FYI: I've moved my blog

If you are one of my three or four readers, well you can now follow my blog at http://preacherswifelifeinaglasshouse.wordpress.com/  :)  thank you!!

In a World Gone Mad...

It will hit you when you pick up the morning news, or read the latest news feed on Twitter, or catch your favorite morning show...this world is a crazy, insane place to live!

Innocent people get killed. Good people die. Daddies walk out on families. Mommies do too. Children suffer. Hunger is rampant worldwide. Disasters happen. Greed has taken over. Pride is now worn as a badge. Where are the good men? Where are the men that will stand up for what is right?  Where are the men that will make a difference?  Where are the men with hearts full of compassion? Where are the men that, above all, love God and then shows that loves to everyone he meets?

They are out there. They are making a difference. Its just too often that the bad ones get all the publicity, so here is a little publicity for a man I know that fulfills the extreme definition of a godly man. This month is Pastor Appreciation Month, so I'm going to "appreciate" my pastor!  So what if he's my husband??? Who knows him better than I? 

Jason Aultman is the epitome of a man of godly character. His compassion for others goes without saying. He is not only an amazing preacher, but he's an amazing pastor!  And no, those two are not always synonymous. He works at everything as working for the Lord, with integrity and purpose. He works six days a week (Sunday-Friday) and often has weddings, funerals, hospital visits or other church functions on Saturdays. He doesn't complain. He just does the work the Lord has set before him.

We have been on vacation getaways only to be called back home for some reason or another. I've been pulling dinner out of the oven (okay, so those that know me knows that doesn't happen often!) and his phone will ring and he'll have to go meet someone for counseling or head to the hospital. And yet, he never complains. He can listen to anyone talk for hours and still be so loving and compassionate. Perhaps that is why God blessed me with Jason?? Hmmm....

Yes, I appreciate my pastor, but more than that I appreciate my husband and my children's daddy. In a world that has men leaving wives on a daily basis, and not just men "of the world", but godly men that allowed Satan a foothold in their lives.  There are husbands and daddies who just as soon physically or verbally abuse their wives and children than look at them. There are dads that never take the time for their families. Too often, jobs, sports and hobbies become much more of a priority to men than their families. They care more about their personal fulfillment and enjoyment than enjoying time with their family. Oh how I thank God for Jason being very involved in our kids' lives. He takes them to breakfast every single Friday morning. He has coached team after team. He is a part of their world and they know that and that gives me comfort and our children security.
I'm so very grateful for the man God has placed in my life. A man that was prayed about for years and years before we ever met. A man that is still prayed for today. I've never been worried about Jason leaving me, but that doesn't stop me from praying that he doesn't. I know the enemy is out there seeking whom he may devour. I don't pray so much for the enemy not to attack him, as much as I ask God just to protect him, and strengthen him, and fill him with only the grace, love, and power that can come from the God of all.
It is not in my prayers alone, but in the relationship Jason has with his Father. Only in experiencing the kind of love God gives His children, can we truly love our children.  It is also the prayers of faithful prayer warriors in our lives at Antioch Baptist Church. They not only get on their knees for their church, but for their pastor and his family. This October, the month of Pastor Appreciation, Antioch, let me tell you all, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!  "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16b) We feel those prayers of His people!
Jason takes to heart to love me as Christ loves the church. There is never a day that I go to bed that I wonder if he loves me and our children. He laughs at my crazy whims, supports me in my endeavors and loves my friends as family. In essence, he just loves. Above all.
Jason and I recently went to the movies with our 11 year old son to see the movie "Courageous". If you have not seen this movie, let me encourage you now to go see it!  As I left the theater that night, walking hand in hand between the two most important guys in my life, I just had to thank the God of all for these two blessings. The love of my life and the example he sets for our son.  He is a Courageous man of God and I am so wonderfully and amazingly blessed that God chose someone such as I to have Jason as the daddy to our children, as my pastor, as my husband,  and as my best friend!

Now, don't get me wrong, he is not perfect! Trust me on this one!  In fact, just this past weekend I had a stomach bug and he quarantined me to our bedroom while he Lysol-ed everything in the house that I had touched or thought about touching and camped out in our guest bedroom for three nights. Oh yes, I felt the love as I choked on Lysol fumes!  And before you say, "he was just trying to protect the kids", *cough *cough, hmm...err...yeah, that's it!

Yes, we most definitely live in a world gone mad, but I'm madly in love with you, Jason Aultman and I just wanted you to know that as my pastor, you are VERY much appreciated! :)

Facebook, Friends, and Faith

This morning, while on Facebook on my computer I discovered, what some of you may have already discovered, that you can group your friends on there! I had NO idea! So now I have a "family" group and a "close friends" group. The family group was easy to comprise, I mean, family is family, but ahhh, what about those "close friends". Who do I assume are "close friends".

I started to really limit it, I mean Jason would have to be on there! After all, he is my bestest (I know that isn't a word, you English majors!), closest friend ever!  And though, while we were dating, I may have seen the world through the rose colored glasses of he's the only friend I need, now I'm a bit wiser. I've grow up. I've gotten married. I understand life bit more. I realize we need each other.

It seems that everywhere I've turned this week God has been trying to teach me something on friendship. Even a comedian we had while at a get-away this week shared with pastors and their wives how vital close friends are to them. He wanted to us to know how important it is for us to have those in our lives that we can be honest with, we can allow our weaknesses to be seen, those that will encourage us and point us to Him, someone that we would be willing to die for and know they'd do the same. Basically, who's gonna carry your coffin? Strangers or dear, precious friends?

Thinking on these things, I began to build my group. Would it be those that are just geographically close? Those that I talk to every week? Only those in a certain age category as myself (ugh)? :) Those that have only the same spiritual views as myself? Those optimistic, perky people or the ones with dread and doom on their statuses? Hmm.....

As I started adding folks, I realized a lot of the things above could be thrown out the window. The folks on there maybe as close as the neighborhood behind me, but there were also ones from Texas, Mississippi, as well as the uttermost parts of the earth! So no, geography doesn't really play a part in close friends. And those that I talk to every week? Nope, throw that one out to, because there are some, though we rarely talk to each other, is still very much a dear and precious part of my life. Age category? Ha!! Nope! Throw that one out too! I have older and younger, age really doesn't play a part in friendships. Now on to the same spiritual views as myself? I do believe these are very important factors in close friendships. How can one encourage me and pray for me (or me for them) if we don't agree here. I need those people in my life that will tell me, regardless of how I feel about myself, God still loves me. He waits with open arms to hold me. I want the ones that will always point me to Him and shine their lights on and for Him. The ones that can be very honest and give me a Bible verse that will slap me into reality at times and the ones that will grab my hand and pray with me in a moments notice. Oh yes, these friends I most definitely need!  Its the Aarons and Hurs (see Exodus 17:10-13) in our life, that will come beside us and hold us up. Those are the friends that topped my close friends list. The ones that are a part of my heart. Those who have endeared themselves to me.

I'm not sure if others can view your "close friends" list or not, but if you can view mine, and you know any of them, wow! You are blessed! Perhaps you are one of them, then know I am the blessed one indeed!!  Yes, I'm thankful to God for Facebook today and yet another reminder of His love and goodness on my life through friends and their encouragement as I grow in faith.

Yes Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with those we love, both near and far away. I'm reminded of the movie Beaches, where Hillary says, "Be sure to keep in touch, CC, okay?" to which CC replies, "Well sure, we're friends aren't we?"

Not Your Ordinary Rain Shower!

I'm trying to figure out where I would have been those many years ago when the first rain fell. Would I have found myself on the outside regretting all the ridicule I hurled at the old man, Noah, who had built such an enormous boat in the middle of a desert or would I have had the courage to stand beside him, encourage him and go inside that boat on the day he was told to enter?

Yes, the Classics Series this week covered Noah's Ark, complete with the timeless flannel graph display! 

I learned of Noah's complete obedience. He never consider himself too old to accomplish such a task for the Lord, he was just obedient. In every single detail.   I find myself today, being obedient in some areas, those areas that are comfortable for me, but what about those areas He wants obedience in that are outside of my comfort zone? How am I doing there?  God is not asking me to build an ark and be made fun of for many years while doing it, but He is asking me to be obedient now, where He's placed me. Its obvious that society today, and sadly, often those of us considered Christians as well, don't push us toward godly character, but rather pull us down either knowingly or unknowingly.  

Another thing pointed out that I've never considered is how the ark gives us a picture of Jesus.  It was there in the protection of the ark that Noah found protection, shelter and peace from the storm. Oh how often is it in the very presence of Jesus that I find those same things!  Just as Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8) I have found that grace through the salvation Jesus provided on Calvary.   I also don't think I ever considered how Noah shut the door. I remember yesterday thinking....even while Jason was preaching, "how exactly did they seal that door?"  Well, then, Hello!! It was pointed out to me, once again, that God shut the door. He doesn't need a seal. He IS the seal! His hand held it, kept them safe. Oh how thankful I am to know He is still in the "holding" business!  I could never be strong enough to hold on to God, and I'm grateful I don't have to be, because I can trust His hand to hold me. 

It is often said that Christians live in a state of denial and believe everything is going to be okay, but that is so opposite of what the Bible tells us. His Word tells us in John 16:33,“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Yes. Troubles WILL come, but He has overcome this world and we can be secure in His hand!

We were also reminded that just as in the days of Noah, where people were eating and drinking and enjoying the pleasures of this world so shall it be as in the days before Jesus comes again. (Matthew 24:36-42) Two men will be sitting at a football game, one will be left, the other gone. Two women will be shopping together at the mall, one will be taken, the other left. We haven't a clue as to the exact day or hour, but this we do know, just as the first drops of rain fell and the first springs of the earth burst forth to flood the earth, one day the first blow from Gabriel's horn will happen, the sky will burst forth with radiant light and Jesus will come and take His children home! Oh glorious day!!

Two other lessons observed in small group: Methuselah was Noah's grandpa (this I remembered from my childhood) and he was also the oldest man to ever have lived. 969 years to be exact. I didn't know however what his name meant, that basically "his death would bring the flood". The more I think of this, the more I stand in awe of God's amazing grace and patience with us!  He gave the world then, so much grace and patience to allow Methuselah to live to be 969 years old! That's a LOT of grace and patience, folks!  

Also, reminded me of how much grace and patience He is still having with us today. He desires for none to perish as 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."   He desires for all of us to come to the saving knowledge of His amazing grace! Have you chosen to "get in the ark" of His security and protection?  May we continue to encourage one another in the Lord, all the more for we know that day is approaching! OH that glorious day!!!

God Said, "I Choose Joy"

Do you ever have that moment when God hits you right between the eyes?  Where you are thinking you really need something particular and He has something else in store? Well, I just had a moment like that!

I was hoping to chat with a friend about life, struggles, failures, fears, hopes, dreams, and God's will. Some days we think we have it all figured out and talking through things with a friend can some how make things a little clearer. Well, I was really hoping to get to chat with her, but since she is on the other side of the world, it makes things a little complicated at times...today being one of those times...it was midnight for her and she had an early morning, so no chatting.

Then up pops another name on the old skype list, "Joy". It was almost as if I could hear God saying, "today I choose Joy!" Wow!! I'm so thankful He did!!  Because He chose "Joy", now I choose "joy"!

Joy is a Filipino friend of mine, whom I've had the blessing of getting to know this year. She was born and raised in Bacolod City on the Island of Negros in the Philippines. Bacolod is known as "The City of Smiles" and once you meet Joy, you'll understand why.  Joy was a Compassion International child from the time she was six years old until she was thirteen; so if you have any doubts if your giving can make a difference, here's the proof!

God took a small Filipino child, raised her up to love and honor Him, and chose her today to bless a middle-aged, worn out mom and pastor's wife!  Isn't that just like Him?? Joy is one who listens with the ears of God, she speaks with a tongue guarded by God, and she loves with the heart of God. You can't meet her or just watch her and listen to her without being pointed to Christ and leave with a new appreciation of just what He's done for us. Here are a few words she shared with me just today:

* I just can trust HIS hand that's in full control of everything
*you're not "old"... age is just a number here, we have a saying... only buffalos grow old! (I like that!)
*all moms in the world are awesome!
*your role in the lives of us in the field is sooooo important. (nice reminder)
*God placed you in the situation where you're at right now... Jason's wife, Turner's and Landri's momma, a friend to us as well as to many others...because YOU ARE THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB! that is how unique we all are
*it's just difficult when we let Satan make us think of ourselves any less than God's precious child.
*tough times dont last, only US tough people do because God's grace is always sufficient.
*HE has countless ways that HE could use our lives if only we are willing
*people always have crazy expectations...unreasonable...but what matters is gaining God's approval
* bowing in obedience...peace comes
*God bless you! remember that you look more fabulous when you smile. So today, smile pretty! God loves you!

Now, I mean, really folks??  Couldn't we all use a little "Joy" in our lives?  Today, I'm very grateful that God chose Joy for my life and now, I choose joy to live this day in His strength!  I'm putting that smile on because God loves me and has given me more grace than I could ever imagine and blessed me with a night owl friend on a little island in the middle of Asia-Pacific and brought me joy today through her. He is good! All glory to Him! Now lets go be a "JOY" to someone today!

Psalm 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

*side note: we are in the process of trying to clone Joy into a pocket size version of herself! NOW, wouldn't that be cool?!!

"The Classics Series"

My favorite pastor in the world began a new series yesterday and I thought it might be fun to blog each Monday about what exactly God may be trying to pound into my head. So here goes:

He is taking those simple Bible stories that, if we have grown up in church, have heard since the little wooden toddler chairs and flannel graph board days. Even if we were not raised in church, odds are you have heard these stories anyway. Many people have tried to do away with them. Schools (in the US) prohibit them. Our government tries to outlaw them. Wars have been fought over them. Men have died to protect them. Still, the truths of the Bible are still as new and as exciting today as the time of which they were written. God. He cannot be stopped. Oh for this simple truth I am forever grateful!

This week's "classic" was "David & Goliath" and just simple ways we can apply truths from the life of David to our lives today. If you want a background of the story, read 1 Samuel 17, its all there. Here are some truths that God shared with me:

*We need to be very careful to not put trust in ourselves, but ONLY in the Lord.  Goliath put confidence in self, his stature, his muscles, his armor...much like we put trust in things today...its easy to find status in our wealth, what kind of car we drive, what kind of clothes we wear, our homes, our activities, our busyness...we need to be on constant guard that these things do not become our purpose or passion.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)


*Like Eliab (David's brother) and the Israelite Army we cannot allow our faith to be defined by the pressures of the moment! (insert BAM! to my head here)  When the heat is on, where is my security?  Am I a cultural Christian? Am I different on Sunday than I am Monday-Saturday? How I react to every day things tell a lot about my faith and my character (double BAM!).

*Just as David had a giant to face, we have our own giants of today. They may come through a diagnosis, a betrayal, a failure, a natural disaster, the stock market, a death, a change....at these times, we have to see the "giant" in comparison to God.  And absolutely nothing compares to Him!

I think the one thing that hit me the most out of yesterday's sermon was that David went on the offense. He didn't sit back and wait for Goliath to come toward him. David knew, without a doubt, Who was on his side. I find myself, lagging in this area of faith often times. I live life on the defense, I may be ready to tackle a giant, but only if I have to. I do believe its time to go on the offense. Lets face it, some giants need to be charged at and slain! My desire is to live with the proper focus: the battle belongs to the Lord and our ultimate goal in life is just to bring glory to His name!  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)


Now, let's go in faith, knowing God is holding us, and slay some giants!


If you would like to listen to the sermon in its entirety here's the link:
http://antiochconway.com/site/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=69

Do You Know A Pollyanna?

I suppose for you to realize whether you know one you might want the definition. Here is what I found while looking for the "Word Origin and History":

Pollyanna 

"one who finds cause for gladness in the most difficultsituations," 1921, in allusion to Pollyanna Whittier, child heroine of U.S. novelist Eleanor Hodgman Porter's "Pollyanna" (1913) and"Pollyanna Grows Up" (1915), noted for keeping her chin up during disasters.

So do you know one? Are you one perhaps? Or does life seem to rob us of that innocence of believing and looking for the good in every person and every circumstance?

I remember growing up in a very happy home and being Pollyanna came quite easy. Even when I would put my socks in my drawer, I recall folding them up in a way that when I opened my drawer all of my socks would be "smiling" at me. Yeah, for real, over.board. :)  But I do remember it making me happy. Even into high school, I remember my principal nicknamed me "Squirrel" because he said I was always smiling.

Then life happens. Hurts come. Disappointments become the norm. You realize that the world is not made up of the kind of people you've been surrounded by your whole life. And even some of the very kind of people, church people, you have been surrounded by can cause the greatest pain. It can turn one bitter. Apathetic. Hardened. And to lose all Pollyanna type innocence and ability to look for good. 

I'll admit, I had become that person. I could still talk the talk, but to walk the walk was a whole other story. Its hard to always be positive; to be filled, ready to pour out mercy and grace to people. Its a daily struggle. A struggle that daily has to go to the Father. When I begin to pour out of my own cup, its quickly emptied and I have no patience for anyone, especially my family. When I allow Him to fill me, some days it takes more than one filling, its much easier to splash His mercy and grace on those who try my patience and drive me insane. 

As a child of the King, the one thing I still struggle with is that inner independence that I can tackle life on my own. I realize in doing this, its like putting my 11 year old dressed in his football gear out in front of an NFL line. It will be doomed for disaster. I will not succeed. Why do I try?  Life is a team effort and we have to surround ourselves with team players that can help defend us, go on the offense (to their knees) for us, and be willing to do the same for them. 

As a former Pollyanna, its hard for me to ask for help, because I feel as if I'm letting others down. Its hard to admit I'm struggling with life and need prayers. That oppression can bog one down or that others are draining me. I'd much rather go back to my old ways, put on the mask of Pollyanna, and go through the day all smiles and full of encouragement. I mean, that's what others expect. 

Now don't get me wrong, I realize I am blessed beyond anything I ever could have dreamed of and God has my hand and for that I am so very grateful!  Being human is not always easy, but then again, God knew that it wouldn't be. He sent us, His children, His Spirit, to comfort us, guide us, and allow us to feel wrapped in His arms. How can I not be Pollyannaish on the days I allow Him to do that for me?!!

 

Now do you remember what was on Pollyanna's locket?  "When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will." - Abraham Lincoln.  So today, why don't we try looking for the good in those we meet. I read a quote the other day that said something like "don't assume you know someone by one snapshot of their life, it takes a whole photo album".  Take time today to look through someone's photo album and be a Pollyanna for them. 

Hebrews 10:24-25
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

Float til You're Sunk!

For the past couple of weeks I've been working on a school float. There is a fair every year in our town and to kick it off there is always a fair parade. Well all the gazillion elementary schools in our town are in competition for the grandest float. So we assembled our team and went to work. Here are a few lessons I learned:
1. our principal will do absolutely ANYTHING for us!
2. while beginning work as strangers, by parade time we had new friends
3. you really have to have at least one handyman on the team!
4. a limo can't pull a trailer
5. don't wait until the day of to detail the car pulling the trailer
6. trailers are not always easy to come by
7. southern engineering is essential
8. set a deadline at least 2 weeks before you really need something
9. duct tape can begin to pull skin off of fingers
10. don't plan anything the night of the parade and be ready to crawl in bed at 9:30
11. the very top of a ladder CAN be stood on
12. always get there early to get the shady spot for your float
13. when we push to make ours better, we push others to excel as well
14. I work with the BEST group of PTO Board and parents on the planet!
15. even when you get that text that your float didn't win, and you're kind of bummed, you have to just thank the Lord for the blessing of the hot bubble bath you just took, the cozy bed you're now snuggled up in, the laptop on your lap, the kids sleeping soundly on the other side of the house, and the blessing of being a part of such an amazing school!

Now, goodnight....I'm SUNK!

A Day That Changed Everything!

On this day in 2000 my world was changed. I went from sleeping soundly every night to waking at the sound of a bare foot walking across carpet. I went from having no bedtime routine, to it being a must. I went from always wanting my clothes to be without stains or holes, to being grateful if I just made it out the door with clothes semi-covering my body. I went from always having a clean house, to tripping over every kind of imaginable object. I went from having peace and quiet while I took a bubble bath, to a door that would barely contain the knocks. I went from knowing the basic food groups, to wearing the basic food groups. I went from caring about myself to self being the last thing cared for. Yes, my life changed 11 years ago today, and it was all for the good!

You see, for now before I go to bed, I get to hear the prayers of a son praying with his daddy and hear "Good-night, mom, I love you". I go to ballgames not caring if I may be wearing food rubbed on a sleeve, as long as the number of a certain player is on my back. I still go through the house tripping over crazy objects and stepping barefoot on Legos. And for those quiet bubble baths, well I just wait a little later in the evening after all is quiet.  I'm quite certain "self" is not a word in the vocabulary of a mother, because before anything you may require, you first make sure the child has all that he/she requires. I believe moms are the reason they have to make those announcements on airplanes, you know the one, "if the oxygen masks drop, please put yours on before assisting young children traveling with you", they just know Moms would do the children's first!

Almost exactly one year after my world was changed, the whole world changed. We went from a world of not knowing words such as jihad, or knowing anyone named Bin-Laden, or knowing towns and cities in the Middle East, or even comprehend a "war on terrorism", to now days, its all part of every day vocabulary. 

Evil did take control of passenger planes. Planes did fly into tall, strong towers. Many of our fellow countrymen did die. And we stood helpless for a moment. We sat in shock. We cried in disbelief. But then, we bowed. Then we prayed. Then we united. The color of one's skin didn't matter in the shadow of falling buildings. Republicans proudly stood hand in hand with Democrats. Jews and Christians prayed together. One was kind when passing in the grocery aisle. We wore our patriotic clothing and flew our flags outside our homes and stuck them on our automobiles. We saluted and applauded servicemen, policemen, firemen, first responders. Our church houses were full on Sunday mornings. Our respect for one another was high. Our love of God and country were seen everywhere we went. 

What's happened? Does it take a 9/11 to wake us up? Does it take evil getting all up in our face to bring us to our knees? Or is it just apathy and caring more for ourselves than others?

Today I overheard some children talking and one said something about 9/11 and another asked "What's 9/11?"  At first I just looked over and thought "what is 9/11? Did she really just ask that?" But then, I begin to notice the world today: rudeness to complete strangers, back-biting, lack of respect for those in authority, lies about anything and everything, too busy with our own lives to care about the lives of others...even those closest to us. 

Yes, that's the world we live in, and often times the church we attend and the members there blend in so well with the world that we cannot tell a difference. 

My pastor (also my husband) preached yesterday on the "Spiritual Lessons Learned from 9/11" and I suppose this had me thinking more about it. A few things he mentioned was:

1. The threat of evil is very real, no one is above attack. Satan is searching for someone to devour, he starts with a scratch of character, and before you know it he has a foothold. That doesn't mean for us to walk in paranoia, but to walk in wisdom. Psalm 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." 

2. We have to remember how fragile life is. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

3. We were designed to be a beam of light in this dark world, to shine on and for the Father. There should be something so unique about us, that the world would look at us and want to imitate us. How are we doing with that? Do we treat our family, friends, strangers in such a way that if we weren't a Christian, we would want what we have? Do we talk differently? Do we react differently? Or do we just "blend in"? The greatest agents to impact this world will be God's children, lets not fail Him. ""You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14  SHINE!! 

He closed yesterday morning's sermon with the fact that 9/11 did indeed change our world, but the day that truly changed everything was the day that Jesus hung on the cross!

For without that day, could I make a difference in the life of a little boy that God entrusted to me and blessed me with the privilege of being his mommy? Without that day, could we go through the tragedies and sorrows of this life like we experienced on 9/11/01? Without that day, is there any hope? Without the faithfulness of the Father, the love of His Son, and the comfort of His Spirit, how could we do it? Why do we try to do it without Him?

Today I started off with Him and looking back on my day, I'm so glad I did! Why don't I take the time to spend with Him every morning? Why does "busyness" have to be a competition in the world today? Sometimes so much so, that we often feel guilty in saying that we had a quiet time, but I will gladly stand and say that yes, today, I took the time to be quiet before Him. All the clothes may not be washed, dirty dishes may be in the sink, and the family might have had to eat Taco bell for dinner, but because I allowed Him to fill me this morning, I was able to pour all day. Yes, today could have gone south for so many different reasons, but I chose instead of focusing on the negatives that Satan threw at me through people, to focus on the Father! 

Don't get me wrong, Super-Christian I am not! Many days I find myself blending in with the world, the rolling eyes, the sharp tongue, the "self first" mentality, the gossiping, the back-biting...whoa. Those are the days I have to look back and see for myself, I didn't take time for Him. Its at that moment, that I have to bow humbly before Him, taken back to my knees, so that I might stand and shine my light on Him.

So yes, Jason, dear, I do agree, the day Jesus hung on the cross is the day that changed everything and thankfully, in the shadow of the cross and in the glow of the empty tomb He is changing things still today! 

Blessed Goodbyes

August 2011 seemed to be the month of goodbyes for me...I thought just how many ways can you say "goodbye", so what does one do in this age of technology to answer questions...I did what my six year old tells me to do quite often...I googled it!  My favorite one was Icelandic, "goodbye" in that language is "blessed". I love that! I'm gonna go with that!


There were four very special ladies I said goodbye to in August and "blessed" is what I pray for each of them daily. That God will bless them with smiles from Him every day!  I wasn't far into August, literally just a few hours until I had to say my first "blessed" for the month. I was leaving a hotel in Manila to head home after a sweet visit with a friend. God gave us a fantastic week together and I, for one, had dreaded the "goodbye" because the last one we had was ug.ly! I mean, the ugly cry! You know the one!  Well, funny thing, we had gone to see Captain America while I was there and in that movie there is a scene where two guys are telling each goodbye and they just did simple, quick hugs with a "goodbye, jerk!", "see ya, punk!" So yep! That is the route we took. It was easier than the last and I think God knew we both needed that kind of "blessed". 

The next "bye" came the very next week with another friend that had been in the states visiting for a while. We met at the local, favorite sandwich shop and had a sweet visit. She's one I've known for nearly 18 years, but strangely, just in the past few years have we grown closer...and I say strangely because of the fact she's a missionary to the Philippines!  Thank the Lord for technology where even friendships can grow!  Now we have sons the same age that consider each other best buddies, and trust me, though they only see each other every other year or so, once together, they can be fighting like brothers in no time!! A precious friend that I really got use to just having around town for a while...now I was saying "blessed".

This led me up to the third week of August and I was staring down the barrel of yet another goodbye to be said.  This one to a young lady whom I've known pretty much her entire life. I remember her toddler days when the only people that could understand what she said was her mother and I. We had lots of giggles together over the years. We'd hug each other real tight and whisper "Love hurts". She was the cutest little thing and I always wanted a little girl just like her and now that I've watched her grow, and even had the blessing of discipling her in her senior year of high school, well I'd love for my daughter to grow up just like her!  As we met late one night for dessert and coffee, just two nights before she left to go to the other side of the world for a year of college, we hugged beneath the flickering, bug-filled lights in the parking lot and whispered "love hurts"....boy does it! Though let me add, we didn't cry, we decided we both just had something fly into our eyes. Dang wind! "Blessed!"


And finally we made it to the last week of August and I had to tell a lady that I adore "blessed" because her husband (though I'm still not quite certain what he's thinking!) is moving her two hours away. We know its not the other side of the world, yet for one that I'm use to seeing and hugging every week, enjoy watching her play the piano every week at our church, and is my friend and mentor....well, two hours is still two hours!  She's taught me many things about life, church, missions, being a pastor's wife and being real. One memory I'll never forget of her, is being in a van in Manila and pulling away from a hotel while her daughter stood outside of the hotel (her daughter is a missionary to the Philippines). We didn't say anything really, I just held her hand and we both just cried. Yes, she's taught me many things, but she has definitely taught me how to say "goodbye"....with His strength and the hope we have in Him that if we never see each other again on this earth, we will be together for all of eternity!


Truly this life is just a vapor, and yes, I do believe the Icelandic way of saying "goodbye" is the best way to sum it up, "Blessed!"  Yes, I've been blessed by these four ladies and I pray God's richest blessings on them and their amazing lives. His grace has been sufficient for us. His faithfulness has sustained us. His comfort has held us. His mercies have filled us. And His love allows us to leave each other BLESSED in our goodbyes!

"You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your name"

"Whatever you need, He is."

Have you ever been in a crowded room, or at a football game and everyone is talking or yelling at once? Can you really understand anyone? Perhaps that person closest to you, but what about the little girl across the room, or the elderly man on the other side of the stadium? Can you understand them? Or even hear them in the chaos?

I've been thinking about this for the past 10-12 hours, crazy I know, but I wasn't able to sleep much and kept pondering on this one basic fact...God can. 

We had a precious little baby born into our church family last week and while baby Morgan is an absolute doll, she does have many health issues. She has driven many of people to their knees these past few days. Does God hear all of those? Absolutely!

While there are many prayers going up for Morgan, there are also prayers going up for the single mom raising children alone, the man battling cancer for the third time, a friend in California who's husband is battling ALS, my nephew who is having problems with his one and only kidney, he's 11, the missionary all alone in a foreign country just trusting, the victims of Hurricane Irene, and yet while these all seem like major prayer requests, God hears each and everyone of them. And answers with only the peace, comfort, mercy, grace and love that He can give. 

And before we think it has to be a major health problem or a catastrophic event that we can go to Him, think again!  The same God that hears the prayers over the major things, also hears the prayers over the minor things too. He hears the prayers of a worn out mom about to lose control. He hears the prayers of a little six year old girl that just wants to have a good night's sleep. He hears the prayers of an almost 11 year old boy who just wants to say "thank You" for a fun day. He hears. He listens. 

Do we need to keep things in perspective? Absolutely! We are human, we know no other way, but God, only He can handle the major with the minor. He can handle the prayers from the ICU pleading for answers and He can hear the pleas from the interstate of "Lord, please don't let my husband kill me over another speeding ticket!"  He's God.  He hears the prayers of those who can pray words over you and for you that would rival any fine work of literature and He also hears the moanings from a heart that has no idea how to pray or what to pray. He hears the prayers from those on their knees in suburbia, USA or those on their knees on a dirt floor of a third world country. He hears the prayers for the trivial to the prayers of the tragic. He hears. His heart is huge! He just doesn't love us, He can't not love us. He is love, the very epitome. Wow!

Our Associate Pastor spoke Sunday night and said something that has really stuck with me, "Whatever you need, He is."  WOW!! Isn't that amazing!?!!  He is the great I am. He was. He is. He always will be. 

Mirror, Mirror...

Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. If you're under 20 and still have the flawless skin of a newborn and the abs of an Olympic athlete, well move along....you wouldn't understand. For the rest of us, the other 99.9% of us, lets get real! Growing old is not for wimps!

As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror (not the big one hanging on the wall, but the must-have light up magnifying one) earlier, clarifying, exfoliating, masking, de-masking, moisturizing, plucking, etc etc etc, I cracked up laughing! Sometimes we laugh to keep from crying, right??  And no, I didn't dare ask the age old fairy tale question, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"  Because frankly, right now, I love my light up, magnifying mirror and if it had answered me, well, I'm afraid it would have gotten ugly!!

I have a birthday looming around the corner, so I suppose that is why I'm looking closer at myself..and let me just go ahead and say it....44! I have a friend that says "you just can't say '44' and smile, its just not possible!" I remember being able to smile and say it then, when she was turning 44, but what about now? What about next month? Will I smile then?

When did gravity begin to take such big pulls on my skin? When did the metabolism slow down to the pace of a snail crossed with a tortoise?  When did those coarse, dark hairs start growing out of my chin?  When did smiling begin to make my eyes look like tiny slits that sprout wildly on the outsides? When did I have to start worrying about the way I hold my head in pictures for fear of all the chins appearing?  When did I begin creaking when I get out of bed? When did I start moaning in just the attempt at getting out of bed? 

Are you laughing yet? Have you found yourself there? If not, hang tight, honey, 'cause its coming for you! A great hair stylist can keep you looking younger for many years. Laser treatments may fix you for a while. Botox is temporary. A little tuck here and a lift there will defy gravity for a while longer, but in reality we are all aging.   Don't get me wrong, I'm not against any of those things; I am very much in love with my hair stylist!  As for the other stuff, well honestly, I can learn to embrace my wrinkles, stray hairs, and gravity pulled  parts over needles, knives, and pain!
So, will I smile come September 8 when I hit the big 4-4?  Well, how can I not? God's grace has set me free. God's power sustains me. God's faithfulness comforts me. God's mercies are new every single morning. God's plan for my life excites me. God's promise of eternity with Him gives me a hope like no other. And God's blessings I will enjoy....with wrinkles, growing pores, sprouting hairs, sagging parts and all! So call the fire department and light up the candles and bring on the chocolate cake! 44. Yeah, I'm good with that! I'm smiling!

Filled in the Philippines

The City of Smiles is where I found myself the last week of July spending time with some special folks.  I feel tremendously blessed to have been given this opportunity and though I really don't know exactly why He wanted me to go, I do know that He worked out every single detail. How could I say "no"?

I was rerouted from my original flight and met some interesting folks along the way. One man I met was heading to Texas to fight the wildfires in west Texas. I had to smile as we parted ways and he hollered, "Hey! You go change the world while I go save it!" Another was a retired US House of Representatives man from Kansas heading out to Malibu to meet his new grandson.  He was kind and a proud grandpa and even told me he'd be praying for me as I continued on my journey. Then another guy is an agent for several actors and actresses in Hollywood. He had been in Texas for two weeks to be with his dad. He teared up as he said that he felt it would probably be the last time he saw him, as his dad was struggling with cancer and near the end. I was able to talk to him a bit about God and church and told him as we headed different directions at LAX that I would be praying for his dad.  There were others I met along the way, a retired Catholic priest heading somewhere to speak at a mass getting sponsors for children in third world countries, a business man from Austrailia excited to be heading home after three weeks in the States, and the sweet little Filipino lady who was actually heading back home...to Bacolod! 

If I had been on my original flight, I would not have met a single one of these folks, I believe that was a God thing, if not for anything other reason than to open my eyes.  I thought, as I flew home, sitting with two young men from China coming to Iowa to attend school that truly every single person does have a story. Too often I just get caught up in my own little world to reach out and just say "hi" and allow His light to shine, if only for a moment in the life of someone along the way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v0RhvZ3lvY

While in Bacolod, I stood at a third floor window while the world came alive beneath me one morning and God opened my eyes to new wonders all around. The neighborhood I looked out upon resembled nothing of the neighborhood back home, but I had to wonder were they just as happy? Perhaps happier?  I tend to get caught up in the things of this world when I'm home and surrounded by all the "things" that are to bring comfort in life. The every day ordinary things I don't give a second thought to, and often complain about: actual floors that have to be swept, mopped, and vacuumed; laundry that has to be done in a washer and dryer; a sink full of dirty dishes that have to be loaded into a dishwasher; windows that are in need of some Windex; and even air-condtioning that has worked some major over time this summer.  All of my comforts that I complain about much more often than I give thanks to the Lord for.



After a trip like this, I come back and, literally, I'm almost in mourning for a week or so as I recover from jet lag and process all I experienced. Bacolod served as an oasis for me. I fully believe it was something God wanted me to experience to give me a renewed perspective on life.  Did I do anything extraordinary while I was there? Lol! Not. At. All. I just did "life" with a friend for a week and He blessed that time.  I had sweet quiet times with Him, even while listening to the ever crowing rooster outside the window. I wasn't the "mom", the "preacher's wife", the "PTO President", the "Sunday School teacher" or any of the other labels I wear. I was just there, to hear, to see, to be touched by Him in ways, that perhaps, He knew I wouldn't slow down here long enough to allow it to happen.

I'm thankful for the time with Him and the fellowship and friendship that was enjoyed along the way. He is good. He is faithful. He is God in the chaos and God in the calm. He is God of the broken and God of the weary. He is God of the impulsive ones of us like Peter and God of the meek and loving ones like John. He's really not looking for those who have it all together, but those that will run to Him when they don't.  It may be said that I stumbled often in my walk with the Lord, but may it never be said that I failed to follow Him.





What's Under Your Armour?

I've been thinking about this for a while now....it seems I'll be somewhere and someone will say something and it will just hit me! It was that way with Under Armour the other day, just really got me to thinking and considering just what was under my armour?

My last posting was on the armour of God, you know that whole Ephesians 6:10-18 passage:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

Well I was thinking about this the other day and how the athletic brand Under Armour is so popular and really wondering where they came up with that name.  Anytime I hear about "armour" I think of the armour of God and so my mind just started wondering, what exactly did under my armour look like?
Let me be honest, its not pretty!  Beneath that strong, sturdy, unyielding, unrelenting, all powerful armour of God stands a very weak, fragile, insecure human being full of sin and deceit. There are days that I can look real sleek (just like the brand Under Armour on a well chisled athlete) without my armour, but left to stand alone for long, I fail so miserably. You'll see many football players wearing Under Armour, but you won't see any taking the field without their full armour on, why should I face the battle of life every day any differently.
Satan is attacking every day in every way and bringing righteous folks down and he's laughing about it! Oh, I just want to punch him in the face!  This week it hit me, that I'll often say "I hate satan!"  And often I allow that to be my focus. Fail. Epic fail!
When I'm allowing my focus to be on his attacks and hating him, that is taking away my focus from where it should be, and that is loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and then loving others. What is the easiest way of showing love to others? I think its encouraging one another. How often have you had a day turned around by a phone call, an unexpectant visitor, a card in the mail, a text, or even a random stranger that paid for your Starbuck's! (oooh! I LOVE that one!) And do you know we're commanded to encourage one another? 1 Thessalonians 5:11a "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" and also Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
I'm a "words girl". Plain and simple. I love words! I love to write words and I love to have words written to me. Honestly, sometimes when I'm more "me focused" I'll get discouraged because it will seem like I'm doing all the encouraging and not getting any in return. Its those days, that typically God will knock me upside the head with something....like He did today!  And I love it when He does that!
After He knocks my socks off with something, then in that gentle voice of His, I can almost hear Him whisper. "I'm still here. I've given you a whole book of love notes to encourage you. Don't depend on others. Depend on me. I love to spoil you. You're my child and I desire the best for you." Wow!! As the old country preacher would say, "If that don't light your fire, well your wood is just wet!"
So there you have it, this preacher's wife has admitted to be insecure, discouraged, selfish, sinful, deceitful, and without focus a lot of the time...but thankfully thats just what is under my armour! I have a whole set of armour that goes over that....when I choose to put it on!  And that my folks, we all need encouragement in..."all the more as we see the day approaching"!!