Palms of His Hands

Book List for Junior High and High School

2011-09-07T06:28:00.006-05:00

Recently I put out a Facebook call for "Must Reads" for high school students. I was looking for interesting, yet meaningful, reading material for my 11th- grader. Someone turned the tables and asked me what my recommendations were for Jr. High. I'm always up to creating a list so I couldn't pass up this request. :-)

The following isn't necessarily "Jr. High". Every child's reading level is different, and what one might read and comprehend in 7th grade another cannot grasp until 11th. With that in mind, here is a list of wonderful books my children and I have read, sometimes separately and sometimes aloud:

I really like historical fiction for my kids. It is a painless and interesting way to learn about history! My favorite set of books for this is the Trailblazer Series by Dave and Neta Jackson. They are fairly short and the authors tell you up front what part of the story is and isn't true. They make you feel like you know the historical figure. Many of them come with a study guide. Click here for a list of titles. I learned much more about Martin Luther through Spy for the Night Riders than I did in Bible History in college. (Maybe because it was more interesting.)

Other good books in this genre are:

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

The Secret Diary of Jeb and Abigail by Jean Fritz

Christy by Catherine Marshall (Which is based on a true story with some creative license.)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I really like Patricia St. John. Some of her books are Biblical Fiction like Twice Freed (The story of Onesimus) and The Runaway. Her books are a bit slow moving, but very meaningful and decidedly Christian.

My oldest daughter and I LOVE Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. (My youngest daughter didn't.) I consider it a must read. It is for a more experienced reader though.

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls is a really fun book. My mom told me for years I needed to read it to my kids. The title just didn't sound too interesting so I continued putting it off. What a mistake! It is a great book and fun read-a-loud. (There is a movie. Skip it and read the book instead.)

Little Professor of Piney Woods School by Beth Day. This is a must read for those living in Mississippi. Many of us have passed Piney Woods School on highway 49 for years without knowing its very interesting and godly heritage. Great story!

Classics we enjoyed include:

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

In His Steps by Charles Sheldon (This book had a major impact on my life as a teenager.)

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (Very intense…high school students)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (I recently re-read this. Absolutely one of the best books EVER! Definitely high school level)

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (I consider this a "must read" not because it is an oh-so-wonderful book, but because the movie is such a classic and American icon that students ought to read the original story and compare the differences.)

Other "Must Reads" though not classics:

These Strange Ashes by Elisabeth Elliot

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

End of the Spear by Steve Saint

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (This is probably an elementary age book, but I still consider it one of the best Christmas stories out there.)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (High School students only because of the nature of the story. This is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read!)

Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling . I realize they are highly controversial among Christians. I've read or heard all the pros and cons. I wouldn't allow my older two children to read them until they were grown. Then they put up the argument, "How can you condemn something you've never read?" I allowed my oldest daughter to read the first aloud to me and my then 13 year old. What can I say? I was hooked! Right or wrong, they are excellent read-a-louds and very entertaining. If all you've seen is the movies you don't have a good picture of the books. They do get "darker" as they progress, and I would NOT recommend them for pre-teens or younger. But I have to be honest, we really enjoyed them.

Another great read-a-loud is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. They are so impossibly tragic you can't take them seriously. I love the author's use of language and way with words.

My all time favorite children's book series is Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. (There are also spin-off series about her parents and grandparents.) Skip the tv series and read the books.

Arleta Richardson has a collection of books about Grandma's Attic. They are delightful, humorous, and innocent. They may be difficult to find, but they are worth the effort. These are good for younger kids too.

That's my list so far. I'm sure new things will pop into my mind throughout the day.

Happy Reading!

That First Step

2011-05-23T07:14:00.003-05:00

"I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry." That was my mantra yesterday as my 23 year old son prepared to leave for his new life-adventure. He just accepted a job in Florida. You'd think that his five years in college would have prepared me for this letting go. He's lived in his own apartment for the last year, and his busy schedule prevented his dad and I from seeing him that often. Still, he was a college student then, only an hour away. Today he is a man; a man leaving for his first "real" job. A man about to live 0ver 500 miles from "home". A man making his own "home".

This is not his first adventure into the world. Just over 23 years ago he made his grand entrance - at 5:30 am. A few weeks before his arrival I remember thinking how difficult "letting go" would be. And it was painful, even with an epidural. Not just physically painful, but emotionally as well. He would no longer be a literal part of me. I might not always know exactly where he was or how he was doing. I wouldn't be aware of his every movement. Of course I wouldn't have stopped it for the world. There were exciting adventures to have and new discoveries to make. Many of these we made together. I cheered as he took his first steps and was his biggest fan during baseball season, basket ball season, football season. (You get the picture.)

Here I am at another "letting go". One an epidural won't even touch. My heart aches, my head aches, and, yes, I cried. (After he left.) Yet, this is not so much different from 23 years ago. He is moving a little farther from the influence and safety of "home" to a place less connected with my own life. Today I remind myself again I wouldn't stop this for the world. He has exciting adventures to have, more discoveries to make, new goals to achieve. And just as I cheered his first step across the floor, I will cheer this first step across the world.

No Words

2011-04-23T10:22:00.001-05:00

We've exhausted the English language trying to describe Your indescribable mercy, love, and grace. We use words like "awesome", "incredible", "marvelous", "wonderful", "overwhelming" in an attempt to put what You have done for us into words. Our vocabularies just aren't big enough. Our attempts at description are feeble. Our efforts just overuse those few really great words leaving us speechless and inadequate and, I hate to confess, not as in awe of You as we should be. We've heard those descriptions time and again so that they have lost their punch so to speak. Phrases like "Amazing grace how sweet the sound" are no less true, they've just become so easy to say without any emotion at all. What a tragedy! Please, Lord, take these words - they are all we have - and give them meaning again. Refreshen our faith. Give us a glimpse of Your splendor. Waken Your sleeping church from her apathy. Pierce our hearts with the magnitude of Your sacrifice and the power of Your resurrection. May we be truly overwhelmed by Your love for us.
Amen

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My Advocate

2011-04-07T07:19:00.001-05:00

My Advocate

April 6, 2011

Note: I’ve heard it said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” 1 The truth of the matter is, if one person’s freedoms can be taken, then no one’s freedoms are safe. You may or may not agree with home-education, but if you value the freedom to raise your children as you see fit, and if you value the freedom to serve God as you feel convicted, then you should be concerned when a district Judge steps outside the law to violate someone’s privacy and rights. And besides, that’s not really what this article is about. J

On April 2, 2011 all homeschooling families in Mississippi’s 13^th district received a letter of notification that could very well have been the first step of the proverbial “Slippery Slope” - a slope that might endanger the rights of parents to home-educate their children in Mississippi. I wasn’t particularly concerned for my own “student” who only has to legally be enrolled one more year. 2 I was more upset about the intrusion into my privacy and the threat against this beautiful freedom we enjoy. I was concerned about my future grandchildren’s education and if my children would even have the right to home-educate if they so chose. I saw an injustice in the making - an overstepping of the judicial powers of big government, and I was not a happy camper. My first course of action? Worry. (Which always seems to be my default response.) Prompted by fear and indignation I began contacting other home-schooling families to see what they knew. Upon pooling our information it became clear that some counter legal action was needed. But what kind? How would you go about that? Who should be contacted? How much would such a thing cost? My anxiety level was on the rise.

Enter Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

For twenty-five years HSLDA has been defending the cause of America’s home-educators. For a nominal yearly fee they stand on guard protecting our rights and advocating on behalf of those who find themselves in legal battles over trampled civil liberties in the area of home-schooling. Always in compliance with State laws in a home-school friendly state I’d never given HSLDA much thought – until now.

Yesterday morning I called HSLDA and joined. By evening I received a kindly phone call from their legal team telling me what they knew about the case and assuring me they had been hard at work on the issue. All necessary papers had been drawn and filed. All parties involved had been notified of the intent to fight this rights violation. They had everything under control, and there was nothing for me to do but relax and let them handle it. I can’t describe my relief. They were knowledgeable about what I didn’t understand. They had power where I was powerless. They had contacts where I knew no one. A weight was lifted. Someone in the know was in charge.

As I breathed one more sigh of relief and gratitude this morning I thought about another Advocate3 I have. One I should turn to at the first sign of trouble but don’t always. One Who is powerful where I am weak, knowledgeable about all things, and has connections all over the world and beyond. One Who patiently waits to intervene on my behalf if I will just ask. He says to me, “I have done all that is necessary. I have everything under control. I’ve been working diligently behind the scenes. You don’t have to do anything except relax and let Me handle it.”

What a relief! And He paid the fee Himself!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”4

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”5

1 Attributed to various people including Voltaire and Evelyn Beatrice Hall.

2 Students may opt to drop out of school at the age of 17 in Mississippi.

3 Job 16:19

4 Matthew 11:28

5 1 Peter 5:7

What am I giving up for Lent?

2011-03-10T08:02:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Facebook had numerous mentionings of it. Several are actually surrendering Facebook during this 40-day period before Easter; others are sacrificing, well, the list is endless and doesn't really matter. Lent’s about sacrifice, right? Giving up something important as an act of worship, a reminder of Christ’s sufferings on our behalf, a clearing of “life-clutter” to create more time to focus on Him? I think it is a wonderful thing: self-sacrifice in order to grow closer to Christ. And the lists of things to give up, sacrifice, or fast from (however you want to word it) are legion. Facebook, television, secular music, Internet, alcohol, cigarettes, fast food, meat, sweets, soft drinks, new shoes, or anything that robs our time with God or replaces Him in our lives are good choices for the chopping block called Lent.

But I’ve been wondering….

What might please God more?

Giving up shopping trips or giving up grudges?

Forgoing Face Book or forgoing gossip?

Feeling chocolate cravings or feeling an overwhelming burden for the lost?

Leaving the TV. off or leaving our comfort zone to share God’s love with someone out of our social standing, religious convictions, or racial class?

Last year the Christian radio station K-Love gave a 40-day challenge to “do everything without complaining.” (Philippians 2:14) I opted out of the challenge. It was summer time in Mississippi and I knew, “It is SOOOOO hot!” would come out of my mouth numerous times. Giving up chocolate would have been easier.

This brings us back to the question. What am I relinquishing for Lent this year? I haven’t yet decided. Maybe nothing at all. (Just being honest.) I like what Barbie Bassett said, “As a Christian I am to deny myself daily.” Hmmmmm…. 365 days is a lot longer. Maybe I should choose sacrificing for Lent instead of daily for the rest of my life. (Is that even an option?) Also, if something has such a grip on me that it is worth giving up for 40 days, should it be in my life at all? These are the questions that plague me.

As I search for answers I’m reminded of two things:

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6

“If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3

Hopefully I’ll get it figured out before Easter.

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Why you should….What’s that called again?

2011-02-22T09:12:00.002-06:00

What would happen if you bought a medium size waterproof container, filled it with cheap trinkets, hid it somewhere outside, determined its GPS coordinates, and then posted those coordinates on the Internet? People from all over would come and find it! They would sign their names on the log book you included in the container (because you want to know who found it), they would take a trinket from the container and leave something in return, they would later report their find on the internet, and they would go off to find other such hidden containers. Oh, and they would call it Geocaching! (“Geo” meaning “earth” and “cache” being a collection of things.)

I wish I could take credit for devising such a clever hide and seek game, but I can’t. I can tell you to visit www.geocaching.com to learn all about this high-tech scavenger hunt. (That’s where you find and post coordinates and log in your finds.) I am fairly new to the geocaching adventure, but I can tell you it is great fun, educational, and highly addicting!

You should go geocaching because:

1. It’s fun!

2. It’s fairly cheap as far as hobbies go. You probably already have what you need: Internet access to geocaching.com (where you can sign up for a free account), a GPS, gas in your vehicle, and a sense of adventure. Of course, like any hobby, you can spend lots of money on geocaching too. You can invest in special GPS’s and/or smart phone apps, you can pay for a premium membership, you can purchase special trinkets to place in caches and “official” gear, and you can drive all over the country. But you don’t have too. Chances are there are hundreds of caches within a day’s drive of where you live.

3. It’s cross-generational. I love it, my 16-year-old daughter loves it, and my 69-year-old father loves it! Because it is an ageless activity it creates great opportunities to bring families together.

4. It gives you something to do on those beautiful days when you want to be outdoors but you don’t own a boat or a membership to the country club.

5. It is educational. Well, it isn’t ALWAYS educational, but many caches are hidden in or around historical areas. One of our best “finds” wasn’t the actual cache (which was too small to contain anything except a log to sign), but the nearby church that was built in the mid-1800’s. We were able to go inside and sit in the slave balcony on the original benches. That had a profound affect on my 16-year-old and sparked some great discussion. Also, some variations of the geocache are non-traditional ones which aren’t containers, but places including geological treasures and historical sites. Because of this…

6. You never really know what you will find or where you will end up! That makes it quite adventurous!

7. It creates great memory-making opportunities… like going caching with good friends along the bank of the Mississippi River. Or when you and your daughter give up the search for a cache deep in the woods but your dad refuses to give up and you think he is truly lost because you can’t hear him any more. (He does make his way out only to trip over a fallen tree and land flat on his back. He’s ok though.)

8. You get to see some beautiful places. If you like photography then this is the hobby for you. Like I said, you never know what you will find. It could be that previously mentioned old church, or a beautiful sunset, or a most unusual magnolia tree, or gravestones marked CSA (Confederate States of America).

9. I’ll let you fill in #9!

If you decide to accept my challenge and sign a log sheet that has already been signed by Jeffcoat5….that’s me!

Happy Caching!

Race Update

2011-02-18T18:58:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to let readers know that Kyle ran his 1/2 marathon in 2 hours 25 minutes! He was well pleased and so was I. He is already making plans for a couple more 1/2 marathons and a full one! Upon reading my previous post he commented,"That was sweet, Mom, but I'm really not eating better." I said he might increase his time if he did.

Hmmmm....I feel another inspirational thought coming. :-D

Thanks for all the well wishes.

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At the Finish Line

2011-02-13T06:24:00.001-06:00

My son is in New Orleans today running his first ½ marathon. I’m impressed! This is the son who loves chocolate chip cookies for supper and hates vegetables. This is the boy who hid his spaghetti under a bookcase when he was five and always has a little milk with his chocolate. Yet for months he’s been working out and training for this event. Even watching what he eats. (To some extent) I have no doubt he can do it, and I’m cheering him on all the way…from home. I want to be at the end of his 13.1-mile journey through the French Quarter to greet him at the finish line and applaud this accomplishment. I want to tell him how proud I am of his hard work, determination, and resolve to keep going. But I won’t be there. Obligations beyond my control prevent me.

I said this was my son’s first ½ marathon, but it isn’t his first race. When he was younger he decided to run the race of faith set before him by Christ, a race I myself started years before he was born. It too requires hard work, determination, and resolve to keep on keeping on. There are distractions, detractors, and detours on this path. Some places are smooth and scenic, and others contain rough, ugly terrain. And unlike a ½ marathon, we don’t really know how far it is to the end. We just have to keep our eyes on Jesus and run with perseverance the race set before us. Two things are certain, I know he can do it, and I will be at this finish line to welcome my son and applaud his accomplishment.

This is the most important race of our lives.

I love you, Kyle! See you there!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

test

2011-02-11T13:35:00.001-06:00

I just loaded a blogger app and wanted to see if it really works.:-D

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A Mother's Heart Blessed by Her Daughter's....

2011-01-21T10:40:00.002-06:00

God has been doing some amazing things in my daughter's life. I want to share it... (She'll be 16 this month!)

http://iamonlyonebutiamone.blogspot.com/2011/01/and-who-is-responsible-for-this.html

Making Memories

2010-12-28T10:24:00.000-06:00

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?

2010-11-14T07:41:00.002-06:00

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

2010-11-12T07:24:00.000-06:00

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

This War Inside Me#comments

Word Power

2010-10-30T06:44:00.004-05:00

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

2010-09-29T17:51:00.009-05:00

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

2010-09-27T14:48:00.007-05:00

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

2010-09-25T19:15:00.003-05:00

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

2010-09-21T07:06:00.000-05:00

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

2010-09-16T17:09:00.002-05:00

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

2010-08-27T15:25:00.003-05:00

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

2010-05-03T08:25:00.005-05:00

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...

2009-10-24T12:25:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-26T06:07:00.002-05:00

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?

2009-08-02T16:53:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-17T09:37:00.001-05:00

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

Shared via AddThis

The Master Artist

2009-07-12T07:07:00.005-05:00

“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

2009-06-30T15:10:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-26T10:45:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-12T18:30:00.003-05:00

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?

2009-05-24T14:00:00.002-05:00

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."

Bloom, no Matter the Circumstance

2009-04-23T09:50:00.004-05:00

Roses make me smile. In our current location there are two nice roses bushes growing near the shed. One is pink and the other yellow. They are loaded with blooms, and when the sun bathes them in warmth and light they give off the most wonderful fragrance.

Hidden between the yellow and pink rose bushes is a very scrawny plant that looks like it was a rose bush once upon a time. I don't know why it was even permited to stay in the flower bed. It's ugly and half dead.

But today, today I saw this gorgeous flower blooming on that same bush. I don't notice the plant anymore, I just see the beautiful work of Father God.

I was quick to judge the rose bush as unworthy. It only needed time to show its true colors. Now, I wouldn't dream of uprooting the plant. It should be cultivated, not thrown away.

How quickly do we judge the people around us as being unworthy of our attention and care? Perhaps they are unkempt, unsophisticated, or unlikeable. Perhaps they've made some serious life mistakes. For whatever reason, we somehow think time invested in them is wasted. But Father God sees what lies dormant within each one. He knows that each can rise above their circumstances and bloom. All they need is a chance and some cultivation.

Never Forget

2009-04-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, the joy of Luna Moth Day has been dampened by the fact that today is also Holocaust Remembrance Day. While in Baltimore two summers ago we visited the Baltimore Holocaust Memorial. It was quite sobering. Warning: The last photo is quite disturbing.

Let's never forget. "On both sides of the track rows of red and white lights appeared as far as the eye could see...

with the rythm of the wheels, with every human sound now silenced. We awaited what was to happen."

"...in an instant, our women, our parents, our children disappeared. We saw them for a short while as an obscure mass at the other end of the platform." ~ Primo Levi Survival in Aushwitz

In the front center sits the Joseph Sheppard Holocaust Sculpture. The statue depicts the horror of the Holocaust by portraying emaciated bodies of the victims’ bodies contorted in a ball of flame. The base of the sculpture bears the quote from George Santayana:

Those who do not remember the past are destined to repeat it.

1st Luna Moth!

2009-04-21T08:21:00.003-05:00

Our family has a strong affection for luna moths. Several summers ago we fed four luna caterpillars, watched them cocoon, and emerge as moths. We don't see that many over the course of a year. They aren't as plentiful as other moths, but they sure are beautiful. I noted in my calendar that I saw the first one in 2008 on April 20th. In 2009 I saw the first one today. Here it is resting on the bricks outside my kitchen window. I've now declared today Luna Moth Day! Here's hoping you see one soon!

Red Bluff

2009-04-14T18:26:00.007-05:00

Today was the most gorgeous day I've ever seen! The temps were in the upper 60's to low 70's. The sky was clear. And a light breeze whispered spring. I'd been wanting to take my girls to Red Bluff which is sometimes called Mississippi's Grand Canyon. It is located between where we're living now and my parents' house. Today was the day.

How beautiful is that!

Can you see the white circle in the center between the tree line and the bluff? That's my dad and Candace.

These girls surely scared 20 years off my life by getting so near the edge!

My mom, dad, Cassie, Candace, and started for the bottom. My mom wasn't able to quite make it. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of her. :-( I'll have to take extra when we go on our next excursion to the Palestine Gardens in Lucedale, MS.

The girls and I made it to the very bottom and walked the tracks a short way. My dad didn't come down the final incline so he could help us back up.

We didn't have time to hike to the Pearl River, but we did find this beautiful creek. We want to go back some time and follow the creek for a while.

My dad and I.

Candace and Grampy.

Look at what erosion has done! The roots made a great ladder. There's my dad.

It was an awesomely beautiful day of making memories.

(And sore muscles.)

Power to Forgive

2009-04-12T08:26:00.003-05:00

“If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them they are not forgiven.” ~ John 20:23

That only God can forgive sins is clearly stated in Scripture. So what can John 20:23 possibly mean? A theologian I am not, but I’ve been wondering….

While stones were hurling Stephen to his death he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)

In the ultimate act of clemency, Jesus asked God to forgive the crowd for crucifying the Lord of the universe.

What if God answered those prayers? What if, as those executioners stand before God on the day of judgment, their sin of murdering the Messiah and stoning His servant Stephen is no longer on their rap sheet? Could John 20:23 possibly mean that God won’t bring to account the sins against us we’ve forgiven?

Think about it:
The rapist forgiven by his victim won’t face God on her rape charge.
The forgiven murderer won’t give an account for the lives lost at her hands.
The lying backstabber won’t be punished for destroying a reputation.

Hmmm? Let me think on that.

The point of this pondering is not to determine my ability to keep someone from being judged based on my forgiveness. The point is…do I want to?

Very often I pacify my anger with the thought, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) I say I forgive, but secretly I hope ole “So-and-So” gets his/her “just desserts” one day.

And yet, somehow I know it’s true: if I can’t honestly pray, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” then I haven’t truly forgiven.

© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2009

Sonbeams

2009-04-06T12:12:00.002-05:00

In the car with time to spare, each of us was carefully dressed and ready for church. The cloudless sky and bright sunshine were welcomed reprieves from the past week of storms. A sunbeam splashed across my lap as my husband backed out of the drive. It was a gorgeous day.

While smiling down at my personal sunbeam, I noticed dozens of white cat hairs and fuzz all over my black skirt. My smile faded. Surely they weren’t there earlier. Where did they come from? Well, obviously they weren’t clearly visible in the artificial light of the house, but in the sunlight all was revealed. I brushed them off the best I could learning a valuable lesson: “Be sure to keep a lint roller in the car.”

Ok, so I learned more than that.

I was reminded that when I check my attitudes, habits, and spiritual growth in the artificial light of what others do, I’m sure to miss something and feel pretty smug about myself. But when I stand in the Sonlight, I see myself as I really am. All my imperfections are revealed. They cannot be hidden. Jesus doesn’t even attempt to brush my faults away. He gives me a new garment without spot or wrinkle; He clothes me in His perfection. He clothes me with Himself.

“…for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” ~ Galatians 3:27

Being Honest Part 1

2009-03-30T07:18:00.003-05:00

Over the last six months I’ve had a lot of time to think, to think about what I say I believe and what I really believe and the difference between the two. I see things, and hear things, and I know I’m not the only one who experiences a discrepancy between faith and practice. I’m creating an on-going list to help me examine myself and to say with the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12 – 14)

Like Paul, I want to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection”, but to be honest, I’ll skip “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings” part. Thank you very much. (Philippians 3:10)

Praying the Model Prayer (a.k.a. The Lord’s Prayer) makes me feel warm and fuzzy and even holy (especially since I know it by heart), but do I honestly want God to forgive me my debts in the same way I forgive my debtors?

When I pray, “Thy will be done”, don’t I really mean, “Lord, please conform Your will to mine”?

Do I really want my daily bread? Honestly, I’d feel much better with several weeks or even months of food in the fridge and pantry.

When I say, “Your grace is sufficient” what I really mean is “Lord, Your grace is sufficient as long as all is right in my world.”

I'm just being honest.

Well, that’s my list so far. If any of you are brave enough to be honest, I welcome your “gaps”. I may even compile a list and post them.

I’m pressing on toward the goal, I just haven’t arrived yet.

~ Drewe Llyn

As unto the Lord

2009-03-16T07:11:00.004-05:00

I poured my life into them.
I worshiped with them.
I prayed with them.
I cried and celebrated with them.
I spent many thoughtful hours preparing gifts for them.
I genuinely loved them.
But in the end, I was betrayed by many of them.
My broken heart was confused and indignant. How could this have happened after all I’d done for them? Pouring my life into these ungrateful people now seemed like wasted time and energy. Is there no reward for effort? If I had only known it would turn out like this….

You know what I mean. You’ve been there. I don’t need to tell you who “they” are. “They” can be anyone. Family. Students. A spouse. A congregation. “They” can be friends, co-workers, or an organization.

God’s been there.
Jesus poured His life into people.
He worshiped with them.
He prayed with them.
He cried and celebrated with them.
He spent many thoughtful hours preparing a gift for them. *
He genuinely loved them as no one else could.
But in the end, the majority betrayed Him and killed Him.

Christ’s heart was broken, but not because He was confused or indignant. He didn’t whine, “How could this have happened to me?” He did everything good knowing exactly how it would all turn out. And how did it turn out? After the bloodshed, after the pain and suffering, after having His heart broken from the weight of the world’s sin, He sat at His Father’s side victorious. Mission accomplished. His effort received a priceless reward…Us.

Anything and everything I do for people is wasted time and energy. But anything, everything done for the Lord will be rewarded.

Our priceless reward? Him.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” ~ Colossians 3:23-24

* Think Garden of Gethsemane.

The Gift of Water

2009-02-25T16:37:00.008-06:00

When my oldest child was just a baby, those starving children in Africa suddenly became more than a blur of faces. They became someone's beloved child, and I thought, "Why does my child have clean water to drink and some don't? Don't all children deserve clean water?" But I never really knew what I could do (Now especially with our current life situation.) But there is something I can do and so can you. It's called Blood: Water Mission. Here's a quote from their site:

By giving up what you’d normally drink in exchange for the water from your tap you can save that money to help build clean water projects for African communities in need.So ditch the morning coffee and o.j., leave out the lunchtime soda, and cancel the evening beverage. You won’t need an ark for this 40 Days of Water, but you will need a little self-discipline. But we know you can do it, because you know who you’re doing it for. Make the choice.

I figure my daily cappuccino (bought from Wal-mart) costs approximately $.50. Every day I skip it, I'll put $.50 in my special cappuccino cup. Can't we all give the gift of clean water? Especially those of us who claim to serve The Living Water?

Click on the site link for donation information.

(Having children makes you see things differently. Here's a poem I wrote when Kyle was small.)

Faces

I see faces of the starving children
Victims of their country’s war.
Faces of the down and out
Whose families have a home no more.
Faces of the frightened children
Violence lurks outside their home.
Faces of the orphan children
who have to meet this world alone.
Faces of the suffering children
Bodies wracked by sickness, pain.
All the children of the world
Who’ve never heard of Jesus’ name.

Though once these barely caught my eye;
Now they make my spirit groan.
My heart’s been soften by the faces
Of the children that are my own.
And though my own are safe and sound,
There but for God’s grace go we.
And in the faces of my children
I see the world much differently.

(C) Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 1989

Here I am. Send Me?

2009-02-22T14:16:00.007-06:00

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Many of us enthusiastically echo the prophet Isaiah’s words. We want to be about The King’s business. We want to make a difference in this world. Our ultimate goal being to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” We are inspired by spiritual giants like Billy Graham, Chris Tomlin, Beth Moore, Michael W. Smith, Rick Warren, or Tony Dungy. People extraodinarily gifted by God with high-profile platforms from which to glorify His name. And that’s all we want to do, isn’t it? Bring glory to His name?

But what if…

What if the place God sends us isn’t vast stadiums to preach the Gospel to spell-bound crowds responding in droves to “Just as I Am”?

What if that place isn’t large coliseums leading thousands of youth in singing our Dove Award winning worship songs?

What if that place doesn’t include Nashville recordings, New York Times Best Sellers, or Super Bowl championships?

What if our place to bring God glory isn’t in the spotlight at all?

What if He wants us to shine for Him…

…living in an inner city, run-down apartment?
…while taking dialysis or chemo treatments?
…crying at the bedside of a sick loved one?
…struggling through unemployment and poverty?
…learning humility through humiliation?
…suffering in a concentration camp?
…walking through the valley of the shadow of death?

..."taking one for the team"?

What if the place He sends us, the place we can bring Him most glory is uncomfortable, unsanitary, or downright painful?

Would we still be willing to say, “Here am I. Send Me?”

Do we only want to bring God glory if some of that glory reflects on us?

It’s time for some soul-searching.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." ~ Matthew 16:24-25

Friends and River Walks

2009-01-26T15:04:00.011-06:00

Whew! I thought I'd never get these pictures posted using our dial-up! Here's a glimpse into my life last week and so far this week...

Dear friends came over bringing yummy home-made Mexican food!

(Clockwise: Me, Miss Joyce, Debbie B. and Debbie C. I have a lot of friends name Debbie. :-) )

Last Saturday our community prayer group met. I absolutely love praying with my African American sisters. They bring a fresh new perspective to my life. I think this prayer group is amazing considering we live in Mississippi. ( I want to be like Miss Franklin when I grow up. She is a 77-year old spitfire with tons of spunk!)

Candace and I walked down to the Pearl River which is one of Mississippi's largest rivers. This spot is about a mile from where we're living.

Candace and Zeke.

It was a bit muddier than we anticipated.

I just love this picture of Candace and Zeke!

Cassie was at work when Candace and I last went to the river, so on Monday we traipsed down there again. (Notice the puppy? He followed us home! Even though he was a cutie, I had to take him back where we found him. We just can't handle another animal right now.)

Lots of raccoon tracks!

Yesterday Candace and I went to a friend's house (her name is Debbie too!) and played in her ceramic clay. I made some Christmas ornaments. (Am I good, or what?) Candace made a frog. I'd post some pictures, but I'm getting too frustrated. :-) God bless!

God's Word to Me

2009-01-14T07:08:00.004-06:00

I am so blessed by those who leave words of encouragement to help me and my family through a difficult season of life. Thank you so much!

On Sunday the preacher spoke of Moses and the Burning Bush. A story I've known since childhood. A story that is so familiar it has lost its "punch" (so to speak). Oh, but if God can speak through a burning bush, He can certainly speak through a "punchless" story, now can't He? You can read the entire story in Exodus Chapter 3, but here are the phrases that jumped out at me:

1. The Lord said, "I have seen the misery of my people."

2. "I have heard them crying out."

3. "I am concerned about their suffering."

4. "So I have come down to rescue them."

Before I hopped here this morning to write this post, read this comment from Tammie:

"...but I know this ... you are not beyond God's reach, you are not beyond His hearing, your tears have not escaped His attention, your hurt is not beyond His understanding, and your needs are not beyond His ability to meet."

How's that for confirmation?

God sees.

God hears.

God is concerned.

God will rescue.

End of Story...with a lot of "punch"!

The End is the Beginning

2009-01-08T19:19:00.006-06:00

Well, tonight is our last night in the place we've called home for 6 1/2 years. All week we've been packing, sorting, moving things, and making Waste Management earn their money this week. If I weren't so tired and so busy I'd be sad.

We've lived here longer than any other place in our married life. My kids were 14, 11, and 8 when we arrived. Now they are 20, 17, and almost 14. The oldest is in college. The middle child will go to college next year. It is a severe time of change.

A large number of the happy memories I have here involve activities and people from our church. Now those recollections have a bitter twinge to them as people and circumstances didn't turn out as I hoped. I've been disappointed. Wounded. Disoriented. Angry. Discouraged. Devastated. Worried. Heart-broken. All from people I loved and trusted. Sometimes I wonder if this 6 1/2 year section of our life journey was a failure. What did all the energy and love we poured into this ministry amount to? Yet I am reminded once again, because I need to be reminded quite frequently, that it's not about people's love for me or people's devotion to me. It's about my love for them. And I did genuinely love them. I still do, which is why it hurts so much. Perhaps that, above all things, shows I did what God intended me to do. If love betrayed doesn't hurt, it wasn't really love in the first place. Love hurts. Just ask Jesus.

I don't know what the next stage of our journey is, though I feel it has to do with refocusing on Christ, resting, and renewing my strength in Him. We're moving to a temporary location that is in the proverbial "middle of no-where". (I know this is true because there is no high-speed internet there, only dial-up. I'll be forced to come to grips with my internet addiction. *grin*)

Lessons learned:

1. People will fail you.

2. God won't.

3. What is seen is temporary.

4. What is unseen is eternal.

5. Life isn't about what others can or cannot do for me.

6. Life is about having God's love for people, even when it hurts.

7. My world can be shaken, but not destroyed when my hope is in Christ.

I'll be around the internet some, but won't be posting a picture a day like I wanted to.

I pray God's richest blessings on you all. Happy New Year!

~ Drewe Llyn

(P.S. For those who have no clue what I'm talking about you can find out here.)

A Photo A Day...except when...

2009-01-05T16:21:00.006-06:00

My friend Lori over at Just Pure Lovely has joined Project 365 which is simply to take one photo a day for a year. It sounds like a great idea; literal snapshots (or digital shots) of 2009. I can't do Project 365 since it is day five and this is my first photo. Also, I have serious doubts I'll actually remember to take a photo every day. However, I will attempt to post daily except when I forget, when I don't have time, and when the internet is not working.

Here is today's picture:

Here Cassie and Candace are carrying "treasures" from their old rooms into our new (temporary) residence. The forecast was for 70% chance of rain, but we managed to get two loads transferred today.

Bonus shot:

My precious Trio on Christmas Eve.

2008-12-17T10:56:00.002-06:00

My girls and I have tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert tonight in Jackson. Third Row!!!! I realized I haven't posted anything about this awesome event here at blogger, so here is what I posted back in 2005. All the excitement still holds true!

Trans Siberian Orchestra
November 11, 2005

Black dresses and tuxedos.
“Flight of the Bumblebee”.
Creative lighting.
Stringed instruments.
Awesome lasers.
“Beethoven’s Fifth”.
Intense pyrotechnics.
Electric guitars.
Unbelievable drums.
Maestro keyboardists.
“Carol of the Bells”.

What could all these possibly have in common?

These eclectic components come together brilliantly in the most incredible show I’ve ever seen. They are Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO), and they were in Jackson last night. Kyle, Cassie, and I experienced it from the twenty-fourth row. (This year from the 3rd!)

“Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” (a.k.a. “Carol of the Bells”) is what grips and draws me to TSO. Their rendition is like no other and continually gives me chill bumps. I think it’s because I’ve walked the streets of Sarajevo and seen first hand the massive destruction of the Bosnian war on buildings and lives. I can’t begin to describe TSO’s interpretation. I invite you to listen for yourself. “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo”. Hopefully this will open for you. If not, go to http://www.trans-siberianorchestra.com/, click on “multimedia”, and scroll down to “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo”. To discover the source of the title you must go to “Discography” and find “Christmas Eve and Other Stories”.

You’ll discover it’s a rock opera. (Is that an oxymoron??)

What a night!

Christmas Scenes

2008-12-15T07:43:00.005-06:00

Just sharing some scenes of Christmas around our house:

Here are the snowflake cookies we baked celebrating the first snow of the season. (But not of the year! Two snowfalls in one year in Mississippi! Who'd have thought it!)

Oliver LOVES the tree skirt that sports handprints of my kids through the years.

My two favorite girls in the whole world in front of our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree!

Remember how to make the origami stars I posted several days ago? (If you don't, click here.) Well, yesterday I made some out of the Sunday comics. Even my girls think these are cute. (Be extra careful if you make these out of comics, the paper is thinner and more prone to tear.)

More scenes later!

Pictures of the Snow!

2008-12-11T18:25:00.007-06:00

It's been such a great day. Words can't describe the joyful feeling I get from watching snow fall. My girls and I enjoyed it immensely. The electricity went out which only added to the festive feeling since we could sit around enjoying the fire. We drank hot cocoa and will soon bake snowflake shaped sugar cookies. (Now that the power is back on.) Here are some snapshots of "our" winter wonderland:

Our backyard as the snow started.

Our backyard a little later.

No hanging out clothes today!

Our front yard after it had snowed a while.

Candace captured this cardinal.

I loved watching the birds come to the feeder.

Candace had a friend come over. We took a little excursion.

Candace trying to get me with a snowball. Her friend is smart and took off a little farther.

We stopped by the community cemetery.

Our dog Sam had to be included.

It was a beautiful day!

Drum roll please.....

2008-12-11T07:19:00.001-06:00

IT...IS...SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Hope to have pictures later today!)

Making Gift Bags

2008-12-10T07:50:00.004-06:00

I have quite a few "Happy" gifts to give this year. You know the kind - tokens of love for friends, family, Sunday school classes, party favors, etc. Wrapping can get expensive, even if the paper, bags, and bows come from the $-Tree. I know this idea isn't new, but I thought I'd share what I'm doing this year.

Take a regular paper bag. (This is a lunch bag. I hope to get some white ones later.)

Measure and mark 4 and 6 inches from the top and draw lines on both sides of the bag.

Gently begin rolling down the top edge all the way around. This is the tricky part. Do it slowly. There may be some tearing, but it shouldn't show when you are finished.

Keep rolling it down until the top edge meets the 4 inch line. Make sure the fold is crisp. (Sorry I didn't get this picture turned around.)

Now do the same thing with your new top edge. This time meet the 6 inch mark.

Walah!

Decorate any way you want using paints, markers, crayons, whatever! The possibilities are endless! Punch holes and add ribbon handles in the color and style of your choice. A little tissue paper will complete the look.

Aren't they adorable?

Go Saints!

2008-12-08T07:46:00.009-06:00

March, 2008, Cassie decided to purchase the perfect gift for Raymond...tickets to a Saints game. (When she saw the price she decided it would be the perfect Birthday-Father's Day-Christmas gift.) Her plan was to buy a pair of tickets for her and Raymond, but Kyle really, really wanted to go. Since Cassie wasn't willing to buy his, he paid for his own. Even way back in March the rival game between the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons was nearly sold out, and she couldn't purchase just three tickets. They only came in sets of two. I paid for the fourth one and was reimbursed by my MIL who wanted to go too.

We held that wonderful secret until Father's Day when Cassie presented her perfect gift. Raymond was speechless and in disbelief. It was, indeed, the perfect gift for him. Then came the long wait from June to December 7th. During that time Mawmaw had her terrible accident. There was no way she would make the game. She graciously gave her ticket to me.

Yesterday was the big day!

Kyle, Raymond, Cassie, and me before we left at 7:00 AM. (#25 Reggie Bush, #26 Deuce McAllister, Cassie and I in "Souther Belle" shirts that say, "Southern Belles Love Their Saints!")

Louisianna Super Dome!

Pictures don't do it justice. It's breath-taking to view the field for the first time.

Awwww...brother and sister love each other...at least when Mom makes them smile. :-)

Part of my favorite team...the Jeffcoats!

It was an awesome day, and the Saints won 29 - 25!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T09:31:00.002-06:00

A Happy Thankgiving to all! Our family of 5 will celebrate here at home, then travel to the hospital to spend some time with my Mother-in-Law who is doing well in rehab after accidentally cutting her foot off over a week ago.

Our menu for today:

Grilled Ribeye steaks (Bought on sale!)
Yeast rolls - from scratch
Mac and cheese - from scratch
Butter beans - home grown, picked, and frozen
Deviled Eggs - from scratch
Pecan pie - from scratch
Cherry Cheese cake - from a box mix :-)

Yum! Yum!

I'd better get back to cooking now.

My Mother-in-Law Accidentally Cut Off Her Foot

2008-11-18T07:50:00.001-06:00

Now, if that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. My First reaction was WHAT?!?!?!?! I mean, how does one accidentally cut off their foot?!?!?!? Well, some of the details are sketchy, but here's what I think I know: She had just hooked her little dog to a cable in the yard before going to revival. Somehow the cable unknowingly got wrapped around her foot and she drove off severing her foot just above the ankle. I'm not exactly sure how help came, but Johnny (Raymond's step-brother) managed to get her to the hospital in Poplarville, MS. (Which is a very, very small community hospital.) From there she was air-lifted to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg where they did surgery to clean up the wound. They were unable to re-attach her foot. She received 3 units of blood. The family was able to see her before surgery. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her both physically and emotionally. The doctor said there will most probably be other surgeries. I'm not sure what this means for our immediate family. She will need care for a long time. Will she come live with us? I'm more than willing for that to happen, but we have to move from this house by the middle of January. We have a couple of temporary options, but we need permanent ones. Raymond has a temporary job, but we need a permanent one. It has been a very, very trying few months for us. Yet God has generously provided our needs and I'm more than grateful to everyone He's used to do that. I keep hearing God say, "I'm in control. Wait on Me." When I got in my car last night to drive home "Everlasting God" was playing on KLOVE. If you know that song it says, "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." That's what I'm trying to do today.

Huh?

2008-11-12T11:01:00.015-06:00

I read a CNN article today that begs for comment. It seems that D.C. buses will soon be carrying this message: "Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness' sake". Believe it or not, that's not what I'm commenting on.

Top of the page bullets summarize the article. The last point being: "Humanist spokesman says agnostics, atheists feel isolated during holidays" This is where I go, "Huh?" I mean, why should agnostics and atheists feel isolated during the holidays? Let's face it, Thanksgiving and Christmas (or Hanukkah or Ramadan for that matter) aren't their holidays! There is no one to thank on Thanksgiving and no one to celebrate on Christmas if there's no God. Why should they feel left out or even care?

My family and I lived in a Muslim part of Europe for two years. We never felt "isolated" during their holidays. Though we are Christians we'd sometimes be invited to share in a special meal (and awesome goodies such as baklava!!) for friendship's sake, but never did we feel isolated. Why should we? We weren't Muslim; those weren't our holidays!

America is a free country; if people don't want to believe in God (or don't care about God) that's their right. But don't whine about the holidays! After all, the word "holiday" is a contraction of "holy" and "day". If someone doesn't believe in anything holy, then they've missed out in more ways than one. That's their choice. If they happen to be included in the festivities of people of faith, then do it for friendship's sake and be blessed. Ooops...can't be blessed if there is no "Higher Power".

I'm off my soap box now.

God's Word to me today via Kay Arthur

2008-11-09T09:01:00.003-06:00

"O precious One, whatever your need, learn to run first to the out-stretched arms of Calvary where you will find His all-sufficient grace, grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 416). Then wait...wait on the Lord, that He might provide in His perfect way and His perfect time all your need. Not to do so is to end up in the horrible distress that comes when we will not walk in obedience of faith."

from Teach Me How to Live A second devotional journey with Kay Arthur

Interesting Sight...

2008-11-07T19:33:00.005-06:00

We had rain last night. Today there was a bouquet of mushrooms in the yard.

Isn't it cool?

Any ideas on what kind this is? (Comes from one root.) Could it be the Armillaria tabescens?

A Christmas Star

2008-11-05T09:48:00.003-06:00

A couple of years ago a dear friend of the family made an origami star out of $1.00 bills. It was so cool! I decided it would be a great Christmas ornament if done in yellow paper.

I was right! Isn't it cute?

I just cut some paper the size of dollar bills and then followed the video I found.

Enjoy!

5 Dollar Origami Star -

You can turn the sound down as it only has written instructions. The music is just background.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-04T16:02:00.002-06:00

My friend Amy over at Dandelion Seeds is "Giving Thanks Every Day" for her blessings. I'm not organized enough to post every day, but I'd like to post some things I'm thankful for as they come to mind. I've been in the doldrums lately, but really shouldn't be with so many blessings. Here I go:

1. I talked with two ladies today who lost husbands when they were young. I'm thankful I still have my wonderful husband of 24 years.

2. Our family was blessed with a very generous, anonymous, monetary gift today.

3. A friend blessed me with a very thoughtful and creative gift today.

4. I went to vote with my son today...it was his first time.

5. This morning on my walk I saw a large flock of birds fly over in perfect "V" formation. It made me feel peaceful to know such organization couldn't just have "happened".

6. We've been invited to eat supper with some dear friends tonight.

**to be continued**

Your Grace is Enough...Or is it????

2008-11-02T08:18:00.010-06:00

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

**Pretend you hear Chris Tomlin singing “Your Grace is Enough” in the background. If you have a hard time pretending you can click here.**

I love this song.

I've sung it with the radio while driving to Wal-mart.

I've sung it live in Daytona Beach, Florida with Chris Tomlin. (I was part of the audience.)

I've sung it with my praise team as we led Sunday morning worship.

I've sung it in my head as I've completed chores around the house.

Maybe you have too. It's a catchy tune reminding us of Paul's great declaration of God's sufficient grace in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

I have no doubt that in reality all we truly need is God's grace. He said it Himself: My grace is sufficient for you. And God does not lie. He knows that the absolutely worst thing that can happen to us is hell, and His grace and brutal sacrifice offer us deliverance from that. My question is: Do we believe it? Do I believe it? There's a lot going on in my life right now, and I'll confess that too often I find myself weak, vulnerable, and complaining. If I was completely honest the song might go something like this:

Your Grace - plus a good paying job, nice house, plenty of food, faithful friends, and healthy bodies - is enough for me. (Hmm...doesn't flow quite as well, does it?)

I'm reminded time and time again: God gave me everything He had when He gave me grace. He gave me Himself. Everything else should pale in comparison.

Seven Things God Does Not Know

2008-10-30T09:36:00.003-05:00

When I was either a senior in high school or a freshman in college (about 25 years ago), my pastor preached a sermon entitled "Seven Things God Does Not Know". I was captivated by the title and wrote down all seven points. I carried that piece of paper for years until I eventually lost it. Well, the lost has been found. (Cleaning up and packing does have a way of bringing things to the surface.) I want to share these seven things with my readers just because I think they are interesting and so maybe I won't misplace them again. :-) (Verses in parentheses were found by me.)

A Greater Plan of Salvation – John 1:12-13
Another way to be saved than Acts 4:12
How you will escape so great a salvation – Hebrews 2:3
A hotter place than hell – Luke 16:23-24
A “blacker” sin than rejecting His Son – John 3:16 (See also Mark 9:48)
A longer period of time than eternity (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
A greater place than heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Hey, Bro. Maxie, you should be proud I remembered that sermon after all these years! :-)

"Sleeping Dust Bunnies: Do Not Disturb"

2008-10-24T15:55:00.007-05:00

Hurricane CP has disturbed my poor, sleeping dust bunnies. (If you have no clue what I'm talking about, click on the link.)

I've been cleaning out and have already gathered 8 or 9 boxes of ~~junk~~ treasures for an upcoming garage sale. A friend asked if I was throwing "off everything that hinders". I had to laugh. I'm keeping waaaay too much stuff to say I'm "Throwing off everything."

But I am cleaning out things that have needed it for a long time. (I'm sure the trash collectors wish I'd stop.)

Today I popped over a dozen unmarked CDs into the computer to figure out what was on them.
In more serious news...my husband had a nuclear stress test this past Monday. (Come to think of it, this should be a breeze compared to Hurricane CP.)

According to the doctor there is a 90% chance Raymond has a blockage. He will be having a Cardiac Cath done this coming Monday around 8:00 AM.

Please pray that all goes well and that if something is wrong it can be fixed without surgery.

Thanks! Have a blessed weekend!

Becoming My Mother

2008-10-20T06:29:00.000-05:00

Becoming My Mother

It’s official – I’ve turned into my mother.

I suspected as much last summer when we were both caught wearing similar bathrobes and slippers. It became clearer upon discovering both our pre-Katrina preparations included boiling eggs and filling the bathtub with water. Let’s face it, for years we’ve laugh at the same jokes, enjoyed the same books and movies, and appreciated good puns. (Not everyone can, you know.) And in spite of the fact she loves squash, which I despise; my notions that I was becoming my mother were recently validated at the local Dollar General Store.

“I’ve got to get a pair of reading glasses,” she began. “I just can’t read the fine print on boxes anymore.” As she perused the reading glass rack my suspicion was confirmed, for it wasn’t my mother who was trying them on and speaking, it was me!

I’ve always had 20/20 vision and became slightly irritated when my mother would say, “Just a minute, let me get my glasses first,” every time I asked her to look at something. Over the past year, however, I’ve noticed a few changes. Manufacturers have changed the print size on their packaging, the light by my reading chair has grown dimmer, and people have been standing too close to my face during conversations.

Alas, the evidence mounted to beyond a reasonable doubt, so I scheduled an appointment with the optometrist. “When you reach forty your eye muscles start weakening,” she politely said during the exam. “You could use a pair of reading glasses.” What she meant was, “Nothing’s wrong with you; you’re just getting older.” Well meaning? Yes, but it brought little comfort coming from a twenty-six year old.

My mother and mother-in-law are forty…well, er... at least they were the last time I noticed. My mother-in-law’s fortieth birthday celebration was only yesterday. Wasn’t it? I was madly in love with her son at the time. The simple fact she was my boyfriend’s mother meant she was old. (Ahem…I mean old-er.) My own mother was forty when I married that same fellow, and we’ve only been married a mere…let’s see…twenty-one years. Twenty-one years?!?!? Yikes! That makes me…oh, my!...forty-one! How did that creep up on me?!?!?! That means I’m old! (I mean old-er.)

To be honest, turning into my mother isn’t such a horrid thing. She’s smart, caring, a hard worker, has a heart for God, and can make an awesome pan of chicken and dumplings. She has a great sense of humor and a love of books that’s been passed down to me and at least one granddaughter. She has a creative side I greatly admire, is a good listener, and repeatedly puts her faith into action. I consider myself blessed to be her child.

I modeled my new reading glasses for my own children the night I got them. “They’re cute!” one said kindly. Another wasn’t quite so tactful. “You look like Grandma,” she declared.

Actually, I hope I do.

Rescue Operations

2008-10-19T06:31:00.000-05:00

I’ll be honest; sometimes I get tired of praying. (Is anyone else honest enough to admit it, or am I the only one?) Sometimes I feel as if it is a waste of time. How many hours have I prayed for So and So’s marriage to be salvaged, for Such and Such loved one to be saved, or for Dear Friend to be delivered from “this or that” only to see no visible results? It gets frustrating and downright discouraging to say the least. I was at that point the other day, wondering why I “waste” my time on seemingly futile petitions.

It was then I turned to 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

The Apostle Paul tells of a personal time of testing which was so severe he and his companions “despaired even of life” because it was “beyond our ability to endure”. We think of Paul as being a true hero of the faith, a pillar of strength and wisdom, and yet even he reached a point lower than low. I’m sure he could have thrown himself a nice pity party, feeling forsaken by the One he’d given his entire being to serve. He could have whined and complained about how unfair life is and given it all up to take a nice day job. But not Paul; even in the storm he saw God’s hand and purpose, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” His faith did not waver. He knew God would deliver him, and He did.

Now, here’s the part about prayer:

“And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation…” (Emphasis mine) 2 Corinthians 1:11 The Message

The great Apostle Paul’s rescue, though ultimately by the hand of God, was somehow tied to the prayers of his friends - fellow believers! Paul is telling them this after the rescue which means their prayers made a life and death difference in Paul’s life though the petitioners were oblivious to the outcome at the time.

It makes me think.

Is there someone sinking today because I’ve given up the “rescue operation”? Is someone’s eternal destination in question because I’ve not been diligent in my intercessions? Is deliverance just around the corner waiting for one last petition?

There’s too much at stake for me to give up now.

© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2006

(Author’s note: My use of The Message is by no means an endorsement of the entire book. The Message is a paraphrase whose author has put the Scripture into his own words. While a good devotional tool, a translation such as The New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation, King James Version, or New King James Version is a more accurate choice. I chose to use The Message for this particular devotion because this particular wording captured my attention, causing me to see prayer in a new way. A quick comparison with the NIV reveals this passage is accurate in the Message. Not all passages are.)

New Posts

2008-10-17T10:42:00.002-05:00

Please don't think I've suddenly become prolifically inspired because I've just posted so many blogs. I'm really just adding some things to Blogger that I had previously posted other places. I guess I'm putting all my eggs in one basket. Hope I don't drop it! LOL!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Picking Blueberries

2008-10-17T10:35:00.001-05:00

“Are you about ready to head back to the house?” I called out to my mother.

“I’m not leaving until I’ve picked this branch clean, my bucket gets full, or it starts to rain,” was her reply. My mother and I were together in her blueberry patch this particular overcast Saturday. I knew that “picking the branch clean” was my mother’s technique for picking blueberries. This simply meant she was going to pick every ripe berry off her part of the bush, leaving only the green ones behind. I glanced at her branch, her bucket, and the sky and decided the threat of rain was our quickest relief from berry picking.

Sweat and mosquitoes aside, I actually admire my mother’s leave-no-leaf-unturned-leave-no-ripe-berries-behind attitude. She knows where she’s been and where she needs to go. Her goal is clear…pick berries. I, on the other hand, have a slightly different attitude and approach. I’d rather roam through the bushes seeking out clusters of ripe berries that can be picked all at one time – preferable at eye level. I figure the birds can have the high ones and the ‘coons can have the low ones. I certainly don’t want to get scratched up reaching deep in the middle either, and forget those isolated berries hanging by themselves in hard to reach places. They can turn to seed for all I care. Basically, give me the convenient ones. This is a great strategy for my goal, which is to fill my bucket as quickly as possible.

Suddenly it occurred to me that too often we as Christians win souls to the kingdom in much the same way I approach blueberry picking. (I’ve been guilty myself.)

Let me explain.

We gladly seek the salvation of those who are at eye level, the ones we see more clearly such as immediate family members, close friends, and the lost that come to church. Sometimes we stretch a little further to reach out to colleagues and neighbors; our basic goal being to fill our “bucket” (a.k.a. church). (Should we compare the number of times we’ve invited people to church instead of to Jesus?) But we certainly don’t want to stoop too low or stretch too high or reach too deep to share the forgiving, redeeming love of Jesus. Stooping, stretching, and reaching can be uncomfortable. There are prickles deep in those bushes. OUCH! We certainly don’t want to get hurt. That’s it, isn’t it? We want our churches full of people, but we don’t want to leave our comfort zone to get them there. The fact is, most of those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus live outside our comfort zone. They live in Africa, Bosnia, and New York City. They live in prison, on skid row, or at the rehab center. Their skin is sometimes lighter or darker than ours. Their speech is foreign to us either because it is a totally different language altogether or because “nice” people don’t talk like that. Sometimes they are children who wiggle too much, or perhaps don’t know the “proper” way to dress for church, or maybe they ask questions that make us feel uncomfortable or inadequate.

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He cares if the “birds” get the ones on top and if the “’coons” get the ones on bottom. They are all precious in His sight. O, that God would open our eyes to every precious soul; those in our comfort zone and those outside of it. May we be willing to stretch spiritually, bow in humility, and seek out even the one who is lost in hard to reach places. May God grant us perseverance to “pick” our communities clean, leaving no stone unturned, no soul unreached with the good news of Jesus.

"And there will be much rejoicing in heaven over even one..." (Luke 15:7)

Reworking my approach with you,
Drewe Llyn

Every Good and Perfect Gift

2008-10-17T10:34:00.002-05:00

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." ~ James 1:16-17

The Power of One

2008-10-17T10:31:00.000-05:00

The Christmas season is quickly approaching which means soon I will settle down and watch my all time holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life. To some it is an outdated, even cheesy movie (a phrase my teenagers use...whatever that means) which is probably why I often find myself watching it alone. Yet it has been on my Christmas "to do" list every year for about fifteen years now, still giving me warm-fuzzies and hope.

In this classic tale, George Bailey has dreams, big dreams. He wants to leave small town USA and travel the world to accomplish great and exciting things. He seems to be well on his way when a series of unfortunate events (not to be confused with another movie by that title) keeps George in Bedford Falls working at the old Savings and Loan, his worst nightmare come true.

One Christmas Eve, when life looks bleakest for George, his efforts to commit suicide are thwarted by an unlikely angel who gives him a glimpse of what life would be like if he had never been born. As Clarence the Angel takes Goerge to familiar people and places, he discovers that his life actually made a tremendous difference in his town, neighbors, and friends. The world was a better place with him in it.

Changing the world would seem to be the role of political leaders, powerful CEO's, brilliant scientists, or rich investors. Yet George made a profound difference by simply living a life of love and integrity. That's the part that gives me both the warm fuzzies and the hope - simple people making a world of difference.

But, It's a Wonderful Life is merely a movie, isn't it? We all know movies have "happily-ever-after" endings, when real life seldom does. Is it too much to hope that ordinary, real people can have such an impact?

Recently I came across this verse in Jeremiah:

"Roam through the streets of Jerusalem. Look and take note; search in her squares. If you find a single person, anyone who acts justly, who seeks to be faithful, then I will forgive her." (Jeremiah 5:1)

Ancient Jerusalem was wicked, so much so that God decided to destroy her. Jeremiah the Prophet was sent to warn the city about her impending doom. There was one hope for the city, however; God told Jeremiah He would spare the city if even one just and faithful person (meaning someone sold out to God) could be found. That's worth repeating: God would spare the entire city if only one godly person lived there! Unfortunately, there wasn't one found, not even one, who still pleased God. So God eventually allowed the city to be destroyed by her enemies. Many died, many were taking captive, and many were left homeless all because there wasn't one person who was faithful. God summed it up when He said to the prophet, Ezekiel, "I looked for a man among them who would ...stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30)

Clarence once said to George, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Yes, indeed, each life touches each other in ways we can't even imagine. One person sold out to God has the power of life; the lack of one the power of death.

Will we be that one person in our family, our community, our city?

James 1:1-4 Part 1

2008-10-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

I decided I need to be memorizing Scripture, but which ones? There are so many to choose from that I usually feel overwhelmed and memorize nothing. (Isn't that just what Satan wants?) I finally settled on James...the entire book. I made this decision in March, 2006 and I've only learned James 1:1-18. But I figure that's 18 verses I didn't know. I'll just keep working on them as I take my morning walk. Not only am I memorizing, I'm pondering and jotting down my thoughts on those verses then sharing what I've learned and discovred with my Sunday school class. I thought I might share some of them here and hope you will be challenged and encouraged. Perhaps you'll even pray for me to be dilligent and listening for His voice in this undertaking.

~ Drewe Llyn

Pure Joy
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3

Pure joy? Pure joy?!?!?! Let’s be honest, how many of us really consider trials a “pure joy”? When the washing machine goes out with six loads of dirty laundry still on the floor, when a co-worker spreads hurtful gossip around the office, when there are more bills than money to pay them, when that self-breast exam reveals a highly suspicious lump, when the police confirm your daughter has been arrested for dealing drugs, when a spouse dies after a long and painful illness, it is difficult to maintain a positive attitude, much less one of joy. How we can consider such difficulties “joy” is a difficult concept, one I must confess I’ve not mastered. Perhaps it simply needs to be accepted in obedience and with the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows much more than we do.

A Personal Story

Several years ago our family faced a minor trial, one that wasn’t earth-shaking nor life-shattering, but it served as a reminder to give thanks in all circumstances. (1)

Our son, a ninth grader at the time, rode to school every morning with a friend who often ran late. This caused them to arrive just past the bell several mornings, a fact that didn’t bother the friend's first teacher of the day, but after the third time our son received early morning in-school suspension. Needless to say his father and I were not happy; one of us would have to drive him the ten miles to school an hour early on the day of the suspension. It was an aggravating inconvenience, one we grumbled about for days before hand.

After dropping our son off early that day, I went on to do some errands. Around 9:00 a.m. I received a phone call from my husband saying the friend had been in a car wreck that morning. My first thought? “Thank you, God, our son wasn’t in the car.” Later I asked about the friend who was a little shaken, but fine. But how would our son have been had he been in the car? Thankfully we don’t know. How funny I could be joyful about the tardy AFTER I saw how it worked out. Yet God really wanted me, wants us, to be thankful, even joyful, about our trials, trusting that He knows best, and that truly, somehow, though we can’t see it, He has our best interest in mind.

Quote:

“God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken and, when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.” ~Charles Spurgeon, British Baptist Preacher (1834-1892)

Think about it:

Have you ever experienced a trial which you were thankful for after it was over?

Do we really trust God to have our best interest in mind?

Read Romans 8:28. Does everything work for good for everyone? (2)

What exactly did Spurgeon mean in his above quote?

Take a look at Hebrews 12:2. What joy could Christ have possibly seen in and beyond the horror of the Cross? (3)

(1) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(2) This promise is for those who love God.

(3) I believe Jesus saw us, spending eternity with Him, as the joy set before Him.

James 1:1-4 Part 2

2008-10-17T10:29:00.000-05:00

Trials of Many Kinds

Trials certainly do come in many, or various, kinds. They range from spilled milk, flat tires, and long lines, to wayward children, terminal illnesses, and death of loved ones. Though they vary in degree, these many trials still require a degree of faith to weather them successfully. That is the goal, not to survive, but to come out the other side victorious. The Greek word here for “testing” is “Dokimion” which means “the proving” or “that by which something is tried or proved, a test.”

When those children spill their milk on the floor three times in the same day, could it simply be an opportunity to “prove” our faith? To show grace? Might any difficult circumstance be a chance to demonstrate, to one degree or another, our faith to a lost world?

Think about it

What was the last “trial” you faced? What did the way you handled it say about your relationship with Christ?

Why Trials Come

Why bad things happen to good people has perplexed mankind for thousands of years. Right living should be rewarded with smooth sailing, we think, and wrong living should reap hardships. The mechanics of life would be much simpler if that were the case; it would put the power of our “destiny” in our own hands. Yet, as Job found out and as we will explore later, life just isn’t that cut and dry.
While only God knows all, we can find several reasons for “trials” in the Scriptures, most of which are beyond our control:

Personal Sin

Let’s go ahead and get this one out of the way. Yes, sometimes our difficulties arise as a result of our own sin. As much as we bask in the love of God, we must remember He is also a God of wrath(1) and judgment.(2) Sin does bring consequences, and we should never forget it. God took David and Bathsheba’s first-born son as punishment for their sin.(3) The Children of Israel were condemned to wander in the wilderness an extra forty years because of their unbelief. (4) Ananias and Sapphira (5) were struck dead because of lying to the Holy Spirit.

Think about it

Can you think of examples when someone’s trial (or even your own) was brought about by personal sin?

If someone abuses their body with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or wrong eating, they may then reap the trials of health problems. Entering into sexual relationships forbidden by God will most likely reap marital problems, un-intended pregnancies, emotional trauma, or sexually transmitted diseases. Breaking any of God’s commands, even down to lying and gossiping, bring not only spiritual, but also physical, emotional, and relational struggles, struggles of our own making.

Reminder

Though it is true “A man reaps what he sows.”(6) This fact makes it too easy to pass judgment on those experiencing trials and tribulations. Somehow we feel better if we think someone’s troubles are the result of their sin, that they somehow deserve what they are going through. On the other hand, Satan loves to oppress people when they are struggling because of their mistakes, making them think God doesn’t love them anymore or making them feel so guilty they assume they can’t seek God’s forgiveness. Nothing is further from the truth. We are told in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

That’s a promise to hold on to.

[1] Psalm 90:11
[2] Psalm 7:11
[3] 2 Samuel 12
[4] Numbers 32:13
[5] Acts 5
[6] Galatians 6:7

Next time we will cover other "reasons" for trials.

James 1:1-4 Part 3

2008-10-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

Sins of Others

When Pharaoh(1) refused the release of the Israelites, his entire nation suffered. When the adults of Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, their children had to wander with them for forty years. When the disciples weren’t prayed up the demon possessed boy(2) remained in spiritual bondage. (Until Jesus came, that is.) It is the same with us. When someone steps into sin, it brings grief and hardship to those around him/her. Just ask the betrayed wife, the victims of a drunk-driving accident, the abused child. Our sins affect other people.

Reminder

Though we can’t control the actions of others, and we often bear the results of their sin, there is great comfort in this promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (3)

Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, was able to declare years later, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (4)

We serve a God Who is more than able to turn tragic situations into beautiful testimonies of His redeeming power.

(1) Exodus 7
(2) Matthew 7:14-22
(3) Romans 8:28
(4) Genesis 50:20

James 1:1-4 Part 4

2008-10-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

James 1:1-4

Time of Preparation/Proving

Naomi experienced the famine in Israel, moved to a foreign country, and lost both sons and a husband. Yet it was there she met Ruth(1), who would become the many-great-grandmother of Jesus.

Young Joseph (2) was sold by his own brothers into slavery as a result, in part, to his inability to control his tongue. Once in Egypt, though, he was an exemplary youth, upright in all his ways. His righteous refusal to sleep with Potiphar’s wife landed him in prison(3). Yet God used these two years as a time to prepare Joseph for the great task planned (4) for him. (5)

Jesus was without sin (6), and yet He suffered forty, hungry days in the wilderness (7) before beginning His earthly ministry.

The disciples were in the boat with Jesus, right where they were supposed to be, when a storm arose griping their hearts with fear. Yet without the storm, there would have been no “Peace, be still” (8), a lost opportunity to really know the Prince of Peace.

A Personal Story

The years 2000-2001 found the Jeffcoat family in a war-ravaged part of Europe serving a two year missionary term. I cannot overstate how difficult this period of time was for us. It didn’t take long for my “Wow, God!” to become “Oh, God! What did I do to deserve this? Have we made some mistake? Are we being punished?” Yet, we knew absolutely God had told us to be there. Obedience to God shouldn’t be so painful, should it? It took a while for me to realize that sometimes our obedience is a trial, a time of pruning(9), if you will.

Reminder

During our “pruning” time, someone said, “If you feel as if God is spending a lot of time ‘trimming your branches’, it is only because He sees something worth using in your life. He tosses those He can’t use into the fire.” (10)

Also realize that every period of preparation and proving is followed by fruit bearing/and or spiritual breakthrough. Ruth became part of the genealogy of Christ, Joseph became second in command of a nation, Jesus saved the world, the disciples changed the world, and the Jeffcoat family learned that when Jesus is all you have, He truly is all you need.

(1) Ruth
(2) Genesis 37
(3) Genesis 39
(4) Gensis 41

(5) Disclaimer: This is a prime example of why we cannot put our trials into neat packages. Joseph’s jail term was the result of Potiphar’s wife’s sin, persecution for being righteous, and was ultimately a time of preparation. I chose to place it in this category because it is an excellent example of a preparation/proving.
(6) Hebrews 4:15
(7) Matthew 4:1-11
(8) Mark 4:35-41
(9) John 15:2
(10) John 15:5-6

Thank you!

2008-10-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

Dear Rhonda, Julie, Wyatt, and Russell,

Thank so much for your encouraging comments as we try to recover from Hurricane CP. The winds are still blowing. I'm wondering where the eye of the storm is. However, I do know WHO has His eyes on the storm and can work through the storm to bring glory to Himself. Thanks to all you Roberts for the invite to Quest :-) . I hope to see you there sometime. Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Many around me are speaking death, thank you for speaking life.

Your sister in Christ,

Drewe Llyn

Hurricane CP

2008-10-10T05:35:00.005-05:00

My husband lost his job.
I've lost my job.
We've lost our church family.
We've lost our home.
If something miraculous doesn't happen we will all lose our friends, our town, and our lives as we've known it for six+ years.
What has happended? We've been struck by hurricane Church Politics.

Hurricane CP is similar to Gustav, Ike, or Katrina. It brews for a while over warm waters of discontent and hurt feelings. There is always the possibility it will dimish and amount to nothing leaving peaceful waters for smooth sailing. Then again, if the desire for power and the power players are just right, it will grow into a full blown storm reeking havic on everyone in the church. There is no controlling CP once it gets it's momentum ...it will hit though predicting exactly when and where it will make landfall is a little tricky.

CP made landfall this week at our church. It was a category 5 storm. And while it has affected everyone, only the pastor and his family (a.k.a. us) lost everything. Everyone else still has their job, their home, their friends and neighbors, their town, and pretty much the lives they've known for the last 6+ years.

Did I say we lost everything? That's not really true. We still have our integrity. Our family. True friends.* And a God who says, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

(* Actually the majority of the church overwhelmingly supports us and for that we are truly, truly grateful, but a fight will only cause more damage. Such is the life of CP.)

Another Hubby Update

2008-10-06T18:04:00.001-05:00

Let me thank everyone for their continued prayers on behalf of Raymond and me. It is 6:02 PM. We've been home about 45 minutes. Raymond had restful night's sleep due to a sleeping pill. (I didn't get a sleeping pill, so my sleep left lots to be desired.) He went for a stress test at 11:25. He made it through the test fine. We had to wait several hours to receive news that the test was normal. Then we waited a little longer for the doctor to come see us. What he said is this: "The stress test was normal which means we will discharge you as low risk, not "no risk" for a heart attack. Just because it is normal doesn't mean all your arteries are clear. There could be the beginnings of blockage. I want you to see a cardiologist within the week." Raymond is experience some minor pains, but nothing close to the severity of Saturday night. While I'm extremely grateful to know he didn't have a heart attack and that his tests look good, both of us are still wondering what happened Saturday night and what caused it. Pain like that just isn't normal. So, I'd like to ask you to ask God to lead us to the doctor(s) Raymond needs to see and to give wisdom so we can get to the root of this.

God bless!
Drewe Llyn

Dear "Anonymous"

2008-10-05T17:26:00.002-05:00

Yesterday you were struggling and left some comments on my blog. Since I don't know who you are or how to contact you, I have left you a word or two of encouragement underneath those posts. Click here to see them:

Thinking Suicide? Wait!!!

New Life

I'm praying for you.

Update on Hubby

2008-10-05T14:08:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest....Raymond's last blood work was good except for his tryglicerides - forgive the spelling -which were 800. Supposed to be less than 100 I think. That could be because he had two hamburgers and a milkshake yesterday evening. They are keeping him in the observation room today and will do a stress test tomorrow. He says he is still having some minor pains, but nothing like yesterday. My mother-in-law is with him now. I am heading for a nap as soon as I'm finished updating. I'll stay with him tonight. (I WILL take my own pillow with me. LOL!) Thank you again for your prayers. I'm asking God to give the doctors and nurses wisdom to know and find out exactly what is wrong. Severe chest pains just aren't normal. I'll update again when I have something new. Thank you for your prayers!

In Him,
Drewe Llyn

Pray for My Husband

2008-10-05T08:05:00.002-05:00

I took my husband (Raymond) to the Baptist Hospital ER last night around 10:00 because he was having severe chest pains. Preliminary test results don't indicate a heart attack, but the Dr. said it was too early to really tell. They kept him overnight for observation. As of this post (8:06 AM CST) the Dr. hasn't come back in with any more results. They eventually got the pains to subside. I slept a very restless 4.5 hours on a hard, narrow, fold-out chair in his observation room. I have a ton of responsibilities at church today, so I came on home. I'm tired, stressed, and a bit light-headed. Please keep us in your prayers today. I'll update later....when I know something else.

Thanks!

End of the Spear

2008-10-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

End of the Spear
By Steve Saint

If your life has been touched in any way by the true story of five missionaries martyred in Ecuador in 1956 trying to reach a brutal tribe with the Gospel,
if you’ve ever doubted whether love is truly stronger than hate,
if you’ve never seen the transforming power of Christ,
if you want your faith strengthened and challenged, or
if you doubt whether God is able to bring good out of evil, then this is a must read.

End of the Spear was written by the son of martyred missionary Nate Saint. Here Steve tells how completely intertwined his life became with the very ones who murdered his father and the other missionaries. His is a story of heart ache, adventure, forgiveness, and love. “Truth is stranger than fiction” so the saying goes; nowhere is that more evident than in End of the Spear. Even if you saw the movie by the same title (which was poignant in its own right) you need to read the book as book and movie complement rather than detract from each other. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be totally amazed with our awesome Redeemer.

~ Reviewed by Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Under the Overpass

2008-10-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

Under the Overpass
by Mike Yankoski

What would God show you, what would He say to you, how would He change you if you forsook your upper-middle class college life to live on the streets for five months as a homeless person? Sounds crazy, doesn't it, to leave all and follow Christ into a dying, lost word?

In the spring and summer of 2003 Mike Yankoski and Sam Purvis did just that. You can read about their life-changing experience on the streets in Under the Overpass.

Prepare to be shaken, challenged, and changed.

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Through Gates of Splendor/ These Strange Ashes

2008-10-01T09:31:00.000-05:00

Through Gates of Splendor and These Strange Ashes
Both by Elisabeth Elliot

On January 6, 1956, five American missionaries were speared to death in their attempt to bring the Gospel to the Waodani, a brutal Indian tribe located in Ecuador. Through Gates of Splendor is the poignant retelling of that story by one of the widows. Later, that widow (Elisabeth Elliot), her daughter, and a sister to one of those killed lived among the Waodoni eventually leading them to Christ.

I don’t remember how I discovered this book, but it was my first glimpse into real lives 100% totally sold out to Jesus regardless the cost. It left me awestruck, challenging my own level of devotion to the cause of Christ. It built upon what God had been stirring in my heart with In His Steps. I also feel it planted the seeds which eventually grew into my own heart for missions and our family’s two year service overseas. In some ways that service was disappointing, leaving me empty. Elliot’s These Strange Ashes – another incredible book about self-sacrifice- helped me put that experience into perspective which is this: it’s all about Christ and my relationship with Him. (These Strange Ashes is a must read for anyone going through a severe time of testing.)

The Through Gates of Splendor story has been retold in a new film scheduled to be released on January 20, 2006. My husband and I were privileged to a free screening last night. You won’t want to miss End of the Spear. It is rated PG-13 due to violence. (Let’s face it, spearing to death is not a pleasant thing to watch.) There is also quite a bit of flesh showing, however, if you’ve read Elliot’s The Savage my Kinsman you will quickly realize the film covers more flesh than the real tribe did. It is told from Mincayani’s perspective. (He’s one of the killers.) All the Indian dialogue is in subtitles creating a greater sense of realism. The film is a must see and is evangelical in nature, though not pushy. My only disappointment is that it left, in my view, the conversion of Micayani underplayed. In reality, a church was planted among the Waodani people and Micayani baptized Nate Saint’s son, Steve, in the same river where he murdered Steve’s dad.

Another outstanding telling of this story is is Fate of the Yellow Woodbee by Dave and Neta Jackson. (A trailblazer book and great children's read-a-loud.)

~ Reviewed by Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers

2008-10-01T09:30:00.001-05:00

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers

by Amy Hollingsworth

I was not quite four years old when "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" made its television debut on February 19, 1968. I'm not sure if my family wasn't able to pick it up, or if my parents limited my t.v. consumption allowing me only one viewing per day. Whatever the case, my own childhood t.v. memories revolve around Sesame Street which first aired November 10, 1969.

It really doesn't matter when I first "met" Mr. Rogers via tv, it just matters that I did. He became such a part of my children's lives that then 4 year-old Kyle was distraught we had to take his 1-year-old sister to the Urgent Care for stitches during "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood". I don't blame him. I always found "The Neighborhood" to be a peaceful place where children were highly valued - everyone was highly valued. We "went" to see how crayons and assorted other things were manufactured, and who couldn't love Daniel Striped Tiger?

Though my children had outgrown the show by the time Fred Rogers died, we were all still saddened by news of his death. The man was gentle and kind, traits hard to come by in today's television market.

Mr. Rogers granted few interviews for he knew the habit of many in the media to distort the facts. He did, however, grant a couple of interviews to a woman by the name of Amy Hollingsworth which sparked a close friendship. After Rogers' death, Amy wrote a book about the man behind the very successful "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood".

While I would not add The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers to my list of life-changing books, I highly recommend it for anyone who get's warm-fuzzies when they are around trollies or who often catch themselves singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." Fred Rogers' faith was deep and real. He considered the space between the television and the viewer to be sacred ground which required him to be in tune with the Holy Spirit each and every day.

I think even we adults could learn a thing or two from Mr. Rogers' simple faith.

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

World Trade Center

2008-10-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

I have some thoughts on the movie World Trade Center and felt this was the best place to share them....

My husband and I recently went to the movies to see World Trade Center, and I’ve been asked if it is a good movie. I’m not exactly sure how to respond.

“Good” sometimes means “well made” and since I’m not a professional movie critic I’m not really qualified to say if it is Oscar material or not. (Who even knows what “Oscar Material” is anyway?) I just know what I like and what I don’t, and I can’t really say I liked this movie.

“Good” can mean “family friendly?” In this case that would be a negative. There was more foul language than I care for my children (or even myself) to hear. (Though I understand why certain word choices were made.) It was a very emotional movie and probably too intense for young viewers.

If “good” is synonymous with “entertaining” it once again fails the test. An “entertaining” movie should leave you with a smile or warm fuzzy feelings. At the very least you should leave the theater with a skip in your step or a new thought or feeling to ponder. An “entertaining” movie should never leave you depressed. This one left me with a heavy heart.

Though it fails all the above criteria I would still recommend seeing World Trade Center. It is a poignant reminder of the fateful day the twin towers fell. It puts real faces on the 9-11 catastrophe. It is a dramatic reminder of the heroism and fortitude of the American people who put their lives on the line for others. And for that reason I recommend it.

There are those who feel re-living 9-11 is detrimental to our nation and our relationship with our Islamic neighbors. Many feel we should allow those wounds to heal and not generate more hostility and hatred toward our adversaries through the replaying of those horrific events. While the remembrance of 911 may, indeed, spark new waves of anger and revenge in the hearts of some, we must continue honoring those people who sacrificially worked to save the lives of strangers. We must mourn the innocents who died that day. And most importantly, we must never forget that America is vulnerable. We might be “indivisible” but we aren’t invincible. We may have prosperity, freedoms, and power that most of the world covets, but we are not indestructible. If nothing else, reliving 9-11 brings us back to our knees, back to the place where we no longer trust in our military might or “superior” government, but in God Almighty who is our only true refuge, strength, and ever present help in time of trouble.

Perhaps that’s what 9-11-01 was all about.

The LORD foils the plans of the nations;

he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,

the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down

and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches

all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:10-22 (NIV)

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Facing the Giants

2008-10-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

Ok, so our family is a little behind the times as I'm sure we were the last people to see Facing the Giants. I had heard the story was good but the acting was bad; I also knew it was another one of those underdog-makes-good movies (which seem to be in abundance). For those reasons I didn't race to the theater or the video store. I figured I'd get around to watching it eventually. Well, eventually came last night and now I feel the need to throw my thoughts into the movie critic arena.

I seriously doubt any of the actors will receive Academy Award nominations, and it was another underdog-makes-good movie. However, as Cassie put it, "The acting isn't very good, but by the end of the movie you don't really care because the story is so good." How true! And while it may be another "Cinderella" kind of story, it is unlike any you've ever seen before. When things go bad, God gets the glory. When things turn around and start going well, God gets the credit and the glory. (You just won't find that in a Disney movie!) The movie's message is clearly "With God all things are Possible", and by the end your faith is reaffirmed and you have confidence that God can indeed do anything. So, while the story may be fiction, the God Facing the Giants honors is real and intimately active in the lives of His children.

I think one of the most important characters in the story is the gentleman who walks the halls every week praying over the kids' lockers asking God to raise up a generation that loves Him. His prayers seem to be the catalyst for all the miracles to come. (Hmm? I wonder what would happen if we diligently prayed for our youth that way and that consistently....)

~ Drewe Llyn

The Circle Trilogy

2008-10-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

Black, Red, and White – The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

For those of us who grew up in church, can name all sixty-six books of the Bible (spelling most of them correctly), and memorized John 3:16 before we were out of diapers (well, maybe not quite that soon) sometimes (and I hate to admit it), sometimes those poignant and life-changing stories of old become (how do I say this) mundane…too familiar…taken for granted.

In steps Ted Dekker with his Circle Trilogy to save the day, or at least give us a fresh glimpse of our heritage and our faith. Even non-believers will enjoy this series as they are full of action, suspense, passion, and all the things that make for a good story. If someone like Peter Jackson (of Lord of the Rings fame) got hold of this it would become an epic film. Be prepared to see the Bible come to life in a completely unexpected way.

What happens when Thomas hits his head and awakes in another reality only to find that somehow he’s the key to saving both worlds? Which reality is real anyway? What will happen if someone drinks the water of Teeleh? Just how far will someone go to save the one he loves? Will the Raison Strain actually destroy earth as we know it? Who is Elyon? What is the Great Romance all about? Where did all those black bats come from? To find out, start by picking up Black, but be forewarned, you’ll have trouble putting it down so make sure someone else is keeping an eye on supper…it might burn while you're turning pages.

Power of a Praying Husband/Wife

2008-10-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

God has really put a burden on my heart for families which are undeniably under attack today. Satan knows the home is the heart of the church and the nation; if he can destroy us there, at our tender spot, then he has the upper hand. We know, of course, that God holds the ultimate victory, but there are too many casualties along the way. For that reason I want to recommend a book that changed my life in regard to marriage. It’s a pair of books really: The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband both by Stormie Omartian. (When you have children pick up Power of a Praying Parent.) I cannot overstate the life-changing (marriage-changing) power of these books. It’s not that Omartian is offering some magical incantation that will miraculously strengthen marriages and families, it’s that she opens our eyes to the many facets of our husband’s (or our wife’s) life that need prayer cover. The power is in prayer.

The books are divided into short chapters, each highlighting an area of our spouse’s life which needs to be prayed over. Many are areas I’d not thought of before. A strong marriage requires prayer to keep it strong, and sincere prayer is the only hope for a marriage that is floundering. Don’t just say you believe in prayer – DO IT! These books are not for the faint of heart or those looking for a quick marriage “fix”. They are for couples who are willing to invest their heart and lives into strengthening their marriage one day at a time.

I John 5 14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” You can be assured God wants our marriages to succeed – to be rich in love and faithfulness, why wouldn’t He help us achieve it?

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

If you'd like more information on Stormie Omartian just click on her name.

The Finished Products

2008-09-29T11:44:00.003-05:00

I told you I would post pictures when I got finished. It just took me a while. :-)

This cat cracks me up!

2008-09-23T09:07:00.002-05:00

I think I've Found It!

2008-09-21T12:49:00.005-05:00

Drum roll please.....................

I am reasonably sure my unidentified visitor is a Brown-headed Nuthatch. Here are a couple of better pictures. Check this link and see if you think they are the same thing.

This guy is a little acrobat! He will tilt forward and swing all the way around until he's upright again. Sometimes he just likes to hang upside down to eat. The link says "The Brown-headed Nuthatch is one of only a few bird species in the world known to use tools. By holding a small piece of bark in its bill, they pry open bark on trees to expose insects." They are also fond of sunflower seeds. (I could have told you that!) Hop over to the link and see what a group of Brown-headed Nuthatches is called.

My husband had a bad day yesterday....

2008-09-20T10:14:00.003-05:00

....so did my car...

Raymond was traveling north from Collins, MS. Road crews were sweeping the road creating a dust storm. Raymond didn't even see the truck in front of him until after Raymond hit his bumper. The car behind Raymond was obviously having the same problem since that lady hit Raymond's bumper. Our friend Kevin took Candace and I to Collins to pick Raymond up and take him to the ER at Baptist Hospital. Even though Raymond's arm hurt like crazy, the ER personnel said it wasn't broken. He's very banged up and sore, but thank God he will survive. We would appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery and wisdom in obtaining another vehicle for me. Until then I guess I'm stranded. (Unless someone's insurance will provide me a rental.)

Does anyone recognize this bird?

2008-09-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry that this video and these pictures are not high quality. Keep in mind that I took these through my not-so-clean kitchen window. I'm not trying to win an award from Birds and Blooms; I'm just trying to identify this bird. I've been watching Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, and Tuffited Titmice eat my sunflower seeds all summer. About two weeks ago a few of these fellows showed up. I've searched my bird book and just can't seem to identify them. I thought they might be Bushtits, but those are not indigenous to my area. Candace and I did decide they arrived around the same time as Gustav. Could they be evacuees?

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

These are the questions about cocoa powder that haunt me...

2008-09-18T14:36:00.000-05:00

Why doesn't cocoa powder come in a child-proof container?

In other words...Why can't I be more careful??

What law of physics causes cocoa powder to multiply as you clean it up?

Just how far do cocoa particles travel?

Will cocoa powder come out of a yellow t-shirt?

These are the questions that haunt me!

Patchwork Hearts

2008-09-18T14:30:00.000-05:00

I recently made this pillow to give a friend for her birthday. Her daughter wanted to know how I did it. This tutorial for making the heart is for Amber.

Cut a heart out of tagboard slightly larger than you want the final size to be.

Cut out various strips of fabric.

Start sewing those strips together.

Iron the seams open.

Trim off excess.

Repeat the process.

Keep sewing on strips until your patchwork piece is large enough for your heart.

Turn your fabric to the seam side and trace your heart onto the back using an ink pen.

Cut out.

Turn back to seam side and baste down about 1/4 inch seam.

Turn over and iron flat.

Draw in the white area what you want to embroidery. (You can write it in black on a piece of paper and trace it.)

I cut my fabric to the desired size before sewing my heart on. If you do this, center your heart on the fabric and pin it. You also just pin it to some fabric and cut it out later.

Place in a hoop and sew on with a button-hole stitch.

Then use a stem stitch to embroidery your word.

I added a flower to mine.
Here are some other ones I've made.

When I've turned the one with "Friends" into a pillow I'll post it too.

End of the Spear

2008-09-18T10:42:00.004-05:00

End of the Spear
By Steve Saint

~ Reviewed by Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Through Gates of Splendor/ These Strange Ashes

2008-09-18T10:42:00.003-05:00

Through Gates of Splendor and These Strange Ashes
Both by Elisabeth Elliot

Another outstanding telling of this story is is Fate of the Yellow Woodbee by Dave and Neta Jackson. (A trailblazer book and great children's read-a-loud.)

~ Reviewed by Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Under the Overpass

2008-09-18T10:42:00.001-05:00

Under the Overpass
by Mike Yankoski

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers

2008-09-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers

by Amy Hollingsworth

I think even we adults could learn a thing or two from Mr. Rogers' simple faith.

~ Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat

Your Father Knows What You Need

2008-09-05T14:20:00.006-05:00

Today is Friday which means two things: We're going to the park with our fellow homeschoolers, and we're going to Wal-mart with the rest of the world. (That's just what we do on Fridays.) At the top of my shopping list was "walking shoes". The ones I've walked in for several years literally fell apart. My back-up shoes didn't offer the support my feet needed and they left blisters on my heels. I desperately needed some new shoes.

Until cooler weather returns we go to the park first. (Unless we're trying to beat the crowd preparing for impending hurricanes.) Today Candace and I arrived at the park just after my friend Dawn. She waited for me to catch up. She said, "Do you know anyone who needs a pair of shoes?" And she held up a pair of gently used Sketchers in my size! She said they had been sitting on her daughter's shelf for two years waiting for her to grow into them. The problem was, her daughter grew in and out of them before they realized it. Dawn brought them to the park in an off-chance someone could use them before she donated them to Goodwill. I said, "I'll take them." Right then Matthew 6:8 came to mind:

"...your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

Before I knew I needed new shoes, my Heavenly Father knew and had them waiting even two years in advance.

Why do I worry about so many things when I'm in His loving hands?

Yes!!!!!

2008-09-04T14:40:00.003-05:00

I have tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra for the THIRD ROW!!!!! I am so looking forward to December 17th! I'll post some more about TSO later. I just had to share my good news. Candace, Cassie, Cassie's boyfriend Michael, plus two of my friends will be going. Whoo Hoo!

By the way....I listened to Sarah Palin's speech last night. Can I write her name in for president????

Gustav was a gentleman.

2008-09-02T14:07:00.002-05:00

It's still raining outside and wind-ing too. (Like "windy" only with an "ing" at the end. A word my daughter invented when she was small.) All in all Gustav was a gentleman. We only lost power for an hour and 20 minutes. The internet was out much longer, but that's ok. It is dreary outside, but at least the a/c is running on the inside. I haven't done much the last few days, yet I feel drained. I think it is the stress of wondering and waiting. I'm not complaining, as I'm grateful to have a roof over my head and food in the cupboards. (There's even a hidden pack of Oreos just waiting for the right moment. *insert maniacal laughter*)

Waiting for Gustav

2008-09-01T15:18:00.008-05:00

Three years ago, when Katrina came through, we were without electricity for 6 days. We had made a few preparations, but were totally unprepared for 6 no-electric days. Ice became a precious commodity as did friends with hot water heaters powered by gas. Generators and gasoline were in high demand, and water was more precious that silver. We won't be caught unprepared again.

As Gustav brewed in the Gulf, we moved into action:

My husband bought a generator.
All our cars and gas cans are filled.
We froze a gallon of tea and lots of two liter water bottles.
My mother-in-law brought 48 Diet Cokes (her drink of choice) and 36 Dr. Peppers (my husband and kids' drink of choice).
We have 48 frozen bottles of water.
The ice chests are full of sandwich meat, hot dogs, milk, and already cooked ground beef. (We have a grill with an eye.)
My cabinets are full of canned soup, vienna sausage, chips, cookies, trail mix, and home-made granola.

It's 3:24PM and our electricity is still on. (Of course it could still go off...it sometimes goes off on sunny days.) I'm not complaining...I love air-conditioning! It's just strange. We've been watching Gustav reports all day. And if that isn't enough to entertain, we have four animals in the house! We normally have an inside dog (Zeke) and an indoor/outdoor cat (Shadows). My mother-in-law lives much closer to the coast than we do so she came to stay with us. She brought her dog (Sammie). Candace has been convinced all day that our outside cat (Oliver) was scared and should come. Somehow she pursuaded her father to allow him in too. Now, Zeke and Shadows play together, and Oliver and Sammie play together. Sometimes Zeke will play with Sammie, but mostly thinks Sammie is a bother. Shadows would prefer that everyone just leave him alone. I tried to get a picture of the menagerie. You can tell it isn't one big happy family. LOL!

From left to right...Sammie, Oliver, and Zeke...Shadows is in the background wishing everyone would go away.

The Adventure Continues

2008-08-27T08:30:00.002-05:00

The great mouse adventure was kind of fun. Today's adventure not so much. On our morning walk, as Cassie and I approached the infamous "coon" trash bin, our dog Sam rushed ahead to the bin and began barking again. The lid was still up, so Cassie and I figured the coons were long gone. (They were.) We decided we should shut the lid since we had opened it the day before. As we turned to do that I stumbled on Cassie's heel and tumbled to the ground. It was slow-motion but I was powerless to stop it. OUCH! My left knee is scraped and bloody, my right knee has just a little scratch, but I can tell it will soon be very black and blue, and my right hand has a small but very painfull scrape. I know my entire body will be sore this evening and tomorrow.

I think I'd rather chase a mouse. *sigh*