Corey’s Cross.....

1/31/11 .....

is a red leaf pottery cross. It was a Christmas gift from my dear friend and prayer bud of many years, Wynellen. It has just become Corey’s cross these last few weeks, as it has served as my reminder to consistently pray for him. Lately, Corey, my precious son-in-law, has had a lot on his plate. Plus, he’s married to spontaneous, outgoing, fun-loving, lady of a 1000 projects, “my” Molly and is father of Owen, an energetic and extremely verbal 3-yr. old.

The cross rests on the desk by my prayer chair---though it has been known to move around, I try to keep it very visible. Sometimes I carry it with me as I walk around because it nestles right in my hand and even has a smoothed out place for my thumb.

Mostly I’ve been praying Philemon verses 4-7, that he might be refreshed in the Lord as his life has so often refreshed others. I don’t want him drained dry by always giving out and not taking time for refreshment himself. Following James 1:5 I’ve also inserted his name in the verse as I pray it---“that he (Corey) might seek wisdom from the Lord in all things.”

Corey’s cross reminds me to pray but…..sometimes I need reminders to keep me from drifting off even during those prayer times. Does your mind ever do that when praying?

At last week’s Spiritual Life Conference, Dr. Crawford Loritts emphasized that God’s people have “drifting” in their spiritual DNA. We "drift" from our purpose or goals, or "drift" from our good intentions, or “drift” from our commitments. Our mind can even drift right in the middle of our prayers----at least mine can.

So…..when that happens, I squeeze it a little harder and hold it---it’s like a little “discipline” wake-up call. I begin thanking God for that reminder of praying for Corey upon every remembrance of him (Philemon 4). Is there someone you can thank God for and pray a verse on his/her behalf?

Just do the next right thing…….

1/29/11 We have lots of these NIKE swooshes around our house to remind us to “Just Do It.” But I think there should be delineation to ”it.” Doing “it” in life can be very self-serving if we don’t define “it.”

Confession in Thursday’s blog (1/27/11) showed that my “it” is sometimes defined by ease and convenience. I’m still musing on that conviction.

The Hasslens’ recent Twitter entry shared, “Hardly anything worth doing is easy, until we get to heaven.” (John Piper) The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted as saying "The time is always right to do what is right." II Corinthians 13:7, Paul states "Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right,...." Even a recent SGA sign outside the HHS cafeteria had a reminder for me, “It’s important to do the right thing even if it’s not convenient.”(There's that convicting term again.)

All of those comments, quotes, and signs just kept hammering at me. But God……………lead me to my blue blog folder.

That folder had a CA article notation for “just do the next right thing” that not only delineated “it” for me but also gave an antidote of encouragement---aka prayer. Dr. Scott Morris told of an encounter with Dr. John Nash, who without prompting, shared the following: "Every morning I pray for one thing. Courage. I pray for courage to do the next right thing in the eyes of God.”

When I choose to do “it” in the upcoming days in my own life, I hope this wisdom will stick with me!

All about EASE!

1/27/11 “Easing into my day” is right up there with one of my top favorite things. An alarm is an antithesis of ease, especially one that goes off at 4:24. As for most working women who set an alarm 5-6 days a week, ease seems to be a foreign term. Obviously I’m looking for ease in all the wrong places. So why do I keep seeking it? Should I even be looking?

Ease, to me, is lack of stress or frustration----things falling into place according to my schedule. Ease is CONVENIENCE in all caps!

According to my Bible marginalia, Schaeffer (probably Francis) said, and I paraphrase, “the 2 stumbling blocks in the western world to living a Christian life were that Americans had no higher philosophy of life than-- 1) the pursuit of ease, that brings personal peace, and 2) affluence.” Whoa, that’s pretty condemning. I don’t think of my self as one who seeks affluence but I have definitely spent a good bit of time and energy rearranging my life to accommodate ease whenever possible.

Do I even want a “religion of convenience?” I don’t. Yet sometimes my very actions belie this. Certainly God’s word has some stern admonitions for pursuit of ease and affluence. Just take a look at two facets of the life of the wicked as recorded in Psalm 73:12. Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth. (NASB)

I think I’ll ease on down the road to ponder this awhile.

Nutritional Noshing

1/26/11 Kale is all the rage. The healthy chip. The most nutritional snack on the planet. Settling on the couch with my daily crossword, following my “snow day” sugar overload, I heard a "Today" show guest extolling the yumminess of Kale chips---all the crunch of a chip but obviously loaded with every vitamin and anti-oxidant known to man.

What’s a girl to do? Head to Easy Way, buy the kale, follow the easy recipe and voilà! The first 3 parts were easy but somehow the voilà never came. Hubby’s comment ranged from, “It tastes like fried air. “ to “ I feel like I just snorted volcanic ash.” Feeling guilty I ate a few more before dumping them in the trash.

Guilt was compounded as 2 days later Gina Neely showed this grand new “kale chip” recipe on “Down Home with the Neelys,” Food Network show (Pat even asked for more) Then, Monday’s “Recipe for Health” column in the Commercial Appeal also extolled the virtues of kale, giving a recipe calling for a special variety of kale, not the curly variety I had used.

Certainly there are things that are good for us, things we all need to be healthy. Yet, tastes/methods vary so what might benefit one does not exactly suit the “taste” of another. It’s that way in Bible study as well. I have friends who are reading through the Bible this year, one has actually cut her Bible into 4ths and is following a very strict calendar while the other is using a chronological Bible. Both are pleased with their chosen method. I, on the other hand, prefer this year to focus on only one book (Isaiah) through a “structured” setting that holds me accountable. Of course, I always have the option to springboard from something I read in a devotional or hear in a sermon. Again, it’s all about choices.

However as Larry and I choose our favorite Las Delicias chips, we are wondering what all the kale hype is about---we just don’t have a “taste” for that snack.

Choices???

1/25/11 Choices, mental or emotional? What made me choose the rich Bellagio hot chocolate (with whipped cream, no less) along with the cinnamon sugar sprinkled toast fingers made from Front Street’s Big Ono Bake Shop’s delicious butter rolls?
I chose them over the oatmeal, grapefruit and green tea.
In the 70s, Flip Wilson used to declare, “The devil made me do it!” It is a lot easier to “blame” others for our poor choices, even old Satan himself. Easier than taking responsibility for our own actions. I can even rationalize that the weather made me do it? Cold and snowy. Such conditions seem to call for something warm. Hm-m-m isn’t oatmeal with a “cuppa” green tea warm enough? Maybe it was my body’s craving for sugar, which admittedly is fairly prevalent lately. Regardless of the excuses, according to WW points or any other dietary programs, I made a poor choice.

So what do I do? Sticking my finger down my throat is not an appealing option to me. This choice has literally made me sick---too much sugar, maybe. It has just gotten me down. So, what’s next?

Do I metaphorically pick “myself up, dust myself off and start all over again?” Those lyrics, from an old song Mother used to sing, are about someone struggling to dance and seem most appropriate for one who dubs her life a “dance.”

Belt of Truth

1/24/11 Buckle up folks of faith---If we’re going to stand firm and hold our ground in the struggles of life we face, we need to put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6: 10-17) God’s word is a part of that body armor. Today, because it’s Monday, we’re going to “put on” the belt of truth. Ephesians 6:4a (w/different versions included to aid your meditation)

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, (NIV)

So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist, (Message)

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor, (NLT)

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth KJV

THOTS (Trusting Him On This Scripture)---God’s Word is His revealed truth. Is that the truth referred to here? Is it the belt of truth that holds everything else together? How about truthfulness in my own life? Is “standing” an aspect of practicing the truth that I do know? Does my lifestyle reflect His truth? Is knowing and understanding God’s truth the best defense for fighting those battles in my mind? Is “truth,” in and of itself, all the protection one needs? I think not. I think we need action with knowledge, thus the imperative to “stand” with the belt of truth. What do you think?

Kingly Prayers Needed

1/23/10 The Kate-William betrothal is on every one’s tongue. A royal wedding is planned this spring for Prince William and “commoner” Kate Middleton. “First Commoner to Marry Heir to Throne in 350 Years” is how the Atlanta Journal Constitution put it. It’s big news not only because everyone loves a royal wedding but because he is 2nd in line to the throne of one of the most powerful countries in the world. He could presumably be seated on the throne within my (and your) lifetime. That’s big. Big because though the monarch's authority over the Church of England is not strong, the position is still very relevant to the church. Possibly prayer could connect the monarch and the church in more than a symbolic capacity. That would be really BIG.
So what should one pray for a future king? Years ago, I purchased a Common Book of Prayer for a mere £1, from a little antique store in Horley, England.

The Book of Common Prayer is a permanent feature of the Church of England's worship, much loved for its beautiful language and its source for rituals and ceremonies. Since this book is a model and inspiration for worship throughout England and is also foundational for the tradition of common prayer for morning and evening, I thought this would be a good place to begin praying. These prayers, now even available on-line, are taken from scripture and some are the confessional prayers of King David himself in Psalm 51. The apostles’creed and Lord’s prayer are included as well.

Though the copy I have includes prayers for King George, Prince William’s great-great grandfather, my prayer is that the future King and his betrothed will add prayer to their daily agendas. Maybe just picking up The Common Book of Prayer will be a good, familiar place to start. Praying together could certainly be a great beginning for their own relationship as well as preparation for the future monarchy. Long live King Jesus!

Kingly Prayers

1/20/11 Years ago when I first joined a group of gals for a Bible Study, the “leader” (that’s using the term loosely) began with prayer. We all took turns leading from a prescribed text without much Bible knowledge to back us up, so prayer was a very smart place to start. That night in the small den on Swan Ridge Circle someone asked where Hezekiah was in the Bible. Several gals thumbed furiously through their Bibles assuming that Hezekiah was a book in the Old Testament. I having barely enough knowledge to find the Old Testament just sat there. As it turned out, I’m glad I did because together we all discovered that Hezekiah was a king, not a book in the Bible. I learned a lot that night about how limited I was in Bible knowledge.
This past Monday night at BSF, when Hezekiah was discussed I was immediately taken back to that previous time of embarrassment. Yet, I didn’t stay in that frame of mind. I was grateful for the Lord’s patience with me and for the tremendous Bible teaching I have been offered since those humiliating beginnings. So, I prayed that the Lord would teach me the truth he had for me through this “side” lesson on Hezekiah in Isaiah 37.

The Lord taught me how Hezekiah prayed----
laying his enemy’s words before the Lord (v.14),
with a focus in his prayer of:

• who God is….the God of Israel… (v.16),
  
• God’s uniqueness…a God who hears….the living God (v.17),
  
• a real God not like a god made by work of men’s hands (v.19)
  
• a true God to whom Hezekiah can make petition for deliverance.
  

Isaiah, the prophet, then sent word to Hezekiah from the Lord, the God of Israel….”Because you have prayed to me….” And He gave the answer.

All of this had me asking: Do I spread out everything before the Lord? Am I preoccupied with His greatness and glory when I pray or do I just ask and ask and ask?
God is teaching me that the heart of prayer is knowing Him and acknowledging His greatness, not personal petitions.

Hezekiah was a king and his prayers were kingly because he prayed to the King of Kings. Further study this week took me to the book of Kings, which is in the Old Testament, and relates to Hezekiah’s reign. When I opened my NAS Bible to II Kings 18, I found highlights from that study 30+ years ago when a gracious God helped me not only find Hezekiah but also helped me find a deeper personal relationship with the King of Kings.

PATHLESS IN MEMPHIS

1/17/11 Old Testament folks took to winding paths (Judges 5:6) and paths that lead nowhere….paths of all who forget God. (Job 6:18 & 8:13) I felt that way last week---wandering off path---sometimes just walking in circles, unable to see the right path----NOT the path of life. That path is sure whether I make a few deviations in my daily walk of not. I just didn’t seem to be on the best path---though I had more time available to spend with the Lord.

One day I had a glorious 4 hr. time but the rest of the time with Him seemed to be relegated to “time leftover” status. I was focused on self-stuff---a seemingly endless check list of completing projects, saving money, clearing clutter, family worries, doctor’s appointments, etc.

“Come, let us go 
up to the mountain of the LORD, (i.e. to a place for meditation) to the temple of the God of Jacob. (Why? So that He can teach us.) He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3) (We can’t walk it if we don’t clearly see/know His way.)

I like the verb tense here as Psalm 16:11 is quoted in Acts. It is indeed past tense for me because He has already made His path known to me---I just have to reconnect with Him so that He can refill me as I joyfully sit in His presence---not just marking off the time.

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ (Acts 2:28)

REAR VIEW REFLECTIONS

1/16/11 What’s in your “rear view” reflections of life? Pain? Disappointment? Fear? For those of us with cancer in our rear view mirror, we have to be careful. 
Just like in driving, we have to use our rear view mirror as a quick indicator of the next right thing. We don’t keep looking in the rear view mirror as we thrust forward. The results could be disastrous, even life threatening. For me this last week, it’s been a real temptation to do more than glance at my past---my cancer past. Maybe it’s because it’s been two years ago this month that my MAC Journey began.

Yet, though I know for preventative reasons, I need to continually be aware, I also know that it’s unhealthy to “dwell” on those thoughts. We can’t live a healthy life living in the past. Nor can we enjoy the present and future if our view is skewed by our rear view. Thoughts of cancer reoccurrences can really skew ones view.

Yesterday’s Jesus Calling reminded me that it’s all about focus. “If you gaze too long at the myriad of problems around you (past or present, Dotsy) you will sink under the weight…..”

A quote in my Bible attributed to Fran says, “Gaze on Jesus; glance at all else.” That is worthy of reflection.

Forgive Me....

1/14/11 Forgiving Fridays are easier to write about than to practice. Yesterday I semi-publically (is that a euphemism for a public of fewer than 5) made a comment that I very much regretted. It wasn’t exactly the words as much as the implication---the slight rolling of the eyes. It was the skepticism in my heart. I should have been rejoicing at the comment that someone was attending church.
CONVICTION had me return later in the day and ask forgiveness of the one whose comment I was somehow questioning. She was very gracious and said she hadn’t thought a thing about it. She did accept my forgiveness.
Now the next phase has entered, I can’t seem to forgive myself. I keep taking it around the block with me---can’t let it go----beating myself up about it. Is it fear of what others must think of me as I have shown my sinful self? Pride? Is there more I am to do?
God said do you believe my Word, Dotsy? I forgive you.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (Micah 7:18)

Forgive me Lord. Forgive me for not taking you at your Word and relishing your forgiveness and mercy, thereby forgiving myself.

Yearly Check-Up ✔

1/12/11 There are clear indicators that today is THE day----females of all ages can appreciate the meaning of the “yearly check up.”

Legs shaved--✔ (pits too)

Teeth brushed, even tongue ✔ (not sure why, he doesn’t look in my mouth*)

Breath mints close by ✔ (just in case nerves bring on bad breath)

Lingerie coordinated ✔ (only the hook in the curtained area sees these, but it’s part of the routine)

Pre-visit diet of “plain” foods ✔ (Don’t want to embarrass self on the table)

Anything else would be TMI so I’ll end my checklist. Besides more than just the mental dread of “stirrups looming” and the anticipation of pain, there is the ensuing panic (of being found out) brought on by answering those questions.

• Any weight changes? No comment. (Scared /dreading to face the scales----knowing that every piece of Christmas fudge & divinity would join me there.)
  
• Meds? Are you taking your calcium & multi-vitamin? Well……sometimes. (rationalization offered that the Centrum silver (for old ladies) makes my stomach hurt.)
  
• Exercise? Hm-m-m….does chasing 6 little boys under the age of 8 count?

I can rationalize and make excuses for all the questions asked during this yearly “physical” check-up, just like I could if I were taking a yearly spiritual check-up. I would dread admitting that I’ve put some “heavy” stuff in my mind that would not be nourishing. I would have to admit that the sometimes inconsistent antidote to make me strong & not frail, would be the daily consistent intake of God’s word. I would have to admit that I need more exercise in the area of “deep meditation” not just the running through of the daily devotional passage in order to ✔ if off of my spiritual to do list. Wow---this is convicting to me. How about you?

*1/13/11 He actually did look in my mouth and even probed my neck---looking for tumors, I guess.

WAR EAGLE!!

1/10/11 This is really NOT a blog about Auburn being in the BCS championship tonight. Though the game will certainly be viewed on our TV, our son, Buddy (Auburn, class of 92) and his “almost” 9 year-old son, Nathan (an avid Auburn tiger fan and future Auburn wannabe) will be in section 444, row 13, seats 3 & 4! Our son is a pastor in Allen, TX. He and his wife, Day, strongly believe in building relationships with their kids, all 5 of them, as well as sharing their heritage. This requires quality time and often more money than I assume a pastor’s earthly salary might provide----though he’s never mentioned a word to me about his salary or financial needs. (Wow---he doesn’t sound like my son, does he!) But God…..

Last month, a member of his church presented him with 2 tickets to the championship game. The game where this year’s Heisman winner will be on the field playing for Buddy’s alma mater against the team with the Heisman runner-up. The dream game!

The dream tickets---provided by a man who just a month before had buried his “almost” 9 year-old daughter. A man who knows the value of time spent with one’s kids.

To this I say, WAR EAGLE! To Auburn fans it’s a battle cry for their football team. To me it’s a battle cry for the importance of time spent with family, and for those who, even in the midst of pain and struggle pay it forward.

POSSIBLE ACCUMULATION

1/8/11 “Possible accumulation.” Those words can bring hope to the heart of a weary school teacher. Yesterday, Cathy C. said those words were music to her ears. In the past weeks I’ve blogged about words. Words of profanity. Words of resolve. Words of gratitude and encouragement. Words of delight---those prayerful words from John Parker, age 2, that delighted my heart.
Yesterday’s Commercial Appeal had an article about “Music for Aarvarks,” a music class I attended with Owen the week after my Jan. ’09 cancer diagnosis. It was a “gleeful” experience for all. The article was entitled “Songs in the key of Glee.” That title has resonated with me ever since.
This morning I knew I needed to live in the “key of glee” and the first step would be choosing words that reflect my heart’s choice. Not careless words that reflect my natural inclinations toward impatience, ungratefulness or a critical spirit but wise words. I need to practice letting my heart exult so that the overflow allows my words to sing as I speak in the key of glee. How about you?

David knew the song---

He sang to the LORD the words of this song ………………..He said: I love you, LORD, my strength. (Psalm 18:1)

Choose wisely---words matter. A “possible accumulation” of these choices, not based on circumstances, can have us all living & “dancing” in the “key of glee” as well. (even if it doesn’t snow)

4-LETTER Words

1/7/11 Growing up in a home with a mother who could “drop” some bombshells of words, though never blasphemous, and a daddy whose vocabulary didn’t contain any 4-letter words, I clearly understood the difference. The flow of words from their mouths, whether LOUD & clear or soft and gentle, seemed to mirror their personalities. Mother, the verbal, was the more choleric/sanguine type and Daddy’s nature was more melancholy/phlegmatic combo. Establishing my own home as a parent, I knew that I wanted it to be free of 4-letter words—not that a “c---“ hasn’t been “dropped on occasion. In fact, the “S” word at our house was “shut-up” and was not allowed. We said “hush.”

Lately, I’ve realized that there is a 4-letter word in my own life.
If you can read Chinese, no need to read further---you’ve found me out.

It’s not a word I say out loud but a word that for me has all the negative connotations of an old-fashioned “cuss word” and I don’t like it. I don’t like it in my life’s vocabulary and yet it’s one God uses to teach me necessary life lessons. I know it’s a 4-letter word for me because my children see its manifestation in me through my impatience.

What’s the word you ask---WAIT until tomorrow’s blog and I’ll reveal it. Not really.

My struggle with waiting runs the gamut from the “rage” of everyday situations to the dramatic emotion of wanting to run ahead of God. IMPATIENCE is not pretty. Yet, we’ve all learned NOT to pray for patience because the life lessons that teach it are so difficult. So what now?

Internet friend, Carolyn O’s blog gave a worthy answer.

• Years ago I stopped praying for patience but instead now pray for the grace to wait on the Lord. That “re-arranged” prayer has radically changed my ability to wait. I now have HIS power and strength to wait for His perfect answers to my prayers and my cries for help. It has made all the difference in my ability to wait for His answers and to be able to see His hand at work throughout the process of bringing about His perfect will….. A HUGE difference! I used to say that “wait” is a four-letter word. Although wait still has only four letters in it, I’m learning to see that waiting is only tolerable through the power, strength, and grace of the Lord.

JANUARY--- Resolutions or Routines

1/6/11 Though I don’t really make resolutions for the New Year, I do notice a heightened awareness of my dietary concerns, especially my sugar intake. I also notice that there are lots of new people at 24 hr. fitness and realize they could be thinking the same thing about me.

So….without “documented resolutions,” I still know from my “routines” that it’s January when I----

• Open my new 2011 “At-A-Glance calendar (hubby’s perfect gift) and using my newly sharpened to a razor tip pencil, write in upcoming events on those pristine monthly pages
  
• Cut out Lean Cuisine Coupons (using them is always iffy)
  
• Dump leftover sweets in trash (though not the really good ones like Carolyn’s fudge)
  
• E-mail Ellen about walking
  
• Floss more
  
• Make mini adjustments to my diet & don’t include Houston’s butter cookies on my Tuesday lunch order (not yet anyway)
  
• Smell like grapefruit in the morning----it splatters all over me
  
• Read magazine articles on organizing & clearing clutter
  
• Start looking for Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman to read, yet again. (1 of only 2 books I reread)

So, you ask---why no resolutions? I know myself---short-term goals are better for me. I tend to “fret” over my unfulfilled resolutions. (i.e. failures) Romans 7:14-20 passage hits the nail on the head in so many ways. Though the passage is about the law & the sin within, there were some verses that really summed it up for me. It’s sort of a spiritual stretch but God does that for me sometimes when He’s showing me my “self.”

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ……..For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:15 & 18 b.)

"89"

1/4/11 "89"---the number on Larry’s high school football jersey, 89---the longest verse in the KJV Bible is Esther 8:9 with 89 plus one words. 89¢ the cost that Mother would pay for enough hamburger meat (3 lbs) for meat loaf, spaghetti sauce and fried hamburgers from Haddock’s grocery (and they delivered) That woman could stretch a dollar, uh 89¢.

89 FM is a Foothills Broadcasting radio station in Knoxville that produces real faith, real life programming mixed in with their music. For years the station has been airing encouraging words to fill up those who are empty and lifting up God so that all listeners could “see” him. My Daddy has that kind of radio station in my life. His words, though few, were encouraging. In later years, his daily reading of the Upper Room devotional and consistent church attendance were visible to all who knew him.

Today, Daddy is 89 years old. Daddy the “softer” side of my parental duo. Daddy, who was soft of speech, scolded me only once that I remember. I still shudder when I think about it because I had made fun of my grandmother Davenport’s pronunciation of the prefix for our phone number. (Tuxedo for 88) Had she heard me, it would have been shaming. Shaming is never acceptable. How grateful I am for Daddy’s intervention.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you and thank you for loving me.

Meditation, minced

1/3/11 It’s Monday and you know what that means---meditation. Most years I try to choose a year’s verse. Saturday, January 1, my chosen passage was I Thessalonians 1: 14-18 and those 5 verses seem to have “stuck.” I will be reading these verses in a variety of versions and later looking at each verse individually. But what I’ve done so far is to mince the verses and jot down the morsels that jumped out at me. It’s like a Reader’s Digest of Condensed Books---i.e. Dotsy’s Abridged Verses---just little bite-sized pieces. Remember, it’s just my brief beginning.

Be patient. Be kind. Be joyful. Be prayerful. Be thankful.

SABBATH REST----

1/2/11 Sabbath rest is more than a Sunday afternoon nap---though they are restful! It's more than cessation from work---though as a Type A personality I need that too. A Sabbath rest is more than an item to check off on your "do right" list. As a member of a "self-help" nation and a once aspiring member of overachievers anonymous, I know how to even make work (accomplishment) out of an ordained day of rest. (Exodus 20: 8-11)
Today Cole's sermon opened my eyes to that 4th commandment's meaning. It goes much deeper than needing rest. Though the focus is one of refreshment---a refreshment which is found in the Lord, it’s more than a weekly regimen. Though purposely disengaging from the grind in order to replenish and refresh in Him, is part of it, Sabbath rest is about definition and trust. When I rest, I admit that it's not my work that defines me. When I rest, I acknowledge that Christ defines me. It's what God did through Christ on my behalf that truly defines me.
When I rest I trust. I trust that God is the One who makes me who I am. There's more, but right now on this Sabbath day, I'm just resting on that.

From extraordinary to ordinary and then.............

1/1/11 What's the best approach? Today's date is extraordinary. Last week was extraordinary for us. We had a house full of folks including 5 little Texans, 8 & under and 3 yr. old Owen and lots of drop in family and friends. The carport was parked with scooters and bikes and mini golf carts, not cars. We played inside and outside---in coats and gloves and shorts and rain gear. It was a monumental effort just to feed and bathe and entertain with Wii and board games, homemade play dough & legos, stories & slide shows. Movies, ice skating, Christmas tree for the birds. We tried to do it all.
Now they, and all the company that accompanies their infrequent visits, are gone. How does one transition? How does one go from clutter to calm? From delight to doldrums? From extraordinary to ordinary?

The time with them is so fleeting. I want it to be special. We see them so seldom that I want it to be memorable. I work hard at is and so does Larry. Their parents sacrifice to bring them. I want it to be memorable. When they drive away and I see that Texas license plate disappearing from sight I cry. I get that sick, lonely feeling in the pit of my stomach as if I'm homesick. I can hardly swallow. I call and check on them along the way. They will be glad to get home to their toys and their beds---their ordinary is their comfort zone. My transition to our ordinary feels sad.

In Eccl 1:1-11, we learn that life is fleeting and disappointing---here today and gone tomorrow. Just like all the football games we've watched today. It seemed so important to cheer for the right team---I was so glad when the horned frogs (I almost typed toads) of Texas Christian won and especially when the quarterback quoted I Peter 5:6. Yet, I probably won't remember next year---just like I can't remember who won the Rose Bowl last year or even the Super Bowl. It seems so important at the time but the simple truth is most of these thoughts are fleeting and 100 years from now will only be known, not remembered, by someone who happens to "google" those statistics.

Life is fleeting and I want to make the most of those relational moments with family and friends. I want those moments "under the sun" to count for eternity where they won't be fleeting. I want my loved ones to know that the best way to live "under the sun" is to live in the Son. I want all these fleeting moments of ordinary to become extraordinary because they count for eternity.