VOIDS

First I want to apologize for the lapse in my writing. The hard drive of my laptop decided to die a fast death. It has taken time to get back up and running, in between obligations during n the holidays. I am learning fast that our world of electronics leaves us no mercy and can change in an instant what our plans and add extra tasks to be put at the top of our “To Do List”. It is good to be back up and running.

Over the past several weeks, I have spent time thinking about voids. Voids are those places within us that are empty, containing no matter. Voids hurt - they are painful. Voids are created from losses we have experienced, disappointments, hurts and rejections. Voids can last for years and even lifetimes.

Voids can dictate the way we live, the way we deal with others. Voids can dictate our eating and sexual habits and change our entire personality.

A couple of weeks ago a relative passed away - there were voids, mine from his friend. She spent around 11 years knowing him others did not. She walked through the last of his days into eternity. What is the extent of her void and will it ever be filled?

Does a professional football player who really loves his game, the void that comes when he knows his career on the field is over. Does anyone truly understand and will it ever be filled?

The list could go on and on – the husband or wife who is unfaithful – the mother – the dad who walks out of their family – the friend who no longer wishes to be friends – the lost of the job – the molestation by a family member. Some to the surface seem more serious than the other. Voids whether of little scenario to a large scenario can reek havoc.

How we choose to fill these voids will actually close them forever or just make them wider. I was standing in my kitchen when two of the maintenance men were trying to fill a large hole under the sink with a can of foam. The foam did not have anything to adhere to. It needed some type of foundation. I stood there thinking how this is how we are with filling our voids. We do not have a foundation to adhere to.
Most common fixes, just like that can of foam, just makes a mess and additional help is needed to clean the fix up. Most voids are blamed for the reason we act and react the way we do.

Ok, so make a list of the void – Look at how you can change your life style not to reflect the void but how to change your life style that uses the void as catalysis to make a difference in your life journey. Apply the Word of God to it and believe God to use your void as a stepping stone to touch someone’s life! The healing is incredible.

Massaging Your Mind and Soul

Massaging Your Mind

I believe in the principle of continued education. I believe that by taking the time to explore each day to find a new piece of information that you might have missed the day before. There is no excuse for any of us not to at least find one thing that they did not know the day before, especially with the use of the internet one can engage to search opportunities to enrich their life. This little daily exercise will you help to keep your mind active and alert. Every one of us can use a little mind massaging.

Massaging Your Soul

I believe this same principle of continued studying the Word of God. I believe that by taking the time to explore each day to find a new insight to the Word that you might have missed the day before. There is no excuse for any of us not to at least find one thing that they did not know the day before, especially with all the opportunities available to us also through the use of the internet one can enrich their spirit man. Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com). This little daily exercise will you help to keep your spirit man active and alert. Every one of us can use a little soul massaging.

Managing Your Negative Emotions

I believe that each one of us can take charge of our negative emotions and change the manner of how we live our life. There is no doubt that negative circumstance and scenarios personally and in the world can shake us to the very core of our being. When we apply truth, when we take control over the emotional side of our thought patterns and apply common sense and facts, then we will see an overwhelming change in our view of life.

Managing Your Choices

I believe that each one of us can apply the reasoning of World Thought or reasoning by Word Thought. One of the most powerful tools one is their choices. You can choose to have life or have death. You can choose to do right or do wrong. Too often we make choices based on lack of knowledge, but full of emotions. When we take time to separate the emotions from facts and look at all the options that we have, then we are able to make wise decisions.
When you massage your mind and your soul then you will find managing your emotions and choices will find that right balance.

The results of mind and soul massaging on a daily basis, will find you surfing your life’s journey, not your emotions and circumstances surfing you.

The Art of Loneliness

I stood a midst branches that needed to go on the metal green pole that would be transformed into a lovely Christmas tree, Christmas music from a holiday music station filled the room with lyrics I have heard since childhood. My mind drifted to times past. Somehow, I truly believed that by this time in my life, I would not be putting up the tree alone. This is a lonely time for anyone.

As I continued my journey into the memories of time past, I thought about the Christmas that changed the way I view life and the art of loneliness. That Christmas my emotions wanted to give in to pity parties and feelings of depression, I had to make a choice, it was up to me how I would stop allowing circumstances and scenarios to dictate these times and to teach my children to embrace all the good things that we celebrate during holidays and in life.

Looking around at the branches that old overwhelming sense of loneliness embraced me pulling at those emotions. Putting up the Christmas tree alone is probably one of the loneness acts a person can do. I had even toyed about just not doing it at all. I finally managed to get the last branch in place and all the lights on. Even though I did not have babbles and beads on it yet, the main task had been completed.
Later that evening a friend and her daughter arrived to have a little girly girl time. Even without the first babble, this face of this precious little girl lit up. I watched as she gently ran her hand over the branches, and smiled and giggled in delight. Smiling I knew that this is why I do Christmas trees. Why I decorate where ever I am. For it is not about my loneliness or even my emotions, it is about bringing the warmth and joy to others.

It was that lonely Christmas so many years ago, that I made the choice to make the holiday season a gift to others, brings a smile in the face of a child, to embrace those that are in my life with love and care. What has happened over all these years is that it spilled into just everyday life, not just during the holidays.
The Art of Loneliness- knowing how to control it not allowing it to control you.

Sympathy Cards, “Barbie In The Box” and Offensives

On Saturday evening a relative passed away. He had been out of the family loop for years. I received a e-mail that said “Send Condolences to Family in care of a non family member. As I pondered exactly what defined “family”, I knew it did not include me or the other relatives we had grown up with. So not only did I have to select an appreciate card, I had to write the appropriate note.
Several days later I stood amidst greeting cards, with every imaginable flowery thought. Who writes this mess? And who would send this mess to someone? I searched up and down the isle to even find a nice looking card that was blank. There was none.

As I left empty handed, I thought how much those little gold crown cards reminded me of the Barbie in the Box. You know they are lined box by box along the shelves. All nicely tucked in their box, each one looking just a like, not one of them stand out or looks any different from the other.
Yesterday, I wrote a comment in a social network on a lady’s post. She had for two days posted information on "The Bible on Women’s Appearance!" and today she posted I Timothy 2:9 “Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing”
For some reason this post seemed funny to me, for several reasons – I love to poof my hair, color the gray! I am known for my “gaudy” jewelry and sometimes wild clothes. Being a southern woman it is just natural for me to. So I a funny little comment (or I thought to be funny) about not giving up my jewelry and messing with my hair.

Later in the day I receive an e-mail from this lady and I quote: "Never intended to offend anyone. You realize what I'm saying. Some women do not know how to dress modestly (boobs everywhere!!!). I could care less about the jewelry and makeup. Maybe I need to remove that verse. "

So I ask you in this world today, as we venture out to do the right thing, and make one smile and give comfort to those we do not even know. How is it that well meaning “Barbie’s” that have escaped the box and stand alone amidst the “Boxed Barbies” pleading the cause of reality must it be taken as offensive?
To this dear Barbie in the Box, to the Domestic partner of my cousin and to those who write meaningless gold crown cards I humbly apologize and wish for you the reality of being one’s own self and break free from the your box and become the real you that you were created to be.

Will you offend those around you? No doubt. Should you march to a different drum beat? As long as Abba Father is your drummer. Break free from the “Barbie Box”!

Forty Years Plus

Today I read a blog from my sister and it once again brought home to me how precious is this journey of life we make, when we make it in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the latter part of it she quoted Nehemiah 9:20-21 and then made the following statement. As I stared at this scripture, I thought about my own journey with the Lord.

“For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.” Nehemiah 9:20-21

“As I walk the streets of Brandon today I realize that what I thought would kill me has only made me stronger. My feet are not swollen as I’ve walked through season after season, through times of heartache and times of amazing joy. This place is not what it was before, but then neither am I!”

A little over 40 years ago I gave my life to the Lord. At that time I was a young lady in desperate needs of a Savior. What I thought was going to be the beginning of a perfect life, began the journey of desert walking. I read the scripture over and over. I began to retrace those steps of my life as a baby Christian, as I kicked against obedience and wanting to do it my way, instead of His way. Of the many times, I did not think I could possibly wait for the answers and wanted so out of the desert.

I remember that significant night some 23 years prior as I lay in the floor of my living room, begging God to just kill me there. That I knew He could not want a failure like me. For over and over I had fallen on my face. How He wrapped me in His arms and healed my broken spirit and taught me to love Him and embrace His Word – My most cherished love letter, from my Abba Father.

Even then the desert walk did not end, but with each step I grew and embraced Him more. He has sustained me – over and over again. He guided and directed my footsteps. You are so right my precious sister. "This place is not what it was before, but then neither am I!”

Whatever it is that you are walking through today, embrace your desert walk and know that He will sustain you and you will not be what you were before either.

I WONDER

Today a news reporter wrote in his commentary: “It made me wonder: What were they shopping for? Christmas gifts? They didn't show much Christmas spirit. When store officials ordered the mob out of the store because someone had died, many called it unfair, because they said they had been waiting hours to shop. The terrorist attack in India will cause us to redouble our anti-terrorist efforts, and economic recovery plans are already in the works. But shouldn't the death of that poor sales clerk give us some pause as well? If we have become a people so self-centered that we are willing to step over a lifeless body to get a bargain, we have problems that go beyond terrorists, a credit crunch and bad mortgages. Surely we can do better than that.”

On Saturday a cousin passed away. He was known to the Radio and Rock & Roll World as a legacy. To me he was family, our mothers sisters. The odds of him knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior were slim to none. He wanted nothing to do with his family – over the years he lost literally billions of dollars several times over, multiple wives and lost the battle with lung cancer.
On Sunday, I talked with another cousin, who sits and waits for death to come. She has renal disease and chooses to take no treatment. She has confined herself to her home and spends the day reading and waiting.
As we have entered the Holiday Season for 2008, I wonder if the angels themselves weep over us. As they stand and see us .literally throwing caution and poor judgment to the wind, individual and family values are at an all time low. What will be our wakeup call? Do the majority of us even know who the Spirit of Christmas is?

In my heart, I hear the ring of those words spoken so ever long ago “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” The Kingdom of God is at hand. The Kingdom of God is at hand.

For it is not the babe in the major nor is it the shepherds, nor the Wise men – The Kingdom of God are at hand and we have better get our lives in order. For Abba Father has had enough of the mess, enough of the lukewarm ho-hum attitude from His Children. We have aligned ourselves too long with the agenda of the enemy himself. We have turned our backs on the Truth and licked our wounds and demanded that we are owed and deserve and our rights have been infringed on.
The madness must stop and stop now. For The Kingdom of God is at Hand. Repent for our Savior is mounting His White Horse. . . . . . . I wonder are you ready to face The Bridegroom or is the oil gone from your lamp? I wonder?

Having Turkey or Being A Turkey

In just another day it will be Thanksgiving. A time when folks to come together with friends and family to share all sorts of food, football, memories of times past. For many folks it is a time of sadness and even depression. Sitcoms made for TV movies and commercials have made every twist on this holiday which pull at our hearts and brings out even more emotions. Thanksgiving has certainly become the kick off for shopping, Christmas events surrounding the Holiday Season and the end of another year.

In my life, I have personally experienced Thanksgiving times to be both wonderful times and times when I could not get past my “pity party”. Somewhere in my life journey, I came to the realization that I could choose to make wonderful memories for my friends and family or I could roll around in that pity party which no one wants to join me.

I have attended Thanksgiving meals with both family and friends that were great, full of joy and being thankful for being together. I have also attended those dreaded meals where the air was so thick with tension and discomfort that even a chainsaw could not cut it. Many years I would feel sorry for myself and went through the motions. The one thing I did not want was for my children to go through the motions. I wanted to bring special and memory making into all our holidays.
As I began processing and pondering as I do and studying the Word of God, I knew that unless I applied the Word of God to these times and even when I have been alone, I see how each moment can be an awesome memory.

Does that mean that everything is great and wonderful? No, but I have found that even in the worst situations, that my attitude makes the difference.
So I want to encourage you to make memories of whatever you do with your Thanksgiving make it a great memory – for example – if you are alone, go do something for someone else. The purpose of this is to take the spotlight off of you. It is during these holiday times, folks in the fast food industry, grocery store, etc. have to deal with more than their share of customers. This is the very time you can be extra nice, thank them for serving you. You will find the more you take time to think of how to putting the positive note in someone else’s life, the more you will find that continuous thankfulness in your on life.

Secondly, take a minute to make a list, it can be as simple and as detailed as you would like, listing everything you are thankful for. When you begin with those simple things, you will find there are so many great things to be thankful for.
The year I determined to make memories of all those times with my children, it continued to over flow into our everyday lives and even those tough times, become memory making times. This year as you enter into Thanksgiving, give thanks. Look inside yourself – begin to making your list of how you can make a memory for someone else.

Happy Turkey Day – Gobble – Gobble – Gobble!

Solute to Southern Belles

A southern belle is defined as an archetypal upper class woman of the antebellum south of the United States. It is also the name of a named passenger train service offered by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) from the 1940s through the 1960s, running between Kansas City, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana.
For the most part, southern women have been depleted down through books, movies and even television sitcoms. Our drawl, polite manners, how we dress and of course our temperament which can be laced with a scalding temper for not having our way, have captured the thoughts and memories of the world. William Falkner enjoyed writing about the southern belle. He shows us to be unique creatures that are the backbone of southern society whether from impoverished homes that laced the old cotton field plantation to the filthy rich that adorn the pages of the society section of major newspapers.

Today I have reflected all the southern belles I have known both real and fiction and when I saw my reflection in the car window earlier today, I asked myself – how in the world have you not been ejected from the sisterhood?

As most of you know, or maybe don’t know – I was adopted into a well bred southern family from Atlanta Georgia. My mother’s family has volumes of books written about their ancestry that goes back forever. I actually am listed within these pages as “the adopted daughter”. My father’s family is also from the same area of Georgia and to this day there are reunions that people come from all over to attend.
I am not sure if it was because I was adopted that caused me to have an edge in my southern breeding. All the amenities given to a southern girl was given to me, but I always seem to have this little edge in me that caused me to always be in trouble.
Now don’t get me wrong. I certainly love all that goes along with being a southern belle, except the art of “fluff”. I shoot straight and for those of you who really do know me, I don’t pull any punches on what I do and do not believe. The good thing is that over the years, I have learned to tone down the “hear me and hear me well” personality trait that does not fare well in most circles. Especially those well bred southern circles, where a true lady is to be seen but not heard.

I have no doubt that somewhere down the line I was from Scarlett O’Hara’s lineage. I think for all too long she has been misunderstood. She was passionate, but she did not allow the circumstances to take her under (like most of my southern sisters do). And you always knew what she believed. Don’t be too hard on her.
Please do not mistake those horrid sweet spud tarts to be true southern belles, for we do not toss around and tell those things that need to not be told to the world and act even worse. We are those strong, graceful women who know how to send shivers down the spine of the hardest nose man and how to stand as a true sister lifting up her arms up when she needs it most.

We are not afraid of getting of hands dirty, but always know when it is time to smell good, be good and look good. The true southern bell, no matter our age, weight or financial worth, knows how to embrace the day, how to run the race and how to be in control not be controlled.

As I saw my reflection in the car window today, I am now an older southern belle, with an edge.I lift my glass of ice cold diet coke and Solute you – my southern belle girly girl friends.

Much to Do About Nothing

I had to laugh at myself as I viewed the blank screen in front of me. You have to understand this humor, because I cannot think of one significant thing to actually say today. This state is most unusual for me, for I always have something to say even if it is about nothing.

I did in fact start this morning off in great pondering about Life and where I was going to go with my life. In fact it was not long ago that my daughter asked me – “Just what do you plan on doing with the rest of your life”? Actually, at that time and at this present time, I have no idea what the direction of my life is going to take.

There were several topics that swirled around in my brain, scattering thoughts of profound blogging, but I could not seem to pull together enough sound thought other than my usual ramblings of tongue in cheek options that could possibly be mistaken for negativism instead of factual content. This is not necessarily a bad thing if one knows that my usual tongue and cheek ramblings usually have valid points.
Nevertheless, I have made a silent vow to not always be so tongue in cheek but to also give positive, whimsical views and thoughts to lift the spirit high and bring a smile to the faces of those that take time to read my Blah – Blah Blog.
Aimlessly my brain wanders around pondering the past – the present – the future, looking at the “what ifs and how comes”, to mine and others lives as I know them. I think of scriptures, sermons and lessons learned from past experiences and scenarios. How do I apply what I know and have learned to today and the future? How will I respond differently today than I did yesterday and will I respond differently in the future?

I peek inside of memories past and think how I just might have done it differently if I had the knowledge I have today. Sometime I think it is freeing and exhilarating to allow one’s brain to flit from one thing to another like a little pixie fairy goes from one flower pod to another. But I caution myself even in this – for there is always the foreboding that draws us into dark perspective, that can crash our emotions into that area of sadness and even depression. We must guard our hearts and our thoughts when we allow ourselves to throw caution to the wind and allow this aimless thinking.

Ok – enough already – it is time to put the brakes on and come back to the reality of today. I have but a few ending thoughts.

One can never go to the past and bring it to the present. What is done is done. If one takes the past and applies the lessons to the present and the future, then one is a very wise person. If one dwells on the “what ifs and how comes” too long and doesn’t leave them be, then one is very foolish. For the present and future advice, I always love the phrases – “Dance as if no one is watching and “Just suck the marrow out of Life”. I know this is one of my two favorite expressions and remember “Tomorrow could very well be a “Say Something” hat day. . . . .

Blog Block

Over the past several days, I had been working on a blog that had me pondering and processing. Today, I thought I finally had it down and was preparing it to go on line. Then oops I hit a wrong button and it was gone and I could not even find it. Out in that cyber trash with no return. Let me just tell you, for a woman who is never lost for words. I have a great attack of Blog Block, Brain Freeze. So I have to decided to take this moment and remind us all that in the next couple of weeks we will be beginning the Holiday season with Thanksgiving.

For many people they take these holidays as times to reflect and remember times past and present lack. They get depressed, cry and carry on. Believe me I know, because I use to do the same thing. Instead of truly counting my blessings, I counted my losses and what I had or had not done that caused me to be in the way I presently was.

I would challenge you to take a few minutes to begin making a long list of those things that are positive and wonderful about You. You have breath and have changed the lives of those around you. You are made by a creator that loves you so very much. He created you and all your flaws. These “flaws” are the very thing that makes you unique.

Even if you think you only have you to live with. You have the Almighty Living God. Your Abba Father. Take time to know Him, take time to find out about Him. He is worth it all. Does He take a magic wand and bring it all like a fairy godfather. No. But He takes you and makes you a new beautiful living creature and He will guide and direct you through the journey. He even provides an instruction manual to take you along the way. It is never old or out of date. Imagine that!
So begin thanking Him for Him and for making and creating you, take time to look at your circumstance and then talk to Him about it. He is there ready to listen and to give you guidance.

For those of you who already know Abba Father, take time to just thank Him for making you His Feature Creator. Ask Him what His plan is for you through the Holiday. It may be as simple as just being nice to those strangers that pass our way each day.
When you feel like you are heading towards that negative, depressed state, just begin thanking Him for the little things, then try smiling. Go look in the mirror and smile at yourself. You may want to even stick your tongue out at yourself. What’s the point? You may not be able to change your circumstance at this very moment, but you have an Abba Father that is waiting to guide you in the right direction.

The opportunity to just be is now. Who you are what you believe you are. But if you know you are His child there is nothing that can keep you down. You are the child of the Creator of the World – so act like it, begin acting as He would act.
During this Holiday season – take time to give the gifts of Mercy, Love, Grace and Acceptance of those around you. The good thing about it. It doesn’t even cost you a dime. But it will get you closer to the understanding of who your Abba Father is.

Brain Trivia Emphemeria

Today while trying to get back to the office, I found myself caught up in memories past caused by present moment happenings taking the brain back into time and joining it with the present. I call this Brain Trivia Emphemeria. A phenomenon we have all experienced at one time or another.

When I was expecting my first child, I had cravings for the one and only Krystal Burger. In fact I craved them so much I could eat a dozen at one sitting – of course they would have to be laced with extra heavy mustard. Today as I placed my order for those unusual Krystal treats, I did not order a dozen, but I did in fact ask for the heavy mustard. Sitting there waiting to make it to the window, I wondered whether or not my son liked Krystals. I had never asked him.
So as I drove aimless back to the office I allowed myself to wonder around in my brain looking here and there for things that were to me Emphemeria of Brain Trivia.
With my second son, I craved Taco Bell Burritos with red sauce, and with my daughter it was chocolate.

For some reason I even began to think about the man at the service department the other day. He had on a dark green shirt and white levies. Does he not know that one should never wear white Levis or white shoes after Labor Day! Tisk – Tisk.
I also think the reason we southern gals carry a little more weight than others around the world, is we were raised to leave at least half our food on our plates. It’s the lady thing to do. So once we were out of sight of our mothers and the social authorities – we downed more than a full plate full of those wonderful treats – petites fours - if especially fresh one could easily eat a dozen and wash it down with the left over punch and have a sugar high that would last for hours. The woman who made up the rule that a proper southern lady should never eat but half of anything was from a third world country and was sent here to cause havoc with our weight.

What about those gloves. I remember having to wear loves and pick up my Church offering with it. Impossible!! Then the tips of the gloves were dirty and once washed and cleaned they just never felt the same.
On and on the list goes on and my mind just wondered on and on as well. Glad I was not on a long distance road trip!

Easter Eggs – The sugar ones that are covered in a pastel sugar covering with some soft marshmallow inside. I still to this day cave them. Most people hate them (more for me!!) pure sugar delight. When I was very young I hate a bag all by myself and ended up with a red whelp rise all over my body.

I am not sure why this has lead to more memory writing about food delights. There is no doubt that food and smell and music play key rolls in Brain Trivia Emphemeria.
This past week I bumped into a school mate in cyberspace. He reminded me of our one and only Sunday afternoon drive that ended up in a large field. My father refused to allow him to see me after that. He also reminded me of The Kiss. How sweet is the Brain Trivia Emphemeria of the Kiss of Innocents!!

The Art of Fun and laughter

Fun is defined as - activities that are enjoyable or amusing; playfulness: a disposition to find (or make) causes for amusement; Recreation or fun is the expenditure of time in a manner designed for therapeutic refreshment of one's body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. ...A source of amusement, enjoyment or pleasure; Enjoyment or amusement; Playful, often noisy, activity; enjoyable, amusing; the activity is chosen for its light-hearted character; Playful release of energy to achieve healing through balance or transformation. Serious fun!

Now, I would challenge even myself to put some fun back into our lives. We live in a world of seriousness, every day we are bombarded with the serious side of live, we watch it on the news, we see it in those that live around us and we see it in our own self. We must be responsible.

The Word of God said he told Abraham to name the child that Sara was going to have (at the age of 90) to name him Isaac (Laughter); In the midst of Job’s dilemma – God said he was going to fill him with laughter and joyful shouting.
Proverbs 17:22 says: A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

For the past several weeks now, I have been looking for and trying to change my tongue and cheek writing. I have found myself swept into this bubble of seeing things in such a serious manner. Trust me seriousness has its place, but too much of it will weigh you down and then the doom and gloom and depression sets in. Not a good thing.

Today I have challenged myself and a friend to find some fun each day in our life. To look at ways to bring a little sparkle and fun moments into the lives of those around us. It is my theory that in doing so we will unlock the happiness, fun and sparkle in ourselves.

Take a moment and reflect on what has made you laugh and what do you consider “fun”.

While writing this today, I thought about a line from an old movie – “To Wong Foo” – Patrick Swayze played in around 1995- as a full blown drag queen who had won a “beauty” contest” and was on his way with two others to Hollywood, when their car broke down and they ended up in a small nowhere town. The paint had come off the few buildings and the people of the town looked forlorn and plain gray. As Patrick Swayze (Vida Boheme) assessed the situation he made the statement “I think tomorrow is a "Say Something" hat day”.

Taking an assessment of our life as they stand now, we can either give into the circumstance and not embrace the moment to have fun and laugh and make the sparkle – or we can stand up and say “I think tomorrow is a “Say Something” hat day”!! This will work – So I am going to start looking for my “Say Something – Fun – laughing” day – today and everyday from this moment forward!

Looking at relearning the art form of fun and laughter - Maybe I will even find me a hat to wear!!!!!

Mistletoe, Memories and Mayhem

Approximately twenty three years ago, I had a major decision to make. Dwell in the circumstances or make a difference for my children. I chose the latter.
Christmas all my life, was a special time for enjoying and celebrating the birth of Jesus, through giving and praises of knowing that He began His life for me to have life. Christmas was also a time when no matter what was negative in life at home, marked a clean slate. There was something fresh and new and wonderful – people seem to be friendlier and even those that wasn’t especially nice, seemed to have a few moments of niceness. This was true except in my home.

From around the end of October until around February, my former husband took on a whole different personality. He wanted nothing to do with the holidays. It was a rude awaking the first Christmas after we married. There was no card, not gift, no Happy or Merry Christmas. There was absolutely nothing.

So as the holidays approached each year, I found myself struggling how to express what I knew without finding myself in the depth of depression. It had nothing to do with the gift, or the lights or the glistening sparkle of that time of year brought, the reality was the darkness that covered our home during that period of time. As once again the holiday’s approached, I ask the Lord to give me an outlet to make this time special for my children. He did just that.

He gave me venues of things to do with my children that were memory makers that would last longer than any tangible gift. I found Christmas programs that put great emphasis on the Birth of Jesus, a “Singing Christmas Tree” a local College presented each year, making hot chocolate and Christmas treats, and going to Mistletoe Marketplace the Junior League of Jackson put on each year as their major fundraiser. This was one of the favorites we did together, looking at all the sparkle, listening to the Christmas music and gathering wonderful ideas to run home and make. We had such good times together making our Christmas Memories together.

Over the years, the “Singing Christmas Tree” lost it’s fun, as it was usually cold and rainy, the Christmas programs became only me participating, and Mistletoe Market Place has evolved over the past years to a more stressful time than a begin the holiday time.

On Friday, I met my daughter and son-in-law, from the get go I had made my mind up that no matter what happened, I was not going to let it steal my fun. I began to realize that this was not a fun time anymore. My daughter and her husband took off, leaving me to tag along as a stranger. We made it through the whole entire event, in record time. My daughter had very few words to say to me at all.
Other events of the weekend, left me totally broken hearted that what was begun so many years early, the memories of the look on her face as a little girl, the closeness we shared during those moments has ended up as shattered splinters of my heart.

So what do I do with the mayhem that the enemy has tried to cause? I intend to bring glory to my Abba Father for the precious gift he gave me forty plus years ago, when He called me to be His Child. To forgive my children, for they just don’t understand the price that was paid for them to not have to experience the deep hurt I experienced years ago. For once again, I have a choice. I can allow the circumstance to overwhelm me or to take this opportunity and make it another platform in my testimony. And of course being who I am – A daughter of the Most High God – I have no choice but make it an opportunity.

On Sunday afternoon, Abba Father took what could have been a totally enemy havoc weekend and had a precious friend, share with me much needed groceries and a Crockpot. Was it the groceries and Crockpot that made the weekend? No it was, Abba Father letting me know that even when the enemy has taken our most precious memory making events and turned them into demonic havoc, He makes His own Memory Making Events that keeps us balanced in our journey through life.

For God’s Family stretches so far beyond DNA and man’s family – Memories and events can only be truly orchestrated my His Hand not ours. Those divine appointments that only happen when we allow ourselves to fall back into His open arms.
As I looked back on the events of this weekend, I had tried to re-orchestrate today from past memories and not allow Him to orchestrate the present. In His mercy and grace, He gently put me back on my knees and reminded me – He must have total control in every event in our life. We can’t look to the past, we can’t control, but we must allow Him to lead.

Superman, Wonder Woman and Hope

Last night as I stood amidst of boxes and little room for movement, I thought about what I would do if I could not escape or really hurt myself. Who would find me and how would I let anyone know I needed help? Would I or could I begin calling loudly for help? The door was locked, my cell phone in another room. Would they (who ever they are) have to take the hinges off the door to get in? Or would it be a useless cry and only after days gone by would someone find me amongst the boxes. Nevertheless, as I inched more and more into the small area I pushed and shoved the furniture into place, yes, I knew that once again Wonder Woman had nothing on me! Ok, enough for one night, we will see what Wonder Woman will accomplish tomorrow night.

Later as I climbed into bed, I began thinking about all those Super Heroes of the past – Mighty Mouse, Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest. As we have become more and more knowledgeable about life, we find ourselves looking for a Superhero to bail us out of reality. Just as I was boxed into a small space, all too often our everyday realities have boxed us in to small confined places with no way out.
Today will show us as Americans running to the Polls to vote for someone to “save us”, to be our superhero. Not since 1960 has voter turn out been so high. We cry for change, we want change but we if we are not willing to change ourselves, not take responsibility for our own actions why do we think one man is going to do this for us. Is much easier for someone to bail us out, take us out and just be responsible for us so we don’t have to be responsible.
The list of issues and scenarios that have brought us to this place in time is not something that will change with a man. For now it has sunk us so deep that many generations have become deluded.

Recently I had dinner with a good friend. She and I talked about life and those scenarios that we have walked through and what we have seen through the years. She made a statement that has run in my ears – We have two or three generations of young people who don’t even know how to be whom they are suppose. We have girls, young women, that do not even know how to cook and take care of their children and boys, young men who don’t know how to be a man and take responsibility. And what is sad, is they don’t want to know, but they do want someone else to be responsible.
Millions turn to the internet to escape into cyber space what they would have liked to be in reality, opening one way doors that without the supernatural help of our Abba Father can never find a way of escape. On and on the list goes on. We have just about outsmarted ourselves. We have the answers at our fingertips, but we ignore truth, don’t want to know the truth, and then cry save me! But the cry is not to our Abba Father, it is to a man – a superhero of sorts.
As John the Baptist, Jeremiah and the other Prophets of Old, I say to you “Repent, Turn back to your Abba Father, Seek His face, not the President’s Face, Church face, the Pastor’s Face, but His Face. Look at your Abba Father, face Him. Ask Him what you can do in order to change the course of the journey you and your friends and family are on.

There is Hope – "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

So my question to you is: Are you expecting a Superman, are you Wonder woman or do you have True Hope in your Abba Father?

Microwaves, Crockpots and Irritations

As I began this past month moving into my own space, I found myself amazed at how much I take for granted those simple things in life we get use to.
When the kitchen was all put away and I actually had some groceries brought in, I decided to fix a pitcher of tea. I filled up my little container, plopped in the tea bags and turned to open the microwave door to find that there was no microwave. Where was the microwave, the last several places had microwaves. But something in the back of my mind remembered that years ago, when I had moved into my house, my daughter sold my microwave. It never dawned on me that I would move into a place that did not furnish a microwave and that I would not have been aware of not having one.

The second mind lapse was when I began looking for the box with the Crockpot. It was the first really cold spell for the season and a fresh batch of veggie soup was in order. I would fill my Crockpot full of good veggies and let then cook all day. But then as I was going down what I had unpacked, I remembered that we sold the Crockpot in a garage sale because the handle had been broken for years and I knew when I was on my own again, I would just get a new one.
So there you go. No microwave and no Crockpot. I may be one of the few people in this world or in this United States that do not have a microwave or Crockpot. In fact I am sure that statement is not a true statement. For over the years, I have worked in the world of philanthropy and have come to realize that we think just as in this situation that we are the minority. When actually, just in our own back yard there are those who don’t have the possessions we have.

Yesterday morning as I was sitting in Church, I had a very happy person ask me if I was excited about being in my own space. I actually told her no. She asked why and I told her I had been too busy to be excited. Her response was, Well, It’s Sunday! This flippant statement really irritated me. I could not get this off of my mind yesterday. What was even more interesting was when I laid down for what was to be an hour nap, ended up being nine hour nap and then on and off sleep until it was time for me to get up. I kept thinking each time I awoke about this statement and the really scalding e-mail I wanted to write to this person. I would drift back off to sleep and then wake up with the same thoughts and scalding e-mail.

During my early morning talk time with the Lord, I really had to tell Him, how much she and others like this irritate me. I also told Him, that I knew that He had been talking to me about my attitude, being Holy and being broken, in order to make me more like Him. It’s sort of comical when I think about it. I do so want to be that really Holy Woman of God, not a Holier Than Though Woman of God. But when I think of what He has taught me, I am not so sure He himself would not have been a little miffed at this person.

As I see it, there are those in our Christian Family, who flit around wanting people to think they are all that, when they really don’t care. God has really pinched me a lot about how and why I do things for others. When we want self gratification, to be recognized, or a pat on the back, then the motive is certainly wrong reason. Even when one asks questions, check your motive. Are you really interested or do you just want those around you seeing you?

There is no doubt in my mind, that I certainly get irritated more than others. I think it is in my genes. But I also know that it makes me take a look closely at my own self and how I do and do not treat others.

I did in fact send an e-mail, but instead of a scalding one, I sent a thank you for her always being a happy person. I believe that we truly never know what a person is carrying on within themselves, and they reflect what they think should be reflected.

So I would ask – what’s inside of you and what do you reflect?

Dictating the Significance of Life

Several years ago, my office perch was at the front desk of the office. It was the only place to put me and I was asked by our former CEO if I would mind taking on the task of Front Desk duties. This threw everyone into the thought pattern that I had been demoted. Actually, it was saving my job. The initial initiate that I was apart of was ending and my boss was leaving. After a new CEO came in, I was given an office with an actual door. The tour on the front desk became only a day and a half or whenever someone could not be at the front desk. All this to say that this week I have spent the majority of the week at the front desk for a co-worker who is on vacation. Now with the background out of the way, I can get on with what I am trying to write today. So bear with me.

I have recently finished going through the Bible in a year, but only in trying to catch up, since I actually did not begin in January, I have read and pondered why I had never actually had done this one year thing before. Usually my studies are more random on subjects, issues and searching for answers. For the most part over the years, I have gone through not systematically but randomly through. Again, chasing another rabbit. Since there are just a couple of months before the New Year approaches, I thought I would go into a different type of morning study. Which has thrown me into pondering and wondering about my life and those around me. How God orchestrates things to weave together to finally make sense.

One question that always seems to rise to my thoughts is – Who writes these questions in a study? For example: Write a statement that identifies what you feel will be your next storm. Hello – who can say what the next “storm” will be. Of course, in most of these questions, there is no right or wrong answer.

But I do know that for me taking the Word of God and finding Significance to me life has been important to me as far back as I can remember. To live right – to make the right choices – not choices others say we should make – but truly make the choice God wants me to choose. Is this lofty? No.

The second question that rose up, was – Do those who write these studies live what they write or do they want others to think that they truly “know” the mind and will of ‘God. I believe it can be both. All too often, in studies, the standard is not God’s standard, but man’s lofty religious standard that weighs one down with defeat.

If one takes the Word of God and looks at the promises that He says He gives to us when we give our life back to Him and become His child, we inherit all that He has. This is an almost impossible thought. But this morning as I was watching those vehicles whiz past the front window and as I pondered some of the questions of the study I am working through, the wheels began to click – click – click

To be His child gives us significance. He only expects us to take Him at His Word and apply it to our circumstances. It is because we do not believe it, that we can’t seem to get the significance of our lives focused.

Read II Peter 1:3 – His Divine Power has bestowed upon us ALL things that are requisite and suited to life and godliness through full person al knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (Amplified)

Just think of it – We need to camp here and really get this down into our spirit and brain needs to accept it. We have His Power – Everything we need for Life – By His DIVINE POWER, God has given us EVERYTHING we need for LIVING a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

So if you wonder about the significance of life, your life it is most significant – the requirement to have to become His child. Get to know Him through His Word – Believe it – Chew on it – Take other’s opinions with a grain of salt.

Dictating the significance of Life is not what your position, or what you do or where you sit. You dictate the significant of life through your relationship with the Almighty God – Abba Father – Himself.

What's Behind Your Attitude?

One of my most favorite heroes is King David. He began as nothing, he made major errors and He became a very important and well known but most importantly he was a man close to the Heat of God. In the midst of it all he loved His God passionately and emotionally. Lots have been written about David and his life. Check out I and II Samuel of the Old Testament. But you can read about David’s heart in the Psalms. (I especially love reading from the Amplified Bible).

Over the years I believe my attitude about life and love and people and issues have revolved to where I believe is a reflective attitude. If you ever go to my website you will find words that people said described me, a brief look at my past and my present. Of course I had to keep it brief and one day I will put it all together in a great series of books and who knows a made for night time television – one of those Lifetime movies.

Recently, I moved from my daughter’s home into an apartment. I have been opening boxes and going through my worldly possessions, those treasures of things that I have held on to. It has caused me many moments of reflection over the past, the present and even thoughts of the future.

I have been rightfully accursed of being a “pack rat” of such. Most of my worldly possessions are items that serve as “memory making: symbols. For example, most of my furniture comes from my parent’s home, some of which were their original pieces from the start of their home. Some of my most prized possessions are things my children made when they were in kindergarten. Yes, I still have the Pringles can wrapped in faded construction paper my daughter made for me for Mother’s Day when she was 3.

What is interesting about these memories is the reality of where I have been in my journey with the Lord. For most of my life has been struggling just to get to the place of being a “real” person. I struggled with who I was, what I was and why I was. The negative attitudes I encountered from others telling me what was wrong with me, why I would not ever make it, how different I was, and always pointing out my flaws. Even after giving my life to the Lord, I struggled with many of these old haunts, as well as new ones brought about from well meaning Christian brothers and sisters.

The majority of the time our attitude is driven by our motives and our emotions of our circumstances. Our attitude reflects what is deep inside of us and what we have experienced. David’s attitude through out his life showed a determination to rejoice and love his God, regardless of the situation and the attitude of others. As I opened boxes and unpacked the memories of the past, I had this over whelming sense of peace about who I was, what I was and why I was. For like David I have an attitude that reflects my determination to rejoice in My Abba Father, to fall at his feet and cling to Him. For I know that it is not in the circumstances, it is not in people, it is in knowing and the loving relationship, the total bond between me and my most precious Abba Father.

Read Philippians 2:3-8 and Psalms 34:1-3 So I ask you today, What's in Your Attiude?

A Menagerie of Thoughts

When you take on the ownership of a Blog space, once should keep their thoughts in some form of order. Over the past several weeks, I have had lots of thoughts but no time to development a good blog. I had to laugh for this is life. A menagerie of things to do and places to be and no time to work them all in. So is this blog. A random menagerie of profound thoughts and comments. Enjoy……
The Price of Salt! There are things that just offend me. Paying 69 cents for a box of salt is one of them. Not that I use a lot so salt, but every once in awhile you need to have some salt. This past week I began moving into an apartment and I guess somewhere along the way I have lost my salt. All I know is that last time I bought a box of salt; I paid 10 cents for it. And pepper is over $2.00. I guess with the world going nuts with stocks taking a nose dive, why am I surprised that those that furnish us with salt and pepper are raising their prices as well.
Facts or Fiction: Today I sent out an e-mail to all my friends and families concerning a letter Beth Moore had sent out about Kay Arthur. Come to find out the letter was a phony. I was beyond embarrassed. Especially when I am so particular about things I send out. It is always best to know your facts before turning yourself into an unknowledgeable fool.
Just remember that we as “Christians” need to take a hard look at ourselves in this day and time to see whether or not we are praying and doing or we much like the Children of Israel in that we have so become tangled in the World and the Fears of the World that we will have Abba Father give us a good “Hear Me and Understand Me Well” meeting.
Profoundness: The dictionary defines Profound as entering deeply into subjects of thoughts or knowledge or having deep insight or understanding. Penetrating into the depths of one’s being. Going far beneath what is superficial, external or obvious. Deep meaning.

Well, I don’t know if my thoughts are as the dictionary describes or if I just have grown up watching too many who done it. I have spent a lifetime or at least over 50 years watching and pondering the ways, whys and what fors of people. People fascinate me and I am many times surprised at how much time and effort is put in to trying to impress others with what they know or what they want you to think they know. So I ponder and wonder and roll scenarios over and over in my brain until I conclude what the real facts are.

There are those in my life who spend lots of time trying to convene me that things are the way they are an others who are just themselves. Those are the ones I prefer to hang out with. Which I hope in return I am who I say I am. Which I think I am, but I know that I am multi-faceted.

Take my website for example. It displays many sides of me. No one area looks like the other one. It has a lot to be done before being finished, which is much like me. I have a lot to be done to me before I am complete. So if you visit my website and it looks like it’s not finish – keep checking back often to see what I have done.

Attitude: An outward expression of an inward feeling.
It is the “advance man” of our true selves
It is the roots are inward, but its fruits are outward
It is our best friend or our worst enemy
It is more honest and more consistent than our words
It is an outward look based on past experiences
It is the thing that draws people to us or repels them
It is never content until it is expressed
It is the librarian of our past
It is the speaker of our present – It is the prophet of our future.

The Standard

The definition for Standard is: model; criterion; norm

This is a word that is thrown around a lot, especially in the world of Christianity. Phrases like - Raising the Standard, Being the Standard, Setting the Standard.

Today I actually left my office at lunch, which is a very rare thing. The weather was beautiful and I was in need to find a large ice filled glass of diet coke. As I began driving I found my self reflecting on different scenarios I had seen over the past several weeks and those actions we call “Standard”.

Which brings up other questions, like, “Do we have one set of standards when in the Churchhouse and another set of standards when we are at work and then an entirely different set of standards when we are with our friends and family members? Do we have different standards for different occasions? “Do we actually have a “standard” we have for everyone else that we gauge where they fit in our life?

I began thinking about that old sitcom “Sex In The City”. Now that it has been made into a movie – all those women who would never admit to ever watching flocked by the thousands to go see. Ok, stop right there my fine upstanding “Christian Sister”. Do not gasp, while speed dialing to tell that I actually am talking about a program that you yourself have secretly watched for years.

The “Standard”, for “Sex In The City” changed the course of our children sadly enough for the worse. Not to mention what the free ticket to “Sin Overdose” for the young business woman. But that is a subject for a different blog. For this particular blog, I would like to point out that the one factor most prominent in this sitcom was the loyalty of friendship. Good or bad, right or wrong, the friends stuck together and were most forgiving of each other.

How many have had good friends, or known family members that have put you at arms length because you did not meet their “Standard”? It’s a lot to think about and I continue this afternoon to ponder the “Standard” question. One rabbit trail leads to another.

The one thing I have found is that if I truly look at another person in the “Standard” of the eyes of Jesus, I must accept them and love them just the way He loves them. It certainly changes “My Standard”. How’s “Your Standard” looking these days?

In closing, I will be very honest with you, up until the movie (which I have yet to see – Really! – I had never seen the sitcom, but it opened up a whole new world of pondering and profound thinking on a variety of subjects. So stay tune – you will never know what I may pull out of my brain and into my blog.

Icing On The Cake

On Saturday, a friend of mine asked if I had read an article in a frou-frou magazine that highlights the rich and famous of the area, highlighting fund raising events where folks come out in their finery – candid shots of those who attended the events. There is also a lot advertising of shops and communities that cater to the rich. A fun read.

Last night my daughter plopped this magazine in my lap and asked me to read the story of a little girl’s slumber party that was the feature story of the magazine. By the time I read through the article, I was beyond appalled that this magazine felt it appropriate to highlight the more than ridiculous event that took it to the level of insane. What does this child have to look forward to as a young adult?

But, the “Icing on the Cake”, was the paragraph where each little girl was giving a “ball” to be given to the underprivileged children of the area to promote health and wellness. At that point, I knew the word “Stupid” was at the fore front of the article. I had no choice but to respond to the Editor with a response to this inappropriate article.

Each little girl at this slumber party were – Given a pair of pretty pajamas, a pillow with a butterfly theme, a hand painted plate with their name, a facial and hair by a team of professionals from a upscale Day Spa – on and on the list of what these little girls received to attend this little slumber party went on. But the underprivileged child received a ball. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?!!!!!!

Do we really think these little girls grasped the giving to others? No!! They probably did not even know or think for a moment about giving to others. What is apparent is this mother wanted to sell a bag of poop, that this outrageous party had some philanthropic justification. And I must ask the question just what was the editor of this magazine thinking when writing about this absurdity of this beyond extreme party of a little girl to mentioning that a flippant gift of a “ball” to an underprivileged child was teaching these little girls giving to others. It would have been better to just leave this statement out. For this paragraph makes the mother and the magazine look like idiots.

What is the sadness of this whole scenario, what will this child believe that what ever she wants her parents will buy. Do you think she actually appreciated what was done for her? What does she have to look forward to as a young adult?

The appreciation of a simple ball was probably more appreciated by the child that received it, than the child that received the “mess” given to them at this party that by this time next year will be forgotten.

Shame on you mother! Shame on you editor! And shame on the mother who thinks that she will have to top this party for her little girl.

Voting Right for Us and For Our Nation

As the Introduction to Superman came the announcer would say Superman fought for Truth, Justice and the American Way. Now the reality is as Christians we need to stand for Truth, God’s Justice and God’s Way. As responsible Christians praying for our nation should be as important as praying for our families, our children and our fellow Christian brother and sisters.

A famous preacher was quoted recently “What this nation does affects the whole world—we need to pray for our nation...we have to take a stand, our stand is our vote and our vote has a voice…you have to pray and you have to vote.”

We have become a nation that places the blame on everyone else and wants someone else to pay for our errors. We spend endless hours watching politicians wag their tongues about what they are and are not going to do, what the other politician has not done and what was a lie. We have listened to the news media on their take of what was really said in a debate. Then every where you go a person has an opinion on who should be leading our nation.

It was not any one politician or one administration that put our nation in the shape it is in. The bottom line is we have sinned against our Holy God. We have compromised our beliefs and accepted half truths.

In studying the Old Testament we find there is not much difference in the shape we are in and the shape the Children of Israel were in. More times than not you will see that our Holy God placed an evil ruler to bring them back to Him. And you will also see there were those who stayed on their knees and interceded on behalf of the Children of Israel asking God to not only forgive them, but to set them free from the very bonds that they put themselves in.

Today there are Christians and Godly men and women of God on their knees interceding for our nation, for us.

I read this today and believed it is worth passing on to you:

Before the pilgrims set foot on the shores of the New World in 1620, they made a covenant with each other...and they made a covenant with God. They agreed to join together as a civil body “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith....” Their intent was to establish and run a government on the principles of God.

That covenant was called The Mayflower Compact. Today, that covenant—signed nearly 400 years ago—is ratified every time you as a believer step into a voting booth and cast your vote. But that holy covenant has also come under fierce attack like never before. After all, it is in effect a declaration of war against Satan and every devil of hell.

America is the cradle of democracy. She is also the cradle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That’s why it’s so vitally important that we as Christians band together to preserve our God-given nation.

History has proven time after time in this land that it only takes a faith-filled few to make a difference—whether in the battlefield or in the voting booth. And given the last presidential election, we of all people should know the power we carry in just one vote. With Election Day just around the corner, NOW is the time to prepare to vote.

First, if you are not registered to vote, then do so as soon as possible.

Second, pray over the election. Pray over all the candidates, as well as the “political platform” on which they stand.

Ask God to show you how to vote. Then, obey and get out and vote!

A ballot is just a piece of paper until you hand it over to God. When you give it to Him—and He puts His hand on it—it becomes a holy covenant. It affirms what men and
women of faith did centuries ago.

I challenge you to take the following prayer and pray it through out the day, not only for the election coming up but for future elections.

Heavenly Father, we come before you in the Name of Jesus on behalf of all our leaders in the United States of America-our local, state, and national leaders, our judicial, legislative and executive leaders, our law enforcement officers and all civil servants.

We plead the blood of Jesus over our leaders and their households and we stand in that covenant blood on behalf of this entire nation.

God your Word say in Proverbs 21:1 that the heart of the king is in Your hand—and You turn it whichever way You choose. So we ask You to direct the hearts and minds of our leaders to make decisions that will lead our country in Your ways, according to Your Word.

Lord we ask You to remove from position of authority those who stubbornly oppose righteousness. Replace them with men and women who will follow You and Your appointed course for our schools, our cities, our counties, our states and our nation.

Now, we declare the power of the Living God over every election held in this country—from border to border and coast to coast. We declare that your people, Your choice, Your men and women –whatever political party they are in—get into office.
Father, thank You for bringing change to the politics of America. We say that righteousness will prevail in our political process. And we thank You for it. In Jesus Name Amen

Memory Making

In the movie Parent Trap, one of the twins is hugging her grandfather and sniffing his jacket. He asked her what she was doing. She said – Making Memories.

Making memories out of a day can be just the thing to take an ordinary day and turn it into an extraordinary day. Have you ever had one of those days, when you find yourself in the midst of a situation that could possibly be deemed as not so wonderful? There is one thing for sure – the memory will never leave us and when we do look back they make for some of our most precious times.

Over the years, those that know me well know that I am known for my stories. Happenings and moment making events that are sure to being a smile on the faces of others, because they can not believe they are true.

One of the reasons I added this blog to my website, is to give me the freedom to spin the tales of adventures I have found myself in and not have to go back and rework and redo my website so often.

Just this past weekend, I had one of those Memory Making Moments. I have just written a friend an e-note and by the time I finished it, I realized I must share this tale in my blog.

A friend asked me to go to a movie this weekend. She is old friend from the street I raised the children on. She and I have known each other for somewhere around 30 plus years. We are like City Mouse/Country Mouse. When I got to her house, I asked her where she got the tickets from. It was from the Church that hurt my daughter and husband when they were on staff there. The Church had bought out that hour of the theater. So t I am going to be right up in the midst of these folks that I would like to take a belt to doing my children wrong. I just prayed that no one would recognize me.

She told me she ad a couple of stops to make before and after. On the way we had to stop by and leave her daughter a half box of detergent - now mind you, she did not go to the door and ring the door bell, she just left it in the car port and then called her on the cell phone to tell her it was there. Then we dropped by her garden so she could pick up veggie's out of the garden for Sunday lunch. I sat in the car - (I don't do garden's any more). So far so good.

As the movie ended, someone announced that there was going to be dessert at the Church. My friend said she needed to run by this Church and pick up the almost dead mums to make the Sunday Arrangement for the front of the Church (just use green plants I say!!). Now picture this. I am standing outside in the dark waiting for her to open the front of the church up. She promised we would get in and get out before the “crowd” arrived. When we got there it was dark and I told her I would just stay in the car, that way I would not have to accidentally run into anyone. Oh but my friend insisted that I help her. As we start to the front, she takes an exit left to the side of the church through the shrubs. Now mind you I did not follow, I had no idea what she was doing. Surely she was not hiding, or maybe she did not want anyone to see us either. I quietly hollowed, what are you doing? She responded with a statement that the plants outside needed watering. How did she know this it was dark and I could hardly see in front of my face? She never said we were going to water the plants. By this time people are driving up and of course you can imagine – I am standing in the dark in the front of a Church I did not attend and my friend is roaming around in the bushes!!!

Finally she unlocks the door and we slip into the dark, there she starts handing me these potted mums. All I can think of is please God do not let us be arrested for taking flowers out of a Church. You know someone might have thought we were robbers and called the police on their cell phone. As we exit the front of the Church in the dark. Cars are pulling up next to her car and I just knew someone was going to say halt put those mums down, but no one seem to care, guess they were move interested in the desserts. Finally we were on our way.

But the story does not end here. Just as we settled back into the car her cell phone rings. The next thing I know we are flying down highway 80 at 60 miles an hour. She had forgotten to pick up some boards; she had bought earlier in the day at a garage sale. I was captive! Off we go to another area of the city she was driving with determination to leave the two boards she spent all of $1.00 on. As I reminded her that there were red lights ahead and that the speed limit was not quite as high as she was going, she just smiled. Finally she pulls up at a house where there are no lights on at all. Getting out of her car she disappeared to the side of the house, reappearing with her finds. All I can think of is how to explain to the police why we are taking two old boards and have a trunk full of dying mums. Just wanting to get to my own car, we both realize that the boards are not going to fit in the backseat of her car. I am going to have to get out of the safety of the car. Just as we had gotten the boards into the car, lights come on and the garage door opens. I was like a deer in the headlights. I was staring at a lady standing in her nightgown who is looking at me, with a very puzzled look on her face. She is trying to figure out who we are and I am trying to figure out what to say. She is looking directly at me. "We've come for the boards", I called to her. "What" she says as she strains to see who I am. Louder I said "We have come for the boards". "Oh" and just as quickly as the garage door went up the garage door closes and there I stand in the dark again.

On my way home, all I could think of was this was one of those Memory Moments. Someone would love to hear about. So what's in your memory??

My Good Girl Friends

Last night I had dinner with one of those “good girls” that I have not seen in many years. We had run into each other for the first time since somewhere give or take 2000. Neither one of us could exactly decide when the last time we saw each other and the big question in both of our minds. . . Did we end on good note? We must have or we must both have short long term memories.

Three hour later in a cold restaurant, we talked endlessly about our lives past and present and enthusiasm of future visits. As I drove home, I began to think about those “good girls” God had put in my life. I want to take moment and pay tribute to them. Each one of you good girls friends, have made major impacts on my life’s journey. So to each one of you I raise my diet coke and give you a standing ovation! Thank you for so richly blessing my life’s journey!

D.F. is one of those good girls. When she gave her life to the Lord, she took Him at His Word. The battle has been major, but her determination to be what God had called her to be never waivered. Last night I saw a woman who had made hard, but good decisions about her life and the Lord has been blessing her back. It was not over night and she paid the price that is paid in being obedient and not netting the enemy see her sweat! D.F. dubbed me a Pitbull for Jesus, which is a personality we both share. I did in fact tell someone we knew to “put it back in their pants”. I really did.

N.G.’s came into my life some 30 years ago, I was pregnant with my daughter. She was one of those rare people that I really believe gave her life to the Lord in her mother’s womb. She was sweet, saw good in everything, forgiving loving and believed God. Her life had been filled with many ups and downs, but she stayed steady. She taught me to eat pizza dipped in Italian Dressing. The Christmas that she found out she had lymphoma; she was more concerned about my life, than she was about hers. We talked everyday laughed each day. Just prior to her passing, God gave us a small window of time to have a girly girl weekend. We laughed and giggled and ate too much. I saw her one more time the next month standing at the airport. The doctors allowed her to fly home and spend Thanksgiving with her parents and other relatives. She strolled off the airplane, like and angel. She had a smile on her face. On Christmas Eve, one year later, sitting alone I heard a strange rustling and the sense that I knew she had gone home to be with the Lord. Her funeral was a celebration of passing over to her earthly home to her heavenly home.

J.D. is a lot like N.G. She herself probably gave her life to the Lord in her mother’s womb. She is kind and gracious and loving and sees only the best in others. She has been through a war zone, that left her strong and knowing that with the Hand of God there is nothing that she could not do with His Help. J.D. says I make her laugh and I have promised that if I knew I would not get caught I would pull up to the drive thru window of a local burger joint and spray a mutual acutance with a giant water soaker. I often have ideas of grandeur when I want to make a point, but I am too chicken I think.

A.C. is definitely a good girl. We can’t even remember how we got to be so close. It had to be somewhere between when she literally showed up at my house while I was in one of my major drama crisis (details not in memory bank any more) or the night I missed the last step and the glass of water went up in the air, the plant I bumped in to went up in the air and the two came down, along with me and there I sat covered in water and dirt. She came around the corner and began laughing hysterically. I guess the rest is history. Of course, she will never let me polish her toenails again!!!

Spirit of Arrogrance

For the past couple of days, I have been pondering how even in the best of Christians, there is an area that we overlook when it comes to dying to ourselves and totally trusting the Lord.

So I ask you, is the Spirit of Arrogance what is keeping us from having total freedom in our relationship with the Lord? Our healing? Our break through?

Arrogance is defined overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors. Arrogance is one of the seven chief features, or stumbling blocks. Its positive pole is pride; its negative pole is vanity. It is a fear of being judged.

Now think about what happens to a person when they ask the Lord to come into their lives. Then as they begin allowing the Lord to change them, they begin questioning His gifts, or what they believe they should or should not have to give up. They do not want to become too radical. Being perceived as being “too religious” is an issue for them.

Then as we become comfortable with out walk with the Lord, something is placed in our life by the Lord to see if we will trust Him totally. But instead of trusting we question.

Yesterday, the Lord, put in a prayer warrior’s spirit to have a mother stand in proxy for her daughter who had been suffering for years with migraine headaches. The headaches had been getting worse since her husband had taken a position in a local Church they attended. At the end of the service the mother went to her son-in-law to let him know that there where those there who wanted her to sit in proxy for her daughter to receive healing.

To her dismay and the others ready to pray, he said no. He wanted her to at a certain place, in a certain spot, and did not want anyone to even go to her home and pray for her. We did not lay hands on her mother, but we as a group prayed for her. We had to be respectful of the husband’s authority.

As I drove home, I thought long and hard at the scenario. Instead of taking an opportunity to pray, he wanted it in the manner he wanted it in. Arrogance? Wanting to control where and when his wife received her healing. Arrogance?

So many times over the years I have seen this same wanting to “control” how and when the Lord moved.

Let’s look at a second scenario. How do we handle receiving The Gifts of the Holy Spirit? Lord, it’s not that I don’t want what ever you have, but I don’t want to be “radical”. What if someone “hears” me? What if someone thinks I am weird, a fanatic? Arrogance?

Don’t think I have totally learned this lesson. As of this weekend, I wanted to put my ducks in a row instead of trusting that God’s Hand as in control of a situation. The good news is He was in control; the sad thing is I went through an uncomfortable conversation that could have been avoided, if I had not had the arrogance of thinking I had to help my Abba Father with another plan if He failed to get the job done. Ouch!! I have learned this lesson very well!!

Now, let me ask you, what if when Jesus went to the cross, he questioned whether or not it cause people not to like him? Or it would be painful? He would have to choose a different life style?

No instead he went to the Cross; He gave it all for us. And it was on that Cross He bought not just our life, but He bought our Healing and gave us the most powerful life we could have, if only we would take the gift.

Our arrogant thinking is more worried about what we want and how we want it than being humbled and appreciative of all the gifts, the healing and love and mercy He has for us. We want it with conditions! We are telling our all Holy, all Loving, all Forgiving Abba Father, we don’t want it His way, we want it our way. Arrogance?

This made me take a deep look at myself and how I have in my own spiritual life have not just allowed the Lord to override my “arrogant self” but wanted it done in my way and my time and the way I wanted it.

Jack Taylor wrote in His Book “Keys of Triumph Living” - “Let the Christian play it safe and there is no glory. He can live clean, be moral and efficient, stand out for all to see, and even be “dedicated”, but there is no glory. He is impressive but not miraculous; but he learns the secret! It is Christ in him that is the hope of glory! He takes death to himself and chooses to let the death-life principle become operative in his live. As he dies to himself, Christ begins to live through him. The agony he fears and the tragedy he faces gives way to a victory he shares.”

If this man had gone ahead and allowed his mother-in-law to stand in proxy, would his wife be totally healed at this very moment? I the young couple had truly allowed the Holy Spirit to truly dwell in their lives without worrying how it would affect their relationship with their friends, would their marriage have had greater victory?

All I know is we must stop allowing the Spirit of Arrogance to keep us from experiencing total Freedom in Kingdom Living with our Abba Father.

So take a minute and just look at what you are holding on to, refuse to do or let go of and yes trying to “control” a situation because of the Spirit of Arrogance.

It is well worth giving it all to Him and letting Him have total control of your life. Who cares more about you than Abba Father? No one.

Are Friends Truly Friends Forever

Years ago when Deborah Smith wrote the words to the song, Friends are Friends forever. And her husband Michael W. Smith sang it as only he can. Every youth choir began to sing it as their tribute to the experiences they had on their Summer Youth Trip. Couples used it as part of their tribute to their relationship as they began their marriage and parents used it to reflect the journey of their children when they graduated high school. The Choir goes: "And friends are friends forever If the lords the lord of them. And a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end Though its hard to let you go In the fathers hands we know That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends." But after experiences the loss of a friend over the past couple of years, not to death but to rejection. I ponder this statement.

We are both Godly women, love the Lord, walked through hell and back more than a few times over. Cried together, laughed together, shared endless cups of coffee and chocolate together. A friendship that had stood the test of time for over twenty plus years. But yet, my friend choose to close the door without reason. A year or so earlier when the door was being pushed closed, she stated because of my choices of other friends, that she did not approve of, she had to separate herself from me. She also stated that she did not think I had used wise judgement on a situation. She never asked my side or what was my reasons were. She just began quietly began shutting the door. After all these years the door was firmly closed and the Do Not Disturb - Keep Out Sign was hung. Throwing me into the same grief one goes through in the death of a loved one. I have anguished and prayed and pondered and sought the Lord on how to deal with this loss.

Years ago with this very friend, I heard Joyce Meyers talk about loosing all her friends. We even had a conversation over how could good friends, best friends, soul mate friends, Godly friends stop! Trust me when I tell you I never wanted to know what it was to walk through this.

Not long ago my daughter and I had a very heated discussion about me, my personality, my tone of voice and bluntness. She felt like I had paused away those that I had once been friends with because of these traits. For I myself had been before the Lord concerning the distance and bubble He had placed between me and those I considered friends. Many whom over the years have moved away and I had lost contact with, those that had families and husbands and careers that kept them from being able to have free time for visits. Other's whom I have no doubt had backed away because of my stand on specific subjects that were different than theirs.

Interestingly enough friends from years gone by have begun to surface from different places and different areas of my life.

Then late last night I read my daughter's blog about her friends over the years. Are Friends really Forever? began stirring in my spirit. What about our friends?

Today on Facebook someone asked about True Friends and as I was reading through some comments on different people's pictures and they listed, Good Friends, Best Friends and Soul Mates. The numbers associated with these categories we over 50. That is a lot of good, best and even one had 70 Soul Mate Friends. WOW. And the person talking about True friends wanted to know how to find and keep True Friends.

Over the span of some fifty years, God has brought in and out of my life precious friends, good friends, Godly Soul Mate friends. But I have faced the physical death of a friend, and I have faced the separation due to circumstances of life separation of friends. But I have never experienced the death of a friendship as I have the past several years. The thing that is so crushing, is that I have watched other good friends face the closing of the door by their "Good Godly friends". As far as soul mate friends go, there are those rare precious ones, that through it all have never turned away. We may not see each other or talk to each other, but it never changes, it is the constant knowing that we have each others backs.

No Friends are not always Friends Forever, even when the Lord is the Lord of them. But to be the friend forever! Even if it means taking the bullet for them.

My personal belief is that to be a friend is to listen, encourage tell them the truth in kindness, be yourself, give them the love, the mercy and the grace, Abba Father gives to you. If you believe you need to separate yourself from the friendship share what you see to be the reason. Then go in Peace.

The old Girl Scout song - Make New Friends, but Keep the Old - One is Silver and the Other Gold.

I have taken the statements from my daughter, the hurt, the pain, laid them at Abba's feet. I asked Him to show me, heal me and guide me. He has sown me many precious Friends that I do have and have been apart of my life journey. Renewed old Friends and even brought in some new ones.

To all my Friends near and far, as Woody says in Toy Story - "You've Got A Friend In Me."

Saving Items from Trash Hell

My daughter tells me all the time there is no such thing as Trash Hell. Well, even if there is not, I have found that many items that might end up in the trash have many other uses before heading to that plastic trash bag that we have lurking in each room of our homes.

Today, my heart soared as I ran across an article from Making Memories Magazine on line. Here's the link: http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/masters/TGIF+Intro.aspx
This wonderful soul mate rescues - She states in this article how she loves to recycle and always try to reuse paper, cardboard,packaging, etc. -Now there you go!

Being a Trash to Treasure artist whether it is a scrapbook page, an altered book page, jewelry you can find the most marvelous items right under your nose (before it reaches the trash!!)

I remember what started out trying to "make" gifts for my children. Not all came out wonderful, but I knew that it would be special. What really is a crushing blow is there are lots of television shows that show you how you can take just about anything and make a wonderful treasure - trashy happy from just "trash"!

So before you send that item to "trah hell" take a moment to think how you might use it to create a wonderful scrapbook page - a great piece of jewelry that only you have, or how can you turn it into a great base for a gift!

Over the past couple of years, I actually taught my coworkers how to make trashy happys and whirly gigs special for their secret pal gifts. The imagination is a great thing. Especially when it comes to rescuing those items from "Trash Hell.