Happy Monday... All My Fountains, Chris Tomlin

Yesterday we sang this in church... it was beautiful, reverent and soul searching, for me.

The words touched deep,
 "Come Living Water, all my fountains are in You... strong like a river, Your Love is running through all my fountains, are in You.

Rain down us, rain down on us, Lord.

Open the heavens, Come Living Water... all my fountains are in You."

I need His Living Water each morning... if I am to live fully, breathe deeply, inhaling Him, and exhaling Him... in love, truth, grace.

Christ is the Living Water.

He refreshes me each morning,

filling me with Truth that points, reminds, and surrounds me with His love.

I hope you have this Living Water to start your Monday.

It's free.

It's alive.

It's eternal.

Quench your thirst in the Living Water today.

It's Not About The Nail

 Ladies... 

sometimes it's not about the nail, but sometimes... it is. 

Let's give our men a break today and laugh a little more with them, especially at ourselves. 

Enjoy your Sunday.

Above All Else... Seek Me, Even In Summer.

 Summer arrives tomorrow.

Offering free time for the young... 

while mamas ask,

how to stay in the Word when studies end?

How to keep quiet, holy moments, when the kids are home,

 and you are running in circles of summertime.

How to remain focused on the One?

We are circular in our questions, are we not?

Have we been repeating the same lines for years?

How many have quiet homes in the summer and still struggle to focus... on the One?

 Priorities.

Choices.

Being Intentional.

None of this easy, but did we expect it to be?

  Every where I look I see broken people... especially when I look in the mirror.

Everywhere I turn... I find scripture, words, truth... to set free.

  Above all else, seek Me.

"I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently, find Me."

Proverbs 8:17

 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  

James 1:5

 Every day I meet people, in bondage, darkness, unable to find their way to light, freedom. Then I see the same when I gaze into a mirror.

"The Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge."  

Psalm 94:22

Matthew 6:33

 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

His Word starts my day...

offering freedom from fear, bondage, doubt and worry. 

Replaced with, 

Peace.

Wisdom.

Love

Grace.

Joy.

 I consider what I am willing to fill my soul this summer.

My choices.

The Screwtape Letters

C. S. Lewis 

( I love this and The Great Divorce... I re-read them often)

The Ragamuffin Gospel

Brennan Manning

(Another re-read for me... hey, don't judge)

Killing Lincoln

O'Reilly

( Camelot and the Kennedys)

Toxic Charity

Robert D. Lupton

( doing missions right) 

Counterfeit Gods

Tim Keller

What You Might Not Know
(Living with stage 4 breast cancer)

 Jennifer Arnold Smith, author of Living Legendary.

The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver

 ( can you believe I have not read that?!)

And The Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini

What's on your reading list this summer?

I hope it fills your soul.

Share... please.

Transformers...

 When my boy was little he loved Transformers.

They were sweet... how you changed a car or truck into a huge dude/fighting machine, wth a few smooth moves of your hands.

They took on another persona, another life.

They were limitless in power...

kinda like a tricked out Superman.

 I just finished The Good And Beautiful Life from the Apprentice series by James Bryan Smith.

It's about Transformation.

"Community truly is one of the key components of transformation. The joy of connecting on a personal level with others, and lives transformed to be more like Jesus."

We need community to grow our faith. A community who loves us, encourage us, tells the truth... not what we want to hear.

Community takes time.

It is hard work.

It's a commitment.

It has value.

My husband and I talk about this frequently.

We lived the value.

We had community in the home we left.

Solid people who loved us... prayed for us... cheered for us... cried with us...

asked us hard questions.

Solid rock...

built on Truth.

You can't take that with you when you move.

Yet... God knows our needs and brings community into our lives...

slowly.

I have a small community of women in my new home.

Women who are strong, real, lovely, true.

We have community at home... in our hearts, phone calls away, quick trips where we hug hard, laugh and love each other.

We want to be transformed, this is a process, a journey... not a destination. At least not this side of Heaven. It continues till we take our last breath.

 I hope you are seeking community and transformation.

Sometimes we makes excuses...

we don't need help, support. We don't let others in, share our secrets, expose our wounds.

We must...

if we are to grow as a community of believers.

There is no Lone Ranger Christianity.

Be a Transformer, not a Lone Ranger today.

You may not look like the Transformer pictured above, but hopefully you will look like love, generosity, gentleness... like Jesus, to someone.

 

Sheep...

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?"

He said to Him,"Yes Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My Lambs."

John 21:15

Jesus went on to ask Peter this same question three times.

Peter answered three times.

Peter denied Christ three times...

after Christ was led away to His crucifixion...

but before the cock crowed three times.

Jesus told Peter he would do this.

Peter could not imagine he would deny his brother, his Savior, his God.

But he did.

Christ offered him redemption.

As He offers us, each morning.

A new day...

to offer it up...

to the One who knows our every need, before it makes sound on our tongue.

He asks us the same as He asked Peter?

Simple.

Clear.

Do you love Me?

Then feed My sheep.

Look for your sheep today.

Some are obvious. 

Needing a touch, a kind word, a help.

Some may be dressed in wolf's clothing.

Feed them anyway. 

As Oswald Chambers said, 

"I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God."

Do you love Him?

Feed His sheep.

Love God - Love People.

The Eternal Destiny Of The Present Moment... And Fix It Now God.

Do you ever feel weary of it all?

I do.

Last week was hard.

There was something big that I was praying about, two things but one that was closest on my mind.

It was important, necessary and serious.
A concern that hurts my heart.

The other was my boy, who was headed to Australia.

I prayed everyday for his trip, the long, exhausting travel... but this boy travels like a machine. Minimal luggage, debit card and passport.

 Thank you sister for handing it to him the night before he left.

I asked him how much cash he was taking... zero dollars was his reply. 

I shook my head, over the phone.

I asked if he had printed his ticket. He said he would get it at the airport.

This is the generation that learned to fly post 911.

 He's got his shoes,wallet and hat in the tub before you can get your ID back in your wallet.

The biggest surprise was that his family thought he was leaving Tuesday, but it was actually Monday.

His sister realized this as she was his ride to the airport.

 I can't worry about this boy.

He seems to know what he is doing, even if the rest of us have no clue.

He's the boy that told his dad if they were parachuting and the chute didn't open he would spin and acrobat all the way to glory. He commented on this after his dad mentioned that he would be scared *&%$#*@*.

"Why dad, you know where you are going? Enjoy the ride."

The perks of being a young gun...

and loving Jesus.

The dad had to agree with the boy.

So, as I knew Jesus had the boy in hand I focused on my other concern. My Monday morning was going to be spent in prayer, letting God know what was needed, and how to do it.

 Just general ideas for Him.

He's clever, He could figure out the details.

So when the phone rang at 7 am, the daughter telling us that one of the pups had vomited 10 times and did we know Dan was leaving today...

I was speechless, upset and immediately worried. 

Then I went back and forth to, "How much is this gonna cost us and she could die. Why didn't we buy the pet insurance?!"

Add to that, I had just returned Sunday night from two weeks away and was headed out that afternoon for four days.

I had a few hours to do laundry, repack and pray.

Prayer was quickly slipping away, being replaced with worry, panic, searching for answers.

The week continued this way.

My main concern had been pushed to the back, at least for a few hours.

Each day there were new things to decide regarding the sick dog....

The boy arrived on the other side of the world, intact.

I think.

I saw a picture on Facebook.

That's how I know.

Then I got a message,

Something about bringing his dress shoes to Nashville next time I go...

 Oh, and this, "I miss you and love you."

I am making a smiley face here.

The week was hard, frustrating, worrisome and expensive.

My prayer life suffered.

I felt deflated, anxious.

Certainly not peaceful.

The peace that comes through prayer.

A friend offered that most of these things could and would be solved.

I needed to hear that and it helped. 

My biggest concern, the one supposedly at the top of my prayer list... I have no answer for.

It's a God sized thing... and I thought He was snoozing on the job.

Then I read this.

"Oh my child, it is not appointed for you to know the future, nor to be able to discern beforehand My exact plans. It is enough that we should walk together in love and trust. No doubts need mar your peace, nor anxieties cloud your brow. 

Rest in the knowledge that My ways are perfect and My grace is all-sufficient. You will find My help is adequate, no matter what may befall you.

Let no one say to you,"This will be, or that will surely come to pass." Live rather in the awareness of the eternal destiny of the present moment. 

So much is waiting to be done now."

Come Away My Beloved

Frances J. Roberts

I was directed back to truth, God's truth. This allowed me to recognize the attack I was under.

I was to be praying... not worrying and feeling anxious.

These issues would be worked out, in God's timing.

There was so much waiting to be done.

Most of it was prayer.

My main concern was still my main concern, but my prayers were not focused there.

I am still correcting that.

The weekend arrived. All had gotten through their trials of the week and happy to call it Friday.

Much good was accomplished.

The weekend looked promising...

There were still unexpected frustrations, worries.

These things take time.

God reminded me that His grace is sufficient.

The daughter called this morning at 7:30.

The other pup had her up early, very sick.

Details not being shared.

Trust me.

Poor girl.

There were tears in the dear girls eyes.

She was tired...

and looking at a full week of work.

Oh my... 

Lord, remind me... to live in the awareness of the eternal destiny of the present moment.

I get it.

I believe it...

Your grace is sufficient.

I trust YOU with the biggest concern on my mind. 

I know you are the Rock, Redeemer, Healer, Great Physician.

I also want to remind You that I need you to take care of my girl and her puppies... right now.

Right. Now.

Thank you God.

What steals you away from prayer?

Do you recognize when you are being attacked?

The faithful who prays, his words are heard by our Father... the evil one doesn't want you to pray.

Let that be our motivation.

The Trouble With Halos

I'm reading Brennan Manning 's Ragamuffin Gospel... Again.

It's that good.

It's that convicting. 

In a good way.

He talks about a man going to the Doctor

Because of terrible headaches.

After many questions from the Doctor, the patient assuring him he doesn't smoke, drink, run around on his wife or cheat on his taxes... The Doctor says,

"The trouble is, your halo is on too tight.

We just need to loosen it a bit."

Hear me... I am not suggesting we, in any way cheat on our spouses, in thought or deed.

Our moral compass and ideals are important, 

but, if we live up to everything we believe, every time...

We become impossible to Live with.

Because.... It's impossible.

We sin every day.

Did you know that?

Do you know you lie every day?

That's another post.... But check yourself.

Everyday, you say things that are not completely true.

We all do.

Our halo becomes too tight, we become legalistic and we become ugly and unapproachable to others.

Jesus did not look like that.

Was there any one less legalistic than Christ?

He called the Pharisees out... All the time.

They loved legalism.

Brennan Manning says we need to tilt out halo, wearing it loosely, with easy grace.

I think he is right.

Of course he is right.

Grace.

Always grace.

Christ's gospel was grace.

Always grace.

We must step away. Look at Christ. What He did for us. What He continues to do each day. And see that we are poor in ourselves. 

All is grace.

All is a gift... From Above.

"The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become-the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives become one of humble and joyful thanksgiving. Awareness of our poverty and ineptitude cause us to rejoice in the gift of being called out of darkness into wondrous light and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son." B. Manning

Ink... Everyone Has An Addiction. Some Just Wear Theirs On Their Sleeve.

He let me go with him.

Only one person in the room with you. It's the rule.
Kinda like Post op. surgery.
And kinda like a surgeon with his scalpel, displaying his craft...
But different.
Different in that most do not want to go under the knife and do not save up $$$ so they can make an appointment,  counting down the days.
Funny, the choices we humans make.

No one wants to meet my husband professionally.
He works with a scalpel. You are hopefully drugged and asleep when he picks up his scalpel.
It's a last choice, the pain becoming so bad you need relief.

This procedure, the boy has chosen. A choice for pain, discomfort, no anesthesia allowed, probably considered sacrilege.

He let me go with him. He asked me to not share anything negative.
I assured him that was not my purpose.

We went in. Plush leather sofas, interesting art work, good music, hardwoods, copper tables, nice smells.
Nice.

We waited. He filled out paperwork.
A return visit for him.
A first for me.

A chubby guy introduced himself, and went over the design the boy had provided.
An anchor, rope twisting through, words below... VERITAS

Last year he created a design...   L
                                                GOD
                                                   V
                                                   E

He wears his heart on his sleeve, or his God on his shoulder.  It is beautiful.
This one he will wear on his arm.
The truth is we all have our addictions. Some of us wear them on our sleeves, while others hide theirs behind closed doors, eyes, thinking no one knows our secret.
I am not suggesting tattoos are addictions for most. But, for some... probably.
But this is not about what we pick to soothe our soul, fill the hole in our heart, the ache in our gut.

Chubby guy calls us back.
He shaves my boy's arm, cleans it, asks some questions.
The boy asks how long he's been tattooing. I speak up, "It's his first day." He offers,"two weeks"... he was joking. I think.
The boy laughs.

He asks if the boy is ready.
Wait, you didn't ask me.
The needle goes into his arm. No flinching.

The hubby doesn't know this is happening today. He knows about it... but he is not a fan.
He is however, a fan of the boy.
Remember, he is that surgeon you don't want to meet. 
Marking one's body on purpose, he doesn't understand.
But he loves. Simple. Grace. Love...without judging.
He is that man.

I am at peace and thankful the boy trusts me enough to invite.
Michael Jackson is now playing on the radio.
Early Jackson Five actually... ABC.
Funny.
Not what I would expect at a Nashville tattoo parlor.

Things seem to be going well.
I watch the black ink, staining my boys skin.
Dark, permanent, unforgiving.

We are all inked up, some you can see, some stamped on our hearts, leaving us bruised but private.
Maybe when we are willing to put it out there, writing on our sleeves... we open ourselves to others.
A willingness, a desire to communicate.
When we ink ourselves we are asking others to look deeper into our lives.
I like that.

For my son, it is an anchor... Veritas. We are all anchored in something. It may as well be truth.

If you are inked, what does it mean to you?
What was the decision to wear it on your body and share it?
Will you share it?

Wednesday Observations...

I'm in Nashville this week.

Walking one of the dogs this morning, a young woman in pj's shrieked at me... I ask her what was wrong and she hollered, "I'm afraid of dogs." I pointed to the leash and collar and the fact that I was across the street from her. She laughed nervously as she continued to eat her bag of chips from, Ricks Market - Coldest Beer In Town. So cool that you're our neighbor Rick... we'll never be with out a cold one.

I believe Tennessee drivers may be the worst drivers in the world. I thought it was Missouri, but I think Tennessee wins. You should pray before you get in your car here. Stop signs are mandatory, not a suggestion, and why are you going 45 mph in this hood anyway? Don't you know there are dogs and cats running free? You are really, really bad drivers. Isn't there a test in this state?

I have come to believe dog parks are pretty unfriendly. Everyone is on their cell phone, ignoring their dog (and the sign saying, stay off your cell)... doing his business and needing a drink from the water fountain. No one talks to each other. You are setting a bad example for your dogs and I hope you don't have kids.

When you go into the grocery store or mall you will probably see someone famous. Don't stare, in fact don't look at them... Until they walk by. Then turn around and gawk... And wonder how a voice so big, can come out of a body so small.

When you go to the parking lot, try and figure out which Land Rover is theirs.

A lot of people have tattoos. Why does it seem rude to stare at them? We should be asking what they mean, what was going on their life at that time, what's the story behind them? Instead of looking at them, I look away, like they are naked and exposed.

Weird, I know.

Yesterday the nino and I went to Home Depot. We spend vast amounts of time and money there.

I saw this dad with his little girls. They were darling cute. They were jumping from bag to bag of mulch, compost, dirt stuff...

He teased them saying they were on poop and should get off. This caused them to become hysterical and jump more. It was pretty funny.

It was sweet to see a dad and his girls, enjoying themselves. Being a family. Healthy. Kind. Loving.

Later I was looking at grasses and the dad asked me a question about them.

I told him that I had been unable to find the tall grasses I needed for our yard.

He said he had been given some and could not use them all and I was welcome to them.

What?!

I told him thanks for the offer, but...

My N.Y. said no, but he offered a couple times and then I thought, why not?

So, we stopped by his house on our way home, and now I have two lovely grasses planted.

Sure, he saved me some dollars, and more frustration in not finding what I wanted.

He had exactly what I could not find, anywhere, at any cost.

More than that...

he showed a kindness,

a gift, for someone he did not know.

Is that not how we should treat others each day?

so... a shout out to that sweet dad and his beautiful girls.

I will thank you as I watch my garden grow.

 

Understanding The Story Written On Your Heart... Don't You Want To Know?

So... there is this church.

 Hard to describe... it's unlike any church I... and probably you, have attended. 

It's un-church-like, except for the loving Jesus, praising God part.

I go there when I am in Nashville.

 Each time I walk in the doors, it digs a little deeper, down in my heart. That place often ignored, yet hungry for love, attention and purpose.

Their motto is...

"Everyone is welcome, nobody is perfect, anything is possible."

I am in Nashville often...

 my kids live there...

so does my heart.

Today they began a series called 

Cover To Cover.

The Word.

The Bible.

The Good Book.

Uncovered...

In five weeks.

What?!

Do you know this story?

The one written on your heart?

Do you believe in the God of the Bible?

It's okay if you don't.

But here is an opportunity.

No one will know.

Well, God will know, but you might not believe in Him anyway.

You can watch this series online.

You can begin to understand what The Bible is all about, why it was written and what the message is.. 

To You. 

And Me. 

Cross Point Church

http://www.crosspoint.tv/media/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwnuPfh15p8&feature=youtu.be

Find out why you are here and who loves you...

more than you could ever hope, dream or imagine.

Wishing You A Peaceful Sunday...

Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. 

The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

He went on to say, 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. 

And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

These scriptures are ones that I have written down, taped up, repeated and pondered, on many days.

Verses 4-7 were my mantra during a terribly painful time in my life.

I needed to be reminded of the assurance of God, that He had a plan... no matter what I was living at the moment.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious. Every situation. The peace of God. Will guard your hearts.

 His word is true and I knew He would care for me.

Verses 8 and 9 are faithful reminders of how to approach my day.

True. Noble. Pure. Lovely. Excellent. Praiseworthy.

God of peace.

again... peace.

I pray the peace of God would find you today. Wherever you are, whatever you are going through, be reminded...

His word is True, He is Faithful, and His peace is available to each one of us.

What is keeping you from a peaceful Sunday?

Give it up to God... who loves and cares for you.