Cover up!

Everything hidden will be revealed!

The other day, I was going through my daily routine of getting ready (to me the hardest part of the day). As I was showering, I put my foot on the tile ledge to shave my leg and noticed a bottle of shampoo move. Hummmm, wonder how that happened. So, I began to watch and every time I would move my foot, the bottle moved. So, I began to investigate.

Sure enough... there was a tile loose. It just so happened (fortunately) that someone was coming to the house to do some work, so I mentioned it and he went and pulled up one tile that was loose. I went back in and was able to pick up 4 more "loose" tiles. So, we dug a little deeper and found quite a few that needed to be fixed.

What an ugly mess! No telling how long the tiles had allowed water to seep down. It was nasty and gross. It took quite a bit of work to clean it up and fix it. First the tiles had to be removed and cleaned, then the rotten wood had to be removed and replaced. Then the tiles had to be refitted, glued and new grout. Then, I had to wait 24 hours before water could come in contact with it.

I began to think about my own life. How many things had I "hidden" or kept covered? Just things I did or didn't do. Not really anything major - I've long been free from the major - obvious sins in my life. It is the little small ones - the little cracks or tiny openings that open the door to rot and ruin in my life. The bad attitudes or unforgiveness and bitterness that had taken root.

I'm sure that this problem with the tile went unnoticed for years before it was uncovered. Ir was only a small hole in the grout that led to this. It could have been worse and it could have gone on for much longer. If left alone and not dealt with, it could have rotted the wall and floor and one day I could have been in the tub and landed on the ground beneath!

The Bible says that if our hearts condemn us it is sin. It is easy to ignore that small voice inside telling us that we are stepping out of line and opening the door to destruction. If left unchecked those open doors will allow rot and filth and disease to take root and grow just like under that loose tile.

We can prevent much pain in our lives if we will pay attention, keep the holes plugged and the joints strong. We do this by staying current in our prayers and reading the Bible and spending time with God. He will show us where we have holes in our lives... He calls it sin. We need to deal with our "holes" quickly and not allow them to get bigger. He also promises that if we will confess our sins that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness...

So, He will do all the work of repair for us - all we have to do is expose it and repent!

Like the nice man who fixed my tile, I exposed it and he repaired it. It looks better than ever before!

Our Father daily loads us with His benefits. One of them happens to be expose and repair jobs. What a blessing! We do not have to go through life with gross rot and ruin and disease hidden and growing only to one day wake up destroyed. We can let Him plug the holes and clean it out and fix it brand new!

For the love of....

Today as I was sitting at my desk something came to me. A love that I inherited. Actually, you could say it is several loves and on different levels. I am blessed and have reaped the benefits of this love. It has also brought much pleasure into my life.

So, what is this love???

BOOKS!

I have LOTS of books. Better said, WE have lots of books. The love of collecting and keeping and holding on to books came from my Daddy. He has lots of books and has even written books. My Mama gave me the love of reading books. She loves novels and mysteries.

I enjoyed reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books when I was a little girl. Now, I enjoy reading my Bible and devotion books. I read books on Natural Cures, "how-to" books, books about people, books on how to be a better person, friend, wife, smarter, wiser. I love to read good Christian novels and magazines (we won't even go in THAT direction about moving magazines...)

Well, now, I have book shelves FULL and overflowing with books. We have boxes of books in the garage, in storage, in corners of the house! My husband has shelves of books in his office! Everywhere I turn, there is another stack of books!

My daughter asked me why I had so many books. I said, because I love them and they are all special. Some I paid dearly for, some are precious gifts, some I got at thrift stores or at my friend Judy's bookstore. Some have been passed down, some have been written by family members!

My sister sent me a little "Golden Book of Prayers" that I had when I was a little girl. Today, I received yet ANOTHER book in the mail.

So, from the title of this book, I wonder, is someone trying to tell me something?


I DO need to go through and share my books with others. My daughter was right, I probably will never re-read those boxes of novels again. I should give them to the library and then if I ever want to read them, I can check them out!

My love and passion for knowledge and acquiring more, has at times been a hindrance to moving forward. (definitely a hindrance as we move!) We are instructed to "put off the weight that does so easily beset us"... meaning, THINGS that are preventing us from being free to receive more. How can God open the windows of heaven on us and bless us if we are so full and stagnant that we can't receive anything else?

I think it is time for me to "unload" some things. Bless others with my blessings. I will keep those priceless treasures that cannot be replaced like my little Golden Book. But all those self-help books that didn't help - I plan to see if they will help someone else!

Funny Friday

Communication can be tricky... like the double rainbow in the picture - our words can have double meaning and one meaning is not as clear as the other. It can sure cause confusion!

Yesterday as my husband was rushing out the door he told me of a meeting at 7 that we had to attend. So I was telling him that I had someplace to go in the afternoon with a friend. He wanted to know when???

So, I said, "it will be 4 or after."

He said, "before or after what?"

I repeated, "it will be 4 or after!" with a little more emphasis.

He got frustrated and with even MORE emphasis said, "BEFORE OR AFTER WHAT?"

Then he didn't have time to listen for the answer and left... or maybe he just realized what I was saying. Then I realized what had happened I got tickled and laughed and laughed and called him and explained. We laughed together at our "miss"understanding.

Sometimes, our conversations are just a lot of not hearing what the other person is saying and not knowing WHY. It has made me think again about words and how we use them and how we HEAR them. An old quote from the 70's is... "I may not be communicating what my mind is thinking and you may not be hearing what my words are saying"

We all have our preconceived idea of what we are hearing. I have heard sermons and wished that a certain person was there to hear it because it was JUST for them. Only to realize later that the message was really just what I needed to hear.

I have also tried to share a "truth" with someone then learned that what I thought I was saying is not what they heard and they acted the opposite of my "advice". Was it my communication or their hearing? Probably both!

If we will open our hearts and minds and hear with love, we will more often hear the real message coming through. My prayer is "Lord, give me ears to hear" then the will to apply it and discipline to walk in it and make the changes necessary.

If someone knows we love them, they will hear correction and act on it. If they know we don't like them, or think we don't approve then whatever we say will be received as criticism and they will reject it.

Let our words bring grace to the hearer and be a means of healing, exhortation, encouragement, instruction and comfort.

Apples and Peaches!

Who KNEW that we had peaches and apples grown here???? Having grown up in Georgia, I am familiar with peaches! I love peaches and have enjoyed picking them most of my life. There is nothing like a fresh picked, tree ripened peach!

God is so amazing! At a time when I am missing those things that are familiar, not really "homesick", but just sort of desiring something ordinary from my past - God surprises me with a bountiful supply of fresh, tree ripened peaches!

Not only peaches, but also "home grown" Granny Smith apples. I didn't grow up with apples, but I do love them and especially the tart Granny Smith.

I learned something valuable. God gives us the desires of our heart. He pours out blessings on us so great that we cannot contain them (I am looking for someone to share my bounty). He allows us to enjoy the things of our past, but also draws us into the present with promises of the future.

I don't want to be like the Israelites who wanted to go back to Egypt and slavery just for the leeks and garlic - or maybe it is peaches and fresh seafood... We learn that we can still have the things we love, but we don't need to allow them to become idols or something to make us unhappy where we are.

God desires to bless us, He cares about our needs and our wants. Just like as parents, we love to bless our children and see them happy and have their needs and desires fulfilled. How much more, God does... Jesus says, that if we, being carnal and evil want to bless our children, how much MORE can and will our loving Father - who is perfect in love and totally unlimited - bless and care for us???? (of course, that is a "merrie" version)

I hope that today we will be more aware of the blessings that surround us and be open to sharing them with others.... want some peaches????

Overcoming!

For those who have moved before, you understand my dilemma...."what do I DO with ALL this stuff????"

Being a pastor's wife, I have the opportunity to move to many places and live in different style and size houses. That is the fun part. I love the excitement and thrill of "new"... new town, new house, new furniture, new appliances, new church, new friends. At times I wonder if I am not part gypsy. You say the words "go" or "move" and my emotions get all excited. Those words conjure up visions of fun and excitement.

Then the reality sets in and the packing and cleaning and moving and then the cleaning and unpacking and settling in. That is where I am now. The trying to settle in. I have shuffled boxes from one room to the next. Stacked them in corners and piled things on top... my husband said on Monday that he is READY to be out of boxes. He wants our home in order.

So, I'm overcoming some major delays and some major obstacles and I am making sense out of our home. I have found the living room! (this is where I had stacked all the boxes to unpack). It is beginning to take shape...

We are encouraged, that if we persevere we will conquer. That with diligence comes rewards. So, as I plod away, one box at a time, I see progress. Somewhere in the Bible, we are told that if we lack wisdom we can ask for it and God will give it to us LIBERALLY without upbraiding (or making fun of us). I am asking for wisdom and claiming it... He is giving it to me. I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me! I am so thankful!

Words

You know, I've been thinking about words a lot lately. Since I started this blog, I haven't been able to come up with any "words" to put here. Funny how that happens - make a commitment to do something, and then suddenly it seems to be the HARDEST thing in the world to do.

Well, back to "words"... it seems that what we say is real important. They have eternal value. I began to question if I was saying what I really wanted to happen and then had a horrible thought... what IF what I said really DID happen... I was horrified!

Some other "Words" began to play in my mind... like, I would be held accountable for "every idle word" one day, and that by my "words I would be justified and I would be condemned" (that one is scary!)... also, that "there is life and death" in my words, and I can "have whatever I SAY". It just kept running through my head about words... and I am saved by the "confession of my mouth". and the prayer that the "meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable" to my Lord! Words are ETERNAL!!!!

Wow.... so, with all that in mind, think about this...the WORDS that we think and speak are like seeds that we sow and they will produce what we have said. Words are powerful.... are we blessing or cursing? are we building or tearing down? Proverbs says that a wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down. I think that it is with words that we do these things...

Another aspect of this is that "whatever we sow, we will reap"... it will come back to us!

So, that's my "words" today... be aware of your words today. Let's be a blessing because our words do have eternal significance.