Sandy Cerebrations

Happy New Year and Happy News!

2012-01-04T10:47:00.001-05:00

I have been very slack about updating the blog, but it's not because I haven't been writing. In fact, I am in the process of working to publish my first CHILDREN'S book!

The story behind the project is lengthy but I will summarize it by explaining that last year while trying to find a short story that I could adapt into a melodrama for a children's ministry at Easter, I was unsuccessful. Searching for an allegorical account of the story of God's redemption of mankind that could be presented in ten minutes or less proved futile.

I found a few stories that attempted the feat, but nothing that worked for us--so I started to pray about it and eventually had an idea for a story that became this little book project. What I discovered after much research and investigation however, was that almost no publishing houses are looking for new, Christian-themed children's illustrated book material. It's costly to publish and too risky for them in this uncertain market.

For that reason, I crafted a "home made" edition of the book, had a few copies printed, and in the process I've been blessed with the opportunity to get it published professionally after I find the right illustrator!

Anyone who is familiar with the gospel account of God's plan to redeem his children (us) recognizes that this is not an easy story to tell--and it's not necessarily appropriate for the youngest audience in spite of the fact that it will be an illustrated story. Still, I hope this book provides a clear and convicting picture of the tremendous sacrifice that Christ made for all who will follow Him.

If I can be so bold to ask, will you pray for me as I interview illustrators and work to get this project into the hands of the publisher? Thank you in advance-- and may God's biggest blessings be yours in this New Year!

2011-12-09T11:47:00.002-05:00

Christmas time is here!
Are you looking for an inspirational gift for someone you love? Nichole's CD's are on sale AND she is offering 20% off if you buy two or more! The reviewers are raving about this compilation of original songs that candidly chronicle her journey with God as she battles fear and anxiety. You can learn more or order the CD here ... and...
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Thank You!

2011-11-21T11:30:00.008-05:00

In 2006, I wrote s "thankful" note. Since then, I read and make changes as needed each year around Thanksgiving time, and as usual there were important additions and updates needed. So, without further rambling, here goes:

I Am Thankful...

for a personal God who knows me and loves me anyway. ~1 Cor. 8:3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. NLT

for my security in Christ. ~Psalm 98:2 The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. ~ Phil. 4:6 Be anxious for nothing... NLT

for my husband~No, I don't understand my husband's theory of relativity, but I know my husband, and I know he can be trusted. ~ Elsa Einstein. Thanks Elsa, for eloquently conveying that trust is a most critical component of marriage--or any relationship. I am blessed to be your wife, Mr. Broome.

for my daughter~ as a woman, you embody the essence of Proverbs 31 better than I ever could have aspired to, and I admire you as much as I love you.

for my son-in-law~ who knew I would gain another son when Leslie married you? I am grateful for the relationship we have--you make me laugh and I especially love to listen to you when you're on a roll sharing your heart of passion for God, your family or your music. You bless me.

for Ava Grace~ you light up the rooms you enter with a personality ten times your physical size! As John Mayer would say: you're "bigger than your body gives you credit for!". I pray that you never stop loving me the way you do now--it makes me understand the delight God must feel when we express genuine adoration for Him.

for Lilia Carolyn~ you are a serious, hilarious dichotomy of pink princess preciousness. You make me smile, you make me laugh and I am smitten by you.

for Steven PATE~ we can already tell that you are going to fill the big shoes of your namesake (Tiffany Pate) who had a heart the size of Mt. Rushmore and enough faith to fill the seas seven times over. You are my dear little "Pate-Pate," and my cup runneth over with love for you!

for my son~ few joys in life will ever compare to seeing you be a wonderful father to two of my precious grandchildren. I can only pray that your children bless you half as much as you bless me. If they do, you will be a wealthy man.

for my daughter-in-law~you are so much more than an "in-law"--I am proud of you and your accomplishments as if you were my own flesh and blood. You're a wonderful mother and precious gift to our family, and I cherish our relationship.

for Cadi Lou~ you radiate sweetness and you are a love magnet! I can't wait to see the special plans God has for your life unfold--you are unique and adorable.

for Anderson Glenn~ wow, how can one child be so good natured? Contentment and joyfulness define you as a baby and you captured my heart the day your were born.

for my mom~ you are such a pillar of faith and strength and I hope to be half the woman you are if ever faced with the trials you've endured for the past year. You are a precious blessing to our family.

for my dad~ not a day passes that I don't recall something he said to me that has challenged, inspired or made me a better person and as much as I miss him, I know he's where he longed to be and I'll see him later, but I will always be thankful for his impact on my life.

for my sisters~both of you are special blessings to me and are uniquely treasured as unmatched, undeserved gifts to my life.

for my family~ "call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." Jane Howard. I need AND love all of you.

for special friends~ you challenge me, you inspire me, you correct me, you forgive me. what more could ANYONE ask for in a friend? To Melanie, Sherry, Wanda, Sara, Heather, Sarah, Kristina, Jennifer, Johnna, Kim, Julie, Alli, Brittany, Kathy, Teresa, Kelly, Christa, Lindy, Laurie, Lindsay, Mardelle, Rosa, Trena, Susan, Linda, Elaine, Ellen, Rachel, and Jess: each of you in particular have said or done something this past year that has blessed me. I love you and I am grateful.

for my work~ I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. ~Helen Keller

for life~ Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. ~Anais Nin

for blog readers~ i am grateful for each of you and I am humbled that you would consider reading anything I write worthy of your time. May this season be one of special blessings and precious celebrations for you and the people you treasure!

Now, as in '06, I will again assert that there are still areas of my life that need lots of work. Do not mistake my "thankful list" to be an insinuation that everyone and everything surrounding me (including me) is perfect--Whoa! to that crazy notion! But you know what? I'm grateful for all of the messes, mishaps and imperfection. I do not live in "fantasy land," and I'm glad. Why? Because this world should never be too good or seem too much like home because that might lead me to take the beautiful blessings of life for granted. God forbid!

So...Lord, thank you for your patience with me. Family, bless you for your tolerance of me. Friends, keep me in your prayers for I fail daily. But remember this, I am grateful for each of you from the bottom of my heart--at Thanksgiving and every day.

Love,
Sandy

Haunted...

2011-10-31T09:17:00.002-04:00

Today's confession: It's Halloween and I am haunted. But not by a ghost or goblin, by the very real awareness that there are so many ways that I haven't lived up to the potential to make a difference in the world for Christ that I've been given. So on a day that celebrates the supernatural, I'm asking the God of all creation (natural and otherwise) to give me the wisdom to do what I can, while I can, with whatever is needed in the moment, so that I won't die with any regrets regarding the coulda's, shoulda's and woulda's that are potentially the most haunting of all realities.

Halloween is traditionally a day for thinking about life after the grave, dead stuff and roaming spirits, so ponder these compelling words from scripture with me: "And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment..." Hebrews 9:27.

Now, if I have successfully done this "holiday's" duty and scared you by sharing this haunting reminder from Hebrews, do yourself a favor and read the entire 9th chapter for some peace-giving encouragement. Happy Halloween!

Love So Amazing...

2011-10-25T13:29:00.000-04:00

~When God fills an empty vessel He doesn't stop at the top--His love fills to the brim and floods over the rim!

Forgiveness...

2011-10-23T15:14:00.003-04:00

Christlike is she, who though pierced by the rose's thorn, sees only its beauty.

To Anyone Who Reads My Blog...

2011-10-08T11:03:00.000-04:00

I would love to know a little bit about anyone who actually reads my blog posts. As you might know, this began as a journal of "thoughts" for my grandchildren and has morphed a little since I started this process.

This morning, it occurs to me that as a result of having an online journal, there are people in the world who "know" me (at least a little about the way I think and my own spiritual journey) that I will never meet. If you are willing, send me a note and tell me how I can pray for you, where you are in your faith walk, and anything else you'd like to share. You can email: mugsy1959@hotmail.com, or you can leave a comment below. I am all ears and I am praying for every person who reads my ramblings.

Love,
Sandy

One Foot in Quicksand...

2011-10-03T09:06:00.001-04:00

It's time to catch up the study notes for my chronological journey through scripture. Picking up where I left off, today's passages are Isaiah 31-34, a period of time that in so many ways mirrors today's headlines.

Having forgotten the many reasons for trusting in God alone as their source and strength, Isaiah chastised Judah for trusting in Egypt's numerous chariots and mighty horsemen. The very creator of life and breath who had miraculously delivered them from destruction and doom had practically been forgotten--and instead--these people believed that the strength of human armies merited their trust.

Quick to dispel the notion that there was any credence to this fallacy, Isaiah reminded them of God's might and supernatural power that exceeds the strongest horsemen or sturdiest chariot. I was reminded here of the contrast with Psalm 20:7 which reads: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Just as then, I see us as a people (myself included) forgetting the source of blessing, protection, provision and power. We lament the conditions of this world and feel defeated. We decry the lack of logic demonstrated by our leaders, failing to remember that we are trusting in humans rather than Almighty God when we look to them for our deliverance, success or survival. I claim to have set apart Christ as Lord, but do my actions, reactions, words and deeds, always reflect that?

The people of Judah had not abandoned their faith entirely, they simply had their feet planted in two places. One foot was planted on the rock--God, and one on quicksand--Egypt. It doesn't take someone with super-intellect to figure out that sinking's going to happen in a case like this, does it? Lord, help us remember that you alone are our firm foundation!

Lord, plant both of my feet on the solid rock, permeate my thoughts with your promises, and keep my heart wholly devoted and undivided so that I do not misplace my trust and sink with the masses into the world's mire. You alone are the one who delivers and rescues. Thank you and Amen.

Authentic Pursuit...

2011-09-26T11:40:00.000-04:00

Weeks ago I mentioned that Leslie was working on a new format for her blog. I'm pleased to announce that http://www.authenticpursuit.com/ is now up and running! If you have preschoolers, you will enjoy her candid posts related to the joys and trials of homeschooling her little ones, and you may even get an idea or three to use with your children even if you are not a homeschool family.

I will be the first to say that I was not the perfect parent. I have regrets and a list of "shoulda's" a mile long, but the children God blessed me with (in spite of myself) are another evidence to me of His unending grace and mercy. I want to encourage all mothers who feel like failures at least once a day that our God is generous and willing to answer to the fervent pleas of a desperate mom! I asked Him so many times to overcome my parental inadequacies, and it is with humble praise that I acknowledge His goodness and thank Him daily for hearing my prayers and saying yes.

Breast Cancer and Facebook...

2011-09-04T09:20:00.001-04:00

This is an unusual post for the blog today. If you aren't a facebook user you will most likely have no idea what I'm writing about, but for those who are, hear me out and if you are a woman of faith, please give this prayerful consideration.

Breast cancer is evil. I HATE it! I hate it for so many reasons. Like the fact that you do not have to have ANY family history of the disease to become a victim. And the fact that it can sometimes spread before it's detected. And what about how it seems to have escalated in frequency during our lifetimes and we all know MORE THAN ONE person who has had it or has it now. TERRIBLE. AWFUL. NO GOOD. HEINOUS!

Breast cancer robbed me (and many people I love) of one of the best women I have ever known. In her honor and memory, I would love for awareness to be raised and for people to be generous contributors to the cause of finding a cure and supporting those who are currently valiantly fighting the disease.
BUT, I cannot participate in a facebook campaign that requests something to the effect of writing a status that includes your shoe size followed by the word " inches" and then how long it takes you to do your hair. The innuendo is just too obvious and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the mental images this will conjure to anyone who doesn't know why someone is posting this information or what it refers to in reality.

To me, breast cancer is far more serious than this, and I cannot fathom how something like a titillating facebook status that is suggestive of anything other than breast cancer support succeeds at raising awareness or benevolence--but maybe I'm just naive. What I'm not, however, is a person who will intentionally use social media or any other platform to arouse thoughts that may be impure in anyone who might read it. For me--as a believer that all of God's Word is true--I just can't reconcile it.

I know, I know...I'm old. I'm old fashioned. I'm dark ages. I'm also a person who doesn't like to offend anyone by stating controversial opinions about things that don't matter for eternity, which this note has probably done--big time--especially if you have already written a status like the one I'm writing this note about. But I assure you that I am writing this before seeing anybody I know participate and I felt compelled to do this so that my friends who share my convictions might give this some thought and come up with a better, more transparent way to honor those we love and care about who are battling breast cancer.

That's all. I love you--even if you choose (or have chosen) to go along with "the game".

Philippians 4:8
... sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

.

Something Worth Reading...

2011-09-01T15:02:00.000-04:00

This morning I had the privilege of reading an objective review of Nichole's project, New Eyes. Reporter/writer Erika Logan masterfully covered the debut concert for Magazine 33.

As her husband's mom, I imagined that writing my opinion about Nichole's music might be perceived as the biased musings of a doting mother-in-law.

Today, I think I can justify my opinion because of this article--written by a stranger with credentials. I couldn't be happier to share Ms. Logan's interview, and I hope you will pass it along. Enjoy!

http://nc.magazine33.com/issue/september-2011-magazine33-north-carolina/article/broome

Stop by Nichole's new website to hear clips of her songs from the album on the homepage: http://nicholebroome.com/

Freedom, Faith and Family!

2011-07-05T12:01:00.007-04:00

Yesterday was July 4th, a day that has always been a time for celebrating freedom, faith and family--which brings me to the reason for posting this entry in my blog (a departure from my usual Bible study notes).

(A&L at the 4th of July Parade, eagerly awaiting the candy that is tossed to them! Leslie made the cute "Patriotic" bandana dresses!)

God blessed me with two children, each unique, each precious. They, in turn, have married people that I adore. My son-in-law and daughter-in-law have given us reason to say, "music married into our family". David's wife, Nichole, is a gifted singer-song writer, and Leslie's husband, Steven, is a talented worship leader and musician.

For this reason, I decided to shamelessly appeal to anyone who reads my blog to keep a couple of "my" kids' latest endeavors in your prayers. Nichole Broome is about to release her first album of original songs in August and I couldn't be more excited about this project!

(Nichole recording at GAT3 studio--Unleash My Heart)

Her music is fresh and inspiring and it chronicles a very personal spiritual journey that has required her to "cast all her cares upon Him". Moving ballads that are sung from the heart, Nichole's voice is angelic. (I think I am being totally objective here in spite of my love for her!) Please consider praying specifically for Nichole as she prepares for her album debut concert on August 12th by asking God to protect her and her family.

Next, my daughter Leslie Grace will soon debut a new blog (she has been working on its concept and format for a while now) to highlight the benefits of living life in mindful awareness of God's grace and provision. When I named her after my Grandmother Grace, I could never have imagined how fitting the name would be. Nearly every day I discover a new reason to admire her! There are many who aspire to fulfill the scriptural attributes of the woman described in the 31st chapter of Proverbs, but I personally know very few who rival L.G., and I am challenged by her gentle ways and simple obedience daily.

This picture of Leslie with her girls (taken this weekend) is just one example of her ingenuity and frugality. It's likely to be an example of some of what you'll find when she debuts her blog offering original ideas for clothing kids (among many other topics) as she did here by altering two inexpensive Walmart dresses. I think they are "boutique and unique" with her added touches!

I hope the Independence Day holiday provided opportunities for you to spend time with people you love and find reasons to be grateful for the freedom to worship Jesus and celebrate our liberties as Americans. For me, it was just an extra special reminder that God has answered so many prayers--even the ones I prayed years and years ago about the people my children would one day marry--and I would be negligent if I didn't take an opportunity to publicly say, "Thank you, Lord!" for all these blessings!

His Big Mysteries...

2011-06-15T01:56:00.007-04:00

This morning's devotional reading (1 Kings 13) sparked quite a bit of contemplation today regarding God's mysterious ways and purposes.

A "man of God" (prophet) died in this passage because he believed and acted on a lie told to him by another "man of God" resulting in what seemed to be his exceptionally cruel demise.

Let's face it, there are some things in the Bible that make you go, huh? Really? Why? I call these things S.U.'s-- Sovereignty Unsolvables. To me, they are reminders that God is big, He has big ways, and I'm never going to understand some of them this side of eternity.

Today, just as when this passage was written, things happen that don't make sense. Kids get cancer. Tornadoes level homes. Terrorists bomb. Cars crash. Mud slides. Fires rage. Wickedly evil people prosper. And we scratch our heads, cry...and look up.

Recently, a friend and I had a conversation about her friend who struggles spiritually because she just cannot completely trust a God who would allow awful things to happen. It seems my friend's friend endured a secret horror that haunts her every day, making it reportedly impossible for her to reconcile how God allowed "it" to happen if he is "good".

That conversation prompted me to think about what the world would be like if God did prevent every sickness, kill every terrorist, evil person and child molester before they victimized anyone, redirect traffic so that no collisions or accidents ever happened, keep all populated areas free from floods, muds, damaging winds, and waves. What if He made this one big happy, problem-free planet? Who among us would ever look up? (By the way, He did that originally, it was called the Garden of Eden and "we" blew it!) But for the sake of this subject, if things were still garden perfect thanks to him, we'd probably rarely give him a grateful nod. I'm guessing we'd be so wrapped up in our good lives that we'd do what we're prone to do anyway--forget or ignore.

My husband and I brought children into this world. To the best of our ability we nurtured them, provided for them, and protected them. And not to pat ourselves on the back or anything, but we sacrificed for them. We didn't always do what they wanted us to do, but we always did what we believed was best for them, and sometimes, that was painful--to them and to us. Today though, they are people we love spending time with and it is almost unbearable to imagine having a broken relationship with either of them.

I have to believe that the great and awesome God who created us (and loves us more than we can fathom) feels that way about us. In His sovereignty He acts and reacts according to what is ultimately best (in a big picture kind of way that we may never understand this side of heaven). In spite of the bad things that happen because this world is in a fallen state (of our own doing) one thing is certain according to scripture: He wants each of His children to experience the love and healing He offers that can overcome every tragedy and travesty associated with our sin-stained world.

In this life, there are (and will always be) unaswered whys and unhappy endings, but there is one more big S.U. that proves our God is good--all the time. He gave a Sacrifice Unrivaled when He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin. His own son suffered a cruel demise to give us (for free) eternal life. What an amazing, undeserved gift!

Today, I am thankful for a sovereign Lord who knows best, loves most and is big enough to allow me to ask questions and admit that there are things I don't like sometimes. His big mysteries are a part of a bigger plan that works for the good (sometimes eternal rather than temporal good -Romans 8:28-) of everyone who loves him.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2011-06-01T23:28:00.000-04:00

June 2, 2011--my Yahoo calendar just messaged me saying that it's your birthday, Dad. It doesn't realize you're gone--that your first "heavenly birthday" has arrived, so it sent me a nice "reminder email".

I'm not gonna lie, this is hard and I'm sad. And even though I believe you wouldn't come back here if you could, I cannot let this occasion pass without writing a "card" to say what I would have told you in 2010 if I'd known it would be my last chance...so:

Daddy, when I think about the life you gave us in contrast to the life you had, I'm amazed. I wish I'd told once more you how truly grateful I am for the sacrifices you made in order to assure that we enjoyed privileges that you never imagined as a little boy.

Thank you for loving me enough to teach me the importance of taking a stand for what is right. Your unshakable determination to fight against injustice and evil in spite of criticism or condemnation was remarkable. I wish I had half of your guts and grit and thick skinned gumption.

Thank you for being fearless and teaching me that it's dumb to waste time worrying about what I cannot control. (flying in that little Cessna with you in the pilot seat did scare the bajookies out of me when you did those crazy maneuvers and loops, though, but what a fun Daddy you were!)

Thank you for telling me about life and love (and boys) when I didn't want to hear it (especially from you). I knew it was because of your protective love, but did I ever let you know I was (and am) grateful that you cared so much?

Thank you for making me believe that I should expect to be treated like a lady and with respect. I married a man so much like you (because of you) and I am eternally thankful for the life we've had together.

Thank you for becoming a caring listener and developing genuinely unconditional love as your spiritual life deepened. The kindness and support you showed to me and my family during some really tough times will never be forgotten.

Thank you for being generous and giving us things that we took for granted and failed to say "thanks" for.

Thank you for modeling the importance of life-long learning. Your ever-increasing knowledge about so many things when you could have been content to rest your brain was inspiring and is challenging!

Thank you for loving my g-babies so much even when your health was declining and you felt terrible. This afternoon, A & L were talking about Paw Paw! You probably had no idea how much those little ones adored you and I hate they won't get to know you apart from the stories we will tell--but trust me, there are many stories and they will hear them!

Thank you for praying fervently and faithfully for me and my family. There have been numerous times over the past several months that I've so wished I could call and ask you to pray about specific things. The knowledge that you were always faithful to storm heaven's gates for me whenever I called in a 911 request was a priceless gift!

Finally, thank you for teaching me how to die. The dignity you demonstrated during your final days of life still overwhelms me every day. When I think of you in that hospital, the way you accepted with courage and peaceful faith the diagnosis and prognosis you were given, I'm blown away with admiration for you. You are my hero and that will never change Dad, so in closing, I know that you and your brothers, sisters, friends and loved ones are having the celebration to end all celebrations as you experience the joys of eternal life and the rewards of His salvation! Have fun--and I'll see you later!

I love you and I miss you every day.

Happy Birthday!

Your Eldest,
s~

Dad Dreamin'!

2011-04-13T14:55:00.001-04:00

Last night I had a dream that my dad was standing on the other side of a glass door making silly faces at me. It was one of those vivid dreams that didn't seem imaginary at all.

I stayed in bed for a little while after waking. I wanted to go back to sleep and keep dreaming; to return to that place where only a glass door separated us so that I could open it and talk to him.

As this day has progressed I can't get his smiling, goofy expression from the dream out of my head. I've actually giggled aloud a few times picturing his effort to make me laugh through that door.

I know that dreams aren't typically messages, but this one--I think--was Dad's way of assuring me that he's having a blast, that he feels great (no more heart or breathing problems) and that his energy is back to what it was when he was entertaining us with a game of kickball in the backyard after working all day in the hot summer sun.

Daddy used to tell me, "That'll feel better when it quits hurtin,'" if I was bruised or bleeding. In this case, I don't think his absence will ever quit hurtin', but there's such sweet solace in God's promise that I'll see him again.

If you have children, chances are you'll leave them behind one day. Let's be the kind of parents they'll miss--or maybe even dream about sometime.

Sunday in the Park!

2011-04-05T13:44:00.006-04:00

On Sunday afternoon, friends and family of Tiffany Pate gathered at Stowe Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of her "home-going".

The day could not have been more gloriously beautiful, and the event could not have been more meaningful to those of us who participated. Tiffany's life left an indelible imprint on those she left behind, and to say she's greatly missed seems a gross understatement. Yet in spite of the hole in my heart, I am more confident than ever that God's plan is continuing to unfold in a way that only He could orchestrate.

For those who wanted to be with us and were unable, here's what you missed:

At 1:15, I welcomed everyone and simply read an excerpt from one of Tiffany's last emails. Here are her words:

...Now, what I really want to get across with this e-mail is how much I love all of you and appreciate you from the very bottom of my heart! My mindset is amazing and I am filled with the joy of my LORD every single day! I love Him, and my FAITH in Him will NEVER waver! I am more at peace with this diagnosis than I have ever been. I am totally okay with the best case scenario or the worst case scenario because the worst case scenario is of this world...not of my GOD!!! I win either way! It's really an amazing feeling to know the peace that I am experiencing! If the doctor looked at me tomorrow and said, "okay, girl...we are going to hook you up to these pain meds, make this as easy and quick as possible, and help you all get through this"...my response would be...."let's go"

My only reason(s) for staying here one more day is to Glorify my God in any way we can! I trust Him to take care of my boys and my husband! I trust Him to take care of my family! We are going to get through this! The big deal is to not finish this race without fulfilling God's purpose for it! So, please, never feel that God has let me down or is "not delivering". My eyes and heart are not focused on the immediate track we are running. My eyes are focused on the puzzle that I cannot see until the last piece is in. Whatever small part I can play in placing that one piece in the right place is all I have to worry about! I want your prayer to be that that will remain our focus and that we won't "miss" anything God has intended for us along the way!

I want to be an open vessel for my God, and the rest will take care of itself. If you have one moment to share His glory, grab it with full force and never take it for granted!

I am probably at my limit now....but, I will be in touch soon!

I love you all and will never know how to thank you for being all that you are in my life!

In Him,

Tiffany

Immediately after sharing this profound message, Nichole (my precious daughter-in-law) sang Nichole Nordeman's "Legacy" as friends and family released their balloons to heaven.

Tiffany's Aunt Trish made a video that captured the beauty of our celebration. As you watch, reflect--and think about the legacy you'll leave when God calls you home.

Tiffany Pate's faith and bravery still inspires me each day, prompting me to pray for God's help to live my life focused on eternal rather than temporal things. I hope you're encouraged as you read about her journey to "go and do likewise".

Tikvah!

A Sobering Reminder...

2011-03-28T22:04:00.001-04:00

There are many things I wish I could magically prevent in your lives my dear grandchildren. I'd love for you to never learn difficult life lessons the hard way, or endure terrible pain or heartache as a result of impulsive whims or youthful ignorance. But since wishful thinking is just that, my prayer is that you will read and heed the lessons and warnings of scripture, for they tell of the consequences and penalties that will inevitably occur in the lives of those who choose to go the way of this world.

Today's chapters are Isaiah 28 through 30, verses that tell of a stubborn and rebellious bunch who are prone to drunkenness and folly. And while one might think that for the sake of simplicity (and probably a more civil and safe society) it would've been better if God had straight up prohibited the use of alcohol in the Bible, He didn't. What He did however, is tell us that drunkenness is wrong--always.

But you--you're growing up in a world that celebrates and elevates and glorifies alcohol's use not simply as a rite of passage, but as a necessity for life's enjoyment. And while illicit drug use isn't mentioned in these chapters I think we can safely lump it into the category as well. So what does the Bible say?

It's interesting that the Hebrew word halam which literally means "to strike down" is used to describe what Isaiah refers to as drunkenness. The same word is translated "pounded" in Judges 5:26 where it describes Jael's pounding of a tent peg through the head of Sisera. Wow, how is that for some sobering imagery?

Being drunk means that our senses, judgment, thinking and reflexes are impaired, and while that may sometimes sound like a great way to escape troubles, heartbreaks or reality, the truth is, getting drunk or drugged never solves a problem. Drunkenness multiplies difficulties and compounds despair-- especially when it leads to addiction.

The good news of these verses is that as strong as alcohol (or any of its substitutes may be) God is stronger. There is nothing that has power over us that is greater than God's ability to break the power--but the battle will be tough and the faith must be fervent.

Finally, never forget this: there is nothing good that God withholds from us--NOTHING! But this world will tell you that more is always better, that evil is good and that wrong is right. And unless you are armed with the knowledge of the truth of God's world, I'm afraid you will listen and believe--as so many have before you.

Hear instead these Words from Isaiah 29:

15 What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The Lord can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” 16 How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?

We are all just lumps of clay fashioned uniquely and individually by a Master Potter--who not only loves us, He gave his life for us. In Him alone can "us jars" be filled up enough that we aren't chasing after things that never satisfy--like the artificial highs of drugs and alcohol. Being drunk instead of being Spirit-filled is like bandaging a bleeding artery rather than surgically repairing it. You eventually die needlessly when there was a ready remedy.

Lord, fill us with Your Spirit so that we may live in the awareness that we are jars of clay. Keep us, lead us, help us, deliver us. Thank you and amen.

UnFAITHful

2011-03-03T00:18:00.001-05:00

I cannot imagine going through life married to an unfaithful husband. I know there are women who do just that, but it is beyond me how they cope with the feelings of betrayal, which brings me to today's subject--unfaithfulness. It's taken me a while to actually put my thoughts in writing about the book of Hosea, but the emotions evoked by its reading have been wildly varied and personally significant.

To provide a little background, Hosea, a prophet whose ministry spanned the years from 760 to 720 B.C., was instructed by God to marry a prostitute during the reign of Jeroboam II. He took for himself an unfaithful wife named Gomer in obedience to this very difficult command from The Lord. These events happened during an era of political and economic prosperity in Israel that coincided with a season of abysmal moral decay.

As our own nation has enjoyed years of bounty and blessing, insidious moral decline (evidenced by frequently militant rejection of what was once considered good and/or sacred) has begun to define much of western society, in some ways mirroring the days of Hosea.

A brief scan of the day's news offers disturbing evidence that we are sliding down into a nasty, stinky societal cesspool. For me, it's easy to point fingers and get all righteous as I shake my head in disgust at comparatively blatant offenders, at least upon first reading of this troubling book of the Bible. But rather than focusing on the obvious parallels that can be drawn between Israel and current day American sinners, God has reminded me that this is about me--not them. I am the unfaithful one. I have far too easily dismissed my personal unfaithfulness to Him and I am busted.

No, I cannot imagine being married to a cheater--but in the account of Hosea's marriage to Gomer, The Lord has provided a crystal clear reminder that He longs for a faithful bride. And in the hurt and heartbreak that must have defined Hosea's life, I am confronted by the reminder that whenever I wander from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ, I am Gomer.

Yes, I have been unfaithful, ungrateful, undeserving and unfit to be called Christ's bride, and yet the good news of His grace is that He loves me still. He is not like me--I would tell the cheater to take a hike, that I wanted nothing more of him and seek a divorce. But my Heavenly Bridegroom loves me unconditionally and welcomes my cheating heart back home--and that's a grace that is greater than anything my mind can conceive.

Oh Father, forgive me for my unfaithfulness. I thank you for grace and I praise you for mercy. Amen.

When Good is Bad...

2011-01-25T09:18:00.006-05:00

Sometimes what starts out to be a good thing becomes bad and that is never good.

Today's passages, 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31 and Psalm 48 cover a period of time in the history of God's people when Hezekiah reigned as King in Judah. We learn that unlike his father Ahaz and kings prior, he was determined to obey the Lord. He didn't just give lip service to turning his people back to God, he took action by tearing down the "high places" where idol worship was going on, and by purifying the temple. Only 25 years old when his reign began, Hezekiah was called righteous.

In the book of Numbers (chapter 21) you may recall that Moses carved a bronze serpent on a pole that was to be held up whenever someone was bitten by snakes that were plaguing them. This carving was to be an instrument that when gazed upon brought healing from the venom of the snake's bite. God prescribed this as a remedy during a time when death was sure and there was no other hope.

Having been preserved for 800 years, the bronze serpent was now among the things that were being worshipped in place of God, so in his determination to stop the idolatry, Hezekiah smashed it to bits. This life-saving relic from the past had become bad, so regardless of its value, its former glory, its historicity, its sacredness, Hezekiah got rid of it.

This account made me ask myself what I need to smash. John 3:14-15 teaches that the bronze serpent that Hezekiah destroyed had once been a representation of a future Savior. Jesus would also be lifted up high on a pole and when a person believed that He alone could save them, salvation from the punishment of death was theirs.

Do I gaze upon my Savior intently, recognizing him as my only hope and worshiping him alone? Like Hezekiah, I want to dispose of anything (even if it was once good, valuable, historical or even sacred) that has taken Christ's rightful place of priority in my life.

Help me Lord--open my eyes to what I idolize so that I, too, may be called righteous.

Woe No!

2011-01-06T09:54:00.010-05:00

Today's passages--Isaiah 13 through 27--(which include some disturbing and amazing promises) tell of a wonderful, Holy God who asks little but offers much to an ungrateful world full of forgetful humans. In contrast, when I think of how quickly I get "fed up" anytime I feel slighted, I have to wonder why The Lord hasn't already said, "Enough!".

Patience and long-suffering define our God, reminding me that I have far to go in learning to emulate and imitate Him well. Perhaps one of the reasons that I am so often impatient, even impetuous, stems from my lack of properly focused perspective. So what should my perspective be?

I think this sums it up nicely:

Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

In Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity and the term perfect peace is actually "shalom shalom".

So who receives shalom shalom? The person whose mind is fixed on God. It's intriguing to me that this isn't a matter of the heart or soul. Scripture clearly tells us that to get this sort of peace involves our thought life.

Romans 12:2 speaks of this mentally transforming renewal that is possible when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ. This shalom shalom mentioned in Isaiah is not the kind of peace that world leaders, governments or our bank accounts falsely promise. This is eternal, internal peace that makes all of the confusing, disturbing, irritating, annoying, and disgusting stuff of this life grow strangely dim. We enjoy perfect peace when we know that God is just (He settles all scores rightly) is love (He does appreciate us and forgives our sin) and is able (He capably carries every burden that threatens to break our backs).

So how do I fix my thoughts on these things? By renewing my mind daily through the study of His word. By praying, constantly. By taking every thought captive, weighing the messages I receive from the world against THE message of His Word.

And then...peace. What a promise! Still, it's optional. It's my choice. (And yours.) For me...woe? No! Shalom, shalom.

I'm a Fan!

2011-01-04T23:26:00.007-05:00

Have you ever been to a college football game? It isn't very difficult to distinguish fans of one team from the other. Often, they wear team colors (and sometimes even body or face paint) to signify who they support, have noise makers and/or other accoutrements that help identify them as fans, and typically, they don't care who knows which team they love! Without apology they shout, jeer, cheer and celebrate.

The dictionary defines "worship" this way: to idolize; to love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; to feel profound love and admiration for something or someone.

Could we accurately say then that some fans exhibit characteristics of worship for and of their team? I think so. It certainly seems that there is profound love and admiration when someone is willing to get crazy and possibly even spend all sorts of money in order to follow and support a group of people who are fighting over an odd shaped ball on a big field. But don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking loyal fans, just making an observation.

Here's something else I've observed: a lot of us who would dance, yell, shout, paint, wave flags, and spend money in support of our favorite team, wouldn't be caught dead appearing to be that excited about the God of the universe who loves us so much that He has numbered the hairs on our head.

Apparently, neither would those obstinate children of Israel and Judah back in the day of 2 Kings. Today's passages, 2 Chronicles 28 and 2 Kings 16 - 17, cover the period of time when no matter the warning, God's children refused to worship Him, and instead worshipped idols and sinned grievously even to the point of sacrificing their own children in the fire. As I read these disturbing verses, I couldn't ignore a few similarities we seem to share.

No, we don't burn our children in fires, but we do sacrifice them on the altar of convenience through abortion each and every day in this country. And no, we don't worship sex gods--oh wait. Internet pornography (and other forms of lewd business) is booming according to the latest reports. Sadly, we have just as many (or more) idols today as then, and the very real possibility is that God's loving kindness and patience may soon run out with us as it did with His stubborn, idolatrous people. He is, after all, a jealous God. (Exodus 20:4-5)

Maybe even scarier in some ways than the fact that we may face His discipline for choosing to worship everything but Him is the real possibility that we, like the children of Israel, may become worthless as a result of our misplaced worship.

Here's what verse 15 of 2 Kings 17 says: They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”

The word hebel was translated in the verse as "worthless" and may also be translated "empty." Hebel means 'air,' 'delusion,' or 'vanity.' Because these people worshipped empty, worthless gods, they were essentially bowing their knees to nothing--and scripture says as a result, that's what they became.

I believe with all my heart that God wants so much more for you and me than this. I am convinced that if we can just get this worship thing right our lives will be abundant and we will not roam around as others who seek but don't find, yearn but aren't filled, crave but are hungry.

My hope is that I am a fan of God first, and that I have no idols in my life above Him. My prayer is that you'll share my hope.

Father, help me wear your colors proudly, cheer for you loudly and praise you with all my heart. Sincerely and with genuine fanaticism and adoration. Amen.

Pet Peeves and Blinders...

2011-01-03T16:46:00.004-05:00

What is your pet peeve?

Recently, my hubby confessed one of his to me. He then proceeded to say that it was probably something he was guilty of from time to time since he finds it so offensive. So, what was it? It was blatant double standards that are either expressed or implied.

Like my husband, I'm convinced that the things that bother us most in others are potentially areas in which we struggle--sometimes unaware. For this reason I am almost reluctant to write what I found most compelling about today's scripture passage.

Micah chapters 1 though 9 are the focus of today's reading and it is in these difficult passages that we again find the fickle, disobedient, hard-hearted people of Israel getting reprimanded and warned about what is to come if they don't shape up.

God's messenger, Micah, communicates clearly the frustration and grievances that The Lord has against His people and then in chapter 6 he begins to share with them how their "day in court" might go.

In this dramatic portrayal, we see Israel theoretically shaking angry fists at God and griping that He just asks too much. When they demand a response, God's reply is almost startling. Listen to what He told them in verse 8:

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Wow.

And this brings me back to the pet peeve thing. I really don't like to be around boastful/arrogant/pride-filled people. I figure if you have to toot your own horn something must be wrong.

But are high volumed speaking voices, bragging words or snotty attitudes the only evidences of pride? Is it possible to be quietly prideful, silently boastful, and secretly snotty? I'm afraid of the answer to that question.

What I do know for certain is that I'm asking God to reveal the hidden sins in my life this year--to remove all blinders that keep me from seeing the log in my own eyes and prevent me from walking humbly with Him.

So how does one walk humbly with God (which I believe will usher in the other two requirements [doing right and loving mercy] by default)?

Charles Spurgeon said this:

“True humility is thinking rightly of thyself, not meanly. When you have found out what you really are, you will be humble, for you are nothing to boast of. To be humble will make you safe. To be humble will make you happy. To be humble will make music in your heart when you go to bed. To be humble here will make you wake up in the likeness of your Master by-and-by.”

My goal for this year is to wake up each day in the likeness of my Master. What's yours?

Father, thank you for the reminder that I am nothing apart from you and that with your help I can do right, love mercy and walk humbly in your likeness. Make my goal a reality by the grace and mercy and guidance available to me and to all who believe in Christ The Lord. Amen.

Merry Christmas Every Day!

2011-01-02T21:24:00.002-05:00

When the lights and decorations of Christmas have all been put away, I always feel a tinge of sadness that another year's celebration of Jesus' birth has ended. The anticipation that builds until that one special morning in December comes and goes, and all too soon it seems it's time to pack away everything shiny and bright.

Almost providentially--on the day I returned the last box of ornaments to the attic--my chronological journey through the Bible took me to Isaiah chapters 9 through 12, and I'm reminded that the miracle of Christmas never ends unless I let it.

Imagine a time when having been ravaged by war and plundered as a people, a spokesman for God heralded the promise of One who was to come and make all things right again. Picture with me the hope that would stir in a desperate woman's heart upon hearing God's prophet promise that a deliverer was coming!

Scholars have written that the promised Messiah could have been an angel or even God without humanity, but we are clearly told here by the prophet Isaiah that our deliverer would be born a helpless, dependent child. The promised One would be more than just man though, He would be the eternal Son of God who was able (as a result of his humanity) to identify with us in our weaknesses.

Jesus Christ, the child who was born of both God and man in fulfillment of every Messianic prophecy, was fully human and yet perfect--sinless. If you're like me you have probably blamed your big blunders on the fact that you're only human. Somehow though, knowing that it is possible to be perfect and human is a reminder that our problem is not our humanity but the fact that we are fallen, sinful humans.

We, just like the people of Isaiah's day, are a desperate lot--lost and without hope apart from the deliverer that came to rescue us from the penalty of death that is the wage of our sin. Because He was fully man yet sinless, Christ could stand in our place as a substitute for the punishment that was to be ours--and that is the message of Christmas. This message is bigger than one day each year and this story cannot be contained in a few short paragraphs on a page--this is epic! To think that a baby born over 2000 years ago loved me (and you) enough to humble himself, take on human form and carry my sins to a cruel cross is not something easily summarized or lightly acknowledged. He bore my shame and my sin and saved me from having to pay the debt I owe--and it cost me nothing except my willingness to believe, to trust, that He indeed is my only hope and the only way.

C.S. Lewis said it well in Mere Christianity:

..."The Second Person in God, the Son, became human Himself: was born into the world as an actual man—a real man of a particular height, with hair of a particular colour, speaking a particular language, weighing so many stone. The Eternal Being, who knows everything and who created the whole universe, became not only a man but (before that) a baby, and before that a foetus inside a Woman’s body. If you want to get the hang of it, think how you would like to become a slug or a crab.”

I haven't learned to love that much--to care enough to stoop so low or sacrifice so fully, but I will always and forever be grateful that He did and He does. And I think as a result I should say, "Merry Christmas!" to everyone I meet--every day--for the rest of this year.

Father, thank You that You saw fit to send Jesus Christ: Deliverer, Redeemer, Savior, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father into the world as a baby to identify with me, inviting me through His sacrificial death and resurrection to share in the riches of His perfect relationship with You. I will forever thank You and praise Your Holy Name. Amen.

Resolutely Speaking...

2011-01-01T23:17:00.004-05:00

As 2011 begins, like most of the population, I have resolutions. Three, to be exact.

This declaration of these "vows to myself," is a little scary, and I realize that recording something this important in a public forum means that I am open to scrutiny, query and accountability--but I've decided to be okay with that--so, here's my list of daily do's...

1. My Spirit--20 minutes (at least) with Jesus--first and best.
2. My Body--20 minutes (at least) active--exercise of some sort.
3. My Mind--20 minutes (at least) learning/studying--something new.

One hour each day of intentional living that is treated as sacred--a no excuse, no loophole kind of legalistic ritualism that usually makes me bristle. Wow.

I imagine that some people reading my little list are laughing because it sounds so simple, so doable. But for me--well--call me Mrs. Undisciplined. It's sad to admit, it's painful to confess, but I have spent a good deal of time praying for God to reveal the blind spots in my life and He has graciously--clearly--answered my plea, causing me to acknowledge some ugly truths that I'm continuing to pray through and work out (with fear and trembling).

I know that I'm bound to have blind spots yet to be realized, and I also recognize I have miles to go in this journey. For that reason, my prayer is that 2011 is not merely a "happy new year," but a transformational new year for my spirit, body, and mind. And if I successfully keep these resolutions, it will be.

^{Romans 12: 1-2} So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (TM)

An Email from Heaven

2010-12-26T09:08:00.001-05:00

My Mom asked me a while back to try to edit the eulogy I gave at Dad's memorial service down to one page so that she could frame it. That sounded good in theory, but turned out to be impossible in practice--there was simply too much that I didn't want to delete--so no matter how I tried, I couldn't carve it down to one page of copy.

Instead, yesterday I gave her a framed poem I wrote during the middle of one of my long, contemplative nights a while back. I'm sharing it here in the hope that anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one may be encouraged.

One of the things I've missed most about Dad being gone is that every day I received email from him. Usually he just forwarded things that he thought were funny or profound, but occasionally he wrote a personal note and I've saved most of them in a file called "Stuff from Daddy". I imagined recently an email exchange between us and thought it might go something like this:

Sometimes we miss the best of life’s gifts, sometimes we fail to see

The blessings in front of the nose on our face, and that’s what happened to me.

Sometimes we argued and disagreed, but he loved me regardless for certain

And if my selfish flesh could have just one more wish, I’d ask God to draw back the curtain.

If the veil was removed that separates us, or he could send one more email or two

I have to believe if he sent one today, it’d say:

“Sandy, all of it’s true!

Your life there on earth’s a rehearsal, the best day down there can’t compare

There’s no more pain, no sorrow, no sickness, not even a hint of despair

Colors before unknown to me more brilliant than you can conceive

And love overwhelming envelopes us here in a way that you wouldn’t believe.

I love you, and look forward to seeing you all, but now I’m finally free

From all earthly chains that bind and restrain, so don’t feel sad for me.

This is what we’re created for, communion with God unbroken

So until our sweet reunion some day, my love for you all is unspoken.

Carry it still with you in your hearts, until that precious day

That we meet again on these golden streets, when you will hear me say…

‘Welcome home. I love you.’”

And I love you, too, Daddy.

Always,

Sandy

Blues Blessings

2010-12-22T11:12:00.001-05:00

I have to confess that I haven't felt much like writing lately. The purpose of this blog after all is to inspire, not depress, yet daily moments of melancholy have become my new normal this holiday season.

Anytime things change (whether for good or for bad) emotional wrestling matches ensue. Long ago, I learned that the messages I choose to believe must be measured by their congruence and agreement with scripture. For this reason, each time a thought of Tiffany or memories of my Dad invade my mind, I choose to refuse to be overcome by grief, instead reminding myself that they would not return if they could and are both enjoying all the blessings of heaven promised to those who faithfully trust Christ as Lord.

I am thankful for Christmas and all of the delights and joys that have accompanied its celebration throughout my lifetime, but this year, my thankfulness exceeds all years past in spite of my sorrow. Knowing that Christ's coming into the world brought with it the chance for us to experience eternal life and a future that never includes the painful good-byes associated with this particular year of my life is reason to rejoice, to celebrate and to commemorate.

My prayer is that each person who reads this, especially those who grieve the loss of loved ones during the holidays, are able to overcome the blues with the blessing of this comforting promise from 1 Thessalonians 4: ¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I could say HAPPY Thanksgiving and mean it, because it was. And although in a perfect world (the way things were originally planned by our loving, benevolent God) there would be no sad good-byes and world peace would be a reality, I chose happiness because of the promise that one day things will be as He intended. On that day, there will be no more sorrows, no more tears, no more sickness and no more good-byes.

So, at the intersection of Gratitude and Grief, my precious memories, amazing friends, and wonderful family--along with the promise of reunions in heaven--sustain, soothe, and comfort me, and I am thankful, so very thankful to Christ, my Lord.

Revelation 21:4-7

Reflections...Daddy's Little Piece of Heaven on Earth--the cove I love.

2010-10-11T23:24:00.002-04:00

As autumn hues transform Lake Norman’s shores, the fireworks and picnics of summer make way for bonfires and blankets. It’s bittersweet in some ways, but I welcome the reprieve from this year’s heat.

Summer’s end at the lake usually evokes memories of the first time I saw On Golden Pond. I was twenty-two when the Oscar winner hit theaters, and already waxing nostalgic about my childhood, it stirred recollection of my own futile attempts to catch Walter in our golden cove in Sherrills Ford.

Years later, I recall other aspects of the film that may be more compelling than its majestic scenery: the complexity of relationships between parents and children, the exhilaration of shared adventures, the brevity of life.

Few things motivate us to ponder such matters more than the loss of a loved one, and having recently said, “See you later,” to the man I called Daddy, I hope what I’m about to share will encourage you to consider today’s opportunity.

My dad was old school. Undaunted by most challenges, after fighting in the Korean War he came home and started a business, learned to fly airplanes, built houses, and founded a private school. None of these accomplishments were a significant part of the legacy he wanted to pass on, however. What mattered to him was leaving a heritage of fierce faith and limitless love.

Daddy loved to talk, so he did. The greeter at Walmart knew him by name. The pharmacist at the drug store, the lab tech at the doctor’s office, the waitress at his favorite Japanese restaurant, his dry cleaner’s employees, the customers at my sister’s store, and so many others around the lake knew he loved them.

It seemed to me that Daddy didn’t recall a time when the clock had been his master and he reminded me often that he thought I needed to slow down. I justified my busyness but recognized that I often allowed the tyranny of the urgent to take precedence over important and occasionally, it haunted me.

Standing at Daddy’s bedside during his last days this summer, time stood still. Schedules, meetings, appointments and deadlines didn’t matter so much anymore, I just wanted to hear him tell me about the time he and his brother’s went skinny dipping in Lane’s Creek one more time. Instead, he pulled me close and whispered again that he was proud of me and that he loved me.

Today, as bronze and yellow leaves reflect fall’s glory in the waters of Dad's golden cove, I’m reminded of the man who built the house on the hill above the shoreline I love, and I miss him. But oh how precious it is when sorrow is soothed by the awareness that I won life’s lottery when God chose to give me a father who seized every opportunity to say, “I love you.”

If you read this with sadness thinking you weren't as fortunate remember this, the PERFECT Father who loves unconditionally is eager to adopt you. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Sweet Little Blessings

2010-09-28T10:16:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year in my family again. We're celebrating births and birthdays!

Steven Pate joined the family on Friday and we couldn't be more excited to have a beautiful boy join the clan.

The Gompers' Girls turned two and three and enjoyed being the recipients of presents and cakes! There are few things more fun than watching a child delight in being celebrated!

And now...we wait until Friday to celebrate one more precious little one! Our youngest granddaughter, Cadence, is about to turn 1 and we cannot wait to celebrate what she means to us!

Fun times, God's blessings, Grateful heart.

To Tell the Truth...or not.

2010-09-16T09:21:00.004-04:00

Reading scripture in the order it was written gives new perspective to me as I consider the unfolding of events in a fresh way.

The prophet Amos was given a difficult message to convey, but his unwavering obedience to speak the "hard to hear" truth is challenging to me on several levels.

The first is that we seem to be living in a time when confessing Christ-followers are prone to mistake the mandate to demonstrate Christ's love with the imperative to be silent about sin, specifically regarding issues that contradict the undisputed doctrines of our Christian faith.

When King Jeraboam heard through one of the priests (Amaziah) that Amos was foretelling God's plan to punish Israel for her sin, Amos found out quickly that he wasn't on the king's most popular people list. Here's Amaziah's message to Amos:

Amos 7: 12...“Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there! 13 Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!”14 But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one.I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ 16 Now then, listen to this message from the Lord...

Amos did not back down from the directive he'd been given by God to warn the people of what was to come if they didn't wake up.

Today, there are times when I sense a subtle (or not so subtle) expectation to just be quiet, "to go back to Judah," so to speak, rather than sharing that there is a Holy God who is the same today as yesterday and His standards have never changed.

I fear imbalance. I imagine that a group of well-intentioned Christians who carried out their mission with misguided methods and sometimes sloppy scholarship have ushered in this era of confusion. Not desiring to be associated with one of the hateful, judgmental bigot types (who would?) many believers today have adopted an, "I'll just love my neighbor to Christ," modus operandi. Scripture is clear. Love is unquestionably commanded, but it is "hearing" God's Word (Romans 10:17) that leads to believing faith. But let's face it, that's not always an easy assignment because as John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

I confess honestly though, that if I'd never heard about sin, I'd have remained ignorant of the fact that I was in need of salvation and that I was helpless to save myself, regardless of how lovingly compassionate the bearer of that painful truth was.

What it all boils down to, at least as I see it, is that love in its highest, most genuine form is evidenced by a willingness to tell the whole truth (lovingly) even though it may be scoffed at or rejected. Why? Because the eternal and unchanging Word has the power to yield believing faith .

G.K. Chesterton once said, "Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions," but Gerhard Forde drove it home when he stated, "Christianity is not the movement from vice to virtue but from virtue to grace." And grace truly is, amazing.

Today's Reading: Amos 6-9; 2 Chronicles 27 Isaiah 9-12

Joy Comes in the Morning...

2010-09-05T05:55:00.004-04:00

Awake for hours...sleepless, sad, I finally read and remember. Daddy is more alive now than I am. Joy, refreshing as water from a clear mountain stream, washes over my broken heart again and I am grateful, so grateful, for the Word of my sweet Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4
The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

Daddy's Girl...

2010-08-24T09:41:00.004-04:00

My father died a week ago today and I'm left with a pretty sizable hole in my heart. After a short battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis/Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity (brought on by the drug Amiodarone that was prescribed for atrial fibrillation) he succumbed to the disease leaving a heartbroken family who lost a great man much too soon for our selfish preferences.

Born June 2, 1932, we celebrated his life and legacy on Saturday, August 21, 2010. My precious children-in-law, Nichole Broome and Steven Gompers, shared beautiful songs in tribute, and I spoke for a few minutes about the man I called "Daddy". For friends and family who couldn't be with us, here's what I shared:

Daddy was a mess! The dictionary defines “mess” as something that is disorderly or untidy—and that surely isn’t the kind of mess he was—in fact, he was just the opposite, so the reason I use “mess” has little to do with its actual meaning and is much more about an idea and if you knew him well, you are following right along with me, and you can probably hear his voice saying, “You are a mess!” if you ever made him laugh. He truly was the only one of his kind in captivity.

Daddy was such a mess that sometimes 'he didn’t know which one of the boys he was'. He told us often that he felt like he was sent for, couldn’t go, finally went and wouldn’t do. At other times, he was down with the con-soni-bonilitis and that was a big mess. When three little girls vying for his attention were all yelling, “diddy, diddy!,” he always answered us, “no he didn’t!”. And if we said, “Daddy, guess what?” without hesitation he responded, “the higher you raise a mule’s tail, the better you can see his butt.” Ponder that picture for a minute.

All of Daddy’s boys were girls—and as the eldest, I will be spokesMan. So for just a couple of minutes I want to talk about three traits that define our Daddy and our sweet Mama’s husband: Life, Laughter and Love.

Daddy lived life with a carpe diem kind of seize the day attitude that amazed. The baby of ten, we often imagined him as a little boy who had to work hard to get noticed because the “cuteness” of little kids had probably worn off by the time he came along. Undaunted, Daddy made his mark in the world by determining to conquer and complete whatever he made up his mind to do.

All of Dad’s brothers and sisters graduated high school after completing 11 years, but as Dad’s 11th grade year drew to a close, the state of NC decided that to really be smart enough to graduate, there should be 12 grades. In his mind, that was grossly unfair so he decided not to get a diploma and show this dumb state what they could do with their new requirement. He moved to Charlotte, got a job as an apprentice electrician and thought that would be that, but a wonderful agriculture teacher who had a particular fondness for daddy, drove to Charlotte and convinced him to move back to Peachland and finish high school.

As young girls, we loved looking through Dad’s high school yearbooks, especially enjoying the knowledge that our Dad’s nickname was “chicken.” The father we knew was anything but that, he was our brave hero and earned a Bronze Star during his time in Korea that proved it! He could do anything and knew everything—and if he didn’t know, he made something up that sounded so good we believed him.

When driving somewhere didn’t get him to his destination quickly enough, he took flying lessons so he could pack us into a little Cessna and take us exploring. When a Charlotte District Court judge decided that Daddy’s girls would be bussed across town rather than attending the school we could walk to from home, he protested that decision by founding a private school in our neighborhood that he built from the ground up with the help of like-minded neighbors. The letter he wrote petitioning for Valleydale School’s charter was so impressive that the response came back addressed to “Attorney Glenn Horne”. That 12th grade served him well!

Daddy lived life by seizing every chance possible to demonstrate his love for his family and there were evidences of that all around our home. He was a life-builder and even our backyard play house reflected that—it was wired for lights and sound and built by loving hands that were never too tired from a hard day’s work to keep him from doing the things that he set out to do. If he had any idea what Kathie was doing out in that playhouse though…but I digress…

Daddy took us places and showed us things that were important to him and always entertained us along the way with stories that may have occasionally been ever-so-slightly embellished, but made us heehaw anyway. He had nicknames for our friends and back in the day entertained them and us by bringing home a bucket truck to give us rides up above the trees. He had no idea that Lisa was pocketing some cash by charging her friends for their rides, though!

Laughter was the soundtrack of life with Daddy. Not long after they were married, Mama cooked dinner and set the table in her finest Martha Stewart fashion. On the center of the table there was a large metal spoon in the green bean bowl and silverware beside their plates. Suddenly, the spoon in the bowl started dancing—and Mama starting freaking out a little. Then, the silverware started to move around. Daddy fessed up when she was visibly shaken, pulling out a huge magnet that he was balancing on his legs under the table.

A couple of years ago Mom called me to tell about a religious experience she thought she was having as she watered the plants on her back porch. A bumblebee was buzzing by her head and suddenly she felt certain that his buzz was to the tune of Amazing Grace. She looked up into the heavens, confident that God was giving her some kind of special encounter and stopped what she was doing so that she could be sure it wasn’t in her head—sure enough, the tune Amazing Grace was buzzing in her ears. She dropped her watering can and ran to tell Daddy to come and listen only to find him on the lakeside porch with a kazoo—humming—you guessed it—Amazing Grace!

He made friends with inanimate objects like a rabbit statue in a beach house we once rented. He named her Esmerelda and she became a part of that year’s vacation. He never got too old to laugh and play with some of his toys. He loved his talking Bubbas and his gobbling turkeys and was famous for lots of what we lovingly refer to as Glennisms. When we got a scrape or bruise as children will, he always sympathetically said, “That will feel better when it quits hurting!” At restaurants, we knew that his order was always going to be either hummingbird livers on rye or a peananer rocious on a super gobsloscious depending upon his appetite. Waitresses loved him!

LOVE was the theme of life with Daddy. He loved LOVE themed music like “I’ll Be Loving You Eternally,” a song that was his love song for Mama that we played for him on his last day and when he could no longer speak, he still puckered his lips for one last kiss as he heard that music and her whispered reminder of love in his ear.

He was a man who didn’t just show it, he said it. Never once did I visit him since getting married 31 years ago that he at some point he didn’t say, “I love you Sandy Kay.” or, “Does George know how much I love him?” or, “I sure do love those babies!” or, well…you get the picture.

On Sunday as he was telling us all how much he loved us for the last time, I couldn’t help thinking to myself, "I said, self," I hope he knows that we’ve never doubted that for a second because he’s made sure every day that we knew.

There is only one person that Daddy loved more than his family and that was his Lord and Savior. More important to him than pulling out pictures and bragging about how cute we all are (or were) when talking to someone (and he talked to everyone) he’d more than likely pull out his business cards and tell them how they could get to know the love of his life, Jesus Christ.

In the last years of life, he spent his energy sharing his faith. I told my sisters that one of the most endearing things about Daddy was that where he was, was where he was. If he was talking to you, he was looking you in the eyes, concentrating on you—the most important person in the world at that moment, instead of looking around the room to see if there was another better or more interesting conversation to be had. He was a masterfully skilled communicator who never seemed insincere when he was sharing his heart of love with someone, and I’m convinced that’s the reason that nurses who only knew him for a few days fell just as in love with him and came in after their shifts ended to spend time at his bedside and came back to the hospital to cry with us as he was dying.

One of them was a nurse who cared for Daddy last year after he fell out of the infamous pear tree, chainsaw in hand. She had heard he was up in CCU and wanted to come by and tell him that he had touched her life like no other patient. Her words to us were that he looked her in the eyes and asked her if she was okay. She found herself telling him that she wasn’t—really—and he told her how she could find the joy that she needed for life in spite of her troubles. She never forgot that, and she never forgot daddy—and she wanted him to know that he made an indelible impact on her life and in her marriage. She said, “he didn’t know me at all, but he genuinely cared.” His care was born out of his love for His Savior—a love that was so compelling that he couldn’t not care.

While going through some of Dad’s mementos and keepsakes, we found a folded restaurant placemat—he was quite an accomplished placemat artist by the way—and on it he’d written a poem that reads:

Just to know that our love has lasted almost a lifetime

Keeps joy and thankfulness on my thankful mind

We savor all the good times and let go of the bad

And to know our daughters can still call me “Dad”

Are just a few of the reminders of the blessings I have had

God has been so good and

I have always known that with me He’s always stood. Signed, G. Billingsley Horne

After he retired, Daddy designed his new and improved business cards. They featured praying hands on the left and his name and address on the right along with his favorite Bible verse, John 3:16. He always kept one ready to hand out to anyone he struck up a conversation with who needed encouragement or wanted to hear more about God’s love.

On Wednesday night, I picked up the Bible he read every day and randomly opened it to a page with just one highlighted verse…

Matthew 25:21 (New King James Version)

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

This morning, he is there with His Savior and his loved ones who had gone before him, still celebrating life—ETERNAL LIFE—that was bought for him on Calvary’s cross when he asked a resurrected Jesus Christ to be his forgiver and leader. Daddy HAS entered into the joy of His Lord! And the thing he’d want me to ask every person here is will you be there with him one day? And are you sure? Because if you aren’t, you can be. His favorite verse John 3:16, explains how that’s possible. It reads: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.

Our family thanks every one of you who has prayed for us, mourned with us, rejoiced with us and celebrated his life with us today, and I would be negligent if I didn’t ask one last question for Dad—will your legacy be like his? Will you live life fully, laugh hard often, and love God and people extravagantly? Because that is how best to honor the memory and legacy of my Daddy, Glenn B. Horne…

TIKVAH!

2010-07-19T10:08:00.000-04:00

Tikvah! It's a word I learned from a woman I love--Tiffany Pate. Tikvah is a Hebrew word that means "hope, waiting in expectation of," and God gave it to her during a special quiet time after her breast cancer diagnosis.

If you've followed my blog for a while you know about her journey, her faith, and her legacy--but if you are new to Cerebrations, you can catch up here.

Because of Tiffany Pate, my life will never be the same, so it's my privilege to share that her husband Brian has created bracelets in her memory to help raise funds for Cancer Services of Gaston County, an organization that has helped her family and the families of so many others touched by the disease. The bracelets are $2.50 each and include two scripture passages that define (in summary) her hope and her confidence.

Romans 12:12 says: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. and she was. Psalm 91 (stamped on the inside of the bracelets) is a passage that strenghtened her unwavering faith, and finally, TIKVAH,is a message for us all--that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

If you'd like to order a bracelet you can find out more by emailing TiffanysTikvah@hushmail.com.

Finally, please remember to pray for Brian and her boys, Landon and Ridge, who like so many of us carry on because of our confident TIKVAH that we will see her again soon!

Fat Cow? Wow!

2010-07-13T21:44:00.005-04:00

I do not imagine that any woman of any era would appreciate being called a "fat cow," but that's exactly what the prophet Amos called the indulgent women of Israel as he spoke for God within the first five chapters of the book named after him.

The pages of these scripture passages paint a portrait of a people who reeked with the odor of ungodly behavior, and this herdsman turned prophet, Mr. Amos, spoke clearly (and bluntly) in an attempt to warn them to wake up before it was too late.

So what were the transgressions of these fat cows? They oppressed the poor and crushed the needy--either directly, or maybe scarier--indirectly. Their incessant whining and pining for more "stuff" apparently drove their husbands to commit great injustices in order to satisfy them, and God was angry.

I ask myself, am I guilty of the same? I loathe the idea of being a "fat cow," and yet I know I'm prone to plod the path that leads to that putrified pasture.

My husband and I recently discussed at length the fact that very few people--even Christians--seem to be satisfied with just having their needs met any more. We are a consuming lot, always wanting better, newer, nicer, and while I will not suggest that this is 100% wrong all of the time, I will propose that what might be more in line with what is God pleasing and God honoring is establishing a "this much is enough" plan so that when and if we are blessed beyond the "enough" mark, the rest can be given to help those who need it.

Everything that Amos prophesied regarding the judgments awaiting those who ignored his warnings happened, some of it in as little as thirty years. Merciful God gave them plenty of time to repent, but they didn't.

Today, I think the cow bell's alarm is sounding loud and clear--but will we listen? Am I listening? I hope I am not just listening but learning and heeding--because I never--EVER--want to be a fat cow in God's eyes.

Father, help me appreciate "enough" and be faithful to share the extra. Please help Your economy be mine--and vice versa, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Fine Wine on My Mind...

2010-07-08T13:11:00.006-04:00

Confusion. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear or say that word? There is a legitimate difference between confusion and ignorance, and yet somehow the two can seem intricately intertwined when the confused person doesn't avail himself of the information that can remedy any contributing ignorance.

Such seems to have been the case in the day of Isaiah, most specifically as he penned chapters 5 through 8. There can be little confusion upon reading his words however, about the state of affairs that dominated the culture in his era. Most striking to me is the parallel that can be drawn between his day and ours. Some of these passages read as if they could be snatched from today's headlines.

Take a look at just a few of the verses and see if you agree:

5: 11 What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk. 12 They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties...but they never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing.

20 What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. 21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

Isaiah opened chapter 5 by giving us the picture of a beautiful vineyard beloved by its owner. The vineyard, planted in fertile soil and supplied with the perfect amount of everything it needed to produce a lovely harvest, has produced bitter fruit and is overgrown with weeds. Maybe most disturbing though is that in His frustration, the vineyard owner has decided to remove its protective hedge.

A people who reject and ignore the blessings and benefits of the loving vineyard owner (God) eventually reap the consequences of their rejection. God will have a harvest and there will be fine wine. I pray that the veils of confusion and the cloaks of ignorance that seem to be prevailing in our day will be removed so that the harvest will again be plentiful in the land I love. If not, I plead for mercy and ask Him to continue to cultivate small vineyards that yield good fruit for His purposes in the places where you and I live.

Father-- please till the soil of my personal vineyard until the fruit I produce is lovely, fragrant, and good enough to yield the sweetest wine.

God Bless America...

2010-07-04T12:45:00.001-04:00

I am and always have been proud to be American. Having said that, I am not always proud OF America. There are times when as a culture/nation we have failed to live up to our potential and have made mistakes that are disheartening and disillusioning. Even still, there is no place on earth like this land of the free and home of the brave. A quick trip outside our borders to anywhere else confirms and affirms that we enjoy a level of benefit and blessing that is unparalleled. America is arguably the best idea ever--it's a place where individuals are free to choose to work hard to reach personal goals or be lazy and satisified with a mediocre or mundane life experience. For all her faults (perceived and real) I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been blessed enough to be born here.

Recently, I've read two books that I'd like to mention for those who are interested in thinking about the good, the bad, and the difficult related to where we are as a country and where we are going if things continue on the path we seem to be choosing.

The first, written by Dinesh D'Souza, is titled: "What's So Great About America." You may have trouble finding it, but it's worth the search.

The second, "The Late Great United States," is written by Mark Hitchcock. Be warned, this is not light summer reading. It isn't even particularly enjoyable to tell you the truth. But if you are willing and ready to accept that there are statistics and facts that cannot be denied and should not be ignored if we care about our country's future, then it's a "must read".

I will conclude by saying again that I love my country. I am forever indebted to my dad and every other brave man and woman who has served valiantly in the armed forces of this nation to defend freedom, and I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be the beneficiary by birth of the brilliant ideas of my forefathers. I will never take for granted the privilege of growing up in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and as long as I have breath I will continue to say "thank you" to God for letting me enjoy the blessings of living here.

Happy Birthday America!

The Main Thing...

2010-07-02T22:45:00.002-04:00

Every day for the past several months I have prayed for dear friends and family members who are enduring serious trials, illnesses or burdens. In each instance I've been reminded that taking my concerns to the Father is a precious privilege, and at the same time, these situations have served to remind me that this life boils down to one big main thing: Love.

Words are not minced in Matthew 22...37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

I want to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind--but do I? Really? And how does my life reflect it if I do?

And what about my neighbor?

The truth is--I have a long way to go. But with all my heart, soul, and mind, I don't want to miss the main thing. And as best as I can tell, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Help me Lord! I see--I know--I believe--that the main thing is love, and I don't want to miss it.

Kind Comments and Precious People...

2010-06-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

A few very kind people have sent notes and left comments thanking me for posting early information about Megan, Kreig, Evie Caroline and Holden Bell on my blog. I want to assure each of you that I've read your extremely gracious words and I'm humbled by your gratitude...BUT...honestly, it was an honor and a calling to be able to send out a plea for prayers two weeks ago and I am thrilled to know that so many have prayed fervently and faithfully. Having the ability to stand in the gap for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ is one of the most precious blessings associated with being part of God's family, and how wonderful that we can all celebrate the real and tangible evidence of the miraculous work He's done.

Megan, Kreig, babies...you have touched my heart and continue to inspire me every day! I pray enormous continued blessings for each of your lives and believe with all my heart that you are going to be used in incredible ways for His glory in the days to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:17~ let's keep praying!

CaringBridge site for Megan, Evie, and Holden...

2010-06-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to report that Megan's Caringbridge site is up and running and you may now check for updates and praise reports there. To access it, click this link:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/meganbell

I know the family is so grateful to each of us who are praying, but they need the prayers to continue and the encouragement to be frequent, so let's do it!

Prayers are being answered...

2010-06-17T13:58:00.000-04:00

Here's the most recent update I have from Donna on Megan and the twins:

...Both babies had sonograms early this morning (yesterday) to ascertain their brain development. Learned the results this afternoon. Given that the blood vessels to their brains are fragile and barely developed, Evie has a little blood on the outside of her blood vessels. In medical terms this is graded as a "1," the least severe. Holden, however, has a little more blood on the outside of his blood vessels and some has seeped into the brain. The amount of blood around his blood vessels is graded as a "2" and the amount of blood that has seeped into his brain is graded as a "4," the most severe. The doctor assured us that it's still early and he is not worried at this point. Multiple sonograms will be performed on their little brains over the next several months with the 2nd sonogram scheduled this Friday, 6.18.10.

Megan's day started well. She is now able to piece together several words to form short sentences! At times her brain cannot recall facts, (i.e., she stated that she had eggs and toast for breakfast, which she did not; she did not recognize a picture of Holden and Evie this afternoon and that upset Kreig). She made such huge progress between Monday and Tuesday that Kreig wants her recovery to continue at that pace, but she simply is not going to. His head understands, but his heart is having a more difficult time accepting that one. He hasn't lost faith, he's just anxious for his wife to recover and meet their babies.

In addition to Tuesday's milestone, another one was reached late today. Megan was able to pump breast milk so that it can be fed to Evie Caroline and Holden. Breast milk is vital at this point in the babies' growth as Megan's milk would have been feeding them if they were still in her womb. They need the nutrients. The next few days are especially critical in this area as Evie and Holden's bodies may not easily accept the milk. Keep in mind, it's not the milk itself that can be an issue, it's the process of administering the milk. At 26 weeks babies are supposed to still be in Megan's womb. The nurses will place a very small amount on each baby's lip and monitor their reaction. If all goes well milk will be placed in their mouths. This baby-step process will continue for a few days until the nurses determine that the milk can be fed via a feeding tube into each baby's stomach.

Thank goodness Megan is hard-headed, strong-willed, and a fighter as it's these character traits that enabled her babies to grow inside her an extra 10 days and also brought her back to us! However, that fiesty girl became impatient tonight and wanted to use the bathroom in her room. Megan has a few tubes that connect her to various objects, (i.e., catheter, IV, etc.) yet she wanted to find her mom who she knew would take her to use a real facility. Thankfully the nurses at the station saw her just as she stood up and was falling, but did not make it to the room to catch her. Fortunately, God caught her as she does not have an visible signs of breaking, ripping of staples, etc. Let's pray that there are no internal injuries. As a result, Megan now has to have someone in the room with her at all times..

I can only imagine the mixed bag of emotions this family is experiencing. I know they've felt the highs and hallelujahs associated with deepest gratitude, and I'm guessing there are also the occasional bouts of fear and concern about how this journey will progress and how quickly Megan will bounce back from the trauma she's endured.

If you're checking for updates here it's probably because you feel as compelled as I do to keep on praying fervently, so until the Caringbridge site is up and running I'll continue to share what I know so that we can all pray specifically for the Bells!

Three Miracles in Mississippi!

2010-06-16T18:39:00.001-04:00

Today's update on Megan and the babies comes again from Grandma Donna (I don't know what she is going to be called yet, but for now "Grandma" will work!). God has been so gracious to hear and answer our prayers, but as I mentioned yesterday (and as you'll read in Donna's note below) there is a long road ahead for this family, so I'm encouraged to remember the instructions of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18 ~ Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thank you to all who are continuing to pray! Isn't it beautiful to know, see, and be a part of the miraculous? Most women do not survive an AFE (amniotic fluid embolism) which is likely what happened to Megan from the description that Donna gave us yesterday. Megan's life will never be the same, but I'm believing it will be better than she ever imagined possible as God restores her memory, revives her spirit and reinvigorates her body, making all things new for her.

Here's Donna's update today:

The day started with a visit to see Evie and Holden. Still in what is called the "honeymoon" phase, which means the period of time right after premature babies are born. The honeymoon period usually ends around 36 hours after birth. Nurses and doctors tell us post-honeymoon is the time when the rubber meets the road, so to speak. If the babies are going to improve or decline, this is it. We're thinking positive that improvement will continue!! Sonograms were performed on the brain of both babies and we'll learn results by tomorrow morning. So far Evie and Holden are doing well; both are fighters. Evie is a fiesty little girl; during her sonogram she moved her arms and legs and mouth because the nurse was disrupting her sleep. Once the sonogram was over Evie's arms and legs stopped and she went bquickly ack to sleep. Holden's blood pressure dropped some last night, but his nurse quickly responded and his blood pressure retuned to normal.

Megan's doctors explained that, while Tuesday was a big day and much progress is made, still a long road ahead! Megan is able to put words together today, but not many. Her memory of various past events is blank, but the doctor explained this is normal. After all, her brain suffered greatly when she seizured during delivery. The nurses sat Megan on the side of the bed this morning, but they quickly laid her back down as she bacame ill. Keep in mind she's been flat on here back and inverted, at times, for 2 weeks. In addition, her body is still recovering from such trama that a slight movement can be traumatic. The doctors are discussing possibly moving Megan from ICU to a surgical room this coming weekend. Nothing definite yet.

I am in the process of setting up a Caring Bridge website. Once complete I will send the website address to you all.

I will post the Caringbridge website address on this blog as soon as I receive it so that you can continue to marvel and pray. For now, let's just keep storming heaven with thanks and prayers for continued health and healing for these three miracles in Mississippi!

Megan Update and Praise Report!

2010-06-15T16:56:00.003-04:00

After a widespread power outage that has kept me unplugged this afternoon, I was thrilled to hear the hum of lights and the beep of my computer when our energy company restored electricity just now so that I could post this wonderful update from Megan's Mother-in-Law, Donna. Here is the word straight from her:

God is still in the miracle business, thanks to all your prayers!! Was greeted with a miracle in MS mid- morning!

Megan began waking and stirring this morning. She is still quite groggy but she recognizes family and friends. When she was asked if she wanted to see her babies she smiled and shook her head yes.

During delivery Megan had something occur that we're told by doctors only averages once per year. When it does happen, rarely does the mother survive. During the c-section the amniotic fluid somehow mixed with Megan's blood. As a result, the fluid interfered with the oxygen in Megan's blood and prevented Megan from getting oxygen to her lungs. Immediately after Holden was lifted out Megan stated "my chest hurts," her eyes rolled back in her head and she stopped breathing. Kreig was immediately taken out of the room and work began on Megan.

Megan's day today, Wednesday, is 180 degrees from yesterday! She is still in critical condition but this afternoon the doctor shared that her numbers, percentages and vitals look good. She is sleeping so that her body can heal.

I met Evie Caroline and Holden today. They are beautiful! Evie has long feet like both her parents and lots of dark hair. Each premature baby at their hospital is in a private room with a dedicated, round the clock nurse. Spoke with their doctor and he confirmed a long road, but so far both babies are responding well.

Thank you all for your prayers! Please continue! I love you all!
Donna

Bell family, the prayers will continue for your sweet babies and precious Megan! I know there are tough days of recovery ahead, but I plan to keep praying and believing on your behalves-- and I trust that everyone who reads this will join me.

I also want to send up some serious praise and thanksgiving to The Lord! Thank you God for hearing the pleas of Your people.

Prayers Needed!

2010-06-15T08:49:00.001-04:00

I have very much been a blogging slacker since taking on a huge freelance project that involved writing 25 scripts just over a month ago, but this morning I am compelled to take the time to post this prayer request for Megan Bell and her family. Megan is a friend's daughter-in-law who was joyously expecting her first children (twins) in a few months.

Last week, she went into premature labor was hospitalized so that doctors could try to keep the babies in utero until 28 weeks (two more weeks I think) but yesterday they had to perform an emergency C-section. The babies, Evie and Holden, each weigh less than 2 pounds and are in the NICU--so they surely need prayer.

Even more urgent though, Megan was deprived of oxygen during the delivery and is unresponsive. Kreig, Megan's husband has been by her side during the entire ordeal and now faces the heart-wrenching dilemma of leaving his children at one hospital to accompany his critically ill wife to another.

Kreig and Megan are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and have many friends who are praying fervently for them. Will you join the prayer army by asking that God do the miraculous on Megan's behalf? Doctors have told the family that she will need to FIGHT to stay with us. Please pray that she'll have the strength to do that, and that The Father will lovingly, restoratively touch her body and the bodies of her little babies. Also, please pray for Kreig and the rest of the family who are all struggling to make sense of this sudden, unexpected trial, but are holding on to their faith and hope with tenacity. I so appreciate that I can make this ask of just about everyone I know who reads my blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,
Sandy

Random Pop Up Problem

2010-05-29T10:30:00.000-04:00

If you log on to my blog and get a random pop up from "blogspot.es" congratulating you for being visitor # whatever and asking you to complete a survey, will you please let me know. I'm battling that issue and will move my blog to another location if this continues because I have not allowed that, nor have I added anything that should be causing it. Thanks much!

Oh BOY!

2010-05-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

I was privileged to be invited to tag along for Leslie's ultrasound yesterday. It was amazing to see the images of our new little grandchild enjoying his pre-birth experience, and it's beyond exciting to know that this little person, created in the image of our living, loving God, will make a debut in just a few months. We are thrilled to announce that we're going to welcome a little boy into our currently very pink world. Congratulations Leslie, Steven and girls!

I have to add (for those who love and remember Tiffany and who are aware of the important role she has played in my life and Leslie's) that she knew with 100% certainty this was a baby boy and she texted that to Leslie just before she became so ill, one more confirmation of the incredible connection she had with our family--a reminder of her uncanny insight--and another reason I miss her every day.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Tiffany!

2010-04-28T16:44:00.010-04:00

Heaven. It's ethereal, yet substantive. It is not simply a concept or a figment of the active imaginations of man according to the Bible. Still, many wonder about it.

Scripture gives us glimpses of what Heaven is like, affirming its existence, detailing its magnificence, and assuring us that the same God who fashioned our breathtaking universe is its Creator. Every awe inspiring vision of majestic beauty that our human eyes have seen pales in comparison to what Heaven will be like, and each of the writers of scripture who tried to describe God's Heavenly preview, found human language inadequate to express its grandeur.

I am thinking a lot about Heaven today. Tiffany April Smith Pate will be celebrating her first Heavenly birthday tomorrow. I know in my heart that it will be a celebration unparalleled by any earthly party imaginable, but that does not take away the ache in the hearts of those who miss her so.

This morning, I read about a vision of Heaven in the 6th chapter of Isaiah. Reading Isaiah's description of God's holiness is stunning. Particularly fascinating is verse 3:
They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

What a picture! I do believe that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has conceived the amazing things God has prepared for those who trust in Christ as Lord, and each time I hear the Revelation Song, I am reminded that there is a place, a purpose and a promise that we who have our "Tikvah"--our Hope--in Jesus can confidently believe for our future. For Tiffany, that time is now. Happy Heavenly Birthday beautiful friend! I love you.

Red and White, Sin and Snow...

2010-04-26T11:27:00.004-04:00

"After all we've done for you, this is the thanks we get?"

That question has been the cry of many bewildered parents as they've watched their children make devastatingly harmful choices. As a mother, my heart grieves for friends and loved ones who deal with rebellious adolescent and adult children, and I'm reminded as I read the first four chapters of Isaiah that God knows exactly what that pain feels like.

In Isaiah's time, the nation of Israel was in crisis. Assyria was poised to engulf them, and Judah faced threats from surrounding nations. It was during those perilous days that Isaiah spoke to Israel and Judah, warning them of what was in store if they did not recognize the error of their ways and return to God.

Through Isaiah, God expressed His contempt for their meaningless expressions of ritualistic religiosity because He recognized the vast contrast between the actions of his people and the actual condition of their hearts. Maybe He was thinking, "After all I've done for you...".

I cannot improve on Isaiah's words and they need no explanation. My prayer is that God will never turn His ears from me or those I love because of empty religion or rebellion, and that we will heed His challenge to care for widows, orphans and the oppressed because just as in the day of this bold prophet, there is a hurting world out there that needs to know our living, forgiving God.

Isaiah 1:

11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”
says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure from the blood
of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to worship me,
who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
I want no more of your pious meetings.
14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
16 Wash yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil ways.
17 Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.
18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool.

Today~

2010-04-21T14:44:00.007-04:00

I am...

consumed
overwhelmed
perplexed
amazed

certain
confused
secure
unafraid

what is this? my survival
depends on a love that has no rival

baffled
surrounded
inspired
impressed

hopeful
peaceful
prayerful
caressed

what is this? words don't suffice
love supernatural, its source gives me life

intrigued
entranced
steadfast
unbothered

speechless
exposed
Heavenly Fathered

what is this? a gentle embrace
speaks to my questions with sweet, saving grace.

Where is Tiffany Pate? Let me just tell you...

2010-04-19T09:33:00.006-04:00

One of my dearest friends, Christa Pratt, was unable to attend Tiffany's memorial service because she and her family had flown to Pennsylvania for spring break to spend time with family.

Christa was one of Tiffany's most loyal friends and prayer warriors. When I told her that I'd be speaking at the service, she sent me some of her thoughts hoping to encourage me as I prayed and prepared for that difficult evening.

This morning I was thinking about Tiffany, her boys, and Brian, and I returned to Christa's note for comfort as I have many times since April 4th. Because what she shared offers such a vivid reminder of where Tiffany is and what she is experiencing now, I am sharing it here so that others like me who are missing her today might be reminded of the hope we have in Christ's promise of eternal life that is beyond our comprehension in terms of its magnificence.

So thank you Christa, your words are precious and beautiful and you have helped me remember that Tiffany is enjoying unimaginable sights, incredible joy and perfect healing.

Thoughts about Tiffany
by Christa Pratt

I am here -
Feeling the warm sun on my face
But you have seen the Son, whose face warms all of heaven

Listening to the birds sing
But you have heard the singing of the heavenly hosts as they sing "Glory to God in the highest."

Hearing the soft roar of traffic on asphalt road
But you are walking streets of gold

Watching families reunite
But you are reuniting with friends and families long and dearly missed.

Feeling the spring breeze on my back
But you have felt the wind of the Holy Spirit unhindered by sin and this fallen world.

Missing you in the space of this moment
But you have seen the length, breadth, and depth of eternity

Seeing through a veil dimly, questioning why you had to go
But you have seen Him face to face with clarity and understanding

Remembering your passion, love and fire
But you are hearing "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Knowing that one day all who mourn you will be with you once more.

Amen, Christa. She is there basking in the light of His glory and one day soon, we will see her and Him!

You Can't Make This Up...

2010-04-16T07:01:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, it occurred to me that I really needed to read, pray and study so that I could get back to my writing. I have done a lot of praying since losing Tiffany, but only a little reading and less studying, and I've learned from experience that my good habits are easily broken and bad ones are easily established. So, my intention was to have some quality quiet time when I got home from work and I was determined that nothing would undermine my plan. But then...

When I pulled into my driveway I thought to myself, hmmm, that new hammock of George's would be a great place to read since it's such a gorgeous afternoon. Sounds nice so far, right?

I poured myself a glass of ice water, slathered sunscreen on my paper white legs, and positioned my beach towel on the hammock perfectly. After sitting sideways with my feet on the ground for a few minutes, I decided that I was going to recline in the hammock properly, so I slowly (and I emphasize slowly here) eased my way around, only to be flipped like a hamburger onto the pavement (exactly like something you'd see in a cartoon or on America's Funniest Home Videos). Fortunately, there was no camera unless Google Earth caught the show.

A bruised knee, toe and forehead later, I was undaunted. In my mind, the stupid unstretched hammock had met its match. So, I brushed myself off, dabbed up a little bit of blood, and started again. This time, I proceeded even more cautiously and balanced myself perfectly in the center of the hammock with great success. The breeze was blowing, the sun was shining, my toe, foot and head were stinging, but otherwise all was perfect. I was enjoying God's Word in God's world and it was a wonderful thing. For about three minutes.

Something landed on my stomach--at first I believed it to be a wayward sprig from the massive oak overhead--but upon inspection I discovered that it was a yellow jacket. Now I don't freak out or panic over bees, but I don't love them either, so I gently tried to swat Mr. Bee away. But instead of flying to another spot, he decided to fly south--down between me and the hammock--specifically my derriere and the hammock.

At that point, I realized that I again needed to exit the hammock or risk a bee sting on the butt. Neither one a desirable option, the only way I could ensure that I didn't squish him (guaranteeing a sting) was to again propel myself out of the hammock in rolling fashion. So yes, it happened twice, first by accident, second by choice, and I was not happy.

Still, I was determined to continue my study so I made the decision to move to one of the lounge chairs opposite the hammock. The adjacent umbrella needed to be moved because the afternoon sun was now beaming directly onto the chairs, so as I tried to roll it around, I knocked over a newly potted plant that my gardener extraordinaire (George) had just lovingly placed between the two chaises.

As I scooped handfuls of potting soil back into the pot in my lame attempt to rescue the plant (that was broken at the stem) my mind was racing. I am either the world's #1 klutz or this is some kind of cosmic joke or somebody really did not want me to study the Word or all of the above or maybe there is a hidden camera and I'm the brunt of a not so funny to me joke or .... you get the picture.

By this point, it wasn't going to be long before George would be home from work and ready to know what was for dinner. But first, I was going to wash away the remaining dirt that I couldn't scoop with my hands so when I shared my afternoon's misadventures with my husband I could add that even though I killed the plant, I had cleaned up my mess. But that is where my final mishap of the afternoon takes place. I walked barefoot over to the spigot where the garden hose was attached and stepped on some sort of mean, mean bug with teeth. Yes, I did.

So...all this to say that I plan to resume my chronological Bible study reading and writing soon, but yesterday was not my day.

Celebrating Tiffany Pate, part two

2010-04-06T10:29:00.008-04:00

For the benefit of those who were unable to attend Tiffany's Memorial Service, I am importing the thoughts I shared last night in tribute to her legacy. I hope as you read this, you will be inspired to go and do likewise. There is no better way for us to honor her memory and celebrate her life!

Tiffany April Smith Pate Memorial Tribute

My name is Sandy Broome and Tiffany Pate was my friend. But not just any friend, she was a friend with whom I shared a bond that transcended the ordinary, ours was a spiritual kinship.

Last week, as we watched, waited and prayed at the hospital, Brian shared with me that Tiffany had requested that if God called her home, she wanted me to speak at her memorial service.

Brian, Landon, Ridge, family, and friends, I could not be more honored or humbled to have the opportunity to share a few thoughts about one of the most courageous, amazing women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

In 1996, a young woman I’d worked in youth ministry with named Jennifer Dowell mentioned that she had some girlfriends who wanted to get together to study the Bible but they needed a leader and asked if I’d consider teaching them. Tiffany was one of the girls who joined the group and almost from the start she challenged me with her deep, contemplative questions, her hunger to find and know truth, and her quest to discover more of what life in relationship with Christ was all about.

It seemed that for Tiffany, the more she learned, the greater her hunger to know more. Often, she called me with questions that I’d never even considered, so we’d dig in to scripture and discuss God’s Word for hours.

But Tiffany wasn’t just a learner or hearer, she took literally the admonition of James 1:22 which says: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only… In every aspect of her life, Tiffany looked to God’s Word for her direction.

As a young wife she called me with questions about how to please God in terms of relating to Brian. When Landon and Ridge came along, she wanted to be certain beyond any doubt that she was a “doer of the word” as a mother.

As a daughter, Tiffany wanted to honor her father and her mother and it was the same with every relationship—if it pleased God and was scriptural, that was the path she chose.

Now as I say all that, I also know that Tiffany would be devastated to think that I (or anyone) would put her on a pedestal because she was nothing if not unassuming and humble. I can recall numerous conversations that revolved around the difference between conviction that genuinely comes from God and condemnation that comes from man or our enemy Satan. Tiffany’s concern about whether she pleased God was rare and beautiful. And that brings me to a point that I know she would want me to make tonight: She did not want any glory, she only wanted to glorify her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And that is exactly what her legacy is all about. She lived for him and she died in Him, and tonight, we who are grieving the loss of one of the rarest of the rare, celebrate a life that was lived the way we all should live—in light of eternity.

Tiffany lived every day intentionally and she taught me—her supposed teacher—many, many things.

She embodied the essence of selfless love and compassionate concern. I could share for hours about specific times that Tiffany did something sacrificially generous for me or someone in my family.

But she didn’t simply bless and reach out to people she knew, Tiffany loved and cared about everyone that God put in her path. Brian told me that one night as their family was walking into a restaurant, a homeless man approached them and he quickly darted by without making eye contact. He and the boys got inside the restaurant and turned around and Tiffany wasn’t with them. He went back outside and found her inviting the homeless person to have dinner with their family. Tiffany loved the lonely, the lost, and the forgotten and she demonstrated it by her actions as a doer of the Word.

Amanda, Tiffany’s little sister, lost her first tooth when Tiffany was probably around 13 years old. That night, afraid that the tooth fairy would forget, Tiffany took $5 of her own money and placed it under Amanda’s pillow while she was sleeping. The next morning, Amanda, thrilled to find a hefty sum for her tooth was running around shouting about her new found riches only to learn that there really must be a tooth fairy since Tiffany had only left $5 and there was a good deal more under that pillow! Tiffany loved her parents, sisters and brother, and she demonstrated it by her actions as a doer of the Word.

Pam, Tiffany’s mother, was keeping Landon and Ridge a few weeks ago and it happened to be St. Patrick’s Day eve. Late that night, one of the boys casually asked when the Leprechaun was coming to bring their candy, sending Pam and Buddy into “uh oh” mode! I’m told that it wasn’t uncommon to see green Leprechaun footprints that had left a trail from the back door of their house up the cabinet and right to the candy that he left for the boys each year in March… so just imagine other holidays at the Pate house if so much attention was paid to St. Patrick’s Day!

On April 28, 2004 Tiffany wrote in her Bible these words:
My greatest struggle in life is allowing myself to release my children completely to God’s Will. I worry for them and their future constantly. One day, my hope is that I will sincerely realize that God’s plan and will for their lives is far greater than anything I could ever provide for them on earth. My job is to believe this with all my heart and provide them with guidance that will lead them to God’s feet so that one day they may choose God’s will for their lives of their own free will. May God help me on this journey as I search for this peace! One day I hope to release my children to God and mean it with all my heart!

About a year ago she said to me: Sandy, I finally get it! My children are better off in God’s arms than on my lap. Tiffany loved her children, and she demonstrated it by her actions as a doer of the word.

Tiffany called me a several years ago and announced that she was going to go back to school to get another degree. When I asked her about it, she said she wanted to be a nurse, something she’d always dreamed of doing because it was a way to serve and care for people and it would allow her to help supplement the family income so that Brian wouldn’t have to work day and night to provide for the family. She never failed to brag on Brian, what an amazing provider, husband and father he was, and how much she wanted to bless him. She loved her Husband and she demonstrated it by her actions as a doer of the Word.

So, why all this emphasis on Tiffany’s actions? Because her actions were a result of her faith. She was compelled by her love for Jesus to care, to give, to serve and to love.

When she was diagnosed with cancer, she told me that if this was God’s plan for her life so that someone would be touched by God’s amazing grace, it would be worth whatever that meant for her future. Do you have that kind of peace? Do you understand that depth of love?

In order to have peace like Tiffany, we first have to understand truth. We have to know what God has to say about life and what God has to say about death. Tiffany wanted everyone she knew to have knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. She took advantage of every feasible opportunity to participate in Bible Studies, and many of you were in those studies with her through the years.

Those of us fortunate enough to have studied God's Word with her represent a small segment of the total number of the individuals who would love to share something amazing about an experience with Tiffany and with God.

But let’s face it, as much as so many of us love the Lord, as fully as we trust Him, and as confident as we are in Romans 8:28, it totally stinks that Tiffany’s cancer did not end as so many of us prayed –with miraculous physical healing. Like many of you, I begged the Lord to leave her here on earth with her family and with us.

My prayer partners and I fasted, praying scripture verses and asking for her healing daily, sometimes hourly. We prayed Psalm 91, 1 Peter 2, Isaiah 55, Matthew 8, Exodus 15, and many others, asking God to mercifully grant our request for her life to be extended.

Two weeks ago, when her fragile body seemed to be deteriorating so rapidly as the cancer spread, Christa Pratt and I began to focus our prayers on a particular passage in John 11.

One of Jesus’ dearest friends, Lazarus, was very sick and near death. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent out a desperate plea for Jesus to come and help. I imagine that knowing how much he claimed to love them, they were waiting by the window, anticipating that He would get there in the nick of time to save their beloved brother. If you’re familiar with the account, you know that was not the case and Lazarus died, but after his burial, Jesus finally arrived and called him up out of the grave.

Seeing precious Tiffany so weakened and ill, Christa and I camped out on verse 4 which reads: When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

Like many of you, we believed that God was going to show up just like he did for Lazarus and do something that would have no human explanation. So…could he have? Yes. Definitely! Absolutely! Without a shadow of a doubt He could have-- because He is the same today and tomorrow as yesterday according to Hebrews 13:8.

So why didn’t He? And what will that do to our faith? I hope if you’ve asked yourself those questions, you’ll allow me to tell you what I think Tiffany would want us to know.

First, her faith in and love for God compelled her to pray as Jesus did before His crucifixion when he said if there is any other way Father, let this suffering pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.

It’s an incorrect view of scripture to think that we will always comprehend what God is doing or how suffering or disappointment fit into His big picture. We are not prohibited from “trying” to understand, but Proverbs 3 surely reminds us that we aren’t to LEAN on our ability to make the pieces fit. Reducing something as heartbreaking as losing a person like Tiffany to simplistic platitudes like, “God needed another flower for his heavenly garden,” must break the heart of God if he indeed is a LOVING Heavenly Father!

Tiffany confided in me that her only remaining fear was that if she didn’t beat this cancer, it might diminish someone’s faith in God’s greatness. What she wanted us to know is that she understood that we may not be able to explain all the heartache that happens in this imperfect, fallen world, but our soon coming, Sovereign Lord will one day end all suffering, all sickness, and all injustice, and He will set all accounts straight! But most of all, He can be trusted.

Written by her own hand in her Bible, dated April 28, 2004, are these words:
My hope is based on my sincere belief that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. Through Christ’s resurrection, I know that my future holds eternal life. I can find hope and joy in each day because I know that I was born to serve a purpose in God’s perfect will and all of the circumstances I face in my life on earth though good or bad, serve a greater purpose for God! In Jeremiah 29:11 God promises me that He knows his plan for me—Hope and a future! When we walk as children of the light, darkness cannot prevail!

When Tiffany learned that she had cancer, she had a sign made for her car that read: My God is bigger than cancer, and she believed that with every fiber of her being. As this battle began, she also shared that God had given her a Hebrew word that she knew was His special message to her. The word, Tikvah, means “HOPE, waiting in expectation!” Thanks to her friend Holly Stokes, the word Tikvah and its definition, written in Tiffany’s own handwriting, has been copied on cards for each of us to take home as a reminder of Tiffany’s steadfast expectancy and hopeful faith!

Her Tikvah--her hope-- was built on the solid foundation of her faith walk with Jesus Christ. Tiffany wasn’t religious, she was in a life changing relationship with Jesus! She lived the way we all should, for His Glory alone.

Think about it, we are here only for a moment. Our REAL life (the life we are in dress rehearsal for while we’re on the earth) lasts for all eternity. Tiffany believed ALL of God’s Word including 1 Corinthians 2:9 which reads: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

For Tiffany, the dress rehearsal is over and her REAL LIFE has begun. She is where she was preparing to go for as long as I’ve known her, and she wants us to know that her HOPE is realized! She has heard The Savior speak her name and welcome her home, and she’s waiting expectantly (with Tikvah) for us, you and me, in heaven. Will she see you there? If you aren’t sure, see me and let’s talk! Until then, Tikvah, Tiffany! This separation is only temporary and I’ll see you soon my precious friend!

Celebrating the Life of Tiffany Pate

2010-04-02T22:24:00.006-04:00

Tonight, I have finally composed myself and my thoughts enough to write a short note about one of the greatest, most precious women I have ever known. Tiffany Pate was not just my friend, she was my sister in Christ, and I will never be the same as a result of having known her.

I will save the things I most want to say about her for Monday night at her memorial service because she requested that I speak at her funeral if God called her home, but the beautiful thing is that for the most part, Tiffany will speak for herself. I will only be her mouthpiece because she didn't just leave behind adoring family and friends, she left behind volumes of writings and scripture passage notes that express her heart and I could not be more honored or humbled to have the privilege of sharing with all who gather what Tiffany had discovered.

Her life and legacy deserve to be celebrated and commemorated in the most special way possible, so I wanted to post the arrangements here for anyone who visits this page and is able to join her family for the service.

Tiffany's Memorial Service will be Monday night, April 5, at 7 p.m., at Flint Groves Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC.

I can't help but marvel at the timing of Tiff's homegoing. As we celebrate this resurrection Sunday, it's comforting to know that because He lives, so does she!

Tikvah, Tiffany Tikvah!

In a Smelly Belly?

2010-03-11T07:42:00.012-05:00

It's one of the first stories children learn from the Bible. Jonah's journey that landed him in the belly of a whale provides one of the most fascinating glimpses into the nature and character of God in all of scripture. But I think it also gives quite an intriguing insight into the tendencies of us as people too, because at one time or another, we are all tempted to run away.

I remember running away for the first time when I was five. I packed my suitcase with a Barbie doll and some of her clothes, and as far as I can recall that was it. I made no provisions for myself and I hid in the woods sitting on a log until I got scared and went home.

Mama was smart enough to let me run away. I'm quite certain that she knew where I was at all times because I don't think I was ever really out of sight of our house, but I suppose she knew that if whatever I was pouting about was that serious to me, she'd let me experience the potential consequences of my decision.

When I think of the times I've run away as an adult, a few occasions stand out. I do not like conflict for example--so a time or three I've walked away from places that God may have wanted me to stay in order to avoid the undesirable--always with what I imagine were worse consequences than the conflicts themselves were likely to have generated.

God gave Jonah very clear instructions and he ran away. Ninevah was probably the largest, most powerful city of the day, and also the most well-known for its wickedness. We aren't told the exact reason that Jonah rejected God's instructions to go and warn Ninevah, but we do know that he hopped a ship headed in the most opposite direction possible.

I will resist the temptation to retell the story, it's a small book only four chapters long and worth taking the time to re-read if it's been awhile. Instead, I'll ask you to join me in pondering a few questions for ourselves, such as:

Is there something I know that God wants me to do or a place He's asked me to go that I've ignored?

Am I asleep (spiritually) as Jonah was while the storm raged, yet kidding myself that all is well?

Would I be so bold (or stupid) as to reject God's direction for my life in favor of my own?

Can someone run from God and arrive at any destination that they'd ultimately desire or find fulfilling?

I read somewhere that when you run away from the Lord, you never reach your destination and you always pay your own fare, but when you go the Lord’s way you not only get to where you are going, He pays the fare.

In my own life, I've found that to be so true. Surrender to His plans yields contentment, or at the very least, peace, but running from Him, heartache and woe.

Interestingly, God did not intervene to prevent Jonah from boarding the ship to Tarshish, He just made the voyage miserable. Are you suffering miserably right now? Maybe you're on the wrong ship, heading in the wrong direction and ignoring that still small voice that promises you peace.

Father, order our steps, direct our paths and give us the courage to go where you lead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

On Scummy Pond

2010-02-15T22:14:00.007-05:00

Years ago, we lived on the lake. When we bought the house, some of our friends and family laughed at us, and a few even asked if we'd lost our minds. Undaunted by dilapidation and disrepair, we believed it was where we were destined to live for that season, so we ignored our critics and moved in to what eventually became our lovely home.

Next door, an eccentric old man sometimes ventured outside in his underwear, but otherwise, our lake life was idyllic. The neighbor's roosters awakened us in the morning, and crickets, frogs and owls bid us sweet dreams at night. We were surrounded by the sounds of nature's music and it was a brilliant symphony to behold.

During our lake years, I developed something of a love/hate relationship with the geese that seemed especially attracted to our pier and yard. They were interesting to observe, but they left unpleasant reminders of their daily visits that sometimes wound up squished into the tread of my sneakers. Despite the messy mementos left behind once they tired of their visit to our property however, I couldn't bring myself to shoo them away.

One clear, autumn morning while driving my kids to school, I noticed that a pond along the way was completely covered with scum. The water appeared stagnant, and it stunned me to see a family of geese swimming there. I remember thinking, "You crazy birds can fly! What in the world are you doing in that nasty pond when the lake is so close by?"

Sadly, I've been like those geese a time or two. I've settled for less than what God has to offer for my life, choosing to swim in scummy ponds rather than sparkling waters. Worse still, I've limited Him, occasionally even doubting His ability to overcome my personal inadequacies and weaknesses.

Today's passages, 2 Kings 12 through 14 and 2 Chronicles 24 and 25, cover a period of time in Israel's history where there were opportunities for God's people to witness His limitless power--yet their lack of faith and disobedience kept them in turmoil, and more often than not, left them defeated by the enemies surrounding them.

Particularly interesting to me is the occasion of King Jehoash's visit to the prophet Elisha as he lay on his deathbed. The king, realizing that the one man who had a direct line of communication with God was about to die, wanted some reassurance. Elisha instructed the king to do something that may sound a little strange to us, but at the time was very significant. He told the king to open the east window and shoot an arrow out, and after doing so, Elisha explained that it symbolized the "Lord's arrow of victory over Aram...". Next, he told the king to shoot the other arrows and strike them against the ground. But instead of shooting all of them, the king only shot three of the arrows.

The Bible doesn't tell us why the king only shot three arrows. Maybe he thought the whole thing was silly--I don't know--but what it does say is that Elisha was angry and explained that if the king had shot ALL of the arrows, he would have been given complete victory instead of partial success.

Like those geese in the scummy pond, King Jehoash settled for less than what could have been. Have I done the same? Have you? What is God willing to do in our lives that we've been too blind or stubborn to see? Is there anything we've missed?

Lord, refresh us with Living Water and help us obediently shoot every arrow that you provide so that we never limit what you would do in and through us. You are limitless and able and we are grateful and amazed. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Trading in My Ignorant Lens...

2010-02-06T07:33:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I have this all too human tendency to forget some important things about God. It's not that I don't know these things in my head, it's just that I forget with my heart. And that's when I'm most prone to look at the world through something I'll call my "Ignorant Lens," or IL for short.

My IL lies to me, convincing me that God's too busy with His important list of priorities to be concerned about what matters to me. Sometimes, it whispers that my burdens are too small to even bother Him with. If you are like me and occasionally battle the tendency to view things through an IL, I challenge you to read through today's passages.

2 Kings chapters 1-11 cover a multitude of situations in the history of Israel where God just shows up and blows the lid off any notion that He is limited, unconcerned, forgetful or unmindful of what, how, when, where or who is (and is not) with Him. It also serves to remind me that His ways are not my ways and that He can be trusted to make all things right in time. He is a God of His Word, a keeper of promises.

So Lord...

When my IL lies to me, please open my spiritual eyes the way you did for Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6 and let me see your supernatural provision and protection.

When my IL whispers that all is lost, will you increase my faith with the reminder that you healed Naaman's leprosy in 2 Kings 5 and you raised a woman's dead son in 2 Kings 4? Will you remind me that you are able to do the same today because no mountain is too high and no valley is too deep for you to conquer?

When I am bewildered by the evil reports I hear in the news each day because my IL is suggesting that you are too busy to be bothered by these matters, will you remind me that your justice will one day prevail, just as it did in 2 Kings 10?

I've heard from the people who say they can't (or won't) reconcile a loving God with a judging God, but you have reminded me once again in these passages that your love cannot allow injustice to prevail without penalty, for that would not really be love at all.

I pray then that when my IL lies, whispering that you don't really love me--personally--I'll remember that it's because of your great love that I was offered a heart transplant, and it was in receiving my new heart that I was given new eyes that are not destined to view my life through an Ignorant Lens, but through an Enlightened one that allows me to recall that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond all that my finite mind can comprehend. So thank you, I'll take your EL over my old IL any day.

Father, may we all have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to receive all the wonders that you have planned for us. Give us Your Enlightened Lens' with which to view ourselves and your world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Imagine That!

2010-01-13T22:50:00.005-05:00

Imagine knowing that you had enemies totally surrounding you who were planning to kill you and then steal everything that was yours including your property. Scary thought, isn't it? Have you ever awakened from a nightmare like that--one where you knew you were about to meet a terrible demise so you bailed yourself out by waking up in the nick of time?

In 2 Chronicles chapters 19 through 23, today's passages, we read that King Jehosophat of Judah faced just such a dilemma--and it wasn't a bad dream--it was real.

Scripture says that vast armies from other lands declared war against Judah, and the good king was terrified. So...what did he do with his fear? He took it to God, calling on everyone to join in a prayerful fast. In the courtyard of the temple with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem assembled together, the king prayed that the The Lord would intervene and save them.

Suddenly, the Bible says that one of the men present was given a message from God that is recorded in chapter 20:

15 ...“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Sometimes, there are situations or circumstances in our lives that would strike fear in the heart of the mightiest king, but if we understand WHO our God is and WHAT He is capable of, we can be certain that He's able to defend us much better than we can defend ourselves.

As I write this entry, our nation faces enemies who would like to defeat and destroy us. But no longer do we as a people unite in reverence, awe and submission to the one true God who has the ability to defend us and fight for us. Instead, we occasionally call out to Him when we face a crisis with SOS prayers or "after the fact" bewilderment.

Unfortunately, we will not witness such a supernatural deliverance as a nation unless the miraculous happens ushering in an unprecedented return to the Christian faith of our forefathers. But as individual believers, we can be sure that He is the same today as yesterday, and that our God is able to rescue and save us, fighting our personal battles when we are walking by faith and trusting Him fully.

There are fearful things to face and troubles to come because this fallen world is not our forever home, in fact, it's far from what He originally intended at creation. But knowing that God (in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ) is still able to fell a vast army on our behalf should calm our hearts and give us peace, no matter the storms that brew.

Father, I pray for spiritual awakening for our nation. But I ask that if we never see that, you give us eyes to see, faith to believe and hearts to share the wonder of your love and power, and then show us the deliverance of your mighty hand when we face battles that overwhelm us and cause us to fear. Be our peace and our safety, our Lord, and our Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Under the Influence...

2010-01-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

1 Kings 20-22 and 2 Chronicles 18 cover accounts that are quite disturbing in the lives of King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. In fact, verses 25 and 26 of Chapter 21 reads:

25 No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. 26 His worst outrage was worshiping idols, just as the Amorites had done—the people whom the Lord had driven out from the land ahead of the Israelites.

The words, "under the influence of," are striking. What is "influence" anyway? One definition suggests that it is the power to affect a person or events. So...who influences me? You? Make no mistake, we are influenced. You may notice the influence of others in subtle ways, like when you pick up on a phrase that is frequently used by a person you admire, or you find yourself imitating the way someone dresses or cuts their hair. Being influenced is a part of being human. We observe, we decide, and then we embrace or reject the influence of those to whom we are exposed.

Ahab chose a wife of bad character and she influenced him very negatively. So horrible was her influence that God's Word indicates that Ahab gets the "most evil of all" designation--and having covered some pretty terrible accounts of previous Biblical scoundrels, that is quite a condemnation.

You will have many opportunities to make determinations about the company you keep, and you will be influenced by those people--for better or worse. Hopefully, you will also influence them (for better of course) but please, never underestimate the importance of prayerful, careful discernment when it comes to choosing your friends or mate.

And someday, when God recalls the deeds and days of your life, may it be said of you: few others so completely submitted their life to the Lord Jesus, and very few have used their own personal influence to help so many people realize their potential in Christ.

Father, we ask for discernment and wisdom as we encounter people who might influence us. And please help us be most profoundly influenced by your Word and Spirit. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

When I Am Weak, He is Strong...

2009-10-15T00:01:00.004-04:00

I have read and reread today's passage. For weeks now, I've struggled with what to focus on in this section of scripture that is so full of heavy content and profound revelation. I have prayed for days about what I might write here, because I don't want to miss the thing that most needs to be said about Elijah's story if I only have this one opportunity.

1 Kings 15:25 through 19, and 2 Chronicles 17 cover some of the most fascinating events in all of scripture. It's in these chapters that Elijah shows up. This prophet of God lived during one of Israel's darkest times in terms of its idolatry, and he experienced a supernatural demonstration of God's power on Mount Carmel, several miraculous displays of God's provision for his physical needs, and a spiritual and emotional bout with depression and discouragement that rivals any other in all of the Bible.

In my own life, I have witnessed times when God showed up in a way for me that can only be described as miraculous. He has answered prayer, He has fought battles, He has demonstrated His provision, He has calmed my fear and He has spoken to me almost audibly through His Word and by His Spirit. And yet because I am still so prone to miss the marvelous and muddle in the mundane, I find myself compelled by Elijah's demonstration of his humanness as evidenced by his admitted fear; his "ready to throw in the towel-ness," evidenced by his flight to Sinai; and his "I'm done-ness" evidenced by his admission of feeling so alone.

I love that God gives us a picture of the highest highs and the lowest lows of earthly existence through the life of Elijah. And if there is one big lesson that I think we should take away from his journey, it might be to remember something that Charles Spurgeon noted when writing about this great hero of the faith:

"Elijah failed in the very point at which he was strongest, and that is where most men fail. In Scripture, it is the wisest man who proves himself to be the greatest fool; just as the meekest man, Moses, spoke hasty and bitter words. Abraham failed in his faith, and Job in his patience; so, he who was the most courageous of all men, fled from an angry woman."

My prayer for myself today--and my prayer for you, is that we keep ourselves on guard and prayed up in the areas that we believe ourselves to be secure. If Elijah, a man who witnessed the visible, supernatural demonstration of God's might and power, could later fear that this same God couldn't easily protect him from a mouthy, idolatrous woman, God help us!

Lord, as we humble ourselves in recognition of our weaknesses, please open our eyes to all delusion and deception, keep us strong and safe from the enemy's plans to devour or destroy, and perfect your strength in our weakness by fighting for us as we face life's battles and temptations. Create in us clean hearts and keep us from evil as you keep the evil one from us, in Your Most Holy, Wonderful Name, Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Preoccupied...

2009-10-02T08:25:00.012-04:00

My husband told me a couple of weeks ago that if I was not going to post my devotional notes every day, I should at least write something to explain why not.

I argued, countering that my blog wasn't one that people checked regularly, and reminded him that this is just a convenient way to organize this project that I'm working on for my grandchildren.

Well...it turns out that maybe he was right. A few friends have emailed me or asked me what's up with my not posting every day, so here are my "excuses".

1. I don't want to include anything in this journal that hasn't been prayed about and pondered-researched enough, so on days that don't afford me adequate time for doing that, I'm making my notes elsewhere for inclusion later.

2. I've taken on a few additional projects that I didn't anticipate when I imagined that this feat was possible to accomplish in a year.

3. I'm enjoying my grandchildren every day if I possibly can! I don't want to do something for them (this journal), but miss being with them--and since I'm blessed enough to have them close by, I am trying to be intentional about spending fun times with them as often as possible.

So...unless something unexpected happens, I will continue to post my scripture journal here as often as I can each week until I've made it through the entire Bible. But if you were possibly one who's wondering what's up with me and this process...other than my usual work and routine, here's your answer in photographs...

Our newest edition to the family, Cadence Louise Broome, blessed us with her arrival on October 1, 2009!

Lilia turned 1 on September 19!

Ava Grace turned 2 on September 26!

I now have THREE beautiful granddaughters who have birthdays within two weeks of each other!

I hope to be the kind of Nana who will always offer an accessible, fun, and skeleton free closet for my girls to explore! I adore them-- and I thank God for blessing me with three beautiful granddaughters. (so far....!!!)

Have a beautiful October, and check in soon, I'll be back!

Love,
Nana (Sandy)!

Age and Mileage...

2009-09-16T09:16:00.009-04:00

My father is a man of many aphorisms. In fact, I've considered before that I really should take the time to list them because they are so much a part of my history. There is rarely a day that one or two of his random sayings don't pop into my head.

When I was growing up, a few of them nearly drove me crazy. For instance, each time I'd exuberantly shout, "Daddy! Guess What?!!" Without hesitation he'd respond, "The higher you raise a mule's tail, the better you can see his butt." I know, you weren't expecting anything quite so uncouth here. But honestly, that was just the first of many that came to my mind when thinking about some of dad's wise-cracks and sayings.

I'm happy to report that although he's quite a character and still a kidder (Dad: "You can kid leather and string beans, but you can't bull frogs.") he remains wise in his golden years (with the exception of that one recent tree-cutting incident). Conversely, 1 Kings 15:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 13-16 (today's passages) tell of a man who was wise in the early years of his life, but in his later years, behaved foolishly.

That man, Asa, King of Judah, faced an army from Ethiopia that outnumbered his and could easily overwhelm them. Logic said he was doomed, but wisdom demanded that he cry out to God. Here is his plea as recorded in 2 Chronicles 14:11
“O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

The next verses say that "the Lord defeated the Ethiopians". What an incredible thing that must have been. This wise, young king saw God's might and power unquestionably demonstrated. Yet when we continue to read, we learn that later in his life he entered into a treaty with an earthly king, resulting in a legacy of sad, diseased defeat for Asa.

Finishing strong requires going all the way with God and refusing to enter into a treaty with this world. One of the most encouraging passages in all of scripture is also one of the saddest. King Asa was rebuked by Hanani with these words:

7 ...“Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. 8 Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you. 9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”

How sad. How tragic!

Another of my dad's aphorisms when asked how he's doing, is this: "Pretty good, considering my age and mileage." King Asa had age and mileage (which should have ensured wisdom) on his side, and yet he did not finish well. I pray that we emulate my father and not Asa. I hope that we will keep on keeping on and walking the faith walk even when age and mileage have taken their toll. The rewards will be eternal and worth any sacrifice or challenge along the way.

So Dad, here's to you, even though you're probably feeling like you were, "sent for, couldn't go, finally went, and wouldn't do," you are an example to me and others of one who keeps the faith when the going is tough. Thank you.

Father, help us remember that your eyes are searching the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to you. Fix our eyes like flint on your purpose, plan and promises! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Truth or Consequences...

2009-09-15T08:19:00.007-04:00

Will a person automatically be wise because of their heritage? Is the guarantee of wisdom handed down? This next passage of scripture (1 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 10-12) gives us the answer, and it is an emphatic no.

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was not wise. In fact, just after having been made king of Israel, his first decision proved that he was quite foolish when the leaders of Israel asked him to lighten the tax and labor load forced upon them during Solomon's reign. They promised allegiance if he agreed, and he asked them for three days to think about it. Next, he consulted the elders who had advised his father. Sounds wise so far, right?

The elders gave him good advice, explaining that granting the request of the people would ensure him a successful reign as king. But he rejected their advice, deciding he'd consult his own, new advisers, his life-long buddies.

The buddies told him to sock it to the people even harder than his father had, and that sounded like a good plan to him. He wanted to be a big deal, so he did what he probably wanted to do all along, but now he had advocates who gave him the thumbs up, so it was all good. Or was it?

No, it was not. These passages reveal the rough road ahead as a result of his terrible decision. So...what can we learn from Rehoboam's folly? Many things, but here are two that just jump out at me.

First, when elders advise, be quick to listen. If they are godly and mature and wise, they will give counsel with experienced advice that will be worth heeding-- even if it is the exact opposite of what you or I prefer.

Second, when peers advise, be slow to act and quick to pray. I would never suggest that all advice from young/younger people is bad or wrong. But the caution here seems to be that it may be--especially if we surround ourselves by "yes" pals.

It's understandable to think that old/older people don't have a clue. It's common to imagine that they don't understand or can't put themselves in our place. And it's preferable, quite often, to do what seems personally expedient rather than laboriously difficult. It's even worse to hear advice that requires a delay of gratification. But remember this, anyone who tells you what you want to hear, or encourages you to follow your flesh/heart down a path that even in the tiniest way violates scripture, is a bad advisor--and following their advice will render you as foolish as Rehoboam.

My prayer for you, and my prayer for myself, is that we will be wise. First, by praying and asking the giver of wisdom to lead our lives, and second, by always seeking solid, wise, Godly counsel when we are in doubt, from those who wouldn't be "yes" friends.

Father, help us to hear your still, small voice because we've stopped talking long enough to listen, and please send us Godly, wise mentors and friends who will speak the truth into our lives even when it's not what we want to hear. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Good Guilt

2009-08-27T08:19:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a woman whose inner beauty, strength, ingenuity, wisdom and dignity were so exceptional that she put all others to shame. Her name? Mrs. Proverbs 31. And she is the subject of today's scripture passages which are chapters 30 and 31 of this book of wisdom.

I read about her, this portrait of feminine excellence, and I am bewildered by the chasm that exists between the description of her and the one that would accurately define me. So what am I to do with this specific chapter of scripture? And how can I escape the penitentiary of guilt that my failure to measure up to this ideal imposes?

In attempting to answer my own questions, I'm reminded that guilt, in and of itself, has gotten a bad rap. The truth is, guilt can be good. I fear, though, that we've confused guilt with shame, resulting in elimination of necessary guilt. So rather than allowing it to do its beneficial work within us, we're tempted to embrace the "always have positive self-esteem" philosophy that is pervasive in our culture. The danger of this surfaces when possession of positive self-esteem is unmerited by one's actions or attitudes. Recognition of our guilt is what motivates us to confess and repent, which may explain why this seems to be a subject you don't hear much about any more.

As I write these words, I realize that what I'm trying to convey is not a typical response to such beautiful chapters, but I want you to understand that although it is important for you to have healthy self esteem, it's equally important that you understand one of scripture's clear teachings: We are not good apart from God, and are in fact, guilty. We are unworthy of salvation. We deserve punishment and judgment. And yet...God offers us just the opposite when we acknowledge the truth about ourselves.

So what is the truth? I think Romans 3 sums it up nicely:

10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

We're all pretty much messes. And despite the fact that some women are probably a lot closer to a bonafide Proverbs 31 lady than I'll ever be, they are just as needy and lacking as I am in the eyes of God. And just as we're told that we have no righteousness apart from Him, we are also told that He so loved the world (that includes us) that He gave His only Son to be righteous for us.

In Jesus Christ alone we are made new and good and worthy. And because of Him we can ALL share in the glorious truth of the final verses of Proverbs 31:

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Father, please help us have hope and health in terms of the way we view ourselves as women (and men) so that we never fail to recognize our dependency on you and our depravity apart from you. May the praise of your name be on our lips because of your great love and mercy as long as we have breath. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

For Queens and other Seekers...

2009-08-26T09:02:00.005-04:00

"Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?" This sarcastic question has been asked of me (hopefully in jest) before. Most of us have probably heard of her if not in that same way, then maybe from having read today's passages, 1 Kings 10-11 and 2 Chronicles 9.

This Queen, who was no small potato herself, paid a visit to Solomon to see if all that she'd heard about him was true. Take a look at her reaction to what she saw:

7 "I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told....9 Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness.”

Miss Q.o.S. was very impressed, wasn't she? So much so that she made a curious statement referencing her praise of Solomon's Lord God. But there is not a shred of evidence that any of this persuaded her to place her own trust or faith in Him.

Reading this account reminds me that we often fail to remember that there is nothing "WE" possess, no wisdom, no wealth, no impressive possession or position that will draw someone in to a personal place of surrender to God as Lord.

All of our striving is in vain if we think we can cleverly, wisely argue someone to believing faith. All of our human effort to establish ourselves as admired, reputable spokesmen and women is futile when we are counting in any way upon those things as convincing accoutrements in our witnessing "arsenal". Only God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, draws anyone to Himself. We are reminded to always be prepared and willing to be used, but the great mistake we would make is assuming that we are ever able to conjure enough credentials or credibility on our own to "impress" someone into believing the Word of God.

The Queen of Sheba was apparently "seeking," but despite having been impressed with all the splendor of his facilities, organization and maybe even his programs and personal brilliance, it wasn't enough. This passage reminded me of the need to pray for our churches as we also pray for ourselves so that we remember the critical truth of Romans 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

It is Christ alone who saves. As His ambassadors, we must hide His Word in our hearts because it alone has the power to save.

Father, help us commit your Word to memory so that we are ready and able to give the reason for our great hope when you send seekers our way, and may we never forget that it is by hearing your Word, not being impressed by our wit or wisdom, that anyone comes to faith. Forgive me for forgetting that. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Nothing is New...

2009-08-25T08:05:00.002-04:00

If you haven't read Ecclesiastes before, today's scripture reading includes the entire book--which may seem confusing, alarming, frustrating and disconcerting upon first read. And that's just for starters! As I begin to try to explain a little of what is so great and so difficult about the book, let me encourage you to read and study it for yourself.

Written by Solomon, Ecclesiastes is a compilation of his thoughts about life and the futility and frustration associated with human, earthly existence. At first glance and without a little deeper digging, it seems that he is basically saying everything is pointless, so eat, drink and be merry because you are going to die eventually and take nothing with you. He seems to be warning us that we are nothing more than animals with benefits.

That's why it is important to note that Solomon's book is not dealing with the "spiritual" man, it is dealing with the "natural" man and his search for life's purpose. In these chapters, the wise king is not speaking of God as Jehovah God, instead he is referencing God in much the same way a lost, worldly person views him--something akin to a force or higher power as in the Star Wars movies.

In his great wisdom, Solomon recognized that the search for meaning in life is futile apart from personally experiencing God in a way that transcends the superficial, artificial manner that relegates him to a place of distance or merely a force of power beyond our realm and consciousness.

Throughout theses chapters, there are hidden gems of truth that must be acknowledged though--and because I would not attempt to improve upon or better convey these thoughts, I have selected these verses as worthy of contemplation. Think on these things as you join me in giving thanks to God for allowing us to have lives of purpose because of our personal relationships with Him through Christ, His Son.

Ecclesiastes:

2:9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.

3:11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

7:4 A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

10:2 A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.

12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

12:13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

One Part Integrity and Godliness and Two Parts Humility...

2009-08-24T09:00:00.009-04:00

This morning, when I realized how long it has been since I last wrote about my daily scripture reading, I was amazed. The old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun," couldn't be more fitting. We enjoyed a wonderful break as a result of our family vacation, then returned to a very challenging bunch of deadlines at work that required long days and mentally tiring concentration. Having said that, I hope now to resume my daily posts and get back on track with the chronological journey through God's Word--which by the way never fails to fascinate me! So...let's dive in!

1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8 and Proverbs 25 through 29 is where we pick up this morning and the opening text jumped off the page as I read what God told Solomon after he met with him a second time to discuss the temple.

Take a look at what The Lord said beginning in verse 3:

“I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. 4 “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 5 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever.

God didn't say, "Way to go, Solomon! You've done good, son! You can rest on these laurels for the remainder of your days on earth and all will be well with you and your family."

Instead, He qualified his continued blessing by saying "IF" you follow me "WITH INTEGRITY and GODLINESS," and "OBEY me," then I will establish your throne.

I had to pause right there. I need to think about my own life and the lives of leaders I've served with and under. What does it look like to demonstrate integrity and godliness? Are there really people today who don't cave in to the temptation to bend a little--to seek a little easier, faster route to the perceived place of blessing by doing a little cheating, a little short-cut taking, a little sin-minimizing and/or dismissing? I've heard it said that integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching, and if that's the case, do I always demonstrate integrity? These are questions worthy of pause and consideration.

I've had close relationships with a few individuals who have modeled what I consider genuine integrity. Did you note the word "few" in that last sentence? This world almost makes it seem reasonable to do the easy thing instead of the right thing. I'm afraid that it is so common place nowadays that it's actually often accepted as necessary--even within the church and specifically God's family.

Well before this gets depressing, let me say that while it may be the exception rather than the rule to witness genuine integrity today, it is not something that is less meaningful, less of a goal to strive toward, or less of a wonderful attribute to possess. And I would also suggest that it's not something that is elusive. It is achievable and attainable--not by our own strength but in and through Christ who gives us our strength. (Phil. 4:13)

Proverbs 27:2 and 21 are verses worth noting because possibly one of the fastest derailments we might encounter on the track toward integrity is the pride and praise that may be awarded to us if we actually demonstrate this admirable character trait. Here's what Solomon had to say:

2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.
21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.

When no one is looking, do what is right anyway. When no one praises you, know that God is watching--that He sees--and He takes note. And when someone does notice and praises you, be on guard against the pride that might make you feel the slightest bit superior, because that is the perfect opportunity for our enemy (the devil) to knock us off of our "character" high horse and throw us into the crater of compromise.

Father, make us men and women of integrity and godliness. Teach us your ways and order our steps so that we do not stray from the path that leads to your blessing for our lives. We love and thank you for forgiving our sins and we ask that you help us as we attempt to walk in purity and integrity when no one but you is watching. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Praise The Lord!

2009-08-04T21:31:00.004-04:00

Have you ever wondered why there are repeated admonitions in the Psalms and other scriptures encouraging us to praise God? Why does He need our praise? He created the earth and everything in it--surely He knows He is great. So why would any words of praise that we might offer matter to Him?

Today's passages, Psalm 134, 146, 147, 148 and 149 are filled with reminders of God's worthiness to receive our praise, but still, the question remains, why? What difference do our words and songs of praise make to our Maker?

C.S.Lewis struggled at one time with why God requires the praise of man. In his Reflections on the Psalms, Lewis writes:

We all despise the man who demands continued assurance of his own virtue, intelligence or delightfulness; we despise still more the crowd of people round every dictator, every millionaire, every celebrity, who gratify that demand. Thus a picture, at once ludicrous and horrible, both of God and His worshippers, threatened to appear in my mind. The Psalms were especially troublesome in this way – ‘Praise the Lord,' 'O praise the Lord with me,' 'Praise Him.' . . .

Lewis writes that he eventually reconciled this struggle when he realized that praise is the spontaneous response to whatever is praise-worthy:

...the most obvious fact about praise – whether of God or anything – strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honour. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise...

What a beautiful, simple, obvious truth. When we come to know Him, His greatness and goodness, His magnificence and majesty, it is impossible NOT to praise Him! The result of knowing The Lord is enjoyment of a precious relationship that is life altering and praise producing. It's inevitable, inescapable and unavoidable.

Simply put,
Praise erupts
It can't be contained
when by God's Son, Christ,
a heart has been changed.

And so I will with the Psalmist sing:

1 Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Psalm 146

Enduring Love...

2009-08-03T23:32:00.002-04:00

Enduring Love. Just the sound of those two words can arouse fantasies of romance and passion. Sadly though, as we are enlightened by real life disappointments and real world disillusionment, we often conclude that genuine, enduring love is merely the product of fiction, not anything real that we'll ever actually experience.

The dictionary defines the word "endure," as something that lasts or continues in the same state. No wonder we are skeptical. People throw in the towel and give up on love rather than staying the course these days. Over half of all couples divorce as the song says "after the love is gone". So cynical are we, that many don't even bother with marriage, choosing instead to live together outside of God's boundaries until the "feelings" of love have faded and greener pastures beckon.

I have been fortunate to witness a few examples of enduring love--the kind of self-sacrificing, devoted love that keeps on keeping on even after "love's receiver" can offer nothing in return. As she lingers helplessly, bed-ridden, requiring that the "love giver" provide for her every need, her lover evolves into a picture of what I believe today's scripture passages portray our Heavenly Father to be--an enduring lover.

2 Chronicles 6-7 and Psalm 136 continue this fascinating chronological journey through God's Word with a detailed account of Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple, God's response, and then a beautiful song written to express the Psalmist's gratitude for The Lord's enduring love.

In a world full of quitters and giver-uppers, we can be certain that there is One whose love will endure forever. There will never be a moment when God's love for us stops. Others will fail us, and it may seem as if enduring love is merely the stuff of romance novels, but don't fall prey to that misconception. When you are disappointed by life's evidences of failed, flawed lovers, remember these words from Psalm 136:

4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.

Thank you Father, for your faithful, enduring love. Amen.

Free Yard Sale Update!

2009-08-01T12:35:00.002-04:00

For all who wonder, the free yard sale went pretty well. We weren't successful at finding a new home for all of our "treasures," but we did manage to place a good deal of it!

In a few weeks, we may do this again, so stay tuned!

The most rewarding aspect of the morning is that I can report that almost $100.00 was raised for this couple ! Team Thompson continues to do great work in Africa and I am happy to be able to support their efforts, even if in a small way.

The other exciting events of the day included an impromptu swim party featuring Chloe, Emmi and Orry Haun. Orry, the tiny Boston Terrier, chased a pink ball right into the pool, but Chloe and Emmi discovered that their little bundle of howling, shivering, ball chasing fur is a pretty good dog paddler. A celebration of his survival was held on the screened porch, catered by Bojangles. Umm umm good.

To each of you who stopped by, called or donated, thank you! It was fun, and hopefully, the first of many future efforts to clean out and help a deserving cause in the process.

For the moment...

2009-07-20T09:40:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a perfect day. As I rested and "Sabbathed," the thought occurred to me that I often take the riches I have in Christ for granted, forgetting (or at least failing to be vocally thankful) for the benefits of being God's daughter.

So, here is part of the prayer that came to me as I considered how bountifully blessed I am:

May I be so grateful
That when I'm tempted to complain
All my unmet expectations
Are forgotten by my brain. Amen.

Happy Monday!

The Real World...

2009-07-17T17:03:00.006-04:00

The song goes: Summertime...and the livin's easy...

For me, summertime means later evenings, often spent outdoors with friends and family, a treat that I wouldn't trade for anything even though it has definitely affected my daily blog schedule.

To all who have checked in only to discover that there is no new post, I apologize and appreciate your patience. I'm just summertiming too much I suppose.

I do have something to mention this afternoon though, something that I've been pondering all day long and can't get off my mind.

On a couple of occasions lately when I've been with Ava Grace, I've had to comfort and reassure her because she was afraid. A few times, it was an offending noise, a loud truck, motor, or helicopter. At another time, it was the sudden awareness that I was in the next room instead of with her. At any rate, I've just been meditating on fear--hers--and mine--today.

How does a child who has seemingly never had any legitimate reason to be afraid of anything, know to be afraid? How does one so small recognize that there is potential danger lurking in this world?

For Ava Grace, my immediate reassurance or embrace is completely sufficient. Can I say the same? There is One who tells me to "fear not," and yet I fear. He promises that His perfect love will cast away all my anxiety and that I can cast all my cares upon Him. Yet, I still find myself fearful at times.

It's quite daunting to know that we live in a world that we cannot control. Each night, I am aware that having been given another day is a blessing, and I never fail to be thankful for the amazing benefits of having been born in America, and yet my thoughts often turn to fearful things as I listen to the news and read the paper.

As I prayed and pondered this morning, with timing that seemed supernaturally divine, an old song on one of my Ipod playlists interrupted me with a reminder that I only remain fearful when I fail to focus on the One who holds the whole world in His hands and brings His heaven to my real world.

I hear you, Lord. So I will fix my focus with faith in Your sufficiency and set my feet in the concrete of Your reassuring promises. As long as I live in this real (and sometimes scary) world, I will nestle like a child in Your secure embrace.

Holy, Holy, Holy!

2009-07-09T10:09:00.004-04:00

While reading today's passages, 1 Kings 5-8, and 2 Chronicles 2-5, my immediate response was to sing this hymn in my heart:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

The reason I included all the lyrics to this classic hymn (which dates all the way back to 1826 by the way) is because songs I've committed to memory that tell of God's holiness and glory are among the first thoughts that come to me when I consider His majesty or find myself fearfully contemplating the future.

Today's reading covers the building and dedication of the Temple, built for God in honor of God, by Solomon.

As chapter 8 of 1 Kings concludes, God's glorious presence (known as His Shekinah Glory) filled the temple in the form of a cloud that was so powerfully intense the priests could not continue their service. This begs the question that if God is love and grace, why did these men not just stay and bask in the moment?

It was because God isn't just goodness, grace and love, He is also holy--so holy in fact that the priests could not remain in the presence of His glory.

There are other accounts in scripture when men like Isaiah, John and Peter encountered the literal presence of God, and when confronted with the contrast between their sinfulness and His righteous holiness, they were "stricken" in his presence. (Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 1:17, and Luke 5:8)

Today, we live under the new covenant of grace (John 1:17) and we have a different experience when we encounter God because as Christians, Jesus' righteous holiness is imputed to us at the time of our salvation. But does that mean we should forget that God is holy and come before Him casually? No. I believe we need to be careful to remember that our great God is Holy now, just as He was at the dedication of the temple all those years ago.

Remembering the "holy" aspect of His character helps us understand that the gift of salvation is our most precious, prized possession--not to be taken lightly or for granted. And that, my loves, is the essence of what these passages spoke to my heart as I read this morning. Holy, Holy, Holy!

Wrong Way Remorse Remedy

2009-07-07T22:37:00.006-04:00

Admitting you are wrong is not easy. It can be humiliating and humbling, embarrassing and discouraging. But someday, sometime, you might have to make just such an admission.

I have known the painful place of pierced pride resulting from my arrogance, stubbornness, ignorance, or a combination of all three. In hindsight, I've discovered that landing in this spot is usually avoidable if some basic disciplines are exercised.

So, what have I learned from my past mistakes that might be useful to you as you are faced with serious decisions and choices? Hopefully, I can share a few valuable life lessons that will save you from dining on humble pie as a result of a fall that follows pride.

For starters, slow down. My most foolish actions were made in haste. I have learned from wiser people (and from God's Word) that major decisions should not be made impulsively. Listen to these words from Proverbs 18:13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

Next, don't just be slow to act, be slow to speak. Once they've escaped the confines of our mouth, our words cannot be retracted. Apologized for, yes. Taken back, never. Do not underestimate the damage done by a wagging tongue.
Proverbs 18:7 sums it up nicely: The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.

Finally, always ask God--but not with a predetermined agenda or stubborn heart. Ask with pliable flexibility and humble submission that will allow Him to actually lead you. In other words, get out of the driver's seat and let God be Lord in your life!Proverbs 16: 25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 21:2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

Today's passages are Proverbs chapters 16 through 24. The verses reminded me that when I walk in the ways of the Lord, my destiny is secure and His plans will be my own--but when I ignore the warnings of scripture, I am heading head-on into the path of wrong way remorse.

Why and What?

2009-07-06T22:48:00.003-04:00

Proverbs 10 through 15 are today's chapters, and these pages of scripture are filled to overflowing with practical advice and wisdom.

I don't know about you, but sometimes, I don't feel very smart. I realize that there is so much I don't know, so many things to learn, and such a gap between what and who I want to be, and what and who I actually am-- that it can be quite discouraging. Thankfully, God promises to provide what I lack if I genuinely seek and lean on Him for discernment and understanding.

Much of the practical "how-to" advice that we need for getting by day-to-day can be found in the Proverbs of Solomon. In these chapters we can read about how to wisely use our money, how to guard our tongues, how to avoid the snares of evil temptations, how to treat others, and what we need to know about good versus evil in terms of how our choices will ultimately affect our futures.

What disturbs me today though, and what I want to write to you about, is the very unfortunate lack of understanding of basic Bible doctrine that is apparently plaguing many Christian churches. I listened recently to an interview that included a poll taken at a religious broadcaster's meeting in which this question was posed: "What does the doctrine of justification mean for your life?".

The lack of understanding about this basic tenet of our Christian faith was astounding. What's more, a recent study suggests that the vast majority of American church-going teenagers have embraced what is being called "moralistic therapeutic deism," revealing the tremendous lack of understanding of scriptural doctrines among many who believe themselves to be Christian.

My great hope and prayer for you my precious ones, is that you learn and grow in your Christian faith, following the admonition of 1 Peter 3:15 and 16 which reads:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

I pray that you each will know what you believe and why you believe it! I trust that by the time you read this, your parents will have made certain you understand that it is not because you are a good person or because you do good things that you are okay with God. I hope you will each have insatiable appetites for learning about the righteousness that is imputed to you through Christ's life, death and resurrection! And I pray that when you feel inadequate, unintelligent or ignorant (as I so often do) you will call on the One who delights in revealing His truth to sincere seekers.

Soli Deo Gloria
Solo Christo
Sola Scriptura
Sola Fide
Sola Gratia
Amen.

Proverbial Wisdom...

2009-07-01T21:52:00.008-04:00

A song I love begins like this:

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

This stated desire to "have" Jesus reveals a sort of impassioned dependence that should be the heart's cry of every Christian believer. And although I should begin every day with this song on my lips, sadly, there are some days when it isn't my first thought upon rising--and oh what a difference that inevitably makes.

Today's scriptures are Proverbs 1 through 9, chapters of the Bible that contain words of wisdom from King Solomon. The first chapter provides an explanation of Proverbs' purpose:

2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Hopefully, we will never foolishly despise wisdom or true knowledge, but many people do. For those of us who sincerely seek to know more of God however, there are many wonderful ways to spend daily devotional time with Him. Simply reading one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month and then reflecting on and praying about the passage is a great way to experience a daily dose of wise counsel.

Father, give us Jesus and give us wisdom. We are so grateful that you are the merciful giver of both.

The Trouble with Men...and Women...

2009-06-24T21:24:00.004-04:00

I do not plan to include this post in my collection of writings for my grandchildren, this is just for me tonight. It's something I need to write as a way of expressing my very great burden for marriage.

I have failed to post a blog for the last couple of days because my chronological reading has taken me to Song of Solomon, a perplexing book in some respects because of its different interpretations (is it an allegory or a play, poetry or narrative?) and because I have had difficulty landing on exactly what I feel led to say about the content of the chapters to my grandchildren.

I do know this already though, I will be focusing on the beautiful demonstration of sexual purity that the young Shulamite maiden chooses despite her intense longing for her lover. After all, that is what God asks of us, right? And yet, all around, Christian marriages crumble after the news of infidelity, indiscretion and illicit encounters break.

Tonight, I am grieved for Jenny Sanford, the wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and her four sons who now face public disgrace under very humiliating circumstances. I do not know her, but she is my sister. Her Christian faith is evidenced in a compelling statement released today that can be read here. And sadly, what can also be read on the Internet by anyone who cares to read it, are some of the explicit emails that Mr. Sanford exchanged with his adulterous lover.

Also in the news this week, Jon and Kate Gosselin, parents of eight beautiful children, and who also claim to share my Christian faith, have announced they will seek a divorce after rumors of extramarital encounters have surfaced. Never mind that there are eight little lives who will suffer as a result of the public spotlight their parents have placed them in, an adult's gotta do what an adult's gotta do, right?

So, is it inevitable that nearly every marriage will experience an implosion of some sort? I know it isn't because I have seen successes--marriages that don't make headlines or tabloids, yet are newsworthy nonetheless. I've watched my parents walk the "for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health," road for 55 years. And they are not alone, others in my life have stayed the course and chosen to love when they didn't "feel" like loving and have been selfless in this selfish world.

In this life there are choices to make and they are never made in a vacuum. Mark Sanford, shame on you for choosing to cheat. Yes, God forgives those who genuinely repent and maybe you have done just that. I am certainly not your judge and I won't even play jury--but I will say this, my heart is breaking for your wife and sons, and I write this tonight asking that all who read these words pray for your heart to turn back toward home and for God to lovingly, mercifully, abundantly bless your heartbroken wife and sons.

Father, save Christian marriages in this age of selfish indulgence--and help those of us who claim your name to be examples of passionate purity and fervent faith who stay the course with your help and for your glory.

Prayers and Psalms...

2009-06-21T00:36:00.003-04:00

The evening news brings stories of struggles around the world, evil that is rampant, people who are cruel and regimes that wickedly dominate and oppress all who oppose them. The reports are hard to hear and difficult to imagine, yet as I read scripture, it becomes clear that our news in the 2000's is quite similar to the news that would have been reported in the days of the kings of Israel.

The verses today are Psalm 119: 89 through 176. Years ago, I started praying many of the Psalms aloud as part of my prayers to God, personalizing applicable verses and reciting these songs of praise that so eloquently tell of His excellent greatness.

I encourage you to do the same sometimes. Reading these beautiful words that were written so many years ago is a precious reminder that although evil has always existed, it does not have to prevail in the lives of those who walk by faith in the Risen Lord. What a blessing to pray with the Psalmists, asking God to guide, protect, and use us as we recite our praises to the One who alone is worthy!
Psalm 119:
89 Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.
91 Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
133 Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
137 O Lord, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.
175 Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.

Little Woman...

2009-06-18T10:49:00.003-04:00

Disclaimer: I do not know this child, she is not one of my granddaughters, but she is adorable nonetheless. See if you agree!

This hilarious clip prompted a deviation from Bible blogging this morning for your viewing pleasure--enjoy...

Wise Guys (and girls)...

2009-06-17T08:26:00.003-04:00

I love to imagine the scene from fairy tales where a Genie offers to grant a wish. It's during those daydreams that I ponder what I'd ask for, and over the course of my life I can recall quite a vast array of notions.

I think my list has ranged from the material to world peace and back again--but today's scripture provides an example of the best possible request. In 1 Kings 3 and 4, David's son, Solomon, is king. In a dream, God appears and asks him what he wants.

Imagine that! The God of the universe, the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, asking you to name it--whatever you want! My fear is that given that possibility and privilege, I'd blow it by asking for something stupid or ridiculous rather than responding as Solomon did--with careful, reflective wisdom. So what was this thing that he requested? Just that--wisdom. Take a look at what Solomon said:

1 Kings 3:10: Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame!

Today's scriptures, 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1; and Psalm 72, include additional fascinating details, including a demonstration of Solomon's God-given wisdom when two women each claimed to be the mother of the same baby.

As I consider the most important take-away from these passages, I hope you are challenged to recognize and value what really matters. Scripture affirms that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. This "fear" means healthy respect, reverence and awe that results from awareness that God alone is Lord.

I pray--with all that is in me--that God grants me wisdom and that He does the same for you. And even more, I pray that you yearn for Godly wisdom and seek Him with all your heart so that when you are faced with choices--or options--that you will always choose wisely.

Psalm 72: (a Psalm of Solomon)
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and amen!

Give me sense...

2009-06-14T19:52:00.004-04:00

If a day can be perfect, this one was pretty close. I know it isn't over yet, but I must thank God for the "so far".

Going to church is always great, but this morning was particularly good because Steven led worship with an obvious anointing that ushered in God's presence and made it easy to remember the reason we were there.

What a joy to know (and remember) that when it's all said and done, it's all about God! Throughout this day I've enjoyed little reminders of His greatness and His goodness, His power and His perfection.

After lunch with our children and grandchildren, we enjoyed some outside time by the pool and were surprised by a visit from two of our "adopted" kids who brought news that they are expecting their first child early next year. We couldn't be more ecstatic to know that another little life is being fashioned in the image of God!

Life. It really is a miracle and a reminder of how creative God is. As we eagerly await the arrival of our third granddaughter, I marvel at the mystery of God's amazing design.

Today's verses are among the most poetic in scripture. Psalm 119, verses 1-88, capture my heart with challenging words and insightful reminders that we are here for a reason and that life is a beautiful, sometimes chaotic journey that affords us the opportunity to choose to seek, find and follow the One who loves us most, or to follow the road well-traveled with all those who reject and deny their need for The Lord.

Thank you Father, that you have chosen to reveal yourself to all who seek you and that your Word brings comfort, consolation and confidence to all who place their trust in You!

Psalm 119:
18 Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
73 You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Only God Can...

2009-06-12T07:45:00.006-04:00

If you haven't yet, you one day will meet someone who is a self-exalter. According to the dictionary, to "exalt" means to praise, glorify or honor. When a person seriously exalts him or herself, there is always a reason--and usually it is a result of personal insecurity or doubts about their perceived worth or value.

In today's scriptures, 1 Kings 1 and 2, and Psalm 37,71 and 94, we learn that David's fourth son, Adonijah, decided to make himself king. Two of his older brothers were dead (Amnon and Absalom) and the other son who would have also been older, Chileab, may also have been dead because he was never mentioned again after 2 Samuel 3:3.

In making the decision to pronounce himself king, Adonijah violated one of scriptures principles: it is up to God to exalt us.

For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
But God is the Judge: He puts down one,
And exalts another. (Psalm 75:6-7)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Reading through these chapters is fascinating because we learn here that no matter how we may connive, when something conflicts with God's will, it simply will not happen. Regardless of all our striving, our efforts are vain and our self-promotion is futile when we operate outside of God's plan.

The truth is that nobody enjoys being in the presence of someone who brags, applauds or otherwise exalts himself. I've often found myself feeling sorry for those who continually "toot their own horns," because it usually means there aren't loved ones or friends in their lives who will congratulate them when congratulations are in order, or build them up with encouraging words when deserved.

For that reason, although there are so many important lessons in today's passages, I want to focus on these two reminders.

#1. Leave the bragging about you to others and resist the temptation to exalt yourself no matter how difficult--that is God's privilege alone. To repeat a great quote, "He must increase, we must decrease."

#2. Speak words of loving encouragement to someone today. We may never know this side of heaven the impact of a complimentary conversation, but to the person who receives the kudos, it might prevent them from succumbing to the temptation to attempt patting their own back.

I love that God allows us to be his hands and feet while we journey here on earth, but I know that I fail Him every day. He wants people to feel loved, appreciated and encouraged through you and me. Let's go do some loving and appreciating today.

Father, help us seize every opportunity to tell someone who needs to know it that we appreciate them and recognize their value. And please, help us love them as You do. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Who's on First?

2009-06-10T23:17:00.003-04:00

Me. It's a tiny little word that we all learn early. This morning, I stopped by Leslie's house to pick up some study material I needed in order to prepare for a class I'll be co-leading this summer at church. While there, I held Lilia for only a few seconds before Ava Grace noticed and started saying, "Me!". "Me!" "Me, Nana!"

Some people believe that humans are born basically good. This mistaken impression not only contradicts the teachings of scripture, it is a dangerous assumption because it can lead us to compare ourselves to each other (or really bad others) rather than comparing ourselves to our Holy, Heavenly Father.

In truth, we come into to the world bent on having things our way, getting what we want, and securing the good things first for ourselves. You only have to observe a toddler for minutes to see the sin nature rear its ugly head. Why share when we are bigger, stronger, or smarter? Why listen when what we're being told conflicts with what we prefer to do?

Just like little children, we often fail to see the harm or dangers that lurk on the other side of God's warnings and reminders. We want what we want, when we want it, exactly as we've ordered--anything less is insufficient for feeding our gluttonous fleshly appetites.

Today's scriptures are Psalm 111 through 118. The verses all paint incredible pictures of the majesty, glory and worthiness of God. We are reminded that it is in and through Him alone that we are secure and forgiven and that only when we submit and surrender to His Lordship can we say with the Psalmist that we "will not be overcome by evil," or that we "will not fear bad news".

But we, me, I, fight to be first--to be fed--to be foremost, to take the position that belongs only to God. Any attempt we make to find fulfillment and purpose apart from humble worship and submission to Christ is always vain and void. Consider these words from Psalm 115:

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Not to us! ALL glory and honor belongs to the Lord. Search, seek, and strive to take what is His for yourself and you will search a lifetime without success. Seek Him first--and His righteousness, and ALL that you really need will then be added. (Matthew 6:33)

To Summarize...

2009-06-09T21:23:00.005-04:00

While vacationing, I read a book that many friends and loved ones have recommended, and it challenged me in a way that only God's Word has previously.

The book, "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan, does a pretty good job of explaining what it actually means to be pursued by a relentless God--and in turn, what it might look like if we, as his children, could grasp the depth, breadth and height of not only His love for us, but also His purity and holiness.

The scriptures that continue my chronological journey through the Bible today are 1 Chronicles 26-29, and Psalm 127. The passages explain the duties assigned to specific people near the end of King David's life and the eventual passing of the leadership torch to his son, Solomon.

I'm particularly fascinated by the way David's reign is summarized in
1 Chronicles 29: 26-28 So David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 He reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place.

All of the prior details we've covered including the trials, terrors, tragedies and troubles of David's life are seemingly forgotten-- and only the good is recorded in the summary, which brings me to why I mentioned "Crazy Love" earlier. Francis Chan reminded me in the book that when this life ends, it's pretty definite that there will be a nice memorial service where nice things are said about me--but at that point, it won't matter. The only thing that will matter is Who I've served, and how that impacted the way my time was spent--what I invested in--who I invested in--what I was passionate about.

Scripture explains that we cannot serve two masters in Matthew 6:24. It also says that we are either for or against THE Lord in Luke 11:23. When we meet Him face to face, the only summary of our lives that counts will be how we responded to the compelling, overwhelming love of Christ and whether we said, "Yes," or "No," to His call for us to take up our cross and follow Him. Have you said yes, yet? I have, and there is no question more pressing, no decision more urgent, and no reason to delay.

Blessings, blessings, blessings...

2009-06-08T23:37:00.014-04:00

Life has been a wonderful roller coaster ride since the middle of May--and I am going to take an opportunity tonight to post a few of the highlights.

On May 16, a beautiful Saturday morning, Leslie, Jessica and I hosted a baby shower brunch for my "adopted" daughter, Lindy. It was the perfect morning and oh so much fun. Precious Macie Ryan is due in July and we can't wait to welcome her! Here are a couple of the shower pictures...

On that same day, my favorite son-in-law, Steven, celebrated the day of his birth. We went to dinner the previous night to mark the milestone with food and festivities. Leslie appears substantially shorter in this photo because she was kneeling beside him for the picture. We, of course, must take the opportunity to tease her about having bowed to his highness. Happy Birthday Steven, we're so glad that God brought you into our lives...

Not to be outdone, my dad got into May 16th's action by falling from a ladder while pruning a tree. He was unconscious and suffered significant injuries and trauma, but without a doubt God answered the many prayers lifted for him by giving Dad a recovery that is miraculous. He is still black and blue from bruising and transfusing, but he is walking with only the assistance of a cane at this point! We love you Dad, and we're all thrilled that you are doing so well. May I be so bold as to suggest that you do some serious praying about what kind of assignment God has for you since you missed this great opportunity to leave us? You are hereby, officially, on ladder restriction!

On May 26, George and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary! He is my best friend and in fact, the best person I know. The photo here was taken after a heavy rain, so don't mistake the fog for halos--wink wink. Seriously though, God has blessed us and we are so grateful...

We enjoyed a cruise vacation to celebrate our anniversary. My sister, Lisa, and her husband, Dale, went with us. We had some moments that will go down in history--(ours at least)... I won't elaborate except to say that just the mention of her name makes me laugh out loud. I'm glad you're my friend, Lisa, and I can't wait for you to move back to Charlotte!

Finally, we returned to Charlotte just in time for me to turn 50. The surprise party that was thrown by my family was amazing. A steel drum band was playing by the pool when we returned from dinner--and about forty of my dearest friends and family were gathered to help me usher in this "golden" year. I understand that my sister, Kathie, worked feverishly to get this whole thing set up while we were at dinner. Did I already say I'm blessed?

In my mind, I'm still eighteen, but I guess the proof's in the pudding--I'm not looking so young anymore. But I wouldn't change one thing if I could because these years have allowed me to experience God's grace, mercy and blessings in ways that I wouldn't trade for all the wrinkle-free, jiggleless days of youth in the world.

So...I plan to resume the Bible blog tomorrow, Lord willing, but hopefully, these pictures and details will explain the blogging absence. For each of you who have wished me happy birthday, happy anniversary, or happy sailing, I say THANK YOU! You are the blessings for which I am grateful every day and I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

Love,
Sandy

Give us this day...

2009-05-28T23:43:00.005-04:00

It's 11:45 p.m. and I haven't written my blog about today's scripture passage yet. My commitment to this process includes my determination not to be haphazard or half-hearted about what I write, yet honesty compels me to admit I'm weary and tired today and might miss something special if I proceed or forge ahead with new verses. For that reason, I am re-reading the prior day's verses and camping out with Psalm 139, one of the most beautiful chapters in all of scripture.

For almost two weeks now I've been focused on my dad's recovery from a serious accident. Honestly, when I first saw him in the Emergency Room after his fall, I wasn't certain he'd pull through. I've since told him that it's definite that God isn't finished with him yet because he missed a really good chance to die on May 16.

Daddy will have many difficult days ahead. He will require medication to ease his pain, assistance walking, and physical therapy--but he is here--and for that I give God thanks and praise.

Yesterday's scriptures included Psalm 139. The words of David convey the truth of God's intimate knowledge of us, and it is through this knowledge that my Dad is being repaired and restored for the work He has for him as Daddy continues to walk by faith in the One who heals.

My Dad was released from the hospital tonight. I have always believed in miracles, but truly, today, I've witnessed one. God is knitting Dad back together again and allowing us the privilege of continued fellowship this side of eternity. All praise and honor to The One who made the delicate, inner parts of our body and can remake them when they are broken!

Psalm 139:
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

Being his bride...

2009-05-26T14:25:00.005-04:00

Thirty years ago today, I was a bride. I was young, naive, and in many ways ignorant--but I knew one thing, I loved my groom.

As I consider the blessings of my marriage, one of the greatest is probably the fact that it is so hard to believe that this many years have passed. It is surreal actually, to think that we have been together for more years than we lived separately.

In the ceremony uniting us, the words, "the two shall become one," sounded nice, but really meant little more to me than the idea of sharing things--a house, a car, bills, a bed. Thirty years later, they mean so much more.

We are two yet one. We have discovered that becoming one means we value the strengths we've come to depend on in the other, and we remain devoted in spite of the individual weaknesses we battle. We have honored the covenant commitment we made in 1979, and we refused to give up when the going got tough. We held on to the promise of better days when the days were dark, and we celebrated the joys of wonderful moments that sometimes took us by surprise.

I have come to believe that our enemy hates marriage and labors to destroy all of them that he can. He uses tactics that are as old as Methuselah, but his batting average is way too high.

As I reflect on the years of our marriage, I know there is just one reason we've defied the odds--Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that a chord of three strands is not easily broken. Christ has been the glue that has secured our marriage, ensuring its success. He is the third strand (and the most important one) in the chord that has become "us".

Today's verses, 1 Chronicles 23 through 25, Psalms 108, 109,110, 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, and 145 are all inspirational and informational, but I will close by highlighting Psalm 139, a Psalm of David that reminds me that my life is not my own--it was planned and purposed by God--and if I live to be 100 and have thirty more wedding anniversaries, I will never be able to thank Him enough for giving me a glimpse of what it means to be His bride through the privilege of being George's.

Psalm 139:
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

Daddy today...

2009-05-25T23:18:00.004-04:00

For my friends who are checking this blog for updates on Daddy, I'm thrilled to say that he continues to improve. He still has a journey ahead and the prayer requests remain the same:

Compassionate, exceptional, mistake-free care
No infections or pneumonia
Healing of bones, bruises, and breaks--especially his back pain.

Unless there are significant developments or changes, I will only be posting updates on facebook from here on out and will resume my attempt to blog daily at this site as I try to write about my daily reading of the Bible in order of its historical chronology for my grandchildren.

Thank you for your love and prayers for Daddy. Your concern is precious to our family.

Following, listening, leading...

2009-05-25T21:48:00.001-04:00

You might be a leader if:
You are visionary.
You are motivated.
You can motivate.
You are determined.
You are tenacious.
You are wise.
You are trustworthy.
You can communicate convincingly with integrity.
You are honest.
You are dependable.
You are undaunted.

and...
You know when to follow.

Today's passages are difficult. 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21-22 and Psalm 30 are scriptures that include the account of David's decision to take a census, something that clearly defied God's stated principle of Exodus 30--the one that explained God's ownership of his people and prohibited men from counting what does not belong to them unless instructed to do so by God.

In these verses, Joab, one of David's men, tactfully questioned David's decision and even hinted that his motivation might be pride, but David did not listen to Joab. Nor would he listen to the Captains of his Armies as they warned him against taking the census.

David's men followed their leader's instructions despite their concerns, and the process took almost ten months. When it was finally complete, David's heart condemned him--suddenly, he recognized the seriousness of the choice he'd made. He confessed his sin to God and learned that in spite of God's willingness to forgive him, there would still be grave consequences to pay for his actions. I'm sure that when David ordered the census, he never dreamed it would cause the loss of 70,000 lives.

Scripture is clear, David was an amazing and gifted leader. Many of the wonderful qualities required of great leaders were exhibited in his life, and we know that he was a man after God's own heart--so what went wrong in these chapters?

David fell prey to the peril of pride and when given the opportunity to avoid the pitfalls that accompanied the sin, he arrogantly pressed on with his plan.

My prayer for you my sweet ones is that if you are ever in a position of leadership you remember this very important lesson from scripture. No leader is infallible. No leader is guaranteed a perfect record. No leader is always right all of the time.

If God allows you to lead, He will also surround you with people who have strengths that you don't possess in order to help you see your blind spots. It's at those times that you will be wise to listen--and then become--the follower.

God never leads us to do anything that contradicts His Word and He will never fail to provide a way of escape when we are tempted by our flesh, whether by pride, egotism, lust, greed, or any other weakness, to make the wrong choice.

A great leader doesn't just lead, she also knows when to follow.

David was forgiven for his sin, but his refusal to follow the advice of his trusted companions resulted in tragedy.

Heavenly Father, help us be willing to listen and follow as we learn to lead by following the only perfect example--our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Friday...

2009-05-22T22:45:00.004-04:00

The only explanation for Dad's amazing progress is prayer. When I first reported his accident, I honestly believed that his injuries were life altering and that he would be completely bed ridden for weeks or months.

Today, he walked a few steps with a walker, and although he still has serious pain all over his body, he is pushing through the agony with the same stubborn determination that landed him in the hospital in the first place.

He (and all of us) thank you for your faith-filled prayers. There is no doubt in my mind that God has honored the requests that have been lifted and I trust that we will continue to marvel at the amazing healing grace He is giving my Dad.

Thursday...

2009-05-21T23:32:00.005-04:00

One day soon I will resume my Bible blogging--Lord willing. Until then, for those who are checking in to see how Dad is doing, I have wonderful news tonight.

After a rough morning, he had a good afternoon and hopefully is resting well this evening. We had some good conversation today when he was awake and he even attempted to be funny a couple of times. I do emphasize the word "attempted" here--but it was wonderful to see him smile and chuckle.

If you pray for him, please join me in asking The Lord to give him compassionate, exceptional care and to protect him from infection, and then send up some praise for the answered prayer we've already experienced. We will forever be grateful for your love and concern.

Wednesday Update

2009-05-20T21:48:00.002-04:00

Dad was moved to a regular room today so we are very hopeful that the next phase of his treatment will be as excellent as the care he received in CVMC's Intensive Care Unit.

The only serious concern today was that his blood sugar dropped significantly enough that he was unable to communicate. Initially, not knowing what was going on, Mom thought it was a stroke--so we are very thankful that it was something easily treated. The fact that he really hasn't eaten since before the accident and had a scary episode this afternoon should encourage them to monitor him more carefully from here on out.

We continue to ask for your prayers and appreciate each and every one of you who takes a moment to lift him in prayer.

Father, bless our faithful pray-ers and make them know how grateful we are for them and for their love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Daddy today...

2009-05-19T22:19:00.003-04:00

Dad slept most of the day, but when he was awake he did a great job cooperating with the respiratory therapist as he endured the painful breathing machine routine. He also tried to eat a little jello, but that wasn't too successful.

The prayer needs remain the same--

*Exceptional, compassionate, mistake-free care
*No ileus
*No pneumonia
*The ability to forgive himself

He is our hero and a trooper. Our family thanks each person who has taken the time to pray. We are humbled and grateful beyond words.

Quick Dad Update...

2009-05-18T22:11:00.004-04:00

Thank you to all who have prayed and will pray for my dad. Today, he is very quiet and has been heavily sedated. He has expressed some anger though (at himself) for the decision he made to trim the tree via the ladder.

My request is that you join me in praying that he doesn't develop ileus (a temporary paralysis of part of the intestines) which is a big risk factor, and also that he doesn't get pneumonia. Also, please ask The Lord to help him forgive himself.

Those who are caring for him have been wonderful and are doing everything they can to make him comfortable. We are so grateful for them, for your prayers and for God's mercy.

Pray for Dad...

2009-05-16T23:55:00.004-04:00

As this day draws to a close, I'm asking anyone who reads this note to pray for my dad. Today, he decided to climb a ladder to "shape-up" a wayward Bradford Pear that was "on his nerves". Unfortunately, my mother wasn't at home when he decided to do his tree trimming.

When Dad didn't answer her phone call as she headed home from my house, Mom persisted, finally reaching him, but quickly realizing that he wasn't making sense.

To make a very long story short, he was on an eight foot ladder when he took a terrible tumble that has resulted in three broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a concussion, a possibly/probably broken left thumb and some internal blood loss.

He has been given plasma and blood and is holding his own (he is tough) but the next few days will be critical for him. I am posting this blog tonight despite exhaustion because I wanted to say that my dad is a gift--this man who is in so much pain that it is almost unbearable even with the large doses of morphine they are giving him, could not let us leave his bedside without telling each of us what we mean to him and how fervently he prays for us and our families every day--several times a day.

What a blessing to be prayed for like this--I will never be able to thank God enough for an earthly dad who loves and prays so consistently, and now, I am praying for him and hoping you will join me in asking God to wrap His arms around my sweet, stubborn daddy, giving him exceptional, compassionate medical care.

Thank you!
Love,
Sandy

Blog-in problems...

2009-05-14T22:52:00.005-04:00

I mentioned last week that I might not be able to post daily for the next couple of weeks, but I wanted to let those who checked in Tuesday and Wednesday know that I have had technical trouble with blogger/blogspot.

Today it seems to be working again, so hopefully the glitch is remedied permanently. I've written a new post below for my grandgirls--all three of them--the two who are already born and the little girl who will join the family in October! Please pray for Nichole and David as they await the birth of their first daughter.

and...be blessed tonight!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandy

Tremble time...

2009-05-14T22:02:00.003-04:00

When I was a child, things were different. It was generally accepted by the media and society that there was one God and that it would be wise to make at least some attempt to find out what He expects of us, what He is like and how to stay on His good side.

Today, things have changed. I just listened to a news report that was practically celebrated by the mainstream media stating that atheism is on the rise. I also just heard a well-known news celebrity report that as he was listening in to a conference call among CBS execs who were deliberating what to cover the next day, someone mentioned that a prominent Christian leader would be in Washington by stating: "That nutty Christian so-in-so is in town...".

The man who shared this information pointed out that it would be professional suicide to say, "That nutty gay activist so-in-so," or "that nutty ACLU attorney," etc., and yet it is generally considered fine to express disdain, hostility, disapproval or prejudice toward people of Christian faith.

It really is sad, because as I have said before, I think it requires tremendous faith to believe that everything is random and accidental rather than the product of an Intelligent Designer who knows, sees and cares about His creation.

Today's verses, Psalm 95, 97, 98 and 99, all provide beautiful examples of the kind of faith that God "gifts" those who seek Him.

Listen to these words from Psalm 95:
3 For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods.
4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
and the mightiest mountains.
5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land, too.
6 Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
7 for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
the flock under his care.
If only you would listen to his voice today!
8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts...

We have a choice, we can harden our hearts and turn away from the One who loves us most, or we can seek and find Him, receiving the gift of faith that leads to our salvation in Christ.

As it continues to be politically and socially acceptable to ridicule people of faith, I pray for you my precious grandchildren, that you will take courage, stand firm on the foundation cannot be shaken, walk by faith and not by sight and then pray for those who ignorantly mock us with the pity they deserve because they are wandering in the wilderness of the lost.

When we have tasted and seen that The Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) what other choice are we to consider?

Psalm 99: 1~ The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble!

My Mysterious God...

2009-05-11T20:45:00.005-04:00

Psalm 5,38,41-42 and 57, along with 2 Samuel 22-23 all provide amazing insight and convicting reminders of what set David apart as leader and king.

There are so many things to be discovered by studying David's life. In today's passage, words that were spoken by this king who was a man after God's own heart are recorded. So why was he so distinguished? What made him special?

From his earliest days, David yearned to know more of God, he confessed complete dependence upon Him, he wanted to please The Lord, and he always repented when he sinned. Never diminishing or minimizing his wrong actions, David was contrite, humble and broken when he realized he had grieved His Heavenly Father.

2 Samuel 23 includes some of the last recorded words spoken by David, and in the chapter David also acknowledged that although he had failed to be a perfect king, God never fails to be our Perfect King. David was well aware that his earthly reign missed the mark of perfection, yet the everlasting covenant that God had made with him was based on God's grace rather than David's performance.

What a comfort to remember this truth--it isn't up to us to "keep" God, God keeps us through his covenant in Christ Jesus our Lord. We will never get it all together, we will never be perfect, but God honors his commitment to us based on His faithfulness, not ours.

I've explained God's saving grace to my children like this before--

If they ever decided that they wanted to "disown" me as their mother, they could--but that would never change the fact that they are my flesh and blood, they are my children. And they will never stop being my children, no matter what--it isn't within their power to sever the bond that makes me biologically, genetically, and even emotionally their mother. Even more important than all that maybe, is the fact that there is nothing they could do to make me ever stop loving them or wanting to be in relationship with them. There are things my children can control...but being my children is not one of them.

In a similar way, once we receive God as Father through believing faith in Jesus, His Son, we are sealed in a covenant, blood-bought relationship with Him and kept by His faithfulness, not ours. And as Paul reminds us, that should never be considered a license to sin, and we certainly shouldn't take for granted so great a sacrifice, but it does relieve us of the pressure to perform and frees us to love and adore.

And that, for me, is one of the most beautiful mysteries of God.

Capable hands...

2009-05-10T23:20:00.005-04:00

Vindication that requires no personal effort or manipulation is so satisfying. Remember Shimei? He was the guy who threw stones at David as he cursed and made false accusations against him.

In today's passages, 2 Samuel 19-21, David secures the throne after Absalom's death, and is accompanied by thousands of exuberant followers when he is met by Shimei, who now begs David to forgive him. Shimei confessed that he had grievously sinned against David and then fell at his feet begging for mercy.

What a beautiful picture of God's grace David demonstrated. David could have said, "Off with his head!" and instantly, his mighty men would have executed Shimei. But again, David wouldn't listen to any advice that conflicted with what he knew God would have him do--which was to forgive his enemy.

This story begs the question--when we fail to forgive, is it possible that it's because we are insecure or unsure of our position in Christ? King David was secure. He was confident and aware that God had given him the throne. As a result, he didn't seek to vindicate himself--he just left matters in the more capable hands of The Lord.

I am praying that God will help me leave matters in his much more capable hands so that I can see him work things out for His glory and my good rather than settling for the temporary and brief satisfaction of a coerced or insincere apology.

Thank you Father that you work all things together for the good of those who love you and are the called according to your purposes. You are great, mighty and amazing.

Mother Matters...

2009-05-09T22:29:00.008-04:00

There is no perfect mother because there is no perfect person. There are however, great mothers--and I am blessed to be the daughter of one of the greatest.

It isn't possible to repay someone who sacrifices so much for your benefit, nor is it likely that words on a page (no matter how illustrative) can accurately or adequately express the depth of my appreciation for all she has done for me.

But truth be told, I know her well enough to know that if I did write the perfect prose or craft a stirring soliloquy to convey my admiration and love, she would blush, and with genuine humility would announce the praise undeserved.

So, I found something on the web that I think summarizes the sentiment I'd wish to share with my own mother and all the women in my life (my precious daughter included) who are doing the things that devoted moms do every day. This song and video poignantly explains that when you are blessed to have a wonderful mom, life is full of "best days"--

Thank you Mama--and thank you Moms. There is no greater challenge or privilege than having the opportunity to influence a life. Happy Mother's Day!

Sincerely. Love, Sandy

2009-05-08T21:23:00.004-04:00

What proves that we truly, honestly, genuinely love someone?

Yesterday, I was asked by a friend who is desperately in love with someone who has left him how he could demonstrate the depth of his love so that she might understand how much he cares for her. He wanted to be certain that he wrote the right things and avoided writing anything that might seem manipulative or contrived.

What a precious thing it is to be truly loved. For thirty years I have been married, and today, I love my husband more than I ever imagined I could or would. We have been through trials, troubles, tests and triumphs--all the while trusting that we could count on each other to be there for encouragement, empathy, sympathy and loyalty.

Hopefully, if you asked my husband, he would say that he knows I love him because I demonstrate my love for him tangibly--just as he does in return. We are allies, we are confidants, we are friends.

A lot of people say they love God's Son, Jesus Christ. Today, I want to ask you to consider whether the love you claim to have for him is evidenced by your choices, decisions, words and actions. This is the question I am asking myself as I read the passages of scripture that continue my journey through the Bible.

Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61-62, and 64 are songs written by King David in the midst of persecution and assaults. He cried out to God, expressing his fear, his trust, his love and his praise as one who realized that his life depended on God's provision and protection.

I have asked myself today if what I say, the way I live and the things I value confirm the love I profess for my Savior. I am convicted by the awareness that there are days I neglect my time with him, sending up little more than a flippant prayer and a thankful blessing at mealtime--and yet he gives me my very next breath.

David loved God and he proved it time and again in by his actions and through the songs and prayers that were in his heart. I hope these verses, along with my friend's request for help as he worked to craft a letter that would convey the depth of his love and devotion for his sweetheart, will serve to remind me that I owe my Lord Jesus nothing less than careful, genuine, deliberate honor if I want to demonstrate that my love for him is sincere.

Learning to listen...

2009-05-07T17:58:00.007-04:00

"Sticks and stones may break my bones..."

That was the first line of the little rhyme we said as children when someone taunted us. In today's scriptures, 2 Samuel chapters 16 through 18, David endures cursing, conniving, scheming and threats.

As I read these verses, I tried to imagine myself in his shoes and compare what my reaction would likely have been to the way David responded.

When Shimei, a relative of Saul's, cursed and threw stones at him, David made no attempt to shut him up, nor would he allow his mighty men to squelch the jeers, because he was willing to hear what God might have to say to him--even if via a swearing enemy.

Ironically, the very things that Shimei accused David of were proven untrue by his restraint and refusal to retaliate. Had David been the person he was accused of being, Shimei's story would have ended with his death. Instead, David allowed him to rant with rage because he realized that God was completely capable of silencing him.

I struggle with the desire to defend myself when I feel assaulted. This passage reminds me that I can trust God even at times like these--and if I stop, listen and resist the urge to react in the flesh, I may even learn something that I genuinely need to know.

One of my desires is that I learn to listen--to hear what God has to say to me even if it comes from critics or criticism, taunts or jeers. I am confident that if I pray--asking God for discernment and wisdom, He will faithfully allow me to see the timber beam in my own eye if that is my need.

I love The Amplified Bible's translation of Matthew 7: 3-5:

3 Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye.

It doesn't get much clearer than this--sometimes, I am wrong. Sometimes, I am the problem. In David's case, he was innocent of the accusations made by Shimei--yet he was willing to consider that he might need to hear something from God--and he recognized that arrogant refusal to listen could be costly.

Father, help me die to my flesh when it screams to be validated or vindicated. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that when I need to admit that I'm wrong, I'll be willing-- and please forgive me for all my past failures to do just that.