My son Tucker is a drummer. He's always shown some musical interest and he's always had rhythm; he even won a county-wide rhythm competition in the 4th grade. So I wasn't really surprised a few years ago when he decided he wanted to play the drums. And still today, at 14 years old, he absolutely loves it. Even more so than when he first showed an interest. And he is constantly drumming. With drum sticks, with pencils, with his hands...on his legs, on the table, on the dashboard in the car...everywhere he goes he drums.
Since yesterday was a holiday, Tucker was invited to go to Tallahassee with a friend and his family. He slept over at his friend's house Sunday night and they took off for Tallahassee sometime yesterday morning. Not knowing exactly what they were going to be doing in Tallahassee, he only took $30 of his cash stash "just in case." Tucker doesn't like to spend money, but you just never know what might come up. He knew they were going to Tallahassee and he had an idea they were going shopping. What he didn't know is that they would be going to a music store, which would have the exact items he needed for his percussion class - a practice pad and a new set of drum sticks. (Note: Hereafter I will attempt to sound cool like Tucker and refer to his drumsticks as merely "sticks.")
This is where my knowledge grows dim. I can call them "sticks," because that's what he does - but that's about it. I'm drum ignorant. Give me a piano keyboard and I'm good to go, but I know absolutely nothing about drums. The two things I do know is that 1. Tucker loves them, and 2. They are loud! So much so that he has his own "man cave" in our backyard, thanks to his wonderful PaPa! He can go down there and drum and bang to his heart's content without disturbing the rest of our household.
So when he said he needed new sticks for his percussion class, I was confused. He already had sticks. Lots of sticks. But unbeknownst to me, there are all different types and sizes of sticks. And none of the ones he already had were the certain size and type he needed for percussion class. He also needed a practice pad. Again, I was clueless. I had no idea what a practice pad was, but I was excited when I found out that it's a rubber pad that he can beat with the sticks during practice instead of actually beating on the drum. Or the desk. Or the kitchen counter. Or the dashboard in the car. Or the coffee table. Or the ..... you get my point. The rubber on the practice pad muffles the sound of the drum sticks. That practice pad might just be my new best friend!
And there they were - in that music store in Tallahassee that he didn't know he was going to. There were the size sticks he needed and there was the practice pad he needed. And there Tucker was, with his $30, "just in case." This is where it gets good - because I almost let him leave with $27. I know that's an odd amount, but it's what he had in his pocket at the time. But on the way to drop him off at his friend's house Sunday night, I made him trade me two $1 bills for a five so he'd have an even $30. He thought that was a pretty good trade! I now know that it was a God thing. God told me to send him with $30, not $27. We didn't know he'd be going to the music store, but God knew. We didn't know he'd find just what he needed, but God knew. And we didn't know that three dollars would make a lot of difference, but the sticks and the practice pad he needed came to a grand total of $29 with tax. He would have been short had he went with his original $27. He wouldn't have had enough. We didn't know that taking three dollars more would make such a difference. But God knew. And since he took $30 and not $27, he had just enough.
Isn't it awesome that God is always that way with us, no matter what it is? Isn't it incredible that He allows us just enough at just the time we need it? Hasn't He promised time and time again that He will always meet our needs if we let Him?
Just enough mercy.
Just enough grace.
Just enough forgiveness.
Just enough.
It's all we need.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" ~ 2Corinthians 12:9
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him." ~ Lamentations 3:22-25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" ~ Matthew 6:25-27
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Does This Attitude Make My Butt Look Big?
What do you think would happen if we spent as much time checking our attitude as we spend checking out ourselves in the mirror? How would our days be different if we worked on our attitude and outlook as much as we work on our hair, makeup and wardrobe before leaving the house each day?
We (especially we women) spend so much time, effort and money on our outward physical appearance. Getting our hair cut, colored, curled, straightened. Having our nails filed, painted, tipped. Choosing just the right shade of lipstick, lipgloss, lipbalm. And forget trying to pick out an outfit. The amount of time some of us spend on our appearance each day is ridiculous. And for what? So we can "impress" someone? So we can be attractive? And for whom?
Yes, it's true that man looks - and more often than not judges - our outer appearance. Trust me, I know. If I'm ever in shorts or a skirt, it's quickly obvious to anyone who sees me that I'm wearing a prosthesis. For 36 years I've gotten the looks and the stares. I've heard the whispers and I've seen the pointing fingers. Our outward appearance is what people see first and often use to sum us up before they've ever even met us. And yes, that's why we spend so much time and money on our physical appearance. We want to look good.
But while man sees our outward appearance, God sees our heart. He looks beyond our hairstyle and makeup and sees what's on our heart and in our minds. He sees so much more than our cosmetics and prosthetics. He sees the real us. So why then don't we spend as much time primping our attitude and manicuring our mindset as we spend picking out our outfit? We don't have time for that, we tell ourselves. Well, no - not after we've spent an hour trying to get our lip pencil line perfectly straight and assuring that our mascara isn't smeared! But time with God shouldnt' come after we've completed all of our other tasks. It should be first and foremost in our minds and on our schedules.
God's opinion of us is the only opinion that truly matters. We shouldn't care if someone thinks our haircut isn't flattering, or if a certain skirt makes our hips look wider than they really are. Yet we spend so much time on these physical matters and are often slack when it comes to spending time with God working on our attitude. I'm not saying you should go out without makeup. And I'm not saying you shouldn't wear nice clothes. The Bible teaches us to adorn ourselves. Wives should make themselves beautiful for their husbands. But all the more so we should make our minds beautiful for Christ. What good does it do us (or those around us) if we're impeccably dressed, our hair and makeup are perfect, our jewelry is sparkling, but our attitude stinks? We can be absolutely gorgeous on the outside, but if we're dark and dirty and ugly on the inside what are we accomplishing?
Remember, man looks on the outer appearance but God looks on the heart. So the next time you start to ask, "How do I look?" or "Does this dress make my butt look big?", ask yourself first how your attitude is making you look. And remember which one matters the most.
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” ~ I Samuel 16:7
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." ~ Ephesians 4:22-24
We (especially we women) spend so much time, effort and money on our outward physical appearance. Getting our hair cut, colored, curled, straightened. Having our nails filed, painted, tipped. Choosing just the right shade of lipstick, lipgloss, lipbalm. And forget trying to pick out an outfit. The amount of time some of us spend on our appearance each day is ridiculous. And for what? So we can "impress" someone? So we can be attractive? And for whom?
Yes, it's true that man looks - and more often than not judges - our outer appearance. Trust me, I know. If I'm ever in shorts or a skirt, it's quickly obvious to anyone who sees me that I'm wearing a prosthesis. For 36 years I've gotten the looks and the stares. I've heard the whispers and I've seen the pointing fingers. Our outward appearance is what people see first and often use to sum us up before they've ever even met us. And yes, that's why we spend so much time and money on our physical appearance. We want to look good.
But while man sees our outward appearance, God sees our heart. He looks beyond our hairstyle and makeup and sees what's on our heart and in our minds. He sees so much more than our cosmetics and prosthetics. He sees the real us. So why then don't we spend as much time primping our attitude and manicuring our mindset as we spend picking out our outfit? We don't have time for that, we tell ourselves. Well, no - not after we've spent an hour trying to get our lip pencil line perfectly straight and assuring that our mascara isn't smeared! But time with God shouldnt' come after we've completed all of our other tasks. It should be first and foremost in our minds and on our schedules.
God's opinion of us is the only opinion that truly matters. We shouldn't care if someone thinks our haircut isn't flattering, or if a certain skirt makes our hips look wider than they really are. Yet we spend so much time on these physical matters and are often slack when it comes to spending time with God working on our attitude. I'm not saying you should go out without makeup. And I'm not saying you shouldn't wear nice clothes. The Bible teaches us to adorn ourselves. Wives should make themselves beautiful for their husbands. But all the more so we should make our minds beautiful for Christ. What good does it do us (or those around us) if we're impeccably dressed, our hair and makeup are perfect, our jewelry is sparkling, but our attitude stinks? We can be absolutely gorgeous on the outside, but if we're dark and dirty and ugly on the inside what are we accomplishing?
Remember, man looks on the outer appearance but God looks on the heart. So the next time you start to ask, "How do I look?" or "Does this dress make my butt look big?", ask yourself first how your attitude is making you look. And remember which one matters the most.
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” ~ I Samuel 16:7
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." ~ Ephesians 4:22-24
Friday, September 2, 2011
Have You Lost Your Voice?
Both of my kids have been fighting summer colds over the past week. Coughing, snorting, sneezing, sore throats, low grade fevers...it's been pretty miserable around our house. Yesterday my daughter's body finally succumbed to the strain and her voice decided to make a quick departure. Sometime yesterday morning her voice packed up and left. She was silenced...straining to make even the slightest peep. No singing for her for the next few days! We're just grateful for the upcoming long holiday weekend which will hopefully give her time to recover.
Emilee's sudden bout of silence got me to thinking about what makes us lose our voice. Sure, her vocal chords have been strained these past few weeks since school started. She's singing more than she's ever sang before, she's tired, and I'm sure her immune system is low. All of this combined with the nasty cold that showed up at our house this week apparently created the perfect combination for a bout of laryngitis. Her voice has checked out. Her physical voice at least. But what about our spiritual voices? What keeps us silent? What causes us to develop spiritual laryngitis?
Is it fear of what others will think? Perhaps. Do we want to 'fit in?' Probably. Do we worry about how taking a stand for what we believe will make us look? Most likely. We all want to be accepted by those around us. But we should be more concerned with being accepted by God. We need to be cautious of what we don't say as much as what we do say. And in the same manner, we should be aware of not only what we say, but also how we say it.
A good friend recently cited a quote that I think is quite fitting here. She teaches first grade and its a motto she strives to live up to in her classroom. "Children may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." I think this is true of all people, not just children. We may not remember the specific words that broke our heart, but we remember the broken heart. And on the flip side, we may not remember verbatim what was said that made us feel so very loved and important in someone's life, but we remember the feeling. Alot of time the manner in which we speak is so much more important than the words coming out of our mouth.
Proverbs 18:21 says that the tongue has the power of life and death. It can heal or destroy. Used in the wrong way it can cause great harm and destruction. It is definitely a powerful thing. But we shouldn't be afraid of using it, as long as we're doing so in the right way. Proverbs 12:18 states that the tongue of the wise brings healing. That's the kind of tongue waving we need to be doing. We need to tame it - bite it if you have to - in order to keep it from doing harm. But we should never be so concerned with what others' think that we become silent and miss an opportunity to share God's love.
Watch what you say. Watch how you say it. Shut up when you need to. But don't be afraid to shout at the appropriate time, either. Just don't develop a case of spiritual laryngitis.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" ~ Psalm 19:14
Emilee's sudden bout of silence got me to thinking about what makes us lose our voice. Sure, her vocal chords have been strained these past few weeks since school started. She's singing more than she's ever sang before, she's tired, and I'm sure her immune system is low. All of this combined with the nasty cold that showed up at our house this week apparently created the perfect combination for a bout of laryngitis. Her voice has checked out. Her physical voice at least. But what about our spiritual voices? What keeps us silent? What causes us to develop spiritual laryngitis?
Is it fear of what others will think? Perhaps. Do we want to 'fit in?' Probably. Do we worry about how taking a stand for what we believe will make us look? Most likely. We all want to be accepted by those around us. But we should be more concerned with being accepted by God. We need to be cautious of what we don't say as much as what we do say. And in the same manner, we should be aware of not only what we say, but also how we say it.
A good friend recently cited a quote that I think is quite fitting here. She teaches first grade and its a motto she strives to live up to in her classroom. "Children may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." I think this is true of all people, not just children. We may not remember the specific words that broke our heart, but we remember the broken heart. And on the flip side, we may not remember verbatim what was said that made us feel so very loved and important in someone's life, but we remember the feeling. Alot of time the manner in which we speak is so much more important than the words coming out of our mouth.
Proverbs 18:21 says that the tongue has the power of life and death. It can heal or destroy. Used in the wrong way it can cause great harm and destruction. It is definitely a powerful thing. But we shouldn't be afraid of using it, as long as we're doing so in the right way. Proverbs 12:18 states that the tongue of the wise brings healing. That's the kind of tongue waving we need to be doing. We need to tame it - bite it if you have to - in order to keep it from doing harm. But we should never be so concerned with what others' think that we become silent and miss an opportunity to share God's love.
Watch what you say. Watch how you say it. Shut up when you need to. But don't be afraid to shout at the appropriate time, either. Just don't develop a case of spiritual laryngitis.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" ~ Psalm 19:14
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Great To See You Again!
Have you seen all of the reunion shows that are on television these days? One guy, called The Locator, searches to find lost loved ones and reunites them on the show. Another show called Searching For... does the same thing, but with a woman conducting the search. They are so interesting to me and I get so wrapped up in those programs. I have a weird affection for seeing people's reactions in different types of situations and the reactions of the people on these shows when they find their lost loved ones are so intriguing to me. If I see one of the shows coming on, I can't help but grab a box of kleenex and sit back to watch. I love a good reaction, but I especially love a good reunion.
Next weekend our local high school choir will be hosting an alumni reunion. As an alumni of the choir, and also as the mother of a current choir member, I'm really looking forward to the gathering. It's going to be fun to see old choir buddies and it will great to see the former choir director from my high school days as well. An added bonus to the reunion is that the alumni, along with the current choir, will be singing the National Anthem at our high school's homecoming football game. The reunion is going to be great, but getting to sing next to my daughter will be icing on the cake! Reuniting with old friends and making new memories at the same time - that's what a reunion is all about, right?
This year our church celebrates it's centennial anniversary. 100 years of family, history and service will be observed on our annual Homecoming Sunday in October. We've been making preparations all year and have undergone a massive sanctuary remodel as a part of the celebration. Former pastors, prior members, family and friends will gather to celebrate this milestone in our church's history. It's going to be a great big reunion and we're all so excited to see everyone and have everyone reunited and back with us.
And remember when you first discovered Facebook? MAN! Talk about a reunion! There were new names and faces popping up every day. People you hadn't thought of in years. Decades even. And suddenly you were reunited with them all. Remember how exciting it was to be able to find friends you hadn't heard from in ages?
Family reunions, class reunions, alumni associations, Homecoming Sundays, Facebook...we all love a good reunion, don't we? It's wonderful to see friends and family we haven't seen in a long time and it's fun to visit with and catch up with those we don't get to see very often.
As great as these reunions on earth are, can you imagine what it's going to be like to be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven? Tomorrow will be 38 years since my grandfather passed away. I was 2 years old. I have no memory of him and have only seen a few pictures of him through the years. But I have no doubt that I will recognize him in Heaven, and I eagerly look forward to being reunited with him, along with the rest of my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends who are already there as well. What a reunion that will be! What a wonderful promise God has given us to be able to be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven. What a Glad Reunion Day!
Glad Reunion Day
http://youtu.be/E_NmQfZ86lI
Next weekend our local high school choir will be hosting an alumni reunion. As an alumni of the choir, and also as the mother of a current choir member, I'm really looking forward to the gathering. It's going to be fun to see old choir buddies and it will great to see the former choir director from my high school days as well. An added bonus to the reunion is that the alumni, along with the current choir, will be singing the National Anthem at our high school's homecoming football game. The reunion is going to be great, but getting to sing next to my daughter will be icing on the cake! Reuniting with old friends and making new memories at the same time - that's what a reunion is all about, right?
This year our church celebrates it's centennial anniversary. 100 years of family, history and service will be observed on our annual Homecoming Sunday in October. We've been making preparations all year and have undergone a massive sanctuary remodel as a part of the celebration. Former pastors, prior members, family and friends will gather to celebrate this milestone in our church's history. It's going to be a great big reunion and we're all so excited to see everyone and have everyone reunited and back with us.
And remember when you first discovered Facebook? MAN! Talk about a reunion! There were new names and faces popping up every day. People you hadn't thought of in years. Decades even. And suddenly you were reunited with them all. Remember how exciting it was to be able to find friends you hadn't heard from in ages?
Family reunions, class reunions, alumni associations, Homecoming Sundays, Facebook...we all love a good reunion, don't we? It's wonderful to see friends and family we haven't seen in a long time and it's fun to visit with and catch up with those we don't get to see very often.
As great as these reunions on earth are, can you imagine what it's going to be like to be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven? Tomorrow will be 38 years since my grandfather passed away. I was 2 years old. I have no memory of him and have only seen a few pictures of him through the years. But I have no doubt that I will recognize him in Heaven, and I eagerly look forward to being reunited with him, along with the rest of my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends who are already there as well. What a reunion that will be! What a wonderful promise God has given us to be able to be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven. What a Glad Reunion Day!
Glad Reunion Day
http://youtu.be/E_NmQfZ86lI
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
To Write or Not To Write
To write or not to write. That was the question this morning. Not that I didn't want to, I always want to. It's in my blood. I just didn't know what I would write about. To be honest I still don't know. Usually ideas will come to me and I'll have a chat with God about them and tuck them away in my head and by the time I sit down at the keyboard in the morning, I have some sense of where God is leading me and what I'm going to say. Not true today.
Several things came to mind yesterday and last night but nothing ever seemed to come together right. I thought about places I had been and things that had been going on around me the last few days and tried to make a spiritual connection to something but for the life of me I couldn't do it. It was like I hit a brick wall. You've heard of writer's block? I think I just experienced it. I was awake at 4:30 this morning trying to figure out what I was going to write, but I couldn't put two sensible thoughts together for anything in the world. So for a brief moment I thought about skipping out and not writing at all this morning. But that wasn't what I wanted to do. And it obviously wasn't what God wanted me to do either, because finally He told me, "You don't have to know what you're writing, just write." So here I am.
You know its really a shame we're not like that in more areas of our lives. We think we have to know all the answers ahead of time. We want the who, what, where, when and why before we agree to anything. We want all the answers about everything going on in our lives. Yes, I'll admit, it would help a great deal if I knew what I was going to write before I sat down at the keyboard, but this morning I didn't. And as it turns out - that's okay. God knew. He knew the words and thoughts that needed to come out even if I didn't know.
What a great reminder that He's in charge. Even when we don't have the details we think we need, He has them. Truth is, my thoughts have become clearer and clearer with each sentence. Even when I had no clue what I was going to say, its suddenly one of the easiest blog posts I've submitted. I didn't know where this was going or even what the subject was going to be, but God knew. You may not have all the answers either, but you can know the One who does.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,'" declares the LORD..."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way..." ~ Psalm 142:3
"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee..." ~ Jonah 2:7
Several things came to mind yesterday and last night but nothing ever seemed to come together right. I thought about places I had been and things that had been going on around me the last few days and tried to make a spiritual connection to something but for the life of me I couldn't do it. It was like I hit a brick wall. You've heard of writer's block? I think I just experienced it. I was awake at 4:30 this morning trying to figure out what I was going to write, but I couldn't put two sensible thoughts together for anything in the world. So for a brief moment I thought about skipping out and not writing at all this morning. But that wasn't what I wanted to do. And it obviously wasn't what God wanted me to do either, because finally He told me, "You don't have to know what you're writing, just write." So here I am.
You know its really a shame we're not like that in more areas of our lives. We think we have to know all the answers ahead of time. We want the who, what, where, when and why before we agree to anything. We want all the answers about everything going on in our lives. Yes, I'll admit, it would help a great deal if I knew what I was going to write before I sat down at the keyboard, but this morning I didn't. And as it turns out - that's okay. God knew. He knew the words and thoughts that needed to come out even if I didn't know.
What a great reminder that He's in charge. Even when we don't have the details we think we need, He has them. Truth is, my thoughts have become clearer and clearer with each sentence. Even when I had no clue what I was going to say, its suddenly one of the easiest blog posts I've submitted. I didn't know where this was going or even what the subject was going to be, but God knew. You may not have all the answers either, but you can know the One who does.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,'" declares the LORD..."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way..." ~ Psalm 142:3
"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee..." ~ Jonah 2:7
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sing...Sing A Song
My daughter loves to sing. She always has. Singing and dancing. It's how she's spent a great portion of her 17 years. Singing and dancing through life. Both physically and mentally. She has an incredibly happy, carefree spirit 99% of the time, just singing and dancing along. Nothing gets her down very often. She always has a smile on her face. At a recent high school football pep rally, a few fellow classmen pointed out that a typically shy and quiet friend of my daughter's was showing an unusual amount of spirit during the rally. This timid, quiet, soft spoken girl was hooping and hollering it up. And people noticed. "Well, what about me?" my daughter asked. Their response was no surprise. "Emilee, you always have spirit!" These friends know her well!
She sings and hums around the house all the time. And forget about being in the car with her. I'll admit, I'm guilty of singing along with the radio too - just not at the same decibel level as her! And because she's in three different choral groups at school this year, there's always a new piece of music to be learned. I often hear her in her room at the keyboard, playing and singing the music she's so eager to absorb. She absolutely loves it. Enough even to get up at 5:30 two mornings a week for choral practice. Singing makes her happy.
You may not love music and singing as much as my daughter. You may not like it at all. Maybe you can't carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket. It doesn't matter. You can still have a song in your heart. Over and over the Bible talks about God putting a song in our heart. He can, you know. It may not be an actual sing-out-loud, stomp-your-feet kind of song. But it can make you happy. A song in your heart can change your entire outlook. Your whole attitude can turn completely around.
And don't even try to say you don't have anything to sing about. Look around you. Your blessings far outweigh your problems. Don't believe me? Make a list. I dare you. Make two columns - like a Pros & Cons list. Go ahead. Do it. If you're honest with your list, you'll be amazed at how much longer the column of blessings is! So find something to sing about and go for it. At least in your head and in your heart - the people beside you at work might wonder what's up if you start belting out show tunes in the middle of the day! But when you're alone in the car or in the shower, sing to the top of your lungs. Who cares if the people next to you at the red light think you're nuts. Go for it. Get happy. Shout for joy. Your whole outlook will change. It's impossible to have a song in your heart and a scowl on your face at the same time.
"I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." ~ Psalm 40:1-3
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs." ~ Psalm 100:1,2
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." ~ Psalm 33:3
She sings and hums around the house all the time. And forget about being in the car with her. I'll admit, I'm guilty of singing along with the radio too - just not at the same decibel level as her! And because she's in three different choral groups at school this year, there's always a new piece of music to be learned. I often hear her in her room at the keyboard, playing and singing the music she's so eager to absorb. She absolutely loves it. Enough even to get up at 5:30 two mornings a week for choral practice. Singing makes her happy.
You may not love music and singing as much as my daughter. You may not like it at all. Maybe you can't carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket. It doesn't matter. You can still have a song in your heart. Over and over the Bible talks about God putting a song in our heart. He can, you know. It may not be an actual sing-out-loud, stomp-your-feet kind of song. But it can make you happy. A song in your heart can change your entire outlook. Your whole attitude can turn completely around.
And don't even try to say you don't have anything to sing about. Look around you. Your blessings far outweigh your problems. Don't believe me? Make a list. I dare you. Make two columns - like a Pros & Cons list. Go ahead. Do it. If you're honest with your list, you'll be amazed at how much longer the column of blessings is! So find something to sing about and go for it. At least in your head and in your heart - the people beside you at work might wonder what's up if you start belting out show tunes in the middle of the day! But when you're alone in the car or in the shower, sing to the top of your lungs. Who cares if the people next to you at the red light think you're nuts. Go for it. Get happy. Shout for joy. Your whole outlook will change. It's impossible to have a song in your heart and a scowl on your face at the same time.
"I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." ~ Psalm 40:1-3
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs." ~ Psalm 100:1,2
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." ~ Psalm 33:3
Monday, August 29, 2011
In Our Own Backyard
Let me be the first to say that I'm proud to live in a country where we are anxious and eager to send aide to nations around the world in need. I believe it's one of the very few Christian principles that's still on display in our nation's capital today. And it's thrilling to see churches and denominations organize and implement missions trips to foreign lands in order to provide aide and share God's love. Even celebrities seem to be eager these days to lend a hand to raise awareness of the various crises facing nations across the globe.
Assisting to implement a desperately needed water supply system. Aid in delivering meals on a daily basis to starving children. School systems being built. Homes and churches being erected and maintained. Desperately needed medical care being delivered. Blessings that the majority of us take for granted are the very things that, without outside help coming in, are impossibilities in these poverty stricken nations. And I agree that we all need to do what we can to help.
But while we're so anxious to jump on board with the next mission trip overseas or send a donation to the latest celebrity-endorsed aid relief plea that comes across our television screens, do we exhibit the same eagerness when it comes to helping our own neighbor? While it's true that needs are great around the world, it's also true that they're great right next door. Sure, your neighbor may not be starving for food but they may be starving for love. The sweet little widow lady down the street may not be in need of medical care, but she may be in need of some company. She may need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. The neighbors on the corner may not need water, but they may need God.
And what about the ones that are in physical need in our communities? We don't have to travel to the Horn of Africa to find someone in need of a meal. It's not just those in Honduras that need medical care or assistance with building and maintaining their homes and churches. Last year a group of students from the University of Tennessee came to my hometown on a mission trip. They spent their Spring Break working in homes, yards and churches in our community. For a week they sawed, hammered, painted, cleared overgrown landscapes, built wheelchair ramps, and shared God's love. Our community was thrilled to have them here, local churches hosted them and threw a block party in their honor. But I couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed. I couldn't help but wonder why it took a missions group to travel here from 8 hours away to fulfill the needs in our own backyard. Why weren't we as a community taking care of our own?
Oh sure, we have Make A Difference Day once a year where it's fun to team up with others in the community in an effort to help others in need. But what about the other 364 days of the year? What are we doing for others on those days?
We are commanded to share God's love in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Our Jerusalem is our immediate locale. Where we live. Where we work. People we pass on the street every day. I don't think it's by chance that Jesus mentions Jerusalem first. He wants and expects us to begin at home. Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth are also included, clearly showing that He expects us to share His love everywhere. Around the globe. To the ends of the earth. But not without first beginning at home.
We should keep going on the missions trips, or supporting the ones who do go. We need to keep sending donations to assist in relief efforts around the world. But we should not be overlooking needs in our own neighborhoods in the process. We should start at home.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ~ Acts 1:8
Assisting to implement a desperately needed water supply system. Aid in delivering meals on a daily basis to starving children. School systems being built. Homes and churches being erected and maintained. Desperately needed medical care being delivered. Blessings that the majority of us take for granted are the very things that, without outside help coming in, are impossibilities in these poverty stricken nations. And I agree that we all need to do what we can to help.
But while we're so anxious to jump on board with the next mission trip overseas or send a donation to the latest celebrity-endorsed aid relief plea that comes across our television screens, do we exhibit the same eagerness when it comes to helping our own neighbor? While it's true that needs are great around the world, it's also true that they're great right next door. Sure, your neighbor may not be starving for food but they may be starving for love. The sweet little widow lady down the street may not be in need of medical care, but she may be in need of some company. She may need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. The neighbors on the corner may not need water, but they may need God.
And what about the ones that are in physical need in our communities? We don't have to travel to the Horn of Africa to find someone in need of a meal. It's not just those in Honduras that need medical care or assistance with building and maintaining their homes and churches. Last year a group of students from the University of Tennessee came to my hometown on a mission trip. They spent their Spring Break working in homes, yards and churches in our community. For a week they sawed, hammered, painted, cleared overgrown landscapes, built wheelchair ramps, and shared God's love. Our community was thrilled to have them here, local churches hosted them and threw a block party in their honor. But I couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed. I couldn't help but wonder why it took a missions group to travel here from 8 hours away to fulfill the needs in our own backyard. Why weren't we as a community taking care of our own?
Oh sure, we have Make A Difference Day once a year where it's fun to team up with others in the community in an effort to help others in need. But what about the other 364 days of the year? What are we doing for others on those days?
We are commanded to share God's love in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Our Jerusalem is our immediate locale. Where we live. Where we work. People we pass on the street every day. I don't think it's by chance that Jesus mentions Jerusalem first. He wants and expects us to begin at home. Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth are also included, clearly showing that He expects us to share His love everywhere. Around the globe. To the ends of the earth. But not without first beginning at home.
We should keep going on the missions trips, or supporting the ones who do go. We need to keep sending donations to assist in relief efforts around the world. But we should not be overlooking needs in our own neighborhoods in the process. We should start at home.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ~ Acts 1:8
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