Location! Location! Location!

6/16/10 Because so many folks have asked (in a variety of forms), about the destination of the girls' trek, I will post info tomorrow---I'm just too tired right now. Traffic court at the end of working day (just a.m.) and pre-wedding pursuit/errands day has taken its toll.

Revival

6/14/10 I know it’s summertime when I am able to go to the Monday morning prayer for revival time at 9:30 am. What a privilege. The idea for this prayer time originated with Jeanne Greenlee many years ago and though she died just as it was taking off, others have kept her vision going.

This faithful, albeit small group, models prayer in a way that so-o-o fits my Monday meditation mode. Most enter the prayer room with their own Bible in hand. The scripture citation for the morning’s meditation is displayed on the table and blank cards are available for writing personal prayer requests.

The first 20 minutes are dedicated to meditating on the same scripture though versions of our Bible’s often differ. This time is followed by 20 minutes of corporate prayer that usually focuses on praise, thanksgiving and confession, followed by praying for revival in our own hearts. We pray for our local church our neighboring churches, and move to our community, state and nation. The final 20 minutes is prayer for each other and is based on, but not limited to, our personal requests.

It is so exciting to share through prayer how the scripture passage has touched our heart. It nearly always speaks to each of us differently, depending on our circumstances or where we are in our spiritual walk. Believe me, there’s always an applicable life lesson just for me. Others say the same thing.

This morning’s selection was Ephesians 6:10-20.

Read it and chew on it awhile. Maybe your heart will be revived. You might be prompted to pray as well---a personal prayer revival.

Whining Rationalized

6/13/10 Just as I was headed (slowly) up to the computer room to try to clear the cobwebs from my brain and siphon out a coherent thought from my muddled (fatigued) mind, I began to rationalize my whines---because that was exactly what I was getting ready to do---make excuses. But God….had my eye catch my devotional book on my prayer chair, which is pretty prominent on the way to the stairs.

In the life of a saint there is this amazing wellspring of original life all the time; the Spirit of God is a well of water springing up perpetually fresh. The saint realizes that it is God Who engineers circumstances, consequently, there is no whine, but a reckless abandon to Jesus. (My Utmost for His Highest, June 13)

Enough said---consequently there are no complaints or rationalizations from me today---or at least not at this moment.

Girlfriends’ Getaway

6/8/10 Girlfriends’ Getaway, aka T-Cup Trekking, or this year it’s a T-Cup Old South Cotton and Magnolia Tour. At this point the destination is unknown. I assume I will find out at the breakfast surprise this morning. Clues given earlier by our trusty guide were so nebulous none of us have a clue.

• Wear red, white and blue to breakfast.
  
• Fit for a queen.
  
• Bring a swim suit but don’t worry, no one will see you in it.
  
• Tina’s been there.
  
• Georgia influences the schedule.

See why we don’t have a clue---except we all assume it’s somewhere in Mississippi.
Do we care? Not really. It’s just another aspect of the fun for 6 post-menopausal grandmothers. The real purpose is just to get together and share this season of our lives.
It will be a time to laugh, (maybe even cry) to embrace, to speak (lots of that) and maybe even to dance.
It will not be a time to be on the computer. I’m going “unplugged” so I’ll write when I return from wherever the “tour” leads. It’s a getaway that we have vowed never to let go-away, even when we have to hire a driver!

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: (Proverbs 15:13)

Getting away with these 5 friends makes me merry indeed.

Quiet Words

6/7/10 The days I had at the beach were glorious and “quiet.” The water roared sometimes, the waves crashed, thunder clapped, rain came, wind blew and whistled through the deck door but still there was a quietness. I was still; I could hear. It was easier to hear Him as the relentless clattering of the world was put on hold. God speaks quietly. God Calling (June 5 entry) reminded me to listen because He speaks quietly. It’s His voice I need to hear. As I listen, “anxious thoughts and tired nerves will become rested.”

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (II Kings 19:11-12)

Ah-h-h the still small voice of the Lord---it brings rest to my soul and joy to my weary bones. According to the prophet, Isaiah, hearing from the Lord brings life. Today be still, meditate on His word and listen for His still small voice. Then live in light of those quiet words that you hear.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; (Isaiah 55:3)

DESTINATION: WEDDING

6/2/10 Will be off-line for the next few days because we’re going to celebrate Elizabeth and Michael’s wedding in Florida. I love everything about family weddings---the newness of love, the family ties, the flowers, the music, (it always makes me cry) the “charge” from the preacher (esp. when he is my son) the excitement and hope for the future of the bride and groom and of course, the cake!! I do love wedding cake. And though I love chocolate, it’s not the groom’s cake I gravitate toward---it’s the white on white bride’s cake with lots of icing.

So grateful that Elizabeth and Michael have chosen to put the Lord at the center of their marriage. He is that all important strand in the cord of their relationship.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New American Standard Bible)
9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
11Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but (A)how can one be warm alone?
12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

NO WHINE ZONE

June 1, 2010 Last week on K-LOVE radio station, the d-jay discussed a challenge that she had been given at a women’s retreat. The challenge---go a month without negativity flowing from your mouth. I had lots of reasons why this would NOT be a good month for me to “take the challenge!” How negative is that. Could I possibly inhabit a “no whine zone?” My June schedule really isn’t a good time to worry about one more thing---especially without complaining---which I can rationalize as just making a statement or observation!
But God…..hasn’t let me off the hook. Just recently my daughter had dubbed me “Debbie Downer” so I guess I need to at least try the challenge----and without the “realistic attitude” of failure. What I call “realistic,” Molly construes as negative.
I did make it out of bed this morning without a negative utterance and quickly caught a “somewhat” negative response to a question and added…..”but I’m grateful.”
Our words have such an impact. That awareness alone can make this challenge worthwhile. Philippians 4:14 says, “Do all thinks without murmurings or disputings.” (complaining or arguing/ grumbling) Those are all vocal terms with nagative implications. WOW did you see that typo---nag-a-tive---nagging is negative, as well. Harping/carping is wearisome and reckless words can cut like a razor.
So speak encouraging words to one another. (Prov. 12:18) Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Prov. 16:24)
Psychologists say that feelings follow actions----thus, no negative action from the mouth should influence positive feelings from within. That's a good thing, "doncha" think?
Do you want to take the challenge and live in a “No Whine Zone” for a month? If so, maybe we can encourage one another. I’ll bet those around us will be glad we did.

Let your speech always be with grace. (Colossians 4:6a)

Memorial Day……….

5/31/10 ……is a day to remember our veterans who died while in military service. It also has a way of reminding me of the veterans in my family who, though not killed in battle, still bear the scars of their service. This morning’s Commercial Appeal noted that over 900 WWII vets die every day in our nation. My daddy, a WWII recipient of the purple heart, says, he’s “grateful for everyday the good Lord gives him.” Larry’s dad, too, was a WWII vet but he entered ICU last year for the final time, as others marked Memorial Day honoring our fallen soldiers.
Both men showed courage and patriotism as they left for battle leaving young brides behind. Both men believed that freedom was worth dying for and both men are on my heart today.
I’ll call Daddy to say hello to my favorite vet and accompany Larry to the cemetery to place a flag at his dad’s grave. Both actions are a way to honor them.

Ephesians 6:2a says, “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER…. “

Weekend Wanderings

5/26/10…..or more like “weekend whirl wind.” I will be off-line because we will be heading to Houston,TX at 3 a.m. tomorrow (11-12 hr. trip) and returning Sunday. Thank goodness Charlie Mazzone is riding with us and is willing to help with the driving. We’re going for Larry’s induction into the USA Racquetball Hall of Fame. A time of celebration. A time to connect with “old” racquetball buddies. A time for me to recall words like splat, pinch in the corner, rollouts, “z” serves, avoidable hinders, etc. A time to view “donuts” left on the bodies of the players who have been hit by that speeding little blue ball. (Larry says nowadays r'balls are purple and red.)
A time to recall “the last time I saw you” memories. A time to nosh on Larry’s much loved Mexican dishes---if that favorite restaurant is still there and if he and Aubrey and Charlie can still find it. A time for Larry to reconnect with his favorite coconut custard pie at the House of Pies.

This is Larry’s time---To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3)
a time to build up; (others coming along in the sport)
a time to laugh; (there will be lots of that as stories of the old days flow)
a time to dance; (celebration always calls for dancing for us)
a time to embrace, (as we all exclaim, “you haven’t changed a bit.”)
a time to get, (honor for a job well-done)
a time to keep, (in his memory)
a time to speak; (as he accepts a recognition, much deserved)
A time to love, (and remember the sport that has been such a big part of his life since 1975)

A great time for a whirlwind trip down memory lane.

Living a life of abunDANCE in the midst of…..

5/26/10……..was the “talk” that I gave April 20,2010 ---sharing the blessing of my cancer journey. It was a talk to encourage others to learn to D. A. N. C. E. in the midst of whatever struggle they find themselves. 

In a way it was also a big thank you to all who so ministered to me along the way. Had it not been for you and others in the land of the living, I would have despaired. (Psalm 27)
Several folks have asked how to “listen” to my talk. It is now on-line. I have not listened to it but several people last week told me that they could access it.

If you click on the link below, it will take you to the podcasts. When you get to that site, Women’s Ministry Podcast should be visible with the title, date my name etc. You can click the right arrow to begin listening or download to your computer to listen later. There is a mission report in the first part so you can skip to the “talk” by moving the cursor along the “playing line” to about 14:00 for the intro. Let me know if these directions work, or not.

http://www.firstevan.com/podcast/

I hope you “dance.”