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“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

I love the word, “Shalom”, not only because of its definition, but also because the very word when verbalized feels like peace.  The Hebrew word means, “peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility.”  All these blessings wrapped up in one very beautiful word.

As the snow came down in Marietta and all of the surrounding areas a few weeks ago,  we were “stranded” (meaning traffic was bumper to bumper) around Perimeter Mall area.  Once we got home safely, I could take a deep breath and enjoy the snow.  I don’t know what it is, but when snow falls, the world seems so quiet and peaceful.  I can feel my whole body relax and breathe in the pure tranquility.

Therapists say that the only time the body is completely relaxed is when we take a deep breath and exhale.  It’s such a shame that we carry so much stress that we have to take a time apart and just breathe to feel relaxed.

It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions which always adds to my stress level because I set unrealistic goals and expectations for the New Year. Then, I rationalize when I break the resolutions.  Can I lose those extra 20 pounds?  Only if I don’t have to give up sweets.  Can I exercise every day?  I have to take Sundays off.  Can I eat healthy meals?  I don’t know how to cook healthy.  Can I read my Bible every day?  Yes, but do I let other things come first?  Yes.  Can I pray for others every day?  Of course, but I don’t always remember to include everyone.  The stress of keeping those resolutions adds to all the other stress of life.

This year my resolution is simple – rely on God and know that He will never give us anything that the two of us can’t handle.  It’s not stress that makes my shoulders and neck ache, it’s my reaction to it.  In this new year of 2018, I am praying simply for peace.  Peace in the world, peace in our country, peace in our community, peace in our homes, peace in our families, and peace in my heart.  Shalom.  Inhale.  Exhale.

“Life is like music; some high notes, some low notes; still together it makes beautiful music.”

Descant in music is defined as “an independent treble melody usually sung or played above a basic melody.”  I love to hear ladies who can hit these high notes consistently while the melody goes on beneath their voices.

My Mama was able to sing this part regularly, and she always did it with assurance, clarity, and strength.  I always wondered if she was nervous, but I think she practiced so much that she felt a sense of peace and confidence.  I can’t say I ever knew her to miss a high note; although, she probably would tell a different story.  If she did, nobody knew it except her.

As I look back on this year, it has certainly not been all high notes.  We have seen the loss of many folks who were dear to us, people we love are fighting cancer and other health related issues, there has been renewed chatter of war, the ever unstable political climate, terrorism, senseless killings, and an overall tension in our world.  How do we end this year on a high note?

Challenges come in everyday life.  Like a musician, you have practiced your faith, and you have your own opportunities to stand boldly and live.  Some people face life’s hardships with confidence and boldness while others are plagued with doubts and fears.  Jesus identifies with our circumstances and feels every single thing we are experiencing.

Life is like music.  Some of us are experiencing “high” times, others “low” times, but the melody of life goes on despite our individual experiences.

Whatever we are facing now and in this coming year, we should be assured that we don’t face anything alone for God is walking right alongside us.  He is giving us the strength to end this year and begin the coming year on a “high note.”  Happy New Year!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

“Again Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”                    John 8:12

A couple of weeks ago, Randy and I were putting up our traditional Christmas decorations.  Most of these garlands, wreaths, trees, etc. have pre-lit lights on them which is great if the lights work.  Most of the time, I check the lights before I put them up, but this time I was out doing errands, and Randy put them up!  When I got home and plugged them in to the source of electricity, there was no light – only darkness.

It’s so maddening because I know there is probably only one or two bad lights, but unless you can find them, the entire string is faulty. These couple of lights plunge everything into darkness. They prevent the light from shining in the darkness.  Hours later, we had removed all the faulty strings and replaced them with new ones.  What a difference light makes to a home, a door, and a life.

Just like decorations, there are circumstances in this world that seem to be intent on putting out the light in so many lives.  Then comes Christmas – the time that offers hope to the world.

Jesus came to bring light to the world.  He brings the Light of His truth, the Light of His word, and the Light of eternal life.  In this world, we all need to hear about and see the light that Jesus can bring into a life that is struggling  with darkness.  We, as followers, are bearers of this light, and it is our job to find the dark spots and bring light to them.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I pray that all can experience the “Light of the World”, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only son.”  John 3:16

During my high school years, I always worked the weeks leading up to Christmas in Miss Gloria’s jewelry and gift shop.  My good friend and I were the official gift wrap team, and on occasion, we waited on customers.

One afternoon, our senior high school quarterback and best all around guy came into the store to shop for his girlfriend.  We all watched in admiration as he strolled around the store and stopped before the case which contained diamond rings.  Now, he was a farmer’s son, and everyone knew money was tight for his family.  Miss Gloria was busy, so my friend and I walked over together to help him.  We had all followed his love story with his sweetheart, and we were curious to know what he would give her this year.

He asked us to show him engagement rings, and it was with a great deal of excitement that we began to pull out all we had.  One by one, he eliminated the rings until he found a small diamond ring.  Although small, he wanted to know all about the diamond.  We had Miss Gloria come over to explain the size, quality and clarity of the diamond.  Although it was small, the stone was nearly perfect!  He smiled, and said, “I’ll take it.  It’s perfect.”  He paid cash and told us he would be back later to pick it up.

My friend and I decided to give him the royal wrapping treatment for this perfect gift.  We started with a tiny box which we put into a bigger box, then we put that box into a bigger box, and on and on.  When we finished, the box was huge and beautifully wrapped!  Perfect!

We were disappointed when he returned because he looked at the box, laughed, and said, “thank you, but she won’t care what size box I bring.  She knows whatever I give her is a gift of love!”

Love can’t be measured by the size of the box which contains the gift.  It is the gift itself that matters.  God gave us the greatest gift in the form of a tiny baby who became our Savior.  Christmas proves God’s love for us.  He sent his son in human form to show us His love.  Love literally came down from above at Christmas!

“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers,                         Remember when you’re talking to the Man upstairs,
That just because He doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He don’t care ….                                                  Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”  Garth Brooks

I had the pleasure of attending Garth Brooks’ concert in the Mercedes Benz stadium a few weeks ago.  I love his music, and I discovered that I am not alone!  Ninety thousand of my closest friends love it as well!!  I also learned that this is a close knit group, and if you don’t know all the words to his songs, you are in the minority.

I love several of his songs, but Unanswered Prayer is one of my favorites.  Although, I don’t believe there is such a thing as the unanswered prayer, the story is a sweet one.  I think God answers prayer in one of three ways:  “yes”, “no”, or “wait”, we just don’t always like to accept the answer.

It is during the time that we wait for answers that hope becomes real to us. Hope is defined as “a feeling of  expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen.”  We hope for the answer to our prayers, but we also hope they will be answered in the way we would like.  God sent Jesus into this world to offer us hope.  That hope is God’s gift to us, and although it is always with us, Christmas reminds us anew of it.  Jesus is the hope of the world.

As we offer prayers during this Advent season, I pray that the hope of God will be real to us through our prayers whether the answer is “yes”, “no”, or “wait”.

“I do not believe there is such a thing in the history of God’s eternal kingdom as a right prayer, offered in the right spirit, that remains forever unanswered.”  Theodore L. Cuyler

“I, the Lord, am its keeper.  I water it ever moment so that no one will damage it.  I guard it night and day.”  Isaiah 27:3

I am not much on confrontation, and I usually try to keep the peace whenever possible, but last Saturday a situation arose which challenged my normal peaceful personality.

I arrived to my usual water aerobics class to find the instructor a little befuddled, and a lone swimmer occupying a lane that normally belongs to the class.  The class has the pool from 9-10 every morning Monday-Saturday, and everyone (we thought) knows that.  It seems that this guy refused to leave the pool and told the instructor that with only five people in the class, he would continue to swim!  The Nerve!!

More people arrived for class, and the instructor approached the swimmer to let him know that he would have to leave.  The guy began to argue with her, and shortly, the situation escalated.  We were all shocked, and a little concerned. During the exchange, I noticed a huge man enter the area and walk over to the hot tub, but he didn’t say a word – he only got in and watched.  The swimmer continued to argue as the rest of us were looking for assistance from the staff there, but no one was acknowledging us.  As I looked for help, I saw the man in the hot tub silently keeping watch.  In a moment, he said, “Dude, you are wrong.  Why don’t you just get out and leave the ladies alone?”  The swimmer ignored him and continued his anti mated protest.  By this time, staff members were making their way there.  The man in the hot tub never moved in a threatening way, but he watched as if making sure we were all okay.  He was ready if we couldn’t handle it.  Finally, the swimmer gave up and left!

I like to think of Jesus in that light.  He is always there watching, but he has given us the gifts to handle our situations in life.  He will offer His help, but He never forces His will on us.  We have to choose to accept it or reject it.  Whatever our choice, He is always there watching, waiting, and protecting.  As we enter this Advent season and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, I pray we will be aware of the Watchman!

“I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free;  for His eye is on the sparrow; and I know He watches me.”  His Eye Is On the Sparrow

Picture is of Chief and Manning – watch dogs extraordinaire!

“Enter his gate with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.”                  Psalm 100:4

This past week, our youngest grandson, Reese, was the turkey in the first grade Thanksgiving play at his school.  The part of the turkey can be a risky one since you are the focus of dinner on this special day.  This play has a different twist, because the turkey came to dinner thinking he was a guest.  He was so excited to be included in the festivities and was surprised when the cook showed up with an ax.  As she made her way over to my little turkey, he fainted dead away (a feat which was performed with extreme skill and much ham).  All ended well with the family and friends doing the Christian thing and letting the turkey join them for their meal of pork!  The little pigs in the play were not so lucky.

This year as I contemplate the family gathering together to celebrate, overeat, laugh, hug, and give thanks, I am keenly aware of the many blessings we enjoy.  Our blessings are varied – some small, some large, some important – but they are each worthy of praise and thanksgiving to God for His love and faithfulness.

As we gather around the table to offer our thanks, it is important to give God the thanks in all things.  God blesses us at different times through different people in different ways.  He is the source of each blessing we enjoy.

“If the only prayer you said in your life was “thank you”that would suffice.”   Meister Eckhart

Happy Thanksgiving!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

There are two definitions of the word, “recovery”.  The first is, “a return to normal health, mind, or state.”  The second and less used is, “the process of regaining possession or control of something lost or stolen.”  The first one is what usually comes to my mind when I hear this word, but lately I have become well acquainted with the second.

I have been in the process of “recovering” my password for certain accounts.  Evidently, these days, you cannot present yourself in person, show YOUR driver’s license with YOUR picture on it, present a credit card with YOUR name on it, or give YOUR blood in order to be given your own password.  You must endure the process of “recovery” which is done at the discretion of your phone and account carrier.  I have actually survived two weeks without my phone contacts, messenger, Facebook, and other apps while waiting on the recovery.

While in the midst of this situation, our Georgia Bulldogs lost terribly to the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, and we have had to try and “recover” from this heartbreaking loss.

This is so trivial when compared to the “other” recovery – the one people face every day.  The recovery from cancer, the recovery from the loss of a loved one, the recovery from substance abuse, the recovery from surgery, the recovery from a broken heart, the recovery from a divorce, or the recovery from storms whether weather related or life related.  There is no timeline for these things to heal or the problem to be resolved.

In life’s recoveries, we must rely on Jesus to meet our needs and help us begin the recovery process.  Jesus helps us by bringing us peace in order to focus and feel self assured during our recovery.  He also comforts us when we feel like giving up, and He sends His spirit to lift us up during moments of despair.  The best thing is that He surrounds us with His love so we never feel that we are recovering alone.  “I am not what I have done, I am what I have over come.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold the new has come!”  Corinthians 5:17

We are praying for a full recovery for Grace.

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  2 Chronicles 1:7

One of the first lessons I learned as a minister’s wife was that when you appear at any kind of gathering, people expect you to be able to pray!  After my initial experience with that, I realized quickly that public prayer is not my gift.  I quietly began to let folks know that although, I married a minister, I was not trained in the ministry and didn’t like to do prayers in public!  I’m not proud of that fact, but I am smart enough to admit to things that cause me stress and thus, I prefer to offer my prayers to God in a private environment.

I have adapted my method of praying – first by enveloping myself in quiet while attempting to create a worshipful atmosphere.  I think of what He can do, how He loves His children, and my place in His world.  As I pray for others and myself, I expect great things!  Our prayers are God’s opportunities.

While that is my method, I know many people who are gifted in the power of public prayer.  My sister, Kathy, prays the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard – then there’s my grand boys, Cindi, Tom, Will, and Jeanne -just to name a few.  These are a few of the folks that I see as praying not only boldly, but with divine confidence.  They, along with many others, seek to prove the greatness of their God.  They expect the unexpected beyond all that we can ask or think!

Thursday I witnessed a most unusual, but touching sight.  Tom, my friend in my water aerobics class, had four men in the pool in a circle, holding hands, and he was praying right there!!  I was first stunned, then in awe, then, very humbled and proud.  When they finished, I first asked, “What’s wrong?”  Tom laughed, then he said, “Well, you know, it’s just time to give God some thanks for all the ways He helps us in our time of need.  Joe’s wife has Alzheimer’s, but he has found a place where she is comfortable and has loving care.  We’ve been expecting that miracle!  God is good!”  Wow, yes He is!

Prayer is so powerful, and we should never cease to use it for good!  A quote by J. C. Ryles proclaims, “We should never open our lips in prayer without blessing God for that free grace by which we lives, and for that loving kindness which endures forever.” Amen.

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.”  Hebrews 10:36

In 1977, Randy and I were serving in the small community of Newborn, Ga. which is about 18 miles from Covington.  Newborn had one gas station, a blinking light, and a post office.  We had to make the 36+ mile round trip to Covington every time we bought groceries, wanted to eat out, or needed to see a doctor.

It was about this time, when Randy decided that we needed a car which was economical and used less gas.  I had a perfectly good car that ran great, looked nice outside and inside, and we owned it!  Despite this, he found an old, ugly VW hatchback in the shop of a mechanic, and he decided to buy it with the money we made from selling my car!!  The VW itself was ugly, dirty, and generally awful, but its major flaw was that it contained no engine!  No, when we raised the hood, it was empty under there.  The mechanic assured Randy that he could build us an engine and the car would be as good as new!  That was a lie!

The mechanic rebuilt the engine, but he used old parts, inferior products, and cut every corner on assembly.  A good engine is essential to a car – without it, you have no power, no energy, no speed, and no strength or endurance.  Needless to say, the car was never reliable, and it spent more time in the shop than it did on the road.  I can still feel a shudder when I think of that car!!

I began to equate this engine with the heart of a Christian.  If you fill your heart with unkind thoughts, inferior actions, and cut corners in service to God, then your faith is unreliable.  You don’t have the endurance necessary to finish your walk.  We have to put the best things into our hearts to be able to keep up with the evil that we face every day.  Sometimes it’s good to give our souls a strength, endurance and power check just like mechanics do for our cars.

The best day for us was when we sold that car!  The best day for me is when I check in on my soul!