Blessing Your Heart

How Do You Study the Word?

2012-01-05T16:55:00.000-06:00

At the start of the year, I always try and find a new Bible reading plan. This year, I looked back through some blog entries from John MacArthur on his Grace To You website about different ideas/plans to use and I think I have a good idea about the plan I will be using this year. It's going to take me longer than a year to do it but I am excited about the charted course I'll follow in and of itself.

I will be reading the sections of the NT beginning with 1 John repetitively for 30 days. At the end of 30 days reading 1 John, I will move on to the Gospel of John: Chapters 1-7 for 30 days, chapters 8-14 - 30 days and then 15-21 for 30 days. As I read the chapters, I will make notes as to predominant themes of the chapter as well as things I may not understand fully or want to do further study on. However, my plan is to rely on reading thoughtfully and thoroughly and diligently each day to try and glean the truths within the book without using a lot of extra sources. MacArthur suggests that when reading the same passage through day after day, though it will get boring, push through and realize your mind will be taking mental snapshots of God's Word that will linger on in your mind. You will begin to remember where certain verses are on the page as you mentally visualize God's Word after taking 30 mental pictures during the month. He also suggested that you use the same Bible (though I know you probably have several on your shelf) at each reading so that the consistency helps you become familiar with the Scripture layout. Makes a lot of sense to me.

I also will be reading the OT through from Genesis through at least Proverbs. I began a few years ago reading through The Message and putting a bunch of study notes in the margins and summarizing each page with a short description at the top. I know The Message is only a paraphrase and there are better, more exact translations, but I also know there are probably more people who will read and understand The Message than say the King James Version. My goal is to have a bible written in today's English with detailed, theologically correct notes so that the average person may pick up this book, read it easily and have tons of study notes "filling in the gaps" they may have. I am doing this for the sake of one or a family or a community who, once I am gone and my Bibles and books have been sold in an estate sale or given to goodwill, may run across this book and be encouraged. They will read and understand about God of the Israelites and how He loved them in spite of themselves and Christ the Savior and King of Kings who came to save His children from themselves. I want them to read and understand about the covenants and the sacrifice, the pain and the glory, the everyday events that were changed by spectacular miracles and the love of God who gave up His son. I want this to be an investment in the next generation of believers who will come after me, whoever they may be... my neighbors, my children, my grandchildren....

... or yours.

I know that there are so many plans out there but I am curious as to what you all use to guide your daily study. Anybody have one they really like?

Chronicles of 2011

2012-01-04T23:02:00.000-06:00

I just finished!

I try to keep a running chronicle of the happenings of the year... some are short and sweet like:

February 25th - Dentist - no cavities - Check in in 6 more months.

Some are longer characterized by facts, feelings, faces tied to particular days like:

September 5th - Papaw died suddenly today. I can't believe He is gone... no more Papaw jokes, almost blue hair rinses, hours in front of You tube listening to Big Band music, no more of Papaw's candy he made for Christmas, no more sentimental moments of tears and memories from his 88 year old mind, hot tempered political opinions or liltingly gruff "Love you!" on the way out the door. I already miss him so much...

I have been keeping these running chronicles for the last 8-9 years now. It started as almost an exercise in prose that basically ended up becoming a daily journal and then modified to become a running list of events, experiences, wins, losses, and all the mundane in between. I have loved going back through the Chronicles of yester-year to see what I have accomplished, where I was and how far I have come. Or how far I have not come. I see some of both.

I write this to encourage you to keep some sort of a journal this year. It can be a sentence a day. For those who want a little more info, maybe 4 sentences that address the "Peak" of the day, the "Pit" of the day, the "Praise" of the day and the "Prayer" of the day. I believe that Satan will utilize whatever it takes to throw us off a godly course. He is wily and ruthless and will stop at nothing to have our souls and our allegiance. Really, he is primarily concerned that God the Father doesn't have our allegiance. I think one consistent way he does this is to distract us from noticing and remembering the good that God has done in our lives. To compartmentalize Him into a season of our lives or an area of our lives - keep Him from pervading our lives as He so desires to do.

I keep my chronicles of life handy so that I can see what the Lord has done at a glance over the last year of my life. Where He kept me safe and where He guided me to the right job....When He delivered a miracle of family reconciliation and whose path crossed with mine to encourage a downtrodden soul. It helps me to remember... to write them on the doorframes of my house and my heart so I may see and remember that through the peaks, pits, praises and prayers, God is there. He is always there and has committed to be there to the end of the age... for me. (Matthew 28:20)

So take a few at the end of each day and remember the goodness of the Lord. Chronicle Christ's love for you so you don't ever forget.

Holiness and Facebook: Mutual Exclusion?

2011-02-23T21:50:00.001-06:00

Did you know that this month, the users of Facebook have numbered beyond 600 MILLION?

Did you know that these users spend over 700 BILLION minutes PER MONTH?

Did you know that the average user creates about 90 pieces of content every month?

Did you know that there are over 30 BILLION pieces of information (Photos, posts, web links, news stories, etc.) shared each month?

Did you know that over 50% of Facebook Users log on every day and thereby reading, deciphering, hiding, pondering and/or deleting (OH, the horror!) your posts.

Have YOU truly thought about how much impact YOU are having in lives that YOU touch?

I appreciate Mark Zuckerberg, just from the little I know about him which is to say, I know he created Facebook. That's about it. I did not see the movie and I have not researched his life on Wikipedia. The appreciation comes strictly from the fact that he was smart enough and resourceful enough to provide for people a platform or forum in which to be heard. People who would never have gotten that chance to be heard now have hundreds of "friends" that will listen/(read) what runs through the mind and life of this one person.

Times 600 Million.

As a Christian, we are called to be holy or "set apart". It is not a request. It is a command. We are to be holy as Christ is holy. Christ was different. That means that I am to be different. We are to be in the world and not of the world.

But you already know all this....

...Don't you?

And, since we do, in fact, know this, WHY is it that we as Christians, write, post, complain, jeer, humiliate, gripe, and bellyache no differently than those who do not follow a sovereign God and Savior?

I get it. Seriously. Life is hard. Absolutely it is. Everyone has problems in life and you can always find someone who has a way better set-up than you do.... But the converse is also true.....You will always be able to find someone with a significantly worse set-up than you could imagine. I could make a list for you of my irritations, frustrations, problems and concerns and though it would make for entertaining reading for some, they are very real to me. I bet you could make your own list....

...Probably WAY longer than mine.

BUT....

...that doesn't negate what God has commanded us to do. We are still called to be holy and set apart from the rest of the world. Not just on Sundays, everyday.

Not just when we see church friends in the foyer

.... but also when we are stuck in traffic with strangers.

Not just when we invite neighbors over for a meal

.... but also when we "friend" someone new on Facebook.

Not just when we are writing our Sunday School lessons

... but also when we are writing 140 character text messages.

And not only when we are sharing with the Lord in prayer

...but also when we are sharing with friends on Facebook.

People, whether you want to or not, you are having an impact. In fact, you are not just having an impact. You are MAKING an impact. Depending on your name, you hold clout in different spheres of influence. If you're name is Steve Jobs, you have tremendous impact on all Apple users of the world, either positive or negative. If your name is Ron Howard, you have tremendous impact on the film/TV industry either positive or negative. If your name is Mom, you have tremendous impact on your family, either positive or negative.

If your name is Christian, YOU have tremendous impact on the world either positive or negative.

Are you set apart? Do you look like the world in the midst of the world? Would anybody say you're different in either your actions, reactions, words, opinions, or posts on Facebook?

They should. If they are not, is it their fault for not noticing ....

... or your fault for blending in?

Tik Tok

2011-01-03T02:06:00.000-06:00

As I have begun another year of full time ministry, it hits me regularly how some people don't really "get it". I understand that because at some time in my life many years ago, I really didn't "get it" all the way either. To some it probably sounds like a lot of excuses to not have a 8-5 job, perhaps overtones of laziness. To others, I would imagine it sounds like immaturity - as in "when are you going to join us here in reality and quit living in fantasy world?" To others, perhaps you "get it" but it not for you in any way, shape or form.

Although I have believed since I was young that the Lord had called me into ministry for a later time, I think that down deep I wondered if it would really happen for me. Is this truly what God has called me to do or is this something that I really think I want to do?

Anybody struggle with that?

What I found is that the timing of when He brought me into ministry was way later than I ever thought. So much later and when I was so far into a completely different career, I thought I must have been mistaken in my younger years thinking that God had called me. It took a while to see that my "desert" experiences were truly pertinent preparation times for this season that has arrived.

Are you experiencing the "desert"? Are you seeking Him with all of your heart to find yourself in a pit in the middle of the sand albeit nowhere near where you thought you would be? I totally understand that perception and potential reality.

But God has not forgotten you.

Those plans that He has for you were dreamt up before the foundations of the world and He hasn't forgotten them. He has just been waiting on you to get here so He could show you exactly what His spectacular plans are for your life RIGHT NOW. I'm willing to bet that He is not readily going to show what will happen 20 years down the road but He wants you to know the plans for today. Once He reveals His plan for you today, you have a choice. Will you embrace what He has for you today or are you running so far ahead of Him that you miss your preparation for tomorrow's adventure? God's timing is never late and if you are not living your long-time dream today, who is to say you will not be living it next week? God is the same yesterday, today and forever and that means He is as faithful today as He was yesterday and He will be tomorrow. Faithful to what? Faithful to you and his plan for you.

And may I say from my experience thus far, even though it is a long time dream and one that you might spend 30 years preparing for, things don't go always according to my plan. Let's face it, God's goal for me is not my happiness and definitely not my comfort but my holiness and sanctification. I just don't think that I honestly see deeply abiding holiness coming from things that always go my way without complication. It is hard work and difficult choices and maintaining priorities and lots of sacrifice. But, may I also say that it is the most satisfying thing that I have done in my life. I love sharing the knowledge that I have of Christ with others. I love what God does with my average amount of giftings in a group of people hungry to hear Truth. I am humbled that for whatever reason and for however long, He has chosen me to walk this road. I think that if I had received what I so often prayed for exactly when I wanted it, I would not be as satisfied. I would not be as willing to work with zeal. I would not be as grateful for each opportunity. I probably would have quit prematurely, if I was honest with you and myself. It seems that God knows best with regards to the timing of His plan for us. He knows best with regards to the timing of His plan for you.

Maybe this brand new year finds you waiting expectantly for something the Lord has already planned to bring your way - a new job, a long awaited spouse, children, healing, more patience, loyal girlfriends.... Maybe January is your month for receiving these things you have been diligent in praying for. Maybe it will be February. Or maybe it will be next February. Whatever the case, God is intimately aware of you and your needs and your dreams. He has chosen some specific experiences for you this year, some sweet and more than likely some not-so-sweet. Whatever His plan for you in 2011, it will be the perfect plan for your life at this juncture in time.

I wear a watch almost religiously. I don't think about it much except when I fear I am going to be late.... which is almost everyday. I almost see the watch as a curse because it is a constant reminder that time is marching on and sometimes I am not ready for what a moment in the future might bring. I have to get prepared now for what I have to do later. Let's try this in 2011: Let's pay attention to time this year. Notice the hands on your watch as they continuously circle the dial. As those seconds turn to minutes and those minutes to hours, hours to days, weeks and months, don't mistake the hands for just a metal mechanism.

Those are the hands of God..... lovingly allowing every moment to come into your life at the perfect time. With it, it brings the promise of faithfulness from One who loves you enough to wait for your holiness.

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-01T21:29:00.000-06:00

Can. Not. Believe. It.

It seems like it should still be in the 90's to me. The other day, I wrote the date on my check as 12/28/19__. Seriously. 19__??? Where have the last 11 years gone? And why am I still writing checks?

Lots of beautiful things happened over the last 12 months in my life. So many ministry opportunities, life experiences, difficult times and wonderful travels both domestic and internationally that have deeply impacted my life. (Plus, I got a Kindle for Christmas which my right shoulder sincerely appreciates as it was close to having major damage due to my excessive love of books and the need to always tote them with me. So, THANK YOU, Santa!)

The truth is, life is so full of unexpected surprises. Some stand out. Some make you want to sit down. Some bring out squeals of delight and some bring cries for help. This year, I feel certain there will be more of these unexpected surprises. I expect my life to be changed, if not by circumstances, for sure by the way I handle these surprises. ".....Lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6) How much I choose to trust in God's Word and not my human logic or feelings will directly impact how I will assess the upcoming year. I have so many goals and dreams for this year. I know not if these goals will be achieved or dreams materialized but I have decided, it is not ultimately about the destination. It is primarily about the journey.

What will your journey look like? More than likely, it will not look anything like you anticipate. God is funny like that. He has His own plans. If you're like me, you've got your own plans.

Whose plans will you adhere to in 2011?

My Heart Has Been Moved....

2010-09-17T12:39:00.001-05:00

beyond the obvious....

the status quo....

the convenient.

In some ways, it makes me a little mad. Maybe not mad, but maybe somewhat (and perhaps embarrassingly) frustrated. I have been anticipating this current season of my life and now it has been "intruded" upon by this "jaunt" of support for my sister to Africa. It has helped me think bigger, look deeper, love wider.

I find myself feeling, in some ways, trapped between the now and the not yet. By this, I mean that I see my world around me and know that we are not created for this world and yet also know that we are to move and breathe about in this world impacting those around us in preparation for our eternal home out of this world. I know we, as believers, will one day all surround His heavenly throne and in robes of white, and ALL the nations of the world will proclaim his greatness and holiness. These will include some of those I met while in Africa last week. The anticipation of "not yet" is not one of morbidity but one of hope of things to come.... and what my role is in this hope.

Over the next several weeks, I hope to post more thoughts and revelations about what I saw and how that impacts my journey here while in this world. I expect it will look very different than what I had planned. Isn't that just like the Lord to surprise us in ways we would never choose for ourselves and yet, it is always the best for us? I am trying to hold on to memories made there and imagine a bigger picture than I have seen in my personal lens. I have seen snapshots of what I think my life has been, what is should be and things that are to come. I think I needed a wide angle as I have strictly been using the telephoto setting when it comes to my life. I had my camera set and was shooting all different angles but should have broadened my view.

Walk with me on this journey of discovery and ask yourself if your lens is set on zoom. Depending on where you are pointing the lens, you might be missing out. For now, here are some pictures of moments I don't want to forget on my first journey to Ethiopia.

ETHIOPIA BOUND!

2010-09-03T12:53:00.003-05:00

Well, in 3 days, we will be starting our journey to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is an exciting yet sobering thought. Lots of things go through your mind when embarking on something like this. In our case, several family members are traveling with my youngest sister who will live overseas for at least one year at this writing but you know, things change God is funny like that sometimes. There aren't always clear answers. But there is always faith.

The road is long and rocky

The path is sometimes steep

The light is inconsistent

But there's no time to weep

The ebb and flow of life

The chain of wild events

Even the quiet moments

Can sometimes feel intense

But in these highs and lows of life

I'm choosing not to waste

'Cause God brings some unlikely things

To strengthen my shallow faith.

As your life goes through ups and downs - from children leaving, families breaking, sickness lingering, hearts aching, questions wondering, time marching, employable looking and words smarting - you have the option and ability to choose what you will do with the hard times.

Will you sit and wallow?

Will you talk it to death with friends, family, colleagues?

Will you withdraw from your family, church community, your spouse?

Or....

Will you talk to the One that has everything to do with where you are in life

What you are doing in life

Where you are going in life

Who you are going to impact (and who is going to impact you) and

How long you are actually going to be in life?

I speak from experience... the best advice doesn't come from human words but from the Word of God.

There is a reason you are who you are,

where you are,

where you are going,

who you are going with,

who is not there with you,

how long you are going to be there,

what you are doing,

what you will be doing....

Don't waste the moments of uncertainty. Press into Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith and know that He has brought you into this season for such a time as this. It is not random. He is with you and He is for you and He has gone before you. Trust Him and know that He is always working to build your faith in Him. He is serious about that. It is your lifeblood for abundant life in Him.

There is NO abundant life outside of Him.

Your direction in and quality of life is determined where and in Whom you place your faith.

Where are you placing yours?

My sister has placed hers in Jesus Christ and the life He has moved her into a place that looks very different than what she thought it would look like even 1 year ago! However, in her 24 years, I have never, NEVER seen her this happy. Walking in the footprints of Jesus gives you a confidence that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing, what you were created for. Faith got her to this point of walking in His way. She is living life abundant and though it will be hard, her faith is strengthened everyday that He has brought her to this place.

Where is your faith and the path of your life? Where is your trajectory of life focused? Christ is the only long-term fulfilling place for your faith to settle.

Love to hear your thoughts on how faith has impacted your life! Until then....

ETHIOPIA BOUND, BABY!

Kings Harbor Concert

2010-06-24T00:26:00.002-05:00

Thank you to everyone, all 750 - 1000 of you, who braved the heat and came down to the harbor the other night for the community concert in Kingwood!! I got the privilege of working with the greatest band, PIERCED GRIP, and they were wonderful! Shout outs to Eddie B. (lead guitar), Casey H. (acoustic guitar), Mario P. (bass), Davin B. (drums), Sean B. (sax) and Donald J. (keys). All of these guys are fantastic musicians but more than that, men of great character and integrity and I am happy to be associated with them.

Most of you know, my album is solidly in the christian genre of music. Nine times out of 10, I will sing primarily christian music but this opportunity was different in that I was asked to sing a good mix of music including country, pop, oldies, and patriotic in addition to christian. I had so much fun breaking out of my box and stretching myself physically, mentally, and vocally to watch how the Lord allowed this concert to succeed. We ended up singing for about 2.5 hours or so which was by far the longest I had ever sang at one event. I sang some Kelly Clarkson ("You Found Me", "Breakaway"), Carrie Underwood ("Temporary Home"), Pat Benetar ("Hit Me With Your Best Shot"), Sugarland ("Everyday America"), fun oldies ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Walking on Sunshine"), "We Are the World" and also sang a set of patriotic music just to name a few dittys. I sang a few songs off the album but also got to sing several christian songs that I had not recorded that I just love! I can't believe my voice held out because a lot of those are some BIG songs but I give all credit to the Lord, He totally brought me through and I actually had comments that my voice sounded stronger near the end than it did at the beginning. That was totally the Lord!

The turn out was GREAT!

The weather was HOT!

The band was FANTASTIC!

The opportunity was INCREDIBLE!

The blessing was UNDESERVED but I am so grateful!

Thank you to all who came out and sang along, clapped, helped set up and tear down the sets and stage. Thank you to the wives of all the band members and your willingness to sacrifice your guys for a lot of rehearsal time! You and your families really gave up a lot and I realize that. Thank you!
Thank you for the businesses who promoted the concert and the promotion staff. Great people!

Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to do what I love and providing more than I ever thought or imagined.

We Are The World 2010

2010-06-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

Sean Belcan - Horn player from Trinidad

I have started preparing for the Kings Harbor concert on June 18 at 7 PM. I am so excited about this concert though it is becoming more and more of a realization about how l-o-n-g this concert is going to be. Three hours is what they have asked of me and that is what we will be providing.

Three hours is a long time to do anything... much less sing your guts out! :)

I was told by a guy in the music industry that I respect very much and will absolutely tell it like it is these words...

"If ANYBODY asks you to sing a two hour show, YOU SAY 'NO!" Absolutely do not do that unless your name is Prince or Springsteen. Nobody can get away with that much show unless you have a body of work like they do."

To this, I asked... "What about a three hour show?" His eyes bugged out and then he rolled them ... all the way across the floor. I took that as another absolute "no-no."

Oh well.... three hours it is. I have already committed.

Canta la amiga (Does this make sense?)

Anyway, one of the reasons I am so excited about this concert is that I have gotten a lot of my friends and family together to sing with me. Some of these friends are friends I had in high school and others are friends that I met a couple of months ago. There are family members that are second cousins and great aunts as well as brothers, sisters and nieces and nephews participating. Young and old, far and away and near and dear... all coming together to help me out and I am so happy to be part of this group of people.

We Are the World -Ethiopian Constituent

Fast forward to 2010.....

When I was in middle school, I remember getting the piano sheet music to one of my favorite songs, "We Are The World." I totally loved that song and would sit down to play and learn parts by plinking them out on the ivories. My sister and I would sing together and just made good memories.

In honor of the devastation taking place in Haiti, they have re-released the song which I think is better than the original, IMHO. Hearing it brought back such good memories and I knew I wanted to sing it for the concert. THANK YOU to all who helped out and sang, played, directed and or supported us in this special endeavor. I think it is going to be great!!!

Granna and Cousin Rosslyn

Family and Friends coming together for a great cause!

Precious Memories, Indeed

2010-05-08T21:59:00.002-05:00

"Mama, it looks like you're gonna have a baby!!!"

In that moment, a quarter of a century ago, it was like the shot heard round the world. It was my little world but "the world" nonetheless. And it was approximately 6 months later, that we were given one of the most precious blessings our family has ever received... a new sister.

I remember when she would dance in her crib in the mornings while she waited on someone to come get her for breakfast.

I remember when she got a cute little page-boy haircut (that she would look back at when she was older and despise what my mom had chosen to do with her hair) and how her big brown eyes would open really big when she learned something new.

I remember when she used to write me letters when she was in Kindergarten and I was a freshman at Baylor about how she missed me and told me about what Kodak (the dog) was doing and how she learned to spell a really long word.

I remember when she came up to me mortified after the "birds and the bees" talk with Mom and how we all laughed when she recounted a few phrases that Mom had used.... because WE were mortified.

I remember planning her 16th birthday party with a Survivor theme with my brother and sister and making shirts for them all to wear.

I remember her winning Homecoming Queen her senior year and her being salutatorian of her class and how that felt to see my "real-live baby doll" get ready to grow up perfectly normal despite the physician recommendation to abort the fetus while she was in utero.

Yes. She is a miracle. A miracle which makes these memories precious, indeed.

About 6 months ago, Mom and I were asked to come and speak about the miracle that God had performed in our family by giving us another daughter and another sister. The banquet coincided with Mother's Day which made the topic all the more poignant. As we wrote and remembered funny things about her humble beginnings and her aspicious middle years, we both contemplated her future and what it would hold.

I should let you know that Brittany has been an independent girl. She does things on her own. She is a smart (both common sensically and academically speaking), beautiful, healthy, and strong young woman, perfectly capable of handling her life in ways that 24 year olds can. She makes choices and then stands behind those choices. She is not typically a follower of the crowds but tends to blaze her own trail as desired. She is a blessing who has been given the strength by the Lord to handle whatever may come her way. I expect this will come in handy in the near future. Our presentation was about the goodness of God and how in all His supernatural wisdom, He stunned the doctors attending her birth and revealed somewhat incomprehensibly that she was physically, developmentally and seemingly genetically perfect despite what tests had clearly predicted. She was miraculous healed by the hand of Almighty God.... a true gift. One can only imagine great things in her future.

And in God's perfect timing, the day of our presentation, she revealed to us that she had decided to move to Ethiopia in view of God's calling on her life to work with orphans in Addis Ababa.

Yes. She was healed for great things.

They look different than expected. They often do.

They are more substantial than expected. They often are.

They're happening in different timing than expected. They often will.

All the precious memories are God's ways of reminding us that she is His. He has brought our family more joy from that one life. It seems that in His infinite wisdom, He sees fit to bring enormous joy into a whole country of lives far away.

Precious memories will be the link to a work that He started 25 years ago. May the memories that hold her close to our hearts also be the memories that allow us to let her go to touch the lives of others. As we well know, when she returns, she may be the best memory that those lives will ever have encountered.

...And the Rain Came Down

2010-05-06T21:12:00.001-05:00

We just didn't realize how bad it would be.

The Flood of 2010 on May 1-2 is still on the radar of many Nashville families because they are still waiting.....

The lucky ones are waiting on the final signatures of the contractors who have by now, finished re-constructing and/or refurbishing their homes.

The unlucky ones are still waiting for places to live and regroup.

The lucky ones are going back to work.

The unlucky ones are waiting for their place of business to be reopened or relocated back to the area where the commute is within a fair distance and the monthly gas bill can resume more reasonable percentages of the weekly budget.

We are all waiting for OpryMills Mall to re-open, The Grand Ole Opry to start hosting our stars again, and the Nashville Symphony has lost it's home in the Schermerhorn until at least January 2011.

I was actually planning to participate in a community effort called the Great Day of Service which had to be changed to the Great Day of Swimming. I have seen that much water in Houston before.... in the form of Hurricane Rita. The flood that Nashville experienced was one of the greatest natural disasters not caused by a hurricane in at least the recent history of this great city.

As a Texan by heart and Tennessean by choice, I believe that whoever chose the motto "The Volunteer State" for this small but hearty piece of land, knew what he was doing. The Great Day of Service turned into the Great Quarter of Service as things are continuing to be done for those who are still doing without for one reason or another. The clean up is not done. It is an ongoing process.... and so, Tennesseans everywhere are out and about helping their families... but not only their families. They are helping friends, neighbors, local businesses, strangers even. They are organizing, laboring, calling, providing, and still showing up in droves to help out the city that everyone loves. Nashville is giving back to its own... and its own is so thankful.

I am proud to live in this city. It is more of a blessing than I ever expected when I chose to leave Texas 8 years ago. Thank you to those who have helped recreate and restore the city to be a place to be proud of. It is in this journey that you have made me even prouder to have chosen Tennessee as my home away from home.

"Works of Art" Brunch for CERI

2010-04-24T10:09:00.047-05:00

This morning, I was honored to have been asked to sing at the Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI) Work of Art Brunch. What a great turn out and what a great organization!

I had met with Dr. Dearing Garner, my previous pastor from when I was growing up and neighbor, about the possibility of me coming to sing for this great organization for the first annual brunch to honor the children, workers and to fundraise for the work that is happening on the other side of the world in plaes like Sri Lanka and Moldova. One only has to see the faces of these children who have been touched by the work of CERI and consequently, the hand of Almighty God, to know that this ministry is doing amazing things overseas. I am blessed to be able to know of the great group of people as well as its current director, Dr. Garner. He is special to me in particular because he was the pastor that talked with me when I was called to become a christian and he baptized me and my brother. I was great friends with his only daughter, Laura so I spent many nights over at their home and I many summer days skating in our driveways together. In a way, as he has raised his family, he is now raising up families all over the world in practical ways to be productive members of their culture and investing time and energy into these faces who need Christ. He is a man of great integrity and is lending these character qualities to this great ministry.

Please, if your heart has been softened by the words you have read, you have been intrigued by the increasing pace of international adoption in the States, or you just want to love on those precious faces you see on TV, in the grocery store and at your child's school, there might be a place for you to be a part of those children's lives through CERI. I would love to talk to you about CERI and can put you in contact with Dr. Garner directly so that he can help you find a place for your heart and hands to make a difference in lives that God is so acutely concerned with .... just as He is with you.

So Much Activity and So Little Publishing

2010-04-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

I have been keeping track on so many things going on but I haven't had time to post about these great things so I am going to try and post events over the last several months and provide a little backstory as we go. I will try and date them according to appropriate timelines so that you can walk along beside me, albeit a little later, and experience life along this road I've been on now for almost a year! Crazy!

First up, Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI)

Tune in, I'll have something up later on today.

Blessings abounding to you all!
C

Annnnnddddd... We're BACK!

2010-04-22T00:25:00.001-05:00

Good News!!!!

I've started back on my personal training again. (OK, so maybe it's "meh" news.)

No. Not with Dimples. (It's a long post but WELL worth the time if you would like to laugh at my expense! HEARTILY laugh at my expense... heading into a guffaw. Do not drink milk while reading it... Don't say you haven't been warned...)

I'm back to John. He's the best and once you have the best, well, settlin' for second best isn't in the plans anymore. I have strayed once and never again.... John K. is where it is at for me. Who wants to come with me? What? NOBODY?

I try to get others to come and get healthy... not working. I tell them his price (FREE!!!!!) ... nobody shows. I tell them his credentials and experience.... not cutting it. I tell them great central location... I got nothin', I tell ya. It's unfortunate because he has so many credentials and is giving too-good-too-be-true- deals right now to get this new independent training business started but alas, no takers ... except for moi.

Just wanted to let you know what is going on. If you have read this blog for awhile, you know of my adventures with the gym, personal training, bootcamps and my ongoing disdains of "planks". I expect, after my deviance from the narrow way of all things gym-related for the last couple of years, this training period will result in more stories that I will recount here for those looking for a laugh... again at my expense. I am serious once again about the training and now have a little of my time back to really do this. I have committed to begin the bootcamp regimen at 6 AM MWF.

Yes... I AM that crazy.

Tune in for additional information about the ways I will fall, my misuse (and subsequent potential to break the equipment), the people I am able to lure and those that will be chased away .

Good times.... good times ahead.

Hope is Coming!

2010-04-01T14:30:00.002-05:00

As we have been thinking this week about Christ and His sacrifice, I wanted to post this video by S.M. Lockridge. It has been posted many times before in many other places but I just love the passion and reminder he brings to us in his life-giving words. Think on these words today and look forward to the weekend because "Sunday's Comin'"!

(Be sure and scroll down and turn off the music player so you won't miss the video.)

Hiding Out with a Book

2010-03-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

As I have been out of commission regarding internet connection and capabilities, I have been reading more than I normally do. (Carrie, I know you can hardly comprehend that there would be MORE reading than usual but alas, there has been more.) I love reading and how it allows to you to visualize for yourself the way stories, timelines, characters, scenes play out. I think movies have made us somewhat lazy and stolen much of our individual imagination, especially as children. Reading opens up a whole new world and allows you to move at your own pace, mulling over the nuances that the author infers and the word choices which turn "a flower garden" into "a space tucked away behind a potter's cottage carpeted with jewel tones of jade, amythest and crimson buoyed with fragrances of lilacs, roses, and freesias alerting winter that spring is here."

It can also elaborate on "bad circumstances" as being one characterized by phrases like "eight acrid and overflowing toilets", "lice-bitten skin", "bedding was soiled and rancid", "someone's elbow dug into my back, another women's feet were two inches from my face"... and that is about all I need to hear to get the intensity of the bad circumstances.

In a previous post about one of my favorite books, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, a friend of mine made a comment on here about her favorite book, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. It brought back memories of my mom telling me how she used to just love that book and how she encouraged me to read it from the time I was in elementary school. I always put her off telling her I didn't want to read about a watchmaker's daughter. Over the years, she has asked from time to time if I had ever read that book. Until last week, I had always answered "no."

Oh, how I wish I had NOT waited until now to read that beautiful book....

The trials and "bad circumstances" Corrie and her sister, Betsie, had to endure during the German occupation of Holland in the 1940's have lived on in the pages of this autobiography to serve as a poignant perspective in the face of suffering. The courage they demonstrated and the awful, disturbing things they had to endure over a period of several years are both at levels almost incomprehensible to many, especially to me.

I live a sheltered life.

They did not.

I complain.

They did not.

I take things for granted.

They did not.

I forget about Jesus.

They did not.

They lived harmony.

I do not.

They had bravery.

I do not.

They lived with thankfulness in all circumstances.

I do not.

They trusted God at all times, in all things, for all reasons great and small.

I do not.

I am altering my post about far and away my favorite book being Redeeming Love. This book, The Hiding Place, is every bit as compelling and impactful. The testimony of God's provision is awe-inspiring. He is in every detail of every life and our very present Help in time of trouble.

If you have this book on your shelf and not taken the time to read it... do it. If you have not taken the time to go out and purchase this book... do it. If you have never heard of this book and need to find additional references and recommendations... do it. If you need to see if it is on an audiobook... do it.

I will not request my daughter read this book. I will insist upon it and hopefully we can read it together as I know I will be looking forward to the time I can re-read this book... over and over again.

Marching Onward

2010-03-03T01:58:00.000-06:00

Whew!

The last few weeks have been trying in that I have been dodging bullets in just about every form and fashion.... but really, I guess I expected the onslaught of difficulties to come swiftly and powerfully given what I have committed to full time. A few things...
- computer hard drive crash
- denial of health insurance due to unfounded (and unbeknownst to me) medical diagnosis
- ministry website elements still remain unfixed after months
- cancelled and/or rescheduled conferences/concerts
... and the list goes on....

However, there have been lots of wonderful opportunities presented in this season of serious faith walking...
- Fantastic performance workshop with Tom Jackson where I sang for some Nashville A&R, management companies and consultants... resulted in positive feedback and follow up meetings.
- Offered several great opportunities to sing, speak around lots of different regions in the country, a TV show in Atlanta and radio opportunities in South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky.
- New connections every day in women's ministries across the country - Kay Arthur, Kim Bolton, Kay deKalb Smith, Ginger Moore, Alice Breuer, Jennifer Devlin, Linda Goldfarb, Joyce Oglesby, Patty Mason, Jane Pistole, Erica Lane and so many more...

I am blessed. Of this, I am sure.

I ask for continued prayer as I am faced everyday with the fact that I am that jar of clay as Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians but I know that inside is where the good stuff is. The treasure of God's word and His work in my life serves as an example of what He is able to do... immeasureably more than we can ever hope or imagine. In the practicalities of life that seem to get in the way of ministry and at times, seem to bog down and even stagnate my heart, we remember that ...

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are not destroyed but being fashioned into a more hearty and readily available follower of Christ. I find warfare around every corner. This ministry thing is not easy nor is it just for "funsies". It makes me have to be brave and walk straight up the middle of the battlefield. He is requiring more faith and dependence from me that He WILL get me, bruises, band-aids and all, to the other side of that mountain I am climbing.

"I believe, Lord please help my unbelief." I get that guy in Mark's gospel now. I think the present day translation might be... "I DO believe, but Lord, I'm skeered!!!" I know this is what I am called to do but even in the confidence of this knowledge, how is it that fear is always right under the surface making me question the words I hear, the calling I know, the choices I make... Does anyone know what I am talking about?

And so I walk, one step at a time, slowly ambling the path laid out for me, trying not to lag behind and run ahead of Him and tempted to do both... each step further along my journey and closer to my Lord. I see joy and tears, highs and lows, life and death, fruit and baggage... it's all there. And so is He.

I am blessed. Of this, I am sure.

A Ruthless Trust

2010-02-11T17:40:00.000-06:00

RUTHLESS TRUST by Brennan Manning

Are you in a point in your life where things are pretty comfortable? No major crises… no health issues… economy is tough but seems like you’re gonna make it ok… kids have settled into second semester of school. It’s comfortable. You’re comfortable.

This book will disturb you and your comfort. It will not let you sit back, relax and enjoy it. It will not tickle your ears and it will not paint pretty pictures. This is not a package held together by a perfectly tied grosgrain ribbon.

At Christmastime, it might look like one of those packages that’s been wrapped by your 4-year-old - paper not fully covering the gift inside, excessive tape everywhere, edges that just don't match up. There is a string tying it together but you know that the thing that bonds the package to the gift inside is love. It’s your favorite present, isn’t it?

That's what this book is.

Lest Manning think I am insulting him in any way, I most definitely am not. I find myself a bit of a mess after reading this text, kind of like that present wrapped by my sweet little niece, Scarlett Paige, at Christmas. In opening myself up to the honesty found on each page, I sense the “order” I have worked so hard to attain where every emotion has a place and each customary act or tradition has a time and place, is coming apart. It is scary but it is freeing. In allowing myself to become this mess, there is a beauty in which the Lord can create. It's a timeless wonder how God allows shards of truth turn us into slivers of our human selves and then recreates a different kind of beauty, though not as "perfect", as scars will surely tell the story, but stronger, more dependable, more useful as well becoming more pliable in the Hands that truly mold us.

The author’s words, "impoverished imagination" fight to keep us “alive and well" albeit sedated to the awe-inspiring, Almighty, Omnipotent, Incorruptible God. I have a box for Him. I bet you do, too. To be fair, the box is very, very big so He can do all the things in which I want Him to do, but the box, of course, fits within the constraints of my own impoverished imagination. I am totally fine with having Him join me in the place that I have carved out for Him. Plus, it would seem that this is where He would feel most comfortable, of course, in my opinion. I think it begs the following questions....

What if He is not comfortable or complacent enough to just stay in our box? What do we do with Him when He spills over the top, busts out the seams and oozes out the bottom? What do you do with the part of Him that doesn't fit in that box? Well, this brings up all kinds of “uncomfortableness”, now doesn’t it? How do you deal when God doesn’t answer your request the way you’ve asked? How do you deal with waiting … and then waiting some more for Him to move? How do you deal with the necessary choices – most of them no good? The unexplained scenarios? The unexpected occurrences? The unanswered questions? The most agonizing of all - unheard cries for help? When you are bumped out of your comfort zone, what secret part of you is exposed? What do you do when He has exposed you for who you really are, not who you proclaim to be?

These inconsistencies become stones along our journey … stones with the weight of hypocrisy, fear, ingratitude, unbelief, pride… They are not insignificant and neither are they moving. These rocks in our pathway are to be dealt with. Sure, we can initially avoid the stones by walking around, stepping over, or standing on top of, or even moving them to the side of the path. Be assured, the stones put in your path are not there by accident. They were purposefully chosen for you and they are yours to deal with. Some of these rocks look like pride masked in poor self-image, a steady focus on our relationship with God rather than God Himself, "moralism and its step-child, legalism", our sense of entitlement that infers we get to describe who God is rather than His Son, Jesus, to name a few. Friends, these are not small pebbles that annoy us as we walk. These are major road blocks that keep up from getting where we need to go. These are stones on which we should admit our ignorance and arrogance and apathy and build an alter right in the middle of the path.

Once we've purged our soul of maladies that threaten to envelope us individually as well as corporately, we must replace that void with something else. This is where Ruthless Trust comes in. "Trust does not demand explanations but turns to the One who promised, 'I will not leave you as orphans' (John 14:18)" (95). Do you demand explanations of how, when, where and why before you are willing to trust?

This trust requires sacrifice of the most debilitating kind, humanly speaking. In God’s eyes, this trust is the most healing. It means death to self and complete betrayal of who I am in favor of who He created me to be. The honesty it takes to expose the discrepancy between the two “ME’s” is a necessity. Manning states, "Raw honesty with Jesus about our doubts and anxieties, our lust and laziness, our shabby prayer life and stale religiosity, our mixed motives and divided hearts is the risk we take in the certainty of being acceptable and accepted. It is the full and mature expression of invincible trust." (103). There are no orphans of God. He will not leave you there undone but will consecrate you to Him in a bond that cannot be broken.

He requires ruthless trust. "Ruthless" means without pity. This trust is not martyrdom. This trust is "not an abstraction but a concrete visible, and formidable reality. It gives definition to our lives, reveals what is life-giving within us, shapes the decisions we make and the words that we speak, prods our consciousness, nurtures our spirit, impacts our interaction with others, sustains our will-to-meaning in life, and gives flesh and bone to our way of being in the world." (166)

This book wreaked some havoc into my soul as I read his honesty word by word. It speaks of one man's struggle to admit the very thing he is trying to protect isn't himself but the imposter of himself He has spent years trying to create. The Christian calling and subsequent walk isn't encapsulated to one part of you. It metastasizes into every area of your life. The irony is that we try and fight the very Cure for our own souls by spiritual posturing and pleading for worldly approval.

We are ruthless anyways…

....ruthlessly trust in the One

ruthlessly beaten, pierced, hung and glorified for you.

The Best Equation: Faith + Hope = Trust

2010-01-17T10:54:00.002-06:00

Faith arises from the personal experience of Jesus as Lord

Hope is reliance on the promise of Jesus,

accompanied by the expectation of fulfillment.

Trust is the winsome wedding

of Faith and Hope.

-From Brennan Manning's RUTHLESS TRUST: The Ragamuffin's Path to God

Timely Perks of Singleness

2010-01-16T14:04:00.002-06:00

To continue the theme of singleness, let's cover a few more things that could be a productive use of your time while you are single. As a single person myself, I have had this argument with quite a few married people and I think to a degree it stands strong; however, there are some caveats that I am willing to concede to a married person which have been pointed out rather strongly to me, the single person "with nothing else to do than take care of yourself"....

Yes. That was actually said to me and I'm willing to bet that you, if you are single, you have heard that as well. Comments?

I have been told that a married person with children does not have the time that a single person has. It is on this premise that I beg to differ.  We all have the same amount of time... we just choose to spend it differently due to priorities. I know I am probably only representing the single person's side but in my defense, I am not married nor have I been so I am only talking about what I know first hand. I have thought about how life would be different for me if I were married and so I can integrate that perspective as well though thinking about a scenario and actually living a scenario is quite different.  Let's just say that there are perks about being married such as having another adult around to help with chores, someone to help provide financially, help with homework, do the household errands, even stuff as silly as fastening bracelets and zipping dresses. The perks about being single include, not picking up someone else's dirty clothes :), not having to provide financially for anyone else but myself, arranging my schedule around what works for me rather than someone else, generally using my time in the way that I deem important rather than how my husband or children deem important.

There are perks to both sides and cons to both sides... If they are both gifts from God, then there will not be one that is far and away better than the other, though it might appear that way based on where we are standing.

Anyway, the crux of this entry will be about T-I-M-E - amounts, management, wasters and priorities.

First,  every person has the same amount of hours in a day. Every one - married or single. Your marital state does not whether or not you have more or less time than anybody else. It all comes down to management.  How do you manage your own 1440 minutes per day?

Management of these precious minutes can be one of the greatest obstacles to the growth of the Kingdom of God. It can also devastate your own personal productiveness in life. There are a portion of those minutes that will and should be spent sleeping (7-8ish hrs), eating (2-3ish hours), and getting ready for events of the day/evening (1-2ish hrs). These are things that everyone does (should do) everyday. Taking the high end of time towards those activities, it still leaves 13 hours of remaining time to manage out. If you don't manage your time, someone else will manage your time for you. For example, I remember in college having a difficult conversation with my parents because I had not done well on a pretty big test. My reason was because I had sat up listening to two different friends having very "traumatic" events... I believe one girl was distraught because a guy didn't call her back and another girl was failing a class. I remember feeling very sympathetic at the time for their plights and yet, none of this was reciprocated the day I got my failing test grade back because they had to go get ice cream and because the other one had a date (ironically with the other girl's guy... we now know why he didn't call her back.)
Bottom line... they were managing their time in the way that they wanted to... and they managed MY time in the way they wanted to... I, on the other hand, did not manage my time, did not do well on my test because I listened to them instead of studying and then did not have the sympathetic ear in return. Tough lesson to learn but one desperately needed.

I still struggle with that at times. I can get overwhelmed and feel like I am just spinning my wheels not accomplishing anything. However, I have tried to implement strategies that work for me... daytimer, calendar, setting time limits, measureable goals/objectives, PLANNING... Is it easy? For me, absolutely not. I am not wired that way.  It is a discipline to do that every day but if I want to make my life count for something, management of time is crucial for success and fatal of not implemented.

Here is a link for further information on time management.

Let's talk about time wasters... there are a lot!!! I'll put some down that are prevalent in the world that I live in - in my own life or those that I love...

Facebook, excessive sports watching events, emails, surfing the internet, TV watching, procrastination, reading innumerable blogs/internet sites, excessive texting that interrupts a mind's train of thought, excessive shopping, mindless unintentional reading, etc...

I'm gonna be honest, I really enjoy doing many of those things I mentioned above. I do. I think the question to determine if these things are time wasters are:
1)  What is this doing for my overall productivity of my day? Is it adding to or distracting from?
2)  If this is a productive activity of my day, is it in excessive amounts? Too much of a good thing is not always a great thing. Sometimes it is just too much to fit into a day meant for working and productivity.
3) Does it negatively impact your other prioritized activities for the day?

This brings us to priorities...

What are your priorities? When you take an inventory of your activities, do they equal the kind of person that you want to be? Everyone has different priorities and we aren't required to have the same ones. What are your priorities?
- To be top salesperson of the firm
- To be in a position of leadership in order to faciliate change
- To make more money or a certain dollar amount
- To be learning a new skill to make you more marketable in this difficult job market
- To be a parent
- To be a good friend
- To be faithful to your personal charities/churches through giving
- To be President of the US
- To be more open about your faith with your colleagues
- To be married

There are hundreds of thousands of priorities and you can choose what you want those to be. I think that is part of the problem is that many people haven't set priorities and they are going to realize too late that the world has set their priorities for them and they aren't at all where they want to be.

If you want to be in a position of leadership, what are your practical steps on getting there? Are you showing up to work on time? Are you doing the extra steps that set you apart from the crowd? Are you doing research about what could revolutionize your field and trying to align your skill set and giftings in the convergent path as much as possible?

If you want to be married, what are your practical steps in getting there? Are you where you want to be emotionally when you Mr. or Mrs. Perfect-For-You shows up? Physically? Spiritually?  Do you have mounds of debt that will assuredly impact your spouse? Do you take care of yourself?  Do you have unrealistically high expectations for your soon to be spouse to meet ... and then expect that they accept you "as you are"...  Is that the equivalent to saying "I am looking for the crown jewels for which I will trade you a broken gumball machine necklace"?  We are not perfect and have definite flaws, but we have a responsibility to do the best with the strengths and weaknesses that we have been given. Work hard to stretch yourself. Think out of the box. Do something for someone else. Quit focusing on what you don't have and focus on all the positives that you do. You become more attractive and more like the person that Mr. or Mrs. Perfect-For-You is looking for in the first place.

I guess this post is an encouragement to take an inventory of your life and how you spend your time. Does worrying about tomorrow add a single minute to your day? I think we all know the answer. Does your daily use of 1440 minutes each day reflect the microcasm of character you want to exude? Prioritize. Get the big stones in the jar before adding some much sand that the big chunks won't fit. When the big things are taken care of, the littler things are much easier to fill in. What are your big things? If I looked at your minute by minute time schedule, would I think that you are the developer of Facebook? Would I question your commitment to Christ and easily believe your commitment to the Kardashians?  Would I think you talk like Billy Graham but act more like Alexander Graham Bell with your love of the phone?

Same amount of time in everyone's day... how are you spending yours?

The Best Blessings In Being Single

2010-01-15T02:14:00.005-06:00

I know in the last post, I presented a side of singleness that is more spiritually focused, mentally disciplining, and just plain hard to do sometimes. I wanted to follow up with more practically positive things about being in an single state, possibly extended beyond what you've imagined should be "fair". Primarily for my own mental peace and as an act of disciplining my mind to focus on whatever is pure, lovely and true, I have a running list of "blessings from God in my singlehood" for a woman (or male) to ponder while living life in an unmarried state. These may or may not appeal to you, so feel free to chime in with your own list of blessings.

1) My time is my own to choose to do what I want to do with it
2) I don't have to watch the hunting channel ever, if I don't want to.
3) I don't have to share the Wii.
4) I always get to spend every holiday season with my family without having to spend it with in-laws.
5) I get to pick my own radio station and leave it there for as long as I want and listen to it as loud or soft as I want to.

I want to put a little caveat here... I have been told before by a married man who, honestly, has shown himself to be fairly foolish with his time and his relationships that he, in a way, envied a single person because it gave license to be totally selfish and focus on doing whatever YOU want to do.

Let's be clear... being single does not give you license to be selfish anymore than having a pool justifies you drowning someone in it. (How 'bout THAT analogy?) Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Period.

6) Spend time with friends without having to pass it by anybody else
7) I love having more time to read and study uninterrupted by the pitter patter of little feet... or the shuffling of dusty, adult-sized Redwings across my newly mopped tile floor. :)
8) I can make dinner consisting of what I like to eat... which might be a bowl of cereal or an apple. Only. Or, a three course meal with friends!
9) I think being single allows me more time to dream dreams for what I believe the Lord has for my life.
10) I get to pray and praise outloud anytime, even if it is 2:27 AM on a week day and not worry about disturbing anyone.
11) I get to spend more time doing ministry with and towards other families because I am not, at this time, having to take care of my own family.
12)  Singleness provides more time for preparation for the season of life that might include a spouse and possibly children. This preparation time might include taking cooking classes, learning more about health and wellness, learning to garden or basic mending, learning and maintaining financial responsibility, picking up a new craft for bringing in household revenue later on, or spending time investing in other married couples and learning what are some big hurdles that married people go through no matter your race, culture, society, or age.
13) Usually there is a lot of silence or quiet time where I can spend just thinking, which after talking to many married women with children, it seems like thinking without interruption is a luxury. :)
14) Travelling at any time, planned or unplanned, alone or with friends or family.
15) I think that periods of singleness do include times of loneliness. However, I have had married woman after married woman tell me that loneliness is NOT specific to singles.  It is the white elephant in the living room of many married people's homes... and can actually be the cause of people leaving marriage to become single once again because their needs are not being fulfilled in the way they would like. I choose to look at these moments, periods of loneliness, as building up my character.  A lot of times, loneliness provides an emotional impetus for me to seek out Christ more urgently, more frequently and find Him in the tightest of places and in the vast expanse of life. It is in those moments of finding Him when no other person is around, I am changed for the better.

One of the greatest blessings the Lord has provided for me in prolonged singleness is the fact that, if and when the Lord provides a godly mate for me to do life with, I will be so grateful for our time and my season of waiting will enhance the time eventually spent together.

"Wait on the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

Waiting is not bad. Unfortunately, we are culturized enough, Christians included, that we believe that waiting for any length of time at all is a punishment of sorts and immediacy is our entitlement. This is simply not truth. God has plenty to say to us while we are "in the waiting". Maybe we should take this time to listen... really hear what He is saying when you're by yourself, uninterrupted, quiet. Appreciate the silence and intimate time with Christ and realize, more than likely, there will be a time somewhere down the path you are travelling where mere seconds of uninterrupted time will seem like a Godsend. What is He trying to tell you as a single person? What lessons are being taught in the quiet moments of your day in possible preparation for marriage? Can God trust you to be thankful in times that don't look exactly like you'd envisioned or prefer? Take an inventory of your thoughts and actions and conversations... what percentage is spent on complaining over the state of your life or the lack of your preferred provision?

My mom has said this for years that in a lot of cases, NOT ALL, but a lot of cases, a depressed or unhappy person is one who is entirely too self-focused and spends time wallowing in his problems rather than helping others through theirs. I think in many cases, this is the truth. If we would focus on others and do what we can to serve them, our own "plight" really comes becomes the tool Christ uses to minister to others.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Until whenever, enjoy your singleness... use your time wisely... serve others graciously... give of yourself generously... love selflessly ... and above all, trust Christ ruthlessly. In these things, you will become a woman who pleases the Lord and the benefactor of God's very best gifts... perhaps in a tall, dark and handsome package. :)

Being the Best at Being Single

2010-01-14T01:55:00.003-06:00

I know a lot of single women and I'm gonna be honest about it... there are a lot of them that are NOT happy about being single. I am one of them sometimes. I think we deal with "marriage MUST be better than this" thought process when you are trying to bring all the groceries up three flights of stairs after working all day to come in a find that your pooch has relieved herself on the newly cleaned carpet. Some days, it is the "it would be so nice to always have someone to go to my office party with". Other days, it is "honestly, I just wish I had my own personal snuggie - and we ain't talkin' about that lame blanket"! I think we as women, probably all at one time or another suffer from "the-grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence" syndrome on some days. I don't know... I am not married so I would love to hear feedback from the married readers.

My most courageous and sober thoughts about being single help me realize that being married is not the answer to all of life's ills or problems nor does married life always consist of chocolate, flowers and back rubs for most people at all times. In fact, at times, it compounds life's ills and problems and though flowers make an occassional appearance, so do double amount of dirty dishes, unfolded clothes, and a few too many in-laws. :) I am not bad mouthing marriage at all and I sincerely believe that God has us in godly marriages for sanctification and to be an example of Christ and His bride, the church. That is kind of a weird concept on some level but such a beautiful picture when you allow your mind to envision what that looks like. Such love and such compassion. The lucky thing about this love and compassion is that it is available to single women in the person of Christ. He loves us enough to give us this time of sanctification for ourselves without someone else hindering our sanctification process. It takes a lot to get to the point where this is really what we long for, I know. However, when it is revealed that another human, man or woman, is not the solution to your time management issues, your financial concerns, your problems with your family and your sin issues, it helps bring the right perspective to the situation.

So, how do we embrace our singleness and enjoy this time the Lord has given us to spend with Him uninterrupted and unabridged? How do we keep our minds and hearts engaged in the thought that minds and hearts singly engaged with Christ is just as much a gift as a godly marriage is? How do we not fritter this precious time away waiting for the next season that may (or may not) look exactly how we want it to look? Ladies (and gents), the solution here is contentment and focus. And YES, it is VERY hard!! I know it is. I am there now and have been here for some time. It is an act of discipline to focus on what Christ wants us to focus on and not what the world/society throws at us through a myriad of images, promotions, available goods, etc. A few verses to help us through this...

"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"   2 Corinthians 10:5

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and haracter produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

"...Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that..." 1 Corinthians 7:28b

"And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to 'please' her husband...(my personal paraphrase: pick up his socks on every day ending in "y", visit his mother every weekend, clean up buttery popcorn stains and vacuum up salty pretzel crumbs off the newly reupholstered couch after THE game... from him and his eight buddies... among other things that are not delineated in Scripture and usually not found out until after "I do". )   1 Corinthians 7: 34

Just a few Scriptures that can encourage us to continue to walk in faithfulness and see where this journey takes us. It is not easy - you will never hear me say that walking the path of singleness is easy. It is definitely hard. It is just not too hard for you if you are currently single. If you were to be married at this time, you would be. If you are not, don't waste your life. Do something constructive while you are waiting on "The One". You really don't know how long you have left. Don't sit around and wait for Mr. Perfect - he is not out there. There is only a potentially Mr.-Perfect-for-you and right now, choose to serve others while being actively seeking. Engage in hospitality of your single friends, invest in godly marriages by volunteering to babysit for their children so they have a night together uninterrupted. Go visit the elderly for a few hours on the weekends.  Go on a youth-led mission trip. Live life as it is supposed to be lived and maybe, just maybe, there might be someone who comes along beside you pursuing the things of the Lord that He has placed in your path.

Trust Him to do with your life the very best thing possible. Timing is everything. Don't ever think He has forgotten you. You are His prize creation.  Deny yourself and follow Him with everything you have and the rest... is already taken care of.

The Best Irony

2010-01-13T01:50:00.001-06:00

Here is a question that will make many of you laugh out loud if you know me at all...

How in the world does anybody live without a daytimer?

I think I might be addicted to the organization and the fact it yields me a much more organized life. It only took 30+ years to come to this conclusion. I think that there might be hope for me yet. :)

Prayers for Haiti

2010-01-12T15:39:00.000-06:00

Please join me in praying for Haiti for today has seen some massive devastation in the 7.0 earthquake.

Lord, we ask that you be with these Haitian people as a country and as 10 million individuals living in probably the greatest nightmare they have ever imagined. Wandering around, homeless, no clean water, no food, dirty, no loved ones within arms length in streets littered with bodies cracked and broken by this catastrophic event. We don't presume to understand why these things happen but we pray for provision both practically, emotionally and spiritually for these people and that after all is said and done, Your name will be glorified in ways we will probably never comprehend.

"ATTITUDE" - by Chuck Swindoll

2010-01-11T15:08:00.000-06:00

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.

It is more important than the past,

than education,

than money,

than circumnstances,

than failures,

than successes,

than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.

It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.

And so it is with you...

we are in charge of our attitudes."

Best Ways to Pray for the Next Generation (Part 2)

2010-01-10T14:46:00.003-06:00

Pray for a spirit of HOLINESS manifesting in Christ-like behavior
...1 Peter 1:16

Pray for a spirit of RELIABILITY manifesting in a depth of dependability
...1 Corinthians 4:2

Pray for a spirit of REVELATION manifesting in learning to listen
...Ephesians 1:15-18

Pray for a spirit of DENIAL manifesting in a sacrifice of surrender
...Luke 9:23

Pray for a spirit of CONFIDENCE minfesting in a baptism of boldness
...Philippians 4:13

Pray for a spirit of INTEGRITY manifesting in quality of truthfulness
...Romans 12:17

Pray for a spirit of REPENTANCE manifesting in a willingness to change
...Luke 3:8

Pray for a spirit of TRUST manifesting in a fearless reliance
...Psalm 125:1

Pray for a spirit of SUBMISSION manifesting in choosing to yield
....Ephesians 5:21

Pray for a spirit of TEACHABILITY manifesting in a quality of meekness
...Titus 3:2

Pray for a spirit of PRAYER manifesting in a longing to wait
...Isaiah 40:31

Pray for a spirit of UNITY manifesting in a respect for others
...1 Corinthians 1:10

Pray for spirit of RESTORATION manifesting in a ministry of healing
...Isaiah 61:1,2

Pray for a spirit of AUTHORITY manifesting in a capacity to command
...Matthew 16:19

Pray for a spirit of GENEROSITY manifesting in a desire to give
...Matthew 10:8

__________________________________________________
***Taken from Dick Eastman, President - Every Home For Christ, (C) 1988
__________________________________________________

This list was originally titled "31 Ways to Pray for Our Youth".... Oh, what I would give to be prayed for in these 31 ways as an adult. Lord, please let it be so in my life as we pray for our upcoming generation of political leaders, teachers, pastors, community builders and parents. We need so much of these qualities in our own lives everyday. Thank you for forgiving us for our character gaps when we don't act at all like how You want us to act.

Best Ways to Pray for the Next Generation

2010-01-09T00:18:00.004-06:00

Pray for a spirit of REVERENCE manifesting in fear of the Lord
... Proverbs 9:10

Pray for a spirit of HUMILITY manifesting through the willingness to submit
....James 4:10

Pray for a spirit of PURITY manifesting in a desire to be clean
....Matthew 5:8

Pray for a spirit of PURPOSE manifesting in the wisdom to set goals
....Proverbs 4:25

Pray for a spirit of SIMPLICITY manifesting in an uncluttered life style
....Romans 12:8

Pray for a spirit of COMMITMENT manifesting in a dedication to "the cause"
....Joshua 24:15

Pray for a spirit of DILIGENCE manifesting in the willingness to work hard
....2 Peter 1:5

Pray for a spirit of SERVANTHOOD manifesting in the ministry of helps
....Galatians 6:9, 10

Pray for a spirit of CONSISTENCY manifesting a quality of faithfulness
....James 1:8

Pray for a spirit of ASSURANCE manifesting it a depth of faith
....Hebrews 10:22

Pray for a spirit of AVAILABILITY manifesting in a readiness to go
..... Isaiah 6:8

Pray for a spirit of LOYALTY manifesting in a zeal for fidelity
.... Ruth 1:16

Pray for a spirit of SENSITIVITY manifesting in openness of heart
.... Luke 10:30-37

Pray for a spirit of COMPASSION manifesting in love in action
....Mark 8:1-2

Pray for a spirit of TENDERNESS manifesting in a willingness to weep
....2 Kings 22:19

Pray for a spirit of MATURITY manifesting in the capacity to grow

....Hebrews 5:12-14

_________________________________________________

The Best Fiction

2010-01-08T00:33:00.001-06:00

I am a big reader and let it be on record that I think I have identified the best work of fiction that I have read in as long as I can remember...

Redeeming Love

By Francine Rivers

Ladies (and gents), this book is one for the ages! I know I am dramatic but I have read this book twice and I can't wait to read it once again. It is one of the most powerful books I have read in that it will bring out emotions that no other fiction book has brought out in me... awe, sympathy, compassion, anticipation, disappointment, optimism, trust, and gratefulness. It is amazing and one I would recommend to either male of female but it is a HOME RUN with every female that I know has read it.

It is the fictional story depicting the book of Hosea that takes place in California's gold country around 1850. It is a story of redemption and selfless love of God that changes lives in the most powerful ways. I can't say enough about it. A must read for anyone who likes to read fiction, spiritual books, historical books, love stories, or just interested in seeing how in the world God can take a prostitute and all the baggage that comes with that and changing her from the inside out through the love of a good Man.

I don't want you to think it is your typical romance because it is far more than that... it is the story of a wandering soul. A soul like mine that wanders from place to place looking for something that can only be filled by One thing. A soul that knows deep down that it can never be more than it really is... a dysfunctional and dirty blemish amidst a myriad of pitiful, self-seeking, love starved stains on the garment of Christ. And yet, there He is... wearing our sin and then washing it away. A soul maybe like yours who knows there is more but doesn't want to find it there. A soul that looks under every rock, behind every door, around every corner, in every person, at the bottoms of every bottle, and at the top of every heap always searching for that Thing that will fulfill.

You will keep looking until you find Him.

And when you do, He will fill you to the depths that you never knew you had and your cup will be running over. It's joy, it's safety, it's faithfulness, it's beauty, it's love... nothing can compare. In this book, we see her learn this life changing truth through the depths of despair to the heights of joy and everywhere in between.

You won't be able to put it down ... and He's not gonna let you leave without teaching you something powerful about Him.

Who's the Best: A Study in Comparisons

2010-01-07T00:32:00.000-06:00

I just heard a sermon recently that focused on comparisons of ourselves to others versus comparisons of ourselves to Christ. John Piper was quoted as saying to always compare yourself to Christ first because it will humble you as there is a vast distance between you and the great God we serve. Then, upon realizing our rightful place in comparison to the King of Kings, it allows us to view others as greater than ourselves rather than finding areas in which we find ourselves "blowing out" the competition whether than be in physical appearance, talent levels, personality characteristics, knowledge and wisdom, academic excellence, or spiritual maturity. It serves us well to remember Who the standard is... and it is not us.

Top 5 Worst Places to "Travel" (..Again, IMHO)

2010-01-06T23:58:00.001-06:00

Not to complain, but there are some places that are just not fun to go... I actually can't stand doing them. I would rather eat chocolate ice cream than go to these places... and if you know me at all, THAT is saying something!! Among those are:

The Doctor

(and certain ones are worse than others!)

Funerals

(typically unpleasant, wouldn't you say?)

Lavergne

(good people, but bad experiences keep happening there)

L o n g, d r a w n out, emotional discussions that don't solve anything

(Oh, for the love...)

Grocery Shopping!

(The WORST kind of shopping!!!)

Top 5 Best Places to Travel (...In My Humble Opinion, of course)

2010-01-05T23:15:00.002-06:00

I love to travel! It is such a great opportunity of living in this day and age to be able to travel for relatively fair prices with such ease and accessibility generally speaking... I have been blessed to take time away and travel to many different places - some for school, some for vacation, some for spiritual purposes, some for work.

My Top 5 Travel Destinations are:

(in reverse order)

Alaska, US
(I prefer by cruise, if I get to choose)

Vancouver, Canada
(Lake Louise is worth the trip itself)

Paris, France
(Try to time with the Bastille Day Parade through the city)

Hvar, Croatia
(surprisingly beautiful and not at all like I envisioned)

Ambergris Caye, Belize
(Yep... sweating it out for Jesus in Central American resort)

I have also been to 37-38 states and I love seeing new parts of the country where I live and love but there is something about leaving American soil and seeing the rest of the world... maybe it is the fact that when I finish seeing international beauty and culture, I get to come back to the greatest country on earth!

Seven Best Practices of an Effective Woman

2010-01-04T23:06:00.012-06:00

1. She rises early.

2. She maintains the spiritual disciplines.

3. She focuses on relational priorities for every season.

4. She sets up regular times for planning.

5. She develops an effective to-do list system and calendar/planner system.

6. She establishes an efficient routine for managing her home.

7. She organizes her house systematically.

I found this random list that I had written down and stuck in a notebook and I don't know the original source of this list compilation. It is one which I need so much work on! Wow... unfortunately, I could get stuck on number 1. I thought this was an excellent list to get us thinking about starting the new year off right as the best and most effective woman. Good luck!

Wisdom in Doing Your Best

2010-01-03T19:43:00.004-06:00

Here are a few quotes about doing your best and becoming all you can be and what the Bible has to say on the subject of doing your best:

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news.

The good news is that you don't know how great you can be!

How much you can love! What you can accomplish!

And what your potential is! --Anne Frank

God does not judge us by the multitude of works we perform, but how well we do the work that is ours to do. The happiness of too many days is often destroyed by trying to accomplish too much in one day. We would do well to follow a common rule for our daily lives--

"DO LESS, AND DO IT BETTER"--Dale Turner

Go out and change the world. The more you study, the more you should have
A GOAL you should be pursuing;
A DREAM your should be launching

A PLAN you should be executing;
A PROJECT you should be starting;

A POSSIBILITY you should be exploring;
An OPPORTUNITY you should be grabbing;
An IDEA you should be working;
A PROBLEM you should be tackling;
A DECISION you should be making. ~ Anonymous

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.--Les Brown

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."--Erma Bombeck

People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered (including me).

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down

by the littlest people with the littlest ideas.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them.

Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth.

Give the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway. -Kent M. Keith

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men. --Colossians 3:23
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who handles the word of truth. --2 Timothy 2:15

The BEST...

2010-01-02T14:11:00.001-06:00

... is the theme for this month of NaBloPoMo. I tried to do this in November but so many things came up entering into the holiday season, I fell short of posting an entry everyday. I am going to try again to get at least something little up each day in January and I am going to try to stick to the theme as much as I can. However, you know me... there could be some pretty big stretches.

So relax, sit back and enjoy the month of "Best" entries.

It should be fun and informative.... among other things, for sure.

I can't wait to see what I will write.

Suggestions about the theme "BEST"??? Feel free to comment and share ideas of what you would like to see this month.

The Best is Yet To Come

2010-01-01T21:48:00.003-06:00

Do you remember that 10 years and one day ago, we were waiting for "the worst". The worst power outage in the history. The worst power outage that would potentially send the hospitalized into a premature death, allow unfiltered water to pass through our lips, dictate that banks lose all control of our bank accounts (mine most particularly) and our frozen Blue Bell Moolenium Crunch would become puddles of yum and ruin the hardwoods.

So what did we do? We prepared. We bought food, lanterns, batteries, dug a well, got every kind of tape imaginable, bought storage shelves for the garage, determined worst case scenarios and how we would deal with them, and took protective measures against "the worst".

We stopped just short, not by much, I might add, of hoarding and boarding up toilet paper in case of looters struck with IBS.

And then... the worst happened.

Y2K came....

....like a soft breeze in the quiet night.

No fanfare of disaster... in fact, the sick were eventually healed, we drank the tap water, Bank of America still has my accounts in order (maybe better than I do) and heaven knows we've eaten through more than a half gallon of Blue Bell in this decade.

And, shockingly, the looters never came and we are still using the same stash of toilet paper lined up in the garage on storage shelves. The problem now is, after 10 years of storage in the garage, quality has become an issue. Can you say thin and scratchy? Plus, who wants to use 10 year old toilet paper?

My point, and I do have one, is that there are things that we fear that may happen in the future but does not add a single moment to our lives. As my mom has always told us, the things we insist on worrying about, normally never happen and if they do they are never as good or as bad as we anticipate them to be.

She's a smart woman. (I hope I have picked up even a hairs breadth of her wisdom being her daughter. One should be so blessed.)

So to begin the new decade, I anticipate so many things. I hope that some of them happen. I hope that some of them don't. I believe that some of them will and some of them will not. I also trust that the things I want most in the world, will not be as good as I envision them being. I am thankful that the things I fear worst in this world, will never be as bad.

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the LORD,

plans for wholeness and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

He was there at the beginning and He has planned out the end and here in the middle, He is orchestrating amazing things in each life He created to bring Him glory and to demonstrate His great love for us. He knows we are short-sighted and still He forgives and loves us in spite of ourselves. He sings over us as we sleep and He is prepared for the future He will bring us to and through.

As humans, we prepared for a power outage by finding items and/or procedures needed to meet our basic needs like food and water and shelter, we knew routes to take us to healthcare and how we would get there, we knew who would be there with us and we knew that we would not ever be alone.

Look at the birds of the air,
do they not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet
your heavenly father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

He cares infinitely more for us than we could ever care for ourselves and yet we still worry. Save yourself the time and energy and pour that extra into a life God has envisioned for you. It is way better than things that may or may not even happen. Take it from Mom...

Trust and believe...
the best is yet to come.

Welcome Another New Year, New Decade

2009-12-30T23:01:00.007-06:00

I got this great, thought-provoking entry directly from The Center of Biblical Spirituality and its director, Donald Whitney. Excellent food for thought as the year ends and the New Year is upon us.

What is God's best for us in the year to come?

A few things to consider...

Ten Questions to Ask
at the Start of a New Year

Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.

11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn't considered the question.

If you've found these questions helpful, you might want to put them someplace—in a day planner, PDA, calendar, bulletin board, etc.—where you can review them more frequently than once a year.

So let's evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage" (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let's also remember our dependence on our King who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Copyright Disclaimer: All the information contained on the Center for Biblical Spirituality website is copyrighted by Donald S. Whitney. Permission granted to copy this material in its complete text only for not-for-profit use (sharing with a friend, church, school, Bible study, etc.) and including all copyright information. No portion of this website may be sold, distributed, published, edited, altered, changed, broadcast, or commercially exploited without the prior written permission from Donald S. Whitney.

"We Are Fam-i-ly"

2009-12-17T19:26:00.002-06:00

Thought this was a great post/resource to share with Christmas being next Friday and family flying in from all corners of the earth. Though it is hard to admit and seemingly at times even more difficult to deal with practically, family get-togethers can be a strain. I know many families that are personally dealing with family relationship issues, and some of them are a little too close for comfort, if I am being honest. Hopefully, you won't have to deal with these things this Christmas season but I am willing to bet that you or someone you love is dealing with this up close and personal.

I think what bothers me most about it is that it affects Christian households as often as those who are not believers. It's not that I expect that Christian households be exempt from family problems. My concern is that when these problems arise in Christian homes, there should be a distinct difference in the way that they are handled. Responses and actions should not look like the world's playbook for dealing with difficult circumstances: Back biting, gossiping, sarcasm, having attitudes that indicate self-centeredness, entitlement, "me first", and being egocentric manifestations of hypersensitivity and blathering arrogance.

There's more... fill in your own blanks... ______________

Christ modeled what we are supposed to do as people in His family: Speak the truth in love, treat others as greater than yourselves, turn the other cheek, honor your father and mother, forgive others as Christ forgave you, do not let the sun go down on your anger...

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Here are a few truths discussed in Tim Lane's booklet, "Family Feuds: How to Respond"

1. Every family is flawed
2. Flawed families need God's grace
3. Your family of origin does not determine your identity
4. God's call to love includes your family
5. Families can be changed by the cross of Christ

Some stated practical strategies for change:

1. Respond with grace to your family
2. Take responsibility for your own sins, not your family's
3. Become and instrument of grace
4. Make wise choices for your children
5. Persevere in love

Something to think about this Christmas season as we spend time with loved ones who may or may not be able to be with us this time next year. May the Lord bless your time together during the holidays!

HT: Justin Taylor

Posted using ShareThis

Peek-A-Boo

2009-12-02T17:27:00.000-06:00

Promise I am alive!!!

Been a little while and I wanted to catch you up on some things that have been going on! So many things... so little time...

Actually, that is false.

I have SO enjoyed the time away from work to focus solely on getting my life back and starting a new track! I said on my status for FB not too long ago how much I realized that time really IS the greatest resource. I am seeing that for myself in that I finally feel like I have some time. Everyone is so busy and I am so glad that I have the opportunity to take some of that precious resource and put it toward some things that I am so excited about!

A few places you might see me this month around town if you live in the Houston area ...

December 10 - Northeast Christian Academy Christmas Program "Lindsey's Gift" at 7 PM
December 12 - Scott Chiropractic - Open House at 10 AM - Noon
December 18 - Kings Harbor Outdoor Concert - 7 - 10 PM (I go on at 9 PM)
December 20 - Grace Reformed Baptist Church (tentative)
December 24 - TBA
December 27 - TBA

Y'all come out and visit if you are in town! Bring your friends and family! Introduce yourself and let me get to know you guys! I can't wait to see you!

I'm sooo glad to be in Houston right now! It has been a very long time since I have been able to enjoy the holiday season (rather than just a few days before) with family. What a blessing!

(Possibly Embarrassing) Things To Be Thankful For...(Pt.6)

2009-11-14T19:42:00.006-06:00

El Debarge and their infinitely popular repertoire including: "Who's Holdin' Donna Now" and, of course, my favorite, "Who's Johnny".
That my last name starts with "H" and therefore gives a little breathing room when lined up alphabetically for those that might be a smidge late... or a little more late...or
That I don't have to pluck my eyebrows too much... anymore. For more details, see this POST. You will NOT be disappointed, I can assure you with total confidence.
That my most embarrassing moment happened without video cameras present and prior to the launch of ubiquitous camera phones. There was a fairly vocal direct witness but hopefully, he has long forgotten about this moment.... surely...
I haven't had to call 911 in the last 5 years for a rat in my house. I am the model for the billboard in downtown Nashville off of Demonbreun of when NOT to call 911. Seriously.

What are some things that you are (embarrassingly) thankful for?

Things To Be Thankful For (Pt.5)

2009-11-13T13:47:00.003-06:00

So thankful for the ability to reach for your dreams
So thankful that I have to wait for things I want because it sharpens my character
So thankful that I have seen God do miraculous things that have directly impacted my life
So thankful that I am single right now in that I can pursue this life long dream of ministering full time through speaking and singing to women, sharing with them the joy of being a child of His.
So thankful that the Lord allows us to come before Him with petitions and longings that He keeps on the forefront of His mind and always answers us and provides exactly what we need when we need it. (I can think of a few of these longings right now.... Still waiting and am determined to hear what He says while I'm waiting...)

What are some things you are thankful for?

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.4)

2009-11-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

My physical health

Educational opportunities

Gifts and abilities that make me unique

Weaknesses and failures that keep me humble

Laughter!! :)

What are some things you are thankful for?

Things To Be Thankful For... (Pt 3)

2009-11-11T22:04:00.005-06:00

In honor of Veteran's Day, these stand out...

Soldiers of yesterday willing to fight for this country's freedom

Soldiers of today who are willing to fight a different kind of fight not just on the grounds but also in the media, with propaganda, and in some ways against our own

Soldiers of tomorrow who will have to be willing to take up the stand and continue to fight for freedom we have enjoyed but at any time could lose because of our own arrogance and disregard for those that came before us.

Those that I have known or loved personally who fought for me - mainly Henry O H. Sr. and Lloyd F. ~ otherwise known as Papaw and Grandpa.

Our President who hasn't thus far given away the farm ...yet. Praying for him is an act of will and no one needs it more. Thankful I live in a country where I am allowed to do so.

What are you thankful for?

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.2)

2009-11-10T19:13:00.000-06:00

My roommate, LM, who rents to me for a very reasonable price
Her dog, Vivi, who is such a source of joy at the end of a typical day.
Grandparents who loved my parents enough to do the hard things
The sweetest nieces: IG, RL, SP, AR
The funniest nephews: DH, EA, JI, AK

What are some things you are thankful for?

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.1)

2009-11-09T19:09:00.001-06:00

Salvation through Jesus Christ
Parents that are still married to each other
My sisters: K and B
My brother: T
Old friends who know so much about you and love you anyway...

What are some things that you are thankful for?

2009-11-08T14:55:00.004-06:00

When I come home to visit my family, I go to church with my parents who attend a solid church. By "solid", I mean unashamedly proclaiming the unabashed gospel of Jesus Christ in an expository manner with thoroughness and thought-provoking practical application.

Yes - "Solid" really means all of that.

Founders Baptist Church is located in Spring, Texas in a modest and nicely situated facility. Pastor Richard Caldwell has been the pastor there since 1998 and is dedicated to the exposition of God's Word at any and all costs. The first sermon I ever heard brought conviction and gratitude for all Christ has done for me in a way that I have never been before. Never one to promote overblown emotionalism, this pastor preaches in an understated way with a way overstated result if that is possible. People are changed when they attend this church. It is a place of solidarity between generations, between leadership and laymen and between God and man through Jesus Christ. I have learned so much each time I have visited and believe that God has His hand on this church and on this pastor. You can trust him. You can believe that He is consistent. You can see that He is humble and yet passionate for the lost and a vision for the future.

If you are ever in the Houston area, please consider visiting Founders Baptist Church. You will hear God's Word in ways that will change your life.

Thank you, Pastor Richard, for choosing your life's primary path of educating, demonstrating, and encouraging others in the ways of the Lord. I am a life that has been impacted by you and the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-07T14:34:00.002-06:00

Today is it. It's the start of a new year for me. November 7th, 2009. Several notable events that have happened on November 7th thus far...

1619 – Elizabeth of Scotland and England is crowned Queen of Bohemia.

1874 – A cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly, is considered the first important use of an elephant as a symbol for the United States Republican Party.

1918 – Billy Graham, American evangelist, born

1929 – In New York City, the Museum of Modern Art opens to the public.

1944 – Franklin D. Roosevelt elected for a record fourth term as President of the United States of America

1957 – Christopher Knight, American actor (aka "Peter Brady" FOREVER) born

1967 – US President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, establishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

1962 – Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States (b. 1884) died

1991 – Magic Johnson announces that he is infected with HIV and retires from the NBA.

1994 – WXYC, the student radio station of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, provided the world's first internet radio broadcast.

2004 – Howard Keel, American actor (on "DALLAS") (b. 1919) died..... Admit it, didn't we all stay up on Friday night after the Dukes of Hazard and watch who shot J.R. and Bobby wake up from his season-long dream? Our first taste of night time soap operas!

After seeing this list, how many people knew that November 7th would be the day a child would be born, their last day on earth, the day a major event would alter their very lives? We know not what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. Today is the beginning of a new season for me, full of unknowns and hopefully, POSITIVE note-worthy events. May the Lord be honored in this next year of life for as long as He gives me to walk around and praise Him here on earth!

Going to the "The-ah-ter" tonight...

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

... to see Mary Poppins at the Hobby Center. Lots of great reviews by extended family and friends. Going with some great people... my parents and my sisters.

"HE gives beauty for ashes,

strength for fear,

gladness for mourning,

peace for despair."

- Crystal Lewis "Beauty for Ashes"

Praise the Lord!

Toy Drive Today!

2009-11-05T09:00:00.001-06:00

Today is the Kingwood Chamber of Commerce Toy Drive at Second Baptist Church. I'll be there at 11 AM for preview of the toy tables and then the program starts at Noon with entertainment provided by a friend of mine, Kristen Jeffries, and me. We are both singing two songs apiece and getting to ring in the holiday season for the community.

I am blessed to be able to spend time with people I enjoy, doing things I love, and being surprised at how the Lord continues to provide...

...always!

Poetry for the Season, Pt 4

2009-11-04T18:39:00.003-06:00

Truthfully...

YOU can't

Not good enough

The only answer is...

Christ

Poetry For the Season, Pt 3

2009-11-03T22:39:00.003-06:00

Pride

THE Impetus

Masking the insecurity

"Do I measure up?"

Honestly...

Poetry For the Season, Pt 2

2009-11-02T22:10:00.003-06:00

Masks

Really Fake

Downside is upkeep

Always trying to impress

W h y?

Poetry for the Season

2009-11-01T16:45:00.004-06:00

Halloween

New Identities

Costumes for all

What are YOUR masks...

Everyday?

Three Days More...

2009-10-31T19:28:00.003-05:00

I spent time up at work today and got a lot finished with regards to packing up boxes and getting a few things organized. I also provided keys for a scatterbrained colleague and a conversational partner for one of my crazy friends who is also looking at 5 days more. What will these people do when I am not there to borrow keys from and provide witty banter?

I suppose they will continue to find someone else to provide for those exact things.

Everyone is replaceable.

That is sometimes hard to hear. There is the knowledge that life will continue on as normal at the clinic and there will be many lunches and conversations I will miss out on. It is sad to me a little. I trust that my time there at Vanderbilt is now over because He is moving me on to a different place where He will grow and stretch me, probably more than I could ever imagine.

Honestly, I'm nervous.

But it is amazingly exciting what the Lord is going to do in the next several months!

Please pray for me as I am continuing this journey that the Lord placed in my heart when I was a girl of 6, singing from the top of my lungs "Lookin' For Love In All the Wrong Places".

Hey, you gotta start somewhere!

News Continued...(In More Than 22 Words)

2009-10-13T23:55:00.004-05:00

Well, you knew I couldn't just give you 22 words. :)

I did it and here are my thoughts a few weeks post resignation letter...

I feel certain that there will be bumps and bruises along this new trail I will be travelling. I feel certain there will be times where I miss the consistency of a 9 to 5 job. I feel certain that there will be many times where I really miss the great people I work with now and those that begun the exodus a while back. I feel certain that there will be some serious struggles with financial needs and a very tight budget. I feel certain that there will be some lonely times being essentially by myself and not in a big office with lots of wonderful colleagues with stimulating conversation and great camaraderie.

BUT...

I also feel certain that this is something that I HAD to do. This is something I wanted to do. I feel certain that this is the right timing at last. I feel certain that this is a huge leap of faith for me and one that will most definitely increase my dependence on the Lord in hundreds of ways. I feel certain that no matter how crazy it looks, how desperate it feels, how impulsive it appears, I know that I know that this is what the Lord has called me to do right now and upon reaching that decision, I have felt nothing but peace ever since.

The Lord has been preparing me for 30+ years for this time in my life. Not that the before now, was not useful in an of itself but it served as a training ground for me and what is in my future. I believe that the Lord is preparing us for our future and does not expect us to dwell in the past. There have been broken hearts, broken families, financial crises, illness, changes, new beginnings, births, growth, change, transformed relationships, restored hearts, financial provision, healing and undergirding it all is God's faithfulness. He has never failed me yet and I don't expect that He will start now.

A good friend told me one time that it is one thing to run from something and quite another to be running toward something. I feel most definitely like I am blazing a trail toward God's best for my life right now. I know it will take lots time, effort and energy and most importantly, the favor of God. I am willing to move forward in this next chapter with excitement and dreams (and a little fear, honestly) with my knees to the floor and my face to the sky.

I think now, I am ready.

So... here I am - ready and raring to go!

Tune in for the joy that happens on the journey! It's gonna be fun!

News (In 22 Words)!

2009-10-13T23:31:00.004-05:00

I have some BIG news....

I've resigned effective November 4th.

I already truly miss GREAT people.

I could NOT be any happier!

Who Will Be Knockin' on Heaven's Door?

2009-10-12T21:56:00.005-05:00

I subscribe to a blog by Abraham Piper. Yes. The son of John.

I chose to subscribe to this blog for a couple of reasons:
1) His blog's name is 22 Words. The point is to engage thought, make a point, induce a laugh, etc. in 22 words. ONLY 22 words.

I thought "How is that possible?" I think possibly 2200 words or MAYBE 220 words but 22 words? Seriously.

Yes. He does it day in, day out.... and I am amazed and intrigued and challenged to say more with less. (Perhaps with the next post...)

2) His wife is a speech pathologist and at times, he speaks "my language" of daily events when talking about or quoting his wife.

3) He is the son of one of the greatest preachers and, in my mind, challenging writers that I have gotten to partake of in my short life and I assumed that he has picked up some of his father's giftings. This was one assumption in which I was correct and though different, he still addresses concepts, thoughts, and perspectives I want to be challenged with and engaged on generally speaking.

Anyway, His post of the evening is....

"We will be shocked by who’s in Heaven.
Do we live like this is depressing or
exciting for us?"

I fail, but I want my life now to prove I’ll be overjoyed—not annoyed—with
whoever else God lets into Heaven.
(See - count 'em... 22 words)

I had not thought about that perspective before.

Are there really some people who were called by God into heaven that I will be disappointed , chagrined, irritated even at the fact that they, too, are in heaven?

I have thought about a lot of people that I would sincerely want to be in heaven but will not be there whether it is because they have either shown no interest, refused to discuss the topic, are banking on good works alone, "trusting in chariots and horses", or defiantly rebut the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This I think about and think about WAY more often than about those who I would be ticked about arriving there with me.

Have you thought about this?

Are you talking to those that you want to be there in heaven with you?

More importantly....

....are you talking to those that you DON'T want to be there in heaven with you?

Why or why not?

HT: Abraham Piper @ http://twentytwowords.com/

The Choice

2009-10-06T23:07:00.004-05:00

Today, I had an evaluation that lasted from 9 AM until 2:35 PM.

I am fried, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I have heard every detail of this particular family's life down to each intravenous needle used to perpetuate a heinous drug habit, places to put the needles, manipulation of family members that would make your blood boil and one of the most unhappy mothers who have had to sit back and watch her children make poor choice after poor choice and then reap the consequences of a life time of bad choices.

I have felt so many different ways today from frustration, to pity, to empathy, to insignificance, to hopeless, to bold. This was a boulder of dysfunction and the poor mother was holding on for dear life, being rolled over hundreds of times per day and yet as it was her family, she could not bring herself to let go.

She said she grew up in church. I am not sure if she still attends regularly but her husband does not lead his family into worship each week.

In a situation like that, what do you do? Do you cry with them at the expense of your daily productivity? Does counseling the family come across as perceived arrogance when you have no CLUE what she deals with on a day to day basis? Do you encourage? Do you send them elsewhere where someone else can take care of it. Do you stay as far away from The Truth that you know will change their very lives in one single moment?

Or do you tell them about ...

Jesus

The Creator of all life

The Father to all children

The Judge of all courtrooms

The Rebuilder of everything that is broken

The Shepherd leading us beside still waters

The Burden Bearer of all things weighing us down

The Supplier of our every need

The Almighty Mediator between God and man

The Comforter in all sadness

The Prince of Peace in a house of chaos

The Healer of all illnesses, addictions, mental instability, emotional brokenness

The Friend that sticks closer than a brother (or husband, or child, or sister)

The One and Only Savior who came to save those who were lost.

What do you do?

Do you really have a choice?

CD Release Party Pictures

2009-10-03T10:34:00.010-05:00

I wanted to let you guys see some of the pictures from the release of HEAR. These are not all of them but a smattering of some of the evening's fun moments. I want to send a shout out to Alicen Herrin and Natalie McCullough who were there all night long (and Natalie was so agreeable to find out about and take on the responsibility the night of the event. Thank you so much, neighbor!) You might recognize the name "Alicen" because we have been friends since 3rd grade and I have blogged about her in the past. Here is yet another thing that she jumped in and helped me do and, of course, she did it perfectly as every time before. THANK YOU to both of you sisters. I so appreciate you!

So, "HEAR" we go....

Opening with "Everlasting God"
I should mention that it is extremely difficult to maintain appropriate pitch on a sustained note and walk with purpose in heels approximately 20 feet to stagefront debuting a intensely personal work with the shakes of nerves and everyone you love from the last 30 years in the same room staring at you nervously. I'm just sayin'...

"Made Me Glad"
Here, the cotton mouth was mostly gone and the pressure was lessening which is exactly opposite of how performances usually go for me. I am usually OK at the beginning and as the song goes on and time increases, I tend to get more nervous. Still for me, a pressure packed situation but one in where I CLEARLY saw the presence of the Lord calm my nerves and give me a peace that could only come from Him. I just love the song "Made Me Glad".

(Just a background bit of info, I found out on Thursday afternoon before the release on Friday that this track to "Made Me Glad" had some pretty significant (to me, at least) mistakes in it that were unaccounted until the music was run through a professional sound board. Another attack by the enemy. Thank goodness Jim Hammerly was there to help get us through those little issues.)

A good friend of mine, Jim Hammerly (formerly of Brooklyn Tabernacle and Christ Church in Nashville, currently with Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN), graciously carved some time out of him schedule to fly to Houston and be part of this special evening. The Lord absolutely knew that we HAD to have him there to help out with so many things that we didn't even know about until he got there. Masterfully, he played a couple of songs for me on stage as well as provided music for the reception. He helped out with the glitches on the track, the mix, the musical details and was a go to person for the tech crew. My parents and I have said time after time that Jim was literally a God-send for that night.

God provides exactly what we need before we even know we need it!

Tim McDermott, general manager and President of KSBJ Radio, 89.3 in Houston served as the MC for the evening and was outstanding. Yet another way the Lord demonstrated that He is Lord over all the details. We were so blessed that Tim agreed to come out that night and offer his heart and services.

God demonstrated His great love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I believe that given His sacrifice for me, I have the joy and the responsibility of ministering to others in His name. I know that I have been placed where I am for such a time as this. It is not by accident or a series of haphazard decisions or circumstances. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I will not back down,

stop singing,

quit talking,

stand aside,

take for granted,

be unavailable, fruitless nor useless

for His cause and calling on my life.

I will continue for as long as I have breath and I pray that He finds me available and willing to be a good steward of this high calling.

Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to live out dreams and for dreaming bigger dreams for me than I have for myself.

Women in Christian Media

2009-09-24T00:37:00.003-05:00

Hey Y'all!

Wanted to blog a little bit about this organization/network that I am newly a part of. It is called Women in Christian Media and was established in 2001 by Suellen Roberts who is out of the Dallas area. There are 4 regional areas: Dallas, Nashville, Chicago, and Costa Mesa California. This group is a collection of women who are actively involved in all kinds of media outlets from radio, TV, publishing, music and web based businesses.

"Women in Christian Media™ is a fellowship dedicated to connecting women working in Christian media in purpose and vision. We provide a framework for networking, opportunities for professional and personal development and work toward advancing Christian media - and the women in it."

This group's theme verse or Scripture is Esther 4:14 which says,

"Who knows but that you have come to this position

for such a time as this."

If you know me at all, you know that Esther 4:14 has been somewhat of a life verse for me and one that I find myself quoting very often. The circumstances of me getting connected with this group has been so random and out of the blue, it has made me sit up and take notice that God IS at work. I am serving on the Task force for the Southeast Area based primarily in Nashville and we have our first meeting tomorrow night since I have been a part of this great group of women. I am excited to see what the Lord will do with a network of women who love Him and are focused on serving Him through media means.

Please pray that the Lord will connect those that need to be connected and through all the personalities and ministries that will be represented tomorrow night, that God Almighty will be the main event and focus of the evening. Without Him, we are nothing.

Check back for details. If you are interested in contacting me about this group whether it be doctrinal statements, mission statement, membership, events/activities.... please write a comment here under this post or contact me through my website: www.christiharper.com

Would love to talk to you about it!

Blessings!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!

2009-09-20T23:35:00.004-05:00

How can I possibly tell everyone adequately how much I truly appreciate all the support and help and love that I have received over the last several weeks all leading up to this past Friday night? The Lord showed up in a MIGHTY way and He had HIS way with the CD release party. Praise the Lord as that is exactly what we prayed for that evening. As I mentioned in my last post, I have the greatest prayer teams ever and I know there are people who definitely prayed for me by name whose names were not on that list. I have lost count exactly how many people have either called me, emailed me or texted me that they were praying on an ongoing basis as well as those who prayed specifically on Friday night. What a blessing you all are to me!

Let me first say that I can attest to the fact that when God is at work, the enemy is fighting mad and trying to detract and distract all of our hearts and minds from the whole purpose of the work. I struggled with discipline of the mind all week that I was home and even the night before, trying to bring all thoughts under my will and making them obedient to Christ was difficult. The familiarity of home and the well wishes of so many people in the community as well as the millions of little details that needed to be completed all made it a moment by moment process to make sure and stay focused on the main purpose we were all working for. There were "bumps" the entire week that really kept us on our toes and really should have kept us on our knees. God is thankfully, long suffering and slow to anger.

When Friday night actually got here, the stress for me was high but everything, in my opinion, turned out absolutely beautiful! The team pulled together and really depended on the Lord to make this release party a success and what I joy it was for me to really sit back and watch it come together. Amazing!

We had a pre-reception around 7 PM for some close family and friends that lasted for about 45-50 minutes and then the public was welcomed in around 8 PM. We had approximately 200+ people there who all came in and got seated before Tim McDermott, the general manager of KSBJ 89.3 Christian Radio Station, came up to begin MC duties. The night was opened in prayer by an old pastor/ministry leader and friend of mine, Fred Dallas. I love His heart for the Lord. Then Tim came and began hosting giveaways which was a big hit. He introduced me and I began the music part of the evening with "Everlasting God" followed by "Made Me Glad" and a pseudo-spontaneous verse of "My Jesus, I Love Thee" with the piano.

One of my biggest blessings of the entire event was the fact that my dear friend, Jim Hammerly, formerly of Brooklyn Tabernacle and Christ Church in Nashville, was able to fly down and play for the evening. What an honor for each of us and especially for me! I felt so relaxed on stage and knew that since Jim was there, the music and all those things pertaining to music would be taken care of. He was such a blessing!

Tim McDermott was able to take the stage and actually conduct an interview with me following a congregational sing along of "My Jesus, I Love Thee." He was totally at ease and made me feel so relaxed as well. He was funny and engaging and the consummate professional. Yet another blessing the Lord so clearly worked out. I was asked no less than 8 times how in the world I got Tim McDermott to MC this event...

God worked it out. Pretty plain and simple to me.

I sang "There is No Chain" and then closed with "Work of Art" which is one the dearest songs to me. It is one of those songs that I so wish I had written because it says so much of what I pray for in my life. It ministers to me when I sing it and hopefully people can see that.

There were people there who showed up from as far as central Louisiana and Nashville and many people I had not seen in many years. For those who travelled long distances and those who took time out of your busy schedules to come support me, "Thank You" is not strong enough. You were there for the culmination of a dream I have had for 30ish years and I am so glad that you all got to share that moment with me.

TO God be the glory, great things He hath done!

Prayer Team

2009-09-03T13:11:00.005-05:00

I have got the most amazing prayer team that is holding me up in prayer over this month! It has seriously been like a breath of fresh air that has blown peace across my life. I am SOOOO busy and not feeling well, but through it all, I am so grateful for the group of people who have volunteered to pray for me and for the path that I am starting on. They are not doing it to get their names in lights but because they love me and I love them all so much. I cannot express how important prayer is to me in my life and yet so difficult to carve out the time to do so. That is why these people are such a blessing to me. They are willing to sacrifice something that they need to be doing and have committed to pray for me for this month, some of them all month long. I want to give them a mention here....

Brenda Mathews

Mauri Cato

Meredith Graham

Leah Olson

Angie and Bobby Edmonds

Alicen Herrin

Jane Pistole

Elaine and David Atchison

Marilyn and James Appleby

Sharon Earhart

Todd and Stacy Gill

Donna Jones

Mandy Stenberg

Pam Wiggins

Amy Miller

Sarah Samuel

Lisa Popham

Elysia Mosteller

Saralu Lunn

Carolyn and Henry Harper

Heather Sieber

Dorothy and Henry Harper Sr.

Rosslyn Harris

Reagan and Trey Harper

I am so grateful for these people and appreciate the time and effort it takes to pray for me. May the Lord bless you all with peace that passes all understanding and joy overflowing!

Thank you!

The Website is Launched!!

2009-09-01T23:53:00.004-05:00

Please come by to visit and see what is up and going on with the new events the Lord has allowed me to be involved with! So excited for this day to finally be here! I am ready to move in the way that He has me to move and I look forward to what that looks like.

www.christiharper.com

"Wait on the Lord; Be Strong and Take Heart and Wait on the Lord." Psalms 27:14

2009-08-15T16:09:00.011-05:00

"HEAR"

Debut CD release by Christi Harper

September 18th, 2009

Open to the public at 8 PM

Second Baptist Church - North campus

22770 Hwy 59 North

Kingwood, TX 77339

Please come celebrate with me the culmination of a life-long dream

and the launching of a new season of what is sure to be

full of joy and some sadness,

maybe a few disappointments and full on elation,

and, above all,

truth and grace beyond measure.

May God receive full honor and glory for

what He has done,

what He is doing

and what He is going to do.

Praise the Lord from Whom all Blessings flow...

I am blessed and humbled.

Speech Pathology Magic Words

2009-08-11T19:50:00.003-05:00

Attention all SLPs:

An actual quote out of my mouth today to a mother as I was conducting a diagnostic assessment on a child with a tongue tie...

"In this particular case,

talking with his tongue tied is about as effective

as tweezing your eyebrows with salad tongs."

Tell me no stories, I tell you no lies.

The Value of Clarity and Definition

2009-08-05T21:47:00.005-05:00

I am having trouble reconciling in my mind a few things this evening:

1) That my 83-year-old Mamaw is on Facebook and is hyuckin' it up with people from the opposite side of the family every night. She's on it right now.

2) That she is actively farming on Farmville.

3) That she sent me a jello shot this evening.

To be clear, she doesn't know what it is....

but thought I,

a non-drinker and non-jello-er,

would enjoy it.

She doesn't know exactly what she is sending but she is passing it along to her "friends" and underage grandkids? She doesn't drink! Most of my family doesn't drink as a general rule. Why is the matriarch of this family lining the road of temptation with jello shots? I have no words.

Let me tell you what this is like... (Please bear with me as the situational details may not be exactly accurate due to poor memory, but the punchline definitely happened.)

A few years ago (like 20 -25), my family was preparing to take a family ski trip to Colorado. We would go for Spring Break every year and stay the week. We would stay in a condo and bring grandparents (you know, the one sending jello shots now) and have a grand time. Well, the week before we were to leave, my sister was at school and they were having a share time of discussing Spring break plans and it was her turn to discuss. She begins...

"Well, we are going to Colorado and we get to go skiing and I don't have to go to ski school this time and Mamaw and Papaw are going and the best part is that we get to stay in a condom."

That is not a typo.

This stemmed from the time that she heard the word "condom" and proceeded to ask Dad what it was. At her age, it was probably not the best time to share the exact function of that item. In the days leading up to that question, we had been talking about the trip to Colorado and been discussing the housing situation and inevitably the word "condo" came up and so...

He just went with it.

"Ummmm... that ..... ummmm.... is ahhhh.... that is the thing..... that is the ... PLACE THAT WE STAY IN COLORADO."

I know, you don't even have to say it. He wasn't really going to use that conversation as a teaching lesson but honestly, the bluntness of the question caught him off guard and he just said it.

Unfortunately, he forgot to say "just kidding" and she proceeded to tell her class that we were all going to get to stay in one.

Yeah for us!

The point... BE SURE you know what you are talking about and/or sending out before sharing with your friends or family. Also, be clear as to when you are joking and when you are not.
You never know when it will come back to haunt you...

This includes jello shots, Mamaw.

Questions to Ponder...

2009-08-05T00:15:00.003-05:00

What is the legacy you want to leave here on this earth?

Is your life leading to that legacy that you want to leave?

What changes should you make?

What should you persevere in?

What sacrifices are necessary?

Whom shall you decide to love in spite of your feelings?

Whom shall you stand up to in spite of your fear?

Whom will you forgive when they don't deserve it?

Where are you going?

When are you going to quit?

How are you going to do it?

When are you going to start thinking about it?

When are you going to do it?

An Answer to Prayer

2009-08-04T21:33:00.002-05:00

There has been an answer to prayer that I shared on here a while back in this post. Actually, there have been three answers to specific prayers from that post.

First of all...

our whole department got RAISES across the board!

Do not fall over.

Do not call personnel.

Just go with it.

The second and third miracle are too personal to discuss here in this public forum but I have to tell you that God has orchestrated details to come together in ways that I could have never imagined. Two of them happened within 7 days of each other. I am so blessed. I knew the Lord would completely take care of this situation and He, once again, has shown Himself to be more than faithful with my life and my heart and the things that I care about.

He is so good to me in all things. I cannot imagine my life without knowing the Christ. I don't know how to explain powerfully enough the difference it makes in your life when you depend on something else bigger than yourself. The security and the relief that comes from trusting that the Creator of heaven and earth loves me and knows exactly what I need is unmatched by any job, any relationship, any amazing event, any circumstance, any opportunity. Period. And I look to find substitutes - every day. Haven't found anything that fulfills like Jesus does. Nothing even close.

My life is not perfect. It will never be perfect and it will definitely not look like anything I dreamed it would look like. Yours won't either. It will, however, look like the exact picture God had of your life when He thought of you. He has your days numbered before you ever came to be. He says that His ways are higher than our ways. He is crafting the tapestry of your life, intricately weaving the delicate threads stitch by unique stitch, each section taking on a beauty that could only have been envisioned by the One who sees the potential in us, who loves us and created us to be faithful to Him.

I can't believe the blessings that I have received at the perfect time only because He wanted to. I did not earn these blessings by any stretch of the imagination. They are gifts of grace, things I don't deserve but receive all the time. You have your own storehouse of blessings specific to your life. Are you receiving these blessings? Why or why not? He has them. They are sitting waiting for you to reach out and take hold of them. Trust and believe and know that He alone is God and when it is time, He will give you nothing less than His best. Nothing less. Ever.

Be blessed, friends, and know

that when God chooses to move,

you will know...

... I have seen it and it is amazing.

Simply.

An Opaque Vision Turning Translucent, Not Yet Tranparent

2009-08-02T17:05:00.004-05:00

When I was a little girl, I was inevitably asked the same question by many people. When you were a child, you were asked the same question.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I don't know what your answer was ... or IS. I guess some of us are still growing up. Maybe I am one of those people. I remember knowing somewhere in my "knower" that I was going to be a singer and a mommy and I went about telling people that these two things were my goal in this lifetime. Funny, that at my age, well into my 30's, I have yet to achieve either of those things. Less "funny" meaning "Ha! Ha!" and more"funny" meaning "odd" in my perspective. However, in God's perspective, I think that "funny" might mean "that girl is so crazy thinking that I have forgotten her." All in due time, friends.

I have mentioned on here that I am getting close to the CD launch in Houston. It is coming, FINALLY. I do not have a completely firm date but hopefully, I should find that out tomorrow afternoon and I will post as soon as I know. Here is the glory of God... it looks totally different than what I ever thought it would look like. Seriously. Totally different. I had no idea what it would look like because my vision was really opaque but a vision nonetheless. In some ways, might it be like the pictures you see in the clouds. When studying them, you really think there are images, concepts, pictures visualized in this ethereal world. And then, their gone. Were they even there at all?

Friends, it appears that the vision was real and the Lord is lifting some of the fogginess of the initial vision. What is so amazing is that while I was wondering if the vision was real or not, questioning the timing and situations surrounding it, the Lord has been orchestrating people, events, and circumstances to almost completely encircle the cloudy vision, just outside of my visibility.

Isn't that just like God?

Always working on our behalf and showing up at just the perfect time. Why do we doubt?

Through random (to me) and yet clearly God-ordained circumstances, the use of technology and a step of faith, I have been contacted by a national group who are basically a networking group/ministry who have presence in Christian media outlets from TV, radio, web based businesses, music, and written word. I have been asked to be part of the Nashville connection/Southeast US regional group. This is an opportunity that I was not looking for and honestly, had no idea anything like this was even out there. I will be on the task force for this area and work hard to bring other like minded women into the Nashville fold - those that are interested in becoming an integral part of media as christian women and furthering the cause of Christ through a means almost completely taken over by culture and a godless society.

I wanted to share this opportunity for a few reasons.

First, if I am completely honest, I am scared to death about this very clearly ordination of the Lord to move me in a different direction than where I have been operating on a day to day basis. It is what I wanted and what I want even now but I am still scared. Satan knows this is the area where I struggle and he taunts me day after day about the unknown and the illogical reasons why this should or could be happening. He is a strong foe but I serve a mighty God and I know that He has placed me in this position that I am in for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). I know that I know.
Second, I share this because I am requesting prayer for this new leg of the journey that I am travelling. I pray that fear would not paralyze me and not cause me to be disobedient to what the Lord has called me to do. I pray that I would walk by faith and not be sight. I pray that I would want what He wants for me rather than what I want for me. I don't even know what that looks like. I do know that I would hate to be caught wondering what it was that He wanted me to do while, in 20 years from now, I was still sitting doing what I knew I could do on my own and walked in the knowledge and power of ME. What a sad testimony for my life!
Third, I want to use this situation as an encouragement to you. Are you struggling with stepping out on faith? Are you holding on the dream of what may be instead of what is? "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things now seen". (Hebrews 11:1) I am not saying that God is a sort of "Sugar Daddy" but He is our Father and He loves to give us things that we desire that can be found in Him. He has storehouses of blessings stored up for us to disseminate to us throughout our lives. Don't think that He is finished passing out your blessings. He is not. Dare to dream outside of the reality you live in and know that God is the God of the "impossible". Move forward in faith. Take responsibility for your obedience and do not let fear keep you stuck where you are. He has called you to life and life abundantly.

Psalm 27:13-14:

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living!

Wait on the Lord;

be strong and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!"

Patience and perseverance are key. Wait for the Lord. Take the courage that has been prayed up for you. Do it today! Don't wait. Live abundantly. Even if it is one tiny step, MOVE! You have to. Don't take the easy way out. You pray for me. I'll pray for you. Let's move together and trust God with our very lives. Then, when the fog lifts and the opaque turns to translucence and the translucence turns to tranparency, WE WILL SEE GOD.

We will see how He has created the vision,

He has organized the manpower to help facilitate this vision to fruition,

He has orchestrated the symphony you will march to,

He has counted the seconds of time until the exact moment of revelation and

He has positioned Himself

in the greatest possible place of receiving glory

for the world to see.

We serve a great and amazing God of grace and glory! I am humbled and blessed.

I Wish You Could Have Seen What I Saw...

2009-08-02T16:59:00.003-05:00

... this morning.

My roommate, holding Vivi, the adorable, peeing cavachon pup turning out very lives upside down, sitting on her settee before church and giving the pup a full on manicure. Oh, what I would give for a picture of this moment. We have made jokes before how Vivi is CLEARLY NOT a shelter dog. She is MOST DEFINITELY a "designer dog" and all that that implies. The picture is worth a 1000 words. There she is in all her glory... totally sitting there relaxing having her belly scratched and her toenails filed while watching FOX news.

Come on... She is a conservative, if nothing else.

Who wouldn't want to live like this?

Parking... AGAIN!!!

2009-07-26T12:12:00.000-05:00

I know, I can't believe I am writing another post about the parking here but I AM!!! Frustration is NOT the word for this morning. Irritation is not really strong enough.

It's more like... IR-RO-TA-SHONE!!!!

I have now missed Bible Study AND church because I am now stuck between two neighbors cars who are, themselves, wedged between cars that should not be there. I was supposed to be at bible study at 9:00 this morning. Missed that. Church started at 10:30. Thought "Surely someone will move by then". That would be a negatory, Ghost rider. At 10:25, I started my walk down the street to all of my neighbors homes. After waking them up, most were very nice and understood the problem. However, unfortunately, being nice is not a superpower with cars and the one particular car that I am talking about has been around for awhile: bumps and dings around the car and the trunk is taped up... with duct tape. I have listened for voices. I have heard nothing.

I do have lunch plans to take my sweet friend out for lunch for her birthday but this appears to be a no go at this point.

Suggestions, friends? What say you?

Amazingly Good

2009-07-21T19:19:00.002-05:00

Just FYI-

God's timing and provision are Absolutely, 100%, Prime-Time, Grade A, Out-of-this-World, Shockingly and yet Totally Expectedly, should-clearly-shut-my-doubting-mouth A-MAZING!!!

Just wanted to remind you... and myself!

Updates to come...

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...

2009-07-17T22:17:00.003-05:00

Last weekend was a spectacular weekend with my oldest and dearest friend, Alicen. She and I could not be more different than we are but that is seriously what makes it work so well. She knows everything about me as well as almost anybody. She knows everyone in my family well and has heard many stories about my friends... maybe even you. She is really tall and really thin and could be, outside of my mom, one of the best mothers a child could ask for. She is steady Eddie and I love her for it. She talks me down out of the tree when I tell her I think I want to jump to see if I can fly and then at the bottom of the tree, brainstorms, encourages and trusts that we will get a feasible plan together that will, INDEED, allow me to fly. She tells me the truth and listens to my crazy stories ad nauseum. I am so thankful for her and her friendship for the last 21 years.

Together, two and a half days, we went non stop and learned all about Nashville and what makes her the gem she is. I haven't taken the time to really do the touristy thing in Nashville since I moved her about 7 years ago and I was so glad that I was able to play tour guide and learn right along with her. Great memories together to add to our already colorful history together.

Friday night, picked her up and went to the Nashville Sounds game where we played the Round Rock Express. Why does this matter? Alicen is from Round Rock!! What are the chances? We had dinner at the ballpark in the shape of a dog with ketchup and I think it was the best meal I had eaten all week. I feel certain it was the company! IN honor of her being here, the Sounds played down their game and allowed the Express to get in there and ... PRESTO! Win for the Round Rock Express. We bend over backwards for our guests to feel welcomed. That's just what we do here in Nashville. GREAT fireworks afterward! Who'd a thunk the best fireworks I've seen all year (And I've seen about 5 pyrotechnic shows thus far this year ... What?! I told you drama follows me!) would be when the Nashville Sounds lost to the triple team from Austin?

Saturday, went to Noshville for brunch and it was delish!! No fireworks but we were ok without them. Trip next door to Gigi's cupcakes to see what all the fuss was about and could not get geared up enough to actually buy one of those icing-laden heart attacks so we took menu to be kind. Car issues - easily fixed and then the Belle Meade Plantation. As they say in Alabama "Well, a plantation by any other name is just a farm but it just rolls of the tongue a little sweeter."

This ain't no farm, kids!

This is a plantation and everything that brings to mind. So interesting and so much to look at. Loved it. Loved the mansion, loved the carriage house, loved the lady toting oxygen behind her all the way through the tour, loved it. Alicen enjoyed it as well. You should head up here or down here as the case may be and come visit.

Went home got dressed for dinner at Opryland Hotel which was jammed packed and so Alicen suggested Opry Mills for something. Chili's? Macaroni Grille? Rainforest Cafe?

How 'bout pizza from the food court?

Christi knows how to treat, that is fer sure!

We had bad seats for the Grand Ole Opry but come on... it was the Grand Ole Opry. Little Jimmy Dickens, Jeannie Sealy, Mike Snider, OPry Square dancers, Billy Dean, Jennifer Hanson and Allison Krauss with the Cox family all present for Alicen's debut at the Opry. Great show!

Downtown Nashville following the show was a bust! Didn't happen but several grand attempts.

Sunday, church at an amazing church, Grace Community Church, where I am blessed to go each week. Fantastic service with sermon on sanctification and holiness which was timely, relevant and instructive. What a blessing!

Baby shower for Christi - packing for Alicen as she prepared to head back to the great state of Texas. While Alicen was here, it was the great state of Tennessee. Blessed by the visit and so sad to see her go. We had a great time together and bonded us together in yet a different wayand created memories. These memories I will pack away right next to the ones that include:

middle school pottery wheel electrocutions,
sisters with hammers running at glass,
trampoline jumping and blue bike riding,
card games at night under the covers with flashlights,
missing fingers,
soccer ball confessions,
loves that stayed and loves that left,
children,
matching broken feet with matching sweaters... on picture day,
space trolley rides
broken families
Mrs. Staley's contracts

...and my favorite ~ lingering thoughtful conversations through the fence at home, meeting in the middle and living life together.

Since third grade, Alicen has been an integral part of my life and I wouldn't be the same without her. She is still just as integral to my life now, over 20 years later, as she was when we lived next door. The Lord knows our hearts and sometimes, in some of the greatest blessings of our lives, the Lord trusts us with people... His people and those He loves so dearly.

Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with Alicen and her precious friendship. Thank you for shaping it, stretching it, strengthening it and allowing to grow in godliness with each passing year. Bless her as you have blessed me with her.

Parking: Part II

2009-06-25T22:36:00.003-05:00

OK. Sorry for the delay. Unfortunately, because it has taken me so long to get this written down, there have actually been a two more funny episodes that have happened since the parking issue but, as with many sanguine personalities, I can no longer remember them. I just remember thinking, Oh My Gosh! I am totally going to blog about this!!! Now... my memory is shot.

So, let's move along on this story before I forget this one as well...

The parking saga...

If you will remember, a while back I posted and entry about the territorial neighbors that I live around. It went something like this. Review at your leisure.

So, because there are such issue with parking in this community, the HOA has given out parking notices to each resident to place on people's cars if there is a problem with parking. They are little squares of paper that say stuff like: You are parked illegally in this place based on the following qualifications:
- parked in someone else's parking place without permission
- parked going the wrong direction
- parked on the curb
- parked too far from the curb
- parked in front of a hydrant
- parked in front of a house with a door
- parked on concrete
- parking brake depressed on this park job
- your car has windshield wipers
- you have a first and last name
- you pay monstrous dues for HOA and yet we need more money.

You get the drift...

I have to be honest, due to the geographic location of the condo where I live, it is very common for other people to park in my parking place in front of the condo. We are the first condo when you pull into the street so it offers mucho convenience for everyone... except me when I come home from work and there is someone parked in my spot. I don't generally get angry easily. I get irritated sometime over stupid stuff but usually, I find most things funny.

I do NOT find this funny. I honestly get really TICKED when someone is parked in my parking place. Why? BECAUSE I KNOW THOSE JOKERS WHO LIVE AROUND ME ARE GOING TO CALL THE COPS AND MAKE 'EM WRITE ME A TICKET IF I PARK ANYWHERE ELSE BESIDES IN FRONT OF MY CONDO!!!

That is why.

I would by lying if I told you I had not put a few of those tickets up on the windshields of cars parked illegally in my parking place. HOWEVER, I always leave nonabrasive notes attached. NOT like the one that I got with threats of tow trucks and doggy disposal. In fact, this is what I wrote on the last parking notice I left on a truck with a Texas license plate...

"Hi! I LOVE Texas people and so I am sure that you guys are great but unfortunately, this is a personal parking place and I don't have anywhere else to park so, even though you are visiting and probably didn't know, please park near the pool so I can park in my correct spot. Enjoy your visit! :)"

Hello!! I practically offered to be there tour guide for the duration of their trip. Nonabrasive? I would call it really overly friendly. Probably obnoxious to some. My sister would totally roll her eyes if she got that message so I am sure some people would gag. Sorry. Love me, love all of me. Anyway, they got the message (because I was watching out the window) and put it in their truck and left. When they came back , they parked in front of their host's condo. I felt a warm fuzzy feeling.

UNTIL...

The next morning, I received a parking notice on my car that was parked IN MY OWN PARKING SPOT for the following reasons:
- parked going the wrong way
- parked on the curb
- being a generally nice person.

OK - I'm kidding about the last one but I am NOT kidding about the parking notice. What? Someone has their feathers ruffled when they parked in the wrong place.

I am so very black and white in so many cases.

My feelings were kind of hurt because that is just unnecessarily ridiculous. Then, when I came home that day, I parked off the curb and going the correct way.

I am big enough to admit and take responsibility for my mistakes. And I fixed them.

Still irritated that they gave me a notice in my own parking place. Just for meanness.

Why?

Yo no se!

I should have Vivi leave them a present. She is so sweet.

Parking Saga Continues...

2009-06-16T21:26:00.002-05:00

I have not the time nor the energy right now to blog about this (primarily because I have notes, discharge summaries, treatment plans, comprehensive reports and transfer notes to write tonight), but DO NOT FEAR, I WILL be blogging the next installment of "How to Emblazon your Neighbor through Parking Shenanigans".

Honestly, this place is so ridiculous. I can not WAIT to tell you about the fun that ensues and the tempers that inflame.

Tune in...

SinGLE - Party of One - SinGLE

2009-06-11T22:07:00.005-05:00

Want to pitch out some articles or series of written entries that I have read about singleness, courtship, relationships in general. These primarily came from my blogging "friends" that I visit and read on regularly and wanted to share with my single readers. These are not only for SINGLE ladies and they are not only for single LADIES. They will impact the lives of those that read them no matter what your relationship status is. Let me say this, if you yourself are not single, there is a really good chance that someone you love (like your aunt or your daughter) is or will be sometime in their lifetime. These are really thoughtful and wise writers who have a strong spiritual heritage and recommendations to back up their reputations.

Check them out!!!

1) Carolyn McCulley's blog: Radical Womanhood -
Great article on the cultural romance "flu". It can change how you feel about love and courtship.
http://solofemininity.blogs.com/posts/2009/06/youve-got-lies-chick-flicks-and-the-worlds-approach-to-men-and-marriage-.html

2) Carolyn Mahaney and her three grown daughters blog: Girl Talk -
Section of entries on what to do while your preparing for marriage and how not to waste your single years....Let's use the time positively we have while we still have it...
http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/category/courtship/

3) Nancy Leigh DeMoss blog- Reviving Our Hearts -
I LOVE her! She is herself a single women who just turned 50 and is so wise, discerning and solidly biblical when it comes to theology. Her article actually pertains to women who are married to "unbelievers" or a husband living as an "unbeliever".
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/uploads/ABCsSpiritualSingle.pdf

4) Lydia Brownback blog- The Purple Cellar -
Collection of short entries about facets of single life. I really enjoy reading everything on her blog.
http://purplecellar.blogspot.com/search/label/singleness

5) Titus2Talk
Great blog where they post lots of great pieces from around the web. They reference some very solid articles. This is their section on singles.
http://titus2talk.blogspot.com/search/label/Singles

I don't do that very often but thought I would show you around to the places that I visit from time to time and I haven't particularly talked to my single friends in a while.

So, blog out, venture away.... but be sure and come back.

A Pressing Fear...

2009-06-06T13:53:00.003-05:00

The more I read, I feel more convicted that I have feasted on spiritually good upbringing, good heredity and milk toast theology. The problem is that I question if this has been enough for me. Have I rested on my laurels being the "good girl" and never delved into when I stand before Him and my actions, thoughts, desires, evidence of belief, are on display what He will say to me and about me? Have I tried to strike a bargain with God, promising to keep a bunch of rules? I fear I'm a spiritual slug.

As I am reading C.S. Lewis "MERE CHRISTIANITY", I have been profoundly impacted by the truths that are so often glossed over. A few thoughts that I have run across:

Final Curtain Call:

"Some of us who seem quite nice people may, in fact, have made so little use of a good heredity and a good upbringing that we are really worse than those whom we regard as fiends. That is why Christians are told not to judge. We see only the results which a man's choices make out of his raw material. But God does not judge him on raw material at all, but on what he has done with it. ..... All sorts of nice things which we thought our own, but which were really due to good digestion, will fall off some of use; all sorts of nasty things which were due to complexes or bad health will fall off others. We shall then, for the first time, see everyone as he really was. There will be surprises."

PRIDE

"According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind... it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began...For Pride is a spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense....The first step is to realise that one is proud.... At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. It you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed."

One more...

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS: Satan's Skew

"Things which are parts of a single organism may be very different from one another: things which are not, may be very alike. Six pennies are quite separate and very alike: my nose and my lungs are very different but they are only alive at all because they are parts of my body and share a common life.... If you forget that (someone) belongs to the same organism as yourself you will become an Individualist. If you forget that he is a different organ from you, you will want to suppress differences and make people all alike, you will become a Totalitarian. A Christian must not be either..."

"(We have a tendency to point out to each other) - which of these errors is the worse. That is the devil getting at us. He always sends errors into the world in pairs - pairs of opposites. And he always encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking which is worse. You see why, of course? He relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one. But do not let us be fooled."

I am so glad that I have taken the time to read this book as I see it becoming a foundational book from which to draw deeper into the knowledge and love of Christ. I highly recommend it if you have not read it. I have almost the whole book underlined and highlighted. :)

You might find that you, too, could be a spiritual slug, moving about so slowly in your spiritual growth and depending on your good upbringing and good "heredity" that we do not work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We take on everyone else's faith and don't ever go beyond what is specifically fed to us by a trusted pastor, a parent, a good friend who attends church or mate that reads the Sunday School lesson before church.

This should not be.

There will be surprises. Of this, I am sure.

Oh Lord, please come quickly.

It Is a Blessing....

2009-06-01T21:53:00.004-05:00

It is a blessing to have a job

that pays a regular check each and every month.

It is a blessing to have good health

and ability to be active.

It is a blessing to have good friends from 1981

all the way to my newest friend

made a few weeks ago.

It is a blessing to have a healthy family

where no one suffers from life ending illnesses

and/or physical diseases.

It is a blessing to have clothes

and enough to not wear the same shirt everyday.

It is a blessing to have a place to stay

with my own room and closet and study area

and place to be by myself.

It is a blessing to have a God centered church

with exceptional preaching and scripturally based worship.

It is a blessing to have parents

that are still married after 39 years.

It is a blessing to have an outlet where I can write

and hopefully encourage, vent, inspire and teach

and make some laugh a little.

It is a blessing to have opportunity to minister to others in music.

It is a blessing to live in a free country

where millions of other people would like to live.

It is a blessing to have financial resources

to pay my bills and much of my entertainment desires.

It is a blessing to have options.

It is the biggest blessing to have a relationship with the

Creator, Healer, Savior, Redeemer,

Teacher, Sovereign, Almighty God

who can take anything we give to Him,

good or bad,

and use it

to make us holy.

__________________________________________________

This is me talking myself out of complaining on here.

Really, when you have so much to be thankful for,

why complain about anything?

Service with a Smile

2009-05-25T12:17:00.005-05:00

On this Memorial Day, I want to say THANK YOU to all the military members, past and present, who have served this country without a hint of selfishness, sacrificing the comforts and conveniences of home. They go when told to go, they do when told to do, and they serve when told to serve. They eat meals that have been vacuum packed. They miss school plays and piano recitals. They sleep on dirty palettes. They live under constant scrutiny and authority and thrive there. Their instincts are first to protect and secure. They are fighting a war minute by minute that many of us don't think about on even a daily or sometimes weekly basis. They miss out on the love of their wife and the hugs of their children and the support of their parents/siblings.

To these people serving me and my country, appreciation and gratitude is not enough. It is hard to put a value on freedom but it is calculated by years of service and the actual lives sacrificed by those stepping up to the plate year after year. To those that have served and are serving, we all applaud you and pray for you and appreciate your sacrifice for the individual and corporate good of our amazing and free United States.

Thank you to:
Mr Henry Harper Sr. (and my awesome Pappaw),
Mr. Lloyd Fredregill (my awesome Grandpa)
Mr. Wayne Rogers,
Mr. Bill Patterson,
Mr. Patrick Sieber,
Mr. Charles Wingo, and
Mr. Dale Ausborn

...just to name a few of those whose service has had an impact on me or someone I am close to directly. I appreciate the willingness to sacrifice those things mentioned and unmentioned for someone else other than yourself. We are forever grateful!

Is there anyone else who you want to thank publicy on Memorial Day 2009? Comment away...

The Name - MASTER

2009-05-23T11:49:00.005-05:00

Is Jesus only our Savior or is He our true Master?

One saying that has gained a lot of popularity in societal circles has been "It is better to ask forgiveness than permission." I feel certain that I have said it myself. Unfortunately, it almost always stems from a heart that puts our wants, needs, choices as our Master rather than Christ. After putting our preferences in that "Master" position, we expect and depend on Christ as Savior to save us from our poor choices. This is not Christ's best for us.

I do not want to take ANYTHING away from the saving grace of Jesus's death and resurrection and those that know my heart, know this about me. Absolutely we are nothing without the blood of Jesus shed to glorify His Father and for the salvation of the children of God. However, just because we are forgiven does not give us the right and or opportunity to live in ways that are not submissive to our Master. It says in I Samuel 15:22-23 --

"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to listen than the fat of rams."

John MacArthur states in his commentary (which is EXCELLENT, by the way)...

"This is the essential OT truth. Samuel stated that God desires heart obedience over ritual sacrifice... (Sacrifice) was never intended to function in place of living an obedient life..."

Being obedient to the Master rather than depending on the Savior when you choose to ignore the Master is commanded. Are we going to fail and need the Savior? Of course. But, should we placate our desires at the expense of submission to the Master?

Never.

The Name - King

2009-05-22T23:13:00.004-05:00

I have had "a day" today. "A day" in which I felt that I really needed to get off the train that is looping round and round the earth at break neck speed because I am starting to feel nauseated.

I need a breather.

I need a little bit of time alone.

The circus monkey needs a nap and probably a banana.

Dipped in chocolate no less.

Are you getting me?

Today, I started off weepy and ended weepy and had a few weepies in the middle as well. I was set off by a kind comment this morning, by the lack of a kind comment at lunch, by the frustration of being unable to say "no" at times, and again at the end of the afternoon while recapping the crying with a friend at dinner.

I also had a kid spit in my coffee this morning which didn't help the matter.

I want someone to be in charge of my life and so I can just rest and quit worrying. I need someone stronger than me, smarter than me, more patient than me, more powerful than me, calmer than me and more loving than me to take charge here. I think maybe that is what a King does. That is what Christ the King does.

I need Christ to be King of my life and not the page boy. I need to be Esther coming boldly before the King pleading for the people in my life. I need to feel the security of royal body guards the King provides. I need to know the wisdom of the King. I need to nestle up in the King's robes and sit with Him at His feet and put my head on His knee.

And He is waiting even still today for me to do just that.

He is waiting for you, too.

I'd Say It's KRIS...

2009-05-20T23:40:00.009-05:00

(KRIS)-tal clear who America wanted for the American Idol of 2009!

There is a chance that I reacted strongly to the announcement... I'm just sayin'...it COULD have happened....

The Name - Living Water

2009-05-20T22:56:00.007-05:00

"Living Water

Bread of Life

Come and quench this thirst within me

Fill the hunger deep inside

For so long, I have been empty

Nothing else can satisfy....

Living Water, Bread of Life"

Lyrics from "Living Water, Bread of Life"

Performed by 4Him

Just like the woman at the well, you can drink the water from every faucet, every well, every plastic FUJI bottle, every eco-friendly water thermos. It will never satisfy you like drinking from Living Water. That is hard to explain to someone who doesn't know what Living Water is and/or has no idea that it is available. This is where faith comes in. We put our faith in lots of things:

The chair that we sit in - we have faith it will hold us up.

Our primary care physician - we trust that he will diagnose us correctly and utilize every procedure/medication necessary to heal our sick bodies.

Our President - we trust that he will fight for our causes, that he will look out for the greater good over the individual, that he will keep our country safe

Our friends - we trust that they will be there for us, they will include us, they will continue the friendship

Our family - we trust that they are there through good and bad, that they will love us enough to get through the hard times, that they will support us when we're down, love us enough to tell us the truth, and celebrate with us when we are flying high.

BUT... all of these things, A-L-L of these things will let us down at one time or another.

Chairs break,

Presidents fail,

Families split...

Faith in these "certain" things WILL let you down. The only thing that won't let you down is Jesus Christ. He calls our faith into being and asks us to trust Him and Him alone. Faith is the cup that allows us to taste the "Living Water". It is the only thing that allows us to see how the Living Water is personally and ultimately satisfying. Without faith, water is just water. It helps our bodies to keep working, it tastes good with a crystal light package of peach tea in it, it will tide you over until you need another drink of water. It will never allow you to know ultimate satisfaction as God intended on a permanent basis.

Have you ever had situations/events that seemed "fine" until a positive change occurred and in hind sight, you realized that you were not "fine". It was much worse than you had actually believed? This is what "satisfaction" can be like.

You think you are satisfied with your life:

your job,

your mate,

your children,

your singleness,

your wardrobe,

your family,

your status,

your friends,

your home

....until you get to know Jesus and you realize that you had no idea about satisfaction. The cavern being filled to satisfaction was deeper than you thought. It was wider than you thought. It was emptier than you thought. Just because you didn't know you were unsatisfied doesn't mean you were actually satisfied. It means you can't even grasp what satisfaction looks like or feels like until you have tasted the Living Water and truly KNOWN satisfaction the way God provides satisfaction.

Christ is offering Living Water for any and all who are called and choose to believe that this world, this season, this country, this society, this job, this life is NOT all there is. There is more, much, much more available to those who believe. It is a fountain overflowing with blessings unconceived of by you and only dreamed of by God.

Come! Come drink from the fount of Living Water to see the change within from what only Christ can provide you. It is the most amazing sense of liberation, sense of productivity, and sense of purpose that can never be matched by anyone or anything.

Guaranteed!

The Name - Abba Father

2009-05-18T22:38:00.005-05:00

Whenever I think about God as Abba Father, the image that it conjures up in my mind is the tallest body, the strongest build, the mightiest intellect, the most charismatic personality, the choleric leader and the ultimate decision maker, crouching down to become eye to eye with his little girl when she asks him to come to her tea party in the middle of the most important task the world can offer.

To me, "Abba" softens "Father" a bit. It makes me think that He is more concerned about what I am concerned about which is not always world politics and the economic state of Belarus. I am concerned that I lost my phone or that I am running late. I am concerned that my sheets need to be changed or my dog needs to be walked. "Abba" seems to embrace the little things, the innocence of things, the childish things that seem to trip us up daily. "Father" follows it up by having the power and strength and decisiveness and determination to take action on my behalf. He is effectual and affectionate. He is firm and affirming. He is carrying my burdens while He is carrying me.

Not a theologian's post... just simple thoughts from Abba's daughter.

Any thoughts from the other kids? What does Abba Father mean to you? How does this name manifest itself in your life and change you to become more like Him? Does it?

Name That Tune!

2009-05-18T00:54:00.003-05:00

Woo-hoo!!! There's been a change in blog world for Christi! YES!!! We have added music and what a CHANGE that makes. I love it but I wish I could see your faces when each of you hear the songs that randomly appear in sequence. So funny! Anyway, one of my chico readers has requested a copy of "The Name" by Anadara so I thought that I would add a playlist of music which I incidentally have been working on since Sept. 2008 - seriously. As I told him, unfortunately, I cannot find a copy of that song to be put in sequence on my playlist. I found it on iTunes and scrounged up a buck o' two in the couch cushions to download it. I don't know if that helps you guys or not but in my opinion, I think it is worth the .99 cents. Just my opinion.

So, let's yammer on the tunes... so excited about this! Excited to find some oldies but goodies and some there were some disappointments as well, of course. We're not in heaven so there will never be perfect playlist except on God's ipod. Anyway, I have added around 70ish tunes to the playlist and look forward to adding more but honestly, I feel like I have overdone it. I mean how long are you people hanging out on the blog for goodness sake? BUT..... there are some goodies on there.

I did try to have a reason for putting songs on the play list besides just "I like this!". I left some of my faves off because the lyrics were not the most uplifting (I love some of those melodies though) and there are some on here that are probably NOT my favorite but clearly typify some element of my life. There are several TV theme songs on there that I saw flashes of people at work. There are country songs that make me think about particular people. There are Christian songs that have ministered to me in profound ways. All in all, a good list of songs that can all speak about something in my life.

The fun part might be trying to figure out how things go together and why I would put certain songs on there. I leave that with you. Ask questions... post comments... report memories... make sure everything is clean...

I'll leave you with some...

1) "To Make You Feel My Love" - by KRIS ALLEN!!! -- I think this has already been covered as to why this song might be on here but just in case it wasn't clear.... I like him. I like him and I like this song and so I put it on here.

2) "Diff'rent Strokes" Theme - well, CLEARLY one of my favorite shows and why wouldn't it be? Loved a little Mrs. Garrett and Mr Drummond, Kimberly, Willis and Arnold. Things didn't turn out so well for the kiddos in real life but I hear Mrs. Garrett is still kickin' and earning wages. Good for her, I say. Plus my sister just adopted two kids from Ethiopia... so it is kind of like our family... kind of...

3) "Single Ladies" - speaks for itself... nobody's put a ring on it... perhaps it is because I do not own any Derion jeans. Lame... but I like the beat.

4) "Everyday America" - Talks about going to state and bringing home trophies in high school and that musters up good memories of going to semi finals in football our junior year. How can you not tap your foot to this?

5) "How Could I Ask for More" - a great all time favorite of mine and my sister-in-law recorded it several years ago. It is in the top 25 songs played out of 3500 on my Itunes library. Very fitting of my life.

There will be more follow up discussion on this. Until then, my goal is to blog every day on the name of the day. Tomorrow, I will blog on God being our Abba Father.

Blessings and Be Bops!

THE Name

2009-05-16T23:46:00.006-05:00

I have run across this singer songwriter, Anadara (pronounced Anna-dare-uh), who signed with SpringHill Records in 2005 and has recorded this great song. She wrote it with Joe Beck and Billy Sprague and I just love it. It has such a simple melody and yet won the best Scripture Song in 2005 by the Worship Leader Magazine Praise Awards. One reason why I like it is because it is simply a list of names of Almighty God. I want to share the lyrics below just so you can think see who He is line by line. I believe in praying the names of God and I want to issue a challenge.

For the next 30 days, why don't we all take the following names of God and pray these to Him and about Him and for Him. Beyond bringing glory to Him which is what we are ultimately called to do, I am convinced it WILL change YOUR life. It will powerfully impact your life in ways that reality TV can't even come close to... encourage you in ways your spouse can't fathom.... fulfill you in ways your job never will... show you love of a God who created you for you to love in return. I urge you to try it and see if doesn't change you... even if you try it to prove me wrong... try it. Make it a point each day to spend even just 2-3 minutes focused in prayer to God and call Him by his name of the day. I think that more is better because there is so much more to Him than 2-3 minutes but if you're just starting out... take just a few and spend it with...

1.) ABBA FATHER

2) LIVING WATER

3) SHEPHERD

4) SERVANT AND

5) KING

6) MASTER

7) TEACHER

8) LORD AND

9) KEEPER

10) COUNSELOR

11) PRINCE OF PEACE

12) ALMIGHTY

13) CREATOR

14) EMMANUEL

15) SAVIOR

16) ADONAI AND

17) THE ROCK

18) HOSANNA

19) MESSIAH

20 YAHWEH

21) JEHOVAH

22) ALPHA

23) OMEGA

24) GOD

25) FRIEND AND

26) HEALER

27) CHRIST

28) REDEEMER

29) GREAT IS THY GLORIOUS NAME

30) JESUS

THE Name !!

I am going to really want to hear from those who take on the challenge. I think it is so important for us to encourage each other in the faith. Walking around down here is HARD... Where are my Amen-ers? Let's hear it, chicas and the two chicos that read here.

2009-05-16T15:16:00.001-05:00

Watch out!!!! I am now mobile and updating the blog from the road now. (j/k... I never text, blog, use the phone in any capacity on the road. Hands always at 10 & 2!)

Again, I Heart Kris Allen ...

2009-05-13T23:22:00.005-05:00

...But I hope he does not win.

There. I said it. I do not want Kris Allen to win although I really, really like him. I think he is a better singer, has a better demeanor, is humble and I SO enjoy the untechnically sound jaw jut. Love the jaw jut! He appears to come from good stock as well judging from tonight's show. Mainly, I like him because he does not make me look at his tongue when he channels Gene Simmons like somebody else we all know. There is really no need for that.

I do not want him to have to sign with 19 records and lose the money he would make otherwise. Let's let the scary Adam be saddled with 19 and let's get Kris signed somewhere else with a better contract. They are going to strangle him with all sorts of caveats and the like and I want him to be able to do what he wants. The only reason I want him to win is for the complete and total upset over scary Adam. He is really scary to me. I am overreacting here? I think not.

Just to be clear... I really like Kris Allen!

Let's crown the West Coast this time, though.

It's Chilly Here... Better Grab Your (Strait) Jacket

2009-05-12T12:36:00.008-05:00

I wish I could state in detail the regularity of ridiculousness of my Tuesday morning appointments. I mean seriously. The fundamental characteristic that must be present in order to get an appt with me is that you must be nuts. I must caveat here.... there are some very good friends who at one time, were perhaps scheduled for an appt with me on a Tuesday morning.

I AM NOT TALKING TO YOU.

I am talking to the people who leave me feeling like I need medication directly following the appt. I do not seek intentional friendship with these people. I try to keep my crazy friends separate from my crazy patients. There is a line and try to walk it carefully. That being said, let's continue on with my crazy life...

Chapter 36 - story #42

Last Tuesday, I was scheduled for an appt with a precious little kiddo. Precious, I say. Well behaved and clean. Cute as a button. I would totally take him to the park. His family... not so much. Characters in this story include precious little **Ethan (**Names have been changed to protect the guilty and myself.), Mama, and Granny Agnes. It is very important to note that Mama and Granny Agnes are related by marriage, there is no blood between them except bad. They are daughter and mother-in-law. Let the fun begin...

Every one transitions nicely to the room. Little Ethan is playing nicely. Granny Agnes needs to lay off the smokes. Mama needs to grow a backbone. This is strictly my initial analysis and they pay me well for it. There is enough going on in this evaluation appt that there is no way to cover the entire cock-a-maminess (I might have just come up with a new word?) so I will hit the high points. These are the TOP TEN actual quotes said...

10. (Christi says "Why are you here today?") "I don't know. Granny Agnes, why don't you tell 'er." - Mama, scared and insecure

9. "He ain't talked right." - loud and proud by Granny Agnes

8. "SHOCKING!!!!" - thought bubble quote by Christi

7. "Well, she don't keep no structure and let's just.... let's just say that.... let's just say that we's different in hows we growed up the kids. I just slap 'em and tell to get their _ _ _ _ together 'cuz I ain't got time for none a that nonsense." - Granny Agnes

6. "Wait, for real? Did you just seriously say that?" - thought bubble quote by Christi

5. "We's just not used to lettin' kids write on the walls with crayons and scribblin on the cabinets with markers. I ain't just not puttin up with that. I finally went out and bought some markers and crayons and colored with 'em on the walls." - crazy ole Granny Agnes

4. "I grew up depressed and a place where we just feel everything and I know I'm sensitive but they're just mean." -venting by Mama and answered by Granny Agnes with this... "Oh, we are not mean. You don't take care of your kid and I don't have the time. Well, YEAH we tell dirty jokes and we cuss at each other and we use some pretty hard language, but _ _ _ _, you've gotta be kiddin me that you're sayin we's mean!?!?"

3. "Well, she let's 'em just sit around and watch TV all day and then she don't get 'em when he plays in the plugs." - Granny Agnes the antagonizer

2. "That ain't true!!!! I grew up in a depressed family and I just don't think there is anything wrong with being nice sometime. And anyway, she takes Ethan's diaper off and tells him to go pi... I mean, pee on grandpa and she thinks its funny!!!" - Mama the indignant

And the number one quote of the appt....

1. "Well, that WAS pretty funny!!!" - Granny Anges, the unpaid comedienne of preschool programs all over the US.

These "ladies" almost came to blows and there were defintely tears present and I'm not talking about the kiddo's tears. I have never seen anything like this at all. Classic and yet so disturbing.

Comprehensive speech language evaluation:

$647

Value of my time wasted on this evaluation

because the child is totally fine:

in the $1000's

Value of honest and stunningly ridiculous material gleaned for my next show:

PRICELESS,

of course!!!

I Heart Kris Allen

2009-05-06T00:30:00.001-05:00

That's all I needed to say.

It's a Miracle in the Making

2009-05-03T00:27:00.007-05:00

I am praying for a miracle. Just letting you know. I am praying for a miracle. And, if I am being honest, I am praying for several miracles. These are not class A miracles mind you. I am not praying for the dead to be raised or Vanderbilt employees to get a raise. These are just not necessary for me to believe in the one True God Almighty. I'm there already. I am looking for class B miracles - miracles that can be performed through natural acts and events that are guided by the loving hand of God.

I am specifically looking for 7 miracles. I am not going into details but just want you to know and be part of the accountability. I am laying these things at His feet and I am trusting God to accomplish them and I truly believe that He can absolutely provide in ways that we will not understand and never see coming and that is what I am getting prepared for!

There are amazing mercy-filled inexplicable and remarkable acts that convey loving encouragement from God. They offer a foundation for our hope in his second coming. They lead us into a stronger relationship with Him. They bring us to our knees to worship the One who is worthy of our worship. Yes. That's what these miracles are:

M - Mercy-filled

I - Inexplicable and

R - Remakable

A - Acts that

C - Convey

L- Loving

E - Encouragement

...from the everlasting God.

Please agree with me in prayer for these 7 miracles and for me to be diligent and mindful of what I am praying for. I pray I would see the answer to these requests even if they are not the answers that I am looking for. I pray that whatever the Lord has in store that I would be more grateful tomorrow than I am today and that I can be faithful and trusting of God's very best for me and for my family.

Mercy and Grace

2009-04-26T20:44:00.002-05:00

I am reading Henry Blackaby's book CHOSEN TO BE GOD'S PROPHET: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF SAMUEL from his Biblical legacy series. I highly recommend it and though I am not even halfway through yet, it is just excellent. Perhaps it is just hitting me on some issues that I have been struggling with lately. I have marked up lots of passages so far but wanted to share one in particular.

"Many book have been written about grace, but preceding grace is mercy. God's nature, revealed to Moses, was - 'My name is mercy'." This is described in Exodus 34:6-7.
"Before God can give you what you do not deserve, He will have to withhold from your what you really deserve. God must first cancel your sin. When you cry out to God for mercy and plead with Him to extend His mercy to you, you do so because you have sinned grievously against a Holy God."

We all deserve everything but mercy. We do not have a full enough concept of our sin and how it disgraces the Lord God in front of the multitudes of saints. We think that what we do, we do in private. No so, says the Lord. That is really scary to think that all our sins will be exposed and we will have nowhere to run except to beg for the mercy of God. This is where we find our hiding place and safety. There can be no better place than in the arms of the Creator of the universe.

Crying out for mercy is the only hope we have. When is the last time you found yourself crying out for anything other than additional comforts for your life? When was the last time I did that? There is so much more that we need besides comfort and thankfully he is more concerned with our character rather than our comforts.

Father, we do cry out for an outpouring of your mercy and an overflowing of your grace. We are nothing without You.

A Walk in the Park

2009-04-25T23:22:00.007-05:00

So, let's catch up on sweet little Vivi...

She is so adorable... when she is not urinating on the floor, throwing up in the den, or chewing my favorite socks. Absolutely precious, I say. The puppy is CLEARLY a sanguine puppy, kind of like her Aunt Christi. Playful, fun, short attention span... you get the picture. If not, go back and look at a few posts ago. It's right there.

Let's talk about our little outing today.

Yes. Today, we had a little aunt and puppy time together. We talked, she slept, I drove, we listened to Carrie Underwood. A great time was had by all. My friend, Sharon, and her mongrel, I mean, dog, went with us. I invited them because I LOVE Sharon and her dog needs some social skills in a major way. This dog has no friends and let me tell you, her last days will be lonely. I, in my own way, am trying to help that (rat dog) pet become all that she can be. And she is completely ungrateful and wants to bite me on the backside for even attempting to help her. She did lick me today for the first time. Sharon thinks it was primarily to determine if she needed A-1 or Heinz 57 when she finally took a bite out of crime. I can't say that I disagree with her. (Just for future reference, this lovely dog is named Georgia, but she has several nicknames.)

So, Vivi and I (and our "friends") decided to try out the dog park in East Nashville today. This was not going to be an all day affair, but something that lasted a couple of hours at most. My friend at work was hyping the dog park dynamic so I took the bait. Plus, I don't have to wear those stupid footies there so I said, "Vivi, git in the car - we're goin'!" After driving approximately 90 minutes for a 12-15 mile drive, I knew today was going to ROCK! Growling Gidget was scratching the steel from her cage bars in the back of the car and Vivi was chillin' in my lap. Sharon and I are discussing lots of things from both of us being poor map readers, both of us having a terrible sense of direction, and me having less than 1/16 of a tank of gas left. Fun times. Anyway, Chewbacca finally quit shredding the steel and we arrived at the dog park after becoming friends with 8 cops, 7 random walkers, 6 random passengers in cars, 5 dog walkers, 4 adolescents heading to the community center, 3 marathon finishers, 2 children in strollers and 1 security guard. This dog park was hard to find.

We get there and notice there are caterpillars everywhere. Gross! Not the inchworm-ish critters. These are the plump juicy fuzzy, yellow and black caterpillars that I am positive are poisonous and will NOT turn into butterflies. Everywhere. I get out and haul out Vivi's diaper bag. You think I am kidding. This puppy travels in style, Baby. She has her own travel bag, and in the bag, she has: food, food bowl, treats of many different flavors, regular leash, retractable leash, small towel (for when she sweats), bottled water and water dish, eye cream for when her eyes drain and we don't want them to stain, and "pet wipes" for ... well, the name speaks for themselves. I wish I was kidding about this, but alas, I am not. I will say, I have NEVER EVER used the "pet wipes". This girl has to have her standards and I am not doing that. Sorry. Call me a bad aunt. I am totally OK with that.

Vivi walks me over to the fenced area while I am carrying her bag and my bag (which carries my reading material and bottle of water - THAT IS ALL!). The Queen of Mean is growling the entire way over to the fenced area because she has to walk and wants to be carried exactly 4 ft, 6 inches above the level of other dogs and she ain't makin any bones about it... she's ticked. Vivi looks at her in a very friendly way, she snarls. Georgia's learning curve is a little steeper than other dogs her age in the area of social skills. I don't know what else to say about that.

We go in and meet the first pooch, a cairn terrier, whose owner keeps telling him to "SIC 'er" toward Vivi. Clearly, another dog who needs social skill training... perhaps the owner as well. Who does that? First rattle out of the bag, not even a "Hey, what's up, let me have a sniff." before "SIC' er!" Anyway, luckily there was another dog, Tiger. I liked him (and the single male owner) but alas, there was no love connection for Viv and Tig. Tiger was about 8 times Vivi's size anyway so I don't see that working out. I learned some things about Viv today. She has no fear and she runs really fast. She also shares very well and is very modest....all of which makes me very proud to be her aunt.

Move along to meet the other dogs: Let's see... we had, Tiger, Chester (the hound), Jake (the Weimariner), Stella (the brindle medium dog), and Bartlesby (the dalmatian mix). All very nice dogs, all much bigger than Vivi, all very into Vivi. It was SO MUCH like HIGH SCHOOL!!!! Vivi was clearly the cute cheerleader in high school and Jake was the star QB, Chester was the strong but silent Valedictorian, both fighting for the same girl and Stella was the jealous dance team member. I could not have seen this more clearly. Viv was the popular girl and the other guy dogs danced around her and acted cool but when she was about to leave their vicinity, everyone became very territorial with Vivi ... except for Stella who was whispering malicious lies to Georgia about Vivi for the ride home. Georgia heard every word and was clearly calculating her next move. Classic KHS!

Sharon and I are making friends with the owners and watching the dog soap opera play out when she and I felt something crawling up our legs. OH YEAH! The caterpillars were alive and well and scurrying up our legs and all I can say is that YOU WISH that you had been there to see it! Others present in the park DID see it and came over to make friends with the freaky girls dancing on the bench with poisonous caterpillars crawling up their shorts by now. Thrilling to say the least. After that show of emotion, Georgia was more than miffed that she had been disturbed and actually had to stand on the same ground as the other dogs and basically demanded that Vivi share her best treats with her. So, we got them out and then Georgia totally turned her nose up at them. Snooty Patootie! By this time, the entire population of thepark had migrated over to our little corner. People pulled up benches, the boy dogs were whispering about Viv's silky coat and gams (you know guys are visual), and Stella and Georgia were catty and cracked open a cold one to spike the water buckets. Typical.

But wait... where's Bartlesby? Remember, the good looking Dalmatian mix. Oh, here he is...

PEEING ON MY BAG!!!!!

And just like typical boys, Jake and Chester started laughing (they love bathroom humor). And don't think for a minute that Gnarly and Snarly didn't plan that! Oh, they acted like they were genuinely surprised but you could totally see the evil sneer. And then, they went behind the tree, high fived and drank the rest of the hooch. I have one thought for that: Vivi and I are Christians (she became one three days ago when she quit pottying on the carpet) and we will ignore this incident. They only serve "warm" beer where those kinds of girls will be going and it just won't be as fulfilling in the heat.

We left in a blaze of glory with yet more caterpillars crawling on us and honestly, we just got tired of all the tricks Jake and Chester were doing to get Viv's attention. It got a little embarrassing. Come on, guys! Keep it together! A little give and go - don't drown her in attention. I personally am pulling for Chester but as her aunt, I will support her decision. It's a girl's perrogative - just ask Britney. She knows.

We are certainly going back in the near future. Who knew the dog park could be so much fun?

Beware of Friends Wearing Slingshots

2009-04-12T21:22:00.004-05:00

...Ok, so I am eating lunch with my good friend, Leah. Let me branch into how much this girl ROCKS! Love her! She is new to Vandy and such a breath of fresh air up there. We have decided that we need to be going to the main hospital cafeteria for lunch. The Starbucks, the Pesto Minestrone soup, the doctors and the time away from the clinic. What is not to love?! So we took a jaunt down to the courtyard cafe... Herein lies today's funny story...

So, here we are, hair brushed (perhaps stylishly mussed), nails polished, debit card in hand walking at a good little clip to be sure. We have a rule up at Vandy... no open toe shoes.

Yeah. That stinks, especially in the spring and summer with cute sandals. However, this is NOT the worst rule we have.

We MUST wear stockings or socks or the ugly little footies that "try" to hide under the leather of your shoe but let's be real. They are not foolin anybody. You can see those ugly footies eight people away and they are not pretty. IF you cannot tell about my opinion about this rule, let's spell it out...

T-o-t-a-l-l-y stupid rule! (Yeah, I said Stupid ... and I think it IS a stupid rule.)

Anyway, Leah and I are walking around, finding our food, rubbing elbows with lumbering eligible long lab coats and looking for a table. Long story short, Leah found a table as I was paying and I walked over to the table she picked across the way. As I walked over there, my little stupid footie slipped off the bottom of my heel in my shoe for the 847th time that day. SO ANNOYING! I sat down and unloaded my tray. We were chatting and trying to present our best angles in catch the best lighting, you understand. IN a flash of brilliance, I decided I would just casually reach down and fix the little booger in my shoe and try to be as inconspicuous about because really... who honestly wants to see that?

I reached down to pull the footie down over my heel and my shoe slips off...

... AND I SHOT THE UGLY, STUPID, LITTLE STINKY FOOTIE ACROSS THE MAIN HOSPITAL CAFETERIA!!!

OH YES, I DID!!!

It landed in the hot doctor's soup at the table beside us.

NO IT DIDN'T!!!!!

What kind of moron do you think I am? I have other ways of getting physician attention. I am not going to make him puke by shooting my sock in his lunch! Good grief! I have some couth!!

I became aware in this situation just what kind of friend I am. Seriously. This is what I thought...

Thought #1: "GOOD GRAVY TRAIN, I JUST SHOT THAT STUPID FOOTIE ACROSS THE DANG BLASTED CAFETERIA WITH ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL LAB COATS ALL AROUND!"

Thought #2: Fake it. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! Admit NOTHING! That is somebody else's stupid footie. Quick, find your happy place. HAPPY PLACE. HAPPY PLACE. HAPPY PLACE.

Thought #3: Where in the cocoa puffs did it go? DON'T MAKE A SCENE, CHRISTI! Probably not too far away, I bet I can reach out with my foot (which is bare by the way, now) and pick it up like Jennifer Little used to do back in middle school with those amazing long toes.

Stinky footie spotted... walking distance away. OH yeah.

Here is where I feel ashamed, sorta...

Thought #4: It is kind of by Leah. Closer to Leah than to me. Maybe I could... NO! You can't! OR could you? Maybe I can leave it there and somebody will think it is hers and they won't notice my OTHER ugly stupid little footie hanging out from under my other shoe. Oh yeah. That's my play. (Enter GUILT, GUILT, GUILT...)

Holy Spirit's thought #1: Classy move, Hot stuff. IF you are going to shaft your friend, at least do it when you have used odor eaters. What you are doing is just WRONG! You are a skanky new friend." (I am a little fuzzy on the last phrase the Holy Spirit used. I cannot be sure if He said "skanky" or "stanky" friend. I actually have never heard either phrase used before by the Holy Spirit but let's face it.... that was poor performance in friendship 101.

Thought #5: Well Crap. I am going to have to go pick up that totally useless footie off the floor. So, then what? After it is in my hand, then what? Put it back on so we can have a repeat performance in 12.7 seconds? Dude, if it happens again, I am TOTALLY blaming Leah!!! Just go get the stupid sock.

I slipped on my shoe without the footie and walked over and picked it up off the floor and walked briskly back over to my table where Leah was transfixed on my face which by now had taken on SO many expressions including: annoyance, horror, fear, guilt, conviction, defeat and finally, the inhalation of humble pie. She, oh sweet friend, full of innocence and blissfully unaware...

Here is a question for you: What do you do with the sock now that you have picked it up and brought it back to the table with you? Put it back on the footie-less foot? Put it in your purse? Try again and aim higher so as to show your sense of humor to the only Dr who didn't see it the first time since the rest are snubbing their nose at you? What do you do?

You want to know what I did?

I sat on it.

Right under the left cheek. Just couldn't handle the whole situation so I just sat on it. I don't know what that solved, but it made me feel better and I just wanted it to go away. It became funny shortly after that and I eventually put the stupid footie back on.

It was truly a character building moment. Glad you could enjoy it with me.

Sorry Leah.

Say "Hello" to my Li'l Friend

2009-03-18T00:36:00.003-05:00

Is this the cutest dog you have ever seen in your life? Seriously. This dog could take ALL of your dogs in the Miss Dog America pageant!

On Friday...

She will live with me!!!!!!

CAN. NOT. WAIT.

More pictures to come.

OMGosh! She is so cute!!!!!!

God's Goodness

2009-03-08T13:05:00.005-05:00

I spent a good six hours yesterday reading, studying, journaling and praying. It was the best day of 2009 thus far. It was a beautiful day and I now have a porch overlooking some ready-to-bloom dogwood trees and some blossoming pear trees so I brewed a pot of tea and got all my books and a brand new journal and just sat in the gorgeousness of it all. The Lord is so evident on days like yesterday. The weather is perfect, the world is ready to burst forth with color, the daily pulls of things to do can be at least put off and at best forgotten for just a few hours of much needed time in the Word. God is so prevalent in settings like that.

How many of you had Saturdays like I had yesterday?

What? You didn't have 6 hours of uninterrupted time. To read. To pray. To journal what the Lord is doing. To study the Word with commentaries and other resources.

I am treading on very, VERY thin ice. I know. I can feel the death stares and the hear the grumbling under your breath. Actually, it is not quite under your breath, huh?

I know that there are MANY of you, probably MOST of you who don't have that kind of time to yourselves. I know not from experience but from personal reports from people like you and the rest of the world.

At this stage in my journey and where the Lord has me right now, I am blessed to have that much time to myself to do what I want to do. I say this not to brag or remind you of how much YOU need to get done before Monday rolls around. I say this for the benefit of myself and the recognition of blessing that I have during this season on singleness.

As a single women in her 30's, I struggle at times with being single this far into the journey of life. I am friends with women who are at many different stages of life. Some are just gathering their wits about them a few years after college/grad school. Some are settling into life as a newlywed. Some are "enjoying" the sleepless nights with young children and the strain that this economy is putting on the typical family of 4. There are some who are struggling, like I do, with protracted singleness. How does this translate into blessing for each of these stages?

Several truths:
1) God is always good: His provision, His timing, the circumstances He allows... He is always good,
2) He has storehouses of blessings for His children. These are not going to be bestowed upon us all at one time. They are called storehouses because they are for storing. They store up blessings for Him to distribute all along the journey we walk. If you are His child, you will have more blessings to come in the future.
3) God is going to receive the glory, no matter what. If there is something that you can manipulate and receive glory from, there will be a very short shelf life for that particular accolade, promotion, "jewel", etc.
He is the beginning and ending of all things. God promotes and God demotes at His leisure for our very best good and His glory. Take it to the bank!
4) God loves you and me! He is not looking for ways to trip us up. He is not looking for ways to ambush us. He is lovingly guiding us to Him and towards godliness. This is love. It doesn't look like the love we are used to here on earth given by man. It is altogether different. Those that are supposed to love us the best, do not compare to the love of God. They are in different leagues.

So before, you start throwing tomatoes at me for pointing out all the time that I have available to myself, I want you to think of all the good morning kisses you get, the love of a man/woman who chose you to spend the rest of your lives together with, the coos and giggles of little kids who love you beyond measure, the home full of love (and trials - I know), the teamwork , the help, the camaraderie...

See. There are so many blessings on either side of the coin. I think this is how God intended. He didn't want us to look across the yard and see all the flowers where "they" are and simply notice the weeds where we are. God is always ready to bless and knows exactly where we need to be at all times. If you needed to be single, you would be single. If I needed to be married, I would be.

This week, try to find things that demonstrate the goodness of God in your personal life. One thing for me is that today, I am able to make the time to update this blog. I know there are flourishing writers out there that do not have opportunities given their current status to do some writing. I am blessed and I am thankful for where I am today. God is good to me in all things. I know this to be true.

What about you? What are some things that demonstrate the goodness of God in your life today?

My Dad

2009-02-23T22:38:00.008-06:00

I wanted to take a little post and say thank you to several of you who were praying for my Dad this past week. He is back home and back to his old tricks. Some of you know how he can be, huh? Back in the saddle as they say.

For those that don't know, my dad was hospitalized for a few days this week for some chest pains and some headaches. He is fine and the Lord gets the glory for his complete recovery. Amen! However, I find myself pondering a situation that thankfully, I haven't yet had to experience. The possible physical loss of a close friend or family member.

I don't want to be dramatic or anything, but when you receive a phone call with news on the other end saying there is someone that you love dearly is in an ambulance, I don't care if it is for a hang nail or dandruff, that is scary! Maybe it is scary for me because I live so far away from so many people I love or maybe it is because I haven't fully pondered what it would be like to lose someone that is that close to my heart and it comes as a shock. Now that things are fine, I have been thinking about my Dad and the things that he means to me.

My dad is like no man I have ever met.

I guess Dads are like that.

He is a distinct mix of hot and cold, of hard and soft, of weird and wonderful, all wrapped up in sacrifice and love. He's a talker and he's a thinker. He's a giver. He does everything with 110% passion and drive. He's a disciplinarian and a big softie. He's learning and he's an educator. He's an optimist and he's a realist. He has been given much and is required much of. He has high expectations for others, but higher expectations for himself. He's not funny when he tries to be and HILARIOUS when he doesn't mean to be.

He's my dad.

He is the one that our infinitely wise Almighty God hand-picked and groomed for me and my siblings.

- The one who would know the marketing scheme for both a snowcone man and an "up and coming" singer.

- The one who can teach his daughter how to shoot a pistol and go shop for another daughter's prom gown (without Mom no less).

- The one who can encourage us all on to greatness in spite of ourselves because he is a big picture person and yet in tune with the tiniest details.

- The one who is strong enough to stand up to anyone and soft enough to cry about it afterwards.

This man is not perfect. He is only a man. Just like you and just like me. He will never be perfect and is not expected to be perfect. But he is the perfect father for me. I thank God that in all His wisdom, He chose this man to be the one who lead our family and taught us God's Word. He chose this particular man to be the one who helped me with algebra and with teaching my first Bible Study. He chose this man to be the role model for who I will choose as a husband and how I will work steadily as unto the Lord. He chose this man to be my children's grandparent (if He so blesses me in that way) and to be the one who loves my mother infinitely more today than yesterday but less than he will tomorrow. He chose this man to show me what a man growing in godliness looks like and how to accept the discipline when we stumble and fall with grace.

Some call him names like philanthropist, deacon, leader, entrepreneur.

Some call him names like Jr., Hoops, Boss, or Doc.

Some might call him names that might be unmentionable here.

I just call him Dad because when I read that Father God sacrificed everything He had for those He loved the most...

... I saw the resemblance.

I love you, Dad!

Glad you are OK!

Wanted: Dietary HoHos and a Toothbrush for Jabba

2009-02-16T23:21:00.004-06:00

I know, I know... It is either feast or famine with me, huh? Three posts in one night. The other two were ridiculous but this one is serious.

Serious as heart attack.

I have seen it.

The Force must be with me for I have seen it.

What, you may ask, have I seen?

If you were Yoda, you would know.

(Crickets...)

The CD.

I have seen it.

Soon, Luke, you will see it, too...

Until then, dress up like Princess Leia and don't eat as many HoHos as Jabba the Hut.

It's just not pretty.

"Man Looks at the Outward Appearance..."

2009-02-16T23:06:00.005-06:00

NOW... THIS IS MORE LIKE IT!!!

First picture in the 8th file.

PROMISE!

What is this, you may ask?

I call it a Rat Bat.

I don't know what it is but a friend sent it to me to cheer me up one day and it scared me so bad when I opened it up that I screamed a little louder than I expected which then made me laugh. For quite a while actually. I think I needed to vent some pent up emotion and this did the trick.

Isn't this the UGLIEST creature God ever made?

It is HORRIBLE looking thing.

It probably secretes something that some ridiculously smart physician can make medication which will cure cancer or maybe it is what God has put in charge of eating all cockroaches. Both VERY good things. Ugly on the outside, beautiful on the inside. Kind of like coal with a diamond in the middle. Or a HoHo.

See, man looks at the outside but God looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7 - paraphrased)

It must be a very GODLY creature.

(I do still think it is ugly, though... good heart or not.)

Fried Rice with Coconut

2009-02-16T22:35:00.004-06:00

Ok... I know you are wondering why there is a coconut leading the entry. I was tagged with some very explicit instructions from Jenn at Always a Texas Girl (See blog list to the right). It said to post the FOURTH picture from the FOURTH file of where I kept my pictures. Unfortunately for all of you, the FOURTH file happens to be of a work presentation about Childhood Apraxia of Speech. For those that don't know what that is (which I fully expect will by 99% of you), that is, in layman's terms, a motor speech disorder in which the mouth, lips, cheeks, jaw, teeth and tongue (oral articulators) "don't move right" just to put it very bluntly and succinctly. The specifics of the definition don't matter (in this forum). How does the coconut come into play?

When I make presentations for work or spend time teaching on a variety of subject matter, my presentations will not be boring. They cannot be because if they are, there is a very strong possibility that I would seriously drift off to sleep during the presentation. Don't question me here. I have fallen asleep in the middle of therapy before. (Just kidding.... or am I???) If it is boring for me, why in the world would I think it wouldn't be boring for them? I have to have some visuals or some significant and overarching analogy or something. For this particular presentation, my colleague and I took the previously developed analogy of Fried Rice that we took from another SLP and all the different versions to be had and made visuals for this. I have pictures of chickens, onions, garlic, peas, pineapple, pigs, shrimp, and green pepper along with COCONUT as possible fried rice compliments in this folder. Hence, the coconut picture in my FOURTH file as the FOURTH picture.

Having a blog really shouldn't be used for nonsense like this, eh? I could have totally smoked it if I had fudged and used a different picture from different number file. In fact, let's play a little chicken with that. I will now change the rules. I can do that. It is my blog. I now say, choose the .... the 8th picture in the 1st file OR the 1st picture in the 8th file.

I tag:

Jenn L

Mandy B

Amy M

Jodi M

Laura R.

GO.

Can I ask a few questions?

2009-01-27T23:26:00.006-06:00

Here's a few for the masses...

1) What, in the name of all that is shiny and bright, is "Woot!" ??
My vague understanding is like... slang for "Woo-hoo". Is this correct?
For those of you who use this ridiculous term, does "Woo-Hoo" use too much of your air or take too much time to say or what? And before you answer, most of you double up on the "woot" to make it "Woot! Woot!".
If you are a double mint "Woot-er", are you doubly happy? I hope so because you sound doubly ridiculous.

2) Who is watching the train wreck that is The Bachelor? Dear friends, I have seen my share of the bachelors over years and I have to proclaim that this season's show is, in particular, filled with complete nut jobs. I know.... editing. Right, right, right, right, right, right..... I'm just sayin' .... take it to the cleaners, even though we are in an economic recession, there are NO psychoanalysts losing their job over at ABC this year. In fact, they are putting in the overtime. I have never experienced the embarrassment in my own heart for these poor souls like I have this season. It is practically KILLING me but you better not be calling me on Monday night until after 9:00 because I just cannot help myself.

Also, on a side note, if you are a Bachelor watcher and you are not reading Lincee's recap blog, you are missing out on an incredible piece of work. Friends, this girl's blog gets thousands, THOUSANDS of hits each week just for that recap and ABC and host Chris Harrison are some of those reading each week. Here is the link: http://www.ihategreenbeans.com/

YOU HAVE TO READ IT!

OK, that was a short one with I guess, only two questions. Or at least, the only ones I asked out loud...

Blessing Your Heart

How Do You Study the Word?

Chronicles of 2011

Holiness and Facebook: Mutual Exclusion?

Tik Tok

Happy New Year 2011!

My Heart Has Been Moved....

ETHIOPIA BOUND!

Kings Harbor Concert

We Are The World 2010

Precious Memories, Indeed

...And the Rain Came Down

"Works of Art" Brunch for CERI

So Much Activity and So Little Publishing

Annnnnddddd... We're BACK!

Hope is Coming!

Hiding Out with a Book

Marching Onward

A Ruthless Trust

The Best Equation: Faith + Hope = Trust

Timely Perks of Singleness

The Best Blessings In Being Single

Being the Best at Being Single

The Best Irony

Prayers for Haiti

"ATTITUDE" - by Chuck Swindoll

Best Ways to Pray for the Next Generation (Part 2)

Best Ways to Pray for the Next Generation

The Best Fiction

Who's the Best: A Study in Comparisons

Top 5 Worst Places to "Travel" (..Again, IMHO)

Top 5 Best Places to Travel (...In My Humble Opinion, of course)

Seven Best Practices of an Effective Woman

Wisdom in Doing Your Best

The BEST...

The Best is Yet To Come

Welcome Another New Year, New Decade

I got this great, thought-provoking entry directly from The Center of Biblical Spirituality and its director, Donald Whitney. Excellent food for thought as the year ends and the New Year is upon us.

What is God's best for us in the year to come?

A few things to consider...

Ten Questions to Askat the Start of a New Year

"We Are Fam-i-ly"

Peek-A-Boo

(Possibly Embarrassing) Things To Be Thankful For...(Pt.6)

Things To Be Thankful For (Pt.5)

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.4)

Things To Be Thankful For... (Pt 3)

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.2)

Things to be Thankful For... (Pt.1)

Happy Birthday!

Going to the "The-ah-ter" tonight...

Toy Drive Today!

Poetry for the Season, Pt 4

Poetry For the Season, Pt 3

Poetry For the Season, Pt 2

Poetry for the Season

Three Days More...

News Continued...(In More Than 22 Words)

News (In 22 Words)!

Who Will Be Knockin' on Heaven's Door?

The Choice

CD Release Party Pictures

Women in Christian Media

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!

Prayer Team

The Website is Launched!!

"Wait on the Lord; Be Strong and Take Heart and Wait on the Lord." Psalms 27:14

Speech Pathology Magic Words

The Value of Clarity and Definition

Questions to Ponder...

An Answer to Prayer

An Opaque Vision Turning Translucent, Not Yet Tranparent

I Wish You Could Have Seen What I Saw...

Parking... AGAIN!!!

Amazingly Good

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...

Parking: Part II

Parking Saga Continues...

SinGLE - Party of One - SinGLE

A Pressing Fear...

Ten Questions to Ask
at the Start of a New Year