Happy Father’s Day!

This is the day we set aside to honor the Fathers in our lives. In a Godly world, we would honor the people in our lives who love us and care for us on a daily basis and I believe this is what God calls us to do.  But, as it would be, today is that one day a year that we make a special effort to bless fathers. [I recommend that you read the origin of Father’s Day at this website: http://www.ideafinder.com/guest/calendar/fathersday.htm

Today, I want to pay homage to special men in my life:

To ‘Daddy,’ my uncle Robert Gray West, who allowed me to stay in his home after my birth mother died and my Grandmother decided that she would raise me. Daddy allowed his home to be an open door for Mama and me as we moved in and out from the time as far back as I can remember to when we moved to Richmond before my 8th grade year.

To Daddy-Uncle Sandy, the hero of my young life. In my eyes he was bigger than the stars and could do no wrong. He is still my hero because he stayed! My brothers, Danny, Sam & Christopher, grew up with Dad in the home because he stayed when so many others walked away from their responsibilities! He modeled a life of service to the kingdom!

To Dad Cox, my father of nearly 28 years. Dad is a model example of a Father that prays daily for his children. Every father would do good to emulate him. Dad has the gift of encouragement and uses it without reservation! He has never been a Father-in-law to me and for that I am grateful.

To my brothers Danny, Sam, Deione, Derrick, Phillip, and Walter, Jr., brothers who love their children and are not afraid to show it. These are Godly men who understand that loving their families start with loving God. Things have not been easy for all of them and some have struggled more than others. Yet they continue to stay the course, to seek the best for their families. Their children will know what a Godly man looks like!

and of course,

To Gerald, my husband of nearly 28 years. I have a storehouse of memories of him with our children, pouring into them: reading with them, bathing them, taking them to the park, wresting on the living room floor, tossing them high in the air and catching them with a flourish, correcting them when they fell and skinned their knees while doing something goofy (Mom did the kissing). I see him kneeling beside our daughter’s bed, praying, while she lay in pain waiting for our grandson to be born. I see him standing in the driveway crying as we watched Jonathan drive the car to Hampton for the first time. I see him holding little hands as we walked down the street, holding someone steady while they learned to ride a bike, dressing as Santa and holding excited children on his lap. These and so many memories from the past 25+ years are treasured memories. Even today, with adult children I see Gerald praying for them, worrying about them, and encouraging them to be all that God created them to be. He does the same for our grandson. Our children know what a real Dad looks like. They know what it means to have a full-time, Godly father.  You’re a prince of a Dad, Gerald and I wish I had had a Dad just like you!

# 3

3.    The third thing you learn is that weeds can be very difficult to distinguish from flowers.  When I was in the yard trying to ferret out the weeds, I kept pulling up flowers instead. Weeds often look like the real thing. They often have pretty buds on them and you might be tempted to let them grow. However, if you do, they will soon take over the whole yard and the things that you intended to grow are smothered out by the fake. I know too many people who have been fooled by weeds. The weed looks like the real thing.  And they let them grow because they have pretty flowers or leaves. I’ve seen people throw their marriages away over weeds – a man or woman who made them think that God was “finally” answering their prayers. God never gives us weeds but God does expect us to tend our own gardens. I’ve seen children toss away a college education because fraternities and sororities took precedence over their studies.

Part 2

2. The second thing you’ll learn is related to the first: weeds will grow in any crack. It amazes me that weeds will grow and thrive if there is even a tiny opening. Take a look at your concrete drive or walk the next time you get a chance. If there is a tiny crack, you can be certain a weed is going to make its home there. I often wonder how the heck a weed can make its way up through a layer of sand, gravel and five inches of concrete. I don’t understand it but I know that it happens. I see this happen in marriages all the time. People get married (I hope) intending to stay married forever – at least that’s what they vow to do. Yet, they don’t close the gap. They leave the tiny opening that if things don’t work out the way they’d like, if the other person gets on their nerves too much, if their spouse doesn’t make them happy they can always divorce. As soon as you admit that divorce is an option, the crack opens and weeds begin to grow. And since over 50% of the folk who enter into the covenant of marriage are divorcing, there must be a lot of cracks.

Watch Out For Weeds

I’m not a gardener. In fact, I do not LIKE gardening. However, if you want to have a nice yard and cannot afford to hire someone, every now and then you’ve got to go outside and do the dirty work. As I was outside today, pulling weeds from around my plants, I began to sense spiritual truths rising up in my spirit. In fact, I believe every Believer needs to engage in the act of gardening. When you do, you’ll learn some very important life lessons.

1. You don’t have to do anything for weeds to grow. In fact, weeds thrive on inattentiveness. You can plant a beautiful flowerbed.  But you’d better not ignore it. If you do, before too long, those dastardly weeds will be everywhere. You might not even notice them at first, so sneaky are they. And sin is like that. You may be saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost but if you’re not careful, if you’re not attentive, sin will begin to sprout as surely as the weeds in your yard. And you may not even notice them at first. You make a small compromise, then another. And before you know it, you’ve fallen so far from grace that you can’t begin to imagine how you got there. Mark 14:38 says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Let me know what you think.

Watch for part two soon.

Let’s Not Wait Until It’s too Late

In the past month two very good friends and a sister-in-law have all lost their mothers. While all of these women had lived long and good lives, their deaths still caused tremendous pain for those left. Their deaths also give us a moment to reflect on how we are living our lives. Do we have our priorities in order? Are we loving the life God has given us or are we always reaching for something that seems to be just a bit beyond our current position? Today is the only day we have. This moment is the only one we are guaranteed. It is in THIS MOMENT that we choose life, love, joy, peace.

The following are words written by Erma Bombeck. Let them be life-giving and thought-provoking. AND if you haven’t called your Mother – do it today. Who knows what tomorrow brings.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s” and more “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. look at it and really see it … live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what. Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

You are invited to help me celebrate!

Sabbath Rest Retreat: For Busy Women Who Need A Break!

Sabbath Rest Retreat: For Busy

Women Who Need A Break!

Give yourself an oasis in the midst of your busyness! Come out from among the chaos and noise that seem to grow louder and more persistent every year.

Spend a day-and-a-half with other busy women who, like you, are longing to find her center and hear from God.

Take advantage of beautiful, peaceful surroundings in a retreat that is unhurried giving you time to breathe deeply and refresh your soul.

April, 24-25, 2009

Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center

Cincinnati, OH

Cost: $60 per person

includes housing, meals and all retreat materials

Download the retreat flier and registration form below!

womens-retreat-flier2

sabbath-rest-registration1

Upcoming Marriage Retreat

New study to begin in February: Bring Home The Joy

An invitation to invest in your relationship!

Starting next week we will begin a new study for married couples. I also recommend that those who are engaged participate.

The book, Bring Home The Joy, is a series of articles by some of the greatest minds on marriage.  The study is designed to help couples “strengthen and renew” marriages at any stage, whether brand new or seasoned.

We will learn

• the number one priority in your marriage
• how to fight in a way that lets you both come out winners
• the incredible power of commitment
• secrets for enjoying mutually satisfying sex (married folk only)
• how to become soul mates
• and much more!

Please get a copy of the book and join me weekly as I post summaries from the Sunday lessons.  I invite your comments.  I know that God is going to bless so plan now to join us in this study.

You are welcomed to join us at Omega Baptist Church on Sundays at 10:00.

It’s Okay To Quit

A friend sent this to me recently and it seemed like sage advice as we reassess where we are with our new year’s resolutions (nowhere?).

This was attributed to Gwendolyn B. McElrath.

It’s Okay To Quit!

1)     Quit arguing with people about the same old foolishness!
-Respect their position and keep it moving!

2)     Quit telling people your secrets when you know they are not going to keep them!
-And if you keep telling them, then quit getting mad when they tell your secrets!

3)     Quit trying to pull people on your journey who don’t want to travel with you!
-Either they believe in you and value you …or they don’t!

4)     Quit complaining about things you can’t and won’t change!
-I am not working on being a size 6 or a model…so instead of complaining about the weight charts, I negotiated with my doctor for a “comfortable weight for me.” Forget the charts! I created my own “healthy weight!”

5)     Quit gossiping about other people!
-Minding our own business should be a full time job!

6)     Quit blaming each other for things that in the big picture aren’t going to matter 3 weeks from now!
-Talk solutions…and then implement them!

7)     Quit eating things you know are not good for you!
-If you can’t quit…eat smaller portions! (I know…this is hard for me too!)

    Quit buying things when you know you can’t afford them!
-If you don’t have self control, then quit going to the stores!
-Quit charging things, especially when you don’t NEED them!

9)     Quit staying in unhealthy relationships!
-It is not okay for people to verbally or physically abuse you! So quit lying to yourself!
-It is not okay to stay in the marriage for the children! Ask them and they will tell you that they really would prefer to see you happy and that the misery you and your spouse/partner are living with is affecting them!

10)     Quit letting friends and family members rope you into their drama!
-Start telling them you don’t want to hear it!
-Quit spreading the drama!
-Quit calling other friends and family and telling them about it! Go back to #5
- Minding your own business should be enough to keep you busy!

11)     Quit trying to change people! IT DOESN”T WORK!
-I am still working on this because I really see a world of possibilities for others and try to convince them to see and want differently for themselves!     -Quit cussing people out when you know that they are just being the miserable and jealous people that they are!

12)     Quit the job you hate!
-Start pursuing your passion
-HINT: Find the job that fuels your passion before you quit!

13)     Quit volunteering for things that you aren’t getting any personal fulfillment from anymore!
-Quit volunteering for things and then failing to follow through with your commitment!

14)     Quit listening to the naysayers!
-Quit watching the depressing news if you are going to live in the doom and gloom of it all!

15)     Quit making excuses about why you are where you are or why you can’t do what you want to do!

16)     Quit waiting on others to give you the answers…and start finding the answers for yourself!

When You Let Go Then You Will Grow!