There are some things that I take for granted.
This lady has a way of reminding me that not everyone has that luxury.
I am thankful for her humor.
I hope Ace is, too
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Today
Observations from today:
1. You never know when YOU could be the answer to someone's prayer. Keep your eyes and ears open.
2. (I know there was another one because I wouldn't have started numbering if there had been only one.)
2.a. Now I remember: There are 2 sides to every story, and sometimes you get to hear both.
3. The friendly attitude of the cashier at the grocery store can make your day. What is your attitude doing to someone's day?
1. You never know when YOU could be the answer to someone's prayer. Keep your eyes and ears open.
2. (I know there was another one because I wouldn't have started numbering if there had been only one.)
2.a. Now I remember: There are 2 sides to every story, and sometimes you get to hear both.
3. The friendly attitude of the cashier at the grocery store can make your day. What is your attitude doing to someone's day?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Just Peachy!!
Mr. H's dad could grow anything. He brought some peach trees to George County when we moved up here. As I was mowing grass this week, I noticed that the trees were bending under the weight of their fruitfulness.Most of the peaches aren't quite ripe yet, but they are at the stage where we need to check them every day.
We found a few that were ripe (about 20) and decided that peach cobbler was on the menu for the evening. Once they were peeled and quartered, I had exactly 4 cups, just what the recipe called for.
I've never seen a cobbler recipe that called for baking the peaches for a bit before the batter goes in, but this one did.
Next week: peach preserves!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
It's the Small Things
This afternoon, as I was on my way home and stopped at a stop sign, I sneezed several times. There was no one behind me and a truck was approaching from my left. I was in no hurry, so I just waited until I was sure the sneezing was done. The truck that was coming ended up turning right beside me, so our windows were side by side. Since I was driving Emma's car, which has no A/C, my window was down. His was, too. He didn't immediately accelerate on his way. He leaned my way and said, "Bless you."
It seems like such a small thing. But on a day like today, when so many people are hurting for so many different reasons, it goes a long way. I imagine there are people all around you who need to be blessed, too. Give it a try.
It seems like such a small thing. But on a day like today, when so many people are hurting for so many different reasons, it goes a long way. I imagine there are people all around you who need to be blessed, too. Give it a try.
Friday, June 25, 2010
What Makes Church?
This week I heard a message about Church: What Makes Church? It was presented by Ergun Caner at SuperWow in Ft. Walton.
It was based on Mark 2:1-12. This is the story of the paralyzed man who is let down through the roof by 4 friends who want Jesus to heal Him.
Here are the 4 things that make church:
1. Jesus was in the midst. He needs to be there. That is what makes church "church": The Presence of Christ!
2. He preached the Word to them. This is in verse 2. "and He preached the Word to them." We don't know exactly what He talked about. But it was a big crowd, hanging out the door.
3. People were bringing their friends. These friends were Warriors. And there are 2 things about warriors: a) a warrior NEVER takes credit - we don't know anymore about the 4 guys except that they were great friends to have. b) a warrior never takes "No" for an answer - they didn't let a huge crowd stand in their way. (I bet they fixed the roof before they left, too!)
4. Someone will complain. I know: this isn't very uplifting. But it just goes to show that where ever Jesus is, the father of lies is hard at work. It's nothing new. But it didn't stop Jesus. He went right on doing what he was doing. And the people were amazed!!
It was based on Mark 2:1-12. This is the story of the paralyzed man who is let down through the roof by 4 friends who want Jesus to heal Him.
Here are the 4 things that make church:
1. Jesus was in the midst. He needs to be there. That is what makes church "church": The Presence of Christ!
2. He preached the Word to them. This is in verse 2. "and He preached the Word to them." We don't know exactly what He talked about. But it was a big crowd, hanging out the door.
3. People were bringing their friends. These friends were Warriors. And there are 2 things about warriors: a) a warrior NEVER takes credit - we don't know anymore about the 4 guys except that they were great friends to have. b) a warrior never takes "No" for an answer - they didn't let a huge crowd stand in their way. (I bet they fixed the roof before they left, too!)
4. Someone will complain. I know: this isn't very uplifting. But it just goes to show that where ever Jesus is, the father of lies is hard at work. It's nothing new. But it didn't stop Jesus. He went right on doing what he was doing. And the people were amazed!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The BIG Thing
Our challenge at camp this year is to find one big thing that grabs us.
I think I heard my Big Thing tonight. And I am surprised that it seemed to be an unplanned statement from the lead singer in the band. He was talking about the staff at his church and that the men held each other accountable. Then he mentioned that they were reading a book called "Jim and Casper Go to Church" and discussing it. Briefly, it's about a preacher (Jim Henderson) and an atheist (Matt Casper) who visit churches together and exchange impressions. At some point in the book, the atheist makes the observation that this Jesus that they talk about is a man of action, not just talk. He's always DOING something.
That grabbed me. We, as Christians, are supposed to be DOING things, not just waiting for God to do something. And certainly not waiting for someone else to do something for us. We have the Gift, the Good News. And we have the Holy Spirit with us always. What are we waiting for? What else do we need? We're waiting to see God's will?
But we already know what his will is, don't we. It's to go and make disciples. We are to be warriors like those 4 men who dug a hole in the roof to let their paralyzed friend have access to Jesus. We are to be stretcher bearers, bringing broken ones the ONE who can make them whole. That's it. That's all we really need to know to get started. He'll give us the rest on a need to know basis.
I think I heard my Big Thing tonight. And I am surprised that it seemed to be an unplanned statement from the lead singer in the band. He was talking about the staff at his church and that the men held each other accountable. Then he mentioned that they were reading a book called "Jim and Casper Go to Church" and discussing it. Briefly, it's about a preacher (Jim Henderson) and an atheist (Matt Casper) who visit churches together and exchange impressions. At some point in the book, the atheist makes the observation that this Jesus that they talk about is a man of action, not just talk. He's always DOING something.
That grabbed me. We, as Christians, are supposed to be DOING things, not just waiting for God to do something. And certainly not waiting for someone else to do something for us. We have the Gift, the Good News. And we have the Holy Spirit with us always. What are we waiting for? What else do we need? We're waiting to see God's will?
But we already know what his will is, don't we. It's to go and make disciples. We are to be warriors like those 4 men who dug a hole in the roof to let their paralyzed friend have access to Jesus. We are to be stretcher bearers, bringing broken ones the ONE who can make them whole. That's it. That's all we really need to know to get started. He'll give us the rest on a need to know basis.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Reflections from the Journey
I had not actually been looking forward to my first road trip on my own bike. I wasn't dreading it, I was simply ignoring it. I knew that if I thought about it, I would scare myself. So I put it out of mind until it was upon me.
I had several concerns about being on the road: 1. Would I be able to maintain a cruising speed on that little bike? 2. Would I remember to check mirrors for surrounding traffic as often as needed?
As it turns out, I needn't have worried. Yes, the speed thing took some concentration, but that's because Hwy 98 has lots of hills and you have to actively 'speed up' to get up a hill and remember to 'slow down' as you're coming down the other side. I was able to keep it between 65 and 70 without much trouble. It was mainly the novelty of maintaining speed with my wrist/palm/fingers rather than my foot. And I wasn't surprised by any vehicles moving past me on the road. Well, once I looked in the mirror and didn't see Mr. H behind me, but a split second later I caught him out of the corner of my eye, moving to take the lead into Laurel.
It's difficult to explain exactly what it's like to be out on the road like that. I tried to think of other things than the ride itself, but couldn't do it! Not that I really WANTED to think of anything else, just to see if I could. There is so much to experience.
You know when you pass through a grove of mimosa trees.
You are certain there is honeysuckle growing on that fence.
You don't need to see any buzzards to know something dead is in that ditch!
We got off 98 onto 15 and went through Richton up to Laurel. We went through town in Laurel rather than take the interstate around it. I'm not quite ready for interstate travel. Mr. H wanted to try Hwy 501 and it was a beautiful ride. We were looking for 481 that we discovered last weekend. At one point we got to an intersection on Marathon-Morton Road and I pulled up beside Mr. H. He lifted his visor and said, "I have no idea where we are." I just laughed. If he didn't, I CERTAINLY didn't. But generally a road with two place names in it will take you to those places. And that was the case this time, too.
As I was riding along, it hit me suddenly what I was doing. Have you ever had one of those moments that seemed to surprise you by your being there? I remember having this feeling several times in my life. The first time was the moment I realized I could read music. I remember the exact moment the light bulb came on and all those dots became a language I could read. (It was the introduction to "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and I was in the 7th grade.) Another time it happened was when I was on the field in a halftime show with the Maroon Band. I was standing in my place and the announcer was announcing something and the crowd was cheering and the thought ran through my head, "Wow! How did I manage to get HERE?!"
It happened on this trip, that feeling of "Wow! Look at me! I NEVER thought I'd be here doing this!" That thought was immediately followed by a prayer of thanksgiving for the man who seems to have such incredible expectations for my abilities. In fact, I was in the middle of talking to my Lord, when Mr. H suddenly made a right turn onto another road that I wasn't expecting.
"Heavenly Father, thank You so much for this man who loves me so much and wants me to do so many......Oh,Man!Hejustturnedoffrightthereandexpectsmetobeabletofollowwithoutanypreparation.......
And I was able to do that, too!
It occurred to me on this trip how much joy we steal from those we love by not letting them do things and call it "protecting" them. If someone is prepared for an undertaking, has been trained what to expect, what to look out for, will have supervision (at least in the initial stages), don't deny them the joy of the adventure.
I had several concerns about being on the road: 1. Would I be able to maintain a cruising speed on that little bike? 2. Would I remember to check mirrors for surrounding traffic as often as needed?
As it turns out, I needn't have worried. Yes, the speed thing took some concentration, but that's because Hwy 98 has lots of hills and you have to actively 'speed up' to get up a hill and remember to 'slow down' as you're coming down the other side. I was able to keep it between 65 and 70 without much trouble. It was mainly the novelty of maintaining speed with my wrist/palm/fingers rather than my foot. And I wasn't surprised by any vehicles moving past me on the road. Well, once I looked in the mirror and didn't see Mr. H behind me, but a split second later I caught him out of the corner of my eye, moving to take the lead into Laurel.
It's difficult to explain exactly what it's like to be out on the road like that. I tried to think of other things than the ride itself, but couldn't do it! Not that I really WANTED to think of anything else, just to see if I could. There is so much to experience.
You know when you pass through a grove of mimosa trees.
You are certain there is honeysuckle growing on that fence.
You don't need to see any buzzards to know something dead is in that ditch!
We got off 98 onto 15 and went through Richton up to Laurel. We went through town in Laurel rather than take the interstate around it. I'm not quite ready for interstate travel. Mr. H wanted to try Hwy 501 and it was a beautiful ride. We were looking for 481 that we discovered last weekend. At one point we got to an intersection on Marathon-Morton Road and I pulled up beside Mr. H. He lifted his visor and said, "I have no idea where we are." I just laughed. If he didn't, I CERTAINLY didn't. But generally a road with two place names in it will take you to those places. And that was the case this time, too.
As I was riding along, it hit me suddenly what I was doing. Have you ever had one of those moments that seemed to surprise you by your being there? I remember having this feeling several times in my life. The first time was the moment I realized I could read music. I remember the exact moment the light bulb came on and all those dots became a language I could read. (It was the introduction to "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and I was in the 7th grade.) Another time it happened was when I was on the field in a halftime show with the Maroon Band. I was standing in my place and the announcer was announcing something and the crowd was cheering and the thought ran through my head, "Wow! How did I manage to get HERE?!"
It happened on this trip, that feeling of "Wow! Look at me! I NEVER thought I'd be here doing this!" That thought was immediately followed by a prayer of thanksgiving for the man who seems to have such incredible expectations for my abilities. In fact, I was in the middle of talking to my Lord, when Mr. H suddenly made a right turn onto another road that I wasn't expecting.
"Heavenly Father, thank You so much for this man who loves me so much and wants me to do so many......Oh,Man!Hejustturnedoffrightthereandexpectsmetobeabletofollowwithoutanypreparation.......
And I was able to do that, too!
It occurred to me on this trip how much joy we steal from those we love by not letting them do things and call it "protecting" them. If someone is prepared for an undertaking, has been trained what to expect, what to look out for, will have supervision (at least in the initial stages), don't deny them the joy of the adventure.
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