Leaving some baggage behind at DEN

February 22, 2010 | daily ramblings, faith, live free, ministry life

 

I sat in the Denver airport yesterday for six hours, and then another hour on the tarmac. That’s a lot of time to think.

I heard a lot of great speakers at the conference in downtown Denver this past week. That’s a huge benefit of teaching at these conferences, in that I am privileged to sit under the teaching and speaking of people I truly respect. Like Max Lucado. Kendra Smiley. Phillip Yancy. Phil Vischer.

One thing that I’ve learned about great speakers/pastors/lay people is that no matter how polished it is, or how great the powerpoint presentation or videos, if the audience doesn’t remember it the next day or know what do do with the message, then it’s just a message.

But if you wake up thinking about it the next day, and the next, it’s more than a message. It’s a call to action. Somehow those words transcended into a “you and God” moment, and you know that you need to do business with your Creator. (more…)

Yes, but…

February 19, 2010 | daily ramblings

God has been speaking to my heart for several months. I hear Him. I know what He is saying. But am I willing to do it?

The answer is yes, of course, but…

And that’s the part I’ve got to put down.

Because on the other side of that but is God.

Not my dreams. Not my relationships. Not my marriage. Not my goals. Not my five year plan. Not my desire to write another book. Not my speaking.

Just God.

rage is never the answer

February 18, 2010 | family, feelings

I’ve been traveling today. Cell phone securely turned off. In a Southwest airplane cocoon. When I saw the Tweet go out that a plane had crashed into an IRS building in Austin, TX, I thought somebody was playing a bad joke. Unfortunately, someone died today because he thought crashing a plane into the side of a building was an answer to his rage.

When we react in rage, it’s like dominoes. Relationships and people go tumbling down.

Like the guy I saw on the road the other day. Running his truck up to the bumper of a car, flashing the universal sign out his car window. Intimidating.

Let’s fight. I’m so mad I’ve lost control and I don’t care what I look like, or how this makes you feel.

Somewhere these individuals lost sight that their actions really do matter. There might be a child in a car seat just out of view. There might be an innocent man trying to earn a living for his family in that office building. A grandpa. A father. A husband. A son.

Very few of us are going to crash into a building, and while we might gripe about the guy/gal who is driving side-by-side the semi at 40 mph, we keep it to a mutter.

But rage isn’t limited to the headlines. It’s boiling under the surface for a lot of us. It’s waiting to erupt because it just keeps getting pushed it down. After all, we don’t want to be “that girl” or “that guy” who loses it.

Or maybe you are already losing it. Cool as a cucumber around John Q Public and a screaming, you-can’t-trust-me-because-I-can’t-trust-myself person at home.

Rage is unresolved anger, so let’s look at it honestly.  

Admit it. Show it to God. Let Him see it in all it’s ugliness. 

Look at the bigger picture. Who is affected when you lose it? How many apologies have you offered, only to do it again?

Crucify it (put it to death). What? Suzie, I need more than that.

So do I. That’s why daily I take those parts of me that I don’t like, that hurt others, and I offer them up to God. It has to be more than words.

Daily I look into the faces of the people I love the best, and if I want to be real with anyone, it’s these individuals. I want them to have the best parts of me.

Daily I look at my own life, not in a legalistic, fatalistic point of view, but with the hope and belief that with God everything is possible. I have to be honest about my shortcomings, and also honest about my strengths.

Work on one (with God’s help and guidance and grace). Crucify the other.

For me, temper was once an issue. Sometimes, it tries to rear its ugly head and come back into the picture.

But I’ve learned that over time, as you and I build and nurture the good parts of us, the bully (emotions, feelings) that wants to jerk you and I around by the neck gets smaller.

The bully is surprised when its used to forcing us into a knee-jerk reactions and we don’t. The Spirit part of you and I that loves Jesus jumps up and down in joy.

I’m praying for the innocent people in Austin hurt today by one man’s rage.

And I’m also praying for those who feel like rage has had too big a part of their life, and want a brand new start.

What an awesome place to begin… with prayer.

Father, Thank you that I can be real with You.

Thank you for emotions, for the ability to feel, but God if those emotions have trapped me, I want a fresh start. I place that burden at the Cross today. And if tempted to pick it up tomorrow, or in the next 15 minutes, I’ll come right back to you and place it there again. Let me see rage for what it is, and the damage that it does. I ask for peace and strength that can only come from You.

In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen

What do I owe you, kid?

February 17, 2010 | family

The winners of yesterday’s Proverbs 31 Ministries Whirlwind Carnival are: Bridget Turner: autographed copy of The Mom I Want to Be. Loved her tip on Granny Camp (plan to call it Gramma Camp when they come hang out with me!) Webcam: Mrs. R. Shephard, mom of 12, five still at home, one who is stationed in Japan. She plans to use the webcam to talk to grandbabies, and her military child!

The last few days I’ve been hanging out with Richard’s grandmother. She’s 95, though she insists she’s 100, and she is a storyteller! I’ve heard hundreds of stories the past few days, some of them more than once, but all of them fascinating.

She told me that her father was the first to have a phone in their home, and the first to own an automobile. She told me how she fell in love with Earl, her now-deceased husband, and how at a Christmas Eve party they decided to get married. “After all, the party was at a church and there was a preacher there.” And how Earl showed up after the party with his new bride, and how her mother-in-law didn’t fuss that she wasn’t invited to the wedding or that her son was bringing a girl home without asking. She simply welcomed her to their family with open arms.

I heard how she stood outside the door when her older sister gave birth, and how baby June was placed in her arms moments after birth so she could clean her up. She also told me how she gave birth at home to her first three babies, then went to a hospital for her fourth and they placed the wrong baby in her arms the next day. “That ain’t my baby,” she told them. “I know what a Franklin child looks like and that isn’t a Franklin baby.” They went back and brought her the right one. I think she was right because Sammy looked just like his brothers.

I rubbed her paper-thin skin, and bandaged an area on her arm where she fell a few weeks ago. I combed her stubborn white hair that wanted to stick straight up in back, and fed her chicken (“Now, this is what you call chicken!” she said, digging in). I worried that she was eating too much chocolate and then laughed at myself for the thought. One of the benefits of being 95 is that the doctor doesn’t care if you keep chocolate by your chair and eat a few pieces.

I’m leaving for a conference tomorrow morning, and I was worried about taking three days away from preparing to watch grandmother while my MIL and FIL traveled to a meeting, but I knew I was supposed to.

I’m so glad I did. I learned a thing or two, and it made me step back and appreciate my MIL, who is full-time caregiver, and my FIL who puts the paper on the kitchen table in Grandmother’s spot, so she can read it while she drinks her coffee.

It also caused me to struggle a bit. Aging is hard, friends. Not being able to be independent. Unable to walk steady on your feet. Your body frail and bent over.

But Grandmother has lived a rich life, and she gave me that big old smile when it was time for me to go. “What do I owe you, kid?” she said.

“I think you owe me a hug,” I replied.

“Well, you deserve two.”

And that’s what I got. Two big hugs.

Priceless.

It’s a Girl! {{P31 Whirlwind Carnival!}}

February 16, 2010 | Proverbs 31 Ministries, community, family, fun, giveaways

 

We’re celebrating Fat Tuesday in a whole different way at Proverbs 31 Ministries today.  

Tons of giveaways! A carnival of amazing posts, prizes, and best of all lots of great new friendships.

I’m so glad you stopped by today. All of the Proverbs 31 team are celebrating something today. What am I celebrating? Let me show you…

 

Her name is Elle and she’s my first grandchild. Isn’t she beautiful? Elle will arrive on or around July 16, 2010. I can’t wait!

I stood in awe in the doctor’s office last week as I “saw” her for the first time. She moved her mouth. She fist pumped in the air. Her little heart beat in perfect rhythm. (more…)

Help Haiti Live

February 12, 2010 | Compassion International, community, faith, ministries

Doyou love music? Love children? Here’s a way you can tune in to some of the best Christian musical artists and help thousands of children in Haiti.

If you visit here often, you know that I’m a big fan of Compassion International. I would stand on street corners and tell strangers about this organization.

One, because my family is privileged to sponsor a beautiful little girl named Buli.

Two, because I’ve traveled with Compassion and seen their work up close and personal.

One month following the 7.1 earthquake that struck Haiti, an all-star cast of musicians is gathering for “Help Haiti Live,” a two-city ticketed concert event taking place on February 27th, 2010 to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti.

(more…)