My Psalm

We are commanded to praise to find joy in the Lord!
Here is my start.

Sitting under my tree, the wind every now and then rustles the wind chime hanging in it. Alley sits below, the tip of her ringed tail slightly tapping. She winks now, as she feigns sleep. It is not hot, not cool, just in between warmth of summer with a stirring breeze that is not hot. The rustle of the leaves have always sounded like soft hand claps in praise and thanks to God for making them. The sound of my shade tree is very smooth and light, and especially happy to be there. Alley has perfect black rings around her green eyes,like eyeliner. She seems very relaxed, for being outdoors. I wish I could remember to spend more time outside - it is so pleasant to spend time to meet with you out here. the wind caresses my face,like a sweet touch or kiss. As it touches my cheeks and causes my hair to tickle my forehead. It is pleasant. Is there a better word for pleasant?

Jeezaloo, How to be Upbeat!

So, I went to lunch with some friends the other day. Granted they are older than me , but everyone is...ha! (say mid 50's). Well the conversation revolved around knee replacements, surgery, alzhiemers, law suits, what to do about wayward children... I thought to myself...is this what my life has become? Quite depressing! I'm not that old.
Flash forward two days, lunch with a different friend who is 30 years my senior, yep friends she is pushing 75. Picture this conversation....Romania, Albania, South Africa, Sky diving, cruises to Alaska, how you raise kids and let 'em go,how cute the grandsons girlfriend is...
Now like I said, she is 74, the others mid 50's. You can't say this "young" elder friend is not too chatty, but ladies and gentlemen, she is UPBEAT. Now, I know that life is hard, (jeezaloo, any of you that know me know my life hasn't been easy), BUT God calls us to love and you can only love if you are looking at life thru His eyes, looking for ways to grow, improve and be his hands here in this world. I can't be his hands in this world if I am clasping onto my sorrows. The Bible tells us to give our worries to him, to LET GO all sorrows, disappointments and fears into his hands. Once you have done that, life as Upbeat and not to chatty is easy!
P.S. PONDER POINT: Guess which friends where in better physical as well as spiritual health!!!!

JJ's last blog...I thought it was profound so I copied it

Gratitude...

Have you ever been in an accident? Like a really bad car accident that you walked away from practically unscathed?

When the road of life takes a sharp turn, sometimes the car you're in isn't equipped for such sudden and sharp turns and flies off the road into the ditch. That is when you get OUT of the car, look at the crumpled mess (which is so scary to see) and say "Well, I'll really really miss that car, but I'm so glad I'm still here." You become entirely grateful for your life. Your friends, your family, your ability to get out, and keep walkin' on that path...without the car, but you'll make it to your destination in one piece.

I'm grateful.

OK so this is Heidi. My girl. Not a great picture, and it was snowing, but you get the drift...lol...she is hairy and not too big. She just learned English and can be quite stubborn, but she is a Cairn Terrier and they are Scottish, you know how they can be. She likes to hear scripture read aloud, no joke. She will "circle-up" with the Youth when we end in prayer. She is also a "Montessori Puppy" she will wait in line with the cats for a drink...very polite. So, she is my little girl, hope you get the joy to meet her if you haven't already. More stories about her later....

Dress for Comfort

My JJ just called me, and said that Cole was outside with her and this was his outfit: cowboy pajama bottoms, a too small camoflaged t-shirt and "cars" shoes. All this at 3:50 pm. Now granted, he did just have a bath and nap, so he is clean and comfortable. At first this may seem "odd" or shocking. "My word, her boy is running around outside like that?" But, if you have kids under 4 years old, you understand. You understand picking your battles, you understand negotiating naps, and you understand comfort.
Think about it wouldn't you rather be in your jammies right now? and if you could be in your most comfortable and favorite ones, even better! You see Cole has all favorite aspects of his life covered here, He loves "cars"the movie (shoes), what southern gentleman would not love anything camo covered! And, everyone wants to be a cowboy deep down. I sit here in jeans and a shirt with a hole, that is soooo soft. And I am loving it, no "appropriate sandels", no "nice shirt" and "waist tight" pants for work. It is summer and I am in baggy jeans and a holey shirt. I haven't even looked in the mirror today! This is summer vacation.
Jesus told the 12 and then the "72" to travel light, take no baggage, no money, just what was on their back. (Luke 9,10) This was their instructions before they set out to make miracles in his name and tell people the Kingdom of God is Here. He wants us to focus on the right things; the goal, the message, the mission. It's more than not having the "right" clothes. Jesus wants us to be unencumbered by them...in our favorite comfy jamimes so we are focused on the goal.
Do you think Heaven will be this, our most comfy and it doesn't matter? I hope so. I love those days when you sit around in your "lounging pants" (if you are a propper southern lady) or jammies, (if you are part of our family) or "half necked" as Sam says-until 3 pm-Shower then go out to eat/cook out. And if I can eat that dinner with friends who want to talk about God, what he has done and is doing. Then that is the perfect day! Goal met, comfort worn.

Play Hard, Laugh Much and Leave the worrying to The Father.

I am reading a Max Lucado book right now. He has such a way with words. He was talking about a child's faith. Where Jesus took a little child and stood him in front of him and said, unless you have the faith of a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Children play hard, laugh much and leave the worries to their father. How much easier would my life be if I just played hard, laughed much and let my Father (capitol F) do the worrying. My life right now has some worries; things I am not sure how they will play out. I know that "all things work together for good for those who love God and follow his ways", so I know the end will be great! It's the journey to the end that often make us falter. Generally I am not a "worrier", but right now I am struggling a little. But, Que Sera, Sera as my Mom and sister say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. So, I must be becoming super woman!!! I just want to remember to play hard, laugh much and leave the worries to MY FATHER! Why don't you try that too!

April 19,2008 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

I recieved a letter, an "anonymous" letter this week. It was in a plain white envelope with no return address. Now my history with blank white envelopes is not a good one. Those of you in my neighborhood know I have received these letters before from some poor sap in the hood who has nothing better than to watch my grass grow. So with hesitation I opened it. Instead, it was a beautiful hand written note from five friends who had written with their hearts. Things they see in me and who (Christ) they see in me. I was deeply touched.

We so often listen to the little voices in our heads that tell us all our faults and shortcomings. We struggle with behaviors and habits and feel we are getting no where because we tell ourselves we are no good. A letter like this one let me see that what others see, it is the voice I need to be attuned to. Now I don't mean that we should preoccupy our time with what others are thinking. I mean that part of being a Christian community is we encourage one another. I felt as if God was telling me these words of encouragement because they were so "on the money" with were I feel I run short.

The verse that my friends were claiming was Hebrews 10:24 "Let us consider how me may spur each other on toward love and good deeds". My friends have done this, they have spured me on, they have encouraged me and so now I can encourage or spur another on.

This week I had been telling myself that people could not possibley see Christ in me as I am so weak, uncareing, I complain, I am rude and cruel. Its like Paul said what I want to be I can't be, what don't want to do, I do...or something like that.These few words let me know that what I am actually struggling with and striving for is coming to fruition. That Christ is indeed working in me. And especially as a single person, there is no one to hold you accountable in your everyday, every hour life. No one to say, 'oh, carol that was very cruel what you just said" and on the other hand, no one to say "I am noticing a change in you about how you treat people, good job".
This little letter was this for me.

Ephesians 5:19 says, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." This was done to me this day. My freinds sang me a psalm, a spiritual song that thier God spirit, sang to my God spirit inside us. There is nothing better than that! It was a balm to my soul from God.

So to those of you who were part of this, thank you. I am blessed to call you my sister in Christ and count you as my family and dearest friends.

To those of you who are just reading this, go and sing a spiritual song to someone you know and is your brother or sister in Christ. Tell them what you see in them that is from God. Not only will you encourage them, but you will spur them on to more good deeds and love