Unity embraces Uniqueness

9/10/11 Walking in the door to the Ukraine team's "report gathering," I was offered a cuppa by the team leader. What a surprise treat. Sometimes it's hard to be a tea drinker in a coffee world. Yet, this team leader remembered my preferences and though I was probably the only tea drinker there, I felt accepted, embraced even. Special, actually.

As the gals gave their report, I began to sense their own acceptance of the uniqueness of each other and of the ladies whom they went to serve on their recent mission trip. Unity ensued.

All those present today could see that unity. Unity among team members that extended beyond themselves to embrace all members of the Ukrainian team as well as camp attendees.

Their excitement was infectious as they gave example after example of the diversity that was the crux of the †rip. All languages, nationalities, and ages, mixed with believers and non-believers were valued. Differences in spiritual gifts of the team were recognized/accepted and shared with Ukraine women and children. Similarities of their womanhood were celebrated among leaders and participants as their diverse backgrounds and unique talents were applauded. What a trip! What a blessing for all involved---even those of us on their prayer team!

Kudos to Cathy, Graziella, Pam and Shirley for being the hands and feet of our Lord, traveling a world away, embracing uniqueness as a part of unity, while serving others the "cuppa" of their choice. How special the Ukrainian women must have felt!

KUDZU Thoughts

9/9/11 Kudzu….the weed that eats the South in the summertime. (can’t remember where I read that.) So true of that invasive plant. Sort of like wisteria, give it an inch (you know the rest)---but at least wisteria has pretty blooms.

How do you combat kudzu? Can you even keep it in check? Is there anything good about kudzu?

My thought life can be like kudzu if I don’t hold it in check. “Take every thought captive.” ( I Corinthians 10:5) An unchecked thought life can be destructive. Sometimes on the roadways, kudzu can take on the form of animal shapes, a Kud-Zoo, of sorts…..but underneath, living trees can be smothered and barns and cabins are so thoroughly covered as to be on no use. That’s also what can happen to my uncontrolled thoughts, especially if I have been “wounded” by the actions of another.

Can anything good come out of kudzu? Today’s CA advertised a “brown bag lunch and learn” at the Memphis Botanic Gardens, “Cooking with Kudzu.” (Had link) A positive life approach resemblant of “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

So how do I make a positive thought out of my resentment toward my “hurter” when it pops into mind. First thing is to begin to pray---forgiveness is key. Filling a mind with thankfulness and rejoicing always helps too. (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18) BTW, rejoicing when the offender has put on a few extra pounds does NOT count. That’s just a kudzu thought disguised---your heart will reveal the real motive.

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. (I Thessalonians 5: 15)

All people----even the one who is the source of your kudzu thoughts.

*Blog in honor of dear friend, Abe, who when playing Scattergories™ with "K"s puts kudzu as the answer for every category b/c as he puts it, “Kudzu covers everything.” I think he has a point!

JIFFY COOK

9/7/11 A gourmet cook I am not. I'm more the "easy" recipe type, especially if I can experiment without much fear of messing up. It's really just toast (of the burnt variety) that gives me such a bad name.
Lately I've had to cook to make room in my pantry. Remember my hubby is a bulk shopper, so we can end up with a couple of cases of dry goods rather than just a few boxes. Thus yesterday's "Jiffy" cooking spree. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; (Ecclesiastes 9:10) The banana bread made with the biscuit mix provided 3 small loaves to share with friends, though its texture was a little too cake-like for me. The corn muffins made enough to share with a friend & her hubby---though my favorite use for that muffin mix is as an addition to the corn pudding recipe that the kids love. I even made muffins for neighbors but their flight was delayed so......they're gone now.
All of this to say that even if one isn't a great cook or doesn't have a pantry of gourmet goodies, one can still share from her larder. Sharing pleases Him. Impressing man would mean I would have to wait until I had gourmet recipes (and the ability to follow them) with exotic ingredients on hand. (And that's probably not going to happen at this house, where creative concoctions are more of the norm, as is using whatever is on hand,---especially if there's lots of it.) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)

Friends take warning, if you have a September or October birthday you might see "Jiffy Mix" in your future. But.....it will be packaged with love and sent with a birthday prayer.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

SFT

9/6/11 Those initials had an impact on Luke, the golfer in the film, “Seven Days in Utopia,” as in his golf game he sought to see it, feel it and trust it. Can he learn to “never follow traditions for traditions sake?” Can he follow the voice of truth (& not his dad’s)? Will he choose to no longer play for acceptance because excellence will be his coach?

Though Roger Ebert’s (thumbs up, thumbs down critic) review said he would “rather eat a golf ball than see that movie again,” I applaud this somewhat Hallmark-like movie, not only because it’s decent but because it gives hope for those who might not know their life’s purpose. There’s more to life than winning putts, first place trophies or fat paychecks. Walk in purpose.

SFT "See His Love, Feel His Presence, Trust His Word". A powerful message for life.

During yesterday’s televised Deutsche Bank Championship, Webb Simpson (unheard of to me) sank the putt in the playoffs to win the tourney and become #1 in the FedEx Cup point standings. Following that winning birdie putt he lifted his index finger and pointed heavenward. During His acceptance he first acknowledged the Lord. Wow, now I’ll know his name. I’m glad I heard the speech because I saw no print record of it today in newspapers or on-line.

I think SFT is more than a part of Simpson’s golf game; it’s an integral part of his life’s journey.

(W.Simpson Picture from ESPN/Boston)

Summer’s End

9/5/11 After the blistering days of July and August, today’s 70ish temps are not only welcome but hopefully glimmers of fall temps to come. As Labor Day is the unofficial last day of summer, I’ve decided to celebrate with the childhood memory of blackberry cobbler and hand-cranked ice cream. Mother would use the last of the summer wild blackberries picked by us from thickets, along roadsides ----literally a “sticky” endeavor. If you’ve never picked, you haven’t experienced the joy of the stick from those thorny barbs which grow alongside those sweet berries. It makes the flavor of the cobbler all the sweeter. As S. Sifton states, “The taste is summer condensed and intensified.” (NYTimes, D7, 8/31/11)

Of course, we added homemade ice cream atop our steamy bowls of cobbler. It, too, was all the better for the cream was a family “labor.” From the going to Ellis ice plant, just a few streets east of the train depot, in the Alstheler and Payne Livestock truck (that wasn’t really a truck) to pick up our block of ice, brought out to the platform by a guy wielding those big tongs, to the chipping, with the wooden handle ice pick, of the ice for the ice-cream freezer (and a little for Mother’s iced tea, which the was best, especially with all those chips and slivers of ice) to the sitting on the steps of the latticed back porch awaiting our turn to crank, (Somehow the adults made is seem a privilege to “crank.”) it was an all day affair. But what a sweet, mouth-watering memory of a childhood Labor Day as the Adams family said good-by to summer at 2211.

To everything there is a season, 
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Sunday Sermonette

9/4/11 What great joy to have your daughter share her notes from today's Fellowship Memphis' sermon series, "Saving the Save: the Gospel to the Religious." (Kingdom Sculptors)
Her Matthew 13 marginalia emphasized the kingdom of heaven. She explained the "the Tares" and then shared "gospel footprints." She has been pondering Bryan Loritt's two questions. Are you leaving gospel footprints where you walk? If you left your neighborhood, would there be a gospel void? Good thought provoking questions for today's Christians.

Since dinner was in the making, we had to end our discussion much too soon but she told me the Lewis quote that she hopes to keep at the forefront of her thoughts this week.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. (C.S. Lewis)

A sermonette with much for this Christian to ponder.

Porch Perspectives

9/2/11 Porches. What are they good for? Absolutely everything!!

Growing up, it seemed that all the houses on my block had porches. 2211 had two. The front porch was perfect for whiling away the hours in the 1950 era summertime as you kept cool and kept up with the goings on of the neighbors.

We also had an L–shaped back porch that was latticed. It was a shelter from the elements. On rainy days Mother hung her “delicates” on the old wooden drying rack ad I played with my Terry Lee doll. It also had some rickety open shelves, one of which, housed our “exposed” house key which IF we ever locked our house (which I have no memory of every doing) we and our neighbors and everyone else could readily access. The steps of said porch were where I sat with Daddy as he taught me the intricacies of opening and eating sardines---those tins with the key on the side that took some ingenuity to get to roll open the can in order to partake of those oily little stinky fish inside. I don’t know how much I liked the sardines but I d remember liking the time with Daddy. He loved them.

It seems that I equate porches with relationships. Growing up they were gathering places for family and friends. Folks would often stop just to sit a spell if we were sitting on the front porch after dinner. Some of my favorite old pix are with my own family sitting in the metal porch furniture at Mother and Daddy’s for a quick Kodak moment. Probably because they take me back to simpler, slower, quieter times----times of relationships.

It seems to me that we could all use some porch sittin’ in our lives. Since our porch is nothing more than a small "one-step up" entry and the heat has me retreating to the coolness of the AC, I’ve decided to put two chairs out front under my birch tree. It seems like the neighborly thing to do.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

DANCERS

9/1/11 Can you clearly read the inscription on this "Hallmark" card? "In this world, there are DANCERS and there are critics." The inside reads, "Happy Birthday to one of the DANCERS."
Do you ever wonder how others would classify you? I do. When I received this card years ago from my friend Ellen, I was humbled. Humbled because I knew what a critical spirit resided within me and so did my family, especially my children. I think I rationalized that I needed to be realistic with them and too often I think it robbed them of the simple joy of being a child with big dreams and hopes----which I probably dashed with said realism.

So what does constitute a dancer? In my life "dancers" are defined by spirit, more than moves on a dance floor. I have many in my life and I aspire to be like them. I hope to introduce a few of them to my blogging world as I delineate just what makes them stand out in my life. The fact that I have seen two of them recently has all of this on my mind.

How 'bout you, reader? Are you a dancer? Or, do you justify criticism as you "rain on someone else's parade?" Psalm 149:3 speaks of "praising His name with dancing." I can only imagine the praise and delight that is lifted heavenward every time our steps/action are seen as a those of a "dancer" in someone's life.

PRAYER PURSUIT

8/31/11 "THOU INCOMPREHENSIBLE BUT PRAYER-HEARING GOD,"----that first line (Valley of Vision, p. 11) hooked me yesterday. It was another affirmation that I might be struggling with "perfect prayer" but God....takes me as I am.

"To Thee I come in my difficulties, neccessitites, distresses;
possess me with Thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication,
with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth of fellowship,
so that in my ordinary concerns of life my thoughts and desires may arise to Thee and in habitual devotion I may find a resource that will soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes, and qualify me with all my dealings with my fellow man."

So much more in that short page that spoke to my concerns about my prayer life. A page out of a book that was Martha Bank's gift to our summer book club group. A gift from a real prayer warrior to a "wannabe" prayer warrior----a gift that is helping me in my prayer pursuit. May I find glory in this valley.

SILENCE

8/30/11 As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, silence in conversation makes me a little nervous. My sad admission is that I too often suffer that malady even in my prayer times.

Silence seems to "pile up" as I try to "be still and know that He is God." (Psalm 46:10) Listening is hard. Distraction is easy. Supplication begins to flow, as if I need to jump in and ask, in order to fill the void.

I know that the "asking" is not the entire purpose of prayer. Prayer is so much more than the getting things/answers for ourselves----though I rationalize that mostly I'm asking for others. The purpose of prayer is to get to know God. As Oswald Chambers reminds me, (My Utmost for His Highest, 8/28) "It is not so true that 'prayer changes things' as that prayer changes me."

I need to try to get over trying to alter things externally and allow the silences to alter me internally as I listen for more of Him.