Right or Almost Right?

While reading a recent review on "The Shack", the critic included this quote:

"Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right."
Charles Spurgeon

It immediately reminded of our topic from Sunday -- becoming and remaining spiritual alert.

We talked of how we would react if we learned that someone was planning to break in to our homes this week, steal our property (and our peace of mind), attempt to kill our families, and destroy everything else that meant anything to us.

What steps would we immediately begin to implement in order to secure our homes and families? Brian answered that he'd buy a bigger gun (he must have been thinking about Brandon!)

But seriously, how does our level of alertness toward physical threats compare to those of spiritual threats? Because the fact of the matter is -- we DO have someone whose ONLY motives are to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

We talked about 1 Peter 5:8 and how God used a lion to describe the enemy's tactics.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

So how does a lion find his prey? Check out the research...

• Lions seek to catch prey unaware, often slipping up on them unnoticed (when is the last time the enemy got up in your face? That's not how he operates. If he were that obvious we'd all be better off.)
  

• Lions go after loners - those who have wandered from pack (a great reminder of why we're not to forsake assembling together -- there's strength in numbers!)
  

• The lion's body is made for catching prey - fur acts camouflage (the Word says the enemy disguises himself as an angel of light - looking like "one of us" and blinding men and women of God that you would never expect.)
  

• Lion's often get close to their prey before actual attack (lions usually get within about 30 feet of their prey before pouncing on them and devouring them. Our enemy needs only a toe-hold.)
  

• Lion's are smart (and so is the enemy. It's dangerous to underestimate him -- and yet foolish to overestimate him as well. As a Christ-follower, it is our responsibility to know the Word for ourselves and to know what we believe and why.)

Someone said that spiritual alertness is not easily maintained, but it is absolutely essential for us and for those under our care. It was referring to King Hezekiah and how, as King, it was his responsibility to remain spiritually alert for the sake of those God had placed under his care.

I don't know about you, but that's a tremendous responsibility not only for pastors and teachers but for parents as well. It's not just about us, is it?

King Hezekiah's decisions had long-lasting consequences -- and so do ours. Every decision we make today - good or bad - will set a long-term result or consequence into motion.

If that doesn't awaken our spiritual senses, I'm not sure what will.

Sights & Sounds of the Day

Favorite sounds of the day:

• Coffee perkin'
• Brian's "luv you" before heading out the door
• "Cathy Baker" (allergist nurse calling my name - the sooner I got in, the sooner I left!)
• "That will be a penny" (Publix sale on salad dressing)
• My shovel hitting the dirt
• "Ding!" (the sound of my microwave -- no cooking tonight! Crock-pot roast leftovers from Sunday came to the rescue)
  

Favorite sights of the day:

• A new day! Spend time with a person who has days/weeks to live and this takes on a whole new meaning.
  
• Coffee perkin'
• Home Depot (picked up my favorite soil conditioner, Nature's Helper)
• Worms! I LOVE to see them in the garden. Today, as soon as my shovel pierced the ground, worms began emerging from the sides. I was like a kid in a candy store (no, I didn't eat them!)
• Plants emerging from their slumber... to this gardener's delight!
  
• Brian coming home from work. :)

Not bad for a Monday!

Saturday/Sunday Snapshots

• Saturday was a mess, weather-wise, but the perfect day for my cup of Lady Earl Grey tea! I took a little break prepping for today's lesson and enjoyed browsing my flower mags and catalogs. You won't find me window shipping at all -- unless it's Lowe's, Home Depot, Martin's Nursery, or Lichtenfelt Nursery, of course!

• Today has been a great day so far as well. Randy's message was spot-on, as usual. Our C4 class had good participation along with a couple of surprise guests, which are always nice. My race is getting ready to start but I'll be heading to Monica's wedding shower pretty soon. Monica and her mom, Sandy, were a faithful duo when I knew them from CRCC -- faithful to serve, to attend the Adult Bible Study, and especially faithful to give the warmest and sincerest smiles God ever created. After leaving CRCC, we stayed in contact and since that time, Monica has met a wonderful man who she plans to marry in April and I have the pleasure of seeing Sandy at the Tuesday night Bible studies. I'm looking forward to seeing them in a little while.
  

Overall, it's been a wonderful weekend. And it's about to get better. I hope to catch a few minutes of the race before leaving for the shower. So, with that, I only have three words to say:
"Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!"

Keepin' Up with the Johnsons

I knew when I met Sue Johnson during our early years at CRCC I had met a friend for life. Both she and Paul radiate Jesus Christ and I respect them immensely! Their hearts beat for the purpose of sharing the Good News, which is why seeing the article below on the Campus Crusade site wasn't surprising to me in the least.

In fact, it was simply another confirmation that God is using them in amazing ways... not only through Executive Ministries but also throughout our community in a variety of ways and across the globe. See below!

Check out the story of this atheist surgeon who became a ministry volunteer in Poland. Paul and Sue are pictured in the center.

I miss seeing Sue on a regular basis (alot!) but once again I find myself praising the Lord that sistership in Christ is never limited to denominations, church walls, or anything else.

A Night to Remember

Being asked to teach an Easter lesson to a group of about 50 ladies in Honea Path was the last thing I ever expected, but I can honestly say that last night's gathering will linger in my mind for years to come.

These ladies travel from surrounding areas (representing 6-8 different churches) on a regular basis to study Beth Moore studies together. They reminded me a lot of our Tuesday night group for a couple of reasons:

• They are a hungry bunch of ladies! Not for calorie-laden food, but for the spiritually-laden kind... God's Word. For Truth.

• A variety of ages, backgrounds, and churches were represented.

I had no idea that some of the women had worked most of the afternoon preparing the room with covered tables, candles, and little take-home gifts. It was beautiful!

One of the older women came up to me afterwards and shared that she is legally 60% deaf. She knew from the beginning that she wouldn't be able to hear everything I said, but she trusted that God opened her ears to the things she needed to hear. That was one of many moments that will linger in my mind.

Thanks to those of you who were praying for me. My specific prayer was that joy would overflow my mind and fill the crevices where fear would love to reside.

He did that... and so much more.

But then again, isn't that just like Him?

Saturday's Spotlight

Check out the latest work from personal painting guru. It's not a rose, but what could be more manly than a sweet Pontiac?


He makes me proud. :)

What's Growing in My Garden...

Here's what I discovered growing in my garden this week:

I've been unable to identify this Camellia but it's one of my absolute favorites! It sat in my yard for a few years with not one bloom. I relocated it to a sunnier spot and found one bloom on it last year. This week? There are 8-10 flowers ready to bud. Who would have guessed that a relocation could be so beneficial? :)

And thanks to a few sales on Craig's List last week, here's what you'll find growing in my garden very soon. Two arrived today:

Madame Isaac Pereire

Madame Pierre Oger

Rosa Mundi

All are older varieties and full of fragrance.

When given the choice between a new spring outfit
or heirloom flowers...
would you like to guess which one will win?

______, would you please close us in prayer?

Fill your name in the blank.

What's the first emotion that comes to the surface when you hear these words? Come on, be honest.

For some, like my friend Lesa, prayers roll off their tongue so eloquently that you're certain if you were to open your eyes during their prayer they will have sprouted angel-tipped wings. The words flow naturally and authentically.

And then, there are people like me (and maybe you?) who are just as passionate about prayer, but find the distance between what we want to say and what is actually said to be further than we realized.

The good news, of course, is that God honors both. It's the heart He's listening to -- the true motives and desires that lie beneath every spoken word. Whether the words flow or stumble from our lips makes no difference to Him. But I do believe it makes a difference for some of us, unfortunately.

Teach a class for any length of time and you'll soon realize just how uncomfortable praying aloud is for many people. Because of my own past experience, I choose to make it known in every class that people will never be called on to pray or read aloud, although they are encouraged to do both. I've had many people tell me over the years this one factor immediately put them at ease. I'm glad to hear it -- but as I shared in our last "Women in the Word" study last Tuesday, we need to push ourselves out of that comfort zone at some point.

Why? I believe it's yet another spiritual discipline that God can use when (not if) we are in a situation where someone needs prayer on the spot. What are we to do if we don't feel comfortable praying aloud for them and with them? It is our responsibility (and privilege!) to be prepared for every opportunity.

I am still learning and growing in this area, but here are a few "tools" that continue to help me step out of my praying-aloud comfort zone:

• pray aloud during your quiet time. This has been the single most helpful thing I've done over the years.

• drop the "traditions" and pray in a way that keeps you best focused. I don't know of any scripture that says our eyes must be closed when we pray. I understand how this would help most people focus, but it makes me dizzy. I always pray aloud with eyes open during my quiet time -- but I still struggle to do this elsewhere. Yet another comfort zone to conquer.
  

• practice! The more often we pray aloud in our quiet time and with others, the easier it will become. Drop the pride, don't worry about the flow of the words, and simply speak as if your best friend is sitting alongside you... because He is. :)

In the end, it always comes down to humbling ourselves before the Lord, doesn't it?

It's not about us. It is all about Him... and for Him. So...

____________________, would you please close us in prayer?

Sunday Highlights

• Highlight from this morning (and entire week!): A young woman in our class accepted Christ this past week and will be baptized with her 7 year old daughter next Sunday! Yea, God!

• Highlight from this afternoon: Hanging out with the kids before they had to head back to NGU. It's been nice having them here for Spring break.
  

• Highlight from tonight: Our C4 Group enjoyed a time of fellowship at Cracker Barrel. We had a good turnout and multiple conversations going at once (which always makes for fun evening!) I especially enjoyed meeting the children of those attending the class.
  

Tuesday Through Thursday!

On Tuesday night, our "Women in the Word" Colossians study came to a close. Each season (Summer '08, Fall '08 and Winter '09) has been special in its own way, but this particular study stood out for a few reasons in my opinion:

• Meeting in a home environment seems to put people at ease. All the "walls" are dropped and the heart is opened. Thank you KT! We're already looking forward to meeting on your breezy screened-in back porch beginning in June for our summer study in Galatians.
  

• There were several more people from CRCC this time around that I had not seen since our departure last March. I had missed these ladies so much. What a blessing to have our paths cross again!

• I learned something every week from these godly women. I left KT's house every Tuesday night in awe over the women God brought together for this study. I can't wait to see who He'll bring in June!

On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of visiting my sweet 90 year old grandmother "Ma-Ma", who resides at NHC -- a wonderful and safe place for her to be. Although her memory is quickly slipping, her smile is as steady as ever. This past weekend, I came across this photo taken back in 2004 when my grandfather "Pa-Pa" turned 90. I was struck by the twinkle in their eyes for each other even after all those years together (60+). Although Pa-Pa is now in heaven, the twinkle in her eyes still sparkle when she says his name. A sweet love story indeed:


Today, there were errands to run and a lesson to prepare, but I'll be honest. In between all these moments, ideas for my yard were swirling around in this head of mine! I wish I'd been able to plant a few things before the rain comes, but time did not allow. That's okay, though, planning is half the fun anyway, and I hope to have some time tomorrow to do just that while sipping on a cup of tea surrounded by the pitter-patter of rain.

Lesson Prepping + Garden Planning + Cup of Tea (and coffee!) + Cold Rainy Day = A fine day indeed!

Music Milestones

I've always LOVED music. Dad used to tell me that if I could put lyrics to my homework I'd make much better grades. I tried, but it didn't work. :)

Certain songs stir specific memories of a time and place, don't they? Here are several that came to mind within a few minutes (scary, I know):

• Frank Sinatra's,"It Was A Very Good Year" - My earliest memory of music. Uncle Bud sang this to me upstairs in my grandparent's home while packing for California one day. I was around 7 or 8 years old.
  

• Elton John's, "Your Song" - another early memory from the 70's. My cousin, Billy, who passed away several years ago, played this song over and over while visiting my grandmother. I was only 8 or 9 at the time but I remember loving the idea of a song being a gift (lyrics) and sitting on a roof, kicking off the moss :)

• Chicago's "I've Been Searchin' So Long" (1974) - The radio was playing this song as we drove to my Aunt Shirley's home after attending my great-grandmother's funeral. I remember gazing out the window as we passed by my future Junior High School in Fairforest and listening to the lyrics. I couldn't tell you the day of the funeral if my life depended on it but this song immediately takes me back to that drive home.
  

• Minnie Riperton's, "Loving You" (1975) - In my kitchen on Oakleaf Drive in Spartanburg, at the age of 13. It was a beautiful sunny day and the song seemed to match it perfectly. I loved the melody, but didn't understand all the lyrics. That's a good thing.
  

• Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace" - this song played on the radio as I returned home from my grandmother's funeral. How fitting.
  

• And last, but not least, every time I watch the Mary Tyler Moore show (yes, I still watch it - love it!) and hear the theme song, written by Paul Williams, I am immediately taken back to the early 70's, watching it as a 9 or 10 year old, and marveling over how much Mary reminded me of my mom at the time. She, too, was newly independent, thin with a winsome smile and might I add, very capable of throwing a cap up in the air just for the fun of it. I can't help but smile every single time I hear the theme song. :) Can you blame me?
  

Well, I'm not sure why I've always seemed to mark milestones with music, but that's what has obviously happened over the years. One day soon, I'll post some of the many songs God has used to minister to me along the way. There are so many that I can't begin to comprehend them at this time of night. :)

What about you? Are there specific songs that take you back to a place in time?

If I Could Change...

• People's clocks for them, I would. Have mercy! How difficult is it to write a reminder on Saturday to turn your clocks forward one hour? From the looks of church attendance this morning and a delayed meeting with a Craig's List buyer at lunch time, it's must be more difficult than I realized. I'd like to go ahead and add this to my list of pet peeves.

• The weekend visit with Brandon and Megan, I would have exchanged last Sunday for today. What a difference! 78 degrees, sunny, breezy, and hamburgers on the grill. Granted, the snow cream was yummy, but it would have been fun enjoying this weather with them.

• Today's NASCAR outcome, I would. Kurt Busch? Really?

OK, I feel better. :)

My Dream Cottage

Brian asked me to pick out a favorite photograph for him to practice his water painting. I'm sorry, but I think he's way beyond the practice stage!

I love this picture -- the colors, flowers, picket fence -- the whole bit! But I especially love the artist. Thanks hun!

All Good Gifts Are From Above

God's specificity has played a major role in my growing desire and appreciation for the Word. I love the fact that my heavenly Father was specific in every word chosen as well as its placement in the structure of each sentence.

There are many benefits to recognizing God's specificity, far beyond what little I know, but here are just a few that come to mind...

• While praying. I believe the more specific we pray, the more specific His answers will be.
• When studying the original language of the text. Learning the Hebrew/Greek meaning of a word adds depth and "color" to what seems to be black and white.
  
• Purpose in life. When we believe that every word in the Word is inspired and purposed for His ultimate glory, we can live - find joy - peace - contentment in those words.
  

In recent days, the verse in James 1:17 has come to mind more than a few times.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

The words, every good and perfect gift is from above, have a poetic cadence in Greek. They are literally, "every good act of giving (dosis) and every perfect gift (dorema) is from above. [The Bible Knowledge Commentary]

No doubt this speaks of eternal blessings -- life, salvation, being children of light, etc. But I also have no doubt the word "every" means just that... every good gift is from above. If you're like me, I'm often quick to recognize (and thank God for) the "big" blessings in life -- my salvation, family, health, Brian's job, etc., but all too often the smaller, less noticeable blessings slip by unnoticed.

This week, I've been especially reminded of James 1:17 due to a couple of small, inconspicuous, yet giddy joy-filled "gifts" that I see as coming straight from the hands (and heart) of my heavenly Father.

The first "gift" arrived in my mailbox. It was a $25.00 gift certificate (with no strings attached, no minimum order) from a flower catalog. I'm sure thousands of people received the same opportunity but I had never received it before. The timing couldn't have been better.

The second "gift" caught me totally off guard. Prior to our main water line collapsing a couple of weeks ago (and the hefty bill that went along with it) I had emailed someone on Craig's List about a birdbath that caught my eye. The original price was $125.00, but they were asking $50.00, which seemed like a decent price at that time. Once the line collapsed, however, and we knew the amount required for the repair, Craig's List was the last thing on my mind. On Tuesday night, I received an email from the seller saying that if I was still interested in the birdbath he would drop the price to 40.00. I thanked him for the follow-up, and the offer, but explained that due to recent expenditures I wouldn't be able to purchase it. I wished him luck and hit the "Send" button. Within a few minutes, I received a response from the seller saying that he and his wife insisted on giving me the birdbath free of charge. I was blown away! It's still sinking in, but I'm going to pick it up Saturday morning! I thanked them profusely, but I also thanked my heavenly Father, knowing full-well He was aware of the simple delight it would bring to this daughter's heart.


Granted, neither of the two gifts are earth-shattering in comparison to the many blessings He bestows, but isn't that the beauty of it, after all? All good gifts are from above. Every single one of them. Thank You Father!

Women in the Word Cancellation

This blog "doubles" as a place I can post updates, cancellations and other last minute notices for the "Women in the Word" Tuesday night study.

We've decided to cancel our study tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 3, due to the inclement weather. We'll pull it all together for our final study in Colossians next Tuesday, March 10. Check your inbox for more information this week.

I'll miss you all, but I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday! If possible, please shoot me a quick email confirming you've received notice of cancellation. Thanks. :)

It's A Winter Wonderland!

When WYFF announced Simpsonville had received 6.5" of snow, there was no expression of surprise on this face. I knew we had seen more in the past 12 hours than we'd seen in years.

And, of course, it would be during those 12 hours that Brandon and Megan would be here! ha! I had hoped their short stay in NC/SC this weekend would be filled with warm temps and sunshine but instead the snow followed them here on Sunday.

We had a great time playing a new board game with all the kids yesterday after church. I think it's called "Imagine If". I believe it may be a Baker-worthy expenditure at some point in the near future.

Later in the afternoon, with the big flakes-a-falling, our family gathered at Cracker Barrel to spend some time with Brandon and Megan. My Mom, Steve, Dan, Dad and Sherry were also able to be there. Jeff (the boy's dad) and his girlfriend also stopped by. It was a great time with the "extended" family. As sorry as I am that divorce is a part of the mix, I am very thankful that we can all still come together as a family. What a blessing!

We were disappointed that Zach and Sarah had to head back to NGU after dinner but we were thankful they arrived back on campus safe and sound. No doubt they would have enjoyed the homemade snow cream we made around 9:30 last night! My grandmother always told me to never use the first snow, but hey, it's not often we ever get a second snow, so we took our chances (as we always did when the boys were growing up).

Brandon enjoyed his snow cream "as is", while I added choco chips and Brian and Megan added raw cookie dough to theirs. It was yummy!!! Memories flooded back to when the boys were little -- the making of the snow cream and the expressions on the boy's faces when they learned there was no school the next day. Time does fly. Brian and I are definitely looking forward to enjoying snow men, snow cream and snowball fights with grandchildren one day!

It was GREAT seeing Brandon and Megan again. Although we were sad to see them go, we know they are exactly where God wants them to be right now.