Panderers of Prosperity

These last couple of weeks leading up to Christmas have been very busy in the Kyzer Compound and now that  Jake has arrived home it seems  time has accelerated.  The house is constantly full of friends and family. Did I mention it was hunting season?  There are always extra men and boys around during hunting season…  It takes almost all day just to keep the house picked up and the brood fed! 

 

 Like most, I either have the television or the radio going in the background when working around the house.  I like to watch our local Christian television station VTN.  I love the teachings of Beth Moore and Charles Stanley among others.  It is good solid teaching and I soak it up as I cook and clean… or play on Facebook. 

 

What I get tired of are these televangelists with their feel good, tickle the ear message of everything is ok and as long as you are a good person you will make it to heaven.  My lands… can you visualize them patting the backs of the mis-lead all the way to hell?! You know the ones I am talking about… those who shall remain nameless who have a camera instead of a congregation, a fan base instead of a following, a message of materialism instead of salvation for the starving soul!  Oh, oh… and what about those who tell the masses in television land to send in $20 and they will pray over a cloth (or some other object) and send it to you? They almost guarantee you…healing, money, jobs, security… all your troubles will disappear… just send them the money…  UGH!  It makes me just want to scream!!!

It is the preaching of prosperity that really gets my goat.  I mean seriously, where exactly in the Bible does it say that God will make you rich, give you a big house, and an expensive car?  Where does it say that if you pay your tithe faithfully or contribute a little more you can wear shoes and clothes that cost thousands of dollars?  It is upside down, wrong side out… devoid of truth… theology. The Bible warns us to beware of materialism... how then can these people in good conscious get up there and tell the world the opposite? 

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” ~NIV

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~NIV

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Psalm 37:16 “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked:”  ~NIV

Read  Mark 10:17-27, 31 – the young rich man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life… when Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor and follow him the man was disappointed and went away.  He was unwilling to follow Jesus if it meant entering poverty…

Luke 12:15 “Then he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ~NIV 

 In other words, he who dies with the most toys…LOSES!

Christians hope in eternal security, and God would have us give up “carnal security” to get it.  The flesh wants the security of money.  It wants to be in control, to be the master, to be god. So we dream of and cling to money because we do not want to be totally dependent on God.   We get caught up in jobs… spending entirely too much time building a career to give our family a better life.  Which on the outside looks good… but is it really?  What if we spent as much time and effort to ensure our families salvation, their devotion to God… as we do in making sure they wear designer clothing and have the best and latest gadgets?

  

It is this hope in carnal security… the security of a good paycheck… the love of money … the master of things that make our lives convenient, good, easy… that these panderers of prosperity tap into.  My word… they have lost their grip on TRUTH!  They want us to think we can get rich by believing them all the while lining their own pockets with our money!  This is wrong on so many levels…

Paul tells the Thessalonians in

1Thess 2:4-5 “On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask of greed – God is our witness.” ~NIV

2 Cor 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.”

1Tim 6:3-9 “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.  He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. “ ~NIV

The most misused scripture by prosperity preachers seems to be...

Psalm 37:5 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~NIV  

This scripture tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord… meaning…put HIM first… love Him first… find our joy, our happiness, our success… in HIM… loving Him with our whole heart, soul, and mind… when we do this... our desires will NOT be to satisfy ourselves through money, possessions, careers, or comforts… our desires will be HIS desires!

So this CHRISTmas, I beg of you… do not fall for some over the top, too good to be true, tickle the ear message of prosperity and peace from some tv preacher whose only real interest in the gospel is to see how big of a mansion he can have here on earth.  Instead, search the scriptures, seek HIS face… give your life entirely to HIM and trust him with your whole heart (and your pocketbook)… and hang on to HIM for dear life… for eternal life!

Let Us Pray

James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

I was watching the news this morning and saw where a Hollywood agent/publicist had just left a movie premiere and was shot multiple times.  One minute heading home, going over tomorrows "to-do list" happy the movie she had been publicizing looked like a hit...and just that quick...her life on earth ended.

A woman goes for a routine mammogram and the next thing she knows she is hooked up to chemotherapy and shopping for wigs. A man goes to the doctor because he is tired and lethargic and finds he has mere months to live.  A family living in "Leave-it-to-Beaver-Land" is split wide open because one person just doesn't want to be married anymore.  Jobs are lost, friends suffer, illness takes hold, and accidents happen.

Devout Christian or not... Life can turn on a dime... sometimes there are warning signs... sometimes not.  No matter how much we plan... no matter the contingency, sometimes life just gets turned upside down and inside out leaving our emotions spent and our nerves raw. It is during these times when most people turn to prayer.  You've heard the old saying... "When there is no place left to go, go to your knees."

Sometimes people want to use prayer like it is some kind of magic formula or think of God like a genie a bottle... "Lord, I can't fix it - please, please fix it for me."   They want some kind of big booming voice to emanate from the sky with words of wisdom... or a lightening bolt to strike the "problem" down.  That kind of attitude and expectation can and will only lead to more disappointment. Now, don't get me wrong here, I definitely believe in miracles... I have seen them and BELIEVE in them... it can happen.  What I'm saying is... it's a "heart thing."

In reality, prayer is opening up our hearts and pouring out all that is contained therein... frustration, hurt, anger, sin, thankfulness, praise, worship.  There are times we feel like we just don't have the words... sometimes it is simply lying prostrate sobbing and groaning. Sometimes... we just have to start with a song...

When we empty our hearts of self and focus on HIM... and trust me... this is, at times, so much harder than it sounds... we are praying with a right heart... in righteousness... It is then and only then, that we can hear, we can understand what it is that He has planned, what He has in store for us... it is then we can receive what He has to give us... even if it is simply comfort and peace. ahhhhh... comfort and peace... it is what we all long for, isn't it?

Then the PRAISE comes welling up from within our souls.  Praise Him in the good times and in the bad times... in the fruitful times...and in the lean times. Sometimes praising the Lord is as simple as singing to Him. I think prayer and singing go hand-in-hand after all, singing is worshiping God... even if you sound like an old toad doing it!

There really is power in prayer...the power is not ours, it's not in the singing, not in the words spoken... it is in the very act of prayer itself... it is in the communion with God... the power comes from HIM!  It is so easy to turn to God in prayer when times are tough... it seems like everyone does that.  But do we maintain that communication with God when times are going smoothly or are we like those who walk and live in the world and only seek God's face when life hands us a curve ball?

James 5:16 (b) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

Morning Has Broken

Psalm 5:3 "My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

Palisade Mountain Sunrise Submitted by: Darrell E. Spangler

It never ceases to amaze me how God works. If we just keep our eyes open we can see Him working in and around us almost on a moment-to-moment basis. The sad thing is we, humans, are such an emotional lot that if we don't feel His presence we think He is not around... when realistically HE IS EVERYWHERE!

It has been a pretty stressful two-week period of my life.  Issues, stress, and tragedy come and go in people's lives all the time. It is life... the process... the journey.  Though, personally, I prefer my life skipping through the daisies, watching the little birdies fly... you know like some Disney movie.

Sometimes, I find myself walking the tightrope of life... suspended by whatever particular circumstance that has become my reality for the moment. On one side the Godly action, reaction, or decision...on the other the worldly... There may be a safety net below but there is no guarantee that the fall will not result in serious injury.  So as any good trapeze artist, I keep my eyes fixed firmly forward... watching my partner (which in this case is my Savior) obeying his command.... inching ahead, step-by-step until I am almost to the end of the journey where I quick-step the last few paces and leap into His waiting arms.

As the dawn breaks this morning, I once-again, find myself waking up with a prayer in my heart.  Not just for me and the temporary situation which causes me stress and fatigue but for so many others facing so much more difficult events... always with praise and the acknowledgment that the He is in control...and then the peace comes... for the solution was already on the way before we even new a problem existed!

In the midst of all our trials and tribulations... all we have to do is look up... keep moving forward... keep the faith, walk the walk... and whether we feel His presence or not... we can take assurance in knowing HE IS PRESENT and HE IS ABLE!

An Ugly Truth Turns Into A Lesson of Love

Like his father, my oldest grandson has the sweetest, compassionate heart.  He has been like that his whole life. They lived next door to us when he was little.  As a toddler he would bang on their door and yell when I drove up.  Of course, Granna always had time to stop in.  When it was time for me to leave he would sometimes, most times, cry this heart breaking cry and hang on to me...I couldn't stand it.  I would pick him up and take him to my house for 20 or so minutes then he was fine.  This went on until he started school.  I used to say he chose me but I realize now it was just an outward expression of his inward love... his tender heart.

He and his little brother stay with me a couple of days a week after school. I love that part of being a grandmother.  Though, they are already beginning to eat me out of house and home!  Sometimes, on Sundays after church he opts to come home with us.  He knows more than likely Papaw is going to fall asleep in the recliner and Granna is going to lay down for just a little while and without his little brother there is not much to do except watch movies or play on the computer.

Now that it is football season we watch football movies...Facing the Giants and Remember the Titans are our two favorites. I'll never forget the first time we watched Remember the Titans, he cried because of the car accident and subsequent death of football player, Gary.  However, recently, that nine-year-old had another revelation...and was appalled.  For the first time he caught a glimpse of the hate that underscored the picture of teenage boys coming together as a championship team.  He saw the obstacle the team faced but did not understand racism at all.  Needless to say not much napping went on that Sunday afternoon.

He began with the incensed statement: "I can't believe people would treat each other like that just cause they are a different color!" Then the questions began... "That's just not right is it, Granna? Were you alive then, Granna?" Sigh...no it's not right and yes I was alive ...sometimes history is just plain ugly.

I was really fortunate.  My parents shielded us from the repulsive part of the racism that took place while we were little. We heard about Rosa Parks and Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr... we celebrated the Voter Rights bill (my mother still registers voters to this day and she is 77!) and we mourned the loss of great leaders in the battle to change the south.  Though really, we were much to young to understand until we were older.  How much do you tell a fourth grader?  Especially one who has never even noticed skin color?

And so, I breathed a prayer and started with the Bible.  1John 4:19-21 " We love because He first loves us. If anyone says 'I love God' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

We talked a little about slavery, about Lincoln and Frederick Douglas and fast forwarded to Dr. King and voter's rights...we talked a little about Central High School and desegregation. We talked about the hate of man handed down generation to generation and how it was hate that fueled a whole country to mistreat, abuse and neglect an entire population of people... and unfortunately some people still have it.

We finished with the love of Christ who sees sinners and saints - good people and bad people and that the color of their skin does not matter to HIM what-so-ever!  That he is lucky to have friends of all colors and that it is up to us; Papaw and Granna, Mama and Daddy, and he and his friends to make sure that it is the love of Christ that we hand down generation to generation.

I caught a glimpse of the realization of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream in the indignation of that nine year old's reaction to the discrimination he saw in the movie. It is my prayer that we Americans, we Christians especially, have finally arrived at the point in time where we truly judge men based on the content of their character and not on the color of their skin. 

I heard a politician say one time, "There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America." and I believe that.  What tradition are you passing to the next generation?

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Yes, it is 3:45 in the morning... on a Sunday morning. It has been a long sleepless night.  By now, the coffee has been brewed and the dishes in the dishwasher put away.  I am definitely going to be partaking in that Sunday afternoon tradition called a nap today!

I awoke with the song Great Is Thy Faithfulness running through my head. I assure you... I really cannot sing a lick...I mean, I can't carry a tune in a bucket!  Especially in the morning when I first wake up; as evidenced by the fact that the two little dogs ran into the bedroom as I began to croak out the lyrics. 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

This chorus, this song, gives such peace... such hope... such assurance!  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever more! How comforting to realize He is the same God that split the waters of the Red Sea, the same God who healed the lame and the blind, who healed a woman by the simple touch of His garment!  That's the same God who takes an interest in us, right now, here today... so much so that He would send His Spirit to live within our hearts to lead, guide, and direct our steps!   

This morning I could have just rolled over... flopped around for a little while and surely, sooner or later, I would have fallen back to sleep; but what a blessing I would have missed!  I thank God for sleepless nights. I thank God for the chance to meet with Him in the still of the early morning hours, while not even the birds are awake.  I have a feeling it's going to be a wonderful day! This day of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-25 "Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are renewed every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion.' says my soul. Therefore I hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. To the soul who seeks Him."

Perfecting Process

I began this morning thinking wouldn't it be wonderful if we were perfect? If we never said anything that hurt someone's feelings... if everything we did or attempted to do produced good results... now that would be a wonderful life would it not?

It would be fantastic to never disappoint anyone, especially God, our family, friends, and even strangers. Then maybe we wouldn't be disappointed in ourselves either. It is such a sinking feeling to realize that something we've said or done has damaged our witness to the lost and dieing. I mean, really, why are we held to such a high and great standard that the world, the worldly think we should be perfect, flawless? It sometimes gets so tedious... this searching, this striving for perfection.

I decided to do a little research...

Hebrews 10:12 "But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13-Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14-because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15- The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16-"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." ~NIV

It is the innate knowledge of the laws that brings on the disappointment in ourselves, and if we are honest, in others. Even the unsaved, godless, worldly population is aware of these laws; therefore when we claim Christ, claim the title Christian, profess to live as Christ... every flaw is noted... every mistake... every sin... logged for later exposition. It so reminds me of the bumper stickers I see on some people's cars, "I am not perfect - just forgiven."

Of course, Matthew 5:48 states "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." I have been a Christian for over twenty years and I have never accomplished that! Maybe that's what the author of Hebrews was talking about when he referred to, "those who are being made holy." I had to do a little more searching. Then I came across one of my favorite verses.

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." ~NIV

Ahhh, yes... it is a process, THE process... this living a life for Christ.

I remember when I first became a Christian immediately somethings changed - automatically - they just disappeared. Then as I studied the Bible, it was like I was looking at my life, my actions, my words under a magnifying glass... once I got all those things taken care of I was comfortable, thinking...now this is living the Christian life - and you know what? It was at that time God turned up the magnification and showed me there is still more to take care of.

Now please do not get confused here or take what I am saying wrong... I know that I am saved by grace, once and for all, and that these little corrections, this pruning, is not working out my salvation. It is simply the act of daily dieing to self so I may live for Him. Focus on Him...seek Him...please Him... for truly that is where the perfecting process takes place.

The more I read the more I found that perfect or perfection related to love. Not the love that is casually tossed about in the world but unconditional, true love... or should I say, the Truth Love. The Romans 12:9-21 kind of love... the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. For now we know in part then we shall know fully even as we are fully known...

I'm feeling a little better now... I am resolved to run this race, this marathon that is the life of a CHRISTIAN - this march toward perfection, tempered in forgiveness and love - continuing to seek and search and do - always moving forward into the life for which I have been called. And so, I leave you with this challenge...

Hebrews 12:1-3 " Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the authr and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul." ~NKJ

Blessed are those who mourn...

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

We tend to associate the word mourn/mourning with the loss of a loved one. The very definition is to show grief or express sorrow for a death…to grieve over someone who has died. I ask you, “What if that someone is your own self?” What if the loss is not in death but in reality?

From time to time we all experience disillusionment or melancholy brought on by external factors (usually) beyond our control. But what happens when melancholy turns to despair and like a ball dropped from the top of the Empire State Building that despair gains velocity and smashes into the sidewalk of life… a splatter mark of hopelessness and anguish… splashing friends, co-workers, and loved ones alike with the backlash of depression?

What if the life coming unraveled is your spouse, your child, your parent, your friend?

It is so easy for people who have never experienced depression to sit upon the seat of judgment feigning Christian brotherhood/sisterhood and offer up tidbits of advice such as, “It is an attack of the devil and all you have to do is believe harder, confess whatever sin, and cast him out and you will be fine.” Ha! The advice of Job’s contemporaries runs rampant upon the lips of the saints today.

Maybe the belief is sincere and the advice given with the purest of motivation however would such a saint offer up this same advice to a fellow Christian (or non-Christian for that matter) who was losing a battle with cancer? I think not! If you would not give this advice to a cancer patient why would you offer it up to someone suffering with clinical depression?

Now a true saint, a mature in the Word saint, would drop to their knees in heart-felt prayer for healing, for comfort, for wisdom no matter the illness. They might even rally the saints for an old fashioned, anointing with oil, laying on of hands, casting out the demon, and actually pray down a healing. Then again, a healing might not come and the battle for sanity becomes a life-long endeavor.

After all the Lord himself told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” This after Paul had prayed three times for the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul refers to his thorn as a “measure of Satan to torment me.”

For now, this day, we grasp the hem of His garment and hold fast to the faith that will move mountains, and walk in the assurance that our Redeemer lives and has power over the destroyer. That battle was won on the cross a long time ago! We take comfort that while our family may walk a steep and treacherous path through this thing called depression… whether for a season or a lifetime… He is still in control… He is still on the throne… My God is a MOUNTAIN MOVER!

New Year…New You…New Me! OMG I need to be committed!

My BFF, Lisa, has been a gym rat off and on her entire adult life. Sorry, it’s not really derogatory… it’s a term of endearment. Now that her life is back on track and she has the ability, Lisa has resumed her daily workout schedule. Thanks to Face Book I can follow her progress closely through her status updates.

…is back from the gym...4 miles behind me again today! Whoohoo!

Up and at it this morning, it's gonna be a GREAT DAY!

What inspires me about this routine is that no matter how she feels, sore… not in the mood… lazy… tired… or just has too much to do… she goes to that gym. She told me that on the less than energetic days the hardest part was simply walking out of the house and getting in the car. Once she gets in the gym and gets started the endorphins take over and she has a great workout and feels much better. This reality is the reinforcement for her commitment to be in good physical condition.

Much the same can be said about those of us who have a desire to be spiritually fit. There are days when our schedules are packed too tight and we think we can’t squeeze in ten minutes of alone time, let alone time alone with Him. We hurry and scurry about our daily business in a haze of activity from the time we wake up to the time our heads hit the pillow. By the end of the day we are often too tired to even pick up the Bible and read more than one or two verses and offer up a quick prayer only to start all over again when the alarm rings.

Sometimes the hardest part for us is simply turning off the television or computer and just picking up our Bible and turning the page. We’ve either read it so many times we don’t know where to start or we haven’t read it enough and we are not sure what “story” we want to read. Sometimes we don’t think we have that much to pray about because everything seems to be going along just fine. And why study the Sunday school lesson this week anyway? The teacher always does such a good job of getting the message across.

The beauty is… if we just get started… take that first step… the Holy Spirit takes over and we have a great workout and we feel much better. Just like my girlfriends workout, this should be the motivating factor that keeps us committed to doing those things which leads us to spiritual fitness.

Those of you, who know me, know I am trying to get over chronic planning syndrome. Once I retired I thought it would be easy…no calendar, no Palm Pilot, no meetings, and no business trips. However, I still have a running “to do” list and now I make menus, have a cleaning schedule, a yard work schedule, a home improvement schedule and the list goes on... It’s a sickness, really.

The good thing about being a planner is that I always have my devotion time at the top of the day’s agenda and no matter how my list gets rearranged that time takes priority. Is making a schedule or re-prioritizing the one you already have what you need to do to get back on track? It could be as simple as a post it on the fridge or near the coffee pot to get you started. Take the time right now to make a commitment to be committed to your time alone with God. It will make all the difference in the world.

Isaiah 40-28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings of eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~NIV

My childhood friend, Brian, has one of those little fortune cookie slips on his refrigerator. It’s been there for years it says, “Commitment is what turns a promise into a reality.” Are you ready to turn God’s promises into your reality?

Go where He leads...do what He says!

Why is it that we sometimes fight God's direction? We tell Him, use us...send us... then we are content to stay put doing the same old thing, the same old way, day after day. When we don't see the results of our ministry (or our actions) we tell ourselves we are just in a "be still and wait on the Lord" period and in time He will reveal His purpose, His lesson, His results. We ignore the signs, for lack of a better word, and we chalk up the lack-luster results of our work for Him as someone else's fault when in reality if we were actually serving Him when, where and how He desires the results would be phenomenal.

Don't get me wrong...I do believe we have to be still and wait sometimes but should we not evaluate our own relationship with Him during that time, do a little self-analysis, some soul searching, a little introspection if you will? Shouldn't that be a part of our regular relationship with the Lord? The self-evaluation, I mean? While praise and worship, reading the Bible daily and a healthy prayer life are very much an important part of that relationship, how often do we honestly, evaluate the condition of our own hearts?

Charles Swindoll stated in his book Intimacy with the Almighty that "solitude is the place where struggles occur that no one else knows about. It is there that God probes our deepest thoughts and opens our eyes to the things that need attention... Solitude is the furnace of transformation" It is in those be still and know that I am God times that "He makes us aware of those things we try to hide from others." It is in the solitude and silence that we are transformed, that we become more like Him.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." KJV

If we read His word, NO...if we meditate on His Word and apply it to our lives daily...have a meaningful prayer life and by that I mean...not just bringing Him a laundry list of what we want Him to do for us and what we will do for Him, if we truly worship Him...if we exercise this discipline of solitude and reflection of our own lives...examining our hearts with honesty and giving over to Him our weaknesses, our sins....how then can we go about doing what we have always done when we know in our heart of hearts His will is elsewhere or simply in doing something different?

Is it the fear that someone you love and respect will not acknowledge that you even know God's will? Is it that someone you love and respect will not agree with the direction in which you feel led? Is it the fear of letting them down or the fear that if it fails...your relationship with God will be examined and judged by friends and foes alike? What exactly is it that keeps us from stepping out whole-heartily, smack-dab into the middle of His Will, with excitement and unwavering faith and assurance?

I think it has to do with surrendering. By definition to surrender is to yield to the power of another, to give up under compulsion...relinquish. And guess what? It's a verb! It takes ACTION! It IS an ACTION! It is so easy to bandy the word about with all the other "Christian-speak" we have become comfortable using, isn't it? But to do it...well that's a different story entirely, is it not? If I were to be honest with you and with myself, I would have to admit it is sometimes difficult for this Type A, planner who demands perfection, who expects measurable results immediately. Why is it so hard to completely surrender? To be sold out 100% to Him... to His will?

We get caught up in activities in our personal life, in programs, promotions, and church socials, and what we think is the work of God. We are busy, busy, busy and we miss the mark...totally miss the mark...miss His calling, miss His direction...shoot right past His Will for us and hit the bulls-eye of the work of our own hands and we can't understand why we are not receiving a blessing.

How busy we have become and as a result...how empty all because we tell ourselves we are surrendering to His will yet have our plans all tied up nice and tidy in a neat little package with a pretty little bow subconsciously considering how it will look to others, and who will be pleased. All the while we are not still or quiet enough to even know if it is His voice we are hearing.

How assuring to know that He patiently waits for us to yield, to quit fighting Him, to allow His plan to run its course, to turn to Him for our security and significance. As He witnesses our doing that, He begins to reveal Himself and His will in greater depth.

If we don't slow down and listen...He will get our attention. If we pledge to be of His service and then do our own thing....if we promise to be used by Him then refuse to act when called... He will cause His purpose to be accomplished one way or the other. Two situations come to mind...Esther, who was told that deliverance for her people would rise up from somewhere else but to not think she would be spared if she took no action...and of course, there is Jonah..who went the opposite direction of God's will only to find himself in the belly of a great fish for three days while God got his attention.

As we step forward into a new year, let us be sure we are walking in His will...always keeping in step with the Spirit, being renewed and transformed daily, trusting Him whole-heartily, leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledging His grace...knowing His will...and walking by faith to accomplish His purposes... His good and perfect will.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." KJV

I say it again...in ALL thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.

We are off to Missouri so please enjoy...It's A Dog's Life...we should be so smart!

Today we are heading back up to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to drop Jake off. He graduates 15 January and will be stationed there until deployed. I thought you might enjoy this story. I posted it back in July when I only had one reader...thanks Brother Jim! I posted the cartoon for you! :-D God bless and we'll see you again real soon!

Repost from...
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
It's A Dog's Life...we should be so smart!

Before Jimmy and I married I was a cat person. However, my boys have always loved dogs. Richard was the worst. I don’t know how he managed but it seemed every stray dog in the county showed up on our door step. When he was about 13 we were in a "dog free" period and he had just started the Junior Firefighter program at the local volunteer station. Jake was almost three and I decided to check out the local shelter to see if I could find a Dalmatian. Lucky me…they had one that was house broken and did a few tricks.

As our first house pet, "Backdraft" quickly became part of the family. While he was intended to be a surprise for Richard the dog had other ideas and he and Jake became fast friends. When Jake started school the dog would watch from the front window while "his boy" got on the bus. As it slowly rolled out of sight, Backdraft would head to the bedroom to sleep and watch TV. You would think the dog could tell time! At 3:00 every afternoon he would meander over to the window, poke his head through the curtains and wait - sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, but never lying down.

Before the bus was even in sight the dog would jump up and start wagging his tail. I mean, really wagging his tail. As the bus drew closer he would run to the kitchen door, back to the window and to the door again until Jake burst through and dog and boy were reunited. There were slurps from the dog, pats from Jake, giggles and wiggles, and off they would go. I know from that daily routine why people say, "Dog is man’s best friend."

Backdraft died years ago and for many months Jake literally mourned the loss of "the only dog he will ever love." It’s kind of odd, I think about that dog and the way he loved his boy many times. Most often as I am getting ready for church - of all places. Do I wait patiently enough on the Lord, like that dog waited every day for the big yellow bus to pull up and deposit the love of his life at the end of the long driveway? Am I as excited to see the Lord as I step in the front doors of the sanctuary as that dog was when his little boy walked in the kitchen door? After all, isn’t that the way it should be? We are going to a place where we commune with our Lord. Shouldn’t we be excited? Shouldn’t we be happy? Shouldn’t we look forward to it all week?

I ask you, just as I ask myself, to examine why you go to church. Is it for the people, the music, the programs, the Pastor? Is it because that’s what good people do? Or…are you going because it is there you see the love of your life?

A Mother's Anguish Collides With Her Faith

Think back to the day you saw your child for the first time. You looked into that tiny face how long? Fifteen minutes, Twenty minutes…half an hour before you counted all the fingers and toes? You tried to figure out who the baby looked most like as you focused on the nose, the ears, the eyes…the hands and feet. O and the virtually indescribable feeling only a mother who just gave birth has…the rush of relief mixed with hope, love and joy tempered with a smidge of fear. Exhaustion overcome by expectation and the excitement of the sheer magnitude of experiencing this miracle of life.

Now imagine a law has just gone into effect that this very baby had to be put to death…thrown into a river and drowned. That at any moment he could be stripped from your arms and there was nothing you could do about it. This is exactly what Moses’ mother was facing.

Exodus 1:22“Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.’

My ‘mother’s heart’ leads me to imagine her pacing and praying…while fear, sadness, and worry mesh with the unconditional love a mother has for her child. With tears streaming, bouncing and rocking the baby boy “Look at him! How can we throw him into the Nile? I cannot do it! I won’t do it!” The only conclusion: to keep him, care for him and to hide him for as long as she can.

When hiding him became impossible she mustered all she had, stepped out on faith, and did the only thing she knew would keep him alive a little longer. With hope and trepidation in her heart and a prayer on her lips she began working on the basket that would protect him. And as his big sister kept watch the mother slipped her young son among the reeds along the banks of the great river.

Exodus 2:1-4 "Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds, along the Nile. His sister, stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. "

Exodus 2:5-9 “Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said. Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’ “Yes, go,” she answered. And the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.”

What happens next is clearly the hand of God. The baby is plucked from the waters edge not by your average, everyday, run-of-the-mill Egyptian. It was Pharaoh’s daughter! And who just happened to be there…standing in the shadows…with a suggestion for a nurse but the baby’s own sister. The Bible does not mention protocol or whether this little Hebrew girl was afraid to approach the princess. However, she seized her God-given opportunity and not only provided care for her baby brother but a blessing for the entire family!

Can you imagine the excitement as Miriam ran to find her mother and tell her what happened? “The princess has found the baby and she wants to keep him for her own! She needs someone to take care of him, and she told me to find a nurse! Hurry, Mother, hurry...RUN!”

Now imagine Jocohebed’s reaction. Can you see her clapping her hands, putting down what she was doing, jumping up and down a heart full of praise and worship as she heads out the door to meet the person who has rescued her son? Realization dawning that in just a short time she will once again be with the son she thought she had lost forever.

God used this mother’s courageous act of saving and hiding her baby to begin the plan of rescuing His people. She had no idea at that time what God was doing but He was definitely at work! He really doesn’t need that much from us to accomplish His plan does he?

When faced with a situation that seems humanly impossible to overcome instead of focusing on the predicament we should concentrate on God and His power, trusting Him for the way out. That is all He needs from us.

Revelation 3:7b-8 “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

Taking a Stand

While raising my sons, if I said it once, I said it a thousand times… “Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do solely based on the fact that it is the right thing to do.” Determining what is “right” in this day and age seems to become harder and harder by the minute.

Where once morality was a black and white issue…the lines have been blurred to the point where even people who profess to be Christians live in the gray area: walking the tightrope between selfishness and righteousness. Either being blind to what is actually right according to God’s Word or worried about the consequences of taking a stand. Imagine all the excuses you have either heard or used. “It doesn’t directly affect me or my family. It’s not my business. What difference can one person (or a small group of people) make? I don’t want to get fired, don’t want to lose a good customer...” and on and on and on.

Exodus chapter one shows a clear picture of what God will do when we stand firm and do the right thing according to His Word. The Hebrews in Egypt were fast outnumbering the Egyptians and it worried the king. He then ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all the newborn boys.

Exodus 1:17 “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”

The midwives faith in God gave them the courage to take a stand and do what was right in sparing the lives of the Hebrew babies. God does not expect us to obey the authorities over us when those orders ask us to go against Him or His Word. The Bible is full of examples where people were willing to risk their lives in order to obey God or save others. Whole nations can be caught up in immorality; thus following the majority or the authority is not always right.

Acts 5:29 “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”

In the Bible right and wrong is still black and white...no middle ground, no gray area. When we take a stand for what is right, solely based on the fact that it is the right thing; God will bless us.

Exodus 1:20-21 “So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous (21) And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.”

We don’t take a stand for the blessing…we take a stand because it is right in the eyes of the Lord. How do we know what is right… by knowing His Word, by living a life of love and devotion to Him; by having that one-on-one intimate relationship with Him.

Most assuredly taking a stand can be a thing fraught with fright. However, when we are submitted totally to Him…His Spirit guides us and we move and act almost without thought.

What’s stopping you from taking a stand? Let your fear of the Lord overpower your fear of your circumstances or consequences…and let courage replace your apathy.

1st Corinthians 16: 13-14 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (14) Do everything in love.”

He Hid My Keys!

We are in the second part of ‘severe weather’ season here in Arkansas and the above picture is a storm cloud recently spotted over the Kyzer Compound. I heard a statistic recently that stated we have had over eighty tornadoes this year. The average is about twenty-something. It reminded me of another small miracle.

I have always been a bit frightened to spend the night at home alone. I’ve traveled all over the world and stayed in hotel after hotel until they blended into one homogenized brand. Never once was I afraid in those places filled with people. But…put me in my own house, out in the country, all by myself, in the dark… the dogs start barking, the cows bellowing, the owls hooting, the coyote’s howling…and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Needless to say, I have had some serious prayer sessions during those few times.

Several years ago Jimmy was traveling a lot between Ester, Missouri and North Little Rock, Arkansas picking up plants for wholesale. It must have been around Spring Break because on this particular trip he decided to take Jake along with him. I had been working grueling hours on a new marketing campaign was looking forward to some alone time and peace and quite. I stopped at a drive through on my way home and after checking and locking all the doors and windows headed up stairs to eat, read, and watch television.

I must have fallen asleep quite early because at ten o’clock I was startled awake by the weather alert system on television and the weather man describing a tornado touching down in Little Rock...just twenty miles west and it was heading my way! “Stay calm, stay calm…first thing is…I have to get to safety. Do I hide in the stairwell closet? What if something happened and no one found me?” So I did what any “good southern girl” would do…I called Daddy. My parents live half a mile away and if anything happened at least we would be together. I grabbed my purse, briefcase, shoes and sweats and headed downstairs.

By the time I reached the kitchen I was finally dressed and reached into my purse for my keys. They were not there! I rummaged through my briefcase, not there either. Most who know me, know I have this thing about my keys…they are always in my purse, always. You know…everything has a place and everything in its place. Wasting precious time, I headed back upstairs to see if by some remote chance they were on the night stand. Not there either, hummmm.

All of the sudden, the lights went out and the winds were still…eerie silence crashed down…as if all sound had been sucked from existence by some giant, cosmic vacuum cleaner. The only sound left was the pounding of my heart as the cherished minutes drummed on…I slid down the stairs step-by-step on my bottom praying the entire way. As I reached the landing, the wind kicked up again…this time with a vengeance. It sounded like sand blasting the windows as twigs, dirt and other debris slammed into the front of the house. I hit the kitchen floor face down, sprawled out and started praying…the louder the storm…the louder the prayer. It was over as quickly as it started.

I sat up trembling and lit a candle. I was trying to decide if I should stay home now that the tornado had passed or go to my parents. I looked outside but couldn’t really see any thing. I needed to go to Mom and Dad’s…but first...I had to find my keys. Absent mindedly I opened my purse and there they were…right on top.

I was still recovering from the fear of the storm and joy of the answered prayer when my little brother began frantically hammering on the door. I’ll never forget the fear in his voice as he repeatedly called my name. I stood on wobbly legs and let him in. He had come to rescue his big sister and take her safety.

Heading out we surveyed the damage and were shocked at what we saw. The worst was my truck…the driver side was smashed…door caved in, windows broken, fender dented so bad it couldn’t be driven. We picked up pieces of the trampoline for months and have yet to find the grill.

I know that night God had His hand of protection upon me. I never saw those keys in my purse until after the storm. If I had, I would have been on the road when the tornado hit. I truly believe the Lord kept me from seeing them so He could keep me safe in His arms until the storm calmed.

Are you in the middle of a storm right now? No matter what you are facing in your life…if you will simply call upon Him and trust in Him…He will hear…He will answer…He will deliver you…

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Plank Pluckers vs. Sawdust Pickers

The Sawdust Pickers are ahead 7 to 3 in the game of life. They screeched past the Plank Pluckers with a dab of gossip about someone who was supposed to be a friend, and then scored the extra points when the story was embellished just a bit and believed by someone on the outside looking in.

As one of our beloved Plank Pluckers made a bold counter play and counseled the most aggressive and leading scorer of the Sawdust Pickers the score tied 7 to 7 and the crowd was on its feet with lifted hands shouting hallelujah, Glory to God, and in general screaming rowdy thanks heavenward.

Then out of nowhere the defensive players, Anger, Envy, and Strife showed up and the game intensified. Prayer, Fasting, and Bible Study ran out on the field for the Plank Pluckers and went head to head in a grueling battle. As mud flew the Sawdust Pickers knocked the Plank Pluckers to their knees once again. Steady was the onslaught as Vicious Rumors, Deceit, and Lies joined the Sawdust Pickers and everyone was sure they had the game in the bag.

When victory seemed nowhere in sight for the Plank Pluckers their star quarter back, Holy Spirit, showed up and began calling the plays…First up, a play of mercy and grace, followed by two of the biggest, most impressive plays ever made in the game of life; forgiveness and loving kindness! It was a matter of no time at all till every member of the Sawdust Pickers came tumbling down and the Plank Pluckers celebrated triumphantly as the whistle blew and the skirmish came to an end.

Matthew 7: 1-5 “1) Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2) For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3) Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4) How can you say to your brother ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6:41, 42 41) “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42) How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Why is it so easy for us to see other’s faults, inadequacies, and apathy above our own? It seems that we are quick to judge and condemn others for the slightest weakness and then expect others to over look ours. We are comfortable judging others on their actions while expecting them to judge us on our intentions. The worst part of it is that we tend to do this to our friends, our families, and those in our church.

Don’t get me wrong…I am all about exercising judgment and discernment. But when it is malicious in intent…when that judgment and condemnation are verbalized so that it makes the one pointing out the errors of someone else seem to look better, all high and mighty, all holier than thou, well…it’s wrong, I tell you, it is just plain wrong! And it makes me madder than a wet hen!

When we as “mature” Christians see this happening what do we do? Do we sit idly by and watch, thinking it is not our place to intervene, thinking that if we ignore it…it will all work out or simply just go away. Heaven forbid! Titus tells us to teach the younger. Most of the New Testament tells us how to mentor, teach, and grow believers in one form or another.

But nowhere over the past 19 years have I read anywhere in the Bible that someone who calls themselves “mature in the Word” is supposed to bash the faith of a believer who is barely off milk let alone into the meat. No where have I read that we are to go to our “friend” and voice our opinions on how someone else is living their life, especially when we know our friend is going to tell their friend, who will tell another friend. And if we as true mature Christians sit by and let this happen…with out action…woe to us!

It is one thing to tell your prayer partner of a specific need in someone’s life, to join together and take it to the Lord. I am a firm believer in that, for sure, that’s the power play. But why, oh why, do believers fall to temptation and start gossiping, when in reality our sister or brother needs a true helping hand?

The root of gossip is usually that someone has had their feelings hurt in one way or another and then the focus goes from God to self. When we are not focused on God how can we get the work done that He has called us to do? And everyone from the least to the greatest has a job to do! It is as plain and simple as that!

Before we begin to judge, condemn, and point fingers at others…we need to take a long hard look in the mirror at our own hearts; judge that, condemn that, tell others that!

James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

James 3: 5, 6 “5) Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fires, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3: 8-10 “8) but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

1st Peter 3:10 “For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”

1st John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love one another with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

All scripture is from the New International Version
· For further reading: Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; Luke 19:22; John 8:15; John 12:47; Romans 2:1; Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10; Hebrews 12:23; Hebrews 13:4; James 4:12

What "HERO" means to me...

The mere mention of the word hero conjures up images of the events that took place on September 11th. We all remember exactly where we were when we first heard the news. Images flooded our televisions and all radio programming was interrupted as reporters tried to describe what was happening. For one brief moment in history America stood still, united in tearful disbelief as lives were shattered. We watched as police, fire fighters, and rescue crews charged headlong into the blazing buildings never to exit. We heard reports of a man, just an average man; fearlessly take charge as a plane full of people sacrificed their lives to save the lives of those who were the target. As rescue turned to recovery America raised her fist and a war began. Our conscience is peppered with images of those heroes going to and coming home from this war.

We have several military personnel in my family. My youngest brother and I chose the Navy, my oldest brother and youngest son the Army. My nephew and many friends are Air Force. One uncle, Army, another the Army then switched to the Navy to be first UDT then SEAL. He was always our family hero…still is.

By definition a hero is somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown great courage, strength of character, or another admirable quality…a war hero. A hero can also be someone who is admired and looked up to for outstanding qualities or achievements…heroes in the war on poverty, aids or any given cause.

As I look over the people who have impacted my life, for that is truly what a hero does…one can not be a hero without an impact; I think of the young couple who lived down the road from us. They had these two really active boys. Then the younger got sick and just would not get well. It was a rare form of cancer. I think of that young mother taking her child to chemo. I think of mother and father sitting at the side of a hospital bed for months at a time while they tried yet another kind of treatment to battle the disease. I am reminded of the first grade teacher who came to his house, on her own time, without pay, to help him stay up with his class. I think of the young parents, the big brother, the grandparents and family sitting in a packed church as a slide show set to music played across a screen, a tribute, depicting the images of a seven year old that spent most of his life fighting a monster that would eventually devour him.

I am reminded of the time when a very close family friend had twins born too early who spent months in ICU so tiny they would fit in the palm of your hand. The doctors and nurses always at the ready in the event something happened. I think about the time I was holding Logan when he quit breathing and his 24 year old mother just reached over and confidently massaged his belly until the machine signaled he was breathing again. I am reminded of her courage and their fight for life each time I see those healthy, active country boys.

I think of a young mother I recently met on blogger.com who anxiously awaited the arrival of her second child, and of the young son with autism. I think of how they gave up their lives and moved back home…the realization that her family would be there for them. I am amazed by her tireless efforts, researching, going to classes, making sure he has everything he needs, just so he can experience life to the fullest. And the faith and frustration demonstrated as she writes with undying hope in and love for our most gracious Heavenly Father. A mother’s heart laid bare anticipating each day…splitting time with daughter, son, husband…Doing all that mother’s and wives do… laundry, shopping, cleaning, cooking, nurturing, working part time, and more. I can see her in the still of night long after the children are in bed searching the internet for the latest information…longing for the day when the word “cure” will make its appearance.

It takes courage on an indescribable plane to get up every day and enter headlong into battle to fight for the life of your child. It takes super human strength to show calm in chaos, encouragement in the face of despair, hope in the absence of a cure. It takes strength of character to keep smiling when the war is lost and only time is left. These are the true heroes, worthy of honor and remembrance. Their stories are not flashed across the news screen, or splashed about in the news paper, their statistics are not scrolling along the bottom of CNN or Fox News Network yet their battle, their war, is just as horrific, just as real.

May we never forget to acknowledge or lend a hand, say a prayer, reach out in support to, and do all we can for those heroes standing right in front of us!

2nd Corinthians 12 [8] “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength: He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength”

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Psalm 18: 1,2 “I will love You, O Lord, my strength, The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation.”

My Baby Boy Turned Into a Man When I Wasn't Looking!

When I look at him my eyes see a young man; but my heart sees the little boy who during an ER visit for stitches in his chin looked up with terror on his face and crocodile tears in his eyes with great sobs gasp, “I …ahh…just… ahhh …wanna give… my ahhh… mommy a huugg.”

We’ve spent the past couple of days upstairs, his domain during his junior and high school years, going through closets and drawers. His idea…the sorting through of clothes he no longer wants to keep, tossing out long forgotten, broken toys that have avoided the trash bin by hiding in the crevices along the back wall. Pointing out to me the things I can pass along to his nephews, things he wants saved, organizing one last time.

Why do I have this catch in my lungs? It’s not like a hard blow…you know the kind that knocks the breath out of you; still I find it difficult to breathe normally. Just the thump, thump, thump beating in my chest as the time draws ever near for him to report to Fort Leonard Wood.

I’d been trying to get pregnant for two years when I found out that I couldn’t have anymore children. I was devastated and at the age of 23 had a complete and radical hysterectomy. Two years later I was a single mother with a partial education. Over the next ten years…life moved on as I quenched the desire for more children, joined the Navy Reserves and got an education. Funny how God works things out isn’t it? Off and on through the years I had prayed for a child. I could raise another right along with Richard, by myself. Problem was…all I knew was that I was praying to the God that lived in my great grandfather’s Bible.

Then Jimmy came along and introduced both Richard and I to the Lord. First Richard was saved, then me…then marriage. Can you believe it? Nine months after we were married on a Thursday night we found ourselves rushing to the hospital and in the wee hours of Friday morning a security guard told us the only baby doe in the nursery was a baby John Doe. We had a son! We had a son!

I can see that day as clear as if it happened yesterday. I can feel him the first time I held him, I can smell that sweet fresh baby smell just after bath time, I can hear his first “dada,” his “first I wuv you.” I held him for six months straight! I just could not imagine that God would bless me so abundantly, so quickly after I became a believer.

Sitting here, I see snapshots in my mind of pee-wee football, an ATA World Championship, golf, bowling, hunting and fishing excursions with his dad and brother (along with the stories of the one that got away) band and choir competitions, more football, more martial arts…wins, losses, triumph, heart break... I never realized time was slipping through my fingers.

As we had senior pictures made, ordered invitations, cap and gown…I told myself I was ready for this, but then I was still expecting to pay for college and thought he would be home regularly to at least do his laundry. I never expected the Army! We had talked about it when he was in the 9th grade and again in 10th. I was military…it was good for me…but my war was Desert Storm…this one is different, more difficult, more casualties.

As he excitedly talks about his future, about boot camp, AIT, and with a bit of hesitation... the possibility of being deployed to the war zone... and then coming home after four years and becoming a police officer…that catch in my lungs returns.

I have prayed for him his whole life, even before I knew he would be mine. I am a woman of faith, I know God has a plan, He has the bigger picture. We raise them to be independent, make their own decisions and then they go off and do it!

My question is…did it happen over night or so gradually that I didn’t notice until just now? My baby is a man…thump, thump, thump another day closer to boot camp…another day closer to MP school…another day closer to that first duty station.

What is it they say? HOOAH….Army Strong…
Oh my! Army mom!
Thump… thump… thump.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” ~NIV

Princess Isabella is a Thief!

We recently acquired a new puppy, an eight month old Chihuahua whom we named Princess Isabella. Jake calls her Dizzy Izzy and Jimmy calls her Taco Bell, but luckily for us, she will answer to just about anything.

We had forgotten what it was like to have a puppy around and it took us a while to get used to having a second dog in the house, especially one so tiny and loud! Poor Bruno just wanted to be her friend but it took her a couple of weeks to warm up to him and for her to get comfortable in her new surroundings. Now she thinks she runs the place!

Most small dogs like to find a high place to rest. It keeps them from getting stepped on and Isabella is no different. She loves the back of the couch and perches there to watch as I work or play on the computer, as she is doing now. She watches every move I make and is ready to pounce the minute I begin to get up for a cup of coffee or to turn the computer off.

One thing we have learned about our precious little princess is that she is a thief! It started one day when we couldn’t find the remote for the television in the living room. We had watched a movie the night before and instead of changing the set back to TV mode, we just turned it off. You know you can’t change that back with out the remote control, right? It was quite a sight at five in the morning searching the couch cushions, looking under chairs, between the arms of the recliner…searching to no avail and finally giving up and watching the morning news in the bedroom. A couple of days later while doing laundry the remote flew out of her carrier along with her “blankie.”

We never actually see her stealing things…remotes, pens and pencils from the cup on the desk, screw drivers, stray socks, wet washcloths from the side of the tub, pieces of aluminum foil from the trash, Jake’s watch from the coffee table…no we never see her taking them but we always know where to find them! Now we first look in her carrier or in her little pink bed and sure enough…there the missing treasure can be retrieved.

I really hate to make this comparison but she acts like the devil…he has come into the world to kill, steal, and destroy. The first time when we couldn’t find that remote…we turned the living room upside down searching and searching and finally gave up. Thankfully, while doing my household duties it showed up.

Like that dog, we never actually see the devil lurking around, perched watching our every move…waiting for us to step away from God just enough so he can get in there and steal something from us…happiness, children, spouses, energy, time, finances, enthusiasm, passion and before you know it he has a treasure trove of things that once belonged to us.

Sometimes, we look for those things in the wrong places…under the cushions in worldly places, between the arms of someone wrong…searching to no avail and finally giving up. However, if we do our duty…reading our Bible faithfully, attending church regularly, serving God, seeking HIM…what was stolen sometimes will fly right out at us while we are not looking. As we grow in the grace, mercy, and love of God we realize when something all of the sudden turns up missing all we have to do is look in those few places and retrieve what was stolen from us.

Are you missing something today? Has something been stolen from you? Don't look to the world for it's replacement...seek first the Kingdom of God...and you will find your missing treasures.