It's That Time Again

Another year has flown by!  I can sometimes hardly believe how quickly time passes!  But here we are again at the end of another year, and it's that time again.....time for New Year's Resolutions.  You know what I mean.....those ridiculous promises you make to yourself at this time every year.  Things like "I will lose 50 pounds by Friday" or "I will never allow anything chocolate to pass my lips ever again" or some other equally unattainable promise that will be broken by Tuesday.

Well, here's a news flash for you.  I don't do New Year's Resolutions!  I gave up on that a while ago.  Maybe it's a mark of maturity (??!!!!), but I finally came to the conclusion that setting myself up for failure by making promises to myself that I knew I couldn't or wouldn't keep wasn't helping me - or anybody around me, for that matter!  So, it has been my practice in recent years to set some goals for the new year, to determine a way to be accountable about those goals, and to have benchmarks that I can check periodically to mark my progress.  Maybe you do the same.  If not, it's a practice you might want to consider.

As an example, it has been my practice for quite a while now to read the Bible through each year.  (Please understand, I'm not making commentary or judgment on you if you don't do this; I'm just telling you what I do, although it is definitely a practice I recommend.)  As each year winds to a close, I'm evaluating how I did on the plan I used for the year, deciding if I want to continue the same reading plan or use a different one, determining which translation I will use for the coming year, how I will be accountable, and - perhaps most importantly - evaluating what I learned, what I gained, from the practice in the past year.

For this coming year, I have set my Bible reading goals, decided on a Bible study plan (which is different from Bible-reading), and also set goals in other areas of my life.  My health, for example.  Because high blood pressure is a fact of my life, I am purposing to do a better job of monitoring my blood pressure readings and to making better diet and exercise choices to help keep my blood pressure under control.  I have devised a tracking system to check my progress(because that's how I roll!!!).

You see, no matter what goals I set, no matter what resolutions I make or don't make, no matter what others do or don't do, no matter who is elected President or what happens to the economy.......life is not about me.  Or you.  It's all about Jesus!

".....my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death."  (Philippians 1:20 NKJV).

Are You Ready?

We hear that question a lot at this time of year.  Are you ready for Christmas?  And that usually means "have you finished your Christmas shopping?"  Or "are all your decorations up?"  Or "have you finished the cookie baking?"  Or.......you can fill in the blank.

As I have been thinking about that today, I've been remembering a sermon I heard a few years ago on this topic.  In fact, I think the pastor may have titled his sermon "Are You Ready for Christmas?"  But what he was talking about had nothing to do with decorations or shopping or cookie baking!

His point, and one I think we would all do well to remember, is that being "ready" for Christmas has very little to do with shopping or cookies or trees.  It has everything to do with Jesus.  And with a right relationship with Him.  Being ready for Christmas is about focus......about remembering why we are doing this in the first place.....about celebrating Jesus!

I'm not anti-Christmas decorations or anti-Christmas presents or anti-Christmas cookies (especially not anti-cookies!!).  But I am saddened by how easily our focus shifts away from the real reason for the celebration.

Some years ago, in a Children's Choir program I was directing, there was a song titled "Happy Birthday, Jesus."  The song centered around the fact that we each have a birthday, a "special day that comes 'round once a year" and we like for people to remember that day.  We often are given gifts on that day, and we like that!!  The song goes on to point out that Jesus has a special day, but though everybody knows it, "the fact is often clear that we forget to remember Him on His very special day."

We spend a lot of time during the Christmas season thinking about those who are special to us and about what gift we can give to let them know just how much we love them. 

Should we not also do the same for Jesus?  It's His birthday we're celebrating!!  What gift will you give this year?

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give Him my heart.

                                                           -Christina Rossetti
                                                                        

What's Your Favorite?

Now that the calendar says it's almost December, I guess it's "officially" OK for me to listen to Christmas music.  I've been noticing a lot of complaining about Christmas music being played or sung prior to Thanksgiving, and I have to confess that I don't really understand that.  From the perspective that Thanksgiving is becoming the "forgotten" holiday and that retailers jump into Christmas advertising right after Labor Day, I'll accept the complaining......at least a little bit. 

But for me, "Christmas music" transcends the season.  I would gladly listen to it and sing it year-round.  And I confess that, in the privacy of my own home, I do!!  It's a bit sad to me that this wonderful music which tells so much of the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place, that gives us so many wonderful lyrics about the redemption story, is relegated to just a few weeks in December.

I was recently asked about my favorite Christmas carol.  I had a hard time answering that question.  Not because I don't have a favorite.  Because I have LOTS of favorites!! 

I love "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night".  I love the music.  I love the way the music suits the lyrics perfectly.  I love how these songs evoke mental images of the events of that special night so long ago.

I love "Joy to the World"!  Just the title makes me smile.  JOY!!!! 

I love Mark Lowry's song "Mary, Did You Know?"  I don't really think of that as a "Christmas" song, but it seems to be played and sung a lot more during the Christmas season.  It's a really thought-provoking song.  Just what did Mary really understand about this baby boy?

Perhaps my absolute favorite is "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing".  I think I must have loved this carol all my life.  I can remember singing it as a little girl.  (And I've been told that, in my early childhood, I "rewrote" the lyrics a little.....instead of "with th' angelic host proclaim", I sang "with the jelly host proclaim"!!!!)  I have come to love this carol more and more over the years, particularly for its lyrics.  The entire reason for Christmas, the reason Christ came to earth, is encapsulated in one line......."God and sinners reconciled". 

That's the reason for the season!

And so today as I'm singing my favorite songs of the season, I'm wondering what your favorites are.  And why.  Leave a comment if you'd like to share.

Precious Memories

A year ago today, we were boarding a plane in Atlanta, on our way to the Holy Land.  Precious memories indeed!

But over the last few days, I've been traveling down memory lane in a different direction.....remembering Thanksgiving Days gone by.

A few of my favorite memories...

• when Brian was in kindergarten, his class made pilgrim hats and collars for their Thanksgiving feast.  When he got home, he found construction paper, glue and scissors, and made a set for his little brother so that Brandon would have the same thing he had.
• when Brandon was in kindergarten, his class made similar hats and collars, and as they sat around the table for their feast, they recited this prayer together:  "For food and all the gifts of love, we give Thee thanks and praise.  Look down, O Father, from above, and bless us all our days."  That prayer has stuck in my memory ever since.
• remembering Thanksgiving dinners from my childhood.......Mother would set the table with the "good" china that only got used on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We would crowd around the dining room table (also rarely used!).......Grandmother Neil, Uncle JB, Daddy's cousins Anne and Richard (brother and sister, neither of whom ever married),and the four of us.  I giggle every time I remember the year Grandmother bit down on the stuffed celery and broke her false teeth!!
• day-after-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping in Spartanburg with Mother.  When we got home from that all-day adventure, we wrapped gifts together.
• the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace.  The fireplace (which was rarely used) was in the living room (also rarely used), and we typically only had a fire on Thanksgiving and Christmas.......no matter how hot it was......and sometimes in SC, Thanksgiving Day is not exactly build-a-fire kind of weather!  But we did it anyway.
• turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce.......macaroni and cheese......sweet potato casserole.....pecan pie......

So many fond memories of Thanksgiving Days gone by.  We were a small group this year.  Just Al & me, Brandon, Stephanie and AJ.  But we had a wonderful day together.  We skyped with Brian, Emily & Christopher.  I missed family members who have gone on to be with Jesus.  But I was so thankful for all the Thanksgivings we had together.

As I have been reminiscing on Thanksgiving Days past, and anticipating Thanksgiving Days yet to come, I'm reminded that Thanksgiving is not about a day.  It's not about celebrating "Thanksgiving Day" as much as about  DAILY giving thanks!

And, no matter what the circumstances of our lives, don't we all have so much to be thankful for??!!  So, as we leave this Thanksgiving Day behind and move on to celebrating Christmas, what better way to celebrate than by keeping that attitude of gratitude going.....into December, through Christmas, and on into the new year!

Count your blessings, name then one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God has done;

Count your blessings, name then one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.



Overwhelmed

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today.  Make that a lot overwhelmed!

As I'm counting down the hours until Thanksgiving Day, and as I look at my to-do list (make that lists), I'm feeling overwhelmed!  I have pared down the menu for Thanksgiving Day.  I have realized I don't have to cook enough for an army.  This year's feast doesn't have to include everything we have ever eaten at a previous Thanksgiving meal!  Let's begin a new tradition.....not quite so much food!!

And I have given myself permission to use post-its instead of construction paper leaves for the Thanksgiving tree.  (See previous post if this makes no sense to you.)

I have realized that everything doesn't have to be absolutely perfect.  That it's OK if we eat on paper plates.  (I found some really nice ones at Walmart!)

The groceries have been bought.  My lists are made.  I have scratched several things off the lists. Yet in spite of that, I'm still feeling overwhelmed.  It happens every time.  I wish I didn't do this to myself.  But I do.

There is, however, another dimension to my overwhelmed-ness.  A positive dimension.  A dimension beyond turkeys and pumpkin pies and paper plates.  Beyond food and football.

I am absolutely overwhelmed with thankfulness.  I am overwhelmed by an awesome God.  I am amazed at His love.  And His goodness.  And His grace.  And His mercy.

I am overwhelmed by His blessings on me and on my family.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.

And I'm praying today that I can keep my focus on those things.  That in the middle of all the busyness of this week, I'll remember that those are the things that really matter.

"Give thanks to Him and bless His name.  For the LORD is good.  His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations."  (Psalm 100:  4b-5 NASB)

Giving Thanks

Just a few days until we celebrate Thanksgiving!   If you have been in a mall or watched TV lately, you might not realize that......it seems Thanksgiving has become the forgotten holiday.  Retailers have skipped right on to Christmas.  I understand that we are in a tough economy and sales need a boost, but it's sad to me that Thanksgiving is ignored.  And it's also sad to me that is has become more about football and food than about pausing to be thankful.

Over on Facebook this month many people are posting daily reasons they are thankful.  And that's a good thing!  Although I haven't been an "official" participant in that activity, I have enjoyed reading the posts.  It has been an interesting read......people are thankful for all sorts of things.  Good health.  Good coffee.  Salvation.  Freedom.  I have noted with interest (and fond memories!) the number of young mothers who give thanks for a few hours sans child to enjoy some girlfriend time or a date night with their hubby.

As I have been reading the "thankful for" posts, I have also made an interesting observation.  The number of "complaining posts" has decreased!  And before you get your knickers in a twist, I have made my fair share of "complaining posts".  We humans have a tendency to focus on the not-exactly-the-way-I-would-like-it-to-be, don't we?  I'm finding it interesting that, as people are focusing on the things they have to be grateful for, they are less focused on the things they might like to grumble about!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do that all the time.....every day.....every season......not just for a few days in November??!!  If we would cultivate an attitude of gratitude every day!!

During my many years as a Children's Choir Director, we often had a Thanksgiving Tree in our choir room during this season.  We would sing songs about giving thanks and feeling thankful and having an attitude of gratitude.  And we would decorate our tree.  Typically, the "tree" began the season as a leafless twig stuck in a bucket.  As the month progressed, children would write on a leaf - or two or three - at each rehearsal (or draw a picture if that worked better for them) of something for which they were thankful.  By the end of the month our tree would be covered with colorful leaves.  So, we ended up with a pretty tree......and we had retrained our thinking to be thankful!

I'm thinking we may have a Thanksgiving Tree as part of our family Thanksgiving celebration this year.  If I have time (and energy!!), I may even cut leaves out of construction paper.  If not, we'll just use post-its!!

"We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand; I just can't understand why You love us so much.  We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say, Thank You, Lord, for Your touch."
                                                                               -Bill and Gloria Gaither

Some Thoughts About Wrinkles

I remember when Al said to me "did you know you have wrinkles?"

In case you're wondering, that is NOT a good conversation starter!!  We were in the car at the time, and my first response was to pull down the sun visor and flip open the mirror so I could see for myself.  I was relieved to see that they weren't REAL wrinkles.  He was talking about those little crinkles at the corners of my eyes......the ones that are there because I smile a lot.  There are more of them than there used to be.......in part, I must admit, because I'm not as young as I used to be!  But mostly because I'm still smiling!  A lot!

In addition to my "crinkles", there are what I refer to as my "Howdy Doody lines".  Those are the ones that go from the sides of my nose down to the corners of my mouth, and from the corners of my mouth downward.  You may have them too.  In my case, they are partly genetic.  My mother had them.  But, like the crinkles, they are mostly due to the fact that I smile, and laugh, a lot.  A lot!

There is quite an industry devoted to getting rid of wrinkles.  And, in the interest of full disclosure and in case you didn't know, I have contributed to that industry......as a consumer who uses those anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products and as an Independent Beauty Consultant selling lots of pink tubes full of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products to other consumers.  It's true that I don't get super excited when I notice a new wrinkle.  As I have often said, I don't mind getting older but I don't want to look old!  And it is certainly true that, thanks in large part to the products in the pink tubes but also thanks to good genes, I don't look my age.

But the reason I bring all this up in the first place isn't really about my wrinkles.....or lack of them.  It's more about the reason I have the wrinkles that I do have.  All those cleansers and creams in the pink tubes can minimize or postpone the appearance of the wrinkles that come from aging.  But my wrinkles......the crinkles and Howdy Doody lines......are not so much from aging as from behavior.  As I said before.  I smile a lot.  I laugh a lot.  A lot.

And there's a reason for that.  I choose to be happy.  I choose joy.

Yes, my life has its share of stresses.  We can all say that, I'm sure.  We live in a world full of stress. 

But no matter what the headlines say.  No matter who says what about whom.  No matter who is occupying what. No matter what......in spite of it all......I choose joy.

".....the joy of the LORD is your strength."  (Nehemiah 8:10b  NASB)

I Can See Clearly Now

I heard that song yesterday and now I can't get it out of my head.  Do you remember it?  "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone; I can see all obstacles in my way........."  Maybe that should be my new theme song!  I can see clearly now, at least in one eye!!

I had commented to Al, prior to my cataract surgery, that once the surgery was over I would probably be shocked at how dirty the house is.  He gave some very diplomatic response....."well, it's not as clean as it used to be."  Now that I have better vision, I'm seeing just how true that is!  I'm seeing all that dust......and all the spots on the floor that I never noticed before......and some greasy spots on the stove that I don't remember.  It's almost as though someone is shining a bright spotlight on all these not-as-clean-as-I-thought areas in my house.  If you have had cataract surgery, you probably understand what I mean!

I get much the same sensation when I read the Word of God.  It's as though the Holy Spirit is shining a spotlight on those not-quite-as-clean-as-I-thought areas of my life.  Perhaps you have had the same experience when you read the Scriptures.......those times when you realize it applies not to your spouse or your neighbor or your sister or your friend, but to you.

It happens when we read things like.......
            "in everything give thanks" (2 Thessalonians 5:18).

Or the previous verse........
            "pray constantly" ( 2 Thessalonians 5:17).

Or how about this one........
            "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things."  (Philippans 4:8  HCSB).  Keep that one in mind while you're watching the evening news!

Or this one.......
             "Let no unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone.......All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you.......and be kind and compassionate to one another."  (Ephesians 4:29-32).

That bright light of God's Word really is convicting, isn't it??!!

"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil."  (Ephesians 5:15-16 HCSB)

What a Day!

Yesterday was the day for Molly's echocardiogram.  The nearest ultrasound facility is in Brevard, which is about and hour and a half away.  We actually left about 2 hours ahead of the appointment, to allow for traffic and the never-ending road construction that is between here and there.

Pet ultrasounds are pretty much the same as for people.  Just lie still and let the tech, in this case the veterinarian, get the pictures.  Sounds simple enough.  It's the "lie still" part that was the problem.  It took three people - Al, me, and the vet tech - to hold Molly still enough to get some reasonably clear pictures!

The results were encouraging, and in fact, I'm feeling a lot better about Molly's health than I was a few days ago.  Her heart measures a little larger than "normal", but blood flow is normal and the heart appears to be working properly.  Based on those findings, and the fact that Molly is very energetic, rather than lethargic, and shows no aversion or effect from physical activity (as evidenced by the way she was running around the doctor's office!!), Dr. Julie does not recommend any heart medications at this time.  That's much better news than the scenario outlined by our veterinarian last week!

We still don't know why her blood count is so high.  But right now I'm just thankful that things aren't as bad as they appeared to be a few days ago.

We stopped in Asheville for a bite to eat before we headed home.  Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, Al's Blackberry was chirping away.  In addition to Molly and her stress, there were "issues" that needed to be dealt with and the stress that comes with that.  We stopped by Walmart and I ran in to pick up a couple of things.......Al was still on the phone!

By the time we got back to Burnsville, we were all exhausted!  We made one more stop, this time at Hardee's.  What a day it was......but at least I got a milkshake at the end of it!!

A Song of Thanksgiving

"Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

To God the Creator triumphantly raise,

Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

Who guideth us on to the end of our days.

His banners are o'er us, His light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

'Til shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,

As forward we travel from light into light.

His law He enforces, the stars in their courses,

The sun in His orbit, obediently shine.

The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,

The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him Divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing,

With glad adoration a song let us raise,

'Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving

To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!

                                                                              -Katherine K. Davis

Those are the words to a hymn titled "Let All Things Now Living", written by Katherine K. Davis and typically sung to a traditional Welsh melody.  It's one of those hymns we don't sing in church any more, and that makes me sad.  And before you get ready to jump all over me, I'm not trying to make some blanket anti-new-music kind of statement. I'm not anti-new-music as much as I am anti- ignoring older music! Much of what we hear and sing in our churches these days that would be classified as "new" or "contemporary" is music that I like very much.  But not all of it is good.  Some of it is just new.  Some of it I don't like.  It's a personal-preference-thing.  But that isn't my point.

Also, before you jump me for bringing up the wrong holiday, be assured that the title of this post was deliberately chosen.  In part, because it's the lyric of the song.  In part, because I don't acknowledge the "celebrations" going on today.  I hate this "holiday" and refuse to participate.  But it isn't my intent to make a big deal about that.  Just to make you aware of my position!

This song has been ringing in my ears, running through my brain over and over for several days now.  Not because we have sung it recently; we haven't.  We sing some wonderful music in our church.......new songs, old songs, the great hymns of our faith.  But this particular one hasn't been sung lately.  Rather, it has been called up from deep in the recesses of my memory.  It's a catchy tune, but it's the text that has my attention.

I am becoming more and more aware of how much I take for granted.  How often I forget to say "thank you". It's not that I'm ungrateful.  Forgetful, yes.  A little scatter-brained sometimes.  Distracted.  But not ungrateful. 

I have so many reasons for thanksgiving this morning.  The beauty of the world around me.  That I can SEE the world around me....and the computer.....and the TV......and the dust on the table......all without any glasses!!!  I'm so grateful for a successful eye surgery last week.  So grateful for the skill of my surgeon.  For the nurses who cared for me pre- and post-op.  For the prayers of so many friends throughout the procedure and during this healing time. 

I'm convinced that it was those prayers that kept me so calm throughout the whole thing.  That's very un-Susan-like.  I typically don't do real well with medical procedures.  Just the thought sends me over the edge.

On the drive over to Morganton, and as we sat in the surgery center waiting room and the pre-op room, Al kept asking if I was OK.  And I was.  It really was amazing!  So thanks to all of you who have been praying!

I'm so thankful for dear friends. For the best husband ever!! For my family.  For my new church family.  For my pastor.  For good health. 

And I am beyond grateful for a Sovereign Lord.  One who knows me best and loves me most.

So to Him today I am singing a song of thanksgiving!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Psalm 103:1 NASB) 

A Big Heart

A few days ago we became aware that our little "fur person" had some serious health issues.  Our precious little dachsund, who looks and acts like she has not a problem in the world, had some blood work done prior to a scheduled teeth-cleaning procedure, and her blood counts were off the charts.  So, more tests were done, and yesterday we got the results from the vet.  When he called yesterday morning, he said Molly has a "big heart".  At first I thought that he was just talking about what we all think about her personality.  She is one of the most loving, lovable, friendly, cuddly dogs (I could go on and on here!!) I have ever known.  To say she has a big heart perfectly describes her temperament.  But that isn't what he meant.  When he said she has a big heart, he meant it literally.  She has a big heart.  A heart that is much larger than normal.  A heart that is too big for her chest.  That is crowding out her lungs so that oxygen is not flowing through her blood stream as it should.  So her blood is too thick.  And her heart is overcompensating by producing excess red blood cells.  Which makes her blood thicker.  Which makes her heart overcompensate some more.  And the cycle continues.  She is not yet in congestive heart failure, which is a good thing.  The vet doesn't really know why this has happened.  He has some theories, but we don't know the "why", and in fact we may never know.  Molly will be having a cardiac ultrasound next week, and then we'll be able to make decisions about the best medications and best course of treatment.  In the meantime, she has a big heart, in more ways than one!

As I thought about that yesterday, once I got over the initial shock, I realized what a beautiful descriptor that is.  Not in the physical sense.  Having an enlarged heart muscle, whether you are human or canine, is not a good thing.  But in terms of personality, to be described as a person with a big heart is a wonderful thing!  And in spiritual terms as well, how wonderful to be considered big-hearted! 

When we describe a person has having a big heart, what do we mean?  I think of kindness.  Of generosity.  Of love and compassion.  Of gentleness.  Of joy.  And peace.  And patience.  And goodness. 

Does that list seem familiar?  If you look into Galatians chapter 5, you'll see these qualities in the list of the fruit of the Spirit.  Those qualities of God's Spirit produced in our own lives could well lead others to describe us has having a big heart.

Ultimately, when I think of a big heart, I think of a heart overflowing with love.  A heart that loves so much that it gives.  When I think of a big heart, I think of God, who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us......not because we deserved it, but in spite of the fact that we didn't.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8  NASB)

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

If you read yesterday's post, you became acquainted with Molly, our beloved dachsund.  Although I admit to a somewhat biased (!!!!) opinion, Molly is a beautiful dog.  She has quite a sparkling personality, and even as she is entering her senior years maintains a high energy level.  So I was quite surprised by a phone call from the vet this morning.

We dropped Molly off at the vet's office late yesterday afternoon for a teeth-cleaning procedure early this morning.  Prior to the cleaning, the vet did some blood work, which is standard procedure.  The results were not at all what he expected.  Prior to the blood work, he noticed some signs of dehydration.  The blood work revealed a pretty serious blood condition.  I'm relieved that this procedure was scheduled so that the unknown problem could be diagnosed, and I'm obviously concerned about Molly's health.  The vet assures me that the problem has been caught in time, that I should not worry, and that Molly will be fine.

I'm comforted by his assurances and looking forward to having Molly back home either tonight or tomorrow, depending on how well and how quickly she responds to the treatment.  At the same time, I'm concerned.  When a dog......or a person for that matter......shows no outward sign of a health issue, how are we who are responsible for their care supposed to know that there is a problem?  Molly eats well, gets appropriate amounts of exercise, has all her shots, sees the vet regularly, etc. etc. etc.  Yet in spite of doing all the right things and in spite of appearances to the contrary, there's a serious problem with our little doggie.

And that makes me think about how many people we see every day who, by all appearances, are just fine. And I'm not so much talking about physical condition, but about spiritual condition. They are doing all the right things. They may even be saying all the right things. They appear to be just fine.  But on the inside there is a serious, unseen problem. 

Reminds me of an old spiritual......"Everybody talkin' 'bout heaven ain't goin' there."

And that's a cause for concern. 

Something to think about.......

Molly and the Hawk

When I first began this blog, I began with the purpose of sharing what God was teaching me through the events of my everyday life.  Over time, the blog has also been a place of on-line Bible studies, and a place to share some of the funny (and sometimes the not-so-funny) happenings here on our mountaintop.  It remains a place for me to journal what I'm learning about God and His ways, and what He's teaching me about living life His way.

You may be wondering what this has to do with Molly and a hawk.  In fact, unless you know me personally or have been reading this blog for a while, you may be wondering who in the world this Molly is!  Molly is my slightly overweight 8 year old dachsund.  (I think being at least slightly overweight must be a requirement for being part of this household!!)  Molly has always been a very social dog, unlike previous dachsunds who have been part of our family.  Molly loves people, unlike her predecessor Max, who only tolerated humans, particularly in his old age!

When we first moved to this mountain, we continued to use a leash when we took Molly outside.  She was a city dog, after all, and being young and curious, we weren't sure exactly how she would respond to the freedom of being let outside on her own.  That changed a couple of years ago when I had my ankle fusion surgery.  Because Al travels a lot for his job, Molly and I were home alone.  I could manage pretty well in the house with my walker and my wheelchair, but there was no way I could manuver out the back door onto a snowy, icy carport.  So we began to let her out on her own, and most of the time she was, and continues to be, good about taking care of business and then returning to the back door to be let in.  There are occasional "wanderings", and sometimes a good bit of yelling (on my part, not hers!) to get her back where she belongs.  But mostly, things have worked out well.

Sometimes Molly gets really focused on the scent of a squirrel or a chipmunk.  Then she is completely oblivious to anything else around her.  Sometimes (I call these her "blonde" moments!!), she just seems to be wandering aimlessly about in her own little world. 

And this brings me to the hawk.  A hawk has been spotted circling overhead several times recently when Molly has been outside.  A very large hawk.  And remember that Molly, slightly overweight though she may be, is a small dog.  That hawk could have Molly for lunch!  (Or breakfast.  Or dinner.  Or a snack.)  But dear Molly remains completely oblivious to the danger.  She just wanders around.  Looking for the perfect spot to do her business.  Or sniffing for squirrels and chipmunks.  Or lying in the sun.  Yet, all the while, danger is lurking overhead.  And so Al and I go outside with her, always alert for that hawk.

I share that story because I'm concerned that many Christians in today's world are much like Molly.......completely oblivious to the dangers that surround us.  In our culture.  In our schools.  In the workplace.  In the movies we watch and the music we listen to and the books we read.  Even in our churches.  There aren't hawks literally flying over our heads.  But there is danger, nonetheless, and we need to be alert.

The time to blindly accept everything we see or hear as truth is long past.  We need to be alert to the lies and half-truths that are surrounding us.  We need to compare everything we are told, everything we read or hear, to the plumbline of God's Word.  Even what we read from the Christian bookstore or hear in church.  Perhaps especially from those sources!  We need to be careful that what is being presented as truth is, in fact, truth!  The enemy of our souls knows that his time is short, and he will use any and every means available to achieve his goals. 

"Be on the alert!  Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.  Resist him, firm in the faith."  ( 1 Peter 5:8-9  HCSB)

"Be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of the immoral and fall from your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and to the days of eternity.  Amen."           (2 Peter 3:17-18 HCSB)

Thursday Thoughts

I read an interesting article this morning (you can find the entire article at this link: http://standupforthetruth.com/2011/10/are-christians-prepared-if-ch...) that really has me thinking.  Here's a snippet......"Where does our heart and hope lie—in God or things of this world? Are we genuine Christians who love the Lord our God through thick and thin? Or are we façade Christians who love and trust him as long as things are going our way?"

I have also been watching news reports about events in Libya.  And one commentator's assessment has me thinking as well.  I don't remember who the commentator was, but this is a summary of what he said......Libyan rebels were willing to die for what they believed in, but military personnel had repeatedly commented that one of the biggest problems in Iraq and Afghanistan has been a lack of willingness to fully commit, to be willing to die for their cause.

So, here's something to ponder today.  Are we as Christians, specifically as American Christians, really committed to what we say we believe?  Are we......are you......am I.....genuine in our faith, or are we "facade Christians"?  I think the time is coming, and perhaps is here now, when we really need to answer that question.  Are we genuine in our faith?  Are we just going through the motions?  Are we "talking the talk but not walking the walk"?

If you are a student of the Bible, or even just a reader of the Bible, you may be familiar with this passage:

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power."  (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB)

Although those words were written in the first century, they sound very much like a description of the twenty-first century!  Wouldn't you agree with me that we are living in difficult times.  Difficult because of the descriptors in these verses.  Difficult because of financial difficulties.  Because of unemployment.  Because of sickness.  Because of war.  Difficult in so many ways. 

And I would submit to you that life is made more difficult when we try to straddle the fence.  When we don't stand firm for what we profess to believe.

Does living a genuine Christian life mean life will be without hardship, without difficulty?  Certainly not.  In fact, the Bible says the opposite:  "in this world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33, emphasis mine).  But is fear of tribulation, fear of difficulty, reason for not living out the faith we profess?  I think not.

The question then becomes, why are we not living genuine Christian lives?  Why are there so many "facade Christians"?  And the question for self-examination is......which one am I?  If we are not living "genuine" Christian lives, why not?  What are our priorities?  Where are we placing our trust?

The hymn writer said "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.......On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand."

Are you standing on the Solid Rock today?  Or on the "sinking sand" of the world?


"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)

The View Out The Window

It's raining this morning, and for that I am so very thankful!  And it's quite a windy morning.  Most of the trees here are dressed in their beautiful fall colors, but the wind is blowing those red and gold leaves all over the place.  Some of the leaves just turn brown.  Brown leaves on their own are not all that attractive, but when you see all the colors together, it's quite a sight to behold!

We were out of town for a few days, and apparently it was quite windy while we were gone.  There are a lot of leaves on the ground.  Our carport, which is really more like our "back door wind tunnel", is covered in leaves.  We had a tarp neatly folded and placed with some other things under the front porch.  I say "had", because it is now halfway up the driveway!  I guess I need to go retrieve it, or who knows where it will end up!

But I think the most distinctive feature of this morning is the fog.  In spite of the wind, there's a very thick fog hanging over the mountains today.  I'm missing out on some of the fall colors because the view of the valley below and the mountains across the way is obstructed by that thick fog.  And that brings to mind a verse from Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church.......

"For now we see through a glass dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."  (I Corinthians 13:12)

And that's what I'm thinking about this morning.

But.......

Such a tiny word.  Only three letters.  Yet such an annoying word!

Some examples.......

It's raining today.  I love that it is raining.  I am so thankful for the rain.  BUT......I'm not loving the aches and pains that come with it.  Some of you may understand what I mean.

I love the view from our front porch.  I love looking out the front windows and seeing the fall colors.  I love the beauty of the mountains around me.  BUT......I don't love the isolation.  I don't love the very steep gravel road we must come up to get home.  I know we chose to live here.  If we could have a do-over, we would probably make a different choice, for a number of reasons.  BUT.....we don't get a do-over. 

I love my grandchildren (and their parents!).  I love being a grandmother far more than I ever thought I would!  BUT......I don't love that I see those grandchildren (and their parents!) so seldom.  I don't love that we are so far apart......separated by miles as well as by busy schedules.  I don't love that I am a "part-time" grandparent.  BUT......that's just the way it is right now.

I love ice cream.  I particularly love Blue Bell Ice Cream!!!  BUT......I don't love the pounds it packs on my hips, or what it does to my cholesterol levels.

However, occasionally I come across that little word and I love it!  There are certain Scriptures that bring delight to my heart.  That are such an encouragement!

A few of my favorite examples:

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  (Psalm 73:26 NASB)

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8 NASB)

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."  (Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB)

Puts that little word into a different perspective, doesn't it?!  In that context.......BUT GOD......it becomes one of my favorite words!

Counting My Blessings

Monday is laundry day around here.  And recently, laundry day has been a big cause for concern. We haven't had much rain, and the mountain spring that supplies water to our house has not been producing adequate water.

For the last several days, we've been doing some serious praying about this problem.  Our life group has been praying.  Our church family is praying for us. 

In the past, we have focused on finding a long-term solution to this water problem.  But we have changed our focus a bit.

As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God provided manna for them to eat.  They were told to gather enough for each day.  No more.  Just a day's supply.  And whatever they gathered was enough.  If they gathered extra, it spoiled. 

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He taught them to pray "give us this day our daily bread" (emphasis mine).

Hmmmmm.......

So, today I prayed very specifically that God would provide the water we needed for THIS day.  And He has!  The laundry is done.  The water pressure is better than it has been in quite some time.  We don't have rain yet, but I've been asking for that, too!!  I can wash my face and brush my teeth and make dinner and do all the things that require water......that commodity that we Americans take so for granted. 

I'm afraid we take many of God's blessings for granted.  I'm giving thanks today for the water.  And I'm asking God to forgive me for all the times I have taken His provision for granted.  Probably more times than I could even count.

And I'm praising God because of His goodness!  Because He is a faithful God!  Because He answers prayer!  What an awesome God He is!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever."  (Ephesians 3:20 NASB)

Little Foxes

Yesterday in my Bible reading it was time for the Song of Songs (also sometimes referred to as Song of Solomon).  Let me start with a confession.  This is not one of my favorite books of the Bible.  But because it's part of the Bible, I'm sure it's there for a reason.  And so I read it.  The verse that jumped out at me (and came back to me at 3am.....more about that to come) was in chapter 2......"Catch the foxes for us - the little foxes that ruin the vineyards."

Now we don't have a vineyard here on this mountain.  And there may or may not be foxes out in the woods.....I don't know.  There are numerous other "critters" around here.  Chipmunks.  Squirrels.  Coyotes.  Deer.  Possums.  Bears.  And raccoons.  Ugh.....raccoons are the bane of my existence!

Because of those pesky raccoons, every night we must bring in our birdfeeders.  Otherwise, the raccoons come to visit and make an absolute mess!  I've lost count of how many feeders those creatures have destroyed or how much bird seed they have eaten.  So......every night, the feeders must come in.  Sometimes we forget.  Like last night.  And then.....you guessed it.....raccoons came to visit.  At 3am I heard them on the porch.  Fortunately, I woke and got out to the porch before they had done any damage.  The largest feeder was swinging back and forth when I got there......a sure sign that I had scared those pesky varmints away before they were able to have a feast of sunflower seeds!!

And so, at 3am as I went back to bed, I remembered this verse!  A verse about little foxes that ruin the vineyard.  I think the lesson for us here is much more than foxes and vineyards.  Or raccoons and birdfeeders.  I believe the lesson is about dealing with the "little things" before they become "big things".  Little things......a little word spoken thoughtlessly, a miscommunication or misunderstanding......can have big consequences.  In personal relationships.  In marriages.  In families.  In friendships.  In churches.  So I think the lesson for all of us here is to deal with the little things before they become "big things".

"Catch the foxes for us - the little foxes that ruin the vineyards - for our vineyards are in bloom."  (Song of Songs 2:15 HCSB)

Lessons from Dust Bunnies

As I was doing a little housework this morning, I finally got around to some much-needed dusting.  And as I was dealing with the dust bunnies, I started thinking about my upcoming cataract surgery.  It occurred to me that once the surgery is over, I will be able to see so much better as I go about my daily tasks.  And then it occurred to me that I will probably go into some freak-out mode once I see how dusty this house actually is!!  Right now the dust doesn't bother me so much.  After all, if I can't see it, then it isn't there!!  My foggy vision makes it much easier to ignore the obvious.

I think there may be a spiritual lesson here.  Perhaps several.  About ignoring the obvious.  About cloudy vision.  About a reality check.

Just as I have been ignoring the dust on tables and bookshelves - even though I couldn't see it as well as I once did, I clearly knew it was there - I think many times we also ignore our bad attitudes, our bad behaviors, the things we should have done but didn't do.  And once ignored long enough, they no longer get our attention at all.

Or perhaps we view circumstances, behaviors, attitudes through a cloudy lens.  That's what a cataract is - a cloudy lens.  Like looking at everything through fog.

So maybe it's time for a spiritual reality check.  Just as the dust bunnies around the house need to be dealt with or they take over, we need some spiritual housecleaning as well. 

It's time to stop and do a reality check.  Time to do some spiritual housecleaning.  Time to get rid of our spiritual cataracts.  Time for a vision check. 

Where are our eyes focused?  Fixed on Jesus?  If not, it's time for a change.
How are we spending our time?  Are we using it wisely?  If not, it's time for a change.
What about attitudes?  Are they God-honoring?  Or are they self-serving?  If the latter, then it's time for a change.

I'm looking forward to my cataract surgery.  I'm looking forward to seeing clearly again.  Even if it means I see all the dust bunnies.  Especially if it means I see all the dust bunnies.  Then I can deal with them.  And I'm praying that God will give me clear spiritual vision as well, so that I can see what needs changing and deal with it as He leads me.

"Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB)

In the Footsteps of Jesus

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: A Journey through the Lands and Lessons of Christ by Wayne Stiles has made its way to my list of favorite books.  I came across this book several months ago when I was searching Amazon.com for another book.  It came up on that list of "other people who ordered this book also ordered....." and the title intrigued me, so I added it to my order.  And I'm so glad I did.

It has taken me a while to get through this book.  Not because it's a long book; it isn't.  There are less than 200 pages.  A book of that length is something I could normally read in a day's time.  But this isn't one that I wanted to breeze through or skim over.  I found it to be a book I wanted to read slowly, savoring each section.

This book is part travelogue, and part Bible study.  It is a compilation of Stiles' travels to the Holy Land.  He brings the land and the teachings of Jesus to life as we become armchair travelers with him.  There are serious moments and humorous ones as well, such as the account of his first experience in the Tel Aviv airport.  If you have ever arrived at a destination only to find that your luggage made a different trip, you will relate!

If you have ever traveled to Israel, you will find your memory stirred as he writes of places you have visited yourself.  If you have only dreamed of going there, Stiles will take you with him on his travels in such a way that you could almost believe you were there.  And through it all you will find your heart stirred and challenged as he walks with you through the land and teachings of Jesus.

Part travel guide.  Part memoir.  Part biblical commentary.  That's how one reviewer described the book.  And I would agree.  But however it's described, this is a book I will return to over and over again.  Some books are read and forgotten.  Some are read and then placed on a shelf to collect dust.  Some - like this one - have a lasting impact.

Here are a few words from the last chapter to whet your appetite:

"I don't think it's enough to come to the lands of the Bible - or to the Bible itself - just to ask questions or to walk where Jesus walked.  Questions about faith should never be simply rhetorical.  They must have answers, and the answers must reveal themselves in a changed life........My life must grow to where all I do flows from a love and an affection for Jesus, who died and rose and will return - out of love for me.  What an unspeakable privilege to walk in His footsteps every day."

What an unspeakable privilege indeed!  And what a blessing to have come across this book.  I highly recommend it to you.

In Everything

I was confronted with a verse of Scripture this morning that I can't get out of my head.  When I logged on to Facebook to see what was going on with my friends today, I noticed this verse as I was scrolling through the posts......"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!"  (Philippians 4:8).  That led me to another verse, this one in  1 Thessalonians......"Rejoice always."  That one is followed closely by "In everything give thanks."

A few words jump out at me from those verses.......always......in everything.  And no matter how we might try to rationalize, I think the meaning of those words is quite clear.  Always means always.  Everything means every thing.  Not sometimes.  Not some things.  Always.  All the time.  In every situation.  In every circumstance.

So this morning I find myself facing reality.  I don't ALWAYS give thanks in EVERYTHING.  I don't REJOICE ALWAYS.  But isn't that what Scripture tells me I SHOULD be doing?

Maybe you face the same dilemma.  You love the Lord.  You want to obey His word.  All of it.....not just the easy parts.  And then we're reminded of verses like these.

I don't know what kind of week you have had.  Around here, it has been challenging.  One of those weeks that makes rejoicing always and giving thanks in everything easier said than done.  A few examples:

• a good friend facing colon cancer
• another good friend diagnosed with breast cancer
• a son dealing with skin cancer (surgery was a few weeks ago and went well, but it's still on my mind)
• a son with a kidney stone
• buying meat at the grocery store yesterday and then forgetting to put it in the refrigerator so that it sat out on the counter overnight and is now ruined
• our water suppy (a mountain spring) diminishing again.......how many times have we had to deal with this since we have lived here??!!  Turning on the faucet and getting nothing is NOT a good feeling!  We have had trouble ever since the east coast earthquake last month.  Not sure if it's related or not, but the timing is interesting.

I could go on.  But you have your own list of less-than-I-would-like-it-to-be situations.  We all do.  We all face circumstances in life that make rejoicing ALWAYS a bit of a challenge.

Except when we remember - and apply - another passage.  This one in Hebrews.  Interesting how it all fits together, isn't it?  And isn't that really the point!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS."  (Hebrews 12:1-2a NASB, emphasis mine).

Eyes on Jesus, not on circumstances.  With that focus, rejoicing and giving thanks really is much easier to do!

 

M&Ms

A few weeks ago in our Sunday Morning Life Group, our topic was the Holy Spirit.  As we examined the Scriptures, we eventually got to Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit.  in Galatians 5:23 we find the list......love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  I'm using the New American Standard translation, so that's how the list reads there.  If you have a different translation, the list may read a little differently, but the words mean the same thing; the translators have just chosen a different English word to convey the original.  Regardless of how the list reads in your translation, the words mean the same thing and are always in the same order. 

I think that's an important point.  Because I believe that nothing about the Bible is coincidental or haphazard, I believe the order of this list is deliberate, and therefore important.  I'm not sure I completely understand the "why" of the order, but I know the words are in that particular order for a reason.  And I find it interesting to note that "self-control" is always last, no matter which translation you are reading.  (It's called "temperance" in the King James Version).  I wonder if self-control is last because it's the last of the fruit to "ripen", to come to maturity.  I don't know, but it's something to think about.

As we talked about the fruit of the Spirit in our Life Group, this question was asked:  which of these fruit do you think is least obvious in your own life?  Many people answered "patience".  My answer:  self-control.

What does this have to do with M&Ms, you may be asking.  I'm getting to that!

My husband returned home a few days ago after a long business trip.  He was gone for more than two weeks on what I have described as a "trade-show marathon".  3 cities.  3 trade shows.  The last show was in Las Vegas, where he stayed at the MGM Grand.  If you have been to Las Vegas, then you are aware that just a few doors down from the MGM Grand is M&M World!  And my dear husband made a special trip to M&M World just to buy a big bag of M&Ms for me!

I'm not talking about those prepackaged M&Ms you can purchase in any grocery store or Walmart anywhere.  In M&M world there are rows of bins with every kind and color of M&M imaginable......an M&M lover's dream!  So, he got his large cello bag and scooped all sorts of M&Ms into it......every color......plain, peanut, almond, coconut, peanut butter, and my personal favorite......pretzel!!  And he brought this giant back of treats home to me! 

For the first few days I managed to pace myself.  Only a few per day.  But yesterday, which by the way was one of the most frustrating days I've had in a very long time, that bag of candy became the perfect illustration of lack of self-control.  I could not keep my hand out of the bag no matter how many times I told myself to stop!  No matter how many times I said "this is the last one", I kept going back to that bag.  Somehow (!!!!) M&Ms kept ending up in my mouth. 

What a struggle!  That tiny little candy was getting the victory.  Good grief!

I guess that proves that "self-control" is not self-control at all, but Spirit-control.  And my confession to you is that I'm having a struggle with this one!

How Thirsty Are We?

I've been reading a book by Wayne Stiles......"Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: A Journey through the Lands and Lessons of Christ".  It has been a slow process, not because it is a difficult read but because it is taking me back to the land of Israel and memories of our travels there last year.  We were told early on in that trip that we would never read the Bible in the same way after having been there, and I'm finding that to be true.  Passages now come to life as I picture in my memory the places where they happened.  And that's true as I read "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus".  I find myself slowing down to re-visit in my memory the places he discusses.

I read a portion today about the area around the Dead Sea.  It is truly a dry, barren area.  From the western side of the Dead Sea (in Israel), you can look across the Sea and see the plains and mountains of Moab (now Jordan) where Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy.  I have been reading in Deuteronomy for the last several days, so I thought about that for a little while.

But what I really have been thinking about since I put down the book is thirst.  The Dead Sea is a body of water, but you can't drink it.  You could stand there with all that water in front of you and still remain thirsty.  That part of Israel is very dry.  The entire time we were in Israel, none of us in our group went anywhere without a water bottle!  But long ago, when Jesus was there, no bottled water was available.  I can only imagine how thirsty they might have become as they walked from place to place.  Not far from the Dead Sea is a national park.....Ein Gedi.

The ibex are one of my favorite memories from Ein Gedi.  As I watched them running around that area, with no water and very little grass (what there was had been planted in small patches and was carefully tended), it brought to life those words in Psalm 42 that we have often read and sung......."as the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee."  As I visited Ein Gedi, near where the psalmist penned those very words, I saw so clearly what he was saying. 

And I was convicted in the depths of my being about how casually we sing those same words.  Do we really even think about the words we are singing as we stand in our churches, as we drive down the highway, as we go about our daily lives.  Do we really long after God with that kind of desire, that kind of thirst......the kind that would come if we lived our days in a desert with no water.  Are we that thirsty for Him?

That was what I thought about last December as I stood at Ein Gedi.  And it's what I'm thinking about this morning.  How thirsty am I?  How thirsty are you?

"You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."  (Psalm 63:1 NASB) 

Thoughts About Change - Part 2

Yesterday's Facebook changes prompted a lot of discussion - for and against.  It seems that was the hot topic of the day.  And those changes prompted me to post some thoughts about change.  While it was the Facebook change that started me thinking about the subject, it was not my intent to add to the "Facebook wars", although it seems that may have been the result!

So, let me try to clarify.  In general, (and I hate generalizations, just so you know!) it is my opinion that change is not always a good thing.  Sometimes, as I said yesterday, it's just different.  It is also my opinion that change is not always bad.  Again, sometimes it's just different.  And change always requires adjustment.

In the case of yesterday's Facebook changes, I will adjust.  We all will.  That wasn't really the point. 

It was pointed out by a number of people that Facebook is free, and therefore we who use this free service have no right to complain about what they do.  I have a little bit of an issue with that.  Yes, it is a free service.  But offering a service to millions of subscribers seems to imply, in my humble opinion, that you have at least a minimal interest in the opinions of those subscribers and that it is your desire to provide a service that they want.  However, whether or not you agree with that point, would you not agree that each of us who use this service might at least have an opinion about it.  And the essence of free speech is that it should not be a problem for people who hold an opinion to actually voice that opinion.  Certainly we will disagree from time to time.  That was obvious yesterday.  What really saddened me about the whole "debate" was that the disagreements were so disagreeable!

Many of us who didn't like the changes yesterday were portrayed as somehow unable to understand the changes or that we, bless our little antique selves, would need help navigating our way through the change.  While that may be true for some, let me just say that the issue, for me at least, is not that I can't figure it out.  It's that I don't want to!

The bigger issue for me is not that Facebook changed.  There have been changes before.  Some I liked; some I didn't.  But I adjusted.  We all did.  The issue for me was that I felt blindsided.  I logged on, expecting to see one thing and found something else instead.  And there were all these messages saying things like "we think this is what you will want to read"  (not an exact quote, but that's the essence of the message). 

Call it one of my personality quirks (and I have many!), but I really don't like being told what I will want to read!  Particularly by strangers.  If I had known this change was coming, I would not have been nearly so irritated.  I hear there are big changes coming today.  I may or may not like them.  But at least I know change is coming.  Apparently millions of people are in agreement.  It seems that people like a little warning before change is forced on them.  So it seems to me that the problem is not the changes themselves, but the way they were rolled out.  Maybe the Facebook people should ask the Netflix people about how to present change to their subscribers.  Hmmmmm......

There's no need to point out to me again that this is a free service and that people work really hard to provide it, etc. etc. etc.  I get that.  I realize that having Facebook is not a right guaranteed to me by the Constitution!  I realize that the Facebook people have a right to make changes whenever they choose.  (And apparently they choose quite frequently!).  I get that, too.

But I do think it's OK for me to have an opinion. 

Some Thoughts on Change

A lot has changed in my lifetime.  A lot.  And much of it has been a good thing.  As an example, when my mother and I would go to Spartanburg to shop for school clothes back in the 1950s (because that was why you shopped then......shopping wasn't a recreational sport like it is now!!), there were two sets of restrooms and two water fountains, one for white people and one for non-white ("colored", as they were known back then).  If you have seen "The Help", or if you lived through that era, then you know what I mean.  It isn't that way any more.  And that's a good thing.

I remember when we didn't have a television.  Gasp!!!!  And not because we were among those who chose not to have television in their home, as many families are doing today.  It was because television was a new thing and not everybody had one.  My parents didn't have color television until the 70s.  And we had one telephone.  One of those upright ones that you sometimes see in antique stores or old movies.  It was several decades before there was more than one phone in that household.

I remember life without computers and cell phones and I-pads and all these technologies we can't seem to live without now.  Life was a lot simpler then.  And while it is wonderful to be able to access all this information on the web, and communicate any time of day or night with anyone nearly anywhere, I'm not sure that having our lives so controlled by all this technology is entirely a good thing.

There has been change in nearly every area of life.  Music has changed.  The way we "do church" has changed.  Fashion has changed.  Schools have changed.  Some of the changes have been good, but I would submit to you that not all change is good.  Sometimes it's just different. 

Change is certainly a buzzword in the political arena.  Our current President campaigned on a platform promising change.  And while it is not my intent to stir up a political hornet's nest, I would just ask...."how's that workin' for ya?"

Today when I logged onto Facebook, I discovered some major change.  And frankly, I don't like it.  Change simply for the sake of change is a concept I do not embrace.  Call me old-fashioned.  I gladly accept that.  I freely admit that I am not a technie.  I don't get a thrill just knowing that some techno-geek somewhere had a new idea, so now the rest of us poor ignorant masses must just accept it and move on.  I am at least mildly offended at the condescension being dished out by the techies this morning toward those of us who don't embrace these changes with the same level of enthusiasm that they do.  I respect their opinions and their right to hold them.  I wish they would offer the same level of respect to those of us who disagree.

And I want my old Facebook back!  That won't happen, I'm sure.  But I intend to be at least mildly grumpy about it for the rest of the day.

Change just for the sake of change makes no sense to me.  Again, call me old-fashioned.  I don't mind!  But I belong to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school.

Change is inevitable in life.  I am not so naive as to deny that truth.  I have lived long enough to know it to be so.  But I don't have to always like it, do I?! 

Through it all, I'm thankful that not everything changes.  And as life continues to change, and not always for the better, it's the truth I'm holding on to........"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8  HCSB)

What If?

I have been pondering that question since Sunday.  I'm not talking about the kind of "what if" you may be thinking of.......what if this happens or what if that doesn't happen or what if.......

Sunday's message from our pastor was about the celebrations of our faith.  He was referring specifically to Baptism and the Lord's Supper.  First of all, I have to say that I'm not sure I have ever used the word "celebration" in reference to either of those events.  In my particular church tradition, we refer to those as "ordinances" of the church.  Your church may refer to them as sacraments.  In any event, I can't remember thinking of them as "celebration", although I am really embracing that thought.  It's a new thought for me, and one that I have been pondering since Sunday.  And a thought which has led me to another thought, which is the subject of this post.....the "what if" thought.

Think for a minute about celebrations.  We celebrate all sorts of things in our culture......birthdays, holidays, sports.....the list could go on and on.  And think about the ways we celebrate......the energy and enthusiasm and planning.  And even the money we spend on celebrations.

The money.  Don't get me started on that.  Back in my day (now I'm sounding like an old woman!!), children's birthday parties, for example, were a few friends over and some birthday cake.  Now they have turned into Oscar-worthy performances, planned out months in advance, with "themes".  The guests even get presents!  It's quite an elaborate event.  One that takes a lot of planning and preparation.  It was a lot simpler back in the day.  But I digress.

Here's the "what if" that occurred to me on Sunday morning as I was listening to our pastor.  What if we - all of us who call ourselves Christians - really celebrated Jesus every day!!  What if we put as much energy and enthusiasm (and money!) into our faith as we put into our other celebrations!!

I'm not just talking about our Sunday worship experiences, but about daily living.  Certainly, enthusiastic expressions of worship could be one of the ways we celebrate, but I'm not really focusing on that. 

Consider the joy of a child's birthday party.  Or a wedding celebration.  Consider the energy and enthusiasm expended at a ball game.

All that is wonderful and appropriate.  But.....what if we directed the same amount of energy and enthusiasm and effort and emotion toward Jesus!  What if every Christian really celebrated Jesus every day!  I'm not talking about walking around with fake smiles pasted on our faces and spouting out churchy words all the time.  But what if, instead of walking around looking like people who drink pickle juice for breakfast, we - all of us, not just some, but all - actually let our faces, and our attitudes, and our words, and our actions reflect the joy of the Lord that we claim we have!!

What a different place this world might be!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice......"  (1 Peter 1:3-6a NASB, emphasis mine)

Monday, Monday.......What's on My Mind Today

Another Monday morning.  And a gray, gloomy one at that!  There's the promise of rain in the air.....and in my bones!!  I'm having a hard time getting in gear today.  Not sure why that is, other than that it is a gray and gloomy morning!  There are a number of things on my to-do list for the day.  The usual Monday laundry pile needs to be dealt with.  And the Monday de-cluttering needs to be done.  I need to empty the dishwasher.  And get all the been-there-too-long bits out of the refrigerator.  Honestly, I would rather just sit and read a book! 

One of the things I like to do on Monday mornings is reflect back on Sunday.  And yesterday was such a GOOD Sunday!  So much to think about today.  Yesterday's Life Group lesson focused on some of the disciplines of the Christian life, like quiet time, prayer and Bible study.  I almost hesitate to use the word "disciplines" for fear of equating it with a word like "drudgery" or even "punishment", and this is not at all what I mean.  Think more along the line of "disciple"......disciple, discipline.  See what I mean? 

We are in the middle of a series of lessons and messages from the Pastor about our core convictions.  Knowing what we believe and why we believe it.  Living out what we believe.  And that brought us to yesterday's topic, which might be described as "what we do between Sundays".  During the discussion, I was so encouraged by the other women in my group.  We are all at a similar season of life......empty-nesters, many no longer part of the work force, sometimes wondering how to deal with this particular season of life......yet all loving Jesus and desiring to be all He desires us to be. 

It was interesting to hear how many struggle with carving out a set time of day for the quiet time.  I think many of them are like me.....thinking that somehow because I am home all day, it would be easy to set a definite daily appointment and finding it's not always so easy after all!  (See my previous post about distractions and spiritual ADD!).  Even though life back in the day, with work schedules and getting children to school and sports and all that was hectic, it was predictable.  Not so much in this season of life.  Well, except that it's predictable in the sense that there is no set schedule!  But too much flexibility can often be a hindrance rather than a benefit.

Another thing that has always been an issue for me is my guilt (I don't know any other way to express it) over not being a morning person.  I am not one of those people who can set the clock for 5AM, then wake up, turn on the light and start reading my Bible.  Well, I could do that, but I would have no idea what I had read!  My brain is mush at 5AM.  In fact, it's mush for a couple of hours after I get up, no matter what time that is.  So trying to have a meaningful time with the Lord at 5AM, or even when I first get up, just doesn't work for me.  I finally have realized the Lord understands that.

Not too long ago, in a Bible Study we were attending, this topic came up and the leader made a statement that has been so liberating for me......."give God the best time of your day".  Wow!  We aren't all morning people.  Or night people.  For me, early afternoon is the best.....and quietest......time of day.  So it has become my practice to set that as my daily appointment time with God.  I look forward to that time.  The day begins with a "Good morning, Lord,", then coffee and a brief devotional reading.  But I really look forward to that extended time in the early afternoon.  Like all appointments, sometimes there needs to be a rescheduling,  But oh, how I look forward to that time!

I have said all that to say that I was so encouraged to hear how each of the women in my group has learned to adjust to this new season of life and how each of them is making time with the Lord a priority in the day.  This group of women has been such an encouragement and blessing in my life in the brief time we have been attending this particular church.

And that was just the beginning of my very good Sunday.  More tomorrow!

Cleaning out the Closet

It's that time again.  Time to clean out the closet.  To switch out the summer clothes for the fall and winter ones.  I began that process yesterday, and not a minute too soon when I consider how the weather has changed in the last couple of days.  When I left Pigeon Forge on Wednesday afternoon, the car thermometer showed 92 degrees.  Yesterday here on the mountain, we didn't get past 69.  Today I'm hoping we make it to the mid-50s! 

And so that brings me to the closet inventory.  I would be doing this, at least on a smaller scale, in spite of the temperatures.  It has become my habit, when I purchase new clothing, to get rid of some older clothes.  The closet is less cluttered that way.  And since I had a very productive day of retail therapy (can you see me smile!!), some old clothes have to go. 

As I'm cleaning out the closet, it occurs to me that this is a good time for a spiritual inventory as well.  As important as it is to have an uncluttered closet, or kitchen pantry, or sock drawer, how much more important to declutter my mind and my spirit.  To examine my thoughts.  And my attitudes.  And my habits.  To replace what needs replacing.  To do away with what needs doing away with.   To get rid of some stuff.

Just as cleaning the refrigerator or cleaning out the pantry or reorganizing the closet sometimes becomes a bigger job than anticipated, this "attitude adjustment" may require more time and effort that I had realized.  But as I have begun this process, I'm discovering a lot of "stuff" that needs dealing with.  And as I'm dealing with my attitudes and habits, I'm so very grateful to my Heavenly Father who loves me so much, not because I have it all together, but in spite of the fact that I don't!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."  (Psalm 139:23-24 NASB)

I'm So Excited!

I have been looking forward to this day for quite some time.  Later today I'll be getting together with my friend Jean.

Jean and I first met back in the mid-90s.  At the time, I lived in Connecticut and she lived in South Florida.  We met in Sarasota at a Mary Kay event.  (On a side note, one of my very favorite things about my Mary Kay business has been the friendships I've made.  But that's a thought for another day.)  We "connected" on that day and have been friends ever since.  Eventually we both ended up in Brandon, Florida, and our friendship blossomed.

Such wonderful memories I have of those days! Lots of laughter.  Lots of coffee.  Lots of shopping.  Lots of sharing......good times and some not-so-good (job loss, broken bones, multiple surgeries, to name just a few).  Our friendship is one of the treasures of my life.

Now I'm in the mountains of NC, and a few years ago, Jean and her husband moved to Chattanooga. Since then, we have made a point of getting together a couple of times of year in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is about halfway between us.

And today is the day!  We'll get together later today and spend about 24 hours together.  Lots of laughter.  Lots of coffee.  Some retail therapy!  Good times!

It's such a blessing to have a good friend.  One who loves coffee almost as much as I do.  One who loves to laugh.  One who loves to shop.  One who enjoys good food. One who understands me.  And one who loves Jesus.  Of all the things we have in common, all the things that bind us together, our love for Jesus is at the top of the list.

So, I'm looking forward to the coffee and the shopping and some good food.  I'm looking forward to some good conversation.  I'm especially looking forward to sharing it all with a dear sister in Christ.  And I'm so very thankful for the gift of friendship.

"A friend loves at all times."  (Proverbs 17:17  NASB)

Monday Morning

As I have been sitting here in my chair this morning, sipping my coffee and trying to get my brain (and body!) in gear, I have chuckled a bit as I have watched Molly's behavior.  She sat with me in the chair for a few minutes, then jumped down and ran over to her comforter in front of the fireplace.  (It's an old comforter that used to be on our bed, but now is hers to lie on in front of the fire.  No fire this morning, but she didn't seem to mind.)  After less than a minute of digging around in the comforter to find the perfect spot, she jumped up and ran across the room and planted herself in Al's recliner.  That lasted about a minute, then back to the comforter.  A couple of minutes there, then off to the bedroom and back to her bed.  That didn't last long.  Now she's back in the chair with me!

I laughed at her, but her behavior also made me think.  It seemed a perfect mirror of my own behavior sometimes!  I often wonder if there is such a thing as adult-onset ADD.  Or is dementia beginning to set in????  A frightening thought.......but so many times I start one thing only to stop before the task is done so I can start something else, and I end the day with many begun-and-half-done tasks.  I'm sure I'm probably not the only one......and I prefer to think that this is somewhat normal!!

What really bothers me is how true this is in the spiritual realm.  How easily I am distracted from my Bible reading or my prayer time or from the tasks at hand.  I wonder if I'm the only one??!!  Spiritual ADD......that's what's on my mind this morning.

"So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom."  (Psalm 90:12 NASB)

Remembering

Where were you on that awful day?  Most of us can probably remember where we were on September 11, 2001.  Those events are burned into our memories.

I remember the day vividly.  On that Tuesday morning, as on every Tuesday morning, I was heading to church.  Tuesday was the day for staff meeting, and was also our Ladies Bible Study day.  We were planning to begin a new study on that morning, and as I had been preparing the introductory session, my thoughts had been focused on Psalm 62, specifically on verses 7-8......"On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."  As the day progressed, I found myself holding on to those verses!

I walked into the family room just minutes after the first plane had hit.  Brian (who had just gotten home from his job at UPS) was watching TV (the Today Show, I think) before heading upstairs to bed.  We both stared at the TV in disbelief.  And then the second plane hit.  On my way to the church, I heard the news about the Pentagon on the car radio. 

Our Bible Study that morning turned into a brief time of prayer and then I sent the ladies back home.  Our staff meeting was cancelled.  The pastor and I met briefly to talk through preliminary plans for the following Sunday worship service.  Then he sent me back home.

Life as we knew it changed forever on that day.  I remember well the shock and the grief and the numbness that followed for so many days.  Many of those feelings are coming back as we approach the 10th anniversary and are seeing those horrible events replayed over and over and over on television.

But not everything has changed.  It is still true that "my refuge is in God."  I still grieve with and for those families who lost so much on that day; for the families of first responders and military personnel who, on that day and in the years that have followed, paid the ultimate sacrifice.  I am grateful for men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Even more, as I reflect on the ways that life has changed, I cling to the truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.  Therefore we will not fear."  (Psalm 46:1-2)

I Love Fall!

One of the things I have enjoyed most about living in the NC mountains is the changing of the seasons.  We didn't experience this in Florida, at least not in the same way.  It has been said that in Florida there are two seasons - hot and hotter.  While that is not entirely accurate, it is true that there is not a great deal of difference between one season and the next, other than some modification in temperature.

We're beginning to get a hint of fall here in the mountains.  Cooler temperatures.  A crispness in the air.  Some leaves are even beginning to change colors.

For many years now, fall has been my favorite season.  Before we had ever moved away from South Carolina, if you had asked my favorite season, I would have answered "spring".  I loved (and still love) the beauty of spring in South Carolina......dogwoods, azaleas, all sorts of beautiful flowers, warm - but not yet hot - temperatures. The downside of all that beauty was all the pollen that came with it......and the accompanying allergies!

Once we started moving around the country, I quickly discovered that spring does not show itself in the same way in all parts of the country!  I first learned this lesson in Colorado, where spring could mean beautiful sunshine one day and a blizzard the next.  In Connecticut, spring came much later than I had been accustomed to.  It was beautiful when it finally arrived......it just took a long time getting there!  Spring in many parts of the country is quite unpredictable!

I love the fall.  Apples and pumpkins.  Beautiful leaves in all shades of red and gold.  Warm days.  Cool nights.  The crispness in the air.  What I don't like about fall is that winter is not far behind!  And, as I have probably expressed all too many times, I really don't like winter!

This is definitely a "fall morning" here on our mountaintop.  It's cool.  A little damp and rainy.  There's some fog.  It isn't quite cool enough for turning on the fireplace......but almost!  It's definitely a "sweater morning"!  And I saw even more red and gold this morning than I did yesterday.

As I sit here enjoying the beauty of this new season, I'm grateful for the creativity of our amazing God and for the beauty of the world He created.  I'm thankful for the gift of seasons.   And I'm thankful that even though seasons change and circumstances change, our God does not change. 

"This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope.  The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning. Great is Your Faithfulness." 

                                                                        (Lamentations 3:22-23  NASB)

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

                                               

                                                                                                - Thomas Chisholm