Friday Faves: Piper and Blue Ridge

Piper and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference.

How's that for two faves? No doubt one tops the other but I mention both as I'll be heading up the mountain tomorrow and I can't miss the opportunity to give a shout out to BRMCWC.

Last Friday, I didn't blog about my Friday Fave. I lived it! Piper was with me for most of the day. Need I say more? As you can see from above, she's already becoming quite the little artist. I love watching her in action.

Me, Dee, and Beth   T.R.O.U.B.L.E

This picture was taken at last year's conference. Yes, we have a lot of fun (for anyone heading to BRMCWC be sure to join us in the lobby at Mt. Laurel in the evening) but we arrive ready for both the battle and the blessings. 

Someone shared this week how we are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful. 

To God be the glory!

The Melody of Transparency

The swishing of the windshield wipers was the only sound heard in the car that Sunday morning on our way to church.

My feelings had been hurt and I wanted to choose my words carefully. Hence the silence. 

I wondered how I'd be able to conjure up a smile when greeted at the door. After all, isn't that what we're supposed to do for church? 

This wasn't the case for one of my favorite teenagers the Sunday before. She wasn't happy and had no qualms in letting it be known to those closest to her. She came to church "just as she was", if you will. I admit thinking something like Can't she just crack a smile when someone asks her how she's doing? She can take it up with her parents when they get home. 

As the rhythm of the wipers swished its melodic tune, I began questioning which approach, if either, was the best way to handle it was God-glorifying: Full-on transparency or a fake-o mask. 

I think we all know the answer but perhaps it's not so cut and dry. Is there room for balance here?

When I think of a biblical example of transparency, I think of Paul. He believed and clung to the grace of God and because of his openness to Him, Paul was able to be open with others, inviting his brothers and sisters in Christ to see him "just as he was" -- weaknesses, strengths, and struggles.

And yet, where our tongue/speech is concerned, wisdom must rule. 

"Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." James 3:5

Have you ever noticed how often hurt feelings and sibling issues crop up on Sunday mornings? I don't believe it's by coincidence. We know the enemy's ploys. He's told us in John 10: Steal, kill, and destroy. Joy is stolen, relationships are sacrificed, and the desire to worship is destroyed. Albeit it temporary, one moment robbed of a worshipful attitude is one moment too long.

So what did I do that Sunday morning? As the above thoughts came to mind, I asked the Lord to restore my joy -- to keep my eyes on Him -- and to help us resolve the issue at the proper time, which He did. Confident of His desires for me, I could genuinely smile as Rick opened the door that morning.

I can't say with complete confidence that I handled it correctly but I share this snippet of my journey to encourage you just in case you find your feelings hurt on the way to church one Sunday morning and the only sound you hear is the melody of windshield wipers playing in the background.

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Paraphrased by Eugene Peterson. 

 

The Upper Room Meditation: Released

Remember this post? 

Today is the day! 

In all honesty, I wish I had a different story to share with the 1,000,000+ readers of The Upper Room -- a different history, if you will. But it's a history I cannot change and so I humbly accept God's free yet costly gift of grace -- for to deny it is to deny what Jesus did for me 20+ years ago. It is the beauty of the Gospel. 

I want to thank Megan for allowing me to use her childhood story of Buddy (and thank you, Desi, for the picture.)

Will you join me in praying that God will use this small offering to draw readers closer to Himself?

• To view the meditation Released, please go to The Upper Room.

• To view the childhood picture of Megan and Buddy, click on the Link2Life section. 
• God Brings Forth Beauty, the follow-up blog post to the meditation, is also located in the same section. 

I'd love for you to join in the conversation today by leaving a comment in the meditation or blog section of the site, if you wish. If you don't have an account with The Upper Room, you'll need to create one (it took me 15 seconds - no personal information required.) Thank you and God bless!

To God be the glory for all He has done.

Friday Fave: Susan Stilwell

Ever met someone for the first time but instead it felt more like a continuation of a lifelong friendship? This happens often with sisters in Christ, and it describes my friendship with Susan Stilwell. I learned about her amazing blog via Vonda Skelton over a year ago and we've stayed connected ever since. 

But here's the best part. We'll meet face to face for the first time at our upcoming writer's conference at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference. I can't wait to give this Hokie a big hug! 

In the meantime, I'm delighted to be guest blogging @ her site, I Hope 4 Him, today. We'd love for you to stop by for a visit. :)

Thank you, Susan. See you soon!

Don't Hurry, Be Grateful

“You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life, 

for hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our world today.” 

-Dallas Willard

A more intense blog post has been rattling around in my brain for the past couple of days and I sensed an urgency to get it down -- and then the above quote came to mind. 

So today, I will set the other post aside, enjoy God's handiwork, and be grateful for the beauty He has placed around me. 

Care to join me on my mini-stroll through the yard?

 My grandmother referred to this as Scotch Broom, 

a very old-timey plant.

Because of its velvet-like branches it's one of Piper's favorites. 

 

 Cotton candy colored azaleas. 

Lady Banks Rose growing over my Nandina bush. 

One of the most beautiful thornless roses God created.

An old-timey Buckeye Bush (red plumes) and 

a Snowflake Viburnum mingle near the old barn.

What has God placed around you today that you may be missing due to hurry? 

Shout joyfully to God...

how awesome are your works. -Psalm 66:1, 3

 

My Friday Fave: Writing the Life Poetic

On this final Friday of National Poetry Month, I'd like to share one of my absolute favorite books on the art of writing poetry. Perhaps the page tabs peeking out from the top give that away. You should see the pages!

From the back cover:

Poet Sage Cohen invites you to slow down to the rhythms of your creative process and savor poetry by:

• Offering explorations of the poetic life and craft 
• Inspiring a feeling of play instead of laborious study
• Weaving together lessons in content, form, and process to provide a fun and engaging experience
• Inviting you to add poetry to your creative repertoire

If forced to choose two books on this poetic journey, it would be Writing the Life Poetic and Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook. 

This is a book to savor, to mark-up, and to soak up. 

Enjoy!

"Poetry is just the evidence of life. 

If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash."

Leonard Cohen

Goodbye House, Hello Home

I suppose it's the cycle of life. 

Three years ago my sweet elderly neighbor left the house she'd lived in for over forty years to move into a local assisted living center. 

Her house, empty and lifeless since. 

Four months ago, her son pulled in the driveway and gently helped his mother out of the car. She slowly made her way in the house she'd not seen for years. They lingered awhile before leaving. I knew what had just happened. 

My neighbor was doing a final walk-through of her house. Saying goodbye to a place that had housed a multitude of memories over the years. As she passed her tiny porch, I couldn't help but wonder if she was recalling the many visits she'd enjoyed with her church friends. They would rock and chat for hours. (I couldn't help but wonder how many times their sentences ended with "bless her heart.")

Her house, empty and lifeless since. 

Recently, an older couple the family had hired pulled in and quickly began unloading card tables for an estate sale. Last Friday, they knocked on my door and invited me over for a walk-through before the big sale on Saturday.

It was a bit strange going over for a sale instead of a visit but the couple kept reminding me that my neighbor was hoping for success as the proceeds would benefit her greatly.

Thankfully for Brian and our house, I've become very picky as to what I purchase at estate sales. I walked past a vintage chenille blanket for $15.00 (okay, I glanced over), along with two rooms filled with vintage glassware -- but a few things did catch my eye. My favorite find? A Parker fountain pen still in the box for $5.00. Yes! It has a straight nib, Tina Parker. :) 

As I walked through the little home crowded with goods I recalled something Charles Stanley said years ago. Basically, if we're still alive to witness the Rapture, those left behind will be rummaging through believer's houses since they'll be vacant. His question: What will they find? 


“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Math. 6: 19, 21