I haven't blogged in a while--but in light of the Worship experience I had this morning...I have to write about it. I have been in many baptismal services in the past, but today was the most amazing I've ever had. Today was a sermon in the series of "WORSHIP WORDS"--today was Hallelujah! and that is exactly what the congregation did today when Raymond was presented for Baptism. Raymond was a new believer and was being baptized today. Prior to his baptism, he had a friend share his (Raymond) personal testimony. The story was about how Raymond had been born the youngest of 13 children. His mother was unable to raise him and the other children, so she gave them all up to a foster family. This was a german family who raised chickens. Raymond said that from the time he remembers, he was responsible for cleaning the eggs. If he dropped an egg, he had to eat it. He was tied to a stake in the yard and beaten by his foster parents as well as the older brothers and sisters. He was abused and tortured in some unbelievable ways. By the time he was 15 he had taken all he could, so he packed all he owned into a paper sack and left on his bike. He never saw them again. He ultimately married which turned into an abusive situation as well. He had 4 children in this marriage, but amidst the problems which were added to by his drinking problem, he ended up in prison for 10 years. Many times he had people try to get him to come to church, but because of all that he'd experienced, he felt he couldn't acknowledge a belief in a God who would allow him to go through the things he'd gone through. After his prison time, he met some people who actually became friends..and eventually met a lady who is a member of our church. She invited him to our church and he came and began to attend a Bible Study class for men and was comfortable enough to begin asking questions. The pastor later visited him in his home for 3 hours and Raymond professed his faith in christ. Today was the culmination of that as he was baptized. After he came out of the water and was dressed, he asked to speak. He came to the mic and called 3 of his 4 children who were there to come to the front at which time he turned to each one and asked for their forgiveness for his not being a good father, but promised them that as of today, they could count on him! The children sobbed (along with the entire congregation) acknowledging their forgiveness to him. After all this had been done, the pastor told him that he knew that Raymond had said that he'd never been told he was loved, and he'd never had a birthday cake...so the pastor said "Raymond, we love you and here is a birthday cake to acknowledge the birthday of your new life in Christ!" (and someone came out with a b'day cake)...it was amazing...what a TRUE sense of 'believer's' baptism. After the service was concluded, the congregation was invited to go to the baptismal pool and run their fingers thru the waters and remember their conversion experience. WHAT AN EVENT!! --HALLELUJAH!!--WHAT A WORD!

I'm ashamed to even get on here to write. But after finally finding my blog site and realizing how long its been since I've written, I felt I owed it to myself. In the course of the MONTH that has passed I have been with my daughter to get her wedding dress, had my 46th birthday, gone a mini cruise to the Carribean and continued to pray and seek God for a church for Tom. Today was a difficult day, I must be PMS'ing! I have felt like all day that I have been depressed and down. I think it hit me when we raced in from church and Tom had to turn right around and changed clothes to head to his job at the airport renting cars! Todays sermon was on jeremiah 29:11--our theme verse--that GOD KNOWS THE PLANS...plans for good etc. etc. It was a reminder that God really really knows what is going on in our life, but in the same turn as I saw him leave for a job that he does for no other reason than to put food on the table, i again don't understand. I sat on the bed this afternoon and just cried because I was so distraught as to our same ole question of WHY??? I felt compelled to pick up my Bible at which time I opened it straight up to Isaiah 40:--and read...the reminder that God KNOWS what is going on and that those who wait on the Lord she have the strength renewed. I have to now and believe that even after 2 years that God IS in control and that he knows what our future holds and that he is control of all of it! I pray that we will continue to trust him and believe that God will meet our needs...ANOTHER Christmas is approaching...

I am sooooooooooo thankful for my daughter...
and her gift with animals.

Friday nite was a terrible night yet one to remember. We were sitting in our bedroom with the dogs at the foot of the bed. Suddenly my husband got up and went to the dog saying frantically "Something's wrong with the dog!" I looked up and saw the dog shaking violently and convulsing! He was foaming at the mouth and had complete loss of his bladder functions. I immediately called our daughter, who works as a Vet Tech at a local animal hospital. She raced herself to the house and found the dog outside. We had finally 'baited' him outside after having been cornered in our bedroom until he could move away from the door. Once outside, we were able to leave him there for Rachel to find him and care for him. She was able to get him calmed down and ultimately put him in his crate for the night, or so we thought. Once Rachel left, we went to bed, but it wasn't long before the dog began crying and whining again. Tom decided to try to let him outside, but once after coming back in, Tom was unsuccessful in returning him back to the crate. We had no choice but to let him stay out of the crate for the night. Saturday morning, Rachel called me to see if the dog was ok. I told her that oddly enough I'd not heard them as I usually did by 7AM. So I got up to go check on them. When I arrived in the den, one dog was sitting at the base of the steps waiting for me...but the sick dog was leaned over against a far wall and was beginning to convulse again. I quickly called Rachel and told her that it was happening again. She told me to get the dog to the animal hospital immediately. It was also obvious that she had probably had many seizures through the nite. The carpet was completely ruined by all of the accidents that she could not control. We tried to get the dog to the van and in her crate for the ride to the hospital, but the dog was completely dilerious. According to Rachel, after an episode such as this, the dog will see multiples of people, so that explained why he would not come to us. Tom tried and tried for nearly 30 minutes to get him to respond to us, but he just avoided us. Ultimately, Rachel came home and had to literally 'lasso' the dog and then inject him with a shot of valium. Then she and Tom hauled this 80lb canine into the van. The dog stayed at the hospital all morning with IV glucose and then we brought both the dog and Rachel home. Rachel has stayed her all weekend to take care of her. After we got home, Tom took up the carpet in the den and began to place peel and stick tile on the floor. The room now looks like a combination of Victory Lane at Nascar, Mel's diner and a chess or checkerboard...(Black and White squares). It is going to actually look pretty good I think and I believe that it will be much easier to keep.

Again...I could have never gotten thru this weekend without Rachel and her knowledge of how to handle animals in distress!

Well, its time to play CATCH UP and tell about what is going on now in my life. Ministry wise, we are STILL in the same place we've been...but God is good and he CONTINUES to assure us that we are following him just as he plans. We are loving being involved in the church where we are now. Jim Tippins is such an amazingly creative minister. Last Sunday he spoke about THE VINEYARD...and we had communion,but all throughout the worship area were grapevine leaves that added to the imagery of his sermon. On the altar table around the Communion elements was a beautiful grapevine wreath, grapes and all the necessary things to creat such a truly environmental worship...WOAH--Ev Robertson, you'd be proud!! And this Sunday is going to be incredible as well. He is speaking on A WEDDING (the parable Jesus told about a wedding)...Jim, Tom, and several others are wearing Tux's, some of the girls are wearing bridesmaid dresses, I, being on the keyboard this week, am playing "Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring" for offertory. Between Sunday School and Worship there will be wedding cookies and punch in the hallway. And all of the members were sent an invitation that said "The King of the universe invites you to attend a wedding feast at Summitt Heights Baptist Church---blah blah" HOW COOL, right!! I'm just so excited about it...and of course, as I say, God is blessing in all of it.

As for other parts of my life, things are same ole same ole. I will say that I am very excited to be typing this blog on a new laptop that I purchased as a whale of a deal on Ebay. LUVADEAL, that's my middle name.

PRAISE GOD for how He continues to reveal himself to us.

Well, its time to play CATCH UP and tell about what is going on now in my life. Ministry wise, we are STILL in the same place we've been...but God is good and he CONTINUES to assure us that we are following him just as he plans. We are loving being involved in the church where we are now. Jim Tippins is such an amazingly creative minister. Last Sunday he spoke about THE VINEYARD...and we had communion,but all throughout the worship area were grapevine leaves that added to the imagery of his sermon. On the altar table around the Communion elements was a beautiful grapevine wreath, grapes and all the necessary things to creat such a truly environmental worship...WOAH--Ev Robertson, you'd be proud!! And this Sunday is going to be incredible as well. He is speaking on A WEDDING (the parable Jesus told about a wedding)...Jim, Tom, and several others are wearing Tux's, some of the girls are wearing bridesmaid dresses, I, being on the keyboard this week, am playing "Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring" for offertory. Between Sunday School and Worship there will be wedding cookies and punch in the hallway. And all of the members were sent an invitation that said "The King of the universe invites you to attend a wedding feast at Summitt Heights Baptist Church---blah blah" HOW COOL, right!! I'm just so excited about it...and of course, as I say, God is blessing in all of it.

As for other parts of my life, things are same ole same ole. I will say that I am very excited to be typing this blog on a new laptop that I purchased as a whale of a deal on Ebay. LUVADEAL, that's my middle name.

PRAISE GOD for how He continues to reveal himself to us.

Sadly to say, it looks as though anoher major storm is about to hit--RITA. This time, it effects my family who live in TEXAS. We are praying intently for them as well as the many who may be dumped on again after Katrina. My heart aches for the many people who have lost family members. I pray that each of them will be reunited and find each other. My mind is distracted as I begin to think of the many things that lie ahead of me for Rachel's wedding. I pray that God will work it all out in a positive way.

Well, My daughter set her wedding date this weekend. I am very happy for them. I believe in my heart that God put them together! I must admit that I am a little discouraged after talking to my dad. I had hoped he would be excited but on the contrary he was quite skeptical implying that it was a mistake. He had alot of synical things to say, which did nothing but aggrevate me and make me determined to help them value the sacredness of the vows they will take. I really am excited about their decision and will bend over backwards to support them. I just pray that I will be able to save enough money to pull it off!

I was made aware of this tonite a church. WOW...what a profound Lament!! This was written by a professor from the school Tom received her undergraduate degree.

Clyde Fant, Stetson University

LAMENTATIONS

How like a widow sits the city once so beautiful!
She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks,
Because there is none to comfort her.
She stretched forth her hands, but none came to her;
They heard how she was groaning, but none came unto her.
In her streets the flood bereaves;
In the sodden houses it is like death.
The leaders and elders of the city have fled, but the poor are trapped
within her levees.

Her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
Those who promised to help are worse than her enemies.
When she cried aloud, none came;
Smooth words promised much,
But they were empty rhetoric, wells without water, phantom bread.
Shame! Shame upon us all.

Who would have believed it!
She who sang even when she mourned,
The people who danced even in their want--
Now they are dying.
Their colorful robes are stained with mud;
They are gray, all gray, the pallor of the dead.

Weep, weep for the great city!
Orators of platitudes, politicians of promises, it is you who betrayed her!
You took from her her safety; you neglected her when she reached out to you.
You channeled her rivers and harnessed her waters--but for yourselves! For
the profits of your friends!
You caused her marshes to dry and her wilderness to recede; you brought the
might of the waves and the winds to her very doors.
The poor, those who dwelt in the lowest places, who lived in miserable
shanties of wood, termite-ridden and forlorn,
Where none but the hopeless would dwell:
You have murdered them, and their corpses drift in the brackish floods,
But their cries have gone up to God!

Woe to you, Republicans!
For you pumped wealth from their lands and sent their sons to die in your
wars,
But they are as nothing to you.
"Who is my neighbor?" You do not know yet the answer to this ancient
question.
Your only neighbors are your friends in the country clubs or the "good old
boys" in the redneck bars.
Your grandfathers set the slaves free, and you return them to a worse
bondage of perpetual poverty!
Your fathers segregated them, but you ghettoize them;
Then you redistrict them to take away the few voices they have,
But God will cause the ruined city to cry on their behalf!
Shame! Shame for your hypocritical use of my name to lure the unwary.

Woe to you also, Democrats!
You were the fathers of slavery, first sons of the South!
You damned the poor to generations of ignorance and want.
Your fathers segregated them, and you promised to bring them into your family.
But where were you when they needed you?
For you lack the courage of your convictions! You curry the favor of the
enemies of your own people!
You have become impotent by your timidity.
You endorsed the wars.
You approved the miserable crumbs for education and employment.
You courted the indifferent, smug suburbs--may you live among them
eternally, bored forever by their white sameness!
Shame! Shame for your graft in the statehouses,
Your selfishness that has turned your people from you in disgust.

Woe to you Christians who pride yourselves in the name Conservative,
Who call all generous spirits and inclusive hearts liberals,
Who see wars as strength and peace as weakness!
The Prince of Peace rebuke you!

Woe to you also, Liberal Christians!
You scorn the common and cause the simple to feel inferior in your midst.
Your hearts are ever open, but your pocketbooks are always closed!
He who lived among the poor rebuke you!

Woe to you, television preachers and megachurch pastors! False prophets!
You deceive the people with your bleats of piety while you endorse wars and
favor your rich benefactors.
Your prophecies of end times have come true--in your own generation!
Look upon the city! Look upon hell on earth!
See what your leaders have wrought, the shame of the earth!
All mock us and call us fools,
We who send armies across oceans but cannot cross the Mississippi to help our
own!
Shame, shame upon you!

I hate, I despise your solemn assemblies,
The self-hypnotic repetitions of your pagan praise-hymns are a scandal in my
ears.
Come before me no more lifting up unholy hands,
Do not use my name to grow your personal kingdoms,
Or to bless your political ambitions.
What do think I desire? Barrels of oil from Iraq?
Herds of sacred cows from Texas?
Go now and learn what this means:
I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
Lovingkindness, not benign neglect.

Weep, weep for my city,
For my people,
For my children.
For they are dead.

Well, I think that August was just written off the calendar! I can't believe that an entire month has come and gone and no blog from me! In reality, I've had and am still having some computer issues that I suppose serves as a good excuse for my negligence. Perhaps the total truth is that absolutely nothing is much different than the last writing. I have done the exact same thing at work, Tom is doing the exact same thing with his work. We are without a doubt, still praying for God to open a door for us on our journey. The Tuesday after Labor Day was a difficult day in that it was our 2nd anniversary of the end of our last journey---the beginning of our third year of a NEW journey. I must admit that I was nearly broken down last week as Tom was making a new video resume which was more than I could watch. This video showed clips of events in our former ministry, which crushed me and brought me to tears of confusion and mystery as to "WHY?!?!?!" I saw a ministry filled with excitement, joy and even fun--not to mention successful with LARGE groups. I watched it briefly and caught myself asking God "Why are we still without a church?? Why are we still waiting?" I can only say that God is really preparing us for something...but I mus admit that I am ready for the revelation.

I am ending for now and will try very hard to not be so long.

I was extremely excited to hear from my son and to see this he sent me. I have no choice but to share it here. I suppose every parent should boast on their kids now and then. http://www.perrynoble.com/ I hope that if you read this that you will read it and share our joy in what God has produced in our son regardless of the things he may have seen in his parents. It proves to me that God will work out his plan in all those he calls and fullfill his purpose in those he calls. That should be an example to Tom and I as we still seek in continued amazement as to what is going on in our own life. Next Sunday will be the first Sunday back to church for our pastor and his wife after a 12 week Sabatical. I Pray that once he is back that he will feel that Tom and I are still a part of their ministry. We feel so a part of them even though it is completely volunteer. As we've been doing for almost 2 years now, we are trusting God for every step we take. In regards to our pastors return, I am saddened that I will miss the big event. My brother has paid for a ticket for me to fly to TX and surprise my mom. There is also an ulterior motive for the trip which is to seek reconciliation between our two families. We left their house Christmas week only to feel as if we'd never return again. Thankfully, there is some reconciliation being sought, and I will do my part to seek what God would have me do to allow that to happen.

I have decided that I need to write again after much time and spaced have passed. I can honestly say that there has really not been anything major that has happened even since the last time that I wrote here. I wish that there were more to write about...especially that there were news about a church or some type of job information--but no, it is the same as it has been. About the biggest thing that I can say is that I am going on a MAJOR low carb restart again tomorrow. I have gained SOoooooooo much weight over the last few months and it is taking a toll on me. I know that I need to exercise and I just can't get motivated to do it. I have been on several different diets over the last few weeks--one that actually has me to eat in reverse. (Eat dinner foods at breakfast and breakfast food at dinner). Then another one that was to eat according to your body type - mine was the PEAR shape that had me eat lots of fish and rice. BUT--after weeks of no success, I have decided to go back to the good ole low carb which has been my best plan so far.

Tonite I'm going to a church not far from here that helped the church we're in now in Bible School last week. The church is supposed to have a special music group coming tonite and I think they'll be good. Unfortunately I have to go alone since Tom is working. Oh well, the joys of maintaining a job to keep groceries on the table.

As I always end, if anyone happens to read this and feels compelled, please pray that God will answer our prayers for a new ministry position. Its almost been two years and we are still as confused as ever as to why we are having to wait. Yes, we know and are sure that God has been teaching us and growing us..but we want so desparately to be in a 'real church'.

PLEASE GOD, hear my prayer
Answer us
Provide for us
Show us your plan for us

ALIVE and WELL

After reading over Matt Tullos' blog, I decided to plagerize and tell anyone who may have interest, that I am not dead or missing either. I have been busier (and Lazier) than I should use for an excuse. Since my last writing I have had a full plate. Some of what I have experienced was a taste of French environment. I flew from Greenville to Ft. Lauderdale and boarded a plane with my aunt and we flew to Montreal Canada. We spent the night there and then boarded Holland America cruise line for a Canadian cruise up the St. Lawrence River to Prince Edward Island, Sydney Nova Scotia, Halifax Nova Scotia then to Bar Harbor (Baa Haa Baa) Maine. And finally, we docked to end the cruise in Boston, MA. What a wonderful 7 days on the water. I love cruising and it was definitely an experience.

Last week, we went to Atlanta to fill in for our dear friend, Tom Moore. Tom has been a friend of ours for many years. He left the SC Baptist Convention a couple years ago, went through a divorce and is now living the 'single man' life in the Atlanta 'burbs'. He is also minister of music at a church and he asked us to come last week and fill in for him (for an honorium-woohoo). The church was nice and I must admit, it nearly brought me to tears. I couldn't help but wonder as we were greeted by people at the end of the service WHY?? Why is it that we are so longing to be in a place where we can use our gifts and ministries--especially with youth music. We are so anxious for God to open a door for us so that we can feel fullfilled again. We have sent resume after resume and for some reason, nothing is happening. In years past, we used to receive calls and letters from pastors asking us to move and our reply we God hasn't closed our doors of ministry here yet. Now that the door has been closed, where is everyone? Why is it that God has kept us waiting so long? We are convinced that we are on a Sabbatical to learn, grow and mature and I guess we feel that we've about learned all we need for the moment. However, regardless of our desires, we will trust that fact that GOD KNOWS THE DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS and that one day, IN HIS TIME, He will grant us our desires and give us above and beyond what we every thought possible. As you read this, would you lift up a prayer for us that God will continue to guide us and provide for us and continue to supply every need for us. He is doing that through many unique and amazing ways and we'll be overjoyed when he sends a church our way.

Today's sermon was on David and Goliath and how we should not let obstacles stand in our way. It was very encouraging for our small church. The guest pastor was trying to encourage us to not lose sight of what God has in store for this church, even in the middle of our pastor's sabbatical. After church we went to our daughter, Rachel's apartment. This was our first time to see it since she moved. I am so proud of her. She has established her own home and environment and reminds me so much of myself 26 plus years ago. I know that God has great things in store for her. She has a precious little kitten at her house that the vet she works for had been brought to try to save from a near death experience. They thought they were gonna have to put her to sleep, but my "RESCUE RANGER RACHEL" couldn't see it and she took it home. The cat may lose her eye, but Rachel is trying hard to save it. Rachel is so good in her field. She has a heart for all God's creatures and desires to love and care for them. We also went to lunch at the neatest restaurant. Beef O'Brady's www.beefobradys.com They are a family sports pub with flat screen tv's in all the booths that you can watch...or if you like, as we did, you can play trivia games. It was really fun and we stayed for hours absolutely in no hurry! Now I've been at home watching back to back Pretty Woman--My alltime favorite movie!! Tomorrow is Red White and Blue Day at work--so I can wear jeans and be casual.

Shout for Joy to the Lord all the earth
The words are yours
I will listen, I will shout
The words are yours
with JOY I will shout
The words are yours
not just in my house, or my church, or my neighborhood, but in ALL THE EARTH.
The words are yours.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
The words are yours
I will worship, not just come to say I've come or to make an appearance, but I will come to WORSHIP.
The words are yours
I will worship YOU, The Lord, YAWAH, Jehovah, The God of all gods, The King of Kings
The words are yours
I will worship with GLADNESS, not drudgery, routine or sadness, but Gladness of heart because YOU have made me glad!
The words are yours
Come before him with joyful songs
The words are yours.
I will come before you with happy, joyful songs that draw others into excitement and joy.
Know that the Lord is God.
The words are yours.
KNOW, be confident, don't question. Believe and trust the LORD is GOD, the only God. The God of my salvation.
The words are yours
It is He who made us and we are his.
The words are yours.
You are the creator, the maker of all. We belong. We belong to you and you belong to us.
We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
The words are yours.
The Lord is my shepherd. When I begin to wander he will hook me with his rod to draw me back to his flock.
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
The words are yours.
Thanksgiving is not just the last Thursday in November, but every time we enter the house of God. You are the judge, the righteous and sustaining judge. When I come into your presence I will do it with Praise, acknowledge your worth, exalt you.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
The words are yours.
I will give thanks to God, I will praise the name of all names. The name that is above all names. The name that at some point, every knee will bow down.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.
The words are yours.
You are good. You know my heart and its desires and long to do good for me. The love you have for me is eternal, everlasting FOREVER.
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
The words are yours.
You are constantly faithful. You have been faithful to my grandparents, to my parents and you will reveal your faithfulness to my family, my children and someday my grandchildren and great grandchildren.
THE WORDS ARE YOURS
I WILL MAKE THEM MINE

Today's sermon was really exciting. It was based on Jesus' First Miracle at the Wedding in Canaan. It was interesting to hear the perspective of how Mary must've felt. She possibly was the hostess to this exciting event and felt completely responsible for seeing that all the refreshments were maintained. Imagine her surprise when she realized that the wine had run out! She felt obligated to go to extreme measures to see that this need was met. As Jesus mother, and one of the few who knew that Jesus truly was the son of God, she KNEW that he was someone who could meet this need. Finally, after 30 years of her life where she had to fight off so much ridicule, Jesus was about to validate who she was as a woman and a mother. She had lived the major part of her life carrying the stigma of having had this child, Jesus, the Christ child, out of wedlock. Imagine having to put yourself in her shoes--having a baby and not being able to be totally honest about the father of your baby or even the future that lies ahead for your family. Now, after 30 years, she can at last put her son on the pedastal that he deserves but wouldn't climb. How many times on a playground do you think Mary had to listen to "Well, my son is already a reader of the scrolls, and he is only 10, or if you could see the table that my son built and hand crafted". Don't you know that Mary so often wanted to say, "Well, top this one, MY SON is THE SON OF GOD!"....Trump, Ace, Gotcha! But no, not until now had she been given the opportunity that she felt like would be the perfect time to say "WHO'S YA DADDY!"...But Jesus responded back to her in a common greek formality of "WOMAN". There was no disrespect, just a statement of acknowledgement of who she was. "My time has not yet come", he responded, which I doubt was exactly what Mary wanted to hear. However, rather than argue or try to pursuade him to do something, or say more to him, she went straight to the servants and said "DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU." I can see her now, hearing Jesus' reply, but turning immediately over her shoulder and saying in a typical Jewish brogue, "Do whatevah he says for ya ta do!" Jesus then spoke to the servants and told them to get the cermonial vases and fill them up. The servants were obedient to Jesus which is the first step to servanthood. They got these HUGE vases that were used for the washing up of hands, feet and whatever before anyone went to the Temple and they filled them not just partially, but to the brim where the water was overflowing. These servants were excited, exuberant, the second step to servanthood. When Jesus saw the vases, he didn't tell the servants to take them to the wedding, he told them to simply scoup out some of the water and take to the head of the party. This required patience on the part of the servants to wait for the miracle to be seen..Thus, the third step to servanthood-Patience. I am sure that Jesus knew exactly what he was doing by not taking out the entire vase. Can you imagine how the party guests would feel when they saw wine being poured out of these 'cleaning vases'. Jesus knew that it would be better received if they just got a sample of what was waiting for them. And as could be expected, the party host tasted the wine and thought that the hostess had been stashing the good wine to bring out later. It was a miracle, and yet it wasn't flaunted or advertised. The only ones who knew the source of the miracle was Mary, the servants and a few of the disciples. And after seeing this miracle, the disciples put their faith in him. They finally were completely convinced that he was not just Mary's illegitimate son, but the SON OF GOD in the flesh.
Obedience
Excitement
Patience
Only in faith, fully following God will we see miracles happen.

Today was an exciting day as we were officially announced as Music Leaders at Summit Heights Baptist Church. This is such an awesome place to be even though it is extremely smaller than we ever envisioned. I believe, however, in my heart that God is going to use us there. Even though there is no compensation monetarily, we believe that God has put us there for a purpose. We have received peace and confirmation spiritually that God will use outside sources to provide for us in creative methods and outside sources. We also feel that when or if God is ready to provide for us in a different method that he will either send us to a place to do it, or else he'll provide the church with the resources to pay us. Tom even made a comment today that he believes that where he is now in our journey is in questioning has he been doing his ministry for 20 years for a paycheck or to draw people closer to the throne of God. He says this part of our journey will tell all.

Here are the lyrics for the song I spoke of earlier...
THIS MUST BE A PLACE
by Steve Amerson

Words and Music by Steve Amerson & Gary Schmidt
© 1998 Steve Amerson Music (UMI) & Cenlergy Music
(UMI)

Souls on the street
Addicted to sin
Selling themselves to survive
Not understanding the hope they could find
In a place where God’s love is alive
They doubt that they could meet
The standards necessary
And fear that they’d Find judgment rather than a sanctuary
Chorus:
This must be a place
Where a broken heart can mend
This must be a place
Where the outcast finds a friend
For we cannot lift the fallen
If our hand still holds a stone
And their sin that seems so great to us
Is no greater than our own
There must be a point where shame meets grace
And this must be the place
The neighbor next door
Keeps the house looking good
while the home is collapsing within
Pressures of life pull a family apart
And temptation’s destruction begins
They doubt the church could have
The answers necessary
And fear they’d find rejection
Rather than a sanctuary
Second Chorus:
This must be a place
Where a broken heart can mend
This must be a place
Where the outcast finds a friend
For we cannot lift the fallen
If our hand still holds a stone
And their sin that seems so great to us
Is no greater than our own
There must be a point where shame meets grace
Bridge:
And the church must be the arms of God
Reaching out to bring them
To a place where they can find His love
Regardless of their sin
Chorus:
Tag
This must be the place

Last nite we had a wonderful evening with some of our dear friends from Mauldin. They fixed a FABULOUS LOW CARB ka-bobs for us and I did a low carb Key Lime Pie--

Today was back to Summit Heights Baptist Church where we have been waiting for God to show us how he wants to use us. Jim, the Pastor is going on a 12 week Sabbatical and asked if we would be open to helping the church in some way while he was gone. We've been going for about 3 weeks --the first week I helped as pianist because the regular was sick. Last week we were just participants, but this week Tom sang an awesome song by Steve Amerson called "This must be a Place". I am including the lyrics because these lyrics truly describe this church. This church thrives on reaching the broken hearted, those who are thought by some as outcasts.. Example is the current Praise Team leader. He is HIV Positive, but is married to a precious lady. Their mission in life is to reach out to and foster HIV positive children. They have subsequently adopted three children, all of whom are black. So, needless to say, this couple has 2 strikes against them..But it is evident throughout the body that there are those who have had issues in their lives that would be a potential pitfall for the average church. Too many churches (like those we've been a part of) would cast stones and feel they weren't 'OUR TYPE'... Well, praise God that this church knows that "God's type" are just soul searching, needy believers in search of love and acceptance. Tom was approached by 3 different people today asking if we'd be interested in helping them while the pastor is away. The guy leading the music told of his passion to sing and his inadequacies to lead and felt Tom was sent there for a purpose. Another lady told us that just this past week she and some others were praying that God would send someone to the church who would start back a choir that she could sing with, rather than just have a praise team. She too said she felt we were sent from God. After I signed this morning 2 people approached me of the desire they'd had and been praying for to learn how to sign as people sang. GOD HAS BROUGHT US THERE FOR A REASON I FULLY BELIEVE! So, just like all the other events in the past year plus, we KNOW that God is guiding us in our journey to GROW US and Develop us where he wants us.
We will continue to pray for God's complete and ultimate guidance for us.

So much has happened over the course of weeks since I have written. I have moved out two children into their own aparments --YEAH RAH for the empty nest..I have also graduated both of those kids and thankfully so! The speaker at our sons graduation was so challenging. Larry Thrailkill. He is a lawyer from Brentwood Tennessee and an active member of Brentwood Baptist Church. Here are the 7 things to which he challenged the graduates:

1. Know your calling
2. Have God sized dreams
3. Expect trouble
4. Remember you'll most likely be the one to get the blame and not the the credit.
5. By your FRUITS (Galatians Fruits) they'll know you.
6. Don't forget who you are.
7. The biggest weapon Satan uses is fear and doubt. Don't be afraid!

I really enjoyed all that he had to say and obviously it made an impact to the point that I am quoting him. On the contrary, however, I couldn't tell you one thing that the speaker at our daughter's graduation said! There was a difference in the graduating classes too. My sons class had two pages of graduates, but my daughters about 15. Needless to say, hers drug on quite a bit longer!!

The other news of interest is that Tom is still praying for God to open a door for us for a full-time church. In the meantime, he was offered a full-time position with National Car rental where he has been working part-time. The manager is a good Christian man and is aware of Tom's ministry calling and desire. He has hired him to work Sun-Tues 4-11 PM (granted we are not currently accustomed to churches that have an evening service, so that schedule works). He will also be off on Wednesdays which is good to work in a church but will work on Thursday and Friday. SOooooooooooooo PRAISE GOD he has at least something that is considered full-time and makes him eligible for benefits!

More to come later!

We had a great weekend this past week at the SC Baptist Creative Ministries Conference. What a joy it was to see people who are so gifted in their areas of minstry. People like Greg Cagle, Jeremy Lucas, Charles and Rebecca Reese, Dr. John Welton, Tyra Lockey....so many that were such a blessing. I will have to admit that I am not a big advocate of clowns and sometimes puppets, but I try to be tolerant of their desire for ministry. As usual, we continue to wait and see how God chooses to provide a full-time church for us....but as we've been doing, we will wait for him.

I am very thankful and grateful that Tom made it back home safe and sound. It was wonderful to see him again. I actually had to wait 2 days after he arrived home to see him because I was out of town with my dad having surgery. My dad did great by the way, but I was glad to get home to Tom without question. We're still maintaining our course on our journey. Tom met with a committee from the church where we'd been on the weeks surrounding Easter. It seemed to be a good meeting, but we've yet to hear anything. We're praying that God will open a door for us in some capacity of ministry. Tom was actually offered a position with the rental car company full-time, but it would have been Sunday evenings through Thursday evenings. We still didn't feel we could comprismise to that extint yet, but the owner was kind enough to still offer something that was an upgrade from where he's been. We know that God knows the desire of our hearts and we trust that he will answer us when he is ready.

Dear Friends and Family--

Just a quick note to tell you that Tom called me late
last nite..about 8:30ish their time.  THey were about
to board a plan to Calcutta.  He says overall the trip
is going well, However they are experiencing some
terrible battles with the food.  Apparantly the two
that had been named in a previous note who were
dealing with digestive problems were only the
beginning.  Tom said that the last couple of days he
has felt deathly ill with an India Infestation of
backfire to the food!  He said that many, himself
included could just get near the food that carried
certain smells and just hurl on the spot!!  I am sure
he feels like he's ready for FEAR FACTOR!  None the
less, outside of that, things are going well.  I think
he is amazed at the congestion of traffic and people
throughout. 

Well, that's all I have for now...Main
thing...continue to pray for their health and
strength.  I know they value your prayers.

More as it comes...
Diane


  

Hey Friends and Family--I'm attaching a letter from
the Director of Tom's group.  Thought you would find
it of interest..++++++++++++++++
Hey guys:

I appolgize for not giving any updates on our trip.
Our schedule has been so tight and the Internet Cafe
doesn't open until 11:00 am our time. We have been
getting back to our rooms as early as 10:30-11:00 pm
and one night 2:00 am.

Things have gone well. The workshop with the Bangalore
School of Music went well and was well received. The
trip to Valore was long but some beautiful scenery.
The concert at the Medical School was well attended
and went well considering the piano had not been tuned
since the British Occupation and had missing felts and
notes that did not speak at all. It was good to have
Skip with us. He was able to make some unorthodox
alterations to make it work. It is amazing how may
things you can do with toilet paper. It was good to
get away from the big city to see the small towns we
went through. The traffic is awesome, awful, and on
the wrong side of the road. Several have found that
pedestrians do not have the right of way and actually
there is no right of way, it is a left of way.

We began our first of three benefit concerts last
night. The crowd was small but we were well recieved.
Dan Williams and Mark Powers had to leave the stage
several times to take care of business. Pray for them
that they can get their digestive tracks back in order
and pray that the rest of us will be spared. The food
is, lets see, HOT. Everything is SPICY. Now us cajuns
are not having any trouble but the uninitiated have
been having a difficult time.

The temperature is hot but the bus and our rooms are
air conditioned.

Again, keep us in your prayers for health, strength
and opportunities to witness.

Jim Gill

Hi Friends and Family:
I talked for about 8 minutes with Tom this morning.
That was the first time I'd talked to him since
Tuesday nite.   He said they have been pretty well
sleep deprived and that has been the most difficult.
He says the temperatures are incredibly HOT and that
the food has not been too bad...although it too has
been rather HOT.  Where would he be without TUMS!
They've only found one internet cafe and they closed
at 11:00 PM.  He and another guy headed over in
pouring rain the other nite only to find them closed
five minutes early.  Yesterday they went on a trip
about 5 hours away - one way!  By the time they
finished it was 2am when they got back to the hotel
and close to 3am before actually getting in bed.  The
beds are hard and short--so our LONG MEN are probably
hating that!  He also said that there is a nice little
Americana Coffee shop with americanized sandwiches
etc. that has been a lifesaver to some.  Yesterdays
concert was at a Christian hospital and they people
were very responsive.  They'd never seen Handbells, so
that has been a big hit.  Sooo Christine, it may be
time for an India Tour!!  Tom was able to talk with a
Medical Dr. whose husband had done his Master's work
at UNC = Chapel Hill during the same time we were in
that area for Seminary.  Needless to say, that was a
great conversation maker.

Tom says that no one has gotten sick, so continue to
pray for their health as lack of sleep could hit them
healthwise.  Thanks for your prayers for him and all
the others.  Sorry this is so scatter brained, but I
tried to remember everything to share.  I will write
again as I hear more.

Blessings to all!
Diane B


  

Tom is in India now with the Singing Churchmen and I must admit that I am beginning to get a little saddened and missing him. There is only so much that you can do when you are completely home alone. I have no one here no except the dogs and cat. The empty nest is difficult when the rooster isn't even at home. I am praying for the guys that God will bless them in an extrordinary way. I am also praying that God will protect me while I am here and that I will be kept safe.

I suppose that my slackness in blogging is coming back to haunt me as I opened my mailbox at home to find a LIFEWAY package. In the package were the preview books of LET'S WORSHIP which contained TWO of my writings. AMAZING to me for sure. I expect that if I anticipate to receive any future copies with my name in headlines that I should become more committed to my blogging. Let me write a little of what has been going on so that if anyone happens to read this you'll know where God is in our life. At the present time, God has once again shown himself faithful to us to provide a temporary place to serve. We were asked to 'fill-in' at a local Baptist church for Palm Sunday and Easter. The church is a very old congregation, but they are precious, sweet believers. The pastor and his wife are young and like ourselve, try and succeed at defying their ages both in looks and mentality. The pastor is a great writer himself and I plan to turn Matt Tullos and Jim Tippins on to his writings. He actuality broke the 'preacher mold' on Palm Sunday evening by doing a monologue that he had written THAT afternoon. It was incredible--to the point that afterward I questioned him as to who had written it, thinking it would be someone like Matt or another known monologue writer. To my surprise, he shared that he had put it together that afternoon. I was overwhelmed! His wife is our Sunday School teacher and she is very outgoing and personable. She teaches 6th grade Science by career and is really good at relating Biblical truths. Easter Sunday was eventful. We had a 7AM Sunrise service in the worship center. The pastor spoke for about 10 minutes and led right into Tom's presentation of "Arise My Love" with dowel rods. The response to that prooved my thinking of our ministry. That is that even though much of what we know and love seems old hat and routine to us, there are STILL those who have not yet seen God presented in these creative ways. God knows the desires of our hearts is to share HIM in a new and creative fashion, and this past week was evidence that it is still a possibility. We don't know what our future holds (DUH!-of course) but we are open to staying there as Interim until God opens other doors. God also knows the passion we have for Youth and working with them, so the fact that there are NO youth at this church appears to be an issue, but we are praying for God to make a place for us to be able to share as He has called us. We had a wonderful experience last month to share that passion for youth at another local church. We have a friend who is minister of music and she had seen our previous youth group do a musical drama interp to "Watch the Lamb". She contracted Tom to come and hold a workshop with her youth and teach them this drama for presentation on Palm Sunday. The loved it! and from the tape that we received afterward of them, they performed it beautifully. What a priviledge for us to share this and to see the excitement in their eyes as they learned a new means of sharing the Gospel! They told us that as the pastor stood at the end, he could do nothing but cry and close in prayer! What a testimony!
The next big event happens on Monday as Tom and 26 others leave SC to head to India on a Music Missions Trip. The South Carolina Singing Churchmen will head there for 12 days to share God through song and testimony. As you read this, would you commit to pray for them in the ministry, safety and successfullness?
Blessings to all of you who may read this that I consider my writing friends and critics. Please share a response back to me if you don't mind so that I know that these words are hitting the circuit out there in blogger land!

Lord, Send us a Sign!

If ever we needed a sign, yesterday was the day. Tom was interviewed by U-Haul for a General Manager's position. This would have been a JOB, and that's about all that could be said for it, beyond extreme stress and personality adjustment. There was a part of us that felt like we wanted to just take it and say "YES, he finally has a real job!". Then there was the other part that said, "But where is God in all of this? Are we really trusting God to continue to provide for us and place us in ministry?" Sometimes it would seem so much easier if God was not in this equation. Then we could easily say, we're making this decision based on logic rather than what we believe to be Faith and Trust. Tom and I independantly were praying that SOMEHOW, God would give us a sign to remind us of his provision for us and of his promise to keep us in ministry. The first sign came when I arrived in choir and stuck inside of my choir folder was a card from a dear friend with $100 inside of the card. I found the man and hugged him and quietly said to myself, "THANK YOU for the sign!". Then later that evening after arriving back home, the phone rang and it was a member of a committee from a church in Arkansas that was interested in our coming out there for an interview. Again, I said "THANK YOU for the sign!" We didn't see any billboards or writings on a wall, but our hearts were comforted that God is demanding our obedience and that even though it may be a slow process, God will honor our faithfulness. Tom is calling U-Haul today to decline and we will continue to wait for God to reveal to us where we are headed next on this journey.

I can't believe how inconsistent I have becoming in maintaining this blog! I am ashamed at the way I've allowed this to happen. No matter what, there have been so many times that I've thought "I need to write about this", but it has just remained a blog in my head to try to recall. I will try to remind myself of some events that may be worthy of trying to recount.

I think the most recent event and memorable was our trip this past weekend to Myrtle Beach. Tom and I were asked to judge the Miss Soscatee High School pageant. It was the first time that we had been asked to do anything like this, but we completely loved it. I honestly felt like we were judges from American idol when we were judging the talent. There was some of the most incredible talent that I'd ever seen in a high school pageant. The most amazing talent was a girl with a beautiful spirit in a wheel chair and walker. Jenna, whose goal is to become a pastor or a youth minister, totally let Jesus shine through her in everything she said and did. She told us in her interview that her step mom had helped her to realize that God had given her the spiritual gift of teaching and speaking and that is what she wanted to do. Her talent was a powerpoint presentation she had put together of herself from birth to the present with all of the highs of meeting celebrities to all of the athletic events imaginiable. All of these wonderful scenes to the music of "You Raise Me Up". She was truly an example that beauty goes far deeper than what we see on the outside.

I'm laying here in my bed now nearly asleep, but I would be remise if I didn't stop breifly before approaching dreamland to share this blog. Last nite was an incredible evening as we went HOME to First Baptist Mauldin. We walked in the doors and it was as though the dove of peace landed on our shoulders. We walked into the fellowship hall to eat and could barely get in the door before people were coming to us, grabbing us and telling us how much they loved us, How glad they were to see us and best of all "WELCOME HOMEs". We truly did feel at home. The most precious event happened when we approached the table where some of our closest friends sat. The mother of the friend who is in jail for attempted murder of her husband. With her, sat the rest of the family,including the two beautiful boys of Laura, the one in jail. When the boys saw us, they RAN to us and literally crawled up our bodies hugging us with everything they had. Then the older one pulled away and looked at me and said "Where have you been? I've been looking for you, You've been gone a very long time" It was so special. After supper and the usual rehearsals of which we were involved, we went to Adult Choir. The new minister of music is really very good and there were aspects about him that confirmed why he was more suited than Tom. They both have different types of personalities and gifts, but it is evident that each meets specific needs of the people. We had shared with the Minister of Music during supper of the events that happened to us. He was almost in tears and he even spoke about having a pain in the pit of his stomach as his heart ached for us. Well after going through several pieces in choir, he stopped and asked Tom to come and share what had happened. Then the MofM told the choir "We're going to do something that I feel very led to do. This may take some of you out of your comfort zone, but I feel we should do this." He proceeded to ask for 2 chairs for Tom and me to sit. He asked the choir that if anyone wanted, they could put a hand on us or just encircle us. Nearly the entire choir of probably 50 or more encircled us warming us with love, encouragementant and prayers. The tears began to flow, both from me and from those around us. God showed up and completely confirmed to us that we had made the right decision to be there that night and also confirmed that God was not surprised at this event.

We believe now more than ever that God will provide for us and that he will take care of us completely just as he has up to this point.

Based on the previous blog, you could try to make assumptions as to how our day may have begun today. However, just as God knows who we are and what we need, He chose once again to reveal Himself to us. I read my 'online' devotion this morning and was so blessed as I read about Balaam and the donkey. God used a DONKEY, of all things to show Baalam that he was going in the wrong direction. But the devotion went on to say that God may be doing one of four things when you are faced with an obstacle:

1) He's blocking it to protect you.
2) His timing to complete this stage is not the same as yours,
and He may need you to go through a process of character refinement.
3) He may want other players to get in place,
and the circumstances are not yet ready for them to enter.
4) He may be using the process to develop patience in you.

Relying on the Holy Spirit to know which one applies to your situation is the key to moving in God's timing.

Isn't that just like God...He uses the very circumstances around us to teach us a spiritual truth!

Sadly to say, its been a week since my last blog. Amidst a brief episode of snow on the weekend, we had a relaxing weekend. Church was cancelled because of the weather, but even in the weather we can see that God has a plan for everything. Had it not been that we touched base with the pianist yesterday, we'd have probably never known that church was cancelled. At any rate, today, Tom left home and headed to the church so that he could get his plans laid out for the upcoming Sunday. Then he was going to the car rental job. He had been asked to swap shifts with a guy for Thursday, so he would go there after the church. Once he got to the church, the pastor called him into the office and told him that he didn't really know any other way to say it, but he didn't think that Tom was gonna fit! What a shock! I mean, this was a pastor who after our 1st Sunday began talking about acruing vacation and sick days and getting insurance...and most of all, he encouraged us to cancel another interview that had already been scheduled. Feeling that perhaps this really was where God wanted us, we resigned ourselves to trust the fact that God would take care of us! But this was a BLOW, a slap in the face AGAIN! Tom asked the pastor if he wanted him to go ahead and get his things out of the office and the pastor said "That would probably be best." How unreal! So, basically, our last Sunday was yesterday, that we didn't even get to attend because of the weather. Another thing is that we found out a couple weeks ago that the church paid in advance. At the time, we thought, this is great, this is like an extra check....but now, today was the day that Tom was supposed to get paid, but he didn't get anything. We had taken the money last time and bought tires for my car and set aside a portion for Tom's Taiwan Trip. Now, we are going to have to figure out what we will do. I've talked to several people about this and the opinions are so mixed, which is perfect for how we feel. Some people are saying --"Trust God, you know he's preparing something GREAT for you"...Then others are saying "Well, someone must be blackballing him and whatever he did at the other church is out"...but of course EVEN WE have no clue to anything that contributed to his dismissal the first time, and certainly not now. All I know is that GOD IS NOT the author of confusion, and we have NO CHOICE but to trust God and wait for him to prove himself!

I am so confused right now...We've been so excited about things at this church, and now all of a sudden, Tom feels like there are power plays happening. The pastor AND the associate came in at different times yesterday and made mention of how 'disjointed' they thought the service had been. Of course, Tom took it all very personal and is feeling that he personally is being attacked! It makes no difference I'm sure to either of them, that the choir sang a song that was WAY out of their league. And amidst the struggles, they still received applause afterwards. I don't know, its just very frustrating to feel like I am trying to be the positive factor in all of this. Then today, he says that someone came in and took his computer away. Apparantly the pastor bought the computer from the church, even though no money has changed hands as of yet, but none the less, it was the one Tom used. The one that he got in exchange seems to be a piece of junk. Needless to say, Tom feels as if this has all been intentional and he is beginning to question things.

If any of you, our friends, read this blog, please commit this to prayer. We have prayed repeatedly for God to guide us in this journey and have felt that He has been doing this...But, I'll admit, this is a difficult, difficult situation to find ourselves!

Fancy words and accolades. These are the words I'm hearing now about the loss of a legend...Johnny Carson. What I wonder is that if there had been TV back in Jesus' day. Who would they interview? Would they have reports from his close friends and family. Perhaps Mary, Martha and Lazarus would speak about the perfection of Jesus' timing. I'm sure that there was an InnKeeper who would boast in the fact that his barn and animals were never the same after the night that he sheltered a family. I expect that a Roman Centurion would make a heartfelt confession of the part he played, yet how he was blessed to realize there was something about him that changed his life. The list could go on I'm sure...I think that an interview with Jesus would be so much more rewarding than one with Johnny. The incredible thing is that one day, I will actually be able to have my own 'interview' with JC...Fortunately that will be Jesus Christ and not Johnny Carson!

Dinner with Friends!

Tonite was so special! We had the opportunity to have dinner with our dear friends from our former church. These were our friends and accountability partners from FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY. What a joy to share stories of how we were seeing God at work at both of our lives. The downside to the situation is that it is their daughter who is in jail for attempted murder and hiring of a hitman on her husband. There is a tremendous amount of turmoil and divided loyalties still remaining with her daughter. She appears to be resentful that her mother is maintaining a relationship with her son-in-law in order to keep access to her precious grandsons. As horribly mixed up as it sounds, our friends are trusting God to intervene and soften hearts. We pray that for the sake of the boys that it will happen!

Hearts are hurt
Vows are broken
He said She said
Seems all we know
Can't there be some
peace or mercy
Grace, Forgiveness
and lessons learned
People argue over
Who gets what
Mothers and Fathers
who give their all
The children watch
but stay confused
They come and go
between the two.
God is able to heal the hurt
To turn the anger
Restore the Love
No matter what the children see
No matter what they hear them speak
Their hearts will love and understand
That mom and dad are all they have
For their sake and no one else
They're the vital hearts to save
Let them know that God held true
He gave back love that once they knew

Today has turned into a wonderful day...one that we have prayed about for a long time. We truthfully didn't see how God could take us to a Part-time church, but we have determined in our hearts that this IS where we are to be. As of right now, it is still considered Interim I think, but it will eventually be offered as a PERMANANT position. Even though it is part-time, we are trusting God to continue to provide for our financially needs and if God desires, we know he will provide some type of Full-time position elsewhere, or perhaps this church may grow to that...who knows??? we just know that God is in this and we are so grateful. We have had so much encouragement from daily devotions that speak of 'trusting God in a different direction', 'BE OBEDIENT', and many other incredible things. We will continue to trust God to open our doors and keep us where he wants us.

TRUST

To Place my Confidence

I place my confidence in the Lord with all my heart
I do not depend on what I understand
In everything I do I want to acknowledge Jesus for who He is
My result will be that He will direct my steps wherever I should go.

Those who know your name will place their confidence In You.
Jehovah Jireh
Confidence that you will provide
El Shaddai
Confidence that you are sufficient
Jehovah Rophe
Confidence in your healing
Jehovah Shalom
Confidence in your peace
For you have never forsaken those who put their confidence in you.

If I place my confidence in You,
I know that you will provide me with
the desires of my heart.
I don't expect you to give me things selfishly,
I just completely believe you are faithful
I completely believe
I completely believe in YOU
You are faithful
Worthy of all of my confidence.

The Laws Of The Lighthouse

by Max Lucado

The greatest day of lists is still New Year's Day.

And the number on list is the list I call the Laws

of the Lighthouse.



The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good

ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions.

They are God-given, time-tested truths that define

the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and

enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the

ragged rocks o freality.



The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the

signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.



Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

-  Love God more than you fear hell.

-  Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.

-  Make major decisions in a cemetery.

-  When no one is watching, live as if someone is.

-  Succeed at home first.

-  Don't spend tomorrow's money today.

-  Pray twice as much as you fret.

-  Listen twice as much as you speak.

-  Only harbor a grudge when God does.

-  Never outgrow your love of sunsets.

-  Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.

-  'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of

scrutiny.

-  God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.

-  When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.

-  Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.

-  Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.

-  The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.

-  Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.

-  Live your liturgy.



To sum it all up:

Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the

vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off

when you get home.



>From In the Eye of the Storm

Today was our first day at the new church. It was amazing to just get there in such a SHORT time! Interestingly enough, it was about half the distance we've been used to driving...also, we only had one service, so we were able to sleep in and leave MUCH later. The Bibe Study class I went in was led by the Pastor's wife. She is a WONDERFUL teacher! And just as God would have it, the Bible study is about OUR JOURNEY!! I couldn't help but interject to the class about how God has led US in a JOURNEY. I have a feeling that regardless of what happens on a permanant basis, God will allow me to participate in this Bible Study. Tom did a beautiful job on his solo this morning and I think the church was pleased. Without a doubt, the service style is an adjustment, but we are completely trusting that God has us here for a reason.

Last nite was a really different experience. We went to a new church that has called Tom as Interim. We have been SOooo spoiled at the previous church. I can't begin to tell you how much we miss them. The church last nite was nice and friendly, but So so different. They are a much smaller church and the musical quality is certainly lacking. God has defintely placed us in a unique siuation where we have to really decide if this is the right NEW place. A part of us feels as though we have gone back in time 15 or 20 years! If this is what God wants, then we want to be open to that but we just don't want to 'jump the gun'. Also, Tom mentioned tonite that the car rental place is about to start looking for a full-time person at their airport counter. I keep wondering if this is God's way of saying "IT'S TIME TO READJUST YOUR MINISTRY CAREER". If you read this, please join us as we pray for DISTINCT CLARITY!

So far from perfection
So far from holiness
I need your perfectness
I need your holiness
In times when I am weak
Remind me you're my strength
In times when I am down and out
Remind me you're the one who cares
No one else may understand
and no one else may lend their hand
but you my God are all I need
You alone on whom I feed
Be my shepherd
Be my guide
Be my helper
Be my all
The only one on whom I call
You are God
My all in all
I bow to you and humbly fall
Help me face the days ahead
and know your footsteps are my tread.

It's been a while since I last blogged. I hope that all my blogger supporters had a Beautiful Christmas and an exciting New Year. We were out of pocket on vacation to TX. My brother was gracious enough to send us money to cover our gas expense so that we could make the trip. We had a fabulous trip made up of visits with my mom as well as my brother and his family. We had several Mall trips, our annual movie trip and some incredible food. One of the BEST resstaurants we visited was caled TEXAS DE BRASIL. I had a 40+ salad bar along with a meal that was phenomenal. We had a 'coin-like' object that wass green on one side and red on the other. When you wanted food, you turned it to the 'green' side and to 'red' when you wanted to stop for a while. The waiters came around with food on a skewer that you chose from. Everything from "Parmesan Chicken" - to "Bacon wrapped filet mignot!" It was amazing!!!! Our bill was over $500!! I've never eaten anywhere like that EVER! Oh well, enough of that, since it has now turned over to a new year and new food plans will prevail.!! As it stands right now, Tom and I have agreed to start our NEW FOOD PLAN on 1/31/05. This basically gives us the remainder of January to get ready to be strict!!

Again--Happy New Year to my readers and may God be with you this year. Continue to pray for us on our journey!