IZZIE

On August 16, 2011, our sweet, 14 year old Jack Russell, Little Ann passed away.  When she left us, Rod and I were devastated. Our daughter Caitlin had recently married and with the loss of Little Ann, we became "complete" empty-nesters. I vowed at that time I would NEVER have another dog. I felt that we were at the age that we didn't need to be tied down to a dog and frankly, the last year of Little Ann's life with Cushings Disease left us (especially me) weary.
Never say Never-

Izzie Belle, 6 weeks old and barely 3 pounds, came into our family on January 21, 2012 despite my reservations and protests. She is the half-sister of Caitlin and Bradley's dog Ellie (same dad, different mother). Izzie's dad's name is Taz..short for Tasmanian Devil. I think you get the picture. Her energy level is 10x that of what our sweet, calm, Little Ann's was. One morning, Izzie had all the toilet paper off the roll, the toilet scrub brush out of its holder and a container of Clorox wipes out of the bathroom is 5 seconds flat. She cried all night the first week and I was one exhausted new mother. January 21 will forever be etched in my mind. Before Izzie, life was free and easy! My thoughts after Izzie were - "I'm too old for this! I don't want to stand in the yard in my housecoat and rain boots at 5:30 in the morning coaxing a puppy on a leash to pee and poo. What have I done??" (On the positive side, I can tell you exactly what time the newspaper carrier comes by and I bought myself the most adorable new rain boots!) Before Izzie, all of our socks were intact. Now we are lucky to find our socks. Before Izzie, the floors were neat, now there are more toys on the floor than a house with a 2 year old. None of our toilet paper holders have a roll on them. Any paper product, shoe, and piece of clothing is fair game. Instead of the exotic trip Rod and I talked about for our 25th anniversary, our present to each other was a fence around the backyard. (Hey the 25th is "Silver"!) But during those exasperating first 6 months, a funny thing happened. Izzie stole my heart. I think every woman has the need to nurture and I am no exception. With Caitlin grown and married, Izzie filled that need. She became our baby. Rod and I were smitten. At this point I can't imagine life without Izzie. I love that warm little body next to me! I love that sweet face with eyes full of expression. I love those kisses! Her energy level is high, her desire to love and please is higher. I miss her when I am not with her. When she deserves scolding, all she has to do is look at me with those eyes and I melt. (No wonder our excellent vet, Dr. Sabrina Grinstead, at Eno Animal Hospital, tells us we are more like grandparents than parents.) I think after having an older dog, we forgot how fun a puppy can be. It can be a lot of work, but love is work and isn't it always worth it?

I have the tendency for selfishness. It is a fault I must continuously surrender to the Holy Spirit. I believe God knows my tendency and sent Izzie to help me out. It is almost impossible to be selfish when you have a little dog so sweet and dependent on you. In the beginning God created animals. He doesn't waste any of His creation, it's all for a purpose. I am quite certain, Izzie's creation was for me.

WOF vs "Word of God Snob"

Last weekend I attended a Women of Faith (WOF) conference in Charlotte with a terrific group of ladies from Ridgecrest. My daughter Caitlin, who lives in Charlotte, also joined me. Now, I must admit that before the conference, I had some "negative" feelings about WOF. I attended one about 15 years ago and I remembered the women speaking but not "teaching" from God's Word. In all honesty, I like smaller, more intimate conferences with the speaker teaching straight from the Bible. Verse by verse...teach me what it says and how it applies to me. I prefer the "just teach me, no yak-yak approach". I am a Kay Arthur and Anne Graham Lotz kind of gal. So with my past experience at WOF, I wasn't expecting much.
The first night proved me right. I lugged my "Big Bertha" Bible into the conference on Friday evening for it to sit in my tote bag all night.  Ha! I knew it! They aren't going to teach me ANYTHING! And so the conference went on Friday night and Saturday with different speakers and praise and worship.  Despite the testimonies and wisdom they shared and the absolutely awesome time spent in worship, I was still a little huffy. You could have called me a "Word of God Snob".
But then a funny thing happened. God began to work in me. I needed an attitude adjustment. I began to realize that while there was minimal  teaching straight from the Bible at this conference, God was still there. He still spoke through the many speakers, worship leaders and musicians. I believe that women testifying to God's grace, faithfulness and mercy pleased God. I do believe that thousands of women lifting their hands and voices in praise to God makes Him smile. The conference was a celebration of Jesus! It was OK to relax and have fun! It was OK to spend two days praising Him and thanking Him and sharing the joy with other ladies. It was OK to Look Up!!
Sometimes,  I think we Christians are just too serious. Yes, it is important to study and know God's Word. Yes, it is of the utmost importance to share the Gospel with others. But it's OK to rejoice too! Many times, I think nonbelievers are turned off because believers are so blah! No wonder they think Christians are boring and following Jesus is no fun. They don't want a lecture.  Maybe instead of spending all our time with our nose in the Bible reading about the one Who saves us,  we just need to LOOK UP at the One Who saves us! Maybe instead of preaching and teaching and discussing theology and doctrine,  we need to show more excitement over the One it's all about! We need more testimonies of how He has worked in our life. We need more sharing about the joy and peace knowing Him brings. I wonder how many women were at that conference that didn't know Jesus. I wonder how many met Jesus because of the excitement about HIM and for HIM!
So, get excited, dance, shout, and knock yourself out. It really is permissible. I promise!  I did it some last weekend. Look out! I'll do it more next time!

Coupon Redemption

Last weekend I attended a "Coupon 101" class offered at my church by the Women's Ministry. The class taught me everything I needed to know about couponing. The presenter, Sarah Lineberry, had lots of great ideas and tips. I learned how to organize my coupons. I learned how to recognize "friendly" cashiers and how to "play the game" at my local drugstore. (Don't worry, it's all fair and legal!) I discovered several helpful websites devoted to couponing and which grocery stores had the best deals and will double and triple my coupons! At the end of the presentation I was motivated to go shop, redeem my coupons and save money!
But during the class, as I was pondering coupons, I thought of  the best "coupon" that has ever been redeemed. The best that has ever been offered - Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, I have the redemption of my sins, the promise of eternal life. I don't need to present a coupon,  I just need faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. No clipping, no organizing, and no searching out deals. Jesus gave me the best "deal" and coupon of all when he went willingly to the cross for my sins. His gift of eternal life has no expiration date and I don't even need my "readers" to see it!

Colossians 1:13-14 "For he has rescued us from darkness and

brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins."

 

POW! POUND! OUCH!

During the recent renovation to our dining room that I wrote about in my previous post, I recovered the seats of the dining chairs. My grandmother had recovered them many years ago with what I'm sure was once a lovely gold fabric. But from many years of  gluteus maximus' in the chairs, the fabric was now faded and worn. And it ABSOLUTELY did NOT match my Butterscotch accent wall!
To redo the seats, I first had to remove them from the chair, and then go about the task of removing all the old upholstery tacks. Not an easy thing to do. With each tack, I would murmur, "Mimama, you did a great job!"  I was admiring her work and complaining about how difficult removing the tacks was at the same time. After removing the old fabric, I cut and placed a new piece of fabric on the seat (it actually came from the curtains I took down before the renovation and was not going to use again). Then I had to go about the job of nailing new tacks into the bottom of the chair to hold the fabric in place. Easy, right?
Here is a little snippet of trivia about me. I am simply horrible at hitting a nail on the head. I am as good at that as I am at playing "Cornhole".  It's a really sad thing. So with each swing of the hammer, there was a good chance I would catch my finger holding the tack in place. My hands and fingers took a beating!. As Izzie slept in the little cushion in the kitchen, I sat in the middle of the floor pounding one tack after another into one chair after another. Six chairs in all. Pow! Pow! Pow! Pound! Pound! Pound! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! It was LOUD and painful. But as I continued, with each loud pound, God began reminding me of His Son Jesus on the cross, and the nails, hundreds of times bigger than the upholstery tacks, that held him there.  Pow, Pow, Pow, Pound, Pound, Pound. It was loud in the kitchen and I'm sure it was loud that day on Calvary when the Roman soldiers pounded nails into Jesus' body. Pow, Pow, Pow. Pound, Pound, Pound. The tacks I used never drew blood. The nails the  soldiers used, drew lots. With each nail, a loud Pow! Pow! Pow! Pound! Pound! Pound! Add to that, the sound of bones being crushed in Jesus' hands and feet. Blood spurting and pouring in different directions. Muscle and tendons tearing. Soldiers and onlookers mocking and  women at the foot of the cross crying. I can hardly imagine the pain. I can't even begin to fully realize the scene. I continued my "upholstery work" and continued to think of Jesus on the cross. With every hit of the hammer, I saw Jesus on the cross before me. Why did God sacrifice His Son for me? Why did Jesus stay on the cross when He could have come down? Why did he have to endure the agony and such a painful death? It was all for me. It was all for us - sinners in need of salvation. Jesus took the nails for me, for us.
God speaks to me in different ways. That day, on the kitchen floor, God spoke to me with some upholstery tacks. Each pound on the tack said "I love you that much." Thank you God, for using chairs, tacks, a hammer, and an occasional hit on the finger to remind me!

Romans 5: 8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

 



The Renovation

Over the last couple of weeks, we've had work done on our living and dining room. The room was sadly way past due for an update! God reminded me of a few truths in the midst of the renovation.

As the old carpet was removed, walls sanded and painted, and new flooring laid, I couldn't help but think about my old self and the renovation I've undergone. Remodeling is not for the faint of heart. I knew the end result would be worth it, but when the living room couch, 2 Wing back chairs and a dining table were sitting in the den with me, and dust covered almost everything in the house, I had to wonder.

Truth #1: When God does the job of remodeling our hearts,

 it can get messy but the end result will be worth it. God uses every mess to make me

 more like Christ.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:28, 29)

 

The carpet was worn and dirty (thanks to an old sick dog and a new puppy!). My old nature was worn and dirty by sin. Just as the carpet was pulled up and discarded and new, clean flooring was placed, God has removed the old and dirty in me and placed a new nature, one clean and fresh by the cleansing of Jesus.

 Truth # 2: God can take even the dirtiest of sinners like me, 

clean them up and make them new.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
 

The walls at first glance looked ok (except for that awful shade of blue-what was I thinking when I picked it?), but with close inspection it was obvious they were damaged and needed repair. At first glance, I may look ok on the outside but under my paint, I was and am definitely broken and need fixing!

Truth #3: God sent the best Carpenter, His Son Jesus, to fix and repair the broken. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

 

The furniture in the room was handed down to me by my grandmother and I still love it. It is  mahogany and has aged beautifully. As we brought back the "old"  into the "new" room, I was reminded of how the old nature in me sometimes tries to creep back into the new nature. 

Truth #4: I am not controlled by the old, because of the life-giving Holy Spirit in me.

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." (Romans 8:9)

 

I am pleased with the outcome of the renovation, but as I prepared the lesson for the Connect Group (SS) I teach, I was reminded that the room and everything in it means nothing. In the end, I will stand before God's throne and it will be just God and me. All the "earthly" things I love and have done will not matter. Only my relationship with Jesus and what I've done with a kingdom perspective to glorify God will matter. Only those things will last.

 

Truth # 5: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3: 10-13)



(Thank you to Robert Hunnings, Romero Sosa, Ben Francis, and of course my husband Rod, for their part in the renovation!
And yes, I love my Butterscotch accent wall!)



Don't Wave...GO!

As I was walking through church this morning, hurriedly on my way to the gym for the EXALT service, I saw a little girl I had worked with in Awanas and her brother. I waved hello and she had a happy and "I know you!" expression as she waved back. All was well, or so I thought.
As I sat in the service listening to Pastor Marc teach about following Jesus' example of connecting with people, I had one of those hit between the eyeball moments, or as Pastor Marc called it, "a hit in the heart with a 2x4 moment".  I listened to how Jesus STOPPED what he was doing to really minister and connect to people. I thought back to that simple wave before the service and asked myself how many times do I simply wave when I should STOP and connect. How many times do I think "all is well" when it really isn't. Waving is really a way of saying, "I see you but I don't have time for you." Or at least at times it is for me. It's like going through the grocery store, passing someone and giving a nod of the head, a slight glance or maybe a slight hello as you cut in front of them to grab a can of green beans. You try to look friendly when all you want is a can of beans. You don't know or care about the other person's beans. You just want yours. It's the "I'm in a hurry and life is all about me" syndrome and I yes, I am afflicted with it. Green beans and all.
Ah, back to the wave. Do I wave at the homeless person? Do I wave at the busy, tired mother in the hallway? Do I wave at the person whose marriage is falling apart? Do I wave at my friend that I know needs to talk? I'm surprised my waving hand isn't falling off! Do I wave at the cashier at the store who looks exhausted? Do I wave at the elderly widow, at the next-door neighbor caring for her disabled husband and do I wave at the new neighbor? What if Jesus had gone through his life on this earth waving and smiling instead of touching, listening, teaching, healing, and really loving and caring about the people He came in contact with? He didn't just wave, so why do I? If I am serious about following His example, sharing His love and reaching people for Him, I'll stop waving. Instead, I'll stop what I 'm doing and listen, touch, share, care and look them directly in the eyes. I'll leave my place of comfort and go to where they are. I will go into their homes, their business, their playground. I will not just study His Word, I will actually DO His Word. I will quit worrying about my busy schedule and all that I have to get done and pay attention to the mom who is so exhausted she can't get anything done. I will notice the widow that just wants me to hold her hand and listen to what she has to say (and to what she can teach me). I will interrupt my schedule and offer to run errands for the neighbor with the disabled husband and I will introduce myself to the new neighbor and finally learn their name. It won't always be easy or convenient but Jesus never said following Him would be easy or convenient. I need to remember what Priscilla Shirer writes in her study of Jonah: "Your life involves you but is not ultimately about you."  Maybe I need a visual to remind me of what God revealed to me and convicted me of today. I got it. A can of green beans will work just fine!

Carter-Finley Stadium: My Story

Carter-Finley Stadium is home to the Wolfpack! For as long as I can remember, I've been an NC State fan. I was raised that way. My father would not permit cheering for any other team in the house, and that's ok because we all know the Wolfpack is the best! My father was such a devout Pack fan, all of my family wore red and white to his funeral.
I don't go to all the football games at Carter-Finley, but when I do, I'm caught up in the action and excitement. I love red and white. (Red is a great color on me.) I love tailgating with family before the game. I love watching the band run out on the field and the half-time performance. I love waving my red pom-pom. I love the cheerleaders and the dance team.  I love wearing my Wolfpack t-shirt and pin. I love watching my fellow fan's emotions during the game. I love how LOUD it is! And, I love screaming and cheering for my Pack. What's not to love? Carter-Finley is the place!
But Carter-Finley holds a special place in my heart for another reason. It's part of my story. Something happened at Carter-Finley Stadium back in 1973 that is much more important than a football game. Much more exciting than wearing red, tailgating, watching the band and cheerleaders, and other fans. It's much more important and worth much more screaming and cheering than football. Back in 1973, a man named Billy Graham brought his crusade to Carter-Finley Stadium. I was there one night, sitting on the Visitor's side, lower level on about the south 30 yard line.  I heard Rev. Graham share the Good News about Jesus with thousands of people, but I knew he was talking directly to me. He told me how Jesus had died on the cross for my sins. How if I believed in him, I would have eternal life. When he was finished, he gave the invitation for those who made a decision to follow Jesus to come down on the field. I was only 9 years old but I knew God was calling me to be His. There on that football field, I confessed Jesus as Savior of my life.
When Caitlin was 3, Rod and I began attending Ridgecrest Baptist Church. At RBC, under Pastor Don Chasteen, (and now Pastor Marc Francis), various teachers, and Bible study leaders, my relationship with Christ was nurtured and began to grow. I desired more out of my relationship with Him. I wanted to love and trust Jesus more, and know Him better. I wanted a passion for Him and His Word. I wanted to be more than saved, I wanted to be His disciple. I prayed for that and God answered my prayer. My relationship is now deeper and more intimate. The passion He gave me for His Word led me to teaching others. For the past several years I've taught a Ladies Sunday School class (the Daughters Of The King- "DOTKs") and I've been blessed to minister to and encourage others. Recently, God brought me to a new place of service on the Women's Ministry team as Bible Study Coordinator. My desire is for women to know God, love God and love His Word. It is life-changing-I can testify to that! I don't know where God will lead me next, but I am content to continue loving and serving Him wherever He places me. I am always in awe that He loved me enough to save me and always amazed He can use a sinner like me! I never enter Carter-Finley Stadium and look on that field without remembering that night in August, 1973, The beginning of My Story.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16



The Sticky Pad

Several years ago, we had a lizard in the house. It invited itself in through the back door and decided to lodge with us. While I am appreciative of all of God's creation, knowing He has a purpose for every creature, I do not want uninvited creatures "glorifying God" in my house! If you have ever had a lizard in the house, you know that they are impossible to catch.  Lizards are very fast and they are creative in their hiding. One day, the lizard hid himself in a crack in the mortar of the fireplace with only its tail visible. I guess he thought if he couldn't see us, we couldn't see him! To catch the lizard, I thought I would be smart and use a"sticky pad", one of those little contraptions made to catch mice. My idea was that the lizard would scamper across the pad, stick to it and then I would remove it and release the critter outside. I envisioned a "catch and release" scenario. As you can guess, it didn't quite go as planned. As I was sitting in our den one day, our dog "Little Ann", came limping into the room. One of her paws was stuck on the sticky pad. She looked quite powerless, dumbfounded, helpless and pitiful and in need of rescue. Quickly!
Often, I find myself like Little Ann, stuck, dumbfounded, helpless, and pitiful. But it's not a sticky pad that's causing my problem. It's the sin in my life. I try really hard not to sin, but often I just step right on that old sin nature, sticking to it, powerless to do anything in my own strength to get rid of it. I need to be rescued. Quickly! I am absolutely pitiful and helpless in my own state. Thankfully, God gave me a way out and I don't have to do it on my own. In fact, I can't do it on my own. He sent His Son Jesus to the rescue. I love reading Romans 8: 1-17. It reminds me of the grace and power available to me because of God's Son Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. I don't have to stay stuck to sin. When I trusted in Jesus, I received the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. The Spirit directs my life and makes it possible, with His power, for me to resist the stickiness of sin. Sticky sin leads to thoughts and actions that are displeasing to God. Being led by the Spirit leads to life and peace and actions that are pleasing to God.  The same power that raised Christ from the grave is available to me. The grave could not hold Christ, the sticky pad of sin and death cannot hold me. When I get stuck on the sticky pad of sin, grace forgives and releases me. I was able to peel the sticky pad off of Little Ann's paw, Christ's sacrifice on the cross makes the sin peel right off me. I am no longer stuck, dumbfounded, helpless and pitiful! I have been rescued!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1,2

Postscript -  Little Ann was not harmed by the sticky pad. It peeled off her paw without pain. Out new puppy, Izzie, recently met a lizard and I am proud to announce she "took care of it". It did reappear a short time later and Izzie felt better.

The Faith Workout

Ten years ago this week, I sat in a room at UNC Hospital with my husband waiting and praying for him to receive a Liver Transplant. This week, almost ten years to the DAY  he received his transplant, I sat in a room at Carolinas Medical Center in Pineville with my daughter Caitlin. She has a chronic disease called Ulcerative Colitis and it came to a roaring "flare" while she was in Slovakia and peaked this past weekend. Early Monday morning around 4 am Caitlin called and told us she was in the ER at CMC. That begin an exercise of faith. A "Faith Workout" if you will.

While waiting for Rod's transplant and during the days afterward, I began reading the Mitford series by Jan Karon. In the first book of the series, Home in Mitford, the characters are discussing Faith. This is what I read :

"Faith by its very nature must be tried",  he said. (the character was quoting Oswald Chambers).

"Do you agree?" 

"Absolutely! I've never been one for physical exercise", she said "but what God does with our faith must be something like workouts.

He sees to it that our faith gets pushed and pulled, stretched and pounded, taken to its limits so its limits can expand."

 He liked that-taken to its limits so its limits can expand. Yes!

"If it doesn't get exercised", she said thoughtfully, "it becomes like a weak muscle that fails us when we need it."

He felt himself smiling foolishly, though his question was serious. "Would you agree that we must be willing to thank God for every trial of our faith, no matter how severe, for the greater strength it produces?"

"I'm perfectly willing to say it, but I'm continually unable to do it."

"There's the rub!" 

Yes, there's the rub. I would like to thank God for every trial but I'm continually unable to do it. This week has been one of those weeks. My faith has been through a workout and I am having a hard time thanking God for it. Sometimes, exercise just isn't fun!
We are born with muscles, but the muscles don't become stronger without exercise. I have faith in my God but my faith won't grow stronger if it is not "worked out". God doesn't want my faith to stay weak, He knows my limits need to be expanded.  Just as I work my body, pushing and pulling, stretching and pounding, so must God push, pull, stretch and pound my faith. Exercise can be tough and make you sweat! Sometimes it even hurts. I don't always like working out but it is necessary for the muscles to stay strong. So it is with Faith. It must be "worked out". It sometimes hurts, sometimes I wonder why, sometimes I don't want participate in the "class". Most of the time I don't see or feel results during the workout itself.
When Rod was sick, I often asked "Why?" I couldn't see results. I couldn't see the big picture like God could. He knows what's behind and what's ahead. He knows what's best and I have to trust in his Sovereignty. That requires some exercise! Ten years later, I have been blessed to see results. I see why God left Rod here longer. I see how God has used Rod and the faith He grew in all of us for the greater good. But it's easy to see now, ten years later. It's not easy to see the greater good when I watch my daughter suffer at the present time.  I don't understand why she has to suffer. I don't understand why she has to live with the awful disease she has! I am being pushed, pulled, stretched and pounded and I don't like it. I am even resisting it. I want the workout to end.  But then I remember back to that hospital room at UNC. I think back to how my faith was so "out of shape" and I remember it's because of that workout, my faith grew stronger and I can trust in Him more,  in His sovereignty, His goodness, and His unfailing love. God used the "workout" ten years ago to produce greater faith endurance and strength. It produced a greater understanding of Who He is and His great power. Yes, it's hard to thank him for the exercise I am now experiencing but I must!  I know God is doing a work in Caitlin's life for the greater good. I trust Him with the big picture. It's hard to sit, wait, and watch but I know I must wait patiently for His will to be done, knowing that adversity will strengthen my faith and Caitlin's. During this hard exercise I will dig deeper into God's Word, I will drop more to my knees in prayer, I will lift my hands higher in praise. I KNOW He sees Caitlin and our family. I KNOW He sees our tears and hears our cries for help. I KNOW the suffering will not be wasted and I KNOW His presence is with us. And for that I must thank him, continually.
Exercise can be tough, and a Workout of Faith can be tougher, but the end result can be joyous!

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

Celebrity or Witness?

 I have to admit that I was somewhat "starstruck" when I first met Jase Robertson, Duck Commander at the Sportsman's Banquet last Saturday night. In my previous post, I talked about the banquet. Prayers were answered and the banquet was a tremendous success.
I was excited to meet Jase and his wife Missy. I would be lying if I said their "celebrity" didn't mean a thing to me. I mean, here I was meeting someone on TV! Someone on probably the most popular reality show on television right now! Jase with the beard, hat and camo pants and beautiful Missy with the sweet smile. My "job' at the banquet was to assist Missy with whatever she might need. Hard job right? It was a privilege but for someone (me) who doesn't glisten but sweats, it was not the most glamorous or comfortable job. I stayed with Missy in the "Vendor Tent" to help her with the Duck Commander products the guests wanted to purchase. It was HOT in that Vendor tent and with the many people who wanted to meet Jase, it got even hotter as time passed! (I must add that while I was sweating and wilting, Missy never perspired or even "glistened" It must be because she is from Louisiana. She stayed cool as a cucumber.)  At one point, I did the "fan" thing and got a picture made with them and many other volunteers did too. Both were very gracious and patient with everyone who wanted to meet, talk and take pictures with them. These two are the most patient and kind people I have ever met.
It came time for Jase to speak and after a short video introduction of him, everyone cheered as he approached the stage and then he began. I had heard he was a tremendous speaker so I was waiting for something really good! Well, he didn't disappoint! He talked about hunting and duck calls (things I know NOTHING about), gave some tips and information about well....ducks. And then the moment came. He pulled, out of his camo bag, his Bible. I am positive many in the audience weren't expecting that part. Most came to see and hear a famous duck hunter from a famous duck hunting family, a reality TV star, a celebrity! They weren't disappointed but more importantly what they got was a Witness for Jesus Christ. An on-fire Christ follower who is not ashamed of His Lord and Savior and not ashamed to "preach it" from God's Word! A man God has blessed for his obedience to Him and a man who recognizes what it all means, what is important, where it all comes from, and WHO gives him life. When I first saw Jase, I saw him as a celebrity but by the end of the night, I saw a man who, to use Jase's words, "is in love with the author of the Bible."  Not a celebrity but a witness. The celebrity didn't matter anymore. Jase and Missy are the real deal. Both are genuine, humble, and caring. Both have evidence of the Holy Spirit within them, enabling them to do all that they do, in the way they do it, for the God they love and serve. They are faithfully carrying out God's purpose and plan for them. He blessed them for a reason and they don't waste an opportunity to glorify Him.  God doesn't see celebrity. He doesn't care about how popular we are or how we look on the outside. He doesn't want celebrity, He wants someone who loves and serves Him and is a sold out follower of Jesus! He wants us to allow Him to use us in whatever position He puts us in for His glory.
I may not be a celebrity and no one may even want my picture. (Though I had one man look at me with suspicious eyes and ask if I was on the show. He wasn't surprised when I said no.) I may not be a famous duck hunter or TV personality.  I am not Jase or Missy.  I am Robin. I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10) God has a plan for Jase and Missy and God has a plan for me. He works it out for Jase and Missy in one way and for me in another. But Jase, Missy, and I and EVERYONE who is a Child of God through Jesus Christ is called to share Him with others. It may be in different ways and avenues and venues but the goal is the same: tell others about Jesus Christ, about how He loves them and how He died for them so they will trust and believe in Him and have eternal life. Jase does it faithfully and well, will I?

Jase, Robin, Missy, Rod

Matthew 28:19, 20

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Good News

     Almost 10 years ago, my husband  Rod was dying. His liver was failing, due to a disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. He was #1 on the Liver transplant waiting list and we were anxiously awaiting a call that an organ donor had been found. It was a sobering thought that someone had to die for Rod to live. Our good news would be a result of someone else's pain. On the eve of his transplant, Rod was walking in the hallway near his room at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. He had been admitted two weeks earlier through the ER because of hemorrhaging in his esophagus due to Esophageal Varices. He almost didn't make it then and his days were numbered. His kidneys were showing signs of failure and time was running out. As he was walking, a nurse asked him what he was doing out of his bed! She gave him the good news that early in the morning he would have a liver transplant! On August 19, 2002 Rod received the gift of a new liver, the beginning of a new life.  I am happy to report that on August 19, 2012, he will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his transplant and is doing quite well! God gave him a second chance. The scar on his abdomen reminds him daily that someone died so he could live. Jesus died so we can live and Isaiah 49:15 and 16 tells us that He would never forget what He has done for us because of the scars engraved on his hands. Knowing what God had done for him gave Rod a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus with those who didn't know Christ, especially other fishermen and hunters. The Outdoors Ministry of our church developed from this passion.

Rod

     This Saturday, August 4, 2012, Ridgecrest Outdoors Ministries will host its 5th Sportsman's Banquet. The sold-out crowd will eat a delicious chicken dinner, visit vendors, laugh with Comedian Lee McBride and meet and listen to Jase Robertson, Duck Commander and a star of the reality show "Duck Dynasty".  Most importantly they will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. They will hear how God gave his One and Only Son Jesus to die for them, so they can live.  By trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life, and by making a decision to follow Him, they can receive a "heart transplant", the beginning of a new life. The old will be gone, the new will come. They will receive the gift of eternal life. Pray for those coming to the banquet. Pray that their hearts will be receptive and open to the Good News. Pray for the volunteers at the banquet. Pray they will follow Jesus' example of service and love for the lost, and that they will be good representatives of Christ to the guests at the banquet. There will be a great banquet in heaven one day (Revelation 19:9), pray that the number of guests attending that banquet will grow on Saturday night!

"Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes

and make them come in, so that my house will be full."

Luke 14:23

(Photo credit: Bob Ayers)

Do You Think I'm STRANGE?

Do you think I'm strange? Ok, maybe not the best question to ask. I can hear you laughing right now. "Of course I do!" you say! Well, you may think I am the strangest person you know, but in reality I am very normal. But, I WANT to be strange! I want to be different.

Peter, in his epistle to the Christians scattered throughout what we know as modern day Turkey, reminds them over and over that they are to be "strangers" in the world. For believers in Christ, the world is not our permanent address. The world is our temporary address and our permanent address and home is in Heaven. Therefore, we are foreigners in this world,  "strangers". As a believer in Christ, we are to have different values and standards than those of the world. What might it look like to be strange? The world says be first always. Strange says serve others and put yourself last. If someone insults me, the world says I am to insult them back. Strange says love them and do not retaliate.  If someone hurts me, the world says seek revenge and hold a grudge. Strange says to forgive them and pray for them. If someone jumps ahead of me in line, the world says huff, puff and show them how angry I am. Strange says, let them go first! If the cashier at the grocery store is impossibly slow, the world says complain to the manager and give them "the look". Strange says, give him or her an encouraging word and smile.  If someone cuts me off on the highway, the world says HONK really loud and long! Strange just smiles and says it's ok, I'm not in a hurry. The world says I am busy and don't have time to care. Strange says slow down and listen, really listen. The world says talk about others and be critical and judgemental. Strange says, be compassionate and merciful and shut your mouth! When I am suffering, the world says blame God and everyone around me. Strange says, God cares for me and He will not waste my suffering. He will use it to refine me to make me more like Christ. I can trust Him and rejoice! I can use my suffering as an opportunity to share why I have hope and WHO my hope is in. The world says read that #1 Bestseller, Strange says, it goes against God's standards and instructions, don't read it.  The world says you've got to see the #1 movie! Strange says the subject matter and dialogue are contrary to what pleases God, don't watch it. The world says ask for that raise, you deserve it and threaten to quit if you don't get it. Strange says respect and submit to authority and have a good attitude about it, work as working for the Lord. The world says if I don't like the President, I can show the most outrageous disrespect for him. Strange says I must submit for the Lord's sake and respect the office, even when I disagree with  the politics.  

I wish I could say I am strange all the time, but sadly a lot of the time I'm not. Many times I am normal, I am the world. In fact, if you were in the store of my wireless carrier last Saturday, you could testify to how really normal I am! As part of God's family, through Jesus Christ, I am called to holiness. I am called to be a walking, talking advertisement for Jesus.  I have to examine myself and ask how really effective my advertisement is. It can't be very effective if  I am rude, impatient, selfish and prideful. Strange is different. I want to be different from the world. I want to be like Christ, but it goes against my sinful, human nature to be like Him. It goes against "Me" to be strange. It is only with the Holy Spirit in me can I begin to be strange. Each morning, I must pray, "Lord help me to be different, help me to be strange. Help me to be a good representative so others will see and glorify You."

Dear friends, I urge you , as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2: 11,12

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Love, Braces, and The Test

     Recently, one of our associate pastors, Shay Reyner, preached a message that challenged my thoughts and actions. In the message he asked us to answer 6 questions and then grade ourselves. The first question was easy, pretty much a yes or no answer. I answered "all the time" and scored a high 5! I was feeling right spiritually smug until Shay asked the next question, and then the next and then the next. Uh-oh. My score ended up being as dismal as my high school SAT Math score.  I am not a Math scholar. I simply don't understand why we need to know what A, B,X, or Y is. If it were that important, it would be there already. But this test wasn't about Math.
     All of the questions caused me to ponder my relationship with Christ but the one that I thought about over and over was #6 - "Do I see people the way God sees them or through the world's eyes?" (Probably not exactly as Shay asked it but you get the point.) It's easy to answer yes, I see people as God sees them when it refers to people that I love or people that are easy to get along with. Easy obedience! But, then again, God commands us to love everyone. So why can't I see EVERYONE through his eyes?
     For 30 years I've worked as a Dental Assistant. For 23 of those years, I've worked for the same orthodontist, Dr. Diehl. During this time I've had the pleasure of dealing with many different people with many different personalities. God has made each one of us unique and I've definitely seen my share of "unique" in all the patients and families we have treated. We have many wonderful patients and families. I've had the privilege of counting them among my friends.Most patients are easy to love, some others, not so much. But I am commanded to love the others too. Really? Even the ones who habitually miss their appointments? How about the ones who are late EVERY time? Or the ones who never return my call? What about the patient that NEVER brushes his or her teeth? The one who NEVER wears their elastics or headgear like they should? Better yet, do I have to love the ones that smell bad, look bad, have stinky breath and are completely different from me? I know the answer to these questions. The answer to all these questions is .....YES! Today, I sat down with a patient that I know without a doubt had not brushed his teeth within the last 48 hours. The plaque looked like snow on his teeth. But as I was removing his wires, scraping grungy plaque off his teeth,and showing him how to brush once AGAIN,  the Holy Spirit brought Shay's question back into my mind as it has many times over the last two days. Do I see this boy as God sees him? Do I love him? How can I love him and the "others"? And then, as I was staring into this mouth before me, it hit me. God saw me  like I saw this boy, grungy with "plaque" all over me. I was covered with sin and no amount of brushing and flossing could remove it. No amount of good works would make me presentable to God. Sin made me smell bad, look bad and caused a stinky spirit within me. The only toothbrush and toothpaste that will remove the "plaque" of sin, wash me up, and make me presentable is Christ's blood. When I thought of this it was easier to see this boy and the others from God's eyes. Because I can see the reality of myself from God's eyes. I can love this boy and others because God loved me first, grunge and all. He was merciful and compassionate as He drew me to himself, before I was "cleaned up". And then with the Spirit in me, He started transforming me. He lovingly started to brush the grunge away. Bit by bit, piece by piece. He flossed down into the crevices of my heart to remove the crud.
     From now on, as I sit down with a patient and as I live in this world, I pray the Lord will remind me of his mercy and grace, therefore enabling me to show mercy and grace to others. I pray He will remind me of His love that enables me to love everyone. Even the others.

1 John 4:10,11 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
   

Broken Pieces - Lessons From the Shells

     I love the beach. I love to sit on the beach at the water's edge in my sand chair, hat on head, book in hand. There, in my spot, I people watch, read, nap, and daydream. This week at the beach, due to a strong and warm southwest wind, the ocean was rough and the tides especially high. When the water retreated it left in its wake a treasury of shells. My interest was peaked and I spent quite some time each day searching the shells, in quest of the most beautiful, colorful, and perfectly shaped. With every shell I  was reminded of my God who designed and created it; The One, True God who gave the shells their shape, color, and purpose. The dark colored shells reminded me of my sin and my need for a Savior. Some of my favorite shells were white with red markings. They reminded me of Christ's blood which was shed for me and cleanses me from my sin and makes me white as snow.  Some of the shells were brightly colored with orange and yellow. These shells reminded me of the sun that rises each day and the hope I have for the future because of Jesus Christ. With every shell, God spoke loudly and clearly with truths from His Word. But as I stepped over, on, and around the shells, I noticed many broken ones. In fact, most of the shells on the beach were broken and chipped, with jagged edges, evidence of wear and tear. They had been churned up, tossed about, thrown out and abandoned on the beach. If they could talk they might say, "I thought I was important. I thought someone loved me. I thought I had purpose. But now I'm left out here. No one notices me, wants me, or loves me. I'm not pretty or handsome anymore. I'm damaged goods. What good am I?" Sounds silly doesn't it? But that's exactly what many of us say and feel too. We are like those shells. Life has been hard. It hasn't always been fair. We live in a sinful world. Things didn't turn out like we thought they would. We've made bad choices and mistakes and life has churned us up, tossed us about, thrown us out and we feel abandoned and unnoticed. We think that no one could ever love us and we could never be "whole" again. We may feel we are undeserving of forgiveness and acceptance. But the good news is that God loves us even when life doesn't. Even when we think we can't be loved.  He loves the broken pieces and He takes each broken piece and smooths the jagged edges. He notices us and knows every tear that falls. In Christ, we have forgiveness and healing. God created each one of us for a purpose and He can use the bad choices and the mistakes to refine us for that purpose.  God never wastes our suffering and our experiences in life. He weaves them all together, good and bad, to create something beautiful that reflects the image of Christ. God knew when He created us that we were going to mess up. He knew that we are sinners and we would disobey Him. And yet, He still made us and He still loves us. So much so that He gave His one and only Son Jesus for us. In Him, we are made new, we are made beautiful, we are a new creation. The broken shells on the beach may not seem as pretty as the whole ones. But the broken shells remind us of God's love, forgiveness, healing, and restoration. In the cracks of our own broken pieces, Jesus shines through. I'm thinking those broken pieces are the loveliest after all!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

 he is a new creation;

 the old has gone, the new has come!

The Tiny Tin Condo

     Almost 25 years ago, my mother and father bought a travel trailer and moved it permanently to the beach. To the Oceanfront Trailer Court in Salter Path, NC. For you who may not know, Salter Path is halfway between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach. My family had grown up going to Myrtle Beach one week every summer, but after they purchased the trailer "our beach" became Salter Path. The trailer became the Tiny Tin Condo at the beach. After several years, the original trailer was replaced by a brand new, shiny, larger trailer and it still stands today in the same spot - F7.
     Over the years the trailer has seen many changes around it. It has weathered many storms including Hurricanes Bertha and Fran, with little or no damage. Bertha tried to intimidate the "Tiny Tin Condo" with a sand blasting "facial" and great effort (but with limited success) to move the trailer off its "foundation". But the "Tiny Tin Condo" stood tough and firm.  The neighborhood around the trailer has changed quite a bit. When the trailer first took it's place at F7, the Salter Path Family Campground was its next door neighbor. Fishin' Fever was across the street, Smithfield Barbecue (which became Dairy Queen) was a few doors down and the IGA was THE grocery store to go to.  Several piers, including the Indian Beach Pier, where we could walk and get a morning paper or an ice cream treat, darted proudly out into the Atlantic and provided fishing pleasure to the common folk. Today, the Salter Path Family Campground is a fenced in lot of weeds, the Fishin' Fever is Albert's Florist and the IGA is a gift/food/everything store. The Dairy Queen has been torn down and several new towering "luxury" condos have been built. One had the misfortune of being built when the economy went south and still stands empty after over two years. A luxury ghost town. The fishing piers weren't able to weather the hurricanes well and no longer stand. But the "Tiny Tin Condo" remains. People have come and gone, some lost to age and some to illness. Some have moved "up" and some simply grew tired of maintaining a trailer at the beach. The trailer has seen long lasting relationships, broken relationships, and new relationships born. Grandchildren got married and great-grandchildren were added to the family. The "Tiny Tin Condo" has remained a constant in the family. This year, it got a face lift. My brother David, painted the accent stripe and doors proud Wolfpack RED. It looks rather nice I must say! I'm sure you would agree! The trailer has seen its share of wear and tear, but like the Velveteen Rabbit, the wear and tear is only a sign of the love and good times the trailer has provided those who have had the privilege of staying in it.  Sadly, my Daddy died in 2009. He loved to come to the trailer with my Mom, family, and with his dog, Muppet. He was meticulous in caring for the trailer and the yard around it. Daddy is still very much a part of the beach and the trailer to our family.
     The trailer has remained despite changes in the landscape and people around it.  It is a place of refuge and shelter for our family. When I think of this, I am reminded of my Heavenly Father. No current events, no weather, no terrorist attack, no political correctness or election, and no sour economy can budge God off His throne, off His foundation. His love is constant and unchanging. I am reassured by His Word, in which He tells me "I am the LORD and I do not change." (Malachi 3:6) My God is sovereign and in control! His love for me is constant and unchanging, despite my emotions and circumstances, and who may be around me. People may come and go, but God's presence is always with me. God is my shelter and refuge. Psalm 71:3 says "Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress." Reassuring words from His Word, which stands forever!
     The Tiny Tin Condo has fewer years ahead of it than behind it. It's season is coming to an end. One day, it will no longer stand but the memories from its time will last forever. I am grateful to God for providing, through my Mom and Dad a special place to stay at the beach. I am more grateful to my God who will stand long after and forever past the days of the Tiny Tin Condo
     Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint.

    

   

What's Behind the Title

You may wonder where the the title of my blog came from. The verse beneath it may give you a clue. 1 Peter 2:10 is the main inspiration behind the title. It says "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." This verse and Ephesians 2:13 (NLT) have lunged out at me recently. Have you ever had that experience where you may read the same passages of scripture over and over and then one day BAM!, God hits you between the eyes with it? That's what has happened to me with these verses. But let me go back...
For the past year I have been involved with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). BSF is an interdenominational, international Bible Study which takes place in 38 nations around the world. It uses a comprehensive 4 Fold approach to Bible study. Every Monday night from September to May I leave Rod and Izzie at home to fend for themselves to attend BSF. I am thankful for good friends who were persistent (but not pushy) in inviting me to attend. For several years, they encouraged me to try it out and for some reason or another (or excuse) I wasn't able to go.  But this past year, God opened every door for me to attend and during the year it was obvious why He wanted me in BSF at this season of my life! I am thankful that God gave me a husband in Rod who encourages me in my walk and study of His Word and didn't mind my leaving him on Monday nights!
Our study this year was the Acts of the Apostles. We studied not only the book of Acts, but also Hebrews, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Peter, James, Jude, and 1 and 2 Corinthians! As I intensely encountered God's Word, I encountered more and more of God. I love how Colossians 1:10 in the NLT reads: "All the while , you will grow as you learn to know God better and better." We must LEARN to know God better. He reveals himself to us in scripture. How can we know Him if we don't read and study His Word?? I became serious about my Quiet Time several years ago and I can truthfully say my relationship with Him has grown more than ever as I meet with Him every morning in His Word and in prayer. As I encountered Him and His holiness more in His Word this year, my sin became more and more obvious and I began to appreciate more than ever what Jesus did for me. Jesus took my sin and the judgement due me upon himself on the cross.  The once is gone, but now I am a new creation! Once I was separated from God, but now I am His! I am part of His family! Because of Christ, I am even called God's friend!!! God had mercy on me and gave His Son Jesus for me!  There is a song by Jason Gray called "I Am New". Some of the lyrics say -

 "I am not who I was

I'm being remade, I am new,

 I am chosen and holy and I'm dearly love, I am new".

Forgiven, beloved,

Hidden in Christ

Made in the image of the Giver of Life

Righteous and holy, reborn and remade

Accepted and worthy

This is our new name"

This song could be my testimony. Once..But Now - Exactly! Now you know.

Beginnings

       My mind is always at work. Thoughts are constantly being processed, reviewed, rearranged, edited and then filed away, sometimes never to be heard from again. Forever lost in the matter between my ears. I've always enjoyed reading other's blogs and thought, "Why don't I blog?"  So here is my attempt to put all the scattered thoughts together into writing.  Maybe they will make some sense. Maybe this way, those who know me and care will understand  a little more of what makes me tick. Don't expect anything deep or creative. Don't expect correct word usage, sentence structure, spelling, use of colons and semicolons.  Expect randomness and too many exclamation marks. It's the way I think and it could be quite entertaining. Beginnings -  you've got to start somewhere!