Independence Day

This week has been a fun one for me. I love the fourth of July. I love our country. From Alaska to the tip of Florida, I believe it is the most beautiful place on earth to live...in many, many ways.

Being blessed to have been born here, thrive here, grow old here; there is nothing else like it on this planet. It is dear to my heart. I am forever awed by the Sovereign grace that has brought us thus far. We could have lost this republic. It has cost us dearly, but it has prevailed, freedom has prevailed. God has surely protected us.

This week, July 9th, to be exact, another country was born...Southern Sudan. That country is not as developed as we are. It's people have suffered much and have survived through many, many years of brutal civil war. Yesterday they celebrated their new country with flags newly designed and flying high, a soccer game with Kenya and visiting dignitaries. Jubilant citizens everywhere.

Just last month, however, there was intense fighting on their border, dozens of civilians were killed and 60,000 displaced. Two churches that had been built since their citizens voted for freedom, were burned, destroyed. The villages around them filled with soldiers from the north.

It is not a simple freedom. There is vast oil production in the south...there is hostile hatred from many enemies that would want to thwart their joy. Yet..they still celebrate. Hope is high.

Here in our America the beautiful, we picnic and shoot off fireworks and decorate in our red, white and blue. It's a festive, fun and familiar event. Let us never forget that indeed, "Freedom is not free" and in our joy not to forget the new born babe of a country that despite it's peril still celebrates with as much, if not more, gusto than we do.

Any battle, any conflict could have tipped our freedom's scales, but it did not. We, we blessed and

complex citizens, different in so many ways, united by a portion of land that touches two oceans and carries the weight of many mountains, spread dry with dramatic deserts, touched gently by forests and valleys, slapped alert by boisterous cities...We have so much just to behold, Let us bow our heads for a new idea of freedom in a far off place, 100,000 of their people enslaved to the north and an enemy that wants danger to be their bedfellow. Let us be thankful first for our nation. Then let us ask for Southern Sudan to be given a chance to grow as we have...give them peace. May they sing," Southern Sudan, the Beautiful" someday!

TO WORSHIP

Oh Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth,

Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

...When I consider Your heavens,

the moon and the stars,

which You have ordained,

What is man that You are

mindful of him

And the son of man

that You visited him?

For You have made him

a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Oh, Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all

the earth!

Psalm 8:1, 3-5, 9

When does worship take place? Used to be a standard answer for me was

Sunday morning, 10:30.

If you asked me now, I'd have to say....anytime.

For me personally there is no better time than this minute.

Please don't hear this as a brag...it's not.

It's just that each day has it moments of reminiscing. The reminders of grace and joy and all the chapters thus far in my life. All are testimonies to God's unlimited patience and grace, love, mercy...well,

you get the idea.

This morning I heard the thunder and walked out on our back porch to hear it just a little better.

As the clouds rolled in and the sound echoed across the fields, there was a stern blue jay grabbing a quick bite of food to feed his baby now out of the nest. The thunder rolled and out on a lone limb sat three baby bluebirds waiting for their father to bring on the bugs. This had to be their first day to sit together outside the box. It was time to worship.

These last few weeks have overwhelmed me. There is no time to waste. Worship is all there is to hold these moments in grateful awe. What would I do with these gifts of such joy? Just write about them?

A young dolphin comes to my shore and swims along the beach bank as I walk it. I worshiped.

A Florida sea turtle comes up from a bog in the Everglades and stares straight into my eyes. Just he and I. Obviously seeing his first human and blinking as he takes a good look, I feel the tears of

wonder start to come as I leave him hoping he will never know harm. It was time to woship.

But the same feeling can make it's way into my spirit when I'm bathing a grandchild or watching

the sun rise glorious over the cedars. When old friends visit and I see their smile once again.

When holding hands to protect a child and listen as someone shares their God story with me.

There is no better time to worship and adore the King of all kings, the Lord of all, the Creator of the universe. There is no time like the present. What has He done for you just this day alone?

Light of the world

You stepped down into darkness

Opened my eyes, let me see

Beauty that made my heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You.

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me.

I'll never know

How much it cost to see my sin

Upon that cross.

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that Your my God....

by Tim Hughes

(abbreviated)

It's No Wonder...

It's no wonder that I have no problem with a relationship with my heavenly Father. It comes as no surprise to me that it seems natural to talk with Him and ask Him questions, to trust Him and know He has my best interest in mind. It's not so hard when you've always had a great example for a DAD.

When your dad works hard for others and gives his best all the time..

When your dad finds good in folks even when they're not quite his type..

When your dad can fix most anything that's broken..

When your dad lends his wisdom to those who want it...

When your dad makes life simple by living unselfishly...

When your dad has always been faithful...

When your dad knows how to pray ...

When your dad would lay down his life for his family....

When your dad gives all just for the joy of giving...

I've been blessed with this example all my life

and so have my girls and now their children.

I've also been blessed to have married a wonderful dad himself who loves and respects my dad

and seeks to emulate him.

Yes, Heavenly Father, You are the best Father and You gave my family one of Your best examples on this earth.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variation or shadow of turning.

James 1:17

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY!

It's the Thought That Counts

She walked in our door last evening with a jar in her hands.

"This is for you, Marmee. It's a cicada I got for you," she said as she handed me one of her mom's drinking glasses covered with a cloth and tied with ribbon. There hung a big black and orange cicada among leaves she had added for him to eat. I stared at him and he was probably buzzing at me. I'd had more than a little up-close and personal time with about 10,000 of his nearest relatives, but he was special. He was a gift. A gift from the heart of my beautiful Bri. He looked extra buzzy and I gladly placed him on the kitchen counter. She was pleased.

My neighbor came down our drive with a box in his hands. In it were two tomato plants. I had been needing some tomato plants since our Big Red excavated our garden plot so well that Nothing is safe there anymore. I took them with great joy and gratitude because there is a promise of a possible "real" tomato in my future from my very own flower bed...now mini-garden. He knew I love tomatoes.

A couple of weeks ago two of our grands spent a couple of days with us. My dog, Fluffy White,

was placed in solitary confinement because of her grouchy attitude toward my Audrey and my Whitaker and any other active person within her domain. After they were safely at home once again, I sat down to do a little catch-up computing. From behind me I hear a sound, "Hummph..

hummph..." Low, but persistent, I tried to ignore whatever it was but it was not to be daunted.

I turned in my chair to find Fluffy White wagging her tail and staring at me. In her mouth was one of the grands' stuffed animals, making her voice sound like a pillow talking. As I started to fuss, I realized that their had been very little time for dogs the last couple of days, it was time now for a little "toss the toy" before she went to bed for the night. Her gift of the unharmed toy, only

dog slobber, was a reminder that everyone needs a little attention, especially spoiled have-you-all-to-myself dogs.

Walked into my daughter's home after their vacation and was met by two grandchildren, Whitaker giving me a cross covered with shells he had picked from the beach. He was so proud to give it to me. Then Audrey presented me with a piece of paper covered with some of her favorite stickers destined for my refrigerator door. It always helps to know you're still remembered when someone is far away.

Just last night my Xavier crawled across the kitchen floor to me, pulled up on my crop-pant-legs and hugged me. That was a first hug from a rough and tumbling tiny tot now so mobile it's scary.

From cicadas to tomato plants to art projects to talking dog to crawling hugger...it all adds up to small gifts given and smiles exchanged and joy happening. It truly is the thought that counts...and putting that thought into action is best of all.

No Words Worthy

The wind is blowing here on my lane. Across the field the tree tops move like they're dancing. Voluminous clouds lounge in the sky. Bright blue...Soft white.

How quickly all this can change. This same atmosphere holds the culprit that causes tragedy and destruction while other times receiving lost balloons and soaring birds. This same sky hangs over flooded cities and still shines bright and beautiful in reflection against water that has caused tremendous destruction. That same wind grabs cities and lays them flat.

These days have been silencing. I have nothing to say.

I am so human and all that is swirling around...from water to winds ....is so much bigger and stronger than I. Guess I am just a little intimidated , sitting fragile in a world that is groaning with powerful, life-altering forces.

but ...there is Someone to talk to about those who sit in the midst of chaos, cry over losses I have never experienced... who brush away rubble and mud to try to find part of the life underneath.

I'm over whelmed and it makes me realize that my words are insignificant in the face of such loss.

My "tornadoes" have been like the wind of a box fan...my "floods" like bathtubs running over...my "tsunamis and earthquakes" like raining on a roller coaster ride. So here is my plea...

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy

on us...

Now we wait in faith for the renewal that will come.

Momma's Smile

I sat at my momma's side in church for 15 years. Always in the same pew. I noticed something different about her, she smiled when our pastor spoke. Since that was not the norm, I always wondered. One day I couldn't stand it any longer and I asked, "Momma, why do you smile at Dr. McCall when he is speaking?"

Her answer was classic Mable Thomas.

You see, my mom is a giver. An unselfish, no holds barred, giver. She doesn't have another mode. It is who she is and who you experience when you meet her. If you squelch that in her you would rob her of her joy. The world doesn't always know how to handle generosity of spirit and self. That's not her problem, she'll just keep it up a hundred percent no matter what.

Along with that comes unselfishness and lack of self-consciousness. Natural friendliness and passionate loyalty follow up . Needs met make her happiest.

So what was her answer to my question?

"I feel like he needs to see at least one person smiling at him as he looks out on the congregation." A gift from the heart. An encouraging one, at that.

Here we are at Mother's Day once again. What gift do I receive every time we are together?

Whether she is opening the back door to welcome us in, sitting at her table full of food that she's prepared, cleaning up the kitchen after the fact, holding a great-grand baby just days or moments old, or giving my dad his marching orders....her smile.

So here is her legacy,

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,

not grudgingly,

or of necessity,

for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

Distant Thunder

It's raining again. The prognostactors are predicting thunderstorms. The Cumberland River, the river that gulped down Nashville, is once again looming large. There is thunder in the distance. But the robins still sing.

Here on my lane, there is a lazy, kind of still. The rest of the world however is in an uproar.

An evil, wealthy, murdering, fanatic was killed yesterdayby our military and intelligence at it's best. The US streets drew crowds of elated patrons. Just a couple of days ago a prince and a princess were officially married and the throngs of admirers were jubilant. Almost a week ago so many of us were hunkered down in our basements, closets and bathtubs, awaiting the arrival of tornadoes. The throbbing beat of rising tension in the middle east still stays constant in the background.



Gazing out my window, I can't help but think of those that are not jubilant today. Those who did indeed suffer from the weather's worst. Those who have no windows to look from. Those whose material belongings are tattered to shreds and now will be soaked by rain. Some have lost their entire town. Some lost a part of their family. Some will never recover. There are no words for this, just tears. I've been speechless with sorrow. The trail of tornadoes leaves a mark none can erase except with much time. Trees will grow back. Foundations will be rebuilt on. Trailers will be replaced. Businesses will someday reopen. Family pictures will be longed for, any glimpse of the only thing that matters in our lives...those loved and now missed.





The robins continuing to sing. The earth continues to spin on it's axis. There are somethings that are beyond our control, but nothing is beyond God's. That old song goes:


"He's got the whole world in His hands.


He's got the whole wide world in His hands.


He's got the whole world in His hands.


He's got the whole world in His hands."





Happy or devastated, tattered or celebratory, on fire or burnt out,


we are all in His hands. You can count on it. I know I am.