Temporary Tracks

Everything here is very temporary. And isn’t that good news based on the promises that we have? I have grown content in my present state, but not totally. I still yearn for more and better. But not in the stuff that’s temporary. Oh, I guess I can't say I don’t want to constantly be growing in my businesses and see them be as much of a success as they can be, but I do constantly watch others and the things they have that I do not. Ie: ease of learning, building things naturally with little or no effort, lives that have more positive experiences than negative just by grace…. Not that I sit around resenting those things in others, but yes, I notice. Especially when someone has one of the above blessings in life and chooses to throw it away. You know, if you let it, stuff like that can really slow you down!

I have decided to not let anything that isn't a force from God hold me back from my real desires here on this earth. Afterall, if you think about it, your desires come from who you really are. And being that the Lord designed us in his own image, how can that be a wrong move as long as we achieve by good measure and honest ways? I am sold on that being the only way to go.

So if you are happy with where you are, then delight in it and realize all that you can do to share with others the goodness life has for them here in the temporary as well as the eternal. This is our true witness for the message of Jesus Christ.

But if you are drowning in the temporary track to nowhere with no realness of growth or giving, seek to change your environment to become more of who the Lord made you to be. And what is that? That is what makes you content and comfortable deep down in the pits of your gut. It will pay off in unmeasurable ways. Ways that are by no means temporary!

It's amazing at how much a little can change a lot, and then on the other hand at how much a little can change a lot. ...Think about it.

I Love You J!

I know you understand.
You always do.

But still, I never not get you something for this special day.
You have never not been there for me. Ever.
I always want to be there for you. For Ever.
I know the new has worn off now.
The sexy and the sweet is not always dancing in the air.
But the LOVE.
Oh my… it’s Always there.

I don’t really understand it.
But I’m thankful for it. For YOU. For Us.
And what I dreamed we would be.
What we are.
What we want to be.
And what we will become.

In Christ we are our Ultimate 123.

I see us racing toward it.
You and Me.
And God
…all three.

This makes me so happy…my childhood dream has come true.

I love you enough to share it with the world!

-123

pj

Doubt Dragon

What do you do when you doubt? Does everyone doubt? What causes it? I think fear and mistrust.

For me, doubt has to be from Satan. I feel it used on me like a scruffy rag raking over eternal scrapes and scabs. I do not like it. It hurts.

The protector in me says to refuse doubt and fear because there’s nothing you can do about disappointment and loss. Not to sound dreadful, but the truth of the matter is that life is going to eventually be filled with other disappointments and losses.

I’ve combated the doubt dragon pretty much all my life. I’ve willingly given up much out of fear of the loss. Mostly alone. It’s not really something you display on your cuff as a pretty ornament on solid white. So covering it up or pretending it away helps the safe feeling to return. Afterall, that seems to be the most logical thing to do since crawling off into a box would most likely get a person institutionalized. So, do what’s needed to choke down the obvious signs of the nearing changes that land in your guts like a box of rocks. If nothing else is there to help, hang it on pride which won’t allow slumping shoulders.

Don’t think that experience will get you the upper hand on the dragon of doubt. It won’t. Just about the time you think the point is yours something eery creeps in to throw you off the security mark, leaving a person to learn to never quite give up the sword.

But I think dwelling on the bad news here is not a good point to leave the reader with. That’s a waste of your time, and mine. That’s never good.

Here’s the good news: When those bumps and bruises of fear and doubt are reopened and the dragon draws his mighty sword remember David as he lay in caves and cravaces trembling at the evidences of the enemy drawing near.

Even being filled with sin and shame, In DAYS OF DOUBT AND FEAR David called upon our real and true God as he knew he was only a trusting fearless boy turned mighty warrior because PEACE had gone before him and prepared the battle ground;

Not for a war less fought; But for battles continuously engaged by dragons wrapped in scruffy rags!

No matter what comes your way, think about the possibility of laying down the sword and turning to the light of His face.

He loves you and me.


Psalm 44: 3 “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.”

Tree Worthy

To you it’s just a picture. But to me it is a representation of what was and is.

I had not seen them for many years as they lay wrapped in their tissue and overlooked year after year. As time passed, other things took their place on her tree, like ribbons and Santas, and snowflakes and stars.

It sat there all day as I continued the holiday decorating but my eyes kept returning each time I passed. Not really remembering what was inside I finally stopped my busyness long enough to take a peek. Scribbled across its lid were the words “My old tree ornaments”. Being a little rusty it took some pulling and prodding, but it did finally screech its way free.

In my own silence I took them from the tin in which they were stored and began to examine them to see if they were still “tree worthy”. After all, they have been around for so long that most of them have faded from blue to silver, red to pink, and from a shiny golden tone to a strange mustard color.

Even the tissue was dingy and fragile as I began to unwrap one by one to discover the realization of what these ornaments stood for: Their beginning, our beginning…. my beginning.

It began in the early 1950’s with nothing much to show for but trust, honor and love. But then came year after year of hard work to make it better and undivided dedication to make it last.

I found myself thinking about the truths they exemplified during the years these old tattered ornaments hung on our tree. I remembered him methodically testing each and every bulb on the long, heavy strand to make sure every single one was going to shine. I realize now it was his patience and attention to detail that inspired him. My memory took me back to when I was sitting at the table watching her make peanut brittle, stained glass candy and Martha Washington balls. I could smell the garlic and spices that she used on the mixed cereal snacks that she shared with everyone. She always let me watch her make them and then turned her head as if not to know if I snuck one off the platter.

Those memories brought me to the realization of just how much these old worn out ornaments represent. I doubt they gave much thought to their legacy at the time as they just did what was natural when you trust, honor and love your family.

Today they hang tattered and faded as are the days gone by…

But lest I never forget…

Oh, how tree worthy!

Almost Gone. No, make that Almost Here!

It's almost the New Year! Only three more days to get it right in '07!

Gosh, so much to think about. What to do, what not to do…

I'm thinking that 2007 was a fairly prosperous personal growing year as I approach a crossroads with myself. However, I am seeing the coming days to be a more directed growing season. Kind of like when you put a stake behind a rose bush to point it's new shoots up and over an archway. I like that.

Too many years of not growing was really starting to wear me down. Oh, there has been continual upward motion in areas of my life such as, work, finances, net worth... But is that all there is? I think not! Don’t misunderstand my point, it's good to progress in those area's. After all, that is the purpose of an occupation I guess. But what are we really occupied with? A job? NO THANKS! I do work of course, and for the most part enjoy doing so. But the purpose of a J O B is to make money so that we can spend that money on needs and wants. But why be occupied with this if it's only a means to an end? Why do we spend countless years caught up in the proverbial hamster wheel, going to work to get the check to pay the bills that support the wants of our twisted ideas of success? I do not want to do this anymore. I do not desire riches out the Wazoo so my neighbors will like me because of my "stuff". I do not want to look at the toys that reside across the street from me and rush to put on my working boots and leave those I love behind so that we too may HAVE, HAVE, HAVE.

This year, in 2008, I will commit to grow in a direction outside of myself. I'm not too sure where that will lead me. I have my ideas, but because I'm too stubborn and would hate to have to admit I thought I should go right when it was really left, I will spend more time to think n think…. Then I will pray for guidance and the courage to obey... After that, I think I should just wait in the quietness for God. I have noticed that when you quietly wait, he has a tendency to plant a stake in just the right place that will arch you toward the perfect blooming spot.

John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015;&version=31;>

Mary's Song

(Luke: Chapter One)

46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord"
Definition of glorify: to give the highest praise.
When was the last time we gave the highest praise? No not praise... the HIGHEST praise. That would mean to give more praise to God than to our friends, our job, our money, our spouse, and even our own parents and children.

47"and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,"
Definition to rejoice: to feel joy, to show happiness.
Everyone's expression of happiness and joy is different. Whatever mode of expression you are blessed with... use it!


48"for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, "
Giving over to the calling of God shows humility to his wishes. Even the little things that we do for others are noticed by Him as a gift at his own feet. She was just a young girl but how humble her spirit must have been to be able to accept knowing she was the servant to God to bring the Christ into the world. wow......


49"for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name."
Definition to Mighty: Having or showing great power, skill, strength, or force: a mighty orator; a mighty blow. Imposing or awesome in size, degree, or extent: a mighty stone fortress.
How can one in today's society not call upon the awesomeness of what's behind this verse? It is a great thing to know that a stone fortress is our home in such an unsettled world. In him we need no other power. Our skill and strengths are hewn to perfection to conquer our enemy in Satan by just one mighty blow of the shear holiness of his name. I've always known it, but never really tried to wrap my mind around it too much until now. Woa... I've never felt so powerful in all my life as I do in these thoughts....

50"His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation."
Synonyms to Mercy: leniency, clemency, charity. These nouns mean humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment. Mercy is compassionate forbearance.
Not many of us portray the gift of mercifulness, and expecially compassionate mercifulness! That's asking a lot! I can recall one person in all my years that I know without a doubt is blessed with this gift of naturally being merciful to all people. Thankfully he happened to have raised me. Otherwise I may not have bene here to write this blog! As I grow older and experience more I understand how "BIG" it is to grant mercy. It's not easy for me in a lot of instances. But the mercifness of God knows no boundrys. There's nothing we can do or could have done to waver his descision of saving each and every one of us from our own demise if only we shall accept the mercy. And to think Mary knew this before experiencing the life of Christ.

51"He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts."
I am thinking Mary is probably remembering all the stories told to her like how Joseph was sold as a slave because his brothers thoughts of him were jealousy, but in the end they were left desperate and surprised that they were calling upon the very one they once hated. It's interesting how we so often come back to what we once turned our back on. I have been scattered before as I'm sure most of us have. It's not a place of contentment, but it does show the powerfulness of God, and I suppose that in it we can find the mighty deed of this same arm that scattered us to be the one wrapping around our shoulder when we finally decide to turn back and bask in the blanket of his warm mercy.

52"He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble."
Definition to Humble: Not arrogant or prideful.
In this it is important to keep our spirit small in ourselves. Easier said than done! We can never be or acheive more than what the Almighty allows. Even Mary, in all the graces we give to her name today was JUST MARY. Had she not been, she would not have been the one chosen. That's a tough act to follow!

53"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."
Maybe Mary is speaking of her own hunger? But not physical hunger. Who knows what was in her heart in the days leading up to these days. I'm thinking it was probably being prepared by God to receive what was about to happen. The Christ could have been carried by any girl. But maybe only this one was hungry enough to receive. How hungry are we? What riches in this world are comparable to that of Christ? Not one.

It's funny how so much emphasis is placed on this small girl. But it amazes me everytime I read her words describing this coming event. It's also interesting to remember she is a child speaking to an adult. She is bold enough to speak her heart and the facts that she knows to be true. How often today Christians hesitate. If only we could all be as bold after the Life the Christ on earth as this child was BEFOR the life of Christ. Let us all remember to live in the lesson of Mary's Song.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

REMEMBER THE CHRIST!

Happy Birthday Sarah

So today is Sarah's birthday. The exact time was 9:18 a.m. She is a Monday's child. When she was born she weighed 7lbs, 6.5 oz and was 19" long. There was a bit of snow on the ground that morning and one of the coldest winters we had had in Alabama in several years. She was such a tiny little bundle. I remember that morning as I held her close to me realizing that no one but she and I could ever have that moment. No one. I remember whispering in her teeny little baby ear that no matter what happens in our lives I would never leave her.

Alot has happened in our lives since that day. Some bad, but mostly good. If I listed all the times here that she has brought sheer joy to me I would never be finished, so I will leave that to my own. I have questioned several times why the Lord blessed me with such a child as Sarah, but he did and I thank him every single day of her life for it!

I love you Sarah...

Here's to many many more wonderful years of life!