Family at Christmas

Last night, Lisa & I were able to give something to our Liberty Church Family. Our parents were able to attend the church Christmas meal & the variety show afterwards. Even better, we were able to share some of our own family Christmas traditions with our church family. My father, Papa to those of you who know him, sang O Holy Night. I was bursting with pride and had to wipe more than one tear from my eyes. Then, as a gift to Liberty, my mother took the stage and read the beginning of Luke 2. We arranged a chair for her and had all the children in the audience come and sit around her. I have to say that my mother was made to be surrounded by children! It was truly a beautiful way to prepare for the days before Christmas.

I so enjoy sharing my birth family with my church family. They both are sweet gifts from God into my life! As Paul so eloquently said, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." May you have a rich, beautiful and merry Christmas whether you are with the family you were born with, or the family that has been given to you.

Lara

Music

Of the many beautiful things that my parents have sowed into my life, music is one of the greatest. My father has one of the best tenor voices I've ever heard. And no, I'm not biased, why do you ask? Honestly, though, people are have always loved to hear him sing. Lisa and I both sing. Richard can, and very well, but prefers to preach. Mother has sung in each of my father's choirs, but listens, smiling, from the audience as we sing. Growing up, I believed that music had no color or race. I grew up listening to Christian music from Andre Crouch, Truth & Bill Gaither. My father brought music from all of these artists to Baptist churches in Mississippi and Louisiana where they might not have been heard otherwise.

Shown here is the official Moore Christmas favorite! As children, each school morning in December, our mother woke us up with the first song on this album. As each one of us went to college, she couldn't do so each morning, but on December 1st, the payphone in the hall would ring. Sure enough it was our mom, playing 'Ching-a-Ling'! Now, with part of the family in NY, it's still played over the phone on 12/1. Those of you who know us, know that we are a bit fanatical about Christmas, with each room decorated. Yes, even the bathrooms! This is one of our precious traditions. May you hear our 'Ching-a-Ling' someday! Merry Christmas!

Lara

Where Do We Get Off?

This is from a young man in Bible college in south FL. His family are members of my church, Liberty. Cam was in our youth group and has participated in just about all of my dramas and drama classes. He's always been a great kid, but this level of maturity is a beautiful thing to see. Especially in someone I've watched grow up!

"Where do we get off?

(American Dream)
11:47pm Monday, Dec 10

So I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.

And one thought keeps coming to mind...

Where do we get off?

Where do we get off complaining about not getting an iPod for Christmas?Where do we get off complaining that we don't have an SLR camera?

Where do we get off complaining that the food in the school cafeteria tastes like filth?

Where do we get off complaining that the coach section of a plane isn't comfortable enough?

Where do we get off complaining?

Period.

How many times have you seen a video of people in Africa jamming to an iPod or taking artsy fartsy pictures with an SLR?

The kids in Sudan.

Uganda.

Darfur.

Mexico.

Bosnia.

On the streets in America.

Wherever.

A lot of them are lucky to get one meal a day.

Lucky to have one shirt.

A pair of shoes.

A mat to sleep on.

Any kind of shelter.

Where do we get off?

This is what I challenge you to do.

Watch Invisible Children.

Think globally.

Think about the homeless.

Think about others.

Your money.

Our money.

It is a blessing from God.

We are blessed.

Why don't we share the wealth?

Why don't we bless others with what we have excess of?

But let's remember what we have.

Let's be thankful.

I go to the best school on the face of this planet.

I get 3 meals a day.

I am going to have an amazing Christmas.

I am 19 years old and have never gone without.

I have a Savior who loves me more than life itself.

Literally.

Let's look at what we have.

Let's thank God for what we have.

Let's be happy.

Let's help others.

Let's be used of God.

Let's reach out.

Let's be a blessing instead of a mass of consumerism and selfishness.

Let's do what we were called to do.

Let's fulfill the Great Comission."Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned"(Mark 16:15-16)

Let's do what we were meant to do.

Let's wake up the church.

Let's wake up America.

An America that cares for its neighbors.

An America that cares for the needy.

An America that cares for the suffering.

Let's start a brand new American Dream."

Cam Harless

I can't think of anything that I can add to this.

Lara

All Things

I'm pretty wiped out today. We, Lisa & I spent the weekend making the house 'Christmas Ready'. We decorated 2 trees, pulled up boxes out of the basement, unpacked them, then took the empty ones back down. While decorating the living room tree, I thought about all the stories I've heard. You know the ones, where the tree falls, breaking all the most precious ornaments. And guess what? That tree fell this Monday. I kept thinking about our special ornaments. The ones that 'mean' something. Lisa's Waterford ball. The glass ornament from Baggins' (our dog that died a few years ago) first Christmas with us. The blown glass ornament that I always try to hang by a light so it will glisten. Okay, so maybe I'm just a tiny bit materialistic! I just love those ornaments! And the nativity scene underneath the tree. Lisa's pieces that are limited editions, and hard to replace.
To put these material things into perspective, grief is blanketing Blount and North Jefferson counties, here in Alabama. Seven cheerleaders of Hayden High School ran off the road and down a ravine on Thursday night, 11/30/07. Whitney, Sarah and Courtney were killed. What are these ornaments compared to the loss of three girls just at the start of their lives? Which one of their loved ones would break every memento if it meant bringing the girls back?

I am connected to them through co-workers and patients in my doctor's office. And only one question is on every one's mind, "Why?" I can't answer that question. There is no answer. But I can tell you this. At the close of each funeral on Monday, there was an altar call. Bonnie, my co-worker who was at Sarah & Whitney's combined funeral, couldn't count the number of people who went up for salvation. Does the salvation of these people make up for the loss of these girls? Some might not think so. But, because of them many now know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. We will see Whitney, Sarah, and Courtney again. We will be together in eternity with them, as well as those who pledged their lives to Christ at their funerals.

We know that God causes all things to work together for good

to those who love God, to those who are called

according to His purpose.

Rom. 8:28 NAS

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit be felt by those loved ones who are grieving today. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lara

The Sista's

In the previous post, I made mention of The Princess Sista's. There may be a few of you who don't know who these incredible ladies are. There are six of us. Among us, we represent two single mothers, a grandmother and a great grandmother. Three have struggled with infertility and had hysterectomies. Three have overcome childhood struggles that are not mine to tell. One is a breast cancer survivor. Three have lost fathers, while one has lost a mother. One of us is a new bride, while the other five remain single. We represent two decades in age. Four of us are extremely close to our families, while all six struggle with the irritants and joys that family brings. We have our differences and our similarities.

Five years ago, we went on our first trip to Orange Beach, AL. While there, our friendship was forged through laughter and Weight Watchers. We decided that, when we were together, nothing we ate contained WW points. Thus, The Pointless Sisters were born. After a year or so of misunderstandings of our name, we became The Princess Sisters. Too many people thought we were saying that we thought our lives were pointless because of our single status. NOT!! Our new title is in reference to the fact that our Father is the King, and we are and will always be His daughters.

We have found ourselves sisters in the truest sense over these past five and a half years. We discovered that a yearly beach trip was not enough time together. We have eaten at just about every restaurant in Birmingham. We have attended high school and college football games. We celebrate birthdays, Christmas, the Iron Bowl, and just about anything else we can think of. When one of us misses church, we all miss her. This summer, we adopted a practice (Kathi's idea) that we meet at least once a week. This does not include Sunday morning's service or our Wednesday night classes. Can you tell that we are all just a little bit obsessive? We are planning a cruise for this summer. We talk, e-mail and pray for each other regularly. Although blood connects only two of us, we are truly 'sisters'. God has forged a connection that none of us can explain. I can't imagine my life without them! I am richer because of these women. May you all have friends like these in your lives! I couldn't love them more if my own mother had given birth to them. To list them:

• Marlene Lawley


• Kathi Davis


• Deb Shaw Stark


• Tina Parkhill


• Lisa Moore


• Lara Moore

Rest

For the past several years, Lisa (my sister) and I have been planning to spend a week in the mountains this fall. My fortieth and her forty-fifth birthdays fall this year, so we decided it would be a good way to celebrate. Thanks to good friends, we were able to stay at their lake house and enjoy the foothills to the Smoky Mountains. This is the view from the deck and I must say that it's just as beautiful at night when you're wrapped up in a blanket and sitting in a rocking chair. How do I know? We did just that, at least twice. Lisa surprised me on Saturday, by secretly flying in my sis-in-law, Janet, for the weekend. Two of the Princess Sista's, Marlene & Kathi spent time there, also. We talked, napped, ate, and worked a mystery puzzle. Can I just say that I don't like puzzles that don't show you the complete picture on the box?!

There is something to be said for times like this. This place was almost a sanctuary for my friends and me. Janet returned from her rest to a sick husband and a report of head lice in her children's school. I'm so glad that she had a short vacation. As a wife and mother, rest is a hot commodity. Even though I could have stayed days more, I didn't dread coming back. I feel refreshed. That's what I wish for you. A place of sanctuary, where you can be refueled. If you need somewhere to go, I can recommend Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman County, AL. It truly is a beautiful retreat.

A rested Lara

Weakness

I have a bad ankle. I have lost count of the number of times I have twisted or turned it. I think I've sprained it a grand total of four times. I know, I know. I need to strengthen it. I was told that when I sprained it the second time. You would think I would have learned by now!!! Anyway, last night, after an incredible harvest celebration at my church, I twisted it again. But this time I couldn't shake it off, as I do when it gets turned. It continued to hurt in a way that it never has with the sprains. AND, it still hurt this morning when the sheet touched it.

Worried, yet? Yep, it's broken. I just had it X-rayed & there is a small chip fracture. Okay, am I the only one who thinks that the words small or chip don't match the word 'fracture'? I have an appointment with an ortho this afternoon. But all this got me to thinking. How many twists and turns did it take to force me to find out how to strengthen this weak ankle? How many sprains? And just how much longer would I have ignored them? Can't you tell yet? I'm getting a 'God thing' out of this!

How many times does He gently warn us of trouble or sin in our lives? You know, those weak ankles that keep causing problems? How many of those slightly stern warnings? Did you know that when a sheep continues to wander off and disobey the shepard, that he will break the sheep's legs and carry this sheep in his shoulders while the legs mend? Needless to say, the sheep no longer wanders off once its legs mend. The sheep has become used to the shepard and doesn't want to lose that intimacy. No, God did not break my ankle! My disregard for the signs of weakness did. But what is He trying to warn me about my spiritual walk that I am disregarding? What is He trying to tell you? Let's learn it before He has to break us and remake us.

Lara

Listen

In trying to control my eating and lose weight, I am trying to hear the voice of God. Before you write me off as a nut, hold on a moment. If His eye is on the sparrow and He has numbered the hairs on my head, surly He is concerned with the things I eat and put in my body. Julie Morris is teaching a class on Wednesday nights on being 'guided by His steps' in our lives. You can check it out on her website guidedbyhim.com. Our substitute teacher, Leona Crabtree shared the other night, that in blessing her food before she eats, she asks the Lord to speak to her and let her know when she has eaten enough. And she acutally listens to Him.

How often to I truly listen? I find it ironic that I'm beginning this with food. I have always lived as if I deserve that cookie or brownie. Going back for seconds won't make that much of a difference. I am, after forty years of eating and living my way, realizing that I'm not supposed to be doing that. Do you ever wonder if God bangs His head against the wall? If He does, He does it over me. So, even though I ate that peanut butter cookie this morning, I'm trying. That still small voice of my Saviour and my Lord can be hard to hear over my own.

What's He trying to say to you? Can we get quiet enough to hear Him? Like I said, I'm trying.

Lara

It's all in your perspective...

I can lose perspective so easily, can you? A couple of weeks ago, an acquaintance of mine was sharing her heart with me. A heart that had been broken for several months. She told me that she wasn't still in love with the fellow, but that she missed who she thought he was. She thought, after waiting for so long, that she had found her soul-mate. Turns out she had found a "good-un", in the words of Rick and Bubba. As she was crying , my heart was whispering, "He's not worth one of your tears!" A few years ago, I would have wished her the man of her dreams. Today, I wish her good friends, close family, and a strong, Bible-believing church. Would she cry every day for three months, if she had friends like I do? Would she even miss him, if she had a strong church family? I don't know her well enough to answer those questions, but I do know her well enough to pray them for her .

A few years ago, I had this change of heart. I realized that I have friends, family and church. A husband or boyfriend would not make my life complete. My life is already complete. Through the healthy and unhealthy marriages of my friends, I came to an earth shaking realization: THERE ARE WORSE THINGS THAN BEING A BALDWIN SISTER! If it is God's will that I stay single, so be it. If He brings a husband for me, so be it.

For those of you that are too young to know who the Baldwin Sisters are, here's an explanation. These women were in the TV show, The Waltons. They were elderly women who had never married. And I used to fear being like them. Not any more! If you have good friends, a strong church, and close family, who needs more? So, if you want to call me 'Mamie Baldwin', you just go right ahead!

Lara

Fall Fever

I LOVE the season of Fall! All my life I've heard of people having 'spring fever'. Well, I have to be different and get 'fall fever'. Summer in the Deep South is brutal! So, I am vitalized when the haze of summer breaks. Birmingham had a nasty drought this summer, so those brilliant colors may not show up. I will miss them, but am determined to store every moment of this short season in my heart. I read in a magazine that, if you blink you could miss Fall. Down here, you may not be able to wear a sweatshirt until January or February. Needless to say, my sweatshirt collection lasts years. So, I better catch Fall when I can.

Here's how I recognize it:

• Even in the early afternoon, the air has a tint of gold that's only found in sunsets.


• I no longer have to turn my car's a/c to it's highest setting and turn all vents toward me.


• The sky becomes a color of blue that my mother refers to as 'October Blue', or if you're from NC 'Tarheel Blue'.


• Smiles come easier, as weather is harder to complain about.


• The air even seems easier to breathe.


• I begin to LONG for the mountains, a cabin next to a stream and a crackling fire.


• Walking outside is something I want to do.


• Burning leaves.


• High School and College football games--Go MSU Bulldogs!!!!

Watch for the signs. Take a moment. Try to enjoy. And if all you can do is dread the long winter ahead, read this and look forward to your own 'Spring Fever'.

Lara

Testaments

The Old Testament recorded that the Israelites built small stacks of stones on the road to the Promised Land. These stacks were a testament of something that God had taught them or a difficulty that He had seen them through. A few years ago, Jim Darnell (one of the greatest preachers I have ever heard) took us through the testaments of his life. His salvation, his encounters with the Holy Spirit, etc. He felt that we are too quick to forget these moments that can change the courses of our lives.

This picture is one of my own testaments. My parents brought me to this church when I was a baby. My father had received a calling to First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, MS. We left when I was five years old, only to return as he began an evangelical ministry. We were there for four & a half years. Needless to say, I knew every corner and alcove of that church. It is the church of my childhood. People are still there who knew me as a baby. For someone who has moved every four years, it is rare for anyone other than family to have known me that long.

It was in those classrooms that I first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was introduced to mighty men like David, Joseph, Noah and Moses. Ruth and Esther became real women to me. I sometimes forget the legacy that I was given in that blonde brick church.

It isn't perfect, but God is there. I guess you could say the same about myself. I'm not perfect, but God is with me.

Lara

Unexpected Sources

I'm sure that Balaam was not expecting anything from that donkey! Have you ever had the Lord speak to you in an unexpected way? I remember when He was leading me through a very painful time and I had a question. I wish that I could tell you that I asked this question in a humble and contrite manner. I didn't. I couldn't understand why I was on that path. It was NOT one I had chosen. And I had a legitimate question. It came from the depth of my heart and I cried it out to Him. And I mean that I cried out literally, with anguish and pain. How gracious is the God we serve! He answered my cry. Have you ever read those words in the Old Testament and truly thought them through? HE ANSWERS YOUR CRIES!

He answered mine in an unexpected way. I worked with a woman who took His name in vain just about every day. I wasn't sure she was a Christian. But I loved, and still do, her. She has a beautiful sense of humor. You guessed it... She spoke the word of the Lord to me. She shared out of her heart and relieved my fear and pain. Did she know that she was sharing Him with me? Probably not. Does it even matter? She spoke out of her own experience and through that my question was answered and stilled.

Don't miss those unexpected moments. Don't forget His voice is still and small. He speaks through many vessels. He is unexpected.

Lara

Mary Tyler Moore

There is a movie that my sister & I love. I know, I know, you're shocked! Anyway, the female lead is very funny and very normal looking. She's not stick thin, not too tall, just normal. The male lead, in a romantic moment, mentions that she reminds him of Mary Tyler Moore. Giggling, she says, "Oh, I am SO not Mary Tyler Moore!" I love that line.

How many of us just long to be Mary, when in actuality we are Rhoda? For those of you who are too young to know who I am writing about & have never watched the reruns on Nic-at-Nite or TVLand, here is a description. Mary is tall and thin. Rhoda struggles with pesky pounds. Men frequently fall in love with Mary while Rhoda continually looks for (& never finds) Mr. Right. Mary catches her cap every time she throws it in the air. Poor Rhoda has to pick hers up off the sidewalk. Getting the picture, yet? Mary had her hard times, but life always seemed to work out right--not so for Rhoda. She was the comic relief.

Sometimes I want to be the lead, not the relief! In a class I began last night, the teacher said this, "God can and does use every pound (& self imagined fault)!" What a relief! He doesn't want a bunch of Mary's! He wants all the Rhoda's, Phyllis', Mr. Grant's & Ted's! (The show had a lot of comic relief!) So, pick your cap up off the sidewalk and have a good day!

Lara

Self Esteem & Chocolate Chess Pies

I went to a bridal shower on Saturday. The purpose was to stock the bride-to-be's kitchen. We served lunch and enjoyed all sort of yummy 'chick' food. My sister volunteered my Chocolate Chess Pies. While these pies can taste like heaven, they don't always present a pretty picture. The mixture frequently spills onto the crust before baking, and the top almost always cracks. As I was mixing the pie filling, I prayed, "Lord, please let them turn out pretty." Now before you think that I was praying that because I wanted them pretty for the bride or hostess, just stop. My reasoning was not that self-less! My thoughts up to this shower had been on myself. I just knew that everyone there would be thin, beautiful and married. Everything that (I feel) that I'm not. I started two weeks before in planning my outfit. I even had a pedicure so that I could wear open-toed shoes. I was afraid people would look at my not-so-perfect pies and say, "You know, that overweight girl over there, who isn't married? Those sad looking pies are hers." So, with that in mind, I prayed that God would make my pies pretty.

Shallow, huh? Well, that struck me as I prayed, so then I asked if He would help them to be a blessing... But I knew that HE knew that I didn't really mean it... Confused, yet? So, I laughed, asked His forgiveness, and prayed that He would be in charge and help me to overcome my shallowness.

The pies were a success and the shower was full of beautiful women who loved God with all their hearts. Not once did I feel judged or left out. My worries and struggles were for nothing. I felt silly and still do as I write this. But I can't be the only one who acts and feels this way, so here it is. You are not alone, we are silly together.

What silly things are in your thought patterns?

Lara

Mine, Too

Almost 20 years ago, in one of the darkest moments of my life, a great man told my father something beautiful that I still hold to today. My brother had broken the hearts of his family and his wife. His father-in-law, Bob Warner, called us and showed us the very heart of God when he said to my father, "Don, he's our son, too." Through the pain his own daughter was feeling, this man of God recognized our pain. Even now, almost 20 years after God's mighty restoration of my brother's marriage, those words resonate with me. Especially yesterday...

My beautiful sister-in-law, who allowed God to restore her marriage, called yesterday with a frightening diagnosis. Cancer had been found in one of her own family members. Disbelief, fear and nausea were my immediate reactions. There was no, and still is no, reaction of, "Thank God it's not my family member!" Because, you see, this woman is my family member. We have since found out that the cancer is still at Stage 1, which is a great relief. But cancer is still cancer, and I can have a hard time remembering that God is bigger than cancer.

You see, she's 'mine, too' and I'm still a little afraid.

Lara

Pride

I just read a blog from a college friend of my sister's, Bobby Lepinay. He is pastor of Harvest Outreach in Pensacola, FL. The website is http://harvestpensacola.com. His blog-site is http://bobbylepinay.typepad.com/ Today's post really hit home with me, so I've added it for you all to read. If you get a chance, check Harvest out, it's an incredible ministry.

Spiritual Pride
Many moons ago, when I was in my mid to late 20's, I went through a period of deep disillusionment with "church". I had begun to read alot of 'deeper life' Christian Classics, great in their own right, but for me, they worked discontentment in me concerning what I saw as the shallowness and superficiality of most churches.
This went on for quite some time. Without question, the Lord used the books I was reading to create a deeper thirst in my heart. But likewise, something sinister grew in me as well: Spiritual pride.
I could hardly be in a church service without this horrible attitude of "this is so shallow"......or "this is nothing but a religious pep rally" filling my mind. A critical spirit had filled taken control.
And the fruit of a critical spirit began to invade my life.
Even as I write, I am embarrassed by the fact I ever went here. But the Lord is merciful. Through a period of about 2 years, He delivered me from this 'toxic waste' of the heart, convicting me of allowing spiritual pride into my life.
I humbled myself and rather than criticizing the church, I began to just serve as a simple brother. I determined to be a blessing to my pastor. I determined to be a blessing to my fellow brothers and sisters. I determined to grow in my giving, to, as the Scripture says, "think of others as better than myself".
When that old feeling of criticism began to creep in, I resisted it and renounced it, 'crucifying' this work of the flesh.
That is what it is, folks. Spiritual arrogance and pride is a nasty, gross work of the flesh. It produces bitter water in us. Rather than being a free, joyful, buoyant life-giving personality, we separate ourselves.
We give less. We serve less. We love less.....
......We in effect make ourselves "little judges".
I see this more and more working in many 20 somethings. It is troubling. They have no idea how severely the Lord deals with spiritual pride, the sin of Satan himself. When I see it at work, usually in a younger person, I pray, as the person is so full of themselves and their own ideas they can no longer listen. Honor and respect for their elders has vacated their hearts.
It truly is a most dangerous place to be."

I don't know how many times I've allowed my pride to dictate my impression of people, circumstances & churches. Just wanted to send this your way, in case you recognize yourself, as I have.

Lara

Could you? Would you?

My home is neat, clean and very quiet. It is a 'sad' thing. The NY crew have headed home, and while they are happy to be back together, we B'ham crew are having our lonely moments.

Now we are trying to get back to our own brand of 'normal'. My pastor & worship leader have asked for a vignette to wrap up the final Sunday of a series on Noah. This part of the process can be easy, but I find myself wondering what his life was like. 'Evan Almighty' has given me plenty of funny and poignant ideas. While Evan's journey only lasted me two hours, Noah's lasted for years. What monotony, what nausea, what smells. In spite of how God brought the animals to him, in spite of how God, Himself closed the door, in spite of the rains, I know myself well enough to realize that those miracles might not have been enough against my doubt. The reality might have overwhelmed me against His plan. I guess that's why He has never asked me to build an enormous boat...

Lara

Time is too short

Isn't it interesting how close Heaven can be when you have those you love around you? My niece and nephews are down here in AL from Poughkeepsie, NY. The house is a WRECK and laughter abounds! Stealing hugs and kisses from a precocious eight year old. Snuggling with a ten year old who has snuggled just that way since he was born. Having 'grown up' conversations with my almost fourteen year old niece. I have heard that in Heaven, we never have to say goodbye to our loved ones, we will have unlimited time together! This month has been a small glimpse of that. There are other people who bring this type of delight into my life. Friends from Liberty Bible College in Pensacola, FL; friends from High Point, NC (after college); friends (and my sista's) from my jobs and my church here in Birmingham, AL. These people are not just friends, they are family. I long to see them on a daily basis, but God calls each one of us to different paths. Some days I can't wait for Heaven. I can't wait for that unlimited time with my friends! Love to all of you!

Lara

Sometimes I act like a two-year-old... Do you? I want MY way. I want My stuff. I want MY baggage. I just through with a week that I felt that way. I want to sleep, not get up early to read my Bible! I want to listen to my radio, not my worship CD! I want to play games, watch TV, or read instead of doing something productive! Now you may think that after weeks of VBS prep and VBS itself, that I deserve some down time--well, I thought so, too! So--I did just that! Days of 'I want, I want, I want!' Let me just let you in on a not so hidden secret. After down time that spreads itself a little (or a lot) too long, the heart and mind start to wallow. You know, like a pig. Mud can be rather heavy, let me tell you. Driving home, the other day, it was almost as if I woke up from my tantrum. I felt the weight of my 'self' and didn't like it. Tossing it off, I faced my Lord. There He was, just waiting out my selfishness. Did you know that forgiveness weighs nothing? It actually diminishes the weight on your shoulders? You can actually breathe better when you don't act like a two-year-old...

Vacation Bible School

Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School? I was just helping my sister, who is extraordinary with children, prepare for this year's VBS. And in the last few days, I have found such pleasure in recalling my childhood VBS's. I don't remember the different curriculums, but I do remember the sweltering heat of the Deep South. Then filing in with other children into the cold church sanctuary. I remember round cookies that had holes in the middle. I remember putting them on my fingers and eating around and around. I remember too sweet fruit drinks in tiny wax cups. I remember making things with glue, beans, and other things that would be gifts for Mama, Papa, Lisa or Richard. I remember laughing and singing. Just last night I realized that VBS is where I learned John 3:16. What a beautiful legacy. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have evelasting life." If you have children, please take them to a VBS this summer. If you don't, please volunteer in some way. What better gift than to make sure a child learn John 3:16 this summer.
Lara

Sheltered by His Shadow

Shadows can be cold, dark and lonely places. It's where the heroine always runs to hide. Then just when she thinks she's safe, BAM, the killer finds her. But, are all shadows bad? Can they be intimate and beautiful places? What about the times we reach out with the Hands of Christ? What about when we watch with His Eyes and listen with His Ears. Or, more appropriately, we are supposed to be doing those things through Him? Do those we are ministering to see me? Or Christ? I believe that unless we place His Cross between ourselves and the needy, they will only see the doer. That can only bring glory to us, when we are called to glorify our Lord. Is the shadow of the Cross a cold, dark and lonely place? Not anymore! It was to the One Who was crucified upon it, but not to us. It becomes a shelter. A place of healing as well as atonement. Is it a comfortable place for us? Probably not, as I am learning more and more that He is not overly concerned with my comfort zone. He tends to focus more on the eternal. But in the 'eternal' run, there is no other place to take shelter. Let's live there, work there, and die there.

See you 'In The Shadow',
Lara