Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I'm actually surprised that I haven't read the book by Joyce Meyer titled, Battlefield of the Mind. So I am at my best friend's house and I decide to pick the book up off her shelf and start to read it. I had a little bit of a battle in my thoughts this afternoon and needed to be reminded of the truth in who put those sinful thoughts into my thinking. Our enemy is very cunning and sneaky. Joyce Meyer mentions in her book that satan has devised a plan against our mind. "He moves slowly and cautiously (after all, well-laid plans take time). Remember, he has a strategy for his warfare. He has studied us for a long time." And the thoughts that were captivating my mind this afternoon were about things from my history, not just my past but my history!
So tonight as I finished skimming over this book I love the scripture in the beginning of her book. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." And it wasn't in my heart the thoughts I was having today and once I examined my heart this evening I realized the last 3 days have been filled with ticking time bombs in satan's arsenal. Another line from her Battlefield of the Mind, "The devil will give up when he sees that you are not going to give in." It was amazing how I felt when I let go of what has plagued my mind the last 3 days; b/c then my heart was able to 'beat' again once I called the enemy up out of my mind.
Father God,
Right now I come to You with a humble heart and thank You for saving me once again in the battlefield. Satan has no right or claim to my heart, my thoughts, my words, or my actions today. I am a daughter of the most high King and I will not allow the enemy to take what You have planned for me. So please come and fill my mind, heart, and soul again with Your Holy Spirit. And keep the enemy and his snares for my life far away. AMEN!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Hope 2 Overcome Movement
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
My blog may seem lazy today but I wanted to take time and invite all my friends and audience to join a movement that will bless your heart. I'm not sure if all of you have heard of the evangelist, Brady Weldon or not but he has a huge passion for helping hurting people and bringing them to the ultimate healer, Jesus Christ. He did our spring revival at my home church in McKenzie and my life hasn't been the same since, and I've been a believer and follower of Christ since I was young.
Go to www.hope2overcome.net and check out the beginning of what he is planning on lauching on August25th at 7pm. I've heard Brady's message on the living water and if Tuesday, the 25th's message is anything like that...AMAZING! As Christians we sometimes live our lives defeated and that we should always be that way. God never intended for His children to live that way. I encourage you to tell all your non-church attending friends to log on and listen to what Brady has to tell us. Many are putting together 'listening' parties b/c the computer availability is limited.
I am reminded of a sermon I heard at local revival in Huntingdon this past spring with Brother Sammie Tippett. Brother Tippett told us, "When you see yourself the way God sees you, you will FALL on your face in repentance and say,'I AM WRONG, MY ATTITUDE IS WRONG, AND MY LACK OF ACTION IS WRONG!' And our God is just to forgive us of our wrong doing, wrong attitudes, and wrong inaction. I want people to see me a year from now and say I'm more like Jesus than last year." That is my goal since this spring to be more like Jesus than I was this time last year.
My blog may seem lazy today but I wanted to take time and invite all my friends and audience to join a movement that will bless your heart. I'm not sure if all of you have heard of the evangelist, Brady Weldon or not but he has a huge passion for helping hurting people and bringing them to the ultimate healer, Jesus Christ. He did our spring revival at my home church in McKenzie and my life hasn't been the same since, and I've been a believer and follower of Christ since I was young.
Go to www.hope2overcome.net and check out the beginning of what he is planning on lauching on August25th at 7pm. I've heard Brady's message on the living water and if Tuesday, the 25th's message is anything like that...AMAZING! As Christians we sometimes live our lives defeated and that we should always be that way. God never intended for His children to live that way. I encourage you to tell all your non-church attending friends to log on and listen to what Brady has to tell us. Many are putting together 'listening' parties b/c the computer availability is limited.
I am reminded of a sermon I heard at local revival in Huntingdon this past spring with Brother Sammie Tippett. Brother Tippett told us, "When you see yourself the way God sees you, you will FALL on your face in repentance and say,'I AM WRONG, MY ATTITUDE IS WRONG, AND MY LACK OF ACTION IS WRONG!' And our God is just to forgive us of our wrong doing, wrong attitudes, and wrong inaction. I want people to see me a year from now and say I'm more like Jesus than last year." That is my goal since this spring to be more like Jesus than I was this time last year.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Fear in what?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Fear is faith in the other kingdom. I didn’t come up with that one someone else did and it was shared with church tonight. I didn’t want to go tonight when I got ready to leave the house it was raining, I haven’t walked today, and I just wanted to sit at home and read all night. I went and it was a business meeting where I attended and I thought ‘Great! Why didn’t I just stay at home like I wanted?’ I was blessed for going and I can’t walk in the rain.
Fear of failure, fear of not accomplishing, fear of heights, fear of cockroaches is top on my list of fears. Then I examine my life and I have got lots more fear in my life than I like to admit. I have a fear of knowing the truth about the way people feel about me. And I know this stems from my fear of wanting to be accepted which falls under the failure category. I’ve always excelled at anything I have tried in my life and to not excel would devastate me. I want to be accepted to the point sometimes that I conform and this has hurt my testimony and witness in some cases. I also have lowered my standards in what I would want for my life by conforming as well. Have you ever found yourself evaluating your life so much that you start to understand why you behave the way you do? It can be a learning and growing experience.
Growing up, being in the spotlight was always what I did and I shined brightly under those lights. Then as I became older I didn’t feel accomplished anymore b/c I was sitting at home raising my babies. And I felt like a failure b/c I wasn’t ’accomplishing’ anything that I could hang on the wall or smile at the cameras for. Now that my babies are 14, 9, and 8 (on Sunday) I can look at their lives and know that I accomplished A LOT in those 9 to 10 years of staying home raising them. I did what I wanted to do by having my family while I was young, in my early 20s. And I did put my education on hold to finish raising my younger two children. But you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to give those years of being home with them back to have my education instead.
And now the Lord wants to bless me with my education and no distractions while doing it. I’m super excited about going back to college. I can’t imagine how much time it has been since I’ve sat in a classroom but I’m ready to put my nose into books and study. I’m so bored right now waiting for classes to start at the end of August! I wonder if I can keep up this blog while studying at school? I’m sure I can b/c this is an outlet for me. I love to write and if I have an audience then I guess I’m gonna keep giving you something to read. I need to find a paper or magazine that would pay me to publish some of my stuff. If any of you have any suggestions about that please let me know b/c I don’t want to work part time on someone else’s schedule. Between going to my hometown to visit my kids and watch football this fall and taking classes I don’t see how I could fit a part time job into my life. But with writing I could do that from home and I would like to supplement my income. So any ideas would be appreciated, thanks. Just respond to my dashboard on this blogger website.
So back to fear is faith in the other kingdom. Fear is a normal part of life and healthy actually but too much fear can paralyze many areas of your life. And the Bible has many scriptures pointing out that to fear the Lord is a good thing. Psalm has a couple that are just praise worthy. “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever, The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.” Psalm 19:9 “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1 “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” Psalm 91:5 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 And this one reminds us of who is in charge of everything anyway so we should fear only Him. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
Fear is faith in the other kingdom. I didn’t come up with that one someone else did and it was shared with church tonight. I didn’t want to go tonight when I got ready to leave the house it was raining, I haven’t walked today, and I just wanted to sit at home and read all night. I went and it was a business meeting where I attended and I thought ‘Great! Why didn’t I just stay at home like I wanted?’ I was blessed for going and I can’t walk in the rain.
Fear of failure, fear of not accomplishing, fear of heights, fear of cockroaches is top on my list of fears. Then I examine my life and I have got lots more fear in my life than I like to admit. I have a fear of knowing the truth about the way people feel about me. And I know this stems from my fear of wanting to be accepted which falls under the failure category. I’ve always excelled at anything I have tried in my life and to not excel would devastate me. I want to be accepted to the point sometimes that I conform and this has hurt my testimony and witness in some cases. I also have lowered my standards in what I would want for my life by conforming as well. Have you ever found yourself evaluating your life so much that you start to understand why you behave the way you do? It can be a learning and growing experience.
Growing up, being in the spotlight was always what I did and I shined brightly under those lights. Then as I became older I didn’t feel accomplished anymore b/c I was sitting at home raising my babies. And I felt like a failure b/c I wasn’t ’accomplishing’ anything that I could hang on the wall or smile at the cameras for. Now that my babies are 14, 9, and 8 (on Sunday) I can look at their lives and know that I accomplished A LOT in those 9 to 10 years of staying home raising them. I did what I wanted to do by having my family while I was young, in my early 20s. And I did put my education on hold to finish raising my younger two children. But you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to give those years of being home with them back to have my education instead.
And now the Lord wants to bless me with my education and no distractions while doing it. I’m super excited about going back to college. I can’t imagine how much time it has been since I’ve sat in a classroom but I’m ready to put my nose into books and study. I’m so bored right now waiting for classes to start at the end of August! I wonder if I can keep up this blog while studying at school? I’m sure I can b/c this is an outlet for me. I love to write and if I have an audience then I guess I’m gonna keep giving you something to read. I need to find a paper or magazine that would pay me to publish some of my stuff. If any of you have any suggestions about that please let me know b/c I don’t want to work part time on someone else’s schedule. Between going to my hometown to visit my kids and watch football this fall and taking classes I don’t see how I could fit a part time job into my life. But with writing I could do that from home and I would like to supplement my income. So any ideas would be appreciated, thanks. Just respond to my dashboard on this blogger website.
So back to fear is faith in the other kingdom. Fear is a normal part of life and healthy actually but too much fear can paralyze many areas of your life. And the Bible has many scriptures pointing out that to fear the Lord is a good thing. Psalm has a couple that are just praise worthy. “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever, The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.” Psalm 19:9 “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1 “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” Psalm 91:5 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 And this one reminds us of who is in charge of everything anyway so we should fear only Him. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Heaven & Hell, are they real?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Here’s a question and don’t think I’ve lost my senses in asking this but it’s a serious question to consider how many Christians truly believe in a heaven and hell after death? KLOVE asked the question at Christian conventions all over the country and 79% of the Christians polled weren’t sure of a literal heaven and hell concept. WHAT!?!?! I believe these Christians have lost their senses. How can you have the Holy Word of God, read what He says about heaven and hell and still not be sure there is a literal heaven and a literal hell?
I had done some research on the Internet one day this past spring and I was shocked by the profound number of people who truly say they are Christians but believe in the ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ concept of life here on earth. That God made us from dust with Adam and to dust we return, soul and all. They truly believe that once our time on earth is finished in the physical body the soul returns to the earth as well. I remember when I watched the Disney movie, Big Brother I thought they fantasized the idea or concept of our ancestors returning to the earth and then coming back to us in spirit or soul to help guide our lives at pivotal moments. Cute movie but I reminded myself it was just a cartooned movie and whatever theme I felt was being conveyed was just my overactive imagination.
God speaks of heaven throughout His Holy Word and I’m going to share a few of my favorites about heaven and then I’m going to share some relevant truth about what He says about hell. In Isaiah 66:1 the Lord not only tells us what heaven is but also what earth is to Him. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?“ And continues in verse 2 of the same chapter, “ ‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord.” The dictionary defines the word declares as to announce officially; proclaim. So if the Lord declares it, I’d say it is so. And in 2 Corinthians 5:1 Paul reminds us of the home we have in heaven when he says, ”Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” The next verse I’m sharing with you reminds me that I am not a part of this world but of another. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord, Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20. I teased someone about saying that they ‘stay’ somewhere instead of using the politically correct word ‘live’ and I now have to realize that we all ‘stay’ in our earthly homes and one day we will live in our permanent homes in heaven. One last scripture about heaven and it is the first scripture written in His Holy Word, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” I’d say heaven exists if He chose to tell us about creating it first and it was the first thing He said. That kind of importance with God is not to be taken lightly.
The 2 verses I’m sharing about hell were scripture spoken by Jesus. One involves a warning about the way we treat others and the other scripture speaks of a literal instance of a man in hell and what he looks up into heaven and sees. If you can’t believe hell is a literal place then you have say that you believe what Jesus said about it is untrue. In my opinion Jesus is not a liar and never has been. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” In the book of Luke the story about the rich man and Lazarus will break your heart. “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” Luke 16:23 I’ve heard many preachers and evangelists say that Jesus had more to say about hell than He did heaven during His 3 year ministry on earth. I would then have to tell my audience and any Christian who may doubt a real hell that if our Savior found it was more of a topic of discussion than His home in heaven was, then it must exist.
Heaven and hell are real, literal places. In the beginning God created the heavens as well as the earth. Then after the fall of one of His praise angels, actually the praise leader of His angels, God created hell for that fallen angel and the angels who went along and followed the fallen one. God never intended hell to be for his beloved creation of mankind. He longs to have a personal relationship with you and it starts by accepting His beloved son, Jesus as your Savior and getting your sins forgiven through true repentance. If you would like more information about how to make Jesus your best friend please contact me. I will answer any and every question you have about this decision. If I can’t answer your question, I’ll find someone who can and I would love to help get you in touch with a Bible teaching church family. Please don’t wait another day b/c hell is not where you want to live your eternity.
Here’s a question and don’t think I’ve lost my senses in asking this but it’s a serious question to consider how many Christians truly believe in a heaven and hell after death? KLOVE asked the question at Christian conventions all over the country and 79% of the Christians polled weren’t sure of a literal heaven and hell concept. WHAT!?!?! I believe these Christians have lost their senses. How can you have the Holy Word of God, read what He says about heaven and hell and still not be sure there is a literal heaven and a literal hell?
I had done some research on the Internet one day this past spring and I was shocked by the profound number of people who truly say they are Christians but believe in the ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ concept of life here on earth. That God made us from dust with Adam and to dust we return, soul and all. They truly believe that once our time on earth is finished in the physical body the soul returns to the earth as well. I remember when I watched the Disney movie, Big Brother I thought they fantasized the idea or concept of our ancestors returning to the earth and then coming back to us in spirit or soul to help guide our lives at pivotal moments. Cute movie but I reminded myself it was just a cartooned movie and whatever theme I felt was being conveyed was just my overactive imagination.
God speaks of heaven throughout His Holy Word and I’m going to share a few of my favorites about heaven and then I’m going to share some relevant truth about what He says about hell. In Isaiah 66:1 the Lord not only tells us what heaven is but also what earth is to Him. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?“ And continues in verse 2 of the same chapter, “ ‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord.” The dictionary defines the word declares as to announce officially; proclaim. So if the Lord declares it, I’d say it is so. And in 2 Corinthians 5:1 Paul reminds us of the home we have in heaven when he says, ”Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” The next verse I’m sharing with you reminds me that I am not a part of this world but of another. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord, Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20. I teased someone about saying that they ‘stay’ somewhere instead of using the politically correct word ‘live’ and I now have to realize that we all ‘stay’ in our earthly homes and one day we will live in our permanent homes in heaven. One last scripture about heaven and it is the first scripture written in His Holy Word, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” I’d say heaven exists if He chose to tell us about creating it first and it was the first thing He said. That kind of importance with God is not to be taken lightly.
The 2 verses I’m sharing about hell were scripture spoken by Jesus. One involves a warning about the way we treat others and the other scripture speaks of a literal instance of a man in hell and what he looks up into heaven and sees. If you can’t believe hell is a literal place then you have say that you believe what Jesus said about it is untrue. In my opinion Jesus is not a liar and never has been. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” In the book of Luke the story about the rich man and Lazarus will break your heart. “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” Luke 16:23 I’ve heard many preachers and evangelists say that Jesus had more to say about hell than He did heaven during His 3 year ministry on earth. I would then have to tell my audience and any Christian who may doubt a real hell that if our Savior found it was more of a topic of discussion than His home in heaven was, then it must exist.
Heaven and hell are real, literal places. In the beginning God created the heavens as well as the earth. Then after the fall of one of His praise angels, actually the praise leader of His angels, God created hell for that fallen angel and the angels who went along and followed the fallen one. God never intended hell to be for his beloved creation of mankind. He longs to have a personal relationship with you and it starts by accepting His beloved son, Jesus as your Savior and getting your sins forgiven through true repentance. If you would like more information about how to make Jesus your best friend please contact me. I will answer any and every question you have about this decision. If I can’t answer your question, I’ll find someone who can and I would love to help get you in touch with a Bible teaching church family. Please don’t wait another day b/c hell is not where you want to live your eternity.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Let's Strive to Live Holy!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
My mother and I were watching a national talk show this morning and the subject of the Bible came up. My mom pointed out to me that celebrities a lot of the time do not say “Holy Bible” but “the Bible” instead. I’ve never paid much attention to that but it dawned on me that I say “the Bible” in place of “Holy Bible” in my dialogue and writing. I felt ashamed b/c we had a discussion about why people would rather say Bible as opposed to Holy Bible. Now I want to be more aware of what I call God’s Holy Word. It may seem weird to use the word Holy in front of what is already known as God’s Word but we need to understand how reverent the Bible truly is.
Webster defines holy as recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated. It is also dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. Other terms used to describe holy are saintly and devout. Having a spiritually pure quality, venerated as or as if sacred; inspiring fear, awe, or distress.
It is told and true that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of God. God wanted to communicate with us besides doing it through prayer and meditation. He wanted to give us a book that would pass down through generations the stories and psalms of people who loved Him as much as we do. That is love. I think about writing a book to each of my children and it overwhelms me to think I could do that one day for each of them. A labor of love is what each of them will know is theirs but the book will be such a work that I’ll want to share it with the world too. I do keep personal journals to each of my children, my mother, and one other special person in my life. Those journals are precious, prized possessions of mine. And they will one day be the person with whom I’m writing them to and they will see how my love was thought for them as I wrote.
My words are far from Holy but think about how God breathed His Word to us. He used chosen men to convey His love toward us with His Holy Word, the love stories and heartbreaks of His creation. I just cannot imagine why He loved us enough to do that but God doesn’t have a habit of giving me all His understanding and wisdom so….
In Lisa Clements book, Let My People Go!, she explains the reasons we should turn from sin and strive to live Holy lives. “The Test of Holy living, that is, the turning away from sin to fellowship with God. The scripture reads, ‘But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ ” 1 Peter 1:16. The third test of assurance of salvation is that of Holy living. God is holy and calls His people who represent Him to be holy. ‘Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord’ Hebrews 12:14. Salvation involves a work of God in the life of every believer. Such a work is called sanctification. Sanctification by definition means ‘to make holy, to consecrate, to separate from the world, to be set apart from sin’, so that we may have intimate fellowship with God. You cannot ‘get holy’ on your own! But you are expected as a believer to surrender to the work of God in your life. Such a sanctifying work is the job of the Holy Spirit. It is by His bidding we are beckoned out of worldly ways, ungodly behavior, language, attitudes or relationships. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within to enable us to walk away from temptation. It is also the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that causes us to repent when we fail. True salvation demands surrender to such ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Such ongoing work is the purifying process of our hearts that leads to holiness - the holiness of God desires in each of us. 1 John 1:16 states “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, (to live in sin and immoral pleasure) we lie and do not live by the truth (Amplified Bible).”
I don’t know about you but after reading just part of this book I am reminded of why I have a conscience about the sin in my life. The Holy Spirit of God calls us to keep our bodies (His temple) pure and our minds clear of impure thoughts. Just before I finished this piece earlier this evening I found myself in a thought process that was going to easily get me caught into a temptation that would have been almost impossible to get out of. I’m so thankful that my friends are aware of the ‘straight & narrow’ I’ve been on since this spring. They even use that phrase to compliment me. We’re planning a mini vacation together and they are so proud of me telling them that I will remain on the ‘straight & narrow’ no matter what they chose to do on the trip. This afternoon my friend was aware of the temptation I was about to enter into and when she called me back she said, “Billie Jean, I couldn’t do that to you. You have definitely been happier since you’ve taken the path you’ve chosen and I wasn’t going to allow you to opportunity to mess that up in your life. I care about you too much than to do that to you. God speaks to me through your actions.” I was flattered to say the least but it reminded me of the times I haven’t always been that example to this friend but she knows I’m very sorry for that b/c I told her so this past spring. That’s when she knew I was striving to live a holy life before God, her, and the world. I mess up all the time, who of us doesn’t? But I’m determined with the Holy Spirit indwelling me every day to live each day for Christ and to strive to be holy for my God. He’s the only one I want to impress ever!!
My mother and I were watching a national talk show this morning and the subject of the Bible came up. My mom pointed out to me that celebrities a lot of the time do not say “Holy Bible” but “the Bible” instead. I’ve never paid much attention to that but it dawned on me that I say “the Bible” in place of “Holy Bible” in my dialogue and writing. I felt ashamed b/c we had a discussion about why people would rather say Bible as opposed to Holy Bible. Now I want to be more aware of what I call God’s Holy Word. It may seem weird to use the word Holy in front of what is already known as God’s Word but we need to understand how reverent the Bible truly is.
Webster defines holy as recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated. It is also dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. Other terms used to describe holy are saintly and devout. Having a spiritually pure quality, venerated as or as if sacred; inspiring fear, awe, or distress.
It is told and true that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of God. God wanted to communicate with us besides doing it through prayer and meditation. He wanted to give us a book that would pass down through generations the stories and psalms of people who loved Him as much as we do. That is love. I think about writing a book to each of my children and it overwhelms me to think I could do that one day for each of them. A labor of love is what each of them will know is theirs but the book will be such a work that I’ll want to share it with the world too. I do keep personal journals to each of my children, my mother, and one other special person in my life. Those journals are precious, prized possessions of mine. And they will one day be the person with whom I’m writing them to and they will see how my love was thought for them as I wrote.
My words are far from Holy but think about how God breathed His Word to us. He used chosen men to convey His love toward us with His Holy Word, the love stories and heartbreaks of His creation. I just cannot imagine why He loved us enough to do that but God doesn’t have a habit of giving me all His understanding and wisdom so….
In Lisa Clements book, Let My People Go!, she explains the reasons we should turn from sin and strive to live Holy lives. “The Test of Holy living, that is, the turning away from sin to fellowship with God. The scripture reads, ‘But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ ” 1 Peter 1:16. The third test of assurance of salvation is that of Holy living. God is holy and calls His people who represent Him to be holy. ‘Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord’ Hebrews 12:14. Salvation involves a work of God in the life of every believer. Such a work is called sanctification. Sanctification by definition means ‘to make holy, to consecrate, to separate from the world, to be set apart from sin’, so that we may have intimate fellowship with God. You cannot ‘get holy’ on your own! But you are expected as a believer to surrender to the work of God in your life. Such a sanctifying work is the job of the Holy Spirit. It is by His bidding we are beckoned out of worldly ways, ungodly behavior, language, attitudes or relationships. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within to enable us to walk away from temptation. It is also the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that causes us to repent when we fail. True salvation demands surrender to such ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Such ongoing work is the purifying process of our hearts that leads to holiness - the holiness of God desires in each of us. 1 John 1:16 states “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, (to live in sin and immoral pleasure) we lie and do not live by the truth (Amplified Bible).”
I don’t know about you but after reading just part of this book I am reminded of why I have a conscience about the sin in my life. The Holy Spirit of God calls us to keep our bodies (His temple) pure and our minds clear of impure thoughts. Just before I finished this piece earlier this evening I found myself in a thought process that was going to easily get me caught into a temptation that would have been almost impossible to get out of. I’m so thankful that my friends are aware of the ‘straight & narrow’ I’ve been on since this spring. They even use that phrase to compliment me. We’re planning a mini vacation together and they are so proud of me telling them that I will remain on the ‘straight & narrow’ no matter what they chose to do on the trip. This afternoon my friend was aware of the temptation I was about to enter into and when she called me back she said, “Billie Jean, I couldn’t do that to you. You have definitely been happier since you’ve taken the path you’ve chosen and I wasn’t going to allow you to opportunity to mess that up in your life. I care about you too much than to do that to you. God speaks to me through your actions.” I was flattered to say the least but it reminded me of the times I haven’t always been that example to this friend but she knows I’m very sorry for that b/c I told her so this past spring. That’s when she knew I was striving to live a holy life before God, her, and the world. I mess up all the time, who of us doesn’t? But I’m determined with the Holy Spirit indwelling me every day to live each day for Christ and to strive to be holy for my God. He’s the only one I want to impress ever!!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Best Friends
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
As I sat enjoying my mother’s company out on the patio this evening I was reminded of friends. She had taken a call from one of her best friends and I enjoyed listening to their conversation and being part of it as mom thoroughly loved her conversation on the phone. I wasn’t slighted b/c my time out on the patio was suppose to be for her and me but her friend’s phone call interrupted that. Best friends in life just seem to have a special no invitation needed to join many of the things in your life. Mom’s friend, Jackie was letting us know she was coming in to visit and mom was very happy by the news. Friends just tend to do that to our souls.
I’ve had many friends growing up and I try to keep one best friend at all times. My constant best friend is Jesus. Proverbs 18:24 states that “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I encourage you to find Jesus to be your best friend b/c then you can never be let down. I’ve had friends who have other priorities in their life and when you expect another human being to put you above themselves, their children, their life, or family, you are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. Jesus will never let you down, He is never too busy to take your call, and He will always understand everything you’re going through. I can just laugh with my best friend or cry to Him when my heart hurts the most and I know He still loves me just the same. He knows everything about me without me ever having to feel embarrassed about telling Him.
I do have a best friend in the physical world too. Her name is Andrea but we call her Ms. Sunshine. Andrea is the one friend that I call when I’m eating my oatmeal every morning to say ‘good morning’ to. She’s also the friend I call when I sit down to eat my lunch too. You must wonder why I don’t invite her to eat those 2 meals with me. Well I’m in Memphis and she’s in McKenzie and so the phone is our connection. She has come to visit me here in Memphis and is making plans to come visit again before school starts in August. Andrea knows stuff about me that would embarrass me if the general public knew it. She never judges me for my crazy, wild, outrageous ideas or dreams. She laughs at all my jokes and makes me smile when I don’t feel like smiling.
Andrea and I were introduced by another best friend of ours, Tracy. Andrea works for Tracy and after I had to deal with my children’s absence in my daily life Tracy told me I should get to know Andrea a little better. Andrea and I both LOVE coffee, movies, and we enjoy reading A LOT! We don’t read the same types of books but we can visit each other and sit and read the entire time hardly saying a word to each other as we are wrapped up in a book. We like surfing the internet and playing on facebook. We love cats, though I gave her my cat and she ran away. Poor Spooky. I keep telling Andrea she’s coming back. We hope so anyway. Andrea and I both have the blessing of bipolar disorder and medication to keep us balanced. We both would love to aspire to be well known writers one day in our future.
I love Andrea. She is my Sunshine on most days. I start my day with my best friend, Jesus but shortly afterwards while I eat my breakfast, I have Ms. Sunshine on the phone to brighten the start of my every day.
As I sat enjoying my mother’s company out on the patio this evening I was reminded of friends. She had taken a call from one of her best friends and I enjoyed listening to their conversation and being part of it as mom thoroughly loved her conversation on the phone. I wasn’t slighted b/c my time out on the patio was suppose to be for her and me but her friend’s phone call interrupted that. Best friends in life just seem to have a special no invitation needed to join many of the things in your life. Mom’s friend, Jackie was letting us know she was coming in to visit and mom was very happy by the news. Friends just tend to do that to our souls.
I’ve had many friends growing up and I try to keep one best friend at all times. My constant best friend is Jesus. Proverbs 18:24 states that “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I encourage you to find Jesus to be your best friend b/c then you can never be let down. I’ve had friends who have other priorities in their life and when you expect another human being to put you above themselves, their children, their life, or family, you are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. Jesus will never let you down, He is never too busy to take your call, and He will always understand everything you’re going through. I can just laugh with my best friend or cry to Him when my heart hurts the most and I know He still loves me just the same. He knows everything about me without me ever having to feel embarrassed about telling Him.
I do have a best friend in the physical world too. Her name is Andrea but we call her Ms. Sunshine. Andrea is the one friend that I call when I’m eating my oatmeal every morning to say ‘good morning’ to. She’s also the friend I call when I sit down to eat my lunch too. You must wonder why I don’t invite her to eat those 2 meals with me. Well I’m in Memphis and she’s in McKenzie and so the phone is our connection. She has come to visit me here in Memphis and is making plans to come visit again before school starts in August. Andrea knows stuff about me that would embarrass me if the general public knew it. She never judges me for my crazy, wild, outrageous ideas or dreams. She laughs at all my jokes and makes me smile when I don’t feel like smiling.
Andrea and I were introduced by another best friend of ours, Tracy. Andrea works for Tracy and after I had to deal with my children’s absence in my daily life Tracy told me I should get to know Andrea a little better. Andrea and I both LOVE coffee, movies, and we enjoy reading A LOT! We don’t read the same types of books but we can visit each other and sit and read the entire time hardly saying a word to each other as we are wrapped up in a book. We like surfing the internet and playing on facebook. We love cats, though I gave her my cat and she ran away. Poor Spooky. I keep telling Andrea she’s coming back. We hope so anyway. Andrea and I both have the blessing of bipolar disorder and medication to keep us balanced. We both would love to aspire to be well known writers one day in our future.
I love Andrea. She is my Sunshine on most days. I start my day with my best friend, Jesus but shortly afterwards while I eat my breakfast, I have Ms. Sunshine on the phone to brighten the start of my every day.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Grace Given with Forgiveness
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms - all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:4-9
Max Lucado brings up a beautiful set of scriptures in his book, Come Thristy.
“Look how grace defines us. We are:
- spiritually alive: ‘he gave us life’ (v.5);
- heavenly positioned: ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ (v.6);
- connected to God: ‘one with Christ Jesus’ (v.6);
- billboards of mercy: ’examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us’ (v.7);
- honored children: ‘God saved you by his special favor’ (v.8).”
Webster’s American Dictionary has 19 definitions of this word, grace. Number 9 is divided into 4 different sub-definitions. The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans. A virtue or excellence of divine origin. The condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.
And we don’t deserve any of the goodness God chooses to give us, yet we are chosen by Him to do great and mighty works in His name. We are chosen to go out into the world and tell them of His great love for them, that He sent His son, Jesus to die for all of us. I can hardly imagine why God wanted to chose me of all people to be His chosen daughter but He did and I’m so glad He did. The weekend He chose to save me He also chose to save 2 of my best friends with me and we’ve become like ’blood’ sisters throughout the lives we’ve lived. How many people can say God saved them with two of their best friends the same weekend? The two I was saved with are two of the sweetest mothers I know on earth. Have we messed up as teenagers, young adults, and even young mothers/wives - uh yeah! But God still loves each one of us with the same passion He had when He sought us out and saved us that weekend together. I know one of them is a blog follower of mine which flatters me beyond belief. And she is one of the reasons I try to do a blogspot every night. Hey Betsy! Love you and thanks for encouraging me to continue writing and to try and find an audience to listen to me and my rantings.
So back to my topic of grace. We all come to the cross with the same issue on our heart, sin. Sin to God is sin no matter what it is or where it has been or where it wants to keep taking you. Sin is sin to Holy God. We must all accept that we are all sinners and come short of any glory at the foot of the cross. But the great thing about Jesus’ Cross is that the forgiveness sets all of us free the same way with the same amount of love, grace, and forgiveness. It only takes one drop of Jesus’ blood to forgive us and He shed more than that at Calvary. We can also use that same love, grace, and forgiveness to do unto others as we’ve had done unto us. We need to love each other and extend the same kind of grace and forgiveness to others who may have harmed us.
Forgiveness is a hard thing for many of us. Our pride wants to continue to hang onto to that hurt for just a little while longer. Did you realize that God gives us forgiveness so that we will forgive others? Yes, He does. Ephesians 4:22-32 speaks of our former selves in relation to sin and the way we handled situations outside of grace.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ’In your anger do not sin’: Don not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
There it is in verse 32 at the end of chapter four… ’forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ We are required as Christians to forgive each other and the lost as well. God didn’t grant Christians special favor to harbor anything against another individual, we are REQUIRED to forgive, just as He forgave us and continues to forgive us. As the pastor where I attend here in Memphis said this past Sunday, “You have NOT arrived.” We need to quit thinking because we have salvation we have free reign to judge, persecute and walk around with unforgiveness. WRONG! Because of our salvation we need to walk a little more humbled by our circumstance and offer more love, grace, and forgiveness to those around us.
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms - all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:4-9
Max Lucado brings up a beautiful set of scriptures in his book, Come Thristy.
“Look how grace defines us. We are:
- spiritually alive: ‘he gave us life’ (v.5);
- heavenly positioned: ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ (v.6);
- connected to God: ‘one with Christ Jesus’ (v.6);
- billboards of mercy: ’examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us’ (v.7);
- honored children: ‘God saved you by his special favor’ (v.8).”
Webster’s American Dictionary has 19 definitions of this word, grace. Number 9 is divided into 4 different sub-definitions. The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans. A virtue or excellence of divine origin. The condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.
And we don’t deserve any of the goodness God chooses to give us, yet we are chosen by Him to do great and mighty works in His name. We are chosen to go out into the world and tell them of His great love for them, that He sent His son, Jesus to die for all of us. I can hardly imagine why God wanted to chose me of all people to be His chosen daughter but He did and I’m so glad He did. The weekend He chose to save me He also chose to save 2 of my best friends with me and we’ve become like ’blood’ sisters throughout the lives we’ve lived. How many people can say God saved them with two of their best friends the same weekend? The two I was saved with are two of the sweetest mothers I know on earth. Have we messed up as teenagers, young adults, and even young mothers/wives - uh yeah! But God still loves each one of us with the same passion He had when He sought us out and saved us that weekend together. I know one of them is a blog follower of mine which flatters me beyond belief. And she is one of the reasons I try to do a blogspot every night. Hey Betsy! Love you and thanks for encouraging me to continue writing and to try and find an audience to listen to me and my rantings.
So back to my topic of grace. We all come to the cross with the same issue on our heart, sin. Sin to God is sin no matter what it is or where it has been or where it wants to keep taking you. Sin is sin to Holy God. We must all accept that we are all sinners and come short of any glory at the foot of the cross. But the great thing about Jesus’ Cross is that the forgiveness sets all of us free the same way with the same amount of love, grace, and forgiveness. It only takes one drop of Jesus’ blood to forgive us and He shed more than that at Calvary. We can also use that same love, grace, and forgiveness to do unto others as we’ve had done unto us. We need to love each other and extend the same kind of grace and forgiveness to others who may have harmed us.
Forgiveness is a hard thing for many of us. Our pride wants to continue to hang onto to that hurt for just a little while longer. Did you realize that God gives us forgiveness so that we will forgive others? Yes, He does. Ephesians 4:22-32 speaks of our former selves in relation to sin and the way we handled situations outside of grace.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ’In your anger do not sin’: Don not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
There it is in verse 32 at the end of chapter four… ’forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ We are required as Christians to forgive each other and the lost as well. God didn’t grant Christians special favor to harbor anything against another individual, we are REQUIRED to forgive, just as He forgave us and continues to forgive us. As the pastor where I attend here in Memphis said this past Sunday, “You have NOT arrived.” We need to quit thinking because we have salvation we have free reign to judge, persecute and walk around with unforgiveness. WRONG! Because of our salvation we need to walk a little more humbled by our circumstance and offer more love, grace, and forgiveness to those around us.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Not Knowing Anyone and Find Your Gift to the World
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
So my doctor told me I had to take my 3 mile walk up to a jog or run! I was freaking out b/c to run just looks and feels ridiculous. I just thought running made it look like you were working harder at something than you had to. My doctor told me in order to keep my weight loss moving, I was gonna have to up my exercise. I was like, I joined Curves again and I’m working out there too do I have to run? So I’m upping my efforts on my run and glad that I live somewhere no one knows me! Running! What’s so funny is that yesterday was my first day running and the pastor of the church I attend here in Memphis saw me and honked his horn at me. I was so embarrassed when I walked into Bible Study last night and he announced he saw “Billie Jean running as hard as she could down White Station.” Yeah, so much for not knowing anybody around here.
I do enjoy attending the smaller church I found on White Station Road. White Station Baptist Church. I noticed one Saturday they were doing a car wash for the youth and their group was rather large outside the church washing cars. I thought about how churches flourish when they invest in their youth like that. So I decided the next Wednesday to visit and I loved the people that were there that night. Very warm and friendly, inviting and sweet to each other as well as to me. I’m glad I found a church to attend b/c I was thinking that driving home every single weekend was going to get old, fast.
Lewis Hyde recounts a memory of poet Pablo Neruda who is a Nobel Prize winning poet. In Hyde’s book, The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property, he writes that “Neruda said that one day when he was a little boy growing up in southern Chile he was playing in a lot behind his house, peering through a hole in a fence.
Then, sensing something was going to happen, he pulled back.
At that moment he saw something come through that hole in the fence. It was the hand of a boy his age.
A moment later the hand was gone. But in its place was a gift. A small well-worn toy sheep Neruda found magical.
His response was to take the sheep and then go and get a treasure of his own - and place it in the hole in the fence, in exchange.
Years later, he wrote of that exchange. He said:
‘To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know… is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being and unites all living things.’
Neruda went so far as to hint that his poetry might have been his gift back to the world in response to that one moment of intimate human connection shared with a boy whom he would never meet.”
What is your one gift back to the world? I don’t mean easy contributions such as your children or the money or time you give to a charity. Which are all great things to give back to the world, but I want you to think about deep down what do you give back to the world? It’s hard even for me to think about this one. I know my gift is encouragement and I try to encourage any and everyone who reads this blog. Even my smile has been known to encourage people. So my smile is a gift to the world also. Think about your gift or gifts to the world and let me know what yours is. Some people are great listeners and that is something I have to work at daily and it is not my gift. We are all gifted with talents the Lord wants to use to further His Kingdom. Attempt to find yours and develop them for the greater good of mankind. The Lord also wants you to commit to Him your talents and He will reveal your gifts if you’re having a hard time finding what He has given to you to help bring His Kingdom about.
So my doctor told me I had to take my 3 mile walk up to a jog or run! I was freaking out b/c to run just looks and feels ridiculous. I just thought running made it look like you were working harder at something than you had to. My doctor told me in order to keep my weight loss moving, I was gonna have to up my exercise. I was like, I joined Curves again and I’m working out there too do I have to run? So I’m upping my efforts on my run and glad that I live somewhere no one knows me! Running! What’s so funny is that yesterday was my first day running and the pastor of the church I attend here in Memphis saw me and honked his horn at me. I was so embarrassed when I walked into Bible Study last night and he announced he saw “Billie Jean running as hard as she could down White Station.” Yeah, so much for not knowing anybody around here.
I do enjoy attending the smaller church I found on White Station Road. White Station Baptist Church. I noticed one Saturday they were doing a car wash for the youth and their group was rather large outside the church washing cars. I thought about how churches flourish when they invest in their youth like that. So I decided the next Wednesday to visit and I loved the people that were there that night. Very warm and friendly, inviting and sweet to each other as well as to me. I’m glad I found a church to attend b/c I was thinking that driving home every single weekend was going to get old, fast.
Lewis Hyde recounts a memory of poet Pablo Neruda who is a Nobel Prize winning poet. In Hyde’s book, The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property, he writes that “Neruda said that one day when he was a little boy growing up in southern Chile he was playing in a lot behind his house, peering through a hole in a fence.
Then, sensing something was going to happen, he pulled back.
At that moment he saw something come through that hole in the fence. It was the hand of a boy his age.
A moment later the hand was gone. But in its place was a gift. A small well-worn toy sheep Neruda found magical.
His response was to take the sheep and then go and get a treasure of his own - and place it in the hole in the fence, in exchange.
Years later, he wrote of that exchange. He said:
‘To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know… is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being and unites all living things.’
Neruda went so far as to hint that his poetry might have been his gift back to the world in response to that one moment of intimate human connection shared with a boy whom he would never meet.”
What is your one gift back to the world? I don’t mean easy contributions such as your children or the money or time you give to a charity. Which are all great things to give back to the world, but I want you to think about deep down what do you give back to the world? It’s hard even for me to think about this one. I know my gift is encouragement and I try to encourage any and everyone who reads this blog. Even my smile has been known to encourage people. So my smile is a gift to the world also. Think about your gift or gifts to the world and let me know what yours is. Some people are great listeners and that is something I have to work at daily and it is not my gift. We are all gifted with talents the Lord wants to use to further His Kingdom. Attempt to find yours and develop them for the greater good of mankind. The Lord also wants you to commit to Him your talents and He will reveal your gifts if you’re having a hard time finding what He has given to you to help bring His Kingdom about.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Family Tradition
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
My doctor has increased one of my medications which I believe has caused my recent drowsiness. I was in bed last night very early and slept in this morning, so I apologize for not having a blog up last night.
I'm almost finished with Bill Gates, Sr's book, Showing Up for Life. I've enjoyed reading his advice on life. He is a wise man who has put his family first. Wasn't sure if he puts the Lord first but I'm not done with the book yet. I do know from what I've read he is a family man.
Listen from the chapter titled "Traditions - Making Memories". "I believe family traditions help give children a sense of continuity and permanence in a world full of change and uncertainty.
Nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow or next year, but traditions are mileposts and monuments that bring predictability and shape and form to our lives.
Mary and I shared the conviction that it was important to be deliberate in organizing a family's life. And so we embraced some of both our families' traditions and created more of our own.
One tradition that first began at Gami's house was the tradition of Sunday dinners. The menu didn't vary: it consisted of roast beef, corn, and roasted potatoes. (Once Microsoft was started Trey generally arrived late, and ended up eating cold, well-done roast beef.)
One reason customs like Sunday dinners matter is because parents have a responsibility to socialize their children. And it seems to me that somewhere in between sharing stories and discussing the issues of the day children learn what's acceptable and important in their family. This gives them solid moorings and a sense of who they are. I also think repeating rituals such as Sunday dinners communicates to children that it's important to show up for the people they love.
Sharing holiday traditions with family and friends makes the same point.
One of our family traditions is that when we assemble on Christmas morning we all wear matching pajamas. This acknowledges the memory of Mary and Gami, who delighted in buying everyone matching pajamas for Christmas and hanging them on the tree. It's also great memory-making material for the grandkids.
Of course, it is so often the small moments that occur while families and friends are partaking of traditions that leave the most lasting imprint."
"Traditions are important markers for moments in the life of any family. But life is a moving stream. Friends move away. Kids grow up. New people and interests come into our lives. So while there are traditions that remain and are repeated through the generations, there are also those that come and go. And it's been our experience that when they go, they are replaced by new traditions that bring fresh energy and excitement to a family's life."
From my own family our traditions have changed a little bit b/c of the changing dynamics of our family. The one constant in making traditions last is that love is the reason you celebrate. I will be 35 on my next birthday but at 35 years old my stepmother will make me a cake and cook my favorite supper meal and we will all gather at my parents' house to celebrate me with love.
Traditions begin b/c family members want to come together for a celebration. My aunt prepares one of the best lasagnas in the state for her family's birthdays. Making people feel important is why we do what we do. I pray your family has lots of love traditions. Celebrate love with those you love today.
Telling someone you love them is a tradition my family uses every time we hang up the phone with each other. Do you? Never pass up an opportunity to tell those you love, that you love them.
My doctor has increased one of my medications which I believe has caused my recent drowsiness. I was in bed last night very early and slept in this morning, so I apologize for not having a blog up last night.
I'm almost finished with Bill Gates, Sr's book, Showing Up for Life. I've enjoyed reading his advice on life. He is a wise man who has put his family first. Wasn't sure if he puts the Lord first but I'm not done with the book yet. I do know from what I've read he is a family man.
Listen from the chapter titled "Traditions - Making Memories". "I believe family traditions help give children a sense of continuity and permanence in a world full of change and uncertainty.
Nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow or next year, but traditions are mileposts and monuments that bring predictability and shape and form to our lives.
Mary and I shared the conviction that it was important to be deliberate in organizing a family's life. And so we embraced some of both our families' traditions and created more of our own.
One tradition that first began at Gami's house was the tradition of Sunday dinners. The menu didn't vary: it consisted of roast beef, corn, and roasted potatoes. (Once Microsoft was started Trey generally arrived late, and ended up eating cold, well-done roast beef.)
One reason customs like Sunday dinners matter is because parents have a responsibility to socialize their children. And it seems to me that somewhere in between sharing stories and discussing the issues of the day children learn what's acceptable and important in their family. This gives them solid moorings and a sense of who they are. I also think repeating rituals such as Sunday dinners communicates to children that it's important to show up for the people they love.
Sharing holiday traditions with family and friends makes the same point.
One of our family traditions is that when we assemble on Christmas morning we all wear matching pajamas. This acknowledges the memory of Mary and Gami, who delighted in buying everyone matching pajamas for Christmas and hanging them on the tree. It's also great memory-making material for the grandkids.
Of course, it is so often the small moments that occur while families and friends are partaking of traditions that leave the most lasting imprint."
"Traditions are important markers for moments in the life of any family. But life is a moving stream. Friends move away. Kids grow up. New people and interests come into our lives. So while there are traditions that remain and are repeated through the generations, there are also those that come and go. And it's been our experience that when they go, they are replaced by new traditions that bring fresh energy and excitement to a family's life."
From my own family our traditions have changed a little bit b/c of the changing dynamics of our family. The one constant in making traditions last is that love is the reason you celebrate. I will be 35 on my next birthday but at 35 years old my stepmother will make me a cake and cook my favorite supper meal and we will all gather at my parents' house to celebrate me with love.
Traditions begin b/c family members want to come together for a celebration. My aunt prepares one of the best lasagnas in the state for her family's birthdays. Making people feel important is why we do what we do. I pray your family has lots of love traditions. Celebrate love with those you love today.
Telling someone you love them is a tradition my family uses every time we hang up the phone with each other. Do you? Never pass up an opportunity to tell those you love, that you love them.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Our futures are shaped by how we respond to them.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I have found a wonderful book written by Bill Gates, Jr.'s father of course he is Bill Gates, Sr. The name of the book is Showing Up for Life and it is about his life growing up. The chapter about his getting out of law school and persuing that career has grabbed my attention the last day or so. I marked the place where I read yesterday and wanted to share it with you today.
"Some of the happiest people I know among my law school classmates took jobs right out of school and worked for the same firm their entire careers. A couple of others became professors at law schools. One fellow who was focused on civil rights had an illustrious career as a tax lawyer. And a woman who wanted to do estate work ended up with a divorce and family law practice.
What I learned from this is that life sends opportunities and challenges our way. And our futures are shaped by how we respond to them."
That last quote is powerful isn't it? Think about that for a moment... How are you responding to current situations in your life? The very reason we need to know we have that personal relationship with our Creator. Only He knows what our future holds and if we want to be found in the middle of His will for this life then we need to have a friendship with Him. He's my best friend and I couldn't trust anyone more than I trust my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have found a wonderful book written by Bill Gates, Jr.'s father of course he is Bill Gates, Sr. The name of the book is Showing Up for Life and it is about his life growing up. The chapter about his getting out of law school and persuing that career has grabbed my attention the last day or so. I marked the place where I read yesterday and wanted to share it with you today.
"Some of the happiest people I know among my law school classmates took jobs right out of school and worked for the same firm their entire careers. A couple of others became professors at law schools. One fellow who was focused on civil rights had an illustrious career as a tax lawyer. And a woman who wanted to do estate work ended up with a divorce and family law practice.
What I learned from this is that life sends opportunities and challenges our way. And our futures are shaped by how we respond to them."
That last quote is powerful isn't it? Think about that for a moment... How are you responding to current situations in your life? The very reason we need to know we have that personal relationship with our Creator. Only He knows what our future holds and if we want to be found in the middle of His will for this life then we need to have a friendship with Him. He's my best friend and I couldn't trust anyone more than I trust my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Prayer of Jabez and it is that easy.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
“You could call them God’s fingerprints. Suddenly you’re seeing them all over your life. Unexplainable encounters. Little miracles. Big answers to simple requests that only recently you wouldn’t have had the courage to utter. Everywhere you’re seeing surprising clues, telltale signs, and unforgettable proofs that a divine hand has touched your life.
It’s as if God bent down, heard you pleading for something improbable, and exclaimed, ‘I’ve been waiting to hear you ask for that!’ And things haven’t been the same since.” In 2001, the whole country was talking about Bruce Wilkinson’s Prayer of Jabez book. This excerpt came from the devotional book that came from that series. There was such a powerful message in the book, The Prayer of Jabez, and millions of copies of the book were sold. I loaned my copy of the book to someone and never got it back. I do have the devotional book and another book in the series, Secrets of the Vine. There is a third book in the series and I owned it also but have no idea where it is today. If another person has benefited by having those books it’s worth not having in my collection.
Look back at the paragraph I quoted from the devotional book, is there something specific in your life you’d like to ask God to give you? He loves when we come to Him and earnestly ask for what we desire in our life. It proves to Him that we depend on Him and we know He is in control of everything. It gives Him His rightful place in our life, the One who is in control of it all.
Look at the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4 verses 9 and 10,
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers,
And his mother called his name Jabez,
Saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
And enlarge my territory,
That Your hand would be with me,
And that You would keep me from evil,
That I may not cause pain!”
So God granted him what He requested.
Can you imagine that God wants all of us to ask Him for our blessings in life this way? He expects His children to ask just the way we would ask our parents for a toy when we were little or ask to go out with friends as a teenager. I know it seems a little out of the ordinary for grown folks to ask someone for certain privileges but that is exactly what God wants from us. If we make our requests known to Him verbally, if it is in accordance to His will God will open up the flood gates of heaven and pour out all of His blessings onto you in love. What makes God so powerful in my mind is that He already knows what He is going to bless my life with and when I ask according to His will in life He graciously wants to give me the desires of my heart.
If I feel like I can do all of my life on my own without regard to God in my life then I’m setting myself up for lots of hurt and disappointment, eventually anyway. God wants us to come to Him with our requests, no matter how big or small and insignificant they make seem. He wants us to talk to Him and make Him real in our lives. It may be a hard step to just pray to God like He’s sitting in the room with you b/c He is invisible but if you start to treat your relationship with Him that way, you’ll begin to really have conversations with our heavenly Father. Your day will be better for continually staying in conversation with the Lord. Just try doing it for one day and see how much better you feel by the end of that day. He is right beside you, every day, all day. Give it a shot tomorrow and by bedtime you’ll never be sorry for making Him your constant companion.
“You could call them God’s fingerprints. Suddenly you’re seeing them all over your life. Unexplainable encounters. Little miracles. Big answers to simple requests that only recently you wouldn’t have had the courage to utter. Everywhere you’re seeing surprising clues, telltale signs, and unforgettable proofs that a divine hand has touched your life.
It’s as if God bent down, heard you pleading for something improbable, and exclaimed, ‘I’ve been waiting to hear you ask for that!’ And things haven’t been the same since.” In 2001, the whole country was talking about Bruce Wilkinson’s Prayer of Jabez book. This excerpt came from the devotional book that came from that series. There was such a powerful message in the book, The Prayer of Jabez, and millions of copies of the book were sold. I loaned my copy of the book to someone and never got it back. I do have the devotional book and another book in the series, Secrets of the Vine. There is a third book in the series and I owned it also but have no idea where it is today. If another person has benefited by having those books it’s worth not having in my collection.
Look back at the paragraph I quoted from the devotional book, is there something specific in your life you’d like to ask God to give you? He loves when we come to Him and earnestly ask for what we desire in our life. It proves to Him that we depend on Him and we know He is in control of everything. It gives Him His rightful place in our life, the One who is in control of it all.
Look at the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4 verses 9 and 10,
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers,
And his mother called his name Jabez,
Saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
And enlarge my territory,
That Your hand would be with me,
And that You would keep me from evil,
That I may not cause pain!”
So God granted him what He requested.
Can you imagine that God wants all of us to ask Him for our blessings in life this way? He expects His children to ask just the way we would ask our parents for a toy when we were little or ask to go out with friends as a teenager. I know it seems a little out of the ordinary for grown folks to ask someone for certain privileges but that is exactly what God wants from us. If we make our requests known to Him verbally, if it is in accordance to His will God will open up the flood gates of heaven and pour out all of His blessings onto you in love. What makes God so powerful in my mind is that He already knows what He is going to bless my life with and when I ask according to His will in life He graciously wants to give me the desires of my heart.
If I feel like I can do all of my life on my own without regard to God in my life then I’m setting myself up for lots of hurt and disappointment, eventually anyway. God wants us to come to Him with our requests, no matter how big or small and insignificant they make seem. He wants us to talk to Him and make Him real in our lives. It may be a hard step to just pray to God like He’s sitting in the room with you b/c He is invisible but if you start to treat your relationship with Him that way, you’ll begin to really have conversations with our heavenly Father. Your day will be better for continually staying in conversation with the Lord. Just try doing it for one day and see how much better you feel by the end of that day. He is right beside you, every day, all day. Give it a shot tomorrow and by bedtime you’ll never be sorry for making Him your constant companion.
Friday, July 17, 2009
My Reasons Why...
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I’ve read a book by Erwin McManus that has me thinking about my life. Some books are out there to just have you think about the way your life is or the direction it is headed. I want to share the back cover of this book with you and then I want to share a little bit about the reasons why I believe I’ve been lead to Memphis to finish my education and heal from the recent events of my life.
“I may not know you personally, but this I know about you without question - there is a hero within you waiting to be awakened. The alarm sounds. Your feet hit the floor and carry you into another day. But what does that day hold for you? Will you be punching your card at work, catching up on TV at home, and crashing into bed before you rinse and repeat the next day? Or will you dare to dig deep and discover the incredible potential lying dormant within you?
In Wide Awake, Erwin Raphael McManus challenges us to put an end to all the sleepwalking and settling, for each of us was created by God for a reason. He has called you to live as Jesus did - a heroic life, void of monotony, teeming with danger, adventure, and the unknown. Living wide awake is about realizing that the world desperately needs you to live up to your greatness.
There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for us all to wake up and get out of bed. The alarm has sounded, and it is time to shake off the slumber.
It’s time to live, to create, to imagine, to dream…Wide Awake.”
I’ve tried to reason with God about the reasons why He brought me to the decision to leave my hometown and move to Memphis. God has a sense of humor b/c I look at my situation and think I have to laugh b/c if I didn’t I’d cry. At 34, I never dreamed I’d move ‘back home’ with my momma but I’ve done just that. As soon as you think you couldn’t or wouldn’t do something, that’s about when God brings it about into your life. So be very careful what you think about and what you might or might not do. God is the only one really in control of what you will or will not do. Do you agree? I certainly do. Last year I involved myself into a sin I thought there was no way I’d ever do ‘that’, guess what? I was up to my neck in it by mid-May. I broke free from it by mid-June but it reared its ugly head again in September. I thank God that I finally broke free from it completely after September. Just be careful not to think you are too good for something b/c that’s when the enemy can sneak in and take away your assurance. Just continually thank God for saving you from sin and ask Him to keep you from sin.
So the reasons I’m in Memphis… a few of my close friends have offered their reason or reasons to me and a couple have brought a big smile to my face in amusement and laughter. They are right though and I guess that’s why I smile b/c my doubt tells me a different story. If I haven’t said it I’ll bring the bittersweet tale of this up; my mother moved to Memphis in 1981 when I was 6 years old and my brother and I no longer lived with her after that. When we were 8 and 9 years old we were allowed to come visit her once a month and that was fun. I came regularly until I was about 14 and then my cheerleading dominated my weekends as well as my weekly after school activities. My favorite part of coming to visit mom was that Memphis had so much to go do, see, and be a part of that I never wanted to leave to come back home. I remember being in 3rd grade and crying myself to sleep in my dad’s den b/c I wanted to be with my mom in Memphis but was torn b/c I loved him too. It was a lot to deal with at the age of 9 or 10. I believe the Lord is giving back to me all the years I missed out on being with my mother as a little girl. Our revival this spring at Long Heights Baptist Church, Evangelist Brady Weldon mentioned getting back all the years the locust had eaten. Well, I’m getting back all those years I cried myself to sleep wanting my mother.
Another reason I believe I’m in Memphis is that my education has always been very important to me. I put my education on the back burner to raise my children and it was a decision that I was rewarded with for 9 years. My son is now 9 ½ years old and when he was born I decided to put finishing college on hold until I could raise him and then his big and little sisters, Hannah and Celeste. Communications/ PR would not have been what I choose in the year 2000, it would’ve never occurred to me to choose that major for myself. Now that I’ve found what I enjoy and what I would want my life’s work to be about, communications/PR with 2 foreign languages makes complete sense.
Small town living is a great atmosphere to raise children in and I enjoyed being a hometown girl. Now that my ideas are bigger than I can ever imagine and my dreams are some that my family from McKenzie would try to keep me from obtaining, Memphis makes sense. They can’t understand what it is like for the Lord to lead you into the line of work you were born to enter into. So being in Memphis and not have your family keep you from what God has called you to do… God has huge plans for my future and though I can’t see all of them, I know they are there for me to tell God, I’m ready. He has many reasons for sending me to Memphis, Tennessee and I could go on and on about those reasons but I’m taking it one day at a time and trying to be obedient to what He calls me to every day. I’ve been found being obedient but some days I just think, “Lord, you’ve got to be kidding me!?” He isn’t though, He is up to something awesome and I can’t wait every day to see what He has planned for me that day. Do you wake up with that kind of expectation every day? If you don’t, I pray you get that way b/c it is amazing to live this way.
I’ve read a book by Erwin McManus that has me thinking about my life. Some books are out there to just have you think about the way your life is or the direction it is headed. I want to share the back cover of this book with you and then I want to share a little bit about the reasons why I believe I’ve been lead to Memphis to finish my education and heal from the recent events of my life.
“I may not know you personally, but this I know about you without question - there is a hero within you waiting to be awakened. The alarm sounds. Your feet hit the floor and carry you into another day. But what does that day hold for you? Will you be punching your card at work, catching up on TV at home, and crashing into bed before you rinse and repeat the next day? Or will you dare to dig deep and discover the incredible potential lying dormant within you?
In Wide Awake, Erwin Raphael McManus challenges us to put an end to all the sleepwalking and settling, for each of us was created by God for a reason. He has called you to live as Jesus did - a heroic life, void of monotony, teeming with danger, adventure, and the unknown. Living wide awake is about realizing that the world desperately needs you to live up to your greatness.
There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for us all to wake up and get out of bed. The alarm has sounded, and it is time to shake off the slumber.
It’s time to live, to create, to imagine, to dream…Wide Awake.”
I’ve tried to reason with God about the reasons why He brought me to the decision to leave my hometown and move to Memphis. God has a sense of humor b/c I look at my situation and think I have to laugh b/c if I didn’t I’d cry. At 34, I never dreamed I’d move ‘back home’ with my momma but I’ve done just that. As soon as you think you couldn’t or wouldn’t do something, that’s about when God brings it about into your life. So be very careful what you think about and what you might or might not do. God is the only one really in control of what you will or will not do. Do you agree? I certainly do. Last year I involved myself into a sin I thought there was no way I’d ever do ‘that’, guess what? I was up to my neck in it by mid-May. I broke free from it by mid-June but it reared its ugly head again in September. I thank God that I finally broke free from it completely after September. Just be careful not to think you are too good for something b/c that’s when the enemy can sneak in and take away your assurance. Just continually thank God for saving you from sin and ask Him to keep you from sin.
So the reasons I’m in Memphis… a few of my close friends have offered their reason or reasons to me and a couple have brought a big smile to my face in amusement and laughter. They are right though and I guess that’s why I smile b/c my doubt tells me a different story. If I haven’t said it I’ll bring the bittersweet tale of this up; my mother moved to Memphis in 1981 when I was 6 years old and my brother and I no longer lived with her after that. When we were 8 and 9 years old we were allowed to come visit her once a month and that was fun. I came regularly until I was about 14 and then my cheerleading dominated my weekends as well as my weekly after school activities. My favorite part of coming to visit mom was that Memphis had so much to go do, see, and be a part of that I never wanted to leave to come back home. I remember being in 3rd grade and crying myself to sleep in my dad’s den b/c I wanted to be with my mom in Memphis but was torn b/c I loved him too. It was a lot to deal with at the age of 9 or 10. I believe the Lord is giving back to me all the years I missed out on being with my mother as a little girl. Our revival this spring at Long Heights Baptist Church, Evangelist Brady Weldon mentioned getting back all the years the locust had eaten. Well, I’m getting back all those years I cried myself to sleep wanting my mother.
Another reason I believe I’m in Memphis is that my education has always been very important to me. I put my education on the back burner to raise my children and it was a decision that I was rewarded with for 9 years. My son is now 9 ½ years old and when he was born I decided to put finishing college on hold until I could raise him and then his big and little sisters, Hannah and Celeste. Communications/ PR would not have been what I choose in the year 2000, it would’ve never occurred to me to choose that major for myself. Now that I’ve found what I enjoy and what I would want my life’s work to be about, communications/PR with 2 foreign languages makes complete sense.
Small town living is a great atmosphere to raise children in and I enjoyed being a hometown girl. Now that my ideas are bigger than I can ever imagine and my dreams are some that my family from McKenzie would try to keep me from obtaining, Memphis makes sense. They can’t understand what it is like for the Lord to lead you into the line of work you were born to enter into. So being in Memphis and not have your family keep you from what God has called you to do… God has huge plans for my future and though I can’t see all of them, I know they are there for me to tell God, I’m ready. He has many reasons for sending me to Memphis, Tennessee and I could go on and on about those reasons but I’m taking it one day at a time and trying to be obedient to what He calls me to every day. I’ve been found being obedient but some days I just think, “Lord, you’ve got to be kidding me!?” He isn’t though, He is up to something awesome and I can’t wait every day to see what He has planned for me that day. Do you wake up with that kind of expectation every day? If you don’t, I pray you get that way b/c it is amazing to live this way.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Is Your Word as Good as It Gets? Ask God to Help You.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Today as I was talking on the phone with my brother I was reminded of something that I hope is true of all of you. That when you tell someone you will do something, I pray they find you doing it. I would rather not go into detail about what it was but my brother was thanking me for doing something I told him 2 years ago I would help him do. It has taken me 2 years but I didn’t back out on him. I believe when we love people and we tell them we will do our best to do something for them we should do it. And it isn’t because we want the praise and glory for doing it either, I did this because I love my brother about as much as I’ve loved anyone in my life. He means that much to me and I know I mean that much to him. Yeah, we’ve been getting along great lately…I told you my smoking habit I had for about 3 weeks was destroying a lot in my life. Thank God I broke free from it quickly. I don’t ever want to be in a hospital that allows smoking in it again!
So I checked out a book that Bill Gates, Sr. wrote. That’s right, he is the dad to the Microsoft Millionaire excuse me Billionaire, Bill Gates, Jr. The name of the book is Showing Up for Life and it is really insightful b/c this guy is probably a few years older than my own grandfather. If any of you know me personally you know how much my grandfather meant to me. I was his constant shadow when I was a kid. He doted over me and taught me a lot about how to treat people and how to be treated b/c of his business. Bill Gates, Sr. recalls a story from his childhood and a man named Dorm Braman who was his scout leader. The chapter of the book is called “ Showing Up” and Mr. Gates recalls how his parents showed up for causes they believed in and you always showed up for people that you loved and mattered to you. This man named Dorm had the boys build a log cabin to be able to camp out in. I was reminded that my grandfather built a building from the ground up also. As teenagers we helped step off the perimeter of the building and we also drove a few nails into the wood used to build what would become my grandfather’s dream of having a nice place for his customers to sit down and eat their BBQ sandwiches, ribs, and chicken. The building my grandfather built is where Dr. Lott and Dr. Young have Tri-County Animal Clinic. I will never forget the lessons I learned growing up under such a wise business man like my grandfather, Leon Wood.
The following is an excerpt from Showing Up for Life, “After three summers of labor (plus that of countless weekends during the school year) we had our log lodge in the woods. It was an imposing twenty-five-by-forty-foot structure with a main floor larger than most of our homes and a massive fireplace built by the father of one of the boys who was a stonemason. It had a large kitchen and sleeping loft. It is difficult to convey the extent of the work it took to build Sundown Lodge - or our sense of achievement in getting it done - to anyone who has never built a building from the ground up. In the narrowest sense, it would be true to say that we learned to use a variety of common hand tools, build a complex structure, and grow calluses and a few scars where none existed before. In a broader sense, we were witness to an example of visionary and inclusive leadership and the amazing power of people working together toward a common goal. All the showing up Dorm did in our lives gave shape to more than a log lodge in the woods. It gave shape to a place in our minds where we believed anything was possible.” That was what my granddaddy did for me, he helped shape my mind into believing if I could think it up, I could do it. He also taught me that it took hard work to have anything worth having in this life too. Many may laugh thinking I know nothing of hard work but by the time I was 6 or 7 years old I was toting wood from the wood pile into the BBQ place to be put on the fire. I remember hot, hot summers being inside my grandfather’s old place and ringing up customers and sweat dripping from my nose as I was able to cool off with a cold Pepsi. I was raised being taught what hard work was all about. My cousin’s wife made a comment one day that our children sure needed that restaurant to be able to learn about hard work b/c we(myself, my brother, and two 1st cousins, Brian&Matt) learned it through the BBQ restaurant. That was flattering for her to remind me that I was taught about work from a young age and my teacher was the best.
I’ll end with a verse I read while proofing my friend, Tracy’s book. Matthew 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Have you got a request for our Heavenly Father? Ask and believe that He will open the door for you. I have a huge issue with doubt right now but the Lord is showing me daily that I no longer have to doubt what He has promised me.
Today as I was talking on the phone with my brother I was reminded of something that I hope is true of all of you. That when you tell someone you will do something, I pray they find you doing it. I would rather not go into detail about what it was but my brother was thanking me for doing something I told him 2 years ago I would help him do. It has taken me 2 years but I didn’t back out on him. I believe when we love people and we tell them we will do our best to do something for them we should do it. And it isn’t because we want the praise and glory for doing it either, I did this because I love my brother about as much as I’ve loved anyone in my life. He means that much to me and I know I mean that much to him. Yeah, we’ve been getting along great lately…I told you my smoking habit I had for about 3 weeks was destroying a lot in my life. Thank God I broke free from it quickly. I don’t ever want to be in a hospital that allows smoking in it again!
So I checked out a book that Bill Gates, Sr. wrote. That’s right, he is the dad to the Microsoft Millionaire excuse me Billionaire, Bill Gates, Jr. The name of the book is Showing Up for Life and it is really insightful b/c this guy is probably a few years older than my own grandfather. If any of you know me personally you know how much my grandfather meant to me. I was his constant shadow when I was a kid. He doted over me and taught me a lot about how to treat people and how to be treated b/c of his business. Bill Gates, Sr. recalls a story from his childhood and a man named Dorm Braman who was his scout leader. The chapter of the book is called “ Showing Up” and Mr. Gates recalls how his parents showed up for causes they believed in and you always showed up for people that you loved and mattered to you. This man named Dorm had the boys build a log cabin to be able to camp out in. I was reminded that my grandfather built a building from the ground up also. As teenagers we helped step off the perimeter of the building and we also drove a few nails into the wood used to build what would become my grandfather’s dream of having a nice place for his customers to sit down and eat their BBQ sandwiches, ribs, and chicken. The building my grandfather built is where Dr. Lott and Dr. Young have Tri-County Animal Clinic. I will never forget the lessons I learned growing up under such a wise business man like my grandfather, Leon Wood.
The following is an excerpt from Showing Up for Life, “After three summers of labor (plus that of countless weekends during the school year) we had our log lodge in the woods. It was an imposing twenty-five-by-forty-foot structure with a main floor larger than most of our homes and a massive fireplace built by the father of one of the boys who was a stonemason. It had a large kitchen and sleeping loft. It is difficult to convey the extent of the work it took to build Sundown Lodge - or our sense of achievement in getting it done - to anyone who has never built a building from the ground up. In the narrowest sense, it would be true to say that we learned to use a variety of common hand tools, build a complex structure, and grow calluses and a few scars where none existed before. In a broader sense, we were witness to an example of visionary and inclusive leadership and the amazing power of people working together toward a common goal. All the showing up Dorm did in our lives gave shape to more than a log lodge in the woods. It gave shape to a place in our minds where we believed anything was possible.” That was what my granddaddy did for me, he helped shape my mind into believing if I could think it up, I could do it. He also taught me that it took hard work to have anything worth having in this life too. Many may laugh thinking I know nothing of hard work but by the time I was 6 or 7 years old I was toting wood from the wood pile into the BBQ place to be put on the fire. I remember hot, hot summers being inside my grandfather’s old place and ringing up customers and sweat dripping from my nose as I was able to cool off with a cold Pepsi. I was raised being taught what hard work was all about. My cousin’s wife made a comment one day that our children sure needed that restaurant to be able to learn about hard work b/c we(myself, my brother, and two 1st cousins, Brian&Matt) learned it through the BBQ restaurant. That was flattering for her to remind me that I was taught about work from a young age and my teacher was the best.
I’ll end with a verse I read while proofing my friend, Tracy’s book. Matthew 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Have you got a request for our Heavenly Father? Ask and believe that He will open the door for you. I have a huge issue with doubt right now but the Lord is showing me daily that I no longer have to doubt what He has promised me.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Are You Surrendering Your Rights b/c You Don't Know the Truth?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
So I’m going to use my blogspot as a type of political forum today. I can’t take credit for the material I’m sharing but I can be the person who decides to use my audience to get information out for the public to be aware of. I was taught growing up that you should never vote for a party affiliation but for the person running for office. I’m not turning my blogspot into a political arena, I just picked up a newsletter from the President of my bank today and this is what he had to share with his audience:
The Bottom Line
Is Capitalism in Danger?
Volume V Issue VII - July 1, 2009
A Monthly Financial Commentary for our Friends, Clients, and Advocates
Was justice served with Bernard Madoff’s recent sentence of 150 years? Will this send a message that white-collar crime doesn’t pay? It depends on whom you ask. In watching interviews on CNBC of those who lost money in the 50 billion dollar ponzi scheme, the responses are mixed. Madoff is likely to go down as the poster child for the dishonest indulgences of the middle part of this decade. In his own words he “ had left a legacy of shame.” The battle cry, as a result of this and many other fraud instances yet to be uncovered, will be “regulate, regulate, regulate!” Business owners can count on more hoops to jump through in the future. It may be that the most successful businesses in the future are the ones who operate best within the government’s parameters. Just as there are accusations today that regulation was too lax in the past, human nature will swing the pendulum too far the other direction in the future. I would speculate that the Republican candidate for the Presidency in 2012 will be running on a platform of “less regulation” - since there is a chance the nation will have grown tired of it by then.
So, is Capitalism in danger? Is legislation afoot that could transform this nation into a socialist nation? Milton Ezrati’, Senior Economist with Lord Abbett, answers theses questions with a “no.” Although he concedes that we are entering an age of increased government regulation, higher taxes, and overall government involvement, he maintains that the “fundamentals of capitalism remain intact.” He makes the argument that those who will bear the brunt of the regulatory burden will be large firms that have become systemically too important (a.k.a. “to big to fail”). Stricter government regulations will make these behemoths less able to innovate and maneuver in the marketplace. This will open up opportunity for small and medium sized firms to utilize their nimbleness and dexterity. It will reward firms who are small enough to fly below the regulatory radar. In summary, he does not expect a European type of socialism, but instead more like the America of the 1960’s and 1970’s. This perspective is a cause for relief for some, and disappointment for others, depending on your political bias and or economic philosophy. Adam’s Smith’s invisible hand of economics will always guide the mighty dollar to find it’s highest and best use. But there may be more detours on that route than there have been in the past.
Much has happened over the last quarter. We’ve gone from sentiment being about as low as it could possibly be, to being slightly optimistic (though admittedly skeptical). This turn in sentiment has been seen very clearly in the stock market. The S&P closed at 677 on March 9 and stands at 919 today. Although that is a huge move, it only gets us just slightly positive for the year because of the severity of the sell off in the first two months of the year. Oil and other commodities also had a very positive quarter. This wild vacillation of mood and sentiment reminds us that whatever the prevailing sentiment of the day, it will eventually change. When pessimism is at its highest, take heart. At some juncture down the road things will improve. Likewise, when optimism is seeping out of every corner of the economy, beware. The nature of the capitalism that we know and love is cyclical. We might compare investor sentiment and the economy to the weather; if you don’t like it, just stick around a while because it is bound to change eventually.
Chad P. Wilson, CFP
Foundation Bank - a division of McKenzie Banking Company
Disclosure attached: “The above is strictly informational and does not constitute any sort of recommendation. Please consult your own financial advisor for specific tax, loan, or other investment advice.”
I have a few close friends that I enjoy talking politics with and when the election in November was over we agreed that our country probably had no idea that they had just voted Socialism into office. See the President we elected was popular and all over the news and many young people were tired of the 8 years of the former President we had in office. I believe that the generation that helped elect our current Commander in Chief got exactly what they weren’t sure they didn’t want. Yet, I believe our government’s institutions have done a fine job in educating this generation into thinking big government is what they want. Be very careful what you watch or listen to on the radio. I’ve believed for a long time and it could just be my bipolar disorder, but I bet I’m right on, that our government is programming us into believing what we believe in. Socialism is only a mild reformed form of communism. Read up on it and educate yourself, be aware of what the media is propagating in its ‘news’, and be more informed with the next election. Also be aware that the Federal Senate and House of Representatives have power to say what their voters want. Make it clear to them that Socialism is not what you want for your country.
I’ll end with letting you know that I don’t use this blogspot as a forum to sway you politically. I was only sharing another man’s opinion about a very real subject. Don’t sit on your duff and not say anything about the direction our country is going in. We have rights to vote for a reason but if we continue to allow government to grow as big as it’s getting…the ones of us who warned the ones who wouldn’t see the truth starring them in face will be helping you dry your tears when you have no control over anything anymore b/c you surrendered your rights by not informing yourself of the truth.
So I’m going to use my blogspot as a type of political forum today. I can’t take credit for the material I’m sharing but I can be the person who decides to use my audience to get information out for the public to be aware of. I was taught growing up that you should never vote for a party affiliation but for the person running for office. I’m not turning my blogspot into a political arena, I just picked up a newsletter from the President of my bank today and this is what he had to share with his audience:
The Bottom Line
Is Capitalism in Danger?
Volume V Issue VII - July 1, 2009
A Monthly Financial Commentary for our Friends, Clients, and Advocates
Was justice served with Bernard Madoff’s recent sentence of 150 years? Will this send a message that white-collar crime doesn’t pay? It depends on whom you ask. In watching interviews on CNBC of those who lost money in the 50 billion dollar ponzi scheme, the responses are mixed. Madoff is likely to go down as the poster child for the dishonest indulgences of the middle part of this decade. In his own words he “ had left a legacy of shame.” The battle cry, as a result of this and many other fraud instances yet to be uncovered, will be “regulate, regulate, regulate!” Business owners can count on more hoops to jump through in the future. It may be that the most successful businesses in the future are the ones who operate best within the government’s parameters. Just as there are accusations today that regulation was too lax in the past, human nature will swing the pendulum too far the other direction in the future. I would speculate that the Republican candidate for the Presidency in 2012 will be running on a platform of “less regulation” - since there is a chance the nation will have grown tired of it by then.
So, is Capitalism in danger? Is legislation afoot that could transform this nation into a socialist nation? Milton Ezrati’, Senior Economist with Lord Abbett, answers theses questions with a “no.” Although he concedes that we are entering an age of increased government regulation, higher taxes, and overall government involvement, he maintains that the “fundamentals of capitalism remain intact.” He makes the argument that those who will bear the brunt of the regulatory burden will be large firms that have become systemically too important (a.k.a. “to big to fail”). Stricter government regulations will make these behemoths less able to innovate and maneuver in the marketplace. This will open up opportunity for small and medium sized firms to utilize their nimbleness and dexterity. It will reward firms who are small enough to fly below the regulatory radar. In summary, he does not expect a European type of socialism, but instead more like the America of the 1960’s and 1970’s. This perspective is a cause for relief for some, and disappointment for others, depending on your political bias and or economic philosophy. Adam’s Smith’s invisible hand of economics will always guide the mighty dollar to find it’s highest and best use. But there may be more detours on that route than there have been in the past.
Much has happened over the last quarter. We’ve gone from sentiment being about as low as it could possibly be, to being slightly optimistic (though admittedly skeptical). This turn in sentiment has been seen very clearly in the stock market. The S&P closed at 677 on March 9 and stands at 919 today. Although that is a huge move, it only gets us just slightly positive for the year because of the severity of the sell off in the first two months of the year. Oil and other commodities also had a very positive quarter. This wild vacillation of mood and sentiment reminds us that whatever the prevailing sentiment of the day, it will eventually change. When pessimism is at its highest, take heart. At some juncture down the road things will improve. Likewise, when optimism is seeping out of every corner of the economy, beware. The nature of the capitalism that we know and love is cyclical. We might compare investor sentiment and the economy to the weather; if you don’t like it, just stick around a while because it is bound to change eventually.
Chad P. Wilson, CFP
Foundation Bank - a division of McKenzie Banking Company
Disclosure attached: “The above is strictly informational and does not constitute any sort of recommendation. Please consult your own financial advisor for specific tax, loan, or other investment advice.”
I have a few close friends that I enjoy talking politics with and when the election in November was over we agreed that our country probably had no idea that they had just voted Socialism into office. See the President we elected was popular and all over the news and many young people were tired of the 8 years of the former President we had in office. I believe that the generation that helped elect our current Commander in Chief got exactly what they weren’t sure they didn’t want. Yet, I believe our government’s institutions have done a fine job in educating this generation into thinking big government is what they want. Be very careful what you watch or listen to on the radio. I’ve believed for a long time and it could just be my bipolar disorder, but I bet I’m right on, that our government is programming us into believing what we believe in. Socialism is only a mild reformed form of communism. Read up on it and educate yourself, be aware of what the media is propagating in its ‘news’, and be more informed with the next election. Also be aware that the Federal Senate and House of Representatives have power to say what their voters want. Make it clear to them that Socialism is not what you want for your country.
I’ll end with letting you know that I don’t use this blogspot as a forum to sway you politically. I was only sharing another man’s opinion about a very real subject. Don’t sit on your duff and not say anything about the direction our country is going in. We have rights to vote for a reason but if we continue to allow government to grow as big as it’s getting…the ones of us who warned the ones who wouldn’t see the truth starring them in face will be helping you dry your tears when you have no control over anything anymore b/c you surrendered your rights by not informing yourself of the truth.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What Goes In Eventually Comes Out!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Junk in equals junk out. Have you ever heard that expression? It’s true you know. It’s true for your ears, your mouth, your eyes, actually any of your senses. Recently I’ve lost some weight and I’ve been pretty proud of myself and been careful to give God the glory for giving me the resources to get this weight loss battle under control for myself. Also recently I’ve discovered how many more choices Starbucks has now that I’ve got one up the road from where I live. So instead of having a Starbucks every once in a while, I’ve been having Starbucks every day b/c there is such a wide variety of choices. That has equated to about an 8 pound increase on the scales! Isn’t that crazy? Well since I’ve made the conscience choice to cut back on my Starbucks’ treats I’ve lost about 4 of the 8 pounds I put on. I also realized I was drinking my mother’s sweet tea which wasn’t helping my hips either b/c she puts about a cup of sugar to a gallon of that wonderful stuff! I hardly ever drink sugar, I use Splenda (I actually carry it in my purse). So this is quite an example of junk in, junk out. We have to be aware of what we put inside our bodies b/c our bodies will show and tell us what we’re doing., positively or negatively.
As a teenager I was a HUGE top 40 and dance mix girl. And I loved Rock-n-Roll, still do to this day. I had a period in my life where all I listened to was country music but I quickly snapped out of that. I felt like if I wasn’t drinking a beer or cheating on someone I just wasn’t living up to what I was listening to. No, I don’t mean to be that extreme but country music depressed me very badly and I just couldn’t listen to it anymore. So being a parent I continue to try and keep up with the music trends of today’s teenagers and I have to say my language and thinking are not what they should be when I listen to enough top 40 musical selections. Right now even I’ve got the radio on a secular radio station and what they were discussing was very raunchy. Junk in, junk out. So now I wonder what I’m going to do to behave like ‘the world’ later today b/c I’m listening to things that are not edifying.
So I was doing research in my Bible about things of the Lord and I was amazed to find 1Corinthians 15:42-44 and then again in verse 58. “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” and in 1Corinthians 15:58 Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” When things of the Lord are being put into your life, your senses, and your heart the equation puts out the Lord’s love and work. As Christians, our God expects us to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth.
Just be aware that sometimes you may be the only hands and feet some people see of Jesus. Be aware of the junk in or is it good stuff in equals great stuff coming out. I’ve often heard the expression that when you squeeze someone in pressure you better hope that what is being pushed out is pleasing to those who have you squeezed. Here’s a test for today, give yourself a little squeeze and see what comes to the surface. If it needs a little polish, get out the Holy Word of God and put something good in. If you’re senses are keen and full of God’s Spirit….go spread that cheer where it’s needed. Either way squeeze someone today, they may need a hug.
Junk in equals junk out. Have you ever heard that expression? It’s true you know. It’s true for your ears, your mouth, your eyes, actually any of your senses. Recently I’ve lost some weight and I’ve been pretty proud of myself and been careful to give God the glory for giving me the resources to get this weight loss battle under control for myself. Also recently I’ve discovered how many more choices Starbucks has now that I’ve got one up the road from where I live. So instead of having a Starbucks every once in a while, I’ve been having Starbucks every day b/c there is such a wide variety of choices. That has equated to about an 8 pound increase on the scales! Isn’t that crazy? Well since I’ve made the conscience choice to cut back on my Starbucks’ treats I’ve lost about 4 of the 8 pounds I put on. I also realized I was drinking my mother’s sweet tea which wasn’t helping my hips either b/c she puts about a cup of sugar to a gallon of that wonderful stuff! I hardly ever drink sugar, I use Splenda (I actually carry it in my purse). So this is quite an example of junk in, junk out. We have to be aware of what we put inside our bodies b/c our bodies will show and tell us what we’re doing., positively or negatively.
As a teenager I was a HUGE top 40 and dance mix girl. And I loved Rock-n-Roll, still do to this day. I had a period in my life where all I listened to was country music but I quickly snapped out of that. I felt like if I wasn’t drinking a beer or cheating on someone I just wasn’t living up to what I was listening to. No, I don’t mean to be that extreme but country music depressed me very badly and I just couldn’t listen to it anymore. So being a parent I continue to try and keep up with the music trends of today’s teenagers and I have to say my language and thinking are not what they should be when I listen to enough top 40 musical selections. Right now even I’ve got the radio on a secular radio station and what they were discussing was very raunchy. Junk in, junk out. So now I wonder what I’m going to do to behave like ‘the world’ later today b/c I’m listening to things that are not edifying.
So I was doing research in my Bible about things of the Lord and I was amazed to find 1Corinthians 15:42-44 and then again in verse 58. “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” and in 1Corinthians 15:58 Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” When things of the Lord are being put into your life, your senses, and your heart the equation puts out the Lord’s love and work. As Christians, our God expects us to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth.
Just be aware that sometimes you may be the only hands and feet some people see of Jesus. Be aware of the junk in or is it good stuff in equals great stuff coming out. I’ve often heard the expression that when you squeeze someone in pressure you better hope that what is being pushed out is pleasing to those who have you squeezed. Here’s a test for today, give yourself a little squeeze and see what comes to the surface. If it needs a little polish, get out the Holy Word of God and put something good in. If you’re senses are keen and full of God’s Spirit….go spread that cheer where it’s needed. Either way squeeze someone today, they may need a hug.
Monday, July 13, 2009
What's Your Vision? & Your Name Means Something!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I’m reading a book titled Memphis Memoirs by Paul R. Coppock. In this book he has researched the history of many of the people that this area has its names. Reading about the man for whom Shelby County is named after, I was impressed by everything this man did, not just for Shelby County and the State of Tennessee but what he did for our young country back in the early 1800s. My reading states that “Nine states have counties named for (Isaac) Shelby and seven have Shelbyvilles….”
And it was with the purchase of land that a “young lawyer in the new town of Nashville” bought that Memphis was a town that became a reality. The young lawyer’s name was John Overton. “Overton foresaw a metropolis in some hazy future when the Indian title had been cleared away, when the Tennessee country had become a state, and when the people who had been trickling over the mountains sent back word of the rich lands of the West. It was twenty-five years after Overton’s purchase when surveyors laid off streets and parks for the town of Memphis, Town government was formed by election of seven aldermen on 26 April 1827, which was thirty-three years after the purchase, with only a few settlers willing and able to pay as much as $100 for a Main Street lot. But the metropolis came true and today the Overton acres are the portion of Memphis roughly between Union and Vollintine, from the river to East Parkway.”
So I shared these 2 paragraphs of information to ask 2 questions. First, look up your name and find its meaning, what does your name mean? Names stand for something, including last names. I’ve studied the meanings, origins, and possible reasons for the names I’ve been given. More on this later, the second question is related to the piece I shared about John Overton. The ’founding father’ of Memphis, Tennessee. What do you vision for the future? Do you have a vision for anything? Maybe you should find one, even if it seems small and insignificant. I’ve always lived my life with grandeur dreams, I’ve been told it has to do with my bipolar disorder but I beg to differ. I was raised being told I could do anything I wanted to do with enough effort. I was also raised being told I could be anyone I wanted to be if that is what I really wanted to do. So when I told my father at 14 I wanted to be a foreign missionary I’m sure he was taken back by such a humbling occupation since I had big dreams of being something grand. Grand in my opinion is in the eyes of the beholder. I think being a missionary in a foreign country is grand. May not afford me a nice expensive sports car but I really could care less. And who needs a sports car if you’re in a country that a sports car’s gas bill for the week could feed a family of 5 or 6 for the month! We really sometimes need to figure out why we want what we want. Is it a selfish motive or does your desires truly help mankind out for the better?
There is nothing wrong with owning a sports car, an expensive home, and to vacation in a great spot every year as long as you are being a proper steward of the money God has entrusted to you. He requires one tenth of our income, tithing. Do you do that? He also asks for us to give above and beyond our tithe in offerings. Do you do that? Recently I’ve felt pretty guilty by my pastor at LHBC preaching about giving to our building fund. Well the sermon was about the “Greed Scheme” and Pastor Carr was rather asking us were we rich toward God. Where we interested in Kingdom things. Interested in what God was interested in. He reminded us of the Proverb that “where you’re mind is, is where your heart will be”. He continued in this sermon by asking, “Are you investing in people? This world system says, ’it’s all about me, isn’t it?’” And he pointed out that “greed isn’t how you ’FEEL’, it’s what you do.” The prayer I have for myself every day since this sermon has been, “Lord help me be rich toward You every day.” Are you living your life this way? Are you spending the money that has been trusted to you with this attitude of being rich toward God?
My first name Billie means “resolute guardian or protector”. Jean means “God is gracious” and my last name Wood means “from the woods”. I find my first name’s meaning very intriguing. I want to know what I’m a guardian or protector of, I’m still seeking God to find out what I’m a resolute protector of. And my middle name is very true, my Lord has been very gracious toward me in every way. And my last name makes sense, my dad use to not shave his beard and he would look like a grizzly bear from the woods. I had about 3 or 4 class mates (males no doubt) who use to call my dad, “Grizzly Adams”. You had to be there to know how hilarious it was when he would come to get me for orthodontic appointments. One of my friends was artistic and he drew a picture of my dad with his embarrassingly hideous car, 1979 Ford Pinto station wagon. Many of my friends remember this car, oh at 13 and 14 years of age this car embarrassed me to death! Looking back on this time in my life I remember that my dad may not have had a great looking car but he loved me and my brother with lots of love. He gave us what he had and he tried really hard to give us more than what we needed. So no matter if you have everything you want or desire to have just one or two of the items from your want list, just always remember that if you have love in your life you have everything you need and your wants stem from the desire to have that love in your life. Think about that. Love covers a multitude of sin but it also fills the desires of our hearts.
I’m reading a book titled Memphis Memoirs by Paul R. Coppock. In this book he has researched the history of many of the people that this area has its names. Reading about the man for whom Shelby County is named after, I was impressed by everything this man did, not just for Shelby County and the State of Tennessee but what he did for our young country back in the early 1800s. My reading states that “Nine states have counties named for (Isaac) Shelby and seven have Shelbyvilles….”
And it was with the purchase of land that a “young lawyer in the new town of Nashville” bought that Memphis was a town that became a reality. The young lawyer’s name was John Overton. “Overton foresaw a metropolis in some hazy future when the Indian title had been cleared away, when the Tennessee country had become a state, and when the people who had been trickling over the mountains sent back word of the rich lands of the West. It was twenty-five years after Overton’s purchase when surveyors laid off streets and parks for the town of Memphis, Town government was formed by election of seven aldermen on 26 April 1827, which was thirty-three years after the purchase, with only a few settlers willing and able to pay as much as $100 for a Main Street lot. But the metropolis came true and today the Overton acres are the portion of Memphis roughly between Union and Vollintine, from the river to East Parkway.”
So I shared these 2 paragraphs of information to ask 2 questions. First, look up your name and find its meaning, what does your name mean? Names stand for something, including last names. I’ve studied the meanings, origins, and possible reasons for the names I’ve been given. More on this later, the second question is related to the piece I shared about John Overton. The ’founding father’ of Memphis, Tennessee. What do you vision for the future? Do you have a vision for anything? Maybe you should find one, even if it seems small and insignificant. I’ve always lived my life with grandeur dreams, I’ve been told it has to do with my bipolar disorder but I beg to differ. I was raised being told I could do anything I wanted to do with enough effort. I was also raised being told I could be anyone I wanted to be if that is what I really wanted to do. So when I told my father at 14 I wanted to be a foreign missionary I’m sure he was taken back by such a humbling occupation since I had big dreams of being something grand. Grand in my opinion is in the eyes of the beholder. I think being a missionary in a foreign country is grand. May not afford me a nice expensive sports car but I really could care less. And who needs a sports car if you’re in a country that a sports car’s gas bill for the week could feed a family of 5 or 6 for the month! We really sometimes need to figure out why we want what we want. Is it a selfish motive or does your desires truly help mankind out for the better?
There is nothing wrong with owning a sports car, an expensive home, and to vacation in a great spot every year as long as you are being a proper steward of the money God has entrusted to you. He requires one tenth of our income, tithing. Do you do that? He also asks for us to give above and beyond our tithe in offerings. Do you do that? Recently I’ve felt pretty guilty by my pastor at LHBC preaching about giving to our building fund. Well the sermon was about the “Greed Scheme” and Pastor Carr was rather asking us were we rich toward God. Where we interested in Kingdom things. Interested in what God was interested in. He reminded us of the Proverb that “where you’re mind is, is where your heart will be”. He continued in this sermon by asking, “Are you investing in people? This world system says, ’it’s all about me, isn’t it?’” And he pointed out that “greed isn’t how you ’FEEL’, it’s what you do.” The prayer I have for myself every day since this sermon has been, “Lord help me be rich toward You every day.” Are you living your life this way? Are you spending the money that has been trusted to you with this attitude of being rich toward God?
My first name Billie means “resolute guardian or protector”. Jean means “God is gracious” and my last name Wood means “from the woods”. I find my first name’s meaning very intriguing. I want to know what I’m a guardian or protector of, I’m still seeking God to find out what I’m a resolute protector of. And my middle name is very true, my Lord has been very gracious toward me in every way. And my last name makes sense, my dad use to not shave his beard and he would look like a grizzly bear from the woods. I had about 3 or 4 class mates (males no doubt) who use to call my dad, “Grizzly Adams”. You had to be there to know how hilarious it was when he would come to get me for orthodontic appointments. One of my friends was artistic and he drew a picture of my dad with his embarrassingly hideous car, 1979 Ford Pinto station wagon. Many of my friends remember this car, oh at 13 and 14 years of age this car embarrassed me to death! Looking back on this time in my life I remember that my dad may not have had a great looking car but he loved me and my brother with lots of love. He gave us what he had and he tried really hard to give us more than what we needed. So no matter if you have everything you want or desire to have just one or two of the items from your want list, just always remember that if you have love in your life you have everything you need and your wants stem from the desire to have that love in your life. Think about that. Love covers a multitude of sin but it also fills the desires of our hearts.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Psalm 119 & Are You Compromising Out of Laziness?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I’ve had the rare treat of being able to read one of my best friend’s book today. I’ve been busy but I took time today to just lay out in the sun and soak in Tracey’s book. I’m taking a break right now b/c surprisingly we are getting sprinkles of rain right now. We need it down here in Memphis, my hometown is getting rain but the forecast shows Memphis as clear. Maybe they (forecasters) are wrong and we’ll get a good shower tonight. The lawn needs some rain and putting the sprinkler on it costs on your water bill. Well in Memphis you get your electric, water, and gas on the same bill. I’m into utilities since my father is a superintendent of one in my hometown and my grandmother was office manager of another before her retirement.
Tracey’s book is good. And it has me thinking about the 119th Psalm. I’m the person who brought this Psalm to Tracey’s attention back last spring (2008). I was the friend who was going to memorize the entire Psalm and I’m disappointed to report that I decided not to do it. If I had to memorize something for school, I would do it. And if God put it on my heart to memorize this Psalm, I should memorize it. We will bend over backwards for other people in our life. We tell people to let us know if they need anything, we’ll be there for them. We’ll do anything for them if they ask. Yet when we get a great idea from God, we put Him on the back burner or if the task seems too daunting we shrink back from what we know was straight from Him.
Father God,
I’m sorry for not doing what You showed me as a great idea, memorizing the 119th Psalm. How hard could it be? I’ll be learning more of Your Word by doing this. Please forgive me for allowing other things in my life to take precedence over what You would have me do. I commit my life to You and also I commit my time in memorizing Your Psalm.
Psalm 119
Aleph
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
Who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes
And seek him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong;
They walk in his ways.
You have laid down precepts
That are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
In obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
When I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
As I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
Do not utterly forsake me.
Beth
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
Do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
That I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
Teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
All the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
As one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
And consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Gimel
Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
Wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth;
Do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
For your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
And who stray from your commands.
Remove from me scorn and contempt,
For I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
Your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
They are my counselors.
Daleth
I am laid low in the dust;
Preserve my life according to your word.
I recounted my ways and you answered me;
Teach me your decrees.
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
Then I will meditate on your wonders.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
Strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
Be gracious to me through your law.
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
Do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
For you have set my heart free.
He
Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
Then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
And obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
For there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
And not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
Preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
So that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
For your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
Waw
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to your promise;
Then I will answer the one who taunts me,
For I trust in your word.
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
For I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
For ever and ever.
I will walk obey your law,
For ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
For I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
And will not be put to shame,
For I delight in your commands
Because I love them.
I lift up my hands to your commands,
Which I love,
And I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
Remember your word to your servant,
For you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me without restraint,
But I do not turn from your law.
I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,
And I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
Who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
Wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember your name, O Lord,
And I will keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Heth
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
To obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
For your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
To all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord;
Teach me your decrees.
Teth
Do good to your servant
According to your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
For I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
Teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
But I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
So that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
Than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Yodh
Your hands made me and formed me;
Give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
For I have put my hope in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous,
And in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
According to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
For your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
But I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
That I may not be put to shame.
Kaph
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
But I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
Contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
Help me, for men persecute me without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
But I have not forsaken your precepts.
Preserve my life according to your love,
And I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Lamedh
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
It stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
For all things serve you.
If your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
For by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
But I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit;
But your commands are boundless.
Mem
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
For I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
So that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
For you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
Therefore I hate every wrong path.
Nun
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
That I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
And teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
But I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
They are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
Samekh
I hate double-minded men,
But I love your law.
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Away from me, you evildoers,
That I may keep the commands of my God!
Sustain me according to your promise,
And I will live;
Do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
You reject all who stray from your decrees,
For their deceitfulness is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
Therefore I love your statutes.
My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
Ayin
I have done what is righteous and just;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being;
Let not the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
Looking for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your love
And teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment
That I may understand your statutes
It is time for you to act, O Lord;
Your law is being broken.
Because I love your commands
More than gold, more than pure gold.
And because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
Pe
Your statutes are wonderful;
Therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
Longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
As you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
Let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
That I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
And teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
For your law is not obeyed.
Tsadhe
Righteous are you, O Lord,
And your laws are right.
The statues you have laid down are righteous;
They are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
For my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
And your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
But your commands are my delight.
Your statutes are forever right;
Give me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
And I will obey your decrees.
I call out to you; save me
And I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
That I may meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
But they are far from your law.
Yet you are near, O Lord,
And all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes
That you established them to last forever.
Resh
Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
For I have not forgotten your law.
Defend my cause and redeem me;
Preserve my life according to your promise.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek out your decrees.
Your compassion is great, O Lord;
Preserve my life according to your laws.
Many are the foes who persecute me,
But I have not turned from your statutes.
I look on the faithless with loathing,
For they do not obey your word.
See how I love your precepts;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
All your words are true;
All your righteous laws are eternal.
Sin and Shin
Rulers persecute me without cause,
But my heart trembles at your word.
I rejoice in your promise
Like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood
But I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
For your righteous laws.
Great peace have they who love your law,
And nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, O Lord,
And I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes,
For I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes,
For all my ways are known to you.
Taw
May my cry come before you, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you;
Deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
For you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
For all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
And your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
And may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
For I have not forgotten your commands.
So as I finish this I’ve made plans to hang out with my niece, Summer. She lives in Memphis too and I am so privileged to get to know her finally after about 10 years. The last time I saw her she was 2 years old. She wanted to come and ’hang out w/ Aunt Billie Jean’. She is my only niece and I can’t wait to hang out with her. We’re doing a sleep over so I’m sure we’re going to be sleepy in church in the morning! Oh well…I just feel blessed to be able to spend time getting to know her! Hope you find yourself in church tomorrow. Go, it will make you feel better to be in our Creator’s house with His people.
I’ve had the rare treat of being able to read one of my best friend’s book today. I’ve been busy but I took time today to just lay out in the sun and soak in Tracey’s book. I’m taking a break right now b/c surprisingly we are getting sprinkles of rain right now. We need it down here in Memphis, my hometown is getting rain but the forecast shows Memphis as clear. Maybe they (forecasters) are wrong and we’ll get a good shower tonight. The lawn needs some rain and putting the sprinkler on it costs on your water bill. Well in Memphis you get your electric, water, and gas on the same bill. I’m into utilities since my father is a superintendent of one in my hometown and my grandmother was office manager of another before her retirement.
Tracey’s book is good. And it has me thinking about the 119th Psalm. I’m the person who brought this Psalm to Tracey’s attention back last spring (2008). I was the friend who was going to memorize the entire Psalm and I’m disappointed to report that I decided not to do it. If I had to memorize something for school, I would do it. And if God put it on my heart to memorize this Psalm, I should memorize it. We will bend over backwards for other people in our life. We tell people to let us know if they need anything, we’ll be there for them. We’ll do anything for them if they ask. Yet when we get a great idea from God, we put Him on the back burner or if the task seems too daunting we shrink back from what we know was straight from Him.
Father God,
I’m sorry for not doing what You showed me as a great idea, memorizing the 119th Psalm. How hard could it be? I’ll be learning more of Your Word by doing this. Please forgive me for allowing other things in my life to take precedence over what You would have me do. I commit my life to You and also I commit my time in memorizing Your Psalm.
Psalm 119
Aleph
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
Who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes
And seek him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong;
They walk in his ways.
You have laid down precepts
That are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
In obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
When I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
As I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
Do not utterly forsake me.
Beth
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
Do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
That I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
Teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
All the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
As one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
And consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Gimel
Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
Wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth;
Do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
For your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
And who stray from your commands.
Remove from me scorn and contempt,
For I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
Your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
They are my counselors.
Daleth
I am laid low in the dust;
Preserve my life according to your word.
I recounted my ways and you answered me;
Teach me your decrees.
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
Then I will meditate on your wonders.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
Strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
Be gracious to me through your law.
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
Do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
For you have set my heart free.
He
Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
Then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
And obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
For there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
And not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
Preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
So that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
For your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
Waw
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to your promise;
Then I will answer the one who taunts me,
For I trust in your word.
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
For I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
For ever and ever.
I will walk obey your law,
For ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
For I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
And will not be put to shame,
For I delight in your commands
Because I love them.
I lift up my hands to your commands,
Which I love,
And I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
Remember your word to your servant,
For you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me without restraint,
But I do not turn from your law.
I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,
And I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
Who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
Wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember your name, O Lord,
And I will keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Heth
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
To obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
For your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
To all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord;
Teach me your decrees.
Teth
Do good to your servant
According to your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
For I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
Teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
But I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
So that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
Than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Yodh
Your hands made me and formed me;
Give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
For I have put my hope in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous,
And in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
According to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
For your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
But I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
That I may not be put to shame.
Kaph
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
But I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
Contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
Help me, for men persecute me without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
But I have not forsaken your precepts.
Preserve my life according to your love,
And I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Lamedh
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
It stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
For all things serve you.
If your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
For by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
But I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit;
But your commands are boundless.
Mem
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
For I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
So that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
For you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
Therefore I hate every wrong path.
Nun
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
That I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
And teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
But I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
They are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
Samekh
I hate double-minded men,
But I love your law.
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Away from me, you evildoers,
That I may keep the commands of my God!
Sustain me according to your promise,
And I will live;
Do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
You reject all who stray from your decrees,
For their deceitfulness is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
Therefore I love your statutes.
My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
Ayin
I have done what is righteous and just;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being;
Let not the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
Looking for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your love
And teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment
That I may understand your statutes
It is time for you to act, O Lord;
Your law is being broken.
Because I love your commands
More than gold, more than pure gold.
And because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
Pe
Your statutes are wonderful;
Therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
Longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
As you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
Let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
That I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
And teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
For your law is not obeyed.
Tsadhe
Righteous are you, O Lord,
And your laws are right.
The statues you have laid down are righteous;
They are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
For my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
And your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
But your commands are my delight.
Your statutes are forever right;
Give me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
And I will obey your decrees.
I call out to you; save me
And I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
That I may meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
But they are far from your law.
Yet you are near, O Lord,
And all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes
That you established them to last forever.
Resh
Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
For I have not forgotten your law.
Defend my cause and redeem me;
Preserve my life according to your promise.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek out your decrees.
Your compassion is great, O Lord;
Preserve my life according to your laws.
Many are the foes who persecute me,
But I have not turned from your statutes.
I look on the faithless with loathing,
For they do not obey your word.
See how I love your precepts;
Preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
All your words are true;
All your righteous laws are eternal.
Sin and Shin
Rulers persecute me without cause,
But my heart trembles at your word.
I rejoice in your promise
Like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood
But I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
For your righteous laws.
Great peace have they who love your law,
And nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, O Lord,
And I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes,
For I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes,
For all my ways are known to you.
Taw
May my cry come before you, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you;
Deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
For you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
For all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
And your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
And may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
For I have not forgotten your commands.
So as I finish this I’ve made plans to hang out with my niece, Summer. She lives in Memphis too and I am so privileged to get to know her finally after about 10 years. The last time I saw her she was 2 years old. She wanted to come and ’hang out w/ Aunt Billie Jean’. She is my only niece and I can’t wait to hang out with her. We’re doing a sleep over so I’m sure we’re going to be sleepy in church in the morning! Oh well…I just feel blessed to be able to spend time getting to know her! Hope you find yourself in church tomorrow. Go, it will make you feel better to be in our Creator’s house with His people.
Friday, July 10, 2009
More About Signs & Are You Completing the Race?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Speaking to my mom last night about signs and how my best friend wanted me to blog about them and when I did she didn’t like the blog too much, I told my mom that I’m not a big signs person. She asked why since God gives us signs everyday. I’m not doing another blog about signs, I just don’t study them, even after I did my blog on signs and the next day my friend read me something she found and was like “Billie Jean, that’s your sign!” I chuckled and laughed at her believing God was giving me another sign. I try to be real about life and signs to me just seem to be a way for us to tell God “I believe in what you’ve said but you really should ‘show’ me more.” Kind of like a movie I watched back in 1996 where a catch phrase of the movie was, “Show me the money!”. I don’t know why I feel this way about signs but yes I acknowledge that God gives us signs. I must like to live in a predictable world of safety in the usual always happens.
I am amazed by His wonderful wonders He has done. Like in Psalm 17:7 it is stated that “ Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.” And in Job 42:3, Job speaks of things too wonderful for him to know. “You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
I do not wish to test the mind of my God or to ‘hang the fleece out’ for Him to prove anything to me. I’m very mindful that God doesn’t play games with any of us. When He says He will do something, even in our doubt, I truly believe He will do it and it will be bigger than we could ever imagine. I just want Him to find me being faithful and true until He brings about the fulfillment of every single promise He has given me for my life.
In a book by Max Lucado, Come Thirsty he writes about what fulfills our souls and what doesn’t. “Take special concern with the bottle labeled ‘religion’. Jesus did. Note the setting in which he speaks. He isn’t talking to prostitutes or troublemakers, penitentiary inmates or reform-school students. No, he addresses churchgoers at a religious convention. This day is an ecclesiastical highlight; like the Vatican on Easter Sunday. You half expect the pope to appear in the next verse. Religious symbols are laid out like a yard sale: the temple, the altar, trumpets, and robes. He could have pointed to any item as a source of drink. But he doesn’t. There are mere symbols.
He points to himself, the one to whom the symbols point and in whom they are fulfilled. Religion pacifies, but never satisfies. Church activities might hide a thirst, but only Christ quenches it. Drink him.
And drink often. Jesus employs a verb that suggests repeated swallows. Literally, “Let him come to me and drink and keep drinking.” One bottle won’t satisfy your thirst. Regular sips satisfy thirsty throats. Ceaseless communion satisfies thirsty souls.”
If signs are what you long for from God, you should examine how you truly communicate with the heavenly Father. My soul longs, even pants to be able to have a conversation with my God. Once you have regular, meaningful conversations with God then you are hooked into wanting more of that kind of communion with Him.
So I read someone’s blogspot that challenged us to keep up the pace and don’t quit before the end of the race is over. That if we are number 1 for most of the race but go home with just one lap of the race left, we win nothing! I want to be found winning the race the Lord has set before me to run and to keep running it until the day of His return or my homecoming whichever comes first. It is easy to get discouraged and want to just quit whatever it is God has called us out to do but what would’ve happened to us if Jesus decided to come up off that cross before He died and went to hell for us for 3 days? We shouldn’t choose to give up our race so easily either.
Speaking to my mom last night about signs and how my best friend wanted me to blog about them and when I did she didn’t like the blog too much, I told my mom that I’m not a big signs person. She asked why since God gives us signs everyday. I’m not doing another blog about signs, I just don’t study them, even after I did my blog on signs and the next day my friend read me something she found and was like “Billie Jean, that’s your sign!” I chuckled and laughed at her believing God was giving me another sign. I try to be real about life and signs to me just seem to be a way for us to tell God “I believe in what you’ve said but you really should ‘show’ me more.” Kind of like a movie I watched back in 1996 where a catch phrase of the movie was, “Show me the money!”. I don’t know why I feel this way about signs but yes I acknowledge that God gives us signs. I must like to live in a predictable world of safety in the usual always happens.
I am amazed by His wonderful wonders He has done. Like in Psalm 17:7 it is stated that “ Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.” And in Job 42:3, Job speaks of things too wonderful for him to know. “You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
I do not wish to test the mind of my God or to ‘hang the fleece out’ for Him to prove anything to me. I’m very mindful that God doesn’t play games with any of us. When He says He will do something, even in our doubt, I truly believe He will do it and it will be bigger than we could ever imagine. I just want Him to find me being faithful and true until He brings about the fulfillment of every single promise He has given me for my life.
In a book by Max Lucado, Come Thirsty he writes about what fulfills our souls and what doesn’t. “Take special concern with the bottle labeled ‘religion’. Jesus did. Note the setting in which he speaks. He isn’t talking to prostitutes or troublemakers, penitentiary inmates or reform-school students. No, he addresses churchgoers at a religious convention. This day is an ecclesiastical highlight; like the Vatican on Easter Sunday. You half expect the pope to appear in the next verse. Religious symbols are laid out like a yard sale: the temple, the altar, trumpets, and robes. He could have pointed to any item as a source of drink. But he doesn’t. There are mere symbols.
He points to himself, the one to whom the symbols point and in whom they are fulfilled. Religion pacifies, but never satisfies. Church activities might hide a thirst, but only Christ quenches it. Drink him.
And drink often. Jesus employs a verb that suggests repeated swallows. Literally, “Let him come to me and drink and keep drinking.” One bottle won’t satisfy your thirst. Regular sips satisfy thirsty throats. Ceaseless communion satisfies thirsty souls.”
If signs are what you long for from God, you should examine how you truly communicate with the heavenly Father. My soul longs, even pants to be able to have a conversation with my God. Once you have regular, meaningful conversations with God then you are hooked into wanting more of that kind of communion with Him.
So I read someone’s blogspot that challenged us to keep up the pace and don’t quit before the end of the race is over. That if we are number 1 for most of the race but go home with just one lap of the race left, we win nothing! I want to be found winning the race the Lord has set before me to run and to keep running it until the day of His return or my homecoming whichever comes first. It is easy to get discouraged and want to just quit whatever it is God has called us out to do but what would’ve happened to us if Jesus decided to come up off that cross before He died and went to hell for us for 3 days? We shouldn’t choose to give up our race so easily either.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Jesus Holds Us When We Cry
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
During this past winter when I was dealing with my broken heart there were days I didn’t think I could ever wake up and live my life normally again. I was so hurt by what I was going through that I just didn’t know if anyone cared about me, I know it sounds pathetic but it was real. I had never dealt with heartache in such a way. Not only were my 3 children removed from my home, but I was dealing with rejection from my own earthly father. And he was the parent that had raised me since I was 5YO, so the rejection was hard to deal with in my daily life along with my children being out of our home. We had been a single mother family for about 18 months and we were making it pretty well in our 4 bedroom, 2 bath rented home that was within walking distance of the middle school and elementary school. We lived on the same block as our hometown’s local college, which recently earned its university status. Bethel University. Life seemed to be going great the last couple of years since I had chosen to leave an abusive marriage.
Underneath all our smiles was a secret that I didn’t realize was a secret and still to this day can’t understand why it should be a secret. I am a bipolar disorder patient and I suffer from manic episodes and my mania isn’t mild. I’ve never harmed my children during my manic times or anyone else for that matter. I just become severe when I become manic and the only way to help me is to put me in a hospital setting to correct whatever has caused the mania. Sometimes it is the medication, other times it is stress, and other times it could be what other people are trying to cause in my life - whether it be stress, fear, or manipulation. The secret was that my father said I had to stop being put in the hospital for ‘tune ups’ or he was going to put my oldest child in his home and take her from mine. The secret was secret b/c no one told me about his threat until after my hospitalization in November of last year when he made good on his threat. I know, what negative details, I just have to set the stage for what I went through. In his mind, he thought he was protecting her from something. Possibly not me but from something I suffer from with the disorder. I’ve never been suicidal or homicidal with my mania. NEVER and I praise God that I’m just over the edge a bit and need some medical attention. I’ve had several friends tell me that if I could remove myself from the environment that seems to surround me I’d be better off. Maybe that is true and the very reason my heavenly Father saw fit to get me out of my hometown. Maybe?!?! I’ll probably never understand why God brought me to Memphis, at least not for a while anyway.
I could give many more details but I’ll save it for another day. I just truly believe my father is uneducated about my disorder and what it truly means to be in a manic state of mind. Recently when I was manic back at the end of May this year and he had to meet me at Henry County Medical Center emergency room, I was okay but scared out of my mind b/c I was manic, he seemed to want to know more about why I was feeling the way I did. It seemed short lived though b/c he was called as he was one of my ICE contacts (which I need to revise now that I’m in Memphis). I want my family to understand more about my disorder than they choose to know right now and it frustrates me to be judged b/c I suffer from a mental health condition that is very treatable. That is my prayer for my family and especially my children, that they would be properly educated about my disorder and I would never again feel that a ‘tune up’ is ever my fault.
I’ve been reading Stormie Omartian’s The Power of a Praying Woman, I’m actually deciding to do the Bible study by myself this summer, and she shares James 4:8 in the second lesson but I’m going to share with you the verse before and the 2 after, James 4:7-10 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” In her Bible study, Ms. Omartian shares this about asking God to change our circumstance. “Often we ask God to change the people and circumstances around us - to change our spouse, our work environment, our church, our financial situation - but what I’ve learned since coming to Christ is that God wants most to change me. He wants to cleanse my heart and conform me to the image of Jesus.”
I felt this way when I was all alone in my big house without my children. I wanted God to change everyone but me, I wanted Him to make my circumstance the way I wanted it to be. Then I realized He might have brought me to this storm in my life b/c He needed to change me for some reason. I now know that He wanted me to draw as close to Him as I could get; and learn to depend only on Him for comfort and strength. That is what happened during those months alone. I wasn’t alone though b/c I had my Lord to comfort my brokenness and He healed my heart too. If you’re struggling with some difficult heart ache in your life, take time to ask God what He wants to change in you rather than asking Him to change the other people in the situation. It is a freeing experience to finally look in the mirror without blaming yourself, just examine yourself in relation to your Heavenly Father. Forget everyone else, just you and God.
During this past winter when I was dealing with my broken heart there were days I didn’t think I could ever wake up and live my life normally again. I was so hurt by what I was going through that I just didn’t know if anyone cared about me, I know it sounds pathetic but it was real. I had never dealt with heartache in such a way. Not only were my 3 children removed from my home, but I was dealing with rejection from my own earthly father. And he was the parent that had raised me since I was 5YO, so the rejection was hard to deal with in my daily life along with my children being out of our home. We had been a single mother family for about 18 months and we were making it pretty well in our 4 bedroom, 2 bath rented home that was within walking distance of the middle school and elementary school. We lived on the same block as our hometown’s local college, which recently earned its university status. Bethel University. Life seemed to be going great the last couple of years since I had chosen to leave an abusive marriage.
Underneath all our smiles was a secret that I didn’t realize was a secret and still to this day can’t understand why it should be a secret. I am a bipolar disorder patient and I suffer from manic episodes and my mania isn’t mild. I’ve never harmed my children during my manic times or anyone else for that matter. I just become severe when I become manic and the only way to help me is to put me in a hospital setting to correct whatever has caused the mania. Sometimes it is the medication, other times it is stress, and other times it could be what other people are trying to cause in my life - whether it be stress, fear, or manipulation. The secret was that my father said I had to stop being put in the hospital for ‘tune ups’ or he was going to put my oldest child in his home and take her from mine. The secret was secret b/c no one told me about his threat until after my hospitalization in November of last year when he made good on his threat. I know, what negative details, I just have to set the stage for what I went through. In his mind, he thought he was protecting her from something. Possibly not me but from something I suffer from with the disorder. I’ve never been suicidal or homicidal with my mania. NEVER and I praise God that I’m just over the edge a bit and need some medical attention. I’ve had several friends tell me that if I could remove myself from the environment that seems to surround me I’d be better off. Maybe that is true and the very reason my heavenly Father saw fit to get me out of my hometown. Maybe?!?! I’ll probably never understand why God brought me to Memphis, at least not for a while anyway.
I could give many more details but I’ll save it for another day. I just truly believe my father is uneducated about my disorder and what it truly means to be in a manic state of mind. Recently when I was manic back at the end of May this year and he had to meet me at Henry County Medical Center emergency room, I was okay but scared out of my mind b/c I was manic, he seemed to want to know more about why I was feeling the way I did. It seemed short lived though b/c he was called as he was one of my ICE contacts (which I need to revise now that I’m in Memphis). I want my family to understand more about my disorder than they choose to know right now and it frustrates me to be judged b/c I suffer from a mental health condition that is very treatable. That is my prayer for my family and especially my children, that they would be properly educated about my disorder and I would never again feel that a ‘tune up’ is ever my fault.
I’ve been reading Stormie Omartian’s The Power of a Praying Woman, I’m actually deciding to do the Bible study by myself this summer, and she shares James 4:8 in the second lesson but I’m going to share with you the verse before and the 2 after, James 4:7-10 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” In her Bible study, Ms. Omartian shares this about asking God to change our circumstance. “Often we ask God to change the people and circumstances around us - to change our spouse, our work environment, our church, our financial situation - but what I’ve learned since coming to Christ is that God wants most to change me. He wants to cleanse my heart and conform me to the image of Jesus.”
I felt this way when I was all alone in my big house without my children. I wanted God to change everyone but me, I wanted Him to make my circumstance the way I wanted it to be. Then I realized He might have brought me to this storm in my life b/c He needed to change me for some reason. I now know that He wanted me to draw as close to Him as I could get; and learn to depend only on Him for comfort and strength. That is what happened during those months alone. I wasn’t alone though b/c I had my Lord to comfort my brokenness and He healed my heart too. If you’re struggling with some difficult heart ache in your life, take time to ask God what He wants to change in you rather than asking Him to change the other people in the situation. It is a freeing experience to finally look in the mirror without blaming yourself, just examine yourself in relation to your Heavenly Father. Forget everyone else, just you and God.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Are You Really Listening to Him?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
So I’d like to tell you about the day I was brought to make a decision about living in Memphis. It was the Monday after Mother’s Day, May 11th. Let me set up the way it happened. I hadn’t spoken to my birth mother in about 7 to 8 years. We had gotten into an argument about something that my mom seems to understand better than anyone. The fact that people in my life have never truly allowed me to grow up and be a lady or as mom says ‘be a grown woman’. So I had lost the last 8 years of a relationship with my best friend. I mean, Jesus is my best friend, but physically my mother was my best friend too. Most girls tend to reach a certain age and their best friend becomes their own mother. Very ironic if you’ve dealt with a mother on the level I have all these years. See at the age of 5, my mother choose for my little brother and me to go live with our dad b/c she was having financial trouble as a single mother. Unlike what I was dealing with as a single mother. Financially my children and I were doing great. Anyway, back to the story at hand, how I came to the decision to move to Memphis.
On Wednesday night before Mother’s Day, May 6th, my pastor at Long Heights Baptist, Kenny Carr reminded us that Mother’s Day was Sunday and now that his mother had gone on to be with the Lord it made him miss her more on Mother’s Day. And he knew I hadn’t spoken to my mother in a number of years and longed to have her back into my life. He seriously told the congregation that night that if there was anything between you and your mother that prevents you from seeing her to get it right and make sure you don’t miss another Mother’s Day with her. Man, that struck a chord in my heart so tight I could hardly breathe. So the next day as I was going to look at a house in Martin, Tennessee to rent b/c I might be going back to school at UTM, I had about 3 friends praying for me. Praying that I would be doing the Lord’s will in my life and if it was His will for me to live in Martin to make it apparent to me. Well, before I got to Martin, I decided to look my mom up by calling her church. I had been trying to find a phone number for my mother for about a year and was coming up empty handed. Even my pastor had tried to find an address for me but it was unproductive. When I called her church in Collierville, I choked up before the woman could take down my number, she asked to pray with me, for me and my mom. I thanked her and once I drove back into my hometown about 45 minutes later, my mother was calling my cell phone. We talked for about an hour and I was so happy and made plans to go see her on Mother’s Day, stay in Memphis and visit for 2 days.
So I left McKenzie late on Sunday, May 10th and arrived in Memphis around 8pm that night. Mom had recently moved into a bigger home and it is right around the corner from the University of Memphis. Well down the road and around the corner but it is close. I want to finish my degree in communications and public relations and the U of M has a great program for that. I also want to study and major in 1 to 2 foreign languages, which the U of M offers degree programs in 11 different foreign languages. How could this be? How can coincidences be so unique to this school, right in the city where my mother has lived for 30 years? I wanted to attend the University of Memphis out of high school, was even looking to try out for their cheerleading squad back then. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on it now, I’m a little too old for that now. Though I ride around with Hannah’s Rebel M megaphone on the side of my black Cavalier. People must think I’m straight out of high school, haha…..
The second day I was visiting my mother, I decided to do some ‘business’ in the bathroom off a room she wanted to set up for me when I would come visit. The room was still a mess of boxes at this time. So I took a book of mom’s into the bathroom with me and as I sat reading I kept being distracted by a voice that had my attention. I knew that voice and thought, “Father God? I’m trying to read something about You in this book and I’m being distracted by a voice or thought that won’t go away.” And I heard my heavenly Father chuckle and reply, “Yes, that would be me. I have something to say to you. Put the book down….nice bathroom, huh? How would you like for it to be yours?” I had put the book down by now and thought, “Oh no you don’t. Satan, get thee behind me! I’m not moving in with my mom! No way, no how! Go back to the pit if that’s you, Satan!”
God said, “Nope, it’s me, God. I know it seems hard for you to understand how much of a blessing you’d be to move in here with your mom and step dad but this is a decision I’m bringing you to, but the choice is yours. I will bring you honor and blessings if you move here to your mom’s and go to school at the University of Memphis. I promise. The choice is yours.” And the Lord lead me to Matthew 3:15.…”Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” How many times have we argued with Almighty God and realized when the situation had been come to a conclusion, God had His hand on the circumstance the entire time. I know my life has turned into a direction that I never saw myself going in. Yet I know that my Creator holds my future in His hand. And He wishes nothing but great things for me and my future. And because my Creator takes such good care of me, I’m very careful to be mindful of the direction He wants my life to go in every day, every hour, and I praise Him all the day long.
So I’d like to tell you about the day I was brought to make a decision about living in Memphis. It was the Monday after Mother’s Day, May 11th. Let me set up the way it happened. I hadn’t spoken to my birth mother in about 7 to 8 years. We had gotten into an argument about something that my mom seems to understand better than anyone. The fact that people in my life have never truly allowed me to grow up and be a lady or as mom says ‘be a grown woman’. So I had lost the last 8 years of a relationship with my best friend. I mean, Jesus is my best friend, but physically my mother was my best friend too. Most girls tend to reach a certain age and their best friend becomes their own mother. Very ironic if you’ve dealt with a mother on the level I have all these years. See at the age of 5, my mother choose for my little brother and me to go live with our dad b/c she was having financial trouble as a single mother. Unlike what I was dealing with as a single mother. Financially my children and I were doing great. Anyway, back to the story at hand, how I came to the decision to move to Memphis.
On Wednesday night before Mother’s Day, May 6th, my pastor at Long Heights Baptist, Kenny Carr reminded us that Mother’s Day was Sunday and now that his mother had gone on to be with the Lord it made him miss her more on Mother’s Day. And he knew I hadn’t spoken to my mother in a number of years and longed to have her back into my life. He seriously told the congregation that night that if there was anything between you and your mother that prevents you from seeing her to get it right and make sure you don’t miss another Mother’s Day with her. Man, that struck a chord in my heart so tight I could hardly breathe. So the next day as I was going to look at a house in Martin, Tennessee to rent b/c I might be going back to school at UTM, I had about 3 friends praying for me. Praying that I would be doing the Lord’s will in my life and if it was His will for me to live in Martin to make it apparent to me. Well, before I got to Martin, I decided to look my mom up by calling her church. I had been trying to find a phone number for my mother for about a year and was coming up empty handed. Even my pastor had tried to find an address for me but it was unproductive. When I called her church in Collierville, I choked up before the woman could take down my number, she asked to pray with me, for me and my mom. I thanked her and once I drove back into my hometown about 45 minutes later, my mother was calling my cell phone. We talked for about an hour and I was so happy and made plans to go see her on Mother’s Day, stay in Memphis and visit for 2 days.
So I left McKenzie late on Sunday, May 10th and arrived in Memphis around 8pm that night. Mom had recently moved into a bigger home and it is right around the corner from the University of Memphis. Well down the road and around the corner but it is close. I want to finish my degree in communications and public relations and the U of M has a great program for that. I also want to study and major in 1 to 2 foreign languages, which the U of M offers degree programs in 11 different foreign languages. How could this be? How can coincidences be so unique to this school, right in the city where my mother has lived for 30 years? I wanted to attend the University of Memphis out of high school, was even looking to try out for their cheerleading squad back then. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on it now, I’m a little too old for that now. Though I ride around with Hannah’s Rebel M megaphone on the side of my black Cavalier. People must think I’m straight out of high school, haha…..
The second day I was visiting my mother, I decided to do some ‘business’ in the bathroom off a room she wanted to set up for me when I would come visit. The room was still a mess of boxes at this time. So I took a book of mom’s into the bathroom with me and as I sat reading I kept being distracted by a voice that had my attention. I knew that voice and thought, “Father God? I’m trying to read something about You in this book and I’m being distracted by a voice or thought that won’t go away.” And I heard my heavenly Father chuckle and reply, “Yes, that would be me. I have something to say to you. Put the book down….nice bathroom, huh? How would you like for it to be yours?” I had put the book down by now and thought, “Oh no you don’t. Satan, get thee behind me! I’m not moving in with my mom! No way, no how! Go back to the pit if that’s you, Satan!”
God said, “Nope, it’s me, God. I know it seems hard for you to understand how much of a blessing you’d be to move in here with your mom and step dad but this is a decision I’m bringing you to, but the choice is yours. I will bring you honor and blessings if you move here to your mom’s and go to school at the University of Memphis. I promise. The choice is yours.” And the Lord lead me to Matthew 3:15.…”Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” How many times have we argued with Almighty God and realized when the situation had been come to a conclusion, God had His hand on the circumstance the entire time. I know my life has turned into a direction that I never saw myself going in. Yet I know that my Creator holds my future in His hand. And He wishes nothing but great things for me and my future. And because my Creator takes such good care of me, I’m very careful to be mindful of the direction He wants my life to go in every day, every hour, and I praise Him all the day long.
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