COMPLACENCY

4/27/11 Back in the closet again…..or our safe place as bow-tie weatherman, Joey Sulipek, was calling it. Friend Elaine M. said that our weather had “put down the pruning shears and picked up the chain saw.” Predictions were certainly dire.

Cozy (a euphemism for stuffy & cramped) in our under the stairs closet, the simulcast of the weather news was playing on our battery operated radio as the sirens wailed outside. It didn’t take long to grow weary of obeying the siren’s warning to take cover and do the right thing. Before too long we were inching out toward more comfort. The sirens came and went for more that 2 hours. We came and went as well, even while the sirens continued.

How easy it became to half-heartedly heed the warning. Isn’t that the way it can be in our Christian walk? We can easily slip into complacency---even when doing the right thing. Laziness and indifference can become the pattern. How do we avoid this danger?

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…..So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” ― Romans 13:11-12 (NIV)

Complacency is a real and present danger. We need to guard against it by covering ourselves with the light of God’s word that we might not be caught unaware by the ever present dangers of this world.

“For the waywardness of the naïve shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32)

STORMY WEATHER

4/26/11

Back in the 60s when 45s were played on record players, “Stormy Weather”, a garage band style version by Tommy Burk and the Counts, was a “biggie” in Memphis. Not a life-long Memphian, I don’t remember much about the ”Counts”. I just know they hung out at the Pike house at Memphis State and both Wayne Thompson and Thomas Boggs were a part of the group. I also remember dancing at the King Cotton and humming along with the lyrics as the band played. Some of the lines were descriptive of our weather lately. There was no “sun up in the sky” & “It's raining all the time, all the time.”

Yesterday hubby and I were on I-40 when such a storm hit. No sun visible. It rained as if it would never stop. Big trucks on both sides sprayed us. Visibility was nil. The storm caught us by surprise and it was scary. I prayed.

Life is often a lot like that---a sudden unplanned “storm-like event” rising up out of nowhere. Unexpected. Causing us to re-chart our course, sometimes 180º.

As we inched along our way, I was grateful that I knew the One who can calm life’s storms.

· One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”(Luke 8:22-25)

SOUL FOOD

4/25/11 Soul food is what my “meditating Mondays” are all about since to me there seems to be a famine of God’s word these days. Yesterday’s “Feed my Sheep” chapter, from Laniak’s book, reinterated that. His devotional had me wondering if my blog nourishes readers with enough of God’s word. I don’t want to provide empty calories of wearisome words. That’s what the world bombards us with day in and day out. “ Vacuous options and synthetic substitutes.” (Laniak p. 63)

Here’s some real food (scripture)to chew on----

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

As you begin to feed yourself on God’s word, I pray that this verse of scripture from Jeremiah will become as relevant for your life as it is for mine. Spiritual “soul food” like Memphis soul food offers me not only delight but great comfort as well.

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; 
For I have been called by Your name,
O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

I'VE GOT A SECRET

4/24/11 If you want to know a secret---you've got to e-mail me. It's a good one!

ABUNDANCE.......

4/20/11………abunDANCE is an art. Of course it is---all dance is an art form. One year ago today I was speaking on “Living a life of abunDANCE in the midst of________” and asking the audience to fill in their own blank. I encouraged them to look for abunDANCE in the midst of their own personal struggles.

Somehow it seems that we are more prone to do that in the midst of the “biggie” struggles. But what about when life’s music becomes mundane and routine? (Not that mine ever truly does.) How then do you continue your “dance?”

For my Wednesday folks I prayed that today they would begin to see the abunDANCE of simple pleasures that God has strewn on their life path. You might do the same.

• Ellen---a sunny morning to stroll with her big, boisterous pup
  
• Diane---realization that mesothelioma might take away a loved one but can never take away the great memories
  
• Dixie---sunset on a lake
• Doris---a covered porch, a big swing and a good book
• Drenda---wooden knitting needles and a ball of yarn
  
• Joyce Ann---celebrating every ounce that Katie and Jason’s twins gain
  
• Winslow---a Doll’s Market Benedictine sandwich or a “mug of merlot”
  
• Lunch Bunch---laughter over “loser” teammates eating chocolate

Much has changed in a year. I’m back in the “struggles” again----just new/different ones. In fact, my life has changed drastically in the last 5 weeks---from 3 healthy family members (including me) to not so healthy. Life at our house is not as we knew it.

But God……….still wants me to move/dance through life with Him celebrating the abunDANCE of pleasures he provides.

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)

But God........

“But God” has been my “signpost” since the beginning of my blogging venture. It’s the crux of the verse I hang my faith on.

• Life can throw you a curve ball…………but God………. is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
• You can enter a dark night of your soul and experience that sense of loneliness and desolation……..but God……….never leaves you nor forsakes you. (Hebrews 13:5)
• You can be sad to the core……but God……….comforts you in all your troubles. (I Corinthians 1:3-4)
• You can be restless, distracted and overwhelmed……but God…….is near. In His presence is peace. (Philipians 4:4-7)
• Fear may be wreaking havoc with your psyche ……but God……….hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
• You can feel rejected by ones you love ………but God……….is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• You can end up in the wilderness of despair…………but God……..paved a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 40:3)

“But God”……….just those two words remind me again and again, at every spiritual crossroad, that no matter how desperate the situation I can say, “but God”…… has great love for me, “but God”……. extends mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)

VISUAL MONOTONY

4/18/11 Have you ever been “caught” in the mundane? Traveling the same route to work? Going through the same routine in your workplace day after day, rarely even looking up as people pass in the hall? Life is passing by but some of us seem too self-absorbed or distracted to notice. Years ago in an “Aesthetic Education” grad class I “failed” a pop quiz. Questions missed; color of flowers at the front door, mascot on the school’s sign, location of the school’s mailbox and number of stop signs on the street leading up to the school. As I recall, the entire class ”flunked” our life awareness quiz. I think I need to re-enroll in life awareness---a remediation class for folks to whom life has become an obligation “to get through” not a “dance” to experience and savor.

This morning I chose to “look up” and try to see the “beauty” of life around me, whether in creation or in the faces and hearts of people who cross my path. Many people might do this naturally----lately, I have not. I tried to “see” on the way to work---granted it’s still dark when I arrive at work but I did “notice” some good things. A park crossing sign---new to me but maybe it’s been there and I just never noticed. It jogged my “thankfulness meter”----thankful that near home and work, I have access to some great open spaces. The dimly lit walkway had some blooming “knockout roses” and though I didn’t stop to smell them, I did appreciate the student hands that planted them. The eye-opening “biggie” was 4 planters filled with smiling purple and yellow pansies right by the front entrance. Wonder how long they have been there?

And God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31

This verse seems worthy of consideration today as I begin to see the visual feast that God in His goodness has created for me to savor. There is no monotony in creation.

Uncharted Journeys

4/17/11 Life is full of those unfamiliar, unknown journeys through uncharted territory. We don’t exactly get a life map at birth. Yet all journeys have a destination. (Huffman, 4/17) Possibly because the next leg of my life’s journey constitutes such a change for us, I’m stumbling a little. Strength and direction are needed so that I can learn this new “dance.”

Palm Sunday service at church today was all about strength for our journeys. The final hymn reminded me that the life journey of all Christians is not linear. We are at point B now and no matter how changing and curving and winding are our earthly streets, we will arrive at point A---heaven, the dwelling place of God with man. So, I just need to sit back, be still and allow Him to lead me through this most recent “uncharted” journey knowing I can trust Him for safe arrival at my final destination.*

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. (Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855.)

*At this point, it’s easier to type it than to live it----but God………PTL, He even understands that.

"Room with a View"

4/16/11

Daddy’s room 2066 at the Health Center at West Meade Place really is a “room with a view.” It’s perfect for a quiet type like Daddy. Perfect for one living in the moment.

It’s hard for Daddy to recall much from his past. As for considering his future---I don’t think that ever crosses his mind. However, he does seem to remember when a meal might be in his future.

He enjoys sitting and looking out at the flowers and the statuary in the garden. More that that, he seems enthralled by the changing clouds and the sky. Even the hills in the distance capture his attention as do folks who might wander out to “sit a spell.” I raise the blinds completely so that his view is unobstructed.

There’s a pleasantness that he experiences and he’s very content to sit there and “watch.” Daddy knows how “to be.”

I can learn from that---to be content in whatever place God has put me. To appreciate the beauty that surrounds me I just need to open my eyes, and raise my blinds so that I have an unobstructed view of all that God has given me.

I sat for awhile and enjoyed the view with him. Later, as I kissed Daddy good-by, he said, “Goodby, Sugar.” That’s the first time since his stroke (3/13/11) that he’s used his pet name for me. What joy there was in that simple moment!

GOD'S ENCORE

4/15/11 A repeat affirmation. A lyrical avowal. It was just for me. The music spoke to my heart and worked its way to my feet. The melody* from the Quaker song, “Simple Gifts “ was being “practiced” in the gym lobby by the Houston High orchestra. My plan was to take pictures in the gym for “Career Day.” God’s plan was for me to hear HHS kids playing “our” song.

The chorus on the score sheet reminded me of those words of truth that we experience when we are right where God’s plan takes us---to the place we “ought to be.” And when we’re right there in that place, the middle of His will, it’s delightful.

It’s a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,

It’s the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

Will be in the valley of love and delight.

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE! …..for that reminder.

*The melody is the one used by Sydney Carter (1963) in “Lord of the Dance.” Mr. Carter stated, “from one of these hymns, (Simple Gifts) I adapted this melody. I could have written another for the words of 'Lord of the Dance'but this was so appropriate that it seemed a waste of time to do so.” That’s a blog with in itself.