Gib & Wanda Welch

I was the director of Living Water for 5 1/2 years.  When I became director, Gib Welch & Herman Mos became my two biggest supporters from day one.  I overheard someone complaining when I brought a coffee pot into our chapel to serve our guests the first Friday...but I heard these two defend me that day.  They both would come up alone on Wednesday mornings and get organized before the rest of the volunteers came up on Thursdays to bag groceries.  They would sit down for a few minutes and drink a cup of coffee--and I started joining them for that cup of coffee.  Soon, Herman began baking a loaf of banana nut bread and bringing it to go along with our coffee.  (I didn't know for the longest that Herman was baking the bread.  I'd tell him each week to thank Billie, his wife, for the bread!)  It became such a special time.  One day I realized that I had a wealth of wisdom sitting with me each Wednesday and I began picking their brains.  I got input for that ministry.  I asked life questions.  And I fell in love with those guys.  Herman went to be with the Lord several years ago.  After that, lots of people joined us for our Wednesday morning breakfasts.  It became my favorite morning of the week at Living Water--eating something, drinking some coffee--but most of all fellowshipping with some of my favorite people in the world.

Gib kept coming and helping at Living Water and still came for coffee on Wednesdays.  Most of the time, he'd cut his time with us short so he could get home to take care of Wanda, his wife, who had back problems.  But on days she was feeling well, she would come with him and join us for coffee.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and used it to keep Gib in line.  They were so great together.  They celebrated 66 years of marriage this past fall.  I always regretted the day I started keeping hours for individual volunteers at Living Water and turning them in to a volunteer base.  I think when Gib began seeing how many hours he actually spent at Living Water, he decided it was time to back out and turn the reigns over to someone else.  He felt like he needed to be home with Wanda and take care of her with her deteriorating health.  Of course, we understood and blessed him.  And I've never seen a leader like Gib--he was a servant leader who embraced every volunteer and helped them find their place at Living Water.  He led with grace and love and he backed out the same way.  I learned so much about leadership from him.  Gib had been in leadership at Phillips 66 and even trained leaders.  After getting to know him, I knew our church had missed out on having such a treasure in leadership.  Gib always taught Sunday School, but never felt led to become an elder--but he's probably the truest elder-at-heart I've ever met.   

When I decided to resign from Living Water, Gib & Wanda were the first people I told.  I wanted to give them the same grace they'd always extended to me.  They loved me well.  After Andy & I moved to Groom, we would run into them at The Plaza in Borger when we'd go back there to eat and get to hug them and visit with them.  Every time we saw them, Wanda would tell me, "We miss you so much!"  The feeling was mutual.

Wanda finished her journey here on this earth today.  She is celebrating a new body today in heaven!!  I know God greeted her with the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!  Enter into the joy of the Lord!"  Gib had surgery this week and is in the hospital.  I know he's grieving--over losing the love of his life of whom he took such diligent, wonderful care--and over not being there.  Please pray for my friend.  I love him deeply and I know he's hurting.  Pray for his physical healing, too!

Blogging Grades

Amy Dietz Wright & I were talking the other night and I told her I was going to give her an "F" for trying to blog 6 months worth of photos in one blog post.

But if I give Amy an "F," that means I have to give Marcy Hallden an "F-" for getting me started in the blogging community and then stopping herself.  Oh yeah...don't give me the whole twin bit.  Excuses, excuses...

But if Amy gets an "F" and Marcy gets an "F-" that means Sandra Langford gets an "F--" for her last post in November 2012 entitled, "Excuses, Excuses, Excuses!"

And last, but certainly not least, if Amy gets an "F," Marcy gets an "F-," and Sandra gets an "F--," Zach Dietz would have to get an "F---." His last post was three years ago!!  He had just finished Part 3 of a three-part-series and seems to have used up all his words!!

I'll be sending your parents your report cards.  I know you can bring those grades up!!

Chasing God

Chasing God.  It sounds right, doesn't it?  It did until I read my friend's blog.  Hope Huddleston challenges me in many ways.  And she challenged me with her blog.  I couldn't stop thinking about it!  She read the book, Chasing God, by Angie Smith.  Here's a quote from that book which has stayed with me since I read it:

It's the difference between following and chasing.

The key that finally turned the door of my faith was understanding that we are called to one and not the other.

Angie goes on to say in her book that God revealed this to her:

You chase Me because you trust your own legs more than you trust Me.

You chase Me because you can feel the air in your lungs, not because you want to breathe true life.

And as long as you can chase, you still get a say.  You maintain part-ownership of our relationship.  You would run forever in the wrong direction if it meant your flesh didn't have to admit the truth.

You chase because it feels like you can.

Chasing vs. Following.  I've run hard for many years chasing God.  Doing it my way, in my own strength, having a say in how it looks.  In fact, if I'm honest, I've often pushed God trying to get Him to go faster or even just gone around Him setting my own pace and going where I wanted to go, asking Him to bless it.  But I'm called to FOLLOW.  Following seems to be a much slower, easier pace.  It's walking behind my Shepherd knowing He's leading me to still waters and green grass.  It's waiting on Him.  He has my best interest at heart.

Thanks, Hope, for posting this.  You've challenged me once again.  By the way....I LOVE your new look and hope you'll blog about it soon!!  You are one gutsy, beautiful lady to emulate!

Kaye Rene

Kaye on the left

Meet Kaye Rene (pronounced like "seen").  Kaye is one of my dearest friends.  We met at church and our kids' school years ago, but I actually got to know her well when we moved to Crockett Street across from her house on Austin Street.  Amy brought Liz, Kaye's daughter, into our house one day soon after we'd moved in.  Liz was the shyest little girl I'd ever met!  I asked her what her name was and she mumbled, "Elizabeth" under her breath.  I asked again a few more times until Amy said, "Mom...it's LIZ!"  Amy & Liz became fast friends.  One day, they hatched the idea that they would get both of their moms to take them to drive around get a Coke.  And it worked.

I remember Kaye was driving.  I fully expected the girls, who were sitting in the back seat, to talk and for Kaye and I to talk.  But Kaye turned the conversation to include all four of us.  This wasn't something I was used to--you know, "kids are to be seen and not heard" whole attitude.   But Kaye was a great guide into this unknown arena.  The four of us had a great time together...and the girls discovered this was a great way to escape the world of boys in our neighborhood.  So it became something we did very often.  Soon, it turned into a time when we'd get something to drink, drive all over Borger, and even pray over our community, friends, family, and our own needs.  And I learned a lot.  I learned how important it was to hear our daughters' hearts.  I learned what was going on in their lives, their frustrations, dreams, boy interests, etc.  I learned things I never would have learned if I hadn't been taught to listen and to include these girls in our conversation.  I owe a lot to Kaye.

Kaye Rene is hysterical and has an infectious laugh.  For instance, in the photo above, Andy & I were celebrating our 20th anniversary of being on staff at First Baptist Church Borger.  Jay & Amy and their children had come.  Someone was taking photos of us and Kaye was nearby and just stepped into the photo--without the photographer having any idea.  You can see that we are all laughing our heads off---while Kaye just smiles sweetly for the camera.  It's my favorite photo from that night.

We have so much history together...mission trips, girls' trips, spiritual warfare, a trip to California, our kids' weddings, births of grandkids.  The list goes on and on.  Kaye is one of those "love you forever" kind of friends.  Our hearts are knit together.  Kaye has invested so much in my life--I owe her more than you can imagine.  I'm so glad God placed us at the corner of Crockett & Austin.

Friends

Ronnie & Janet Thorne with their granddaughter

Tonight, we ran into some great friends in Amarillo.  We went to the same church as young married couples...and began having babies at the same time.  How I wish I could put my hands on my old photo albums.  I have some great photos of the Thorne's back in the day!  We were together all the time.  And we were only together about 5 minutes tonight, hugging and talking as fast as we could!  We haven't seen them in ages, but it's like we'd just been together last week. Andy & I talked about it on our way home--they're the kind of friends you pick up right where you left off.

Back in those days, we had a great group of friends--we were together all the time.  We'd have a game night at least once a month (and usually more often!) and the guys would play Rail Baron for hours while we girls would sit and talk and watch our kids.  We'd do potlucks about once a week.  And if there was a snow day, we'd manage to get to one of our houses and spend the day together.  What sweet times!  And that's the way strong bonds are made.

It made me think of my kids--they have some great friends like this.  How I pray that for all of you.    It takes time.  It takes energy.  It takes effort.  But it doesn't have to cost a lot.  It just takes a little initiative and not being afraid to invite others into your world.  It doesn't even have to be an immaculate world.  My friends have seen me and my house at my worst.  

I have a little sign in my house that says this:  "To have a friend, you must be a friend."  I encourage you to open yourself and your home to others.  I'll bet they're needing a friend as much as you are.  It will enrich your lives and give you a treasure for a lifetime--friends.

*This is also why I love Facebook--being able to keep up with friends I don't get to see often.  We already knew so much going on in each other's lives when we saw the Thorne's tonight!!

The Loves of my life

Andy

Matt

Caitlin & Alexis

Jay, Amy, Isaac, Josiah, Olivia & Hadassah

David, Lindsey, Ryan & Addie

Zach, Shanna, Dax & Gus

I am BLESSED this Valentine's Day.

Oh...and Ember

Heaven

This is probably a poor analogy, but tonight as I was on Facebook, I thought, "This is what heaven is going to be like!"  As friends were commenting on a post I made, a wave of homesickness overcame me.  I miss some of my friends and would love to sit down over a cup of coffee and catch up!!  I have friends on FB from 50 years ago--and family that's known me all my life.  Some of my friends I don't see very often, but love them to death.  Some of my friends are new friends.   I'm so glad I moved to Groom--or I wouldn't have gotten to know them til heaven!

Don't you think heaven is going to be amazing?  I know the most important thing we'll do is worship our Creator.  But we're also going to be able to talk about what God has done in our lives.  I believe we'll be learning from one another as well as from God.  I believe we'll get to hear one another's stories.  Honestly, I don't think I can even imagine the greatness of heaven!

I'm just glad I got a little foretaste tonight.

Color in Winter

Photo courtesy of LaDonna Jennings

I love winter.  I'm sorry if you don't, and yet live in the same town as me.  When I hear weather reports with snow in the forecast, I begin praying and asking God to dump it here!  The colder the weather, the more energized I am!  My perfect winter day would include me sitting in a clean house by a picture window in a comfy chair while wrapped up in something warm and soft in front of a fire in the fireplace, thick snow coming down like huge feathers, reading a good book, smelling a delicious candle, drinking my favorite flavored coffee and crunching on something chocolate.  (Too detailed?  And I know it doesn't sound like I'm very energized in this scenario--except the clean house bit!)  I know many don't like winter...and I understand why.  My dad was a letter carrier and he hated delivering mail in the cold.  And I have a friend who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)--or a lack of sunlight--which brings about severe depression.  I know mommies dread having kids shut inside with no deliverance in sight.  So I understand why others don't appreciate the dark days, the cold, and the snow.

But even if you don't love the dark days, the cold, and the snow, don't you love looking outside and seeing a dot of color God has placed in the midst of the bleakness?  It gives hope.  Hope that in our darkest hour, God will take care of us.  This beautiful bird has done nothing.  It hasn't planted crops, it hasn't gathered food into a barn...but God feeds it.  God has promised the same for you and me.  Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual provision...He has it.  And it's more than enough.  You don't have to work for it...you just have to open yourself to the One who owns it all.

If you're walking through a winter not determined by a season, but by circumstances out of your control, God wants you to know He's enough.  He is all you need.  I'm praying you see a dot of color in your winter soon--to fill your heart with hope.

Encouragement Challenge

I have an encouragement challenge.  Find one person a day for the next 7 days and encourage them.  Let's see what God does!  I encourage you to encourage!! 

Prayer Partners

Jodina & Liz

I have had so many amazing women who have invested in my life.  But these two women have been the ones who have been there consistently for the past 18 years.  EIGHTEEN YEARS!  I met Jodina through her sisters (she has three) and Liz through her daughters (she has three).  Jodina's sister, Evelyn, was the one of the first friends I met when I moved to Borger 26 years ago.  And Liz's daughter, Hailee, was the first young person I met when I moved to Borger 26 years ago.  (Andy was a youth minister then.)  In fact, Liz's family joined First Baptist Church Borger the same day we did.

Another of Jodina's sisters, Tere, invited us all to begin praying together.  At first, we met to pray for crisis matters.  But there was so much need in all of our lives, we knew we needed to begin praying together on a regular basis.  So we began meeting every Tuesday & Thursday morning at 5:30 to pray for two hours before we had to get home and get kids off to school.  And we did it every single week.  There were several of us and it changed a few times.  But eventually everyone moved or was unable to come for one reason or another until it was just Jodina, Liz & I meeting to pray.  And as our families changed, our times changed.  Soon, we were meeting on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 and praying until 9.  We've done it for years.  We have seen God do so many amazing things!  We've prayed for ourselves, our husbands, our children, our church, our friends, sick people, hurting people, our country, Israel...too many things to remember.  Except that we've journaled it all.  (And often said we wish we'd had a camera rolling to remember the amazing and exciting things God has taught us!)  We've whooped and hollered, we've grieved and wailed, we've danced and fallen on our faces.  And the thing that we've smiled and talked about time and again is this verse: Malachi 3:16, "Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name."  We can't wait to get to heaven and see that book of remembrance.

And then I moved.  I'm not sure where we go from here.  I hope to still meet these sisters and pray together.  But I'm also hoping to take my turn and invest in some others.  If you don't have a prayer partner, I hope God gives you one.  I am a rich woman because so many others invested in me.  

A Couple of Young Bucks Teaching Me

I am absolutely loving how God is pouring out His Spirit with truth on a younger generation!  I am obsessed over two books I am reading.  They are changing my life.  Michael Kelley has written a new book called Boring; Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life.  And Zach Neese has written How to Worship a King.  Both of these young men are young enough to be my sons....or at least a nephew.  ;)  Let me see if I can do both books justice by describing them a bit. But please...don't take my word for it. RUN out and get them both!!  You'll be so glad you did.  Both guys have a great writing style and the truth they're teaching is very similar.  But don't read one without reading the other.  I promise you won't be disappointed!

In Boring, Michael convinced me early in the book that God is in the ordinary.  How many of us are always looking for that one big next thing--the one where God will use us or appear to us?  Or we may be looking for one emotional spiritual experience after another.  But instead, we feel stuck in the mundane things of life--changing diapers, going to work day after day, picking up kids from baseball, working on a car, or cleaning house.  It's easy for us to believe that God is holding out on us.  (Which is the same lie Satan told Eve:  "Did God really say that you can't eat from any tree in the garden?")  When, in fact, Michael says, "God is not a miser.  He's not holding out on us.  There isn't anything else if you have been given Jesus...He's given us everything He has to give in Christ.  In fact, the very idea that there might be something else is a direct challenge to the love of God, and ultimately the subtext behind Satan's words in the garden in Genesis 3."  God is in the ordinary.  Wherever you are, God is there.  You carry the presence of Christ, so He is in the ordinary.  And do you realize (as Michael so aptly points out with his many examples), that every time God did something extraordinary in the Bible, it started out as an ordinary day?  When God says he works all things for our good, it means ALL.  Not just the big things.  He's using our conversation in the break room, on the playground with the kids, while getting our car serviced---all these things for our good.  How many times have you had a very normal conversation that turned into something life changing?  God uses the normal, boring things in our lives and can...one day...show up in a big way.  

How to Worship a King isn't unlike Boring.  Zach Neese uses the tabernacle to explain the protocol of worshiping the King of kings.  And through his video series based on his book (which I'm watching with a small group), he explains how we are priests and carry the presence of God with us everywhere we go.  Knowing that we carry the presence of God transforms the ordinary into a meeting with us, God, and the people we meet.  God tabernacles with us. He explains how we must enter through the gate with thanksgiving and praise in order to meet with God.  I love how he said in the third video that every time God meets with us, it's through the same triumphal procession as when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey with people praising and waving palm branches.  Jesus is the gate...and we must enter the gate through praise and thanksgiving.  He goes through each step of the tabernacle explaining what it means for our lives today.  It's an exceptional book.  It's like David Dietz said, "I started out highlighting the things I wanted to remember...and now my entire book is highlighted!"

What God has taught me personally through these two men:  Be content.  Quit looking for the spectacular and divine moments.  Instead, praise, worship, and believe you're carrying the presence of God.  That makes each moment divine.  Can I give you an example?  Yesterday, Andy & I went to Amarillo to visit two people in the hospital.  We went in total awareness that we were carrying the presence of God with us.  We didn't know what that was going to look like as we went to minister to two families. Both visits were very ordinary.  But we carried the presence of God with us--which made it divine.  Then we went to lunch at Olive Garden and out of my mouth popped something to our waiter I'd never done before.  It wasn't premeditated at all.  I told him Andy & I were going to pray for our food and asked if there was anything we could pray for  him.  He told us several things going on in his life and we kept our word and prayed for him.  (Of course, we left a nice tip and a note to encourage him.)  It was an ordinary lunch that became a tabernacle between the three of us and God.

God has been in the process for years to bring me to this new understanding...taught to me by two young bucks!  I'm so grateful God is using a new generation to bring truth to me.

Grieving

Some people would never believe how much you love them--or even think that you love them at all.  In fact, some people have faced so much rejection in their lives, they don't know how to open up to love.   They just don't feel lovable and can't accept love.

And maybe we don't even realize how deeply we love them until they walk out of our lives.  That's happened...and I'm sad.  Very sad.

I went to God and told Him that I knew what it must feel like--on a small scale--when someone doesn't choose Him.

And He said, "No small scale to it.  This is how it feels for someone to be confronted with My love and choose to walk away."

And I cried with Him.

The Yoke

I attended New Life Church in Dalhart, TX this past Sunday which is where my son, Zach, leads worship and is youth minister.  The pastor there is Terry Stegall.  It was an exciting service.  (God is doing some amazing things there!!)  In fact, I have a whole other blog to write about a ministry which was highlighted that day.  But for today, I want to share what Pastor Terry said in his sermon.  It was a completely new thought for me and I wanted to share it since it may be useful to anyone reading this.

One of the scriptures Terry used Sunday morning was Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Terry explained how in that day (and probably some now, too), a man crafted a yoke specifically for his oxen.  He measured the neck, the shoulder, the head and made a perfect fit to yoke 2 of his oxen together.  And the yoke was easy because it was a FIT!  It fit that oxen perfectly.

The same is true for us.  We are yoked to Jesus and he has created a yoke (a calling) specifically for us.   What he's asked us to do is something created just for us.  And when it's a FIT, it's easy to do!  Think about what you love to do.  Isn't it easy, a joy?   That's your yoke. He's created a yoke (a calling) just for you which is easy and carrying that burden will be light.

I love it.

Adoption

I'm so overwhelmed at the moment.  I've just read blogs of two friends who are adopting.  And in both, I see the relentless, pursuing nature of God.  I wish adoption had been a possibility when I was a young mom--but it was more for parents who couldn't have children--or so we thought.  (In fact there were several kids from the Mexico orphanage we went to for 15 years that I wanted to bring home--but they weren't adoptable.)  But I did what I could and adopted a few teenagers for months at a time.  :)

I love what God is stirring in the hearts of this generation!!  I am so confident in the future church.  Their hearts are bigger, they are pro-active, they see no limits.  They are obedient.  And I'm so proud I could bust my buttons!

I may be too old to adopt...but I'm not too old to invest in those who adopt---especially when I know a child will be going to a godly family.  Please open your hearts to do the same!

My life wouldn't be complete without this Ethiopian princess!

Spider Web

Last night, David, Lindsey & I were sitting in Robby Yarbrough's back yard talking when David pointed out a spider hard at work creating a spider web.  He had watched it drop down and begin its work.  Every once in awhile, during our conversation, David would tell us to look at how much work had been done on the web.  Finally, we all couldn't stand it---we had to get up and watch.  It was amazing.  The intricacy, the order, the spacing of each part and the overall effect just pointed to the spider's creator. The spider had a use for each leg.  The back leg was catching and holding and looping the thread as the front legs began the new threading. How does a spider know to do what it does?  How does it know how to make a web?  Where does it get its design?  Where does all that thread hide in that small spider? (And as David pointed out--spinning just to catch its food for the night!)

At one moment, as we were all watching and as David was about to take a picture of the spider and its web, the dog accidentally hit the bottom of the web and everything broke apart.  The web rolled up to the top and dangled from the wood.  The spider zoomed to the top of the wood to hide.  We all sat down, disappointed that we hadn't captured it on film and that we didn't get to see the finished product.  And we watched.  The spider finally came down and rested in the rolled-up web, finished with her work.  I guess she was content to catch whatever fell into her leftover web for the night.

Sometimes it's enough just to be amazed by God's creation...and wonder.

Favorite Photos of the Month

These photos are in no particular order...but I was going through the photos on my phone and smiled over each of these and the stories behind them.  So I thought I'd share these favorites.

We've been to Dallas a few times lately and Andy usually suggests going to the yogurt place where you add your own toppings.  It doesn't take much convincing for the rest of us to go.  I always laugh over how many toppings the kids can manage to add to their cups.  I didn't notice the guy photo bombing us in the background til David pointed it out! 

This started out small.  David bought Andy a Duck Dynasty tshirt.  And then the rest of us got one.  And they're all different!!  And this isn't everyone in the family with a DD tshirt--we've converted the least likely.

We had a Sanders Family Fun Day July 6.  Gary & Amy hosted lunch and fun at their new home in Amarillo and then we all went to Wonderland.  It was a GREAT day!!  I love my family!!

I didn't even take this photo--I think Sarah Satour (Scott's fiance') took it.  These guys all went on this ride and I think Zach lost it!!  I just love the looks on everyone's faces.  

From left to right:  Andy, Matt, Zach & Scott.

I love God-surprises in my life!  Terry & Dani Stegall surprised us and walked down to Zach & Shanna's house in Dalhart while we were babysitting and we sat outside and talked for an hour or two.  What a fun time!

I love this photo.  Andy is showing Dax his mission videos.  It's become their thing when we're together.  He wants to see them all.  One generation passing on the passion to the next.

Shanna took some photos of Andy for his book and we snuck in a few of the two of us.  She took this and somehow it was sent to my phone.  She's so gifted!

This isn't a great photo, but I love the moment!  Ryan & Addie found out they were going to get to go see Monster's University---by themselves!!  We settled them in their theater with goodies (and plenty of friends in that theater to keep an eye on them) while the adults went to the room next door to watch another movie.  They were thrilled!!!

This is evidence that I'm being stretched in my culinary experiences.  I actually loved the food!

This has been a great month of experiences.  We've gotten to spend time with most of the family doing new things.  I've loved having time to do it all.  

God is good.

The Older I Get...the less I want to change

From the time I was 13-years-old, Mrs. Somerville was my mentor.  She was my pastor's wife at The Bible Church of Pampa.  You wouldn't expect a 60ish woman to relate to teenagers.  But we knew she loved us and her age just didn't  matter.  She was still my mentor as I attended her Bible studies in my mid-20's in Amarillo.  By then, she was 70ish.  I remember telling her one day (naively) that I couldn't wait until I was older and had everything figured out.  I remember her throwing her head back and laughing!  I was very confused.  She looked at me and said, "Why in the world do you think older people have everything figured out?"  Why indeed?  She graciously showed me how she was still figuring things out.

I've thought on that quite often.  Why did I think older people had everything figured out?  Because I didn't see much change in their lives.  By the time they were in their 50's, they were on a path that appeared sure and steady.  No changing involved.

Of course, now that I'm 57, I do realize how naive that was.  We never get everything figured out!!  But you know what?  There really wasn't much changing going on in the generations before me.  Think about families in the generations ahead of me.  Families stayed together, men stayed with one job for a lifetime, kids were pretty normal (besides the hippy stuff going on, of course)...there just wasn't much change.  Churches did things the same way they'd always done things...we sang the same basic songs each Sunday. I'm sure there were changes during that time, but it was slow change.

We live in a different time.  And change is inevitable.  And it's hard.  For you young things, you need to know that the older you get, the less you want to change.  People around my age already know that.  But what I hope we all get is that God created change.  And yet He's the only thing that doesn't change.  I believe it's so we will look to Him in the midst of things changing all around us and find our equilibrium.  Look at the seasons; they change.  Children change.  Growing things change.  God wants us to change--we're to be conformed to the image of Christ--and that involves change.

Can I just say this?  WE WANT WHAT'S COMFORTABLE!!!  I'd like nothing more than to wrap myself in a warm cocoon and hide my head while the world passes by.  I'd like to not be affected by change.  And yet there's a part of my inner self that craves adventure.  Isn't it crazy that both things exist simultaneously?

I guess what God is teaching me at this time of extreme change in my life is to embrace the changes.  It's good.  It keeps me drawing closer to Him.  And He's fulfilling the adventure I've always craved.  He's my place of comfort.  I can't find it in a place, in a person, or in a position.  He's jealous that way.  I've watched too many people who refuse to change and it brings about death.  Think about it--and look around.  I think you'll agree.  Growing things change.  And people or churches or businesses who refuse to change will eventually die.  They may not die physically but there's just no life!

Let's embrace change. I can promise--it won't be comfortable.  But I also believe our time on this earth is short.  Do we want to be comfortable or do we want to please God and be a part of His advancing kingdom plan?  As uncomfortable as it may be...I'm choosing change!  After all, Mrs. Somerville showed me how to effect change even in your 90's.  She lead Bible studies in the nursing home she chose to go to.  She was all about change.  And she lived fully and led an amazing life until she died at 97.

Mira Somerville

1910-2007

Psalm 139:5

"You have beset me and shut me in—behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me."

I never read this verse without thinking of the story Sherryl Stone told us years ago.  We served on staff with Charles & Sherryl Stone and it was during one of our weekly staff wives meetings (I loved those meetings!) that Sherryl shared this story in her beautiful Mississippi drawl.  It's been a long time, so I hope I have the details correct.

I believe it was Christmas and Sherryl's daddy was going to go up into the attic to bring down Christmas decorations.  Sherryl had never been in the attic and begged to go up and see what it was like!  Either Sherryl was an only child or maybe the only daughter...at least much-loved and protected. Her father tried to tell her it was too dangerous, but that only made her more intent on wanting to see what was up there.  So after much discussion, her parents came up with a plan.  Her father would go up the ladder first, Sherryl would follow, and her mother would come up behind both of them.  At no time was Sherryl alone--one of her parents had their hands on her at all times.  She was beset and shut in behind and before.

Isn't that just like our Father?  He never leaves us alone and He always has a hand on us--even when we aren't aware or when we may feel all alone.  Faith knows He's there and has a firm grip on us.

I've loved Sherryl's story all these years.  I just wish you could hear it in her beautiful southern drawl.

God texted me this morning...

 Stand at the crossroads and look;

 ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

    and you will find rest for your souls.

    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Jeremiah 6:16

I got up and read my Bible this morning and began thinking about where Andy & I are in our life journey.  I began asking God for direction....and He texted me the verse above!  Well, technically, Jodina texted me, but I'm positive God used her--so it was the same as a text from God.

What are the ancient paths?  Is it the Baptist pathway I've been on?  Maybe the Episcoplalian?  Aren't they older?  Take a look at this chart:

BAPTIST began in 1611  (That's pretty old!)

PRESBYTERIAN--1536

EPISCOPAL--1609

LUTHERAN--1550

ROMAN CATHOLIC--367???

Those are all old pathways.  Is that what this verse is talking about?  I mean it was written in Jeremiah's day--which is older than any denomination named above.  So I don't think I'm to follow the old pathway of any denomination.  When I looked at another version of the Bible, this is what that verse says:  "Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is..."

And when I put it in perspective of what Jesus said, it all makes sense:  "Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life..."  Jesus is our ancient, eternal pathway.  He knows which direction to go, because He is our Way.  All we have to do is follow Him.

A denomination?  Didn't Jesus come to tear down walls?  Didn't He rebuke religious leaders of His day for their religiosity?  Didn't he do away with tradition?

There's only ONE Ancient Pathway...and His name is Jesus.  (And I love getting texts from Him!)

Abandoning Deception at the Cross

God met with us this morning at prayer time.  He's always there...but I love when He moves in with Truth and power!  

It started out with us talking about deception.  Where are we deceived?  II Timothy 3:13-14 says, 
"But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.  But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them]..."  Because we've been seekers of Truth, we're cautious about being deceived.  We know it can/does happen to any of us!!  We even talked about how when people age, many are deceived.  They make up their minds that they are "right" and close their minds to Truth.  Instead of being humble, teachable, pliable, changeable and adaptable, they become deceived because their minds are no longer open.  

In fact, James 3:13-14 says this:  "Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth."  Truth and wisdom come through humility.  Pride leads to deception.  Wow.  Wisdom is NOT being "right!"  In fact, don't pride yourself on Truth--that is superficial wisdom.  

We talked this morning at length about how this life is not about us.  It's all about God and His plan.  Why do we have expectations, opinions and assumptions?  Because we want to be in control!!  And even beyond that...we fear.  We fear we won't get our way.  So we then drive our opinions and expectations to the point of getting our way and being in control of every stinking situation that touches our lives.  We fear; therefore, we control and manipulate.

But God is wanting us to get to the place of pure trust.  He wants us to humble ourselves and trust Him...and to trust His plan.  Instead of having expectations, opinions or assumptions, He just wants us to ask Him.  "What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?  You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask."  James 4:1-2  We just don't ASK!  Don't assume.  ASK!  Don't have an opinion.  ASK!  Don't have expectations.  ASK!  Don't try to control every situation.  ASK!  Don't walk in pride, thinking you know more than God.  ASK.  

The plan is all about God.  We need to recklessly abandon ourselves to the King.  Remember the story of Abigail?  She was in a life and death situation because of a foolish husband who made a foolish decision.  She didn't have to manipulate and control out of fear.  She recklessly abandoned herself to God and acted in faith and saved the lives of many people that day.  God doesn't just have a plan for our husbands, He has a good plan for us, too.   What does God ask us to do?  Submit to Him.  Trust Him.  Ask Him.  And let Him fulfill His good plan.

That sounds so easy...but it's a little hard for this control freak!  So the three of us went to the cross this morning (See above photo--Jodina's husband, Michael, got a cross on his land for his birthday and it was installed this past week!) and laid our fear, pride, deception, and control at the foot of the cross...and asked for His resurrection power in our lives.  We drew a line in the sand and have chosen to humble ourselves and TRUST GOD.  (We love making visual displays of what's going on in our hearts.)  No more controlling out of fear.  No more deception.  We abandoned deception at the cross and recklessly abandoned ourselves to the King.

That's powerful.