Martha Days

As my prayer partners & I met yesterday and talked (we had a lot of catching up to do!), I blurted out these words, "We're living in 'Martha Days'."  We all nodded our heads in agreement and went on.  But since then, those words won't leave my mind.  

IS ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE GOING CRAZY????  I mean...is your life completely out of control?  Are you totally distracted?  Do you have more things to do than hours in your day?  Are the demands from others increasing?  Are you busier now than you've EVER been?  Are more things falling apart around you?  Has the price of everything increased?  Is your health different now than last year?  Are you EXHAUSTED???

I am.  This isn't a new thought.  It's been plaguing me for quite some time.  As I would sit and think on how tired I am, I would long for the mountains (my personal refuge for relaxing).  Or I would long for a lifestyle in a place that is slower---much slower.

But I believe that God has used all of this to get my attention.  We are living in Martha Days.  Things are crazy and chaotic and we're overwhelmed with overstimulation from the electronic age and the demands of our times and the demands of others.  And the answer isn't moving to the Southern Isles.  It's learning how to step out of the chaos...and sit at Jesus' feet.  It's taking time for the Lord, hearing His voice giving us direction, and doing nothing but what the Father tells us to do.

I'm ready to learn.  I don't know how to do this yet.  But I'm already longing for the Mary Days.

Coming Soon

Have you ever wondered what the big deal about Israel is?  I mean...think about it.  They have no oil, their land has no inherent value, they're not a strategic location...why is everyone against them?  Why do so many large countries have an agenda against this tiny little country--a country about the size of New Jersey?  Why is the world focused on Israel?

I believe it's a spiritual war.  God loves Israel.  Not only that, God has chosen Israel.  Do you even know how Israel became a nation in 1948 (which was a fulfillment of prophecy)?  After WWII, Harry Truman fought for the establishment of a land for the Jews in Palestine.   Many Jews were homeless after the horrible holocaust, but it took many years for Israel to actually become a nation, a place to house the displaced Jews.  Covertly, President Truman acknowledged Israel as a nation (because of the battle that was going on among top ranking State Department officials).  The U.S. was the first to recognize and support Israel as a nation.  Since then, the U.S. has, for the most part, been a great friend and ally to Israel.

I tell you that so you can see we were some of the first friends and supporters of Israel and that it's important that we remain a friend in light of what's coming.  A war is going to come to Israel soon.  From the signs, I believe it will be the Ezekiel 38-39 war.  Russia, Syria, Turkey and others will come against Israel.  In fact, this past weekend, U.S. General Boykin told a crowd at the Joel Rosenberg conference that he believes Israel will make a pre-emptive strike against Iran---and that late fall will be too late.  And of course, we know that radical Islam doesn't just hate Israel---they hate America as well.  To them, the U.S. is the Big Satan while Israel is the Little Satan.

Ezekiel 38-39 says that God will put hooks in the jaw of Gog of the land of Magog to cause them to come against Israel so that "I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name any more; and the nations shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  Behold, it is coming and it will be done, says the Lord God; that is the day of which I have spoken."

Invest

It's true that the older you get, the more you realize what's really important.  God.  Telling others about Jesus.  Family.  Friends.

Not work.  Not money.  Not things.

And then you know how to invest your money and time accordingly.  In the past, I've had a fear of spending money on "trivial things."  Things like vacations.  That is, until God showed me I wasn't spending on trivial things---I was investing in the kingdom of God.  My children and grandchildren are part of that kingdom and when I invest in time with them, I'm investing in eternal things.

I hope you have the right perspective.  I hope you see that the time you invest with your family may result in their salvation.  Just loving on them, showing them that they are more important than your job, may bring them to Christ.

Thank you, God, for an eternal perspective.

Happy Birthday, Dear Alexis...--Post 3

Caitlin Giving a Duck Overview--Post 2

Alexis' Birthday

ALEXIS TURNS 8 YEARS OLD!

Alexis wanted a pool party at her house with a cookout.

And she chose a watermelon theme.

Lots of family and friends attended.

Cousins Ryan & Addie found out they were tall enough for the big pool--and never got out.

The birthday girl had a special watermelon hat.

Mom & Dad watching Alexis open her gifts.

She got some cool stuff and was pretty excited! 

We wondered what all the kids were lined up for as we looked out the window.

And then we saw that Caitlin & her friend were holding court and teaching the young kids all about pet ducks.

All while the birthday princess looked on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALEXIS!! 

I love you a bushel and a peck!

COUNTDOWN!

ONE MORE WEEK!! 

Til I see my Florida kids and grandkids!!

I can hardly WAIT!

Stair Fun!

Ryan & Addie having fun on the stairs---til Dad got home!

Good Question

"How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?"  John 5:44

How much time do we give seeking glory from others?  Our world is full of it, right?  We love it when someone responds to a post we've made on facebook.  We revel when someone comments on our blog.  We like to hear how well we did when we've done anything.  We love men's praise.  (I love men's praise!)

How often do we seek God's praise?  This verse won't let go of me.  I read it two days ago and it's haunting me.  I think I've put my ladder up against the wrong wall.

Jesus Falling off the Cross

This is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time!!  I cried because I was laughing so hard....and the choir just kept singing.

How often do you say no?

I just read Michael Kelley's blog. You must go watch this video.

As I watched it, I was struck with the thought that there were advertisements geared towards us as kids in the 50's and 60's....but our parents had no problem just saying, "NO!" (And not just "No"....but "Are you kidding??? If you want it so bad, save your money or get a job!")

I can remember as a parent having to tell my children "No," but it broke my heart. (This may surprise them! ha!)  I wanted to say yes...because all their friends had what they were asking for. (Trust me...it's not like they didn't have a room full of toys!) And as far as getting to do something special that they wanted to do, I tried to say "yes" as often as I could. (Because it's easy for my personality to just say "no" all the time.)

Fortunately, I see so many young couples around me saying "no" to their children---preventing them from becoming little consumers. I see young families teaching their children to give instead of always getting. You have no idea how grateful that makes me.

But I also see some children getting everything their little heart desires. And they quickly become bored with the new thing and "need" the newest new thing. It makes me quiver...wondering what is at the end of all the boredom and consumerism. Now, more than ever, we need parents who will say, "No!"

Thanks for the video, Michael.

Getting ready...

Just getting ready.

Update on fearlessness

Do you realize how many ways Satan tries to entrap us in fear?  Once we open ourselves to fear, Satan has opportunity to mess with our minds and our lives.  I recently told you about standing fearlessly.  The results in my life were so dramatic that it's caused me to want to live a fearless life.

So...I began.  Not perfectly, but I began.  And you know what?  Satan has taken out his bazookas and aimed at me.  I can't even tell you the number of ways he's enticed me to fear.  Incredible!  He hasn't just used circumstances surrounding my own life, but the lives of those near me to try and draw me into fear. 

I'm guessing God meant what He said.  "And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God."  Philippians 1:28.

Satan's not a good loser.

A Life Well-Lived

I was so uplifted this past friday.  Andy & I attended the funeral of Monty Givens, the father of my good friend, Brenda Coffman.  I know that's not the normal feeling after going to a funeral, but this man was exceptional....yet just common (probably as he would have described himself).  His was a life well-lived.

Brenda's husband, Chris, spoke at the funeral and said he'd wanted to marry Brenda not just because of Brenda but because of her wonderful family.  It was a family that stayed married, that loved each other--which was something he desired in his own life.  He told about the time we had a city-wide evangelistic crusade in Borger which Chris organized and how Monty was one of the largest contributors to it---and he didn't even live here!  But he believed in the work--and I think it was also because he believed in Chris and wanted to encourage him.  Everyone described Monty as a giver.  He loved to give to God's work.  In fact, the pastor used the scripture Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  The pastor said those verses described Monty and it also explained why Monty wasn't fearful about dying.  He'd spent his lifetime storing his treasures in heaven and was satisfied to be going to the place where his treasure was stored--his heart was already there!!!  It was such a lightbulb moment for me!  What a beautiful picture!!  

Monty also loved music.  In fact, there were 4 songs sung at the funeral.  I think it was Chris who told the story of Monty driving his RV down the road while gospel music was playing and his arm was lifted in praise to God with tears streaming down his face.  This man really loved music!  Monty was also a very reserved man...and yet the church was full of his close, close friends.  Larry, Monty's son, shared about the kind of integrity Monty had in his business---the oilfield business--where integrity is hard to find.  What a picture for a son to see.  You know? A funeral tells alot about a man and how much they're loved and respected and how well they lived their lives.  There aren't a lot of sons who can say those kinds of things about their father.

At the graveside, I told Brenda that our dads reminded me of one another.  Just common ol' Joes.  But men who left a mark on this earth.  They loved.  They gave.  And they opened their hearts to others.  I think that pretty well sums up what God has called us to do.  I can get so hung up on wanting to do great things for God...until I examine the lives of men like Monty and my dad.  Just love--love God, love your neighbor.  I think that's what they'd encourage us to do.  Chris told of how much Monty loved his kids.  He also said everyone of them had broken his heart at some point, but he just kept loving them.  He loved and he gave.  He invested in people ( also eternal) and he stored his treasures in heaven.  I think that's a life well-lived. 

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

I have finally finished the book, Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas. It only took me 2 1/2 months to complete it. I love biographies, but this book was difficult to read. I appreciate the fact that Mr. Metaxas was so careful and so complete with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s story, but I kept wishing for cliff notes on Bonhoeffer’s life! After the first four chapters of the book (which deals with lots of letters from Dietrich to his grandmother and twin sister), the reading was somewhat easier. But I found myself laying this book down for a week at a time when I am an avid reader--especially of biographies. And I’d always been interested in reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life.

Bonhoeffer became outspoken from the outset of Hitler’s political rise to power. He said this in a speech, “A true leader must know the limitations of his authority. If he understands his function in any other way than as it is rooted in fact, if he does not continually tell his followers quite clearly of the limited nature of his task and of their own responsibility, if he allows himself to surrender to the wishes of his followers, who would always make him their idol—then the image of the Leader will pass over into the image of the mis-leader…”  And we all know where Hitler's ideals led him.

The interesting thing in this book is how the “church” dealt with a leader like Hitler in their country. It became divided. Instead of searching for and standing on truth, the “German Christians” chose to adopt the Aryan Paragraph which stated the Jews were to live separately. Jews would not have the right to government jobs or spiritual leadership. Bonhoeffer vehemently opposed this position and was very outspoken about it.

Throughout the book, you can tell Mr. Metaxas has very high regard for Dietrich Bonhoeffer who endured much for his faith in Jesus Christ. If you want to read a detailed book of Bonhoeffer’s life, this is the book for you!

I give this book 2 1/2 stars out of 5 for difficulty in reading.  I'd give it a 5 out of 5 stars for information.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

No termites!!!

And God said, "There are no termites!"  Yipppeeeee!!!

It seems that bug men know more about termites than garage door men.  And I'm so grateful I could BUST!

I AM NOT IN CONTROL!

I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...I am not in control...

Two nights ago, before I dropped off to sleep, I heard God tell me, "Becky, you are not in control."  It was a statement of fact--something I was already learning--but dropped into my consciousness as I was drifting off to sleep.

Let's see.  How was God teaching me this?  Medical/heart issues with Andy, children whose house is in need of an air conditioner so they moved in with us (blessing:  Lindsey cooking & cleaning!), a mother-in-law whose house is in need of an air conditioner so she moved in with us--and yes, at the same time (she most relunctantly and inconsistently), new garage doors which revealed we have termites.  I could go on and on.

I needed to know that I am not in control.  But here's what God began revealing to me and my walking partner this week.  We need to stay seated in the heavenlies in Christ. God is going to make Jesus' enemies his footstool.  And by virtue of being in Christ, the same applies to us!  The cool thing is, when we reside in our rightful place in the heavenlies, earthly things can't touch us.  Fear doesn't reside in the heavenlies, financial difficulties don't belong in the heavenlies.  Physical ailments don't exist there, etc., etc.

Here's what I need to grab hold of (besides Jesus' hand!):  I AM NOT IN CONTROL!  GOD IS THE BLESSED CONTROLLER OF ALL THINGS!

It helps just saying it:  "I am not in control."  It takes the pressure off.  I can hand it over to Jesus and let him handle it for me.  I can remind him that this garage really isn't mine---it's His.  And it has termites.

Andy & the Three Bears

Andy telling Ryan & Addie a new version of The Three Bears. Little Red Riding Hood???
(Notice Addie's new dress her Mommy & Mama made.)

Redemption

I believe God's story can be boiled down to that one word.  Redemption.  God had redemption on His mind when He created Adam & Eve....and us. 

I can get overwhelmed when I look at my own life.  No matter how hard I try to live perfectly, I can't.  I can grow (and should).  I can mature.  But even God knew I'd never be perfect.  That's why He had to use His plan of redemption.

And why do I think my life must be perfect?  I can't think of one person whom God uses as an illustration in His Word who was perfect (besides Jesus, of course).  Abraham?  Nope.  Moses?  Not quite.  Sarah?  Nada.  David?  No way.  Esther?  Negative.  Mary?  No, Ma'am.

But if any of us could be perfect, we wouldn't need Jesus.  And we do (need Him).  We need His plan of redemption.  Otherwise, we'd be trying to do this life all on our own.  And no matter how much of a perfectionist you are, you can never achieve perfection.  Just can't happen.  We need God's plan of redemption which comes through grace.  Redeemed...what a beautiful word.  Let's let God redeem our mistakes, mess-ups and sin.  Through His redemption, His glory will be seen!! 

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood..."  Romans 3:23-25

What Women Offer

A new revelation.  At least for me and a prayer partner.  Yesterday, as we were walking, we began talking about how our husbands respond to us.  Have you ever noticed that when God addresses us as husbands and wives that he begins speaking to the wives first?  (I Peter 3, Ephesians 5)  Maybe it's easier to get our attention...or maybe we're more emotional and, as a whole, more open to God....or maybe it's because we can multitask.  

Maybe it's because God created our husbands to be responders to us as women.  I mean...think of the whole "wow factor" when God created Eve.  Adam looked at her and said, "WOW!"  (Some even think he said, "WOWWEEE!!)  Man responds to woman.   But with that whole "respond-factor" comes great responsibility.  God didn't give this to us as women to manipulate our husbands, but to use it carefully and with great respect.  In I Peter 3, God whispers of this secret to us.  He tells us if our husbands are unbelieving, to offer them our gentle and quiet spirit....and they'll respond. 

Women have been making offers through the ages.  Eve offered Adam sin.  Esther offered Ahasuerus deliverance for her people.  Abigail offered a sacrifice to David because of her husband's foolishness.  Jezebel offered the death of prophets to Ahab.  Tamar offered herself as a prostitute to Judah.  Ruth offered submission to Boaz.  Rahab offered a hiding place to the spies.  Sarah offered Abraham fearlessness.  Mary offered life to Joseph.  You need to study these women.  Each man had a response, in kind, to the offer each woman made.

As women, we are constantly offering something to our husbands.  We can offer a pure heart, a gentle and quiet spirit, respect, submission and fearlessness....or we can offer manipulation, sin, control, disdain, fear...which all lead to death.

Don't think you don't have something to offer!  You do.  And your husbands will respond to whatever you offer.  One way or another.

Sweet Surprise

When I came home today, there was a large package sitting on my dining table....which let me know:
1.  Andy had been home and brought the package inside.
2.  There was a surprise waiting!!

I checked out the address label and it was MINE!  My mind began racing--trying to remember if I'd ordered something.  Couldn't think of a thing.  So I began digging in.  And THIS is what I found:




A Senseo coffee maker.  WOW!!  For those of you who know me, you know I love coffee and I'm always open for a new coffee gadget.  Not only was there a coffee maker, there was a complete box of different types of coffee pods!  WHOA!  (Notice a couple of packages are already opened!)

Then I could contain my curiosity no longer.  I began digging for a receipt.  Who was this from????
Nathan White.

Nathan White???  Seriously?  Why would Nathan send me a wonderful coffee maker?  "Andy????  Why would Nathan White send me a fabulous coffee maker?  Do you know?"

Andy comes running to see and begins laughing.  He'd gone to Nathan's home recently to pick up a piano that Nathan had donated to Living Water.  While Andy waited on the other guys to get there and help, Nathan served him coffee that Andy loved.  So Andy asked Nathan to write down the coffee maker info so he could pick up that neat little gadget for me for the next gift-giving event.  And obviously, Andy didn't move fast enough.

Sorry, Andy.  Nathan gets these brownie points!  BIG Brownie Points!!