The greatest teacher

My church has a double sided sign on the street...you can see it in the picture below:

And by the way, the building directly behind the sign houses our Sunday school classrooms...our worship center is way off in the distance - see it?! But they're all connected...it's a large church!

Anyway, today as I was driving by, I looked at the sign, as I always do. One of our church members lovingly changes the quotes - front and back - each week. The quote on the side I saw this afternoon was this:

"The greatest teacher is not experience, but example."

I thought how true that is and how true it is especially for us Christians trying to set a godly example for others so that they might be drawn to Christ as a hummingbird to sweet nectar!

Then I heard what song was playing on the radio and it all just came together. I LOVE when the Lord writes my blog posts for me!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

My Will by dc Talk
*Lyrics*
I'm setting the stage for the things I love
And I'm now the man I once couldn't be
And nothing on earth could now ever move me
I now have the will and the strength a man needs

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

Complexity haunts me for I am two men
Entrenched in a battle that I'll never win
My discipline fails me, my knowledge it fools me
But You are my shelter, all the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

I'm learning to give up the rights to myself
The bits and the pieces I've gathered as wealth
Could never compare to the joy that You bring me
The peace that You show me is the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

We've got to be children of peace
Don't you know we've got to be children of peace

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

It's Your will, it's Your will, not mine.
It's Your will, it's Your will
It's Your will, it's Your will, not mine.
It's Your will, it's Your will

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 AKJV

Oh Glorious Day!

Can you believe? April already!! I'm not even going to say 'where has the time gone' because, really, what's the point?! It's gone!

Holy Week is fast approaching and I know we're all giving more thought to the final days of our Savior as He finished His work here on earth before returning to His rightful place and all He had given up for us. It's a time of such mixed feelings - incredible profound sadness at the suffering He endured on my behalf and yet indescribable JOY at His resurrection and ascension and the promise of what that holds for you and me! Oh!! Think of it!! I mean, sit for a moment and REALLY think of it!! It just takes my breath away!!

So I dare you, yes - I dare you (!) to listen to this song and not be smiling from ear to ear by the time it's finished! My hands go in the air in praise of our King when I hear the words of this song! Tell me I'm not alone!! (Come on - tell me!!)

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT

Be sure to check back with me in the next few days! I want to share an exciting "find" with you...and I just may have something up my sleeve! ;) Have a blessed week!

The angel by my side

And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.
Matthew 18:20 MSG

This is where I was last night - along with my good friend, JJ! Tell me...does it get much better this side of Heaven than to be praising and worshiping along with 10,000 brothers and sisters in Christ??!!

And through it all, I had an angel by my side. My friend JJ. She has always been a blessing in my life, but especially so since I lost my Sweet Hubby. Boy, oh boy, has she shown what she's made of! There will never be enough words in my vocabulary to tell her how grateful I am that she's in my life.

One of the artists last night was Francesca Battistelli. When she sang this song, all I could think of was how thankful I was for the "angels" in my life. And most especially the one sitting right next to me. (Who also happened to be celebrating her birthday!!) So, since it is Music Monday - I wanted to share the song with you and also put it up to thank JJ for her company last night, for her friendship all these many years and for all the ways that she has actively lived out Proverbs 17:17 in my life.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*
(just a note: some of the spelling/lyrics in this video are incorrect, but...oh well!)

Happy Birthday plus one, JJ! It was a wonderful night - even better than last year's WinterJam! And God willing, I'm already looking ahead to WJ2012 with you by my side!!

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 AMP

Just You and me

It's almost 2 a.m. and like a lot of nights - most nights - I'm awake. Praying. Tonight (this morning?) I did something a bit different. I turned on Pandora radio on my phone...just a little soft music in the background while I gathered my thoughts. Of course, as happens so often, the music became a beautiful conduit for my conversation with our Creator.

These past few days have been filled with prayer requests. Illnesses, impending death of a friend of a friend, financial struggles...and with each day I add to my journal and take these concerns to the Throne Room - seeking His grace, mercy, peace, healing - on behalf of others. Many times I just ask Him to help me know what to say (and sometimes what NOT to say as well!).

Tonight, as I was lying there just...listening...a song came on. It was perfect. A prayer unto itself. I love that. And I wanted you to know - to share it with you.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video.*

Goodnight. Sweet dreams. Know that you are always in my prayers.

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 NLT

Unchanged **updated 3/13/11

As we lift up and prayerfully surround all those impacted by today's horrific earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant radioactivity issue in Japan, as well as those affected by the subsequent tsunami in the Pacific region, let's remember that the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow is still on His throne. He is unchanged! Amen! May we see His glory shine through the dark days ahead!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

The Red Cross has set up a website to help aid in connecting loved ones. That address is www.redcross.org./safeandwell

Are you able to do a little bit to help financially? Here are just a few suggestions:

Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross or visit their website at www.redcross.org

Text the letters JAPAN to 50555 to make a $10 donation to Global Living.

Text the letters JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army.

Text the letters TSUNAMI to 50555 to make a $10 donation to Convoy of Hope.

Text the letters WAVE to 50555 to make a $10 donation to World Relief Corp.

***I had a representative of Hope Letters make me aware of their effort to bring *HOPE* to the school children and relief workers in Japan*** Please read the following excerpt from their website:

Hope Letters is a voluntary online initiative to collect words and letters of hope aimed at a community (i.e., school children, emergency workers, or the public at large) and deliver them in their local language in a practical method. Hope Letters aims to rely on volunteers to translate messages into the language of the recipient and then use local organizations to deliver the electronic or paper messages, because Internet and computer access may not be available.

Hope Letters started on March 11, 2011 in response to the 8.9 earthquake that hit Japan and the ensuing massive devastation. from hopeletters.wordpress.com 2011

I *hope* we can ALL take a few minutes to visit their website to send messages to the children and aid workers in Japan. Amidst the devastation, think how much words of HOPE could mean to someone who may have none, or be running on close to empty...

Here is their website: http://hopeletters.wordpress.com/

And my thanks to the person who left me the comment letting me know about this wonderful work! God bless you and the volunteers making this possible!

Facebook has a Disaster Relief Page which has some suggestions as well...check it out, if you Facebook.

Let's all do *something* - we are the Body of Christ!!

There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
Luke 21:11 NLT

Where's the sin?

Isn't it interesting how we're all so different? We're all born with our own personalities and go on to be further shaped by our upbringing and life experiences...

If we're Christian and in active fellowship with other Christians, then we're further influenced by them as well. Hopefully, the influence is sound and of a good, kind and godly nature. But...what if it isn't?

I was in this position yesterday. Listening to someone cry out about issues within their church that they knew were not biblical...knew were far from how Christ would want the Body to act on His behalf. It's painful to listen to. I'm absolutely sure it's painful to have to wrestle with. I am praying for this couple. I know that the Lord will put them where they're supposed to be - whether they're already there and will effect change from within or be it someplace else. Can I ask that you pray for them too? Names aren't important...we know that! And besides - I'm sure there are (unfortunately) more people just like them would could use prayer about this very thing. So, maybe we should just lift them all up...

And while we pray for them...I chose this song for today's Music Monday selection. This was one of the issues raised during our conversation. It's no sin to be poor. Or homeless. Or hungry. We are all called to help. We ARE His Body.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
Matthew 25:34-46 NLT

A smidge early

Okay, I know it's not Spring...yet! I'm just sooo tired of Winter - and I know I'm not the only one! But Spring will be here in just a few more weeks, my friends!

And the bees sure do make me smile! How about you?

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

I'm still here! No, really...I am!

And I haven't forgotten about my poor neglected blog OR my poor neglected blogging friends!

I've just been taking some time away to - well - just be. I hope you understand. I think you do.

I promise I'll be around to see you all soon. And I'll be back to posting soon as well... :)

In the meantime, how about a little "brotherly love?"

Matthew and Baylor

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Again

I wasn't going to do it. Honestly.

Even though friends and family were encouraging me to, I wasn't going to do it.

Too much loss. Too much pain. Too many tears. Too many goodbyes.

And then I saw this face online.

Those eyes...I had to meet him. Just had to.

So meet him I did. And just like the day I met my Lulu, he sat absolutely silent amidst all the barking and howling dogs watching me approach. His eyes never leaving mine. And I knew. Just as I knew with Lulu.

His name is Baylor and he is 2 years old. He'll be 3 in September. He is a Blue Pit mix...just as Lulu was. But where Lulu was mixed with Schnauzer, Baylor is part Boxer. He is a big, strong boy - weighing in at 60 pounds. A gentle giant, though...a big teddy bear.

Here he is meeting my vet of 22+ years the day after I adopted him...

Yep, he's a people lover alright! And people love him! He was the shelter "favorite" and everyone was sad, yet happy to see him leave. Bittersweet!

He has settled in nicely...seems to be loving his new home and the freedom he has in his very own backyard! And as you can see, he had no trouble adjusting to bedtime!

I've found that he's a good listener...when I talk (and cry) about my Sweet Hubby and Lulu, this big boy climbs in my lap - all 60 pounds of him. Help!!

So, thank you all...dear friends, for your wonderful comments about my girlie, Lulu. They warmed my heart, they truly did. She was, and is, so very loved. And missed. But I know where she is and who she's with and I am very much at peace. Lucky girl.

Please welcome Baylor into your hearts through my blog!

God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:25 NLT

Goodbye Sweet Friend

You weren't mine from the very beginning...but you came into my life at a time when your presence was most needed. It was almost a fairy tale beginning - our eyes met and that was that. You were 6 years old when you came home to live with me two days after I buried the love of my life, my Sweet Hubby. I remember so well what you looked like...you with your "crazy hair!"

That didn't last long though...I think you liked your "new look!"

Having you here meant never coming home to an empty house. You were my constant companion. My "Velcro girl" from the very beginning. You loved everyone, but you and I were "connected" in a special way. You were my sweet girlie and you knew it!

Six months ago yesterday, you took ill suddenly. Ultimately, you were diagnosed with Lyme disease, Poly arthritis and Lyme Nephritis. We were fortunate to find a wonderful veterinary internal medicine specialist here who took you on as a patient these past six months and enabled you to enjoy the quality of life that I had only hoped for when you first got sick...something that the vets at the emergency hospital didn't hold out much hope for.

With the help of Dr. Kremer, I got to watch you chase grasshoppers all summer long. You got to lay on the deck in the summer sun - one of your favorite things to do! We got to take trips to visit Matthew, your favorite person in the world (beside me, of course!). Yes, you had quality of life.

But last week, things started falling apart. Your labs were grim...the worst they'd ever been. It looked like we were entering the end stages of renal failure. This past weekend was very hard. It broke my heart for you.

We had an appointment with Dr. Kremer scheduled for yesterday at 2 p.m. I called them and let them know it would be our "last appointment." They were ready for us when we got there.

I have known all along that I made the right decision by choosing to take you to Dr. Kremer, but yesterday proved it once again to me. At 2:25, while I told you how much I loved you and to say hello to Daddy for me, you peacefully slipped away.

How do you say goodbye to someone you love? How do you say "thank you" for all that they did for you? I hope you know. I like to think you do. And last night, when I managed to get a bit of sleep, I dreamt that my Sweet Hubby sent me flowers. In my dream, I knew they were because I had lost you. I woke up feeling that you had "arrived" safely and I am at peace.

But I will miss you forever, my sweet girlie...my Lulu.

My Lulu
11/14/08-1/24/11


He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
Revelation 21:4 NLT