The Artist

There is an app for everything and, with the right one, even I can create art.

I will never have an exhibit.  I will not receive an award for my creativity.  My name will never be listed under famous artists. 

But it is fun!  A swirl here.  A little color there.  Slowly a shape forms.  

My thoughts as I look at these?  The top picture is intricate.  The red one shouts.  The angels comfort me in the last one.

Yes, my iPad and I can create art.

THE ARTIST

This artist does not need an iPad.  Does not need a paint brush.  Nor canvas. 

IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED …..

HE SAID ……. let there be

  

HE SAID ….. let there be

HE SAID ….. let there be

Now doesn’t that just beat all!  HE SAID….  That is all it took.  He said.  (From Genesis 1)

Are you ready for the best part?

HE DID ALL OF THIS FOR US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God must really, really, REALLY love us!

OF COURSE

I flip the switch and the lights come on.  Of course.

I turn the tap and the water flows.  Of course.

I push the button and I have control of the TV.  Of course.

I put the key in the switch and the car is ready to start.  Of course.

I adjust the thermostat and the house cools down.  Of course.

I open the book and there are words on the page.  Of course.

I tell my hubby what to do and --- okay, maybe that one might not be such a good example.

There are so many things we take for granted.  When we take certain actions, we know exactly what the result will be.

Of course:

·         hubby – oops.  Forgot I was not going to use that.

·         there are words on the page – unless the printer ran out of ink.

·         the house will cool down – unless the air conditioner refuses to run.

·         the car will start – unless it is out of gas.

·         the TV will be operating – unless the cable is out.

·         the water will be filling the sink – unless there is a break in the water line.

·         the lights will come on – unless the storm took out a transformer.

Suddenly all of those “of course” times in our lives are not a sure thing.  Hubby may not follow instructions.  Appliances, cars and utilities can all fail. 

OF COURSE

When I want to talk with God, He will be there.  Of course.

When I look for God, He will be there.  Of course.

When I have drifted away and I find my way back, God will be there.  Of course.

When I want to thank God for the sunset, the flowers and laughter, He will be there.  Of course.

When I wake up and when I fall to sleep, God will be there.  Of course.

When I feel joy or sorrow or peace or fear, God will be there.  Of course.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,

“who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

God WILL be with you.  OF COURSE!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

MISSING BLOGS

I am glad to be back writing a weekly blog.  I have taken breaks before when we were going on vacation or life was just - well, just too much life.  I felt okay with that.  But the many weeks I missed between March and September were different.  I missed writing because I was lost.

I was seeking direction.  I was looking for the path.  I was listening for an answer.  And during this seeking, looking and listening, I was lost.  

I had been... but what was I to be now?  The problem was, I was willing to go down a new path, BUT the path should be pretty much like the old one.  I was good at... was that on the new path?  I always... would my always be there? 

Seeking, check.  Looking, check.  Listening, che--- and that is why I got lost.  My listening was more of a waiting to hear what I wanted to hear.  

Until one day when I was not listening at all.  It sounds silly, but when I was not listening, I heard the one question I needed to hear.  And when I heard the question, my Spirit immediately gave me the answer.

My path now?  My path now is a journey with yet undiscovered twists and turns.  I have thrown always away.  (Always is a bit boring if we are honest.) I am enjoying the wait until God shows me what my new role will be.  

The amazing thing is that, in the journey down an unknown path, leaving 'I was, I did and I always' behind, I realized I am no longer lost.  How can I not be lost on an unknown path?

Because, this is the path God wants me on.  An unknown path to me, but not to God.  He kept the path maintained until I eventually found my way.

No longer lost!  What sweet words.  And that means the blog returns.  I write with the prayer that my words will touch one person.  Will help one person find hope.  Will help one person realize their thoughts, doubts and fears are normal.  Will help one person find eternal life though Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Who is that one person.  I have no idea.  It is not important for me to know.  It is important for me to write just in case one person happens upon my blog and needs to hear God say, “You are not lost.  You are my child.”

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1

THE LOST VIDEO

“Here is a video I think you would enjoy.  Watch it and then bring it back,” I told …….

Well, I told someone.  The trouble is now I do not know where the video is.  It is out there somewhere.  I am sure it wants to come home but it does not know the way.  Some people I thought I had loaned it to said, “No.  I do not have it.”  Now I do not know where to search. 

And I am looking because I wanted to loan it to someone else. 

Where of where?  Think.  Think.  Poor video.  Out there.  Is it lost forever?

LOST

I have felt like that video.  Lost.  Trying to find my way home.  Wondering how I ended up where I did not want to be.

I may have felt like the lost video BUT I am not like that video.  There is someone who always knows where I am. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Psalm 139:2-3

GOD NEVER LOSES ME!  He never loans me out.  He never forgets where I am.

And when He (the good Shepherd) finds me,

He joyfully puts me on His shoulders and goes home.

Luke 15 parts of 5 and 6 (made personal)

GOD COMES TO GET ME!  Even if I should wander off, He comes to find me and brings me back where I belong.

ARE YOU LOST?

You can feel lost and alone in a room full of people.  You can get yourselves into places you thought you would never be.  You can turn to friends or family and still feel like you are lost.

There is a place you can feel secure.  A place where you will not feel lost.  That place is as a Child of God.  A Child of a God, who takes you in His arms, puts you on His shoulders and safely places you in His flock.

My prayer for you this week is that you will feel the comfort of a loving God that is always there and always loves to hear you talk with Him.

DAYS LEFT

I looked at the calendar and it says that this is day 260 and there are 106 days left in this year.  ONLY 106 DAYS LEFT!  Why it should only be …..

I don’t like knowing how many days are left in 2016.  Thinking about it sent my mind  into warp speed:  Next week is crazy busy!  Vacation with daughter and her family in three weeks!  Hubby getting ready to be in the fields!  Halloween!  My birthday!  Other people’s birthdays!  (One of those other people is our son who will be 50.   I AM NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A 50 YEAR OLD CHILD!)  Thanksgiving!  And Christmas! 

106 days left in 2016.  My mind has settled down and now the questions have started.  Will I use those days wisely?  Do I really have to do everything?  Am I allowing time for myself?  Am I allowing time for family?  Am I allowing time for God?

HOW MANY DAYS?

I can easily count how many days are left in a week.  In a month.  In a year.  I cannot count how many days are left in my life.

But about that day or hour no one knows,

not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,

but only the Father.

Mark 13:32

I do not know how many days I have left.  AND I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!  But, the same questions apply. 

• Am I using my time wisely?
• Do I really have to do everything?
• Am I allowing time for myself?
• Am I allowing time for family?
• Am I allowing time for God?

Am I allowing time for God?  Am I allowing time for God?  Am I?  Am I?

Are you?

WHY

WHY.  Three letters.  A short word.  The definition is even short:  cause, reason or purpose.  And yet, this short, three letter word is on everyone’s lips.  Everyone’s heart.  You can see it in their eyes.  You can hear it in their voice.  You can notice the softer steps and the shoulders slightly bent. 

Why?  Why?   Why?

This short, three letter word is used over and over and over.  The “why” is usually followed by “if only?”  And we torture ourselves with these words.

There have been many posts on Facebook and articles in the paper and on the news about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  But they are only articles until there is a face – a person – a family – a friend – touched by suicide.  And, when one of those that committed suicide, leaves an empty place in a high school class and brings grief and loss to your grandchildren, the articles become real and the news touches your heart.  And everyone begins to ask, “Why?”

Sadly, the question “why” rarely has an answer.  Why would this boy commit suicide?  Why was he that unhappy?  Why did someone not see it?  Why?  Why?  Why?

And then, “What if?”  What if he had received a phone call?  What if he had reached out to someone?  What if I had been a better parent/friend/ pastor/teacher/employer?  What if?  What if?  What if?

My grandsons.  The kids at their school.  The parents, family and friends.  They are all facing a loss they cannot explain.  A loss that hurts.  A loss that will require the slow process of healing.

My prayer for them is that they will find comfort and that they will not fall into the trap of “why” and “what if”.  I pray they will find a memory to hold in their hearts so they can say goodbye to their friend.

=   =   =   =   =   =   =   =

The most important thing we can do is to take seriously anytime anyone says they are thinking about suicide.  Or if someone keeps bringing up the subject, it means they could be contemplating suicide.  And tell!!!  You are not doing your friend or family member a favor by not telling someone.  Their confiding in you might be their cry for help. 

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death and, each year, over 42,700 people commit suicide.  These are not just numbers!  The articles are not just news!

These 42,700+ people were our sons and daughters.  They were our parents.  They were our friends.  And we hurt when a suicide causes our grandsons to cry.

DISCOVERING THE PATH

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Have you ever been out for a walk, enjoying the journey down a lovely path, your mind wondering here and there as memories floated in and out?  Have you ever been walking along, in a familiar right, left pattern, sure where you were headed because the path was easy to see?  Have you ever been walking along, one step leading into the next, when you notice a bench – an inviting, comfortable bench?  The empty bench is waiting for someone to step off the path and sit.

I had been sitting on that bench.  And, it was not a good place to be!

Let me explain. 

Our journey – the path we follow – can become too familiar.  Too safe.  We can keep putting one foot in front of the other.  We can be doing all the right things.  Saying all the right words.  We can …..

… all of a sudden realize it is not the path we are supposed to be on.  And that is how I found myself sitting on the bench.  My path was no longer clear.  Or maybe the path was clear and I did not want to see it. To see the path would mean I would have to change.  I would have to divert from the path of the known and comfortable to the path of “LORD YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?”

So there I sat on the bench.  The name of the bench is indecision and, although that bench looked inviting, it was not a pleasant place to sit.  And I was not alone.  On one side was the voice of “this path is good.”  On the other side was the voice of “is this the path God wants you stay on?”

While I sat there, life went on and it was good.  But God has this persistent nature and finally, I heard the answer.  That is when I stood up and saw that, where there had been one path, there were now two.  One familiar and safe:  a good path.  One --

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

One was the new path God wanted me to be on.

Hubby and I have struggled with a decision for years.  We had both attended the same denomination for over 50 years and a local church for over 30.  We sat on the bench of indecision because of the wonderful people in the local church, as the voice on one side said “go” and the voice on the other side said “stay.” 

What we finally realized is that God has a new path for us and we have begun a new faith journey.  A journey that is no longer handcuffed to indecision.  We are exactly where God wants us.  We are on a new path. 

What about you?  Are you sitting on the bench of indecision?  

I HEARD/READ IT --- IT MADE ME THINK

The other day, we were watching an interview with Sophia Loren.  The question was, “What is happiness?”

 She answered, “It depends on your age.”

 That made me think and I realized she was right. 

• Happiness was mom saying, “Yes, you may go to the park.  Be back by five.” 
• Happiness was a slumber party.
• Happiness was receiving an engagement ring and then a wedding ring from the man I love.
• Happiness was welcoming a son and then a daughter into our family.

Some things cause happiness during your whole life:

• Happiness is reading a book.
• Happiness is traveling.
• Happiness is family.  And home.

It is funny how one thing leads to another.  I had finished reading a book, The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck, and had saved some quotes about Jack.  Jack is seeking happiness.  Seeking but could he let go of the past? 
 

“That’s the crux of it right there.  Are you ready to give up being angry? Because anytime you want to become a Gillingham, Jack, we’ll go down to the courthouse and make it all legal.”  “I’m thirty years old, Sam.”  “I don’t care if you’re a hundred. I’m telling you, I want you as my son. Wouldn’t it be nice to know you are a son right before you become a father?”  Jack glanced at Sam, who nodded, then turned for the house. “Take your time.” He might have been gone, but his confession hung around the garage, drilling through Jack and tapping his tears. “I want you as my son.”

"You have everything you need to heal from such a deep hurt, but you choose to keep walking around wounded.”

"When you walked in, I knew you were the answer to our prayer.”  An answer to prayer.  Such a claim caused Jack to torque inside, messed with his right to be angry, to play the victim.  Because if the God of all looked after him, even used him to bless someone"

As a child, Jack was sent to stay with Sam and his wife.  Jack was angry.  Jack closed himself off and never realized he was an answer to their prayers.  You see, they wanted a child.

Jack had not known happiness.  Did not have sweet memories.  He did not know how to love.  Or trust.  He just knew how to be hurt, to be angry.  He just knew how to keep people away.

Of course, the book ended with Jack finding happiness when he finally allowed his past to be just that:  the past.  Then he found God, trust and love. 

So often we do not realize that what makes us happy changes as we grow older.  So often we are not happy because, like Jack, we refuse to leave our hurts, anger and lack of trust behind us.

Of course, the book had a happy ending but your life can have a happy endings too.  The key?

God, of course.

SUCCESS

Two phones, an iPad and a computer all ready.  The countdown begins.  Ten minutes.  Five minutes.  Three minutes.  “Start dialing Bill,” I said as I started dialing and checking both screens.  Too soon.  One minute.  “Dial again,” I told Bill as I hit redial.

Computer spinning to get a place in line.  IPad spinning to get a place in line.  Bill’s phone asking him questions he did not know how to answer.  My bad!  I forgot to give him the password.  He hangs up.  But my phone -----

“This is an automated service and you will not be speaking to a live representative.  Do you wish to continue?”  YES.  “Are you wanting tickets?”  YES.  “Are you wanting tickets to an event in Fort Wayne, Indiana?”  NO.  (In my mind, I am seeing ticket after ticket being sold while I am answering questions.)  “What event are you interested in?”  GARTH BROOKS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.  “Which show?”  WHAT?  I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONLY ONE.  THE 7:00 PM, SATURDAY NIGHT.  “Would you like the best tickets available?”  YES.  (Getting closer.  I was getting excited.)  “There are two tickets in row Q of section 227.  Will you take them?”  NO.  (Oh that was hard to say.)  “Would you like me to try another selection?”  YES.  (Do you realize how silly it feels to answer question from a machine?)  “There are two tickets in row P of section 221?  Will you take them?”  NO.  (How did no come out of my mouth again?)  “Would you like me to try another selection?”  YES. “Would like two tickets in row A of section 204, seats 1 and 2?”  YES!  YES!  (One section higher than I wanted but the front row of that section.  I can live with that.  Besides, I did not want the voice to say, “Sorry you have turned down three selections.  Goodbye.”)

SUCCESS!  Our daughter and I are going to see Garth Brooks.  I can mark that off my bucket list.

I had been excited ever since Terri called and said he was going to be so close.  Also, a bit anxious.  What if I couldn’t get tickets?  Concerts sell out very quickly.  And, as much as I wanted to go, I wanted decent seats.  And I did not want to pay for tickets on the secondary market.  Items on my bucket list are only worth so much.

SUCCESS!  And then a conversation began in my heart.

“Mary, do you seek me with the same determination and excitement you sought those tickets?”

“Of, course, Jesus,” I replied.

“Really?  I seem to have missed something then.  When was the last time you counted down the minutes – the seconds – until you could be with me?”

“Well, you know.  Laundry.  Cooking.  Watching TV.  Checking Facebook.  The time just seems to slip away and then it is bedtime,” I answered.

“Mary, Mary.  What am I going to do with you?”

“Jesus, I do know how to answer that.  You are going to love me.  You are going to celebrate with me when life sends me higher than a kite.  You are going to support me when life knocks my legs right out from under me.  And you are going to borrow that 2 X 4 God uses to whack me with when I get off track,” I humbly replied.

“I won’t use that 2 X 4 this time.  I think you get the idea.  I am thrilled to see you enjoying life.  It makes me smile.  Just remember what really gives you success in life.”

SUCCESS!  I have a God that gave me the world.  I have a Savior that washed me in forgiveness.  I have a Holy Spirit that guides me.  I am successful!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And this is what we are!  1 John 3:1

SUCCESS?  Yes because I am the child of the One True King.

“Mary.”

“Yes,” I answered in a surprised voice.  I was not expecting further conversation on this subject.

“It is okay that you did not get me a ticket.  I already have the best seat in the universe and I did not have to call Ticketmaster.”

ERASED

TV show plot:  One man owns a bar that is not doing the best.  A friend offers to buy in.  They agree.

Then things take a turn for the worse.  Why?  Because the friend renames the bar, brings in some top singers and turns the bar into a success.  All the while, the original owner gets pushed into the background.  When things come to a head, the original owner told his friend, “You erased me.” 

YOU ERASED ME!  Powerful words from deep hurts that finally came out in total honesty.

Think about it for a minute.  “You erased me.”  Can you imagine feeling:

invisible?

like what you worked for was nothing?

betrayed by a friend?

hurt to the core?

Three simple words.  Three words that could have dissolved a friendship.  Instead, those three words, spoken in total honesty, restored a friendship. 

Just a TV show you say.  Not real life.  Probably not.  In real life the hurts are buried, words are never honestly spoken and friendships slip away. 

I really did not know where this would go and not sure how to end it.  I just know those three words:  You erased me, tore at my heart.  Although I have never said those words, people – family, friends, strangers – have made me feel each of those.  I have felt invisible.  I have felt like my work was for nothing.  I have been betrayed by a friend.  I have been hurt to the core.  I am guessing that each of us has.  Each one reading this could look the first man in the eyes and say, “Man, do I know how that feels!”

The question is:  How do we handle those feelings.  Are we honest about them?  Or do we hide them? 

Is there anyone we can talk to that truly, TRULY understands? 

Oh, yes.  That would be Jesus.  And we can go to Him.  He will listen.

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

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28

A CROOKED, WINDING ROAD

When Bill and I travel, I am the one that finds the road less traveled.  This time:  IT WAS BILL!

We left Apache Junction, Arizona on Arizona 88.  This road started as a good, blacktop, not so straight mountain road. 
 

Even the blacktopped road had sharp curves.

That changed and the last 22 miles were not good, not blacktop and definitely not straight. 

 

Here is how it looked on the iPad.

That white line was one lane.  Dirt.  Very sharp curves.  That road was a blast!!!

 

Notice how narrow the road is at the curve?

Do you see the arrows going both ways?

 We could not see around the curves.  There were one lane bridges.  Three times we had to pull over so another vehicle could go by.  A road grader and two cars were all we saw on the whole 22 miles!  Except for a few head of cattle.

Was I scared?  Heck no.  Want to know why?

I trusted the driver!

So many times in life we are on roads like this.  We cannot see where we are going.  We do not know what is coming at us.  Sometimes we have to just sit and wait before our journey can continue.  Our journey goes up and then down and then takes a sudden twist we did not see coming.  Sometimes there are others on the same road and sometimes we are completely alone.

Yes, life can be one crazy journey.  Am I scared?  Heck ---- yes and no.

The road Bill and I were on was shown on the map.  We saw that it would end.  We were very careful. 

The road of life is not on my iPad!  I cannot see where the curves, twists, ups and downs are.  So, yes, often I am scared.  But only scared for a brief time.  Then my answer changes to no.  Why?

I trust my guide.  I trust God.

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.  Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:1, 4-5

WAITING

I always figure ten minutes early or I am late.  Today I was really early.  An hour early!  So, as I write this, I am waiting.  Not enough time to go anywhere and too much time for quietly waiting to be fun. 

But it is not quiet.  I hear people’s footsteps.  And voices.  I hear the sound of doors opening.  And closing.  The most noise is the furnace fans.  A fan big enough to move the air through a big building.  I appreciate being warm, but it is an annoying sound.  Constant.  Intrusive.

The building, like me, seems to be waiting.  Waiting to do what it is designed for.  Waiting to fulfill its purpose.

Am I doing what I am designed for?  How do I know what I am to do?  Am I on the right track?  Am I…?  Am I…?  Where do I find the answer to my questions?

Sometimes it is easy.  Life just feels right.  I know inside – at the core of my being – I am fulfilling my purpose.

Sometimes it is just the opposite.  My core – my conscious, my spirit – lets me know I am not fulfilling my purpose. I know I am not on the right track.

Then there are those other times – most of the time – when I just am not sure.  Life does not feel right, but it does not seem wrong either.  It is a time of “getting through.”  And I ask, “God, what am I supposed to be doing?  What is my purpose?  Am I doing what you designed me for?”

Those are the times when I need to shut out the constant, intrusive sounds.  Shut out the sound of doors and voices and shoes hitting the floor.  Those are the times when I need to quietly wait.  Wait until I receive direction.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

So I quietly wait until my inner core – my Holy Spirit – gives me the calm that comes from the one who created me.  The calm that comes when I am fulfilling the plans the Lord has for me.

For, you see, life is meant for so much more than just “getting through.”  The Lord has plans for each of us.  Plans that will prosper and not harm.  Plans that will give hope and a future.  That sure beats just getting through!  

I FORGOT

The minute she opened the door, I knew she had forgotten I was coming.  Her eyes had that “deer in the headlight look” as she let me in.  Immediately she said, “Oh, no.  I forgot to write it in my main calendar.”

The next comment sent me right back out the door.  She continued, “The children are sick, one has pink eye really bad and is contagious.  I am sorry I forgot and did not call you.”

I quickly assured her it was fine and to let me know when the children were better.  I waved at the little one and left.

I meant it when I said it was fine.  Everyone forgets something once in a while.  Although I remember appointments, there are things I forget.

My forgetting would probably go something like this:

Walking to the door, I wondered who it could be because I was not expecting anyone.  Most likely someone selling something.  Not cookies, because the scout cookies were already in the pantry.  Maybe someone passing out information on the election, but our election is not until May so that would not make sense.  The doorbell rings again, as if to say, “Did you hear me?”

I unlocked the door, opened it and immediately had the “deer in the headlight look.”  How could I have forgotten?  Just that morning I promised to spend time with this person.  But you know how the day goes.  Mail.  Those games on the iPad.  Extra time at the coffee shop.  Fixing dinner.  A nap.  The TV show recorded from last night.  How could I have forgotten?  How could I have been so busy?

“Come in,” I whispered.  Slowly closing the door behind my guest, I knew I was …..

Then my guest said, “Mary, let’s just sit and talk for a bit.  Tell me about your day.  Your joys.  Your pain.  Tell me how it feels when you watch the sky.  Bill loves to hear you ‘rattiling on like a junk car’ and so do I.  Mary, let’s just sit and talk for a bit.”

Yes, it was easy for me say it was fine.  Because it was fine.  The woman needed to attend to the children more than she needed to worry about my inconvenience.  She had to set her priorities.

But what priorities do I set?  “Today I will ……

Today I will just sit and talk for a bit.  But first I will apologize for forgetting.  For being too busy. 

Today I will just sit and talk for a bit.  “Yes, come in.  I have time.  Jesus, today the clouds were blowing by so fast.  It was like they were having a race.  And did I tell you about ……..”

 

ALL IN ONE DAY

Yesterday was a bit stressful.  Our daughter and I had a contest to see exactly which of our days was worse.  I think I won but, really, who wants to win at being most stressed?

My stressful day actually began a couple weeks back when a mysterious, very wet spot appeared in our kitchen.  There was no reason for it to be there.  Uninvited, it just showed up.  As the spot grew larger, hubby tried using the shop vac.  Nope, kept getting wetter.  Faced with a challenge, out came the knife and the carpet now has a bit of damage.  Hubby checked and there was no reason for the water to be there.  It was not wet anywhere except in that ONE DARNED SPOT.  Where had the water come from?  Why did it finally dry up? 

Fast forward to yesterday.  “There is that sound again and it is louder,” I told hubby.  He turned the power off to the dishwasher.  Sound still there.  He turned off the water.  Sound gone.  That was not a good thing, so the plumber was called.  Stress #1:  there is a leak under your sink.  Our mighty plumber found the leak but could not fix it until the next day.  Stress #1 carried over into today.

Blast email anyway!  Stress #2:  My email was not working!!!  It kept asking if I wanted to send a report.  Did I want to send a report?  By day’s end, I sent dozens of reports.  I reasoned if I was having a bad day because of this email problem, someone else was going to be having trouble also.  My computer guru assured me it was not the connection between the seat and the keyboard (aka: me) and that IncrediMail was not as incredible as I previously thought.  It is still not working so stress #2 has carried over into today.

Are you wondering what else was stressful?  I had a court report to write and chose yesterday to begin it.  I love to write but writing for fun is not the same as writing a court report.  I am not an overly formal person and writing in an acceptable form for court takes me a long – very long – time.  Did Stress #3 carry over into today?  Only enough to make a couple of changes and send it on its way.

Are you still reading?  Proud of you because I have taken the long way around to make a point. 

A leak in a water pipe - THANK YOU LORD!  WE HAVE WATER IN OUR HOME.  WATER TO DRINK.  WE TURN ON THE TAP OR THE SHOWER AND IT JUST FLOWS OUT.  THANK YOU LORD!

Email that doesn’t work – THANK YOU LORD!  WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY IN OUR HOME.  WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.  WE CAN DO BUSINESS.  WE CAN LEARN.  THANK YOU LORD!

Court reports to write – THANK YOU LORD!  YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A HEART FOR CHILDREN AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM.  THANK YOU LORD!

Each day we make choices.  Do I allow a small leak to destroy my day?  Do I allow an email glitch to destroy my day?  Do I allow the search for the right words destroy my day?  Or do I give thanks?  The honest answer? 

The honest answer is I did not give thanks yesterday.  In the midst of the leak, email problems and searching for the right words, I was stressed.  It was not until the leak was fixed, the email was up and working and the report written that I realized yesterday was a piece of cake.  It was not until today that I saw my blessings and gave thanks.

Now, oh, I have to call someone and get the carpet fixed.

We have carpet to fix.  THANK YOU LORD!

WHAT HAPPENS IN -----

Sometimes you just need time off.  That was the point I was at but it is time to start my blog again.  You see, last Sunday ……

Last Sunday I delivered the message and as I walked down the aisle, there sat a man who is in water aerobics with me.  I looked at him and said, “Don’t worry.  What happens at the pool, stays at the pool.”  Then I smiled and continued on with the message.

But, that comment got me to thinking.  Thoughts bounced around in my head about how often we hear that comment.

Where do you see the slogan:  What Happens here, Stays here?

• Vermont
• Family Reunions
• The Man Cave
• The Garage
• The Ranch
• Camp Grandpa

And of course, the original slogan:  What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

We hear this and grin.  But do we carry this too far?

Do we use that slogan in our Christian life?  Do we apply that slogan to our church?  What would happen IF we applied that slogan to our faith and our church? 

BUT -- What would happen if we turned that phrase around?

WHAT HAPPENS HERE, DOES NOT STAY HERE

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  Acts 6:7

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.  Acts 12:24

In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.  Acts 19:20

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

If what happens as we grow in faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, the Word of God will not spread and flourish and grow in power.  Priests will not become obedient to the faith.  No one will see the good deeds Christians do and the Father will not receive the Glory. 

If what happens as we grow in faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, many will not receive the daily blessings of comfort, strength, grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness, or the gift of eternal life.

So which slogan should we use?

• What happens here, stays here
• What happens here, does not stay here

NO BLOG FOR A BIT

Greetings,

I wanted to post this to let you know I am taking a break from blogging this summer.  Grandchildren graduating, celebrating 50 years of marriage, a trip to celebrate those 50 years and a few other things thrown in have made me realize I only have so many hours in the day. 

God is using me to teach a Sunday School class so I will be spending time focused on preparing for class.

God has greatly blessed me and this summer I am going to enjoy those blessings.

CELEBRATE EACH DAY,

Mary