You CAN teach an old dog new tricks

Man did I blow it last night. Here I was with a group of people who were excited about discovering something about You, and I went and opened my big, pompous mouth. I watched my friend's excitement diminish with my every comment. I apologized and she graciously said "no problem". I had to sit there and squirm, knowing that You have already captured my heart and here You were capturing theirs and I had ruined the moment. I knew You weren't too happy with me. Sigh.

So, to You--I am very, very sorry. Heartbroken really. I will learn from this.

To my Friend (who reads my blog & knows who she is)--I am sorry. Not for having a different opinion like you thought I was apologizing for, but for stomping on your discovery. There is so much God has to show you about Himself. I want to hear what you are learning, and next time, I promise to listen with openness and join in your wonder and awe.

Note to self: Grow leg long enough to kick self in butt...HARD!

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, His children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His children."--Hebrews 12:5,6

FAVORITE T-SHIRT DESIGN

My daughter has a t-shirt with a picture of the moon on it that I love because it reminds me that I am not the center of the universe, but that I should be pointing to the Center of all universes. It says:

BE THE MOON...

REFLECT THE SON!!

PUZZLED - 2

I am intrigued by issues related to lack of unity within the Body of Christ. I think because I have felt it, participated in it, and even instigated it. I want study this so I can learn to respond differently.

I have discussed differentness, but I don't think differentness is a justification for lack of unity, even though we often cite it as a causation. My daughter and I are different in many ways. She is Hot Topic and I am Liz Claiborne. She is a night person and I am a morning person. She is musical and I am muzaklee challenged..lol. People drain her...people energize me. She doesn't like crowds and for me, the bigger the crowd the better. She has a great memory and I...wait...what was I talking about?? She likes modern and I like traditional. She wants to travel the world and I want to read about the world. But our differentnesses have opened up doors to each of us that the other would not have entered, if we hadn't celebrated and embraced our differentness. We truly enjoy the differentnesses in each other.

I am reading THE UNITY FACTOR:Developing a Healthy Church Leadership Team by Larry W. Osborne. Osborne has this to say about unity:

1. "...just spending extra time together builds unity...when people increase the amount of time they spend together, there will be a corresponding increase in their regard and appreciation for one another."
2. "common points of reference...[provide] a common vocabulary and a set of shared experiences from which to draw."
3. "Third, praying together promotes harmony. There is something about coming before our heavenly Father that dissipates spiritual sibling rivalries...'Friends discuss, strangers argue.' "

Simple, yet some good checks for me to monitor in myself. Who am I drawing toward and who am I withdrawing from? Is either necessary or prudent? How am I praying? About someone(s) or for him (them)? Am I celebrating the differences in my Christian siblings or resenting those differences? Do I take a superior posture or a servant posture?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.-Psalm 133:1

SOLI DEO GLORIA

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

I was just sitting here, trying to recover from a phone conversation with my ex-husband. Nothing hurts me like the hurt that happens in his relationship with my, uh...our daughter. I hate that this man can still frustrate me to tears.

So I decided to distract myself and visited my favorite blogs. The last one I read was Ed & Kelley Horn's http://www.edhorn.info/index.html . I don't know Ed & Kelley, but I have been following their story for over 6 months now. If you want to see faith in action and want to be inspired to trust God, read this blog and all the comments. You will see faith and love and hope and Christian community. You will be moved and changed by what you see there.

Today Kelley wrote that Ed's temperature was 104 plus and she was taking him to the ER. Yesterday she wrote that he wasn't feeling well and had a slight fever. Then she added "And God is good all the time!"

Thank you, Kelley, that in the midst of your very serious situation, you take the time to lift the hearts of others and remind us of what is important. You reminded me to revisit the instant message conversation I had going on with my girl.

Daughter: hearts kaymac550: heart you kaymac550: love you Daughter: muah (kiss) kaymac550: you are special Daughter: i love you kaymac550: i love you very much kaymac550: miss you Daughter: oh mom i love you and miss you as well Daughter: i really realy love you Daughter: really**

This isn't a special exchange between my daughter and I. This is a typical daily exchange. So, now I am reminded of how truly blessed I am. You are right Kelley, God IS good all the time!

P.S. You, Ed, and your children are in my prayers, daily.

SOLI DEO GLORIA......TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.--Psalm 94:19

CHALLANGE - 2

"...the notion [is] that we have to consecrate our gifts to God. We cannot consecrate what is not ours. The only thing I can give to God is my right to myself (see Romans 12:1). If I will give God that, He will make a holy experiment out of me, and God's experiments always succeed.....When the saint begins to realize that God engineers circumstances, there will be no more whine, but only a reckles abandon to Jesus. Never make a principle out of your own experience; let God be as original with other people as He is with you." - Oswald Chambers, Daily Thoughts for Disciples.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

--Romans 12:1

CRAZY KIND OF LOVE

What You have done for me is crazier than Dennis Rodman in a wedding dress. You called to me in the midst of my wildness, in the midst of my corruptness, and You proposed to me. My heart was a heart of stone. I was dead in my sin. What did You see? What could You, O Beautiful One, want with me? Yet You washed me in Your blood and I was suddenly alive and clean. You placed a veil on my head, dressed me in Your righteousness, placed a ring on my finger and betrothed me to Yourself forever. You continually kiss the ugliest parts of me with lips that are pure and holy. You breathe new life into me through Your Spirit.

I don't get You sometimes....I cannot comprehend...Your love....the depth of Your love. But You have become my desire, my life, my breath, my purpose. My God! My Lord! My King!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.--John 3:16-17

WHO'S ON YOUR RADAR SCREEN?

I remember the day my father-in-law died like it was yesterday. He had collapsed in Miami and was rushed to a hospital, but we decided my husband and his sister should fly into Fort Lauderdale (where he lived), rent a car, and drive down. In all the confusion, my mother-in-law arranged for a family friend to pick them up at the airport. After many frantic phone calls to the airline, I was finally connected to a supervisor who listened to my request that the airline notify my husband of the new plans. The supervisor denied my request, telling me there was nothing that could be done since the plane was in-flight. With that forcefulness and determination that we find in a crisis, I notified the supervisor that my father had been an Air Traffic Controller and therefore, I was aware that the controllers are in constant communication with planes throughout their flights as they fly from one air space grid into another. My message was delivered.

I got to thinking the other day that as Christians, we are like Air Traffic Controllers. We have people flying in and out of our air space all the time. Some stay and land. Others are taking off. Still others are just passing through and aren't under our watch and care for very long at all. Like ATC's it is important for us to recognize our role and responsibility for each person that God brings into our air space.

An ATC has to guide planes in for landings and monitor anything that could jeopardize that landing. We too, are called to help those who are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ into a "safe landing" in faith. And once they land, we need to guide them to a safe place to be fueled and receive maintenance.

Then there are those who are "taking off". They also need guidance, support, and a watchful eye so they know when it is safe to take off, know that they aren't going to fly right into another plane, and know they have the right course setting and air speed.

There are different sizes and types of "aircraft" in our air space and we need to understand them. The conditions needed for a jumbo jet are different from that of the small and sleek corporate jet.

Some aircraft are just passing through and get handed off to the next guy. Perhaps we are just planting a word of faith, role modeling, showing a kindness, sharing a moment... before they continue on their course.

Sometimes we need to order up an escort of fighter jets to scope out an aircraft that doesn't belong in our space or appears to be threatening an unarmed plane. There are spiritual battles to be fought for those who God appoints to our air space and to the need to protect the air space God has given us.

Or how about the times we need to drop everything and focus on that craft that is in trouble? We need to rally all the resources available to help that plane so it doesn't crash or if it does, to make sure there are as few victims as possible.

When I was a kid, I heard my dad telling about a plane that had gone missing late one night. Apparently, the plane landed but then lost all power. The plane couldn't contact the tower, and the tower had no idea where this plane was and what happened. Another plane finally alerted the control tower that it was there, just sitting at the end of a runway. It seems hard to believe that they could "lose" a plane, but they did. We too, have those who for whatever reasons, fall off our radar screen. And like Jesus taught, we need to leave the 99 and go find that one that is lost.

12"If a shepherd has one hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? 13And if he finds it, he will surely rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! 14In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish. --Matthew 18:12-14

For some of us, the air space we have been assigned is like LaGuardia....a hectic pace and lots of traffic. For others of us, comes a slower pace and less traffic. But we are designed to work together, to make the skies friendly for all who fly them!

THANK YOU

There are so many kinds of thank you's. There is the "aw shucks" kind of thanks when someone gives you a nice compliment. I love the "over-the-shoulder" thanks from kids as they are happily dashing off after permission has been given. There is the "tongue-in-cheek" thanks when you get that gift you "always never wanted" and the very sincere "OMG, how did you know?!!!" thanks for the gift that you "always really wanted". I have delivered softly spoken "tearful" thanks for the many, many who have walked alongside me through those difficult times. How about the "wordless" thanks...a wink, a smile, a hug...because you know the receiver so well that words are not even necessary? I have often stumbled through those "Fourth of July" thanks when the reason for the thanks is so big, that fireworks are going off in your heart. (One of my friends saved one of the "Fourth of July" thanks that I left on her phone and played it back for me. I sounded like a babbling, lunatic as I alternately laughed and cried throughout my message.)

A few days ago I came home and told my daughter about something that someones were going to do for us. Since she knows me so well, she said, "Mom...did you laugh or did you cry?" I told her I did neither. I told her that this thing was so beyond words that I just stood there like an idiot. I told her it felt like standing on a cliff away from city lights and looking up into the expanse of the night sky, seeing so many stars that you feel tiny and small. Or being adrift in a life boat in the middle of the ocean....all you can see is rolling waves in every direction. Again, you feel so small.

I can't even comprehend this kind of kindness so it is no wonder that I can't find the right words to say thank you. But it humbles me.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.--Phillippians 1:3

ON SLANG & JARGON - 2

Yesterday I took my girl to her PLR Bible study. Since she doesn't have a driver's license yet, and they meet 45 minutes from home, I took a stack of work to do while I waited for her. The next thing I knew, my table was surrounded by the Bible study group. They were young. Around 30 years younger than me. But we had such a great time. Talking about life. Talking about how to follow You with pure hearts. We laughed at each others' jokes. Had some serious moments too, before I sent them all back to their table for their Bible study. They wanted to stay and study with me...what an honor. But I really wanted to give my daughter her space.

So in the middle of the night, You reminded me that I want to be current and fluid and open. Last night was just a practice run. You said that we really are going to take this journey together. The picture I have in my mind is that of being on the first ascent of a giant roller coaster. How the cars strain against gravity. The wheels squeak. The going is slow...up, up, and higher still. My eyes are closed and I am white knuckled. We are just about to hit that pause...that sensation of being almost ready to go over the top and the gut wrenching feeling you know will hit when we go flying down the other side. I can sense You in the car next to me.

Lord, I don't know if I will bravely throw my hands up in the air and relish the ride down; perhaps I will grab You and hide my head in Your arms to muffle my terror; maybe I will laugh and scream with the thrill. This is a new ride, never been on it before, so I have no clue how fast we will go or how many dips and turns there will be. All I know is, we are at the top and I feel You saying, "Hold on....here we goooooooooooooooooooo...."

I have two questions for You:

1)Will I like the ride? I know, I know....wait and see.

2)I don't like heights. I like safety. I am not a risk taker. How did You EVER convince me to take this ride?? Quit laughing!

Delight yourself in the Lord; & He will give you the desires of your heart.--Psalm 37:4

ON SLANG & JARGON

Last night I was reading through my daughter's Language Arts book. She is studying the evolution of the English language, and there were a few paragraphs on slang and jargon. The lesson noted that slang words last approximately 4 years before they become obsolete. I found that quite interesting. I am so uncool that I usually find myself behind the times in style, language, etc. By the time I understand and recognize slang, it will be ready to pass into history. One of the funniest stories I ever heard about a slang word was from my father-in-law. He was around 20 yrs old and he and his buddy (pal? compadre? bro? see what I mean...I don't even know the latest slang for friend) were out late at night. A couple of guys came up to them and demanded their wallets. My father-in-law mustered up as much machismo as he could and threatened, "Step back, I have a god in my pocket!" Well, he meant to say rod (gun, heater, blaster, piece) but he was so scared it came out wrong. The muggers started laughing so hard, they decided not to steal the wallets. However, I have often thought his words really weren't a mistake. Having God in your pocket is the best--who better to "have your back"?

A couple definitions for jargon are: "The specialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group." and "a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves); 'they don't speak our lingo' ". [Lingo of course being a slang word ;-) ] Jargon is meant to exclude, to isolate a hearer from the information if the hearer doesn't have the key to unlock the words. I remember the first time someone asked me if I was "saved". I looked at the person like they were strange. Saved? From what? But what really excited me as I thought about jargon in the context of Christianity was how inclusive God is. He gave us words to call Him by like Father, Friend, Comforter, Brother. Unlike jargon, these words reach out to man, across the ages and invite the hearer, not only to a relationship, but to an intimate one!

For about a year, I have felt challenged to implement my faith in a way that is fluid enough to respond to the changing world and culture that surrounds me. I also have been working on the challenge of moving out and seeking opportunities to extend the invitation to Family that Christ offers. I know that slang and jargon are about language, but the concepts also apply to being current, open, and yes, even uncomfortable at times, in my faith walk.

Both present their own barriers for me personally. Are ya feelin' me, daddy-o?

APRIL FOOLS! ENJOY

Okay, Tina Fabulous' collection of little known facts about cole slaw et al http://embracinggrace.blogspot.com/ has prompted me to do a tiny bit of research on what I have claimed as my high holiday, April Food's Day. Here is what I learned:

Charles IX introduced the Gregorian calendar to France in 1582, starting the New Year off on January 1, unlike the 8 day celebration from March 25 through April 1 that had previously marked the new year. Because they didn't have the internet and the evening news, this information traveled very slowly, even taking years to get around. Plus, there were the hard heads who didn't like change, resulting in alot of people celebrating New Years at the wrong time. These folks were the butt of open mike night at the local comedy club, sent on "fool's errands" (I think I have been on some of those), and had a lot of pratical jokes played on them. This fun was introduced to England and Scotland and eventually spread to the Americas and other parts of the world. In Scotland, they celebrate April Fool's for 2 days, one day of which is called Taily Day, because pranks target a specific area of the body. You got it! The "kick me" sign originated in Scotland.

I love fun and pratical jokes. Here's my daughter's list of favorites: 1)One year, when April Fool's Day fell on a Sunday, I sewed a light colored string to a $20 bill and then left it in the church aisle. Of course, I pulled the bill back every time someone went to pick it up. The best part was when a friend walked up to me loudly exclaiming, "OK, Kathy....I know you have something planned...what is it?!!" She couldn't figure out why we were all laughing hysterically, but when she walked up, she unknowingly stood on the $20. 2) I had a group of young adults, part of Master's Commission at our church, over for dinner. All these great aromas made them salivate, but when they took off the cover of the main dish....there was a huge, very long...cow tongue on a bed of lettuce. It took awhile for anyone to get their appetite back for the real dinner. The cow tongue was seen later that night in the Youth Pastor's office. 3)We have been accomplices in a number of creative toilet paper episodes, as well as victims. Once, we were watching the front of the house, when the kids snuck in the back of the house, toilet papering inside our refrigerator, our dog, and even my toddler daughter who was asleep on the couch. Another time, not only was my house toilet papered, but we found several "rooms" on our front lawn, including rugs, chairs, tv and tv stand; a dining table with service for 4 neatly arranged, and more. My neighbors often stood around scratching their heads after we had been "hit", amazed by the things they would see.

I would love to hear some of your favorite pranks!

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21