Lainey in her swing

Can you see why I go to Cabot so much?

Lainey's just so SWEET!!

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It's really beautiful at the golf course, and it's pleasant to ride around in Joe's golf cart.

But as far as playing, I've told Joe I'll play golf with him when he starts running with me!

Lainey in Her Birdie Dress

Ginger and I like to dress Lainey up for pictures. Wait'll you see her in her Eeyore costume with detachable tail!

Lainey in her Ducky Outfit

My Sleepover

I'm spending the night with Lainey tonight because her mommy and daddy need a good night's rest! I get to sleep in the nursery with her and feed her two bottles in the night! I know I probably won't sleep much because I'll jump up to check on her every time she makes a little noise, but that's ok.

It'll be a lot easier than what I did with Madeline. I held her in a recliner all night every night for the first 2 1/2 weeks after she got home from the hospital when she was 12 weeks old. I had to tube feed her, give her medicine, and keep her heart monitor working right. I'll be tired tomorrow, but it'll be a GOOD TIRED!

HEALTH MATTERS

At the convention, Joyce Meyer talked about the importance of exercise. She recently got a personal trainer and says that at age 64, she feels better than she has EVER felt! In fact, she talked a lot about health in her message titled “I Dare You.” She said:

*TAKE RESPONSIBILITY to get healthy and get your body in shape.

*Satan makes us think we can abuse our bodies and still be ok, but that’s not true!

*DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO BE HEALTHY!

*Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and if it’s broken down He can’t use it very well.

*Don’t settle for sickness! CHANGE!

*We don’t need a wishbone, we need a backbone! Stop making excuses!

*You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both!

*Yes, God will give beauty for ashes, but we have to lose the ashes!

*Nobody at age 18 would expect to become a doctor without studying. We need to study up on health and DO IT.

*People are unhappy because they’re not ACTIVE.

*God gave us so many joints because he wants us to MOVE.

*Quit saying, “I’m just waiting for my miracle” and “I wish I was thin.”

*Inactivity is a playground of the devil.

*You don’t have time NOT to work out.

*Look in the mirror and say, “It’s a new day. My past will not dictate my future. I take responsibility for my health.”

*James 1:22 says “Be doers, not just hearers." You’re blessed by doing it, not hearing it!

I don't have a personal trainer, but I DO have an internet weight loss coach, and he has given me until Sunday to decide on a food plan. So if I don't blog for a few days, you'll know I'm busy studying plans!

About Being A Mom

I'm not sure who wrote this, but I'm posting it for Ginger and all the other great moms I know.

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral."I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish hers.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Joe's Birthday

Today is Joe's birthday, so I'm grilling him a steak, and we'll probably watch a movie tonight. That's about as exciting as it gets when you're in your 60s!

Joyce Meyer Conference, Part 2

I had a blast at Joyce Meyer’s Women’s Convention in St. Louis! The worship led by Delirious? was incredible! T.D. Jakes really spoke to me, too! (I brought home his newest book, Repositioning Yourself, and can’t wait to read it!) As an admitted conference junkie, I’ve been to a LOT of great conferences, but this one was definitely the most creative and excellently done of any I’ve ever been to.

Now that I hang around Creative Arts people at church, I’m seeing things I wouldn’t have appreciated quite as much before, like some very creative video clips. I even noticed swirly circle thingies on stuff, which I wouldn’t have except one day Mark pointed out that design on something he was branding.

I really admired them for keeping the registration so low ($55) while treating us like royalty! They sent shuttles out to all the hotels to pick us up. They also had fun give-aways recreating shows like Jeopardy and Deal, No Deal. And they sent one person to Macy’s every day for an Extreme Makeover.

I was especially glad to discover that the emphasis was on helping the poor and needy, rather than personal prosperity. As Joyce pointed out, we’re ALL rich compared to most of the world. It was primarily geared to the third world problems of hunger and diseases like AIDS, but one day they called up a Katrina victim and gave her a new car and house! I was very impressed with the spirit of giving in that place.

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The theme of the convention was PURPOSE AND PASSION, and she covered that in a nutshell with the scripture, "Serve the Lord with gladness." She said the purpose part was to "Serve the Lord," and the passion part was "with gladness."

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Simple, yet profound. It was refreshing NOT to sit through powerpoints with flow charts and diagrams and words, words, words that take a simple truth and complicate it.

Joyce Meyer Conference, Part 1

I've been too busy to blog, and I only have a few minutes now, but I'll tell you what I learned after I get home, like maybe Sunday!

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Annette, I did something today just because you would have done it! Yes, the guy in the picture is Martin Smith, and yes, I went down front when Delirious? led the worship.

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And yes, everybody, I know I'm too old. But last night Joyce said that the reason she invited them was that "I refuse to have a generation gap," and T.D. Jakes said, "Start thinking good and fresh and young thoughts."

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So I thought a young thought, and there you have it!

Yum!

It's true, in case you've ever wondered.

St. Louis has great barbecue!!

Today's the day!

I'm off to St. Louis later today for the Joyce Meyer Women's Conference. Actually, I don't think it starts until tomorrow night. I'm planning to hang out at the hotel's pool tomorrow. Tonja just had three teeth pulled, bless her heart, so I don't think she'll be up to shopping or anything, which is just as well because I'm not much of a shopper.

Oops, I almost forgot to blog tonight! I was on my weight loss website writing comments with some friends who are watching Biggest Loser with me. I'll just post those comments:

Those red women are really whiney tonight! Amy's struggling a lot mentally, isn't she? I have more sympathy for her than I had for Amber last week, though, because she isn't saying she wants to go home. But she only lost 2 lbs!! Another red woman only lost 3. Red only lost 20 lbs total!!

My husband thinks they should fire the red trainer. Is that possible? He said she could start a competing show! Ha! I really think Bob's the sweetest trainer, don't you? (I can't believe my husband is actually watching it with me!)

I feel sorry for the guy who throws up when he eats. What's up with that? I'd probably eat ANYTHING.

I'm worried about Jerry, the old guy. He's starting to show his age. The steps looked hard for him. I really want him to do well cause I'm old, too. He's still losing well.

I'm partial to the black team because I love underdogs-- and they're really looking like they're working hard in the desert. Hollie, the high school teacher, only lost 2 lbs. Bummer! Julie only lost 3, only 5 in two weeks. Jez lost 9--25 in two weeks. WOOHOO! THE BLACK TEAM WON!!! That last guy lost 16!!

I WISH THEY WOULDN'T MAKE THE WOMEN WEAR THAT UNFLATTERING LITTLE SPANDEX STUFF! THE MEN GET TO WEAR T-SHIRTS, WHY CAN'T THE WOMEN? Of course, they have to take off their shirts to weigh and that's really shocking to see those man boobs, don't you think?

I ALSO THINK THEY'RE LOSING WAY TOO MUCH WEIGHT TOO QUICKLY! Jerry has lost over 40 in two weeks. Does that make sense??

I don't like the part where they send someone home.

OK, that's all I did for two hours tonight! Shame on me, huh? It was fun, though!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

I always get up early on the days I'm going to Cabot. Normally I hate to drive in the dark, but I can't wait until daylight to go see Lainey! I snapped this sunrise when I went through Vilonia this morning, and of course, "Blessed Be Your Name" was playing on the radio when I did! (Why am I not surprised?)
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Then I heard another song I really like called "How You Live." It's a much different sound than you'd expect from Point of Grace, kinda country, reminds me of Steph singing "Anyway." (It would be worth your 99 cents to buy it off iTunes!)
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Wake up the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want but want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back
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Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
Cause you won't regret it
looking back from where you have been
Cause it's not who you knew
and it's not what you did
It's how you live
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So go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth 'cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay
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Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
Cause you won't regret it
looking back from where you have been
Cause it's not who you knew
and it's not what you did
It's how you live
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Wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
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Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
And make peace with God
and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end, there's nobody else
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Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
looking back from where you have been
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'Cause it's not who you knew
and it's not what you did
It's how you live

Isn't Lainey cute? I've never been away from her more than 4 days at a time, but she looks different every time I see her! She doesn't look so much like a newborn now, but more like a REAL BABY!
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(Yes, I bought her the "Tax Deduction" outfit. They'll need a tax break the way she goes through diapers! Babies are expensive, but they're priceless!)

My morning

I went to the Tent of Meeting today (aka The Court). Thanks for always making things at FBC so special, Spring and Mark!

Supporting Our Spiritual Leaders

This came to my computer today, and it's something to think about, bloggerbuddies!

Sometimes pastors are the loneliest people in the church. Often their hours are long, the pay minimal, the criticism considerable and constant. Feelings of disappointment, discouragement, and defeat may begin to plague the best of them.

Paul's admonition to "serve one another in love" (Gal. 5:13 ) should encourage us to remember our shepherds. Here are eight ways to make their lives better.

1. Cut the criticism
Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers, creator and host of television's "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood," recently gave an address describing the time he was a student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and attended a different church each Sunday in order to hear a variety of preachers.

One Sunday he was treated to "the most poorly crafted sermon (he) had ever heard." But when he turned to the friend who had accompanied him, he found her in tears.

"It was exactly what I needed to hear," she told Rogers.

"That's when I realized," he told his audience, "that the space between someone doing the best he or she can and someone in need is holy ground. The Holy Spirit had transformed that feeble sermon for her—and as it turned out, for me too."

Unlike most workers who are evaluated once or twice a year, clergy are often critiqued weekly after each worship service. It's not unusual to hear people say "the music was poor," "the hymn selection was awful," or "the sermon was boring." We would do well to remember that most spiritual leaders work hard to make worship a unique celebration each week.

2. Pray regularly
Ask God to shower your pastor with an abundance of love, hope, joy, faith, peace, power, wisdom, and courage. Pray for your spiritual leader's maturity and growth in the faith. As you pray keep in mind this wisdom from German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: "If you treat a person as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, he will become what he ought to be and could be."

3. Express appreciation in writing
A spoken compliment is always welcome, but a written one can be read over and over again for years. So, when you hear or see something you like from your minister, write an appreciative note.

4. Use your skills to bless
Are you proficient with computers? Help your pastor master the church's new computer. Are you a mechanic? Offer to service the car free of charge or at a reduced fee.

One pastor I know recalls: "I was pastoring my first church—a small congregation with limited resources. While there, I developed a series of dental problems and could not afford treatment. What a joy it was when a dentist in the church offered to treat me for free. Correcting my dental problem involved nearly a dozen visits. He treated me carefully and cheerfully each time. I have thought of that dentist many times since then and the memories of his kindness continue to bless my life."

5. Squelch gossip
If you hear a negative comment, respond with a positive one. If misinformation is being spread, correct it with the accurate information. Or, if people are gossiping, just walk away. Remember the Bible soundly condemns gossip and careless speech. James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." And Psalm 34:13 reads, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

6. Offer to meet a need
Some people make their spiritual leaders defensive and angry by saying, "You need to … " That approach is seldom welcome and almost always counterproductive. If you see a need, approach your spiritual leader by saying, "I'd like to help by … " If you see an area that can be improved, take responsibility for working on it.

Be an active participant in your church. Get involved by teaching a class, leading a workshop, singing in the choir, feeding the hungry. Ask your spiritual leader where and how you can employ your gifts.

7. Be openly responsive
Nothing so animates and excites a spiritual leader as seeing people respond to the preaching and teaching. Imagine the surprise and delight of a pastor in Virginia Beach, Virginia, who, when greeting a visitor to his church, found she came because of the kindness of a church member who was her neighbor.

"I'm recently divorced, a single parent and new to this community," she told the pastor. "To keep up with rent and provide for my three children, I must work two jobs. That leaves me very little time for yard work. I was relieved when the weeds didn't overrun my yard as I had feared they might. However, when I made an unscheduled trip home in the middle of my workday, I discovered the reason why the weeds had not taken over my yard.

"My 86-year-old neighbor—a member of your church—was on his hands and knees pulling my weeds. I barely knew this man and he was embarrassed to be caught in this anonymous act of kindness. He explained that he heard you preach a sermon on the importance of living a life of compassion and kindness and decided to put that sermon into practice by weeding my lawn."

One pastor's heart filled with joy when a group of women in Washington, D.C., responded to a sermon preached from the words of Jesus—"Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matt. 7:1). After hearing the sermon, the women decided to give a baby shower for the young woman who provided childcare while they met for Bible study. She was unmarried, close to going on welfare, and without support from her family or the father-to-be. The young woman was moved to tears by the surprise baby shower.
Later, the women explained to the pastor, "Your sermon taught us that it's possible to reach out to someone in need—in this case, an unwed mother—without judging or condoning the situation."

8. Throw away the measuring stick
Don't expect that your present spiritual leaders will do things the same way their predecessors did. Lay aside personal agendas and preferences. Instead, focus on how your leader is being used by God to do effective ministry now. By serving your shepherds, you will ensure that they will not only be encouraged but will feel appreciated and continue to minister with enthusiasm and energy.

Emily and Lainey

Emily at gymnastics

I'll go when I'm bigger!

WE ARE QUALIFIED SERVANTS

I like this thought from Saddleback: Mister Rogers was right after all: There is only one you. But this information is much more important than to just be boosting your self-esteem. It is to help you better serve others by being more confident about your God-given role in life.
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No one else fits your shape. No one else has your blend of gifts, talents, and natural abilities – making you very important in the whole scheme of things. “God made our bodies with many parts,” wrote Paul, “and he has put each part just where he wants it.” (1 Corinthians 12:18) And as it is with the human body, so it is with the Body of Christ – the corporate collection of all who believe.
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But this uniqueness goes beyond giftedness; it reaches as well into the depth of each of our experiences in life. No one else has your life. No one else has your pain, your hardship, your joys and sorrows. Everything in life shapes us and we are shaped by everything for a reason – so that we can touch others in a unique way based upon who we are and what we’ve been through. God doesn’t waste anything in our lives.
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Every piece of our lives and experiences can be used of Christ to touch someone else. We were made for each other; we live for each other; we even die for each other. We die with hope so that others who live might see the reality of Christ in even the darkest of hours. God uses everything.
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Are you just getting by, or are you living for a reason? Think about your unique gifts and ask yourself how those gifts are benefiting others. What specific way is God using you to touch others in the Body of Christ? Do you seem to have an extra measure of wisdom, or mercy, or discernment, or knowledge, or administration, or desire to serve? These will help determine how you can look for opportunities to help others.
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And then think about the things you have gone through so far in your life – especially the difficult or challenging things where God has met you with his presence and power. That information is not just for you, it’s for you to empathize with and encourage others who have encountered similar struggles.
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God isn’t messing around here. There are no accidents with our lives. Whatever we have received and experienced has shaped who we are, and because of that, we are qualified servants.

There is truly no one else like you … for a reason.

PLEASE PRAY!

Juanita Newburn, our church custodian, has a brother in Iowa named Andrew Metcalf. They are only 3 years apart, and she's pretty close to him. He was here for Joel's wedding. This sounds bizarre, but he ate a bad mushroom and may die! His liver has shut down. If he doesn't improve immediately, he'll need a transplant, and he'll only have two weeks to get a donor for it or he won't live.

His life is literally hanging in the balance. I told Juanita I'd put it on my blog and get my bloggerbuddies to pray. Please take a moment now to do that, ok? Thanks!
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While you're at it, please pray for Tonja Peden, who's having awful sinus trouble, too, ok? The two of us are flying to a Joyce Meyer conference in St. Louis next Wed., and she needs to be well by then!

Thank you!!!!!!

Wednesday is Grammy's Day!

Hope Grammy comes today!

She's here! Hi, Grammy!

I'm wearing the outfit you got me! It says, "Nothing's wrong. I'm just testing you!"

Grammy thinks I'm the sweetest baby in Arkansas! (There's another sweet one in Colorado.)

How many people does it take...

OK, it wasn't a lightbulb, but I locked my purse in my trunk when I was at the church today. The purse contained BOTH sets of car keys.

It looked for all the world like you could gain access to the trunk from the back seat if you could just figure out HOW.

Let's see, I got input by phone or physical labor from Spring, Sue, Becky, Joe, Darrell, Richard, Dan and Barbara Hagar, Johnna, the Russellville Mazda dealer, the AAA helpline dispatcher, people I don't remember, and (drumroll, please), the heroes of the day, Mark and a guy named Robert from Crain in LR where I bought the car.

Mark got Crain's phone number from the internet, this guy Robert kept conversing with other employees, and the THIRD time he called me back, he had the solution! There was a "secret button" (not in view) about where your knees hit when you're sitting in the driver's seat of the car. That's the best way I can explain it.

I solemnly swear that from now on I'll keep my spare set of keys somewhere besides in my purse, and I'll try to find the owner's manual and put it in the car, too!

It was great having friends who cared, and it reminded me of this quote:

You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.
--Laurence J. Peter

I also lost my wedding ring this morning, and I got stuck in my seat belt this afternoon.
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(Did I say that out loud? Oops, now maybe you'll decide I DID do a permanent job today.)

Terror in the Skies!

From the title of this post, you might think I just watched Flight 93 on TV or I'm getting on a plane next week. I did and I am, but it's actually an article from CT At The Movies about movies on planes. It makes me glad I'll just be flying with Tonja and not an impressionable child.

Imagine this: You and your family—including your wide-eyed preschoolers—are strapped into seats. You're not allowed to get up and move. You're not allowed to leave the room. You're stuck, and you have no choice about what's soon to come your way.
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A screen appears right before your eyes. Before long, you—and your wide-eyed preschoolers—see a man shoot his wife in the face, then drag her body from a pool of blood. Or you see a 12-year-old boy crushed against a fence by a car. Or a teenager zipping up her jeans after having sex. And there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. You're literally a captive audience.
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Sounds like something out of a scary movie, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it happens every day—at about 30,000 feet. Commercial airlines regularly show R-rated films and other mature programming, some of it only barely edited from its original form. Sure, you can refuse to wear the headphones, but the images are still there, projected on all those nearby screens for you—and your wide-eyed preschoolers—to see. Cover their eyes? Ha. Ever traveled with a squirrelly, inquisitive 5-year-old? Good luck.
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The New York Times recently reported on this issue in a must-read story that should get any reasonable-thinking person upset—especially when you read such comments as this one from Eric Kleiman, a spokesman for Continental Airlines: "Parents have to be responsible for the actions of their kids—whether they shouldn't look at the screen or look away." What a dumb statement; I'd bet the clueless Kleiman doesn't have any kids.
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Kleiman further put his foot in his mouth by saying that airline entertainment is just keeping pace with what's happening on TV and in movie theaters: "Our approach is consistent with where society is going with this." Uhh, that's Dumb Remark Number Two from Kleiman. We have choices with TV and movies: With the former, we can change the channel, turn it off, or send the kids into another room; and with the latter, we can leave the kids at home, or not to go at all.


Last time I checked, parents didn't have such choices while strapped in their seats in a long narrow tube zooming along at 30,000 feet. I suggest Mr. Kleiman should zip it.
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One couple said they spent two hours on a recent flight trying to distract their 6-year-old son from seeing scenes from Shooter, which depicts multiple gory killings. The sounds of gunshots from nearby headphones alerted the kid to look up at just the "wrong" moments.
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Anecdotal evidence suggests that airlines are showing more and more R-rated and graphic fare. Delta started showing R movies in December, while United and US Airways are showing R movies more frequently than ever. Timothy Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, said, "You don't have to have 'Leave It to Beaver' on, but for Pete's sake, you don't have to have Eva Longoria seducing the high school kid on the dining room table, either."

Grandparents Day

This particular weekend in September has been hard for me the last six years because Grandparents Day and Madeline's birthday always fell so close together. One observance would have been hard enough, but I always had a double whammy.

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Yesterday Madeline would have been 9 years old. I can't really wrap my head around that, so that date has lost a lot of its emotion.

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And I got to hold Lainey for hours and hours today!!

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I had a very happy Grandparents Day today! Woohoo!

The Importance of Cinderella

I just finished watching Cinderella with Samantha and Emily. Do you know why the king wanted the prince to get married???

Because he had visions of playing with two little grandchildren! It's true--watch it for yourself!

I'm glad MY life has a fairytale ending, too!!

For My IWI Friends

Not sure how I stumbled on this guy's blog, but I thought this was interesting, especially after hearing Bob Sorge---
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He gives and takes away,
My heart will choose to say,
Lord blessed be Your name.
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For those of you that don't know, I have the amazing privilege of leading worship for the Healing Place Church campus in St. Francisville, LA (St. Franny as I like to call it). Anyway, this weekend I had the opportunity to experience the truth of those lyrics right smack in the middle of worship.
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We started off great and were introducing an older song that was new to the congregation, "You Are Good" by Israel Houghton. All was well and we smoothly transitioned into "Blessed Be Your Name" via "Stogie," Steven Stogner on electric.
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As we began the song, I had the urge to clear my throat and as I did, something happened. I'm not quite certain what it was, but what I am certain of is the result. Suddenly, I could barely get the words out. We made it to the instrumental bridge and it wasn't too obvious to anyone but Tabitha, she leads worship with me, and me that something was wrong.
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Then came the lyrics "You give and take away, you give and take away . . ." and He just completely took away. I had nothing. It was all I could do to finish the bridge, screech out the chorus twice more and end the song. I turned to the band and cut the 3rd song that was planned and we went straight to the last song "Revelation Song" which Tab was leading.
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Everything went fairly smooth and life went on. I had my voice back by that evening in time to lead worship for our Refuge service . So, He gave back too!
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At the time I felt my voice fading out, my first reaction was pretty much fear and embarrassment. As a singer, you are always a little freaked out when your voice goes out. Though it always does, the idea that it may never come back is completely real at least for a moment. That is one of the worst scenarios I can imagine in my selfish, small world.
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The irony though, was in the timing of the complete vocal loss. "You give and take away." At that moment, my first thought was to tap out and cut the song short and move on. But as I screeched out the lyric as best I could, the reality of what I was singing became even more important.
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Singing and singing fairly well is one of the most valued things in my life. At that moment, God dropped the reminder in my heart that he was the giver of the gift and that that was exactly all my ability to sing was, a gift from Him. If He chose to, He could take away my voice in an instant.
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Following that was the question, "Would you worship me still?" It didn't take me long to answer, the next lyric was all I needed to say, "My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name." As we repeated the bridge a few times, it became stronger in my heart and so I sang out with all I had.
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Though the vocals were shot, the heart was still able to express everything that was necessary: Blessed be the name of the Lord!
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I challenge you with this as God challenged me this weekend: If everything you have was taken away from you, where does your heart stand with God?
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Would you blame Him or bless Him? Ask yourself, in your heart, is God worth it even if you feel, sound or even look foolish to all around you?
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If you struggle with that thought, take a gander into the life of old Job. "After Job heard all of those reports, he got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped the Lord. He said,'I was born naked.And I'll leave here naked. You have given, and you have taken away. May your name be praised.' In spite of everything, Job didn't sin by blaming God for doing anything wrong."
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You can read the post for yourself at: http://michaelgriffis.blogspot.com/2007/02/he-gives-and-takes-away.html

A THOUGHT FROM SADDLEBACK--

Not long ago I had two separate conversations with two different people who said the same thing. One is a man, the other is a woman. One is Presbyterian, the other is Assemblies of God. They each were worship leaders in churches that were experiencing great renewal. And they each said to me: “I wish what is happening in my church was happening in my life.” Sad to say, their sentiment is not uncommon in the ministry.

In Song of Songs 1:6, the beloved laments: “My brothers have made me tend their vineyards, but I have neglected my own.” Her words ring so true, and remind me of my two friends – and of myself.

If I’m not careful, the joy of service turns so easily into the drudgery of duty, and before I know it, I have replaced intimacy with responsibility. I fill my life with activities when God wants to fill it with himself. More meetings, more projects, more hours spent at work serving my master. All of these things are worthy of my time and effort. But as I learned from the Parable of the Prodigal, God is not looking for servants. He is looking for sons who will join him in the family business.

The frustration mounts. The emptiness deepens. I become restless and dissatisfied. I occupy myself with more activity – but that’s just digging the hole deeper. Like the older brother in Jesus’ parable who cried out, All these years I have been slaving for you!, my “being” is soon overshadowed by my “doing.”

When I center my spiritual identity on the work of the ministry rather than centering myself in the presence of the Father, my passions change. My old passion for God is replaced by a new passion for service. Its rewards are more measurable and often more gratifying: acclaim, a sense of achievement and importance. I feed this new passion, and by doing so, starve the old one. The result is that I begin to measure my spiritual maturity by the load I carry rather than the freedom I enjoy.

But when religious activity takes the place of spiritual intimacy, my heart begins to harden and I end up – as the beloved lamented – having spent my energies tending my brothers’ vineyards while my own vineyard has been neglected. The result is burnout, jealousy for the spiritual intimacy that others experience, and a longing for a taste from the spiritual feast that others have enjoyed at Jesus’ feet while I was slaving away in the kitchen.

I justify my negligence with a Martha mentality that if someone else isn’t working as hard as I am, then what they need is a good swift kick in the pants from the Lord – when what I really want is to be sitting at Jesus’ feet myself. The fear is that if I sit at his feet, nothing will get done. But the truth is that if I don’t sit at his feet, nothing I do will matter in the long run. Like my two friends, I will miss out on the blessing of God’s presence, and God will miss out on the pleasure of my company.

Sounds audacious, doesn’t it? That God would miss out on the pleasure of anybody’s company? But think about this: Why would God invite you into his presence if he didn’t want to be in yours? He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden" (Matt. 11:28), and "Come to me that your soul may live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you" (Isa. 55:3). Is his invitation only for our benefit, or is it also somehow for God’s benefit? After all, the Bible says, “The Lord delights in those who fear him” (Ps. 147:11).

The dilemma is this: the “God-shaped void” that Pascal wrote about does not disappear. It gets larger. It’s an appetite that, once awakened, grows into an all-consuming passion. We cannot get enough of God’s presence because God continually makes more room for himself. He expands his sphere of influence with each encounter. Our capacity for true spiritual fulfillment enlarges with every fulfilling experience, until we reach the place where we say with the psalmist: “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God…Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Ps. 84:2, 10).

The fear is that if I sit at Jesus’ feet, nothing will get done. But the truth is that if I don’t sit at his feet, nothing I do will matter in the long run.

Reality According to Hollywood

All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French bread.

The ventilation system of any building is the perfect hiding place.

The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.

A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will wince when a woman tries to clean his wounds.

Any lock can be picked by a credit card or a paper clip in seconds—unless it's the door to a burning building with a child trapped inside.

All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they will go off.

It is not necessary to say hello or goodbye when beginning or ending phone conversations.

Any person waking from a nightmare will sit bolt upright and pant.

For My Working Friends

Work Can Be Worship

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Jesus's word for frustrated workers can be found in the fifth chapter of Luke's gospel. Peter, Andrew, James, and John made their living catching and selling fish. Like other fishermen, they worked the night shift, when cool water brought the game to the surface. And, like other fishermen, they knew the drudgery of a fishless night.

While Jesus preaches, they clean nets. And as the crowd grows, Christ has an idea.

He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd. (vv. 2--3 msg)

Jesus claims Peter's boat. He doesn't request the use of it. Christ doesn't fill out an application or ask permission; he simply boards the boat and begins to preach.

He can do that, you know. All boats belong to Christ. Your boat is where you spend your day, make your living, and to a large degree live your life. The taxi you drive, the horse stable you clean, the dental office you manage, the family you feed and transport--this is your boat. Christ shoulder-taps us and reminds:

"You drive my truck.""You preside in my courtroom.""You work on my job site.""You serve my hospital wing."To us all, Jesus says, "Your work is my work."

Our Wednesdays matter to him as much as our Sundays. He blurs the secular and sacred. One stay-at-home mom keeps this sign over her kitchen sink: Divine tasks performed here, daily. An executive hung this plaque in her office: My desk is my altar. Both are correct. With God, our work matters as much as our worship. Indeed, work can be worship.

Peter, the boat owner, later wrote: "You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God" (1 Pet. 2:9 nlt).

A priest represents God, and you, my friend, represent God. So "let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus" (Col. 3:17 msg). You don't drive to an office; you drive to a sanctuary. You don't attend a school; you attend a temple. You may not wear a clerical collar, but you could.

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Your boat is God's pulpit.

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--From Max Lucado

MY MIND IS BLANK

Can't think of a THING to say tonight, and tomorrow I probably won't have time to post because I'm going to Ft. Smith and Cabot, so come back in a couple of days, ok?

4 generations

Here's the picture you said to be sure to get, Annette. Four generations of strong females!

Just wondering

I'm wondering...do I TEACH the grandbabies to run to Grammy for protection when they're in trouble, or is it INSTINCT? (I wanna do this grandmother stuff right!)

Charlie's Labor Day

HOW I SPENT MY LABOR DAY VACATION

BY CHARLIE HICKEY

Snapping my fingers and rocking out to the song Grammy likes, "Blessed Be Your Name!"

Grammy held Lainey and me and said her cup runneth over, whatever that means.

Mommy and Daddy and me chillin' with my aunt and uncle and cousin!