June 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

Sometimes, I Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me.

As you may or may not know.  I Twitter.  I love The Twitter.  Every once in a while, I read a tweet (that’s Twitter talk for a status update) that captures my attention.  Yesterday, Michael Thurston (a.k.a. Mike T – youth pastor extraordinaire of EWC) said, “feels like God is watching me. In a good way.”  If you know Mike T, you can appreciate his tweetfulness.  Yes, yes.  Feel free to use that that one.  Tweetfulness.  What I appreciate about Mike is that he sees God.  In the big things.  In the small things. 

In all things.

So, I totally got his tweet. 

Do you get it?

Are you seeing God in your life?

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June 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

Lessons In Horse Riding and Other Things.

Anna began horse camp on Monday.  Here she is getting ready for her first day.

Anna - horse camp wp

She’s enjoyed her week so far.  So has John Henry.  When we dropped Anna off yesterday morning, he said, “Got rid of her.”  Of course, two hours later, he was asking me how much longer until we picked her up.  But, we did enjoy the quiet and reprieve from inquisitions while it lasted. 

I asked Anna how she liked riding horses.  “I didn’t fall off,” she said.  I guess that’s good.  She also looked at me and quoted a line from “Little House On the Prairie.”  “Country girls,” she said.  This is how Nellie Olsen describes Laura and Mary Ingalls in one of the first episodes.  I think she has taken a liking to life as a country girl.  Or, she just loves the Ingalls girls.  Or she loves Nellie Olsen. 

Let’s hope it’s not the latter.

In other news, John Henry finally lost his first tooth.  It was a celebration.  Anna told us all she was “so proud of John Henry.”  Her supportive sentiments quickly turned bitter when she learned he got money for his loss.  “That’s not fair.” 

Oh, the lessons in rejoicing with those who rejoice.  It can be a difficult lesson for any of us when we look at our difficult situation versus another’s seemingly better situation.  But.  BUT, when we look at our situation in view of God’s mercy, then rejoicing is not only easier….but, we can’t help but do anything else.

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June 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Nothing Can Separate Us.

I read this last night before nodding off to sleep.  I’ve read it many times before.  But, this time it just pierced me. 

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)  37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

Even when we go through difficult times, His love still surrounds us. 

And, nothing can separate us from that love.  “Neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow….” 

Just thought maybe somebody needed to hear that today.

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June 15, 2009 · 6:00 am

Friends, Bacon, & Fly Hats.

I just know you’ve waited with bated breath on what we four girls did on our little getaway.  I just know you have.  No?

Well, it was fun.  We laughed.  A lot.  Just like I said we would. 

Here is a fabulous picture of the four two of us.  I tried to get everyone in this picture.  Without success.  Obviously.

girls 2 wp

I pretty much charge $0 for photo sessions.  Call anytime to schedule your appointment.

We requested “The Mothers” wear headsets and watch a movie for the road trip.  Their pick was “Napoleon Dynamite.”  They giggled like school girls. 

girls 3 wp

We really didn’t request they wear headsets.  However, whenever they would ask too many questions or say something disagreeable, our response was, “Put your headsets on.”

This next picture pretty much sums up our trip.

girls 4 wp

Bacon.  And other artery clogging foods. 

Glo-ree.

I purchased a fabulous pair of flip flops and this hat on the trip.

girls 5 wp

Guess who thinks it’s hers now?

It was fun.  And, I am oh so thankful for these friendships. 

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  Proverbs 27:17

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June 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Weighty Issue.

*Originally posted April 16, 2008

Anna:  “What’s this?”
Mommy:  “A scale.  It tells you how much you weigh.  Do you wanna stand on it?”
Anna:  “No.”
Mommy:  “Me either.”

I can somewhat understand the weight obsession….just not fully.  Granted, I have a pair of jeans, you know, the “skinny jeans” that help me gauge my body.  Fact:  I haven’t worn those jeans in 2 years; at least, not without muffin top.  Fact:  I don’t care. 

So, why am I still holding onto a pair of “skinny jeans” that I know I will never wear again without a multiple series of stomach flus?  I really don’t know.  What I do know is that we live in a day where women and even some men (just not mine) are obsessed with their bodies to a detriment.  For real. 

I usually pack a “Lunchable” for my pre-schooler.  Due to the number of his peers with peanut allergies, the classic PB&J is a no-no.  So, a “Lunchable” it is.  The other day, John Henry informed that his friend does “not each ‘Lunchables’,” because her mom says “they make you fat.”  She is five.  I am appalled.

Nonetheless, poor body image has become quite the epidemic, and it truly disheartens me.  I strive really hard to never discuss weight issues around Anna.  I want her to grow up with a healthy self-image, believing who God says she is, not society. 

I also try really hard not to discuss weight issues around Kris.  Once when we went skiing, I wore my mom’s vintage ski bib circa 1982.  I asked Kris the age old question, “How does my butt look?”  My husband, whom I love dearly, replied, “Good.  Wide, but good.”  Yes, in my mind I envisioned hurling his body across the room.  Fortunately, for him, I remembered that he doesn’t always think things through before he speaks.  I love him still.  And, he hasn’t used “wide” and “butt” in the same sentence again.

I love the Psalm 139:14 scripture, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  But, I especially love this NLT translation:  “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.”

So, when in doubt, remember:  you look mah-velous.

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June 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do Over.

* Originally posted June 26, 2008

Remember when you were a kid playing one of those recess games, and someone would yell, “DO OVER!”  And, usually he got his do-over?  Life’s not always so simple.  There have been many circumstances in my twenty-three thirty-three years   I wish I could do over. 

Like the time I told my parents I was going to see Driving Miss Daisy with friends, and I cruised up and down Taylor Street instead.  My mom asked me which theater the movie was playing in….smart little booger….. “the left theater, center theater or right theater?” 

“The, the, the left!” I answered.

How could I not know it was the center?  After all, the movie was filmed in my hometown.  Why wouldn’t it take center stage?  I wish I could do that one over.  It would have saved me two weeks of grounding.

I’d also like a do-over on the time I colored my hair orange, my last speeding ticket, and probably the chips and queso I ate yesterday.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I’d so eat the chips and queso again today.

Point is, we all have something in life we’d like to get a do-over on.  For most of us, they are not things as trivial as mentioned above.  We’d like a do-over on a friendship, a marriage, a job – you know what I’m talkin’ about.  And, while we can’t get do-over’s on those things, we do get a do-over every day with God. 

Many people think we serve a God who stands over us with a giant rock, ready to crush it on our little heads.  A God whose wrath is fierce.  A God who positions Himself to punish His children at a moment’s notice. 

That’s not Him. 

At the second we ask Him to create a clean heart in us, He does.  He is a God who loves.  A God who forgives.  We don’t have to earn it.  We don’t have to work for it.  The price has already been paid.  He freely gives, we freely receive.

I get a do-over every morning.  I’m glad I do.  I need it.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

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June 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

Four Friends.

Today, I leave for a three day adventure with my Mom, Judy Young, and Bonnie Spencer– my friend of more than thirty-one years, who just happens to be Judy’s daughter.   Gotta love lifelong friendships.  And, it’s the first time the four of us have taken a road trip together.  I know, right?

A few things are certain for the time I’ll spend with these three:

– Laughs will be plentiful.

– I won’t go hungry.  As a matter of fact, I’m pur-tee sure I’ll OD on carbohydrates.  And, maybe even bacon. 

– Judy will laugh out loud at Bonnie and me.  I can even hear her now.

– My Mom will do most of the drivin’.  ‘Cause she’s responsible like that.

– Bonnie will talk me into getting the new iPhone 3G(S) due to be released June 19.  I won’t be a hard sale.  ‘Cause I’m responsible like that. 

– Bonnie and I will have compassion and understanding for one another as we demonstrate our ability to respond to e-mails, Twitter, text and discuss the latest trends in sunglasses all simultaneously. 

– Breakfast.  We won’t miss a one. 

– A buffet.  Somewhere.

Did I mention we’ll eat? 

I’m excited.  Very Excited.  Oh, and we won’t wear matching home-made dresses like we did Easter of 1980 something. 

In the meantime, I’m gonna run some re-runs on Thursday and Friday.  Stop  yellin’.  I’ll be back with something original on Monday.  M’kay?

Later gators.  I’m hittin’ the road. 

Love ya.  Mean it.

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June 9, 2009 · 6:00 am

On A Lighter Note.

We’ve been visiting family and friends here in the Peach State.  Oklahoma culture is not a far cry from Southern tradition.  But still. 

Still.

There’s just something about the deep South.  Perhaps it’s the sheetrock guy who shirt reads “I Tried.”  I only kid.  Sort of.  But, I find myself taking notice of things a little more than when I lived here.  And, it brings back sweet childhood memories.

Take last night for example.  We all sat on my mom and dad’s back porch talking.  I was even swingin’.  Yes.I.Was. 

Soooo, tell me what is one thing about Southern culture that you just love?  And, if you’re not a Southerner, what’s something that comes to mind (good, bad or ugly) that reminds you of Southern culture?

Be nice.  And, have fun. Y’all.

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June 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

I Need To Find Myself.

I really dislike this statement.  “Find Myself.”  Actually, the Word of God tells us to LOSE ourselves.  “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” 

I can understand the heart behind how these words are referenced at times.  But, truthfully, it is far from what we should be doing. 

Because, when we lose our life and pursue Christ, we know we are.  We can read the Word of God and know we are.  God is clear in His word that we are:

– seated with Christ.

– bought with a price.

– called His friend.

– children of God.

– justified in Christ.

– complete in Him.

– forgiven.

I could go on.  And on.  And on.  My point is that we don’t need to find ourselves.  God has already told us who we are. 

My friend, Ron Walters, recently told me a better term for “finding” oneself.  He explained how he felt God had told him to “define” himself.  To define his boundaries.  To define what he’s looking for in a career.  To define what he was willing to accept from others, from himself, and for himself.  To define how to put legs to what God has called him to do.

Maybe you are in a place where you just need to define yourself.  To define yourself and how you are going relate to your current circumstances.  But, define yourself knowing WHO you are in Christ. 

I know what it’s like to be sitting in a very different place in life where circumstances have changed drastically.  I’ve been married then suddenly sitting in a house with newborn baby.  A single mom.  A very different life.  But, I never had to go find myself.  I already knew who I was.  Because, God had already told me in His Word.  I had to define how to apply what was already inside of me to my current conditions. 

I know.  A little too deep for a Monday.   But, I do feel better now.  Thankyousokindly.

Are you in a defining place?

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June 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

So Far In the Peach State…

My parents have been doing some minor renovations to their home.  I’m still trying to recover from the sheetrock dude whose t-shirt read “I Tried.” 

For real.

John Henry has been enjoying his new electric scooter.  Only one bloody nose so far.  We call that success.

Anna has been enjoying planting flowers and making her mark in the fashion world. 

We’ve all been enjoying the pool in this Southern humidity.  And, by “the pool”, I mean any one who offers theirs to us Takles.

In other news, John Henry is about it lose his first tooth.  Finally.  Anna says it’s not fair that John Henry has a loose tooth, and she doesn’t.  If you ask me, that’s like being envious of someone else’s kidney stones.  Not that pulling a tooth is as violent as kidney stones, but still.  If pulling this tooth is as dramatic as it was when I was a youngin’, may God be with us.

So, what’s the going rate for losing a tooth these days?

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