Seveneth Wheel in a Six Wheel Ride

I've been in a wheelchair for almost twenty years.  In 1993, my family and I were in a head-on collision.  Thanks be to God, no one was killed and I was the only one left with a permanent disability, quadriplegia. (My motorized chair has two large wheels and four small ones and goes fast!). Can I just say that my fellowship with God would NEVER have been what it is today had I not experienced being in a wheelchair?  Personal adversity can propel us into finding comfort in the only One Who can provide lasting peace or it can lead to us running away thinking the adversity is not fair!  Even with me experiencing His perfect peace through the years, small things can still draw my eyes away from the One provider of true peace.

I recently went to a college football game with six others. There were over 30,000 people at this game...so there were people EVERYWHERE. In fact, the seven of us had a hard time keeping up with each other and wound up getting separated. When all was said and done, the rest of my group ended up   sitting together elsewhere in the stadium. After the first quarter, pity had settled in pretty good leaving me wanting to leave. The problem with me leaving is that we parked nearly a half mile down the road from the stadium and my battery was running low. I was forced to stay..."by myself".

It was during the third quarter that I realized the last time I was seated in this same spot at a football game many years ago. I remember sharing with my pastor all those years ago that it doesn't matter where I am; I can talk with Him. My perspective began to change. I turned my eyes from thinking about how my wheelchair was separating me from my group and realized it was providing me a new opportunity. God had placed an entirely different group around me that were in similar circumstances.

As a single person, I think we can get our eyes on the wrong thing, especially if we are with a group of couples.  It is not always the fact that we don't have a "mate" to go places with, but that we do not have anyone to go places with us.

Watching the game from my wheelchair, I began to talk to those God had placed in my "path". Many of those sitting there were in the same situation as I. Some of the them had companions, but regardless, we were a "group" of people sitting together!  I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the game with my new "company".  During the first half, I watched the game with my eyes on myself. The second half of the game I enjoyed cheering my team and discussing different plays and just being myself. It was a chance to share Christ with would-be strangers by the way I handled myself.  Isn't that what we are called to do?  Be relational?  Be real?

No, I did not share the ABC's of salvation with anyone sitting nearby but I did experience His peace when I took my eyes off the "seventh wheel" syndrome.  Single people out number married people, so whether  you are "Living La Vida Single" at an event or the third, fifth or seventh...wheel ANYWHERE, just remember this:

19 "Therefore when you go, you must now make disciples of all the heathens, 20 teaching them to keep all the things that I have been commanding you: and behold I AM with you all the days until the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (The One New Man Bible translation).

Our highest calling is "when we go" to love our neighbors as ourselves, thereby loving Him.  Singleness provides us with opportunities that couples do not have and we should be about "redeeming the time".  Colossians 4:4-6 tells us to always be ready to share the mystery of the gospel, to walk in wisdom and for our message to always be in grace, seasoned with salt that we will know how to give an answer.  I almost missed an opportunity to live out these words just because of my focus was on me and not others. So, I'm thankful for my six wheels, being placed in situations where I'm alone, and for all four quarters in a football game!

           

I've always liked this song but during that football game, God did something inside that brought the words to an even deeper meaning. Listen to this classic hymn and see if it doesn't move you as well:

The Brightest Sky

 ¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrew 1:1-4


If you've every watched a sunrise when the fog was thick or there were a few clouds hazing up the sky, you know exactly where the sun is by virtue of the brightest area in the sky. I love that He speaks through His creation. I love that He has provided us with His Word to confirm the life-lessons He speaks to our hearts.

As I was enjoying my time with Him this day and being very thankful for the many ways He chooses to reveal Himself to us, I couldn't see the sun, but I could see where the sun was coming up at because it was brightest in that area. That got me to thinking...(see I have MBA...Measurable Brain Activity that early)..."It's always brightest right around the sun." No brainer, right?

If I were to look at Bible studies like Anne Graham Lotz "Just Give Me Jesus" or "Pursuing More of Jesus", I think I would see that she "got it." I mean the closer we get to Jesus the more we shine His light. When Jesus said in John 8:12 "¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" That's pretty self-explanatory. He tells us in John 15:4-5 that if we abide in Him, He will abide in us and apart from Him we can do nothing. Staying close to Jesus keeps our light bright in a darkened, fallen, and sinful world.


So, today I encourage you to enjoy the Sonshine! Thanksgiving is a great time to be thankful for His presence in the form of His Holy Spirit. Can you imagine our world without His presence? Let's not take Him for granted. We are His light, so let's be the brightest "sky" that we can!

**Edited and transferred

Birds of a Feather...

17 As iron sharpens iron,

   so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

I love getting up early to watch the sunrise.  It has to be the most miraculous part of my day.  I especially like to see the sun come up when there are sporadic clouds on the horizon, because the sun plays against the clouds and creates colors that only God can create.  Sometimes the reflections are like silver linings and others are deep purple's.  I often say to myself that there is not an artist in the world that can re-create that kind of beauty that transforms right before my eyes.

On this particular morning, it was rather cool out and is often the case; blackbirds appeared by the thousands. I have a pecan orchard and the birds were landing in the tops of the trees making quite a racket. Suddenly, birds by the thousands began moving in lines and swirls with the cadence of chirping that would make an orchestra conductor envious.  At that moment, I saw God.  No, not literally, but in his creation.  I also saw the equivalent of our human nature.

God created all things great and small.  He created the sunrise for me to enjoy and reflect on His Majesty.  God allowed me to witness the Symphony of black birds this morning to reflect on the natural behavior of something as small as a bird.  Since God created us in his image and creation is a reflection of His glory, I recognized that humans are not much different than the flock of black birds.

In Proverbs 27:17, Solomon tells us that iron sharpens iron.  We're told to not for sake the assembling of ourselves together. I think in Galatians 5 Paul explains how we are stronger together. In verse 7, he asked the people in Galatia "Who cut in on them?" He goes on to state that a little yeast leavens the  whole dough.  Theologically, the book of Galatians is jam-packed with information about the law and grace, but in these few verses Paul realized that someone was preaching a different gospel other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified, resurrected, and ascended.  If iron sharpens iron and it is our nature that "birds of a feather flock together", Christian singles that fellowship together are stronger together.

The Christmas season is here and it is a time of potential loneliness for single adults and especially for those whose children will be with the "other" parent or for those whose spouse has gone on to be with the Lord. Let's be extra sensitive during this season to realize that though it is the most joyous time of the year, there are those that will battle depression and loneliness. The enemy has come to steal our joy, kill our ministry, and destroy our witness...let's be warriors for each other (and to the least of these) and "flock" to their sides!

*Edited and tranferred 11-5-18

"Bear Necessity"

¹⁷ This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:17

I attended a national conference for singles at Ridgecrest, NC. We had an incredible time connecting with the Lord, His Word and other singles. There's just nothing like being in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When we arrived at the conference center, we were told to be wary of bears, especially at night. I, personally, had never encountered one, but someone from our group had a couple of years before. You can certainly rest assured that kept I started keeping one eye on the lookout for bears at all times.

The conference typically lasted from Friday evening until Monday morning; however, some of the attendees chose to leave on Sunday night after worship. I had never considered the implications of driving alone on long-distance trips because being disabled I never travel alone. But I was reminded on Sunday night of the conference of the hazards, especially for women, who travel alone.   
       

We were busy playing Minute To Win when the campus security guard came asking for the whereabouts of the conference coordinator. We could tell it was something serious so we called the coordinator. Someone had encountered a bear. No, not face-to-face. Yes, with her vehicle. No, not on campus. Yes, on the interstate. What?! On the interstate?! We were all shocked that a bear would be on the interstate.

Much to our surprise, she wasn't 10 minutes away, 20 minutes away, or even 30 minutes away. She was well over an hour away. Apparently, the vehicle in front of her hit the bear first. Then, she hit the bear. And then, the vehicle behind her hit the bear. No one was injured, saving the bear. There wasn't much left of him. When she called the conference center for help, we discovered that she was actually closer to family than to the conference center.

We aren't sure why she may have called the conference center rather than family, but the fact is; she did. How reassured she must've felt knowing there were a group of people willing to help her.

The point of this story is to indicate how much singles rely on other singles. In our Singles' ministry, we have a ministry called "Singles Helping Singles". It's a weekend that we take to serve each other. We are often busy about serving others, but rarely do we designate a time committed to serving our own. I am often encouraged by the tremendous turnout of our single men and women who give their time, money, and efforts.

I'd like to encourage you if you are single to find an active singles' ministry. If there is not one close to you, prayerfully consider starting one. The single population is now greater than the married population (51%). If our congregations reflect those statistics, can you imagine that many people coming together for the cause of Christ? All it takes is someone with a heart for singles and issues they face. That truly is the "bear necessity".

"Make Your Move"

Recently, I went to a Christian concert to see Trevor Morgan, Tenth Avenue North, and Third Day. The name of the concert and Third Day's newest album is "Make Your Move". The Singles' group from my church went and we had an absolutely wonderful time...in the end. We all bought tickets at different times, but we were able to sit fairly close together. My friends and I were able to get there early and "pick" our seats and so we did...front and center! Being in a wheelchair, my visual lines are often limited and so during the "meet and greet" time with the guys in the bands, we opted  to grab our seats. and in my case, move a chair because...I bring my own!

It wasn't long before the coliseum began filling up and so we were glad we had decided to get our seats early...until we were told to move. What?! By this time, all the other seats had been taken and the one's we were in were reserved for the Third Day fan club, "Wired". I said, "I'm a fan!" The lady said, "Oh? You're Wired?" I said, "No..." then she proceeded to escort us down to the end of the outside section. I was almost instantly reminded of "8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place." Luke 14:8-9 (ESV)

I said to myself, "I hear You loud and clear, Lord." Was I embarrassed? Oh yeah! Did I feel the sting of the Word? Definitely! I had been rebuked and I was perfectly fine to sit where I had been moved, but one of my friends was not. She went to one of our friends that was a "somebody" at the concert and started asking questions. Seems "asking" where to sit works better than just choosing where to sit.

The issue, at this point, had nothing to do with where I sat, but it had everything to do with the Lord teaching me a lesson. In fact, when the concert was over, I thought how I really wish I had been able to give my tickets to someone that didn't know Him. Tenth Avenue North's lead singer, Mike Donehey, did an incredible job of presenting the gospel in such a way that anyone could "get it". Most Christian concerts that I have attended have been "churchy", but not this one though it was still Christ-centered!

Sharon Bridges, Kathy LaCaze, & I at the "Make Your Move Tour"

The concert was GREAT and I did end up getting seated in an awesome seat (there had been a mix-up...yeah right! God knew exactly what He was doing). Seems the "Make Your Move" theme applied to me as well. I was moved, both physically and spiritually.

*Transferred

Commit?

25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:25 (ESV)

A few years ago, a friend stopped by for a few minutes. We were celebrating my mother’s 73rd birthday by eating one of her favorite foods…CRAWFISH! Oh yeah! And, they were some more good, yeah! Hot and spicy. The corn and potatoes had soaked up all those good seasonings. Whew! My mouth is watering, even now! My friend couldn’t stay long so we just continued eating and she grabbed a couple for herself. That’s just how we roll down in the deep-south. We are comfortable at our friends’ home and our friends’ friend’s homes, as well!

We attend the same church, but we never see each other there. We attend a church with three services and two worship centers and a kicking Singles’ ministry! She began questioning me about the Singles’ ministry at our church as she is single “again”. I told her about the many opportunities we offer to get connected and ministry opportunities where she could serve. It wasn’t a volley of conversation, but rather it was me bombarding her with information. And then it came…the statement that I could not keep from repeating over and over…she laughed at herself, but she HAD said it…”Well, I’m gonna commit to try to maybe come to Life Group soon.” Really? And she was SERIOUS! She was ready! Well, to try...maybe.

Sad thing is she said herself that she “knows” what she needs to do. Before I committed or COULD commit, I had to be brought to a place that I recognized my need for Him to be LORD of my life and not just my Savior. Oh, I trusted Him as my Savior, but when I realized that I was nothing without Him in my everyday “walk” of life is when my life really began! I was an energetic young mother, wife, and student with aspirations and dreams of medical school. I thought I was living! It was after I lost MY dreams and aspirations by praying for God to teach me how to love Him that I began to know what real life was about. When Jesus says to you to lay down your life that you might live, He means it! I never knew excitement, joy, peace, love…in the world. My old life dulls in comparison to the life I have now.

You know the Word is clear about being straddled across a fence. This was a great word picture to show us just how uncomfortable we can be when we don’t fully commit to Him. When part of your life is lived doing exactly as you want to live it and a small part is left to live for the Lord, you can experience the pain in the seat just as if there were a fence post riding there! So I would say to, you (my friend), hop off that fence and fully commit to the One that fully committed to you on the Cross.

So, are you committing to try to maybe make Him the most important part of your life? Maybe, if you stop trying and just realize YOU can’t, then you finally will!
*Transferred and edited

Angry at God

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 (KJV)

Are you struggling through a nasty divorce or custody battle? Maybe your's is not "nasty" and I hope that is the case. Not so with me. My divorces were so painful. I could not understand why the God of all creation would not "fix" my marriages.

I was angry...

Angry at my husband for not being the man of God that I thought he was.

Angry at God for not fixing my marriages.

I did not want a divorce! Because I was not getting my way, I was angry.

However, But, Nonetheless (all three words are my favorites when they pertain to God's hand), God has allowed each situation to show me my mistakes and character flaws! I sure could not live with me then. There is some major reconstruction happening at my "house" and since He is the carpenter, I'm trying to trust Him.

Allow the architect of creation to be builder of Whose YOU are and recognize that His hand IS in your circumstances if you are in His will (Matt 22:37-39). You may be looking at the other person like they are Judas Iscariot, but had it not been for Judas; we would not have had the glorious cross. God uses ALL circumstances, pleasant and difficult, to His marvelous and ultimate glory. "Do", not just read, Phil 4:8. Meditate on God's Word for as long as it takes for your attitude to take on that of Christ. It may not last long, but if you can do that everyday, you may just find that your new attitude lasts longer than just getting out the front door every morning!

"Singled" Out

Why do we get offended at labels? Recently, I was speaking with a friend about a group of single adults at my church and how they do not like to be called "single". I find that odd and a little funny.

Conversations:
"Are they married?"... "No, they are in college age group."... "Yeah, but are they married?"... "No."... "Then, they are single."..."No, they are in the college age group!" (Huh?)

Then, there's that group that are widowed..."Are you single?"..."No, I'm widowed."... "Are you remarried?"..."No, I said I was widowed!" *Double-take*

Do we even have to discuss those that are divorced? Many of them are right back in marriage as soon as the gavel falls and the ink is still damp from divorce papers. I bet some sign the divorce papers and marriage license with the same pen! The divorced scream "I'M SINGLE!!!" They typically want to be married again so badly that they fall for the first person promising some attention (finger pointing in my direction).

So that brings me to that next ambiguous group...the "separated"... "Are you married?"..."No, I'm separated." "So you're divorced?"... "Well, not yet."..."Then, you're married."..."No, I said I was separated!" Until there is a divorce, there is a marriage!

Is being single a sin? drug? bad-habit? curse? plague? No, but we sure treat it as such. I remembered when I was married and I would see single people serving the Lord. I would think, "If I were single, I could do so much more for the Lord..." Crazy thinking, right? Well, I got my wish. I'm single and I do have much time that I can serve the Lord. Notice, I said "much", but not necessarily more. It's a mindset really. I can serve the Lord married or single. The point is...SERVE THE LORD! If we would stop craining our necks through the fence to see how the grass tasted on the otherside of the barbed-wire, we may just find satisfaction serving God with whatever label we are wearing.

Chasing and Catching

11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Ezek 34:11-16 (KJV)

When I was a little girl, I did not have siblings my age nor neighbors close enough to play with everyday. I did not have video games available to while away my time. I had me, myself, and I. I recall a time when I was in elementary school that brings back vivid smells, visions, and heart feelings that gives me a comfortable feeling.

It was in the fall of the year. The mornings were very cool and the days were warm. On this particular day, there was a "northerner" blowing in and the wind was blowing fairly brisk. The sky was dark in the north and it just appeared ominous. The air was cool as the weather was about to change. We had a huge (well it was huge to me then) oak tree in our front yard. When the wind started blowing, I looked out our front screen door and there were leaves falling from the tree. It was a beautiful sight to me. I ran outside and began trying to catch the leaves that were falling. As I look back now, I'm not sure if I was trying to "save" the leaves from hitting the ground or if it had become some type of game for me, but which ever, I was determined!

The scripture in Ezekiel tells us that He chases after us, but how? How does God, our Shepherd, chase after us? The scripture says He does. The scripture says He looks for those that are hurt and wounded. He searches for the ones malnourished. Obviously, we are His sheep. Have you been wounded? Perhaps, you've been wounded by the church. Possibly, you're own choices have brought you pain. If you are lost or falling...There is hope! The God of ALL creation loves you and He will chase you just like I chased after the falling leaves. He uses the very people you are surrounded by to lift you out of your struggle.

This is a message for Christians. God has placed you in your place of influence to draw the hurt, battered, and struggling back to the One Who can mend them. We should never take it lightly that God has a plan and purpose for our position!

Grandfathers AKA "Pawpaws"

Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Prov 22:6 (ASV)

When I was a child, I was fortunate to live about 2/10 of a mile from my grandparents. Oh yes, I was spoiled rotten. And yes, I was loved by them. They watched me before I went to school when mom worked. They watched me in the summers when I was too young to stay by myself. To say that I was close to them is an understatement.

Mawmaw and Pawpaw saw to it that I went to church when Mom and Dad were not "regular" attenders. I attribute my spiritual education as a child to them. VBS was ALWAYS a time I looked forward to. During craft time, the workers would let me make two of whatever the craft was that day: one for Mom and Dad and one for Mawmaw and Pawpaw. Those are great memories.

During the summer, my cousins that lived in Greenville, MS would come and spend two or three weeks with them (me) and I have wonderful memories of them, also. Getting into the hen house to make "mud pies" (well, we needed eggs!), walking to the cemetery (just behind Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house), climbing in the old barn and corn bin (with all the mice and snakes, I shudder to think!), swinging in the old black walnut tree...Oh I could go on and on. There is one memory however, that as an adult brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.

Pawpaw had an old 65 Chevy truck. It was baby blue with white trim. I learned how to drive a standard on the column. In fact, I learned how to drive in that old truck driving on the gravel road between their house and ours. One summer, my cousins were down and we asked if we could paint Pawpaw's truck. What?! We were 8-10 years old. What were we thinking? He said "yes". What was he thinking?! He gave us a bucket of white paint and he told us where we could paint. And paint, we did! We tried to stay within the parameters he set for us, but hey, we were 8-10 years old! His reaction to our handiwork was priceless! He was so proud of what we had done that he showed it off to everyone that day! We were so proud that we had pleased our Pawpaw that we wanted everyone to see our "work".

That reminds me of our heavenly Father. I try to stay within the parameters that He has laid out for me, but I don't always make it. My grandparents instilled in me the importance of pleasing my Father and my Pawpaw showed me how much He delights in me by the way he found joy in me! To honor my Pawpaw's memory, I have restored his old truck. This time I had it professionally painted!

God's ADHD Children

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Heb 12:1-2 (NLT)

When my son was a little boy, he was diagnosed as ADD. For those that have been under a rock for the past 20 years, ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder (without Hyperactivity). The classification for this diagnosis has changed two, maybe three, times in the past twenty years, but we will discuss ADD or ADHD in terms of how God must see His own children. The writer of Hebrews is talking to a bunch of spiritually ADD people(and us as well)! In 12:1-2 he says, "let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up." Every weight. Sin. Every weight. Sin. Things that hinder our relationship with our heavenly Father.

When I was fourteen, I gave my heart to Lord. I remember it was real, because I wanted others to have the same peace that I had been given. I even started taking my Bible to school with me and if you knew me back in those days, that was huge. I knew I had been rescued and I wanted others to experience what I had come to know to be real. I started reading my Bible every night and every day at school. I started going to the devotions that were held on school campus and even LED one. Huge! I mean HUGE for me.

I lived out in the country in a community called Fiske Union. It was a suburb of the parish seat, Oak Grove. When you live as far out in the country as I did, communities blended together much like a 3 year old's finger paint. It was a great place to grow up. The church I attended was in one of those blended communities called Beulah. It was in that little church that I came face to face with my need for a Savior.

One Saturday night in the Spring of my fourteenth year, I was invited to a party in Beulah community. Since I had been saved by Jesus, I was not on the popular list very much anymore. I had gone from very popular to "not so much" in seconds flat! So, when I got the invitation to go to the party, I went. Oh, I took my Bible! I sure did! And I left it sitting on the front seat of the truck. Now can you say "ADD moment"! I took my eyes off of Jesus and looked at what I was "missing". All my old friends were gonna be there and it was a senior party and I was a mere freshman. Can you sense the dilemma? I went telling myself the whole way there that I would not participate in ALL the party, but I could at least be sociable. And sociable, I was! When I left to go home, I barely even noticed my Bible, but by the time I made it home I realized just how far and quickly I had fallen back in the race!

You've heard it said that it takes years to build a reputation, but one act can tear it down. This is precisely what I did that night. I had been "sold out" to Jesus, until it started costing me something. My attention was firmly fixed on Jesus, until...It doesn't matter what draws your attention away from Jesus, the results are detrimental. If worry, dissatisfaction, prestige, etc. draws your attention away, they have a way of making you hyper-focus. This is another trait of ADHD. When you ruminate on the worries of the day, how can you focus on the faithfulness of God to provide for all your needs? If you are dissatisfied with your life and your circumstances, aren't you spitting in the face of God Almighty Who holds you in His hand? And if prestige and wealth have your attention, how can our God Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills bless you?

Yes, we are all ADHD when we look at it from a spiritual perspective. So, what do we do about it? How can we "medicate" our condition? I tell you, routine is the answer. I have seen first hand that routine can help someone with ADHD, but they were intrinsically motivated to change. That says that first, you must want to change the depth of your relationship with God. And second, just start DAILY spending time in His Word and praying. I suggest you pick a time and make it the same time everyday. Routine will lead you to a deeper relationship. How could someone spend time reading His Word and conversing with Him NOT fall deeply in love with Him?

One last word of caution.......

A rabbit!

Lori

Bullies

1 Samuel 1:6 So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.
1 Sam 1:6-7 (NLT)

When I was a young girl, I was not very "girlie". I prided myself in being as rough and tough as the boys in my class. In fact, I was rougher than most of them and the problem with that is that I knew I could outdo them. Power is a dangerous thing, even at the age of 8 or 9 years old. I recall one boy particularly smaller and weaker. As I think back on him now, I see a kind, sweet-spirited little boy who was taught to be polite and kind by his parents. When I was a child, I saw an easy target to unleash my wounded spirit.

Children, suffering from abuse by someone they are powerless to, will, in turn, spew venomous anger in the form of abuse on those weaker than themselves. This is a Polaroid snapshot of one facet of my life and a subject I am too well familiar. You've heard it said that kids can be cruel, well I was "that" cruel kid, that is until the subject of my wrath's Mother caught me.

My elementary school was in a VERY small community and had a Mom and Pop grocery store right next door to it. After school, all the children would ride the bus home, regardless of how far you lived from school! When there were after-school activities, we could walk across the dirt road to get a snack (if we had a note from our parents). I have such warm feelings when I think back to that little country store. The owners were a precious older couple and they knew who we were (and our parents and our parents' parents!). They had "tickets". It was a store credit for farmers, mostly, to buy fuel, lunch, etc. and the family could buy a few groceries. The Carroll's had the store back when I was in elementary school. They knew I was Clarence and Odies' granddaughter and so if I came in without money...I guess I felt like "somebody" when I said "put it on the ticket" and they didn't even have to ask my name! Those were the days.

One afternoon, several of us were hanging out in the front of the store waiting for everyone to finish up when I looked up and my "bullseye" is walking over from a house across the main road! There I was. I had just had myself puffed-up as someone privileged because I charged food to my parents' bill AND all my peers were there looking up to me. I began blocking his entrance to the store. There were enough kids between the two of us and the door that the owners couldn't see what I was doing, but his mother could! The thing is...I didn't know his mother could see what I was doing and I wasn't aware of her until she stood behind him. He was crying by the time his mom got to him, so the embarrassment for him was already huge. When his mom was finished with me, my face burned with embarrassment! She taught me a lesson that day, one that has stayed with me to this day.

I learned to respect my peers more. I empathized with this guy that day after his mother helped me see the error of my ways. That day shaped me to be an empathizer rather than an abuser. The school of thought that the abused become the abusers has some credibility, that is unless someone intervenes. I was fortunate that someone intervened very early in my life.

Our feelings of inferiority can be projected onto us by our peers. Just like Peninnah was a member of the "haves" and Hannah the "have-nots", we as singles can see ourselves like Hannah. Sometimes, we bring those feelings onto ourselves. We compare ourselves to the people around us that have fulfilling marriages. In the words of Paul Harvey "And now for the rest of the story", 1 Samuel 1:19 tells us that the Lord "remembered" Hannah. The Lord has not forgotten you either. If it is your heart's desire to have a fulfilling marriage, He will meet those needs for you. Stay strong in your faith and trust that God has your future firmly sealed.

Our God is just. He has a way of leveling the playing field for us, but it is in His time. Just as that mother came and answered the taunting I was dishing out, God will step into your circumstance and meet your deepest needs if you are asking in line with His will! The enemy of our souls will constantly try to bully you by reminding you of the things you do not have as a single person. Dear brothers and sisters, embrace your stage in life with the exuberance God deserves! Indulge yourselves in the presence of the Lord and you will find the peace that comes when God closes the mouth of your "bully"!

The Silence

One of the most uncomfortable things is silence when you are in the presence of someone that you are in disagreement with. You know..."the silent treatment?" I think nothing fustrates me more than the silent treatment. Whenever I have been in an argument with someone (especially when it was my fault), I wanted the other person to fight back. Argue with me! Say something!!! I'm talking about insults being hurled through the air like frisbees in the park on a Saturday afternoon! Ah, but when I am seated in the righteous corner, silence is golden! If I am the one withholding comments (out of spite, of course), it is just as satisfying as a good ol' fashioned hissy fit! This is a subject that I have been, unfortunately, highly skilled in. However, praise be to the Lord Jesus, I have learned self-control, for the most part, and I can keep silent when it is appropriate and speak only when there is a need.

After the book of Malachi, we need to be aware that God was silent for some 400 years after he used Malachi to speak to His children, Israel. Their hearts were cold toward God and His love for them. The Intertestamental Period had no prophets or inspired writers. God was silent. God was not absent. He was silent. God was keenly aware of all the goings on during this time. He was silent. There are six eras during this time: The Persian Era (397-336 B.C. which overlaps with Malachi); The The Greek Era (336-323 B.C.); The Egyptian Era (323-198 B.C.); The Syrian Era (198-165 B.C.); The Maccabean Era (165-63 B.C.); and The Roman Era (63-4 B.C.). God broke His silence with the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist as prophesied by Isaiah!

Have you ever considered what is significant about the 400 years of silence?

Have you ever experienced divine silence? *

If we continue in sin after we have been convicted by the Holy Spirit and refuse to get in line with His Word, well, His "voice" calling out to your conscience will get quieter and quieter. His silence is not ALWAYS a result of sin, but if you know that sin is the reason for His silence, why would you not ask Him to remove it. Being in a right relationship with God versus the lure of sin and it's empty promise to be fulfilling is the age old battle. The spirit versus the flesh, to state it more simply. Being single, silence can become deafening, especially if we live alone. At times, God is the only voice we have in our solitude. So, silence from sin is not golden! Keeping ourselves in a right relationship with God will keep a line of communication with Him open. I do not like the silent treatment and neither does He!

Hayes, Jason. (2009). Blemished: how the study of Malachi confronts empty religion. Lifeway Publishing: Nashville, TN.

The Lying Heart

Jeremiah 17
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

10 "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve."

The heart is considered the seat of emotions in our western culture. How many emotions can you list? Anger, fear, apathy, depression, love, happiness, etc. The list could go on for quite some length. Until you've personally dealt with the negative emotions on a gut wrenching level, you cannot judge how you would respond in any given situation and trying to do that, judge, makes you...well... judgmental.

The heart of the matter is what Jeremiah was trying to get us to understand. Jeremiah nailed it with his question, "Who can understand it?" As psychologists, we study emotions on so many different levels, but the One who understands the heart or emotions is the One we should turn to to get direction for our heart malfunctions. I am in no way minimizing the problems people face with emotional disturbances, but I do believe there is an answer.

Solomon in his wisdom gave us 78 references to the heart in the book of proverbs. All of which are a reference to the will, center of our appetites, and the mind. There is a slight variation in his use of the word heart in all the references, but essentially they are the same. He warns us to guard our hearts and trust in the Lord. It is easy to read the scriptures and know them by memory, but how often do we really trust the Lord with our emotions/heart. When you are angry, really angry, how honest are you with God? Do you cry out to the One Who already knows that you could bite nails in two? Or, when you are so depressed and all the light is gone and you do not even possess tunnel vision anymore...God already knows. So, the question we automatically ask is, "Why did God allow _______ to happen? (You fill in the blank.) Or, "Why doesn't God take away my ________? (You fill in the blank with your emotion.)

God does not have to answer for Himself, period. But God, being the God Who loves us and is just, does answer for Himself in His word. The ironic thing is that more often than not, our circumstances are the direct result of our own decisions or those around us making poor decisions. Proverbs is full of warnings and instruction and if we lived by them, we may find that our hearts would be at ease and our focus clearly in sync with God. True, when our circumstances are the direct result of someone else's choices, we look to God to "fix" the heart. The truth is God already fixed us through the Cross. God is the answer to mend a troubled heart.

Often, and definitely more often than not, our heart/emotional problems are rooted in sin. Sin is the new "four lettered" word. We want to be fixed. We want to feel good again. But, we do not want to deal with our part of the equation. Equation? Our sin + our circumstances = heart/emotional problems. Confession is a tool God provided us to deal with our emotional problems. Again, I want to emphasize that emotional problems are not simple fixes, but God can and will help you mend a troubled heart. Through Christ's redemptive work on the Cross, we can boldly approach the throne of Grace in confession of our sins.

Confession is a spring board to wellness. In James Penebaker's book Opening Up, he documents the physical benefits of expressing emotional pain in writing. In one study, he found that t-lympocytes (positive immunity cells)increased in the group that wrote from an emotional perspective about trauma they had experienced as opposed to two other groups that just wrote about facts void of emotion. Looking at this study from a spiritual perspective, one can surmise the benefits of confessing anger, depression, and general negative emotions associated with traumatic experiences. This is not to say that the traumatic event that may have occurred is in any way sinful on your part, but your reactions and behaviors following the event may result in sinful behavior (i.e. unresolved anger, substance abuse, promiscuity). These behaviors, left unchecked, will cause further emotional distress that will disrupt an otherwise joyful and productive life.

To conclude on the subject of sin and confession, confession truly is good for the soul/heart/emotions. An interesting side note on the word mind in verse 10, it means the seat of emotion and affection. God searches the heart and mind AND He understands it. Confessing to Him can and will begin the healing process. Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Who wants to admit fault to anyone? But, I encourage you to start the journey, journaling as you go.

Abba Father, I trust you with all that I am. As you search my heart, help me to openly confess to You the recesses of my dark heart. Amen.

Pennebaker, J. W. (1990). Opening up: the power of expressing emotions. New York: Guilford Press.

Neatly Packaged Scripture

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)

For those that have been brought up in church and learning Bible verses, we know all the "appropriate" verses to say in times of tragedy. The problem is that none of the verses feel adequate enough to sooth our hurting hearts. The anger that is deep within our hearts masks the good that God has stored there.

The ideas that come to mind are that God will not give you more than you can handle or that with Christ all things are possible. I KNOW these verses are true and I KNOW that God intended for them to get us through hard times, but when something happens that defies our understanding these verses come from rote memory and escape our hearts.

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us His Holy Spirit. He knew there would be times that all we can do is groan out loud because of the pain in our heart. Recently I received news that left me crying out to God in only the way that the Holy Spirit could. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter-Counselor and God knows how much we need Him when we get "that phone call" or the news from the doctor we are not prepared to receive.

That name Comforter-Counselor is Paraclete in the Greek and is the word behind this name. It refers to an advocate. Someone who comes alongside to strengthen and fight on behalf of another. Today, I need the Holy Spirit Comforter Counselor. My prayer...

My Father, hear our hearts cry. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He intercedes on our behalf. We need the peace You promise us and the strength to get through this time of profound loss. Even now, words escape me. Please help us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

In Letting Go, We Embrace

In letting go, we embrace the memories of our precious Tracy Lynn.
In letting go, we embrace each other a little tighter.
In letting go, we embrace her sweet spirit and make it our own.
In letting go, we embrace the children she left behind.
In letting go, we embrace the good Tracy Lynn saw in this world.

As we embrace Tracy Lynn's memory, we can let go because we know Whose she is.
As we embrace each other, we can let go of the ties this world has on each of us.
As we embrace Tracy Lynn's sweet spirit, we can let go of our needs to hold on to this world.
As we embrace her children, we can let go of our agendas and make their world a little easier.
As we embrace the good Tracy saw in this world, we can let go of the hate we feel toward the one who took her from us.

We have one family with many members. Remember Tracy Lynn's love of all the members and love without boundaries!

Lost in Christ:

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man should have to seek Him first to find her." Maya Angelou

For the last few years, I have tried to state how I felt about possibly remarrying someday. Being single has been very rewarding for me because I am learning about myself; not only who I am, but Whose I am. Maya Angelou has nailed it! My heart is precious to God. He wants the very best for me. And, He wants the very best for all of us.

It is a woman's desire to feel protected and safe. If our hearts are hidden in Christ then that is the safest place to be. He is: my strong tower (Psalm 61:3, Proverbs 18:10,), a strong arm (Song of Solomon 8:6), and a strong fortress (Psalm 18:2, 31:2, 144:2). It will take a man strong in his faith to seek for a woman strong in the Lord. God's desire is for us to have the longings of our heart, and if our desires are rooted and grounded in God, then get ready, He will meet those desires according to His divine plan for your life.

It is in our impatience that we began to settle for less than His best for us. Whatever your station in life...single or single-again...if you will live Isaiah 40:31 and wait, just wait, He will give you gold instead of bronze, diamonds instead of crystal, and the best instead of good.

*Edited and transferred

Single Life and Family

Recently, I have had the joy of getting closer to one of my dad's brothers. He stops by fairly often and I always enjoy the visit, how ever brief it might be. This has me reflecting on my family. I have been blessed with two families that are close. As I think back on my childhood, I have very fond memories of my cousins, aunts, and uncles! Now that I'm older and all of my cousins have families of their own now, it is much more difficult for us to visit regularly. In fact, if we see each other one time a year, we are fortunate.

Being single with an empty nest is very lonely at times. The prospect of remaining single for some is not even an option and for others, it may be the only option. But, my advice to all the single folks out there is to "Carpe Diem!" Live life wide open! Reconnect with family! There will never be a better time than right now to rebuild those close ties to the ones who love you and know you.

Time investment in family will one day be the most important thing you have ever done. From an eternal point of view, your investment may be the difference between heaven and hell for someone. So live your life worthy of the calling of Christ and in the process show others what it really means to "Carpe Diem!"

Psalm 143

Tug-of-war was one of my favorite school yard games as a child. I considered myself to have superhuman strength and apparently, for a girl, I was very strong. I was either the captain, or I was first pick. What was child's play has become a spiritual situation I have known all too well, just as David understood!

I thank God that He recorded David's life. In David's life, I am shown how real "life" problems and circumstances are not new to us, but more importantly they are not new to God. I have battled fear and depression as did David. As I read this Psalm, I recognized the beauty of David's language as he called out to his Lord for help while showing his humanness.

David understood from his heart that God was his source of help. It did not take away his depression, but he continually called out to God. He even lost hope. He said, "I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear" Psalm 143:4. If you have been paralyzed in your spirit, you know the deep despair you are left with to struggle against. Being paralyzed physically has taught me the struggle of imprisonment. I am in a prison of my body. I cannot break free of my physical limitations, but I thank God that my body is not "who" I am. The physical bondage has given me great insight into the very real emotional and spiritual bondage we face in our anger, depression, and hopelessness.

Let our prayer be that of David's, "8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." (Psalm 143:8, 12).


**Edited and transferred

Fine China or Cheap Ceramics

If I were having to describe myself in these terms, I'm definitely cheap ceramics. I had a ceramic shop once upon a time not long after I became a quadriplegic. I understand the process of taking "slip" (watered down clay) and turning it into a beautiful vase or eagle figurine by using preformed molds. It is a process. The shaped or molded clay must dry. The seams, ridges, and imperfections must be smoothed using sharp tools. The fragile figure could be easily damaged if placed in the wrong hands. I know this well. I delegated the "cleaning" of the different figures to others with steady hands. Being a quadriplegic, I do not have fine motor skills in my hands. I can paint. I can paint intricate details on faces of ceramics, but that is only after the clay figure has gone through the kiln.

The kiln is a special oven that reaches ridiculously high heat. It is the extreme heat (2200-2300 degrees) that causes the formed clay to harden to the bisque stage. Once the ceramics are "fired", they must not be taken out of the heat too soon or it can damage the integrity of the piece. You may be in the fire, but trust God to leave you there long enough to perfect your character to look like His. I know it is uncomfortable, but "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" James 1:3. I know that I am healed, but for now, I'm still riding around in my wheelchair. God, in His wisdom, has not removed me from the fire...and so, my faith and endurance are growing.

The imperfections in His creation are not from God's mistake or His negligence, but rather from the dawn of man. Adam and Eve brought on the imperfection, but God in His mercy and love for us will not leave us that way. Because of the Cross, He places us back on the potter's wheel. As a result of the Cross, I am fine china.