Check, check, check

Get up - check
Shower - check
Feed dogs, eat breakfast - check
Spend time with God - check
Get dressed - check
Get to work - check
etc etc etc - check
Fall in bed - chec...zzzzzzzzz





Typical day for me. Is this a typical day for you? I am always thankful for a Creator that creates in me an opportunity to hear/see Him in this maddening life I lead. God got me this morning! The very top of the page I opened to this morning:

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31

Looking back at my daily task list I see that I might could do a better job at glorifying God in my daily schedule.

Although Paul the Apostle gets under my skin ( a lot!) I find that I often take offense at what he writes because it hits a little to close to home! I mean really!?!?!? Paul thinks we should glorify God all day? Then this happened.

This photo may look like a candid shot of children playing on a playground and it is. But pay close attention - I think you will see what I saw. There is one girl holding another girl up to be able to make it across the rings while she works on her ability, builds courage to go solo. What may seem like simple and innocent time at play to you I am sure to God it was a moment to make our Parent smile and swill with pride.

What I feel the lesson from Paul is this:

Of course - don't engage in those things that would shame, grieve, or disgrace God. Also, engage in those habits and practices that shine a spotlight on God. But Paul is also saying as you go through your day, getting life done, do what you do in such a way that God is made clearer to the world through your actions. 

What character traits should others see in us? 
A determination for excellence in all we do- because God created us in perfection

A compassionate desire to lift others up - because God cares for those that cannot help Him

I see this in children that came to HUMC's dance camp to dance and just have fun; and the did. However, in that time they glorified God. They worked so hard to perfect the dance that they will perform during worship to in praise of God. They showed kindness and compassion toward each other in play and work.

barre work

working with Mr. Ty to understand how our whole body portrays emotions

Miss Isabel works on perfection of hands and feet

Miss Katy teaches that beauty will take effort

I pray that their lessons urge me to be more excellent - more compassionate in all I do - I say - in who I am. I urge you to drop by over today and tomorrow and see for yourself how experienced dancers help younger dancers, how they play with care and concern for their friends; new and old. 

I challenge you to be more like them; today, tomorrow, always!

Dance Fever

Yep today is the day! Liturgical Dance Camp begins today at HUMC. I am excited to see those 40+ faces ready to dance away! More importantly we learn what it means to worship the Lord, specifically with dance.

I realize some of you reading this believe dancing is bad, evil of the devil. Trust me I have seen the movie. I lived the movie. I come from Oklahoma.Down the road from where I grew up in Tulsa was  Henrietta, OK which was the movie Footloose in real life. 

But how can dance be evil? David, a man after God's own heart danced before the Lord in praise. The psalms are full of references to dancing for God. 

I ask you to ponder these two ideas:

1. Even good can be evil 

and

2. God can redeem all things

You can do all the good in the world but if it isn't done for the glory of the Lord or if your heart is impure in your intentions even a good action won't glorify the Lord. You could preach the best sermon in the history of mankind but if it is done to glorify yourself, if your ego is the driving force - it is draped in evil.

You could build a house for Habitat, hand boxes of food to the starving, but if your heart is the one being healed, evil has seeped into all the good you are doing.

Years ago, The Doobie brothers covered a Byrds song called Jesus is Just Alright With Me. The composer, Art Reid wrote the song for his band to sing to say basically, Jesus is "cool; not bad." The Doobies took the song to a new level, adding a new bridge, giving a nod to a supposed drug dealer named Jesus. After all their name was the Doobie brothers! Then in 1992 DC Talk, a Christian pop group released a new cover. This time the intent of the song made the statement, "not only is Jesus alright, but I will not compromise my allegiance to make money or fame!"

Something ok

Turned to something not ok

Redeemed by God into something glorifying!

I can't wait to glorify God the rest of this week by teaching others to use the gifts God gave them to worship and praise God on high!

Be watching all week for updates and maybe even a little video!

Share this blog - maybe others will see what a little dancing before the Lord can do!

Maybe stand in awe of God and do a little jig yourself!

He IS pretty great!

A Little More Sass

Sassafras came to the house after church yesterday. With out Mom around she is a little more sassy. Her mother, being the ultimate toddler whisperer, she is able to deftly dial down the sassy a notch or four just with her presence. On these days she is more fun to follow because is in prime teaching mode. Lessons I learned yesterday...

Everything is better with a cookie.
Coming to church only with Dad, going into Sunday school and being left with other people early in the morning could rattle even the most sassy of individual. But then...as if magic...calm and comfort appears in the form of a cookie. All is good! We often have moments in life when all that is needed is a small perk, a phone call, a hand up or even a nice note or text message; a cookie. Not only are we here to get cookies when we need them - it is important to bring cookies into the lives of others.

Be wiling to try new things others suggest for you.
Sassy's Auntsy spent the first few years of life bouncing on her Ossie (horsey). Up and down, up and down all day and night. Having inherited some of her Auntsy's awesomeness it only seemed to right to begin the search for Sassy's very own Ossie. This week - BINGO! Got it! With slight trepidation Sassy approached the Ossie and went to town. Up and down, up and down, only to find out that she could do it all by herself and she LOVED it! How often are we reluctant to try things others offer into our lives? What happens when we take a chance and let others encourage us to try new things? We might just like the new adventure or activity. Being willing to try something presented to us required faith and courage. It is easy and safe to do only those things we choose, but to step out and be willing to allow ourselves to experience the total unknown.

When you are hanging on hold on.
The sassy girl has only had the opportunity to swing in toddler swings with a child-safe seat. The only swing on our playground is a big kid swing; no straps, no bars just a strip of u-shaped rubber for a seat and chains to hang on to. She did it! After putting her in the swing and showing her how to grip the chains; grip she did. The movement didn't sway her - she held on and had fun! Sometime life brings a little more movement to us than we are prepared for. All we need to do is hold on. Enjoy. Have fun! Let go of a big belly laugh.

You need different fruits.
This girl is an eater. It takes a lot to fuel her little busy body. The parental folks do a great job of keeping her diet healthy and clean. To her fruit is candy. She always needs and after-church-pre-lunch snack to tide her over while lunch is prepared. We started with munching watermelon with gusto as she spies a banana. "banbanbanban" So we open a banana and start chomping those chunks as she grabs a cherry tomato from the counter while she is peering at the plums. She eats them all and enjoys each bite! We all have fruit; gifts given to us by God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says we have access to many gifts. We are given the gifts as the sprit sees fit to give them. I can't help but believe our desire to receive and seek those gifts increase the likelihood of getting multiple gifts. Wouldn't life be grand; couldn't we conquer the Kingdom in the name of God when many, many gifts in action! Seek them, receive them, use them!

Sometimes you need to recharge.
Even Miss Sassy needs to take a break. Yesterday after riding, sliding, swinging and eating a moment to regroup and re-energize was needed. A few minutes learning to "fish" on the iPad cuddled up to Papa took care of everything. Do we take a break from conquering the world to lean on our Papa? Leaning on God for a rest is necessary; critical. Do it. Do it now. Do it often. It is in those times of rest God not only restores us - He teaches us. More than likely he will teach us to fish!


Your future is so bright...
Sassy has a bright future. She has loving, nurturing parents who take time to hear her not just lead her. She is bright and able. (trust me - she is able) We are all able. God gave us the ability. Our futures are so bright you gotta wear...well you know the rest!

Total Destruction!

I have always been a teacher. Whether in my elementary classroom in Pawnee elementary back in the day or currently in the fellowship hall leading a study at church; this is where I feel at home....until something I am presenting smacks me - hard - right between the eyes. Like last night. Ugh.

I am approaching the finish line of a course about our denominational doctrine (sounds incredibly exciting, I know). As I constructed the course something contained in one of the nearly dozen books used to help us better understand our continued faith journey of growth smacked me upside the head. The words made my heart hurt: "a heart consumed with love for God and and heart consumed with love for others". (Restoring Methodism, 10 Decisions for United Methodist Churches in America.) SMACK!

Is my heart consumed? What is "consumed" really?? When I read it the first time; when I chose to include the passage in the lesson, I am sure I thought, "Yeah, we need to really love God and really love other people." Yeah! That'a it! I really loooovvve God and I love others. Yep! Got this!

Then, in class, as I read aloud the words written; simple letters on a page, I was stunned for a moment. I had to stop. I re-read it. As the words came out, slowly, intentionally, it was then I realized I had read them again out loud. Good thing, it seemed as if I meant to for emphasis, "heart consumed with love for God...for others." I knew in that moment the words had more weight than I had previously given. 

Consumed! Destroyed!

Have I used up my heart? Have I allowed my heart to be destroyed with use. I think of items in my life that have been destroyed by use; a couch lost to a ADHD dog named Bubba. An Eskimo Joe's sweat shirt I wore through two pregnancies and on into their high school years (and still would be wearing if Joe hadn't complained), pig shaped cutting board first used by my grandmother. But my heart...it still beats, it pumps blood to my extremities so it clearly has not been destroyed. I realize that we have come to use the heart muscle as the central organ to process emotions rather than where they they initiate; our brain. But the reality is that when our heart hurts, is broken, we/I feel pain right in the center of my being; in my heart.

What can I do to allow my heart to be consumed?

What am I doing wrong? 

When I teach a class at church I have a rule: "No Sunday School Answers!" In other words, please don't say "God loves me" or "Submit." We have a way of packaging our faith into nice, sellable sound bites. What I expect from those taking my classes is to dig, listen, hear what the Holy Spirit is stirring within. So no Sunday School Answers here. 

The last time I used up something that was vital, precious, important to me was Valor. We avoid chemicals in our family if we can and Valor is an essential oil blend that is wonderful for so many things and the scent of Valor is divine. It helps one son with migraines, my husband with sleep and me, I just like the way I feel when I inhale the luscious aromas of spruce, rosewood, blue tansy and frankincense. When I received my first bottle I used it freely. The day I coaxed the last tiny drop of beautiful, blue elixir of goodness I was cool, calm - I would just order more. Yeah...no...it is indefinitely out of stock. Something about harvesting more Blue Tansy stuff, blah blah blah. I was rocked to my very core. I started a mad search for Valor anywhere, everywhere. I felt defeated, empty over an oil!!!

Have I felt that way with my heart after loving God, others. NO! I have felt pain, loss and sadness due to empathy. I felt this in Guatemala working with the Chorti people in the Mayan mountain villages but as soon as I came home the pain began to slowly fade away. Insert commercial here.

Going again January 2015. Taking sponsors!

But what God wants is me to use up what I have to the point of destruction.  Then what is left?

What would be left is what God provides. I figure this is God's plan, use up what we have so we will be forced to rely on His perfect heart to sustain us and to propel us into love for others.

Well there you go!

Ok God! Let's start on a course of destruction!

What's in Your Bag?

Looking through old pictures the other day to find a picture of Brenda, Patti and I began another step in my morning ritual. After devotion time, study time and blogging, I have managed to wedge in the habit of taking a deep dive into a box of pictures my Aunt Judy gave me recently. As I drink my coffee I reach in, grab a handful and sort through them. The picture fishing is a catch and release process. I toss back those that are uninteresting, include unknown faces and those where my Mother found it necessary to experiment with Toni's home permanents on my hair. 

Here is today's catch

Yes, I chose the pictures that I liked; me looking as I remember myself. Clean, coiffed, dressed well or specifically. These photos show the me I want to remember being. Here I am an ice skater, an animal lover, a pretty, pretty princess and a dancer. I love remembering myself this way. And truth told, that is a little of who I was. I loved ice skating. I wanted to be the next Peggy Flemming (ask your grandma). I would put on that pretty red dress my Aunt Judy sewed for me, gloves, earmuffs and blue tights that matched the underneath of my skirt. I did ice skate for a while until my Mother either lost interest or was unable to pay for lessons. But I love feeling like feeling like skating was a big part of my formative years. I did manage to stay in a dance class of some sort most of the time and in the lapses of classes I still danced. When no one was home, I would move all the furniture out of the living room, blast my record player (ask your grandma) and dance until my legs wobbled like Jello. 

I still love animals. The evidence of that love is present in our home; dogs, small furry critters and a lizard. But I never was a a "pretty, pretty princess." Believe me, I was dressed the part often but rarely made it through the prescribed event looking like I began. I am not sure what the event was for me to put in a white dress but I can assure you it was no longer white when it was removed. But in my coffee-soaked, morning memories I was the belle of the whatever ball, and left at the end of the evening perfectly intact except for the requisite, left behind shoe. 

This morning I feel as though we end up living our lives backwards. Wouldn't it be great to be in full blown adulthood with a complete understanding of who it is we are to be, then go back and live the experiences that would form us into who we should become. Had I known that it is a struggle for me to be perfectly professional and pulled together I would have tried harder at the princess gig as a child. I mean really, at the ripe old age of having memories that require flash backs to explain I should be better at this dressing up - going to work - and looking like I have it all together. I should care less about what my rabbit is doing while I am at work and more about networking with others in my field. 

But we are to live life forward, not backward. We are set on a path to gather up life experiences and opportunities as we would seashells at the beach, and carry them with us until we become who it is we become and then sift through our collection to see which could be of use to us. Do you? Do you remember that you have experiences that can help you navigate life today? You do. Reach in - pull them out - dust them off - polish them up.

Dancing, my childhood passion is a big part of my life in ministry...who knew??? I am able to teach a handful of kids n the art of liturgical dance. Maria Tallchief (ask Grandma) I am not, but I love dance, I love music that exults the Lord and I love watching God being glorified through the young people that dance with their whole-heart. Next week is dance camp. I am so glad I have this past skill to share with others.

L-R My cousin and friend, Nancy, Patti, Me, Brenda and ????

I find myself, daily, pulling a dusty, forgotten skill or a hazy tidbit of information out of my life bag and put them to good use. We are who who we have become and we have become what we have lived. Fortunately I don't have pictures of the times I was hurt, scarred or damaged. Those pictures are in my head but it is nice to have these pretty pictures to imprint in my brain to replace the mental photos so I can only pull out positivity to share with the world.

I know what pictures I pulled out today, but I wonder what fistful of skills and experiences will I find to enhance my day. Will I pull from my dance skills, my sharp dressing skills or my hostess with the mostess skillls, Yes, I have those too. Here I am hosting some buddies, dressing all fly and working the crowd! (Don't lie, you love those plaid pants as much as I did!) Whatever I bring into my day - I am sure it will make my day fun, exciting, at least for those caught in my circle. 

What will you pull from you bag of memories today - will it improve your view?

Of DNA, Coffee and More Bricks

I have spent a day and a morning being taught the same lesson again and again. It is like a less than funny version of the movie, Ground hog Day.

After yesterday's blog I felt as though the bricks I had written about had not only blocked me in but than some where even being thrown at me. It was as if God wanted me to REALLY learn the lesson. So if I have to learn - I have to share. Prepare to be shared with.

It all started yesterday with my trip to the doctor who informed me I had gone through "the change" (for men who read this blog, ask a woman what this means if you are unsure) Not only had I changed I had somehow "missed" it. Not sure how that happened. But oh well. I guess sometimes change happens in our lives and we are so busy doing life that we suddenly look up and change has happened. 

Maybe we should look up more!

I met a friend yesterday with sadness in her eyes that haunted me all day. I had to return to her. Her sadness stemmed from a change happening in her life. It is not a bad change and will more than likely be a beneficial change so why the sadness? As we talked and shared it became evident that as excited as she was for what is coming in her life the door opening meant that a door would close. And when a door closes a piece of our heart stays there behind that door. But pruning, in plants or hearts create stronger growth.

It all started with my morning coffee and the sign I read. 

My mind was set on change and its effects. But for me, more importantly, it is coming to understanding why we want to brick off the world to avoid even thinking about change. This is why:

Toddler on left the "tree" - toddler on right is the apple

DNA is the culprit. We are products, genetically of those who gave birth to us. Along with is the component of nurture. We become those who have raised us. Even those of us who attempt to rebel against our birth clan, we still have that influence steeped in us as if we were cucumbers marinated in a dark, damp cellar to become pruned, sour pickles; great on a burger, but not much use to the world.

We like building; on our terms. As if I hadn't heard the message enough already, this morning I set about my morning devotion. I have been reading Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore with some prayer partners.  Today's scripture passage was from Genesis 11. It addresses building...with bricks...REALLY!?!?!? Humanity set upon building a tower; a tower they wanted to build in the way they wanted to build it. Tall, big and powerful. They wanted this building to give them what they lacked so they could be God. Why in the world would they want to be God? Why in the world do they think they could be God? They were trying to be God without God being involved. In other words they were trying to create without the Creator. Don't sit there and shake your head, laughing at those silly people of Babel. We do it all the time. We can barely, successfully communicate with each other without confusion, yet we try to think we can do life without God. We are people of Babel.

But on the subject of DNA - let us remember that more than being a part of those who gave us birth and those who may have been the pickling spice in the marinade that permeates our skin, we are encoded with the DNA of a Creator; THE Creator! We are designed to create....along with HIM!

We have the genetic make up of one who by definition, title and work, CREATES! If we are capable or in changing what is around us on our own then maybe we need to look at a change in ourself. WE cannot make a difference by being and doing the same as we have always done.  But by working with the Father, as His apprentice, we can be taught, shaped and formed. Today's sign at the coffee shop...still being taught.

...working on a change in me - tea-not coffee 

So maybe we should go to work with our DAD!

Create!

I remember when I was 6 years old. I went to a babysitter that lived next door to my home. My two best friends went there, as well; Patty and Brenda. Poor Brenda was a year younger than Patty and I so we led her around. We may or may not have been the best leaders. Me being and only child and Patty being the youngest of older brothers we were filled with grand ideas; most of which were tried out on Brenda.

L to R Patti, Brenda and Me (great hair, right?!?!)

We taught her to play poker (with our rules.) We told her stories about all the wonderful joys life would bring to us which she gobbled up like peach cobbler in the Oklahoma Summer. She trusted us. God love her, bless her heart. NOTE: For you non-Southerners, this means she should have NEVER trusted us.

There was one time we convinced her that if she were to take cotton and wet it down with water and put it in her ears the water created a compete sound barrier. We urged her to try it. Having been sent outside to play, we were left with paper towels. So we wet them down, tore off a piece and handed it to her. She placed the wet, dripping pieces of wadded up paper in her ears. When she could still hear, we suggested they may need to be put in a little further. (Please keep in mind we were six years old.) She shoved those little wet pieces in a little further. Then Patty and I began to move our lips without sound to give her the illusion of complete noise reduction. All was fine until science kicked in. When paper dries it hardens in the form and shape it has been pushed into; the shape of her eustachian tube. And.....kind of glues itself in place. It became kind of like a little ear-shaped brick blocking sound. Oops. 

We felt horrible - after - we had to have adult intervention - and the lecture about tricking Brenda in to things that could hurt her - and the subsequent lecture about not sticking things into ears - and the final lecture on using our giant imaginations for good - not evil.

I like to think I still have that giant imagination. I love to think new things. I love to see ideas blossom into life. I have worked hard to turn this creativity toward productive activity and away from harmful activity. And I haven't sent anyone to the hospital with one yet - at least not in the last 40 years or so. I like to think I have started using these creative powers for good - not evil. 

I do have to fight forces of evil though. I have to over come the hurdle of "you can't." I have to blast through the walls of "maybe you shouldn't." I have to rally myself beyond the shouts of "let someone else do it." Brick by brick these words and phrases are stacked around me to slow me down with the intent of stopping me. 

We all have been given sound, creative minds. Our minds are meant to be used. These bricks are stacked around all of us. Do you knock them down or do you allow them to pile higher and make you a cozy little dwelling with no excitement - no life - no creativity? Do you allow people to stick paper in your ears that form into bricks that keep you from hearing all the newness of life that can be? God created us. He is the great creator. God is the author of a creative mind. We are created in His image so we are created to be creative.

Those bricks of doubt and defeat come from fear and and not from God. If we are children of God, listening to God, leaning on the understanding we have been given through Christ, then what create is good and comes in God form.

So here it is!

Listen to God

Create

Tear down walls

Hold on to those bricks to build something new!

This Isn't Rocket Surgery

Decisions, decisions, decisions! In my freezer right now I have frozen berries. Not just any berries, but hand picked, fresh and recently frozen blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. I have a guy! haha Actually I have sweet church family that has let me pick and enjoy some of their crop. Usually such goodness does not make it to the freezer. But these lovelies are the small goodness that was left from the cobblers I made and had a portion left. Too much fruit. What a problem!

The concept of fruit is a comment thread throughout scripture. Bishop Robert Schnase writes, "Vines, branches, seeds, vineyards, soils, farmers, fig trees, harvests, sowers, weeds, roots. Fruitfulness provides a metaphor of many profound aspects of the spiritual life and ministry. Jesus used fruitfulness to draw our attention to the impact, the consequences, the results of our life in Christ and our ministry for Christ." (from Remember the Future)

Throughout ordination, my residency class was asked collectively and individually, "Will you bear much fruit?" What does this mean? A holy bumper crop? A consistent flow of produce (or productivity)? 

Will we? Do we? Ponder the fruit tree. 

What if the planted peach tree in your yard bears enough one year to make 12 jars of luscious peach jam but not even enough for one the next. And what if the only fruit we ever tasted was peach? I like peaches - really! Might even be a favorite. But sometimes you just need a blackberry. 

If fruit is the impact of our life in Christ into the world shouldn't we produce much fruit? Ever increasing fruit? A variety of fruits to meet the needs of as many as possible?

We are not to be one time producers. To bear much fruit means just that. We bear and bear and bear; season after season. Just like the real fruit bearers, trees, we may have a slow season when the other trees much provide but with a small rest and refertilization - we bear again.

We are also not to be a one fruit wonder. Bearing much fruit means we use all the gifts from God at our disposal to reach out and offer fruit to a hurting world wherever that fruit is needed. (everywhere, anywhere, there is need fro fruit in all places)

Most importantly, our orchard should be ever increasing. While real orchards may be limited by land, resources and manpower. God's fruit producing orchards are limitless. Made limitless by the power of God. We fruit bearers carry within us a seed; a seed of faith made powerful by the Holy Spirit. We are not limited by our human frailties, our restricted and restrained resources or the confines of territorial fences. this earthly Kingdom is God's and he has given it to us to make disciples of all nations. 

Our strength is His strength and the tools, seeds, the nutrients to the soil and water for growth are all from His toolshed.

We are asked to one thing and one thing only. Do the work. DO it with out hesitation; without reservation. We are to step out, sweat and try. We are to go bigger - farther - do more. Christ said it best. We are to try new ideas. Go to new places. 

All we are asked to do is to do! We are told NOT to hold on to what we do and where we are. Not hold back when the work seems too hard - too much. Just go and do! There is no room for selfishness, timidity or restraint!

It is however the hardest move we will ever make because it requires us to believe what we say we believe. That God is God and His will WILL be done.

Do you? Will you? I will!

I'll Be Back

VBS - noun. Acronym for Vacation Bible School. Acronym for Very Busy Season. For myself and my VBS partner it could mean Volumes of Bouncey Singers. 

Those very Bouncey, Singing (and running and flipping and wandering singers) are what has kept me from blogging. 

But I'll be back. 

I have had many ask. 

Be watching!

I Have a Name! I Have a Name!

Prior to the birth of my first grandchild I spent a lot of time worrying about names. Not hers, mind you. I knew her Mom and Dad had that privilege and if I had listened to my relatives Jill's name would have been Basheba Jeanne, REALLY!

But no, I was worried about what this precious child would call me.There are so many options. Joe, my husband had no worries. He had been "Papa Joe Mowdy" since the day we were married. No, really, that day! His first grandchild came a bit early and was born in the wee hours of the morning of the day of our wedding.

But this would be the first child to call me a grandparent name. My first choice would have been MiMi; cute and not too redneck. (truly a hazard around these parts.) But MiMi is taken by my favorite aunt so I hated to have two MiMi's running around. I was avoiding horrendous names like MawMaw or worse yet, Maw, or Mammy. These names struck fear and dread in my heart. Some of you are thinking, I was making much ado of nothing but if you aren't careful you can pick a perfectly sweet name like "MaMaw" and the next thing you know some super cute kid morphs it into MaMoo and you have a bovine-esqe name which is fine for my tiny Mother in law but I lean too close to largeness for a name that ever have "moo" as a component. That happened!

After much consideration we settled on Grammie. It's not too "granny" sounding and has a cutsie ring to it. It was no MiMi but I was content! Quickly the process began of indoctrinating Sassafras. I said my name as often as I could. I developed the habit of referring to myself in third person every chance I got. Of course Daddy came first. and Then a brief Mama but she was often called "Daddy" as well. (We think she did that to annoy Jill) And then of course her favorite name, EVER <insert sarcastic tone here> Papa, which she says a lot like "Paba."AND THEN IT HAPPENED!!! "GeeGee" with a hard "g" sound that is morphing into GiGi. I have a name! She gave me a name! I love it! It is like music and hearts and flowers all at the same time. And she says it, she sings it, she coos it...I am over the moon.

Having someone we love know our name is important. We want to be noticed, recognized. Names are important. It says, "Hey, I am important enough to you that you call me by name." 

There is a clergy person in out Conference that is a note writer. He wrote notes of encouragement to those of us going through the ordination process at different stages as well as birthdays and such. His notes mean so much to me. The handwritten, brief sentiment says to me, "you matter, I know you, I will remember you." What an affirming feeling. He inspired me to become a note writer. I write notes to those that visit our church. The notes are brief and don't really say much, but I hope that those that receive them know that, to me, it mattered that they chose our church family to hang out with on that Sunday!

Notes I will be writing today to guests

I work very hard to learn people's names and unless I get it wrong from the beginning,  I am pretty ok. People matter! People count. So I want them to know that they do. I know everyone that is part of our church family by name. Thank goodness we are not a mega-church (yet). Rev. Udell Wolf, an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church told me that he says each person's name as they come to receive Holy Eucharist. If he came across one or two he didn't know he would strive to learn it before the next week and greet them as soon as he could. I have adopted this practice. As quickly as our church family has grown, I am glad I started day one!

Names and recognition are important. Important enough for God to tell us so through his prophet, Isaiah.

"But now, thus says the Lord,

who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine!" Isaiah 43:1

There is power in calling someone by name. There is love and outreach in recognition. Hearing my name out of that sassy little girl's mouth, even if it is formed with an ornery grin, it melts my heart because what I hear is, "you are mine!" God told Isaiah to tell the people they were precious and honored. He said to tell them, "I love you!" That is what is in the saying of a name; love.

Who will you call by name today?

Shake the Ball ~ Get Your Answer

Every morning I wake up with one, singular thought on my mind. "What is God's will for me today." Well, often I have that thought secondly after, "Yes, Cooper, I will let you outside." 

Chiweanie Alert

But trust me it is very close to the top. I haven't always had that thought first. It has taken habit and discipline to cultivate that type of thinking. It has also taken me learning a few important concepts:

1. God's will is always perfect but not always popular.

2. Knowledge of God's will is wrapped in free will.

3. If it is His Will there will be a way.

My reading this morning was halted by this passage in a section titled, "Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life," in "The Christian's Pattern" by John Wesley.  The passage tells of a person that has laid, prostrate on the floor, in humility. He was at a point where he was wavering between HOPE and FEAR. He says to God that if he knew what God wanted for him he would do it!  God's answer?

"If  thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be safe."

Allow me a more contemporary translation, albeit less eloquent: If you knew God's will, what would you do? Do that then. Then you will find peace.

Yep. There it is. BOOM. If you knew, then what would you do and if you know then just do it. There is your peace. 

God's will is perfect. so on that will you find peace. The truth is we most usually know God's will.  In my life and in the life of those I have shepherded I have found that most of us know what God would have us do in most any situation. But almost equally as often, our indecision comes from the desire to please God with what we are doing, not in doing what he wants us to do. 

Let's say that again: 

Our indecision (about God's direction) comes from the desire to please God with what we are doing.

NOT in doing what he wants us to do.

Be honest, how many times have we just kept going to God in hopes he would lead us where we are headed but in truth, deep down inside, we know what we should do. God's desire for man is not really that difficult to discern. Love Him most, love what He loves and avoid evil; that which harms others and God.

There is those times when we don't know. We truly need an answer. Often in those cases we are asking for definitive answers about an end result God is not ready to reveal. Following God's will is a journey, not a like the board Game of Life where we spin the dial and get two kids, or become a doctor. Following God's will is a movement of transformation with much needed lessons along the way that shape and mold us. If you aren't getting an answer when you ask, "God, what should I be when I grow up?" He may be saying let's walk together and talk along the way, We will get there eventually."

Our free will surrounds God's will for us. Yep, that's right. God will, can, does show us what is right with in His desire for us but we have to listen, follow, persevere; just do it.

That is the part I don't want to hear. Sooooo many times I could just do God's will if I just did it. But more often than not God's will is not with in my desire. I really just want God to either go along with what I want or make me do it so I don't have to. That is also what I want in life; a chef and personal trainer. I want some one to only give me the food that is good for me and knock things out of my hand that are bad for me. I want a trainer to drag me out of bed and force me to exercise. I know if I did I would be super model ready. But when I roll out of bed at 4:30 all I really want to do is drink coffee and pray and read. Also, being married to a man that loves to cook and really, really excels at it, I would feel bad if anyone knocked his creations out of my hand. Really.

I cannot ignore that in some cases God's will is obstructed by extenuating circumstances like mental health issues or maybe other people suppressing our forward movement. But is is important to know is this:

If it is His will there is a way. 

God will prevail. Humbly approaching God with the faith that He can and will deliver you, then he will. But it will be a journey that requires you leaning upon Him and having the courage to act as He directs. His direction may lead you to a therapist, a medication, a doctor or a support group but He will direct and you should act.

The question is "why?' Why do we ask God for His will for us? DO we really want to know Or are we just shaking some divine Magic 8 Ball hoping for and answer we like or confirms our human nature? 

If that is the case, click here.

Even in Your Head...

Early this morning this photo came across my Facebook newsfeed, shared by others and before I knew it I had shared it as well. The mere act of sharing threw done a cyber gauntlet to myself and my Facebook friends to consider taking this faceless man's challenge; to go twenty hours with out complaint. 

Seems simple, huh? Well, for me, before I made it from my computer to the kitchen for morning coffee I had complained about at least three things...someone left the Keurig empty and I had to wait for water to heat up, the house seemed cold, my foot hurt and uff, don't those people on Facebook that have nothing better to talk about than the President/Westboro Baptist/Common Core/(insert the hot button topic of the day here ). Ouch!

Granted, if you want to loophole it, I had not actually complained. It had all been in my head. Not a word left my mouth. But honestly, a large majority of y personal complaining takes place in my head. It is a pastoral hazard. You really have very few people you can vent to. It is a learned survival skill to complain to the voices in your head.

In taking this challenge seriously I realize the whole point is to exorcise negativity from our personal atmosphere in an effort to allow positivity to flourish. With that ideal in mind it would only make sense that head negativity is a dangerous as voiced negativity to oneself. The effects would be the same. 

We tend to live what we speak into existence. If we speak gloom and doom we will begin to live it. In others word, if we expect the worst we will receive the worst.  Even complainers don't like to be around complainers so a negative attitude can strain relationships. 

But what about keeping it to yourself. My grandma said what all grandmas said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." So wouldn't the simple act of keeping it myself be ok? Complaining builds and magnifies as it is repeated whether it is vocalized or not. As we complain we cut a deep root into our soul that allows the negativity to well up in that rut giving us a river of poisonous negativity to spew the next time we feel the need to complain.

Why do we complain - the word is not acting the way we want it to. Period. Since we are engaging in a social experiment I felt that turning to social network might give us the answers. Looking just at my personal Twitter feed, Instagram account and Facebook newsfeed I have compiled the complaining categories:

• "My relationships are not what I want them to be - I am being treated unfairly or badly."
• "I physically don't feel well."
• "Someone I barely (or don't) know has ticked me off."
• "I don't agree with your politics/theology."
• "I am aggravated with those that don't agree with others Politics/theology."

There are several styles of complaining: 

• The "Look out I am taking no prisoners," rant.
• The "I don't usually do this, but I feel it is my need to warn you," PSA.
• The, "I am not really talking about anyone specific, but if the shoe fits," passive aggressive photo sayings. 
• The ever apologetic, "Sorry I am whining about this but..." style.

I am sure we all can find ourselves somewhere in these profiles. (I know I can.) So now that you know why you are complaining or that , yes you are really complaining, even if it is only in your head. Consider this:

"No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"No one can tick you off unless you let them." Monica Mowdy

1. Don't play with those that make you angry.

     Seriously, we can't cut ourselves off from the world but we can "unfollow, block or unfriend social media friends that stir up discontent within us. If the one that creates unhappiness for you then minimize your time and remember, their drama is their drama. Their opinion is their opinion It doesn't have to be yours.

2. Truly, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything. Or shoot imaginary daggers within your head at them either.

      I am not advocating a habit of bottling your angst but what I am an am suggesting is that we find a safe place, friend, counselor or laptop and vent. Then be done. Finished. Back away from the baggage.

3. Turn that frown upside down. This is not a "fake it til you make it" suggestion. What I am suggesting is to find something, anything positive in the situation. Really there is something. Even if all you can find is, "I am one minute closer to this situation being over."

So today here I go. No complaining; in my head or other wise. Are you in?