It has been a long time since I've written. I've had plenty to say, but decided to keep it to myself. The purpose of my blog has always been to document things for my three boys who don't always care about my input or wisdom, or my insights on why things are the way they are. Maybe someday they will find these and get some answers and insights that they don't care much about right now. Yesterday, November 24, 2013, I had the privilege of hearing retired Lt. Col. Oliver North speak at Grace Chapel. I have always been an "Ollie" fan, mostly because I thought he was very very handsome and very strong. There are lots of handsome, strong men around but he was one that seemed real.....authentic.....Now I know why.
I take my responsibility of raising boys to be upstanding Christian men very seriously. It's not easy, and it doesn't always work, but I still keep trudging on. Because I am the middle of three girls I constantly look for opportunities to have Godly men speak into their lives. Of course they have their Dad who does that, but it's not the same. As hard as it is to accept, most of the time they think that Mom and Dad have NO IDEA what they are talking about. We sound like Charlie Brown's teacher.....just a bunch of "wahh wahh wahh." So I jumped at the opportunity to hear Lt. Col. North when I heard he was going to be "giving his testimony."
I'm not going to attempt to recap Lt. Col. North's testimony but I just wanted to recap some of the things that stuck with me. The things that I can't get off of my mind and that I want to preach to anyone who will listen. So, I decided to "blog" them so that I will know that they are down in writing and maybe someone will read them. (I hope noone takes offense to the fact that I'm going to refer to Lt. Col. North as "Ollie" from here on because it's easier to type. But just know that I have the UTMOST respect for his rank and position.) I found it amazing that I was listening to an American Hero, who testified before Congress about a very controversial time, who is now a Fox News reporter, embedded with our troops in very dangerous places, and was now giving his "testimony" in a rural church in Franklin, Tennessee. I know it involves a book and a book signing, but still, I found it to be pretty cool. As I'm listening I am struck by the fact that he is military through and through. He loves and admires the women and men who are on the battlefield for us. He believes in them and supports them. There is absolutely no doubt about that. He loves America and what it stands for. The thought crosses my mind of how different the beautiful landscape of Williamson County must look in comparison to the stark desert of Afghanistan or the many other places he has spent time.
One of my favorite points he made was that of his gifts to his grandsons when they reach their 13th birthday. He gives them a 30 gauge shotgun, a compass, and a Bible. Only after they have read the book of Proverbs can they learn to use the shotgun and compass. Those of us who have had 13 year old boys know that they will do anything to get to shoot that shotgun, so reading the book of Proverbs is a great pre-requisite to this. But it also peaked my curiosity. So I went to read some of Proverbs this morning. What an incredible book of wisdom. What an awesome gift to give to a 13 year old before he learns his way around life with his compass.
"Ollie" wasn't always a Christian. He became a believer as an adult. He is highly intelligent and highly motivated. He was both of these and many other things but he didn't know Jesus. But Jesus knew him and what he would face in the coming years. He went on to explain how several things happened to him, backpain was healed, his life was saved many times, etc.... and he attributed them to the fact that he "was really good at what he did." One of his commanders who Ollie refers to as his "Hero" gave Ollie a Bible and strongly suggested that he read it. So, being a obedient soldier, he followed orders. This is when his life changed.......
As I listened to his story I was taken in. I loved hearing all of the war stories and I loved his personal testimony. I even loved his references to President Reagan. But I will say that to me, there was nothing as beautiful as when he quoted scripture. I have contemplated this since I heard him and I will never figure it out. There is simply no match for God's written word. The way it touches your heart when you read it or hear it is "music to your ears." You can hear the most wonderful sermon, the most beautiful song, the sweetest memorial at a funeral service, but to me, the words of scripture cause a stirring in my Spirit that nothing else can match. Lt. Col. North did his entire talk but closed with words from Isaiah, and I immediately smiled because the words he quoted from Isaiah already had special meaning to me and were written on a card stuffed in my Bible. My Spirit was dancing because the words were more beautiful than anything else he said. It reminded me of the time I was in a funeral and everyone was sad and the preacher said "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalms 84:10. Again, Spirit was dancing and not feeling anything but peace. My point is......God's Word, the Bible, His Truth, is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
I could go on and on about this but I won't because I think that a person has to make the conscious decision to pick up God's Word and read it. But I also can testify to this......if you will do this, then God will "write it on your heart." When you are faced with things, you will miraculously recall His truths that He has graciously written on your heart. I am thankful for men like Lt. Col. Oliver North who are humbled by God's word and His grace. But mostly I am thankful for my "Hero" Jesus Christ, who made "the ultimate price" for me.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
"Life's Experiences" can literally WEAR YOU OUT!!!
I am convinced that most parents want what is "best" for their child. The parents that I know, love their children, most of them fervently pray through big decisions in their lives, and most spend a lot of money to help their child gain valueable life experiences. We went to a football camp on the beautiful campus of Samford University last weekend and I observed how parents of all races and backgrounds were there to support their child. As I watched some were nervously anticipating their child's "time" on different drills, I also watched others literally yell instructions from the stands. The bottom line is that these parents want what's "best" for their son just like I do. I also think that we, as parents, want our child to have every experience in life that we enjoyed and we also want them to have the experiences that we wish we had taken. In reality, that is a whole lot of living and a whole lot of experiences. Then you multiply it by two if your spouse feels the same way and your poor child ends up with a ton of expectations and a lot of "experiencing" time.
I had two highlights of summer when I was growing up. The first was going to the beach with my extended family. My cousins would go and that meant that play time lasted all week long. My sisters and I thought it just didn't get any better than spending every waking moment with your cousins. Not to mention that our dad was off from work and he played with us in the pool and tossed us up in the air. The second highlight of summer, when I was a little older, was going to church camp. Not only was the week itself a blast but when you got back the fun went on until school started. So many relationships were formed at camp and everyone made sure to continue them when we got back home. When I had children it was my strongest desire to make sure they had both of these "experiences" that had been so special to me. Thankfully, that has happened. The other side of that coin is that I had unbelievable experiences singing and performing at many events all during my elementary, secondary, and college years. I absolutely loved being on stage. While it was awesome, it wasn't up there with family vacations and summer camp, but it was very very special because it formed who I was and what I was accomplished at. Those who know me know that not a one of my sons has a desire to perform. Thankfully, they all love and appreciate music but there is no desire to perform. I am OK with that.......it was my experience and it wasn't meant to be their's.
There are many things that I wish I had done, but never did. I love to travel and didn't have the opportunity to travel much in college. Therefore, I would really love for one of my kids to study abroad and experience another country and culture. I want them to do mission trips because that was something that I did not take advantage of. I want them to work as many different summer jobs as possible and meet as many different people as they can. I want them to get out of their "Southern Comfort Zone" and simply experience life. Now we come to a big big problem. Sometimes the experiences that they want are not the experiences that I, nor their dad, had in mind. There doesn't seem to be enough time to cram in all the experiences that we want them to have. Not to speak of the money that it costs. But we all try......Just look around at all of the opportunities........Athletics, dance camps, science camps, mission trips, leadership camps, church camps, on and on and on.......It can be overwhelming and downright frustrating because we simply can't fit everything in.
There are experiences that I wouldn't give anything for. To see your son "walk the Vol Walk" or "run through the T" at the University of Tennessee is awesome. To watch them talk about a "mountaintop" experience at a church retreat or recap a life changing mission trip is absolutely priceless. Even when they are little bitty, to see them sink the winning shot in basketball or score the winning run in baseball, you think "man it doesn't get any better than this." And then one day you go to a restaurant and they are your server and you see them working hard to make summer money. Their "first crop" of veggies comes in in their garden and you watch their pride in all of the hard work they have put in. And again, you are thankful for the opportunities that have come their way and you think "wow, it can't get any better than this."
I certainly don't have all of the answers to make life all it can be. I'm just like all of the other parents who are trying to create opportunities for their children. And so I come full circle with the experiences that I had that I wish for my children to have and the ones that I never took that I hope they will take. There is one experience where I can say that it truly "doesn't get any better." Over the past few years I have experienced something that I can not replicate for them. No amount of money will buy it for them and it will have to be their choice of whether they will pursue this opportunity one day. But I will be bold to tell my children and anyone that will listen that no other experience in your life will compare to it........Get ready because it has nothing to do with music, money, performing, travel or athletics. It is moment you discover the depth of the love that God has always had for you. I'm not going to preach a sermon because this is a moment that is personal and initimate and far surpasses any other event that will ever happen in your life. I could go on and on about my personal "experience" but words simply can't describe it. My moment did not come until I was in my thirties even though I was brought up with the "head knowledge" of God's love, my "heart knowledge" didn't come until I was much older. Next question....."Where can I register for this experience and how much does it cost?" Answer: Join a good, in-depth Bible Study. Pray for God to freely give you this experience. Get out your Bible and read it. Then, sit quietly and wait expectantly for the greatest experience of life. I can promise you that there will never be another like it and the best news of all......it's the experience that never ends.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
I had two highlights of summer when I was growing up. The first was going to the beach with my extended family. My cousins would go and that meant that play time lasted all week long. My sisters and I thought it just didn't get any better than spending every waking moment with your cousins. Not to mention that our dad was off from work and he played with us in the pool and tossed us up in the air. The second highlight of summer, when I was a little older, was going to church camp. Not only was the week itself a blast but when you got back the fun went on until school started. So many relationships were formed at camp and everyone made sure to continue them when we got back home. When I had children it was my strongest desire to make sure they had both of these "experiences" that had been so special to me. Thankfully, that has happened. The other side of that coin is that I had unbelievable experiences singing and performing at many events all during my elementary, secondary, and college years. I absolutely loved being on stage. While it was awesome, it wasn't up there with family vacations and summer camp, but it was very very special because it formed who I was and what I was accomplished at. Those who know me know that not a one of my sons has a desire to perform. Thankfully, they all love and appreciate music but there is no desire to perform. I am OK with that.......it was my experience and it wasn't meant to be their's.
There are many things that I wish I had done, but never did. I love to travel and didn't have the opportunity to travel much in college. Therefore, I would really love for one of my kids to study abroad and experience another country and culture. I want them to do mission trips because that was something that I did not take advantage of. I want them to work as many different summer jobs as possible and meet as many different people as they can. I want them to get out of their "Southern Comfort Zone" and simply experience life. Now we come to a big big problem. Sometimes the experiences that they want are not the experiences that I, nor their dad, had in mind. There doesn't seem to be enough time to cram in all the experiences that we want them to have. Not to speak of the money that it costs. But we all try......Just look around at all of the opportunities........Athletics, dance camps, science camps, mission trips, leadership camps, church camps, on and on and on.......It can be overwhelming and downright frustrating because we simply can't fit everything in.
There are experiences that I wouldn't give anything for. To see your son "walk the Vol Walk" or "run through the T" at the University of Tennessee is awesome. To watch them talk about a "mountaintop" experience at a church retreat or recap a life changing mission trip is absolutely priceless. Even when they are little bitty, to see them sink the winning shot in basketball or score the winning run in baseball, you think "man it doesn't get any better than this." And then one day you go to a restaurant and they are your server and you see them working hard to make summer money. Their "first crop" of veggies comes in in their garden and you watch their pride in all of the hard work they have put in. And again, you are thankful for the opportunities that have come their way and you think "wow, it can't get any better than this."
I certainly don't have all of the answers to make life all it can be. I'm just like all of the other parents who are trying to create opportunities for their children. And so I come full circle with the experiences that I had that I wish for my children to have and the ones that I never took that I hope they will take. There is one experience where I can say that it truly "doesn't get any better." Over the past few years I have experienced something that I can not replicate for them. No amount of money will buy it for them and it will have to be their choice of whether they will pursue this opportunity one day. But I will be bold to tell my children and anyone that will listen that no other experience in your life will compare to it........Get ready because it has nothing to do with music, money, performing, travel or athletics. It is moment you discover the depth of the love that God has always had for you. I'm not going to preach a sermon because this is a moment that is personal and initimate and far surpasses any other event that will ever happen in your life. I could go on and on about my personal "experience" but words simply can't describe it. My moment did not come until I was in my thirties even though I was brought up with the "head knowledge" of God's love, my "heart knowledge" didn't come until I was much older. Next question....."Where can I register for this experience and how much does it cost?" Answer: Join a good, in-depth Bible Study. Pray for God to freely give you this experience. Get out your Bible and read it. Then, sit quietly and wait expectantly for the greatest experience of life. I can promise you that there will never be another like it and the best news of all......it's the experience that never ends.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Washington DC.....The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
While driving to the beach for Spring Break a few months ago, I was eaves dropping on a conversation my two teenage sons were having in the backseat. They were discussing how it would be cool to go to the Smithsonian and see all the spaceships and rockets that were there. When I butted into their conversation they also had lots of questions about the space shuttle Challenger and what it was like to see it explode on TV. I realized that it was time for the family to take a trip to Washington DC. My poor husband. By the time I returned from Spring Break I already had it planned in my mind. All I had to do was convince him that it was time.
We left very early on Saturday morning and much to my delight there were 32 Korean and WWII Veterans on our flight. I got a little choked up when the entire plane applauded them. Little did I know that when we got to the Baltimore Airport they would be welcomed with Firetruck fountains and people stopping to clap all the way through the airport. I knew then, that it was going to be a great trip.
I learned very quickly that a "short walk" might mean several blocks, if not several miles. A "short walk" at our house is very literally a "short walk." We did a whole lot of walking in Washington DC, which was a good justification for the delicious food we would reward ourselves with at the end of each day. I read Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" not long ago so I was really into seeing Ford's Theater, Mary Sarratt's Boarding House, and the Peterson House. All of it seemed so real having read the book. It was kindof a "downer" that Mary Sarratt's Boarding House is now a restaurant in Chinatown called "Wok and Roll Chinese Restaurant." We did go eat there one night just so I could see it but it was difficult to imagine John Wilkes Booth conspiring to kill the President here while I was eating Fried Rice and Chicken. However, the whole Abraham Lincoln experience was my favorite part. The Gettysburg Address and parts of his Inaugural Speech are engraved on the Lincoln Memorial walls and it is very very sobering to realize all the emotional decisions this man made for our country. He truly realized that the ideas of slavery and freedom could never co-exist. It would never work. The Union was destined to be split. After seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and The Bill of Rights in the National Archives, you have to realize that President Lincoln was right to be committed to the ideals of what our country was founded on. I loved watching my boys as they witnessed the "Changing of the Guards" at Arlington National Cemetary. The numbers of white headstones as you are walking up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is overwhelming. We proceeded to the WWII and Vietnam Memorials after visiting Arlington. When you take in the number of lives that were ended in all of the Wars it just makes you realize the sacrifice that men and women and families made for our freedom.
I learned very quickly that a "short walk" might mean several blocks, if not several miles. A "short walk" at our house is very literally a "short walk." We did a whole lot of walking in Washington DC, which was a good justification for the delicious food we would reward ourselves with at the end of each day. I read Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" not long ago so I was really into seeing Ford's Theater, Mary Sarratt's Boarding House, and the Peterson House. All of it seemed so real having read the book. It was kindof a "downer" that Mary Sarratt's Boarding House is now a restaurant in Chinatown called "Wok and Roll Chinese Restaurant." We did go eat there one night just so I could see it but it was difficult to imagine John Wilkes Booth conspiring to kill the President here while I was eating Fried Rice and Chicken. However, the whole Abraham Lincoln experience was my favorite part. The Gettysburg Address and parts of his Inaugural Speech are engraved on the Lincoln Memorial walls and it is very very sobering to realize all the emotional decisions this man made for our country. He truly realized that the ideas of slavery and freedom could never co-exist. It would never work. The Union was destined to be split. After seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and The Bill of Rights in the National Archives, you have to realize that President Lincoln was right to be committed to the ideals of what our country was founded on. I loved watching my boys as they witnessed the "Changing of the Guards" at Arlington National Cemetary. The numbers of white headstones as you are walking up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is overwhelming. We proceeded to the WWII and Vietnam Memorials after visiting Arlington. When you take in the number of lives that were ended in all of the Wars it just makes you realize the sacrifice that men and women and families made for our freedom.
We also took a guided tour around all of Washington. We saw all of the federal buildings and many many statues that were created to honor different heroes of our country. We toured the Capital building, which I highly recommend, and finally experienced the Holocaust Museum. I came away from our trip with many observations. First and foremost, I believe that we live in the greatest country in the world. Our founders literally formed a new kind of government that was unprecedented. They created our Checks and Balances system that has kept our country together. I am more convinced than ever that all three branches have to answer to the others. I am also convinced that our country has laws that are in place for a reason. There are plenty of power hungry, mobster mentality, dishonest people, on both sides of the aisle, who would love to plow their way through to get their way, totally disregarding the laws and the process of answering to each branch. This is not what our country represents.
There were are few more things that I noticed while in our nation's capital. The American Family Unit was very much alive. I saw families of all races and nationalities enjoying time together. Children were laughing, learning, and thriving. I also saw different groups who were making money by entertaining on the street corners. Everything from trashcan beats to doing flips over people's heads. They were "working." They were "earning." And people, including myself, were paying. The creative entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well. The whole time I'm thinking "I love democracy. I love freedom. I love America." Little did I know that there was trouble brewing. We came back to our hotel room to learn of the IRS flagging various conservative groups applying for tax free status. The next day the story broke about the Department of Justice wiretapping phones and emails. I chose to ignore it while I was there, although while driving by these two federal buildings it did cross my mind that somewhere down the road my name might be "flagged." Not for contributing to conservative political groups but for contributing to "Brentwood Baptist Church" or "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" or "Camp Wonderfully Made." Scary isn't it? I also watched as a young, pregnant, Muslim girl knelt to say afternoon prayers on our National Mall. She was free to do that and nobody bothered her, other than me, who did snap a picture. But, again, it crossed my mind how Christian prayer has been alienated in various settings. It also made me wonder if any Muslim political organizations had been targeted by the IRS. I wonder if any students at Dartmouth who are receiving educational grants and buying parts for bombs have been flagged? My guess is "no."
I love America and I still think it's a great country, but I also think that things have changed a great deal since those WWII and Korean Veterans on our plane fought for our freedoms. There has always been evil in the world, which is easy to see when you experience the Holocaust Museum. But there has also always been those who are brave enough to speak up for what is right. Not just what is politically correct but what is really RIGHT. I believe Abraham Lincoln was one of those men and he was murdered for it. I am ready for someone to "step up" in Washington and lead. At this point I could care less what color or political party they are. I want honesty, integrity, true love for our country, and someone with the guts to lead both sides. Oh, and the "blame game" has to go. I'm going to be watching the Congressional hearings extra close for the next few days/weeks because I think that our country deserves answers and I think that all of the men and women who have given their lives for the ideals of our country would want citizens to hold people accountable.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Family Names Represent So Much
When my son, Booth, was born, my husband insisted that he be called by his first name and not his middle name. In other words, we had tossed around all kinds of family names like William Booth, or John Booth and then just calling him Booth. This is my maiden name so whether we had a boy or a girl, the name was going to be Booth. My husband has always been called by his middle name, "Battle" which is also a family name. Thus, at every doctor's appointment, on every first day of school, when applying for his driver's license, my husband was always getting called by his legal name "Searcy." Well, that was his Dad's name, so as a kid, he never liked to be called that. Afterall, his name was "Battle." For this reason, he insisted that our children be called by their first name.
About two months ago an interesting thing happened. Battle's brother shared a newspaper article that detailed some of the "Page" family history. The article went back several generations, before the Civil War, to describe the members of the family, who had married who, and the children that they had. I watched as my husband read this article and then watched as his face and voice changed. As he was reading who married and who had children and who died, etc.... etc.... there it was...... the story of "William Searcy Battle." He was the oldest son of Colonel Joel Battle and Sarah Searcy Battle. Colonel Battle was known for being "noble, generous, and brave to a fault." His son, William Searcy, was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.
www.murfreesboropost.com/the-battle-family-gave-its-all-for-the-csa-cms-15895
I don't know how many times I have been asked where the name "Battle" came from. I can't imagine how many times my husband has been asked that question over the course of his lifetime, but instead of the usual "it's a family name" answer, now it became, "let me tell you about how I got my name." There was an unbelievable amount of pride and emotion when he finally knew exactly where his name came from and the legacy of the people behind the names. What a gift this was. He had always worn the name proudly because he was named after his Dad, but now it became even more special going back several generations. After all these years, he knew where he came from and what "his people" stood for.
Now this might seem like a "stretch" but I have waited for awhile to do this blog because I really couldn't figure out the way to tie my thoughts together. I'm going to give it a try because it keeps nagging at me. Everywhere I turn someone is talking about "what's in a name." Or our preacher is talking about "the name above all names." Or we are singing a song at church called "Your Name." The wheels started turning while we were at the beach for Spring Break. I was taught at a young age that we are not to "take the Lord's name in vain." OMG has never been part of my vocabulary, but honestly, after hearing it a million times a day, you get a little immune to it. I am not proud of this at all. So we're at the beach and I start noticing people taking the name of Jesus in vain. Spring Break is typically taken the week before Easter, so it is during this week that Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter are remembered. The miniseries, "The Bible" was on and the part showing during Spring Break was the last week of Jesus' life, leading up to the crucifixion. How awful it was to watch what Jesus did for us all and then to hear his name used for anything other than love and honor. To hear people say, with disgust, as a filler word, "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" or "Oh my Goddddd." My Spirit was cringing. I remember driving down the road with the window down and hearing it loud, from a restaurant parking lot, "Jesus Christ, the wait is 2 hours." Well, anyway, you get the point.
I take it personally when anyone says to me, with a snicker, "Booth? where did that name come from?" or when someone says on the other end of the phone, "His name is Battle? Okkkkk????" But I have gotten used to it and usually proudly reply to both, "It's a Southern thing. We love family names." It occurs to me that my Heavenly Father loves His Son, Jesus. He placed the Name of Jesus above every Name. While I am so offended when someone spits the name of the One who saved me I must remember that we all need Jesus and He is strong enough to see the heart and not just the tongue.
.....And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the NAME that is above every NAME, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:8-11
 |
| This is a letter my grandfather sent to my granny from WWII. He refers to himself as "Booth" in the last paragraph. |
About two months ago an interesting thing happened. Battle's brother shared a newspaper article that detailed some of the "Page" family history. The article went back several generations, before the Civil War, to describe the members of the family, who had married who, and the children that they had. I watched as my husband read this article and then watched as his face and voice changed. As he was reading who married and who had children and who died, etc.... etc.... there it was...... the story of "William Searcy Battle." He was the oldest son of Colonel Joel Battle and Sarah Searcy Battle. Colonel Battle was known for being "noble, generous, and brave to a fault." His son, William Searcy, was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.
www.murfreesboropost.com/the-battle-family-gave-its-all-for-the-csa-cms-15895
I don't know how many times I have been asked where the name "Battle" came from. I can't imagine how many times my husband has been asked that question over the course of his lifetime, but instead of the usual "it's a family name" answer, now it became, "let me tell you about how I got my name." There was an unbelievable amount of pride and emotion when he finally knew exactly where his name came from and the legacy of the people behind the names. What a gift this was. He had always worn the name proudly because he was named after his Dad, but now it became even more special going back several generations. After all these years, he knew where he came from and what "his people" stood for.
Now this might seem like a "stretch" but I have waited for awhile to do this blog because I really couldn't figure out the way to tie my thoughts together. I'm going to give it a try because it keeps nagging at me. Everywhere I turn someone is talking about "what's in a name." Or our preacher is talking about "the name above all names." Or we are singing a song at church called "Your Name." The wheels started turning while we were at the beach for Spring Break. I was taught at a young age that we are not to "take the Lord's name in vain." OMG has never been part of my vocabulary, but honestly, after hearing it a million times a day, you get a little immune to it. I am not proud of this at all. So we're at the beach and I start noticing people taking the name of Jesus in vain. Spring Break is typically taken the week before Easter, so it is during this week that Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter are remembered. The miniseries, "The Bible" was on and the part showing during Spring Break was the last week of Jesus' life, leading up to the crucifixion. How awful it was to watch what Jesus did for us all and then to hear his name used for anything other than love and honor. To hear people say, with disgust, as a filler word, "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" or "Oh my Goddddd." My Spirit was cringing. I remember driving down the road with the window down and hearing it loud, from a restaurant parking lot, "Jesus Christ, the wait is 2 hours." Well, anyway, you get the point.
I take it personally when anyone says to me, with a snicker, "Booth? where did that name come from?" or when someone says on the other end of the phone, "His name is Battle? Okkkkk????" But I have gotten used to it and usually proudly reply to both, "It's a Southern thing. We love family names." It occurs to me that my Heavenly Father loves His Son, Jesus. He placed the Name of Jesus above every Name. While I am so offended when someone spits the name of the One who saved me I must remember that we all need Jesus and He is strong enough to see the heart and not just the tongue.
.....And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the NAME that is above every NAME, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:8-11
Thursday, April 4, 2013
A Mother's Instinct.......Beware
I believe that God gave all women a "sixth sense." Call it mother's intuition, mother's instinct, gut feeling, or anything else you care to call it. It's real.........It's as real as our sense of touch, sight or sound. If you are a woman, you've got it. If you are a mother, you've got it. I always felt like my mother had "eyes in the back of her head" because she seemed to know what we were doing even if we didn't think she did. Well, I have figured out, now that I have 3 teenage boys, that I don't have "eyes in the back of the head" but I do have the gift of "mother's instinct" that God gave me. It's just like the other 5 senses that we learn about as children. This "sixth sense" is a natural one, but one that has to be "grown." By that I mean that we have to be open to it, we have to be on heightened alert when it is at work, and we have to listen when it's calling to us. In past blogs I have sometimes referred to my "Spirit" but I think this is different in that I believe that all women have this "sixth sense" and not all women have God's Holy Spirit. I want to be clear that I think there is a difference, but by God's grace, I get to have both.
I would also like to give a disclaimer that I don't always know what my kids are doing and maybe that's a gift from God, too. At some point Mom doesn't need nor does she want to know everything but that in no way removes the "intuition" that we get when it happens. Prayer helps with the moment that happens. A little nudging that something is going on so it's time for a mother's prayer since we can't be in all places at once, even though it is thought that we can. All moms reading this know the moment when the "instinct" hits. Maybe I need to check the cellphone, maybe I need to run back by the house, maybe I need to call or text my boy at college. The need to check-in, the need to protect, the need to say "I'm proud of you." One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is where Luke says that "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I know how that feels. You watch and you listen and you smile and you treasure and ponder. And you say to yourself, as Mary did, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
There are certain times in my "mothering" life that have been more difficult than others. Many of these center around the times when my heart is conflicted with my wisdom, not to mention the ever present "instinct" creeping in. As mothers we send our kids to school for hours every day trusting that they will be met by teachers and coaches who may not love them as we do, but they respect and care for their "well being" while they are at school. We do not expect for our children to be lied to, humiliated, deceived, or belittled. I realize that nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. God knows that I have said and done things that I wish I hadn't. If you were watching the basketball tournament this past weekend and the days following, the contrast came into sharp focus. As we were watching the game on Sunday, the player from Louisville went down with a grotesque break in his leg that was so bad that they quit replaying it. You saw members of both teams and both coaches literally speechless with tears in their eyes. You saw one of his team members kneel and pray with him and, if you're a mom, you felt for his mother. You wondered where she was and how she was feeling. It's just how it is. I made the comment to all who could hear, "This is when, as a parent, you hope and pray that there is a coach there who cares about your son." We watched the aftermath, we saw tweets of the Louisville player and how he was improving, and we breathed a sigh of relief when Rick Pitino did his news conference citing how amazed he was at the strength of Kevin Ware. We were all cozy and good until, the very next day, we had to see the Rutgers coach pitching his baby fit and acting out like a five year old. If you have seen the footage of it, you don't quite know what to think. My first thought was I wish that some of these big huge players would just send him flying across the room. But, of course, they are enslaved to him because they are on scholarship. Isn't that sad?
A part of me understands the whole college athlete, scholarship thing but an even bigger part of me thinks that it is a way of using and making money off of young promising athletes who are at a very vulnerable age. Now, mind you, there are several in my house who would disagree, but that's neither here nor there to me. As a mother it is obvious that grades are being changed, young people are being paid and bribed with fancy cars, they are being called names, they are being hit by either slimy wimpy coaches or ones who are so fat they can hardly move anymore, and then people are surprised when all of it comes to light? Give me a break. Get your head out of the sand. These people are pathetic and if I was an upstanding coach who follows the rules and treats his players right, I would be thrilled that they are exposed. I laugh to myself when I hear anyone justify this kind of behavior. There is no justification. None. Oh boy, I could go on and on right here, but I think it's clear where this mom stands on this issue. One last thing. It doesn't matter what terminology you give it Here's a few: "They will be inelligible, It's legal, It goes against NCAA rules, it's OK with NCAA rules, BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!! Right is right and wrong is wrong. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.........
I would also like to give a disclaimer that I don't always know what my kids are doing and maybe that's a gift from God, too. At some point Mom doesn't need nor does she want to know everything but that in no way removes the "intuition" that we get when it happens. Prayer helps with the moment that happens. A little nudging that something is going on so it's time for a mother's prayer since we can't be in all places at once, even though it is thought that we can. All moms reading this know the moment when the "instinct" hits. Maybe I need to check the cellphone, maybe I need to run back by the house, maybe I need to call or text my boy at college. The need to check-in, the need to protect, the need to say "I'm proud of you." One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is where Luke says that "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I know how that feels. You watch and you listen and you smile and you treasure and ponder. And you say to yourself, as Mary did, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
There are certain times in my "mothering" life that have been more difficult than others. Many of these center around the times when my heart is conflicted with my wisdom, not to mention the ever present "instinct" creeping in. As mothers we send our kids to school for hours every day trusting that they will be met by teachers and coaches who may not love them as we do, but they respect and care for their "well being" while they are at school. We do not expect for our children to be lied to, humiliated, deceived, or belittled. I realize that nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. God knows that I have said and done things that I wish I hadn't. If you were watching the basketball tournament this past weekend and the days following, the contrast came into sharp focus. As we were watching the game on Sunday, the player from Louisville went down with a grotesque break in his leg that was so bad that they quit replaying it. You saw members of both teams and both coaches literally speechless with tears in their eyes. You saw one of his team members kneel and pray with him and, if you're a mom, you felt for his mother. You wondered where she was and how she was feeling. It's just how it is. I made the comment to all who could hear, "This is when, as a parent, you hope and pray that there is a coach there who cares about your son." We watched the aftermath, we saw tweets of the Louisville player and how he was improving, and we breathed a sigh of relief when Rick Pitino did his news conference citing how amazed he was at the strength of Kevin Ware. We were all cozy and good until, the very next day, we had to see the Rutgers coach pitching his baby fit and acting out like a five year old. If you have seen the footage of it, you don't quite know what to think. My first thought was I wish that some of these big huge players would just send him flying across the room. But, of course, they are enslaved to him because they are on scholarship. Isn't that sad?
A part of me understands the whole college athlete, scholarship thing but an even bigger part of me thinks that it is a way of using and making money off of young promising athletes who are at a very vulnerable age. Now, mind you, there are several in my house who would disagree, but that's neither here nor there to me. As a mother it is obvious that grades are being changed, young people are being paid and bribed with fancy cars, they are being called names, they are being hit by either slimy wimpy coaches or ones who are so fat they can hardly move anymore, and then people are surprised when all of it comes to light? Give me a break. Get your head out of the sand. These people are pathetic and if I was an upstanding coach who follows the rules and treats his players right, I would be thrilled that they are exposed. I laugh to myself when I hear anyone justify this kind of behavior. There is no justification. None. Oh boy, I could go on and on right here, but I think it's clear where this mom stands on this issue. One last thing. It doesn't matter what terminology you give it Here's a few: "They will be inelligible, It's legal, It goes against NCAA rules, it's OK with NCAA rules, BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!! Right is right and wrong is wrong. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.........
Monday, March 18, 2013
Some thoughts about History Channel's "The Bible"
The "History Channel" has a miniseries going right now, simply called "The Bible." It seems like every few years Hollywood will put out movies or TV shows having to do with The Bible. A few years ago Mel Gibson produced the highly acclaimed "Passion of the Christ." Of course everyone remembers Charlton Heston as Moses in "The Ten Commandments." There have been lots of others, some better than others. I find it interesting that The History Channel's "The Bible" series drew a record 13.1 million viewers. The critics can't believe that it has beat "American Idol" in the ratings. I have no idea what draws different viewers to different programs. I can only speak for myself.
This particular miniseries focuses on many of the Bible stories that we are familiar with and learned when we were little. As far back as I can remember I have watched skits and seen flannel board portrayals of all of these Bible stories. The Creation, The Exodus, Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, Noah's Ark.......the list goes on and on. I have loved watching as this show threads these stories together on a sortof "timeline" leading up to the birth of Jesus. I think that the creators of this show somehow use these stories to show how God has always used ordinary people, who are going about their daily grind, for His eternal purposes and perfect plan. I can't say which part of last night's episode was my favorite because every story is such an important piece of the larger story. But, I was especially touched by the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were the three that were thrown in to furnace of fire that the King had ordered to be heated seven times hotter than usual. (As if regular fire isn't hot enough.) In fact, it was so hot that the Bible says that the soldiers who took these three men to the fire were killed as a result of the flame. Well, the movie shows these three young Isralite boys terrified and screaming as they are thrown to the fire and engulfed by the flames, yet they aren't burning. And here it comes...........the King looks and sees not three men, but four walking around in the fire. He also exclaims in something between anger and awe, "I see four men walking around in the fire, unharmed and unbound, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." WOW. I remember this story about the three in the fiery furnace and I remember Daniel in the lion's den from VBS and flannel boards but for some reason I am taken in by this new detail.
Another reason that I have loved watching this miniseries is that it causes me to want to get out my Bible and look deeper at the stories. Not to check every detail to make sure it's historically correct, but to know what the full story is. There is only so much that can be put into a two hour program and so many details that are only found in the truth of scripture. There is nothing so real as the way God speaks to His children as through His holy word, The Bible. Not only were these men not burned but they did not even smell like smoke. The Bible says that not one hair on their heads was singed. And the most amazing thing..........Jesus was right there with them. He was in the furnace walking around with them, in the midst of their fear He was really there. I have got to believe that these three young men were clinging to the promise of the prophesy that they had learned from the prophet Isaiah which says "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel; your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1) I am telling you, you can "watch the movie" all day long but the Word speaks to your heart.
The violence in the series has been a lot to watch. The killing of the babies, the lack of respect for women, the beheadings and stabbings. It is a lot to take in, and sadly, that's the way that it was. Brutal and bloody. Power against weakness..........Light against Dark. But the worst is yet to come. There was no death as brutal and degrading as a crucifixion. There were so many touching moments last night that I really could go on and on, but I loved when Jesus approached Peter in his boat to invite him to follow and become a "fisher of men." Again, I always thought that Peter just put everything down and followed him. But the Gospel of Luke says in the fifth chapter that Jesus did indeed get into the boat with Simon Peter and "talked with him and taught the people." Meanwhile, Peter is catching so many fish that he can't get them all in the boat. I don't know what people who are already in Heaven can see here on this Earth, but I thought of the thousands of people gathered in Rome this past week at St Peter's Square where it is said that Peter was executed and wondered what Peter would think if he could witness it. Jesus promised Peter that he would become a "fisher of men" and that is exactly what he became. I encourage anyone reading this to find time to read God's truth in the Bible. Don't believe everything you see or hear........search for yourself. It will bless you and you will be glad you did. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
This particular miniseries focuses on many of the Bible stories that we are familiar with and learned when we were little. As far back as I can remember I have watched skits and seen flannel board portrayals of all of these Bible stories. The Creation, The Exodus, Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, Noah's Ark.......the list goes on and on. I have loved watching as this show threads these stories together on a sortof "timeline" leading up to the birth of Jesus. I think that the creators of this show somehow use these stories to show how God has always used ordinary people, who are going about their daily grind, for His eternal purposes and perfect plan. I can't say which part of last night's episode was my favorite because every story is such an important piece of the larger story. But, I was especially touched by the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were the three that were thrown in to furnace of fire that the King had ordered to be heated seven times hotter than usual. (As if regular fire isn't hot enough.) In fact, it was so hot that the Bible says that the soldiers who took these three men to the fire were killed as a result of the flame. Well, the movie shows these three young Isralite boys terrified and screaming as they are thrown to the fire and engulfed by the flames, yet they aren't burning. And here it comes...........the King looks and sees not three men, but four walking around in the fire. He also exclaims in something between anger and awe, "I see four men walking around in the fire, unharmed and unbound, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." WOW. I remember this story about the three in the fiery furnace and I remember Daniel in the lion's den from VBS and flannel boards but for some reason I am taken in by this new detail.
Another reason that I have loved watching this miniseries is that it causes me to want to get out my Bible and look deeper at the stories. Not to check every detail to make sure it's historically correct, but to know what the full story is. There is only so much that can be put into a two hour program and so many details that are only found in the truth of scripture. There is nothing so real as the way God speaks to His children as through His holy word, The Bible. Not only were these men not burned but they did not even smell like smoke. The Bible says that not one hair on their heads was singed. And the most amazing thing..........Jesus was right there with them. He was in the furnace walking around with them, in the midst of their fear He was really there. I have got to believe that these three young men were clinging to the promise of the prophesy that they had learned from the prophet Isaiah which says "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel; your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1) I am telling you, you can "watch the movie" all day long but the Word speaks to your heart.
The violence in the series has been a lot to watch. The killing of the babies, the lack of respect for women, the beheadings and stabbings. It is a lot to take in, and sadly, that's the way that it was. Brutal and bloody. Power against weakness..........Light against Dark. But the worst is yet to come. There was no death as brutal and degrading as a crucifixion. There were so many touching moments last night that I really could go on and on, but I loved when Jesus approached Peter in his boat to invite him to follow and become a "fisher of men." Again, I always thought that Peter just put everything down and followed him. But the Gospel of Luke says in the fifth chapter that Jesus did indeed get into the boat with Simon Peter and "talked with him and taught the people." Meanwhile, Peter is catching so many fish that he can't get them all in the boat. I don't know what people who are already in Heaven can see here on this Earth, but I thought of the thousands of people gathered in Rome this past week at St Peter's Square where it is said that Peter was executed and wondered what Peter would think if he could witness it. Jesus promised Peter that he would become a "fisher of men" and that is exactly what he became. I encourage anyone reading this to find time to read God's truth in the Bible. Don't believe everything you see or hear........search for yourself. It will bless you and you will be glad you did. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
God.....The ultimate "creative brain."
Oh no.......the conversation in my head is going again. During the past few weeks I have paid special attention to the word "creative." All of the sudden it keeps appearing. I know that it's always been there and I have said it thousands of times, but something is going on that has my wheels turning and my senses heightened to this word. I have a special place in my heart for "creative" personalities. Those personalities that take the mundane to the next level. They see things in art that the rest of us don't see. They hear things in music that the rest of us might not hear. They put together foods and ingredients and taste things that the rest of us don't taste. They write poetry and essays in the most beautiful and insightful ways. Dancers, writers, musicians, photographers, artists, chefs, actors, the list goes on and on. It is truly amazing. In the past week I have seen so many works of art that it challenges me to experience more of it. Many of us can "appreciate" the creativity of others but those that actually have the creative brain and abilities are, well...... one of God's greatest creations. They give our world color. They help us "escape" the literal world and go to the world of imagination and dreams. I love creativity. I love the kinds of clothes they wear, I love the way they aren't afraid to express themselves, and I love and triple love what they bring to my world.
I was at church the other day and found myself enveloped by the beautiful music but, I must admit, for a few minutes I was actually entranced by the guy conducting the huge chorus and orchestra. The choir members were following his lead to a "t." The way all of these instruments and voices were blending perfectly together was just mesmerizing. There was a moment when my own "creative brain" was on overload. I can't really think of an appropriate word to describe how, in my mind, all of the sounds were blending together. Absolutely beautiful might do it justice. Another beautiful part of this picture was that all of these musicians were using their God given gifts in their ministry of music. And to watch the gifted conductor and how they responded to his direction was just an extra blessing. While music touches the deepest parts of me, all kinds of artistic expression does the same for others. I watch with disbelief when artists just "whip" out a painting or a cartoon or any kind of creation. That is a gift given to them that they had no control over. Those who can walk into an empty room and then make it feel like a home........gifted. Those who can take ingredients and vegetables and form them into a beautiful plate of tasty color.........gift. Someone who can take a white canvas and paint a beautiful barn with bales of hay.......gift. Those who see treasure in someone else's trash.......rare. And those who can take a group of words and turn them into a song that touches hearts everywhere.......gift.
Creative brains sometimes have trouble staying focused. Our thoughts are going haywire and we are seeing, hearing and pondering very quickly. Sometimes it comes off as "spacey" or "ditzy." But really it's an "overload" of how to express all that's going on in that head of our's. Sometimes we have trouble "staying in the lines" or "following the rules." If there are cones in the road, we do not want to stay within them. If our tags are expired, we really want to see how long it might take to get caught. Sometimes we carry our new ones in the glovebox just in case we get pulled over, but that little part of us just wants to see how long we can get away with it. Some of us don't get paid for our creativity because there aren't jobs out there for our particular flare of creativity. We have to deal with our "out of the box" tendencies just like those who are "rule followers" have to deal with their issues.
This week there have been two TV shows that have really impacted me and made me think. Last Sunday the series on the Bible began on the History channel. The show explained how God created the world, how He parted the sea for the Hebrew slaves to escape Egypt, and how He destroyed the wicked, perverted city of Sodom. I was barely "coming off" of watching the show before I watched the Bill O'Reilly show where he was questioning the "literal" validation of the Bible vs some of the "stories" being allegorical or symbolic. Please know that I am like Bill O'Reilly and have read two of his books, but I watched in amazement as he questioned a pastor about how the "story" of Jonah in the belly of a well could be taken literally. He actually quesioned the pastor is this way, "Do you really believe that Jonah lived in a condominium in the belly of a fish for three days?" At this point my brain is screaming.........I want to call Bill and have a personal conversation with him.........I know he deals in facts, being that he is a "fair and balanced" talk show host........so here is what I would say to him if I could talk to him............"God is the ULTIMATE creative brain. He, alone, created everything from nothing. In fact, He is so creative that He made every single person ever born with their own unique DNA and their own unique story. As hard as it is to comprehend, every person, plant, and animal was carefully and wonderfully created. When one knows that God is the Creator of the universe and we can see unbelievable sunsets and see the change of the sesasons, why in the world would we think that the story of Jonah is allegorical? Why would we believe in the miracle of birth and the miracle of a sunrise and not believe that God can control a fish for his purposes?"
So, no Bill, I believe that every story in the Bible is true and every story happened just as it was written. I believe that God, in His wonderful creativity, created people to be different......some right brain, some left brain. I believe that we should all value the creativity that gifted artists bring to our world and I believe that these people should be congratulated and applauded for using their gifts for His Glory, just as He created them to. And to all those creative brains who dress or act or think differently........GO FOR IT!!!! That's how you're wired. That's my story and I'm stickin to it..........
I was at church the other day and found myself enveloped by the beautiful music but, I must admit, for a few minutes I was actually entranced by the guy conducting the huge chorus and orchestra. The choir members were following his lead to a "t." The way all of these instruments and voices were blending perfectly together was just mesmerizing. There was a moment when my own "creative brain" was on overload. I can't really think of an appropriate word to describe how, in my mind, all of the sounds were blending together. Absolutely beautiful might do it justice. Another beautiful part of this picture was that all of these musicians were using their God given gifts in their ministry of music. And to watch the gifted conductor and how they responded to his direction was just an extra blessing. While music touches the deepest parts of me, all kinds of artistic expression does the same for others. I watch with disbelief when artists just "whip" out a painting or a cartoon or any kind of creation. That is a gift given to them that they had no control over. Those who can walk into an empty room and then make it feel like a home........gifted. Those who can take ingredients and vegetables and form them into a beautiful plate of tasty color.........gift. Someone who can take a white canvas and paint a beautiful barn with bales of hay.......gift. Those who see treasure in someone else's trash.......rare. And those who can take a group of words and turn them into a song that touches hearts everywhere.......gift.
Creative brains sometimes have trouble staying focused. Our thoughts are going haywire and we are seeing, hearing and pondering very quickly. Sometimes it comes off as "spacey" or "ditzy." But really it's an "overload" of how to express all that's going on in that head of our's. Sometimes we have trouble "staying in the lines" or "following the rules." If there are cones in the road, we do not want to stay within them. If our tags are expired, we really want to see how long it might take to get caught. Sometimes we carry our new ones in the glovebox just in case we get pulled over, but that little part of us just wants to see how long we can get away with it. Some of us don't get paid for our creativity because there aren't jobs out there for our particular flare of creativity. We have to deal with our "out of the box" tendencies just like those who are "rule followers" have to deal with their issues.
This week there have been two TV shows that have really impacted me and made me think. Last Sunday the series on the Bible began on the History channel. The show explained how God created the world, how He parted the sea for the Hebrew slaves to escape Egypt, and how He destroyed the wicked, perverted city of Sodom. I was barely "coming off" of watching the show before I watched the Bill O'Reilly show where he was questioning the "literal" validation of the Bible vs some of the "stories" being allegorical or symbolic. Please know that I am like Bill O'Reilly and have read two of his books, but I watched in amazement as he questioned a pastor about how the "story" of Jonah in the belly of a well could be taken literally. He actually quesioned the pastor is this way, "Do you really believe that Jonah lived in a condominium in the belly of a fish for three days?" At this point my brain is screaming.........I want to call Bill and have a personal conversation with him.........I know he deals in facts, being that he is a "fair and balanced" talk show host........so here is what I would say to him if I could talk to him............"God is the ULTIMATE creative brain. He, alone, created everything from nothing. In fact, He is so creative that He made every single person ever born with their own unique DNA and their own unique story. As hard as it is to comprehend, every person, plant, and animal was carefully and wonderfully created. When one knows that God is the Creator of the universe and we can see unbelievable sunsets and see the change of the sesasons, why in the world would we think that the story of Jonah is allegorical? Why would we believe in the miracle of birth and the miracle of a sunrise and not believe that God can control a fish for his purposes?"
So, no Bill, I believe that every story in the Bible is true and every story happened just as it was written. I believe that God, in His wonderful creativity, created people to be different......some right brain, some left brain. I believe that we should all value the creativity that gifted artists bring to our world and I believe that these people should be congratulated and applauded for using their gifts for His Glory, just as He created them to. And to all those creative brains who dress or act or think differently........GO FOR IT!!!! That's how you're wired. That's my story and I'm stickin to it..........
Friday, February 15, 2013
What???? Facebook, a "Blessing????"
I have been humbled and inspired in recent weeks by unsuspecting people. Many of these people don't even know me and the ones who do don't realize that they have inspired me. I think we all go through seasons in our lives where some days are just better than others. Then there are other seasons that last a very long time and days drag by into weeks and months and it doesn't seem like there is any light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes when we are in a "good" season we take it for granted. Our health is pretty good, our children are doing pretty well, bills are getting paid, everyone is doing well overall. I think it's human nature to take these times for granted because most of us just go through each day and go about our normal business, until one day "normal" isn't normal anymore.
I am an avid follower of Facebook, emails, and information in general. I have stayed away from Twitter because my kids tell me that "old folks" have taken over Facebook and I should stay on that. I just enjoy the "social networking" made available. I know others have their issues with online social networking but for me it is a wonderful way to stay in touch with my huge family, old friends, and sometimes meet new friends. For the past few weeks I have followed several different "events" on Facebook. One of a mother involved in a tragic car wreck, one of a fellow parent battling breast cancer and thus, starting chemotherapy. There is another young girl who was in an accident while skiing, there is a middle-aged father of four boys who had a stroke. And then there is the page of a Williamson County girl whose family was in a wreck during Thanksgiving and her father has a page updating her progress along with her setbacks. I wake up most mornings with these and other families on my heart. The ironic thing is that I only know one of these people, personally. The others are all "friend of a friend." But there is always something that draws me to their story. I am amazed and inspired by the inner strength that each is showing in their horrible "season" that they are dealing with. Every single time I read a "post" I wonder how in the world these people can face their situation with such grace and strength and sometimes really great humor. The thread is the same.......a faith in a God who loves them and a peace through His Holy Spirit that obviously sustains them. I watched the news video of the mother who lost her mother and her 3 year old baby in a wreck, came to a "celebration of life" in a wheelchair because she is literally broken in numerous places, and then I watch in amazement as she sings "Jesus Loves Me" in honor of her daughter. Where does that come from? Where does the strength to sing a praise in our darkest hour come from? Strength to face a second chemotherapy treatment when the first one felt like a release of poison over a two week period. Strength to somehow smile and embrace life even when life can be so unfair.
I often ask myself how I would handle any of these situations and the truth is I don't know because I haven't had to. I hope I would reflect the love and grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus even in the difficult times. I pray that I wouldn't become bitter and seek blame. I know one thing..........these people inspire me. They cause me to embrace my days with a little more purpose. They also cause me to pray with more clarity and watch expectantly for how God will answer those prayers. They let me know that there will be a day when I will just want to put one foot in front of the other. They also are generous enough to allow us into their struggle and allow us to pray for them. I was in a gym the other night for a ballgame and looked around to see some of the people who were in the midst of a dark season maybe last year, or the year before. I remember praying for them and watching as they "put one foot in front of the other" and now to see them smiling and happy just makes my Spirit sing. Life is still difficult, some days are still dark, and I'm sure loneliness creeps in often, but they are LIVING. They are embracing life and getting out and kicking darkness in the behind. I am a sideline watcher and they don't know it but I am cheering so loudly inside for them. Life can be so unfair but God is so good and my prayer after seeing that sweet young mom in her wheelchair is for me to not just sing it but know it in my heart that "Jesus Loves Me" and while we may be weak at times, He is STRONG. On this day I will continue to pray and watch for answered prayers.
I am an avid follower of Facebook, emails, and information in general. I have stayed away from Twitter because my kids tell me that "old folks" have taken over Facebook and I should stay on that. I just enjoy the "social networking" made available. I know others have their issues with online social networking but for me it is a wonderful way to stay in touch with my huge family, old friends, and sometimes meet new friends. For the past few weeks I have followed several different "events" on Facebook. One of a mother involved in a tragic car wreck, one of a fellow parent battling breast cancer and thus, starting chemotherapy. There is another young girl who was in an accident while skiing, there is a middle-aged father of four boys who had a stroke. And then there is the page of a Williamson County girl whose family was in a wreck during Thanksgiving and her father has a page updating her progress along with her setbacks. I wake up most mornings with these and other families on my heart. The ironic thing is that I only know one of these people, personally. The others are all "friend of a friend." But there is always something that draws me to their story. I am amazed and inspired by the inner strength that each is showing in their horrible "season" that they are dealing with. Every single time I read a "post" I wonder how in the world these people can face their situation with such grace and strength and sometimes really great humor. The thread is the same.......a faith in a God who loves them and a peace through His Holy Spirit that obviously sustains them. I watched the news video of the mother who lost her mother and her 3 year old baby in a wreck, came to a "celebration of life" in a wheelchair because she is literally broken in numerous places, and then I watch in amazement as she sings "Jesus Loves Me" in honor of her daughter. Where does that come from? Where does the strength to sing a praise in our darkest hour come from? Strength to face a second chemotherapy treatment when the first one felt like a release of poison over a two week period. Strength to somehow smile and embrace life even when life can be so unfair.
I often ask myself how I would handle any of these situations and the truth is I don't know because I haven't had to. I hope I would reflect the love and grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus even in the difficult times. I pray that I wouldn't become bitter and seek blame. I know one thing..........these people inspire me. They cause me to embrace my days with a little more purpose. They also cause me to pray with more clarity and watch expectantly for how God will answer those prayers. They let me know that there will be a day when I will just want to put one foot in front of the other. They also are generous enough to allow us into their struggle and allow us to pray for them. I was in a gym the other night for a ballgame and looked around to see some of the people who were in the midst of a dark season maybe last year, or the year before. I remember praying for them and watching as they "put one foot in front of the other" and now to see them smiling and happy just makes my Spirit sing. Life is still difficult, some days are still dark, and I'm sure loneliness creeps in often, but they are LIVING. They are embracing life and getting out and kicking darkness in the behind. I am a sideline watcher and they don't know it but I am cheering so loudly inside for them. Life can be so unfair but God is so good and my prayer after seeing that sweet young mom in her wheelchair is for me to not just sing it but know it in my heart that "Jesus Loves Me" and while we may be weak at times, He is STRONG. On this day I will continue to pray and watch for answered prayers.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
God-given "rights"
People often ask me how I decide what I'm going to write about on this blog. The truth is I don't. I've noticed in my crazy "middle age" that there are certain moments in life that catch my attention. Then I start to ponder that moment and usually end up having a conversation with myself, in my head, about whatever it is I'm pondering. To be honest, it usually happens while I'm running the vacuum or cooking or doing some of my mundane duties. Sometimes, while I'm having this private conversation with myself, another voice will speak......very quietly. I have come to believe and know that this is my Spirit, God's Holy Spirit, speaking to me. I think somewhere in my upbringing I learned that the Holy Spirit talks to us through the scripture, and I believe that to be true with my entire being. But, God's Holy Spirit in me, also speaks to me in a way I can't describe, really. The best way to describe it is that I feel it in my heart. And it happens mostly when I am making a conscious decision to be quiet and listen. "Quiet" might be with the vacuum cleaner going or music playing or loading the dishwasher, but it is usually when I'm sortof saying "Ok, Lord, what do you want to teach me?" So I had another "moment" this week while watching one of my favorite shows, "Parenthood." It's the season finale so I know that all the stories are going to be wrapped up in a nice package to end the season. Throughout the season one of the couples has been struggling with their "foster child," Victor. They have been on a rollercoaster about whether or not to adopt Victor because he is about eleven years old and it isn't always a fun or easy ride. He is resistant and then they are resisitant.......and then the sister is resistant. There is this uneasiness about whether or not they should take the leap and legally adopt him.
So I'm watching the show and the scene comes where the couple, The Grahams, show up at the judge's office to officially adopt Victor. My "moment" came when the judge pronounces that Victor is legally adopted. The judge looks around the room and proudly declares to Victor that "he, as an adopted son, is entitled to all of the "rights" of a natural son." I start to feel my eyes burn and have this desire to rewind the DVR and watch the entire scene again. I'm wondering what it is about those words and this scene that have started the pondering and the classic "conversation in my head." The entire family came together to support each other at the adoption ceremony. They each brought their own "baggage" and their own problems. They vowed to support this little boy and each one promised to use their own unique gift to teach him how to function in the world and in their family. The judge asks 11 year old, Victor, "do you agree to this adoption?" To which he nonchalantly says "yes" and then the parents promise to love him and take care of him. Judge says, "That's quite a family you have there. Ok, on this day, January 24, 2014, you have officially adopted Victor Graham. You are now legally their child. You have all the rights of any natural child." Now I know why my eyes were burning........ I can hear the voice again, only this time it's louder and more deliberate..........."On this day, in 1976, I AM adopting you, Gina Booth. You are my child and you have all the rights of any natural child." In all fairness, I have to admit that I didn't realize, just like this little boy on the show, what it meant when I became a part of God's family at age 12. I didn't know all of the "baggage" my fellow "family members" would bring or all of the issues that we would go through together. My Sunday school teachers and my parents and their friends all used their unique gifts to help me in my journey and like the little boy on the show, when my Heavenly Father said do you agree to this adoption I nonchalantly answered "yes," just as most 12 year olds would do. He then did as he promised he would. He gave me all of the "rights" of His natural son and promised to love me and take care of me. It's no wonder my eyes were burning and I couldn't get this scene off of my mind. I could watch it a hundred times and feel myself in Victor's place and know the joy that goes along with this moment.
The vastness of this promise didn't dawn on me until I was much older. The fact that God, the creator of everything, gave me the "right" to become his child, with all of the "rights" of His natural Son, Jesus, is something that is almost too much to comprehend. I found it amazing and so "God like" that he used a moment from a TV show to, once again, show me how much I am loved. I also feel compelled to say that just like any family, our Christian family, our church family, whatever you want to call it, is not perfect. We each bring our own baggage and issues but the bottom line is that we are all adopted by the same Father and He loves us all. "Yet to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children not of a natural descent, nor of human decision, but born of God." John 1:12-13
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
So I'm watching the show and the scene comes where the couple, The Grahams, show up at the judge's office to officially adopt Victor. My "moment" came when the judge pronounces that Victor is legally adopted. The judge looks around the room and proudly declares to Victor that "he, as an adopted son, is entitled to all of the "rights" of a natural son." I start to feel my eyes burn and have this desire to rewind the DVR and watch the entire scene again. I'm wondering what it is about those words and this scene that have started the pondering and the classic "conversation in my head." The entire family came together to support each other at the adoption ceremony. They each brought their own "baggage" and their own problems. They vowed to support this little boy and each one promised to use their own unique gift to teach him how to function in the world and in their family. The judge asks 11 year old, Victor, "do you agree to this adoption?" To which he nonchalantly says "yes" and then the parents promise to love him and take care of him. Judge says, "That's quite a family you have there. Ok, on this day, January 24, 2014, you have officially adopted Victor Graham. You are now legally their child. You have all the rights of any natural child." Now I know why my eyes were burning........ I can hear the voice again, only this time it's louder and more deliberate..........."On this day, in 1976, I AM adopting you, Gina Booth. You are my child and you have all the rights of any natural child." In all fairness, I have to admit that I didn't realize, just like this little boy on the show, what it meant when I became a part of God's family at age 12. I didn't know all of the "baggage" my fellow "family members" would bring or all of the issues that we would go through together. My Sunday school teachers and my parents and their friends all used their unique gifts to help me in my journey and like the little boy on the show, when my Heavenly Father said do you agree to this adoption I nonchalantly answered "yes," just as most 12 year olds would do. He then did as he promised he would. He gave me all of the "rights" of His natural son and promised to love me and take care of me. It's no wonder my eyes were burning and I couldn't get this scene off of my mind. I could watch it a hundred times and feel myself in Victor's place and know the joy that goes along with this moment.
The vastness of this promise didn't dawn on me until I was much older. The fact that God, the creator of everything, gave me the "right" to become his child, with all of the "rights" of His natural Son, Jesus, is something that is almost too much to comprehend. I found it amazing and so "God like" that he used a moment from a TV show to, once again, show me how much I am loved. I also feel compelled to say that just like any family, our Christian family, our church family, whatever you want to call it, is not perfect. We each bring our own baggage and issues but the bottom line is that we are all adopted by the same Father and He loves us all. "Yet to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children not of a natural descent, nor of human decision, but born of God." John 1:12-13
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
Friday, January 18, 2013
Suffering produces Character.......Hang in there!!!
This week there has been much talk, in the news, about "fallen" sports figures. Words like deception, lies, drug use, scam, doping, cancer and death have been floating around leaving many people with lots and lots of questions. Everyone is asking why two highly successful, highly visible athletes would lie to and deceive their "fans" like they have. Children, as well as adults, idolize these people and if they don't "idolize" them, they certainly follow them closely, follow their tweets, and admire their athletic ability. Whether the person rides a bicycle, plays football, plays basketball, soccer, runs, etc....... doesn't really matter. Everyone has their opinions of why people, specifically professional athletes, "mess up." You guessed........I've got my opinion, too.
As you know, I have three sons. They have all participated in various sports and have excelled at different ones at different points in their lives. For instance, one year basketball might go really well and then the next year football gets the focus. Then, all of a sudden, they might decide that they don't want to play a certain sport at all. They are "burned out," sick of it, it's no fun anymore, and the reasons go on and on. I want to make clear right now that I am not an athlete. Never have been. I don't like to sweat, don't like to have my side hurt from running too much, and don't understand those that do. But, I am a mom to three athletes so I am writing from that point of view.
I think that there are many many reasons why all of us, as human beings, fall into traps involving lying, deception, etc.... But for young athletes it seems different to me. Men like Lance Armstrong possibly fall into a different category......maybe. I'm still undecided. As I'm writing this I'm still not sure, so bear with me. The pressure that is placed on athletes at a young age is tremendous. It starts at a young age. Go to a youth league game sometime and see for yourself. Sadly, I think I was in the middle of it just a few years ago. Yelling like a crazy woman, chewing on my jaw everytime my kid got up to bat, or feeling like I might throw up when my son stepped up to the free throw line. You want them to do well and succeed but a certain amount of pride creeps in when you're kid makes the winning basket, touchdown or homerun. I think that is a normal reaction and probably something that is out of our control. But, the abnormal thing is when we and everyone around expects the same result every time. Do we really think that "Little Johnny" is capable of being the "game winner" every time? Do we really think that he has the ability, the focus and that fate grants him that responsibility on a regular basis? Well, yes, we really do. Especially when they are young and we are young parents and we haven't quite been in the rat race long enough yet. We put pressure on little kids to "be the star" night in and night out at all kinds of sporting events. Now, fast forward a few years and they are in Middle School and High School. Many have dropped out for the reasons I listed earlier and many have dropped out because the pressure became too great. The very very talented athletes usually stick with what they are good at and more and more pressure builds. Everyone wants to know who is recruiting who. Where the top recruits are going. ESPN sends out "alerts" so that you can be the first to know all of the up to the minute recruiting information.
Fast forward to college age. Many of these really gifted athletes are now depending on their athletic talent to pay their way through college. Not only that, but they are now looked at as being "super human." Who can put on the most weight while maintaining their running time? How much can they squat or bench? They put in long hours of difficult practice while going to class. The stress on their mind and the pain in their young bodies is a daily grind that they must deal with. As a parent you hope and pray that there are coaches, trainers, teachers, friends, someone on campus who will care for them just because they do. Not because of what they "bring to the team." Gag......just writing that makes my stomach hurt. This is the reason I have watched quietly as Notre Dame deals with the Manti Te'o story..........
I have no idea what the real story is. Did he get scammed? Did he know that the cyber girlfriend really didn't exist? Did he get "catfished?" Did he really meet her face to face or just have an online relationship? It all sounds beyond ridiculous. I'm actually typing this thinking to myself how absolutely crazy it all sounds, but the bottom line is I could care less about the fake girlfriend. What I see when I look at his picture is a very young man who is put on a pedestal, daily. He reports to a practice facility for many hours every day in all kinds of weather. He very likely got no family time during the Christmas or Thanksgiving holidays. He puts his body through rigorous workouts so we can all be entertained. Did he lie? I don't know. Did he deceive? I don't know. Should he be held accountable for his actions? Absolutely. Does it seem that he has people at Notre Dame who are trying to help him and standing with him? Yes. This makes me happy and it gives me faith that there are adults who are trying to protect and help our college athletes when they face a situation of this magnitude. Adults who care about the person and who want to help them find their way.
I hope that we are all raising our boys to be the right kind of men. To be honest and to do the right thing, even when the right thing is difficult. I hope that we are teaching them how to develop their character not just their athletic abilities. I also pray that there will be men who will rise up and support the younger ones who get into trouble, who have trouble handling the pressure, and who will "live" what is right and not just talk about it. "Suffering produces perserverance, and perserverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:4
As you know, I have three sons. They have all participated in various sports and have excelled at different ones at different points in their lives. For instance, one year basketball might go really well and then the next year football gets the focus. Then, all of a sudden, they might decide that they don't want to play a certain sport at all. They are "burned out," sick of it, it's no fun anymore, and the reasons go on and on. I want to make clear right now that I am not an athlete. Never have been. I don't like to sweat, don't like to have my side hurt from running too much, and don't understand those that do. But, I am a mom to three athletes so I am writing from that point of view.
I think that there are many many reasons why all of us, as human beings, fall into traps involving lying, deception, etc.... But for young athletes it seems different to me. Men like Lance Armstrong possibly fall into a different category......maybe. I'm still undecided. As I'm writing this I'm still not sure, so bear with me. The pressure that is placed on athletes at a young age is tremendous. It starts at a young age. Go to a youth league game sometime and see for yourself. Sadly, I think I was in the middle of it just a few years ago. Yelling like a crazy woman, chewing on my jaw everytime my kid got up to bat, or feeling like I might throw up when my son stepped up to the free throw line. You want them to do well and succeed but a certain amount of pride creeps in when you're kid makes the winning basket, touchdown or homerun. I think that is a normal reaction and probably something that is out of our control. But, the abnormal thing is when we and everyone around expects the same result every time. Do we really think that "Little Johnny" is capable of being the "game winner" every time? Do we really think that he has the ability, the focus and that fate grants him that responsibility on a regular basis? Well, yes, we really do. Especially when they are young and we are young parents and we haven't quite been in the rat race long enough yet. We put pressure on little kids to "be the star" night in and night out at all kinds of sporting events. Now, fast forward a few years and they are in Middle School and High School. Many have dropped out for the reasons I listed earlier and many have dropped out because the pressure became too great. The very very talented athletes usually stick with what they are good at and more and more pressure builds. Everyone wants to know who is recruiting who. Where the top recruits are going. ESPN sends out "alerts" so that you can be the first to know all of the up to the minute recruiting information.
Fast forward to college age. Many of these really gifted athletes are now depending on their athletic talent to pay their way through college. Not only that, but they are now looked at as being "super human." Who can put on the most weight while maintaining their running time? How much can they squat or bench? They put in long hours of difficult practice while going to class. The stress on their mind and the pain in their young bodies is a daily grind that they must deal with. As a parent you hope and pray that there are coaches, trainers, teachers, friends, someone on campus who will care for them just because they do. Not because of what they "bring to the team." Gag......just writing that makes my stomach hurt. This is the reason I have watched quietly as Notre Dame deals with the Manti Te'o story..........
I have no idea what the real story is. Did he get scammed? Did he know that the cyber girlfriend really didn't exist? Did he get "catfished?" Did he really meet her face to face or just have an online relationship? It all sounds beyond ridiculous. I'm actually typing this thinking to myself how absolutely crazy it all sounds, but the bottom line is I could care less about the fake girlfriend. What I see when I look at his picture is a very young man who is put on a pedestal, daily. He reports to a practice facility for many hours every day in all kinds of weather. He very likely got no family time during the Christmas or Thanksgiving holidays. He puts his body through rigorous workouts so we can all be entertained. Did he lie? I don't know. Did he deceive? I don't know. Should he be held accountable for his actions? Absolutely. Does it seem that he has people at Notre Dame who are trying to help him and standing with him? Yes. This makes me happy and it gives me faith that there are adults who are trying to protect and help our college athletes when they face a situation of this magnitude. Adults who care about the person and who want to help them find their way.
I hope that we are all raising our boys to be the right kind of men. To be honest and to do the right thing, even when the right thing is difficult. I hope that we are teaching them how to develop their character not just their athletic abilities. I also pray that there will be men who will rise up and support the younger ones who get into trouble, who have trouble handling the pressure, and who will "live" what is right and not just talk about it. "Suffering produces perserverance, and perserverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:4
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Gracious Uncertainty
Gracious Uncertainty...... It's a phrase that was mentioned this morning at church. Why was I fixated on it. At the age of 48 I find myself reflecting on the oddest things. Sometimes I wonder why certain things didn't work out in my life and why other things did. I look back and think about all the time and money wasted on things that seemed so great at the time, only to look foolish now. There are lots of things that have gone by the wayside that I used to put great importance on. I used to get a kick out of going into my parent's house and finding my dad sitting in his recliner staring at the ceiling. No TV on, no book in his hand, no music on the stereo, just staring in silence. He was just pondering. Just thinking........just reflecting. Oh my, I am becoming that. I pretty much see lessons and reflections in most every event. Perhaps this is why I was fixated on this phrase, Gracious Uncertainty.
The other day my husband and I were watching an episode of "Bonanza" while eating breakfast. The episode is playing out on the TV but in my mind, my Spirit is taking me back about 25 years. 1988. It was a time when I was fresh out of college and working and figuring out what I was going to do next. It was a time of break up between myself and a white collar boyfriend. It was a time when the expectations, in the area I grew up in, were high. Jobs were good, income was plentiful, people were collecting lots of different things to put on their bookshelves and in their garages. It was a time of Snow Babies, Precious Moments, Fur Coats, Florida condos, boats in the garage, and fancy first impressions. For me, I was a teacher on a limited salary who spent a lot of time on Saturdays watching episodes of "Bonanza" and whatever else happened to be on cable TV. I remember watching as the Cartwright men worked the Pondorosa and fought the "bad guys." I loved how they treated all women with respect and I loved how "Ben Cartwright, the dad," demanded certain things out of his boys. Hard work, fun times, dinnertime all together when "Hop Sing" said it was time. Most viewers loved "Little Joe" because he was so handsome, but I loved the strength of the middle son, Hoss, the gentle giant. He could carry anything and anyone on his back and whistle while doing it. He could also walk into the saloon and "wipe up" every man in there with no problem. I distinctly remember telling my cousin, Vicki, that I was going to marry someone like Hoss, strong and gentle. It also helped that Hoss was the "middle child" and I always always always have a soft spot for the "middle child."
Gracious Uncertainty.......... I don't really remember praying specifically that God would send Hoss to my life, but I do remember that I knew what I was looking for. Someone who respected women, who was big and strong, and someone who was a gentle giant. It wasn't a concious search, per se, but that is just what appealed to me. Pure and Simple. In 1992 I married my friend and life partner and we started "life" together, through thick and thin, good and bad, but mostly good. Now fast forward to last week, watching the old, non HD version of Bonanza. I'm sitting there watching, haven't thought about my "Hoss" obsession in a long long time and my mind is taking me back 25 years. Let me just say right now that I prayed and prayed for healthy children, but I also must confess that I prayed and prayed for at least one baby girl. I wanted to dress her in smocked dresses and leather t-straps and have huge bows for her white blonde hair. She was going to take piano lessons starting at age 5 and have every Barbie doll known to mankind. Gracious Uncertainty......... there it is again. God, in his great wisdom, and because He probably remembered those Saturdays when I would sit in my small apartment and admire the Cartwright men, saw fit to bless me with three boys. He gave me my own "Pondorosa" full of boys. He gave me a "Ben Cartwright" who sees to it that these boys know how to work hard and then laugh around the dinner table. He gave me strong gentle giants who respect their mother. (He forgot to give me a "Hop Sing" but that's OK.....that's where I fit in.)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
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