't turn back the clock, I can only make the best of today, and every day that comes after.

Over the past few weeks, I have once more turned to music for comfort. These days, I am finding comfort in contemporary Christian music, a genre that I have never before spent much time exploring. There are days that the words to Casting Crowns' "Who Am I?" simply resonate through me. WHO AM I?

The answer? HIS. God has claimed me, loves me unconditionally, and forgives me. I have to give my past to Him, and stop looking back. I cannot undo the past, I cannot change it. What I can change is today, and I can change my future by decisions that I make today, and decisions that I make in the tomorrows that are to come.

I am

a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you

Hear me when I'm calling

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling

And you told me who I am

I am YOURS ...

Many thanks to Mark Hall of Casting Crowns for writing down these words that were laid on his heart. I thank my friend Myra for posting this video several months ago, and my friend Erinn for turning my music search in the right direction. All I can do is take one step at a time, one day at a time. I pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance.

Jesus, I'm letting go. Again. I'm depending on your strength to help me, to guide me, so that I can get to where I need to be. Thank you for hearing me, for catching me and gently setting me back upon my path.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Better Than Sweet Tea

2012-01-07T19:15:00.001-06:00

I have often heard that southerners have sweet tea in their veins. Sweet tea is like any beverage, I suppose, in that it can be an acquired taste. I remember living in Colorado and not being able to get sweet tea in some of the restaurants - and having the servers point out that there was sugar on the table. Obviously, they didn't know how to make sweet tea!

Late in the summer of 2010, I was diagnosed with diabetes. My gut reaction to this news was "Oh no! No more of my favorite things (sugar, chocolate, carbs)." I happened to be on the road traveling to Alabama when I received the news. What was my immediate response? Pull in to the nearest McDonald's and order some Mickey D's Sweet Tea!

Over the past year, I have learned that moderation is the key. While I have been less than strict about following a diet, monitoring my blood sugar, or even particularly watching what I eat and drink - my A1C had remained the same as the original test. Imagine my surprise, three days ago, to receive the results of my lab work and find out that my A1C had jumped up nearly 1 full point from the last reading! As you may imagine, I do not look forward to next week's check-up at the doctor's office.

Reading in John chapter 4, my mind immediately went on its own little tangent comparing the refreshing taste of water and the delicious nectar known as sweet tea. How, you may ask, does my mind make such comparisons? I try to see God everywhere, and in every thing. It may sound crazy, but it works for me. However, I digress. Heading in to work the other night, I stopped to get something to eat before my shift. Popeye's sounded good to me, so after ordering the delectable fried goodness along with a large cup of ice cold sweet tea, I sat down for a few moments of peace before work. The strangest thing happened. By my second piece of chicken, the hot and crispy chicken skin had lost its appeal, appearing in my mind as fried fat. The french fries, so tasty, seemed congealed. The biscuit, hot and fluffy only moments earlier, seemed cold and leaden. The tea that flowed so sweetly was suddenly leaving an aftertaste, and not one that was pleasant. What happened to my meal? My mind was rejecting the physical. Instead of eating what I needed for healthy physical nourishment, I chose to eat what I wanted and ignore the consequences.

I think the same thing happens when we ignore spiritual nourishment. Our bodies begin to crave something healthy, and so does our spirit. The more I delve into the Word of God, the more I want to know. The quest for spiritual nourishment is growing, as I continue to seek Him in every thing that I do. As with my diet, my journey will be fraught with trials and stumbling blocks. What I know for certain is that He is with me, every single step of the way. There will be times, as the beloved poem states, that He will carry me. I have to trust Him, I will trust Him. With the love and support of family and friends, the journey will continue.

Lord, I ask that you continue to walk beside me. Make me a beacon, make me your servant. Help me to live so that I am a witness for you in every way.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."~John 6:35 NIV

Feed the Body, Nourish the Soul.

2012-01-03T23:52:00.001-06:00

What did you have for dinner? Did you enjoy the last meal that you ate? How many times a day do you eat?Why do you eat? Seemingly silly questions, but designed to make you think. Now dig a little deeper. What did you do to nourish your soul? Do you nourish your soul?Why, or why not?

Beautifully written words, passionately performed music, a breathtaking sunrise. These nourish my soul. I have found that as I get older, spiritual nourishment becomes more and more important. As we get busier, I think that it becomes even more vital to make sure that we are healthy - both physically and spiritually. How do we increase our spiritual health?

One of my goals for this year was to read through the Bible. Joining forces with others who share the same desire will help me to accomplish that goal. I am reading, and want to read, for understanding. Understanding more about God through reading the Bible fills a need deep within. Reading and studying His word is like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day; it nourishes, refreshes, and satisfies.

Having been a voracious reader since childhood, I find my reading direction now changing. I am searching for answers, formulating questions, and trying to amass as much information as I can. My main reading source is the Bible, we are reading chapters daily on our quest to read through the Bible this year. The version of the Bible I am currently using is the New International Version of the Zondervan Life Application Study Bible. I am only three days in, and have already taken pages of notes on the four chapters we have read. The study guide in this Bible has been an excellent brainstorm source for digging deeper. I feel this incredible desire to learn and learn. There is so much I want to know, and this is feeding my soul!

Healthy nourishment for your soul is as important as food is to the feeding of your body. God, I ask that you continue to guide my search for nourishment, and help me to uncover the answers that I seek. I thank you for directing me on this path to recovering my spiritual health.

"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"~John 4:13-14 NIV

You Can't Just Talk the Talk

2012-01-02T23:54:00.001-06:00

We've heard the expression "You Can't Just Talk the Talk, You Have to Walk the Walk," but what does that mean in the journey to know and understand Jesus? When I walked down that church aisle so very many years ago, pulled by something that I didn't fully understand, but knowing that it was where I needed to be, I made a public declaration of faith. Have I lived that faith, truly?

I wish I could stand proudly and say that I have. I wish I could shout from the rooftops and speak volumes on the subject of how my life was transformed and the fact that I've never since looked back. The reality is far less appealing. The child that I was grew into the teenager that I became, still walking in faith. I was not - nor will I ever be on this earth - perfect, but I was pretty much the dorky good kid. I minded my mama and daddy, listened to and respected my elders, went to church, and tried to be a good person. Church was not a place to go to see and be seen, it was the place where we learned about the Lord. I rebelled, at times arguing with the fact that we went to church while mama and daddy (and later, my stepdad) didn't always go. Did being an adult mean that you didn't have to go to church?

When I left home at the grand old age of 20 and got married, I didn't go to church. My husband proclaimed to believe, but the entire time I knew him he only stepped foot inside a church when someone got married or buried. Did I witness to Him, share the story of the gospel and how Jesus had made a change in me? Of course not. I was a young adult and I believed and that was all that mattered. Life changes, things happen. Next thing I know, I'm a young divorcee with a child. When I began dating again, I fell in love and married a man who didn't believe in God. How did I reconcile that with my own belief? Did I witness to him? Of course not. Religion became the subject on which we agreed to disagree. As our children were born, the decision was made to allow them to make their own choice when it came to religion. They knew that their father was a non-believer and that their mother did believe. Did I witness to them, share the story of Jesus, and take them to church? No. Why? I still don't have the answer to that question, even though my children are now adults.

Life changes, things happen. Without going through details that I try daily to forget, suffice it to say that we've now fast-forwarded several years. There was another marriage, and another. My husband believes in God, but does not attend church, and hasn't for a very long time. He was born and raised Catholic, which is a faith that I do not profess to understand, having been born and raised in the Baptist church. This, however, is not a discourse on which denomination is best. What this is, in its convoluted way, is a story of a woman brought up in faith, who proclaims to believe, who talks the talk, but hasn't walked the walk in so many years that it is as if I am starting all over as a new Christian. The one thing that I know without fail, without doubt, is that my God loves me. Just as I am, flaws and all. He doesn't expect me to be perfect, He expects me to be me.

What I know to be true, today, is that the last few months have brought the realization that something is missing in my life. It is not about what I have - for I am blessed indeed with great children, a husband that loves me, and a family that always believes in me. I have a home, a rewarding job, and good friends. It is about finding myself in the faith that has never left me, through all the ups and downs of my life. It's not about talking the talk, it's about walking the walk. Am I ready?

I am. This isn't about finding "the church," it's about finding a church home. It is about being with other believers, talking and communing with those who have a true interest in living for Christ. It is about getting up every day, secure in the fact that life on this earth is but a drop in the bucket compared to the beauty of the eternity that awaits me when I get to Heaven. It is about being strong when Satan tries to dissuade me from my path, and placing my trust in Jesus. It is about knowing, believing, and living my faith. It's not always going to be easy, but with Him, I will prevail.

God, I am so unworthy, but I offer myself to you. Make me into the woman that you knew I would be before I was even created. I am clay and you are the potter. Make me into your vessel, fill me with your love, and help me to pour out the blessings as I share my faith in you.

"He must become greater, I must become less."~John 3:30, NIV

Without Him, I Am Nothing

2012-01-01T16:23:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! Today is January 1, 2012, and the date marks the beginning of several things. It is, of course, the start of a new year. Growing up in the late 60s and 70s, 2000 seemed so very far away ... A few days ago, a friend posted a link on Facebook for anyone who might be interested in reading through the Bible in 2012. It caught my attention for more than one reason. Because I am a voracious reader, I thought "why not?" Because I haven't read the Bible completely through in more years than I care to think about, I thought "this might be a good way to start a new year." Because it offered the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings with a group of people who were searching for the same solace, I thought "let's do this!"

We started our reading with one chapter, and not, as you may think, at the beginning of the Bible. Instead of beginning "at the beginning," we are opening our minds and hearts with the book of John, chapter 1. Only 51 verses, yet it packs a powerful punch. Take a moment and think about the first verse:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.~John 1:1

What does that say to you? To me, it says that God was, God is, and God always will be. What a source of comfort! Two verses later, in John 1:3, we see that

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

I am already seeing why we started with this book. Because of God, we are! The Life Application Study Bible goes into further explanations of most of the verses, and the explanation for this verse stopped me cold. Remember that you exist only because God made you, and you have special gifts only because God gave them to you. With God you are something valuable and unique; apart from God you are nothing, and if you try to live without him, you will be abandoning the purpose for which you were made.

Imagine that! I am here for a purpose, determined by God. If I work for His glory, I will find my purpose. Without Him, I am nothing. If we believe, we become children of God. Once we believe and decide to follow God, we are truly reborn. What an amazing beginning for a year-long journey. I am humbled, and strengthened. Without him, I am nothing. With Him, I have everything.

While the beginning of a year brings resolutions for many (often discarded before January is over), I challenge each of us -- myself included -- to make but one resolution: put God first in 2012.

God, I thank you yet again for the blessings that I have been given. Today marks a new year, a new beginning, and another chance to fulfill the promise that you gave me. I ask for your guidance as this year unfolds. Allow me to become what you know I can be, what you want me to be..

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.~Isaiah 40:8 NIV

The BIBLE ... yes, that's the book for me ...

2011-12-28T11:48:00.000-06:00

Does anyone know who wrote that song? I can't find it anywhere, but I certainly remember singing it in Sunday School! There are many versions of the Bible, my two favorites are the King James Version (the one I was "raised on") and the New International Version. Today, I believe I am going shopping for a new bible. I own three already, but a friend of mine just posted on Facebook a link to a group that is planning to read the Bible through in 2012, and I want a new Bible to read through and take notes in. That excites me! To read through God's Holy Word with others, and to discuss it ... what a fulfilling thing to look forward to for the new year!

Some people read the Bible daily. Unfortunately, I do not. I have at times in the past, and have read through the entire Bible at least once. These past few weeks have been a time of reflection for me, a time to make me sit up and take stock of my life and the direction in which it is heading.

Christmas Day, we (mama, Rob and I) went to Rob's brother Paul's house for Christmas dinner. My sister-in-law, Pam, was on call for the weekend, and had to go in to work for a short bit that morning. Shortly after we arrived, she told us that she and the girls (our nieces Paige and Piper) were going to church since they hadn't gone that morning, and asked us if we wanted to go along. Mama and I decided to go, underdressed though we were (as in jeans and sweatshirts). On the way, Pam called our mother-in-law, Jane, and she decided to meet us at church.

This was a first for me: I haven't set foot in church for a worship service in I don't even remember when. What does that mean? It means it's been way too long. There is a list of excuses I could use, but that is all they would be: excuses. I was raised in church! From this point forward, however, I have two choices. I can begin attending church again, or continue on the current path of non-attendance. The decision is mine, and I am the one who has to stand before my Lord. Will He love me less if I don't go to church? I don't think so, but there comes a feeling of peace, of community, of fellowship from attending church that you just don't find anywhere else. The simple service at the Vidor Church of Christ on Christmas evening touched my heart in a way that it has not been touched in far too long. I believe it truly was God speaking to me.

Today on Facebook, a friend of mine posted a link to read through the Bible in 2012. I got so excited when I read this that I immediately clicked on the link and asked to be a part of the group. I cannot even begin to explain how encouraged I am about this! Sometimes, I think you just need to share things with others to get the most out of it. I am in no way saying that reading the Bible on your own is unfulfilling, but I think that when you read with others you can bounce ideas and thoughts off each other and gain a deeper understanding than you can on your own. I will post the link if anyone is interested in becoming a part of the group. I am looking forward to the blessings that are to come!!

God, I humble myself before you, and ask forgiveness. I ask that you open my ears and heart to you, so that I may receive your guidance. Please keep your merciful hand upon me, and direct me on the path that you would have me take. As I prepare to begin another year, I ask for your help to follow your will in all things.

Here's the link for reading through the Bible for those that may be interested:

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE 2012-- An online Facebook group who will read the Bible through together in 2012 and occasionally share in some discussion about what we read. Would you like to join me in reading through the Bible in 2012? https://www.facebook.com/groups/211312092287987/

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youfree from the law of sin and death."

~Romans 8:1-2 NIV

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain

2011-10-16T23:22:00.000-05:00

I will be the first to admit that I have been less than diligent about reading this particular book. I received this particular book from BookSneeze well over a year ago, and have just now gotten around to finishing the book. I could give you a litany of excuses, but that is all that they would be ... excuses. I would pick it up, read a few chapters, and put it down. When I picked it up again, I would read a few more chapters, then put it down.

There is no good reason for why I did this. The book stands as a good reference, and the stories that it tells can rip your heart. I can imagine that sitting down for a conversation with either or both of the authors of this well written book would be extremely interesting. The main reason that I had such a difficult time getting through the book in one or two sittings (as is my norm) is that I believe the words were penetrating far deeper than I cared to explore.

Why read this book? Sometimes, we are going to hurt. I do not mean hurt in the physical sense, but sometimes mental pain gives as much or more anguish than does physical pain. We do not have to let the pain define us. Dr. Meier and Dr. Henderson delve into why our pain affects us the way it does, and how working past it can make us stronger. The authors explore seven areas (challenges) they list as life's most common: injustice, rejection, loneliness, loss, discipline, failure, and death. Instead of medical jargon, we are given biblical references, and I rather liked the departure. When you pick up a book written by nearly anyone with the letters M.D. behind their name, especially one that could be categorized as a "self-help" book, you expect to find clinical information. In this book, not so much. Referring instead to the Bible, Drs. Meier and Henderson guide us through the benefits of working through our pain.

While it did take me quite some time to read, I would recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Today, We Celebrate

2011-06-23T09:54:00.004-05:00

Seventy-one years ago, Ralph and Edna welcomed their second son (third child) into this world. As the years passed, they would welcome another six children, including a set of twins. When complete, their family included five boys and four girls. I can't imagine growing up in a household with eight siblings ... I wonder how they celebrated birthdays?

As one of three children, birthdays growing up were special. Not that we had elaborate parties (we didn't), nor even ridiculously expensive gifts (ditto); what I remember most about birthdays was the feeling of being special. Usually, our birthday cakes were homemade, and our favorite flavor. I remember one birthday spent in the hospital ... my biggest fear was not being able to have any of the strawberry cake with strawberry icing that my grandmother had made for me!

Daddy would have celebrated his 71st birthday today. Although I am still saddened by the fact that he is gone, I can't help but smile when I remember him. He had the biggest heart! He had a mischievous kid smile that made you smile along with him, even if you didn't know what was funny! I'm pretty sure that God has smiled with him over the past four years ... probably while He beat daddy at cribbage :)

If you have your parents, take the time to talk with them about their celebrations growing up. If you have a significant other, make their day special for them. If you have children, make memories! Show those you care about (relatives or not) what they mean to you. Remember that it doesn't have to be expensive to be special, just knowing that you are loved, that you are thought of as special, makes any day a "special" day!

Fortunately, our Heavenly Father can make any day a special day. How, you might ask? No matter how heavily laden I may think that I am, I know that all I have to do is ask -- just ask -- and God will be there to bear my burdens. I didn't say that He'd take them away, just that He will bear them. We are so very blessed to be children of God.

God, I have so many things to thank you for that I don't even know where to start. First of all, I thank you for giving me a wonderful earthly father! Thank you for allowing me to celebrate 43 years with him. Thank you for giving me a wonderful family, and for allowing me the blessing of children. Remind me always that everyone is special to you, and that it is not my place to judge a child of yours. Remind me that every day I wake up is cause to praise You ... truly cause to celebrate! One request, on this day ... wish my daddy a Happy Birthday from me!

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." ~ John 1:12-13 NIV

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T10:58:00.003-05:00

Today is Father's Day, celebrated in a variety of ways. What did you do for your dad this year? Like many, I was unable to share this day with my dad because he passed away in 2007. What is a dad? What makes a father?

It's been written in a variety of ways, but biology does not always a father make. Don't misunderstand, the interaction of male and female can, and often does, result in a child. This, however, does not always create a father. What is a father? (Or in my more familiar southern vernacular, a daddy?). A daddy is a one who takes care of his children, one who teaches his children, one who shows his children right from wrong, but most importantly (in my opinion) - LOVES his children. It doesn't require large amounts of money, it doesn't require the newest/nicest/fastest anything. Being a daddy is time consuming. Being a daddy can be heartbreaking. Being a daddy is probably the most rewarding and hardest job you will ever love. A daddy doesn't have to be a biological parent, he can come into this role through marriage, adoption, foster care, or other ways.

I had a truly blessed childhood. I didn't grow up wealthy, but I was rich in love and family. My daddy was a wonderful man! Daddy could make the simplest things fun ... just ask Cheryl what "todadump" means and I guarantee it will make her smile. Although I lost daddy four years ago, his legacy lives on. He left behind three children, one stepson, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. What did I learn from my daddy? I learned that to earn money, I would have to work for it. I learned that education is important. I learned that sometimes, things won't go your way, and that you have to learn from your mistakes and missteps and move forward. I learned that it's okay to cry, but no one particularly cares for a whiner. I learned that getting back up is a lot harder than falling down. One of the most important things that my daddy taught me? That a little faith and a whole bunch of hard work will usually get you where you want to be, and that God never leaves you. No matter what.

Our heavenly Father is always loving, forgiving, teaching, and strong. He made the ultimate sacrifice ... He gave his only son as payment for our sins, and made the price of entrance into heaven simply the belief and acceptance of him as our personal savior. What a father!

God, thank you for blessing me with my daddy for 43 years. Although I didn't want him to leave, I know that it was time for him to come to you. Thank you, God, for loving me just the way I am. Thank you for being my heavenly father. Happy Father's Day!

"Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."~Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

The Walls Have Eyes

2011-01-08T01:21:00.003-06:00

One good thing that can be said for working opposite shifts from your significant other is that deciding to take a shower in the middle of the night won't disturb anyone! This morning, I decided that I wouldn't be able to sleep unless I took a nice, hot shower. Imagine my surprise when I turned around to rinse my hair and discovered that the walls had eyes!

Yes, the picture on the right WAS taken in my shower this morning. The green walls in my bathroom were looking at me ... literally! Somehow, the relaxation goes out of the hot water when you're keeping an eye on the corner to see what the lizard is going to do next. My girls will be shocked to find that I didn't even scream at the sight.

What crossed my mind (well, once I got past the idea that I was sharing my shower with a crawly critter the same color as my bathroom walls)? Imagine living your life if the walls did have eyes! Supermarket tabloids bring photos to light that many people wish had never been taken. Imagine someone following you around to see whether or not you dare to step outside the house without being immaculately groomed at all times (what brand of shampoo you use, what flavor ice cream you purchase, what you read ... you get the idea).

Newsflash: someone IS watching you. I don't really believe that God is ogling us in the shower, after all, He made us and is quite aware of what we look like. I do believe, however, that He knows what I think, not to mention what I say and do. Jesus lived his time on earth as an example. By following in his footsteps, am I really following in his footsteps? I will be the first to admit that I stumble far more frequently than I'd like to think that I do. If I would be ashamed for my children to repeat what they hear me say, what on earth is Jesus thinking?

One of the most difficult lessons I've had to learn in my life is one that I should have mastered long before I did, and that is the not-always-so-simple task of thinking before I speak. Words are far more difficult to eat than swallow, and learning to swallow my thoughts instead of speaking harshly is a process that I am still learning. Please note that I am still learning. I try, and the operative word in this sentence is most definitely try, to think before I say something that I cannot take back. While a short answer might make me feel better in the now, what will it do five minutes from now? Five hours? Five years?

There are times that I bite my tongue, swallow my pride, and beg Jesus to keep His hand over my mouth. I ask Him to forgive me for a quick temper, a smart mouth, and a tendency to speak before I think. Before the glib answer or sharp comment falls from your tongue, ask yourself if the perceived hurt will matter five minutes from now. If not, ask for help and let it go.

While I seriously doubt that the National Enquirer will ever be piled up in the driveway at my house wondering what I'm going to wear to Walmart, God is always watching and listening. To clarify things just a little more, this time I leave you with a joke that I didn't create. Unfortunately, I do not know who did, but I feel it is appropriate here:

The robber smiles to himself as he steps into the richly appointed living room, until he hears a voice saying "Jesus is watching you." Frozen for a brief moment, he steps forward and hears "Jesus is watching you." He turns on his flashlight and illuminates the birdcage in the corner at the same times as he hears those four words once more: "Jesus is watching you."

He smirks and asks the bird "Jesus?" The parrot says "No, my name is Moses." "Moses? What kind of idiot names a parrot Moses?" The parrot's reply: "The same kind of idiot that named a rottweiler Jesus."

Father, may I never forget that Jesus is watching me ... and watching over me.

"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry" ~ Psalm 34:15

Pay It Forward

2011-01-02T23:01:00.002-06:00

One of my friends recently posted a "pay it forward" challenge as her facebook status. For the first 5 people who commented and promised to pay it forward by sending something homemade to the first 5 people who commented on their status ... why does this sound so much more complicated when I try to explain it?!?!?

Here is the original post: Pay it Forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. They must in turn post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011....

In just under an hour, this wonderful idea has blossomed, and makes me think of a way to take it even further. What if we decided each day, to do something for someone who may never know what we have done. Before you think I'm talking spending hundreds or thousands of dollars (which I do not have), I'm thinking simply here. Next time you are at a restaurant, spend a few extra dollars on a meal for someone seated alone. You don't have to tell them, just ask your waitress. Too much? Buy an extra newspaper and give it away. Bake cookies for your next door neighbor. Smile at the next person you pass in the hallway. Do you see where this could snowball into a sea of positivity?

I'm not naive enough to think that everyone, myself included, can do this each day. Taking one day at a time, however, this is quite realistic. For example, tomorrow, I will make an effort to keep a positive attitude toward everyone I meet. How will that affect others? First of all, they do not have to put up with yet another grouch. Second? When you see someone smile, how often do you not smile in return? If I have something that I can share, I will. In sharing we are giving.

I have decided that 2011 will be my year of positive thinking. Life is far too short to be unhappy. By giving Jesus control, I have already made a positive change in my life. By following through and letting Him shine through me, it radiates out to encompass those around me. Will you join me on this journey for change?

God, please guide me in my quest to glorify you. Give me the words to say, one day at a time.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."~Matthew 5:16 NIV

Black Eyed Peas and Number Ones

2011-01-01T22:04:00.004-06:00

What did the first day of 2011 hold for you? Did you make resolutions for your year? I wrote the date over and over today (at work, had to), secretly marveling at the fact that I was writing 1-1-11 ... This year I will turn 47, and like years past, I resolved to make changes for 2011.

Traditionalist that I am, I also cooked. Last night after work, I put my black eyed peas on to simmer with some finely chopped onion and neck bones. I chopped up most of a head of cabbage and threw together some coleslaw using mama's recipe. Before work this morning, I baked a few cornbread muffins to go with my lunch. After much discussion, most of us decided to order from Darryl's (po-boys ... yum!), so the black eyed peas came back home with me to be supper instead.

Let's see, po-boy for lunch (hey, I skipped the mayo), and black eyed peas, coleslaw, and cornbread for supper ... looks like one of my goals is going to be a tough one. I did, however, step on the scale today, and that only defined that particular goal more clearly. Because I know that ridiculous goals stand little chance of being met, I decided to break my weight loss goal into more manageable chunks. I need to lose a big chunk, but know from past experience that saying I want to lose 25, 30, 50 (you get the idea) pounds is simply an invitation to give up when I don't hit my goal. For 2011, my weight loss goal is this: I resolve to lose 5 pounds a month. From January 1 to January 31, my goal is to lose 5 pounds. Put that way, it seems far more realistic, and not unattainable. 5 pounds in a 4 week month is 1.25 pounds per week. Every week I may not lose 1.25 pounds. Some weeks I may lose more, some weeks the scale may not budge. If I manage to keep that goal for the entire year, guess what? Well, most of us can do the math without a tutor (sorry Allen, don't need you for this simple problem!) ... that's 60 pounds! Saying that I want to lose 60 pounds in 2011 seems like such a large number, but saying that I want to lose 5 pounds a month just sounds better!

Another resolution? To do my best to maintain good grades in all my classes this year. School starts back on January 17 so I will be hitting the books again in a couple of weeks. One class at a time, one assignment at a time is how I will keep this resolution.

Resolution three? To write more often. Specifically, to write devotions more frequently. Ideally, I'd like to write every day. Since I began this journey over three years ago, I've not come even remotely close to that goal. Probably not even a third of that, but guess what? 2011 is a New Year, and this is the first day of a year of change.

In the background, I'm listening to Big Dog Saturday Night on 96.9 as Allen plays artists' first number one hits. Guess what is playing? "Jesus Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. What a great resolution for the new year! Let Jesus take the wheel of your life, because He needs no GPS, needs no atlas, needs no gasoline, and doesn't require inspections stickers, tags, or insurance. In the song, Carrie sings these words:

For the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change

So from now on tonight ....

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
Give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Jesus take the wheel

And that, my friends, is the most important resolution any of us can make. If Jesus isn't controlling the wheel of our lives, we need to let go, and let Him. I'm not giving up, but I am giving it to God. Will you join me in making 2011 the year of the believer?

God, I ask your blessing and mercy on these words, and that you use them as you see fit to glorify you. Please continue to guide my fingers across this keyboard ...

"for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise." ~ Proverbs 1:4-6 NIV

Life is More than Food

2010-12-16T02:14:00.002-06:00

Watching old home movies is sometimes more than I can bear. The memories in and of themselves are happy ones, seeing the joy on my children's faces ... just seeing them at those young ages makes me smile. What I cannot stand to see are the images of myself on those tapes. After seeing those pictures, I look in a mirror and ask myself "What happened?"

As a nurse, I see the evidence of self-destructive behavior every day. What hurts even more is to look in the mirror and see the evidence of my own such behavior. How do you stop the vicious cycle? Only one who has never been through such a thing can even remotely begin to understand. My own personal problem? Food. I love it. Even when I see the evidence of how much I love it, I eat anyway. Do I really enjoy it? How can I when I've gained nearly 80 pounds in the last ten years? I'm effectively carrying around an elementary school child every day!

I've weighed all the alternatives, considered the surgical route, tried nearly every diet known to man. What it all boils down to is the simple fact that I eat what I shouldn't eat and often, when I shouldn't. How do I change that? I have been successful on various diets, but as the old joke says "ever notice that most of the word diet is the word die?" Funny in a not so funny way. I am not sure that you can be successful over the long term if you always consider yourself on a diet. I'm not sure who started using the phrase "lifestyle change," but in reality that it what it will take for weight loss to be successful for me. I have no desire to spend the rest of my life counting calories or feeling guilty for eating a piece of cake. What I do have a desire to do is be able to move without becoming short of breath, be able to sit down on the ground without requiring a crane to pick me up, and shop for clothes that do not have an X on the tag.

At my last doctor's visit, I brought up the subject of bariatric surgery, and my physician didn't even blink before he said no. Why? "Eat less, move more. Surgery isn't a cure, it's a crutch." While realistically I can understand his point of view, the little fat girl sitting in the chair thought scornfully "easy for a skinny person to say." I wish I could just unzip the fat and let the smaller me out. Inside this fat chick is a smaller woman screaming. Usually, I shut her up with potato chips.

I have to find the strength within myself to stick with a healthier lifestyle when it comes to food. Denying myself certain foods won't work for longer than a short while, and will probably end up backfiring. Two words that need to be remembered? In moderation!

Tomorrow is another day. Maybe I can take the first step on a road to better health. I am certainly going to try. I can't do it on my own, but at least I have a huge support system behind me!

Jesus, I ask once more for your help. Sometimes I wonder if you get tired of me asking. Thank you for blessing me with abundant food, the skill and knowledge to prepare that food, and the ability to know when enough is enough. With you, I can do anything.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."~Luke 12:22-23 NIV

Carry On {My} Wayward Son

2010-12-07T23:00:00.002-06:00

Who knew what Kerry Livgren was trying to say when he penned these words in 1975? Listed on VH1's Top 100 Hard Rock Songs, this guitar slamming anthem reverberates through your brain as the angst filled vocals of Steve Walsh entwine with the plaintive notes of the keyboard.

You may wonder how I can interpret the lyrics of a rock song as relating to Jesus. I guess there is enough of the child left in me to see God in everything. If I choose to take the words to a classic rock song and find Jesus in them, who's to say I'm wrong? After all, we are not the writer, so we don't know what he meant for us to find in his words. What Kerry Livgren and Kansas found in these words was a hit single for their Leftoverture album, and that was more than they'd gotten from their first two releases. But I digress. Let's look at what are probably the most recognizable words in the song.

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

If I lay my weary head to rest on Jesus, I have no more reason to cry. I can carry on, even though I have transgressed, for He has forgiven me, and at the end of my journey, I will find peace in Heaven. Makes sense to me. Still not convinced? Well, let's dig a little deeper.

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say

What do I hear Jesus say? I hear him say "relax Denise, I've got it from here." Before Jesus, I saw without seeing and I thought without knowing. Until I listened to the quiet voice of God, I heard nothing. Once I opened my ears, the meaning was crystal clear. If I follow with trust, He will lead me home.

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Heaven does wait for me, because I believe in the power of Jesus. Heaven waits for me, because I trust in Him. Heaven waits for me because I chose to give my life to He whose power is the greatest of all. Without Him, I can do nothing ... but that's another song ...

Lord, I thank you for the gift of trust. I thank you for the gift of faith, and for your neverending, all encompassing love. Thank you for deeming me worthy. Please help me show your amazing, wonderful grace.

"I will heal their waywardness, and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them." ~Hosea 14:4 NIV

The Sound of Silence

2010-12-01T23:38:00.003-06:00

"First God created two part harmony. And then there was Simon and Garfunkel." I don't know who wrote those words, but I certainly believe that they are true. The shatteringly wistful voices of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel give life to the lyrics that Simon penned more than forty years ago.

As I was scrolling through Facebook catching up with friends and family,the words to an old Simon and Garfunkel tune started running through my head. While I can't imagine the song being unfamiliar, I'll break down why it appeals to me so. To start, look at the first verse:

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

If you've never been in the country at night, you may not be able to imagine a silence so absolute. There's a funny thing about that night silence, however. The longer you listen, the more you hear. Depending on where you are, you may hear the croaking of frogs, or the call of an owl, the cry of a wild cat, or the bark of a restless dog. Have you ever thought about what it is that you're hearing? I hear, and see, God. His voice and His presence resonate within me.

Let's look at another verse. In the fourth verse, Simon writes of listening:

Fools, said I, You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach to you
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

Could not that be God's voice beseeching us? Asking us to hear His words, to heed His call? And, just like Paul Simon so eloquently wrote, His voice falls on sometimes deaf ears. We ignore Him until we are in need. Why do we wait? Why do we choose to live in silence?

God's symphony is all around us. Let us listen with open ears ... and an open heart. Even in the silence, God is present.

God, I pray daily for your strength to aid me. I love hearing your presence in the silence, for it tells me that I am not alone. Thank you for blessing me with the ability to hear you.

"For your name's sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."~Psalm 143:11-12 NIV

Me and Jesus

2010-11-17T11:31:00.002-06:00

A couple of my friends started the month on Facebook by making daily postings of things they were thankful for. That started me to thinking (scary thought, I know) and I decided I needed to give thanks as well. Think about that for a moment ... have you counted your blessings lately? You just might be surprised just how very much you have to be thankful for.

Today's post, completed when I returned from a walk with Trina, just seemed to roll off my fingertips. It is as if I sat down at the computer and the words just fell out of my brain through my fingertips. For some reason, the words of the old Tom T. Hall song "Me and Jesus" came to mind, and so here we are with this devotion.

Tom T. Hall was born in 1936 and has been referred to in various articles as a country balladeer. Merriam-Webster online defines balladeer as a "singer of ballads." Okay .. I have to say it ... duh. I guess I don't know what I was thinking but that simplistic answer was not it! Back to Tom T. I remember several of his songs from childhood, and I guess country balladeer is a pretty good description. His songs told stories. I don't remember the first time I heard the song "Me and Jesus," but even today, just thinking the words made the lyrics start playing in my head. It makes me smile.

Let's look at the chorus, if you will:

Me and Jesus, got our own thing going
Me and Jesus, got it all worked out
Me and Jesus, got our own thing going
We don't need anybody to tell us what it's all about

Yes, if you're not familiar with the song, it pretty much plays like it reads. Hand clapping and flat top guitar as accompaniment. Catchy, is it not? But look at the words, and read what they say. Our relationship with God is not about the biggest and baddest church, it's not about the "church clothes," it's not about the preacher. Your relationship with God is just that: you and God. Or as the song says, me and Jesus. No more, no less.

Look at the first verse:

I know a man, who once was a sinner
I know a man, who once was a drunk
I know a man, who once was a loser
He went out one day and made an altar out of a stump

Go ahead and smile. Maybe even say to yourself, "yeah but I'm not like that." Well I do see myself in that verse ... because I was, and am, a sinner. I try very hard to live as Jesus would have me live, but I fail sometimes. And I ask Him to forgive me. It doesn't make me a bad person ... just makes me forgiven. Because Jesus does forgive. Verse two?

Jesus brought me through all of my troubles
Jesus brought me through all of my trials
Jesus brought me through all of my heartaches
And I know that Jesus ain't gonna forsake me now

Simple words. Powerful statements. Jesus is here, with me now. He's going to be here tomorrow, just as He was yesterday. Thank you Lord, for deeming me worthy, sinner though I am.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Potato Chip Memories

2010-08-30T23:37:00.004-05:00

Today while I was aimlessly meandering through Kroger, I ended up in front of the potato chip display. No matter how I try to restrain myself, at least one bag of chips manages to jump into my cart nearly every time I go to the grocery store. And yes, I'm aware that I could avoid such a mishap if I would simply ignore the aisle altogether, but I digress. I was already in somewhat of a befuddled state of mind due to earlier events, but a simple red, white, blue, and yellow bag stopped me cold in my tracks. I'm sure the poor fellow tasked with stocking the aisle was shaking his head in bewilderment, wondering why on earth a bag of potato chips was so fascinating.

Magic City (aka Birmingham, Alabama) became home to a snack company started in 1923 by Mose Lischkoff and Frank Mosher. The main product of Magic City Foods was a crispy potato chip. This two man operation expanded as the Birmingham area grew to appreciate the quality and service provided. The company excelled under the leadership of Helen Friedman, and was purchased by the Bashinsky family in 1946. When the company sold in 1956, it stayed in the Bashinsky family but changed names, becoming Golden Flake, Incorporated. (For the interesting details of how Helen became the owner, check out the history page on the company's website at www.goldenflake.com)

Why a discourse on a southern potato chip company? My daddy loved potato chips. His favorite? Golden Flake Thin & Crispy. As anyone who has lost a loved one can tell you, sometimes it is the seemingly inconsequential things that can trigger a memory. Maybe today's jolt was a direct result of the morning's events, but I was flooded with reminders of daddy at the sight of that bag of chips. He particularly liked the little bags, I guess because there were just enough chips in there to satisfy that chip craving without loading on the guilt for eating the whole bag!

In the last spring of his life, he was frequently an inpatient at UAB. Danielle and I had gone up for a visit, and that day he wanted some Golden Flake chips. Kathy's sister had stopped at Walmart and gotten him a bag, but it wasn't one of the little ones. We decided that we would find him some. We thought we remembered seeing a gift shop, so Danielle and I went off to find it, hoping that they carried small bags of chips! We found it, they had little bags, and I'm sure the very nice lady working that day probably thought to herself that we were kinda strange when we told her we wanted every bag that she had in stock. When we strolled back into daddy's room, and proudly presented him with a bag full of little bags, you would have thought that we'd given him gold instead of Golden Flake!

Today, I left Kroger with my own bag of Golden Flake Thin & Crispy chips. As I sat down to lunch, I thought about daddy with every chip. And I smiled, knowing that he was smiling with me. Simplistic? Maybe so. Who says life always has to be complicated?

All the money in the world cannot buy the breathtaking beauty that God unfolds for us each morning with the sunrise, nor can it purchase the fiery splendor that is the sunset. The most powerful man on earth and the least beggar get to heaven via the exact same route: belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Is it not just amazing that this is a gift freely given?

Lord, please remind me to be thankful every day for the small miracles. Help me to see your presence all around me, and wrap me in the safety of your love and forgiveness. Give me the words to say that glorify you. Never let me forget that your hand is always over me: protecting, guiding, and giving me strength. Remind us that love is shown in many ways. Sometimes, it's even a bag of potato chips.

"Jesus replied: 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'"~Luke 18:27 NIV

I Think I Love You!

2010-08-21T21:32:00.009-05:00

The internet is an amazing tool. I sit in my living room and listen to a radio broadcast originating more than 500 miles away. Listening to Allen on Jukebox Saturday Night, I remember my teenaged years when one of our favorite things to do was call in to the radio station and request a song, or just talk to the DJ (who we just KNEW was adorable).

Jukebox Saturday Night is one of my favorite radio shows because the music reminds me of a time in my life when worries were few. While I like most types of music, oldies nearly always make me smile. One of my favorite songs may not qualify as an "oldie" (according to Wikipedia, an oldie is a radio format that focuses on songs from 15 to 55 years before the present day) ... although using that range, it certainly qualifies!

I can hardly believe that it was nearly 4o years ago when David Cassidy came across the tv screen and caused my little 6 year old heart to go pitter patter ... 1970! When The Partridge Family premiered in September 1970, oldest "son" David Cassidy was the lead singer of the fictional Partridge Family. Even now, I can still hear those perky words ... of course, he was singing straight to me ... and millions of other young girls!

Think about the song for a moment. On the surface, it is a song about a young man who is afraid to commit himself to a "love there is no cure for." Who wants to be cured of loving someone? I certainly don't! You could interpret these lyrics so many ways ...

I'm sleeping, and right in the middle of a good dream

When all at once I wake up

From something that keeps knockin' at my brain

Before I go insane

I hold my pillow to my head

Spring up in my bed, screaming out the words I dread

I think I love you!

What if our realization of Jesus' love were this way? A sudden revelation can be scary!

This morning

I woke up with this feeling

I didn't know how to deal with

And so I just decided to myself

I'd hide it to myself and never talk about it

And didn't I go and shout it

When you walked into the room

I think I love you!

Do you remember the new days of your love for Jesus? Were you afraid to share? Did you consider not talking about it and keeping it all to yourself? His love fills you up so, that it is difficult NOT to share!! That is one of the beautiful things about it! The song goes on, and then says:

I don't know what I'm up against

I don't know what it's all about

I got so much to think about

As a new believer, there is so much to think about. So much to absorb! The wonder of it is that you are never alone ... share Jesus' love! You may never know just how much of a gift you give someone else by doing so. The only change? There is no "I think" about it ... I KNOW I love Jesus!

Jesus, thank you once more for the blessings you have given, and that you continue to lay upon me. Please help me to be worthy. Give me the voice so that I may share, and that in doing so, be able to touch others with the wonder of your love.

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." ~Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

On The Road Again

2010-08-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

It seems as if it was a long time in coming, but yesterday, I got in my truck and headed west. After nearly four months of living apart, I am going to live in the same house with my husband again! I'll be the first one to admit that driving (especially driving alone) can be a not-so-fun thing to do at times. Add sporadically heavy traffic and not-so-beautiful weather to the mix, and let's just say that I have a renewed appreciation for those who drive for a living!

I started my Monday with the best of intentions. My plan was to get to work on time, get myself organized and be prepared to walk out the door shortly after 11 so I could get home, relax for a few minutes, and get a good night's sleep for Tuesday's drive. Suffice it to say, that plans ... well, we all know what can happen to plans. I did get to work on time (even though I completely forgot about a meeting I was scheduled for prior to my shift), ended up not leaving work until nearly 1 a.m., then got home and couldn't sleep. I finally drifted off around 3 a.m., knowing full well that Miss Sunshine (aka Sami) would be up all perky and cheerful around 6 a.m. Seems that we all were less than perky a few hours later ... Sami didn't want to wake up either! She ate breakfast and got dressed for school, Mom got dressed for work, and I finally forced myself to get dressed and finish loading the final items (computer, cell phone, purse) in the truck.

A couple of quick stops for gas and breakfast, since I'm not a huge fan of gas station breakfast, and I was on my way. The short drive down 231 to I-10 was relatively uneventful, even though it was overcast, the traffic was light. Left turn, and this is it! Some 500 miles later I would reach my destination. Before I had traveled too far, the rain started. Don't misunderstand me: I love the rain ... when I'm inside and don't have to get out in it! I am not particularly fond of driving in the rain, especially when it's raining so hard that windshield wipers on full blast barely make a difference. This was to be my trip ... rain, no rain, light rain, heavy rain, sprinkles, no rain. You get the idea.

My least favorite part of the journey between Alabama and Louisiana would have to be the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Twenty miles of not-much-at-all interspersed with some breathtaking scenery (and nowhere to pull over and take pictures) is not my favorite place to be in the rain. Traffic was heavier than usual on this section of my trip, and by the time the bridge ended I was more than ready to stop for a cup of coffee and a stretch! Since there is not a Cracker Barrel nearby, I elected to stop at a Pilot in Breaux Bridge for coffee. At the self-serve coffee station, I had my cup nearly filled when it slipped from my hand and hit the floor, splattering my face, jeans, and sneakers in the process (how it missed my shirt, I have no idea). No burns unless you count the one from embarrassment. Another cup filled successfully and I was on my way.
Signs for Lake Charles finally appeared, and I'm thinking that I'm almost there ... only to find that 5:15 p.m. is apparently not the time to go from one side of Lake Charles to the other via I-10. What would normally take about 10-15 minutes ended up taking nearly an hour, only to get off at the Westlake exit and find that the train comes through at this time of day as well ... another 10 minutes of sitting in traffic and I'm heading home! Finally!!

What makes this trip any different from the others that I've made over the past few months? Driving gives me LOTS of time to think, to wonder, to plan, and even to pray. Yesterday, I did some of each, and was struck by a startling realization. I need to do more thinking, wondering, planning and praying. I need to open myself up to receive what God is saying, and to listen and obey His commands. If I am to effectively serve Him, I need to let Him fill me, then share.

It doesn't take a road trip to realize that God is everywhere, and God is within. Next time you get behind the wheel, take some time to listen to what can sometimes be a whisper. You might just be surprised ...

God, I thank you for the safe journey that you gave me. Bless those who drive every day, and watch over them as they travel. Thank you for opening my mind and heart, and please allow me to continue to receive your many and beautiful blessings.

... "Go in peace. Your journey has the LORD's approval." ~Judges 18:6

Conversations with God

2010-07-13T08:30:00.006-05:00

Last week, I needed to run to Montgomery and didn't want to go by myself. I decided to pick up the phone and call one of my best friends, my cousin Michelle, to see if she wanted to come along for the ride. She agreed, and we set off. What a day. We ended up spending less than an hour in Montgomery, but the conversation we shared made the trip not only fly by, but much more enjoyable!

The old saying goes "You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family." If you're fortunate, sometimes they are one and the same. Who better to understand the dynamics that you deal with on a daily basis than someone who was raised like you were, and who knows everyone involved? The ins and outs of family life are sometimes difficult to explain when you have to stop and continually clarify just who it is you are speaking of! When you are with family (genetic or otherwise ... sometimes blood has nothing to do with it), the conversation can flow like a river. We talked for miles.

Think about the most recent conversation you had, and how it went. Did it flow with ease, or were you struggling through awkward silences or disjointed explanations? Transition from that conversation to your last conversation with God. When was your last conversation with God? How did that go? Was it a laundry list or a time of open reflection?

Webster online offers several definitions of the word prayer, all similar. Most common? "The act of communicating with a deity, especially a supplication addressed to God." Well, then, what is supplication? Humble and earnest prayer. Note the defining words: humble and earnest. When I speak with God, do I humble myself before him? Am I sincere? Many of my prayers could almost be tweets. (No, I don't do Twitter.) Short supplications, if you will. What struck me most when reading through the definitions of prayer were the defining paragraphs further down on the page.

Biblical references to prayer are many, varied, and striking in their simplicity. Exodus 32:11 refers to prayer as "beseeching the Lord," while 1 Samuel 1:15 calls it "pouring out the soul before the Lord." 2 Chronicles 32:20 refers to "crying to heaven," but Psalms 73:28 refers to "drawing nearer to God." Hebrews 10:22 reminds us that prayer must be sincere. When we speak to God, regardless of the venue or delivery, remember that He is God. Pray with openness and trust. Sometimes I think the hardest thing to remember is that the answer we think we want is not at all in God's plan for us.

God, I thank you for the blessing of family and friends that I have been given. I thank you for the gift of living in a country that allows me to express my love for you without fear of retribution. I pray that those who do not have such freedom are touched by your mercy. May I never forget who guides my days and protects my nights. Help me to remember that your time and my time are not always the same, that you know what is best for me, and open my soul that I may better hear your voice.

"Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"~1 Chronicles 17:16 NIV

Bring On The Rain

2010-03-13T14:36:00.003-06:00

I'm a little technologically behind the times. Unlike many, I have only just recently discovered the joy of a marvelous little creation of Apple known as the iPod. I did not get one of the elaborate ones, but the tiny version known as the iPod shuffle. Unlike some versions of the iPod, the shuffle does not allow you to "see" what song is playing, so if you randomly loaded music like I did, you never know quite what's coming up next. Driving home from work the other day, I heard the beginning notes of a JoDee Messina song called "Bring On The Rain."

Released in October 2001, this number one song featured album co-producer Tim McGraw. This song reminds me of driving around Birmingham with my sister and my niece, during one of the many trips to UAB when daddy was so sick. I'm pretty sure that during that time period, Cheryl's vehicle was on autopilot between Missouri and Birmingham. Why do the lyrics of this song speak to me? Think of a down time in your life ... how did you handle it? Did you give in to defeat, or stand up and face it with clenched fists shouting "Bring it on!"? Let's look at the first verse:

Another day has almost come and gone

Can't imagine what else could go wrong

Sometimes I'd like to hide away

Somewhere and lock the door

A single battle lost but not the war

What do you think of when you are reviewing your days? Do you reflect on everything that you did wrong? Do you stop and realize where you could have put forth more effort? What about those days when you have given 110%? If I've learned anything, I have come to realize that asking "what else could go wrong" seems at times to be an open-ended invitation for something to go wrong! Yes, there are days when I want to be the proverbial ostrich and just bury my head in the sand, but that is extremely counter-productive. What would that teach me except how to hide? The last line of the first verse is, to me, one of the most potent: "A single battle lost but not the war." We are not always going to win. Does that mean we should just give up? What if Jesus gave up on us because we made mistakes?

The refrain in this song is short and simple, only three lines. Listen to the power they project:

Tomorrow's another day

And I'm thirsty anyway

So bring on the rain

Every day I wake up is a new chance for Jesus to work through me. Each day is a new beginning! How wonderful an opportunity! If we look at it with hope, and with a challenge, Jesus stands beside us. Bring it on ... Jesus has your back!

It's almost like the hard times circle 'round

A couple drops, and they all start coming down

Yeah, I might feel defeated

and I might hang my head

I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead

Stand up and fight! I won't even begin to say that it's easy, because some days it simply isn't. There are days (surely I'm not alone) when it takes everything I have just to get out of bed. The days when I pray just a little harder, and a little more selfishly, for strength to get me through. When things feel as if they are crashing down around your head, stop. Jesus can get you through anything. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it! Jesus is in your corner, rubbing your shoulders and giving you a pep talk when you are facing the giant (remember David and Goliath??). Satan may seem invincible, but Jesus is like anti-Satan spray. You may feel weak and exhausted, but Jesus is the best energy boost of all. He is your oxygen tank for life!

No I'm not gonna let it get me down

I'm not gonna cry

And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight

'Cause tomorrow's another day

and I'm thirsty anyway

So bring on the rain ...

Look at it this way ... Jesus can be your umbrella, or he can be your rain boots and slicker. Some days we need the protection of the umbrella, and some days we just need to dance in the rain. With Jesus, we are blessed to be able to do both.

Jesus, thank you for the rain ... and the rainbows it brings. Thank you for the love that you unselfishly give even though we are far less than perfect. Thank you for another day! Please help me to use each day I am given to glorify you.

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh praise the greatness of our God!"~Deuteronomy 32:2-3 NIV

Because You Loved Me

2010-02-26T14:48:00.003-06:00

The February 1996 release of the single "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion gave airplay to this anthem of encouragement written by Diane Warren as a tribute to her father. Listening to these words as I was driving home from work, it began to strike me how much they really applied to Jesus' love for us. Diane Warren won a Grammy award for this song, the song was also nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and spent 19 weeks at the top of the U.S. Contemporary charts.

Why do I feel so strongly about the message in this song? Allow me to share my thoughts. If you're not familiar with the song, I suggest youtube or one of the other online video sites, and give it a listen.

For all those times you stood by me

For all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

I'll be forever thankful ...

You're the one who held me up

Never let me fall

You're the one who saw me through

Through it all

How powerful those words!! When we open our arms, hearts, minds, and souls to the beautiful love that Jesus gives, He becomes everything we need. I can't believe that I have listened to this song for so long and it just now hit me how much this speaks of his love! The chorus, to me, of all the words, seems to say it all:

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me

We should give daily thanks and praise to the awesome God that is ours! What amazing things he has done and will continue to do in our lives, if we but let him. There is more to this song, and I could go on and on ... but sometimes, less is more.

Jesus, thank you for believing in me, and for making me the woman I am becoming. You have given me blessings beyond measure! Give me the words to share that joy with others.

"Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"~Matthew 22:37 NIV

I Am The Warrior!

2010-02-24T14:21:00.002-06:00

Listening to 100.5 while I was driving to work, I heard the last part of a Scandal song called "The Warrior." Released in 1984, this song was a familiar sound from my early 20s. For some reason, the lyrics caused me to think about being a warrior for Jesus. I know, not your typical praise and worship music! Take a minute, however, read the lyrics, and see what you think. We'll start with the first verse:

You run, run ... run away

It's your heart ... that you betray

When you are floundering alone in what seems like a sea of uncertainty, what happens when you refuse to turn to the master lifesaver? Jesus is the eternal life ring, the only guarantee that you know 100% is going to be there. He alone can reach out and take you into His arms, sheltering you and keeping you from the storms that life can disperse. When you run from that, you ARE betraying your heart, by refusing to give it the sustenance that it needs to survive. Let's continue with the chorus:

Shootin' at the walls of heartache

Bang, bang

I am the warrior

Giving our everything to Jesus releases those walls that surround us and they fall just as if they are under constant fire. His love is better than any bullet, and when He surrounds us and shoots at the "walls of heartache", the love surrounds the heartache and dissolves it. When we open ourselves to the reality of the incredible love and forgiveness of our savior, we are indeed warriors for Jesus! Another verse reads:

Who's the hunter ... who's the game?

I feel the beat ... call your name

Who is the hunter? You can look at in two different ways. Satan can indeed be the hunter, and we are his sometimes unsuspecting prey. He calls out to us, hoping to deceive. Sometimes the call is disguised sweetly, and sometimes it shows itself for what it really is. How do we know the difference? Depend on the master warrior, Jesus. He has the power (think of it as night vision goggles on turbo) to see through anything, because he knows all. He has the strength to guide us on the right path, no matter how difficult it may seem at times. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Can you say the same about Satan? When faced with Jesus, Satan WILL turn away! Don't let his siren song fool you, depend on Jesus to be your master translator! The final chorus of the song contains the line

Victory is mine!

You know what? It is indeed. The battle is sometimes a tough one, and some days it seems never ending, but as long as I have my Jesus, victory is indeed mine! Praise the Lord!!

Jesus, I thank you for the gift of thought, and the gift of words. Please continue to guide me and allow me to express these gifts in such a way that I may help someone else to come to you. Thank you for your continued rich blessings!!

"For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."~Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV

One Small Room

2010-01-29T13:43:00.003-06:00

This week, part of our class had to do our 6 hour clinical rotation in a nursing home. I have had little experience with nursing homes, and was rather apprehensive about the few hours I'd spend there. The visit was mostly an observational one, to give us a better picture of RN duties outside the more traditional hospital setting. From the time I entered the facility until the moment I walked out the front door at the end of the rotation, the only thing that matched my preconceived notions (and past experience) of nursing homes were the residents!

When I say the residents, I mean only that I expected senior adults to be living there, and that is exactly what I found. Absolutely nothing else about this visit was what I expected it to be. As we wound our way through the residence halls, two things struck me right away: the cleanliness (it was cleaner than some hospitals I've been in), and the attitudes. That's right, the attitudes. Without exception, every single person on the staff that I encountered during my 6 hour visit was pleasant and willing to answer questions, displayed care and concern to the residents, and presented themselves in a very positive manner. It was obvious that they cared about the jobs that they were doing.

What stood out the most in my mind was the individual living arrangements. This particular facility has a very high number of private rooms; the rest of the rooms are doubles (two residents per room). The administration spoke briefly with our group, giving us a bit of history and a glimpse of future plans. While some administrative people you encounter sound like a walking PR firm, this was not in the least scripted (or certainly didn't sound like it!). It was a story from the heart about people who are passionate about the service that they provide and about the people who become part of their family. We heard funny snippets about shared rooms being divided into two distinct parts (if you ever shared a room growing up you will completely understand!). For the residents at this facility, it truly is HOME.

Look around you, if you're at home. If not, visualize the place you live. Now constrict your vision and realize that you will be living in one room. Just one room! You obviously can't take everything you own ... what matters most? That socked me rather hard. What does matter most? What would I take with me if I had only one room? If I had to condense my life into one small room, what would I take to make it as much home as possible? The one constant that I saw in almost every single room I had the opportunity to view was pictures. I don't know if they were friends, family, or both, but nearly every single resident had pictures on a wall in their room. I think about my living room as it sits right now. Never mind the shoes that need to be put away or the hoodie thrown over the back of the couch, never mind the books stacked in at least two different locations ... there are pictures on almost every available surface. Pictures of our families. They are there with us because our families cannot be. It's no substitute for the real thing, but it's definitely better than nothing.

What would you put in your room, if one room was all you had? I'd definitely have pictures, maybe a rocking chair if room was available. I'd have my Bible, and probably more books than allowed if my eyes let me still read. What else? I don't know. I don't want to think about it ... but maybe I should. What better way to get your priorities in order than to realize that you, too, might be living in a single room someday? What matters most?

In What Matters Most, author Hyrum W. Smith guides you through setting goals and formulating a personal mission statement. Does that sound familiar? Smith founded the Franklin Quest company, which later merged with Covey's Leadership Center to become Franklin Covey Company, one of the best known providers of time management training to both individuals and companies. In a nutshell (and without going back and rereading the book), Smith's book asks that you break things down to their very basic components to determine what is the most important thing in your life. For most of us, an answer wouldn't be difficult to come up with. What matters most to me? My children, my husband, my family, my friends. When you get your priorities in order, your life flows smoother. What should be my first priority? What matters most?

My relationship with God is at the top of my list. Without Him, I have nothing, I can be nothing, I can do nothing. Because of Him, I am blessed to have three beautiful children, a loving and supportive husband, family that loves and cares for me, and friends that I can depend on. Because of Him, I have reasons to live. Because of Him, I have a future. I never need to lose sight of that simple fact. God, I am humbled by the richness of my blessings. What I have done to deserve such bounty, I do not know, and may not know in this lifetime, but I am eternally grateful. Please continue to lay your hand upon me and guide me along the path that you have determined is mine.

"To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."~Mark 12:32-34 NIV

What I Really Am

2010-01-20T13:05:00.002-06:00

When something triggers an idea strong enough for me to sit down and write, I have no idea where it will end up. I don't know if that's because I'm untrained, or if that's just the way my brain works. There are times when I go back and read what I've written and it surprises me. I'm thinking to myself "I wrote that?" Last night, I was driving home in the light fog and the ideas were flowing. Fog, how the spectral shapes can make you think you see things that are not there, the eerie feeling that comes when you are out in the fog ... anyway, you get the idea. Today when I sat down and began writing, a line from the Nickelback song "How You Remind Me" flashed through my mind and sent me down an entirely different path.

Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger penned the lyrics to this particular song, the first single released from 2001's "Silver Side Up." I haven't heard the song in several weeks, but I've almost stopped questioning why things direct me to write. Because I'm not totally familiar with the lyrics, I looked them up. Reading through the entire song, it's not so much the whole song as parts of it that made me sit up and take notice. Kroeger starts:

Never made it as a wise man

Couldn't cut it as a poor man stealing

Tired of living like a blind man

I'm sick inside without a sense of feeling

And this is how you remind me

This is how you remind me

Of what I really am

This is how you remind me

Of what I really am

Let me break my thoughts down for you. First, I don't claim to be wise, and although poor, I don't steal because that's just wrong. The next few lines were like a sledgehammer. Tired of living like a blind man, I'm sick inside without a sense of feeling. This is how you remind me of what I really am.

Wow. When I was walking through life without Jesus by my side, I really was living like a blind man (woman). Without his guidance, there are obstacles everywhere. There was always a sense of something missing, feeling like I was not where I should be and unsure if I was going to get there. Thinking back reminds me of just how far I've come, and what I would be without him.

It can be difficult to turn your back on what you've done in the past. Ask for help. None of us are perfect, but we are all God's children. He sees, he hears, he loves, and he forgives. Every blessed day he reminds me of this fact: I am His!

God, I thank you for loving my imperfections, for steadying me when I stumble, and carrying me when I fall. Thank you for guiding my path, for showing me what we can do together. Please help me to let others see you in me.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." ~1 John 1:8 NIV

The Reason

2010-01-15T13:10:00.003-06:00

Do you ever wish you could change the radio station in your head? You know the one I mean ... the one that just arbitrarily plays bits and pieces of songs until you have to find the music and listen to it on an external component (in my case, it's usually the computer). Today's tune? "The Reason," the 2004 hit by the California grunge band Hoobastank.

While grunge is not the type of music that I ordinarily listen to, this particular song struck a chord from the first time I heard it. Written by lead singer Doug Robb, "The Reason" climbed the US charts to peak at #1 on the Top 40 charts, and at #2 on the Hot 100. The song is probably most famous for its airplay on the final episode of "Friends."

Why does this song stick in my head? I don't know what Doug Robb was writing about, but "The Reason" has been referred to as an "anthem for change." Look at the words and decide for yourself:

I'm not a perfect person

There's many things I wish I didn't do

But I continue learning

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is you

What comes to mind? A relationship that has suffered? For me, it speaks volumes about my relationship with Jesus. He knows, of course, that I'm not a perfect person. He doesn't expect me to be. What does he expect? That I do the very best that I can. But you know what? The more I learn, both about myself and about Jesus, I realize that there have been many times in my life when I have disappointed him. What makes me want to change that? To change who I am? He does. Jesus is the reason to start over.

The apology of the next verse is especially true for me. For those that I have hurt, I'm sorry doesn't seem to be enough. I'm sorry, too, for disappointing God.

I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with every day

and all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

and be the one who catches all your tears

that's why I need you to hear

(repeat chorus)

Music is a powerful tool. Interpretation is largely left up to the listener, and for ten people, a song will probably have ten different meanings. Doug Robb's song may not have been written as a tribute to Jesus, but that's the interpretation that works for me. Those are the words laying on my heart.

Jesus, I'm sorry is a pitiful phrase to offer for the mistakes that I've made. Fortunately, you have blessed me continually, absorbing the hurt and standing strong beside me even when I chose not to notice your presence. I pray that you continue to guide me, and to keep my eyes open.

"...'What was your reason for doing this?'"~Genesis 20:10 NIV

Never Alone

2010-01-12T13:50:00.002-06:00

Music is almost a constant in my life. I'm listening to it, reading about it, or it's playing in my head. Sometimes, a thread of a song will make me stop, think, research ... and write.

Today, a phrase from the Green Day song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" started running through my mind - "I walk alone." I thought about it, and wondered why that particular phrase came to me. I don't walk alone ... but I have.

Look at Billie Joe Armstrong's lyrics and think for a minute.

I walk a lonely road

The only road that I have ever known

Don't know where it goes

But it's home to me and I walk alone

There have been times in my life when I've been there. On that road, feeling like I am truly alone. Never mind the fact that I have a rather large extended family and group of friends ... never mind the fact that the feeling could come when I was in a large group ... the feeling of being terribly, utterly alone.

Looking back, I realize where that disturbing sense of loneliness came from. It came from my refusal to reach out and grasp the one lifeline that is always there. Even though I dedicated my life to Christ when I was a child, I did not faithfully follow the path that God had set for me. There were years-more years than I care to think about-that He was no more than a strong presence in the back of my mind that I refused, for whatever reason, to bring forward. The amazing thing is that He never left me. Through the ups and downs of my life, through the things that I probably never should have ever even thought about (or done), though I turned sideways to block Him from my line of sight ... God never left me. What in the world did I do to deserve that?

I don't know. God does, because He put me here. He kept me alive as a preemie (against all odds) for a purpose that He alone knows. Now, I feel like I'm going through my days trying, somehow, to make up for all the time I lost. I'm never going to be a licensed minister, but that won't stop me from proclaiming my Lord. This may be the only venue that I ever utilize - but God has given me these words.

What song am I singing now? "Have Faith In God." It's credited to BB McKinney, but I can't verify that, and don't have a hymnal at hand to see who they give credit to. Whoever the author was hit it dead on in this particular song:

Have faith in God

when your pathway is lonely

He sees and knows

all the ways you have trod

Never alone

are the least of his children

Have faith in God

I do. How very fortunate I am that he didn't give up on me. God, thank you, once more, for your many blessings. Help me to be what you know I can be, and help me help others.

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."~Psalm 100:5 NIV

God Is In Control

2010-01-08T09:52:00.002-06:00

Last night's BCS National Championship game was the meeting of two football dynasties. Alabama's Crimson Tide came into this game the overwhelming favorite, in search of their first national title since 1992. The Texas Longhorns were not only ranked second in the nation, but were coming into the game as the underdogs. I'm not going to get into a bowl game history lesson, but some seemed to forget that the last time Texas played for a national championship, they were also the underdogs. Led by Vince Young, they defeated the highly touted USC team in 2005 to take the national title back to Austin.

Reading the posts attached to several of the game stories this morning, I am extremely disappointed. The nasty jibes and often foul comments are simply unnecessary. Yes, this was the ultimate college football game. There could only be one winner. What happened? On the fifth play of the game, Longhorn senior quarterback Colt McCoy was injured. Colt McCoy is not the only quarterback at Texas, nor is he the only player on the team, but when those three words "McCoy is injured" boomed from the television speakers, Texas fans worldwide sat up a little straighter and wondered how this would affect the outcome of this final game of his college career.

Replaced by freshman Garrett Gilbert, McCoy spent the rest of the first half in the locker room and xray in an attempt to determine whether or not he would be able to return to the game. Despite multiple sacks, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy led the Tide to a 24-6 lead at halftime. Questioned, both coaches simply stated that the game's strategy would change. For Mack Brown and the Longhorns, it would be a fight to get back into the game with an untested leader. For Nick Saban and the Tide, it would be adjusting for the freshman quarterback they were now facing.

Shortly after the start of the second half, fans learned that McCoy would not be returning. He stayed on the sidelines, talked with his predecessor Vince Young, and encouraged his teammates. The Longhorns rallied to within 3 points, but fell to the Tide 37-21. What I was most proud of was the way that both coaches and most of the players handled themselves during this game. After the game, Nick Saban could have gloated. He didn't. He spoke quietly and respectfully of the quality of both teams, giving credit to an excellent season played by the Longhorns under the leadership of Mack Brown. Cut to Colt McCoy. My first thought was "leave the poor guy alone!" That thought went away as soon as the obviously emotional McCoy began speaking.

He told Lisa Salters that he would have liked nothing better than to play, but that he couldn't feel his arm. Say what you want about that, and I'm no quarterback (I'm not even remotely close to an athlete), but if you can't feel your extremities, their usefulness and accuracy are both about tied for zero. McCoy went on to say that "I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life. And I know that if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock." With those words, I believe we saw the real McCoy.

College football is over for the year. The national championship title returned to Tuscaloosa. For those fans who can only find nasty things to say about either team, their coaches, or about McCoy's injury, God help you. While it's fun to shout and fun to cheer, in the end, it's still just a game. Don't make it more than it is. Growing up and living in the football-loving south, I am very familiar with the phrase "football isn't a matter of life and death, it's way more important than that!" It isn't. When judgment day comes, I seriously doubt God will be concerned with your devotion to your favorite football team, but will instead be wondering why it couldn't have been directed toward His team.

God, please help me never to forget that you are in control. Open my mind and heart so that I may receive your guidance, and continue along the path that you have chosen for me.

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."~Proverbs 29:11 NIV

Three Beautiful, Blessed Years

2010-01-06T12:43:00.002-06:00

On January 5, 2007, I was in a hospital room in Heidelberg, Germany, trying with varying degrees of success to help be a labor coach. Isn't it strange how things change? It was no laboring mother in that hospital bed, it was my baby (actually my oldest), and I was just praying for strength for both of us to get through this! Some 15+ hours later, January 6, 2007, Samantha Mackenzie was born, and our lives have not quite been the same since.

I'd always heard the stories, but I guess there is truth in the saying that there is nothing quite like a grandchild. From the moment I first held that tiny little angel, she grasped my heart. I have been blessed to spend a lot of time with Sami over the past three years, thanks to the Army. When the Army tells Nik to go, she buckles down and does what so many other military parents do--gives over the care and safekeeping of the most precious thing in her life to the two people she knows will cherish that charge: her mom (me) and her Honey (my mom). The joy of spending time with my only grandchild is dampened by the sadness of having to watch my daughter depart once more.

Today is Sami's third birthday, and like her first, she will be spending it with her mommy. This year there will be more family than mommy, because Nik and Sami are stationed at Fort Drum. Grandpa Jon, Grandma Becca, and Aunt Nannelle will be able to celebrate Sami's day with her. Sami has celebrated each of her birthdays in a different location: her first was in Germany with mommy and friends; her second in Alabama with Neicy, Honey, Rob, Aunt Nannelle and Uncle Creighton; and now her third in New York.

As we go through life, most of us celebrate the day of our birth in some way or another. Even though we have a special day to celebrate our moms, I think that this year I'm going to thank my mom on my birthday. After all, if it weren't for her and my daddy, I wouldn't be here! I won't be able to thank daddy in person, but he will know. Later on this afternoon, I will call to say "Happy Birthday" to my little angel, but I am also going to thank Nikki for giving me one of the best gifts ever!!

Thinking about birthdays and gift-giving brings me back to the holiday season we just recently celebrated. Although we do not know the exact date of Jesus' birth, we celebrate his birth on December 25. It's not about Santa and spending money, it is about the gift of eternal life. Take a minute to thank GOD for giving us the best present of all: his son.

For those of you who have already celebrated your 2010 birthday, happy belated birthday! For those of you, like myself, whose day of celebration is yet to come: take a moment in the midst of all the well-wishes to give thanks. Give thanks to your parents for having you! Most of all, give thanks to God for the gift of life ... and the gift of eternal life.

God, among the many blessings that you have so generously bestowed upon me are four bright lights: my three beautiful children, and my precious granddaughter. Make me worthy of such riches!! Happy Birthday, Samantha Mackenzie Magoun! You have brought untold blessings to your neicy! God, I ask that you continue to guide this "neicy's" footsteps so that I can be as much a blessing to my granddaughter as my grandparents were to me.

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." ~John 1:16 NIV

It Worked!

2010-01-05T14:03:00.002-06:00

Today, I received several copies of an email titled "It Worked!" If I only sent it to 12 of my friends and family, I would be rich in 2 days! If I delete the email, I'll beg. I smile every time I receive this email, because it's nothing new. I have received this particular message too many times to count over the years that I've had email, and I have yet to receive a windfall of any kind.

Think about the tag line used as the header for this particular email: "It Worked!" How many products have used this in the past, and with what success rate? Curious, I set out to see what I could learn about attention-getting headlines. When I typed in the phrase "it worked!" into Google, I received nearly 50 million hits in less than a second. Scanning the links that ranged from Australian sunscreen usage to designated drivers, I was amazed at the results. Typing in other phrases such as "new and improved!" (56 million hits) and "try it!" (47.5 million hits) gave large numbers as well. What do you do when you find something that works for you? As a general rule, we tell others. We want to share our happiness/success/discovery!

Nearly 37 years ago, I accepted Jesus as my savior. Those years have seen peaks and valleys of professing my faith, with nearly as many valleys as there have been peaks. Has Jesus been inconsistent during this time? Of course not! I should have been shouting from the rooftops, telling everyone that I come into contact with, taking out full page ads in the paper ... or should I? Where does it say that I must be the most attention-grabbing believer? Nowhere. My granddaddy was not a teacher, nor was he a preacher, not even one to be overly talkative at times. He lived his faith. He believed that he was a child of God, and believed that God would provide. We are all different when it comes to expressions of faith. My outlet is writing, yours may be singing, and someone else's may be preaching the word. What works for me might not work for you.

The biggest decision we ever make in our life is not whether or not to buy that car/house, or to date/marry someone, but is the only decision that has ETERNAL consequences. If I turn away and deny my God in this life, I can be certain that when I stand before him he will deny me. If, on the other hand, I turn my life over to God and follow his will, believing in his saving grace, he will say to me "welcome home, child" when I stand before him. Can you say the same?

Turning my life over to God was one of the easiest decisions I ever made. I was nine years old at the time. Rededicating my life was a conscious commitment that I made just a couple of years ago. God hadn't given up on me, but I had put him on the back burner. I am truly grateful that he had not done the same with me. What worked for me? God. He did, He still does, and He always will. (How's that for a tag line?)

God, I ask your hands to lie upon me and guide me through all the days of my life. Teach me the words that will let me share your amazing power and glory.

"Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands." ~Psalm 119-:66 NIV

Once More, A New Beginning

2010-01-01T13:02:00.004-06:00

Today is January 1, 2010. One hundred forty-seven years ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Fifty-one years ago, Fidel Castro upset Batista and took control of Cuba. Thirty-five years ago, Mitchell, Haldeman, and Erlichman were convicted of obstruction of justice in the Watergate debacle. Sixteen years ago, NAFTA went into effect. Six years ago, Myspace was officially launched. Three years ago, Adam Air Flight 574 disappeared over Indonesia with 102 people on board. One year ago today, the state of California made it illegal to write, send or read text messages while driving.

Looking back always brings a sense of amazement to me, especially when I sit poised on the brink of a new year. Who would have thought that Castro would still be in power fifty years later? Did anyone realize six years ago just how predominant social networking would become? How many people in California have violated the text messaging law? Thinking about these, and other seemingly irrelevant questions, causes me to think about things that are relevant, at least to me. What will 2010 bring for me and those that I love? How will I effect change in not only my life, but the lives of those that I touch? How can I serve others? Will I meet my goals for this year? What are my goals for this year?

Making New Year's resolutions is fairly common. While more women than men tend to make these life-changing goals, men are actually more likely to keep them! Why do we make resolutions at the beginning of the new year? There are as many reasons to make resolutions as there are people that make them. Think back over the past few years. What have your resolutions been? Have you kept them? If not, why not? If you have kept one (or more), how did you succeed?

The first stumbling block in making personal goals or resolutions is a simple, yet sometimes overwhelming, one. Remember to make your goals SMART. What is a SMART goal? Breaking it down, S stands for specific. Instead of making a generalized goal such as "I'm going to get healthier this year," make the goal specific, "I'm going to lose weight this year." M stands for measurable. Measure your weight loss plan by further detailing the goal to read "I'm going to lose ten pounds this year." A stands for attainable. While we are familiar with the phrase "Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss you'll land among the stars!", that mindset does not always work well for goal-setting. If you plan to lose weight, for example, make your goal an attainable one. Discounting measures such as surgery or other diet aids, is losing 150 pounds in one year an attainable goal? You may have that as a large goal, but set smaller attainable goals to reach your large goal. R stands for realistic. A realistic goal is exactly what it sounds like. If my goal to increase my bank account in 2010 is winning the lottery, well, I think you get the idea. Last, but certainly not least, is the T in SMART goals: timely. Set a time frame to achieve the goal you've set for yourself. I think that there should be an B on the beginning of this goal-setting phrase for begin. Why? If you don't begin, even the SMARTest of goals will not see completion.

What is your plan for 2010? My goals for this year are not overly complex. To graduate from nursing school in May and pass the NCLEX to become a registered nurse is one major goal. One other goal? Live each day so that I am a witness for God, being thankful for his abundant blessings.

God, you have stood in front of me, beside me, behind me, and even carried me over the past 45 years. Once more, I ask your mercy and grace in helping me through. Help me to be your emissary in the days to come, for it is truly through you that all things are possible!

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."~Philippians 4:13 NIV

For What It's Worth

2009-12-26T20:57:00.001-06:00

When you think of groups in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the term "one-hit wonder" is not what comes to mind. For the sixties group Buffalo Springfield, however, that is indeed the case. Their 1966 hit "For What It's Worth", written by Stephen Stills, is the only song ever to hit the top 40 charts. This group was only together for just over two years, released three albums, and served as the springboard for such talent as Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and Jim Messina. Strangely enough, the title is nowhere to be found in the song's lyrics!

Originally written as a statement referring to conflict between protestors and police on the Sunset Strip in 1966, the words of this classic song reverberate rather tellingly today. Stills wrote:

There's battle lines being drawn

Nobody's right if everybody's wrong

Young people speaking their minds

Getting so much resistance from behind

Does this strike a chord? Sound remarkably like political events of today? Listen a little further and you hear:

I think it's time we stop, hey

What's that sound

Everybody look what's going down

Look around you. What is going down these days? Not only political upheaval and massive changes, but take a good look at our society as a whole. It amazes me that the greater majority of Americans profess a belief in Jesus, and yet cannot proclaim that in a public venue because the minority that disagree are so blatantly vocal about it. Because it offended one person, high school football teams and graduation ceremonies have had to stop prayers. What about the 99% of people that it didn't offend? If you disagree with my right to pray in a public place, don't listen. If I disagree with what's on tv, I don't push for a ban of all television shows ... I simply turn it off. What do we have to do to get our rights as Christians back? How do we turn this vocal minority off??

Everybody needs to look what's "going down" in our society. Quite simply, we are! The majority has been silent for far too long, and has managed to let the very vocal minority change the way we do things. I do not intend in any way to offend, however, my opinion is simply that ... my opinion. You may or may not agree, and you are entitled to that. You are not, however, entitled to tell me what I can and cannot believe, think, or say. If I choose to pray and it offends you, don't listen. If I profess a belief different from your own, that is my right. If you don't like the fact that this is a Christian nation, you are certainly entitled to leave and live elsewhere. I think we need to stand up and be heard!! For what it's worth, that's what I believe.

God, today is a time of struggle and change. Help to keep me strong in my faith, and unwavering in my beliefs. Give me the strength and the words that I need to spread the message as far as I possibly can!

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NIV

The Reason for the Season

2009-12-24T14:13:00.002-06:00

Three things I remember most about Christmas growing up are food, music, and family. I'd have to think really hard to remember a specific gift, but the memories of Christmas itself blend together as a time of happiness spent with those who meant the most to me. Grandmother and Granddaddy (Hall) were married on Christmas Eve, and for years we celebrated Christmas eve dinner at our house. Looking back at the few pictures that I have never fails to bring a smile ... the hairstyles, the clothes ... but what shines through? Family and love.

It was Christmas time when the Johnny Mathis album made its way out of the bottom of the stereo and onto the spindle. Mama started making candy: Martha Washington candy, peanut butter balls (also known as "buckeyes"), and peanut brittle. Sausage balls were rolled, baked and frozen. We always had a live tree, fragile glass ornaments, tinsel, and icicles. One year daddy had bought a model Goodyear blimp, and his message was "Merry Christmas Y'all!"

Shortly after lunchtime on Christmas eve, we started looking for family to arrive. Keep in mind that we usually didn't eat until probably 5 or 6 pm, but we were so anxious to see our aunts, uncles, and cousins that we wanted them to hurry up and get there! Uncle Jimmy usually brought bottle rockets and sparklers for the kids (of all ages). This dinner was an anniversary celebration, but a family celebration as well. It wasn't about the presents, but about the presence.

Sitting at my table today wrapping presents, I started thinking about Christmas and what it really meant to me. It's not about the gifts you receive as much as it is about spending time with those you love. Food has always played a big part in my life; one of our favorite gifts as kids was the box of cookies that came from daddy's mama. Grandma Abel made Johnny cake cookies with either pink or blue frosting, and sent us a box every year. We were SO excited when that box came! No "bought" cookie comes close to what those tasted like. I started thinking about those cookies today while I was wrapping those gifts, so much so that I picked up the phone and called Cheryl just to tell her that!

Tomorrow morning, I will wish my children Merry Christmas over the phone instead of in person, and that makes me a little bit sad. Rob and I will celebrate with our moms, and our friend Chance will be over to share Christmas day and dinner. What matters most this year? It isn't the gifts under the tree, it's the love and thought that went into them. It isn't the "holiday," it's the season. What is the reason? As Christians, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Because He was born and later died, we all have the chance at eternity with Him. As you unwrap those gifts and share those special moments, don't forget to thank the most important one of all!

God, I thank you for your many blessings that you have chosen to bestow on me throughout this year, and through the years of my life. Because you sent Jesus to us, we can share eternity with you. As we celebrate, may we never lose sight of what is most important: your love and grace! Thank you for the greatest gift of all!! They may try to take CHRIST out of Christmas, but they will never take CHRIST out of ME!!

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."~Luke 2:10-11 NIV

Owner of A Lonely Heart

2009-12-19T14:15:00.002-06:00

The British rock group Yes released its first album in 1969, but flew under the US radar during its early years. It wasn't until 1971 that their albums "Fragile" and "The Yes Album" appeared on US charts. Over the next twelve years, Yes placed an album on the charts eleven times, and had singles hit the US Hot 100 only four times. It wasn't until the 1983 release of "Owner of A Lonely Heart" that this band managed to have a number one hit on the US Singles charts.

Written by Trevor Rabin, these lyrics tend to echo in your mind. At this time of year, the song's title brings you to wonder just who this song applies to! Spending the holidays alone can certainly fit under that mantel. As we move into the final days before the celebration of Christmas, walk a little slower and take a good look at those around you.

The song invites you to take a good look at yourself, not always the most comfortable thing to do. Are you more focused on self than you should be? As Rabin wrote:

Move yourself, you've always lived your life, never thinking of the future.Prove yourself, you are the move you make, take your chances win or loser. See yourself, you are the steps you take, you and you and that's the only way. Shake, shake yourself, you're every move you make, so the story goes.

What does that mean to me? Look deep within. You've lived your life for the moment, not caring or concerned about the future, selfishly thinking only of yourself. This could be a spot on definition of the overused phrase of the past "it's all about ME!".

The chorus is repeated often throughout this song, and seems to remind you that it's much better to be alone and happy than to suffer the pain of a broken heart. How do we know if our neighbor, friend, or the person down the street has a broken heart? We don't, as a general rule. Most of us don't tend to have a neon sign flashing on our forehead that screams "Broken Heart Inside!!", but it can sometimes show in our actions, demeanor, and even dress.

This economy and these trying times are causing us all to take a closer look within, and around. Contrary to popular belief, it's not all about money this time of year. Small things mean so much, and can do more to lift a spirit than most big things.

Here's a test. For the next two hours, smile at every person you come into contact with, whether you know them or not. To do this, you have to do one more thing ... make eye contact! Don't look at the ground (at the floor, at your shopping cart or list, the ceiling ... ), but look at the faces of those around you and make a sincere effort to make eye contact and SMILE. What will you have accomplished? You may never know. For the "owner" of a lonely (or broken) heart, you may be the single spark of happiness that gets injected into their day. What an amazing idea! An individuals, we do not always have the ability to effect great change. Together with God we can do anything, for He gives us great strength. Let the God in your heart show on your face, and share a smile today!

God, I ask that you lay your hands on the broken and lonely hearts and give them comfort. Please lay your hands on me and allow me to shine as your messenger. Help me to spread the joy that knowing you brings, and to bring a smile to someone's heart.

"Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song."~Psalms 28:6-7 NIV

The Real Winner

2009-12-12T20:30:00.004-06:00

In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club awarded a trophy to a University of Chicago football player named Jay Berwanger. In 1936, this award was renamed the Heisman Trophy in honor of one of the club's founders (and former football coach) John Heisman. This evening, for the first time in its 75 year history, a player from the University of Alabama was announced as the winner. Mark Ingram, Jr. is a sophomore running back for the Crimson Tide, and joins 2007 winner Tim Tebow (Florida) and 2008 winner Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) as the third of only three sophomores to ever win the prestigious award.

I don't claim, by any stretch of the imagination, to be an expert on college football. I do love the game, and love watching a good game regardless of who's playing. Being a southern Alabama girl, of course, until last year my favoritism leaned very heavily in favor of Alabama's Crimson Tide. When I met Rob, he managed to place a few cracks in that Alabama armor. With the rapidly approaching BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, my house will be divided ... sort of. My two favorite teams are playing each other! #1 ranked Alabama will play #2 Texas for the college football national championship. I'm torn, because I have reasons for wanting both teams to win. Obviously, there will only be one winner. I guess the end of this story will be written on January 7!

What do I find most refreshing about college football? The players. Unlike the brouhaha that seems to surround professional sportsmen, college players for the most part appear far more humble. They thank God, their parents, their coaches, their teammates ... and all this without screaming or posturing.

Turn the thought process around and think about those who think that professing their faith means screaming and posturing. I know you know one (or two or more). Just because I disagree with their method of delivery doesn't mean they are wrong. I just happen to believe that my faith shines more by the person that I am than by me screaming my views at the top of my lungs. If I can live in such a way that someone comes to know and believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then I'm doing ok. God knows me. It is up to me to make sure that others see Him in me.

Another football season is winding to a close, the holidays are fast approaching and the start of another new year is just a few short weeks away. The awards are being given, careers are winding down for some, and new lives will be beginning. Forget the trophies: if you don't have Jesus, what do you have?

Jesus, I thank you for the many blessings I continue to receive. May I in turn share those blessings each and every day. Help me continue to live for you, in every way.

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."~ 1 Peter 4:11 NIV

Change For The Better

2009-12-11T10:16:00.003-06:00

Eighty years ago today, the citizens of Enterprise erected what is sometimes referred to as the only monument in the world that is dedicated to an agricultural pest ... otherwise known as the Boll Weevil Monument. It sits right smack in the middle of the road in downtown Enterprise, drawing its share of gawkers and tourists. The story behind the monument is a simple one. The pest known as the boll weevil migrated north from Mexico and found itself in Alabama around 1915. Woohoo! Cotton! The boll weevil was delighted ... and area farmers were devastated. Losing whole crops was disastrous, so area farmers decided to diversify. This diversification was a boon to the area, leading town leaders to decide that a monument needed to be put in place so that everyone would be able to remember that sometimes it takes something bad for people to make a change for the better.

There are as many definitions of change as there are people to define it. The hard thing to comprehend is that sometimes change (good and bad) must happen to put us where we need to be. We need to remember the quote "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!" What may seem devastating today will not always seem so debilitating in the future. How we view those stumbling blocks depends on us as individuals, and in some cases, the size of the block. Another hard thing to swallow is that sometimes our idea of change and God's idea of change are not always the same. We don't always, and may never in this life, know why God does what He does. It is not necessarily ours to know right now. Knowing that, and emotionally accepting that, however, are two entirely different things!!

Sometimes its hard to seek God when we have questions. There are times I find myself sounding like a whiny child (I'm relatively certain God thinks so too!) when talking to God. Sometimes God probably says to himself "because I said so Denise, just deal with it." After all, He gives me the tools I need to handle the changes in my life ... even though I sometimes am unable (or unwilling) to see them. He will never leave me, He won't forsake me. He brings change to my life, good and bad, because that is what He determines that I need.

Like those farmers in the early 1900s, sometimes change has to happen to clear the way for future blessings. Even though it might be difficult to accept, befuddling to try and comprehend, or painful to let go, have faith in God. He will not steer us wrong. He's never going to switch the track and cause a collision, He will stand beside us (carry us if necessary) all the way.

God, I ask for clear ears so that I may better hear your direction, clear eyes so that I may see the path you have laid for me, and an open heart so that I may better receive you. Help me to understand, and to help others understand.

"for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance -" ~ Proverbs 1:4-5 NIV

So This Is Christmas

2009-12-10T10:46:00.002-06:00

As I sit here, having just completed my last test for World Lit I followed by putting the finishing touches on a scholarship essay, I feel a slight chill in the air and am a little amazed to realize that it is December 10th. Just two weeks and one day and we celebrate Christmas. What IS Christmas?

Contrary to what retailers worldwide would have us believe, Christmas is NOT about shopping, spending outrageous sums of money, having the newest/best/most expensive item to hit the market. Christmas is not about trees and presents, nor is it decorations and food. For the Christian, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many years ago, there was a book subtitled "What Would Jesus Do?" written by Charles Sheldon (the actual title of the book is "In His Steps", and was written in 1896!!). If you've not read the book, I recommend it. Taking that phrase into consideration, what do you think Jesus would do with the commercialized insanity that Christmas has become for so many? I read an article the other day (and I am sorry to say that I do not remember where nor do I remember who wrote it) that made me stop and think. How much money do you plan to spend on Christmas this year? Why? Are you buying things that you NEED (or others need) or things that you WANT? When did we get away from the true meaning that is Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, and morph into a bunch of .. well, consumers?

Instead of buying one more toy for a child that has too many, donate a new toy to Toys for Tots or whatever organization in your area provides toys for those who might otherwise have none. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a dinner that will be eaten, digested and well, you know the rest, spend half the amount on your dinner and use the other half to provide more than one meal for those who are not sure where their next meal is coming from. Think it doesn't apply here? Think again. We may live in a smaller community, but there are those in our area who have no home to call their own and will have little to celebrate. Contact the Dothan Rescue Mission or the Salvation Army and see what you can do to help. Many area churches distribute food baskets during the holiday seasons. The Dothan Rescue Mission is located at 216 E Crawford Street, 794-4637. The Salvation Army is located at 761 S Oates Street, 794-9304.

I believe it is in giving that we truly receive. Lord, help us to open our hearts to giving, and to rejoice in sharing with others. May we never forget the true meaning of Christmas!

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"~Luke 1:45 NIV

It DOES Make A Difference

2009-11-10T10:55:00.002-06:00

When I ordered my copy of "What difference do it make?" from Thomas Nelson Publishers for a book review, I had no idea what would lie in store for me. I was not familiar with Ron Hall, Denver Moore, or Lynn Vincent. I had not read their previous work, "same kind of different as me." Two months and 200 pages later, I sit here slightly stunned, feeling as if there is so much I should be doing, and wondering how I can make it all come together.

The first thing that may strike those who know me as slightly strange is the fact that it took me just over two months to finish a 200 page book. Never mind the fact that I am in school and work full time, I am a reader. I will FIND time to read. This slim, simple volume has sat on my table, on my computer desk, even on my clipboard at work - silently reminding me that I made a promise.

What difference do it make? arrived in a brown envelope, and I eagerly tore into it, anxious to get started. I knew before I finished reading the cover flaps that this would be no ordinary book. The 5-1/2 page introduction only served to confirm that fact. I re-read the introduction and set the book aside, slightly puzzled at the way these few words had affected me.

Whether or not you've read same kind of different as me, you very quickly come to know Ron Hall, Deborah Hall, and Denver Moore. In Ron's unabashed grief at the loss of his beloved Deborah, you will feel his loss. In Denver's simple, honest language, you will come to know this gentle man. Through the stories they tell, mostly of how their book affected others, we are given a blueprint of how small changes can effect large results.

This book will make you stop and think. This book will make you wonder. This book will make you feel as if you are not doing enough, and will urge you to do more. Pick up a copy today. Get to know Ron, Deborah, and Denver. Carry them with you, and you will find truth in Denver's simple statement: "everbody's lookin for God everywhere on the outside. He ain't in no book, and He ain't in no preacher, and He ain't in nothin or no one on the outside. You go to go inside 'cause that's where God is - in the deepest place inside you."

God, thank you for being deep within. Thank you for not coming out even when I have been unworthy of your never ending grace. Please take my hand and guide me, help me to make a difference.

"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' " ... "'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"~Matthew 25:35,36,40 NIV

What Is This World Coming To?

2009-10-23T13:10:00.004-05:00

I sit here in front of my computer, in a slight state of disbelief. In today's instant society, there is information available at the touch of a fingertip, and today was no exception. A friend of mine had posted a link on facebook, and intrigued by the caption, I clicked on the two minute clip.

http://www.myfoxmemphis.com

Imagine the shock and horror as I watch and listen ... two small children, ages 2 and 3, were left at home alone while their mother and aunt go "take a man home" who had apparently cut the mother's grass. It is not specified, but we assume that the mother is the distraught individual who can barely stand that we see briefly in the background. The aunt, on the other hand, shows no remorse whatsoever for having left the two children alone in the house. She states that she's not sure how the house caught on fire, "the kids might have done it", or someone might have thrown something in there to make it catch on fire ... but her primary concern? She "needs to get in there and see if her purse burnt up because it had her food stamp card in it."

A two year old and a three year old are in critical condition at a Memphis hospital because they were home alone when a fire broke out, and all she cares about is whether or not her food stamp card burned? All I can do at this point is beg for forgiveness because the thoughts that are in my heart for this woman are not good ones. The firefighters and the neighbors shown are in varying states of disbelief or sorrow, but not good ol' auntie! One is quoted as saying "they were like ragdolls" when they were carried from the home. Two young lives, horribly injured, and she is worried about her food stamp card?? One of the first things that went through my mind is that I hope she chokes on food bought with that food stamp card, and that I hope she's at home alone when she does! That is wrong of me. I should not feel that way toward this woman, or anyone for that matter. It is not my place to judge. She will be judged by God, as she should be.

Sometimes it is very difficult to step back and realize that God works in God's time. God's time and our time do not always coincide. It is not our place to pass judgment, for we don't know the complete story. Even if we did know the complete story, it is still not ours to judge. I guess what hurts the most is the complete and utter disregard for human life that she shows. A two minute video clip cannot begin to show a full picture of an individual, and while it does seem that at times they are indeed designed to highlight the worst, it is just horrific to realize where she places the importance of things. THINGS. Not people. THINGS.

Things can be replaced. People cannot. What does it say for us as a society when more importance is placed on what we have or what we own than who we are? It has been said that character is who you are when no one is watching. Thanks to the rapid news of today, the world will see this woman's concern for her food stamp card, not the lives of her nephews. Last week it was "balloon boy," this week, "food stamp card lady." What will we see next?

Lord, please give me the ability to listen and understand. Remind me that YOU are the source of all strength, and that you will never fail. Please help us to turn around and realize that WE NEED YOU! Give us the eyes to see that slipping away from you only puts us further into the mire. You gave us Jesus, your son, so that we may have eternal life. Please let us see that life is a gift from you not to be squandered. Money, possessions, and food stamp cards won't go with us to heaven ... we need to realize that your greatest gift is LIFE!

"On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house."~Ezekiel 23:39 NIV

To Everything ... There is a Season

2009-10-17T21:01:00.003-05:00

Since I stopped working on Saturday nights, I can usually be found in front of the computer playing some nonsensical (ie. time-wasting) game while the radio plays in the background. When I say radio, I mean of course, listening live through my computer. My usual Saturday night fare is Jukebox Saturday Night with Allen Skipper on WOAB 104.9. I listen to Allen for a couple of reasons: first-we are friends and I enjoy listening to him on the radio. The other reason I listen is that music inspires me. It always has, even before I started writing regularly. This week, while listening, I was struck with inspiration by the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds.

Whether or not you are a secular music fan, you are probably at least somewhat familiar with these lyrics. Why? Because Pete Seeger took HIS inspiration for this song from the Bible! Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, in fact. Verses 1-8 in the King James version underwent very few changes to be turned into this wildly popular tune written in 1959 but not released by Seeger until his 1962 album The Bitter and The Sweet. "Turn, Turn, Turn" was also released that same year, by a little known group named the Limeliters. Don't know them? How about "things go better with coca-cola?" Yep, that's the Limeliters.The Byrds released "Turn, Turn, Turn" in October 1, 1965, probably the song's best known version.

Get your Bible and turn to Ecclesiastes, chapter 3. Unless you've never heard the song before, I'm willing to bet that many of you are singing to yourselves as you read! "To everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season (turn, turn, turn) and a time to every purpose under heaven." It is said that the only lyrics that can actually be credited to Pete Seeger are the phrase "turn, turn, turn" and the song's last line "I hope it's not too late." So what does this song have to do with a devotion? As I'm sure most of you know by now, I love music. I find inspiration in what some may consider pretty off-the-wall stuff. Let's break it down a bit and look at the next part of the song.

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

What does the Bible say?

A time to be born, and a time to die

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to weep, and a time to laugh

What does that mean to me? There is indeed a time for each of us to be born, and a time for each of us to die. We don't know when our time to die will come, and I'm relatively certain there is good reason for that. God knows, and that is enough. What we sow, so shall we reap. Galatians 6:7 tells us this. If you plant seeds of bitterness, do you truly expect to reap happiness?? Think about what you are planting! I probably have the most problem with the phrase "A time to kill, a time to heal". The only reasoning I can find to make this sit well with me is not to take it literally as in killing = murder, but to look at it from the perspective that sometimes things have to be stopped where they are. If I am living my life full of self-destructive habits, I have to "kill" those habits before I can heal. For each negative that I replace with a positive, I have "killed" in order to heal.

Last but certainly not least, there will indeed be times in our lives when we must weep, and times when we will overflow with joy in such a way that it will manifest itself as laughter. Stop and think for a moment: when was the last time you cried? Why? Was it a momentary hurt, or a deep soul-wrenching ache? What about the last time you laughed? Is it just me, or is it true that the ones who can make you cry the hardest are also those who can make your laughter the deepest? When someone is that close to you, they have the ability to both wound and heal. Sound familiar?

Lord, when I open my eyes each morning, make me have a smile upon my face. I should face each day thankful with the chance that I have been given instead of grumbling about what I'd rather not do. God indeed has a purpose for everything that He does. Lord, please give me the will to follow your will instead of thinking that I know what is best. There is a reason, just as there is a season. May I follow the seasons that you have set for my life, and live in a way that pleases you. As I walk through the seasons, your reasons will become clear.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

~Ecclesiastes 1:3 NIV

Where Were You?

2009-09-11T03:52:00.005-05:00

Nine years ago, America collectively gasped and watched our illusion of safety crumble to the ground when not one but three immediately recognizable buildings were struck by terrorist controlled airplanes. Since that day, we have studied videos, listened to countless commentaries, read hundreds of stories and articles, and wondered.

September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in the memory of most Americans for a very long time. For my parents' generation, it ranks right up there with November 22, 1963. Just as our parents could tell you where they were and what they were doing when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, most people of my generation remember quite well where they were and what they were doing on 9/11/01. I was at work when one of my employees walked in and said "A plane just flew into the Pentagon." My first response was a thoroughly professional "Nuh-uh ... you're kidding, right?" There were no tv's available to us, just radio ... which obligingly within moments broke in with the shocking news that she was indeed correct. A few frantic phone calls later, it started to sink in with a gut-wrenching reality. Our safe haven had been violated not once but three times, and it appeared that there would have been a 4th attempt but the plane had crash landed. Within a two hour time period, both the north and south towers of the World Trade Center had been struck by aircraft, the Pentagon had been hit, and the plane crash in Pennsylvania was a horrific ending to what might have been yet another terrorist attack.

Within the days, weeks, and months that followed, America pulled together like never before in my memory. We were Americans and we would stand against those who dared to invade the sanctuary of our borders. We cried, we held hands, we hugged, we prayed. We knelt down, we looked up. We stood up ... and we stood tall. Eight years later, it is a horrific memory, and a realization of our vulnerability. Terrorism does happen; it happened here.

Where were you eight years ago? Did the events of 9/11/01 effect a change in your life? The last eight years have brought changes both good and bad into my life. Fortunately, the most recent changes have all been good. I thank God every day for the blessings He has given me.

We all have the capacity for change. Fortunately, most change does not require an earth-shattering event like we lived through in 2001. If a major change in your life were to happen, traumatic or otherwise, will God be your guide? If you can't answer "YES!" without hesitation, take some time to ask Him to fill that role for you. Believe in Him, and He will guide you in all things.

Jesus, lay your Hand on our hearts and minds today as we reflect on those who lost their lives in the tragedies of 2001. Guide their families to peace, guide us as a nation to stand strong. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

"... Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror."~Isaiah 21:1 NIV

A Fresh Start

2009-09-06T17:54:00.002-05:00

As you may have noticed, I am a reader. Sometimes, I write about what I am reading because it has touched me in some way that I feel a need to share with you. The book I recently finished reading has done just that. Finding an outlet that allows me to do so was part of what drew me to Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers. Working with Thomas Nelson publishers allows me to read (which I love), write about what I've read (which I also love), and to combine the two in a way that will make you want to read what I've just read (which I hope to do).

The first thing that drew me to this book was not the title, but the cover artwork. Simplistic? Maybe. But take a look before you dive inside. Cool, clear water is the impression that you receive, and water does what for us? Refreshes us and quenches our thirst. Fresh Start, written by teaching pastor Doug Fields, invites you inside to learn just how "God's Invitation to a Great Life" can work for you.

You immediately discover that Fields is not your typical self-help book author. He uses humor, common sense, real-life examples, and scripture that drives his point home to bring you into the world of change. His introduction tells the tale of Thomas Edison. Not of his amazing discoveries, but of the destructive fire that obliterated much of his work. Edison's reaction? " ... I am not too old to make a fresh start." With that simple statement, Doug Fields begins to walk us through just how to make such a change happen in our lives, and what effect even simple changes will have.

Fields uses the word stuck to describe our spiritual habits, and how accurate this description is! He reminds us that through the maze of self-help, we need to focus on the one thing that can indeed bring us from "stuck" to starting over, and that's simply that "change comes only because we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13)," and that "real, lasting change comes from God's unlimited power." Over and over, throughout the 193 pages of this work, Doug Fields makes a point, questions your understanding, reinforces what he is teaching, and moves you forward. I just wanted to keep reading, and read this book in one day!

From defining "Unstuck," to inviting you "To Boldly Go," to "Analyzing Anger," and realizing "What You Value Most," Doug Fields has written a book that draws you in with a timely message for today's hurry-up-right-now-I-want-it-all society. Why not see what Fresh Start means to you?

"I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland!"~Isaiah 43:19 NLT

Seventy Two Hours

2009-08-21T11:54:00.003-05:00

In just under seventy two hours, Fall semester 2009 begins at Wallace Community College. This is the beginning of my fourth semester of nursing school, and one step closer to achieving my goal of graduating in May 2010.

Most of us have grown up with the television classic "60 Minutes." In less than an hour, we receive succinct and timely narrations of current issues of interest. The news program "48 Hours" has a slightly different focus. It is now "48 Hours/Mystery". Both are viewed on CBS. If you add the two together, it equals 72 hours. Much can happen in that time span.

Did you know that many survival experts recommend a "72 hour kit?" What, you ask, is a 72 hour kit? In case of a disaster, a 72 hour kit may mean the difference between life and death. The past few years have shown us just how important emergency preparedness is. From Katrina to the local spring flooding, it has been brought home in a sometimes painful way. If disaster strikes, would you be prepared?

First and foremost, I am no expert. Like most, I am fairly proficient with a computer search engine, however. When the "72 hours" stuck in my head today as I was thinking about the start of the upcoming semester, I decided to search that phrase and see what came up. The very first thing my search engine returned was 72 Hour Kits/Home Security. Because my curiosity was peaked, I read on.

What would you need to survive for 72 hours (three days)? We see it flashing on the tv screens more frequently these days due to hurricane season: water! Humans need water to survive, and this particular site recommends 1-2 gallons per day per person for your kit. The list goes on, and is pretty much common sense. Think about it: what would you need if you were away from everything for 3 days? Toiletries, changes of clothing, medications, entertainment (think books, puzzles), and food. Remember the last time we had severe weather warnings? If you were at Walmart, you realize just how many people leave things until the last minute. If you don't think so, try to buy batteries, bottled water, or toilet paper during a state of weather emergency. Are you prepared?

When Jesus returns, we won't have 72 hours. It will be much like a tornado, here then gone, touching down to retrieve His children and leaving nonbelievers behind. Preparation for His return is vital, because the Bible tells us that we don't know when He is coming, simply to be ready. It might seem difficult or complicated, but it is not. How do you prepare for Jesus' return?

Believe and accept that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and your ticket home to heaven. Why? Because He is. In John 14:6, Jesus states it simply and clearly: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." Get your Heaven kit ready. Call on Jesus today, accept and believe, and be prepared for whatever tomorrow may bring.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father ... Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come ... So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."~Matthew 24:36,42,44NIV

Greenie Fight Never Dies!

2009-08-20T01:35:00.003-05:00

Last year, I was privileged to be a part of a special occasion in my (then) boyfriend's life. June 2008 was his 30th class reunion, and it was the culmination of a week-long vacation in Texas. I was excited for more than one reason: I was meeting the family (his), meeting the friends from high school (most of whom he had not seen in 20 years or more), and returning to Texas! When he told me where he had graduated from high school, my first thought was "What??" Rob graduated Class of 1978 from SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL, Beaumont, Texas.

Absolutely nothing like the fictitious South Park of Cartoon Network fame, South Park High School served the South Park neighborhood of Beaumont. This classic building stands 3 stories high, is constructed of red brick, and has a sweeping stairway going up to the front doors that face Highland Avenue. Not necessarily large by high school standards, during Rob's tenure at SPHS, there were approximately 800-900 students in grades 9-12. Compare that to Dothan High or Northview and SPHS is quite a bit smaller. Consider, however, that Beaumont had seven high schools in the late 70's.

SPHS was built in the early 1900's, and its first graduating class was the class of 1915. Some 71 years later, SPHS would see the last class of senior high school students exit its doors when the class of 1986 finished their four years. The 1986-1987 school year saw it become South Park Middle School, and today the fight is on to keep this amazing part of Beaumont's educational history alive. I don't know all the reasons behind the planned destruction of this building, but what I do know of SPHS is what amazes me.

Imagine my surprise when we enter this semi-formal event and are greeted by the silent-yet-screaming presence of the school mascot "Sparky." Standing even taller than my 6'3" boyfriend, Sparky proudly wears the school colors (kelly green and white) and is the cause of more than one smile that evening. What stands out most in my memories of this part of our trip is the camaraderie and genuine caring I recognized between the classmates spread across the country from Alaska (Tommy Morris) to Alabama (Rob). Many still live in their home state of Texas, although very few at all live in the South Park neighborhood in which they grew up. This once thriving, vibrant community is now but a shell of its former self.

Take a minute to reflect on your high school days. Have you attended any reunions? Do you plan to? Why or why not? What would you feel if your school was slated for destruction? I never attended South Park High, never even lived in Beaumont, but I am saddened at the potential loss of history. There are many factors that will be taken into consideration before the judge makes his final decision as to the fate of SPHS. We may or may not ever know what those factors are. Regardless of the outcome, the Greenie spirit that lives in the former students is a wonderful thing to behold.

The sun that sets

may never rise

but Greenie fight

never dies!

What spirit shows in you? Are you as proud of Jesus as you are of the car you drive, the house you live in, or even the school you attended? I'm relatively certain He doesn't care if you don't have a bumper sticker that shouts "GO JESUS!", but what screams are heard when you open your mouth? Even more important, what is heard when you say nothing at all?

Try not to be the careless driver who was pulled over by the policeman on traffic duty. When she belligerently questioned his reasons for stopping her, he replied: "You ran a stop sign while traveling 10 mph above the speed limit, talking on your cell phone and not wearing your seat belt. You flipped off the last person you passed, and questioned my heritage when I asked for your license and registration. The bumper sticker on the back of your car says 'Honk if you love Jesus.' I thought the car was stolen." (anonymous)

Lord, help me to make the most of each day. Help me think before I speak. Better yet, keep your hand on my shoulder so you are close enough to clap it over my mouth if necessary!

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."~John 15:12-13 NIV

The Library is Your Friend

2009-08-19T01:03:00.002-05:00

On Sunday, August 16, Mrs. Brenda Watson passed away. In my school days (the 70s and 80s), Mrs. Watson was a smiling fixture in the library at Cottonwood High School, and back in those school days, she was called the librarian. I think these days, they are media center specialists or something like that, but Mrs. Watson was definitely not your typical librarian.

Make no mistake, just because she was totally different from our previous librarian (Mrs. Windsor), that did not mean that she took her job less seriously ... far from that. She was a veritable wealth of knowledge on books, authors, and writing! She also maintained a pretty tight ship when it came to her library, there was no horseplay or loud noise allowed.

I have not been back to CHS in years, probably more than 20 years now. At that time, the library was in the center of the main hall across from the principal's office. It was a wonderful part of the original school structure, with high windows and varied shelf heights. The stage was in the library, with its maroon velvet curtains that seemed to be 20 feet tall. There was a little hallway when you first entered the library, and a closet to the left about midway down that hall. If you kept walking straight in, the first section of books you would come to was the junior section. It was wonderful to be old enough to check books from there! It was home to biographies in blue bindings - I read stories of Juliette Low, Abraham Lincoln, and Helen Keller. I followed in the detective steps of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

The center section that ran parallel to the main hall outside was a short section of shelves and was home not only to the elementary books (we were GROWN when we didn't have to check from there anymore!), but also to the reference books and encyclopedias. Research papers were done painstakingly by hand in those days, and you knew for sure that the school would have more than one set of encyclopedias. It was also a good bet that they did not have the same Funk & Wagnalls set that you had at home. There were dictionaries, works of fiction, and even magazines!

What's in your personal library? Do you have one? I confess. I am a bookaholic. I have books in almost every single room of my house, and yes, that is books plural. They are filling the bookshelves, stacked on the floor, on the bedside tables (both sides!), and in boxes not yet unpacked. If I were to count every book in my house, it would literally take days. I could call myself a collector (I am), but truth be told, I just simply love books. I love to read.

I could not even begin to list the books I have read in my lifetime, there are far too many. I feel blessed in that my children have the same love for reading. What you read, however, can be as important as how much you read. I read just about anything, and yes, I have read the entire Bible. Like music, books have the ability to take you places you may never otherwise have the opportunity to go. When I read, I am a part of the book!

If you don't like to read, find something that interests you. Start small. There is a reason books for young children are short: so is their attention span! If you are not a fan of reading, by all means don't pick up a Bible concordance to work your way through! Choose a book of the Bible instead. What did the pastor speak on last Sunday? Did that sermon strike a nerve? Do you want to know more about where his ideas came from? Read that book of the Bible. Read a Psalm, or read the first book of Genesis and be amazed all over again at the creation. In 31 verses, you can see our world created.

God, I thank you for the love of reading. I thank you for the encouragement I have received throughout my life that fostered that love. Thank you for blessing me with the presence of a wonderful librarian, Mrs. Watson, who was part of that encouragement, and with parents who loved to read. Thank you for allowing that blessing to overflow to my children and grandchild. May I continue to be able to share that love through the written and spoken word.

RIP Mrs. Brenda Joyce Watson.

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."~Revelation 1:3 NIV

Don't Fear The Reaper

2009-08-17T16:34:00.002-05:00

So here we go again with music, and what comes next on the playlist is Blue Oyster Cult's 1976 hit "Don't Fear the Reaper." Written by lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, it appeared on the Agents of Fortune album, and peaked at #12 on the American charts. Like many of the songs I've covered in past devotions, this one set my mind to wandering, so I searched out the lyrics to see if they were indeed something that would spark a thought train.

Like many people, I hum along when I don't know the words. There are millions of songs out there, and Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" is one from my teen years that I knew but didn't know (knew the tune and a few of the words). I was rather amazed when I read the lyrics. If you're familiar with them, indulge me and follow along:

All our times have come
Here, but now there, gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
(we can be like they are)

The first and most obvious thought is that the song refers to death (the reaper), and maybe it does. As the song continues, it tells of a "love of two, now one" and that she feels she just can't go on. Often, interpretations of songs that refer, even in passing, to death are misconstrued by many as to glorifying death or suicide. When asked, songwriter Roeser denied such an interpretation. He says "I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all ... It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners."

I've said before, and will say again now, interpretations are as individual as those who have them. Mine is mine, and just because yours is different, it does not mean that either of us are wrong. How I chose to interpret this song is as eternal love. Reread the lyrics for the first verse. The seasons don't fear the reaper. Well, if you say that the reaper is Jesus, why would they fear Him? He created them! I don't fear Jesus as reaper either ... because He created me! When he comes to gather me home, I will happily go along with Him! (reaper: defined as one that reaps. reap: defined as to gather, or take) We CAN be like they are, creations of our Lord! Instead of interpreting the lyrics as a thing of death or sadness, look at them as a thing of joy.

Came the last night of sadness

And it was clear she couldn't go on

Then the door was open and the wind appeared

The candles blew and then disappeared

The curtains flew and then he appeared

(Saying "Don't be afraid")

When you are in the depths of your darkest hour, ask Jesus to come. HE WILL APPEAR!! With Him in your life and heart, there is no reason to fear! When you ask Him, HE WILL COME. Is not that the most amazing and wonderful thing?

Jesus, I thank you for the beauty and wonder that is your eternal love. For the blessings you freely bestow upon my undeserving self, I offer humble praise. May I always have the opportunity to pay them forward!

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."~Acts 20:24 NIV

All The Lonely People

2009-08-15T20:25:00.004-05:00

I love music. It can say so many things. There are lyrics out there that can astound you with their amazing simplicity. The writer's intent may never be known, for my interpretation of a song may be different from yours, and may be a world away from what its creator had in mind when pen hit paper.

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday nights is listen to Allen's show on WOAB. Tonight, like most Saturdays, he's the music playing on my computer. The banter of a radio personality is more fun when you actually know the deejay, because instead of a voice behind a microphone, it's Allen doing what he loves. When I requested he play something for me, he complied. Much to my surprise, I didn't hear the peppy Partridge Family, Jay and the Americans, or even the never-fails-to-make-me-smile Randy and the Rainbows. What came across the speakers instead was a tune that made me stop, tilt my head in puzzlement, and listen to the lyrics.

This is for all the lonely people

Thinking that life has passed them by

Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup

And ride that highway in the sky

America? I like the band, but why did he play that song, and why now? Suddenly, listening to these lyrics, it hit me. There was meaning behind these words. We have all been there, or at least most of us have: feeling like life has passed us by. Don't give up!! Why not? Because there is hope. There is an answer.

I don't know what was going through the minds of Daniel and Catherine Peek when they penned this tune for 1975's History album, but some 34 years later as I sit and listen to the timeless words my thoughts are spinning. How do I put these thoughts down so that they make sense? The way I normally do: close my eyes, take a deep breath, say a short prayer, open my eyes and begin to type.

Even though I have had times in my life when I wondered if it was truly worth opening my eyes one more time, I guess I never let go of God, because He always intervened and dropped a picture that made me realize just what I had to live for. When I felt like giving up, He showed me just why I could carry on. Close your eyes, but don't give up. Give over.

Give over your concerns and troubles to Jesus. He is far stronger and more capable than we can ever hope to be. What is a crushing weight to me is but a feather to Him. Realize that He can empower you far beyond whatever you could possibly imagine, and come home.

Well, I'm on my way

Yes, I'm back to stay

Well, I'm on my way back home

I am on my way, and to stay this time. Is it not amazing that the distance we wander is minimal when we ask Jesus to bring us home? I am on my way back home. God, thank you for causing my ears to hear what you were telling me this evening. Thank you for prompting Allen to play that song. Please continue to guide my words to honor you.

"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."~Mark 5:19 NIV

Healthcare

2009-08-14T14:33:00.001-05:00

There is much controversy surrounding the proposed government healthcare plan, and there are as many opinions on it as there are individuals who wish to talk about it. This is not related to that healthcare, although I cannot be dishonest and tell you that I agree with it because I do not. I believe it is in the best interests of all of us for the government to stay out of it. That, however, is my opinion.

When someone says 'healthcare,' what comes to mind? Other than the aforementioned controversial proposal winding its way through our elected guardians, I can safely venture a guess and say that many of us would think our own personal well being and how we take steps (or not) to maintain that state. Currently, we have a plan at work known as Wellness Works. It is optional for those who participate in the insurance plan, but has many benefits. One such benefit is coaching. If you agree to participate, you work with a wellness coach to make changes to your life that will affect your health in a positive manner (i.e.. lose weight, quit smoking). This benefit affords you a lower insurance premium. If, however, your coaching has not resulted in the positive change of your choice (you lost a certain number of pounds), your insurance premium will go up for a year while you work on it once more. My choice? To lose weight.

Most of you know me, and you know that I love food. Not like food ... LOVE food. The amount of weight that I was required to lose on this program was minimal, and I have had a year to lose it. Have I lost the required weight? No. Why? I wish I had a simple answer. Earlier in the year, I participated in the Weight Watchers program with some success. I lost 18 pounds! That would have more than met my goal for Wellness Works for the year ... had I maintained that loss. Now, I have to take off that weight (again!), and probably more, by November 3 to keep my lower insurance premium. If I do not meet my goal (did I mention the goal was of my own choosing??), the premium goes up.

Look inward. What is the state of your spiritual health? Are there positive changes that could be made? You have a ready made wellness coach (Jesus), who is always at the head of the class, yet by your side every single step of the way. He has words of encouragement, signs of progress, and bountiful harvests with which to reward you. Why is it so difficult to turn yourself over to His loving care?

The most difficult part of my own spiritual healthcare plan is time. You may not have that issue. It is not having time available, it is making time available. The minutes I spend writing this devotion are dedicated to Him, for I ask His guidance to make the words flow in such a way that they will touch those who receive them. Do I make time for Him during my day otherwise? I am honest enough to say not always, and not nearly enough. God deserves more than the "Lord help me" we all throw heavenward. When you sit down to read, what are you reading? I understand that there are work or school related things that you must read. Funnily enough, God understands that as well. I sat on my couch earlier today and finished reading a novel. I could have easily taken at least a part of that same time and read my bible. I have not yet done so today.

Who suffers? I do. By not making time to improve my spiritual health, I believe that I run the risk of putting my physical health in jeopardy. When I am at peace, my physical self reflects that. When I am stressed, my physical self reflects that agitated state. I owe it to myself to place the same importance on my spiritual health as I do on my physical health. This is my challenge: Look at your spiritual health. Is it where you want it to be? If not, work with your personal wellness coach. Jesus will clearly outline your path, and guide you every step of the way. Here's to better health - physical, mental, spiritual - for all of us.

Jesus, I need your help and guidance. Thank you for giving me the words to write and the ideas to flow. Please continue to lay your hand upon me in this ministry. Please help me, and help my friends, that we encourage one another to grow in You.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."~~Psalm 119:105 KJV

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

2009-06-21T03:41:00.004-05:00

It is the wee hours of Sunday morning, I should really be sleeping (especially considering I have to be at work in 5 hours!). Today is not just a typical sultry June Sunday, however, it is Father's Day. This Father's Day is bittersweet, for I have to send my Father's Day wishes heavenward ... June 2 was two years ago that Daddy passed away.

Father's Day wasn't actually made a federal holiday until 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the order that made it so. Mother's Day had been around as a holiday for a number of years (President Woodrow Wilson signed THAT order), but for some reason Father's Day was not considered as important a holiday as Mother's Day. Today's consuming commercialism makes one want to step back and rethink any holiday, but let's just look at why it means as much to honor our fathers as it does to honor our mothers.

I don't remember the first Father's Day present I ever gave my daddy, although I would venture a guess and say that my mama probably does. The gift itself didn't matter so much, it was the thought behind it and the fact that I loved my daddy that made it special! Thinking back over my life, I remember many gifts that my daddy gave me. Let me share a few of them with you.

My daddy taught me that sometimes making the right decision would be the hardest thing to do. My daddy taught me that you have to stand up for what you believe is right, even when there may be many others around you that disagree. My daddy taught me that it's okay to be wrong, but that you have to admit it, learn from your mistakes, and move forward. My daddy taught me to make the most of what you have instead of wasting time whining about what you wish you had. The most important thing my daddy taught me? No one's perfect (not even daddy), and that you have to do your best and leave the rest up to God.

And speaking of father, God IS our heavenly father. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his children: he gave the life of His son to save the rest of us. As a mother, I can't even imagine that agony. On this Father's Day, remember to thank God, our Father, for the mighty blessings He bestows on us. Just like our earthly daddy, our Heavenly Father wants what is best for us. Let us make a concentrated effort to do our best for Him.

God, I thank you for the 43 years that I was blessed to have my daddy. Thank you for your love and grace, and please guide me within your will. Make me an example for you.

Daddy, this one's for you! Happy Father's Day William Paul Abel -- I miss you!!

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."~Psalm 68:5 NIV

This Day In History

2009-03-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

In 1965, intimidation and discrimination were rampant in Alabama. More than half the city of Selma was prevented from registering to vote. More than 600 demonstrators marched to Montgomery to protest , and were brutally attacked on Sunday, March 7, 1965. A protest march was organized by the head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His march did not have federal judicial approval, however, and he turned the marchers around rather than march without this approval.

When an Alabama federal judge ruled on March 18 that the march could go ahead, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his advisors were concerned for the safety of the demonstrators. The biggest obstacle in their way? Alabama governor George C. Wallace. Governor Wallace was reluctant to order the national guard to action and utilize state funds for the purpose of protection. He promised President Johnson (in phone calls recorded by the White House) that he would call out the troops to maintain order, then turned around and refused to do so, calling on Johnson to instead activate federal troops. On this day in history, 1965, President Johnson notified Governor Wallace that he would use federal authority to call up the Alabama National Guard. This clash between Johnson and Wallace was a major turning point in the civil rights movement. President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law in August 1965.

When the civil rights movement was in the news, I was a year old. The changes in our country, even during the short span thus far of my lifetime, have been amazing. Many things have come to pass, both good and bad. From the civil rights movement of the 60s, to the election of President Obama in the fall of 2008, America has come almost full circle. As a nation, we have so much to be proud of, yet so much to continue to work toward.

It seems to me that there is a disturbing trend today, and there are those who would have us remove all mention of God. The statement made by former president Ronald Reagan is so true: "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." There are those who would have the phrase "In God We Trust" removed from our money. Please do not be a part of the silent majority when it comes to God and country! You can search and find many statements, comments, and quotes from a variety of Americans about the importance of God. Read the words of Thomas Jefferson (1781): "And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."

As a nation, as individuals, we must pray that God continue to shine His favor upon us. Without Him, we can do nothing. God, we thank you for the multitude of blessings that you have, and continue to, shower upon us. May we remember each day that you are God!

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." ~~Revelation 1:8 NIV

La Fheile Padraig

2009-03-17T02:17:00.000-05:00

As far as I know, I'm not Irish. Today is March 17, Saint Patrick's Day, and there will be celebrations round the world. What is the meaning behind this Irish celebration?

Saint Patrick's Day is an annual feast day that celebrates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17. In Ireland, it is a national holiday: Northern Ireland celebrates a bank holiday, and the republic of Ireland calls it a public holiday. The Irish have celebrated this day for more than a thousand years. Here in America, we celebrate, but it is not an official holiday. Who is Saint Patrick and why is he celebrated?

March 17 is generally accepted as the date of Patrick's death. He was English born to wealthy parents, kidnapped at 16 and held in captivity in Ireland for 6 years. During his time of captivity, he found solace in his religion and became a devout Christian. Some years later, he returned to Ireland to spread Christianity. Although it is part of Irish folklore, the banishing of the snakes credited to Saint Patrick appears to be more a metaphor for the rise of Christianity and the decline in paganism. March 17, Saint Patrick's Day, is a Catholic religious feast day in Ireland: a day celebrated in memory of a saint by special services and rest from work. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike.

Whether it be Saint Patrick's Day, or simply Tuesday, each day is a gift to be celebrated. Every day that I wake up is a chance for a new beginning. Whether I wear green, eat corned beef and cabbage, or go about my normal routine, I do not need to lose site of the importance of this day. Remember the song from Sunday school? "This is the day ... this is the day ... this is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Today I give thanks for the many blessings that God has seen fit to bestow upon me. Look around, take stock, and give thanks of your own. Remember that He is good ... and He is God. Through Him all things are possible!! An Irish saying that I have heard through the years feels appropriate to close this devotion:

May you be in heaven one half hour before the devil knows you're dead.

Accepting Jesus as your savior guarantees that you'll be in heaven ... and it won't matter if the devil knows you're dead!

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.~Psalm 96:2 NIV

Cause for Celebration

2009-03-17T01:23:00.000-05:00

There are many things in our lives that we view as cause for celebration. One of the more universal celebrations is that of a wedding. What is a wedding? Defined, it is the legal joining of two people in the union of holy matrimony. Weddings can range from a couple in front of the justice of the peace to a multimillion dollar event publicized worldwide. Regardless of the extent of the ceremony, the end result is the same: two become one. (written 26 Feb 2009)

Today, I ordered my wedding dress. While this may not seem like a major event for some, those who know me well truly understand my aversion to shopping for myself ... even for my own wedding. There are time constraints, however, and since I'm not exactly a size 4 off the rack kinda female, I had to break down and find a dress so it could be ordered if necessary, delivered in a timely fashion, and altered if need be. With that goal in mind, I headed today to Jim Massey. No particular reason for starting there today, other than the fact that the personnel in the store were extremely nice the previous times I had dashed in there to briefly look at what they might have available.

Believe it or not, it only took about 4 or 5 dresses for me to find "the one." It is not a wedding gown, rather a bridesmaid dress, and is of such a style that I will be able to wear it again. I do not in any way want to lessen the importance of this dress or this day ... but the fact remains that this is not my first wedding, and at my age, I want something I can wear again! Wearing my wedding dress again will only serve as a reminder of what a wonderful day it was!!

I write on this topic simply because I feel as if I have been truly blessed with the man who will in 128 days become my husband. We have differing opinions on some things of course, but for the important things, we see eye-to-eye. The celebration of friends and family will take place on July 4th ... and we both find it quite appropriate that on the day that our great nation celebrates its independence, we will join our lives as one.

God, thank you for the blessing that you sent to me in Rob. May your hand continue to guide our lives, and direct us as you would have us go.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

Is It Safe?

2009-03-17T01:21:00.001-05:00

When you consider things that are "safe," what comes to mind? As Americans, the safety that we felt within our borders was shattered on September 11, 2001, when multiple plane crashes into the twin towers, the pentagon and a midwestern field rocked not only the US, but the entire world. The reverberations from those crashes are still being felt today. The victims of terrorism are spread across the world, and there are those who have no place that they can call safe. (written 19 Nov 2008)

This morning has been a period of much anxiety for first semester nursing students at Wallace. Those of us enrolled in Pharmacology (NUR 104) were scheduled to take our drug comp at 0800. What is drug comp? It is a test that deals with mathematics and its application for the nurse in calculating medication doses. You have to know if a drug dose is safe before you can administer it to your patient. How do you know? You read the label. You calculate the dose ordered to see if it falls within the safe range as determined by the manufacturer. If it does, you can administer the dose. If it does not, you cannot give the drug as ordered.

In Western Civ, we are studying the early days of Christianity and its spread across the Roman empire. Living conditions, while advanced for their time, would be called primitive by most of us in the western world today. It is difficult to imagine taking days to travel from place to place, when we can fly practically around the world in a day or less today. The spread of Christianity and the subsequent building of churches gave rise to the term sanctuary. What is sanctuary? We may consider the main area of the church, often known as the sanctuary. Defined, however, sanctuary is a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest, or more simply, any place of refuge. Sanctuary = safe. When I was growing up, the church we attended was never locked. You could go in at any time and commune with Jesus, or in our case, play the piano and sing to our imaginary audience.

As a nurse, it will be my duty to provide safety for my patients. As a believer, my place of safety is provided for me. Jesus is my safety, He is my rock, my unmoving strength. How do you find this safe place? Simply ask Him into your heart and believe that He is Lord. There is only one way to Heaven ... the ultimate safe place. No riches, no good deeds, no perfect life will get you through the pearly gates, but believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as your savior.

Jesus, thank you for giving me the ultimate place of safety. Help me to be a guide for others who may need help to find you and their own safe place within you.

"But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety."~Deuteronomy 12:10NIV

Wear Your Hat

2009-03-17T01:19:00.001-05:00

I will start this with a statement that many of you know already. I am an Alabama fan (ROLL TIDE!). No offense at all intended to those of you who do not think that crimson is a beautiful color as it applies to football, including my three 'Auburn' children. Thanks to Rob, I also am a huge Texas Longhorns fan. (Big 12, SEC = No conflict of interest). Should Alabama and Texas play one another, however, my football allegiance will have to be with my Crimson Tide. Many Southerners dearly love this time of year, because fall equals one of the things near and dear to their heart: FOOTBALL! I am not saying that football is a southern thing, it just seems that we are more enthusiastic about it than most. (written 17 Nov 2008)

What does this have to do with hats? Name one thing that comes to mind when you think of Alabama football. Yeah, that's it. The houndstooth plaid hat synonymous with legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. There are arguments about whether the pattern is houndstooth or just plain plaid (all houndstooth is plaid, but all plaid is not houndstooth). Call the pattern whatever you like, it is the spirit of the hat that reverberates through the Alabama fan to the rhythm of the school's fight song. Why did "Bear" wear the hat?

The story has it that it was a gift sent to him by the owner of the New York Jets to thank him for encouraging Joe Namath to sign with the then upstart American Football League's (AFL) New York Jets instead of the established National Football League's (NFL) St. Louis Cardinals. Rookie of the year in 1965, Namath led the Jets to a victory in 1969 over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. (Yes, that's three). As quarterback at Alabama, Joe Namath (under the direction of Coach Bryant) led the Crimson Tide to successive National Championships in 1964 and 1965.

Still not following my convoluted train of thought? Alabama fans wear houndstooth fedoras to show their allegiance to their team as well as a symbol of their respect for UA's beloved Bear. If you are a football (or any sport, for that matter) fan, you probably have at least one thing in your possession that signifies your loyalty to your team. What signifies your loyalty to Jesus?

I don't think it's the Bible you read and/or carry, nor the clothes you wear to church on Sunday. It's not the bracelet/pendant/hat you wear asking the question "WWJD?", nor is it the cross or crucifix hanging around your rearview mirror. My opinion? It is the person that you are, not the possessions you have. While we all have responsibilities, bosses to please, families to satisfy ... our ultimate judge is God. When the day comes that you stand before Him, what will He say? Wear your hat for Christ ... stand proud and unashamed.

Jesus, I thank you for the ability of expression. Help me to use it every day so that I glorify you.

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you."~1 Chronicles 29:17-18NIV

Honoring Those Who Serve

2009-03-17T01:16:00.001-05:00

The "official" end of World War I was marked June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles at the Palace of Versailles. The fighting ended, however, some seven months earlier when an armistice went into effect between Germany and the Allies on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day in November 1919, citing "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" (written 11 Nov 2008)

I did not grow up in a military household; my daddy's enlistment in the Army ended before I was born. Patriotism and pride of country, however, were (and still are) very strong. I was raised to believe that you honor the flag by standing quietly, hand over your heart, and reciting the pledge. Way back when I was in elementary school, we recited the pledge every morning before starting our school day! Veterans and service members were never spoken of with any type of disrespect. Service to country was looked upon as something to be proud of! While neither my siblings nor myself served in the armed forces, we had seven uncles that did. Some served one or two hitches, four retired (three US Army, one US Navy). Today I am a proud Army mama -- my oldest daughter Victoria is currently serving in Baghdad, active duty United States Army.

Why celebrate today? The words in the 1926 resolution of the US Congress may make things a little clearer: "Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; ..." There is more, but this last part struck a chord. Reread the beginning of this paragraph. " ... it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer". Is that not still so? Not just today, but every day! Today, we pray to give thanks for those who have served to protect and defend our freedom ... for those still serving, at home or abroad ... and for those who died to defend us. What is the purpose of Veterans Day? A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

When you drive or walk down the streets today and see the American flag flying, thank a veteran ... those who are still serving, and those who have served. When you pin the flag to your lapel, fly the flag in your yard or at your place of employment: thank a veteran. For the freedoms some take for granted: thank a veteran.

For the more than 145000 American troops currently serving in Iraq, and the total US combined troop strength of more than 1.4 million, I offer my utmost gratitude. I never take for granted the freedoms I hold dear ... because you offer your life every single day. I have seen often on emails a quote that reads "only two forces have ever given their life for you ... Jesus Christ, and the American military." The military member died so that we may enjoy freedom, Jesus so that we may enjoy eternal life.

SPC Victoria Magoun ... thank you for your service and your devotion to duty ... I am humbled by your sacrifice and so very proud of your accomplishments! AD2 Robert Beadle ... thank you for the service you gave, the patriotism and pride you promote daily, and your constant love and support.

Jesus, thank you for giving your life for my unworthy one. Help me to give the best of myself each day, to honor you, and to live as you would have me do.

"But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."~Jonah 2:9NIV

I Can Only Imagine

2009-03-17T01:13:00.001-05:00

The song written by MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard in 1999 exploded onto the secular music scene four years later. Originally released on their 2001 album "Almost There," this song describes Millard's view of what meeting Jesus might be like. Have you ever thought about that day? What it will be like to finally meet Jesus? (written 27 Oct 2008)

Think of much anticipated things that have happened in your lifetime. I'm not necessarily referring to Christmas or birthdays, but instead things that have been life-changing. We each have our own milestones, and our own ideas of what is life-changing. There have been quite a few life-changing events over my 44 years, and I don't think God is finished with me yet.

While pregnant with my first child, I could only imagine what it would be like to give birth and to actually parent a living being that was totally dependent on me! Imagination is one thing, experience is something else. They can be eerily similar, or vastly different. Childbirth was a little like and a whole lot different than I had imagined. Parenting? Let's just say that three births and 22 years later, I'm still learning. The years have been a little like and a whole lot different than I ever imagined.

When I decided to become a nurse, I imagined myself in nursing school (a little like and a whole lot different!). I can imagine a lot of things (I have a very vivid imagination), but I can't quite imagine what it will be like to spend eternity with Jesus. I know it is going to happen for me, and I also know that there are many, many others for whom it will not happen. On the flip side, I cannot imagine the way those who do not know Jesus will spend eternity. I am looking forward to seeing daddy, and grandmother and granddaddy, just to name a few. What do those who do not know Him have to look forward to? More importantly, what can I do to make sure that as many people as possible spend eternity with Jesus? Live, believe, and ask for His guidance. He can give me what I need to live as He would have me do. The power is within all of us, it requires Jesus to work.

If you don't know the song, "I Can Only Imagine", find it. Youtube has a video, there are probably many copies available for download, find the cd in a music store or online. I prefer the MercyMe version, but there are more available. It is worth a listen ... set your imagination on Jesus and let it go!

[Chorus]
Surrounded by Your glory,
what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah,
will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Jesus, thank you for the imagination with which I have been blessed. Let me draw from that imagination and from your love to be able to make it known what a joy you are in my life, and what a beautiful thing eternity will be spent with you.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."~Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

Thank You for Today

2009-03-17T01:10:00.001-05:00

Every morning that I wake up, I should give thanks for my blessings. I don't. The first thing that goes through my mind is not "Lord, thank you for giving me one more day, one more chance," but usually something along the lines of "Oh lord, is it time to get up already?" (written 23 Oct 2008)

Walking down the hall heading to class this morning (my second class, not the first one that I overslept and missed), my eye was drawn to a sheet of white paper pinned to the bulletin board. No fancy graphics, just simple black print. Slowing down to skim its contents, I then came to a complete stop and turned to face the board as if to better comprehend what I had just read. A few simple lines seared into my brain, informing me that a classmate's mother had just two days ago lost everything in a house fire. The thoughts of "oh no, how horrible" were immediately followed by "Thank you Lord, for giving me the roof over my head." How often we take things for granted until they are no longer there!

This piece of information, and a brief conversation with my classmate, put my day in clear perspective. The stressors of this afternoon's test fade alongside the reality that life is truly a gift we are given. While we work hard (most of us, anyway) for what we have, we must never lose sight of the reality that it is only through God that all things are possible. Before I complain about what I do not (and may never) have, I must instead be thankful for what I have.

Tired of the car you drive, house you live in, clothes you wear, job you have? At least you have transportation, a roof over your head, clothes and a job. I am not saying in any way to "settle," because I believe that hard work and faith will take you far beyond what you might imagine. Contrary to the mindset of some in America today who believe that the government owes them food, money, healthcare and housing (that's a soapbox I do not need to climb on), re-read the preceding sentence. Did you see the words "hard work"? Don't think that I am slamming on someone who does not hold a job outside the home. The mother or father who stays at home and takes care of children? That's work. You may not receive a paycheck, and you may even be able to spend half the day at your most casual ... but only those who have never had an infant or small child would call a stay at home parent "nonworking." I refer instead to those who think it is their God-given right to receive something for nothing. Who pays for that? Regardless of what that monthly benefit may signify, someone is footing the bill. Have you taken the time to assess?

Track 6 of Cricket Lee's CD "Just Stand" is a song called "I Trust the Hands" (I hope the title is right, the CD is in the car!). The opening verse is a powerful statement, and one that I try to model.

Ask me how I'm doing
I'll tell you I'm living life abundantly
That doesn't mean that I'm
Living a life that's problem-free
Just means that I keep my eyes
Upon the prize
And when fear and doubt assail

I trust the hands that never fail
Even when I'm tested
I trust the hands
scarred by nails
To keep what I've invested
Hope doesn't disappoint, Love never fails
I trust the hands scarred by nails

Simple, but true. I trust, even when I may have questions. I trust, even when I am afraid. Because my Lord has never not been there. Even in those times that I may have not seen clearly, He has always been there for me. And yes, this is an instance when I can use the word always.

Lord, thank you for the beautiful abundance of today. With your guidance and through you I can achieve my goals. Help me to not lose sight of the blessings of each day, and to bless as I have been so bountifully blessed.

"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance."~Jude 1:2 NIV

Simply the Best

2009-03-17T01:07:00.001-05:00

There are many qualifications that could be looked at to label something "best." There are even stores that call themselves "Best" (as in 'Best Buy'). What does it mean to be the best? Dictionary.com defines best as "of the highest quality, excellence, or standing." What is a "best" in your life? (written 22 Oct 2008)

Do you have a "best" friend? Your best friend may be of the same sex, or of the opposite sex. Your best friend may be the same age, of the same background, and someone you've known most (if not all) of your life. Or not. Does it truly matter? How we each define "best" has much to do with both the environment in which we were raised, and the standards to which we have determined to hold ourselves. My "best" may not be the same as my siblings, or may be eerily similar, whether or not we've ever discussed the matter.

When I think of personal "bests" in my life, the first thing that comes to mind is my three children. As most of you know, I have two daughters (my oldest and my youngest), and one son. Are they perfect children, or rather, perfect young adults and teens? No, they're not. But I consider them the best three things I have ever had a part in creating. I am not a perfect mother, I don't have all the answers. Although they may have doubted it at the time, I didn't expect perfection from them either. What were my expectations as a parent? Simply that they do the best that they were capable of. They are three separate and distinct individuals that have personalities that are markedly different, yet they share many of the same traits. Each child has his or her own personal "best."

As a parent, I know that there have been times when my children probably thought I'd lost my mind. They may still harbor that sneaking suspicion! We have not discussed it in great depth, but I am relatively certain from my wisdom as Nana that my oldest daughter is learning just how incredibly difficult and unbelievably rewarding it is to be a parent. You want the best of everything for your child, you will do whatever you have the ability to do to make sure that it is possible. What is the "best?"

I think one of the best gifts that I received as a child was the church and coming to know Jesus. As a parent, I failed in that respect. Because my children's father and myself held differing religious views, we opted to let our children choose ... without giving them a background in both. All three of my children have attended different religious services with friends, none of the three profess a belief. In this, I did not achieve a best.

My best today? Choosing to rededicate my life to Jesus. Choosing to let Him guide me in the path that I should take. Jesus, thank you for being my best. Help me to live every day so that others can see that in me.

"This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. "~Isaiah 48:17 NIV

Measure Twice, Cut Once

2009-03-17T01:05:00.001-05:00

Several years ago, one of my favorite television shows was "This Old House." I enjoyed tuning in each week to see what Steve and Norm were reconstructing or creating. They selected historical homes, sometimes in not-so-obvious places, and worked with the homeowners to restore or create a thing of beauty. Norm was the master carpenter on the show, and also had his own show called "New Yankee Workshop." He was an outstanding craftsman, and turned out some of the most beautiful woodwork I have ever seen. He used this phrase often, and even wrote a book with the title: "Measure Twice, Cut Once." (written 17 Oct 2008)

You may be wondering what in the world New England craftsmanship has to do with a nursing student in southern Alabama. I'll be the first to tell you that I am by no stretch of the imagination a carpenter. The most "woodwork" I've probably done in my life involved helping my stepdad and sister erect our privacy fence when we moved to Colorado in 1981.

Norm (master carpenter) was a down-home guy who just 'folksed' his way through the creation of pieces of furniture that were almost works of art. He was a perfectionist, however. He frequently used the phrase "measure twice, cut once", stating that he had learned that from his father. Measuring once, inaccurately, and cutting your wood based on those inaccurate measurements can cause you to lose time, materials, money, and in some cases, even a job. Still wondering what that has to do with me?

I am trying to improve every area of my life. Much like an infant just learning how to walk, I am taking it in steps. Rather than opening my mouth and flying off the handle, I try very hard these days to think before I speak. In my career, I am making every effort to take forward steps, sometimes one at a time, building quality rather than rushing and leaving slipshod work in my wake.

It is impossible to unsay harsh words, nearly impossible (and sometimes impossible) to correct mistakes. We cannot, nor will we ever, be perfect. But we can do our best, apply our everything, and make every effort to put forth quality ... every time. In my chosen field, mistakes can be, and often are, deadly. It is a frightening thought that leaves a little bit of upheaval in the pit of my stomach to think that in the future, there will be times when a patient's life depends on the quality of care that I provide. How can I provide less than my very best?

Jesus, the further I progress, the more I realize that I cannot do this alone. I am provided with supportive family and friends, knowledgeable nurse-instructors and floor nurses, and an ingrained desire to do the best that I am capable of doing. Please continue to guide me and help me to grow into the nurse I am to be. Help me to always "measure twice, cut once".

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."~Psalm 48:14 NIV

I Forgot to Pray

2009-03-17T01:03:00.001-05:00

Remember yesterday's devotion? There is a statement in there about 2/3 of the way through that said "I NEVER take a test without praying for guidance ... " When I wrote it, I thought it was questionable and wondered about changing the wording by eliminating the use of the word NEVER, but compounded that mistake by leaving it in. One of the important test-taking skills we learned early on was to look for those absolute words (like NEVER) when eliminating incorrect answers. My second mistake? Not listening to that voice that said ... "you might want to change that." (written 16 Oct 2008)

Make no mistake. I am placing the blame for my dismal test performance this morning nowhere but squarely where it belongs ... on myself. I didn't properly prepare for this exam. I studied less than I should have, did not thoroughly read the chapters, and misread several of the questions. The end result? Failure. What happened? I know one thing ... I forgot to pray.

Do I believe that prayer can cause miracles? Of course I do. I believe that faith can work miracles. I also believe that it takes a lot of hard work as well. I don't know who coined the phrase that "the Lord helps those who help themselves" but I believe it. He is not going to give me something that I have not earned. If I work my hardest, pray for his guidance, listen and believe ... He will work with me to achieve what He has planned for me.

Prayer before a test will not make me pass if I did not prepare properly ... but failure to pray before a test can alter my frame of mind. Did I go into this test without the peace that usually accompanies a prayer? I did. I took a second test today as well ... and am anxiously awaiting the results of that exam. Did I pray before I took the test? I did. Do I believe I passed the exam? I do. Stay tuned ...

As far as this morning's performance, it lowered my average in the class, but I am still well above passing. Can I recover from this? I can. Will I? I WILL!!

Jesus, thank you for humbling me and making me remember that without you, I can do nothing.

"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life."~Psalm 42:8 NIV

Preparation

2009-03-17T01:02:00.001-05:00

As a first semester nursing student, it seems as if I am constantly studying or reviewing for a test of some type: either a skills check off or an exam. The vast amount of material that needs to be absorbed (and comprehended!) to move on to the next level seems almost overwhelming at times! What is the best way to prepare? (written 15 Oct 2008)

How I prepare has much to do with my personality and my ability to comprehend. The way I study might not work for the next student, and vice versa. At this point, preparation for me consists of reading the chapters, studying the powerpoints, reviewing class notes, and writing definitions. Another important factor in the preparation equation is the feedback that I receive from my study partners. Asking a question of a fellow student may elicit a train of thought that clarifies an uncertain point for you. This give and take works both ways. The importance of study groups is a recurring theme ... with one qualifier: It is VITAL that your study group be focused on learning!

Take this focus and apply it to your life. Are the most important people in your life aware of your goals and willing to help you achieve them? Are they your cheerleaders or are they naysayers? My boyfriend, my family, and close friends are all very supportive of my goal of graduating nursing school. This has been a tremendous help on those days when it all seems a bit overwhelming.

What has been the biggest help of all? Prayer. I ask for it, I offer it, I do it. If you want to simplify it even more, break it down to a college student's favorite things: it's cheap (try free!), it's easy, and IT WORKS! No matter how much I prepare for a test, no matter how certain I am that I know the material ... I NEVER take a test without praying for guidance, and for my classmates. I pray that the information that I've studied can come back out in the right form.

Speaking to preparation leads to one additional question. How are you preparing for the day that you meet Jesus? This is the most important test of all! No preparation in your life can compare to this, and you can 'study' your whole life and still not have the right answer ... if you deny your Lord. Eternity is a real long time ... are you prepared for it? Preparation for eternity is one of the simplest things you can do: ask, believe, receive. If you ask Jesus into your heart and life, believe that He is your savior, and receive Him into your heart ... that's the majority of your preparation!! How easy is that? Another college student favorite? IT'S FREE!! What comes after receiving Jesus? Sharing. Remember when you were a child and learned something new? You couldn't wait to tell (show) everyone what you knew! Treat Jesus that same way ... share Him with that same joy!

Jesus, thank you for the many blessings that you have given me and continue to bless me with. I pray for strength and wisdom, and the ability to continue to voice your praise. Help me be the vessel that assists others to you!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."~John 14:1-3 NIV

My Soul Sings

2009-03-17T00:58:00.001-05:00

There are very few places where you can find silence. In the hurry-up world of today, it seems that noise is a constant factor in our lives. It may be something as simple as the hum of the air conditioner, or as complex as the New York Philharmonic in the midst of a performance. My life has been entwined with music for as long as I can remember. I am by no stretch of the imagination a performer, unless you count the numerous concerts I've given to the dishes or to the laundry. (written 13 Oct 2008)

What makes you want to sing? There are those blessed with the ability to bring tears to the eyes of a listener with the beauty of their voice ... Andrea Bocelli comes to mind, my oldest daughter is another. Many years ago in Sunday school, one of my teachers said "God said make a joyful noise ... He didn't say anything about being on key." I'm relatively certain that applies to me.

Making a joyful noise can take many different forms. I love to sing (note aforementioned lack of ability) and I love to listen to music. I love to sit and listen to a performance, whether it be a concert for many or a concert for me. Music is soothing to my soul. It can, however, be turbulent. It can be disturbing, it can be thought provoking, and in some cases even be violent. A quick perusal of the shelves in any music store can give you an almost overwhelming selection to choose from.

When I find music that I like, I tend to play it a lot. The current CD in my player has been there for a few weeks. Cricket Lee's new CD, "I Just Stand", is a source of inspiration to me. I have bounced back and forth between the tracks, and have found yet another favorite. I don't, unfortunately, have the CD case with me right now and cannot tell you who wrote it. Track 11, "I Believe", has become my new anthem.

This beautiful song is up-tempo, joyous, and no matter how many times I listen to it, makes me want to sing along ... every time. What makes you want to sing? Find your voice ... find your song. Praising Jesus pleases Him. Praising Jesus through song also serves as a testimony to others. Find your testimony today!

Just what the word of God has said
I believe
Every inspired page
that's read
oh I believe
Though the builder rejected the stone
This rock I will stand upon
I believe

in Gethsemane
I believe
in Calvary
I believe in the cross, in the blood, in the grave
I believe in the stone rolled away
I believe
in the risen King

Jesus, thank you for giving my soul the gift of song. Thank you for allowing me to express my joy through words and song. Give me the ability to share with others the beauty that you have given to me.

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."~Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV

A Little Hard Work and A Lotta Faith

2009-03-17T00:55:00.001-05:00

My years as a restaurant manager blessed me with the opportunity to meet and get to know many wonderful people. One person that I met several years ago has touched my life in ways she does not even realize. This amazing woman is truly a blessing, and I feel honored to know her. Cricket, keep singing!! (written 1 Oct 2008)

I will admit that when I first met Cricket Lee, I had no idea who she was. I had heard her name, and knew that she was a gospel singer from Dothan, but that was it. Several of my employees knew, and told me about her music. As I came to know both Cricket and Dennis, I realized just what a warm and wonderful couple they are. Cricket's music goes straight to my heart, opening it and flooding me with warmth, wonder, and a renewed hope and happiness.

I write this today because of a chance encounter. Why chance? Those who know me know that I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I do not think it was just by "chance" that I happened to run into Cricket and Dennis in WalMart a couple of weekends ago. We spoke briefly, and Cricket told me that she had a new CD out.

"Just Stand" is in the CD player of my car, where it's been since that afternoon when I got off work. I have flipped through the tracks, listened to the whole CD, returned to tracks that are already favorites, and have nearly memorized several songs that seem to be sung just for me and my life as it is right now. All I can say is WOW.

Once more, I have to admit my ignorance. I do not know Kenna West, but there are two songs on this CD that immediately jumped out and hit me. "It Takes Faith" and "I Trust the Hands." All I can say is listen, hear, and believe.

A small sampling of "It Takes Faith":

It takes both
a little hard work
and a lotta faith
You gotta have both
a little of what you do
mixed together with what you say
It's not just believing and receiving
everything from the Father's hand
It's getting up and going
at His command

That's right .... JUST DO IT (apologies to Nike).

Every day, one day at a time. Have faith, work hard, believe. You CAN do it. I believe in me ... and I believe in you, too. With that, we can both go far. Have a blessed and beautiful day!

"Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." ~Matthew 21:21 NIV

Perspective Check

2009-03-17T00:53:00.001-05:00

You probably know by now how much I love words, and actually enjoy defining them. Today's title, 'Perspective Check' is no exception. What IS perspective and why write about it? My friends at Dictionary.com have several definitions listed, but the one that suits most today's topic is definition 6: "the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship." Still wondering where this is going? Let me see if I can clarify. (written 11 Aug 2008)

For the majority of us in the workplace, or simply as a part of society, we come into almost daily contact with many different people. I say different not as a negative term, but strictly in the sense that they may be at a place in their lives that was chosen to intersect ours for a specific reason at a specific time. Don't get bogged down in that convoluted explanation, just work from the premise that I believe everything happens for a reason and go from there. (I promise, it makes sense to me!)

As most of you know, I work two jobs. I mention this only because in both jobs, I come into contact with large numbers of people every time I work. Talk about an eye-opener! Changing the way I view others has made an incredible difference in the way I view the importance of what I do. Think not? Try this experiment, if you will. Having a bad day? Does the slightest thing seem to irritate you? STOP.

I don't by any means intend to say that what is stressing you is less than important. It is important. But have you put things into perspective? I will be the first to tell you that I do not always succeed, but I give it my best shot. Before I pass mental judgment, I try very hard to stop and process what else is going on. My criteria and yours are not always the same. What irritates me to no end may not affect you in the slightest. If you use that viewpoint when dealing with others, you will find an attitude shift. I've seen it at the bottom of emails that I've received recently, something like "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some type of battle." How true is that statement?? We don't know what someone else is going through. If we were in their shoes, how would we handle it?

I seem to have more questions than answers today. Because I don't know, I have to turn my questions over to He who does. While there are those who think it simplistic, I say let them think so. For me it is easier to turn it over to God and let Him handle it. I ask Him for guidance frequently in the course of a day, or to those of you more technologically savvy than I: I have God on voice-speed dial! All it takes is "God .." and I feel an almost instantaneous peace. It is as if He reaches within and removes the stress, patting me on the back in the process as if to say, "It's ok, Denise, I've got it from here."

So from my perspective, I try to look through someone else's eyes. When I get in that mode of thinking woe is me, I TRY (note the operative word here is TRY) very hard to remember that while I may think things are bad ... there are those who have it so much worse. Experiment today. Apply a perspective check to your dealings with others ... and see how it affects you. I'd be willing to take a guess and say that you'll be made more aware, and in a good way!

God, I thank you for giving me the gifts that you have so generously bestowed. Help me to view things as you would see, and not to judge (intentionally or otherwise). With You all things are possible.

"How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands...They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need..."~Psalm 112:1,8,9 NLT

A Simple Request

2009-03-17T00:47:00.002-05:00

For those of you who have given me your support and encouragement over the past year or so, I just want you to know that I greatly appreciate it! I know that the devotions have been lax lately, and I just wanted to let you know that they will be returning!!! (written 8 Aug 2008)

Today's request is just that: a request. Please keep my daughter, Nikki, in your thoughts and prayers. She departed Fort Drum NY on Tuesday headed to Baghdad (yes, Iraq) for tour #2. As most of you know, my mom and I will be keeping the baby (my granddaughter Samantha) while she is deployed. She is a little angel who looks so very much like her mommy as a baby that sometimes it is difficult to remember that mommy is an adult!

Please remember that Nikki, along with her father Jon and step mom Rebecca (who depart NY in Oct for their tour #2), as well as every other serviceman and servicewoman, is the reason we can continue to enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. Keep all our men and women in your prayers, and thank them for all they do for us!!

Thanks again for everything ... and if you need me, regardless of time or reason, I am here

It's Been A Year

2009-03-17T00:44:00.001-05:00

So much has happened in the past year ... and one year ago today, two events occurred that marked a dramatic change in my life: Creighton (my only son and middle child) graduated from high school, and my father lost his battle with cancer. (written 2 Jun 2008)

Graduation can be as much a nervously exciting day for parents as it can be for the graduates themselves. For the graduate, the ceremony is the official end of that portion of their education. For the parent, it marks yet another milestone in their child's life. High school graduation is that transition into adulthood, the end - for some - of having decisions made for them and moving into making their own decisions. Like many moms I know, I was teary-eyed. Yet another of my "babies" was finishing high school! The pride that fills you when you hear your child's name called is immense!

My pride was tempered only by the fact that my phone was on vibrate and I kept glancing at the screen dreading the phone call that I was all too afraid would be coming in. Nikki, Sami, and mama had come in from Germany on Wednesday for Creighton's graduation and a month's leave. Danielle, Jon, and Rebecca were down from New York for Creighton's graduation, so Danielle and I took off to Atlanta on Wednesday to pick up the travelers. Little did I know that the news coming from UAB would not be good, Cheryl was waiting for mama to get in so that I would not be alone with Danielle (and driving!) when she told me that Daddy's cancer was back with a vengeance and it was only a matter of time - probably days. We left the airport and drove straight from Atlanta to Birmingham. Danielle had gotten to spend a little bit of time with daddy when she was home on spring break, but Nikki hadn't seen him since well before Sami was born.

Cheryl and I were in almost constant contact over the next three days. We left UAB late Wednesday night so I could be back at SAMC for my surgery on Thursday morning. The plan was to leave again after graduation and head back to Birmingham, so a little adjustment to the packing and off we went. I had called Cheryl immediately after graduation and let her know that the ceremony was over and that we were heading north. We hadn't even made it to Montgomery when the call came in. I can still hear the quiet exhaustion in those two words ... "He's gone." Cheryl was blessed to be able to spend much of daddy's last months with him, and the constant travel combined with the normal everyday stress of being a parent and running a household had taken a toll on her.

Daddy had worried a little back in the spring about making it to Creighton's graduation. He was fretting over the fact that it would be the first grandchild's graduation that he would miss, and at that time, we were telling him that he'd be there! We had every belief that he would, he was just that strong. He had such pride in his children and grandchildren, and even in his great-grandchild that he hadn't yet seen.

Looking back, it seems hard to believe that it's been a year already. Creighton has finished his freshman year at Arizona State and is preparing now for his sophomore year at Auburn. Daddy is at peace, and still watching over his brood ... his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. We carry him in our hearts and minds always. I love and miss you daddy!

Lord, thank you for making me understand that sometimes joy is wrapped in pain. Thank you for giving me the strength to keep my faith, and the support that keeps me going. Thank you for showing me the importance of family, and the peace of forgiveness. Thank you for blessing me with 43 years of my daddy's love ... and thank you for relieving his pain. Thank you for the beauty that is my children and grandchild. Help me to share the vastness that is your love, one day at a time.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." ~Psalms 4:8 NIV

Farewell

2009-03-17T00:41:00.001-05:00

The plaintive notes of "Go Rest High" echo in my mind, a reminder of the last time I heard Lynn sing them, nearly eight years ago in this same location. Sharp rifle cracks are startling as they cut the stillness of the late spring afternoon. The barest whisper of breeze rustles hair and pine needles as we stand solemnly in a semi-circle. The bugle mourns, tears fall. (written 15 May 2008)

Wednesday afternoon we lay Uncle Dudley to rest in Circle Hill cemetery. It seems only yesterday that we gathered around granddaddy's casket, paying our respects to the man whose quiet goodness shaped his branch of the Hall clan. It amazes me sometimes to realize that it has been nearly 27 years since we lay grandmother to rest. Grandmother and granddaddy are surely both glad and sad right now. Glad to welcome their son home, but sad that he had to leave his family behind.

His seven surviving siblings will each deal with his passing in their own way. His six surviving children, and their children, all have to come to terms with the loss. The grief process affects everyone differently. Watching the honor guard fold and present the flag, my mind drifted back to June 2007 and saw the flag being folded over daddy's casket. It has been nearly a year, and there are still times when the pain is just as fresh as it was when brand new. I wish I could take that pain from Aunt Carol, Sue, Brian, James, Donna, Woody, and Teddy.

How we deal with grief is very similar to the way that we deal with life, I think. I've come to the realization that facing it head on, even if at times unpleasant, is the best way. I hope that my cousins and aunt have an easier road to travel, knowing that Uncle Dudley is no longer suffering. They can take comfort in knowing that he is once more in the loving arms of his parents.

When we face death, there are many times when the question "Why?" will arise. Stop and remember that years ago, Jesus too asked "Why?" He gave His life so that we may live with Him in eternity, if we but accept and believe. I believe that the sting of death is tempered by the sweetness of knowing that we will be reunited some day. While daddy can't hold his great-granddaughter, I believe that he's watching Sami grow. Uncle Dudley won't be with his children and grandchildren in person, but he will live in their hearts forever.

Jesus, thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life. Touch the hearts of Aunt Carol, Sue, Brian, James, Donna, Woody, and Teddy in their grief. Help Aunt Fay, Uncle Lee, Mama, Uncle Robert, Aunt Mary, Aunt Barbara, and Sissy to deal with the loss of their sibling. One day at a time, one step at a time, lead us home.

Farewell, Uncle Dudley, you'll be missed.
Dudley James Hall: October 31, 1938 - May 11, 2008

"... because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." ~Luke 1:78-79 NIV

Growing Up, Letting Go

2009-03-17T00:39:00.001-05:00

Remember when you were a kid and the thing you wanted the most in the world was to be "grown up?" Now that you're "grown up," are there not some days when you wish you were a kid again? Is there something bothering you that would have never crossed your mind as a kid? Try and put a little bit of "kid" in your day every day, and see how your outlook changes. (written 8 May 2008)

Before you get all technical and tell me that a young human is not a kid but a child, please understand that I am fully aware of that fact. And if that thought actually crossed your mind, maybe you need to be more of a "kid". I am by no means advocating the total forfeiture of responsibility nor the dissolution of adult behavior. We did not, after all, make it to this point in our lives by acting immaturely and irresponsibly (most of us, anyway).

I was blessed to have a childhood similar to that of Beaver Cleaver. No, my mom didn't clean house (or do anything else for that matter) wearing heels, pearls and a dress. It was not perfect, by any means, but I knew without a doubt that my siblings and I were loved and appreciated for the individuals we were. My parents were my biggest cheerleaders, each in their own way. The life lessons I learned from them have done much to shape the woman that I have become.

Losing daddy last year was a wake up call. While his passing cut a deep hole in me that will never be filled, I have learned even more about myself in the eleven months since. Losing someone close to you affects everyone in a different way. I chose to make a concentrated effort to focus on his life, and the blessings that I received from it. My daddy was not a perfect man, but he was a wonderful daddy. He was a source of strength that I knew I could depend on, no matter the time, no matter the reason.

What is one thing I remember most about daddy? His smile. He had this grin that just made you want to smile, even if you didn't feel like it. Why? Because he truly enjoyed life. He put a little bit of "kid" in life, taking time to stop and smell the roses along the way. He learned, and in return taught me, that you have to appreciate what you have instead of focusing on what you don't. He taught me that what is important is the people you love, and that you have to let go of the past.

We have all been hurt in some way in our past. You may have pain now. While I cannot promise that all your pain will disappear, I can promise you this: let go of the hurt and you will see a difference. What someone did to hurt you cannot evaporate with a 'platitude', but your forgiveness eases your pain. Hurt shapes us, it does not have to be our source of strength. Learn from the pain, then let it go. Don't let it fester inside you and taint everything you see and feel. Are your feelings hurt? Guess what? You'll get over it. You can look at the positive, or you can focus on the negative. I know that since I started focusing on the positive that my life has changed for the better. I am going to dance to the music, sing too loud, and stomp in the mud puddles because I can ... and because acting like a kid sometimes doesn't make me any less of an adult.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for showing me joy, and helping me to focus on the positive. Help me to be the positive role model to my children and to my grandchild that my daddy was for me. Help me to see the positive in every day, and to never lose sight of my blessings.

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ~Matthew 19:14 NIV

Rekindling the Light

2009-03-17T00:35:00.001-05:00

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light." ~Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer was born in Alsace in 1875, the son of a Lutheran pastor. He was a pastor, a principal in a theological seminary, published author, and university professor with a doctorate in philosophy. At age 30, he decided that was not enough. He felt he had been called to serve others by providing medical care to Africans. Seven years later, he and his wife established a hospital in Lambarene, Gabon. Dr. Schweitzer received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 (for the year 1952) at age 78. Why the history lesson? (written 24 Apr 2008)

Reading email this morning, I opened one from Mac Anderson (www.simpletruths.com) and worked my way back through a couple of messages I'd saved to reread. One of the emails had the quote referenced above, and it just struck me as something that needed to be said today. By using it as my opening quote, I felt it only fair to give a brief background on its author for those of you who, like myself, were only vaguely familiar with the name Albert Schweitzer. Now, on with the devotion.

Look back over your life up to this point. Chances are, a name or face comes to mind, someone who affected you in ways that you never thought possible. Was it your kindergarten teacher? A family member or friend? I could name several people that have affected me in a positive way, some so much so that even years later that "defining" moment is just as clear as the day it happened.

If you have accepted Christ as your personal savior, think about the person who may have helped guide you to the understanding to make that decision. There was never a push to accept Christ, nor to attend church, especially as a younger child. It was simply taken for granted that that's what happened on Sundays, and that you would come to the Lord in your own way and in your own time. My grandparents, Woodrow and Joyce Hall, were shining examples of Christianity. It was through their example that I chose to dedicate my life to Jesus more than 30 years ago. Were they perfect? Of course not, no human is. As a child, I certainly thought they were! They were the epitome of that southernism known as "good people."

Seeing the struggles that daddy went through during the last months of his life was another inspiration to me, and one of the big factors in my decision to rededicate my life to Jesus last summer. He never complained, but was at peace. He was at peace with his family, with his future, and most importantly, with his Jesus. Take your inspiration and thrive! Your next step? BE someone's inspiration! It is in giving that we truly receive. Albert Schweitzer said "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

Jesus, thank you for deeming me worthy of service. Thank you for the unconditional love that you give to me. Teach me to serve by helping others. Make me the shining example that I was blessed to have so many years ago.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."~1Peter 4:10 NIV

Once Upon A Time

2009-03-17T00:32:00.002-05:00

A young woman contacts her doctor, concerned about the labor pains she is having. This is not her first child, so she knows what she is feeling ... she also knows that 27 weeks is too early in her pregnancy to be having serious signs of labor. The shot doesn't stop the labor, so she goes to the hospital. Against the odds, she delivers a healthy but very small baby girl just after midnight. Round-the-clock, an incubator is the tiny infant's home for the next 58 days. (written 21 Apr 2008)

If you look back at the circumstances of your birth, do you ever stop and wonder just how you got from that point (helpless infant) to where you are today (not a helpless infant)? From a premature infant to that southernism known as a "grown adult", many things have happened in the last 44 years to create the journey I am currently calling life. Why, you ask, do I consider it a journey? Simply because it is.

Let's take a road trip as an example. There are those of us who have to have every last bit of minutiae planned and organized to the nth degree before beginning anything, whether it be a phone call, a grocery shopping trip, or a road trip/vacation. Most of us, or rather, most of the people I know, are not quite so detailed. You know your starting point, you know your destination, you know approximately how long you are going to be gone (although this is not always the case), and you (hopefully) know what your funding options are. With a few exceptions, like reunions, planned shows or events, or even family events that might require specific attendance at specific times, your schedule is open. That is so freeing! How relaxing can vacation be if you feel like you are constantly "going?" Planning our upcoming trip to Texas this June, we have a few dates that are fairly firm, but the rest of the trip will be filled with doing whatever strikes our fancy, subject, of course, to budgetary constraints. This trip is something I'm definitely looking forward to!

What about your overall life journey? Since we are human, not machine, we experience a range of emotions. We've all (once again, I qualify that "all" by referring to 99% of the people I know) heard, seen, or done things in our lifetime that have made us look back with that 20/20 vision known as hindsight and wonder "what in the world was I thinking?" There have been many upheavals in my life over the past few years, and they have given me the clarity of vision to realize that while there are things in my past that might be less than stellar, I don't know that I would change any of them. Why? Every step I have taken on my journey of life has brought me to today. I've stumbled, walked backward, and even fallen. Each "error", and every positive step forward have combined to make ME. Every new thing I learn about myself, and my surroundings, deepens the person that I am.

Nearly 35 years ago, I dedicated my life to Christ during revival. Before you even think it, the answer is NO ... as in, NO, I have not been perfect all those years. I've had the stumbling years, the fallen years, even the backsliding years. Never did I lose sight of the fact that Christ is and always has been there for me. Renewing my faith last summer gave me a new outlook on life, and the continuation of its journey. I cannot do anything alone, and where I need to be is the place that Christ has set for me. I feel that I have reached the beginning of that place, and will continue to develop into the person that Christ intended me to be, even before that fateful day 44 years ago when He decided it was time for me to make my entrance into this world.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of life that was my birth. Thank you for the gift of eternal life that was my dedication to you. Thank you yet again for the reaffirmation of my place in heaven by never allowing me too far from you, even when my vision is cloudy and my path obscured. Help me to continue the journey in a way that would shine great glory on You, and give me the tools so that I may be a help to others who may stumble as they walk forward. And by the way, great thanks go also to mama today. Had Jesus not put His hand on her to bring me safely into this world some 44 years ago, well ... I wouldn't be writing this, now would I?

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." ~John 16:21 NIV

Flirting With Disaster

2009-03-15T01:56:00.002-05:00

Before you think that this is a strange title, or even strange topic for a devotion, let me try to explain what lies behind it. As most of you know, I'm currently in school. This semester has shown me exactly how difficult it is to try and maintain a gpa, work two jobs, and have something at least in some way resembling a life - or at least something other than work-school-eat-sleep. Note the order ... maybe it has something to do with sleep deprivation ... maybe that's a topic for another devotion. Anyway, back to my story. (written 10 Apr 2008)

The first time I returned to school with the express purpose of earning a degree and not just to take a class here and there was 1998. At that point, I was living in New York, and my children were 12, 9, and 5. I adjusted my schedule as much as I could, especially that first year, to coincide with their school schedules. There were several late nights and early mornings (I distinctly remember typing the final draft of my English 101 paper at 6 a.m. the morning I had to turn it in), but no real struggle as far as studying goes. My gpa sat at a 4.0 until my final semester, when I decided that I needed to take Microeconomics. Needless to say, I ended up with a B in that class, tumbling the 4.0.

Fast forward 7 years: it's the fall of 2007 and I'm once more enrolled in school. Things are different now ... my children are 21, 18, and 14 when school starts this time. My 21 year old has a daughter of her own and lives halfway across the world in Germany. My 18 (almost 19) year old is starting his own college career at Arizona State University. My 14 (almost 15) year old is in New York with dad and stepmom. I arrange my work schedules to accommodate my classes, and dive in. I can do this ... no problem! There were some struggles, but I managed to finish last semester with three A's and one B (English 102). That in no way prepared me for this semester. Thinking to myself "I can handle this ... ", I loaded my schedule. Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology I, Ethics, and Algebra. This semester has been hard fought and a serious struggle. Microbiology, by no means an easy subject, has stuck in my brain far more than the Anatomy that I am constantly struggling with. I study, and am not retaining. I look, and am not seeing what I need to see. My final grade in A & P is looking more and more like a "C" ... and that is if I do well on the next lab test, lab final, and final exam. When I say do well ... I mean make an A. The higher my "A's" on the remaining tests, the higher my final "C" will be. The other classes? Right now, two B's and one A, and I believe I can maintain that. My pride is wounded, my ego hurt. I've never been a C student! It is hard to wrap my brain around that concept. To me, it feels like failure.

For some reason, the Molly Hatchet song "Flirtin With Disaster" came to my mind this morning after taking (and most likely flubbing) a lab quiz. Look at the opening lyrics:

Well I'm travelin' down the road,
I'm flirtin' with disaster.
I've got the pedal to the floor,
My life is running faster.

I can so relate to that! My grades make me feel like a failure. I have to stop and take stock of what is positive and going well. I have the ability ... can I bring it out once more?

I'm out of money,

out of hope,

it looks like self-destruction.

Well, how much more can we take

While it may feel like self-destruction ... it is not. I don't have a lot of money, and I am certainly not out of hope. How much more can I take? I can take whatever I have to, because God is with me and will not give me more than I can handle. There is always hope ... for God is always with me.

God, thank you for giving me the ability to come as far as I have. I know with your help and guidance, I will meet my goals. My grades may not always be where I think they should be, but there are times when I have to adjust the way I look at things and make sure that I am focused on you. Give me the strength to share you in everything that I do.

"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. " ~Job 11:16-18 NIV

I Wish You Enough

2009-03-15T01:51:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that there are times when I open my email and think "not another forward!!" As a general rule, I do try and read (or at least skim) most of them. Yesterday, I received an email from Dave with the title "I Wish You Enough." That in and of itself was intriguing enough to make me want to at least look at it. To avoid copying the whole email, especially if you've seen it before, let me summarize the story. (written 8 Apr 08)

A man is in the airport waiting on a flight when he hears and sees a farewell between a mother and daughter. After daughter's departure, mom seems sad and talks to him when he is seated nearby. His curiosity about a phrase they used generates a question, and the lady explains that "I wish you enough" was a family phrase. The poem that she used to explain made sense, and is listed below. It struck me so much so that I sent it forward, and made me think, hence this devotion. What the lady told the gentleman is as follows:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Think of these words, and how Jesus does these things for us. Does not the bright sunshine lift your spirits? After a rainstorm, do we not appreciate the sun? When we are happy, it builds us up and helps get us through times that have the potential to drag us down. Pain, while not necessarily welcomed (at least not by most), reminds us that we are human and can hurt, but also reminds us that this, too, shall pass. Getting a small reward can fulfill a need we thought only a large reward could fill. Every loss reminds us of just how precious life is, and how thankful we should be for what we have. When we say hello to Jesus and accept Him into our life as Lord and Savior, the "final good-bye" will be a gateway to going home for good.

The email ended with the phrase, "And to all my friends, I wish you enough." I do not know where it generated from, or who to credit as author. If you think of these words, apply them to your life. To you, my friends, I offer this wish: Jesus IS enough, for He is everything, and so, I, too, "wish you enough."

Jesus, thank you for being my "enough," for being my sunshine and rain, my loss and gain. Help me to live each day so that others see the same in me and that I live for you.

"If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" ~John 14:7-9 NIV

Under Construction

2009-03-15T01:49:00.001-05:00

We all know the colors, the signs, the sometimes sinking feeling ... you're headed to church/work/school/play and seemingly from nowhere appears the lovely orange and white cone or barricade that tells you a new route is on your agenda for today. If you are running late, the sinking feeling that accompanies that rapid flash of knowledge immediately starts the calculator in your brain working and making you wonder if you have enough time to make it. (written 7 Apr 08)

If you've done any traveling in Dothan lately that takes you in the vicinity of north Denton road (from the five point intersection at the Chevron up to LoLo's Mini Mart), you know that there is a major overhaul underway. The road destruction currently underway certainly makes life interesting for those residents whose addresses fall within that short span. I say destruction, because that is certainly what is happening at this point! The asphalt is no more, and the recent rains have made the journey more of a miry clay than a roadway. Upon completion, that section of Denton is supposed to be curbed, and I'm not sure what else is going on, I just know that it is sometimes interesting avoiding the heavy equipment in my little car!

Our lives can in many ways be compared to highway construction, or construction in general. Is that not, in effect, what we are doing? Each day that we wake up and join the human race, so to speak, we make decisions that affect not only us but those around us. The simplest of decisions, such as how to answer a question or what comment to make, can change the life of someone else without our ever even knowing.

There have been many stages in my life. My life now is changed, I feel for the better, because of an attitude shift. I'm sure that there is some proper psychological term for it (paradigm shift, maybe?) but attitude works for me. By changing my outlook, my life changed. When I looked at life as Eeyore does (oh, woe is me), it seemed that my life followed that track. It felt as if nothing could or would go right. I decided to base my attitude on the attitude that my granddaddy carried with him for his whole life ... or at least as much of his life as I remember ... he was always positive. He saw the good in any situation. Until he was in the last months of his life fighting the rapidly invading cancer, he always told you that he felt "good!" or wonderful!" I have adopted that. Why?

Long story short, we all have troubles and problems. Focusing and dwelling on those problems does not make you feel any better, and in many cases, can make you feel worse. Why adopt the woeful attitude of Eeyore? Every time I start to think about the things that I think are bad in my life, I stop and remind myself just exactly how much I have to be thankful for. Compare what you have with what you could be experiencing, and realize just how blessed you are. Do I have great wealth? No, but I have a job, and am increasing my education in order to give me the opportunity to earn more. Do I have a fancy car? No, but the car I have runs well, and gets me where I need to go. It is also economical ... and with today's gas prices, that is a major plus! I have a roof over my head, family and friends that love me just as I am, my health ... the list can go on and on. Why be negative? I have far more to be thankful for than I have to complain about. Taking a hard look at my life and realizing that I needed to do some construction work has been a blessing.

God, I thank you for being my project manager on this ongoing construction project. May I never forget that my guidance comes from you, and that you have the master blueprint. Help me to be a "guiding cone" for others who may need to consider some re-construction of their own, by being a source of strength and support.

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." ~Jude 1:20-23 NIV

Finding Time

2009-03-15T01:45:00.000-05:00

We all know the feeling - in this day and age it seems as if everything we are involved with operates in fast-forward mode. You hit the snooze button and get that extra 9 minutes to spend the rest of your day rushing from place to place. It seems as if everything is constantly go-go-go and when you finally stop, it feels as if you are falling apart piece by piece. How do you slow down the merry-go-round? (written 1 Apr 2008)

I freely admit that I am probably one of the worst to stay almost constantly in "go" mode. Why? I'm still trying to figure that one out. The current schedule of work and school is rigorous, but no more so than hundreds of thousands of people do every day. I am by no means alone! I tell myself that this is simply a means to an end ... I am doing what I am doing right now in order to achieve the long-term goals that I have set for myself. School is temporary. Work, unfortunately, is not - at least not so far as I can see. How, then, do I reconcile my schedule?

Making time for myself is something I decided I needed to do. Whether it be a few minutes reading a book that is not school related, or sitting down in front of the television to watch (or attempt to watch) a movie, I try every day to carve out a precious few minutes of time that I can call my own. Writing these devotions is a few minutes of my day that have been sorely neglected the past few weeks, but the words have not come to me as easily as they have in the past. Today, the inspiration is back, and so I write.

Each of us has our own methods of finding time. How we spend our "me" time varies from person to person. There is not necessarily one right or one wrong way to do so. Ask yourself this question - does what I am doing ultimately benefit someone other than myself? While looking out for the needs of others may not fit what you call fulfillment, I try to help in whatever small way that I can. I have received feedback from you telling me that these devotions fill a need, answer a question, lift a spirit. If I can do that for even one person, then I have accomplished something.

God, I thank you for the gift of words, and for the ability that you have given me to share feelings and thoughts in such a way that it may be of help to someone else. Please allow me to continue to spread the blessing that is you.

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." ~Philemon 1:6 NIV

Holding A Charge

2009-03-15T01:41:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, a Turning Point devotion broached the subject of being "charged up," and made reference to something that most of us can relate to these days - the battery power of our cell phones. Think about it. Ten years ago, maybe even five years ago - did you even own a cell phone? The older models were far more apt to lose battery power than the newer phones of today. What happens, however, when you fail to charge your cell's battery? (written 20 Mar 2008)

If your cell is anything like mine, it goes and goes ... then it stops. Very little warning, it stops working. Not just quits, but powers itself down! Can you relate to that? I can, in more ways than one. Much as my cell battery needs that power cable to maintain a top charge, my body needs the healing charge of sleep to keep running at a peak performance level. Sleep, however, is not the only thing a human body requires. We also require nourishment (fuel, if you will). This nourishment is not only physical, but I believe it must also be spiritual.

When I began writing devotions nearly a year ago, I experienced a sense of fulfillment that is almost indescribable unless, of course, you also write. There is something about being able to get the thoughts and feelings out, to put them down, that offers both relief and sustenance. There are times when the words are almost too personal. For those who know me well, those particular devotions raise questions on a more personal level.

Whatever method we choose to refuel, recharge, or replenish our bodies - let us not forget the most important one. Filling up with the Spirit, the love of Jesus, the word of God, is the best power source we can ever hope to tap into. Find your way, find His word, look to Jesus today. Ask Him to refuel you - it is a choice you will never regret!

Jesus, thank you for being my always on, never weakening, endless power supply. May I take the strength that you give me and share it as you would have me do.

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." ~Titus 3:4-7 NIV

How Great Thou Art

2009-03-15T01:39:00.000-05:00

In 1886, a Swedish preacher named Carl Boberg wrote a poem titled "O Store Gud" (translation: How Great Thou Art). According to Wikipedia, Boberg's inspiration was a thunderstorm. Translated into English by missionary Stuart Hine, this song speaks of God's awesome power. (written 15 Mar 2008)

Depending on which version you listen to, the tune can be slow, or a bit up-tempo. One of my favorite performances of this song is actually by Elvis. Think about what the words are saying in verse one:

O Lord my God
when I in awesome wonder
consider all
the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Think about that. Think of how small we are, and how powerful God is. To God, we are His. How someone of such immense power can love someone like me? It is at times beyond my comprehension. Searching out the lyrics, I realize that there are some I've never seen. I don't even think they are on the sheet music that I have. The final verse speaks of going home to be with God:

When Christ shall come
with shout of acclamation
and take me home
what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
in humble adoration
and then proclaim
"My God, how great Thou art!"

The chorus ties it all together, and always brings to mind even the smallest of God's miracles:

Then sings my soul
my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul
my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

God IS great, and all powerful. He created us to be like Him, to do His work. How can we do less than what He asks of us? I can't really explain right now, except to say that my soul DOES sing of you, God. Thank you for the beautiful gifts you have given me. May I always and ever praise you!

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." ~Psalm 145:3 NIV

Showers

2009-03-15T01:36:00.000-05:00

Today's devotion actually began taking shape yesterday when I was standing in the shower. After school, I came home to change for work and decided that a nice HOT shower was just what I needed to make me feel better. Thank goodness for good water pressure! Standing underneath that exhilaratingly warm-to-hot spray, I could almost feel the tension melting away. (written 14 Mar 2008)

Are you a shower person or a bath person? One of my good friends is a bath person. Yes, he takes showers, but for him relaxation after a long day at work comes from a hot bath. I remember as a child, bath time was an evening ritual, and I remember wondering when I'd be "big enough" to take a shower! It seemed like a shower was part of growing up.

Yes, a shower is indeed a cleansing act. For most of us, the act of baring ourselves to stand (or submerge) in water, is a daily routine. Compare your shower to being a child of Jesus. Much as you take a shower daily to prepare yourself (or cleanse yourself) for what lies ahead, so should you immerse yourself in God's word and His love. As believers, we are all washed in Jesus' blood. Submitting your life to God is like taking a shower of love. He cleanses your heart and soul, just as you cleanse your exterior with soap and water.

Jesus, in everything I do, shower me with your love, cleansing my heart and soul just as you send showers of rain to renew our earth. Help me to be like rain on parched earth for those who may be looking to find you. Give me the words to say to help guide them to the oasis of Jesus.

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." ~Deuteronomy 32:2 NIV

Comforting Arms

2009-03-15T01:28:00.000-05:00

If you were to ask me for one thing that stands out vividly in my memories of childhood, I would have to say hugs. While that may sound strange to some, let me clarify by saying that I was raised in a very affectionate family. We are by no means perfect, nor do we all always like each other, but the love is never in question. Think back to your younger years. For me, daddy or mama, grandmother or granddaddy, could make just about anything feel better with a hug. A hug is arms wrapped around you enveloping you in a feeling of peace. (written 6 Mar 2008)

I hope that I was able to give that same feeling of security to my children, and in turn through my daughter to my granddaughter. No, mom doesn't always have all the answers, nor is she always right, but she will always be there for you! I am blessed to still have my mother. I hope God blesses me with her for many more years. The sense of loss and the gaping hole that daddy's passing left is still there, but I do not doubt that he is still keeping an eye on his babies!

In an earlier devotion, I told the story of my baptism at age 9. I can still remember Preacher Mac's strong arms holding me as he dunked me into that baptismal pool. As he assisted me in giving back to Jesus the life that Jesus first gave me, that strength was a tangible symbol of his willingness to assist others in finding their way home. There are many who do not believe that Jesus exists. I do, and am not ashamed to say so.

I find comfort in knowing that no matter how low I think I have fallen, his strong arms are there to reach down and lift me up, enfold me in his comforting love, and assist me onto my feet once more. Invite Jesus into your life, and feel that comfort for yourself. His arms are wide enough to hold us all, gentle enough to cradle a newborn, and strong enough to never let us fall too far. He is never out of reach.

Jesus, thank you for the strong arms that surround me with your love. Thank you for blessing me with those in my life who will envelop me in love. Remind me that sometimes the best gift of all is the silent gift of love.

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support."~Psalm 18:16-18 NIV

Direct My Footsteps

2009-03-15T01:25:00.000-05:00

In some format or another, we have probably all seen, read, or maybe even own a copy of the poem "Footprints." Searching, I found that although many have claimed credit, and several are apparently well remunerated for it, there is no definitive answer as to who actually authored the poem. (written 5 Mar 2008)

Today, before writing, I went to BibleGateway.com and performed a search. From the verse listed, my thought process went on a tangent of its own, and I found the verse that caught my attention. From that verse, the title and the sidenote regarding "Footprints" were born. Don't you just feel better knowing the convoluted way these devotions come about? Seriously, most days I just sit down with a fragment of an idea, and the words just fall out. God does, indeed, work in mysterious ways.

What does "direct my footsteps" mean to you? In the Christian context, I prefer to think of it as giving control of my life (and the steps I take on my pathway through life) to Jesus. I am walking, but He in me guides my steps along the path. Does that make sense? Look at it from another direction. As a baby learning to walk, your parents or caregivers (or both) held your hand, walked beside you, attempted to keep fairly clear paths for you to navigate, and did not hesitate to praise your successes. Is not walking with Christ much the same? He holds our hands, walks beside us (or carries us), keeps our paths clear or gives us the tools to safely navigate hindrances and praises our success. Jesus is the best GPS available (and He is free for the asking!).

By giving control to Jesus, we open our pathway to a blessed walk. Please note that I did not say, nor do I believe, that it will necessarily be a trouble-free, nor obstacle-free, one. As you walk through life, remember that sometimes you have to stumble and fall to stand freely upright. Jesus is there, holding your hand and guiding your steps. Never hesitate to call upon him.

Jesus, thank you for guiding these sometimes hesitant steps. You truly are the light of my path, and the strength that makes those uphill climbs seem easier. Thank you for giving me the gift of your love. Give me the ability to share that, and to be a support for, others in their walk with you.

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." ~Psalm 119:133 NIV

Ask for Help

2009-03-15T01:23:00.001-05:00

I am relatively certain that I am not the only person who has ever had the thought "I know how to do this, I don't need help." I am also relatively certain that I am not alone when I realize just how much I do not, in fact, know. Something I heard many years ago has stuck with me, "The truly intelligent person realizes the vast scope of what they do not know," or the translated version "Smart people realize how dumb they are." (written 4 Mar 2008)

Those of us who have children, or know children, know the sometimes overwhelming feeling of being the "answer" person. Remember the joy of your child's first words? Do you also remember when they learned the word "why?" What about the point in time when it seemed as if "why?" was the only word they knew? Younger children do not always understand, but as they grow older they realize that sometimes adults do not have all the answers.

When you become comfortable with the fact that you don't have all the answers, you grow. The ability to call on someone for help is a part of personal growth. It's not necessary to have all the answers, but knowing where to find the answers is a big step forward! Asking for help can be difficult. It is in some ways a control issue, you have to recognize and admit that you cannot do it alone. There are many times in our lives when we struggle mightily, yet make no progress. Just as reading the directions can make it easier to put that piece of equipment together, asking for help can smooth a pathway previously riddled with potholes.

Remember that you always have "on-line" help, 24/7/365. Jesus stands waiting and ready to assist you, whatever your needs may be. Just because you are the "go-to" person for answers doesn't mean you don't have questions of your own. Don't struggle, let go and let God.!

God, thank you for being my answer. May I always remember to ask!

"Moses said to the LORD, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The LORD said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" ~Exodus 4:10-12 NIV

Passionate Attitude

2009-03-15T01:21:00.000-05:00

A recent email from Mac Anderson (Simple Truths) advertised a new publication titled The Power of Attitude. He highlighted the chapter titled "Know Thyself." Think about a time in your life when you made a major change. We have almost all had them, some of us more than one. The most recent for me was a major job change, which was followed by a career change. Before you think the two are one and the same, let me disabuse you of THAT notion, and add something that Anderson speaks of in his work on attitude. (written 3 Mar 2008)

Job, career, it's all the same. No, it isn't. What IS a job? A job is a means to an end much of the time. It is a place you go and put in your time to receive your pay. For some, it's just a punch on the time clock, a place to "make your eight and hit the gate," never looking back or thinking forward when each day is done. A career takes it one step further. A career is something that you do with long-term goals in mind. Whereas a job may never cause you to think of things such as advancement or retirement, a career will do just that. You begin as you mean to go on, and look forward to the next step. Let's add something else into the mix: Passion. What IS your passion? What drives you? Is the work you do related to that passion? If not, why not?

If you love what you do, it shows in the effort that you put forth. I'm not thinking of a Pollyanna attitude on working, but a realistic day-to-day realization that what you do is important to you, and you feel like you have "done something" (translation: made a difference) at the end of the day. We all have job frustrations, or moments when we wonder just what in the world we are doing, but as I have heard so many times over the course of my life: when you love what you do, it's no longer work. As a restaurant manager, my daily goals were many, but could be boiled down to one very basic one: had I served my guests to the best of my ability by giving them the highest quality food in a reasonable amount of time while offering excellent service? If I had done that, then chances are that most of the other daily goals would have fallen into line accordingly. When that guest left dissatisfied, you could almost every time go back and make a checklist of places where the excellence in service did not come into play. Somewhere, somehow, some needs were not met, and I had not done my job.

Are you passionate about your work? Do you love what you do? If not, how are you going to change that? If you dislike your work, eventually it WILL show. By the time I left the restaurant industry, the only thing I liked about my job was my days off. If that is your attitude toward your job, you need to sit down and take a very hard look at what you are doing and why. Whether or not you realize it, that attitude will come across to those that you deal with frequently. The ones that notice it first may be the ones that you see infrequently! Before I changed careers, I did not want to go to work every day. I hated the thought of dealing with it. I loved the people that worked with me and for me, and loved the guests in our restaurant, but I did not love my job. My attitude reflected that dislike. Make the choice: are you in a job, or in a career? Is it your passion? I was forced into the change, and have never been happier in the workforce.

Jesus, thank you for giving me the opportunity for change, and allowing that change to permeate my entire life. Inviting you back into my life has made it complete. Thank you for being the attitude adjustment that I needed. Help me to show that in a positive way, every day.

"I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." ~Jeremiah 10:23 NIV

The Enzyme

2009-03-15T01:18:00.000-05:00

As a pre-nursing student I am currently, have just recently, and will in the future study science. We refreshed our memories of enzymes in Biology 103, and now in Biology 220 (Microbiology) are learning about enzymes once again. What is an enzyme, and what does it have to do with a devotion? (written 28 Feb 08)

An enzyme is a catalyst. It binds temporarily to one or more of the substrates of the reaction that it catalyzes, lowers the amount of activation energy needed, and speeds up the reaction. The further the enzyme from the substrate, the weaker the bond. For a successful bond, the enzyme must fit the substrate like a key fits a lock. An enzyme is the catalyst for only one chemical reaction and some enzymes also require a cofactor. Guess what? An enzyme is also not changed by the reaction.

Before you think that this will be a scientific devotion, both my biology teachers can attest to the fact that I am far from a scientist! Why did this even come to mind? Look at it this way: Jesus is like an enzyme, and better than an enzyme. Without Him, I have to expend far more energy that I may ever hope to generate to achieve a result that is less than optimal. Turning my life over to Him and trusting in Him and His love allows me to go higher, reach farther, while expending less energy - AND the end result is wonderful!! Unlike an enzyme, He is the catalyst for all who believe in and accept Him. Bonding with Jesus is not a temporary thing, He will be our enzyme forever! Making us complete takes nothing away from Him ... it doesn't change Him at all, it only changes us for the better.

I guess what it breaks down to is this: He can make me so much more than I can ever hope to achieve on my own. By trusting and believing in Him, I work smarter and go farther. The farther I am from Jesus and His love, the weaker our bond. When I envelop His love into my heart and life, I expand my capabilities! Now if I could just bring up that Bio 201 grade ... (study harder, study smarter ...)

Jesus, thank you for being the enzyme that makes my life complete. Help me to become what you would have me to be.

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" ~John 6:35 NIV

Standing on the Promises

2009-03-15T01:15:00.001-05:00

Remember the hymn "Standing on the Promises?" It was written by R. Kelso Carter in 1886. Why does Dr. Carter stand out in my mind? Well, the words of his song, for one thing. And no, that's not a typo, Dr. Carter began his career as an educator, teaching chemistry, engineering, and mathematics at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. He was ordained as a minister in 1887, and finished his career as a physician. What an accomplished life! (written 26 Feb 08)

Think about what those lyrics mean, "standing on the promises." We are trusting that Jesus will not fail us, that we have a solid base to stand upon. And we do. As you may know by now, I like to analyze song lyrics. A quote I read some time ago (unfortunately I cannot remember who said it!) said that "song lyrics mean whatever the person hearing them thinks they mean." That makes sense, I guess. My translation or interpretation may be far different from yours ... that does not make either of us wrong. Sharing viewpoints may give both of us a deeper understanding. Anyway, back to the lyrics.

The second verse says:
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Because we believe what God promised, there is no storm that we cannot weather. We have faith in His ability to bring us through the trials we may face in our life. I believe, and I shall win, because I have God on my side. Note that it does not say that we will never have trials or tribulations, only that we shall prevail (win).

The final verse reminds us that we need to heed God's voice. Remember, He doesn't always shout. Sometimes, He whispers. What was that phrase mama said? You have two ears and one mouth, you should listen twice as much as you talk. (I'm relatively certain that mama still thinks that.)

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Listen, trust, believe. You will achieve.

God, I thank you for the promises that keep me secure and upright. I thank you for the whispers, and for bopping me on the head with the shouts when needed. Teach me to open my ears and hear the whispers more clearly.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." ~Hebrews 10:23 NIV

On Target

2009-03-15T01:10:00.002-05:00

I don't usually know what I'm going to say when I sit down to write. It is actually a rare occasion when I have the devotion "pre-written" if you will, with strong ideas and phrases in my head just waiting for my fingertips to convert them to sentences. They all, of course, begin with an idea of some type. Today's devotion actually was floating in my head as a tribute to the rain (gee, I wonder why?). I sat down and opened up to write, skimming emails along the way. I received one from Mac Anderson (Simple Truths) in which he was offering a discounted price on a work written by Robin Crow, owner of Dark Horse Recording. A phrase in the book's summation hit me like a shot, producing one of those "duh!" moments. (written 21 Feb 08)

The book Mac Anderson is offering, Rock Solid Leadership, is written by Robin Crow. The section shared from the book is titled "Responsibility," and offers some rather eye-opening thoughts. What struck me so vividly that I totally changed my topic for today? A 14-word sentence (yes, I counted) that began the final summation paragraph.

Remember, failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target.

Think about that. It is not the target's fault if you miss, it's yours. It is not my teacher's fault if I do not pass my test, it is mine. It is not my coworker's fault if I fail to complete a task, it is mine. If I fail to live as Jesus would have me do, it is not Jesus' fault, it is mine.

Just as Jesus accepted responsibility for our sins by stretching His arms out to die on the cross, we must accept responsibility for our own walk with the Lord. He gives us the tools, all the support we could possibly dream of having, and a reward (eternal life with Him)! If we fail to honor the responsibility, fail to live as His children, it is OUR fault. Whether you are the leader of the 2-year old nursery, the carpool parent, the young (or not-so-young) college student, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company ... the responsibility for your actions is simply that: your own.

Jesus, please help me to stay on target and focus on the life that you would have me lead. Remind me of the boundless love and generosity that you have bestowed, and continue to bestow, upon me. Help me not to fail. and allow me the ability to help others.

"How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." ~Matthew 7:4-5 NIV

Peace Within

2009-01-31T13:48:00.000-06:00

Think of the feeling you get when everything goes as it should. There is an inner feeling that at times defies description, almost as if a calming wave washes over you and suddenly all is right with your world. You want to smile for no apparent reason (well, to an outsider there is no apparent reason), you are happy. What brings you to that state? (written 20 Feb 2008)

For most of us, the state is not a continual thing. We have our ups and our downs, our good days and our bad days, our highs and our lows. The Max Lucado book I am starting to read, Cure for the Common Life , calls it a "sweet spot." Not having delved deeply into the book, I can't go any further than that. For those of you that are athletes (or former athletes), the term "sweet spot" is probably extremely familiar. There are all types of terms, and many different meanings we could find that would apply.

I wish I could say that every day was like that for me. Actually, I guess I could say that (I would not be truthful, but I could say it). In reality, there are days when I wake up in the morning wondering how in the world I will make it through. The load (nearly 100% self induced) seems intolerably heavy, with a path almost vertical. I wish I could say that I was that perfectly perky person who jumps out of bed ready to face the day with a smile. In reality, I prefer coffee soon after rising. If I have time to just "chill" before starting my day, that's even better. Under the current circumstances, however, I normally sleep as long as possible before jumping out of bed and rushing to do what needs to be done. I tell myself "one of these days ... ", but we all know how that goes. One day at a time, is more like it.

If I look back at my life, I can recall many times when that feeling of inner peace washed over me like a blanket of calm. Many, many of them have to do with family and the closeness we share. I have a picture taken in the hospital shortly after my granddaughter's birth last year. I'm sitting in the rocking chair in the room, holding her. Just a glance at that photograph can bring on that state, even if only briefly, because it reminds me just how very blessed I feel to be able to have her in my life. Looking at pictures of my children, remembering the last time we were together, can bring on that peace. You do not have to have children to know this peace, we all find our peace in different ways.

The one guaranteed way to find inner peace? Ask Jesus into your life. He is the calm at the center of our storm, and can flood our soul with the much-needed balm of peace. Believe in Him, trust Him to bring you through whatever struggle you feel you are facing. He can, and He will.

God, I thank you for the peace you give me. Help me to be an instrument of your peace, and give me the inner light to smile while sharing your love.

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." ~Mark 12:29-31 NIV

I Shall Not Be Moved

2009-01-31T13:46:00.001-06:00

In 1950, John Benson, Jr. wrote a song titled "I Shall Not Be Moved." Growing up, going to church on Sundays was not questioned, it was simply done because you wanted to go, not because you had to. Occasionally instead of going to my home church (Circle Hill, Dellwood, then Howard Grove) I would attend services with a friend. One of my best friend Myra's favorite hymns was this John Benson song. For some reason today, the words just popped into my mind when I sat down to write. Because of that, I am drawn to analyze the song and what it means to me. (written 19 Feb 2008)

Throughout the song, Benson repeats the words I shall not be moved. Why is that? Read and think about what he is saying in verse one and in the chorus:

Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved;
In His love and favor, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

Chorus
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

Every verse ends with the same two lines. Why would a tree planted by the waters not be moved? I'm not a scientist, but I would think it boils down to nourishment! The water feeds the roots and keeps them hydrated. Does not the love of God and His mercy hydrate our soul? Why, then, would we move from the endless source of nourishment and hydration? When we move from God, it is our choice, not His.

Nowhere in the song does it say that we will always stand upright. There will be times when we stumble, even times when we fall. If we remain close to the life source that is God's love, however, we will have the strength we need to stand straight once more. Verses three and four remind us that He will never fail our trust. That our trust can and will keep us strong and steadfast in Him. If we nourish ourselves on His word, He will lead us down the path that is ours. What an amazing truth!

God, thank you for being my source of life and nourishment for my soul. Help me to be what you would have me be, help me to pass your message through these words. Thank you for loving me and for being my savior. May I stand fast in your strength, and may I never be moved.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved." ~Psalm 62:6 KJV

Standing on Faith

2009-01-31T13:41:00.006-06:00

One of the new books I purchased this weekend was Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life. I've not read many of his works before, and am truly enjoying his writing style and the way that he delivers his message. Being the "want an answer" type of person that I am, I did a brief search on Max Lucado, and found his website. There are many links on there to his writings, a place to sign up for weekly devotionals, and too much more to list here. If you are interested in his work, I suggest that you check it out! The reason for the info on Max Lucado? While searching his site, I delved into a few of the works listed (imagine that) and was hit by a quote. It felt as if I'd been literally struck by the power of those words! (written 18 Feb 2008)

The list of topical messages available for web viewing was as appealing to me as a walk through a candy store with an unlimited budget. The title "Tomorrow's Dream, Today's Courage" was underneath the blinking cursor of the mouse almost before I realized it, and the words were appearing on the screen as food to the starving soul. From the introduction:

When you holler for help, sometimes all you hear is your own cry echoing
down a lonely corridor. So what do you do? When your dreams are darkened by broken promises, unfulfilled expectations, or a hardened heart . . . when giving up seems like the only option left . . . what do you do?

There is a source of renewed courage. There is a wellspring of faith just waiting to be tapped.

So, drink deeply . . . it's not too late for tomorrow's dream to become today's courage.

The eighteen pages of this particular writing by Max Lucado will be revisited more than once! Read those introductory words again ... have you been there? I KNOW that I have, and know that I may be there again. In one of the weekly devotions, Lucado tells of stumbling as a new Christian. He goes on to remind us that we are not wrong because we stumble, that we are not less than a Christian, we are more like a baby learning to walk. Just as they don't learn to walk all at once, neither will we learn everything about walking with Jesus. It is a continual learning process, a lifelong learning process.

Why the title "Standing on Faith?" Because I am. I may not always be steady on my feet, but through the grace of God I am upright. It is His strength and power in me that keep me standing through the winds that blow through my life. Even though there have been times, even though there will be times ... times when I feel as if there is nothing left to break, God's gentle hand will touch me to remind me that He is unfaltering in His love and care for me. He is indeed that wellspring of faith from which His children are invited to repeatedly drink. It's not too late to find that wellspring ... just ask Him and He shall provide. The road is rocky, and fraught with perils (doesn't that just sound like a Victorian novel?), but He alone is strong enough to guide me down His path.

God, I thank you for the strength you provide me daily. I thank you for making me believe that it is not too late ... and for believing in me. I thank you for hearing my cry, and ask that you make me receptive to the cries of others so that they can see you in me. Give me the strength and knowledge to be that support.

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." ~Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV

Give and Live

2009-01-31T13:40:00.000-06:00

The word give can be defined in many ways. The simplest definition I can think of is just passing something on to someone else. We're all probably familiar with the cynical expression "there's no such thing as a free lunch." In reality, most things are NOT free. Think for a moment, if you will, how it makes you feel when someone gives you something - no strings attached. Examples that come to mind: a hug from your child (or a child), a smile, puppy kisses, a helping hand on a slippery step. Think of your day and consider one way that you can give without considering what you might receive in return. I'm not talking financially, but giving because you can and because you want to. (written 14 Feb 2008)

I'll be the first one to admit that I like to receive things. Before you think I am this incredibly materialistic person (not true), let me clarify. One gift I received this Christmas was from my two youngest children, and was a photo of the two of them. They took it upon themselves to go and have their pictures made as a Christmas gift for their dad, step mom, and me. There is no present that they could have given me that would have been more appreciated! My oldest daughter selected a print of herself, her daughter, and her sister taken in Paris and had it blown up into a beautiful print ... and had it delivered with strict instructions not to open until Christmas (I didn't, but it was certainly difficult!). Before you wonder why I get so excited over pictures, understand that my children (much like their mother) would rather be on the opposite side of the camera. They gave these gifts because they knew what it would mean to me. THAT is giving.

I also very much enjoy giving. There is a reward that I cannot describe in being able to do something for someone who doesn't expect it, or feels they don't deserve it, or just because it feels like the right thing to do! Making eye contact and smiling at people you meet may give that unexpected lift to their day that otherwise would not have happened. Have an extra $5? Buy lunch for the next person in line ... just because. Say God Bless You when someone sneezes. Thinking of a friend? Call them and tell them so. It doesn't have to be an extended conversation ... in this era of instant communication, it doesn't always have to be verbal - send an email or a text message.

When you think you have nothing to give, consider this. Jesus gave to live ... He gave His LIFE, so that we may have life eternal. He does not ask that we give our life in the sense that we must die, but He asks that we give our life to Him and walk with Him. The price He paid is far greater than anything He will ever ask of us ... how can you say no?

Jesus, you gave so that I may live. Help me to give with your spirit, to help and encourage others. Show me the needs that I can meet, and guide me to meet them in your name.

"A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." ~Proverbs 28:25-27 NIV

The Power of Love

2009-01-31T13:35:00.001-06:00

In 1985, the movie Back to the Future featured a song by Huey Lewis and the News called "Power of Love." The chorus of this song delivers a powerful message - secular music or not. I guess what speaks to me the most is that I can see God's hand everywhere, not just in gospel or Christian music. Sometimes the smallest things shout out God is ALIVE! (written 13 Feb 2008)

The first verse of this song says "The power of love is a curious thing. Make a one man weep, make another one sing. Change a heart to a little white dove. More than a feeling, that's the power of love." Think about that for a moment. How can such an emotion cause such a profound change? Look at the chorus, and say the words. "It don't need money, don't take fame, don't need no credit card to ride this train. It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes, but it might just save your life, that's the power of love, that's the power of love." Speaking of power - visualize the power spoken of! Think of the love of God and its effect on your life once you have chosen to walk with Him - it might just save your life - no might about it ... it WILL save your life!

If you break down the chorus, think of the true statements that it makes: God asks us for no money, He does not ask that we be famous. We are each His creation, and were made by Him for His particular purpose. To God, we are each famous for what He made us to be! You don't have to have a hefty bank account nor an open-ended credit line to ride God's salvation train - this powerful gift is yours free simply for the asking. Imagine those rewards, all yours, just by asking! The only part of the chorus that I might take issue with is the phrase "it's cruel sometimes." I don't see God's love as ever being cruel. Our interpretation of certain events in our lives, even in God's presence, may feel that way at times, but we have to stop and remember and look at the big picture. Let me see if a side note will clarify: as a parent, the most horrifying thing I can imagine is losing one of my children. How would I survive such a thing? I am under no illusion that it would be an easy task, but I would put my trust in God and maintain my faith that He made that decision for a reason that I might not need to know right away. IT WOULD NOT BE EASY, NOR WOULD IT BE PAINLESS!! I can imagine nothing that would hurt more on a long-lasting and visceral level. Having spoken to parents that have lost children, those who have maintained their faith all tell me the same thing: when they realized the gift that they were given by being allowed to be the parent of their child, even if only for a short time, it made the loss somewhat easier to bear. I did not say pain-free, but it gave them a perspective of hope.

Overall, today's realization is this: God's power is everywhere, and in everything. Listen to what He says, and how He says it. The answers you seek may be right in front of you. The power of His love is unfailing, and unending. What greater gift can we receive?

God, thank you for the gift of your powerful love. Use me to share that love and your message through every available means. Guide my life so that you shine through in everything that I do.

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" ~Matthew 22:37 NIV

Satisfying the Hunger Pangs

2009-01-31T13:32:00.001-06:00

While this is not specifically directed to females, it seems as if we (females) as a group are those who use that four letter word the most - D I E T. Along with most of the women I know, I fret over my weight. While I don't agonize over every morsel that goes into my mouth (maybe I should!), I am trying very hard to eat right. As a result, certain things can trigger those physical rumblings that we tend to call hunger pangs. (written 12 Feb 2008)

What about spiritual hunger pangs? Today's devotion from Turning Point addressed this issue, and it spoke to me in such a way that I wanted to share it. I won't even try to paraphrase, but the first two paragraphs say:

All of us get hungry, but not all of us know why. Most often, our body says, "I
need food" when glycogen (carbohydrate) levels in the liver and muscles decrease
and energy stores are depleted. That's "actual" hunger. "Perceived" hunger is
when digestion empties the stomach of its last filling and mild cramps (hunger
pangs) ensue as the stomach shrinks.

Everyone knows what it's like to be spiritually and emotionally hungry as well. We may be hungry for comfort or thirsty for love, hungry for forgiveness or thirsty for true love. It takes a certain level of spiritual and emotional nutrition for us to meet those hunger and thirst needs that are common to the human experience. Having those needs met outside of God's provision is like eating a doughnut for breakfast: a quick fix that will shortly disappoint.

How powerful is that? Looking outside of God and His word to fulfill our spiritual hunger is the equivalent of eating a doughnut for breakfast! How much simpler can it get? There is no "quick fix" for spiritual hunger ... that soul-replenishing nutrition can only come from God and His word. Don't shortchange yourself, fuel up by delving into His word. Keep those spiritual fires burning by stoking the flames on a regular basis with continual affirmation from Him. It is yours for the taking, and free for the asking. Don't run on fumes with your emotional and spiritual tank on "E" when He can keep you on "F". How wonderful to be "FULL" of God!

God, help me make each day a FULL day with you. Give me the words and ability to share your love. Thank you for the abundance of blessings that you have given me, and for the peace that I am learning.

"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." ~Luke 6:21 NIV

Coping With Curve Balls

2009-01-31T13:30:00.001-06:00

I don't proclaim to be a sports expert of any sort. The slang definition, however, of curve ball listed in thefreedictionary.com simply says "something that is unexpected." In the overall sense, that may not even be totally true, because deep down I had a feeling that the answer I received last night was exactly the one I was going to get. (written 11 Feb 2008)

Some of you know the situation, some of you don't, and in the whole big scheme of things the particulars of last night's curve ball are really irrelevant to anyone except the parties involved. Suffice it to say that I was floored by the response, even though I've suspected for quite some time what the outcome would be. I thought about writing last night, but couldn't clarify my thoughts enough to make anything coherent come from them. Still today, there is a knot of anxiety banked high up in my abdomen coupled with that nauseating feeling of being on the verge of tears. If you ask how I am, the answer you will most likely get is "okay." It is partially true, but breaking down in tears will solve absolutely no problems at all.

Why the discourse? It is a coping mechanism. I have to work through the emotional onslaught, understand why, and deal with the consequences. Sometimes the best way for me to work through things is to write about them (hence this ramble). Putting thoughts down on paper can sometimes clarify the emotional jungle that clouds the view. One of the hardest things to do in reality should be one of the easiest. What is it about the human animal that makes it so difficult for us to relinquish control? Realistically, I know that I could assert my rights and change the situation. I also know that the damage it could possibly cause might never be undone. Emotionally, I want to cry, scream, and rage. Logically, I know that not only will that cause a massive headache, it will also serve no purpose except to frustrate me further.

There was, and still is, serious soul-searching going on. I have to turn this over to God because I cannot handle it on my own. It is scary, and yet not. I know He will resolve things in the way that they should be handled, if I am patient and allow Him to work. Let me see if I can give an analogy that might make some sense of this. If you are a parent, you will know exactly what I refer to (if you don't have children ... think of your pet, maybe). When my children were sick, the hardest thing to do was to turn them over to the care of a physician. Not because I did not trust their skills or abilities, but because the instinctive reaction is to grab and hold close as if the sheer power of parental love can make everything better. Sometimes, it cannot! Trusting the skills that their pediatrician held (and that I did not) allowed me to work with the process of healing my ill child. Trusting in the power of God to resolve the situation to its best end is the only way that I can resolve the turmoil within. I do not have the answers, He does. I have to let go, and let God work.

That is the only way to handle the "curve balls" that life throws at you ... unexpected does not have to be unsolvable. God can handle anything! We must remember that He will never give us more than we can handle ... and also remember that what we think we can handle and what He knows we can handle are not always the same! God, loosen up my glove and help me to learn to catch those curve balls. By opening my life to you, things will fall into place as they should.

"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." ~Job 11:13-18 NIV

Begin With The End In Mind

2009-01-31T13:28:00.001-06:00

Steven Covey wrote an extremely successful book in 1989 called "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People." Subtitled "Powerful Lessons in Personal Change," this book exploded into the workforce and became a must read for management trainees (and established managers) in many organizations. If you've not read the book, I highly recommend it. Rereading it gave me one of those "aha" moments ... (written 7 Feb 2008)

I could write pages and pages on how Covey's "7 Habits" affected me, both personally and professionally. For some reason today, I picked up the book again and was drawn to habit 2, called Begin With The End In Mind. Page 96 of Covey's work starts you on this journey, and he invites you to find a solitary spot to begin your understanding of beginning with the end in mind. To summarize, envision a loved one's funeral: the location, the music, the surroundings, the attendance. Look down into the casket ... at your own face. If it were your end, what would your eulogy be? Personally and professionally, what would those sending you off say?

The seminar I attended just so happened to be during a three week training period in September 2000. Early on a Thursday morning of my first or second week, my granddaddy passed away. My employer immediately gave me leave to come home for the funeral (I was in Tennessee at the time), and told me simply to return when I was able. It was quite the eye-opener to return for the part of this seminar that emphasized the development of self!

What did I learn? I learned that the only person who controls my destiny is me. The only person who can change or truly influence the way I am perceived, is me. It does not matter what I drive, where I live, how I dress, nor where I worship ... if I do not believe in the power of Jesus to save me and grant me eternal life, there will be no entrance into Heaven. By accepting that Jesus is real and He is my savior, Heaven's doors are open for me. That change could be made by no one except myself. I can't believe for my mom, nor can I believe for my children - accepting Jesus is an individual choice.

How, then, does this tie in to Covey's habits? If I wish to spend eternity in Heaven (the end), I must start my journey with that ultimate goal in mind. By accepting Jesus as my savior, I have opened Heaven's door. To make sure that I stay on that path, I must keep that "end" in mind. Trust in Jesus, believe in His power, and live my life as He would have me do.

Jesus, thank you for the saving grace freely offered to me simply by believing in you. Empower me to share that light, and help me to live my life so that it speaks of you.

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." ~Psalm 37:39-40 NIV

In Unexpected Ways

2009-01-31T13:18:00.001-06:00

The beginning of each day is another chance to listen for God's voice. There are times when He whispers, times when He shouts ... and times when He speaks through an unexpected voice. Which will you hear today? (written 5 Feb 2008)

Yesterday started pretty much like any other weekday, except that we didn't have Microbiology (translate that to no class at 8 a.m.!). Ethics gave us one more class day before Wednesday's test, but added one more chapter of information. Zip home for lunch and a quick change before heading to work, only to find the gas tank on fumes and gasping. Dash into work 3 minutes late to find a relatively peaceful waiting room. (Remember, however, that a peaceful waiting room can transform into a mass of patients/family/friends before you can blink twice.)

Settling in at my station, I realized that there was neither a patient waiting to be registered nor one headed toward me. Translation? Pre-time! For those who do not work in registration, a "pre" is short for "pre-registration" or "pre-admission", and is something that we do for our scheduled patients to expedite their registration process on the day of their procedure or appointment. I pulled a list of pre's to work on, and pulled up the screen for the first name on the list. I pulled up the first screen, and picked up the phone. Before you wonder, I am not going to walk you through the entire pre-registration process ... the story just makes more sense this way. Pre's are categorized as either a "phone" pre or a "computer" pre. Computer pre's can be done when the patient has visited within a set period of time and the information is available. Phone pre's must be done when the patient has not been in recently, or has never been to our facility before. Pre-registering (or pre-admitting) a patient is just like the actual registration process except the patient is not sitting in front of you ... they are either already in the computer, or they are on the other end of the phone. Anyway, back to the tale.

The first pre was a phone pre, and I dialed the number on the screen. After a couple of rings (and wondering whether or not it was going to be a "leave a message" day), a pleasant voice picked up the phone. I introduced myself and asked to speak to the patient, explaining that I wanted to pre-register them for an appointment if they had a few minutes available to do so. She stepped away from the phone for a minute, then returned ready to answer questions. Verifying all the information, I was near completion of the pre when the person to whom I was speaking said to me, "we're not sure what this will be, but we're just turning it over to God." She then asked me to lift their name in prayer and I said that I would. She then asked me if I would be at work when they came in for the appointment. I explained to her that I worked in the ER and worked second shift, and that they would be coming in through Outpatient. She explained that she just thought we might have lunch or something! She asked me for my name again, and then told me "you have my number, call me anytime, even if you just want to talk." I completed the pre, thanked her for her time, and hung up the phone.

I can't really even find the words to say how much that simple phone call touched me yesterday. Sometimes the message we are given comes from unexpected avenues. Which avenue will yours come down today?

God, I thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for the love of family and friends, and for allowing me to help others to the best of my ability. May I never lose sight of You, to whom all the credit belongs.

"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~Psalm 34:17-18 NIV

Everyone Should Have

2009-01-31T13:15:00.001-06:00

Today I received a few copies of the Maya Angelou poem that is circulating. It tells what "every woman should have" and what "every woman should know." With all due respect to the beautifully written words of Maya Angelou, I'd like to take that a step farther, open it up to both genders, and relate it to walking with God. (written 30 Jan 2008)

Everyone Should Have
the security that comes with knowing that God will meet your every need
even if you think all your needs are met and can't imagine them not being so

Everyone Should Have
the comforting mantle of the love of God
even when you feel cold and alone

Everyone Should Have
a clear and concise picture of the emptiness of their life before God

Everyone Should Have
a way to express the beauty that God's love brings
it may be through words, through art, through performing, or simply through daily living

Everyone Should Have
God's holy word (the Bible), or access to one
if you don't have one, let me know .. He'll help me get you one

Everyone Should Have
the realization that God is always there, no matter what
He hears you always, and is your father and friend

Everyone Should Have
the knowledge that salvation is a gift to be shared
but is at the same time intensely personal
and manifests itself differently in each one of us

Everyone Should Have
the anticipation of sharing eternity with God
and the feeling of joy that His blessed presence brings

Everyone Should Have
the peace that comes with turning your problems over
to the master problem solver

Everyone Should Know
the beauty of God's precious love
because He doesn't expect us to be who we are not

Everyone Should Know
when to let go
and let God

Everyone Should Know
that the past is simply that
and that the cleansing power of Jesus' blood
eliminates all sin

Everyone Should Know
that Christians are not perfect
but that they are forgiven

Everyone Should Know
that God will never fail you
even though the answers He gives
are not always the ones we think we need at the time

Everyone Should Know
that the greatest gift of all
is absolutely free
and is available simply by asking and believing

Everyone Should Know
that God is alive
and that miracles happen every day

God, give me the strength to stand fast in my faith and share the beauty of your love. Allow me the privilege of continuing to write the words that praise you. Make me a light for those who may feel trapped in darkness.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV

The Lord's Prayer

2009-01-31T13:13:00.001-06:00

It probably depends on where you attend (or attended) church, your Sunday school teacher, or even your parents and/or grandparents, but I would be willing to bet that there is a very large percentage of us that can recite "The Lord's Prayer" (aka Psalm 23) at least in part. What does that mean to you and I? (written 29 Jan 2008)

Let's break it down into parts. Isn't that the easiest way to learn anything? As most of you know by now, I usually use the New International Version for my bible verses. I am a traditionalist, however, and was raised on the King James Version. I loaded both versions, NIV and KJV, side by side to compare. The word changes are minimal, but for me, it speaks louder in the traditional language of the KJV. Now that I've walked around the block to go next door, let's get started.

The first three verses read "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." What is this saying? This is the Denise translation: By accepting God as my savior, I will no longer need anything that He cannot provide for me. He encourages me to rest my soul in the beauty of His creation, because doing so will renew my strength and purpose for Him. He will lead me down the path I should take, walking beside me all the time.

Verse four is probably one of the most misquoted of this short Psalm. I have seen translations from profound to profane. KJV states "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." My translation? There are times and places in my life that I will go where the only thing that can protect me is the loving grace of God. I may have some apprehension, but I will not be afraid, because I will not be alone. God will be with me every step of the way, good times and bad times.

Verse five and six read "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Regardless of what I face, I can dine on the majesty of God's grace and love. When I accepted Him as my savior, He made me His own and filled my life to overflowing with the guarantee of an eternity spent with Him. If there are times I stumble, He is there to stand me back up and brush me off, setting me on back firmly on His path. His beauty and love are the cloak that wraps around me.

God, I thank you for the beauty of your creation, and the boundless love you give to all your children. Help me each day to grow in the understanding of your plan for me, and help me trust in your power to make it so.

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."~Psalm 25:4-5 NIV