Monthly Archives: July 2008

July 21, 2008 · 7:00 am

Nintendo DS isn’t just for kids.

This guy was on my flight back from Atlanta last week.  We have met once before, but not since I entered the blogging world.  You know it’s bad when you introduce yourself and almost say “dot com” after your name  – because, that’s how some people identify you.  Anyhoo.  He was accompanied by his beautiful wife and “totally cool” boys, to quote my son.  What made his boys totally cool?  Three things:  1) Nintendo DS, 2) Gameboy Advance, and 3) the fact that they shared these hot gadgets.

Since John Henry’s exposure to a world beyond the handheld Leapster, he has been appealing for the Nintendo DS.  I’m not going to lie to you.  I would get more use out of this one since it would allow me to play round after round of Tetris.  But, it’s not as though I need another distraction.  The world wide web is enough.  Amen?

His birthday is two months away, and I considered letting him put it on his b-day list which is growing by the minute.  I decided, instead, to let him enjoy his Leapster one more year and pick out a new game for the family Wii. 

Why are we so insatiable when it comes to the latest and greatest ______________ (you fill in the blank)?  Gotta have that wall-mounted plasma, the iphone 3G (I resisted), Blu-ray what? 

It’s not a wonder why more and more Americans are getting themselves into some serious debt.  While we pay our credit cards off each month, I still can fall prey to the marketing geniuses of the world.  Steve Jobs ain’t no dummy. 

So, what to do?

Realize that you have everything you need.  You really do.  And, when the timing is right, the money is saved, and priorities are met, enjoy life’s latest luxuries.

As for me, I’m trying to decide whether to get my own Nintendo DS and conceal it or just wait right along with my boy.  ‘Cause if Carrie Underwood has one, it must be fantastic.

What are you itching to buy?

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July 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

I shall not want.


1 The Lord is my shepherd;
  I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
  he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3   He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
  bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
  through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
  for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
  protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
  in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
  My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
  all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
  forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

Ahhhh.  Don’t ya feel better now? 

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July 17, 2008 · 6:00 am

Waiting


My recent faith journey has been a good one.  I’ve seen little miracles along the way, but I still haven’t climbed out of the “dip”, if you know what I mean.  I’ve been saying all the right things.  Praying all the right prayers.  Speaking words of life.  You get the picture. 

And, then I just get plain frustrated.

I question.

I regress.

My friend and prayer warrior, Lynn, reminded me of this scripture the other day:  “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary.  They shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

(By the way, not many can pray like my dear friend, Lynn).

So what does it mean to wait?  I did a little research, ya’ll.

The word “wait” comes from the Hebrew word, “qavah”  (kaw-vaw’).  You kind of sound like a bird when you say it, don’t you?  It translates “to wait, look for, hope, expect.” 

Apparently, I’m not a very good waiter – in life nor in restaurants, I’m sure.

We’re going to have bumps in the road.  Our faith is going to be tested.  But be of good cheer – He has overcome the world.  So you can bet your bottom dollar (whatever that means) that He will pull you through whatever hard-hitting time is staring you in the face.  And, when you get discouraged – wait.  Hope.  Expect.  And, trust.  Remember the other times in your life when He came through – the other times where He made a way where there seemed to be no way.  This time will be no different.

When we wait upon Him, He renews our strength.  Waiting without Him wears us out.  I’ll stick with Him.  You?

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July 16, 2008 · 6:00 am

Good lessons and reminders from a conversation with John Henry.

·         When you are talking with someone, make eye contact.  Hold it.

·         Ask the other person questions about his/her self.  For example, I asked John Henry, “What are some things that make you scared or nervous about starting Kindergarten?”

·         Listen when another person is talking. 

·         Sometimes, it’s necessary to forget about my “to-do” lists, e-mails that await my response, blogs to write, and just BE with my son.

·         When a conversation shifts gears from the first day of school to which dinosaurs ate meat, go with it. 

·         The seemingly meaningless conversations mean something – TIME.

·         Invest into other people’s lives.

·         Just because you’re a good-looking kid doesn’t mean you don’t have insecurities.  (I am obviously biased, but have you seen my son?  Those eyes?  That complexion?)

·         As human beings, we need pure, unadulterated physical touch with others.

·         Smile at other people.  You don’t know what kind of day they are having.  (John Henry is concerned that when he smiles to his new friends, they may not smile back.)

·         The only thing better than a hug and a kiss goodnight are two hugs and two kisses.

·         And finally, be glad that a snapping turtle doesn’t have a long neck else it might turn around and snap your hand while picking him up.  (And, that was John Henry’s final thought.)

And, then we said “I love you” and “Goodnight.”

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July 15, 2008 · 6:00 am

One act of random kindness.


I watched Evan Almighty again a couple of weekends ago.  You know, you know – I think Steve Carell is fabulous.  Blah, blah, blah.  Remember how I said I would probably always promote Carell movies?  I wasn’t lyin’.  Not only is he a brilliant actor, he has this touchable quality about him.  I think he really does put his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.  Unlike the Brad Pitts of the world.  No doubt, he doesn’t. 

In the movie, Morgan Freeman, who plays the Almighty himself, appears to Evan (Carell), telling him that the way to change the world is by doing one Act of Random Kindness (“ARK”) at a time; the film’s central message.

When I look at the vast poverty that exists in our local community and around the world, it can be overwhelming.  So overwhelming that I sometimes think that unless I can eliminate the entire epidemic in one fail swoop, doing what I can is useless. 

The key is to not close our eyes and deem it overwhelming.  Then, we become blind to even help just the one…..then the two….and so on and so forth. 

God has called you and I to be hope, to be refuge and bring healing to a hurting society – one at a time. 

But, so often we ignore cries for help.  We look at the mass destruction of a Katrina and become….overwhelmed.  We get too busy with our own Christmas lists that we overlook the children on the Salvation Army’s radar who will go without. 

That’s why the story of the widow’s mite is so touching.  The Pharisees mocked her giving – one mite.  But Jesus explained, “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything -all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:43-44

Want to change the world?  Want to live beyond yourself?  We can.  One act of random kindness at a time. 

“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”   – St. Augustine of Hippo

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July 14, 2008 · 6:00 am

Touching them all.


This is 6 minutes but well worth the time….when you have it.

“It’s a great moment when someone has character to step up and do the right thing at the right time.”  Pam Knox, Head Coach Western Oregon

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July 11, 2008 · 6:00 am

Still growing.


It’s been a learning, growing, stretching week.  Here are some highlights of things I’ve learned and re-learned:

I am not alone when I struggle.

Of all the voices I hear, nothing compares to His voice.

When we listen and obey His voice, we can’t go wrong.

To forgive is, indeed, divine.

The body of Christ is my family.

The things I think will impress my children, don’t.

Keep walking even when your feet get a little wet.

God is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

I am the mother.  She is the daughter.

If the only thing Christ ever did for me was save me by His grace, that would be enough.

He does more.

When I keep my eyes on my own needs, I take my eyes off of Him.

My Kung Fu skills embarrass my five year old.

There is no substitute for compassion. 

My dad is strong, and his heart is full of the love of Jesus Christ.

God loves turtles, too.

His plan is always better than my plan.

Taking the time to communicate with Kris is paramount.

Allowing Anna to mix her plaids and stripes is easier.

I am learning who I am in Christ, and who Christ is in me.

I have a lot to learn.

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July 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting.


Here is a little known fact about me:  I am a black belt.  Yep.  Full-fledged Kung Fu fightin’ martial artist.  Since taking my kids to see Kung Fu Panda, I’ve been showing them some of my old moves – the round kick, side kick, knife-hand punch….all the good ones.  I even let John Henry and Anna watch the video of when I received my black belt.  “Can we watch something else now?”  John Henry said with an exasperated sigh. 

Yesterday, John Henry whips out some of his Kung Fu moves.  So, I join him – showing him my skills.  He tells me, “My Daddy Bryan says that you can’t do karate anymore.”

“Do wha?  Did he really say that?”

“Sure did.”  John Henry answers.

So, when Bryan called to talk to John Henry last night, I called him on it.

“No, I did not tell John Henry that.  We talked about Kung Fu Panda and how you were a black belt, but I never said you couldn’t do it anymore.”  Bryan defended.

“Okay.  I’ll address this with John Henry.”

Look, I realize this is small stuff to you, but at this point, I have something to prove. 

So, I asked my son, “Um, your Daddy Bryan says that he never said such.  What’s the truth?”

“Mom, I made that up.  I just want you to stop doing your karate moves.”  John Henry confessed.

Current Cool Factor rating?  I’m in the red.

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July 9, 2008 · 6:00 am

In the meantime.


After writing yesterday’s post, I was overwhelmed by not only enormous support, but a love that just reminds me of how truly blessed I am.  I said to my friend, Sharon, “Somebody raise the rod already!”  In other words, I’m ready for my Red Sea to part….like yesterday.

So, what do we do in the meantime?  What does trusting God look like?  I’ve always liked the scripture, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10 I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quoted it to myself and even to others.  Truth be told – it sounds good.  But, for a girl like me who gets ants in her pants often, it’s a tough one to swallow, really.  To be still is to trust Him.  His timing just isn’t always ours. 

Joyce Meyer says this about trusting God:

“As we continuously mature in the Christian life, we learn to believe for things not NOW but in God’s perfect timing. Hebrews 11:1 says, ‘NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’  We can always have faith now, but we cannot always have the manifestation now.  Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it. We always say, ‘God is never late,’ but He is generally not early either. Why? Because He uses those opportunities to stretch our faith in Him, and we grow during times of waiting.”

Amen, Sister Joyce.

This lady reminded me yesterday how important it is to listen to His voice.  “My sheep know my voice.”  John 10:27 Kitty said that “God continues to call us closer to Him.  ‘Search me O’ God…and know my heart.’”  That’s what I need to do in the meantime….and every day.

And, as for my comment yesterday on the righteous, and how “I hope I fit into that category”, this lady was precious to make sure that I remember that “we are not made righteous by our own goodness but by the blood of Christ!!!”   Can I get an Amen?  So, I want to make sure you all know that, too.  Otherwise, it is all works.  Thank Jesus for His grace.

Since I have a difficult time sitting still, I’m going to use this time to feed my spirit.  I’m going pray.  I’m going to serve.  I’m going to LISTEN to His voice.  I’m going to read His Word daily.  I’m going to read other life-giving books.  I’m currently reading “When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In the Box” by John Ortberg.  Good read so far.  Up next on the reading list is “Crazy Love:  Overwhelmed By A Relentless God” by Francis Chan. 

I want to live with a crazy love for Jesus.  I want to live like a Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego who not only had such a trust in God – and such a crazy love for Him – that they could proclaim before being tossed in a fiery furnace that even if God didn’t deliver them, they still would not bow. 

That’s good stuff.  And, the really cool part is that God did deliver the three young men.  And, He still does.  He is the same yesterday, today, and so on and so forth.

So, in the meantime, I’m going to trust in Him, and pursue Him, because I know He is pursuing me.

How are you feeding your spirit right now? 

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July 8, 2008 · 6:00 am

And the Red Sea will part.


For the next two days, I’m not going to post a silly story on one of my adventures of motherhood.  I’m not going to draw from some well of wisdom and spiritual insights.  You see, I’ve been functioning and ministering from what was poured into me quite some time ago.  I’m going to disclose my current spiritual state.  My dad has always advised, “Dusty, whatever comes from the heart goes to the heart.”  I hope that in my reveal, God speaks to you.

I believe that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.  I hope I all fall into that category.  I know that I have the authority to say, “Rejoice not my enemy, for when I fall, I shall rise again.”  And no one, I mean no one, can quote it like my dad.  You just gotta believe it whenever he says it.  I also know that we have an advocate with the Father – and I need to trust in Him.

After I posted “Cashing In” last week, this lady e-mailed me and said “ahhhhhhhhh grasshopper……VERY GOOD STUFF…..very wise and Godly advice.” 

I can be very honest and uncover myself with Judy.  So, I did and replied, “Thanks.  I may have some wisdom and Godly advice, but between you and me, my faith is in the pits right now.  May blog on that one tomorrow and call it “Runnin’ Low’”.

Don’t even think Miss Judy didn’t respond to that one.  Within 15 seconds she responded, “in the FAMOUS words of Buren Goss…the words that have literally gotten me through every almost CASH IN situation in my life….EVERYTHINGGGGGGG IS GOING TO BE OK!!!!!!!!”

I didn’t edit any of Judy’s responses.  She puts extra letters on everything to get her message across.   Well done, Judy. J

How do we know that everything is going to be okay?  Here is a story my mom recently reminded me of, and it did a number on my faith.  In a good way.  I pray it does a number on yours.

Let me set the story up for you.  Forgive the Dusty-like summary. 

When the Israelites left the land of Egypt with their leader, Moses, there were two ways they could go – the easy way, and the not so easy way.  God sent a cloud bright enough for them to follow by day and night.  So, they did.  All the way to the not so easy way – The Red Sea.

They obviously had to stop and regroup here.  They couldn’t exactly call my husband to charter a flight across.  Nor was Noah standing around with the Ark.  It appeared that there was no way out.  Had God brought them this far to leave them for dead now?  Especially with Pharaoh having second thoughts on their release from Egypt and subsequently sending some soldiers in big honkin’ chariots after them. 

Then, everybody started complaining to Moses.  Whine, whine, whine.  And, complaining to Moses was the same as complaining to God.  He is the One who led them that way. 

Much like the Israelites, I’ve been complaining to God, too about the path he has taken me lately.  Did He bring me this far for nothing?  But, I’m learning to be a little more like Moses and do what he did.  Moses reminded the Israelites that God would fight for them.  And, he prayed to God for help.

Remember that big bright cloud?  God caused it to become really dark and put it between the Israelites and Pharaoh’s soldiers.  This bought them a little time.

Then, God told Moses to hold his rod over the Red Sea.  (This is the same rod Moses had in the beginning.)  God reminded Moses that He had promised to help him.  And, He did. 

He parted the Red Sea.

Rumor has it that the Israelites went across and didn’t even get their feet wet!

Maybe you’re like me and are having a difficult time seeing a way out or wondering where to go from here.  God still parts Red Seas today.  No matter what is staring you in the face, God always goes before you, clears the path, and orders your steps.  And, when we trust in Him and obey Him, He is certain not to fail us.  “Everything is going to be okay.” 

Then, like the Israelites, we can sing,

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.  This is my God, and I will praise him – my father’s God, and I will exalt him!”  Exodus 15:2

Are facing a Red Sea in your life right now?

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