AM I CARRYIN'?

Jesus calls us His vessels.

Each witness an embodiment of Christ...called to carry His love, encouragement, and mercy to EVERYONE we encounter.

What do those around me (family, friends, strangers) need? Not want, need.

After reading in Relative Truths... seeing how God covered him in such a creative and special way through the Disciple participants reaching out...loving Him...for what He will be doing for Christ's World. Where have you seen someone carry someone else's concerns or meet a real need recently?

1 Peter 4:11

Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

MASTERPIECES

We're God's most-prized possessions, His masterpieces--"beautifully and wonderfully made". Yesterday as Disciple graduates walked out of the church, some shared their experiences with me; then as I drove home, wonderful memories flooded my mind about my Disciple I Closing back in 1994 and the confirmations I received about my God-given gifts. Gifts given to me for His Glory (not the world's approval). Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of Your love, Your giving us each unique gifts and talents, Your forgiveness. I so needed this memory!

“Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men?

Galatians 1:10

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

Psalm 36:5

HIGH PLACES

Jesus’s going up to a mountain and praying was quite contrary to the canons of the Jews—the canon forbid praying in places even so little raised:”

"Let not a man be in an high place", and pray;

but in a low place and pray; as it is said, "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." Psalm 130:1

The Jews following their law again--what about those times when they needed to pray and were on a high place? Would they not interact with God just because they were on a high place? Maybe this was another subtle way for Gentiles to know Christ knew his place--and, it was where He most intimately met His Father, sometimes all night.

"One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night." Luke 6:12

Confirmation--what happened on the mountain: “We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain.”2Peter 1:18

Quiet time with Jesus= imperative! He gives rest, rejuvenation...listens to confessions, gives guidance, yet listening must be part of it, too.
When and where is your “high, quiet place” with Jesus?

Thing that made me go "AAAWWW"

Often times we only hear about all the bad headlines involving teens. Tonight I was at a local high school play getting to watch and listen to several of them who are extremely talented with their voices and dance moves. While standing outside the stage door to hug the entertainers, another young man was catching up with me about his upcoming weekend (usually they will be "hangin'" with friends, working a part-time job or sharing excitement about seeing one of the latest movies).

But this gentleman excitedly told me he will be doing yard work for his Mom, his early Mother's Day gift to her. AAAAAWWW! Isn't that sweet...and his dancing eyes and wide smile spoke even more than his words. I love these kids...there are GOOD ones out there, we just don't get to hear about them very often. : )

FROSTIES, PLEASE DON'T GO!

News Flash from USA TODAY: DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — The owner of Arby's said Thursday that it is buying Wendy's International (WEN) in an all-stock deal worth $2.34 billion.

I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid of the consequences this will have at all Wendy’s restaurants…Arby’s serves only “Pepsi” products, yuuuuuck! Oh well, business decisions change the world every day…Pray the “frosties” don’t go away! Speaking of consequences, His Word tells us “sin” has consequences—natural results for wrong decisions or possibly an understanding of God disciplining His children. My parents disciplined me and my sister as children. And by the way, our responses to these “disciplinings” made a difference in the length of my sentence! Did you ever hear any of these?

"Clothes placed in the hamper will get washed." my Mother would say. The consequence if not in the hamper: you wash them or wear them dirty! Let’s just say, when I moved out I knew how to do laundry : )

My Daddy would chip in and say "Your Mother serves good suppers--you’re expected to “at least try” everything on the table.” If you didn’t eat, another meal will not be prepared and no snacks after supper (...we could eat yesterday’s leftovers though).

What if we began seeing teens moving away from the “specificity” our society has taught them...becoming adults who don't “ignoring their own responsibilities”? …picking up after themselves in homes, parks, restaurants; putting trash in the garbage rather than leaving it throughout the church following worship, not telling policemen “it’s a stupid law” when they run the red light. Maybe, one day.

My Mom specifically told me, “When you’re at whichever host’s table, taste and try to eat their dinner...show your appreciation for their having invited you.” Its a matter of showing your family-taught manners to friends and family you love. I hurt when I seeing someone refuse a host's lovingly-prepared food not getting eaten because it doesn’t “meet the guest’s expectation, no matter what the reason.” Both my parents encouraged us to step out and try new things, and they let us fail while we were still in their house (so they could later talk us through the low spots and ask what we had learned). They taught us how to pick ourselves up and start again--to understand the concept of “not always having our way” all the time.

Consequences…yes; Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me with a Mother who quoted and showed us Proverbs 3:11-12: “Do not despise the Lord's discipline (or my Daddy's) and do not resent his rebuke (or my Mother's), because the LORD (and my parents) discipline those he (they) love(s), as a father the son he delights in."

Now I’m quoting Proverbs.
Where are you seeing parents instilling consequences in their children?

Got rubberbands??

When I get stressed, I get headaches...and I especially get frustrated when my tongue reacts faster than it should--

And what's it about when it doesn't react fast enough?

Maybe I should put a rubber band around my wrist and snap it like crazy in those moments when "ye olde tongue" is flapping too fast. I've seen people do this while struggling with smoking. Maybe the snapping would wake me up to my "future consequences" regarding what is getting ready to come out between the teeth and out into open air.

On the other hand, when my words don't come fast enough I'm not sure what I could do to "dig" the responses out of the core of my brain. Perhaps B12 shots are in order instead of 300mg tablets. It's so embarrassing when I've known someone for years but struggle for their name...going through the alphabet trying to associate a letter sound with the face I'm pondering. My Granny used to go through all her six kids' names...she knew she would eventually hit the right one!

Staying in God's Word will definitely help get me re-centered for confession from my heart, and He promises He will pour blessings on us in "astonishing ways"...He will never forget my name or yours.

How do you deal with these situations??

(Is anyone out there? I haven't had any comments the last four posts...and my paranoia is kicking in...)

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

"God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready

for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done."

Yungins! Are You Listening?

Jesus was on a “healing-relationships” mission from Heaven for His Creation’s sake, and He often sought time with God in prayer while he was present on Earth. He sought to teach us THE TRUTH, HEAL the sick, FEED the hungry, and often time would run out and he would be drained and tired from all those who "pulled at Him".

It saddens me--on Friday,April 18, we lost a “mentor of selfless servant hood”. Selfishly sad because I will not get to enjoy hugging and talking with one of Jesus' saints any more in this lifetime--Dorothy Pepper opened her eyes one last time, looked to Heaven and was ushered into Eternity. At 99 years young, her eyes still danced like a young woman and her tight-lipped kisses were sought treats by us “yungins” when she was able to sit in the middle section on the second pew in the church, wrapped in her soft sweater. Her lipstick on your lips was a trophy, for sure…you see, when she was sharing her heart with you, she would peck you on the lips! WOW! 1909-2008, I watched how she made her “dash” count; she richly loved and taught her family (and all those around her) about Jesus’ love…in everything she did. He welcomed her with loving arms and she was able to give Him a peck!

Throughout my Mom’s life she has “bent over backwards” to please friends and family around her--cooking, cleaning, sewing, hugging, caring. She is my mentor for “heartfelt” service to those she loves and to those she doesn’t even know, “giving herself and her time away”. How grateful I am to have her legacy of prayer, singing, and teaching. She loves Jesus with her whole heart and made it her job to show that to me, my sister and my Daddy. Her tears still often come as she shares what He has done in her life! That “selflessness” way of life appears to be harder to find these days, and I strive to leave this same thing for my daughter, so His love will be passed on throughout generations. (I'm nowhere as good at it as she is because I often let me get in the way.)

Lord, help me remember: “You will fight for me; I need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13). You are my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). You will lead me when I am blind by ways I have not known, along unfamiliar paths You will guide me; You will turn the darkness into light before me and make the rough places smooth. These are the things You will do; You will not forsake me (Isaiah 42:16).

As my Mommy and Mrs. Pepper taught me,

1. READ His Word
2. Pray constantly … confess often
3. Obediently walk
4. Listen…He’ll make His voice loud and clear!
5. Dwell on His Promises

Jeremiah 33:3

“Call to me and I will answer you; and tell you great and unsearchable things!”

\0/ ELEVATION EXPRESSED \0/

ELEVATION EXPRESSED

Succeeded Brent, New
Learned names, Teens’ hearts opened
Building trust, devoted

Prayershare, Explosion
Togetherness in God’s Word, fellowship
Many homes hosted, always stood on chairs

December Third, his B’day
Calls galore, brownies, Peeps, Krystal, Starbuck's
Shared his day

Prepared weekly lessons, staff meetings
Bounced ideas, Nooma videos inspired
Mentor, guide, Pastor D

Collins Hill, Central, Mill Creek
Peachtree Ridge, GAC, Providence, Brookwood, too!
Lunch visits, high fives, big hugs

New worship service, then came Equate
Loving ALL teens, Christ’s compassion
Built Christ’s vision

January, betrothed here
"R", heart’s desire, soul mate
Whose name inspires smiles.

Gobbler, Super Bowl
Family Life Center, waiting tables, inflatable bouncing
Served plates, welcomed visitors

Laguna, Spiritual refuge
Love sheets, praised with “Less”
Bus caravan, unshackled souls slumbered

LAP, service
Lawrenceville neighbors saw God’s hands
TB, June 20, now experiencing Glory

Campground Tuesdays--Joy Class ruled
Thursdays-- skits, non-stop laughter
Fridays, tear-stained altars

AndEr, MerBen
AdCour, ErBlon, KathPet, helpmates
Honoring Jesus

In our hearts, forever!
To Mt. Bethel (NOT), our one-and-only, AlWhit
Still teaching, “It’s still about Christ and His teens”!

Written 3/22/08 (SuKirk)

Tweaked 4/20/08 "Welcome Back!"

KEEPS THE FLIES OFF!?

Recently an email came my way listing the 40-some-odd uses for WD40 (the 1953-developed rust preventative, water displacement compound for protecting missile parts). Every time I see the name, I immediately associate it with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do).

So, it wasn’t a far jump to compare the top five uses of WD-40 with WWJD/Scripture, and here’s what I found…

Here's the pattern: WD-40, but WWJD
Protects silver from tarnishing but
Psalms 41:2 The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity and rescues them from their enemies.

Removes road tar /grime but
Isaiah 25:8 Yes, he'll banish death forever. And God will wipe the tears from every face. He'll remove every sign of disgrace From his people, wherever they are. Yes! God says so!


Cleans/lubricates guitar strings. But,
Hebrew 9:13 If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out.


Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery. But,
Psalms 37:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun.


Keeps flies off cows. But,
Exodus 8:31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.

God is so good, and funny! : )

YOU BREAK IT; HE SAVES IT!

So many things in today's STREAMS IN THE DESERT touched further on the "quick fix" that BE STILL & KNOW wrote about today. (Mrs. Charles Cowman...paraphrased from the entire article).

A beautiful grain of corn--broken up in the earth--dead, its inner heart sprouts forth--bears hundreds of other grains.

On and on, all through history, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.

Broken in wealth, Broken in self-will, Broken in ambitions, Broken in beautiful ideals, Broken in worldly reputation, Broken in affections, Broken in health; those despised, utterly forlorn, helpless; Holy Ghost--seizing upon and using for God's glory.

"The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.

The dictionary gave one of many definitions of broken as: reduced to submission. And...in math, "reduced" means to change the denomination or form, (but not the value) ....and submission's definition is humble obedience.

God wants us to come to Him in humble obedience yet at the same time He does not reduce our value...He gave up EVERYTHING for our value!

Sign your arm??

Imagine this: watching your orthopedist “signing” your arm with an ink pen while asking again, “left shoulder?” Many times we answered the same question…made me a little paranoid they had “done the wrong one” in the past. Just prior to the doctor’s review, “Carrie-with-no-name-tag” had shown us the new sling for post surgery followed by lots 'n lots of RULES!

It was “ambulatory surgery”…so they made him GIT UP and WALK to surgery. (kinda reminded me of the moment Jesus told the paralytic to GIT UP and WALK!) I watched hubby walk away with his 2 bags, 1 clothing and 1 IV--following the nurses in his "designer gown" to the operating room.

Surgery went well--PT has been scheduled for Wednesday 8am uuuuugggghhhh! Thank you, Jesus for pain meds. When I got to see him in recovery, he was nodding in/out eating peanut-butter-cheese crackers and drinking water…meds had him so relaxed he forgot he was chewing and sprayed tiny orange crumbs all over his new black sling. I was scared he was gonna start chewing his tongue.

Slept all the way home except when he would startle awake asking again what time it was...probably the 10th or 11th time. Once home, he wanted to stay in the car!

Greatly enjoyed and was so thankful for JH making dinner(chicken casserole, corn, fruit medley, chocolate-frosted sheet cake, YUMMMMM!).
Recuperating slowly...Thanks for all your prayers, everybody!

I'm repeating PHIL. 4:6 a lot today...
shoulder surgery awaits CK in the next few hours and I'm honestly anxious for him.
Having been "under the knife" myself several times, "prep night" and "pre-op" activities always have a way of making it "real" before you get to it.
Last night's youth program even dealt with this subject, so God was preveniently going before us again...putting his Word in front of my face...reminding me: Phil. 4:16 "Be anxious in nothing" .
Then, this morning's "STREAMS" contributed its part. The following is paraphrased for "emphasis".

"In everything,":
All day long…when you wake in the night, whatever consumes,
speak to our Lord--your heart.

"By prayer and supplication,":
Earnest, persevering; going on and waiting, waiting on God.

"With thanksgiving":
Always present--He saved you from Hell…gave you His Holy Word, His Son, the Holy Spirit
—your reasons for thanksgiving!

"And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.":
Precious blessing--known experimentally at first…it passeth understanding.
Walk in the spirit, more abundantly glorify God
George Mueller, Life of Trust

"PRAISE GOD...GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME;

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

LION KING revisited

What a treat...we saw the live production of LION KING tonight at the Atlanta Civic Center. It seems like yesterday when ChannaBaby was enjoying that movie...singing and dancing with Simba, Timone, and Pumba...

hakuna mitata...no worries.

This production was the most marvelous stage production I've ever seen. I can now personally attest to how awesome their puppetry and costume arts designer is...phenomenal! We were blessed to have MDerby with us, so it was lots of fun talking theatre, song and dance. We had wanted to eat at the Blue Marlin before the show; however, they had a "problem in the kitchen" and their hostess said we wouldn't make show time...so, we settled for Burger King...woohoo : (

I love "LIVE" entertainment and these singers were definitely given wonderful pipes by our creator! What a great night!!

IN IT !

Today's "STREAM" had a quote that comforts...

"Measure thy life by loss and not by gain,

Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth.

For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice,

And he who suffers most has most to give."

It helps us understand--valleys truly do become mountaintops...and during struggles KNOW that on the other side will be HIS GLORY! Reminds me of Paul's words about being thankful in suffering...the key word being IN. We always strain so hard to get out of suffering when we are closest to our LORD while we are IN it. NOW, to a funny.....

Jesus and Satan have an argument --"Who's the better programmer. " They agree to hold a contest--God will be the judge. They set themselves before their computers and begin.

Typing furiously, lines of code streaming up the screen. Seconds before the end, a bolt of lightning struck taking out the electricity. Moments later, the power is restored--God announces that the contest is over and asks Satan to show his work. Satan is visibly upset and cries, "I have nothing! I lost it all when the power went out."

"Very well, " says God, "let's seehow Jesus fared." Jesus enters a
command, and the screen comes to life--vivid display,an angelic choir poured forth from the speakers. Satan is astonished. He stutters, "But how?! I lost everything! How did he do it?!"

God chuckles, "Jesus saves!"

SAFELY HOME

Thank you, Jesus, for returning us home safely from SB'08...just wanted to capture a few thoughts while "down shifting" from the AWESOME weekend that words will not be able to correctly or fully describe.

...Saturday morning's drive was wet...littered with several wrecks along the way...Andrew asked for prayer as we drove by a flipped humvee. Andrew had checked--Eufala WAS having their antebellum festival (or whatever they call it) so we went another way through Enterprise, AL (we "yelled, Hail, Hail, home of Allen!" : ) ...then continued praying for safe travel.

Fearing a deluge of raindrops at the lunch rest stop; we were thankful when He gave us a reprieve--the clouds got thicker but the rain subsided as we piled 200 sub sandwiches, varied condiments, and chocolate chip cookies under the small pavilion. Stokes and Matthew slipped on gloves to help serve tomatoes, lettuce and pickles-- others directed them to drinks, napkins and cookies. Once we cleaned up and gave our leftovers to the caretaker staff at the rest stop, we returned to the buses...a few minutes later the rain emerged again.

Reaching the coast, we crossed over the inter-coastal waterway and the kids began to squeal...I was on one of the buses with lots of 6th graders. Within just a few minutes we were turning on a side street, heading down Kelly with Laguna Christian Center in sight. There in the afternoon drizzle stood Allen, in his khaki-beige cargo shorts, flip flops and his red windbreaker, hood up, filming us as we pulled into Laguna's alley way. He was eager to greet us and capture the moment...he reminded me of Paul anticipating the return of his disciples.

The light showers ensured quick exits from the bus as sleepy students and stiff counselors snatched overnight bags, heavy drink coolers and cumbersome carry-ons from the belly of the mammoth buses, peeling off in every direction seeking cover. Wet, but safe.

(More later...my eyes won't stay open)

DEDICATED TO: tired Moms, weary Teachers, worn-out Counselors, ever-giving Mentors, energetic, Christ-centered Pastors-- who struggled this past week...finally have Spring Break to recuperate before the last blast of the school year.

Picture Christ at God's right hand, interceding on our behalf...unworthy, all.

"Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,

Weary, I know it, of the press and throng,

Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,

And in My quiet strength again be strong.

"Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,

For converse which the world has never known,

Alone with Me, and with My Father here,

With Me and with My Father not alone.

"Come, tell Me all that ye have said and done,

Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.

I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:

My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.

"Come ye and rest; the journey is too great,

And ye will faint beside the way and sink;

The bread of life is here for you to eat,

And here for you the wine of love to drink.

"Then fresh from converse with your Lord return,

And work till, daylight softens into even:

The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn

More of your Master and His rest in Heaven."

STREAMS poem, C. Spurgeon

"FAFE, he calls her!"

Oh so precious....holding a newborn baby! My "adopted grandchildren" came for lunch today and I got to meet Erin's dollbaby, Faith. She is big to Erin but she is oh so small and dainty to me. As Mommy, Robin and I listened, Big brother, Ben, introduced Faith to Channing saying, "See....Fafe!" Oh, how I innocent and loving he was...toddlers, God's gift.

Chicken salad, lettuce, honey-sesame crackers, apples, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches were the spread as we enjoyed catching up...then came pictures, of course, and chasing Channing's 16th birthday mylar balloon in the hallway, playing chase while "Fafe" slept, sitting in the floor building a farm with waffle blocks, and watching Clifford on tv...a great afternoon if you ask me.

Lord, bless this precious family, their travels back and forth from the southside of town, their growing to know each other and finding their "new" normal. Bless their obedience in following your ways by living out your Scripture and teaching Your Word. I am blessed to have them in my life and forever cherish the time I have with them

For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work.

They won't work and have nothing come of it, they won't have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed. Before they call out, I'll answer. Before they've finished speaking, I'll have heard.

Isaiah 65:17

IT'S NOT IN A BAG!

So, there I was...pushing and pulling two carts out of, let's call it, WallyW...up to my eyeballs in canned soft drinks and water. (I had asked for a flatbed, or what they at WallyW call and "L" cart, and they were all "in use", of course.)

Maneuvering slowly, trying not to run over the 2 million unsupervised children that were running in front of me. Pushing with my feet on the bottom rung to help push it in to right direction rather than the direction the wheels wanted to go in. Oops, my purse fell over and out came all my pens, lipstick, breath mints went tumbling out onto the tile floor, rolling in several directions....QUICK, must stop...whoa! Too much inertia...easier said than done.

After picking up my many little things from the floor and securing everything down in between the drink cartons, I steady myself and lunge forward to re-establish my momentum. Good, now we're moving (and there's no one in my way, I believe I can make it through the sliding doors!!)

"Ma'am, I'll need to see your receipt"...oh, you've got to be kidding...it's in my wallet, in my purse, under the drinks..."Ma'am, I'm sorry, it's policy, I have to check all receipts for anything NOT IN A BAG.

I wanted to raise my voice...yet I heard in my head from this morning's Bible Study..."this is one of those battles I was talking about...be nice, keep your tongue still. So, I grabbed the carts tighter and pulled to a stop...dug down through the drinks and pulled out the receipt and handed it to the bearded man in the blue vest. I know...it's his job.

So, for today's therapy, I thought I'd blog about my disgruntling moment, share it with my peeps, and see how many other stories could be out there about WallyW moments...Got any?

Oh, next time you're there...be sure to have your receipt ready, if ITS NOT IN A BAG!

BE A TREE

Jeremiah 17: 7-10

Trust God??
...become like trees with roots near rivers
Never a worry, serene, calm--even in droughts, fresh fruit every season

Turn from God??
...become hard hearted…dark, deceitful, a puzzle…
But God searches, examines minds (root...heart…)
as really are, not as pretend

Thank you, Lord for reassuring us that ..."The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the ones who seek him! (Lamentations 3:25)