The Ending of a Season

What a blast!! Making the best of opportunities given are great, especially when those opportunities consist of summertime fun in the sun. There was beaching, camping, traveling, sightseeing, fishing, fantastic summer reads, summer women's bible study, women's retreat, family retreat, picnics, barbeques - you get the picture? Now I must take that energy and place it in a 15 X 20 room and study. The problem? Fall is my favorite time of the year. So if you think I really blew it out this summer, just wait to see what I do this Fall!! Oh! Wait. School is back in session and that will limit my fun. But I am known to be creative!!!

The Secret

Having observed ministry work over many years during our military travels, I have seen divergent views but to practice regarding Christian leadership. Christian leadership not only encomprises "church work" but it is a lifestyle that is consistant to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Charles Stanley best stated his view on Christian leadership "includes living and ministering with total commitment and complete obedience to God that shine through everything we do"

2 Timothy 4:2-5 best shows us that we must be willing, dedicated, committed and prepared!

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

According to Dr. Charles Stanley, these are a few practical secrets of the aspects of Christian leadership

1. Teach the Word of God
2. Be prepared, no matter what circumstances you face.
3. Be willing to correct and encourage others.
4. Be patient as you teach.
5. Be firm, including instances when false teaching exists.
6. Perservere through tough times.
7. Be committed to your calling.
8. Complete your task.

First Fruits ... Time to Share!

It is early in the summer season and I am ecstatic about my first fruits. Here are the first picking from my little garden. Tomatoes and peppers, to which you see, the pepper sauce (jar in the background) is already made and waiting for the heat to set in. There are also carrots, onions, green, red and yellow peppers, corn and okra to come!!! Shoot, I even have cucumbers growing in the topsy turvy hanging from the front porch. These are some of the things I remember as a child growing up. Eating tomato sandwiches (it is as it appears, only tomatoes, salt and pepper, bread and mayo)and always having pepper sauce around to put on anything fried or any veggie cooked from the garden. My kids think this is the strangest thing ever and just will not participate in the whole tomato sandwich fest. Then there is the ‘Blue Plate’ mayonnaise that I cannot find here in the great state of Virginia. I have seen it in some of the stores while traveling through North Carolina. Whenever I visit Mississippi, I always purchase 5 or 6 jars to bring back. I also plan to try my hand at canning preserves and jellies this year. Plum is favorite and very plentiful here. Once again, my kids wonder what is wrong with the plum jelly sold in the store. As my son so philosophically places it, “Why do you have to keep re-inventing the wheel?” My nice teen-aged response to this, “WHATEVER”! At any rate, I am proud of my first fruits and have already anxiously shared them . Hmmm… just a question to ponder … do we have the same enthusiasm for our tithes? "Give as freely as you have received!" (Matt 10:8). Sharing Brings JOY!!

Celebrating the 40th!!!!

Enjoying the creation created by the Creator! Bath County, Virginia. Celebrating hubby's 40th birthday.

Finally Got It!

Here is the bike picture that I promised last month. You have no idea how hard it is to get someone to point and shoot the camera. All want to be in front of it. There is always one or more of the following issue. The person taking the picture takes so long to shoot it until you come out looking like the madhatter or someone has to adjust your camera because they know a better way or want a close up and you look like you just ran out of prison. Finally there is the person with the worse camera aim this side of the Mississippi and you look like you are playing hide and seek in the picture. At any rate, here it is!!

Does She Know?

Wow! 16-1/2 years old and she is beautiful, confident and almost ready to head out into the world take on whatever comes her way. Next week she leaves to go the University of Virginia for a week to prepare for success in the Advanced Placement classes she will be taking next school year. As I peruse the package, there is a list to make sure she is ready and informed. It list standard items like sheets, paper, alarm clocks, cash, water bottle, cell phone and sunscreen, location of classes and dormitories, etc… But as her mom, I have to ask myself- if she is ready for this –“Does She Know?”

Does she know that life is not guaranteed to be easy and although she is a million miles away from me; she is not alone. Well, we talked about how God loves us and we are never alone and how Jesus understands how life can be crazy sometimes. I wonder if she will remember Hebrews 14:14-15 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” That high priest is Jesus and yes he understand our out of control and alone moments.

Oh, she will come face to face with our young culture out there. She will see how the world begs and thrives for power, personal successes and gains, popularity, financial stresses and money. These are commonplace things and will seem so easy that wrong will look like right. She may be tempted to conform to these things but as she and I explored God’s word together we are reminded about what Paul said in Romans about not conforming to this world but transforming ourselves by the renewing of our minds. But Does She Know that by refusing to complain or argue can make her shine is world? “Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the world of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” Philippians 2:14-16

Go my child into the world and let your light – the light of Christ SHINE!
Be a beacon.

Perserverance, Endurance, Faith

A friend recently explained a vision that God has placed in front of him. But there appeared to be many pitfalls and disappointment obtaining the goals. Things did get a little murky there for awhile but God in His infinite wisdom knew just what my friend needed and delivered him right on time.

We must always remember to "count it all joy when we fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience".

We must rejoice because each trial is an opportunity for us to see God as he shows us His power and ability to sustain us even while we going through our distresses. These are perfect times for reflection and spiritual growth.

Now matter what we are going through God is in control of our lives and that includes our trials!

5 things the devil can't do

1. The Corrupt can't have a happy ending.
"And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
Rev. 20:10

2. The Burglar can't find the source of your life.
"For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God"
Colossians 3:3

3. The Difficulty can't make you doubt God.
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
Job 13:15

4. The Enemy can't win.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
1 Cornithians 15:57

5. The Dethroned can't be in charge.
"For the kingdom is the LORD's, Ane He rules over the nations.
Psalm 22:28

A Spiritual Family Retreat!?!

Lifeway's 'Ridgecrest' located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina was the perfect setting for our family getaway retreat. Besides our two kids, which are teenagers, we took along two of our godkids and one niece. (I know, insane).

There are no TV's or other electronicy things for the kids to get into. While the accommodation were quite sufficient they were not luxurious. No plush carpeting, elevators, bell hops, vending machines, room services, swimming pools, etc ... . (I know you are really thinking C-R-A-Z-Y!).

We all had a great time. Our lodging was an apartment where we cooked most of our meals to save on money and get closer because there was nothing distracting us from each other. We are all locked in this together. We enjoyed hiking up the mountain (correction, they enjoyed hiking up the mountain -- I drove!) The view was gorgeous and to watch the sunrise on Easter morning was overwhelming. There was putt putt golf or miniature golf and a fire ring to sit around and catch your breath from the hike. There was also a row of rocking chairs to which you would sit and look out at mountain views. (correction again, rocking chairs to which "I" would sit and look out at mountain view, -kids was not having this one!)

On the hike, the kids found rocks that glimmered like gold and water running crystal clear. At the end of the evening they were not bored but peacefully sleeping because they were tired and just plum wore out! They kids played uno and talked endlessly among themselves about funny family outing or things that they thought their parents did not know about and how they thought they got away with it. We even talked about "Gabbie" (our daughter) and life since her passing.

Can you imagine reading the story of creation to kids while the sun rose over the mountains? Awesome!!

We took the kids to the Biltmore while we were there. The kids enjoyed that as well. They loved taking pictures of the grounds and the spring flowers in bloom. I would have never guessed that they would take pictures of nature. They always take pics of a bunch of people I do not know, not doing anything in specific.

We plan to do this again with just the teenagers and take advantage of some the biking trails there!!

My First Bike Ride Since 1989 !!!

Yep I had my first bike ride in 20 years on Mother's Day! Keeping in line with my theme of "Health and Self 2009", I have added a new adventure to the list.

When asked what I desired for Mother's Day, I replied "a bike". And no one really took me seriously. You know they would just smile that sympathetic smile of "ohhhh, well bless her little ole heart". But on the eve of Mother's Day, I go into Target to look for a new Zune (because the one I have does not have enough memory to hold my audio books and my pics). Well, I decided to walk around the store and just browse because it is early and the store has just opened and the mass pandemonium of people shopping for Mother's Day gifts at the last minute has not yet begin. Now to my amazement, I do not purchase anything because I do not see anything I really want but, I head to the garden section because I am sure that I will find something there I want. After perusing for several minutes I can only muster up 2 packets of seeds.

In a last ditch effort, I walk the final row which has BBQ grills on it and at the very end of the aisle, low and behold, I spy a red and white Schwinn beach cruiser for males. Of course, I get a little excited because if they have the bike for men then surely they must have the bike for women (I just cant negotiate that bar 'betwix' the legs). And heavens to Betsy they have the bike in the female version for approx. $100.00.

So .... do I purchase the bike? Nope, I go and get Old Faithful who thought I had no idea what I wanted for Mother's Day (better known as hubby) and drag him to the neighborhood Target and show him my prize just waiting for me. Now the the look on his face was priceless. He really thought his wife had fell of her rocker; but not wanting to disappoint, alas he purchased the big beach cruiser. All the while hubby was thinking 'she aint gonna ride this thing no more than the dog will.'

Well I planned to ride my bike that night around 10 or 11pm. Why so late? Just in case I FELL on my first try. Ok, we go outside under the cover of night and the lateness of the day and wouldnt you know it! The neighbors were just arriving home from who knows where and decide to stay outside and fix a light!! Was I going to ride now?!?! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, it is Mother's Day after church and I am having an adventure streak out of this world. I really really really REALLY want to ride my bike. So I decide to risk it all. Just go for it. All or nothing. So I go and get dressed in something nice (in case I fall, I would look too bad and have on clean underwear like my mom always taught me) I try my luck in the back yard first. I did not fall and still knew how to stay upright (miracles, gotta love' em). Out into the cul-de-sac I go and we have a successful lift off. I rode that bike like a kids at Christmas. I venture out into the streets and had a great time. Yes, I shocked a lot of neighbors and onlookers as I rode with complete confidence.

You know, you can get a whole new look on your neighborhood from bike riding (especially as slow as I ride). You get to look at all the yards that are decorated with plants and trinkets. There are patriotic homes and home with statues (in my neighborhood, really!). There are magnificent gardens and children playing on swing sets. There are also families of duck and geese crossing the street and the smell of grills cooking. I especially love riding at dusk because this is when you can get a view of the homes that do not have blinds or some other window coverings.

I think I did pretty good for my first bike ride in 20 years. The best part is that I really loved it!

Happy Mother's Day with Roses from my Garden

"Happy Mother's Day" means more

Than have a happy day.

Within those words lie lots of things

We never get to say.

It means I love you first of all,

Then thanks for all you do.

It means you mean a lot to me

And that I honor you.

But most of all, I guess it means

That I am thinking of

Your happiness on this your day.

With pleasure and with love.

WISDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The benefits of wisdom may include wealth, honor and peace. It maybe a long and prosperous life or favour with God. It may be inclusive of success, health, honor, peace, protection and understanding. Pray for wisdom and flourish in it.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy are all who hold her fast.

Proverbs 3:18

Shhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you hear that? It is called quiet. The dog is in her crate sleeping, the kids are at school and the hubby is working. There is no television or radio playing. Just peace and quiet; albeit, something is missing. Perhaps a long hot bath and not a quick on the run shower. Maybe a nice nap, but it is too early for that. A Nice long leisurely walk would be good; only it is too chilly. Oh I think I got it. A book, a small fire, my favorite blanket, a snack of apples and walnuts and a cup of tea. Ahh, the joys of life can be found in the small stuff. Somehow, He always knows just what I need.

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)

I SAID ...!!!

I do not care if you like the little brown bed because it matches your decor a little bit "better". I said I like my little pink bed!!!!!! NOW GOODNIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring Break

Rest, relaxation, fun in the sun and shopping. This is my idea of Spring Break. But, I am home with my teenagers who are 'not' on Spring Break until SPRING!! I have the tendency to hibernate in the Winter. I love looking at Winter just not interacting with Winter. As soon as the weather breaks we will be gardening and traveling and getting into all kinds of small town adventures and outdoor fun. Until then, for my Spring Break this week, I am relaxing, resting and enjoying my teenagers who are desperately trying to teaching me ping pong and Wii sports. I in turn will teach them backgammon.

I am content and loving it!!