Making Memories

On January 2, 2010 I didn’t jot down a bunch of New Year’s resolutions in my journal; I wrote a list of goals for the year. Looking back at that list I see I accomplished some (like reading more) and fell short on others (like losing ten more pounds). One goal that will be on every year’s list is making memories with my family. Good memories bind us together giving our relationships depth and meaning. They are places of refuge during troubled times and warm us through like hot chocolate on a cold winter day. Blessed is the family with a treasure chest full of loving memories.

Some of the most memorable moments come unexpectedly like a spontaneous snowball fight. (Or water balloons depending on the season.) However, the calendar pages fly quickly and I do believe we need to make intentional memory making opportunities. They can be as simple and inexpensive or elaborate and as pricey as you want or can afford. Traditions are also great memory makers. I have a friend who makes green pancakes every St. Patrick’s Day. Something simple, yet a memory her children will always think of every March 17th.

Here are some things we did this year:
· Played in the snow (In Mississippi snow in itself is a memory maker.)
· Had our own Super Bowl party and watched our team win.
· Had movie dates with my daughters
· Shopping with my mom and youngest daughter to find fabric for daughter’s curtains Mom would make
· Sing with daughters in church (Well, sing with oldest; sing while youngest does ASL)
· Cooked new recipes
· Read books together
· Helped daughters pick out dresses for their first formal
· Did ministry projects together
· Went to extra-curricular activities (Cassie’s first play, Kyle’s intramural basketball game, and Candace’s clogging performances.)
· Went on nature walks
· Played basketball together (Kyle won…I am NOT a basketball player.)
· Got taken on a birthday adventure to New Orleans by my hubby and girls
· Watched a caterpillar grow and turn into a butterfly
· Made lots of candles together (Candace is earning $$ for a mission trip.)
· Participated in my first flea market to help sell those candles
· Had a water balloon sneak attack on Husband (with girls’ help)
· Painted Vacation Bible School scenery and learned VBS songs with youngest daughter
· Picked blueberries and butterbeans with grandparents (Not in the same day.)
· Discovered the joys of geocaching with friends and with my dad (Lots of good memories with this!)
· Played laser tag with whole family
· Made a time capsule with whole family
· Watched for shooting stars
· Made egg custard pie with my grandmother then ate it
· Went to the Riverpark in Tunica with friends
· Went to the water park as a family

And took lots of pictures! In this digital age taking pictures is not very expensive. It isn’t even that costly to have them developed because you only buy the ones you know are good. Put these in an album however fancy (or not), and look back over them.

What memories did you make in 2010?
What ideas do you have for making them in 2011?

Thy Kingdom Come?

I cheated. The new series I started teaching in Sunday School isn’t new at all. It’s an old series based on the Lord’s Prayer I used with another class several years ago. Simple, easy, and not too controversial. Seemed a perfect choice, I mean, who doesn’t want to know how to pray as Jesus did? But…

After a closer look and an encounter with a blog on human trafficking I now wonder who really wants to pray as Jesus did.

Originally my take on “Thy Kingdom Come” was one of submission…submission to God’s authority based on the submission of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) Today I’m looking at it from a whole new perspective….

“Thy Kingdom Come” isn’t just our submitting to God’s authority; it is inviting Him into our world and our lives. Do we really want to? Sure, we want our loved ones healed, safe, sober, and out of jail. We may even want God’s help in making wise decisions, finding the best parking spot, or providing our needs. But do we REALLY want God’s will? Do we REALLY want His kingdom to come?

What if His will and His kingdom requires leaving our comfort zone? (It probably will.)
What if it means giving of our time, energy, and money until it hurts? (It usually does.)
What if it means giving up our desire to be healed, be safe, or be comfortable? (It’s a real possibility.)

You see, as much as God loves us, His highest goal is not our happiness nor prosperity. His highest goal is our rescue from hell and hell’s influence; not only ours, but that of the world. (Because as bad as it is, Satan’s abode is worse.)

When we pray “Thy Kingdom Come” we’re really saying, “Lord, use me to bring the world to You…whatever it takes.” I guess it is a prayer of submission after all. That’s what Jesus did, and it took Him to Calvary.

Are we REALLY ready to pray that?

This War Inside Me#comments

Heartwrenching! But don't turn away for God's sake and the sake of His children.

This War Inside Me#comments

Word Power

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln once credited Harriet Beecher Stowe with starting the Civil War? How? With her book entitled Uncle Tom's Cabin. Did you know that Clement C. Moore gave America the now prevalent picture of Santa Claus as wearing a bright red suit and being jolly? Moore also brought us the concept of eight tiny reindeer along with their names. How? With a little poem he wrote for his daughters called "The Night before Christmas".

Words are powerful! They can change the course of history and establish popular culture. Words can challenge people to greatness, or tear them down to despair. The Bible says:

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4)

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18)

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)

"The tongue has the power of life and death..." (Proverbs 18:21)

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)

Not many of us will shape the culture or change the world by what comes out of our mouths, but every day we shape and change the lives of those who hear us, those closest to us. Let's shape them for the better.

"Silver Boxes"

My words were harsh & hasty
And they came without a thought.
Then I saw the pain & anguish
That my bitter words had brought.
Bitter words that I had spoken
Made me think back through the past;
Of how many times I'd uttered
Biting words whose pain would last.
Then I wondered of the people
I had hurt by things I'd said;
All the ones I had discouraged
When I didn't use my head.
Then I thought about my own life
Of painful words I've heard;
And of the times I'd been discouraged
By a sharp and cruel word.
And now clearly I remember
All the things I might have done;
But, by a word I was discouraged
And they never were begun.
So, help my words be silver boxes,
Neatly wrapped up with a bow;
That I give to all so freely,
As through each day I gladly go.
Silver boxes full of treasure,
Precious gifts from above;
That all the people I encounter
Might have a box of love

By Florence Littauer

Anticipating the Impossible

Here’s the challenge: Using only four lines, and without lifting your pen or pencil, connect all nine dots. Ready? Go!



Did you give up? Does it make your brain hurt to think about it? Is it even possible? I assure you, it is possible. It just requires a different way of looking at things. “Out of the Box” thinking, so to speak. (I’ll post the solution at the end. Don’t scroll down just yet, though!)

Puzzles like this remind me that just because I can’t see a solution doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Just because something seems impossible to my finite mind doesn’t mean it isn’t achievable. It may just require some creative thinking.

Life’s problems are frequently the same way. Whether the challenge is a strained relationship, financial concern, or some entanglement of our own making, resolution often seems impossible. We’ve thought things through from every human angle examining all perceivable options only to find ourselves at a dead end. Too many variables are out of our control and words like “hopeless”, “helpless”, and “impossible” hammer at our minds. We’re at the end of our proverbial rope.

And yet, if we are very still, we can hear other words whispering in our hearts:

“Everything is possible for him who believes,” (Mark 9:23)

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26),

and “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

That’s the sound of Truth – God speaking in His still small voice to our very souls. (See 1 Kings 19:11-12.) You see, God is King of “Out of the Box” thinking; the ultimate Creative Mind. He always has a fresh perspective. He controls all the variables. He perceives all the options. And He is holding both ends of the rope we're hanging from. The "impossibilities" of our lives are really opportunities for God to reveal Himself to us.

Here’s another challenge: Anticipate the impossible. Watch it become a reality. Ready? Go!

1. At the top of piece of paper write today’s date and “ ‘Impossible’ Prayer Requests'”

2. Now list those heart-burdens that require parting-of-the-Red-Sea miracles. These can be prayers of deliverance from addictions and past demons, prayers of reconciliation for strained relationships, prayers for salvation for those without Jesus, prayers for provision of financial needs, prayers of Divine Intervention and Wisdom for decisions to me made; whatever is on your heart.

3. At the bottom write those verse reminders that with God all things are possible.

4. Pray. Pray every day. Bombard heaven with your concerns.

5. And wait patiently for God to reveal Himself in ways you never imagined.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." - 1 John 5:14

Solutions:

Challenge #1









Challenge #2
Start here:

Redeeming Love

What roads brought Angel to Pair-a-Dice brothel as the most sought after prostitute in town? What keeps her there? What secrets torment her? What will it take to free her from her demons? Is redemption even possible?

To find out, put supper in the crock pot, turn off your cell phone, clear your schedule, and check out Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is one of the best nail-biting, page-turning, spell-binding books you will ever read.

More than a masterful work of fiction set in the 1800’s, Redeeming Love is the take-your-breath-away story of God’s loving pursuit of His most cherish Beloved…you.

Little House on the Prairie

It may seem odd that a set of children’s books should be on my list of life-changing literature, but as I began composing this list I realized just how much the Ingalls family shaped my view of what family should be. I read this series through at least six times before graduating high school. Then I read it to my three children. And this is what I learned about family:

• Pa and Ma should be totally devoted to each other and the family through thick and thin. They create an atmosphere of love and safety for their children. They should be kind and gentle, but lovingly firm when necessary.
• Pleasure should be found in a job well done and in simple things like a sunrise, wildflowers, striped gophers, and sliding down a haystack.
• A wonderful day of family fun consists of going to the swim hole and having Pa dunk you, or reading aloud together while Ma does handwork.
• Christmas is about selflessness.
• Pa should work hard but still have time to play with the children at night and tell them stories.
• Ma, the perfect example of the Proverbs 31 woman, should be devoted to her family, making sure they are properly clothed and fed, etc, and is respectful and submissive to her husband. She should also be resourceful.
• Children are taught how to read, write, and do arithmetic at Ma’s knee. They learn how to respect their parents and each other and to love God and country.
• Everyone in the family should contribute to the well-being of the family.
• Hospitality is a virtue.
• A family works together, plays together, eats together, and sticks together.

Living in 2010 is much different from living in the late 1800’s. I’ll admit that I’m thankful for air-conditioning, automobiles, and Wal-mart, yet I somehow feel we have lost something very valuable in our fast-paced society. The “Little House” books inspire me to recapture something of that gentle era leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling of contentment. After all, in my mind, that’s what family should be.

The Greatest is Love

Oh, the endless possibilities a brand new, blank journal brings! It can become anything the mind can imagine…a diary, an adventure story, a photo gallery, an heirloom of wisdom for future generations….anything! I recently opted to turn my new door-prize win into a quote book. I’ve been collecting meaningful quotes and poems for years, but they were scattered throughout all my journals. The time had come to gather them into one place. It was a time-consuming task, but one I cherished; if the quotes were worth writing the first time, they were well worth revisiting. Like old friends they spoke to me of courage, love, and inspiration.

One of my favorites was clipped from a 1979 newspaper. I still have the original, and I still love it just as much as I did when I was fifteen. (You don't have to do the math; I'm forty-six.)

"The Greatest is Love" by Helen Redheffer
(from 1 Corinthians 13)

If I can speak as angels do
Or men whose ringing words resound.
But have no love within my heart,
I’m like a clanging cymbal’s sound.

If I foretell events to come,
Know science, art, profoundest lore;
If mountains move at my command
Because of faith I have in store,
But there’s no love within my heart,
All these, I know, are but in vain.
If I give all I have away,
But have no love, what is the gain?

If I have love, I cannot boast,
Be jealous, rude, demand my way;
I can’t resent what others do
Or from the path of kindness stray.

Real love rejoices in the right,
Does not feel smug when others sin.
It bears its burdens, hopes, endures,
Believes and trusts through thick and thin.

Love never ends, though knowledge goes;
Prophetic tongues are stilled at last.
Our imperfections mar our lives.
Perfection comes when these are past.

In childhood years I thought and spoke
As children do, but now no more.
I had to give up childish ways
When I passed through childhood’s door.

I see life as an image dim.
Not knowing, I myself am known.
I’ll understand – all will be clear –
When earthly ways are finally done.

Faith, hope, and love will never end.
They’ll last through time, and this is sure:
The greatest of these three is love,
The best of these that will endure.

Taking it Personally

The delicious fragrance of cinnamon apple filled the house yesterday, and it’s only September! The day before it was the aroma of key lime and the day before that Hawaiian pineapple. However, if you happen to come my way, don’t expect a luau, spiced cider, or delectable pie. It’s not that my hospitality is lacking (there is plenty to go around) but candles aren’t very tasty, even if they are mouth-watering.

Candle-making. It’s my youngest daughter’s new enterprise; her effort to earn money for a mission trip next summer. And even though this business is her project, she’s not the only one breaking up wax, cleaning molds, printing labels, or promoting the product. When she makes a good sale her dad and I rejoice, and when things are slow we show compassion through words of encouragement. Why? We are emotionally invested in this child…our child.

Emotionally invested; that’s why we take everything so personally. When someone makes a generous donation, offers to sell, or buys even when they really don’t need five clean cotton candles, my heart swells with gratitude. It’s as if those benefactors affirmed me personally. I couldn’t be happier. What you do for my child you do for me. It’s that simple. If you help or hurt my child you’ve helped or hurt me. There’s no separation. There’s no middle ground. I take it personally.

This makes me think….

Jesus talked a lot about how we interact with each other. A lot. He said things like,

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

“But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your” (Matthew 18:35)

“…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)


And though that’s just the tip of the iceberg, I do believe it gets the point across. God cares how we treat each other.

So I’m wondering….could that last one translate into, “I’m emotionally invested in my children. What you do for them you do for Me. If you help my child you helped Me. If you hurt my child you hurt Me. There is no separation. There is no middle ground. I take it personally” ?

I think it does.

My Poor, Neglected Blog

To all my friends both far and near
Who take the time to stop by here,
I know my blog has been neglected,
over looked, and not inspected.
I'm facing every bloggers fear,
(It makes me want to shed a tear.)
Though I live near Wal-mart and Cups,
Our internet is only dial-up.


(Ok, so that was a spur of the moment poetry attempt, but you get the picture. Our internet is SLOW, and it's pulling me down. I hope to do better as I really, really enjoy blogging. I actually have a post or two in the works!)

Be blessed!

Hands and Feet

I want to take a minute to brag...not on myself, but on my church family. Yesterday 24 of us went to inner city Jackson to be the hands and feet of Christ. I was blown away by all the enthusiasm, energy, and generosity!

Our task: Phase 1: Prepare enough spaghetti, rolls, green beans, and desserts for 200 people. (The Siloam folks were more than up to the challenge and actually had enough dessert for over 300 people! When you ask Siloam ladies - and men - to bake cakes, they will bake cakes!)

Phase 2: Transport all that food over an hour's drive while keeping it warm.

Phase 3: Worship with, love on, and serve people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds. Even though the entire experience was way outside most of OUR (myself included) comfort zones it was a wonderfully positive experience. And stretching outside our comfort zone may be uncomfortable, but how else can we grow?

Everyone kept a positive attitude and worked hard. I'm so proud of everyone and feel like this will not be the last time we worship with our brothers and sisters in Jackson. Please pray with us that God will continue redeeming the city one soul at a time.

Looking back on fourteen years of homeschooling I wish I had...

1. Taken a “School Picture” every year. Don’t get me wrong. I took and take lots and lots of pictures; I just wish I would have taken one around the same time every year. I suppose this is the only thing I missed from not having a “traditional” school experience.

2. Bought a file box for each child and made a folder for each year of their life. That way I could have easily organized important keep sakes and pictures. Instead I either threw things out or have no idea how old the children were when they created those things. Pictures could be slipped into the appropriate folder to be scrap booked later.

3. Read The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis sooner. Just because a child struggles with learning doesn’t mean they have a learning problem. It just means they see things differently. That’s a good thing! This is a must read for anyone who thinks their child is dyslexic.

4. Been more relaxed in the early years instead of feeling like a failure if I didn’t do everything exactly like the public schools. If I had the opportunity to start over, I would concentrate on the 3 R’s in and not feel guilty. I would also read the books Mommy Teach Me and Mommy Teach Me to Read by Barbara Curtis. She is a certified Montessori instructor who has twelve children. Her ideas and suggestions are awesome, but geared mostly toward children younger than my own. (Check her out at www.mommylife.net.)

5. “Thought outside the box” more. My college degree is in Elementary Education and it took too many years to realize I didn’t have to do every thing the way I was taught to. I wish I had built more replicas and done more hands-on activities. (And not fretted over not finished page whatever in the math book.)

6. Not worried so much about what people thought. If you think homeschooling is a radical idea now, think what it was 15 years ago. Lots of people questioned our decision. Most of those have come around and realize what a great thing it is. Those that didn’t come around, well, they aren’t responsible for my obedience to God, and they can never take away the joy this time with my children has brought me.

7. Not allowed my oldest two to go to public high school. I won’t go into the thought processes that sent them to PHS, just know it was their desire, not mine. My son went all four years and graduated. My daughter went a year and a half and decided on her own she didn’t want to be there. I don’t think the experiences they had there were good for them. However, something good did come out of it: it removed any doubt that I would be able to handle their high school education. In four years My son had maybe four teachers I felt were dedicated and really taught him something. There was a lot of time spent doing busy work, watching pointless movies, learning what was on the state competency tests, and sitting in the gym because the teacher didn’t have work for them to do. They never, ever finished a text book. They were doing well if they made it ½ way through. (How can they go on to Biology 2, Chemistry 2, or Algebra 2 if they haven’t completed the first one??) I know there are some great teachers in the public school system, but in my children’s high school experiences they were few and far between. (Disclaimer: I know there are circumstances where public school is a necessary option. I’m not condemning those who send their children there; I’m just discussing my personal observations and experiences.)

8. Discovered Apologia Science and The Mystery of History sooner. These two resources are teacher/kid friendly and just downright interesting! These would be appropriate beginning in the upper elementary grades.

9. Been more patient and kind. It can be so frustrating when kids don’t “get it” or if they’re fidgety. I ashamedly lost my cool more than once, especially with a certain young man during math.

Advice for New Homeschoolers Part 1

As my middle child begins college and empty-nest syndrome goes up a notch, I’m painfully reminded of the four short years I have left of this adventure known as homeschooling. As I look at moms just starting out on this journey it seems like only yesterday my three youngsters were underfoot, and my life was disorganized chaos trying to educate my most precious treasures. I recognize that panicked look in new homeschooling moms’ eyes and I have a few things I want to say to them, things I’ve divided into two lists: “Looking back on 14 years of homeschooling I’m glad I ….” And “I wish I had…..”

Looking back on 14 years of homeschooling I’m glad I….

• Made a list of reasons why I homeschool. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God was calling us to this task when our oldest was about to begin second grade. However, I knew there would be days I’d question the sanity of obedience and would be glad for those reminders that first year. I was right.

Read aloud, a lot! I read aloud to all three children from the time they were tiny until….well, I haven’t really stopped. Books are gateways to other places, times, and ideas. Traveling there with your children is one of life’s greatest joys and a way to painlessly learn about all sorts of things. Many of our “adventures” were read by Cassie as I sewed and Candace colored or played with her cat.

Tried different curriculums. There are a plethora of curriculum choices and educational ideas out there. While the choices can be overwhelming, they are also freeing. One child likes textbooks and workbooks. Another likes researching interesting topics. One likes Saxon Math while another despises it. The beauty of home education is finding what fits each child and you. The possibilities are endless.

Discovered notebooking and copywork. This will also go under the “I wish I had…” section. I wish I had discovered notebooking and copywork sooner, but Cindy Rushton, the notebook queen, was a young homeschool mom herself at the time I was beginning, so it wasn’t available when I first started. (Actually, I didn’t even have internet that first year!) But I eventually did discover these concepts and found them to be effective and stress relieving. These are especially great techniques for those early years. (Check out http://www.cindyrushton.com/)

Realized all kids don’t have to be able to read by age 5. Everyone has their own gifts, talents, and abilities. Just because they haven’t mastered certain skills by certain ages doesn’t mean they won’t. I figure it’s ok if a 20 year old can only read at an 18 year old level.

Found a support group. This was vital to my survival. There were a few years in our life journey when we weren’t involved with other like-minded educators. It was tough! Even after 14 years I need the encouragement, friendship, and new ideas a homeschool support group gives.

Let the tadpoles take over our inflatable swimming pool. We had baby frogs everywhere that summer! I just don’t believe a traditional classroom could match the excitement and learning that came from checking on hundreds of tadpoles and watching their development every day for weeks

Realized somethings are more important than “Book Learning”. Some of those things include adventures with grandparents, nature walks, taking pictures of butterflies and tadpoles, helping those in need, getting along with siblings, balancing a checkbook, holding down a job, and helping around the house.

Let Kyle bounce a ball while spelling words and Candace learn phonics while swinging. In other words, I’m glad I realized that learning doesn’t have to take place in a desk in a school room. A public school teacher can’t allow 25 students to bounce each letter of their words, but you can.

Let the kids keep caterpillars of all kinds and watched them hatch out.

Let Candace help me in the kitchen. In the very, very beginning she wasn’t much “help”. But she was a good companion and is now great in the kitchen. We have lots of fun and she’s learned a lot about real-life math.

Stuck with it and didn’t give up. It has been trying and difficult at times. We’ve had years when we accomplished much and years when we barely scraped by. There have been days I felt desperate for “me” time and now there are days I tear up at the thought of not doing this anymore. But I’ve never, never, never regretted this decision to not only teach, but nurture my children and rediscover the wonders of life and nature with them.

I'll post "I Wish I Had" soon.

Be blessed!

Do we see? Do we believe? Do we really care?

The truth is either
…we think the public school system is just fine the way it is.
…we don’t believe in the power of prayer.
…we just don’t care.

Today the Simpson County Baptist Association prayer-walked around the public schools in the county.

I didn’t want to go. My reasons?

· I homeschool which means I don’t have kids in the public school system.
· It might mess up my afternoon nap.
· I’ve already been at church 2 ½ hours and will go back tonight for another 2 hours. Isn’t that enough?
· I’ve got things to do.
· It’s hot and muggy.

But I did go. Not because I’m super spiritual. Not because God tugged at my heart. Not because “one person can make a difference”. Can I be honest here? I went because I thought it would look bad if the “pastor’s wife” didn’t go.

I’m glad I went.

I’m glad I went because God did lay some conviction on my heart:

• Someone important enough to have a key to the building cared enough to have his/her school prayed over. I should be thankful for that and pray for that person to have continued courage and strength.
  


• The spirits of darkness and oppression are already in the building just waiting to pry on young hearts. Can’t I take an hour of my time to ask God to pour His light into that darkness? Can’t I intercede on behalf of children who may not have an intercessor?


• I may not have children in the public school system, but it’s not about “me and mine”. I have friends with children there, and my community will one day be impacted by the promising doctors, lawyers, politicians, nurses, teachers, civil servants, artists, writers, and business people who are current students. Shouldn’t I pray for them to be godly men and women? And what about the potential prison inmates, drug dealers, addicts, under achievers, drifters, alcoholics, and suicide-attempters who are also there. Shouldn’t I pray for intervention?
  
  
• Either we as Baptists are blind to the situation of the public school system, don’t believe in the power of prayer to affect change, or we simply just don’t care. There are 44 Southern Baptist churches in Simpson County, yet only about 30 adults showed up to pray around the Magee City Schools. That’s not even one per church! I realize many, like us, chose to pray around the local school, but surely, surely in Magee, MS there are more than 30 church members. More than 30 people who didn’t have to tend to some crisis or another. More than 30 who are able-bodied. More than 30 who really, truly see the battle, believe in the cure, and want to be involved in the fight.
  

We say we believe in prayer.
We say the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
We say prayer changes things.
We say all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

But what do we do?

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23)

So, if the crime, suicide, un-wed pregnancy, drug abuse, and drop-out rates increase in Magee, MS who is to blame?

Mommy Life: Obama

Mommy Life: Obama "health care" will cut off seniors

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The Master Artist

“Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me.”[1]

Marshall Ramsey, editorial cartoonist for The Clarion Ledger and two time Pulitzer Prize finalist, recently made an appearance at our local library. His reading of Harold and the Purple Crayon and display of artistic ability were mesmerizing – well, maybe not for the intended audience of two and three year olds, but certainly for their parents. (And for people like me who no longer have young children but who happened to be at the library at the time.)

One by one children were invited to draw a random line on Mr. Ramsey’s large pad of blank paper which he then proceeded to incorporate into a magnificent drawing. Not a simple stick figure drawing, but a creative piece of art. One line became a space alien, another a dinosaur, and still another a fisherman catching the “big one”. I was a bit skeptical when one child produced a very curly line that looked like, well, a very curly line. (At least to my untrained eye.) Undaunted, the master artist transformed it into a baby elephant with its mother, the very curly line all but disappeared.

While it is not my desire to discredit the budding artists who aided Mr. Ramsey, I do know he didn’t need those child-drawn lines to create his artwork. The real skill wasn’t in the child’s contribution, but in the artist’s ability to take a random line he didn’t create or orchestrate and turn it into something captivating and fun to behold. He merely invited the children to participate in his creative endeavor.

۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞

God wants to make something beautiful on the blank pages of our lives, and for some unknown reason He invites His children to participate in this creative endeavor by giving them the crayon of free will. Sometimes that crayon produces clever, imaginative markings, and sometimes it produces down-right brutal ones. However, if we allow Him, God supernaturally incorporates all those lines into an original work of beauty. The fact that He uses the dark lines doesn’t mean He caused them.[2] And it certainly doesn’t mean He needed them.[3] We must remember that redeemed situations, just like redeemed squiggly lines, are a tribute to the Redeemer, not an endorsement for human failures. And when it comes to redemptive art work, God is the Master.

© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2009
[1] “Papa”, a god-like figure, to Mack who had indeed experienced an unspeakable tragedy from The Shack.
[2] “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5
[3] “And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25

New Quote

I've been reading The Shack...since Christmas when I recieved it as a gift! It's not that I'm a slow reader. It's not that I don't enjoy the book. It's that life has happened, and I just didn't find/make the time to read it. Today these profound words on page 185 found me: ("Papa" is speaking to Mack)

"'...just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.'"

Amen!

Just About Unpacked

Hopefully, prayerfully, our lives will get back to some semblance of normal before too long and I'll be able to collect my thoughts and post them. We're almost finished unpacking. Everyone at church has been very kind and inclusive. But I keep thinking, "Where am I?" Not in a bad way, mind you, just in a confused way. After living 6.5 years some place I feel a bit disoriented. I go to church and see different faces from the ones I'm familiar with. I ask myself, "Where'd they come from?" But I know God is sustaining me through these changes. If He weren't I'm sure I'd have a nervous breakdown. I know this is God's place for us. I still hear Him saying, "Will you do this for me?" And I still answer, "Yes, Lord."

In other news...my dear hubby is celebrating his 47th birthday today! Happy Birthday, Love!

Moved In

Whew! It's been a very, very busy few weeks. I wish I could post to my blog more, hopefully we'll get settled in and into a routine before too move longer. On June 6th we graduated Cassie. I've never "graduated" a homeschool student before. We had a little ceremony followed by a reception. It was a bit emotional, especially the power point presentation with the music "Find Your Wings". My mom had an attack of Bell's Palsey that very morning. I feel really bad that I didn't even notice she was having trouble until that evening. It isn't a bad case, just very frustrating for her. On Monday, June 8th we began moving our belongings to our new church family in Magee, MS. It has been exhausting! For a people who live not for this world, we really have a lot of worldly possessions! It's all moved in, but not unpacked. The people have been great and I'm especially grateful the church allowed us to pick out the paint for the inside. The kitchen, bathrooms, dining room, and Cassie's room are all yellow. It makes me smile! The rest of the house is a beautiful blue. Wait, not the "rest" of the house! Candace wanted her walls beige and her trim bright orange! It looks great with all her orange shelves and quilt! Cassie left for camp on the 7th. She is a cabin leader at Camp Garaywa which is the state GA campe. (It is a missions organization for preteen girls.) She came home today happy but exhausted. We don't have internet yet. Right now I'm at McAlister's using their wifi and Raymond's lap top. I just wanted to check in and let my bloggy friends know I really am alive and well.

Blessings to all!

Will you do it? For Me?

I hear Jesus saying,

“Will you do something for me?
Will you make yourself vulnerable and love until it hurts again?
For Me?
Will you help My people see Who I really am?
Will you open the box so My people can at least see out of it?
Will you seek out, befriend, and disciple the few who genuinely want to grow in relationship with Me?
I know you wanted something else.
I know you’re scared of being wounded again, even before your last wounds have healed.
I know you want something fresh, new, and – safe.
But, I’m asking you to put yourself out these, take this risk.
Will you do it?
For Me?”

What else can I answer except, “Yes, Lord. For You.”

Today Siloam Baptist Church in Magee, MS voted unanimously to call Raymond (and our family) as their pastor. And though I'm not sure I'm ready for this I take a deep breath and say, "Here I am Lord. Use me."