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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July 7, 2008 · 6:00 am

Turtle Trapping Update


If you’re anything like me, you’ve been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to hear if Kris has succeeded in trapping any turtles yet.  Yesterday, my mind was put at ease.  No doubt, I’ll sleep better knowing how the story ends.  I’m sure you will, too.

Kris, along side his turtle trapping associate, Dennis, trolled out to the trap.  At first glance, they saw what looked to be little reptilian shells peeping through the water.

Once they pulled the trap out of the lake, they knew they had struck tortoise gold.

Their excitement and virility overload tapered when they looked at each other and said….

“Now what?”

So, they killed the turtles and made some stew. 

Not really.  They took them to a creek and dropped each of the 26 turtles – yep, 26 – into the stream.

Upon leaving the farm, we saw this little guy away from his snapping friends.  So, Kris and the kids blessed their little reptile friend….

And, sent him back to his new home.

The End.

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July 4, 2008 · 6:00 am

Freedom, I won’t let you down.


I promise not to continue titling my blog posts lyrics from random songs.  Well, I don’t promise.  But, I won’t make a habit out of it.  I don’t think.

My favorite July 4th memory was 5 years ago.  I ran the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta early in the a.m., hopped on the good ‘ol Beechcraft Duke with Kris and flew to Grand Lake.  Only to spend it with two of our closest friends on their completely awesome boat watching completely awesome fireworks and F-14’s fly over.  Life’s not bad.

– Thanks to freedom and the ability of free persons to pursue great things. 

Charles de Gaulle said, “History does not teach fatalism.  There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads.”

Happy Fourth!

Do you have a favorite 4th memory?

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July 3, 2008 · 6:00 am

Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature rising.


By the time the clock strikes 6:00 in the evening, the daily grind with children is nearing its end.  The day is all downhill from there, right?  Not as long as those pretty little blonde haired wonders are still awake. 

At 6:00 PM EST on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, Anna opened the backyard gate only to let Brew (our four-legged pal) explore the wild blue yonder.  I looked like a not so secret agent in search of a star witness in a high profile case.  Oh, I exaggerate.  I just ran up and down the street yellin’ like a true Southerner, “Brew!  Herrreee Breewwwww!”  My children traveled ten feet behind me wiping tears from their eyes.  Because, being the good mama that I am, I told them, “Well, we’ve lost Brew now.  That’s why you don’t open the gate.” 

Or the window, as was the case the last time Brew hoped for a newfound freedom.

So, we recovered Brew and I consoled the children.  As soon as I caught my breath, I commenced to making dinner.  Little did I know that John Henry would use this time to brush up on his “Dial 911” skills.  My phone rings and the lady on the other end from 911 dispatch, or whatever they’re called, informs me that there was a hang up from my number.  Hmmmm.  I told her it must have been one of my children.

“We still have to send someone out to make sure it’s okay,” she explains.

Sure enough an officer shows up at my door, and John Henry runs up the stairs. 

After handing over my license for…..for what?  A record check?  To log me into the system as a potential criminal mama?  The officer realized the only threat to society was us taking up the time of our city’s finest.

There is no doubt that by now, I am on the C.I.A.’s radar.  From the T.S.A. personnel at the airport finding these items in John Henry’s pockets….

To Anna setting off the house alarm while I was taking a shower causing ADT to leave messages on my landline, my cell phone, and my husband’s cell phone.  ‘Cause I was in the shower!

To the events of yesterday evening.  I’m on the radar.  I’m sure of it.

It’s times like these that I see a new series airing called “Baby Borrowers”, and I think, where do I sign up?  I’m just funnin’.  No really, I am.  You know after talking about sweet family time with the children in yesterday’s post….Jesus loves you high and low talk,  that I would never consider letting anyone borrow my children.  Now, I might be open to one of you opening your home to my beautiful blessings.  So, if interested, please comment. 

Ain’t got but one scripture to tie into this one – “This, too, shall pass.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

Hallelujah, Amen & Selah.

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July 2, 2008 · 6:00 am

Turning off the tube.


I love television.  I love the internet even more.  More times than not, the television is turned off for dinner in our home.  However, that and the internet can take center stage a lot of evenings post dinner.  Last night was different. 

I visited friends and their four children.  Something really cool happened when the television was powered off.  Not one, but all four of their children joined us in the family room. 

And, we talked.

The ages of these children range from 11 to 18.  Yet, each one put aside their usual adolescent joys to join their parents and two other adults.  (Suddenly referring to myself as an adult seems bizarre.)  Anyhoo….

They weren’t instructed to congregate.  They just did.  And, how precious it must have been for their parents to have a moment of uninterrupted time with their children…..and me, of course J

I think I’m going to turn the tube off more often in my own home.  And, I shudder to say, even the world wide web.  Because, at the end of the day, I will forget that ridiculously funny Seinfeld rerun and the latest news reported by cnn.com. 

But I will hold tightly to my heart every word spoken, every joke made, every high five, every glance, every confession, every life discovery, every God moment, and every touch between my husband and two children. 

And, while right now my family time consists of fireplace stage performances of “I Had a Little Turtle” and transformations of my little autobot, I know I’m building a foundation that will enable us to not only do life together – but also share in it.

John Henry and Anna, I pray that in these moments together that “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”  Ephesians 3:17-18

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July 1, 2008 · 6:00 am

Cashing in.


I love a good poker game.  I was a fan of poker when Texas Hold ‘Em wasn’t cool.  I’ve always been able to relate many of life’s moments to a game of skill and chance.

Even Kenny Rogers related life to knowing when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.

Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about.

·         Sometimes we win.  Sometimes we lose.

·         Sometimes we aren’t sure but find the risk worth it.

·         Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the table and make poor decisions.

·         Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the table and really luck out.

·         Sometimes we are dealt a bad hand.

·         Sometimes it’s a good idea to cash in.

So, here is my point.  How do you know when it’s okay to cash in?

Here’s my real life example.

During my tumultuous first pregnancy, I hung in there hoping that things would work themselves out between my husband and me.  I’ll never forget my good friend telling me, “No one would blame you if you cashed your chips in now.”

And while I wasn’t quite ready to cash in, I always appreciated that statement.

Eventually, I knew it was time to cash in, and I did.  But not after I had exhausted every resource, prayed every prayer, and allowed for a thousand opportunities.  I had to know that I cashed in after playing the best game I could with the cards I had been dealt.  To be honest, I feel like I did.

And, I would say to anyone….

Before you give up on your career, your children, or your marriage, play the rounds the very best you can.  Give God every opportunity to deal you a couple of Aces in the hole.  But also remember, God cannot affect another’s will.  Well, I suppose He could if He wanted, but that’s not His style.  And sometimes the choices of others force us to cash in even when we don’t want to.  If at the end of the day, you have done all you can do, no will blame you for cashing in.  And, if you remain faithful to Him, He is sure to deal you a better hand next time.  When He does, it’s up to you to play it well.

Have you ever cashed in? 

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June 30, 2008 · 5:30 am

Monday Morning Madness


Catching an early AM flight to the ATL today, so……here goes some Monday thoughts:

·         My blogging friend, Scott Williams, celebrates the one-year anniversary of Big Is the New Small today.  All he wants for his birthday is a shout out and some link love.  So, Happy Birthday Big!

 

·         Speaking of link love, if you haven’t clicked on over to “mental hygiene”, you’re missing out on some mental breaths of fresh air.  Fun fact:  Michel, author of mental hygiene, is this guy’s daughter.

 

·         Kris and I saw Get Smart this weekend.  I laughed out loud.  I will probably always promote Steve Carell movies.  He’s a comedic genius. 

 

·         Anna has a new imaginary friend….actually, an imaginary cousin named Boris.  Still trying to figure this one out. 

 

·         I’ve been thinking about living beyond myself a little more.  More to come on that one later.

 

What are your Monday morning thoughts?

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