Merry Christmas to All

What a joyous Christmas season it has been and now we are here at Christmas Eve.  I love Christmas Eve as much as Christmas Day.  This is the day that Eddie and our kids always go and fix the candles for our Christmas Eve service...they have been doing that ever since we came here.  That's something they have always loved doing and such a service gesture.  Usually that gave me time to do the mom thing  but this year I have been invited to join them.  There's less mom things to do as kids are older now so I think I will join in.  Since I will be doing that I still needed just a bit of time to myself so I headed out for just a bit to browse a few stores and witness the madness...praise God I'm not participating in the madness this year...and drive around just with some Christian Christmas songs playing and some clear the mind and heart time.
I'm grateful that when I woke up this morning every room was full of sleeping bodies and I came down to my husband who had the coffee brewing and a fire blazing...like I said it's been a joyous season.  I admit I've spent some of these seasons in the past trying to "buy peace" and now to His glory it's all about His peace and looking forward to all that money can't buy.  Yes, there will still be plenty of gifts for all and food to feed an army but it really is a wonderful thing to have total peace of mind and heart and just being thankful for the people that fill up my house rather than the stuff that fills it.
I've thought a lot about my favorites of the season lately and it really is all my favorite cause I'm just such an idiot about this time of year.  I do have to say that other than the Christmas Eve candlelight service and our kids still running down the stairs on Christmas morning and the excitement that brings, one of the things that stands out as a fave is watching them give to one another.  Some years it was a $3 gift, but to watch them as they watched the others opened what they were giving to them has brought much joy through the years. Isn't that really it anyway...not so much what we are getting but what we get the priviledge of giving.  Thank you God for giving to us more than we would ever deserve as You gave Your Son that 1st Christmas.  May we spend the rest of our lives giving back to you in love, service, time, effort, energy.  May we give You to others as we refuse to hoard You to ourselves but tell others about You...may that be an all through the year gift back to You.  Thank You for the silent nights and the peace and the joy that can't come from anywhere else or anyone else.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Monday Morning Perspective

I know it's Sunday afternoon for MMP but it's a great time to blog and I've been pondering the sermon a lot already so I just went ahead.  It's such a winter-like day weather-wise, all the Christmas lights are twinkling, John's playing basketball and Eddie's preparing for tonight and ready to leave for deacon prayer time so it's extremely quiet.  Looking forward to my college kids coming home, Jessica tomorrow and Stephen Tuesday.  It won't be this quiet again for a while.
Continuing our study in Ephesians today we were learning more about being imitators of God and what exactly that means.  We know first of all that we are called to live a life of love.  Reminded me of a quote Eddie has used lots before talking about how we billy goat love.  We say "we love so-and-so but... and then we butt em all over town".  God have mercy with us over that kind of love.
We also saw that we are called to live a life of purity.  That purity involves a lifestyle of purity and fleeing immorality.  It also involves purity with our lips.  Amazing how the tongue gets the bad rap but it's just the messenger boy for the heart.  What we say to people and about people reveals so much of our character, who we really are on the inside, not what we want people to think we are because we spend so much time fixing up the outside.  Eddie spoke of how often those who are hyper-critical are those with bitterness and hatred and anger on the inside and are unhappy with themselves.  Those qualities certainly don't look like the life of Christ.
We had dinner with a group of ministers the other night and one spoke of how being on the front lines of ministry opens you up to all kinds of criticism when people don't like you, agree with you, or your choices don't benefit them.  He said that cannot be where our focus is and he is so right. It used to bother me a lot because I wanted people to be happy and love everybody but it didn't take long to realize that was far from reality and Jesus faced the same abuse many times.  I have learned much about focusing on Him and doing what He's called me to do and let Him handle the criticism.  He handles it beautifully and I know that I don't.  He is our Great Defender anyway and my job is to keep my own heart pure so that my tongue doesn't send a message of anger and hatred and bitterness.
What a message the body of Christ could send if we loved the way we are called to, lived a life with morals and purity, and as Beth Moore says "deal with our stuff" so that our tongues can send messages of love and  encouragement rather than tearing everyone else down.

Tis the Season

Just had to get on here quickly before some much needed house projects are started and say I had an absolute blast last night!!  It was our staff Christmas dinner at Myabi and then the evening completed with a stop by Krispy Kreme.  We have the best time when we are together.  Everyone's so busy with ministry and family that we don't get these times nearly enough (gonna be more intentional to make it happen) but when we do it is just the best.  We go from serious meaningful conversation to rolling in laughter, it's just the way this staff fam is.  I shared with the deacons wives recently how often Eddie and I look at each other and just say wow, what a great group we are serving with right now.  God has blessed way beyond measure!!  Other than my own family, this is the bunch I wanna hang with...nothing quite like them.  Every single one of them has such a huge passion for ministry and a heart for Jesus that compares to nothing I've seen.  Thrilled to death that God has brought them into our life for such a time as this.  Their different personalities and abilities and gifts give an awesome glimpse into the body Christ has called us to be.  Monday morning is my normal time of focused prayer for them and their families but must say before my feet hit the floor this morning, they were on my mind and in my prayers.  Praying God will get much glory from their lives and ministry!!

Monday Morning Perspective

Principles of the new life was our focus yesterday as we looked at Ephesians 4:25-32.  Awesome message spoken with boldness.  The point of the entire message to me was that if we claim the new life and claim that something has happened on the inside, it should be evident on the outside!! Point taken.
One of the things Eddie brought to our attention was the anger issue.  How true that so often we get angry about how we are treated when that's just the opposite of what Jesus got angry about.  We are so wrapped up in ourselves that sometimes the only thing that makes us angry is when someone does something to us or speaks against us or doesn't agree with us or something doesn't benefit us.  A lesson I'm sure we all needed to hear.
Since we dealt with anger yesterday, I will just share with you something that has been making me angry lately...bullying.  It seems like it has been talked about on the news shows lately, at least the ones I watch.  Usually it's the talk about kids bullying kids.  It has led to trauma for many, even suicide.  Many times it's physical violence but often it's words used as weapons.  How true that it's a lie of Satan that "words will never hurt me".  I've also experienced it personally as some have told me themselves of being bullied and believe me some bullies never grow up.  There are adult bullies just as mean as kid bullies.  It takes place via texts, emails, phone calls, some are face to face but I've found that lots of times it's through technology.  Sometimes we don't see "getting things off of our chest" as bullying but I believe it is.  I remember the great restraint of a staff wife one time as she was "bullied" by someone about their anger towards how her toddler treated her toddler.  She could have reached out and "laid hands on" that woman but she didn't even reply.  I've noticed when I'm walking close to the Lord the more restraint I have when people are lashing out at me whether directly or indirectly and when I'm not where I should be I just want to "reach out and touch someone".  I must admit I have felt much anger lately on behalf of others that I feel have been bullied at the mouth of someone and struggled to find the line between defending and allowing God to be the Great Defender.  I struggle with that sometimes because I'm of the belief that God gives me information and when He does He expects me to do something with it, however I also know that at times the thing I am to do is pray and boy do I do that.  Oh, well, that will be a constant struggle I'm sure, as long as there are issues that make us angry just praying that my anger will never be on behalf of myself.  God give us eyes to see when we are guilty of being the bully and the grace to react as we should when we are the victim of it.

Thanksgiving Time Once More

I kinda hate to even start this because it's actually never ending and I will close it and forget a dozen things I failed to add but...I will anyway.  There's so many things I have to be thankful for it's hard to even know where to begin...
I'm thankful for...
Salvation, Redemption, Forgiveness and the Word.
I'm thankful for ...
A Christian heritage, A godly husband, that my 4 children are saved and live for Jesus, that my daughter married a godly man who loves Jesus and for his family and Christian heritage, for my brother, sister-in-law and precious nephews who love Jesus as well and serve Him, for my parents who led me to Christ and raised me to love Him and trust Him.
I'm thankful for...
My church family, churches who don't compromise the Word, ministers who are passionate and give it all, missionaries who don't see the sacrifice as a sacrifice, church leaders who are loyal and follow the leadership, sunday school teachers who study their lessons and serve faithfully, active church members who use their spiritual gifts and pass all the glory on to God.
I'm thankful for...
Mentors God has always placed in my life who tirelessly answer my questions and lead me, Friends who are bit ahead of me in age and experience and pass much wisdom on to me, Friends who encourage and serve as a soft place to fall, My awesome staff wives who serve alongside of me making it all worth it and much easier and they are friends as well,  Friends who have been friends for over 15 years...thank you for hanging in there even when times were tough, Friends who love me enough to give me the truth and trust me to handle it...you are real friends and I'm too old for the fake ones.
I'm thankful for...
Laughter, Fun times with girlfriends, Giggles from much younger girls who have filled my house and days with so much fun, Blogs that challenge me and encourage me, make me laugh and make me cry, Facebook that has reconnected me with people I have missed and lost touch with over the years.
I'm thankful for..
The hard times that have chiseled away some stuff in my life, the times when the road was rough and I got to see the best in people and got through some things I would never have believed I could have, the struggles when God showed Himself faithful, the mountains I've had to climb and the valleys I've had to walk through...I've learned so much from all of them.
MOST OF ALL I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITHOUT WHOM ALL OF THIS WOULD BE WORTHLESS STUFF!!!

Monday Morning Perspective

Back to MMP...finally.
My man's preaching NEVER gets old!!!  There are times when I think the whole world should get to hear him bring the Word every Sunday as I have had the privilege for so many years.  I owe so much of my spiritual growth to the fact that I have been able to feast at what he has put on the table year after year.  I am so thankful for his faithfulness to study and prepare and preach what God has put on his heart and he has never entered the pulpit unprepared or lazy.  Thank you honey for taking seriously the bringing of God's Word, for making it priority in your schedule, and not giving up the pulpit often.  I have studied at the feet of other bible teachers and listened to numerous others preach and teach but none compares to what I have gained from you.  It's exhausting work not only the preaching but fighting the spiritual warfare throughout, just want you to know that this church member thinks YOU ROCK!!  My prayer is that believers everywhere would choose their church not based on programs, music, contemporary or traditional, but base it on where God's Word is preached and prioritized.
Major points God has me pondering this Monday morning...
...If we are believers, why don't we act like it.  Such a fan of living out what we say with our mouth that we believe.
...Losing sensitivity to our sin is a dangerous place to be. Never want God to turn me over to it, I want a heart quick to repent.
...What nature do we feed the most...the old self or the new?  The one we feed the most will be the one that gets stronger.  All the time and energy and money we spend to be entertained, that we give to facebook and twitter, to following and elevating hollywood "stars" and athletes who continue to let us down and live a life totally opposite of what we believe...what if just a portion of that time was spent studying God's Word and praying???  Just a thought.
I love how God continues to take the sermon throughout the week and teach me and convict me and change me.  That's kinda the point isn't it?  That's the reason most preachers do what they do...it's not just about Sunday and presenting a good message.  It's about lives being changed and my prayer is that God continues to change me cause He sure knows I'm nowhere near where I need to be.  Loving this study in Ephesians!

A rare fall getaway...blog 2

Wednesday was our free day in Boston.  What an awesome day!! Suffice it to say God showed off in a big way for us today.  The weather was good, cool but that's New England.  Everything was fabulous.
Joe and Karen took us up to Maine.  It's about an hour and a half drive from Boston...beautiful drive.  We went through adorable towns and then headed to do the cliffwalk on the coast.  The view was brilliant, more than I could have imagined.  Trust me, pictures do it no justice.  The waves were huge that day.  Joe and Karen even said they had never seen the sea so rough which to me just made it more magnificent.  We saw all the water along the walk but we just went for it.  Karen was a bit ahead and I was right in front of Joe and Eddie when a HUGE wave came over us.  Somehow when I turned and ducked God must've covered me but He had a huge laugh as He splashed Joe and Eddie good.  So thankful for their sense of humor cause Karen and I had to laugh right along with God on that one, still makes me laugh...sorry guys.  On we went to see the lighthouse and some beautiful homes and then to Bob's for some of the best fish I have ever tasted and true New England clam chowder.  We ate til none of us could hardly move although Joe did have room for some candy...I know I'm a tattletale. The sunset on the ride home was to die for.  Eddie and I spent the evening walking around a huge outdoor mall and ended the evening with a great meal at Joe's.
Thursday was another great day.  We spent the morning with the students.  Eddie preached at chapel and we had lunch on campus.  Took a few pics and said some see ya laters.  Amazing how you can love people in such a short amount of time and your heart hurt to leave them.  Only God can do that.  Joe and Karen spent the afternoon and evening giving us the historical tour of Boston.  We walked through Boston Common and saw most of the historical sites.  We drove around Harvard, very cool place.  We met the President of the college and his wife for dinner at Fire and Ice for our final meal in Boston.
On every level it was an amazing trip.  Being with Joe and Karen after so many years felt so right.  Just had a total blast with them.  So thankful God reconnects  at most unsuspecting times.  We saw some great sites and had so much fun.  Most remarkable was that God allowed us to share in the lives of some students who have such huge hearts for God and such a desire to serve Him and make an impact for Him.  Their stories were overwhelming at times.  My big question to Eddie was...what do we do with all of this we've learned and heard?  I don't believe God works haphazzardly and I believe everything He brings to our attention He Has purpose behind it.  I came home with much on my heart and plenty on my mind.  Can't wait to see what God is going to do with all of it.

A rare fall getaway...blog 1

I was going to wait and do one post on our entire trip to Boston but we have been here less than 2 days and there's already way too much I want to share so this may turn into a series.
We flew into a cold wet Boston yesterday afternoon and were met by our dear friends Joe and Karen Sawyer.  Joe and Karen were friends, mentors, leaders, anything and everything to us in our church in Greenville.  We have not been together over the years but they haven't changed a bit and it was as if the years had never passed between us.  They have been serving God faithfully all over the world and most recently at Boston Baptist College.  They have recently moved back to Greenville but they are here this week with us and we couldn't be more thankful.
We did a bit of walking downtown to see a few historical sites, most amazing is the Holocaust museum and the stories shared there.  That was simply amazing.  We had dinner with them and some friends of theirs at the oldest  operating restaurant in America, Union Oyster House...yummy!!  My brother had told me we needed to eat there and he was right.  I learned a lot about Boston.  One thing I had no idea about is that we have never had a southern baptist church to survive here.  That alone breaks my heart.  It's a huge mission field.  While I agree with international missions, our own country is in desperate need for Jesus and we don't have to go far to discover that.
I had the huge pleasure of sharing with the college girls Monday evening at 10:00, that's when they meet for their bible study time.  I was fearful I wouldn't have the energy to engage them but all it took was seeing their sweet faces and sensing their hunger for the Word and I was ready to go.  They were INCREDIBLE!!  I was amazed at how many came out on a cold, rainy night when it would have been so easy to stay tucked away in their warm dorm rooms.  I fell in love with them immediately.  They were so warm and welcoming and it blew my mind that very few are from this area.  These girls are from all over our country and some from around the world.  Don't know that I've ever felt so blessed to be able to share in front of a group EVER.  The really cool thing was knowing that they meet every Monday night just like my daughter Jessica does for her bible study and just like my home girls do with me and Vickie every Monday night.  How awesome is that knowing that this next generation of girls are meeting on the same night studying God's Word.  I already know that a huge chunk of my heart will be left here when I leave.
Today, we started a very special morning at the college.  Eddie preached at chapel and was GREAT.  I looked around the room and was so touched at how the students, especially the boys, were zeroed in on him. We talked about how easy it is to speak before a crowd that is hungry and so in love with the Lord and just dying to learn more.  It was a great day with these kids as we got to eat with them in their caf and tour their campus and meet so many who are sold out to this generation.
Joe and Karen took us downtown to tour Fenway Park today.  Ok, that was just way too cool.  My daddy raised me to love Jesus and love those Red Sox and being the good girl that I am I do love both.  After having some shopping time we had dinner with a young newlywed college couple from BBC and they shared their hearts with us and trust me they have hearts of gold just totally full of Jesus and His love.  They have a huge desire to give their lives to sharing Jesus with the Muslim world and so within the next year they are looking to head out and serve the Lord in this way.  I just sat there amazed at them, at their tender age and they have no attachment to the things of this world.  When you decide to go in that direction, you are serious.  We are not talking about a vacation spot or a short term mission trip...they will be giving their lives to this group of people that most of us are just scared to death of.  I'm so impressed, so challenged, so convicted.  They are leaps and bounds ahead of me.  Again I just sat there and fell totally in love with them.  I have so much to learn and so far to go and I'm so grateful that I can learn it from this generation of godly young people.  More to come...

Kickoff Meeting for ReFresh

Our ReFresh lead team got together today for our kickoff meeting.  Loved the energy in the room.  I had to apologize for throwing so much out there and risking overwhelming my girls but like I told them, I have a lot of time on my hands now to think ministry and I have had some of this stuff going through my brain for a while and just waiting for God to say "GO!".  So today, we took off!!!
This group loves the Lord and loves people.  It was evident that we were on the same page and that page is to reach as many women as we can...all ages, all walks of life, all races, all everything.  We want to serve and serve well all to the glory of the only One who matters.  We want to serve with purpose and vision.  We know that Millbrook has much to offer and many resources to work with.  We believe that to whom much is given much is required.  Let's do the work girls.  Let's think BIG.  Let's do those things that we know we can't do without God's anointing on it.  Let's focus on keeping our hearts healthy and have an intimate daily relationship with Him. We want to go deep with Him so we can reach out far and wide.  Eyes on Him and ears tuned to Him.  If you want to join with us and serve in an area, we would love it.  If you are busy in other areas of ministry, please plug in where you can and enjoy all that will be offered.  It's gonna be a wild, fun ride with Christ at the helm.  Have a blessed evening.  World Series time...Go Rangers!!

Monday Morning Perspective

This will be a different MMP.  I wasn't at Millbrook yesterday so I can't give thoughts on the sermon so I'm going to give a perspective on where I was yesterday, not the sermon except to say it was FABULOUS, but on the event.  It may be a bit wordy so if you don't like to read especially mush, tune out now cause here goes...
I left dark and early yesterday morning to head to Greenville, SC.  My precious new son-in-law Michael and my daughter Chrissie were being presented to Clearview Baptist as prospective student pastor.  That's where I was and why.  Backup...
The drive that morning took me about 2hours 45min.  It was 2hours and 45min of awesome Christian radio with praise and worship music, lots of prayer, and lots of praise of what God has done.  I told someone yesterday that part of the fun of getting older is being able to look back on all that God has done and how He has worked. It gives courage and faith to keep going knowing that He will continue working even when we can't see clearly in the hear and now.  Over and over I kept telling Him, "I just can't believe how faithful and remarkable You are to Your people".  It's as if He keeps doing things to show off and say "you ain't seen nothing yet".  I don't know why I'm so amazed!!  He promises good to His people.  He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He promises to do more than we can imagine.  And yet I keep standing there with my mouth open saying, "I can't believe this".
I sat there in that church looking at Chrissie standing there by her new husband and him standing there sharing his testimony and his love for Jesus and students, and all I could think of was "God, you never cease to amaze me at how good you are and how awesome are Your ways".  Chrissie grew up in a pastor's family and honestly there are days I think  "anything else for my kids Lord" and then there are days I think "thank you Lord, what could be better than seeing my kids serve You full time". Oh the wacky flesh.  Trust me, nothing in this world compares to seeing them serve Him with everything they have and wanting to do this full time. After growing up in a ministry family all I can say is "thank you Lord that You have redeemed much and covered much with Your grace".  I'm so thrilled for them.  They are in such a great place.
As for the church...it's pretty typical upstate kind of church.  For those of you who have no clue what that means I will tell you seeing that I'm an upstate girl.  I felt so at home.  The people are as down to earth as they come, no pretense detected.  Lots and lots of hugs and friendly smiles.  Tremendous freedom of worship, hands raised, clapping.  Strong, bible preaching!  It's the perfect place for a young couple starting out in ministry cause you just feel like they will be loved to death.  It felt much like our first church, just never felt more loved on.  We have told them how super blessed they are because most don't go to this size church this early but for whatever reason God just chose to pour out the blessings.  But a word to Clearview, you are blessed as well!!  This young couple will love all over those students you have there.  They are all about relationships and investing in the lives of teens.  They may make mistakes but it won't be from lack of trying and giving it all they have.
Have to say as well that it was added blessing that Michael's grandmother could be there and my mom got to come.  Super proud of my Jessica and Stephen who got up out of those dorm beds and made the trip to Greenville to support their sibs even with Jess not feeling her best.  You guys rock and I love you!!
I guess you've suffered enough so I'll wrap it up.  We also get to welcome a young couple next week to come work with our students.  I am so pumped about that.  They are precious to us and my prayer is that we will welcome them and love on them just as my kids felt that from their new place of service.  Have a Jesus centered Monday.

Monday Morning Perspective

We spent time in Ephesians yesterday looking at Paul's prayer in 3:14-21.  It's one of my all time favorite prayers in God's Word.
I loved the whole section on Paul's provision for prayer...strength, stability and sanctification.  Out of that section my favorite was on stability.  I had never really put much thought into what "dwell" in verse 17 means.  Eddie said that word means to preside and settle down, to take up permanent residence.  Ok, that sounds good.  I know when He saved me He took up permanent residence in my life.  He also said it means to be comfortable.  Hmmmm...love that part of the definition but it hit me between the eyes.  The list of questions to consider...Is God's Holy Spirit comfortable in your life?  Does He feel at home there?  Is He comfortable where you take Him, with the attitudes you display, the way you treat your family, the way you spend your leisure time, with the language you use?  One of the things I remember my parents always saying is "you can't leave His Holy Spirit at home when you choose to go places and do things you don't want Him to be a part of".  He goes everywhere with us, He sees everything, He is part of every phone conversation we have, every email we send.  He's always present.   I need to take each one of those questions and just spend some time thinking about each of them.  I know there are areas in my life that could stand a change that each one of those questions addressed.  This is definitely one sermon I am going to pick apart piece by piece over the week and examine my life in light of it.  So glad Jesus Christ not only saves us but He redeems us.

Fall Break and Reflection

I have been beside myself for the past two days now.  My two college kids come home tomorrow for their fall break and I never thought it would get here.  Jessica gets to come home every other weekend or so but it seems like before we turn around a few times it's Sunday afternoon and she's headed back.  Stephen hasn't been home in forever because of baseball.  We have had a few glimpses of him here and there after games but that's not nearly enough for this mama.  Hate to think he won't get back home til Christmas.  I'm so proud of both of them though.  They have adjusted well, classes are good, and working hard at cheerleading and baseball.  They stay so busy and I guess that's a good thing.  I miss them both terribly and tremendously thankful that we had that 4th child or don't know what I would do having given up one to marriage and 2 to college all in one month.  John Michael is probably tired of all my attention focused solely on him.  He will probably be grateful to share the attention for a few days.
Just an encouragement to you moms younger than myself...ENJOY every single moment that they are home.  The day they take off comes so fast even if the days seem long when they are little and you think you will never have quiet again...you will and it comes sooner than you can imagine.  I was a full time stay at home mom with 4 under the age of 6 at one time and wouldn't have had it any other way.  I spent most days with them under my feet, wrapped around my legs, in my arms or sitting on my lap.  It was an ordeal to ever get to the grocery store or even go to the bathroom for that matter.  However, I wouldn't trade a single second of it!!  That was my calling just as much as the call to ministry was. I knew that was exactly where God wanted me to be as sure as I knew of His love and my own salvation.  That doesn't mean every day was cupcakes and sing-a-longs.  Some days were long and the only people I talked to were preschoolers, my own.  This isn't meant to make anyone dread them growing up because honestly I have loved every stage of their life, YES even the teenage years.  It's been one great adventure and most days we have laughed harder than we've cried.  I love where I am in my life now but there's no doubt that if I could do it all over again with those same youngins and my dear man I would live it all over again.
When I sat down to blog this, I did not intend to go in this direction.  Oh well, enough said.  Just ready to get those kids home and a little bit more commotion in this house.  I'm ready for the noise level to go up just a bit. I will tolerate the noise because they are going to have to tolerate me hugging and kissing on them, asking them 100 questions wanting details of course about everything and everyone they have seen, talked to. or encountered over the past weeks.  I'm sure there will be plenty of laughter, yelling at ball games, and yes tears (my own of course) when it comes to a close.
Pray a super blessed weekend on everyone.  Enjoy your family time but don't neglect your Jesus time either.  He is, by the way, the giver of all the good things and people we enjoy.  Where would my life be without Him?  I shudder to even think.

Monday Morning Perspective

I loved the message yesterday, Gaining a Proper Perspective, maybe because it was on perspective and I don't think we can ever be challenged too much on keeping the proper perspective.  It is crucial in every area of life whether it be sports or school or our jobs.  Perspective is HUGE!!!
We looked at the passage in Ephesians 3:1-13.  The fact that Paul had a proper perspective, chained to Roman guards in a Roman prison yet calls himself a prisoner of Christ, is one reason he still impacts us today.
My fave part was as we looked at vs 8 we see the humility of Paul.  Eddie pointed out that Paul was completely God-centered.  It blew him away that God chose him.  Oh, how that should be our perspective...completely blown away that God chooses to use us in His service.  I've never been able to come to grips with the fact that God has called me to ministry by being a pastor's wife.  I'm amazed that God would allow me to serve Him in this way and anything good at all that comes from it has to be totally Him.  I know myself too well to think I'm deserving, worthy or capable.  How graceful of God to use us in spite of ourselves.
Also loved how Eddie pointed out the importance we are placing on discipleship because without going deep in His Word we will have no stability when the pain comes  We looked at Job as we examined what our perspective is in the midst of pain and suffering.  Job was blameless, feared God, shunned evil and still suffered.  He grieved yet he worshipped.
In my study this morning in 2Chronicles, God tested Hezekiah to show him his own shortcomings and the attitude of his heart.  God tests us at times to develop our character and prepare us.  Nothing removes that thin veneer of goodness like facing some pressure, trouble, or pain.  Eddie has always said that when we are squeezed the real stuff comes out.  What are you like under pressure or when everything is going wrong?  Those in touch with God don't have to worry about what pressure may reveal about them.  God must have thought I needed a double dose between the message yesterday and this morning's study.  Thank you Lord.

Monday Morning Perspective

War and Peace...that was the title of the message.  Like Eddie, I hate conflict.  Like Eddie, I avoid it.  Like Eddie, I know some thrive on it, that's their comfort zone so to speak...drama, turmoil, conflict.  As for me, I've got to have peace.  Thankfully, I have peace with God through my relationship with Christ.  Peace with others is something I think we all have to work at daily.  I don't think most of us seek war with God or others but like Eddie said the most significant war has been going on and will go on in the spiritual realms and we are all caught up in it.
Just like Jesus broke down the barriers that were placed in the temple through His death on the cross, praise Him that He still breaks down barriers today.  I have some barriers of my own that I pray daily God would chip away at and break down yet there are days that I pray He will just leave them intact because they are self-protection barriers.  Those barriers we put into place because others have hurt us or betrayed us and we think the answer is to just keep others at arms length so it can't happen again.  That's a tough one for me because I'm so relational and I love getting to know people and invest in their lives.  I was reading a great book lately that talked about allowing God just to heal those things and give us healthy hearts so we don't put those barriers in place.  I can't find scripture that tells me that I am supposed to protect myself anyway.  Still a work in progress and I'm thankful He's still working.
I would love to go into great detail about some of the spiritual warfare I have sensed lately but it's personal and weighing heavy so I won't.  But I will say this...there is a battle going on for the souls of people and if you don't believe that you are in a bubble.  I've sensed the more I have prayed for the salvation of some I care deeply about, the more I have felt the war and how Satan will go to all lengths to keep people from receiving Christ.  I sensed it greatly during the service yesterday.  I know some have said that there is great spiritual warfare going on while the Word is being preached.  Eddie has said at times that he could sense it greatly as he has preached certain messages.  I think it's one reason pastors are so exhausted after preaching because they have been in an unseen battle going on during that time.  Is that discouraging?  No.  There are days I would like to bury my head in the sand and not see it because it is painful and I feel almost helpless however it is a great challenge to me to increase my prayers for others and never give up. It makes me pray harder for my husband before he stands to preach.  I need to be intentional about praying over the things that are of eternal significance and not keep my focus on the petty things of life.  I need to leave those things to God to judge and handle.  I'm much more concerned about seeing some come to salvation than I am about whether some like me or not or whether some agree with ministry decisions made or not.  My focus has taken a turn and I'm so glad.  Don't get me wrong, I pray about every seemingly insignificant thing in my life because I believe God cares about ALL of it.  I'm just saying sometimes we get caught up in the trivial and neglect praying hard for those by name that we know are lost.  Praying for the lost will send you directly into that warfare but it's an opportunity to see God have great victory as well and that's what I want to see.  I want to see Him have LOTS of BIG victories for His glory.  How about you???

A little bit of wierdness

Had a different kind of experience recently.  I guess it could possibly be the 1st of more to come but I kinda hope not.
Stephen is now playing college baseball at SMC and John has spent the fall playing for a travel team and wouldn't you know it, John's travel team went to SMC to play for a weekend.  Just so happens, or I believe some coaches conniving, their teams played each other.  What makes it a little strange is that John's team isn't a college team so didn't really expect this to happen at this point in time.  Here's the other kicker...John started for his team, Stephen started for his.  Ok, this could not have been anything but coaches conniving together because God loves me too much to do that to me and I don't believe in fate or chance but I do believe that people connive, funny to them not so much to me.
It's really hard to describe that feeling.  There was definitely a sense of being proud of them.  They both have worked hard and are very capable.  They both love the competition even with each other.  They were fine with it so why wasn't I???  It just seemed like everything in the universe was messed up for those moments.  There was also that sense of wierdness.  They've played together and they've played on different teams before but never on opposing teams, didn't like it at all and don't think I ever will.  I had my Cardinal shirt on for John and my SMC hat on for Stephen.  No, I didn't match but at least I represented both.  I was praying for both of them to leave the game 0 to 0, didn't happen.  It was 1-1 so that works too.  Stats were fairly similar and that's really all this mom cared about.  Didn't care who won the game, another wierd feeling because I have to admit a lot of their competition and love for winning comes from me as well as their dad...none of the Leopards like to lose.
The one highlight...before the game you could look down into the bullpen and they were warming up next to each other.  Side by side, doing what they've been doing since they were about 9 yet this time one was in red the other in blue.  It would've been so easy to give in to those tears dying to pour down my face but for the sake of embarrassing my boys and my girls sitting there by me, I didn't.  We do have some pics of that and when I get them off of my girls' cameras I will post them cause they really are pretty cool.

Monday Morning Perspective

I absolutely loved the message yesterday as we continued through the book of Ephesians.  What a clear picture of what Christ has done for us and where we would be without Him.  I've heard so many people say that even if there were no heaven, the Christian life would still be the best life to live.  I so agree with that yet very thankful there is a heaven.  I'm so grateful that He did save us to serve and He has empowered us to live for Him.  Living for this world's system will never pay off and realizing that Satan is very real and very much out to destroy us while at the same time recognizing how much God loves us and lavishes His grace, mercy, and love on us should drive us to Him.  This message definitely made me want to be more intentional on sharing my faith and see others come to Christ not only to save them from going to hell but also to experience His love, grace, and mercy.  I know we all know people who are lost and need us to reach out to them with the gospel.
A word about our 6pm service...awesome.  A great sermon from 2Corinthians and a super crowd.  So thankful that so many are making sunday night bible study and worship a priority.  There's nothing like giving that entire day to the Lord to worship and fellowship with other believers.  I for one certainly need it!!!
I am equally grateful for being able to attend both morning services yesterday, something I hope to do a lot more of.  They are very different services but I love them both.  The choir is incredible at 9am and love the praise and worship at 11:11 and getting the message twice is a bonus!  Lately I have felt like I'm about to pop with all the excitement of what is going on at Millbrook.  God is so busy in our midst and we should be so grateful.  So much is getting ready to happen that I just know things could explode with God's goodness.  Just a reminder to all of us...Satan will not be happy so he will get busy as well.  Let's not be the one he uses to hurt the cause.  Don't give the time of day to those who just want to be negative and spread discouragement.  Put on the full armour of God and be a part of what God is doing.  We want to be on His side, not the enemy's side.  Love you all and blessed to serve.

Study Kickoffs, up next College Girl Time

I know I didn't do MMP yesterday but it was a holiday and family was home and the last thing I wanted to do was get on the computer.  Needless to say, the message was awesome!!  Eddie and I are so excited about what God is going to teach us through Ephesians!!
We have kicked off our Women in Ministry Refresh bible studies.  I always love to know that our women are growing deep in the Word through the studies we offer.  Thursdays with Beth Moore is a great opportunity to study Revelation either 9am or 7pm.  Lori Sefton will be doing a study on Wed morning that I am equally excited about. 
Like last year our college girls will begin their study next monday night.  Last summer requests were made by the girls to have a study for themselves.  At their age they didn't want to attend the studies we had in place for women, so women's ministry started Girl Time for their age.  We wanted them to have a study just for themselves that they could share with their peers and see how God spoke to them through His Word at the place in life that they are now.  Their issues are different from those of us who are married and have children perhaps grandchildren and the fact that they were asking for this was an incredible witness.  Of course the last thing Satan wants is to have the young ones in God's Word but he didn't have the final say, praise God.  They studied Beth Moore's Revelation and grew a ton through that study.  Pray for them as they get started with Beth Moore's Inheritance study.  Vickie and I will again be leading them.  Vickie does a great job relating to them and mentoring them.  We have lots of exciting new things planned for that age group through our Refresh ministry that I can hardly wait.  Encourage any college age girls you may know to come join us.  We pile up all over the couches and floors and just love being together in the Word.
Have a super inspired God blessed Tuesday!!  Love to all.

Happy Anniversay Baby, you are always on my mind

26 years and counting.  September 1st 26 years ago I married the man I know God Himself chose for me.  A true man of noble character and much integrity.  It has been the adventure of a lifetime from day one.  I cannot imagine what my life would look like had you not stormed into it.  It seems like just yesterday I was the human football tee out on the field with you.  We blinked and now have a married daughter, who praise God married a man with the intergrity of her father, 2 college kids who are a delight in every way, and more thankful than ever that God decided that 3 was just not complete for us so we still have that one at home.  I am also more thankful than ever that your passion for following Christ is still raging and your kids caught it from you and that your fire for ministry is blazing as strong as ever.  You have led us all so well and your children are blessed for it.  I am most definitely the most blessed woman on earth.  God has given me eyes and a heart only for you and it is a joy to walk this way with you.  I have never been more proud or more joy-filled to serve Him alongside of you.  Only bringing up 4 precious ones together ranks above doing ministry with you.  It has been a blast to say the least.  God has blessed us in ways unimaginable to me 26 years ago.  It is true...He really does do immeasureably more than we could ever ask or imagine.  Glory to Him alone for these past 26 years.  I love you!!

Monday Morning Perspective

Are we predestined?  That was the question of the day in yesterday's message.  Eddie did an awesome job preaching the biblical doctrine of predestination and election.  I love how he used the acrostic TULIP to explain the issues, very helpful.  It was one of those listen close, think hard sermons that I'm glad I take notes so I didn't miss anything. 
My favorite part of the sermon...looking around and seeing some of our young ladies with their notebooks out taking sermon notes.  LOVE THAT...a sign of hunger for His Word!!  What a huge blessing to my heart.

A different kind of week

It's the first week of the new norm I guess.  Married child off doing life, two college kids moved in and settled and down to one in the nest.  It's been extremely quiet but definitely not boring.  Jessica took my car to school with her so I've been homebound you could say.  That actually hasn't been too bad either at least for me.  My sweet hubby has come home to pick me up for things when needed and we've had a few lunches together.  Thankfully home is where I've always enjoyed being anyway.  I can always come up with something to do and it does wonders for my prayer life, personal worship time, and bible study time when I don't have a car to take off in and do things that really probably don't matter much anyway.  I have darling friends who have offered rides and to come get me and chauffer me so it's nice to know I have friends like that. 
We enjoyed Eddie's birthday but that was kinda different.  He got 3 phone calls that day that I'm pretty sure made his special day extra special but a bit strange not having them around on a birthday. 
Today is Stephen's spiritual birthday, so thankful we have that special day for all of our kids to celebrate what God has done in their lives.  Sad that this is the first I won't see his sweet face but we will have a celebration next weekend when he comes home.
God brought a sweet lady to me this week.  She was our waitress on Sunday.  I had never met her but she knew who I was or more accurately who my husband is and what he is.  So she asked me a question that then led to great discussion and a common bond...Jesus!  Love those conversations.  So interesting because I started thinking about the contrast between that sweet waitress and the lady who was fussing when we walked in because evidently we were seated at a table that was "her" table for the past 12 years.  Amazing how important some people think they are.  Anyway, the hateful lady started saying how she was late getting there because they were let out of church late (oh my, she actually had just come from church...definitely wish I hadn't even heard that).  Won't even go into all that started going through my head at that point or the prayer I prayed for her pastor whoever he is.  However, after talking to our waitress about life and Christ and church, etc., God brought to my mind (yes the same mind that had some hateful things going through it about the "church lady") that one day He will make everything right.  Those who think they should be greatest and first will be last and those who take a back seat on this earth will be ushered to the front.  At His feast it will be interesting to see if there's any fussing about who's seated where.  Amazing to me how the "church lady" felt so good about herself proclaiming to all who could hear how she was late because she had been to church and the waitress there serving all of us had to miss church to work and serve us.  Hmmmm, guess that can be the difference between "church ladies" and Jesus lovers.
Oh and got a book yesterday called The Christian Atheist.  Feel pretty sure Craig Groeschel is going to beat me up in this one and will probably without a doubt address the "church lady" mentality that can rise up in all of us.

Monday Morning Perspective

This may be a little different from most MMPs.  There just seems to be a conglomeration of things to post.
First and foremost...my man can preach the Word.  I am so grateful for a husband and a pastor who emphasizes preaching the Word, studying the Word, staying in the Word.  He pushes me not only in His sermons but also personally the importance of bible study.  People...you can never get enough of it.  Once a week isn't enough.  Trust me, the person who says there's no need for bible study or there is a point where enough is enough is a SHALLOW believer who sees the world from a world's perspective and what did the pastor say in the sermon was the goal...TO SEE THINGS FROM A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE!!!  The only way we can do that is a close intimate walk with Him through His Word and through prayer continually.  The message was about all we have in Christ, the blessings we have yet we live like spiritual paupers.  God have mercy.  Until we get to the point where we crave Him more than anything else, we will just be paupers and God knows that's not what we should long for. 
A word about Sunday night service...another awesome message. I told Eddie that was one of his best on giving I've heard.  No better place to be on Sunday night than back in the Word.  I also love how the ministers on Sunday nights are sharing with us a bit of their ministry happenings.  Loved how David shared with everyone last week about the family we were able to help and reconnect, and Ronnie shared how God is working in the childrens ministry and among the childrens workers.  Love being with God's people all day on Sunday. 
Favorite quote of the day from the morning message...How rich are you?  Think of all the things you have that money can't buy.  Then think of all the things you have that death can't take away.

Spartanburg Methodist...here they come

My oh my there have been so many changes in our household in the past days, weeks, and months and they just keep coming.  Times like this just so glad to be holding on tight to Jesus and walking it out with Him.
Jessica and Stephen, this one's for you...deep breath, no telling how many times I'm going to have to stop this and come back to it but here goes my best effort...
I so wish words could express my heartfelt feelings to both of you but there's no way they can.  You two have brought more joy, laughter, fun, thrills than I can describe on a computer screen.  Even in my "pulling my hair out" moments there's noone I'd rather make me "pull my hair out".  Fifteen months apart, you two have done a lot of life together so it's fairly appropriate that you head off to college together.  The only problem with that is you move out of my house together.  Letting you both go at the same time is tough but knowing you will be together brings some comfort to a mom. 
Jessica, I so enjoyed having this past year with you for some alone time while all the others were in school.  We had some gym times and lunched most every day together.  You were a bright spot in the house while all the others were at school.  I will miss you sooooo.   Having said that, let me say how excited I really am for you!!  You get to go out and do the college thing, living in a dorm with a roomie and getting to build new relationships with guys and gals from all over the place.  What an exciting time of life.  You will grow and change a lot.  You get to make decisions without running them past mom and dad.  I know you are ready for that because you have always made good decisions.  It will stretch you though.  You will grow so much in your relationship with Christ because you will learn to lean on Him more than ever.  My prayer is that your relationship with Him will go to a whole new level.  Lean hard on Him, He will never let you down and He's the only one who won't.  Take full advantage of all of it.  He will bring new people in your life, all for a purpose.  You may meet your very best friend for life there.  You may meet your husband there.  But I do know you will meet Christ there in a way you have never seen Him before.  Enjoy all that He has there for you.  You only get a few short years for this part of your life and then the real world hits and you really have to grow up.  Be a bright light on that cheer squad and in that dorm.  What an awesome opportunity to live out Christ in front of others.  Don't neglect your bible study time and church time.  Jump in there and use those gifts and soak up all He has to teach you there.  You are everything we ever imagined you to be and more.  We have no worries as we send you off, you are so grounded in your belief system and love for Jesus.  We know you are ready to go off and make a huge impact so we bless you and say go girl with all the passion and energy you have always lived life with.  We love you so much!!
Stephen, I am going to miss your presence around here.  Whether you are talking or sitting or grunting answers to me you are just plum joy.  You are more than we ever imagined our 18 year old teenage son to be.  You have surpassed everything in every way.  I meant it the other day when I told you I have no worries about you going to college.  I've never known a boy your age who was so grounded and determined to live for God at this point in life.  As you go to college it may become more difficult to make time for Him but DO IT.  Don't rest where you are.  Continue on.  You have a huge opportunity in the next few years to do some big things for God, don't miss them.  There's very few platforms in our culture that can affect people like the sports platform and that platform will work for you the rest of your life.  You are a huge influence within the church but there are great things to be done in the area that you are going to be engulfed in.  Take advantage of all of them.  He's going to bring people in your life that you have a short amount of time to influence and some may take that influence with them throughout their life.  Work hard in the classroom and on the ballfield.  Have fun watching what God is going to do in your life.  Let Him have full reign and He will do more than you ever can imagine.  Know that every person He brings into your life is there for a purpose, His purpose.  Take advantage of the church opportunities that will offer you growth and fellowship.  Learn more from your coach than how to be a better ballplayer.  The coaches He has placed in your life there can teach you how to be a better man,  We are so thankful for them.   Go knowing we will miss you like crazy but couldn't be more excited for you.  Enjoy this time!!  It lasts for such a short time and then it's over.  We will be here praying for you every day as always and there probably more than you will want, haha.  Keep the bar high and go live with all that energy you have had for the past 18 years.  You have been a blast around here, we've enjoyed every single moment.  We love you a ton!!!

It's now Mr. and Mrs. Hux

Can hardly believe it's been over a week since the big day. Time keeps moving on, doesn't it? It's amazing how you spend months planning for something and then it's over in a flash. I hardly wanted to go to bed that night just so it wouldn't all end so quickly.  It was fun coming home and eating wedding cake at 11:30pm and discussing all the details together, just needed the bride and groom to discuss it with us but they wouldn't stick around LOL!!
I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable times and day of my life. We had so much fun not only anticipating it but soaking in the whole day. My sweet girl never had a moment of bridezilla, praise God, even that day we all just kept telling her back in the room that she was just way too calm. I think we were all a little more nervous than she was. I guess when you are that sure, there is only excitement.
Please let me just say a huge thank you to so many of you who made all of it such a blessing. We were constantly amazed at the people who offered so many different things and services as a gift, we were just totally blown away. The gifts that you all have bestowed on them is incredible. My living and dining room is filled to overflowing with blessings you have given them. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! God truly used His people to pour out blessings on our family and we will be forever grateful. Thank you to all who were such a huge part of it with us.
They had a glorious honeymoon, giddy every time we spoke with them, and now just so ready to do this life together. We are all excited about what God has planned for them and the ministry He has laid out for them. There are some students out there who are going to be super blessed to benefit from their ministry and we are going to be pouring out prayers all over them. If I could ask one thing, it would be that you join us in praying not only for Michael and Chrissie but the church they are called to, the pastor there, the students and families, the community and the schools. We want God to get much glory and do a great work. They are living by faith right now waiting to see where the Lord would have them serve.  I love seeing them walk this out and trusting the Lord without worry.  He is stretching them and they will be better because of it.  He has a great plan and so glad that they are willing to be a part of it wherever that is and whenever He says.  Love to all and many blessings to you.

Monday Morning Perspective

We started a series entitled Be The Church yesterday which will focus on church health and could last the better part of a year. I am so excited about this and if you were there yesterday and heard the 1st message you have to be excited as well. What a great start!!
We will be in the book of Ephesians but we started in Revelation with the letter to the church in Ephesus.
We looked at the positive things about the church in Ephesus, the things that made them healthy. They were dedicated. Jesus commended them for being busy about the church. So often today I believe laziness just gets in the way or we are busy about other things and don't have any energy or time left for church. We see so many who have the one event per week mentality. I am so grateful for a church with programs for our children, our youth, our seniors, our men and women. Relying on sunday morning worship to get us through the week will never be enough. We need our own quiet time every day and bible study with other believers and fellowship.
The negative word to the Ephesians was that they had left their first love. What a tragedy for this church that had so many positives yet leaving their first love and failure to repent caused the church to crumble. May that never be said about our church. Remember the statement Eddie started with...church is not where you go it's who you are. As a people may we grow in our love for Christ daily and if we find that we are not doing that, may we quickly repent.

Former Ingroup...this one's for you

Just had to take a moment to give a shout out to my former ingroup.
I remember sitting on my backporch one evening after dinner with Brandon Bowers who was explaining his vision for ingroups...indepth bible study with fellowship, the perfect combo. I remember him looking at me and asking if I would consider leading one of the groups. I immediately said yes cause I loved the whole idea but I added, "I want those 7th graders". One reason is I wanted to get a group from the start and go the whole way, I also wanted Stephen's grade of girls. He said ok, I said ok and the rest is history.
I had no idea all that God was going to do from that moment on. I had no idea how this group of crazy, talk-all-the-time, full of energy bunch of girls would take hold of my heart and run with it. I had no idea how much I would learn from them and how much I could truly love kids not my own. It's so hard to explain other than it has been such a God thing.
As you girls move on to college I just have to reminisce a bit. I wouldn't trade anything in this world for our time together. Nothing in my ministry has ever compared to piling up on the couch or in the floor with you, opening God's Word and watching Him work among all of us. The times we spent in that circle praying whether on our knees or in our special hand holding twisting around way is forever impressed on my heart. Hearing you voice those prayers, hearing you share what God was doing in your life goes beyond anything I've ever done in ministry. I'm going to miss our Fair times, movie nights, Christmas parties, the road rage during the hunts even amidst your griping and complaining trying to win and not get pulled for speeding. I'll even miss our dinners out even though we drove waiters and all around us nuts and I threatened to never take you all out in public again. We learned so much about one another and especially Jesus as we put away all those burgers, tacos, chicken, and pounds of chips and cookies. We lived life real together. We cried hard together and we laughed hard. We got all in each others business holding one another accountable. You put up with me even when I told you you could do better with those boyfriend choices and needed to be wiser with friends. We lived honestly with each other and that's the only way to really live and love. I'm just grateful at least a few of you still love me.
As much as I dread you leaving and will miss you like a limb, I am so proud of you. God has chosen this class, guys and girls, to shoot you out all over this state. From the low state to the midlands to the upstate, He is placing you all over. You have a strong foundation and He knows you are ready. There's no better group to send out. You have grown so much and He is going to use you in a mighty way.
My challenge is to stand firm. Continue to grow in Him. Choose friends who will hold you accountable to your values. Get involved in a church that will minister to you and allow you to use your gifts to serve. You have so much to offer. Don't neglect your own time with the Lord, you can't afford to let that slip in college. Keep the bar high for those you date. We spent hours talking about that bar so don't accept one that falls beneath it. You all deserve that godly guy who loves Jesus and you more than himself. Leave the ucky ones alone, remember we always said "they are a dime a dozen". The good ones really are out there, you just have to trust God to bring them along in His time and make sure you are living a life worthy of receiving God's best. Remember all the people He brings your way is there for a purpose. That roomie that drives you crazy at times, that suitemate that annoys you, that girl down the hall with the loud music or tv, even that professor who seems to live to make your life miserable has been placed there for you to have an impact on. Live at peace with others as far as it depends on you, hold your tongue, words are so hard to take back, and LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Got to wrap it up but remember I live in the same house at least for now so you all know where I am. My Gamecock girls, Eddie and I would love to take you to lunch on some Fridays when we're in Columbia if you'll give us the honor. Lindsey, you're my intown girl so we can lunch anytime you want and I love drop-bys. My upstate girls, you know I will be there a LOT soooo, just saying, would love to see you. Graham, I don't go to Beaufort much but I will if you call. Unbelieveable how God is placing you girls all over the place...wow!!
I love all of you. Just because you are moving on doesn't mean you will move off of my prayer list or out of my heart. You girls have come so far and it's been a joy to see you grow up and grow in your relationship with the Lord. I am better for having been a part of your life. God really probably did teach me more through you than I ever taught you. I am so grateful to Him for the opportunity to spend those precious years with you and for every moment and every memory. Now you all go and be blessed and do a mighty work for Him and pass on that glory to Him, remember we hold none for ourselves. Pour yourself out, you will never regret what you do for Him.
Col. 1:9-12...Eph. 3:14-21

Wedding Week

It's been a very calm and uneventful wedding week so far. The plan from the beginning was to have all the major work done by the end of last week so this could be a very calm time for all of us. Most of the fun stuff has been this week. Recap a bit...
We had the final meeting with the florist and decorator. Just made all of us even more excited!
We all got our highlights done, well we girls did. I had gray to cover, girls just covered dark. Fun!! John did get his cut and Michael got the 2nd cut in 2 weeks.
Chrissie and Michael finished the slide show, they are so techno. Haven't watched it yet and may not for a few weeks. Hope you all enjoy it at the wedding but I won't be in there during that.
Lots of thank you notes written...you go Chrissie.
Programs are done...woohoo.
We pick the portrait up tomorrow and they head to Augusta to get aisle markers and tuxedos. Whoo, I think this is really going to happen.
The worst thing of all...Chrissie is packing up the room. I just thought that was rough when she packed up to go to school but this is ridiculous. John is already making his plans to move in and I am mourning the loss of a true fashionista girly room. She and Jess have cleaned out clothes, shoes, bags, etc. so thinking there's a lot of stuff for some girls to come over and sort through. It's all there for the taking.
Family and friends start coming into town tomorrow and Stephen is coming back from his trip to Toccoa and I am def ready to see his face. Thinking tomorrow night is going to be the last "6 of us" dinner around the kitchen table with Chrissie making the menu, whatever she wants.
All in all it's been a very stress-free week and I have to say I have loved my role as mother of the bride.
Friday is fun day: manis and pedis (girls only), lunch, checking out the church, rehearsal and dinner and the bachelor/bachelorette party at the house.
Guess the next blog will be wedding highlights. Covet your prayers that all will go well and the only one glorified will be the Lord Jesus. May His presence be real and felt by all. Much love and many thanks to so many who have made all of this come about. You have offered so much help, words of encouragement, gifts to get them started, prayers that we have felt, so many different ways you have put love into action on our behalf. We are so thankful for all of our family and friends. You make all of this so much more fun and enjoyable. Blessings to all.

Chrissie Dawn Leopard

I thought I would title this post this way because when you were little and people asked you your name you would tell them your full name, so wish I could write it how you used to say it. You only have a few more days for this to be your full name, how bittersweet that is. In less than a week you will be Mrs. Chrissie Dawn Hux.
There's hundreds of thoughts, feelings, emotions all going on at one time right now. Thoughts of how time sure flies and how I wish I had a video of your entire life to relive. Thoughts of how this is how life is supposed to be...bring up your children in such a way that they are fully capable of living life on their own. Feelings that want to hang on to you and call all of this off while at the same time feeling like it can't get here soon enough, just so full of excitement. Emotions that make me want to laugh and burst out in tears while feeling a sense of woe is me yet woohoo this is my life. Craziness!! I can't promise Michael much about the future and what's to come but I can promise him he will never be bored. You have kept us hopping between dance classes, gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball, sleepovers or lack of sleepovers. You have attacked life with such passion and energy and that's just what you are going to need as a minister's wife especially to students. Wow are they gonna be blessed.
These months of planning have flown by and now here we are with the big day staring us in the face. The planning has been so much fun made easy by friends who have really come forth acting out their friendship not just with words but with action. You must feel so loved, I know I do and tremendously blessed. God has put so many special people in our lives.
Meetings over flowers and reception menu, decorations and music, looking at dozens and dozens of bridesmaids dresses parties and showers galore and on and on and on...what a blast it has been with you. You have been so focused on the things that really matter, having a worshipful wedding that glorifies only one person, Jesus Christ, and having a marriage and ministry that points everyone to Him, the source of true life.
I could not be more thankful that you are my daughter. Not only are you stunning in that wedding dress but you take my breath away when I think of what a godly young woman you have become. There were so many roads you could have chosen from your young teen years on and you chose His way. You have done it His way and He has poured out the blessings. Now He's giving you a ministry with young girls to give them a visual of how it pays off to do life God's way and you are going to be fabulous at it.
I'm going to try my best and control the tears when you come walking down that aisle but no promises. I can't wait to see Michael's face, bet he's gonna cry. Watching you walk that aisle in that gorgeous white gown that's almost as pure as you are, recite those vows to your groom, and see if your Dad can get through it is going to make for some kind of wedding day.
That platform will be full of people who have invested in your life. Some all of your life and others maybe just months. All of them love you and care for you but none more than your 5 family members on that stage with you. I am so blessed to have that front row view: your Dad trying to get through it like it's any other wedding, your brothers standing proud watching their new brother come into the family and that girl to your left who you've shared clothes, shoes, advice, breakup tears, new relationship fun and countless other things now shares in the most special day of all. Always told you that when friends fade and move on the fam would always be there and they will be. Stephen always referred to us as "just the 6 of us". There will be many more sharing in this day but none will have those same snapshots going through their heads all day of the "just 6 of us" times of family time, some thrilling, some painful but we got through all of it together. Saturday, "just the 6 of us" will turn into "the 7 of us" and none of us could be more thrilled. Michael is everything I ever promised you was "out there somewhere". That boy stormed into our lives more like a "hurricane" than a "gator" (sorry Michael) and none of us could help falling in love with him. He probably still has no clue what all he is getting into with joining up with us but we can promise him that it will always be busy and full steam ahead, that's just the way the Leopards do life...all out or nothing at all.
As for the marriage, you just keep loving the Lord and focusing on Him and He is going to create the wife He has called you to be. Remember...Michael's job is not to meet every desire and need that you have. There are needs that God has reserved for only Himself to meet. Michael will be your husband, he will fail you at times for he is human. He is not your Savior and he is not to be your God. Love him and be quick to forgive. Be quick to listen and slow to criticize. Let him lead and submit to him. He won't be perfect but neither will you. Hold your tongue at times, words are hard to take back. Pray for him constantly, even if you are tattling on him for God to do a work. Marriage takes work daily. It calls for sacrifice and loyalty. Know that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. As you both grow and change, make sure that you are both growing in your relationship with your Father and He will continue to grow you together. You have an amazing ministry life ahead of you. Pray that God will protect that, Satan doesn't mess with the disobedient and lazy. He attacks those with passion and a heart for God so you pray for that man. Love him, trust him, pray for him, follow him. Do marriage God's way and there will be blessings there as well.
Our promise as your family is to pray like crazy for both of you and love you probably more than you can stand. We promise to cheer you on and stay out of your way most of the time. We promise to trust God to lead and direct you and not ourselves. Go and be blessed as husband and wife knowing that we are 100 percent supporting you. As you leave our nest to fulfill God's plan for your life know that it's all good. You are marrying well. We are thrilled to our marrow for you both. Stay snuggled close in your husband's arms and even closer to your Father. We bless you and love you!

Oh the tears are beginning to flow...

I love when God teaches me things about people and relationships because I'm a relationship crazy person. He's done a lot of it lately. Sometimes there are painful lessons, some maybe I'd rather not have to learn but they're necessary. Sometimes they are encouraging things. I try to learn even from the negative, you know when you know people and you think "Lord help me not to act like that or react like that or respond to others in that way". Or you know people that you definitely don't want your kids to grow up and be like so you use that to aid your parenting style as well as people that you think "wow would love for my kids to turn out like that or I pray I respond as well as so and so did". I've known plenty of adults who whether they can afford things or not buy it because they just have to have it...wants become needs. They have to have bigger and better and newer than everyone else. I guess my kids pay for that in a way because it makes me more intentional in teaching them the difference between wants and needs and giving rather than receiving.
He's taught me some things about a couple of people lately. He's taught me a lot through wedding planning...
I'm so glad that Chrissie is focused on having a wedding that is worshipful and Christ-centered and not all about attention on herself. She's never liked being the center of attention anyway so a large wedding causes her a bit of anxiety. She's much more about the marriage and ministry with Michael than one particular day that revolves around her. She hasn't had one moment of being a bridezilla, which I wouldn't be able to stand, her attitude has been much more "that's fine, whatever". I've seen her stay focused on what's really important even when some hiccups came and she could have said "who's wedding is this anyway".
We've also learned a lot about our soon to be son-in-law. I hope every godly young woman out there will hold out for a man like him. He's wise WELL beyond his years and so focused on Christ it's just hard to throw him, such faith and faithfulness. We spent some time with him this summer in Orlando and took him with us to Disney. Listen, we picked him up early one morning, went to 3 parks that day in blazing heat then some rain which then made it so humid, made him lead the way because he knows those parks like his own hand. We were exhausted. We sat down to eat dinner at 11pm, yes 11:00 at night eating dinner (Michael eats often and his dinner hour I'm sure is not that late)!! Eddie and I talked when we got back to the hotel about the fact that Michael was exactly the same ALL day. Sitting there that night worn out, famished, and drenched from sweat, Michael was just like he was early that morning and all throughout the day...cheerful, talkative, positive. Now you just can't fake that folks. Chrissie said he was like that all last summer working with him. No matter the workload, stress, complaining of others, he was always the same and you can't fake that all summer. Chrissie grinned and said yea it's annoying at times haha. Said it before, he is the real deal.
I'm so excited for them and what I know God is going to do through their ministry together. I'm trying so hard to blog them a wedding post but the tears are flowing so much right now I don't know how I'll do it. I was riding home from the gym today listening to O How He Loves Us and burst into tears. I rode up to where their reception will be and just bawled my eyes out as I thought about the day upon us. Yea I got looks, don't really care. Noone seemed to care enough to ask me if I was ok. so there. Trust me I'm not crying because I'm sad she's getting married, well maybe a little, but more over how faithful God is. He really does love us sooooo. She's dated some godly young men and had godly dating relationships and she so deserves all of this. Michael Hux you are getting one pure bride who has waited all her life for you and we are thrilled that we all serve a God who is so faithful and rewarding. You both deserve one another and that's a compliment.

Monday Morning Perspective

Yesterday we were so blessed that our schedule in Atlanta allowed us to go to church at North Point. For those of you who don't know, that is Andy Stanley's church. They have several campuses and since we were staying in Alpharetta we attended that campus. What an awesome service!! As we usually do when we get to visit a new place we toured ourselves around after the service...very cool facility. They also have a bookstore and the Leopards can never pass that up so we did some shopping as well for some good Christian lit.
Andy Stanley was there but taking time off from preaching. I was a little bummed at first but not for long. Justin brought the Word in a powerful way, very visual which was especially good for me.
They are in a series called More, how practical in our day. He used the story of Jacob and Esau and how Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. I always thought that was just incredibly ridiculous but the way Justin unpacked it, it's easy to see how we do the same thing every day. We trade our tomorrows for today all the time. He talked about our appetites for more stuff, to be affirmed, to be liked. The problem with appetites is they have the power to control us and they can never be satisfied. We want the Best, the Latest, and More of it. Our appetites make us trade the word want for need. Esau allowed a current and temporary appetite to be greater than his future and in that moment everything changed. It would not be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau but it would be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He said we trade big things for small things all the time...
Spending time with family for more time at work.
Good health for junk food.
Financial security for stuff we don't need.
Great marriage for winning an argument.
Great relationships for the need to be right.
A pure and godly marriage one day for sexual immorality now.
And we are great at justifying all for a bowl of stew. We don't have the discipline to say no to the temptations of life now to have a better future.
Without a clear picture of what we want our future to look like we will settle for whatever makes you feel good at the moment.
Couldn't help but think of our younger generation. Oh if they would just think how the people they choose to date and hang with now are affecting their futures. The choices they make when they are young are going to affect their future spouse and children and maybe even cost them relationships to come. It goes back to what Duffy said one year at Student Life, "think backwards...if I do this what could happen". Powerful message and so thankful to have heard it. As David Revelle says a lot, what does all of this (petty little stuff) matter in light of eternity. We are definitely a people with our eyes on the now and so often trading the awesome stuff God has for our future for the crappy little stuff we focus on today. So thankful He is a God of mercy and redemption.

Monday Morning Perspective

How do you comment on a Lord's Supper service...you really don't so I won't. Except to say it was a beautiful service with a passionate, powerful message by our pastor that was truly convicting, which most of you know by now is my favorite kind of message. I will follow this one up later because I was struck by how Eddie began the message with asking, "do you think you are important? Do you think you are a VIP?" I thought that was very interesting in light of some things God has been doing in my life and teaching me and as you also know I try to be honest and open even though it bites me at times. Honest and real is just my way and it probably won't change ;)!! Have a blessed Monday and remember to take full advantage of that access we have straight to the Throne!!

Happy Birthday John Michael

Wow, 17!!! That just seems so wierd, so old. Guess cause you are the baby, not a baby, the baby. Don't get mad at the title, enjoy it.
Just couldn't let the day pass without saying that I'm amazed by you. I'm so proud of the young man that you have become despite the extra spoiling of being the baby in the fam. You have such a good head on your shoulders and a solid foundation. Your faith and discipline is to be admired and will carry you far. Keep your eyes and heart focused on Christ, the author and Perfector of your faith and the path ahead will be blessed. I love you a ton. You have brought much joy and some of my most precious memories. Your sense of humor is unmatched.
I'm praying not only a great birthday for you but a great birthyear. May God bless you beyond anything you can imagine in the coming year and may you follow Him closer than ever.
The Gamecocks gave you a National Championship right on your birthday (midnight, how much fun was that), really don't know how we can compete with that one. Just receive that gift and we will all enjoy it. Love you sweet boy and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Go Cocks!!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

As for blogging...sometimes God tells me to share things that may be helpful to others and sometimes He makes me keep things to myself. I'm thrilled when it helps others because I love to read other blogs, they help me as well. Sometimes when I read others, just like with sermons, it can be convicting or encouraging. I always like it when it steps on my toes a bit. Most of the stuff I do is either for fun or what God is doing in my life. I don't write with the intent of what it may mean to others, but what God is pointing out in my own life. I love hearing back from so many, we can all learn from one another. Enough said...
Bridal portrait setting...so wish I could put all of those pics on here from yesterday, but no way. I can't risk the groom to be seeing them. Trust me, they are gorgeous. They were all outside and it was 99 degrees!! We were praying for mercy and occassionally God sent a cool breeze. Very thankful for the ability to erase the sweat from the brow by our photographer. It was such a sweet time, but very surreal. Just can't believe this time has come. I am so grateful that I love that groom to be, makes all of this so much more fun.
Beach Camp...we leave tomorrow with our students for camp at Garden City. Absolutely can't wait. Been doing this with our students for 15 years now and we love it as much as the kids. We are taking our staff college students to serve so pray for them, so thrilled that they were so willing. Howards and Revelles will be with us, love our students getting to know our ministers. Jake of course will be there for our kids. We will have someone coming in to lead worship and Eddie will be camp pastor. Pray for all of us as we seek to minister to our students and may all of us leave a little, or a lot, healthier than we go.
Appreciate so many of you who have been praying for us, those who are always supportive and encouraging. We know that God has called us to serve and I promise you we do that as best we can. I'm sure it's not always the way some think it should be but from the bottom of my heart, we are seeking Christ and His leadership with all that we have and our heart's desire is to follow Him. Love to all and may we never miss opportunities He brings our way.

The wicked will not prevail

God has been pounding it in my head lately that HE IS IN CONTROL, not the people who think they are. It's amazing what a power people we are. We want control over things that don't even have anything to do with us. We are on a major ego trip...how can that be for God's people?
Along with this He has also been showing me that He most definitely will take care of His children who are living in obedience to Him and submission to Him. He will watch over those who do not have SELF on the throne, looking out for what is best for themselves instead of what is best for all.
Psalm 94 tells me that He will deal with injustice. He will discipline His people who need it in His own time.
I know He will deal with liars and gossips. He will deal with those who manipulate and deceive. He will deal with those who talk out of both sides of their mouth. He will deal with the fakes, the phonies, the pretenders. Judges shows us the cycle of living in and out of sin. It shows us God's displeasure with it and His judment on it. It tells us that the bar isn't set at "well we're better than we used to be, we've come a long way, or we're trying to change". Jesus Christ is the standard, He is where the bar is set and cycling in and out of sin and excusing our sin for any and every reason isn't the answer.
May we as God's people repent, turn, humble ourselves and pray. May we get healthy and strong. May we watch our intake and that will solve many of our actions. May we guard our hearts and most definitely our mouths. May we live differently than the rest of the world so there's no doubt we are on God's side and not the side of self.
So thankful to be seeing much of His work lately. The more we get to know Him intimately, the more we learn about His character, how He works, and what displeases Him. May we seek to know Him, not about Him, but know HIM that we might strive to please Him in ALL that we do. May we be careful not to compartmentalize our lives and hold out on Him. May we let Him have it all (hot) or turn and go our own way (cold). We do know He hates lukewarmness.

A Lesson for today as well

I've been in Judges the past month or so. Have to admit I ventured in wondering why Judges. It's amazing how God speaks through His word and in such a timely fashion. I love how He gives us what we need when we need it if we are intentionally pursuing Him and chasing hard after His way.
This morning I was in chapter 12. Israel had just won a great battle, but instead of joy, there was pettiness and quarreling. Ephraim was an unhappy tribe. They were angry and jealous. Why??? Oh, because they were not invited to join the fighting ALTHOUGH Jephthah said he HAD invited them. Hmmmmm. Insulting others and being jealous are not right responses when we feel left out. Seeking revenge for an insult is just as wrong and very costly.
Ok, well this isn't so hard to apply even if it is in the Old Testament. How often are things going so well and God is working and doing great things and yet not all of His people can be happy about it. We quarrel among ourselves. We choose petty things to complain about probably because we are looking for a complaint. We side up with others because we know they are unhappy too and will quarrel along with us. We are jealous because we are not included in a particular thing and instead of being joyful that God is working in it we get focused on ourselves and become a cancer. And by the way, Ephraim was invited. How often to we listen to the wrong people and the story isn't just tweaked it's a bold face lie and by the way exaggeration is a form of lying. I know it's just easier because it goes right along with our flesh and we just give way to it. It's so much harder to fight those feelings and allow God to show us our sin and wrongdoing and allow Him to change us. I never cease to be amazed at who is willing to side up with the devil and then not even have eyes to see it. We are a blessed people!! We are His people!! We are children of the Most High God and we should be about acting like it. God give us discernment in who we side with and who we trust and let's get on with making a difference where God has placed us and BE JOYFUL!! Andy Stanley said it best..."we are in a race, time is running out. We need to be about reaching people not necessarily keeping people. There's work to do and we won't get it done whining about what is good for us and what we want".

Monday Morning Perspective

What a great Father's Day message yesterday!! Eddie made four very good points about Hall of Fame Dads...
1. They have a strong faith in God. He pointed out the treasure of a godly heritage while also pointing out that if we didn't have that we can be the one to start it for our family. Our Christian influence long outlives us!!
2. They have a vibrant relationship with God. Loved the statement that "God can't talk with us if we don't walk with Him". How true!!
3. They have a holy fear of God. It's so important that we learn to fear Him rather than fear what others think...working daily on achieving this one.
4. They produce fruit. Noah didn't do anything that the world would consider successful but God sure thought he was.
Everywhere we look we see the need for Christian men to stand up and lead the way in making a difference for Christ. My prayer is that in the coming days we would see more and more men more concerned with the things of God and what God's views on success are than the way the world views success. At the same time may the women in their lives submit and follow their lead, loving them and praying for them constantly. Blessings!!!