Out of the Valley

Hello (Hello)(Hello).

That is the echo of my voice calling out. Are you still there? Am I still here? I know, at least, I am not where I once was.

Have you ever been through something really, really cool with God and then been sent down the hill into the valley?

You know - like you witness your child doing something wonderful and kind and full of His Spirit and share that news with someone, only to turn around and find them swinging from the chandeliers in their underwear screaming about how you are loser and how much they hate you??

Or - you go through a totally God-breathed event like the aforementioned VBS only to find that while you were focused on doing God's Thing God's Way, the enemy was marking the lines of the battlefield? (And then you realize that the battlefield was EVERYwhere?)

Fun stuff. NOT!!

Coming out of VBS my home was attacked (as if the prior issues with l-o-w-e-s were not enough - they only got worse and "still" aren't finished).
Coming out of VBS my financial world was attacked (and is slowly making it's way out of the deep and darkness).
Coming out of VBS my personal relationships were attacked (bruised and battered in emotions and spirit).
Coming out of VBS (praise the Lord) I didn't give up.

But oh this weekend, "I Quit!!"

I quit accepting what was set before me as it had been. I quit accepting the damage being done and at one time I literally stood eye-to-eye with evil and demanded that "it" leave. Leave my children alone, leave my husband alone, leave me alone.

But - I have to say - it wasn't until I realized that the only "safe place" I had was at my place of employment - my church. Funny? Nah - he knows there is no place for him there. It was only when I saw this that I knew what I was really up against. I even dickered with God over it - roaming the streets of my neighborhood from 11-12 in the pm/am on a Saturday night. Never doubting who God Is and never doubting His Power, I "argued" with Him over His Sovereign Right to strip away everything that I held valuable. I claimed defeat in my own ability to accomplish anything without Him, defeat in my attempts to try, defeat in my ability to go on without His intervention. My own admittance of weakness that I did not have the strength or power or will(?) to continue His Work without His Safety.

As of today, I received a financial blessing (that will have to be repaid - I'm for that) and a plan to make the finances work. My husband was offered a new job that will allow him more room for growth than the stagnant waters he had been in. My children are aware that their mother is a warrior (and are now, rightfully, afraid of what "I" can "make happen"). The familial elements causing strife and frustration now have a new found respect for the extent to which "I" am "in charge" of the goings on in Montgomery. My home issues are on the mend and the installers are even sending me a $50 gift-card to l-o-w-e-s for "all my trouble". (LOL!!!!!!!!)

It's Another Day in Montgomery (and boy has it been a long one) and I say:
Who are we without Him, but flightless birds in the valley surrounded by hungry wolves - our nests resting only on top of the highest mountain.

(Aside to B - someone told me last week, "You have a really interesting life. You should write a book." Where-oh-where are the words??)

God is so GOOD!

How can I put into words what a tremendous success VBS was this year? God didn't just show up...He was right there waiting for us each and every day.

I can start by testifying that ALL my personal requests were answered. (Thank youf or praying it out with us.) We had no rain, children were happy, teachers fulfilled and our days flowed smoothly. Then I can share with you some of what I got to hear today and throughout the week.

One girl said, "I'm having a GREAT time! My grandma and I decided we're coming back every year."

An un-churched mom said, "I wanna come hang out with you guys!"

The mother of teenage volunteers said, "They had such a good time. They're already talking about next year."

Another mother said, "They came home so excited. They went on and on and then it all started over again when their dad got home."

A child who had a jubilee at her church today, skipped her service because she didn't want to miss our last time together.

A few children came back inside (from the waterslide) to spend a few more minutes in the worship theater and helped clean up.

And most precious and wonderful to me, we sent MULTIPLE letters home to the parents of children who decided to accept Christ as their Savior.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
To God be the GLORY because all I am is a crazy lady with a clipboard.

Day One

Done

No one ran away. I got a smile and a high five from one of the crankiest women I've encountered in a long time. The kids seemed happy(84 of them), the adults fulfilled (26), youth abounded (23) and the day really seemed to flow well. All in all it was a very good day.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
Thanks for praying. 1-down. 4-more to go.

If you thought yesterday's post was grand...

Wait until you read this!!

In response to prayers (and some things He just chose to do on His own) God has done the following:

*Supernaturally brought me not one, but TWO volunteers to help with set-up and decoration. There is no reason they should have known when we were decorating. They came to church Sunday for the first time this year and I had not announced plans to decorate at service nor sent notice to them. They just showed up, ready to work. (You might recall that when all this started, I asked God to please just let volunteers come to me.)

*Devoloped not one, but TWO new friendships. (These seasonal visitors to the church have been discovered to be kindered spirits for not only myself, but my oldest child.) Jesus loves to have friends in His Name. And as an added bonus...they are from China! Now, we might get to see cool postage from God's Eastern Province.

*After addressing our teacher shortage via email - provided not one, but TWO volunteers for the vacant teaching position.

*Moved the heart of an individual/changed their circumstances - so that they, who had previously stated they would not (under any circumstances) be at VBS - will now be available - all day every day.

*Provided not one, but TWO options for the missing Missions individual.

*Blessed me with not one, but TWO blog-readers who continually lift me and my circumstances up to Him in prayer.

He is Mighty and Wonderful. He is Great and Glorious. I am nothing save for what He completes in me. You are storing up your treasures in Heaven - for you see - I am weak. Unable to complete this on my own. Unable, alone, to cover all things in prayer. You are my voice to God when I am unable to speak. You see the need for prayer when my eyes fail me. Your spirits are to be blessed beyond measure for being so selfless in your petitions to Our Lord.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I am humbled beyond measure.

God is SO Good!

In my last post, I discussed God speaking to me directly concerning my situation, shared what He said and touched on how I love to be "freaked-out" when He speaks to me so clearly.


Well - guess what?!? It gets even better.


My new friend April (for whom I wrote a stunning rhyme) took it upon herself to try her hand at seeking God's Word herself...but not 'for' herself...for ME! Isn't that such a remarkable and wonderful thing to do??


She prayed for me and then sought the Lord's Word to speak to me. This is what He said,


"Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah." (Isaiah 7:4)

You see, this was the most poignant of passages to set before me.

As you may or may not recall, our VBS was staffed with a skeleton crew. I had the exact number of adults to reach the bare minimum of needs. Well, being that it is/was "Another Day in Montgomery", Monday, one of the staff backed out. A second staff member tried to recuse herself, but I would not allow it (at least for M,T,W anyway). Tuesday, A speaker recused from the Missions rotation. The other individual who was to discuss Missions may very well have to remove herself in order to tend to the vacant teaching position. A third individual who thought would be there advised they would not be available throughout the week. Others, who previously indicated that decorations were not to be the main focus, kept offering me suggestions as to what else I could do in the way of decorating.

I consider these to be the two smoldering stubs of firewood. I was stressed out and frustrated and concerned and all the other adjectives that can go along with these types of events. I even felt like I might shed a tear or two (which -if you know me- you will understand to be very rare).

At my wits end and wanting to escape, I sat down to read a blog or two and found this most selfless of acts waiting for me. I need to check myself and remain focused (be careful) I have no need to be stressed (be calm). I have no need to worry (don't be afraid). The problems I face ( the two smoldering stubs of firewood and the angry kings) are nothing compared to my God.

God is so Mighty and Wonderful to answer a prayer for April to my benefit. This all should be seen as proof (as we sometimes may doubt when we don't see it evidenced) that God does hear your prayers for others. He does respond. He does want you to seek Him out for the benefit of others.

Thank you to all of you who pray for me. My spirit is sensitive to it. I do know.

When God speaks...

I tend to freak out a little. (But we know that I love to be freaked out like that, so it's ok.)

You may remember that I am "in charge" of VBS this year at our church. Or maybe you don't know or are just finding out now, but regardless...I am.

I've been busy with this and busy with that and tending to the house issues and blah-bitty-blah-blah. Anywho...( Don't you love references to the past? heehee)... I realized between Wednesday and Thursday of this week that VBS is less than 2-weeks away.

I wanted to freak-out in the bad way. Then I checked myself (yes, before I wrecked myself) and went to the Lord. And I said this, "Lord...My Father God, I have not been in Your Word as I should be. Please honor your gift of forgiveness to me and let me hear from You now, about VBS. What I need to do and how to handle this. I'm concerned and You know it. Please and thank You."

SO - I then advised Him that I was just going to open the book and for Him to direct the fall of the pages to where I should read. (Yeah - you know what's comin') I did as I suggested and He did what I asked.

Right there -on the page- were these wonderful words from Our Lord (paraphrased for emphasis):
"Why are you crying out to me? Put your staff over the water and tell the people to walk through the Red Sea. I'll take care of the rest."

Well -I was stunned to say the least. We ask for Him to speak simply and "whoop there it is". (Man - that was just lame.)

SO - again, I address Him and say something to the effect of, "Can we do this one more time? I wanna make sure I got You right." I open up The Book and whamO! He says to me, "Move! Marshall your troops. Prepare for battle." (again paraphrased - save for the "move. marshall your troops" thing.)

Wowie-zowie! Isn't He the coolest!??! Gotta love His Mercy on the weak and small-minded!!

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I ask:
Anybody got a ram's horn I can borrow?? I gotta marshall my troops and I think they're all napping.

2 Weeks and 30 Days

2 Weeks:

My MIL had her visit with the Dr. yesterday and now has a snazzy blue cast on her arm and hand. The "something going on in there" was a hairline fracture and all parties involved were glad she decided to go in because 1 big jolt and her bone could have shattered. She will wear the cast for 2 weeks - until her 2nd grandson's wedding 4th of July weekend. It will most likely feel like 30 days to the rest of us because at 7:20 this morning (less than 24 hours of having it on) she's already calling to complain about not being able to get the back of her hair done, her make-up on right and her stockings all the way up. (If you were to know her, you would understand how important this is for her.)

And speaking of 30 days:

Many of you - make that - the two of you, do not know that we are having some work done in our house. You see, I have two water nymphs who live with me. After 10 years in the same house with one or both of them utilizing the master bath at any given time, the amount of water flung across my bathroom floor had managed to seep into the baseboards and around the vanity cabinet, causing both (the baseboards and cabinet) to swell and crack and generally become quite unsightly. Don't even get me started on the floor!! Let's just leave it with the builders thought carpet in the bathroom would be smell. I mean swell.

My sweet husband decided that we needed a general overhaul. (Hey - if you're gonna fix one -you might as well fix 'em all, right?)

So - we went looking, had the detail and measuring done and made the purchases. (New flooring in the bathroom, new cabinet and a couple of other things around the house) Now, I am quite handy, but not in a way that I could remove the vanity top, replace the cabinet and return all to it's proper place. SO - we scheduled all our activity through LOWE'S. (In case you missed it, we scheduled all our work through L-O-W-E-S.)

Well, when the builders/installers/contractors (whatever they are calling themselves these days) came out yesterday, the very first thing they did was to rip out the vanity cabinet. Good for them! I say good for them because it was a lesson in futility. Minutes after ripping out the cabinet they discover the new cabinet we purchased was not going to work due to the plumbing of the sinks.

Uhhh.

Who's responsibility was it, I inquired, to ensure that the product I purchased would work in my home - considering I am neither a builder, contractor, plumbing expert NOR a professional home product installation professional?!? I had to duck and cover for all the finger point that ensued from one simple question.

7 hours later - Yes. 7 hours later, we were plainly told that we could either keep the original cabinet we purchased, seal up 4 of the 6 drawers and have it installed in a matter of days OR we could have a cabinet special ordered for us -which will take approximately...wait for it...30 days!!

Whoopie!

Now - the "special order" cabinet is valued over 60% more than the original cabinet and we won't have to be out additional funds, but 30 days!?! C'mon. Now, everything else were going to do has to be pushed back because one can't be done before the other.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I'm:
a) Still trying to rid myself of the vile words that are trying to errupt and spew forth like hot lava.
b) Hoping I'm able to adequately articulate to the staff at L-O-W-E-S that I am doing them a favor by watiting 30 days for a better cabinet - and that I'm still not "happy".
c) Focusing on being grateful that I wanted volkswagen and God wanted me to have a cadillac.
d) Focusing on His perfect timing.
e) All of the above.

You know what day it is...

It's Another Day in Montgomery, of course - and today...my Mother-in-law freaks me out!! (and NOT in the good way.)

Last week she was working in our front flower bed (You try telling the woman no!) It had to be close to 100 degrees and there she was scooting around on her backside, yanking (and I mean good-old-fashioned ripping up the earth type yanking) up youpon roots. If you've ever had a youpon you know those things lu-hu-huv to take root in all directions.

SO, acting as if she were the healthiest of women half her age she's toiling away. I kept telling her it's too hot, get inside or go home - anything but working up a tither in my front flower bed. But as I said before she doesn't understand "no" - especially when it comes to what she can and cannot do. (Sound like anyone you know???)

Well, about 3/4 of the way into it (I'm inside - 'cause I'm a little more sane than she is - emphasis on little) and I hear, "Oh, Oh, Ohhhh!" (Cripe! - This canNOT be good!) I dash to the front window and sha-BANG! There I see the most heart-wrenching of sights. My MIL flat-out on the grass, dirty-pants and all shining in my face. (Not to mention my SWAT-trained police officer of a neighbor doing the 4-yard dash in nano-seconds to her side.) FREAK_OUT! My internal clock just flat out stopped! GoodLord in Heaven I thought it was all over for the old bird - and from the way all the blood in my body was at my toes, I thought I might not be far behind her.

Well, I proceeded to sprint to the door, faster than a woman my age should run inside and leaping over small animals who were frantically trying to tell me in the loudest of ways that they understood I was panicked. (I should pause to mention that my oldest was sound asleep on the sofa and the youngest had her eyes literally glued to the television and I'm not certain they even realized that I'd made horrendous noise myself and was crashing out the door.)

I get out there and praise the Lord she is sitting up! Looking a little glassy-eyed and repeating, "I'm OK. I'm OK." My neighbor then realizes I'm there and gives me a look that I shall never forget. It was part "you're an IDIOT for letting this woman work out here like this" and part "the women in my life don't understand no either" (with a smidge of "whew! I'm glad it's your responsibility and not mine.")

I should also tell you that the Lord's timing is PERFECT - for, you see, we had no sooner gotten the woman off the ground and gave thanks my husband didn't see that when up he rolls. For CERTAIN we would have all the EMT's in Montgomery at my door had he seen her on the ground!!

So, here we are a week later (and complaints abounding over her aching wrist) and she calls at 7:15 at night to say she had spent the last 45 minutes at the urgent care center, where the kindly and fair-looking Dr. advised her there was something "going on in there" with regard to her wrist and urging her to visit an Orthopaedist. Whoopie!! (Did I mention we still weren't supposed to let my DH know she had fallen? Had wrist pain? AND been to the Dr.?? -Tsk-tsk for secrets! Uh, he knows, but has been dutiful and kept silent. :)

We are, today, praying that the new specialist will see her EARLY today...that the "something going on in there" is minor at worst and that the woman will still keep her vip, but drop some of the need for pride in hearing people say, "Good golly! I hope I can scoot around on my rear end in 100 degree weather yanking youpon roots from the depths of the earth like you do when I'm your age!"

Galveston, oh Galveston...

What a wonderful place to be. Hunting shells on the sandy beach or waist deep in the sea.

There are so many wonderful things to do and places to see on Galveston Island and I think we've done and seen most of them. This last visit, however, we mainly played beach bums. It was great. It wasn't as crowded as it usually is and it was a MUCH needed get-away. We all love that town and would be more than glad were it God's will to move us there - provided (there's always a catch, huh?) that it did not require us to actually BE beach bums.

I love the treasures the Lord leaves for me(us) on the beach. Last year it was whole hermit crab shells - sometimes with little crabs hermit-ing inside - only to be found upon arrival at home with stench that would knock the fur off a gorilla. (Eww! Can you imagine the sight of a hairless gorilla?)

This year, though, it was oyster shells - inlaid with the most intricate and delicate mother-of-pearl. They are simply beautiful. I did find a couple of teensy shells still intact and one 2-inch clam shell with (yep, you guessed it) a clam inside. UGH! Talk about stank! But the shell is beautiful - especially after I cleaned all the guts out of it.

We all got too much sun ( some of us even burned using SPF-50!), and none of us were ready to come home. The littlest of us summed it up best when she said after finding out we were leaving, "I'm so upset because I NO want to GO!" Who could blame her?

Even with the threat of hurricanes it seems a small price to pay for having the whole ocean at your feet.

Well, it's Another Day in Montgomery and I ask:
Who wants to go to the beach???

I feel like a doofus - and a vacation....

So, my other posts about being nervous about the upcoming events were just silliness manifesting itself. Those posts left no room for God to do His thang! My reluctance to see His Hand at work and to trust Him always sometimes dumb-founds me, especially when I've seen His Glory in my life over and over.

The first of my meetings went well, it was small and easier to handle than I expected. So, today's - should - be fine. The first of the Wednesday programs was a-ok, too. I had said we'd have 4 or 40 kids and had neither. There were 7 and 8 adults were in and around and about to tend to them. That was better that 1:1 ratio. We had one technical difficulty that took up enough time to put me back on track time-wise. I was running early and ended up being right on time. (Thank you, Jesus!). The group, being so small, was diverse in ages from 4yrs to 4th grade - so there were virtually NO discipline issues (Thank Goodness!). And - there was always someone right there to offer a suggestion as to how to transition the time better (Praise the Lord!). No one got lost or injured and no one died! SO, all in all, I would say it was a success.

After this crazy week, we are blessed with the opportunity to go out of town fr the weekend. It's our annual trip to Galveston. We go for a weekend every year and never on the same weekend and rarely in the same month each year. It is much needed - by all.

My husband has some sort of mysterious soft-tissue-issue in his neck and we had to take him to the urgent care clinic Tuesday. I made him go there because as we were eating dinner Tuesday, I watched him wince and grimace all throughout the meal as if the food smelled bad or tasted funny. (We know that could "NEVER" be true, so off we went.) They've given him some anti-inflamatory med's and told him there's not much to be done, but wait. (How fun!?) It looks like it will be a beach-lounging kind of weekend. Whoopie!!

Anyway, it's Another Day in Montgomery and I appreciate your willingness to read my ramblings, and otherwise indulge my ridiculousness! Here's to the promise of a new day and long weekends at the beach!

Two posts in as many days (Wowie-zowie)

Well, I am not blogging from the bottom of the pond. (We're all relieved, I'm sure.)

Today, I am going to date myself, but not in the traditional way by taking myself to dinner and a show. I am going to spell out how old I am.

T-H-I-R-T-Y E-I-G-H-T

There. I did it. It's not all that bad and looks worse than it is. But it's crazy-wild all the same.

Last Sunday was my birthday. June 1. The beginning of hurricane season (every year). And that alone should explain itself and my life thoroughly.

Last Sunday also happened to be the EXACT 20-year anniversary of my graduation from high school. Yes, I turned 18 and graduated from high school at the same time. It was a banner year, to be sure.

Now, 20 years later, I am here. And, frankly, I am less certain of my impending future here on earth than I was at that time. It's probably because I've seen that none of the things I thought I'd do were done and I'm not really anyone I ever thought I'd be. Which, in and of itself, is not entirely a bad thing...just weird - as per usual for me.

My 20-year reunion is this coming August. And I'm faced with a decision of going to that or staying here and performing in a little dinner-theater at the church. I've been thinking (uh-oh) - Do I go to reunion and show off that I've not done much with my life? (You see, I was voted along with my best friend, Brian, to be the most likely to have my name up in lights.) Or do I ignore the reunion, wondering how it was and staying in my little coccoon and begging off from the reunion because "I'm in a show." (Ha...can anyone say vanity?)

I've been in contact fairly recently with a few friends from long ago and most of them duck and run after I tell them I've been with the same man for 19 years, have two kids and am involved at church. I don't know if it scares them that I am involved with church, or troubled about my marriage (since most of them are on their 2nd+ ) -or- if it is just that I didn't mean as much to them as they did to me? (can anyone say insecurity?)

Anyway, it's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
Here's to finding out 20 years later that you're insecurely vain! Lest we not forget the "bliss" that is being utterly confused!

What was I thinking?!?!

Ok, so it's been awhile since I posted and mainly it's because what little brain I do have has been swallowed up. Would that it were a giant fish; I might be inclined to just tickle his tonsils and have myself expelled. As it stands - what I'm in is up to my neck in guppies and how to deal with them.

I'm in the process of realizing just how much I have to learn about my new endeavor, how much the previous school-ers of fish knew about the endeavor and how big the pond is that I've been called to fill. It's humbling and humiliating at the same time. Ugh.

The fact of the matter is, I think that I have no idea how this is all supposed to work. I'm short-staffed (in my opinion) for an upcoming Wednesday morning program, running a skeleton crew for one of the years biggest events, and everyday being asked questions about things I never even imagined - forget about even having any suitable answers for them. (In other words, I'm low on bait, my pole's too short and I don't know what to do when the bobber dips.)

Then...I pulled a brilliant move and scheduled a training session the day before we start the Wednesday program AND the day after. Now, I've got two "big events" in the same week and I did it to myself. Ugh x's 2.

I've cold feet. There. I said it. I know people talk and love to do so. I'm nervous I'll be rich fodder for the gossip-mill. I'm concerned about the following things:

*They (being people/volunteers) are going to talk about how lame my meeting was and that I'll be under-prepared and miss things that everyone needs.
*They (being people/parents) will complain to the office about how stupidly run the Wednesday program is and that I will have to do most everything by myself.
*That I'll forget "THE" most important factor (if you know what that is, please let me know).
*That the people telling me, "Don't stress. You're doing a great job." are just saying that because they don't want to do it anymore.
*That everyone (yes, even you) will compare and contrast me against the last school-er of guppies - with me ending up at the bottom of the pond.
*That I'll be asked to leave before I even get through one thing.
*That I'm going to fail miserably.

I know part of this is because the same person who told me Sunday, about my new position, "congratulations...I guess." stopped by the office today and reminded me, "You're the one who chose to do this." (In case you were wondering, my clever replies to his comments were, "Um. Don't congratulate me, yet. I haven't done anything." and "Um. Actually I was called to do it. I just chose to say yes to it.")

Now, I know this person has never been one of my biggest fans - hence all the "ums" present in my vocabulary. But it got me to thinking anyway...and from past experience that's never a good thing.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I just have to ask:
Can I do this? Will I be able to get through this without messing up God's plan? Is it God's plan for me to mess up? Will my next blog be from the bottom of the pond, shriveled and stinking like the used bait I feel like?

Not entirely appropriate for Sunday, but

here goes.

Don't blow your nose when you're going pee
Or something might happen
That no one should see
For the next time you blow
When you don't want to go
You just might find that you can't stop the flow


It's Another Day in Montgomery and obviously I'm functioning on too little sleep!

By the Way

Jude 1 :2



It's Another Day in Montgomery (ok - so the same day as the last post, but) I say:

always.

Everything is ok

Everything's ok. God is Good and everything has been completed. We're all just walking step-by-step through the the path set before us - seeing it play out around us and moving as we're asked to move. There's no need to fret. HE tells us so - and it is true. Every little thing is finished.

I live by this right now. When viewing the multitude of challenges, when asked all the how-to's and where-to-for's, when confronted with doubt. It's done. I only receive the information when it's necessary for me to know. (Same thing happens for you - if you'll recognize it.)

A twinkling of a vision comes and says, "Wait for the appointed time". A quiet peacefulness in the heart says, "Move now".

Whether it's logging off the computer, unloading the dishwasher, working over the curriculum, writing a letter, planning a dinner, getting to church on time...it all has it's appointed time and if we listen - only listen - everything will come off without a hitch.

How many times have I listened and found myself in perfect syncronicity with the movement of others in my life? How many times have I refused to listen and found myself not only out of sync with everyone, but frustrated too? How many times have I tried to throw my vision out there before the time and found it not only the wrong time, but ill-received, as well. How many times have I kept the vision hidden beyond it's appointed time and found there was no longer a place for it? How many times have I released the vision at it's own special moment and watched His Awesome Power come alive?

How many times have you?

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
Thanks for all your prayers. Keep them coming and (please) don't ever stop. For it is by the power of your prayers, I am able to affirm this tenet of life, "Everything is ok. God is good and everything has been completed. There is no need to fret. Every little thing is finished."

The Matter at Hand (And OH is it a mighty big hand)

I've heard a lot of talk and read a lot of words lately about relevance - as pertaining to Christ. You know, making sure our teachings are relevant to the children or the congregation. To this I say HOO-HAH!! Seriously.

Perhaps it's best if if we breakdown the definition of RELEVANT.

American Heritage Dictionary defines relevant as:
Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand.
Merriam Webster defines it like this:
1.(a) having significant and demonstratable bearing on the matter at hand. (b) affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion (c) having social relevance
2. proportional; relative

Synonyms for both indicate being "pertinent": which is defined as having a clear, decisive relevance to the matter at hand.

Now. Here's what I think of when I hear the word(s) relevant, relevance and pertinent:
Three dairy farmers are sitting around talking about Jersey cows (big ol' black-n-white, cud-chewing Jersey cows). They are discussing all it takes to raise the Jersey's. Where they let them pasture, how they keep them healthy and how they all believe they have found their own special mixture of feed they provide their stock to produce the best quality of milk. Then another farmer walks up and says (and I quote), "I like mayonaise on my bologna sandwich."
That last farmer offered up some interesting information (to be sure), but that is NOT relevant to the matter at hand.

Ok, so. Maybe the way I make relevance most clear in my mind is to define what it is not. But I think that knowing what something is NOT, can sometimes just a beneficial as knowing what it IS.

This is where my problem lies with making Christ relevant to our children and congregation at large. They way I see it, and correct me if I'm wrong, those speaking this brand of Christianese are trying to find creative ways to make Christ pertinent to the "world" we live in. I just don't see how that's possible. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He tanscends the "world" of yesterday, the "world" of today and the "world" of tomorrow. He is unchanging. He's always been the same as He is today and always will be the same as he was yesterday.

Now, please try to follow my logic, here. I COMPLETELY understand that there is a LOT of distraction from Christ. I COMPLETELY understand that a great multitude of us have to work VERY hard to find His still and gentle calling in the loud, hustle-n-bustle of this crazy world in which we live. I get it. I do.

What I don't get is how we try to dress Jesus up in parodies like:
Flava-Flav (yeah- I know) Finds a Virtuous Wife and Spongebob Squarepants goes to Bible-camp.

Why are we so busy trying to make Jesus relevant our lives? Where we can watch what we watched yesterday...where we can do the things we're doing today...where we can keep watching and doing the same things tomorrow.

Jesus is NOT relevant to the The Hills. So why try to make Him? Jesus is NOT relevant to Worlds of Warcraft. So, why try to fit Him in?

It's kind of like the last farmer coming in and saying, "Hey. I know you're talking about dairy cows, but did you know that ranchers feed their beef corn? And some of those ranchers sell their stock to makers of bologna? Have you ever eaten bologna made from beef parts of a cow fed with corn? I like to eat bologna from those cows. I make sandwiches out of it and when I eat them, I like to put mayonaise on 'em." (???) The last farmer able to make a connection between their discussion and his topic of importance. (That's pretty creative thinking by him.) But now, the dairy farmers will certainly talk about the guy who puts mayonaise on his bologna sandwich, but are they going to be compelled to try to find corn-fed beef bologna, stick it between to slices of mayonaise-coated bread and actually eat the sandwich?

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I ask:
Shouldn't we be more concerned with the importance of making OUR lives more relevant to who Jesus is and less concerned with trying to make Jesus more relevant to how we live?

Orange you glad I'm back?

Ok, so I just got back from The Orange Conference in Atlanta, Ga. (I thought of making some comment about flying in and my arms being tired, but ultimately figured that just writing I'd thought about it made clear enough my thought process.)

If you don't know, The Orange Conference is a HUGE pre-school/children/youth ministry conference. It provided excellent speakers and wonderful break-out sessions where we learned everything from dance moves to how to diplomatically share your vision for your particular area of ministry. I, for one, have recently inherited the Children's Ministry at our church. This includes planning and entertainment for children ages birth through 6th grade - and - directing the weekly pre-school program.

I am still freaking a little that this is actually what I'm doing now. I'm still baffled that God would use me in this way. I'm still amazed at the way He spoke to me -directly, clearly and concisely- throughout the conference.

If I had doubts before that He was serious about calling me to this ministry, they are gone. If I had doubts that I was the right person for the job, they are gone. If I had doubts about my sanity, they are still here...BUT...I'm more ok with it because I know God knows that I know I'm half-crazy. And - He chose me anyway. So if it works for Him, who am I to argue?

Put me and my ministry on your prayer-list. And don't EVER take it off! (Please-oh-please-oh-please) I've got a lot coming up that is ending in the next month and a lot that has to begin in the next month and beyond.

Right now, I need God-hearted staff and volunteers who want what God wants for His children. (Lord, just let them hear Your calling and come right to me! And if it be Your will, please can at least one of them be a MAN?!?)

Right now, I want BIG comfy pillows for the pre-school rooms and did I mention before a MAN?? (He can be a volunteer or a pre-school teacher but I want a fun-loving, God-fearing man with a calling for children - so the children can know a different perspective. (BONUS FACTOR: I would have someone nearby to get the heavy box off the top shelf!)

Right now, it's Another Day in Montgomery and I'm freaked out, baffled, awe-struck and hungry for God's people to come my way (not to mention honey-barbecue chicken tenders with mac-n-cheese)!!

Excuse me while I climb up on my soapbox...

"Dearly Beloved,


We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Questionable Business Practices and The Lining of "Fat-Cat" Pants. What a wonderful, joyous occassion this is. You see, for years they lived in the veil of the shadows of sin...Keeping their relationship secret and hidden. Now, they have joined in (im)perfect union -free to be seen everywhere together. "

That's how the wedding of the millenium began. The bride wore a exquisite gown made from the sweat of the brow of Everyman and the groom wore a stunning coat of illusion - with very deep pockets, of course. (Goodness, me. I'm still misty-eyed!)

They were accompanied by their here-to-for previously illegitimate children:
Sky-Rocketing Gas Prices, Theivery at the Check-out and Corporate Jobs Outsourcing. The children say they are thrilled at the coming-together of their parents as one and have stated that they have never felt so fruitful and prosperous as they do now.

Theivery at the Check-out mentioned, "I'm just delighted! Overnight we went from outrage at missing a burrito from your order at Taco Bell to fully expecting it!!" Sky-Rocketing Gas Prices brought his fiance, Record-Setting Foreclosures, and told everyone who would listen, "We're in love. The Economy is supporting us greatly! We're hoping to carry on in true "Fat-Cat Pants style. I just try to keep going as high as I can and she just gets more and more successful ." Corporate Jobs Outsourcing, still miffed at the lack of attention received for her own merits, had very little to say other than, "I think it's great that their married now. " (Don't tell anyone, but I saw her ogling Rapidly-Rising Unemployement Rates at the juice bar!)

The family, as you know, has moved from Hidden-Tax Laws Acres to In-Your-Face, Middle America. They plan on removing all ties from their extendend family: Small-Business Owner, Ethics in Business and Made in the USA.

I love it when

God brings you little things. This morning as I was getting out of my car at work, the song "My God, My Savior" had just begun playing on the radio. I really enjoy that song so, I sat in the car listening through to the beginning of the first chorus. Then I had to ski-doodle into the office. When I got back into the car, 5.5 hours later, "My God, My Savior" was playing on the radio. Yes. It was at the first chorus. Right about where I left off. It freaked me out a little as it was like I had this very prolonged un-finished thought occur. (I only wish I could remember where my focus was at that time! Ha!)

Since I'm pretty sure it's only me and one other person who ever read this blog, I can pretty much say whatever I want. So,

It's Another Day in Montgomery - and I loved to be freaked out!

Who is Song Lile...?

and why does he keep sending me emails?

Everyday I get at least 2 emails from this fine gentleman (??) advising me that he is in desperate need to contact me. Apparently I'm due some grossly-large amount of money from a business transaction I completed a lifetime ago. Or was it my relative? Or his relative?

Apparently he has not yet heard that I won 15-million British pounds in the international lottery. Never mind that Bill Gates himself has set aside a portion of his vast financial fortune just for my benefit. Let us also not forget that due to some oil refinery explosion in the middle east, I have now the right to un-holy amounts of money. (I'm working on claiming my riches as fast I can, folks....no need to send QUITE so many emails!)

It's Another Day in Montgomery and if you hear from Song Lile, please tell him I'll get to him just as soon as I receive my check from the woman in Nigeria who so terribly needed my assistance in collecting her late grand-father's, long lost brother's, next-door neighbor's cousin's 12.5 million Euro's worth of completely legitimate gold-bullion!

Little Easter Things

Easter is such a beautiful time. We had a lovely one here this year.

We made it to the Sunrise Service and it was a good thing because I was scheduled to sing and my husband was to be an usher. Whew!

It's always a delight to me to sing with the sun rising. Watching the sky lighten as you lift your voice. Figures shrouded in the fading darkness begin to appear...transforming right before your eyes into the faces of old friends and strangers seeking a reminder of the grace and mercy of our Lord. It's beautiful to me.

This year - when I finished singing with the small group of men who joined to play their instruments and share their voices, I received an unexpected surprise. (I wonder if anyone else noticed it.) The very moment (the Very Moment) the last note of music was sounded, a hidden bird raised his voice! It was such a treat and I felt duly blessed. He (the little bird) cried out, "Wheet-whoo! Wheet -whoo! Wheet-wheet-wheet-whoo!" Was he applauding the praising of the Lord? Had he been inspired to raise his voice from the music? Did he come as a hidden blessing from the Lord to me to wonder over all week? No matter what his motivation, it was a treasure to my ears.

The second little gift came later in the day. We (me, my husband and children) went out to dinner with my mother-in-law. Her treat! Oh, I know that sounds nice enough, but wait! There's more!! We were enjoying our meal and everyone but I had finished eating, as usual. I was taking my last bite of food - my Very Last Bite - when I found (dun-dun-duuun)...a HAIR!! Tangled in my tartar-sauce. Ewww...right? Well, to be fully candid, I could not be sure it wasn't the hair of my youngest child - but I could not be certain that it was either. SO -I told the server and he told the manager and guess what?? We didn't have to pay...not just for MY dinner (as is typical in those types of situations)...but NO ONE had to pay! Not one cent! The entire meal was free for the whole family! Personally, I think it was a gift from my deceased father-in-law via Our God. It would be just like him to wait until the very last minute to lay one on us like that -AND to put the hair in MY food. How sweet it was that is was the LAST bite and not the first. It was grand and we were all grateful.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and now you know the Little Easter Things that made my day even more delightful than it already is!

Ode to Four

Oh to be four
When the world is such fun
When your biggest complaint
Is that dinner's not done.

There's Cheetos a plenty
And juice boxes galore
How wonderous the world
When you're only four!

Everywhere that you are
Everyone says hello
And they smile and giggle
Over all that you know.

Everyone thinks your precious
And tells you as much.
Whoever not four
Knows a life that is such.

When you are four
Days are full of delight
And you love everybody
No matter their plight.

Your biggest dreams
Are for the smallest of things
Like ice cream for breakfast
And gold plastic rings.

You marvel at wind
And blow kisses to trees
And you laugh at the folds
And bends in your knees.

You talk with the Lord
In a most secret way
That eludes even brilliance
Found in leaders today.

You find love in a blanket
And boo-boo's healed with a kiss
Oh to be four
Living life just like this.

The Ripple Effect

In sermon a while back, the pastor was discussing how the things we do aren't just for now.
The actions we take today, the choices we make, have lasting effects. The effect that shapes eternity. Wow! What a concept!

In theory I see it as this:

You smile at the woman who enters the door with you at the grocery store. She in turn shares that with the deli worker,who by the way has been having a horrible morning, and the woman adds a kind remark and "thank you". The deli worker with the rough frame of mind now finds his mood a little lighter - who wouldn't when we feel appreciated? He's a little more patient with his young boss, who is nervous about the "big boss" coming in, and double wipes the counter and offers an encouraging word. The young boss now has a little more confidence because his employee believes in him. He can calmly and rationally discuss the major issues at hand. The "big boss" is impressed and feels more secure in his area of management. He in turn is more thoughtful and respectful of his assistant, who then can show more respect for husband. Her husband feels more loved and is able to wake up feeling refreshed and valuable when he returns to work in the morning. On his way...he offers a smile to the guy behind him in line at the convenience store...and so the one smile travels onward and upward.

In actuality, I'm sure it's much more profound.

I've seen the ripple effect in a little couple I'll call "Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama". :-) Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama were a part of our church. They lead our Praise and Worship team and were a general delight. This fine young couple was called away from the church to a new home. :-( Although they are happy where they are and doing as they were called to do, their ripple effect still going...
After a period of about 1/2 a year, the roles of Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama were filled. Not replaced, but a new couple came to lead the team. We'll call them, "Mr. Trying Real Hard and His Wife".
During the time between the leaving of Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama and the arrival of Mr. Trying Real Hard and His Wife, everyone always wante to know who had heard from Mr. B and L.M. Where were they? What were they doing? How were their children? Then, after the arrival of Mr. Trying Real Hard and His Wife, it became evident that Mr. B and L.M. were still sorely missed.
Poor Mr. TRH and HW were, even are to this day, compared to Mr.B and L.M.
When HW sings, you hear, "Well, she's no L.M." Mr. TRH is met with a little less enthusiasm than Mr. B. and I personally have heard numerous times from the pastor, "When Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama were here...."

What must it be like to be Mr. Trying Real Hard and His Wife? If I've heard it, others have and you know Mr. TRH and HW have heard it and I'm sure it's more prevalent to them than it is to me. How far their ripple will travel has yet to be known. How the ripple remaining from others will have an effect on them will show sooner rather than later, to be sure.

It's interesting.

Mr. Bigstuff and Little Mama had such a profound and lasting effect on those whose lives they touched -and I'll bet they don't even know. They probably just thought that they were here and were called to be elsewhere and that's the end of it. But it's not. It never is just the end of it. Their ripple effect is still going. Onward and outward to all those who knew them and know them still.

It's Another Day in Montgomery and I ask:

How wide will your ripple trickle? It's probably a lot further than you think. I hear tell it goes through eternity.

I romanticize your life...

I do. (I probably shouldn't admit it, but now here it is for all the world to see. Ugh! What am I doing??)

It doesn't matter who you are or from where you came.
People I know and people I've never met, but might see driving down the street or in the store or even read about in a magazine or newspaper - all have that certain "something" about them that sets them apart. It's a switch that flips and once it's on it's hard to turn off.
Chances are in my mind:

Your car is better on gas mileage.
You're prettier, thinner, smarter.
Your hair is nicer.
You have a better sense of style.
Your home is better kept (read: cleaner and more cleverly decorated).
Your children are better behaved.
You have a better relationship with your spouse.
You're better educated.
You're more talented.
You have more money.
You have a better job.
You're relationship with God, Our Father, is stronger, closer.
You don't spend time mulling about the "better-ness" of others.
You - get the point, by now, surely.

I know it's crazy. I know that surely there could be someone who could romanticize my life, but then...They might be crazy!

I also know that this cannot really please the Lord. Afterall - I am who I am supposed to be and where I am supposed to be, right? If so, then what in the world am I doing? Or did I answer my own question? Am I too much "in the world"? Am I more focused on the tangible than the un-seen? Perhaps. Or perhaps it's a way that I am allowed to keep touch with the "value" of others. I really don't know, but I'm guessing it's a combination of the two, seeing at sometimes I feel "better" about it and sometimes I feel "less".

I know that God deals with me differently than He does some of His other children. Not entirely and in all ways, but some. He has shared with me things that I might rather not know and have to watch them pan out or worse yet - wait for them. He lets me see things as they are and not how we would want them to be seen. Maybe that's why He allows me to play this "game". I'm always reminded to pull my focus back to where it belongs - on Him. I'm always reminded to re-think what is truly valuable - Him.

Now, mind you, I wouldn't want to go the opposite direction either - to be so self-satisfied that I didn't think beyond the end of my nose, but maybe to be more comfortable with my position would be alright.

Or maybe it's just a manifestation of my desire to be "more". More for Him. To be a better servant. To have that all-encompassing love that I feel so deeply poured out so fully that it is evidenced in every aspect of my life. But I guess if that were the case, I'd be in my glorified body, awing over the cow covered in eyes and bawling my eyes out that I'd finally made to where I always wanted to be...HOME.

It's another day in Montgomery. That's where my head is today. Until next time...
...Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

When friends don't let you slide...

Ok. So here's the first post - in honor of friends who don't let you slide.
You know the ones I mean:

• The ones who hold you to your diet.
• The ones who make sure your not late.
• The ones who insist on a good attitude.
• The ones who refuse to let you ignore the fact that you set up a blog, and
• The ones who insist you actually write in it.

These are the best kind of folk. They know you're lame and yet they still want to read about it. What more could you ask for?

Well, it's another day in Montgomery and all this typing has worn me out. Until next time...