Extravagant Love

When Mary anointed Jesus at the banquet given in his honor, she gave her very best. In fact, she may have laid down her very future when she poured the perfume on his feet. For that jar of perfume-which Matthew and Mark describe as an alabaster jar, broken in order to be opened- may have very well held every hope and dream she'd ever had. As far as we know, Mary never had the opportunity to marry. Because she and Lazarus lived with Martha, it appears that their parents must had died several years before. The fact that it was called Martha's house is interesting as well, for the family estate usually went to a son. Some commentaries speculate Martha may have been married and widowed, the house an inheritance from her husband. But what did Mary have? The alabaster jar of perfume may have been a part, if not all, of Mary's dowry. Worth more than three hundred denarii, nearly a year's wages, this was no ordinary perfume. In fact, there is no perfume I know of today that can even compare in worth-approximately thirty thousand dollars a bottle. Alabaster, on the other hand, was a common container in the Near East. What mattered most-what matters still today- is the treasure the container holds. And the treasure Mary poured out that day was more than an expensive perfume. She was pouring out her very life in love and sacrificial service. Unfortunately, not everyone present had Mary's kind of heart. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Raffle for a Great Cause

If you are not a follower of China, Baby please visit sweet Rebecca's blog. She is having a raffle to raise money for her China trip (she is adopting a beautiful son). The items being raffled are gorgeous- a must see. It's easy to enter so....go check it out!

A Little Perspective

No one can know what took place in Mary's heart when she met Jesus that day. We know that Jesus had "set his face as flint" toward the Holy City. Toward certain arrest and certain death. Of all the people surrounding him, only Mary seemed to understand, for only she seemed moved to take the appropriate action. This story found in John 12:1-8 is the last time the Bible mentions Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This trio from Bethany had provided something Jesus needed after leaving Nazareth three and a half years before. They had given him a home. A family. A place to lay his head. And for these sisters and their brother and all who loved Jesus, the mood must have been confused on that last journey to Jerusalem. They knew, of course, that Jesus was a wanted man. The fact had been well publicized. After raising Lazarus from the dead, he had risen quickly to the top of the religious mafias hit list. After seeing Jesus bring their friend Lazarus back to life, they'd been convinced that Jesus was indeed something special-perhaps even the Messiah. If Jesus could do that for a dead man, think what he could do for someone still alive! Loss of position. Loss of power. Loss of influence. At this point in the game, that was a risk the Jewish leaders were not prepared to take-especially not after they had worked so hard to secure just those things. So while the religious establishment plotted Jesus' downfall, God's plan to bring all humanity back to him was gathering speed. Heaven's gates began to open, ready to receive all who would come in through Jesus Christ the Son. (From: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

A Holy Makeover

Do you want to know God? Do you really desire to have an intimate, heart-to-heart relationship with him? If you do, then respond to his rebuke. Don't refuse his correction. Respond to him with a teachable heart, and you'll be surprised as the holy makeover that happens in your own life. I want that for my life, I want a holy makeover as transforming as Martha's. The purpose of Jesus' death on the cross wasn't to provide fire insurance or an all-expenses-paid trip to heaven. He died and rose again so we could be made new. So we wouldn't have to stay in our trespasses and sins, tangled up by our emotions, hurts, and past disappointments. He did it so we could be "transformed into his likeness," Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18. Transformation. We can experience it as well. All we have to do is be teachable. Jesus will change us. All we have to do is lay down our old lives-and he'll make them new. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Giveaway

I was visiting my friend Katie at "this crazy life" and saw the giveaway information. It really is a great place to visit and you just might win - go check it out at "cinnamonsticksboutique". I have no clue how to link so just look at "blogs I love to visit" on the side and check it out. Good Luck!
***UPDATE*** I now know how to link thanks to sweet Katie!! I guess I'm not to old to learn something new!!!

Happy Birthday Kerry Thomas!

Today is a very special day - Happy Birthday my friend!!

One Week from Today!

Next Friday we will be on our way to the magical world of Disney - I'm soooo excited!!

Kaylin and Tinkerbell 2005

Receiving Rebuke

What happens when we refuse to listen to God and act on what he says? The Bible is clear that God, like a loving parent, will administer the appropriate correction in our lives. "For whom the LORD loves He reproves," states Proverbs 3:12, "even as a father, the son in whom he delights". The level of the discipline we receive depends mostly on the level of our teach ability. If we are teachable, we come around quickly to obedience. As a consequence, the level of discipline is fairly minor, sometimes even painless. But if we are unteachable, if we refuse God's rebuke, the level of discipline increases in severity, just like my "rearing" did. Not because God is ruthless, but because our hearts are rebellious. Our loving Father will do whatever it takes to break that rebellion before that rebellion breaks us. Jesus was direct in his rebuke of Martha. His words were gentle, but they pierced straight to the heart of her shortcomings. And Martha paid attention. She was teachable. All it took was a tender rebuke from the one she loved. Jesus didn't have to convince her. She didn't launch into a debate, She simply accepted his words, though I'm sure they were painful to hear. Martha knew the secret every child who has ever been lovingly disciplined eventually learns. You shouldn't run away from your daddy. Though correction hurts and rebukes sting, at the end of the pain, there is great reward. "Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD;...you grant him relief from days of trouble" (Psalm 94:12-13). (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Thankful

Probably like many of you I have a prayer list I use daily (my memory is not what is use to be so I don't trust it to recall all the precious people I want to pray for). I know that I appreciate those of you that pray for me and my request. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to need a notebook instead of my single sheet of paper since my list grows. I was thinking about that and decided that's it a good thing it's so long - it means that people's faith is there by even asking us to pray for them (and in today's world that IS a good thing). It means they trust me when I say I am praying for them. So I will continue to read my list each day in my talk with God. Another good thing about my list is that I have a * by the ones that have been answered so I can praise God instead of marking it off my list. And yes, I have several of those little *'s on my list. That my friend is something to be very thankful for! Have a great day and may God Bless you!!

Doing What Jesus Says

Just hearing God's Word isn't enough, of course. The Bible makes that abundantly clear. God's transforming power in our lives is unleashed when we not only listen, but also act on what we've heard. I've already said quite a lot about obedience in this book, mainly because I believe obedience is an essential ingredient in intimacy with God and the key to having a Mary heart. And obedience is exactly what we're talking about here. Either we take Jesus' words to heart and change, or we listen but disregard them. And to disregard the voice of God is worse than not listening at all. Especially if we say we love him. Unfortunately, it's often easier to talk about obedience than to do anything about it. We'll dissect and analyze God's truth, debate it, and philosophize about it-anything but actually let it affect our lives. And so Pilate's question to the Jews still echoes for us today: What will you do with this man? Because to know him is to hear his words and lovingly obey him, or we know him not at all. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

My Smiles

For some reason today I am needing a "pick me up". Ever have one of those days? So I'm sitting here at work (not wanting to work) looking through pictures and scans on my PC. I saw these and smiled for the first time today! We were visiting my mom and dad and it was my birthday. I think that's worthy of a post - don't you? I love my grand kids! Now I'm going to go have a better day - still don't think I'm in the mood to work - not sure what to do about that??

Do You Have Ears?

Almost from the beginning of time, God's people have thwarted the Lord's transforming work by refusing to listen. By tuning him out. We do the same thing when we refuse to pay attention to the voice of his Spirit in our lives. Sometimes the refusal to hear is deliberate; we don't want to face what we think God might have to say. Sometimes I think it's almost subconscious; we live in a state of denial because we just can't handle any demands the Lord might want to make. Sometimes we conveniently let God's voice be drowned out by the confusion of our daily existence; we avoid listening to him by being too busy to read the Bible or pray. Regardless of how we do it, the ultimate result is the same. We refuse him the opportunity to teach us, to transform our lives, and to work through us to transform the world. We can hear him if we give up our rebellion and our denial. We can hear his voice, and when we hearken to him, he will teach us. We who have ears....let us listen and hear. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

To Learn Or Not To Learn

Teachable moments. Those times in life when truth pops up offering us a chance to grow. For when we are corrected, rebuked, or chastened, we have a choice. We can receive it, or we can refuse it. Most of us are quick to admit we're not perfect- as long as we don't have to talk specifics. But when someone points out a flaw in our lives, we're not nearly as calm. The Bible doesn't tell us how Martha responded that day. But I'm convinced Martha received the rebuke of Jesus humbly and learned from it. I believe that Martha had a teachable heart-for nothing else could explain her mysterious transformation into the Martha of John 11 and 12. Oh, she was still pushy, a bit impatient, and too practical for her own good. But as we have, seen, there was also a tender vulnerability that wasn't there before. A new faith. A new kind of intimacy with Jesus that only comes when we receive and apply correction from God. Faith. That's what was different. Instead of whining like a child, demanding that Jesus do things her way, Martha proclaimed her belief that Jesus could do whatever was needed. Gone was Martha's contentious "Tell her!" She wasn't ordering Jesus around this time. Instead, she humbly gave Jesus the authority and the room to decide what was best. No longer blinded by doubt and self-interest, Martha was a woman whose eyes were open. She knew who Jesus was-not a just good man or a fascinating teacher, but the very Son of God. She proclaimed him the Christ, her Messiah. I think we get a new heart from the Lord the same way Martha did-by being teachable. And being teachable, in essence, involves three things:

being willing to listen

acting on what we hear

responding to discipline

(From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

10 Days till Disney

Kaylin has a calendar on the wall and is counting down the days. This picture is from our last trip which was in October 2005. From Left to right starting in the front: Zack(or should I say Zack's hands), Kaylin, Amanda, me, Lilah, Grant, Kerrie (you can't see Eli because he was in Kerrie's tummy), and Leonard. We will have a different cast of characters this year. Connie, Willie, Will, Clay and Heather will be joining me, Kerrie, Eli and Kaylin. We will miss the others-maybe next time.

A Teachable Heart

Jesus wasn't as interested in finding capable people as he was in finding available people. He was looking for teachable hearts. Perhaps that's why Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mathew 19:14). Children learn quickly-mainly because they don't have preconceived ideas that keep them from hearing something new and receiving it. I believe that's why Jesus chose to confront Martha's attitude after her little tantrum about help in the kitchen back in Luke 10. There was more at stake in the incident than met the eye. In Martha's outburst, Christ could see a fault line that ran deep down the woman's psyche, down to where her identity lay. Martha thought that she had value because she was productive. Jesus wanted her to learn she had value simply because she was his. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a moment when Martha was tempted to pack up her bruised ego and stomp out of the room.l She knew when she wasn't being appreciated. Let them cook their own dinner! But instead, Martha stuck around and heard Jesus out. And if we want to be his disciples, we must be willing to do the same. Even when his words cross our will. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Prayer Request

My nephew Casey (my brother's oldest son) has to return to Gainesville next week for a court date. He lived there almost one year with his dad (another story for later). Right now I won't go into detail about what happened. Will they keep him and have him serve time in jail or let him return home? We don't know. He knows he is to blame and is accepting total responsibility for his actions. The sad thing is that there is a LOT more to his story, like his relationship with his parents - or should I say lack of relationship on their part. He has not been in any trouble while being back here and is attending a local college. Please pray that God will be with him during his court appearance (I am also praying his mom will go with him). I trust that God will do what is best for Casey. He is not a bad kid - he has just made bad decisions. Thank you all for reading this and I ask you again to remember him in your prayers. I will update you on the outcome next week. Love, Debbie

The God Who Weeps With Us

We will all die. Lazarus eventually did. You and I will. But never forget: The end is not the end. It is only the beginning. When we belong to Jesus, we simply leave our empty shells behind and go to glory. And yet death does sting, even when we know better. It hurts to leave behind the people we love. It hurts to be left behind. We will all encounter many more hurts on our journey toward the grave. Sometimes the story of our lives seems like one painful episode after another. And Jesus knew that. Because Jesus loved this family from Bethany, he wept, and he weeps with us as well. And that, I believe, is the essence of the story God writes throughout our lives. Today we suffer. Today we don't understand. But someday, in that external Tomorrow, the same Savior who weeps with us will wipe every tear from our eyes. Someday all the scattered, broken pieces will fall into place, and we will suddenly understand the hand of God has been upon us all the time. All the tragedy-all the darkness-will instantly be swallowed up by triumph. What a perfect ending to our imperfect stories! That's the love our our Master Storyteller God. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Happy Days

Let's go back in time. When things were simple, at least for me. After all I was just a kid, what did I have to worry about? I had both sets of grandparents (except for my grand-dad on my dad's side) he died when I was about two years old. My brother and I would fight like any other normal brother and sister. We went trick or treating (without body guards). Played outside (even after dark) without any concern of someone hurting us. Played outside all day, I don't remember watching much TV or even wanting to. Waited for Santa to leave gifts under our silver tree with the round thing turning it blue, red and I don't remember the other color. Of course I had no clue just how good life was. I miss those days and remembering them makes me feel so old (no comments about my age). Going through old pictures bring those memories to mind. What are some of your special childhood memories? This is a photo of my brother, my Nano (my dad's mother) and of course me (yes, I have always had bad hair days).

Ressurrection Power

By the time Jesus came to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days. The time span was significant to the Jew. I can only imagine what went through every one's mind when Jesus asked for the stone to be taken away. Martha wasn't getting the picture. No one was. Why on earth did Jesus want to open the grave of a man who had been dead four days? You see, Martha had faith for what could have been: "If you had been here, my brother would not have died". Martha had faith for what would be: "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day". What Martha needed was faith for what was happening now: "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Jesus asked her in verse 40. It is the same question Jesus ask of us today: "Will you believe?" Martha's response of faith was quick, her obedience certain. For when Jesus stood outside the tomb and said, "Lazarus, come out!" hell trembled. In a matter of weeks, death's grip on humanity-past, present, and future-would be completely broken. The final lesson from the story of Lazarus still echoes today:

The "end" is never the end; it is only the beginning.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he put to death Satan's lie that the end is the end. Tragedy may come. So will the darkness. But triumph is waiting just around the corner. It may be Friday, suggested Lazarus's empty tomb. But Sunday's comin'. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Happy Birthday Zack

Today is my nephew Zack's birthday. Due to some family issues (my brother) and the fact he lives in Gainesville I don't get to see him. I'm thinking of him and I love him. Have a wonderful birthday!! Love, Aunt Debbie

Developing Faith

The house in Bethany was most likely filled with people following Lazarus's death. Friends and family flocked in to support the sisters in their grief, even from out of town. This means Martha once again had a houseful of company when Jesus finally arrived in Bethany. But when someone brought the news that Jesus was coming, it was Martha, not Mary, who ran to meet him. The guests, the duties, all the distractions-nothing mattered but seeing Jesus. She met him somewhere on the road into Bethany, and with all the anguished honesty of deep sorrow, Martha poured out her grief. "Lord," she cried, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Her response was natural and heartfelt. But then Martha added something I find remarkable, something that revealed just how much she had changed since the last time they'd met. "But I know," she continued, "that even now God will give you whatever you ask?. No longer do we see a woman trying to manipulate God. Instead of trying to rewrite the story of her brother's death-instead of putting a comma where there was a period or a period where there could be comma-Martha was placing the quill of their lives in Jesus' hands. How precious Martha's response must have sounded in Jesus' ears. I believe. In Martha's great declaration of faith and the miraculous events that followed it, we find the fourth lesson from the story of Lazarus:

God's plan is released when we believe and obey.

Faith and obedience go hand in hand. That's what Martha did. And as she did, faith arose to help her take the next step: to obey him when he spoke, even when what he told her to do seemed completely impractical. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Me and my Dad

It has been one year ago this month since my daddy was diagnosed with Dementia. I just wanted to take a few moments to praise God for bringing him home from those hospital rooms and the nursing home. We may have bad days - my prayer is to except God's "periods and commas" where he feels they need to go in our life (read the post after this one). My faith is in Him.







Someone should really comb my hair!

God's Grammar Lessons

You didn't know God taught grammar? Well, he does. Everything we need to know is spelled out in his Word. The questions come out of our lives. The answers are found in him and his Word. However, God's ways are not our ways. His plots often don't take the direction we think they should. And his grammar is not our grammar. For it is against this backdrop of despair that we find God's grammar rule number one. Listen carefully. There will be a test.

*God's Grammar Rule #1: Never put a period where God puts a comma.

The story of Lazarus tells us that "a delay in answer is not a sign of God's indifference or his failure to hear. It is a sign of his love. The delay will help us. It will make us stronger." Just when you think the sentence is over, the most important part may be yet to come.

*God's Grammar Rule #2: Don't put a comma where God puts a period.

If you are trying to put a comma where God intends a period, don't be surprised when Jesus pops your pretty bubbles. Because when you attempt to breathe life into something God intends to die, you become a stumbling block to Christ. His periods may not be our periods. His commas may not be our commas. We can have faith that everything really will turn out all right. And it is that very faith that takes us to the next lesson Lazarus's story has to teach us. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Uptown Girl Giveaway

Rebecca is having another great giveaway. They are the most precious little shoes. Make sure to pay her a visit and you just may be the winner! You can click on "China Baby" under blogs I visit and read her post dated 9/15/08 or go to www.uptown-blog.blogspot.com

Trusting God's Character

The third lesson of Lazarus underscores this hope: God's ways are not our ways, but his character is still dependable. In other words, we don't need to fret, even when it looks like hope is dead. We might not be able to see the end of the story. But we can trust the Storyteller. If you are struggling to hang on in the midst of your difficult circumstances, let me remind you to go back to what you know about God. Open the Bible and find scriptures to cling to-scriptures that reveal the heart and faithfulness of God. Remind yourself that God is your strength. That he is your source of comfort. That he won't let you fall. That he loves you passionately and only wants the best for you. Even when his stories don't unfold the way we think they should. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

1959 or 1960?

I thought I'd give my daughter Kerrie a break from posting her younger pictures and pull one of mine out. I'm guessing I was two or three years old? Not sure what was up with the hair - I must have just woke up (lets hope that was it). I still have that little red rocking chair (with a new bottom in it of course). Kerrie, Kaylin and now Eli have all used that little rocker. Time really does go by fast--it's hard to think I was ever that young.

When God's Love Tarries

Common sense seems to dictate that Jesus would drop whatever he was doing when he heard Lazarus was sick and travel immediately to Bethany. Instead, when the bad news came, "he stayed where he was two more days" (John 11:6). In retrospect, we can see God's purposes in this delay. After all, we have the gospel account. We know that everything turned out all right. But what did Mary and Martha think at the time? What did the disciples think? And what about my life-and yours? What do we do when God doesn't act or move the way we think he should? If we're paying attention in those times, we may understand better the second lesson the story of Lazarus has to teach us: God's love sometimes tarries for our good and his glory. As human beings, we tend to want rational reasons for everything. While we may never fully understand why God's love sometimes lingers, we can rest assured that God's love is always at work. He may not move according to our schedule, but he is right on time for what is best. And he has our ultimate good forever in mind. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

When Bad Things Happen

Why would Jesus allow such sorrow to come to a family who loved him so much? Why would he withhold his power to heal when he'd healed so often before? These aren't easy subjects to understand. They're not easy realities to endure-and some of you reading this book have endured more tragedy and pain than I can even imagine. Some of you have lost children. Some of you are facing a diagnosis you've always dreaded. Some of you have experienced a broken marriage and are facing life alone. Why? There are no easy answers. The fact is, we may not know the purpose behind our pain until we see Jesus face to face. Even then, we aren't guaranteed any explanations. We are given only a promise: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Trials are real. Bad things happen-to good people and bad people alike. For while life may shake, rattle, and roll, this rock-solid truth from John 11:5 remains: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." Love. That's a dependable anchor. Go ahead. Put your name in the blank: "Jesus loves ______." Though we may not understand God's methods, that doesn't change the fact of God's love. Even when it seems to tarry. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Beach Memories

I found this OLD picture of my daughter Kerrie (the Blondie) and my niece Amanda from a trip to the beach. I'm not sure of the date, I'll have to go back through old photo books to figure that out. Kerrie is now 27 so that tells you it's been a while. Okay girls, how old do you think you were? Don't you wish you still had those sun glasses? You girls sure were (and still are) cuties!!

A Greater Glory

God's will does not always proceed in a straight line, as Mary and Martha found out that tragic day in Bethany. What they learned from painful experience was the first of the lessons we can learn from the story of Lazarus. I won't always see the pattern in what happens to me. I won't always understand the plan. One reason for this is that God is weaving together a greater glory than just my own. As Paul explains in Romans 8:28, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." It is God's purposes, not mine, that must prevail. So don't be surprised if your personal plot takes a couple of twists now and then. There are no detours in God's story line, not really. God always has a plan. But it may not follow human logic. In fact, it may often seem to go directly against what we believe about God. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

The Plot Thickens

The Bible provides the basic outline. God's first draft was designed to be a perfect love story. He created a man and a woman to live in fellowship with him and with each other in fairy-tale bliss. The setting was so beautiful it defied description. No tears. No death. No sorrow. Then a serpent slipped in, and sin spoiled Paradise. With the fall of man, God began unfolding the greatest story of all-his incredible plan of redemption. And so the saga continues, right down to this very day. The conflict between love and hate remains the central theme. What Satan intends for evil, God still turns for good. But go ahead and flip the pages. You'll see this story has a happy ending. A glorious finale complete with trumpets and fanfare and an old-fashioned camp meeting in the sky! But in the in-between part-well, that's where you and I come in. For tucked among the twists and turns of the everyday plot are valuable lessons about who God is and how he works and how we fit into the tale. Lessons like the ones Mary and Martha learned the day they feared their brother's story had ended and all hope was gone. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Mornings at Nanny's House

I have the pleasure of delivering my two Grand ones to school and daycare each morning. Bragging on them just a little, most mornings go great. We all have our routine while getting ready. I can always depend on the Wiggles to help with my little man Eli. He loves to watch them (that's all he wants to watch). He follows in his big sisters foot steps, she loved them when she was small. This morning he was sooo cute dancing and singing along. Of course by the time I got my camera out to record him he decides to become shy?? Kaylin saved the "Kodak" moment, as long as she danced he would. Enjoy my little clip (don't look at the bed not being made, it's still early). Also I need to read my instruction book, you can hear me saying " I think I got it".

A Puzzling Plot

I can only imagine how Mary and Martha must have felt when their brother, Lazarus, fell ill. Since Jesus had come to visit them, nothing had been the same. The incident recorded in Luke 10:38-42 had been more than just a couple of small paragraphs. That meeting had completely rewritten the story of their lives. But now, it seemed, the plot was taking a puzzling turn. Perhaps it all started with a fever. John 11:1 doesn't go into detail about his ailment, telling us only that there was a man named Lazarus who was sick. But through the account that follows, it's obvious Lazarus must have been a very special man. He was dearly loved-not only by his sisters, but also by Jesus. The message sent by Mary and Martha said it all: "Lord, the one you love is sick". Their relationship must have been exceptionally close. So I can imagine the hope the two sisters clung to as they sent the messenger. Surely everything would be all right. The illness seemed severe, but Jesus would come. Lazarus would be made well, and their life would continue as they'd always known it. Jesus' disciples probably assumed the same thing. After all, when the news about Lazarus came, Jesus told them specifically that "this sickness will not end in death" (11:4). "No," he added, "it is for God's glory so that God's Son my be glorified through it." Good news, the disciples must have thought. Lazarus will live! But God had other plans for Lazarus and his sisters. It's the story of God's ongoing relationship with the human race. And it's a tale the Master Storyteller has been working on ever since the dawn of creation. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

A Stable Center

As we surrender our hoops to the Lord Jesus, as we center ourselves in him, something wonderful happens. He stabilizes us in the turbulence of life. He steadies us in the midst of raging seas, and he guides us by the compass of his eternal love. As we partake of the Better Part, Jesus Christ becomes the steady balance in our life of constant motion. On those crazy, loopy days when I don't feel so "hoopy," I'm learning to reach for the Lord instead of chocolate-chip sedatives. I'm learning how to leave the Kitchen and head for the Living Room where Jesus waits, because that's where I'll find everything I need and everything I want. After all, it's not more Hula-Hoops I need to master. What I really need is more and more of the Master himself. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

A Little Conversation

The last "C key" to the Better Part is conversation. Now that may sound a little strange to you. What does conversation have to do with quiet time? But our relationship with God is supposed to be an intimate, loving relationship, and what relationship can thrive without dialogue-good, honest, back-and-forth communication? A few years back I looked at my relationship with God and realized that my quiet-time communication style involved a series of monologues with very little dialogue. But that changed when I began to read the Bible as God's love letter to me. I started to hear his own voice calling out to me in the pages of Scripture, and I began to respond to it from my own heart. Instead of the two or three chapter of Bible reading I'd tried to cram in before, I read smaller portions this time, usually one chapter. Instead of simply reading a passage, I'd meditate on it, underlining important verses as I went. My prayer life, too, took on fresh life. No longer was I presenting God with my wish list and some suggestions about how I thought he should handle it. I was conversing with God-both talking and listening. Consistency. Creativity. Conversation. I can't tell you how much these three Cs have done to help me keep my life centered in Christ. Most important, my capacity for God really is bigger. More eager than ever to choose the Better Part....to be filled with the full measure of God, to be centered and established in Christ. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

100th Post

There are so many topics to cover in this my 100th post. A good place to start would be with me thanking sweet Lorie for inviting me to read her thoughts. I started thinking - I can do that. This has been great therapy for me, and a lot cheaper than seeing a professional (trust me I know, I've been there). You can write your thoughts, brag on your children/grand children, share memories, share books your reading (which would be most of mine), ask advice, and the list just goes on. There are days not one person will comment and there are days they just put a smile on your face because you know someone was interested enough to read whatever you wrote about that day. I have read blogs that made me laugh, cry, wonder about things and pray for others. Are you getting the picture (I like this thing called blogging). Enough already - let's switch topics.

This is Grand Parents weekend - Friday the school my grand daughter Kaylin attends had a breakfast for the students and their grandparents. It was really a nice thing to do and so much fun. After breakfast we walked through the book fair and bought her some books and then walked back to her classroom. Her teacher Mrs. Gordan was so very sweet. What a fun morning! Don't forget to give extra hugs and kisses to all the grandparents this weekend! Time to switch topics again.

Kaylin

the day of our breakfast

For those of you that don't know that much about me (not that there is a lot to know) here is a summary of my life:

My full name is Deborah Lynn Honey Milam. I was born on June 7, 1957 in Huntsville Hospital to Jean and Billy Honey. I had one sister Mary Ellen that died when she was three months old. I have one brother Jeff that now lives in Gainesville, FL. I am very close to my parents (my dad has dementia that was diagnosed one year ago). My brother and I are very different in just about every way you could imagine (that relationship story will be for another day). I was married on March 23, 1980 to Robert (Bob) Clayton Milam Jr. (that relationship story will be for another day). We had our only child, a daughter named Kerrie (after my dads middle name Cary) Melissa (after one of my oldest and dearest friends) Milam on June 2, 1981 (which was also my parents 25th wedding anniversary). I live next door to my sweet neice (who is like a daughter to me) Connie her hubby Willie & their two sons. I have worked in the Medical field since 1980, for the last seven going on eight years I have worked for Crown Headache Center. My boss is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He takes time from his family to teach a Bible Study for us on Wednesday afternoon. I work with three other girls one is my sweet niece Amanda, sweet Mandy, and another one of my oldest and dearest friends Lilah. I have two beautiful grand children Kaylin and Eli( not enough words to express my love for them). Oh yes..I leave for Disney (my favorite place in this crazy world) in about three weeks! Wake up - if your still with me then bless your heart. Anything else you would like to know? Just ask and I will be glad to tell you. Switching topics again (for the last time I promise).

My sweet friend Lorie did a Pay It Forward on her 100Th post. I would like to follow by asking you to do these three things:

1) If you have not paid a visit to Clay in Hands and China Baby, please visit them. I like to blog however, not good at it so I don't know how to "link". You can find them under blogs I visit. Each one of these special women are in the process of adopting and I know they would love for you to add them to your prayer list.

2) Visit Randi's Reality, this is a problem that is effecting so many people and their families. It is really close to my heart because my sweet grand daughter's daddy is in prison right now due to his addiction with this drug. It cost him a marriage to my daughter, being with his own daughter, hurting his family and the list of hurts go on. Please pray for all that are so lost in this drug and their family.

3) Do something nice for someone you don't know. Go visit a new site and leave a nice comment (you know how much you like receiving those comments). Let someone out in traffic. Let someone in front of you at the store. There are so many little things you can do that just might make a difference in someones life.

Now those are not hard request so..... what are you waiting on??? Get going! Thank you to anyone that actually finished reading this complete thing. I just could not hush up today - sorry. God Bless you all! Love, Debbie

Some Creative Strategies

It is so easy to fall into habits and rituals- the ones that are imposed upon us as well as those we ourselves impose. But while the consistency of habit and the beauty of ritual can be empowering and enriching, they can also lead to dullness. Three more chapter, we yawn. Then I can go to sleep...And while the dullness of routine is really no excuse for abandoning our devotional times, the reality is that we stand a better chance of sticking with your quiet times when we have interest as well as will to spur us on. There's more than one way, in other words, to enjoy a quiet time with the Lord. There's more than one approach to studying Scripture. There's more than one way to mediate and pray. The practical truth is that if we don't learn how to feed our souls so they will eat, our souls will wither and slowly die. And that may require a little variety in our spiritual diet- a little creativity in the way we approach our quiet times. You may want to consider:
Take God out for coffee:Find a quiet corner in a cafe' and meet with God.Take your Bible & a notebook.
Add a spiritual classic to your devotional diet:Christian books provide delicious & enriching side dishes.
(From: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Consistent Practice

Practice. I have an idea that's what God wants to whisper to our hearts when we ask for the Better Part. "You've got to invest time, darling. You need to do a little every day." If we want to be accomplished Christians, and if we want to know God in all his fullness, there is something crucial about the act of seeking Jesus on a regular, day-by-day basis. I've learned in my own life that if I want to develop a consistent quiet time with God, I have to set aside a certain portion of my day just for him. And then I need to guard it well-even scheduling it in my Day-Timer. Because if I'm not careful, the Better Part can get shoved so far to the side of my plate that it ends up on the floor rather than feeding my soul. It doesn't really matter what time of day I choose. As for myself, I've fluctuated between morning and night but have finally settled for morning once again. But again, it's not really important when I choose to meet God every day. What really matters is that I show up regularly-and to be honest, that's where I've always fallen short. But consistency, after all, doesn't mean perfection; it simply means refusing to give up. It's amazing what a little time-out can do for you. Especially when you spend that time with Jesus. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Amazing Grace

As I began to understand grace-God's marvelous, amazing, abundant grace-in a brand-new way, I began to recognize the Holy Spirit at work within me, giving me the power and the desire to do God's will as never before. I wanted everything that Jesus Christ had to offer. And as I sought his face, I found that he'd been there waiting all the time, with a pitcher full of his presence, ready to pour. Wanting to fill me "to the measure of the fullness of God." Just waiting for me to choose the Better Part and meet him there in the Living Room. The Better Part is not out there somewhere. It is inside us, where Christ dwells by his Holy Spirit. Isn't that wonderful? We can't misplace the Better Part. No one can take it away from us, though unfortunately we can choose to ignore it. I have to let him in before we can enjoy our Living Room time together. And the door isn't always easy to open, even from the inside. But three little keys, I've discovered, can make all the difference. What are these three little keys? They're easy to remember because they each begin with C:
Consistency
Creativity
Conversation
(From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

An Act Of The Will

Making room for the Better Part in our lives isn't easy. Many great men and women of God have struggled to hammer out time alone with their Savior. So I wasn't alone! Other people struggled as well. Suddenly I felt hope-hope that I, too, could experience the joy of the Better Part. I didn't have to wait until I felt spiritual to spend time with God. I just had to make a decision of the will, and the spiritual feelings would eventually come around. So I began to try it, but it wasn't easy. Sometimes God seemed far away and my heart like cold steel. Sometimes I just felt irritable and impatient. But I persisted, and gradually things began to change. Like a patient waking from a long coma, I began to experience a hunger for God like I'd never known before-a kind of "unsatisfiable satisfaction" that grew and grew. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)