CARING!

If people could use one word to describe you, what do you think it would be? Given that challenge to describe friend, Crickett, one word kept coming to mind. Caring. 

Think synonymously....Kind. Concerned. Thoughtful. Trustworthy.

My One Word to encompass Crickett Keeth.... "Caring"-- with all the above listed facets.

Crickett has always understood the value of fellowship, knowing how difficult it is to do life alone. She shows this as she blesses lives of many. 

She cares for others in various ways with her time, resources and strengths: 

• devoted to others in love as she honors them above her self. (Romans 12:10) 
• serves others humbly in love (Galatians 5:13c) 
• carries another's burdens, (Galatians 6:2a) 
• trustworthy to keep requested secrecy .... as she looks to the interest of others (Philippians 2:4) 
• In fact, Crickett is known world-wide as a caring encourager who builds up women and spurs them on in a teaching ministry. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

GOD is not unjust; He will not forget your (Crickett's) work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. (Hebrew 6:10) 

Now, that's caring at its best! Think all caps...........

THINK CARING CRICKETT! 

Then.....THANK CRICKETT for listening to the Lord and coming to First Evan 17 1/2 years ago.

"PERFECT GIFT"

All perfect gifts come from God. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Crickett's Christmas table says it  well!

Thanks be to God for giving His Son, who is the "Perfect" Gift for all mankind.

at-TEA-boy! At-TEA girl!

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)

As all teachers know, it takes at least 10 "attaboys" or "attagirls" to temper one "now-now" negative. 

Kids need encouragement.....but then, so do adults. Heart to Heart Bible study teacher, Crickett reiterated that last night as she shared a great model for a "Ministry of Encouragement" from 2 Timothy 1:1-7.

5 Ways to Encourage Others

(as Paul encouraged Timothy)

1. Love them- (v. 2 & 4) & show that love.
2. Pray for them- (v. 3) & keep on praying.
3. Affirm them- (v. 5) in their faith walk.
4. Exhort them- (v. 6) to be all that God has called them to be.
5. Remind them- (v. 7) of all the Lord's resources that are available to them.

What a great reminder that spiritual at-TEA-boys are good for spiritual health as well as emotional health. 

Each at-TEA-girl fills someone's cuppa with much needed positivi-TEA. Thanks to Crickett for filling our cuppa week after week!

Gift to Self

9/13/13 Friday the 13th----not always a bad day. Today it's been an especially good day because I have decided to give myself a gift. A nap!! A nap without guilt attached.

Our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women's Bible Study this year is so-o-o timely. For everyone, old and young alike. The topic is "The Gift of Rest" written by our director, Crickett Keith.

Already I am gleaning info about true rest. There is no true rest apart from Him.

So far, we've discussed various kinds of rest. Earlier this week, I had rich times of "soul rest" as I spent time in God's Word and Prayer. (Matthew 11:29) On this Friday the 13th, I'm dealing with a lack of physical rest. There is a "need" for this rest. 

Today I'm greatly feeling that need. So, I'm seeing some available time as a gift from God (Matthew 11:28) and I'm "opening" that gift of time and re-gifting it to myself in the form of a nap.

R.E.S.T.

8/26/13

REST---it’s the theme for our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women’s Ministry Bible Study this year. It’s so timely for so many. Tired people grow weary in trying, weary of forgiving, wearing of the pain and struggle. Weariness can be overwhelming.

People who need rest and refreshment often turn to pills, alcohol, even the spa to reenergize their sad lives as Max Lucado says in “Facing Your Giants.” But do they? There may be a reprieve from the weariness and the pain may be postponed, BUT is it removed?

Jesus Calling (8/3) reminds us that in such times, one should be quick to pray. Oswald Chambers “My Utmost….” entry (8/20) reminds us that our Lord is the One who establishes rest. 

Crickett, our WM director gave a helpful acronym to remember these truths

Re-order your priorities Lay all your burdens prayerfully before the Lord.

Exercise restraint. Learn to say, “No.”

Slow Down. God can redeem our time for His purposes.

Trust God. ‘Nuf said!!

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Lucado, 8/15)

R.E.S.T. might not have a tune but it has it’s own lyrics for the heart---and those words are meditation for today.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)

CELEBRATE LIFE....a younger version

8/28/12 Last night’s celebration with a “younger” friend on her BIG 6-0 birthday was quite a contrast to Saturday’s "101 year" celebration. Both were fun---just different. Saturday’s decorations were elegant, floral and understated with no mention of years. Yesterday’s were full of color and “60” everywhere.

 The Saturday group most in their 9^thdecade, arrived dressed to the nines, with  no walkers, one hidden knee brace and only one cane, which was quickly put aside---with youthful hopefulness. Though aging was at the forefront of conversation for the Monday group the guests ranged in age from 30 something to 70+. That's  the generation span of friendships of the honoree, who said, “That way I make sure there is still someone around to attend my funeral!”

Walker’s adorned the entry at the more recent event and even offered valet parking for the elderly. Attire for the group, at the request of the honoree, was to be of an “elderly fashion.” Not to dress “old & frumpy” were the dictates of the hostesses. So, said honoree was the only one to arrive clad with her 96 yr old mom’s shoes with rolled down house, bed-head hair and tissues everywhere----you get the idea. At least, she left her mom’s hearing aids in her purse. (BTW, two of her “kind” friends tried to dress according to the birthday girl’s rules---that would be Shirley and Lou)

Song and dance captured the essence of Crickett.

Yet, the passing of 60 years of life was still celebrated with skits and pranks, both recent and past. Bugs and roaches in beds, short sheeting, crickets in curtains and inappropriate use of toilet paper. (LOL) That’s laugh out loud for you elderly readers. LOTS of laughter was definitely part of this life celebration. (Psalm 133:1)

It’s said that laughter is good for the soul---well, so is Crickett.

Birthday, dear friend “zee Crickeeet”---only 5 more years ‘til Medicare.  

Can't wait to see what your "innocent friends", Julie and Sandra cook up for that life celebration!