Transition Time

My sister has had the first of four (so far) surgeries, journey that began two weeks ago today.  This time we are in is NOT what author Henry Blackaby in his book Called to Be God's Leader, a study of Joshua, would refer to as "transition time."  Now, more than ever, though, I am thankful for times of transition.

What, according to Blackaby, is a transition time?  The time in-between.  Joshua's 40 years waiting to enter the Promised Land...that was a tremendous time of transition for Joshua, the time between having entered the land with the other 11 spies and then, 40 years later, leading the people across the Jordan River.

What is a transition time?  That time when everything is going right, the time between valleys.

During such times, we need to be a Joshua.  During his 40 years, he learned, he studied, he followed, he prepared for his time when the Lord would call him to action.

So often, though, when life is good, we do not dive into The Word as we should; we do not meditate on the narratives of the Bible; we fail to spend time reflecting on the what He has done for us; we waste time not allowing the Lord to speak; we just do not study to show ourselves approved.

Why not?  During the good times, we stay even busier instead of slowing down and spending time with Him. AND He wants us to enjoy life, to be a disciple, to display Christ-like characteristics, to lead others to the knowledge of Him.  BUT He wants me to spend time with Him, so I am better prepared for the valleys.

Yesterday, I took a day from visiting with my sister...or looking at my sister, as she lies in ICU, fighting to recover from this Journey of Judy.  I took a day to go to church, to sit, to rest, to absorb, to study, to learn, to refresh.  I just needed this day of transition to pause and prepare for whatever lies within the minutes of next week as Judy's recovery begins, continues...or restarts...as this journey has already been quite the roller coaster ride.

I suppose I see Blackaby's term transition time as having the same purpose of the Sabbath.  The Sabbath is not a day to do nothing.  The Sabbath is a day to spend with The Lord, a day to rest in Him, even a day to work for Him, to teach for Him, to reach towards Him.

How refreshing this transition day was.  Just what Dr. Jesus ordered.

Time: Where Are You?

A month since I posted!  Really?  Where does time go?!  AND I have much to be writing.

Such as...

1. Sat in an ER room with a friend with kidney stones, full of infection, yet always ready with a laugh. There in that room, about 1 AM, the Lord used my mouth to help direct to which hospital she would NOT be sent.  I felt sooooo strongly that she should not be go to the one she mentioned.  Why?  Not sure.  Just knew that traveling there was not His Plan.  Sometimes, He uses us in the dead of the night to be His Mouthpiece.  May we ever be willing to travel.
2. For the last two Sundays, I have taught youth Sunday School, leaving my former class where I had spent the last several years.  Sometimes, one has to move on.  Sometimes, one has to fill a need.  Sometimes, one receives a blessing in both.  This past Sunday, we had two newbies, who seemed to be sponges, absorbing nuggets from each topic. Please help me pray that they return.
3. Last Friday, several of us attend the Compass Fall Banquet.  Fun!  The food filled.  The fellowship fulfilled.  The tables inspired (we were asked to create our own centerpieces.)  The desserts sweetened (one of our ladies won second!)  The theme motivated.  Yes, a success.  
4. On Saturday, two others and I joined about 100 ladies from across the state for the 2nd Annual Women's Leadership University...where I won two tickets to hear Beth Moore next year in Hot Springs.  Yay!  Yay!  This was such a blessed day to spend with Jesus Girls.  A full day of learning and being reminded why we do what we do.  (Did I mention I ordered four books while there...thanks to the book recommendations by the speakers?  I may never recover from my book-buying love.  Just do not see that happening in the near future!)
5. Now, I sit here...as my sister recovers from quite the major surgery.  Bless her.  While I enjoyed breakfast this morning, I watched and listened.  To a young man, who sat and blessed his food.  To an older son (50ies at least) argue with his mother.  As I left, I left some money with the young man for his lunch.  He blessed me.  Maybe I blessed him.
6. During the time I have sat with The Sister, she has mentioned both days that mom and dad have come to pray for her.  Mom and Dad are in heaven.  What this says to me? The Sister has been really sick and she desires the prayers of people who she knows has contact with The Great Physician.  She would appreciate your prayers, also.

I know more has happened...but The Sister is snoozing.  In case you have forgotten or are blessed enough to not know, when the patient sleeps, the one staying should also snooze, for hospitals are not always a place of rest.  Goodness!  These hospital helpers just do not sleep!

Blessings!

The Power of One Believer

For the past few days, I have been reading about Hezekiah...the King Hezekiah...in the Old Testament.

My attention was perked when I read that during Hezekiah's time was "one of the greatest revivals in history."  Because of one man.  Because of a remnant.  Because of several praying prophets who heeded God's message.

Hezekiah just stands out...for he was a "good" king in a line of awful, no-good, really bad kings.  Oh my goodness.  God even extended his life 15 years!

I recently read (I wish I could remember where) about 14-year-old Florrie Evans who stood up in a service, proclaiming, "I love Jesus Christ with all my heart," who is now credited with beginning a revival.

The power of one believer.

The Bible also gives us many other examples.  Yet.  Why do we not believe that we...I...can have that power?  Is the answer, "You have not because you ask not?" (James 4:2)  If we dig even deeper, do we have not because the mustard seeds are lacking?

Here's a Mustard Seed for you...I pray for our leaders because the Bibles says to do so...and because I want to do so, for I so want them to heed the calling of Jesus Christ on their lives.

Here's a Mustard Seed for you...I pray for the women of our nation, in my church, in my Bible Study to heed the calling of Jesus Christ on their lives.

Here's a Mustard Seed for you...I pray for those living morally in ways that the Bible condemns to heed the calling of Jesus Christ on their lives.

Here's a Mustard Seed for you...I pray for my family to heed the calling of Jesus Christ on their lives.

Here's a Mustard Seed for you...I pray I heed the calling of Jesus Christ on my life.

The Calling:  to go into ALL the world.

My World:  my job, my church, my community.

I want just a little faith.  Okay...maybe two mustard seeds.  Even a jar full would not be too much to ask!

The last two Sundays this has been a focus in my Sunday School class as I have shared with them that I pray they have more faith, that God give them the gift of more faith.  More faith.  What a mighty gift!

When I learned that my daughter, at three months old, would need a heart and lung transplant, I remember the second He placed the faith in my heart that she would be okay.  As sure as I have always been of my Salvation, I knew she would.

I did not know the journey He would send us on to one day hear her heart surgeon say, "She is normal."  I did not know that she would nearly have to die for an angel to appear and find a "true pulmonary artery."  I did not know all the people who needed my daughter's condition to be so they would either come back to Him...or simply not be able to deny His Existence.  I did not know the babies we would pray for along the way that He would heal,  for the families we prayed for as their babies eased into Heaven.

I just knew she would be okay.

She is now 18 and begins her freshman year in a week...all because of a Mustard Seed.  AND she still has her own heart and lungs.  No transplant was needed.  Just some time...to take a journey of faith with Him.

Please say these powerful words with me:  "I love Jesus Christ with all my heart."

Those are revival-starting words!  May you experience a revival with Him as you have never experienced before.

Blessings!

While I Have Been Silent...

Although I have not been present here, the Lord has been very much present in the last few weeks.  May I begin to share?  (In my scurrying here and there, I have been making lists, one of which is a list of topics on which I have thoughts for here; hope to have much to say soon!)

• During July, I spent 19 days straight days in meetings, of one sort or another.  Before I began them, I asked the Lord to plant people in my path...or to plant me in their paths.  He did.  He also removed me from paths.  He is just like that!  From Las Vegas to Orlando to Trumann to Searcy to right in my own home town, He was there, and I am grateful.
• During these travels, I spent much time with new and old friends whom God has placed in my life, a prayer answered I prayed a few years ago...for God to send me friends that are ladies.  Has He blessed me!  Traveled to National Board meeting with three, to ILA with seven, met two in Truman, several in Searcy, and peers at school.  I am so very grateful.
• I applied for a position within our building.  Never even got an acknowledgement of receipt of my resume that I submitted to two, much less an interview.  After learning that an elementary teacher received this secondary position and after about two minutes of feeling as professionally insulted as I ever have, I thanked the Lord for answering another prayer.  Now, I am praying I accept this answer with grace, for my human side does seem to want to rule at times!  May it not.  For that, I will be most grateful.
• Within my family, I have witnessed so many prayers answered, amazingly so.  God is just so mindful.  My husband was diagnosed with a rare and advancing form of arthritis in his feet, which has resulted in a major lifestyle change for him...and for me, yet through it all, this extreme has also resulted in his drawing ever closer to the Lord.  I am grateful.
• My daughter was involved in another wreck (third in a year...none of which were her fault)...and she turned 18.  That's right...the Lord has work for her to do!  She is also learning to give her testimony.  For this day, I prayed.  I will continue to tell her story...four heart/lung surgeries...amazing, she is.  Amazing, He is.  For this testimony and these 18 years, I am grateful.

Certainly is great to be so grateful!  For what are you most grateful?

Blessings!

FUGE Summer Camp - Convergence, Part 1

I am in Mobile, Alabama, as I type this...

• as Tropical Storm Cindy makes landfall
• as I spend the week with five young ladies
• as I am being blessed (even though I am a bit stressed at times with five girls)
• as I attend my second FUGE camp.

Just wanted to write a quick note, for we are off to Worship in just a few minutes to jot down a few reflections about this week.

1. One should always bring two chaperones, or one will be constantly pulled in too many directions.  Next year, I just want to be the van driver.  I like that job.  Now, if the Lord would just see fit to work that out so that other chaperones will attend?  :)
2. My daughter wanted to do MFUGE...instead of Centrifuge, so I got her and another girl and myself switched.  Now, we go off campus each day and spend time with some group around Mobile this week just enjoying our time together.  So far, we have spent time at a community center, a home for physically/mentally challenged people, and a homeless shelter.  Oh, my.  Many mixed emotions the last two days.  Sadness.  Appreciation.  I.  Am.  Just. So. Blessed.
3. My group of girls...the Fantastic FUGEttes...need just a touch this week.  All five of them have needs.  Such huge needs.  What a group.  I look forward to being able to write about them...hopefully, in Part 2.
4. For the first time in my life, I have had a Tropical Storm Warning pop up on my phone.  That just does not happen in Arkansas.  No,  Not ever.  Just for the sake of memories, I screenshot the image!  We are safe...but often wet...for it is raining...and raining...and raining!  With an occasional tornado warning here and there.
5. Our church group staff member is amazing...and gifted...in the area of missions.  I do pray the Lord blesses her abundantly for her efforts.

Off to Worship...

Oh, HUGE thanks to Sulphur Rock Baptist for funding this trip for the girls.  Not sure they realize how blessed they are.  I hope they do.

Women's Conference: Part 2

How has this event come and gone already?  Such a blessing was the third annual SRBC Women's Conference, hosted on June 2-3.

I would change little about the conference...only to wish that more had chosen to attend, for it was such a blessing, from the fellowship, to the sessions, to the food, to the decorations, to those who chose to attend, to the music.  Absolutely fun!  Indeed!

Our guest speaker was Andrea Lennon of True Vine Ministries.  Andrea also serves as director of women's ministries for the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention.  A role model, a disciple, always working for the Lord.

She led four sessions centered on the topic of freedom, of which may we ever have more of for Jesus.  The ladies absolutely loved her.  Yes, without a doubt, we would recommend her.

Our word for next year is growth...but for now, may we marinate in the freedom to do...or for the freedom from...as we ever seek to learn about Him and do for Him, for as Paul so well said in 2 Corinthians 3:17:  "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Blessings!

Women's Conference...Part 1

Today, the ladies and I begin meeting to plot and plan for our third annual Making Choices Women's Conference.  I have learned over the years that the prepping can be almost as much of a blessing as the events themselves.  Almost.  :)

My hope this year is that we accomplish much over Monday - Wednesday, so we may have some time for rest and prayer before the conference.  We'll see...much to do!

This year's theme is Freedom.  The Lord gave me this word as I was driving to the conference last year. No...I don't know 2018's word yet.  Maybe He is going to give it to someone else to share.  OR maybe it's not time for me to drive to Friday night's event!

As I have begun working on the conference and thinking about this word, I realize that Freedom has two places in my life:

1. Freedom from...here chains are broken.
2. Freedom to...here links are chained together.

I have needed both...and I still need both.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -  2 Corinthians 3:17

The Lord is there...when the chains need to be broken...and when the links need to be brought together.  The devil wants to bind and put us in chains...the Lord will break those chains, freeing His Daughters of the King to ever more link up with Him and His Kingdom, serving Him, working for Him, worshiping with Him.  The Lord wants us linked in unity and fellowship...the devil wants those chains not just broken...but destroyed.  This week, we loose the chains...and link in fellowship.

See the opposites between the two?  The Lord is freedom.  The devil is bondage.  For the two cannot...nor will they ever...mix.

Every lady attending this weekend is at some point in this chain...some need freed from chains that bind; some need the links strengthened and lengthened.  All need more of Him.  He will be there.

Even now, we are praying for those attending this event.  Some of the ladies may not even know they are attending...but they are...and we are praying for them even now.

How may I pray for you?  Will you join us in prayer?