wading on the Lord

some times as I wade through things, as I progress, I get to a point where it seems circumstances or that Ephesians 6 crap just laughs hard and hysterically in my face.

Well I don't like it and it greatly hinders me.

But in the end, see enemy (always to be lowercase), I know whose I am and whose you are not. Checkmate. Game over.

Now I just have to find my way to operate in it again. Sing His song. Move along! End of story. In Him, I've got the Victory.

Php 3:12-14 and Is 40:29-31, 41:10; Rom 5 :3-4; Heb 12:1; 1 Cor 9:25-27

$30

the youngest couldn't breathe last night - woke me up at midnight, throat constricted, the coughing had taken it's toll. I did everything I knew to treat the situation. I surmised it wouldn't be necessary to go to emergency. This is the last of eight and not a new situation for me. But my prayers were constant and I stationed myself beside him once his breathing was settled; I was afraid to sleep - afraid if I did ....

come morning we scooted over to urgent care and his symptoms were treated. I placed his prescription; it was $30. $30! Usually I pay $4-$15. $30? There wasn't a generic form. I only had one to fill. I have $30. Had I been without insurance - $180. One time deal. I could come up with $180, to keep my loved one, more than one time .... My situation - minor.

I know people with chronic health situations, making medicine choices every day. I don't know people, mom's like me, trying to figure how to keep a loved one alive. I know they are there. Right here in the U. S. of A! People need health insurance - everyone! God help this country make away for everyone to have health insurance; for everyone to be able to sleep at night without that fear for someone's life.

Short fall

There are times that defy the normal logic presiding in one's existence. Being a believer that is often simply a reaffirmation of His utterly wondrous nature. But there are times that cause anything but any kind of affirmation in this present life.

As an example over which the family laughs about now and for which I am blessed that was received so well, the time when I closed the door on my coat. We've all, I presume, closed the car door on something that should have been inside the vehicle with us - no problem. The clunk I heard I presumed was the larger than usual metal zipper on the end of the unzipped jacket. Later when the husband was looking for his smartphone and couldn't find it, I realized I had placed it in my pocket and IT was the mysterious clunk. What an idiot! I even had passionately declared "I don't have it!" before making the discovery of my heinous error. He was far too accepting of it all. We were on vacation and he had to go without until it was replaced by the provider.

Sometimes important things like his now missing SDHC card go AWOL while in my possession. And I for the life of me can't remember what I last did with it. It was in my care. I was using his labtop and had traded it with my own card for the time being. How I still have possession of my card but his has totally left the face of the earth is unfathomable. I feel like such an idiot when these things happen. I hate letting people down.

I've turned the house upside down several times, especially the room in which it happened (theoretically), and will again. I know the contents of the card are important to him. It behooves me to find what I had in my care. I should be worthy of what he entrusted me with. Sure, things happen and things are replaceable; but trust is to be treasured and honored.

I hate when I fall short. To some it may seem that I am going overboard over this ("to err is human"), but I can only imagine how God feels about what he's entrusted us with, big and small. It makes me sad. One thing He entrusted me with is my husband, my children, and the trust of others.

Thank you Lord for your divine forgiving nature of my shortfalls. Help me Lord to be better with all that you have entrusted me. Lord willing, help me find that card in good order. Amen.

soldiers of entertainment ... flowers gone

I remember my folks talking about noteable people who had passed that had brought them something the loss of which would be well remembered. Now, I seem to be living in those days myself. The folks would say death comes in threes and wonder who might be next. In mere days, we have lost suddenly Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.

Mom would sorrow over Isaac Hayes, loving hearing him sing with Dionne Warwick, and the song 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix'. Can't remember when, but I was with her when she saw him and Dionne perform. He left his mark on several generations in music with his resounding voice and in movies.

Of Bernie, it was commented (and I pictured in my mind) he is making more laughter in heaven. Maybe he was levity in a world of leaven and now he has taken his humor to heaven. Steve Harvey brought out what a family man he was beyond the comedian/actor entertainer that he was. The mark of a man - coming from a tough town in a tough time, he has succeeded at what matters most in the love of those he leaves behind - a wife of many years, daughter, and grandchild. And he left us many a chuckle and smile. Rest in peace.

Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one.
These stars, beyond us now, shined brightly on many a generation. The essence of the petals falling from their stem of life will be a long time fading.

weighty words ...

Being a critic is by nature something we do with regard to things we are most familiar with and most appreciative of the best. In watching Ratatouille this month, I appreciated this quote about the work of criticism:

"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize that only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more."

Our words and opinions are often weighed toward things of little significance and not given to things of true measure. Anyone can tear down, but the skill to build is finer!

There's no time like the present to make the best of the rest of this life!

Look at the time...

Came back from vacation all rested and my mind and body totally rejects the idea of going into drive. This did not bode well with the workload waiting for me which was only exacerbated by an abrupt absence of #1, me being #2, this now made me 1.5 - where upon I was forced into overdrive.

However, having been summarily chastised by my huge (ha ha) following or as it is said 'back due to popular demand,’ I am here to blog.

• Celebrations - My dear ‘dahli'ng friend had her birthday and I hope she was blessed with a wonderful celebration. My brother's son had a birthday as well. He's a senior in high school. I'm very proud of him.
• Speaking of relatives! a cousin and her daughter, both of whom I haven’t seen in over 10 years, came from NJ for a visit. Her two brothers live out here, the youngest of which was getting married! She and her daughter, my youngest, and I spent a lovely day in Palm Springs. They and her brothers, the groom's son, and I spent another day traipsing around Victoria Garden's having lunch at Lucille's. Speaking of which! It is impossible to be nutrition conscious there! I enjoyed a hot link and ribs with greens. Yeah, I could have had chicken but c'mon!
• Second Chance - have you seen that movie? It is well worth the watch! It will make you think about how you walk with Jesus.
• I've been praying for a lot of people, of course including of course Virginia Tech and Johnson Space Center - and online especially. The weight of people’s woes seems particularly heavy right now. Please pray endurance for me.
• In case you haven't noticed I've lost 10 pounds!
• The giant had a car accident but he is okay; however the car was ‘put to sleep’.
• Sunday the 22nd was Earth Day – check this out ‘Gen 1: 26-31

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

• Err of Imus – I think the issue here that stands out above all most common obnoxious speech aired is this was directed at specific people who came to hear and their families and friends hear this awful talk – a total lack of concern about these ladies’ feelings.
• NBA Playoffs – I love this game!

Oooo, look at the time! There is just not enough time in a day! I'm going to try to get back here real soon; the month ain't hardly wrapped up yet!

Thanks to all of you who actually read this stuff and blessings to you all.

He used mine!

Our women's study is going through Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life - Finding Your Sweet Spot; there's a book and a workbook. The workbook part is People Management International's exercise in finding what Max is writing about. Interestingly enough you find out a lot of stuff (or bring to surface things you knew) about yourself, making this possible. If you look at your S.T.O.R.Y, he says you can find your sweet spot.

Anyways, being in the study helped me to recognize such a situation. In online ministry, I met a believing navy wife who was dealing with a re-stationing of her family. I was able to connect her with a believing navy wife friend who not too long ago went through the same thing and is stationed at the new location. She now can have a friend and a resource. Though my friend is faraway, I know He put us in each other's lives for times such as these. The lady I met felt that things were falling into place and it was all by God's hand; she sounded just like my friend had when God had reassured her. The lady I met had peace about her move now. I felt that God had used mine; and that feels indescribably wonderful!

Don'tcha just love how the Lord just brings things together in your head in a neat little package wrapped up like a gift!

Sunday at Couple's study part of what we went over in Moments Together for Couples was Fathers as Servant-Leaders. Well with most this concept sat okay, but with some the discussion was discomfiting. It said:

"Serving his wife rounds out the husband's and father's role. Some men cannot understand the biblical definition of a leader as a servant. Even though He was Lord, Jesus said, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matt. 20:28).
As your wife's servant, can you name her top three needs? What worries her? What circumstances quickly put her emotional gas tank on empty?
Men, let me challenge you to lead, to love and to serve."

My wonderful husband was actually able to answer those questions. My point though is for devotion today I was reading Meyer's "Stooping to Rise" and he says:

When our Lord stooped to live visibly amongst men, He refused to avail Himself of the homage due to His original nature. He had been in the form of God, but was content to veil His glory, to assume the form of a servant, to be made in the likeness of men. In the cradle of Bethlehem, in the home of Nazareth, in the voluntary limitations of His earthly ministry, in His obedience to the death of the cross, there was the hiding of His power. He refused to use the attributes of His intrinsic Deity, that He might manifest the Love of God, that He might bear away the guilt of the world, and work out and bring in an eternal righteousness. Therefore He is exalted and bears evermore the name of Jesus---the Saviour of the world.
The Apostle says, let this same mind be in you; think these-thoughts; follow in the steps of Jesus. We must show a holy emulation as to who shall stoop the lowest, and follow the master the closest. The most urgent Matter for each of us to consider is not whether we are orthodox in our creed (though that is not unimportant), but whether at any cost we have the mind which was in Christ, whether at any cost to ourselves we are manifesting the love of God to those around us.

As any of us lead, this is so very important to incorporate into our walk to have any Godly success. Any who know my husband might raise an eyebrow or snicker (now stop that!) when I say he is such a man, because he definitely has a stand-his-ground, firm nature; but he constantly makes an effort to understand, please, and be a blessing to me. I realize too that Jeremiah 5 says the Lord is my Husband and so He initially set the ultimate example.

Thank you Lord for the gift of your Word, your Love, and for the gift of my husband.

life swapping?

I've done something along this line before but this tangent is stimulated by watching the last airing of wife swap - the families involved were a farm 'au natural' food (even raw meat) and life style vs. the eating out metropolitan lifestyle. I thought it commendable that one family being white and the other black didn't seem to factor in.

I'm not sure what the entire premise of the program is, but what I saw was 2 wives swapping having at first to live the other lifestyle and then to expose the other family to theirs. I was appalled at the dynamics that went on which I guess is what sells the show. Both sides were so imposing, judgemental and self-righteous.

I thought about if as a christian I had to do this with say a satan-worshiping family, what would I (reflecting Jesus) do?

• Their time: I can be amongst them. While Lot did not do it successfully because of his motivations, Daniel and his cohorts were very successful not without challenges - great example of how to be amongst those who had not their understanding. Such as with the tax collector who became His disciple and the woman at the well, Jesus, Himself, was willing to be amongst the dregs of society. Their motive was pleasing the Father.
  
  While having understanding and not being judgemental, they were non-compromising. This very approach will lend acceptance to what would be my time, God willing. Meanwhile there are places I am willing to go because greater is He and at the same time I must maintain my aim to glorify God just as Daniel did when he changed not his diet.- I would lean to Him for the discernment.
  
  
• My time: In reverse context whatever I can allow myself to do with them, I can request in like kind they participate within the practice of my faith. So there are things I would ask like that they attend church. But I can not impose my beliefs on others! I can only live the life and provide an example of its blessings.

I was really crushed by the pain invoked in the cross exposure done in this television program. Certainly this was not the purpose of the Cross. I guess these things disturb me.

God Help me to reflect you in your brightness of light and not as such that can only be gleened from desperately squinting into the darkness. Selah.

A Race Run - Superbowl 2007

This year's Superbowl was noted for two african-american coaches contending for the championship. Not so highly touted was that the self-same two christian coaches (and by that I mean professing and living the life) were vying. Not only that, but the winning team was owned by a christian. After the game Deion Sanders greeted the winning coach as 'my christian brother' on his show. The winning coach gave honorable tribute to the contending coach. And for all that the team had achieved he gave honor to God. A year ago, his son had died at which time he shared that God would see his family through. Both coaches are known for their character and demeanor- the rare coach that doesn't have to raise his voice to lead his people.

While more and more, I see athletes stand for God in professional sports, never before have I see such an unadulterated witness and tribute to who He is! It was a joy to behold and a beacon to closet disciples everywhere to not be ashamed! Praise God! The question is not whether God favored one over the other. Rather the answer is that both coaches knew that, regardless of the outcome, God is able and to God be the glory! Hebrews 12:1.

On an opposite note, did you know the NFL took a stand against churches having Superbowl parties? Well, regardless of the outcome until the race is done, God is able and to God will be the glory!

HOW you say it!

Over the weekend I quickly went into the market to use the ATM to make a withdrawal. On my way out a bagger flagged me down to tell me I took the cashier's pen. I assured her I had only been to the ATM and therefore couldn't have taken anyone's pen, having no need to use one and there being no pen there. Okay, I am not that thin skinned, so I just shook off her statement as I got in my car subsequent to her 'O' and no apology for the accusation. In my mind, I thought of the customer-correct ways she could have presented her comment. Maybe - miss, by any chance do you still have the cashier's pen?. But no.

Without always reacting to it, I do happen to be somewhat sensitive to the way things are said to me. Growing up around the ever-hovering presence of anger and verbal abuse, okay so maybe I can be highly (I like that better than 'over') reactive. I definitely take notice of it, and if it is said too indifferently, too harsh, too critically or otherwise negatively, I have difficulty with it. And that is why I like this article.

the way we emphasize and use our tone of voice means a whole lot in the customer service arena. Think of all the ‘tones’ and deliveries we can use. A few that come to mind are...
1. Bored
2. Happy
3. Sad
4. Angry
5. Terrified
6. Worried
7. Unconcerned
8. Hurt
9. Inconsiderate
10. Shocked
You can take your own sentence and use any one of the emotions listed above. And certainly you can find other emotions to use, too.
Obviously, there are various tones we don’t want to use in certain situations

So often the words being conveyed would be so much better received had they been said differently. Generally people are not tone (of voice) deaf. I still like my mother's oft-used adage: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. It at least encourages 'thinking' before 'speaking'. Along with the antonyms, words can burn, chafe, chill, cut, rupture, stick, etc.; if words could kill ...

lasting firsts

The other thing that caught my ear this morning on the radio station was a call-in discussion about is there love at first sight? The callers I heard (I was only able to listen briefly) seem to generally feel 'no', that true love comes with time and struggles of going through life together.

Me, rather than false, my answer would be true! If you could have seen the husband's face when he opened the door the day he met me - you would to. You see, the thing is love is not some still thing that one can describe as this is love. Love is alive and vibrant, its given birth and it grows; it can even die. So that initial sighting has one shape and form, but the love that has lasted years and years looks altogether different, fully matured into near immortality. Years from now, I don't want the husband to love me like he did that day 7.5 years ago - far from it, nor today; but I do expect to see that look in his eyes. And I pray for him the love that continually grows in me for him will be as precious a sight to see.

I bet in those lasting loves knit by time and perseverance, often a moment of recognition can be recalled of first seeing their Love - thus, first sight is not always day one. A movie that comes to mind that illustrates my point is Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei in Only You - if you've seen or see it, you will understand.

That's how I see it, or maybe love is blind.

sun downer

Don't let the sun set upon your wrath.

Well my question at times is - where to put it? I could sweep it under the rug or proverbial mattress. Would I be able to sleep then? More than likely it would resemble the Princess and the Pea - and be disturbing as long as it was there - so ultimately no solution.

I was listening to a radio station this morning (KSGN 89.7) and the program airing suggested to place the wrath in forgiveness. Hardly seems fair does it? I need to have it, savor it, feel justified with it.

But think - at least my thinking became:

• In this way you can give the problem an identification - what is the problem. This situation went down, and this happened, and this is how I feel about it.
• You can give it ownership, even shared - they did this; I did that; and this was beyond anyone's control.
• Now you can determine what you are going to do with your part. I will work on my behavior when these circumstances occur.
• You can share your difficulty with the other person as to these circumstances. Now (personally, I wouldn't because I haven't overcome my nature to be the introvert and just stuff everything inside); don't be like me.
  
• At this point you can decide to forgive, one - yourself, two - any others. Therein lies the freedom to let the sun set.

Sure - we can't change others, but we can go on with our life even if we have to be around them. Admittedly this is simplistic, but essentially the process. With the circumstances placed in forgiveness, we can approach what lies ahead with a more beneficial attitude which will enable me to pray for the situation and all involved with a right spirit and mind.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. _{From PSALM 51}

It was through the Lord's forgiveness that I am continuously renewed. I am going to practice that forgiveness. Surely mine will be so meager by comparison; but it's funny how its me who benefits most in the end.

Go ahead sun, make your appointed rounds; I'm ready for you today.

"...as the Romans, do"

When in Rome, do... (when in a strange or different situation) it's best to behave (even if badly) like those around you - a great example of why these expressions endure for thousands of years: they are extremely efficient descriptions; they cram so much meaning into so few words. This expression originates from the Bible, when St Ambrose answers a question from St Augustine about what day he should fast, as different customs prevail in different cities. St Ambrose replies 'When I am in Milan, I do as they do in Milan; but when I go to Rome, I do as Rome does'. _{www.businessballs.com/clichesorigins.htm}

Now here is the dilemma - should we? I myself have touted this phrase and it sounds perfectly reasonable in light of respectfulness and consideration. But upon closer examination, one needs to be careful as to how this is applied. It was such living that led to Lot's lot in life. The Jews were caught in this very same quandry when Jesus responded to them “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” _{Matthew 22:21}. The reality is that we are in Rome, but not citizens; sojourners abroad, but homeward bound. That leaves us with a responsibility to obey the laws of the land, but to hold God as our supreme authority. So one would have to apply when in Rome accordingly. There are scriptures that are crucially applicable to making decisions such as Colossians 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 8:1-11 among many. When in Rome, we need to live just as we would would at home as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Book of Daniel (chapter 3). We are here as witnesses and ambassadors. Ultimately the only question we need answer is "What would Jesus do?" and you'll have your answer.

So when in Rome, remember: “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”.

"when in Rome, do..."

These quotes are cited about being amongst others:
“I do not want my house to be walled on all sides or my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But, I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.” _{--Mohandas K. Gandhi}
“All real living is meeting.” _{--Martin Buber}
“Je’ est un autre.”: “The ‘I’ is an other.” _--Rimbaud
“Abandon all hope you who enter.” _{--Dante Alighieri, Inferno, III, 9}
“Some travelers want to go to foreign places but are dismayed when the places turn out actually to be foreign.” _{--Margaret Atwood}
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” _{--T.S. Eliot}
“A society without strangers would be impoverished; to live only among ourselves, constantly inbreeding, never facing an outsider to make us question again and again our certainties and rules, would inevitably lead to atrophy. The experience of encountering a stranger--like the experience of suffering--is important and creative; provided we know when to step back.” _{--Elie Wiesel}
“…but you have no need to go anywhere--journey within yourself.” _{--Rumi, 13th century Sufi poet}
“No journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it gives us equal distance into the world within.” _{--Lillian Smith}
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.” _{--Mark Twain}

One of the most valuable experiences in my life was as an American Field Service summer exchange student to Denmark with 40 some other students from all over the United States. Because we lived in homes across the country and were together in the beginning for orientation, in the middle, and at the end, my insight was opened to things foreign to me about people of my own country as well as things of those from another country.

It sealed a change in focus on to people, as I discovered the importance of walking in the shoes of another. It created a paradigm shift in thinking and a comprehension that my perceptions of anything were based on my narrow world; others might have different views based on entirely different world realities. My mind was not only opened to a larger understanding of styles of government like socialism and democracy, but even to things I thought until then more singular to the United States like race and prejudice as I observed xenophobia towards Turkish people living there. I've learned not to be a visitor in the connotation of the ugly american, but a guest more akin to the heroic character of the original source of the phrase - "... who lives with the local people, comes to understand their needs, and gives genuinely-useful assistance...", here and abroad.

The key is to gain as much understanding as possible about any given situation so as to be able to narrow down to the key factors to be considered in order to make the best possible decisions in regards to it. A narrow view diminishes the possibility for accuracy.