My schedule is totally out of sync! K is home with D for a STAYCATION and I am here at work. NOT COOL!
Since my hubby is sleeping in, I am unable to pull this bag of bones out of bed for my normal routine. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." So, needless to say, I am starting my day without my Quite Time. NOT COOL!
Not only that, but for the past two nights we have not gone to bed until after midnight. Now, if you know me, you know we're usually in bed by 10:30. We enjoyed our 4th of July weekend so much, that on Sunday we didn't want it to end and stayed up to see the 11:00 edition of House. We have just "found" this program, so even the reruns are new to us. Bedtime - 12:15 and up with only 6 1/2 hours of sleep - NOT COOL!
Last night, our Chapin All Star team played their first game. It was supposed to start at 8:00 but didn't start until 9:30. The game, a pitcher's dual, was over at 11:30. But, of course, you're so excited after the game, there's no way you can go home and go to sleep. So we watch the end of the Braves game from LA - and bedtime comes at 12:30. Six hours later it's time for the alarm clock to go off. NOT COOL!
So today, I am running on coffee and the giddys! I have got to get back on schedule somehow. My morning devotional time is precious to me...not only that, but I'm hoping to hear a word from God about a couple things, but how can I hear a word if I'm not in the WORD? It reminds me a little bit of last night's game. Clinton had a pitcher that was BRINGING IT! He struck out 12 batters. But you know what, we didn't stop battling. Every boy that walked up to that plate went up there with the desire to get on base, one way or the other! That's what I have to do. I have to have the DESIRE and PERSEVERANCE to find time for my morning time, one way or the other.
Oh yeah, our pitcher was "on", too. He also struck out 12 batters. And in the top of the 7th inning we got on one way and scored another way. We won by 1 run: 1-0. WAY COOL!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Wonderful Weekend!
I'm sitting here watching the Braves in the top of the 16th inning - that's right 16, five hours of baseball after a 2-hour rain delay. Don't you know they're tired! I've been reflecting back on what a nice weekend it's been. Friday we had a family barbecue and that evening went over to friends for fireworks. Saturday was a lazy day, and in between the laziness was some house cleaning.
Today it would have been VERY, VERY easy to sleep in. But K and I both woke up in time for church. (I think maybe God was nudging us.) I know that there's ALWAYS a blessing waiting for you at church - it may be in a hymn, a sermon, a choir anthem, or the greeting of a friend. However, the flesh is countering with the comforts of a Sunday morning bed...but not this time.
My blessing today was powerful to me. It's summer and it's 4th of July weekend, so as is normal, attendance was down. I noticed the same for the choir - we had 5. So I expected that our Music Director would play a piano solo. But no...here came the familiar tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the choir began to sing - softly, VERY softly. Then I noticed that the congregation little by little joined in. I was so touched. The hymn was a favorite of all, so I know deep down they wanted to sing. But, to me it was a true picture of the church, the body of Christ, pulling together to get the job done, helping each other out. Tears came to my eyes, as I tried to sing along with this fav! I was truly blessed.
God is good...all the time!
Today it would have been VERY, VERY easy to sleep in. But K and I both woke up in time for church. (I think maybe God was nudging us.) I know that there's ALWAYS a blessing waiting for you at church - it may be in a hymn, a sermon, a choir anthem, or the greeting of a friend. However, the flesh is countering with the comforts of a Sunday morning bed...but not this time.
My blessing today was powerful to me. It's summer and it's 4th of July weekend, so as is normal, attendance was down. I noticed the same for the choir - we had 5. So I expected that our Music Director would play a piano solo. But no...here came the familiar tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the choir began to sing - softly, VERY softly. Then I noticed that the congregation little by little joined in. I was so touched. The hymn was a favorite of all, so I know deep down they wanted to sing. But, to me it was a true picture of the church, the body of Christ, pulling together to get the job done, helping each other out. Tears came to my eyes, as I tried to sing along with this fav! I was truly blessed.
God is good...all the time!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Growing Pains
UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE.....
K just called to say that they are working on not only a railroad crossing but also a side street. So there is a reason for the congestion besides growth. WHEW!
OK...I have just checked a local TV station's website to see if there's a major accident on I-26, and I see nothing! But, see, I just knew there had to be some kind of problem...Chapin traffic is horrendous! I left at 11:25 - supposedly before the lunch crowd - to head to the post office and then meet a friend for lunch. Traffic was backed up EVERYWHERE! I couldn't believe it! Where were they coming from and where were they going to? What has happened to this sleepy, little town? I believe it is waking up - big time! The secret is out about our city, and it is growing and no longer sleepy.
Those who were born and raised in this area miss the sleepy town. Heck, I've only been here 25 years, and I miss it. Growing towns are good and bad. No longer do we know everybody - see my prior post! Yet, we like the conveniences of local doctors, good schools, new restaurants and shops, meeting new friends.
Sometimes growing (personally or as a town) is no fun. The carefreeness of life leaves us, and we experience jams. Even the smallest things aggravate us - we blow things out of proportion, and we long for the simpler life.
God is there for us through it all. As we grow physically, spiritually, relationally and even as a town, He will see us through the jams, aggravations and adjustments. He is our rest - Matthew 11:28-30.
May everyone have a safe, enjoyable and restful July 4th weekend. Thank you, Lord, for our country and the freedom we so often take for granted.
K just called to say that they are working on not only a railroad crossing but also a side street. So there is a reason for the congestion besides growth. WHEW!
OK...I have just checked a local TV station's website to see if there's a major accident on I-26, and I see nothing! But, see, I just knew there had to be some kind of problem...Chapin traffic is horrendous! I left at 11:25 - supposedly before the lunch crowd - to head to the post office and then meet a friend for lunch. Traffic was backed up EVERYWHERE! I couldn't believe it! Where were they coming from and where were they going to? What has happened to this sleepy, little town? I believe it is waking up - big time! The secret is out about our city, and it is growing and no longer sleepy.
Those who were born and raised in this area miss the sleepy town. Heck, I've only been here 25 years, and I miss it. Growing towns are good and bad. No longer do we know everybody - see my prior post! Yet, we like the conveniences of local doctors, good schools, new restaurants and shops, meeting new friends.
Sometimes growing (personally or as a town) is no fun. The carefreeness of life leaves us, and we experience jams. Even the smallest things aggravate us - we blow things out of proportion, and we long for the simpler life.
God is there for us through it all. As we grow physically, spiritually, relationally and even as a town, He will see us through the jams, aggravations and adjustments. He is our rest - Matthew 11:28-30.
May everyone have a safe, enjoyable and restful July 4th weekend. Thank you, Lord, for our country and the freedom we so often take for granted.
Never Underestimate...
I had a "moment" today. You know the kind, where you think you just might lose it and let someone have a piece of your mind. (Not that I have enough to start giving away, but...) I went to make a routine deposit at the bank, and that's when it happened. They didn't know me. I had a check signed by my husband and a deposit slip that, to their eye, did not go together. The lady came back and asked if the bank usually allowed me to make a deposit like this. Well, yes. Then she turned off the sound, and I could see three of them gathered around the check and deposit slip. That's when I felt it rising up in me. We have been customers for 20+ years. How dare they question my right to deposit my husband's check. I wasn't even getting any money back, for heaven's sake... I started thinking, I'll just change to xyz bank. They know me there. Then I did it, I said a small breath prayer. "Please, Lord, help me not to lose it with them. Help me to be loving in my response."
Another lady came back to the window and asked me to sign the check---which is when I told her we had been customers for 20 years. They explained it was routine when the names did not match up. I asked if I had given them the wrong deposit slip. Then I realized it. My husband goes by his middle name-the check is listed in his first name. When I explained this, they were overly apologetic. In the end, I thanked them for being so observant. In this day and age, you just never know who is doing what with your information. As I drove away, I thanked the Lord that I didn't lose it. They were just doing their job - and very well at that.
We all want to be known. You know what, we are not only known but we are heard. God knows our names, He knows who we are. He also hears us - hears our breath prayers, and sends us the self-control (and other types of the fruit of the Spirit) to keep our cool when we need to. Never underestimate the power of prayer, even in the small, irritating things in life. He hears and He knows and He answers.
Another lady came back to the window and asked me to sign the check---which is when I told her we had been customers for 20 years. They explained it was routine when the names did not match up. I asked if I had given them the wrong deposit slip. Then I realized it. My husband goes by his middle name-the check is listed in his first name. When I explained this, they were overly apologetic. In the end, I thanked them for being so observant. In this day and age, you just never know who is doing what with your information. As I drove away, I thanked the Lord that I didn't lose it. They were just doing their job - and very well at that.
We all want to be known. You know what, we are not only known but we are heard. God knows our names, He knows who we are. He also hears us - hears our breath prayers, and sends us the self-control (and other types of the fruit of the Spirit) to keep our cool when we need to. Never underestimate the power of prayer, even in the small, irritating things in life. He hears and He knows and He answers.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What's that Dish?
Game shows seem to be the in thing now on TV. Last night at my house, I played the "What's that Dish?" game. A little background, I was trying to be the "good" wife/mother last night. (I'm sure you don't have good wife/bad wife at your house, but we do at mine!) Anyway, instead of going to ball practice I decided to stay home and fix a meal for my boys. K wanted to try to start eating healthier with a salad, and Drew wanted his favorite dessert - which, needless to say, is NOT healthy. So, "Good Wife" goes to the grocery store and purchases items for both dishes. I come home and fix a fruit salad, green salad, fry chicken fingers (not healthy), and fix dessert. As I'm plundering through the fridge for baking items, I notice several, did I say SEVERAL, containers with something unrecognizable in them! As I pulled them out and opened them up - YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. One was so covered with green and white "stuff" that I could not even figure out what it was. Being "Good Wife" last night, I took it outside to the woods to throw it out. I beat the Tupperware container on the ground to get the contents out, the dish became recognizable. "Hmmm, strawberries!" I said. Can't remember the last time we had those! I'm not sure the Tupperware will be re-usable....
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wondering...
So...do you ever wonder, "Where's the excitement?" I've wondered that about church lately. (Can you say that out-loud in print? Guess I just did.) Do you ever feel like you're missing something? It's right there, but you just can't reach it. I've been feeling that way lately. Maybe it's the fact that I did not get to Deeper Still for my on personal "revival." The worship & praise time at these events is just awesome. Maybe it's the fact that, with baseball, we've missed church on a regular basis. Maybe it's because we're on a sporadic schedule with Bible study. Maybe it's just me. As I was walking and listening to my i-pod, I heard Point of Grace sing Begin With Me. And I quietly heard the Spirit whisper to my heart, "It needs to begin with you." Ouch! Begin with me? I want it done for me! Isn't that the way we are? It's so much more fun to be the receiver of the Spirit than the giver of the Spirit. Begin with me. Hmmmmm.
So there you have the reason for the theme Be...gin. I need to be - be the love of Christ to others, be a servant to others, be...gin to tell of the excitement of the Good News. Beginning again. As Avalon sings, "It's a brand, new day." May I be a brand new creation of His. Be...ginning Again!
So there you have the reason for the theme Be...gin. I need to be - be the love of Christ to others, be a servant to others, be...gin to tell of the excitement of the Good News. Beginning again. As Avalon sings, "It's a brand, new day." May I be a brand new creation of His. Be...ginning Again!
One of "Those" Days
Are you having one of "those" days? I think I am. It was a day my first cup of coffee was delayed because I had to take my osteoporosis medicine. I don't think I ever caught up on my "half-caff" allotment. And as I think about it now, I'm beginning to crave an afternoon fix! It's been quiet at work with everyone gone here and there. And it's a good day to go here and there because for a South Carolina July day, it's gorgeous outside! I'm doing a little bit of clock watching, wondering what to fix for dinner, mentally making a list of things that need to be done at home, and looking forward to the 4th of July weekend.
I regret we did not go to the Deeper Still event in Atlanta. I sure missed a great time of worship & praise with Travis & the team. So close and yet so far. But I'm loving keeping up with the news on LifeWay's new All Access blog. This will turn your day around! Looks like a large time was had by all.
So welcome to the new blog page for Susan B. I guess I felt today was a good day to reinvent it. To maybe take a different track. Learn some new tricks. And just be...be who Christ has called me to be...be open to something new...be that new creation...be...gin again!
I regret we did not go to the Deeper Still event in Atlanta. I sure missed a great time of worship & praise with Travis & the team. So close and yet so far. But I'm loving keeping up with the news on LifeWay's new All Access blog. This will turn your day around! Looks like a large time was had by all.
So welcome to the new blog page for Susan B. I guess I felt today was a good day to reinvent it. To maybe take a different track. Learn some new tricks. And just be...be who Christ has called me to be...be open to something new...be that new creation...be...gin again!
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