Resolutions? Revolutions? How about 28 days of "izes"

Welcome back to the front porch!  It’s a chilly January morning. Had other plans that were interrupted…was on my way to meet a fellow librarian friend in Dallas.  We meet for thrifting, good food and good company.  BUT, the dependable, well over 300,000 miles plus, Honda Accord…decided to stall on me…No, just plain quit, refuse to budge, not go a mile further, stop….hence, call to the Preacher who came to the rescue like a knight in shining armor…in this case in the trusted Dodge Dakota..anyway, AAA had to be called and all of us are back, safe in the warm confides of the Farm.

Disappointing but nevertheless an unexpected pocket of time….hmmm. to spend on the front porch! 

First, looking back at the year…but oh, just a glance or two…for you see, to linger there too long will be too painful, confusing, disturbing and just plain depressing…on the other hand, longing and gazing too long will bring back some mighty good memories…good times, and good thoughts…but there again…2012 is gone…say goodbye, so long, farewell……time to move on and giddy up and go!

In summary…’it was the best of times and the worst of times’.  Perhaps next time we visit I can share some of each of those categories.  But right now I have some other stuff on my mind.

 Now, I post to Facebook…some original stuff and some re-post…and I can hear some of the comments…”who does she think she is?”, well, me, I am Nobody to quote Emily Dickinson’s poem.  I post stuff that matters to me, that speaks to me, that ministers to me, that inspires me and maybe, just maybe will also inspire, speak, minister and matter to others.  Everything that I post, whether my ramblings, musings and such, or scriptures and sayings of encouragement, first comes to me, through me and does a work in me…So, there…

Anyway, in closing out 2012…good bye and good riddance…and welcoming 2013, hello and howdy..I felt some stirrings in my spirit, my soul….now, they are for me first and foremost….and maybe, just maybe someone else may glean a nugget or two for inspiration for the days ahead.

First I do believe a word, go ahead and snicker, snicker….but nevertheless, a word for me and mine for 2013 is: “THINK BIG”.   Whatever I attempt, whatever I ask for, whatever I dream about, whatever I envision….make it BIG…so BIG..it is impossible for me and me alone to accomplish.  It will be evident and to all…’WOW” that’s a God thing.

Next, as I was preparing for today’s little outing…or lack thereof, some nuggets of gold began to just drop into my spirit.  You know those kinda blessings….makes you want to say, “Hey, where did that come from?!”   Anyway, first a couple of items, then a few more….

So, instead of making a list of Resolutions or Revolutions or whateverions….that are made with a lot of lofty aspirations and good intentions…that often are just that..lofty and good…things such as…lose weight, exercise more, read the Bible more, pray more, do good, and on and on….and they are indeed good, noble, worthy goals.  But, too often just so lofty and unattainable…most of us write ‘em, make a feeble stab at trying to do them and then soon even forget what we were even trying to accomplish in the first place…Oh, well, speaking from my own track record..so if you hold on to your Resolutions until the bitter end…kudos to you!

 Anyway, words, words kept coming to me…kinda of unusual words…that at first seemed to have no real rhyme or reason…but then like boom, boom fireworks that explode in the sky and then the light fills the sky and slowly falls…in this case words falling into my spirit.

 So..friend here on the front porch…let’s talk about the words.  They all have something in common!! They all have a particular, specific meaning for me and they all end in the suffix ‘ize’.  After a little leg work…aka finger tapping work…I found out that the suffix ‘ize’ means to be and to treat with.   Pretty interesting…I zeroed in on 28 words…..hence, my 28 resolutions/revolutions so to speak. 

Now, just making a list of Resolutions can be likened to going on a diet, another one, yet another one, still another…and no real improvement…oh, maybe lose a few pounds…only to gain them back and even more.  To accomplish real weight lose-a new mindset, a new approach, a whole new lifestyle and new way of living is needed.  No more buying baskets full of Twinkies, chips and candy bars will do.  But, long-term, on-going weight maintenance means balance, moderation and a new concept of food….basically ”eat to live and not live to eat” mentality.

Hence, my 28 ‘ize’ words are to spur me and anyone else who wants to meet me on the front porch for the next 28 days, to develop a new mindset, a newness of thinking, new determination, new outlook on how to focus on the WORD and let God develop us ‘to be’ and ‘to treat with’. 

 The goal is for this to be lifestyle living…just like healthy eating should be lifestyle living;  goodness and change in our life should be an ongoing lifestyle.  From the moment we get up…all through the day…back home again and into the evening and finally when we ‘lay our little selves down to sleep’.  Lifestyle…Hisstyle, letting Him lead, guide, direct and order our steps…….

Then, we will walk in His newness of life and people will sit up and take notice.  We, Christians are too much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or should it be (Hide…just what are we hiding?)…..we are one person for our Christian circle, another one for our work circle, yet another for our family circle, and still another for our friend circle. 

 My biggest disappointment in my life would be if people say “Christian, I didn’t know you were a Christian?!”  Unfortunately, I have met several people I have thought this about…said it to others about….lifestyle living….my Bible plainly says (AND NO, siree I am not judging because GOD judges!) I Corinthians 6:8-10 “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat and you do these things to your brethren!” (folks…me thinks this is referring to how you treat folk in the family, folk in the church and folk on the job!!”….….verse 9 goes on to state…”Do you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, no adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God.”…

Pretty comprehensive list…hits all of us somewhere, somehow, someway…..

So, what is it going to take for us to be a part of the Kingdom of God?....Lifestyle living….walking the talk…far too easy to talk the walk…..going to church one day and out in the bars the next…hmmm….singing praises to God with one breath and cursing your neighbor, friends, family, co-workers the next (well, maybe not cursing but being mean, cruel, gossiping, belittling, humiliating) …

Anyway, ‘nuff said about that….28 days, 28 words, 28 opportunities to discuss lifestyle living in action.  Ready, set…..whew…oh my…..where did all our time go??? Anyway, come back tomorrow for the LIFESTYLE WORD OF THE DAY!  Meet me here…on the front porch….coffee will be on….see y’all then!

 

 

 

 

 

Preacher's Birthday Celebration

Welcome back to the front porch!!  My, my been busy as a bee...but so glad you stopped by...so sit a spell and let me share just a little bit with you about my family....

Well, on this hot Sunday afternoon, relaxing, resting and refreshing.  Good day of worship at church.  Lunch is over and going over some pictures from the Preacher's birthday celebration.  I tried creating an album on facebook...umm was not working for me..so......but wanted to get back into blogging again..so figured this would be a good re-entry.  Facebook friends and fam who are really interested in my little corner of the world will take the extra step and follow the link to the blog....those who don't, well that's ok too.

 So friends from long ago and far away...a glimpse of the Gabbard Fam and who they have become...friends close by...just a little glimpse into how blessed Preacher and I really are..blessed, blessed, blessed

The Gabbard Family

My Treasures

My Heritage

My Greatest Accomplishments -these guys and gals!

This was a big year for the Preacher...just some things all came together....we had a great time of Grannie Camp...grandkids here for several days, all the kids got to come to the Birthday Celebration and a few days later, Preacher took a great trip to the Grand Canyon.and let me tag along!...that will be another blog.another day..

 So here goes....Happy Birthday Preacher ....

Julie, Lori and Tim

Singing "In the Presence"

We were blessed... 

Music Man Tim and Sweet Amy

Tim never met a song he could not sing...

or an instrument he could not play.....

Preacher Joe who has a gift with the Word....

and beautiful, 'stand by my man' Ronnin

The Birthday Lunch

Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Corn,

 Hot Dogs, Cake and Fun!

Preacher was in Hillbilly Heaven...

My "Wunderful Wunderful" Children!

So proud of each one...

they are a blessing

each one different

each one special

each one unique

each one with gifts and talents

orators, singers, musicians, preachers,

teachers, leaders, princes and princesses

born into the Kingdom....for such a time as this

to carry the Word in thought, action and deed

to stand in trials, tribulation and testing

and always come forth as

pure gold

the Gabbard heritage...strong, steady and secure

in God

the Lawson 'will do' .... to dig in and

get it done....

each one sent from God

....my "wunderful" "wunderful" family

Julie, Nathan, Cammy, Kay and Nix :D

Julie a loving mother, Nathan a dedicated husband,

Cam in her cowgirl boots who is turning into a young lady,

Kay who has the sparkliest blue eyes and a sprinkling of freckles across her nose...

and then Nix....who is becoming quite the charmer....

Lori, Caleb and Luke....Aaron could not be with us due to his work schedule...

missed you Big A! Look how tall Caleb is and sweet Luke :)

Lori...dedicated wife, mother who reminds me of the

Proverbs woman..



Preacher Joe, Ronnin, Jace (with the funny shoe strings) and

cutie pie Justus..when are you guys gonna come see me again?.

Wonder what these 6th generation guys are gonna do for God?

Joe is in his own right a "Preacher Man"...

5th generation Pentecostal Preacher...

Multi-talented son Tim...Mr. Music,who sweetly calls me Mama

 the "Make-it Happen" Amy,gentle, kind and loving

Sons, Kayden and Karson...aka Cave Man and Bears

Mighty Dudes!

Cam the Nanny

Caleb the Nanner

They were such a help during

Cousins Camp

Thanks guys!!

hmmm Caleb you are the tallest

here is the evidence!

Well, that's it for now...so glad you got to stop by the front porch and let me share these moments with you...stop by again soon..

IT IS APPOINTED.......

The picture featured today is from a little family cemetery just a stone’s throw from our house.  It is a little local family cemetery.  Lots of little children buried in it.  The grandkids always want to get out our walking sticks and visit the little cemetery.  They are intrigued by its somberness, its quietness, the stillness and the reminder that life is short.  Life is fleeting.   Life is a vapor.  We have our allotted days….to treasure and use wisely.  How long do we get??  Some are allotted more days than others.  No matter how many days you are assigned…...cherish them.  Treasure them.  Find the goodness in each and every one.  Because all too soon….life here on earth will be gone.  A memory. …..

But if we have asked Jesus to be our Savior, when our time is up, then we will be gloriously swept into His gates eternal. What a deal!   What a Promise!  What a retirement plan….simply out of this world……

Lately, I have been pondering and musing on my own father’s passing.  For it was 26 years ago at this time that his life…his time…..his allotment….his assignment was over.  I am going to post the rest of my ponderings and musings on my blog from the front porch.  If you want, get a cup of coffee, hot tea and come join me and sit a spell…

It is appointed unto man..........once to die.  Not your most pleasant topic on this weekend…but nevertheless it is something we all need to think about.  Some scoff and say ‘when it’s over..it’s over….dust to dust….rust to rust….the end is the end.’  We avoid this topic, deny it, put it off, pretend it will never come our way….but it does…...sooner or later…we all face death.  Sinner or saint, good or bad, beautiful or ugly, strong or weak, ready or not…it will come and then we are promised our eternal reward…a lot of unknowns.. a great deal of mystery, mystic, musings and misconceptions.    To know the truth and the whole truth …go to the Manual…the Last Word, the Only Word…the Final Answer…the Bible.  Enough said.

If we believe even one jot, one thought, one theme, one thread that holds the Bible as God’s Word…then where you will spend eternity should be a matter of great consideration.  Hopefully, surely, armed with the Truth, we can come to the right conclusion of the whole matter.

This past Sunday, the, Preacher gave a thought provoking sermon, “Rich Man, Poor Man".  This thought came from the book of  Luke 16:19-31.  The summary is…the rich man had everything on earth he could desire.  He had finery.  Food, clothes, shelter beyond compare.  But he forgot to take care of the most valuable thing he owned: his soul. 

Lazarus, on the other hand was a beggar.  He had nothing.  No home. No food, except for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.  Rags hung on his body. Dogs licked the sores oozing from his sick, tired, weak, pain filled body.  Hmmm ….and we think we are having a bad day???  But Lazarus was rich in the Goodness of the Lord.  When he died he was found immediately in the Presence.

The rich man found himself in the bowels of hell.

 Why did Lazarus suffer so???  If he trusted God, loved God and when he died he was ushered into His Glorious Presence…then WHY WHY WHY??? 

Sorry, I don’t have the answers to why he suffered, why I suffer, why you suffer, why children suffer, why the innocent along with the guilty suffer so.  Well, now that I think of it, I do have one conclusion, one three letter word that set this whole earth rocking, reeling and churning.  SIN.  Look in the book of Genesis Chapter 3….and because of what happened there…we are under a cloud, a curse, a course. 

BUT, the HOPE, the CURE, the ANSWER is also found in that Chapter…Not all doom and gloom.  Genesis 3:15…the first Promise of the Promise.

Well, back to my own father.  Little guy born in the hills of Kentucky 1927…long time ago… Second of two children,  he had an older sister.  But, like happens so often.  Tragedy struck and his mother died….he was just a toddler, a tiny tike, a little towheaded two year old.  For reasons I will never know, he then became a ward of which every family member could/would take care of him…he was traded around like an old car, an old dog….given the same importance and status as an old dog.  Who will take this child off my hands??  His dad unable to be a man, ‘man,  up’, in essence, threw this little guy and his sister to the wind, to the wolves…..to the whirlwind.  It does not excuse the man my own father grew up to be…but it certainly did not help form, shape and mold him; which is what a parent is suppose to do…oh and did I mention love?  Who will love the children?

I have heard that if we are given this type of atmosphere to live, move and breathe in…that we cannot see our own value and self-worth.  It is as if we are living in someone’s else’s house with someone else’s things.  In other words, we are what other people say, think, how they treat and value us.  We are lost, languishing and longing for someone to love us…just as we are, love us, even with all our imperfections, warts...and all.....accept us for who we are.    

Well, needless to say Dad never found his place in this world (thank you very much Michael W. Smith).  He quit school in the fourth grade…word was he had no shoes, no decent clothes, little or no food.  A little waif wondering, wandering, bewildered and forgotten.

Word…from his own mouth as told to my mom ..for you see my dad never once spoke to me or my other 7 siblings a word, never gave us a nod, or even a look.... UNLESS he was roaring drunk and threatening us, bullying us, beating someone….and doing other unspeakable acts of cruelty,……the demons he acquired through his own hurts, abandonment and bewilderment…continued to rule, reign and eventually destroy his body, soul and spirit. I could go on to the miseries he chose to share with us…but enough said.

Oh, back to the word…..as he shared with my mom…which was rare as the only thing he shared for the most part was cussing, and accusations and threatenings….anyway…along the way this little lost boy was introduced to Kentucky moonshine.  Homemade whiskey…..evil stuff….why? Because it was so cool and fun to see a little guy so drunk and high, stumbling, slobbering and stammering like a drunken fool.  And that is the legacy of that little abandoned boy…a stumbling, slobbering, stammering drunken fool.

Year after year untold sufferings, pain, sorrow, abject poverty because he had a very cruel master: the bottle.  That master finally broke him and at age 59, on a cold January day 26 years ago, while suffering an alcoholic seizure, he chocked on his own vomit and as a result was rendered ‘brain dead’.  A few days later he was gone.  Now before I hand you a box of tissues, a handkerchief…..there is a glimmer of hope.  You see God still loved this stumbling, slobbering, stammering drunken fool.  God knew every pain, physical and emotional this man had endured……

The Preacher, aka, my husband, shortly before the beginning of the end….was led to go talk to my dad and lead him to salvation…….and he prayed with the Preacher……..God is so good……I know with that prayer my dad finally found peace.  I know he finally found love…..he finally found hope.    

Unfortunately, it did not, could not undo the legacy of alcoholism it left behind.  The 8 children, of which I am the oldest, have had our own demons to fight.  Our own feelings of abandonment, bewilderment, anger, bitterness, low self-esteem.  Struggles that as children we should not have had to endure: hunger, cold, shame, pain, misery..…….all because of a bottle which became such a battle, binding and blinding my dad to his own potential. 

So my friend, in one horrible incident of which I will spare you the details, I must have been 7-8….I didn’t know God…..but in my own fear and horror I remember crying out “God!, if you are there…please make him stop!”   And He did.  It was if my angel came and punched my dad out…for he turned, looked around and passed out…right then and there.  I remember crying and vowing…”God I will never drink…never…never….never’, nor will I ever, ever marry a man who does.”  

So, if I bow out of gatherings-family-friends-otherwise…..it is not because I do not care about you and those things you are celebrating…I just know that as for me and my house…….we will serve the Lord,,, of which alcohol will not, does not have a place….too many memories……

One final thought before I get up and get on with my Saturday chores…animals to feed, dishes to do and errands to run.

Sometimes, oh sometimes, I just wonder what my life would have been without the suffering.  What kind of man could my dad have been?

But, I have to capture that thought, that imagination….and realize that God had a plan and every trial, tribulation, temptation I have endured has made into the person I am…..and He is still working….every time I think ‘well, what else is buried deep in my soul that can now be cleansed?’    Well, some new junk, trash and debris come to surface….to deal with…and God is faithful, gently washing it, cleansing it with the Blood of the Lamb……

With the Blessed Hope and Precious Promise my God has given us…..I look forward to someday actually ‘meeting’ my Dad.  You see not one time did he smile, look at us or give us a hug……but in Heaven I know that along with other loved ones, I can finally look at my Dad and he will look back at me and say, “I love you’ and finally give me a much overdue and long awaited…hug’……something to think about

 Until next time…hey, I am working  on a thought…the Deadly D’s…..stop by in few days and rest a spell and we can talk again real soon on the front porch..........................

THE PROMISE!

No, this is not a misprint, you do not have to make any adjustments to your screen.

This is not a technical difficulty.....but an opportunity to read and reflect.

Jesus should be celebrated all day everyday!

Enjoy.

Waiting for the Promise!






By now most of us have put away the Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, Christmas music. Well, I do still have a Christmas CD in the CD player that my daughter, Julie gave me for Christmas. It is beautiful piano music and it is so soothing and serene, that it does not even seem like a traditional Christmas CD. It is so relaxing and helps me tackle the roughest of household chores.



Hopefully, in all that packing and putting away of the holly and the ivy and such stuff, you did not pack away the Christ Child! Too often we get all wrapped up in welcoming the baby in the manger that we too quickly pack Him up along with the other Christmas tinsel until next November.



The Bible tells us that the Child grew and found favor with God and man. The Child grew into a young child, then to a young man. It is believed that he worked along side His earthly father, working with His hands, making things, the Carpenter, until it was time to work alongside His Heavenly father. He went from using His hands to build things on this earth, to giving His hands to be nailed to a tree. He is working right now alongside His heavenly Father, designing and completing a place for you and me in Heaven. It will be perfect.



Part of the Christmas story that gets overlooked, skimmed over or just plain forgotten, is found in Luke 2:21-50. These verses remind us that God fulfills His promises. We are told of a prophet named Simeon and a Prophetess known as Anna. They are unique servants of God, not your everyday meet and greet brother and sister that you would encounter on the street, in your church, in your prayer group. Both had heard of the Promise. They got a hold of the Promise. Refused to let go of the Promise.



What was this Promise? It was A Savior, A Redeemer, A Messiah, A King in the form of a child that would be sent to God’s people. Year after year passed by. Waiting, longing, hoping, seeking, searching, aching for the Promise.



What promise are you holding on to? What dream do you keep before you, surging you forward, the reason for getting up and starting over again and again?



I can image both Simeon and Anna eagerly looking and longing to see the Baby that God had promised. Today perhaps. Tomorrow for sure. It can’t be too much longer can it? Much like we look, hope and wish for the good news, the check, the package in the mail. The anticipation, the excitement, the feeling of elation, this is it! Then the let down, the disappointment, the questioning. And this is what separates these two servants from the rest of us. This is why these two are noted and remembered and referred to age after age, year after year. They refused to let the promise of the Promise die in discouragement. They believed.



Now the way the Holy Spirit weaves and orchestrates our lives is absolutely amazing! It is phenomenal how we just know where we are to go, what we are to say, what we are to do…..sometimes. Other times it is like stumbling around in a fog, in utter darkness in total confusion, mayhem and madness. But ahhh those times we are in tune with the Holy Spirit are life changing.



It was through a series of circumstances that both of these servants ended up in the Temple, looking for the Promise. Praying for the Promise. Prayerfully expecting. If not today, tomorrow. If not tomorrow, next week. God is so faithful.




We are not told exactly how, but both the Prophet and Prophetess KNEW when the Promise entered their presence! Now that is something to think about: to know when the Promise has entered your Presence! Perhaps a topic for discussion for another day.



Simeon was led of the Spirit. He was at the right place at the right time in the right mindset-prayerfully expecting! When Mary and Joseph entered the Temple to carry out the rituals, Simeon was there, took the child and gave a proclamation. This Proclamation when paraphrased went something like this, ‘God, you did it! You kept your Promise! I have seen the Promise and now I can die in peace.”



He went on to deliver a Prophecy concerning this Promise. The Promise would bring God’s people deliverance, but at a price.



If that Proclamation was not enough, then enters Anna, the Prophetess who had worshipped in the Temple for 84 years. She spent day after day, hour after hour, week after week, year after year… praying, fasting and worshiping. Translated: a long, long time!



We think we wait a long time for our promises! This lady was determined. She knew it was Him, the Promise. No one had to tell her, remind her, ask her was she sure. It was Him! She too had a prophecy, a proclamation about the Babe. I am sure Mary and Joseph were left speechless, wondering what was going to happen next. Their little heads spinning around trying to grab and connect with these events.



So in saying all this, I am reminded of the Promises God has made me. I have been holding on to some of them a mighty long time. But it does NOT come close to how long these two waited. These servants of God waited and waited for the Promise. Then waited some more. I ask myself, ‘Am I willing to wait that long?’ Hope I can endure to end but I do pray my wait is not that long. I do hope I will be faithful until the end.




I wonder: what if these two had grown weary? What if they had allowed discouragement to creep in? What about doubt? You know how it is! God said it, but the enemy questions it and soon we chime in with him wondering, ”now what did God say, did He really mean it?”



I also came to the conclusion that often we have a Promise in of our own ministries to fulfill. Simeon had his ministry and knew he and only he was the one to bring this particular prophecy to the Child and His family. No one else. Him. His job. His ministry. No time off, no letting up, no giving up, no distractions until he found his Promise and then blessed and prophesied over the Promise. Then and only then could he move on to the next step, his next assignment, his next calling. Similar situation with Anna. She knew she would see the Promise. But she also had a ministry to do to be a part in setting the scene for the ministry of this little One.



Something to think about. Why do some of us stay upon the earth longer than others? Why are some healed, restored, renewed again and again. They are given a second chance; they get their second wind and continue on, holding on to an invisible lifeline. Others it seems are cut short way before their time. Often too soon to our personal liking.



I have known several older servants of the Lord who seemed to battle one health issue after another and still come through. It is as if God is granting them a little more time to see a Promise. They so long to see that child, that grandchild, that loved one saved and safely gathered in the fold. They have prayed, fasted, worshipped God. They have faithfully stood in the house of the Lord. Longing, listening, for the Promise. God is faithful. If you feel like Simeon, and especially relate to Anna, take heart, be encouraged. God will send the Promise and your heart indeed will be made glad and then and only then will you be released for your next assignment.



By the way, these two are not mentioned in the Word again. Perhaps they both were released shortly after this encounter in the Temple. They probably never saw the Christ Child grew into the young child and then into the young man who would perform miracles, raise people from the dead, open blind eyes, cast out demons, open the deaf ears, open the mouth of the mute. They never saw this Child grew up to be hung on a tree, shed His blood, die on a cruel cross. They never experienced the excitement of the news of the Resurrection. But they saw the part of the Promise that they were called to complete. 


But that is the way it is….some plant, some water and some reap…..reaping where they have not sewn. But it is God’s Plan, His Promise. Hold on.




Until another day and another time…. from the Front Porch in Texas…by the way gonna be one of those beautiful days here under the big Texas sky!

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!