Godwinks

Mel's brother Shannon uses the word "Godwinks" to describe situations in which you think God is probably doing just that. This might be silly but do you ever think that when you hear something new for the first time then hear it again soon after?

Here's an example. Our Sunday school teacher yesterday was talking about providence and communication. He used the phrase "singleness of mind" or "singleness of purpose" to talk about sincere people. No ulterior motives. I loved it. (Maybe I'm out of the loop but I haven't heard it before.) Last night, I was up late reading a new Karen Kingsbury and one of the characters is lovingly described as having "singleness of mind." Twice in 15 hours. I just looked up and smiled.
Another one. Yesterday in Sunday school, discussing communication, our teacher looked at me to ask, "Which president was called the great communicator?" He asked me because the answer was, of course, REAGAN. I had never heard that before. At least not exactly like that. So, this morning on the news, someone mentions the conservatives' ability to use words wisely. He said, "It started with the great communicator, Ronald Reagan." Twice in 24 hours.

Now I know those aren't great examples but I do think God winks at us. Tell me what you think. (If anyone reads this, that is.)

Motherhood

WOW! Six posts in one day. I must be bored. No - the whole fam is still in bed so I'm trying to be quiet.

Another MUST SHARE. I know you guys are going to think Tommy Nelson is paying me for this but you just HAVE to read CAPTIVATING, by John & Stasi Eldredge. I just finished my second read-through and am participating in a book discussion next month.

In WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WORLD, G.K. Chesterson wrote,

"To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors, and holidays;

to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, cakes, and books;

to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene;

I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it.

How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe?

How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone?

No, a woman's function is laborious,

but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute."

Photograph by Dan Binkley of Dan Binkly Photography (Love that man!)

Post Script

A P.S. to my earlier post about my friends' children...and an afterthought. If we love it so much for our children to love our friends' children, how much moreso must God be pleased when his children love each other...I'm stuck on that lately.



Reagan and Whitt


Taylor loves Annsley













Tyler and Carson

Scrapbook

I am so very thankful my boys love each other! Reagan ADORES Tyler.





This is Reagan's nightly ritual. Dada fixed him Cheerios and Sprite. They ate and watched whatever baseball game was on. Amazing how long a three-year-old will sit and watch baseball.









Another grandparent thing. Aren't Grannas grand? She kept her TV box and made them a house. She kept a fridge box and made them a ship/dugout/picnic area. She's so good and creative.













I guess I think I'm making a scrapbook.

More summer trip pics

I LOVE that my children love my mom. Some people have to ASK if T&T get along with my parents well. Sounds funny to me. I say, "Of course. They're the grandparents." But you know what? Not everybody would have handled this the way my parents have. So, I thank God and don't take it for granted. :)







First two pics are at Dismals. Mrs. Swinnea would be so proud.







My children are outdoorsy. I don't know where they got that. They love bugs and snakes and critters. I'm glad. I guess.


Isn't this just classic? He looks so big.

Whiney Hiney

Am I the only mom who sees this pouty face day in and day out? Reagan is such a doll but he is just like the little girl with a curl. You know, "There was a little girl
with a little curl
right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
she was very, very good but
when she was bad, she was horrid."

My child. The most loving and affectionate thing. Makes me feel so special everytime I see him after being gone even for an hour. Yet, sometimes, I dream of putting duct tape over his mouth. Just for a little while...

BRAGGART

After vomitting all morning w/a stomach virus, this is the last thing I thought I'd be doing last night. We have a big cookout today, though, and I had three salads to make. Had to share this one. Mom realized that the salad (recipe from Southern Living) is sitting on my buffet table we made after seeing a picture in Southern Living. So, my SL salad is on my SL table. Silly, I know, but both took forever to make. :) Judy Long would be proud.

Sacred Influence

I keep finding must-reads. From a book by Gary Thomas called SACRED INFLUENCE...

"My children must grow weary of hearing me say, “Your greatest temptation to sin is when someone first sins against you. But THEIR sin never justifies YOUR sin.”

This is as true for spouses as it is for siblings. Fighting your mate’s [OR ANYONE'S]irresponsibility with irresponsibility of your own is like pouring gasoline on a fire; it just makes things that much more explosive, that much worse. The Bible recommends a more subversive approach: let love conquer evil; let responsibility shame irresponsibility.

It’s a spiritual fact that kindness kills wickedness far more effectively than nagging, complaining, or disrespect. Remember, God won us with grace when we were his rebellious enemies. He doesn’t ask anything of you that he hasn’t already done himself. And this same God says that we are responsible to love, even in the face of another’s irresponsibility.

Peter wrote, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Did you catch that? We’re called to respond to evil with blessing. It’s not human nature to be sinned against and think, “How can I bless this person who just hurt me?” But such a spiritually powerful practice yields very effective results. Regardless of how anyone else acts, we’re still accountable before God for our response.

Paul elaborates on this in his letter to the believers in Rome: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). He then quotes from Proverbs: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20; see Proverbs 25:21-22). Jesus said essentially the same thing: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).

The Bible is amazingly relevant and practical for married people! It’s not a “pie in the sky” kind of book that pretends no one will ever hurt us or sin against us. On the contrary, it promises us that we will be hurt and wronged and then gives very specific and practical advice to help us respond appropriately. We bless those who hurt us. We feed those who make themselves our enemies. And over time, such a practice usually succeeds far more in prompting redemptive change than does arguing, complaining, gossiping, or threatening divorce.

Even if this approach proves ineffective, however, it’s what God calls us to as Christians, and that’s of paramount importance. I love Linda Dillow’s take on this:

“I cannot promise you that if you respond with a blessing when you’re hurt or wounded, your husband [or wife] will change. I cannot promise you a life of happiness and personal fulfillment, but I can promise you that you are living according to your purpose and calling as a Christian; you are obeying the will of God and there is peace in obedience. The first reason you are to respond this way is not so that you can secure a hoped-for change in your mate, but because it is God’s desire that you make this kind of response.”

When I respond according to God’s plan, even if the person who sinned against me doesn’t change, I’ll change. It’s a victory either way. When I respond out of spite, repaying evil for evil, two things usually happen, both negative: the situation gets worse; and I become more bitter, more resentful, and less like Christ. The brilliance of Christianity is that God can grow you in an unhealthy marriage as well as in a healthy marriage. He can shape you in prosperity or need, in comfort or stress, in intimacy or loneliness. And intimacy with him is the most precious reward any of us can every know or experience.

Just as we build our muscles little by little, lifting a bit more weight every other day, so the beauty of responsibility evolves gradually, built up by the tiny, seemingly insignificant decisions we make week by week.

Great, huh? Sorry - I have to go now. My toes are bruised and bleeding now.

STRAW HAT SUMMER

Isn't Cross Point such a blessing to so many?

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/NEWS/607240302&SearchID=73251665065916

Confessions from the heart

God is showing me some awesome (albeit terrifying) things. The last several months (years even) have been tough for my family and me. I have recently realized (and am still trying to admit fully) that I have made it much harder by my allowing Satan into my head and heart. No matter how people disappoint me and let me down, it is ultimately MY choice to dialogue and catalog in my mind until my heart is so full of resentment and anger that any restoration of relationships seems impossible. I agree with a statement in my new favorite book Captivating. "Our Enemy despises relationship." I truly believe that my marriage, my family, my relationships, even my joy have been under attack and I have failed miserably. I find I cannot forgive, cannot let go of past hurts by myself. And then yesterday, God led me to Exodus 14:14. "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." So, that's what I'm doing. I'm being still and knowing. I'm praying for restoration and forgiveness (for me and from me) but most of all that my marriage and relationships will showcase God's glory.

Summer 2006 revisited

Can you see T&T hiding behind Darlin's chair? They don't want to leave...



Will with TT&R at the Dismals.
Mel & Will at my fave place on our last day!

Pleasing the Father

A quote from Stu Webber:

"Nothing pleases the father like the oneness of his children."

True for earthly fathers but moreso for our heavenly father, I imagine.

My friends' children

Isn't it fun when your children are friends with the children of YOUR childhood friends? It's one of my favorite things in life.

SUMMER VACATION 2006

Here are some highlights of our summer trip to Alabama...

Taylor, Tyler, Granna & Reagan at the Helen Keller Festival

Reagan's favorite - playing the DS while Dada feeds him Cheerios

Reagan, our cousin Hunter and Tyler at Bruster's

Reagan and his cousin Hunter eating at Bruster's

Reagan on a summer Sunday

Mom and Will

Reagan doesn't want to leave the family reunion.

Falling Apart

I read a fantastic article today. It's long so I won't share the whole thing but it was FOR MY EYES. Hopefully, you'll benefit, too. Think about something you've worked so hard for or toward, something little like cleaning out your closet or something big like sustaining your marriage. Then, the rod in the closet collapses and your week's work is lost or Satan causes doubt and resentment sets in and your marriage is collapsing...

"[It is] about trust, about letting life's situations work me until they build muscles and strength I never knew I had. This [is] about dealing with disappointment. When things fall apart I don't have to fall apart with them. [THAT'S WHAT'S SO HARD FOR ME!] That is the mystery of peace--it remains the same no matter what comes or doesn't come. So, after I finish this article I have to go and pick up the pieces, literally, the pants, coats, shirts, sweaters, and suits. I have to work out something that works, and let God work in me the ability to let things fall apart so that I can see him that much more clearly."

WOW! WOW! WOW! All-powerful, unchangeable, indescribable.

Refuge

I'm in a weird place right now. Physically and emotionally. I'm looking for refuge (comfort, peace, help, relief, protection) in new places. Ironically, I'm going through what I wrote about on Gena's page just the other day. I'm afraid (afraid?) God is removing obstructions from my view of Him. Found some great insight today and thought I'd share. Gena, especially for you, too.

Psalm 91:1

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling.

Psalm 118:5

"Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people."

FYI: Shaddai is generally translated "the Almighty."

This is work

Okay, so until I get used to this, it seems like this takes work. Why am I sitting here TRYING to think of something to say? The Tylenol PM is kicking in and I feel like I'm sitting on a slant. And of all people...ME? I can't think of anything to say? I have to make sure, though, that you have all read a few Francine Rivers books. Easy reads. Nothing too deep. Just wonderful, heart-warming and inspiring. Read The Mark of the Lion series (A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn). MUST READS. Also, I'm into Karen Kingsbury right now. She's NOT deep and she's not as good as Francine but great at reminding me to listen for the voice of God in everything. Another deeper MUST READ is CAPTIVATING by Stasi and John Eldredge (I hope you've read his Wild at Heart.) and I'm on my second time through. Gena - make sure you've read it. I love to read and missed out when I was finishing up my grad work last year so I'm catching up.

Tomorrow's plan...write my thoughts about Frank's sermon on Sunday. I needed it...

My sweeties.

okay. gena got me on to this thing. i'll have to see how i like it. AS IF i need to spend time on the computer. we'll see. constructive criticism, please.