Irish love and football...

It is Sunday afternoon and I am rambling around on the computer while Royce watches football. He says things like, "there are only a few games left and I'll be finished." Ummm..sure...I've heard that one before. Actually, I love a good football game (at least the first 1,000 of the year)  and normally watch with him ... sorta. But today my mind is wandering out there somewhere. Not sure what's up, but it's busy in there.

Perhaps it is fallout from our week. Last Thursday we had a group of friends over and did a video of our testimony. It was a great night - God was here - His anointing was wonderful and we had a good time singing, praying, talking and eating. The downside to that is, now I want to do it again. I love being with like minded people. I love being with folks who accept me as I am and let me be me. Isn't that a wonderful place to be? Surrounded by people who know you well enough to love you .... even though... well, even though they know you well enough.

There are a lot of articles and such floating around the internet these days about friends. Girl friends, old friends, seasonal friends. But the friends I'm speaking of are actually spiritual brothers and sisters as well as friends. Relationships built in the altar, nourished and fed in the good and bad times of life. The kind that pray for you, love you, and help you through life. Yep - those are real friends. And I love every one of them, whether I just met them or have known them forever.

Now that I have settled just what my mind is rambling over I can go watch a good football game...and eat...again...

Lovin' the season!

Everybody's Talking At Me...

Isn't that an old song? I need to remember the words - something about "can't hear a word they're sayin... only the echos of my mind..." The singer is focused on one person and one place. He is determined to go where the sun is always shining through the pouring rain. Awesome idea -- but one that is only possible if we keep our eyes open and focused on the right 'One' person.

This year, to help me keep focused, I'm keeping a notebook with all the lessons, words, revelations and promises He gives me written down and dated, all together in one place. In past years I have written them wherever I happen to be at the time and we all know what happens after that, but not this year. Now, when life comes knocking and I start listening to 'the echos of my mind,' I will know exactly where to look for His personal words to me.

Don't you love the way the Lord speaks to us at His convenience and His timing no matter where we are or what we are doing. I love that about Him. Mayhaps it is because He's boss and He can do that. :-)  Anyway, since he does that, I even have a new website, "Evernote," that I can post to privately from my phone or my laptop and then when I get home just transfer it to my special book.

Like some of you, I have made other  'suggestions' to myself for 2012. You know, things like, eat more and pray less....sorry,  I meant to say.... eat less and pray more. That is it, exactly!  It's amazing how the laptop types on its own sometimes!

Anyway, now I've put it out there for you to read so I'm committed and accountable. Accountability - that word ripples across time and generations to bring us back on target again and again. Accountability to ourselves, to others and to God. It is a principle that makes us transparent before all and keeps us from throwing rocks when we live in a glass house.

 Sheeze - not liking where this post is going - gonna stop now.

 For your enjoyment ... come join me where the sun shines through the pouring rain:  Everybody's Talking At Me

Lovin' the season...

Unopened Packages ..

Isn't it exciting to think about a brand new year all ready and waiting to be opened and experienced? Just think, 365 new days filled with unexpected treasures! It's mind boggling. Of course the Lord who knows the end from the beginning is aware of every detail that will impact our lives this year and He has already made provisions to cover every need.

Lately, the spiritual realm appears to be very close. I imagine (or realize) a thin veil, someone called it a thin membrane, that separates our world and the spirituals.  I feel I could poke a hole in it and see marvelous things just on the other side. I think the activity there is constant, teeming with boundless energy, but at the same time great peace and order.

For me, if I could poke through that hole, the first thing I would want to see is the face of Jesus. Not in a vision or a dream but actually face to face. Once, years ago, I had a glimpse of His eyes. I was having a very difficult time and had prayed and cried until I was exhausted. Then, just as I was falling asleep, there He was. All I could see were his eyes and all He said was, "I know."  That brief encounter changed my heart and my life. The look in His eyes is seared onto my heart and will never be erased.

 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32: 8

Years ago we sang a song about His eyes:

"O, Lord, you're beautiful.
Your face is all I see.
And when your eyes
Are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me."
(Keith Green)

Today, I  take comfort in the truth that His eyes of love watched over me all through 2011. He was committed, even when I wasn't.

It is a good time to take stock and be certain all the failures, discouragements and struggles from last year are repented over and laid aside. So, as I pack up my Christmas decorations I'll be doing a little spiritual packing up also - getting rid of the old debris and making  a clean slate for 2012.

Of course there are times in our lives that hurts, wounds and emotional pain go so deeply into our souls that only God can heal. For those we keep going to God and trusting Him for our healing. Our part is to keep taking them to Him; His part is to heal. And He will, in time, heal our hearts.

I will  keep the good times from 2011 and store them in my heart. They are treasures to be opened and enjoyed over and over through the coming years.  This year is almost over and God is still on the throne. He hasn't been surprised or threatened by anything that happened in 2011.  He is still in control and His eyes are still on His children.

Come on 2012 - let's start this thing!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

God Meant It For Good

God meant it for good .... I saw this caption earlier on a photograph and once again the Lord reminded me that He is in control. The good, the bad, the ugly - - - it is true, He works it all together for our good.  I do believe though, there are times when "bad" things are specifically meant to bring good to us. The problem is, our bad and His bad usually look different. But because He loves us so much, He understands and hurts with us in our pain.

Last month, my lovely niece was injured in an accident and went to Heaven at only 51 years old. Now, to me that is bad. But to God maybe not so much. Perhaps He sees it as a win-win situation. He wins because his daughter that he loves so very much has come home. As parents we all understand how wonderful it is when one of our children returns after a long absence. To see them up close and personal and throw our arms around them fills our heart and mind with happiness.

Becky wins because she is safely home and has no struggles or limitations. Hummm...Becky with no limitations. Now that is an intriguing thought. She had so many talents and her ability to love on this earth was great; I can only imagine her up there.

And I win because one more member of my family is safely with Jesus and will be there to welcome me at my own home coming. And so, today I choose to focus on the win of this situation. Today I choose to thank my Father for His faithfulness to me and to my family. Once again I must admit that His will is perfect even when it doesn't agree with mine.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Gen. 50:20

Only in eternity will we understand what the Lord accomplished in each tragedy in our lives. One thing is for certain, if we are His child, He is working and loving in every situation.

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. Romans 8:28

Enjoy your first Christmas in Heaven, Becky. I can almost hear you singing with the angels ... how beautiful!

A Family Thing

If I had to choose my favorite gift in our family, it would be the gift of gab  ... in other words, we talk. We talk a lot, we talk loudly and we all talk at once. It isn't so important what we say as it is that we say. Whatever is on our mind has to be voiced. It doesn't really matter if anyone is listening or not - so long as we  give our opinion.  Our family get togethers could easily resemble a stand up comedy try-out.

I have friends who freeze up when they are asked questions or put on the spot. They cannot seem to get the words out. Frankly, I do not believe I have ever in my life not found words. Granted, they are often the wrong words, many times ponounced incorrectly, but never, ever do I find myself unable to utter something - no matter how ridiculous.  Many are the times I wish I had not found the words but alas, my mouth opens on its hinges and words start to fly.

There is however, an upside to this communication gift. Several actually. One, people know where I stand. Good or bad, there it is. More importantly, I know where I stand - it is all there when I yell it out and hear it for the first time as it hangs in the air. Watching the faces around me as they try to digest what they cannot believe I just said  is always an adventure. What they don't know is, its an adventure on this side too - normally I can't believe what I just said!

The moral of this little story - if there is one - is that we should take our gifts from God seriously and develop them in a way that pleases Him. Peter was a great communicator but it took a while for him to develop that gift to the point he was not being told to get lost. But, he did learn and we have all benefited from his lessons. So, there's hope for all of us stumbling speakers and writers who have words in our hearts and minds that sound very different when spoken out or written down. Words that carry life but somehow get tangled in our emotions and sound like something from the dark side instead.

A few years ago the Lord gave me a special scripture that has helped me to trust Him when I open my mouth.

Psalms 81:9 & 10

There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shall thou worship any strange god.


I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.  (emphasis mine)

Open my mouth wide..... got it.... letting Him fill it.... still working on that one. But Peter made it, so there's hope for me!

Lovin' the season....

Love Lifted Me

When Royce was in the burn unit in Utah back in 2000, the Lord came to him late one night and healed him in a miraculous way. Most of you know that, but the interesting thing is what He said that night. OK - first the Lord said, "I have heard their prayers." That was a wonderful encouragement to all of us. But after that, later in their "conversation" Jesus said to Royce: "My love will lift you up."

It took us a while to understand what a powerful statement that was. Not only was He talking about an amazing physical healing, but a lifting up emotionally, mentally and spiritually as well. Since then, Love Lifted Me  has become one of Royce's favorite songs and the phrase is one we have often discussed, pondering the depth of its meaning.

I remember years ago one of our grandsons was about two years old when he contracted a serious staff infection. His parents rushed him to the hospital late one night and when they called to let me know they were bringing his older brothers by our house I had an immediate fear grab my heart. Before I could hang the phone up, the Lord spoke to me, "ride the storm." Ride the storm. The storm is here - its a bad one - ride it.

The only way I could ride that storm was to allow Him to lift me up to that place. The storm was indeed a very bad one. For a while we were not certain our grandson would live. He was covered in big open sores to the point he looked like a tiny monster sitting in the middle of the hospital bed. But then he would flash that famous smile of his and we knew that he too, was riding the storm. After three harrowing days the Lord not only healed him but the sores left no scars. Two years later at four years of age, he was the one most concerned about Granddaddy being confined to a hospital bed for so long.

I'm sure now that he is a teenager he has forgotten that scary time, but sometimes when I look at that beautiful smile I thank God that He lifted each of us up to ride that storm. God's love is like that. In the spirit realm His love is tangible; it has substance and can hold you. God is love. Love is God.

When I sing that song, Love Lifted Me, in my heart I'm singing, God Lifted Me.

And He did and He will. Storms come into all our lives but through His love we can rise above and ride the storm to a new and deeper place in Him.

Love LIfted Me by The Statler Brothers

God Meant It For Good

I saw the above caption on a photograph earlier and once again, the Lord, reminded me that He is in control. The good, the bad, the ugly - it all works together for our good, but I believe there are times when seemingly horrific things happen in our lives that are specifically meant for our good. The problem is, our view of  "bad" and His view of "bad" are usually very different.

Last month my dear niece had a horrible accident and went home to Heaven at only 51 years old. To me that is bad. But, to God, it probably looks a little different. In His view its a win-win situation. He wins because His daughter has come home. As parents we all understand the joy of seeing our child up close and personal after a long absence.

She wins because she can relax and enjoy life with no struggles or limitations. Hummm...Becky with no limitations is an awesome thought. She had so many talents and her ability to love was great even on this earth; I can only imagine what she is like up there.

And, I win because one more member of my family is waiting safely with Jesus for my own arrival. Today I choose to focus on the win of this situation. Today I choose to thank my Father for His faithfulness to me and to my family. Once again, I must admit that His will is perfect; even when it doesn't agree with mine.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Gen 50:20

Only in eternity will we know fully what God accomplishes in each tragedy, but one thing is certain, He works it together to bring good if we are His.

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. Romans 8:28

Enjoy your first Christmas in Heaven, Becky. I can hear you singing with the angels.  How beautiful!