Sisterhood

7/19/11 Just what determines sisterhood. I’m not one to answer that---for I am sister-less----at least birth-wise.

Birth, for sure, is a determinant. Mother always said “blood is thicker than water.” I understand her thinking because Mother was always big on strong family relationships, which always included obligations to blood kin. Maybe that’s why I have such caring brothers----Mother “threatened” them. As she began to face her imminent death she did instruct them to “take care of me.” Since they were both already retired at the time, I joked that since I was the only one gainfully employed, the caretaking role might actually fall to me. Not so, they continue to watch over me and I am so-o-o grateful! I actually rather like my “only girl” position!

However, friends who have sisters seem to have a closeness and a connection, different from the relationship they have with their brothers. Some have told me that there’s no relationship quite like that of “sisters.” Yet, one friend with two sisters has that kind of relationship with only one of her sisters---the other sister not so much. A recent e-mail from a blog reader stated that she is not close to her “blood” sister at all but has a very close friend who is more like a sister to her----a solidarity in their relationship based on past experiences and unconditional acceptance. Though separated by miles, she says they can always pick up right where they left off----either face to face, or chat to chat on their computers or cells.

Two of my good friends, Jan and Ann, grew up with sisters. (Mary & Polly) Sisters who were special to them. Yet each has had to stand at the grave of her sister and now with deep understanding, they somewhat fill the void of that loss for each other. The shared remembrances and the shared losses have bonded them in a special way.

For those of us without sisters, Annette B. defined sisterhood well, “….there are sisters that God puts in our path....they become friends and then sisters. Those are the best kind because you get to "choose" them. These kind of sisters know your mind ...” Certainly there are those sisters in the faith who have a special bond.

How blessed are those who have both---by physical birth and by spiritual birth. Such is the “sisterhood” of JoLynn and Aleese. (often just Jo & Al to each other) They share everything---the good and the not so good, they’ve loved each other through it all. A past filled with childhood antics and grieving their parents deaths to almost daily phone calls filled with family updates & recipes to praying & sharing God’s goodness in their lives----are all important components of their “sisterhood.”

Sister-less by birth is certainly easier to bear when one finds that sister or sisters in the faith--- ones who accept you warts and all. One or ones who know all about you, but love you anyway. Sisterhood, it’s worth the risk.

At-TEA-tude adjustment

7/18/11 Friend Pam has a remedy for folks needing an attitude adjustment. She calls it a whirly and it involves a toilet and the head of the offender.

How does one recognize his/her own need for such an adjustment? Scripture is a good measuring stick.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5)

The 2 verses preceding this describe such a mindset as humility; doing nothing out of selfishness or conceit, regarding others more important than self & putting others interests before your own.

Mull this over with a good cup of brisk tea. Use Philippians 2:5 today for your self examination. Follow-up with a self-imposed adjustment. It might be less painful than those suggested by others.

Sunday Synopsis

7/17/11 "Fellowship---the oneness of spirit enjoyed by friends on the same side of the struggle." Quote written in my NAS Bible & attributed to dear friend, Ellen C.
No where was this more evident than when entering church this morning. The smiles were wide. The groans were "felt" but the complaints in jest lightened our pains. We all knew what it was like to have bodies "crunked up" from the previous work day! What fellowship of joy we shared in our quips of suffering!

• Sermon morsel for mulling---1 John 5:1-5, esp. verse 2--- faith problems not always about assurance but often about allegiance and affection.
  

• allegiance + affection = abiding
  

• Baptism of 7 folks---not as a way of salvation but out of obedience. As Kathy T. reminded me those folks are just "going public."

• Prayerfully singing Isaac Watts, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" stirred my soul.

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

"Being His Hands and Feet"

7/16/11 Young and old alike at the Bethesda Word of Life Christian Center carrying out the chorus of Lincoln Brewster's, "The Power of your
Name" & going way beyond religion/religiosity. Enjoy the "work day" in pix!

Message from the Heart

7/15/11 The report spread out on my bed is gibberish to me but the scrawled info at the bottom of the page indicates no cause for concern with my heart. Meds seem to be working. (Except I think they make me feel loopy.) But things are not always as they seem, especially in matters of the heart. Just a few months ago I looked the same on the outside but on the inside my heart/brain connections (via the carotid) were a little off kilter.
We can't always tell one's inward condition by outward appearance. But God....."God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Tomorrow I hope the heart of the Lord will show through me as I venture, somewhat fearfully, out of my comfort zone. I hope His love and mercy will be read loud and clear as I stumble in an unfamiliar realm with little ability and strength. I'm counting on Him.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Rethinking identi-TEA

7/14/11 Morning e-mail from a Hoptown chum included an adorable, animated, elderly couple "dancing" because dancers remind Diane of me. An afternoon delivery arrived from Acadia, ME filled with Jordon Pond tea canisters of their house blend because friend, Bernie, wanted me to have my favorite "cuppa" as I enter my retirement season.

Retirement. A season without identi-TEA for me at this point. A season where I'll need to "sit a spell" with my cuppa to adequately discern God's plan for me. My original plan was to care for loved ones---both recently deceased. Future plans are a jumble or a muddle. I have no idea what my new identi-TEA will be. Maybe I need ".....a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head...." (Charles Dickens)

Dancing and tea continue to be a part of my identity, but what about the big picture? My purpose? (Especially when my body feels worn out.) My significance? (I no longer have a job.) My ministry? (When I just received my Medicare card.)

My identi-TEA seems wrapped up in the answers of those three questions. Generally scripture gives me the answer. When he reveals His personal plan for me, I'll let you know.

"...Love the Lord and follow His plan for your lives. Cling to Him and serve Him enthusiastically." Joshua 22:5

Simply Trust

7/13/11 "Simply trust Him"----that's all I have to do according to today's Streams in the Desert entry. Not always so simple for me. I have too many "ifs and buts." Questions of distrust too often flood my head. Trust. Not always so simple, is it?
Simple faith enables me to simply trust Him. I need to simply take God at His word for His "right hand sustains me." (Psa. 18:35, NIV) It's heresy for me to think that He doesn't have the strength to sustain my poor, pitiful helpless soul when I just read in His word that He not only has the strength but it's mine for the taking. I need to take Him at His word and simply trust.
Today I plan to do just that!

"at-TEA-tude"

7/12/11 Brewing my cup of tea this morning in preparation for my "Tea with Thee" time, I began to mull over my "at-TEA-tude" about prayer. Recapping the week's assigned reading in Paul Miller's, Praying Life, one thought becoming more steeped in my mind was that prayer needs to be focusing on God, not my praying or method of praying. As Miller puts it,

"Prayer is simply the medium through which we experience and connect with God." (Praying Life, p. 20)

My attitude about prayer seems to be changing. Hopefully this new prayer at-TEA-tude will be a good one!

Thinking Continued = Meditation

7/11/11 A recent e-mail from Jennifer B. had a verse as part of her valediction/closing. It had me thinking about hope---the Source of hope, the result of hope. In fact, I keep thinking about it. That kind of thinking becomes meditation.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Join me in thinking about this verse for our Monday meditation.

PEW OCCUPANCY

7/10/11 My Utmost for His Highest focused today on attending "church services" together. This morning my brothers* and their wives and hubby and I did just that. Adams pew---last row of center section in the family church where we grew up. Special---because as a 78 year active member of Hopkinsville FUMC, our father was a recognized fixture in that pew. Sad---because through hugs and tears, many familiar folks in the congregation commented how empty it had seemed these last 4 months.

With 6 of us very much occupying that row, we commented that either the pew had gotten shorter or we had gotten wider. It was the general consensus that the pew length had been shortened. How blessed I felt to share this "last" visit with family---Mother and Daddy must have been smiling down on us all.

...let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,...(Hebrews 10:24-25)

Hopefully the next family that "occupies" that pew will be as blessed by that church as our family has been over these many years. Maybe we should hang a shingle to encourage others to try out this special pew, to do more than just show up and warm the red velvet cushion. Encourage them to "grow" spiritually while opening their heart to God's truth. Rev. Williams quoted John Henry Newman this morning, " Growth is the only evidence of life." Living a spirit-filled life requires more than pew occupancy, though that's a good place to start.

*Clifton T. Adams Jr. occupies the pew where his dad, Clifton Thacker "Brud" Adams, sat for many years.