February 5th, 2010
If you want to hide in a crowd, never wear a red pant-suit to a church service.
See, I’d scouted out this tall lanky blue-eyed worship leader during a revival nearly 30 years ago. Okay, actually I was simply going because a friend had told my mom about this single man whose voice and life measured up to the things on my list, except for the fact that he wore boots.
When I first saw him from the pew, his voice shook the stained glass window of my heart. I sensed a rejoicing, a fresh feeling and my soul whispered a prayer, one I’d rehearsed many times before, “God let this guy be the song of my heart.”
After the service (no, I have no idea what the preacher said, I was lost in a world of anticipation) the man I was scouting, walked up and said, “I just need to find out if this young lady is single.”
On our first real conversation he asked me if Jesus was my Savior! Never in my life, had a man asked me such a question! This guy not only sang about Jesus, but he loved him too!
We’ve been married 27 years this October. I’ll always remember the small church and the day when God cared so much for me, he sent me Ray, my husband, the joy of my life. And yes, I’ve gotten over the fact that he wears boots from time to time.
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February 2nd, 2010
 Have you ever sent your husband to the store with a list?
I heard about a husband who took his young daughter to the grocery store to help him buy the groceries. In addition to the healthy items on his wife’s carefully prepared list, the two of them returned home with a package of sugar-filled cookies.
Sugar was not on the list of nutritional foods the wife wanted for her family. She had been specific. She’d made them a list. She’d asked her husband to be diligent.
So when she saw the items on the counter in the kitchen she asked, “Why in the world did you buy those? You know these sugar cookies aren’t good for you!”
“Oh, but don’t worry, honey, these cookies have one-third less calories than usual in them,” the husband replied.
The wife looked all over the package but couldn’t find any claim to that fact, so she asked, “What makes you think that?”
“We ate about a third of the box on the way home.”
Now there’s an idea! When I go to the store the next time, I’m using the same approach as this man. I’ll east part of the box! See, when I shop I tend to be more like him, spontaneous, drawn in by the appeal of the package and since I love sugar, I grab things that never make it on any list!
I admit it! I love sugar! And yes, it loves me!
Sure, I’ll continue to buy the lettuce, the tomatoes, the fruit and the wheat bread. I’ll grab bottled water, 2% milk and chicken. And when my cart is full, I’ll take a stroll through sugar lane, yes you know the aisle. Let’s see, there’s an entire section dedicated to the children, it’s filled with sugar cereals which aren’t terribly good for them.
Then, there’s the cookie aisle, it’s laced with packages of beautifully wrapped sugar coated, sugar filled, sugar dipped cookies for the kid in me. No, those aren’t terribly good for anyone either.
Next to that aisle is the frosting, the brownie mix, the cakes mixes, the packages of cookies dough for the hurry up and bake me kind of gal. No, that’s not really a good aisle either.
I could go on and on about the products we find in our grocery store. Seems there’s more sugar in those aisles than we realize. Oh wait, I do know the things I buy have sugar in them, but instead I still find myself pouring granulated sugar into my body. It’s like I have an invisible funnel and don’t think of how it affects me.
Okay, back to the list. Fruit. Vegetables. Chicken. Wholesome grains. Milk. Juice. I must try not to eat part of a cookie package to validate the purchase the next time I shop. Besides, rationalizing my decision doesn’t make it right, it only makes me fat!
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January 28th, 2010
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January 9th, 2010
| I celebrated my turn of the century birthday with my twin sister last week. We spent the day together, movie, lunch and shopping. She bought me a purse. I bought her one.
Every year we have the same tradition, we go purse shopping in January and the coolest part is, we always buy each other the exact same purse. Usually it’s the same color, but this year Melody ended up with the brown patchwork design and I carried home the green pocketed bag.
Same brand. Same design on the inside. Same pockets. Just a different color.
I’d have a brown one too, except the store only carried one in that color.
Minutes before our decision, we’d discovered the lone brown tote on the shelf, its silent call said ‘buy me’ and it reached out to us about the same instant.
Our twin—senses zoned in for the claim and Melody said, “I know you like this one. Here you take it.”
I immediately knew she was not telling the trust, another twin sense I’ve developed over time. She was drooling over the bag as she handed it me, so I told her she could have it.
“I love the green bag instead.”
Now I’d just lied to her. But it was fine, really—she knew it. My generous nature kicked into gear, I let her have her way. Oh gosh, another lie, I’m not terribly generous.
I gave in because I remember how she used to beat me up as a kid whenever I balked at her, or got in the way. She was used to getting her way, winning.
And I was used to relinquishing my rights.
Lifetime habits are hard to discard; I simply turned into that little girl who let her sister reign. I actually didn’t mind, since the green bag was my second choice.
| At the front counter, I paid for her brown bag. It was on sale. Nice. Cheaper than I’d expected and on sale too.Melody set my green bag down, got her money out, only the total rang up was higher.
Seems, my green leather trim on the purse made it more costly.
She paid nearly $10 more for my purse! Seems, I’d gotten the better deal after all!
Are you looking for a great deal? Wish you could find the blessing on the shelf of life one that comes with unexpected surprises?
If so, maybe it’s time to go shopping with me? I can always use another friend, another purse and another memory of how God blesses our lives with great sisters and good friends! |
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December 22nd, 2009
TOP TEN MOST HATED GIFTS
Just in time for your last minute shopping trip, we’ve got some useful data. A new poll lists the world’s top three most hated Christmas gifts. Are you ready? Number three — socks! Number two — handkerchiefs! And the number one most hated Christmas gift of all time… drum roll please… cheap perfume! Here’s the top 10:
1. Cheap perfume
2. Handkerchiefs
3. Socks
4. Packaged toiletries
5. Christmas sweaters
6. Slippers
7. Chocolates
8. Power tools
9. Executive stress toys
10.Kitchen equipment
And yet, each year we rush to the sales, grab the clearance flyers and we search for that perfect gift.
Most likely we’ve given some of the items listed above.
I love the idea of giving our loved ones a card with a message with words like, “I wanted someone to know your kindness and your love this Christmas. So I gave on your behalf.”
Then tell them what and where their food, clothes, or money went this Christmas season.
It’s never too late to give with a heart of love!
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December 3rd, 2009
I read about a homeless man who broke into a home in Louisiana and cooked himself a meal. Apprently, the Alexandria police arrested the man who told them he was homeless. They charged him with burglary.
The woman who lived in the house walked into her home and asked the man what he was doing. He said it was his aunt’s house.
The oven and and a heater were on and the man had cooked the homeowner’s food.
How would you have reacted? Would you have called the police? Or made some coffee?
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November 20th, 2009
Do you think you can walk on water?
One day a Pastor and his brother took Sam, the visitor fishing on a boat.
Once in the middle of the lake, the Pastor said, “I seem to have forgotten my fishing pole, be right back.”
Now, to the visitor’s amazement the Pastor stepped out of the boat and walked on top of the water towards the shore.
When he had returned, the Brother said, “I need to use the restroom, be right back.”
Again the visitor watched in amazement.
Once the Brother returned, not wanting to be outdone, the visitor said, “I need to use the restroom too.”
As soon as he stepped out of the boat, he sank.
The Pastor nudged his brother and said, “We should have told him where the rocks were.”
My take on this!
Be absolutely sure God is directing your steps.
Stay on solid ground, his foundation is secure.
He is our rock! Without him you will sink!
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November 19th, 2009
Do you have trouble with relationships?
Well, I found a few things that will help us get along with people.
The SIX most important words:
“I admit I made a mistake.”
The FIVE most important words:
“You did a good job.”
The FOUR most important words:
“What do you think?”
The THREE most important words:
“After you please.”
The TWO most important words:
“Thank you.”
The ONE most important word:
“We”
The LEAST important word:
“I”
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November 18th, 2009
THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE
This illustration is awesome!
Take a an empty mayonnaise jar…and the coffee…
Pick up the very large (yes, use a huge jar) empty mayonnaise jar and toss in some golf balls. Is the jar full? You may have said yes.
Toss in a box of pebbles. Put on the lid. Shake the jar. Is the jar full? Yes.
Now, pour in some sand. Is the jar full? Yes.
Then pour in two cups of coffee (grounds). It’s packed!
The jar is your life.
The golf balls are the important things, like family, friends, your passions. If you lose them, you’d still be full.
The pebbles are things like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else-the small stuff.
Now if you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So take time to play another 18 holes of golf. Play with your kids. Laugh. There will always be time to clean the house, do the laundry and rake those leaves.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
Oh, as for the coffee — remember there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend. |
 Yes — do find time to hug your dog!
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November 15th, 2009
We sing the song, “This is the Day the Lord has Made” on Sundays at the Recovery Center where I teach each weekend. I love singing, and do so with fervor and off-key.
My friend Lacey Quinn is magnificent, has such a gift with song and music. She’s a light in a room filled with people. She leads the women in worship every week.
However, at times I feel like a sour note in the room, But I do love God with all my heart. So I can sing anytime, anywhere for the Lord.
Isn’t it great how the Lord takes each of us, blesses our obedience and can use us to bring him glory? Some sing. Some teach. Some sing and teach.
When I get to heaven, I’ll have my own cloud with a brand new harp. In my glorified body, I’ll sing for the Lord — and I expect the tune I’ll carry will be music to my the Lord.
Hey wait, a song from the heart is always music to God’s ears. So I can sing with all that I have, with zeal and in praise to the Father!
It’s a song he never tires of! Although, you may tire of hearing me squeal!!
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