Warning: UnPure Topics Ahead II

Austin asks you to pray for his parents... We simply could not resist talking about UnPure topics at the dinner table while eating homemade lasagna. We even sang songs connected to those UnPure topics.

One of the biggest blessings in life is being a parent and reminding grown children of days gone by. Oh... wait.... they're still kids even though two of them are taller than their mommy! lol

Please pray for Austin...those songs are now ringing in his head. "OH THE HORROR!"

Signed,
Lightened Up in Texas

Warning: UnPure Topics Ahead.

It's Saturday morning and Austin actually has the day off from work at the little store in our highly secure gated community.

The two of us decided to hang out and spend some time talking as mother and teenage son in the privacy of mine and his daddy's bedroom. The rest of the household was busy. So.... we knew we could really really talk.

It is no secret that I have very open relationships with my sons. But what happened this morning completely threw this mommy for a loop. I'm still not quite over it yet.

We were discussing various things when suddenly Austin said to me, "Those are UnPure topics. Do not EVER talk about those again."

Read the following at your own risk:




So.... from this mommy to Barney, Arthur, Comfy Couch, and etc. I'm sorry my sixteen-year old now considers you UnPure topics. Thanks for the memories! And thanks for the gift of laughter you caused Austin and his mommy to have this morning.

Signed,
Still Laughing in Texas

While Waiting. Don't Wait.

The title of this post might sound a bit weird. Given conversations I've had with a few individuals as of late, it seemed quite natural to write about it.

It is true that Brother G is waiting for the moment when he becomes (senior) pastor of a church. He hopes to graduate in the spring of 2009. And while we know it is not necessary for him to have graduated from seminary in order to be called to a church as pastor - there is always the possibility of that happening.

When God called us to G-town in 2005 - it was a given for Brother G that we would be joining and become active in the local church body my parents had been members of since they moved here. We were not going to be a divided household. We did all the driving - so one of us was going to be taking them there any way.

Brother G was the one who approached our local church body about becoming an intern. He was needing whatever experience he could get that being a lay leader alone could not provide. Our church body was needing additional staff but did not have the monetary means at the time. So, it seemed a natural marriage. That's how Brother G became an intern.

In the meantime..... while waiting for the moment when he becomes pastor of a church... Brother G has not been waiting. What's the real point of this post?

There are times in life when we find ourselves waiting for the moment when ________ happens. And yet, we are not to live life in a state of pause. We are to be fully engaged in living life and making the most of each moment given. How can a man who has been called to pastor/preach say, "I'm just going to sit here and wait until the day that happens. I will not be involved in what God is doing here... this moment." The two do not go hand-in-hand.

So... this moment.... I ask you....

In your waiting for ______ - how does God want you be actively involved right where you are at?

As Christ-followers we are called to be ministers..... to be light in this dark world. And no matter what any one may say...

No seminary degree is required for that.

WAY TOO COOL!

This just in from Smithee.....

We're set to baptize 5 individuals - young and old this Sunday! Can't wait to share about it...

We're still having contacts from/with various jails.

Totally cool what God is doing here up on the hill.

WAY TOO COOL!

Heart. Cross. Anchor.

On Tuesday, I lost the three charms that were given to me when I finished seminary. They were a heart, a cross and an anchor. How they came off my necklace, I haven't the faintest clue. Oh, for those who aren't familiar with the story...

On the day I was to walk across the stage, I was not there. Instead I was at my daddy's bedside as he took his final breath. There was no place I would have rather been. It was priceless time that I will always cherish. Exactly a week later, which would have also been his birthday, a package showed up at my doorstep. I had gone out to get the mail and when I returned to the front door, the same door I had come out of, there was the package in front of it. It was from the seminary. The heart, cross, and anchor charms were inside along with a couple of other items. Still gives me chill bumps just thinking about it.

Funny enough? Right now... this moment... I'm thankful that I lost them. For even though they were very special to me... the fact that they are gone does not change one single thing about my relationship with God or my call or the ministry in which I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of.

People. Places. Things. God can use them all to teach us valuable lessons in life.

Signed,
Beyond Blessed in Texas

That's Part of the Job II

Okay.. before I even begin this post I just have to say...

We just had one of the coolest things happen in the middle of the day... A man walking in with another man whom he had led to the Lord. Way too cool... Shouting time! Wow...

Last week I had scheduled what I thought was going to be an off the hook type of closing for the last session of this particular Bible study. The women had all written letters to God surrendering whatever they needed help with in their marriage and in their relationship with God in general.. and not so... digging deep type stuff here. We were going to have a burning of the letters ceremony outside with David singing as they were going up in flames and turning into ashes. I was stoked. (that means excited.)

Fast forward this week... Today there is a burn ban here in G-town. A BURN BAN. Okay.. How could I possibly go ahead with my plans? It is illegal today to burn any thing.. any where here in G-town. Not to mention we are located on the top of a hill with lots of dead grass all around as well as homes. I am employed by the church in addition to being a teacher. We're talking serious no-no stuff. But what about my plans?

They got changed. Instead of burning them - we shredded them inside the classroom. David has been sick since the weekend and even though he's here.. technically - he is not here. He has no voice and frankly is green. (said with sincerest sisterly love of course)

If I had decided to go ahead with my plans - even though for today it is illegal - I would been completely saying I was above the law. I'm not. It is possible we could have burned those letters and nothing else would have happened. Well, except what kind of lesson would I have really taught today?

That's part of the job as well...

Signed,
Thankful for the burn ban and plans changing

(Yes: David T.)

That's Part of the Job

Yesterday I was talking with a woman... she said, "SO, I heard about you last week." I knew what was coming. Sure enough....

There are times in ministry, in leadership, when you simply make others mad. Where they do not want to hear what you have to say. Not even if it is the law.... not just Biblically speaking here. And you might even be called a name or two... or three... You might be talked about in certain circles. You might even have your phone ring out of your pocket... cell phone that is.

I won't apologize for being passionate about children. About roles and responsibilities as mothers and wives.

That's part of the job. Part of the call. Sure I have chocolate for women in my Bible study classes and candy on my desk for those who sit or pass by it. That does not mean that I am all sugary.

Part of the job is understanding that there are days when people love you, hate you, or somewhere in-between. It is necessary to accept that no matter what others think of you... you must go back to the One who truly matters the most.

Again.... do your actions/words line up with His Authority?

If it does... thank Him for it even if it is not pleasant for you to do.

There is a difference between just hearing and actually doing.

Signed,
Thanking Him in Texas for strength that is clearly not my own

Giving Thanks. Answered Prayers.

This morning I simply must give thanks to Him. I remain in awe.....

One of the privileges I/we have in ministry is walking with others who are also in ministry. Brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the USA.

In the last couple of days, it has been a sheer joy to read several of the emails that are coming from these individuals. Reading/seeing/hearing how God has indeed answered their prayers. Prayers, at times, prayed while in the pit. For those still there.... take heart and be of encouragement. Real Hope, as always, is found only in Him.

Yesterday... I wrote about the Men's Ministry Breakfast that was taking place at our local physical church building. Little did I know.... Austin, our sixteen-year-old son, was one of the individuals asked to pray. Grown men kept telling me how his heart was evident in his words. And how it truly ministered to them... Austin greatly enjoyed being around the older men in our church as did Travis and Parker. Then again, they always do. May the generations realize there is much to benefit from one another.

There's this woman. I could not help but be reminded of being a good neighbor when talking with her in the hallway. She offered her new car to me to drive any time I'm in need of one. She has health issues that keep her from driving much. She said, "It is just a thing. It is to be used for doing God's will." Brother G is her lawn pastor. The boys take out their trash when her husband is out of town. We are neighbors in every sense of the word that God intended.

I've never been a morning person. Back some time ago now... I started praying for God to change me in that way. I woke up this morning at 5:00 a.m. praising Him. Now... if that does not go to show the power of prayer......

Giving thanks. Answered prayers. What a way to start the morning!

Thank You Lord for today! This moment.....

Now That's Cool.

Totally cool to know that there are men/boys right now in our local physical church building praying, eating, and encouraging one another.

As a wife and mother of three sons... I also find it cool how my husband has taken our sons with him this morning. How they were up and ready to go by 6:45 a.m. I am thankful and blessed.

God is at work. Our Father truly does know best. No one is cooler than Him.

Who do you think is cool?

What do you think is cool?

How do they line up with His Word?