From a Front Porch in Texas: "I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK"

From a Front Porch in Texas: "I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK"

"I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK"

Welcome to the front porch! Just finishing up a great holiday season. I am using the term holiday because I am counting Thanksgiving up to New Years Day in my 2011 holiday celebration. In summary, great food (way too much food consumed on my part!), great family gatherings, great visits with church family and friends, received some thoughtful, very much appreciated gifts. Just a great time of celebration. I read a quote that if it wasn’t for Christmas, December would be the bleakest month of the year. Parable there I am sure. If it were not for Christmas and the Christ Child, what a bleak, bland, boring life we would live!

I think most of us really enjoy this season if we admit it. Yes, it can be so hectic, hurried and just plain make us feel hassled to the bone! But, there is no time like these times of gathering. It is important. It is important that we do stop and honor Thanksgiving and give thanks to our God above and be thankful for each other and the countless blessings we have! We are blessed! Blessed! Blessed!



Christmas means-even if your baby left you, somehow you ended up on a Naughty List or you walked around impersonating Scrooge-you are blessed. Because of the Babe in the Manger your life can have hope and happiness.



I started daily posting to Facebook this past year. Well, I will back up. I vowed I would not get involved in Facebook or texting. Had heard this and that. For one thing time was a factor, another I just didn’t want to post things such as”getting into my car, driving down the road, stopping at a stop sign’. A. Kinda silly. B. Who in the world would care? Now, don’t get me wrong. I LOVE seeing in a timely manner what the kiddos and grandkiddos are doing! Love it! I am mildly interested in what the rest of you are doing. Also, I enjoy in connecting with friends and church folk from 20-30 plus years ago! Amazing.



Well, when the kids would have events and celebrations and I would ask for pictures. One word reply: Facebook. So, my daughter Lori and I jokily said, “we will go to the darkside’ that is Facebook.



Now, I would cruise and was very selective about whom I ‘befriended’, made an occasional comment and very few post. I saw so many posts in October about Halloween and ghosts and goblins…and thought hum, there has got to be more. Then it seemed the Holy Spirit began to drop little inspirational nuggets in my spirit and I would post. I remember the light going off and the thought, ‘Facebook can be more than who is doing what, where and with whom and can be a network of inspiration for believers’. Now, I can hear the sneers and jeers. Facebook and the gospel?. Facebook as a tool to inspire and perhaps even encourage, evangelize, maybe enlighten? Why not? To quote a family member…’don’t like it..don’t read it or better yet unbefriend me or delete me’. I ask why not post inspiration? Other ‘social media’ is used for the Gospel, radio, TV, live streaming, websites, on and on. I am fully and firmly convinced God can use any tool that is relevant to our generation.



100% of the time the thought or inspiration first comes through and inspires me. Sometimes a scripture, picture or a song will also come along. Interesting.



So I am here in the New Millennium …got here as fast as I could.





As 2011 bows its sleepy little head, and those eyes get heavier and heavier, I am reflecting, reviewing and revisiting the Year. Overall, rough, twisty, turny, topsy turvy, bumpy, brusey, bouncing, discouragement, down one roller coaster and doomed it seemed to ride on it forever. Trials, tribulations and tears for family, friends, loved ones. A time of battering and beating by the Storms of Life. We have thrown up our hands and cry out. Wring our hands and sob. If we could we would climb the mast of our ship like Captain Dang from Forest Gump and shake our fist and dare our God to bring it on. But we know better or should know better!



But here we are on the tail end of 2011, the tired old man gave us his best shot, one right after another, and while we all had several near misses with disaster, here we are. Still Standing! We replied on the saying, ‘I stand tallest when I am on my knees”. Yep, the knees hand in hand with a contrite broken heart move the Hand and Heart of our God. Funny thing we read and know that He is aware of even when one little hair falling from our head. So why do we think He has forsaken us when our heart is broken into a trillion pieces. Oh, He does know about every little bump and scratch life throws at us…nothing absolutely nothing that happens to us surprises Him….but because of Who He is, He allows pain, sorrow and hurt into our lives. He had to do this when His own Son was suffering for our salvation. Who do we think we are? It is too complex and complicated for me to ever explain let alone understand! But by faith I trust in the Living God and His Son Jesus my Savior! He knows best-everytime.



But, we must keep our mind stayed-thinking of-Him. Trust Him. Believe Him. Know Him. Because this life is only a vapor as stated in James 4:14, The Message "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." As I get older the vapor seems to dissipate quicker and quicker! This is not our home nor is it our end. This is boot camp, training ground, school. Lesson after lesson until we are molded, formed and shaped into His Likeness day by day. 2 Corinthians 3:18 The Message “And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Not easy! Not easy at all! We are just like little stubborn children. We have our own mindsets and views and visions. They usually DON”T line up with His Plan.



So as we close out 2011-goodbye, good riddance, so long, see ya never again. BUT, the experiences, lessons and growth are ours. We are chiseled and sharpened, polished and perfected day by day by His Grace. We are His handiwork. His vessel, once made ready become a Weapon of His Warfare, by Him we have a part in tearing down strongholds.



So today on December 31, the last official day of 2011 and for me the last post about Christmas. Let’s move on, move up, move forward. We are a little stronger, hopefully a lot wiser, a little braver, a little apprehensive perhaps, a little excited I hope, but more determined to make the best of the gifts and callings God has given us! 2012 come on down! We welcome you with Hope, Faith, Joy and LOVE. May this be the best year yet for us all is my prayer. Amen.



Speaking of moving on, time to get up from this front porch and get busy. Lots to think about. Lots to do! Until we meet again, GOD BLESS YOU!

HEARTS AND HOPE

Well, welcome to the front porch. It has been a LONG time since I have stolen a few minutes and visited the front porch. It was on my ‘to do’ list but somehow other priorities came up and the visit to the porch just got bumped and bounced right off the list. I have had small stirrings lately to visit the porch more often. It is a place that is good for my body and soul. Mainly my soul. I muse, wonder, ponder and reflect upon life. Good thing sometimes...sometimes a bad thing. Too much thinkin’ can turn into stinkin’ thinkin', well we all know how that goes.




Anyway, today’s visit is about Hearts and Hope. Just came to me as I was praying and reflecting on my way to work one morning. I have a good 50-60 minute drive each morning. No complaints. For now I know I am right where I am suppose to be as far as my job-ministry-kinda go hand in hand. But, for years now-no radio, no music just me and the Lord and my many supplications for my family, friends, church, community –world. Amazing how quickly those wheels turn when engaged in good conversation. Sometimes I arrive and my response is: whoa I didn’t get to talk to God about everyone and everything on my list! But the company and conversation I did have just helps me settle into my day.



In this Christmas season I am perplexed, overwhelmed, kinda getting exhausted and just plain down right burdened. You see I see and hear of troubles on the left, troubles on the right, before, behind and above. I sometimes think, “God”?? I am your child and don’t you see, hear or even care? Now, I know this is not the case! But, flesh creeps in with a little-no a lot of help from the enemy that would cause me to question my faithful, loving ever caring Savior. Shame on me.



However, as in your circle of family and friends-have you ever seen such a time as this? Suffering of good people, good people homeless-living under bridges, in cardboard boxes. Good people told-you’re fired and it was not by Donald Trump-but a trusted friend, boss of many years who callously throws those words into your face. The doctor says-that’s it-no more chemo for you-the end of the journey-get your house in order. An unexpected and much inconvenient hospital detour that is frustrating and baffling-tests, tests and more tests. What will the final outcome be? A mother, father or other family member who you help make funeral arrangements because the healing has not come-well the healing here on earth. The perfect healing will come later. Or the bonus promised by the employer that you desperately need to live not just have a ‘nice’ Christmas BUT was promised and not delivered! The bill collectors-they must be modern day Scrooges-sorry it is a dirty job and must be done-but whew some of us are really telling the truth when we say ‘check is in the mail’, my husband has been sick and our medical bills are astronomical, I lost my job, etc.



Now before we all sit down and have one big pity party, let’s reflect on a time over 2000 years ago. Times were kinda about the same, troubles on the left, on the right, behind, in front off and on top of! The world as they knew it was in chaos. The rich were getting richer, the poor were getting poorer, the sick seemed to get sicker, the greedy were getting greedier and the mean, and well they are meaner period. The people of God felt so hopeless and helpless. Where was this Promise? We have waited and waited and waited! Just like in our lives here in 2011. Instead of things getting better they seem to get worse. Oh, well we know why…goes back to a Garden, a Gal and a Guy and a mean old Godzilla...aka...smooth talking operator who was so convincing that the gal and guy fell for the biggest lie ever…well, the rest is His Story!



Anyway, in a little town tucked into the hills of Judea lived a young girl, wondering. Pondering what would happen to her. Did she have a hope, a future? Looked pretty bleak. Hard cold facts of life. But as the story goes she did have a Heart, a huge heart, a heart so big that her heart, soul and body would be trusted to conceive, carry and complete the PROMISE.



Wonderful calling right? Before we get too giddy and too many stars in our eyes and say things like’ what a lucky girl’. Step back. Take a second look. A young girl, minding her daily business, probably talking to God as we all should do on a regular basis. Mind you not just a’ Good Morning Lord’, and at the evening a mumbled sleepy, “now I lay me down to sleep’ greeting. But, deep soul searching, pouring out your heart to God. Talking to Him about the most intimate details of your life. Trusting him with your secrets, hopes and dreams-your very life. Few of us take the time or trouble to get to know our God on this level. It’s too personal and private we think. Really? Guess what He already knows all the nitty gritty dirty little secrets. He is just waiting for us to talk to Him about them so He can gently address each of them.



Anyway, I imagine one such morning like any other-we know those kind. Get up, go to work, take care of the kids and husband, or elderly parents or?? Many times not enough sleep, rest, even enough food. Worry, wonder where the food, money, strength will come from to get through the day. If you do have enough food and money and your needs are met-notice the operative word is needs-then Thank God in Heaven above. Countless millions do not have this luxury. Know you are promised ‘daily bread’….enough said.



Young girl perhaps mid teens we believe-going about her business on yet another hopeless day, what will today bring? When to her surprise, to put it mildly, she has a visitor. Not just any visitor but one dispatched from Heaven-from God Himself to bring her a call, a challenge a commission like no other. Talk about your life changing in a moment, an instant! This is our God! One Word dispatched from His mouth rearranges, messes with those enemies and those who have hurt us and sets our feet on an entirely different path.



Something like that happened to Mary. One minute minding her business, the next face to face with God’s Heavenly Messenger. She is told ‘not to fear’. Whew, you’ve got to be kidding. Most of us would have fainted dead away. All the smelling salts, pats on the face, cold water thrown on us would NOT have fazed us. Apparently none of that happened-remember Mary was chosen for a reason-she was made of tough stuff. What a great thing to be said of us, “made of tough stuff’. Too many of us are fluff and cotton candy blown away by any little bump or bruise along the way. Not this gal. See God does know what He is doing!





Back to Mary. Anyway, after the initial fear factor thing passed, she is told she is highly favored. Whew, that will float your boat, puff you up some, fill up your balloon, make you sit up a little straighter, walk a little taller. The Message puts it like this,



“Good Morning!

You’re beautiful with God’s beauty.

Beautiful inside and out.

God be with you.”



Me, you talking to me?? Yep, no one else around but little Mary. Kinda good news …bad news… thingee. Perhaps this is where the original idea of the good news, bad news came from?



Mary is probably feeling pretty good. Had no idea what this visitor was talking about for the most part. You see as good and pure and right and great as Mary was-I believe even she had her own dirty little secrets. Those thought of jealously, bitterness, coveting, questioning, stubbornness, disobedience…….who knows what else. She was human-but the key was her heart.



I am sure she was shaken, speechless, surprised beyond words!



The angel assured her she had nothing to fear and God had a surprise for her! And a surprise it was!



Then she is told the most INCREDIBLE thing ever! She is going to get pregnant-not the usual way Momma told her about…aka. the facts of life we all learn about. But something, mystical, mysterious yet marvelous is going to overshadow her and conceive in her a baby. A what..Did you just say a baby? One that has ten fingers and ten tiny toes, that coos and goos a… BABY. Now, if Mary didn’t need the smelling salts, the cold water, the slap in the face now….she never will. She calmly, rationally asked, ummm, how is this possible how in the world is this possible???



As if this news could not get any more incredible…the angel calmly, gently and lovingly adds. “This child you deliver will be Holy, the Son of God”.



Mary, just as calmly, gently and loving replied, “I am the Lord’s servant; let it be as you say”.



Amazing. Absolutely amazing. No handbooks, maps or agendas. No provisions, plans or pampering. No asking “who, what, when, where or why”. Most of us would have let our imagination jump on a runaway train and never recovered from the initial greeting. Not Mary. Certainly no whining. This was Mary’s Heart. Big enough to handle this assignment, one step at a time. This assignment is her Hope. She does not understand any of it EXCEPT God has given her the Call to be a part of this glorious Promise. She is a part of the Christmas story. His Story. We wonder and ponder and ask, “What woman is this” who could answer such a call. But, as great as she was, she was a vessel for His Plan, His Promise, His Purpose. She is never to be worshipped. Instead to be remembered as ‘a servant, let it be as you say’.



One of the most moving Christmas songs is: Mary Did You Know? Take some time this Christmas season and listen to the words. No, Mary did not know…..every little or big thing that would happen to her and her Son. What she did know was she had a Heart and now because of her obedience generation after generation down unto this year 2011.. would have hope! Merry Christmas!