Friday, December 20, 2013

MY "NO FUSS" CHRISTMAS

Only 5 more days until Christmas and the activities around the city seem quite normal.  My usual "on-line" shopping for everyone has been completed, the grocery shopping done, presents wrapped and lunches celebrated with friends.  However, something is different this year.  It's quiet, peaceful, and not at all stressful.  I didn't put a lot of decorations up and due to some recent interior home remodeling/redecorating, we decided simply buy a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree with multi color lights.  We didn't place any ornaments on it but simply placed it in the dining room window and put stockings over the fireplace.

With all the ease of a "no fuss" Christmas, I have found the opportunity to really focus on preparing my heart on the true meaning of Christmas, how I might share who this child is and why I celebrate His birth.  Why DO I celebrate His birth?  What do I want others to get out of this celebration?  Is it just a time for love and greetings?  Is it a time to wish for world peace?  A time to enjoy presents?  A time for children to have a break and get gifts from a jolly old guy in a red suit?  REALLY!  What do I really want others to know why I celebrate this Christmas season?

1.  He fulfilled the OT promise and came
2.  He was born a baby/human but was God
3.  He lived a perfect life
4.  He experienced ALL and was tempted in EVERY way but never sinned
5.  He carried the sins of EVERY man on the cross
6.  He died that ALL who believe may have eternal life
7.  He rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God
8.  He has a place for all who believe in heaven with Him

This I know....This I am sure....This I celebrate...."No Fuss"....Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

JIMMY'S NEW CHRISTMAS CLOSET

People say I'm organized.  But Jimmy, my husband, is the "master" of organization.  Always has been.  However, there is one area in our home that has eluded his organizational skills....his closet.  He has just contracted The Container Store to design and install a closet system in his master closet.  This process is rather extensive.  One must first "gut" whatever "system" you currently have in one's closet, purge whatever one no longer needs of your personal items, clean or wash away the dirt and paint fresh before a new system can be installed.  This process has taken him a couple of days to complete in preparation for the new system's instillation tomorrow.  But when it is all complete, WHALA!!!! It will be Beautiful! Fresh!  Clean!  Organized!  Just what a closet is supposed to be!

Isn't that why we celebrate Christmas?  Isn't that what Jesus came to do?  He was sent to redeem our souls - provide a way for it to be purged from sin, made right with God, clean and pure, fresh and new again.  Like a new closet system....able to function in a way that would glorify the Father.

I think I'll buy Jimmy a new Christmas tie to hang on his new tie rack!  Merry Christmas Sweetheart!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Shoot Me Now, PLEASE!

Jimmy and I only had boys.  Girls were NEVER on my desire list when it came to having children.  In fact....I had people lined up to take a girl child away if I delivered a girl.  Boys were on my wish list.  Girls would require shopping, dressing, sewing, tiaras, lots and lots of shoes, dance lessons and costumes, rows and rows of net and HAIR....mega hair and nails!  This was just NOT me!  BOYS were my deal.  Soccer games, basketball and so on.  I was meant to be a boys mom!

If I were to have a girl, there would be a wedding!  A very EXPENSIVE wedding.  That would require me to SHOP!  GAG!  Anyone who knows me well, knows I would rather have my hand slammed in a car door than shop!  And on a budget?  Trying to please someone else?  DOUBLE GAG!  Yes, I planned the rehearsal dinner for the boys.  And I even made a very large todo of it.   We had themes and mariachi bands and football fields and all kinds of things.  But it wasn't a full blown wedding with dresses and decorated tables, with bridesmaids dresses,  and all the other trappings.  Boys...that's the way to go.

Well....I've blown it now.  I have a sweet friend.  Sandra.  My nail tech.  She's getting remarried.  In six weeks.  Her late husband planned her first wedding.  She's panicked.  Doesn't know a thing about planning a wedding.  I opened my BIG MOUTH.  "Oh I'll help you!  Don't panic!  It will be fine!"  STUPID ME!  WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!!!!!!!!

Now I have a daughter.  Shoot me now!

Saturday, June 8, 2013

BLESS HER HEART

In the south, women often comment about other women and add a "tag" phrase ending with "Bless her heart"!  It sounds sweet and thoughtful, complimentary in fact.  But actually, it usually means something totally different.  For instance, if a women were walking down the street wearing a dress two sizes two small, cleavage showing waaaaaay too much for what would be considered a woman NOT of the "evening" and strutting herself with great confidence, another woman having lunch at a sidewalk cafe with friends would look up, and upon seeing her might comment, "look at that sweet women...bless her heart!!!"  In this case, it would mean, OMG!  What a TRAMP!  See, sometimes OUR words don't often reflect what they mean.  Our yes' are not always yes and our Nos are not always no.

However, we can always depend on God's yes being yes and His no being no.  His Word NEVER fails, is ALWAYS true and always means what He says it means.  I am grateful He is faithful, dependable and reliable.  I am grateful His Word is ALWAYS true.  YES it is!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

RIPPING MADE PERFECT

Now that I have granddaughters, my interest in sewing has increased.  I never liked it when I was younger.  And since Jimmy and I only had boys, I never needed to sew.  But since having little girls in the family, I have begun to love sewing for them.  As my interest in sewing renewed, there was one distasteful memory about sewing that quickly came back to mind.  "Ripping"!  Yes...since I'm not the pro my mother and sister are, I tend to do a lot, and I do mean a LOT, of ripping.  For those of you who are not familiar with the term "ripping", it is a process of removing a previously sewn seam and re-sewing it again.  It sounds easy enough....but not so much.  And when you must "rip" over and over again...it gets tedious!  NOT my favorite part of sewing in the least.  Ripping is done when there has been a mistake made and one must alter the garment, making adjustments to make it right.  It seems harmless, easy enough by the maker.  But even then, there can be seen, small holes in the garment where it had been previously sewn (scars). 

Sometimes God has to "rip" out, or convict us of, our old sin nature to make us right with Him.  It must seam tedious to Him to do it over and over again.  But when He finishes, we are perfect...just right....His creation.  Our sins, previously sewn could leave scars.  But with His touch, those holes (scars) are removed and the garment of our lives are made whole and beautiful again.

I am so grateful he doesn't leave us as ugly, filthy rags but makes us into beautifully, perfect garments! 

Friday, March 29, 2013

GRIEVING AND REJOICING


Several years ago,my earthly father died the day before Easter.  It took several days to plan the funeral because of the celebration of our dear Lord's resurrection.  It was a very difficult time for our family.  We should have been celebrating, but instead, we were grieving.  

I wonder when Jesus was hanging on the cross with all the sins of mankind, past, present and future placed upon Him, how God felt to make Himself "unavailable" to His son?  I'm sure He was there (like a parent watching their small child from the shadows, unseen by the child).   But making Him bear those sins alone for 3 dark, lonely and painful hours must have been excruciating for our Father.  I can only imagine the pain He must have felt, the grieving He must have been going through.  To "assign" your loved one that duty because you love others soooo much.

As I remember and feel my grief and miss my dad, I must also remember how much my heavenly Father loved me to give up His son on my behalf and for those that have preceded me to be with Him.  I rejoice in my grief as I look forward to the day I will see  Him face to face and also see my earthly father seated with Him in heaven.

He is not here....He is Risen!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

HE'S NO OZ

I was watching Dancing With The Stars last night.  Dorothy Hamill is a competitor this year and has had an injury.  She came on at the end of the first elimination show and announced she would be leaving the show because of injuries even though she had not been in the bottom two in scoring.  I joked, she needed a Dr. Oz that night.  (Get it....Dorothy and Oz?  I know...lame!)

Funny how we often turn to our great "Ozs" when things go wrong.  Or the great Oz of "good luck" when things go our way. Perhaps the great Oz when we just want a parking space or want to win the lottery.  Apparently the great "Oz" is designed to be our own personal assistant and provider.  But the funny thing is....like in the movie....he's just a dream with no real power.....a wanna be.

Yet scripture says in "Him" all things are possible.  "He" has a plan for us, a plan to prosper us, not to harm us...a plan for us to have a hope and a future.  I rejoice when singing "turn your eyes upon "Him" (Jesus), look full in "His" wonderful face.  Then....the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of "His" glory and grace."  He's no Oz....He's oh so much BETTER!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Nailed Wide Open

My grandchildren live about a mile away.  I know that is not far.  But every time I go over to their house and see my little one year old grand daughter, I open my arms wide and she runs to me for a big hug.  What a joy it is for this old gal.  That sweet smile.  Those dimples.  The sparkle in her eyes.  She's such a joy to see.

I wonder if that is how our heavenly father feels when we finally decide to spend a little time with Him?  But He doesn't have to come to our house.  He's always here, waiting with arms open wide.  Waiting for those moments when we'll recognize He is standing there waiting for us to notice Him.  Waiting for just a few moments of our time.  I read recently, His arms are open all the time, just waiting.  In fact, so that we will know they are open and waiting and that they never shut, He nailed them open.  How can I resist a love like that?  How can I not claim Him as my own?

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Wind Beneath our Wing

It was early this morning, before the sun rose, with just a little light in the sky.  Hershey wanted out to do his "thing" and I always go out with him for a little fresh air.  I was standing on the porch and noticed Hershey looking up into the sky.  Then I heard.  The singing....like a host of angels...voices in one accord.  Though all were in their own pitch and singing their own praises, it was heavenly.  And in a  minute, it quieted...and I heard Him speaking to them as they bowed in reverence.  Then they began again.

If Hershey and the birds in the air begin their day in total adoration of their Creator and He speaks to them as the wind blows through the trees, why don't we, sinful men, understand the Creator is in our presence and sing our praises the minute we awake each day and all day long.  Though we don't see Him, he's as real as the wind we feel.

That crazy secular song from a while back...."the wind beneath my wing"...that is our Lord, our Creator, our Love.  SING!

Monday, February 4, 2013

FEAST OR FAMINE?

No!  Don't!  Stop!  Good puppy!  Good Hershey!  Sit!  Cookie?  How many times a day do I say these words?  I'm still in the process of training Hershey and somehow....He's not quite trained yet!  I can't quite get this precious, chocolate bundle of hair to do the things I need him to do.  Probably because I can't get into the habit, or should I say, I'm not quite trained in making sure I'm consistent in my training methods, to ensure Hershey obey the rules set down to be a good and obedient dog.  I do my best...I give him the finest "treats" to ensure he loves doing what is right.  And the things I am able to do that with (i.e.  outside potty, sit for treats and dinner, bed time, come when called), he does well.  I guess I just have to work on the other things like, no barking, heel when walking, etc.

You know, God gives us treats when we are obedient to Him as well.  We have the joy in knowing we are right with Him.  We have peace, comfort, oneness with Him.  He continues to guide us, direct us and commune with us.  He never leaves us and lives within us.  Yet, there is always this one part of us that sometimes separates us from Him.  This one part we refuse to let go.  One part, like Hershey, is our one little stubborn streak that we continue to disobey.  And we feed/treat this part, this "sin nature" of ours.  And why do we treat it, like I treat Hershey when he does things right?  With dog training, if you treat a dog for doing good, it affirms the behavior and a dog will continue the behavior.  If you stop the treat, he will discontinue the behavior.  So....if we feed our sin nature,...won't we continue the sinful behavior? But if we stop feeding the sin....won't we stop?  Example:  There is a woman who loves to decorate her home.  She is constantly buying decorator magazines and pouring through them, looking for the next new idea for her home.  She tears out pictures, draws designs out and picks out swatches to recover the furniture for her next project.  However, her husband keeps telling her they are terribly in debt and are unable to spend any money on anything.  Though the woman knows this, her habit and desire to spend continues.  You see...this sinful desire to have what she doesn't need and can't afford, what God does not intend for her at this time does not need to be fed by her continued purchase of these magazines.  If she would discontinue to feed this sinful nature of purchasing the magazines, the desire would soon fade and that part of her sinful nature would come under God's control.

So...feast or famine?  What are you feeding your sinful nature that needs to stop?  I think I've had enough.....what about you?

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

http:www.facebook.com/loveysDiaryI had the privilege of attending a wonderful lunch today.  The lunch was a fundraiser for a local Young Lives chapter.  This group is a division, I think, of Young Life that mentors to young, unwed, high school girls.  These young women are remarkable.  They come to this group, many from the most devastating situations and difficult home and/or personal situations, with no where to go or no one to look to.  Here, they're shown unconditional love, acceptance and the One who can meet all their needs and provide the hope they need for a future  - a future already planned in advance for them from the beginning of time.  These young women are the Hagar's of our day.  Women with children born out of wedlock and often looked down on, despised, mocked and turned away.  Women who are left with children to care for alone.  Young women who are cast out but found by their Redeemer who "sees them" where they are at their lowest point.

I guess many of us feel as Hagar did at one point.  Though we may not have an illegitimate child, we are in the position of feeling alone, cast out, ridiculed and despised because in our sinfulness, we failed to trust God and tried to do things in our own way and in our own timing.  We too have had haughty attitudes, despised another, mocked another and even hated in our hearts.  We have been Hagars at some point.  We have hit our Hagar moment.

What is your name right now?  Is it Hagar?  How are you feeling?  Did you know that someONE sees you right where you are?

I'm thankful HE has seen me

Monday, January 28, 2013

STUFFING AND SQUEAKERS

http://facebook.comWell, he's done it again!  We bought Hershey a new stuffed toy for Christmas and he has totally destroyed it!  He LOVES stuffed toys....especially those with "squeakers" in them.  He's had many, many of them.  And with each one, he has meticulously managed to open each one, remove the stuffing all over the house over the period of several days (I guess to give me the "pleasure" of having white carpet for a LONG time) and remove the "squeaker" from it, carrying the "squeaker" around in his mouth like a prize bird he had just caught!  After chewing on the squeaker for a period of a day, he manages to leave plastic chunks in areas I won't even talk about and then throws up in his bed at night. 

Well....his new Christmas toy, a BEAUTIFUL stuffed Baylor Bone was no different.  And I had managed to keep it so well hidden in the Christmas tree from him until Christmas day.  He didn't start on it right away.  But this past week....he went to town.  I have picked up stuffing ALL WEEK LONG!  Then...last night...THE SQUEAKER!  I saw it in his mouth and grabbed it before he could....well, you know.  I thought I was pretty smart.  Yep...that's me...pretty smart all right.  Yep...pretty smart....and who's the one who GAVE him the stuffed bone??????  Well, you can guess where that beautiful Baylor bone is now.

But aren't we like Hershey?  We take the beautiful things God gives us and yank the stuffing right out of them.  The fluff that God put in it to make it beautiful for us, we somehow seem to destroy or remove.  How often in our complaints and selfishness do we flatten the beauty of the gifts God gives us?  Then, we take the "squeaker", the "joy" he puts inside, and rip it out until there is nothing left.

I'm so thankful God is not like us...he doesn't throw it or us away like I do.  God restores, renews, loves us and returns us back to a state of rightness with Him.  He continues to shower us with His gifts and teaches us to to lovingly care for them and those around us.

Thank you Father for loving us enough to teach us the joy in the gifts you provide.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

SLEEPYHEAD


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Hershey just cracks me up! I go to wake him in the mornings to let him out and he can hardly wake up. I've never known a dog that has such a hard time waking up. I don't know why...he just does. He's such a sleepyhead. I open his crate door and he slooooooowly comes out.....strrrrreeeeeetches, leeeeeeeeeans into me and just stands there, like he needs something to lean on until he can get his bearings. Then he gives this HUGE yawn, looks up....and BAM! He's awake! Don't get it. One minute half asleep....the next, BAM! Awake. Blows my mind.

Are people really different? I guess I am. And of course, here I am this morning, as I have the past few mornings, awake since 3:00 am. MAN! I hate these mornings. I am NOT an early bird, though I usually get up early. But its not my favorite time of day. Like Hershey.....I'm slow to wake up. And when it do finally awake...,it is NOT a BAM! It is more like a....Oh jeeee whiz......do I really HAVE TO ???????

However, I have found in these times when I can't sleep and end up getting up at these, as other people call them, "ungodly" times of the morning, they are really my "Godly" times of the morning. It is in these wee hours of the morning, when the house is soooo quiet, soooo still, no one to interrupt me, no Hershey bounding about, no barking, nothing,,,,that I get to meet and hear my Lord. It is in these "Godly" times of the morning that I can really listen, without interruption, without phones, without all the other stuff, with a clear mind and with only God's Words.

So today....I'm thankful for those days I can't sleep and God wakes me up...opens the cage I sleep in. Encourages me to get up, come out, snuggle up to Him, listen and visit.

Good morning sleepyhead!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

http://facebook.com  I've already introduce you to our new puppy.  Yep, Hershey...our chocolate labradoodle.  Yes, he's adorable.  He's lovable, friendly, funny and the cutest dog on earth.  I know, I know....EVERYONE says that about their dog.  However, it's really true about Hershey!  He's chocolate and I could just eat him up!

The thing about Hershey is that he is the most social dog I know.  He loves people.  ALL people.  Doesn't matter who they are.  I thought, perhaps, it was just me, and MAYBE, Jimmy.  But no...he loves ALL people.  And he desperately wants ALL people to love him.  He even SMILES at people.  You can tell by the last picture I posted.  He's a HOOT!  Well....except for those times when he gets so excited that he "relieves" himself as he bounces around greeting someone. ( Most don't think that is very charming).  But Hershey can't help himself....he is so jealous for other's love.  He loves them so that he wants their love too. 

The fact is, when people talk about man's best friend, I truly believe they are talking about Hershey.  They guy is just a knock out of a friend.  He's all over you with kisses and fun!  When you are down...he makes you laugh.  When you need to exercise and don't want to ....he's there pushing to walk.  When you have too much on your plate and are feeling guilty for over indulging...he's there begging to take the hit for you and take it under the table.  When you are cooking and drop stuff on the floor...he's there cleaning for you (what a champ)!  If you leave food on the table, he'll clean the table for you.  (now really, do your children do that?)  And when the grandchildren come.....he BABYSITS!!!!!!  WOW!  When you are in bed and cold, he's there to keep you feet warm.  They guy just does it ALL!  MAN'S BEST FRIEND!

However, there is someONE else who we might consider even more than my Hershey as man's best friend.  SomeONE who is just as social in His relationships with those he cares for.  SomeONE who not only loves me, but loves everyone and wants everyone to love Him.  SomeONE who loves people so much that He is jealous for their love.  SomeONE who brings us joy in times of sadness, pushes us to be our best when we want to go otherwise.  SomeONE who doesn't want us to carry around the guilt, so took the hit for us on the cross.  SomeONE who http:www.facebook.com/loveysdiarycleans up our messes when we are trying to follow His recipe for life.  SomeONE who babysits our families when we turn them over to Him and leave them in His hands.  Someone who holds us in His arms and comforts us and warms us in the glow of His presence.  Man's Best Friend.  SomeONE...Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

ROCKING




http.//facebook.comWe have a rather new puppy.  His name is Hershey.  Hershey is a year old, and is still in the "chew" stage of his "toddler" years.  If you want proof...just look at the skirt of the chairs in the loft upstairs in our home.  For some reason, Hershey decided the skirt on one of those chairs was VERY tasty!

Those two chairs are really the most comfy chairs in our home.  My husband and I LOVE to sit in them to watch movies.  He says we need to have them recovered.  I hate to do that because they just wont be the same...you know how that goes.  They just won't "feel" the same.  The original fabric felt so good and the chair cushions were "just right".  So....what do I do?  The question begs...do I look for new chairs or do I recover?

If I look for new chairs, I would love to get those neat "glider/rockers", like they have in baby rooms.  You know...they are soooooo smooth and soft.  There is something about sitting in them that just puts you to sleep.  You just sigh when you sit down in one of them.  They are plush and soft and they rock and swing and turn and make you feel all kinds of good!  Yes...perhaps that is the answer.

Don't you wish there were "gliders/rockers" for things that could make you feel like that at those times in your life when you are down or even those times of despair?  Those times of loneliness, when you feel all alone, desperate, no where to turn and no one to turn to.  No one who understands and you don't know what to do next or how to "fix" what is going wrong?

I was studying Genesis this week, where Hagar had run off from Abraham and Sarah and was in the desert.  She was alone and pregnant with Abraham's son Ishmael.  She fled Sarah, who was angry with her.  She was desperate, no food, no money, no family, no help and no one to turn to.  BUT....God met her were she was....God "saw her".  And when God spoke to Hagar....it was like He "rocked" her in His arms and made all things right.  He spoke truth to her, told her what to do, told her what would happen and told her to go back to Abraham and Sarah and obey.  He brought peace and joy to Hagar.  He cared for her.  God was her "glider", her "ahhhhhhh", when all the world seemed right, because He was there in the center.

I had that experience once.  I was alone, pregnant, desperate, in despair and felt as if no one understood or cared.  God "saw me" in my despair and God actually "rocked" me!  It's true....it was like rocking/gliding in one of those baby rockers.  He made all things right by His peace and joy, truth and mercy.  It was as if He was rocking me and holding me "under His wing and close to His heart."

Have you been rocked recently?  If not.....I know someONE who is waiting with open arms.