Soothing words on Forgiveness

Found this Henri Nouwen quotation in two different places recently. Maybe that's 'a sign' nudging me to share...


"Forgiving does not mean forgetting. When we forgive a person, the memory of the wound might stay with us for a long time, even throughout our lives. Sometimes we carry the memory in our bodies as a visible sign. But forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of attention, our friends for their unfaithfulness in crisis, our doctors for their ill advice, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events we had no control over.

Forgiveness allows us to claim our own power and not let these events destroy us; it enables them to become events that deepen the wisdom of our hearts. Forgiveness indeed heals memories."

~~

Your thoughts?

~~~

Sunday heart warmer~

Now, this will warm your heart from the inside out~

Did I tell ya?

~~~

Prayer for Tuesday, Nov. 2

My friend Joe gave me permission to use this wonderful prayer. I offer it today as a means of supplication, as a path to meditation, as a way of finding peace in the midst of anxiety. Perhaps you'd like to join me?

Father, you have given us a great nation, a great land and a great responsibility.

As we prepare for Tuesday's elections, we ask for your guidance, your strength and your wisdom to select the people who will move this country in the direction intended by its founders, as revealed in their very writings.

Help us to seek Your will and Your way, to conduct ourselves with grace and aplomb so as to bear a great witness for you, even as we decide the direction our great land takes.

Whatever happens Tuesday, help us remember that You are in control, even when our finite minds cannot see You at work.

May we be submitted to You, grateful to You and committed to You without reservation.

It is Jesus' precious and wonderful Name that I pray.

Amen.

~~

...and amen.

~~~

Musical Interlude...

Hi friends~
I'm writing little snippets in other places, thus today's post.

I was inspired by Z's blog a few days ago. So Z, this is for you, sweet one!

Jesus loves us, this we know.

~~~

Best laid plans of mortals & Kings.

I like order. I like to have a plan & know what to expect. I’m not great at flying by the seat of my pants. It’s one of those weaknesses I have to work on every so often…like today.

See, I was asked to deliver the “Congregational Prayer” during our Praise & Worship service this morning. Today was “Christ the King” Sunday, the close of the Christian calendar: a day set aside for proclaiming the Kingship of Christ. Established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, it was designed to counter the rise of atheism & secularism that was absorbing early 20th century Europe. (Sounds like our current culture, no?) So our Pastor focused on ‘Christ the King,’ blending in touches of the Thanksgiving holiday, & needed a prayer to mesh, at least loosely, with his outline.

Back to my penchant for order…As is my nature, I had pre-written a prayer, weaving in elements of the chosen scripture (John 18:33-37) & Thanksgiving. In my haste to get out of the house though (failing at promptness - another weakness), I left my scripted prayer at the laptop, waiting to be printed.

My first thought when I realized what I had done? ‘No time to turn back now! I’ll have to wing it.’

Then came the corollary, “Maybe you’ll just have to trust my Holy Spirit for the words, Sus. Hmmm?”

So, we struck a deal, God & me. I would improvise, uncomfortable as that is, & He would supply the Prayer. (Didn’t have a choice really, late as I was.) But also, I’m learning some very important things about my God: my weakness is immaterial to Him, in fact it's when I am weak that He is strong. And, when He says He’ll be there, I can count on it.

So the time for our prayer came, & so did the words. It opened quietly with ½ of a verse of “Come Ye Thankful People Come,” a capella, then flowed into words coming from nowhere. I don’t remember exactly what they were (not that it was enraptured spiritual amnesia or anything). But the words I do remember were exactly what my heart needed (& perhaps the hearts of others?) on this day; at this time when so much is uncertain, & the powers-that-be seem out of hand.

The words were something like this: Christ Jesus is the King of kings, & He is my King. No person, no group & no Government can supercede His authority in my life…Christ Jesus is my only King &, Glory Hallelujah, that’s all that really matters.

Amen?

Amen.

So, I just have to ask. Who is your King?



Do you know Him?

~~~

Help Is On the Way: Michael W. Smith

Okay, so today has been a great day.

This weekend has been great. My husband surprised me with - get this - children staying with his dear parents, and tickets to a Michael W. Smith concert last night: 7th row!

It. Was. Fabulous!

The concert included Phil Stacey (American Idol), Matt Maher & Meredith Andrews.

I wish that I could convey the bigness of the sound, the energy of the music, the intimacy of the lyrics & the palpable movement of the Holy Spirit. Be assured, dear friends, that it was BIG!

These two videos (2 of my favorites from last night) can't convey all that, but they can sure give a peek.
Enjoy!





I am so thankful to have been a part of that experience, & I thank my dear, generous, thoughtful husband for giving it to us.

I believe people's hearts were moved in that room last night.
I believe healings of all kinds took place, & people left different than they came.
I believe people tasted the sweet pelting of Healing Rain & know, truly, that Help is On The Way.

I believe this happened;
I know it's true, because I'm one of them.
Glory Hallelujah!

~~~

Times like these invite do-overs...

I don't normally have do-overs @ Get the Big Idea. However, this seemed to be the day for it.

Below is a piece that I shared with you in early June. Every so often, I dust it off & tinker with the words some. Today, I just needed to read it, & share it. Again.

Be still & know, friends. Be still & know.


...from June 6, 2009...

Psalter Song

Gracious Lord, you are my God.

In the midst of tumult,

You impart stillness.

In the face of staggering, pernicious testimony of evil

You are Righteousness.

When the scythe of grief rakes your children’s flesh,

You are the emollient assuaging the slashed and torn places.

Holy, merciful God, I stand in need of deliverance.

My soul craves Your liberty.

My arid spirit longs for deep and sure relief;

Your refreshment slakes my thirst.

I trudge through self-poured mire, and

Your Grace lifts.

Your mercy cleanses.

You restore your humble creation.

You are my reward, the depth and source of my joy.

You are Provider.

Redemption.

Holy, mighty God, you are consummate Authority.

You, merciful Lord, are perfect Peace.

You, oh God,

are my all and only

Hope.

~~~

Independence Day

Happy Day~ Fourth of July!

The day we celebrate our Nation's Independence...Our family did traditional American style. It's what we want to teach our children; to be American. We celebrated with lots of fun, lots of family & food, & plenty of sunshine. And into the night with fireworks to boot! Today has been a great day!

Still, I'm exquisitely aware of the freedom we enjoy - to play, to laugh & to pursue our own happy times. Yet there's a part of my heart that reserves sorrow for the direction our nation is taking. There's a wariness of the future & (dare I say it?) a fear of my own countrymen who are at the helm of my great nation, knowing not what they're steering, having not the slightest notion of what they're systematically destroying... And yet the destruction has been a long time coming - since before my birth, anyway.

Then, God help us. If I know the truth about my nation, & I came up through the ranks of public school propaganda & this deteriorating culture of ours...If I know, then surely there are others who know, who're willing to speak, who're willing to act. God. Please help my nation.

And now the fireworks are done. There's a lonely crack or two in the distance, breaking into the tunes of frog & cricket choruses outside my window. There are those who are still celebrating. But for me, it's time to lay my head down. I'm thankful that I lay it down in peace, in comfort, in safety, for I live in America.

And so I pray: Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray Thee, Lord, my nation to keep. If She should die before I wake; I pray Thee, Lord, Her soul to take. Preserve Her, Lord, for futures to come. Lead Her back toward freedom's throne. For those who come after me, Oh Lord, please draw them to Wisdom's knee. Let them learn what we've forgot; that our country's banner is not for naught.

God bless my family. God bless my people. God bless my country, my precious America.

~~~

The assurance of things hoped for...

Today I was reminded that all parents, at one time or another, struggle w/ a common theme: Is what I'm doing for my children making an impact? Is what I do for them going to benefit them in the long run? Have I made the right choices for them, for our family? Never are these struggles any more piercing than when our child (or we ourselves) are in some kind of crisis. We question ourselves & second guess every move made (or at least I do).

But even in the day to day, these parent-struggles can plague our lives, sucking the joy out of our ordinary. Because after all, life is lived & true joy is found in the ordinary. Our lives are not meant to be Disney all the time. We human beings are not built for that. We can't take it - would that we could ask Michael Jackson; he'd likely agree. God rest his poor, tortured soul.

No, life is to be savored in the plain-old. That's the biggest thing I've had to learn (& the thing our society values least) from being a stay @ home mom. I've also learned that maybe it's wise to rest knowing that if we've made clear conscience decisions with all the wisdom we can muster, & given the rest to God, all will be well, eventually.

Several years ago I chose to give up my career to be that SAHM. Mind you, I'm a Master's Level educated, fully licensed professional (my ego still requires I tell you that), so this was not an easy decision: am I doing the right thing for my children? for myself? What about my education? What about our family's best interests? I've second-guessed it several times, especially when the challenges of rearing 3 very active, bright, busy children, & 'building' our home were a bit too much to carry. When we were still such a young family, shortly after the big decision, I was privileged to catch a glimpse of the Big Picture. I'll share it with you:

7-30-03 "Big boy is @ my parents. Husband, little boy & baby are all asleep upstairs. The house is quiet. It's early, but not that early. That's just it. It's not all that early, & yet I can come down in my PJ's, leave my babies sleeping comfortably in their beds. No rush to get out the door; no urgency to meet a schedule which is unnatural to our family's rhythm. Just a quiet, restful family rhythm. I love days like this.

It has been raining, which is why they're sleeping a little later than usual. ...And so it begins - Husband asks for slacks to be ironed. He has a schedule - and I help him, of course. But no such schedule imposed on my little sleepy heads. They'll have a lifetime of schedules that the world will impose, and they can choose which ones they'll abide. But not now, not as babies, not when the world is so new, not when it's my job to let them just be who they are, & grow into who they're supposed to be.

There will be times when I'll spend money more freely, move about more freely doing my own thing. But that's not these days. These days are for them; and me. These days are to be sure they're solid, secure, healthy & balanced. These days are for babies snuggled in their beds, still sleeping at 7:30 on a rainy weekday morning. I love days like this."

...because, there is a Big Picture, friends. And what JOY is found there - in the ordinary-ness of it, the plain-oldness of it! We forget so easily that JOY, because we so seldom are out from ourselves long enough to catch those glimpses.

Many times since that piece was written, I questioned - again - my decisions. I believe that's normal. And I also believe that's where faith comes in.

Faith: the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith: a gift from God, not of ourselves. Not sure we have enough? Pray. Ask for more. And let's be assured that the things (& people) who hold our hopes are in the hands of the One who holds us all.

~~~

Sunday faith: For such a time as this.

Hi friends~

Recent events have me falling back on poetry today. My precious friend said just yesterday, "I could get so down thinking of the peril of these times & our poor children's future. But if the going gets tough, we'll go it together."

I can't tell you what it means to have her friendship in times like these. It is so very comforting to know others who share my concerns, are there to help shoulder the burden of it, & are willing to stand & fight when it's time for such.

My friend's words & a phone call w/ my sweet Lisa brought this piece to my mind. It is original; coming to me in differing drafts over the years. But please know I am not a poet. It just seems appropriate for such a time as this.

Psalter Song

Gracious Lord, you are my God.
In the midst of tumult,
You impart stillness.
In the face of staggering, pernicious testimony of evil
You are Righteousness.

When the scythe of grief rakes your children’s flesh,
You are the emollient assuaging the slashed and torn places.

Holy, merciful God, I stand in need of deliverance.
My soul craves Your liberty.

My arid spirit longs for deep and sure relief;
Your refreshment slakes my thirst.
I trudge through self-poured mire, and
Your Grace lifts.
Your mercy cleanses.
You restore your humble creation.

You are my reward, the depth and source of my joy.

You are Provider.
Redemption.
Holy, mighty God, you are consummate Authority.
You, merciful Lord, are perfect Peace.
You, oh God,
are my all and only
Hope.

~~~

Sunday Inspiration: Remain in My Love

Hi friends~
It's Sunday night here, but here's how my day started:

John 15:9-17
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I
chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

...& the prayer that was laid on my heart with it:

"Oh Lord, help us to open our eyes, our ears, our hearts, our spirits to Your Love.
You are closer than our next breath–always–and yet we can’t or don’t seem to remember that.
Lord, forgive our willfulness, our forgetfulness.
Give us hearts that remember your love for us.
Give us spirits that are aware of Your Spirit & wills that choose obedience.
Help us to remain in Your presence & not get distracted so easily.
For it’s in You that we find true Joy, true Hope, & divine Rest for our weary souls.
Help us to remain in Your love & walk in the words You taught us to pray..."

May this part of His Word & these words be a blessing to your heart.

~~~

National Day of Prayer: Part II

“Obama Sits out National Day of Prayer as Millions Pray for him.”

So said the title of an article I saw while researching this. I’ve already done the piece that tags him for it…but just, if you will, read that line one more time & let the irony sink in…

Let me be clear. Mr. Obama is not the end-all-be-all to the spiritual life of our nation. Far from it. What is the hope for our nation’s spiritual health? It certainly isn’t with our political leaders, though they can lend credence, or not, to what average folk are trying to live.

Allow me to share a bit of what Beth Moore said in a NDofP promotional video. She says,

“We are people that are in trouble, we are people that are vulnerable. We are people that are no longer secure in ourselves, but there is an answer. And prayer is the way we seek that answer. Our security & our hope is in our God, & our God is still with us. His question to us today is are we still with Him?"

Addressing a crowd of thousands on the Capitol grounds, Mrs. Moore focused on four themes for times of crisis.

* "Look at what God has already done," she said. "Look at his Word from Genesis to Revelation and think as wide and broad as you can and petition God to show his power," Moore said, "the way he did for Abraham, Paul, Silas, Timothy…"

* "One day of corporate prayer offered in sincerity, unity and humility can have a titanic effect, not only to the immediacy of need, but for generations to come," Moore said. "Our nation does not need us to lose our faith, even when there are those who vehemently oppose us. They are
greatly affected by our prayers; they just don't know that. We've got to resist cynicism and defeatism."

* "God esteems a faithful remnant. Let the remnant pray like crazy, and they will be heard," she said. "No one and nothing can keep us from revival, but we ourselves."

* "God holds his people responsible for righteousness, not results. The moment you & I obey God, we are a success!" she said.

Be encouraged, friends. As Mrs. Moore said, God "has not given up on this nation. We're not in a godforsaken world, after all. As the remnant cries out, he hears us!"

And I believe her. More importantly, I believe HIM! God has not forsaken us, dear friends. Believe with me, & let us claim ourselves that faithful remnant.

Claim it; then live it!

God esteems faithfulness, obedience.

We are to be obedient.

We are to be faithful.

We are to PRAY LIKE CRAZY!!

Join me?

~~~

Obama diminishes National Day of Prayer

So this is where the rubber meets the road, friends.

If you don’t believe that secularists in government are pushing God out of the public square, then here you have it from the horse's mouth himself. President Obama – secularist - has taken it upon himself to disengage himself & his staff from Official Observance of the National Day of Prayer .

Established in 1952, by the Truman administration, then strengthened & fashioned into an honored tradition by subsequent Presidents, the National Day of Prayer is marked by a myriad events throughout the nation’s capitol on the 1st Thursday in May each year. The White House has traditionally marked the day with an interfaith service somewhere on the grounds, but not Mr. Obama's White House. Not only is the White House stepping away from it, they’re not even sending a scout from the Executive Team to the main event on Capitol Hill, according to CNN’s Kristi Keck . Here's how low this goes: even during the Clinton Administration, task-force leaders held low-profile observances, including some at Lafayette Park across the street from the White House.

Mr. Obama’s reasoning for dismissing the National Day of Prayer?

~ Pause ~

(I can hear the Lefties squealing all the way from here…*sigh*…So, yes; this morning after rolling out of bed & eating his Wheaties, Mr. O signed a piece of paper saying it’s National Prayer Day. Okay. So?)

~ Back to my point:

The President’s Press Secretary says that prayer is a private matter to Mr. O. Indeed it can be; but herein lies my problem… Our President can publicly bow (with the WORLD watching) to a Saudi King (who has zero investment in America’s welfare), but can’t publicly bow his head to God Almighty, whose very name appears (for now) on our currency & Who we (for now) acknowledge in our pledge of national allegiance? Can Mr. O not even send a member of his Exec. Staff to the Capitol as a proxy? Isn’t there even a Page, an intern or an elementary-school-kid-on-a-field-trip who can skip over to the Capitol & at least grab a biscuit off the buffet while Beth Moore says a prayer?

If our Nation’s executive office eschews observance of the day our nation sets aside for recognizing the power of prayer, then why should we get involved? If our secularist President -- whose every move is as choreographed as it is scrutinized -- doesn’t think his country & her people’s public acknowledgement of God is worth even a few minutes of silence in the Rose Garden, well, then why should we care?

And that’s my point. Exactly.

The rubber has met the road, friends. I think there may be skid marks.

~~~

For such a time as this...

Hi friends~

I started this blog because of Sarah Palin. Not because she's a smart, lovely woman who had a meteoric rise in politics. Rather, that she gave me hope that the voices of millions of conservative women (including mine) would finally be heard on women's issues. She gave me hope that conservative women could now join in the Women's Conversation of our time, & that the Left would no longer monopolize "issues that women care about." Get the Big Idea sprang forth - for better or worse - & then big ideas began to build. At the risk of sounding quirky (again...) I believe that God continued to whisper through "Read My Lipstick", "The Big Ben Silent Minute"& other small incidents.

Then, remember a few weeks back, when I found myself at a loss for words? I have continued find myself at a loss for words in recent weeks, not really knowing where this is going...where the proverbial ball of this-season-in-my-life is rolling. I know God has a perfect plan, but I'm a little fuzzy on the particulars lately, & that gets a little uncomfortable from time to time. (Can anyone relate?)

Here's the thing about trusting God, the notion that He has designed each of us for this generation, for this very time in history, for His purpose: I get it with my head (& occasionally I really get it), but when the details get blurred by life, trusting can take on a certain gritting of the soul. It's in these times that I find myself surprised by the tenderness of God's voice (like in the Dec. piece). Sometimes I find myself waiting, only to learn that "being still & knowing, staying & resting" is the point. And even if I don't see clearly, God is there; always moving & working toward His purpose for my life. And - if I pay attention & listen - I just may catch a vapor of His Spirit passing over me.

One such vapor passed me two days ago. I've had a desire to be in a study, & I've certainly been seeking God's purpose. On the "upcoming studies" table @ church, the Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman study nearly leaped off the table into my arms. I know Esther's story: a woman who had a destiny; & even when she seemed powerless, God used her toward a profound purpose.

I signed up immediately. If anyone can teach about purpose, it's Esther! This was God's gift to me, & I know the Word will speak about living "for such a time as this."
Here's the promo video:

Beth Moore's Esther, Web Promo from LifeWay on Vimeo.

God is continuing to work, friends, in the seen & unseen. I know it. We all are here "for such a time as this." We all have a voice & God intends to use it!

~~~

Epiphany 2009

Epiphany: 1) the Christian festival commemorating the showing of Jesus to the Magi, celebrated on January 6th (Oxford Amer.); 2) a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (Merriam Webster).

Today is 'Epiphany' - per definition #1.

I trust that everyone has had a full and Joyous Christmas season & a Happy ringing-in of 2009! It has been a while since I've posted, but Christmastime around our house is - well - busy & full. (Many of my die-hard blogging friends haven't missed a stroke of the keyboard. I'm amazed at their stamina...I must confess, I can only multi-task just so many things! If you've happened back by this blog, I'm GLAD you're here. If you're here for the first time, the same goes.)

Back to Epiphany.

Last week, I was reading Jerry Bledsoe's The Gift of Angels. Jerry Bledsoe is a North Carolina writer; a "local". He's well known for his chilling 'true crime' stuff, but this book is a poignant story of his adult search for a childhood friend. As the prelude to the book's "part 2", he quotes part of the Prayer of St. Francis . I've seen & read this prayer before, but for some reason, I was struck in a new way as I read these words,

"...Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive..."

I'll call my being 'struck' an epiphany (definition #2). See, I've read & even prayed this prayer before. But in 2009, and today on Epiphany, I'm moved to try & live it. No short order, I don't think. It'll take a lot of other prayer to try to live this one.

I guess that's what my epiphany was: to try & live each day with a deeper trust & understanding that Christ has come, is here among us, & is ever-present. That I'm seeking Him. And, to celebrate - not just on January 6th, but every day - that when I seek Him, He will be found. Hallelujah!

But, isn't that the point of Epiphany anyway? The Wise Men, the Magi, trusted & understood that Emmanuel was a reality, & they sought Him sight unseen. And He was found.

Praise be to God!

~~~

Advent Prayer

Lately friends, I’ve found myself a bit at a loss for words, not really knowing how to pray for some things. Several years ago, I learned from Beth Moore (& others) to go to the living, breathing Word of God, asking Him to give me words for prayer.

Three days ago, my Pastor invited me to deliver the morning prayer for the second Sunday in Advent. Having no idea what words would even begin to form that prayer, I said yes. Not even 30 minutes later, in Praise & Worship rehearsal I learned the following song by “Mercy Me.”


God had given me the start of that prayer. Then later, in a quiet time with Him, God gave me the rest, through His Word:

Dear Holy & Mighty God,
I’m finding myself at a loss for words, & the funny thing is, it’s okay.
The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.

Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain,
Washing my eyes to see Your majesty.
To be still & know that You’re in this place,
Please let me stay & rest, in Your Holiness.
Word of God speak.

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let my foot slip – he who watches over me will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over me – the Lord is my shade at my right hand;
The sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep me from all harm – He will watch over my life;
The Lord will watch over my coming & going, both now & forever more. (Psalm 121)

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government & peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne & over his kingdom,
Establishing & upholding it with justice & righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9: 6-7)

I’m finding myself at a loss for words, & the funny thing is, it’s okay,
The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.

Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain,
Washing my eyes to see Your majesty.
To be still & know that You’re in this place,
Please let me stay & rest, in Your Holiness.
Word of God speak…

Lately, friends, I’ve found myself at a loss for words, but the funny thing is, it’s okay…

Indeed, & amen.

~~~

Thanksgiving.

As like most of us, there are 101 things going on this week.

A few thoughts:

First, how truly amazing to have a week where our whole nation is moving towards an attitude of thankfulness. What a gift and a blessing it is to live in a country that pauses, intentionally, to give thanks to God for all of His blessings to us.

Second, after just having been out of the country, I have to say what a humbling experience it was to pass through US customs to get back. On the way back into Miami, I found myself feeling overwhelmed with the thoughts of again facing the problems that our nation carries right now. I'm one who tends to get burdened by things a bit too much, & the prospect of picking up that burden again (after a brief but fun trip) was almost overwhelming. A few moments before landing back on U.S. soil, I had a little meltdown, during which one of my sweet friends took my hand & said, "No matter how bad things seem here, no matter what's going on in our country, it's still the best place in the whole world to come home to." Then she prayed for me, then I pulled it back together a little bit.

Passing through customs, the passport officer must have seen my emotion, because he cracked a small joke (the likes of which I don't recall). It must have been some questioning of my citizenship, because my answer was, "No sir (with a smile). I'm coming home."

Indeed. I don't know when I've ever loved my country more, than when I called her mine & was welcomed back home to her.

So remember this Thanksgiving, be thankful for the only country in the world that celebrates Thankfulness to God for just being a country! Be thankful that you are citizens of that nation which truly is the best place in the world to come home to.

Personally, I'm deeply thankful for my husband - whose love helps me live & breathe. I'm thankful for our 3 children who are delight & challenge beyond all I could've ever imagined. The gratitude swells up & it is humbling.

Our God is great. Our God is good. He is in control, & I am thankful.

~~~

Hope - Reprise.

Reprise seems to be a pattern here…

You should know I’m taking a break from political things in order to bring this piece to you. Actually, this follows very nicely with 11-07-08, which is the reason I’m writing this here & now.

Friends, there’s a movement afoot. As I see it, the Holy Spirit is on the move; whispering to me , nudging new friends, speaking to my brother – yes, my brother. One of my brothers is planting a church in Hickory, NC. It’s called Christian Fellowship Church (it’s AMIA - Anglican Mission in America).

After the tender mercy that God showed me last week with One True Hope, I received an email link my brother’s Sunday message. The title of it is “Holy Spirit is Where the Hope Is.” I was astounded at the parallel... If you have 15 minutes or so, go to this link & click on the message for 11-9-08. Listen to the message of hope; our one true hope.

Christian Fellowship Church, Hickory, NC

(When you see the picture of the prayer circle, he’s the one seated in the white striped shirt, big nose. I can say this…I have the same nose.)

God is speaking, whispering, nudging, beckoning.

Will we seek His Hope? Will we respond & move forward with courage? Will we see this as our time, knowing that our Hope is trustworthy, dependable, eternal?

“Now is the time for those of us who embody this kingdom to defend the truth, overcome evil with good, and live lives that proclaim and display heaven in the real world.” Steven Curtis Chapman

Hallelujah. Amen.

~~~

Forward we go.

Several weeks ago, my wise friend Betsy reassured me of this truth:

God is in control. He will put us under the authority He chooses within His perfect will, and will work all of it for good! Fear not…!

Ever since, God has been nudging me with other assurances & truths, like how desperately our nation needs to put down arms against itself. Since Bush/Gore 2000, disaffected citizens & media seem to have assumed a solemn duty to tear down the presidency of George W. Bush. It has been vicious, & lately has bled out into other scorned targets. Our national dialogue has decayed to the degree that anger & hatred – real hatred – have become the blinding impetus of an entire social/political movement. It has deteriorated into a national disgrace. Any clear-thinking, honest person would be willing to agree.

Challenging policies & debating platforms is productive & clarifying. But likening your own President to radical, truly evil despots is demoralizing to the esteem of our entire nation. Before you jump to the defense of Michael Moore, the media elite, & even school teachers who allow their students to disrespect the President, know that this opinion isn’t mine alone. Jeffrey Shapiro, investigative reporter, attorney & former intern with John F. Kerry’s 2004 presidential legal team, gives a scathing rebuke of the disgrace that the treatment of President Bush has become.

So, back to assurances…I have worried & wondered what could possibly curb the molten hate which has oozed through our national landscape. The answer has come to me over the past several weeks: a nudge here, a nudge there. As a Presidential loss for John McCain seemed increasingly possible, clouds began to clear in an eerie, strange way. As last night’s results came in, a beam of sad but necessary clarity thrust into my consciousness. I emailed the following to a friend who was scared, sad & worried, “Maybe, just maybe, tonight's results will allow those who are so angry at George W. Bush to finally get it out of their system. Maybe the Left will feel a grand sense of vindication & give themselves the freedom to put down their hatred."

I’m one like Hewlett, NY who believes that President Bush holds in his heart the best interests of our nation. I believe he is a citizen who has done the best he knew how for our country - out of a true patriot's heart - during a terribly difficult season in our history. Agree or disagree, we owe him respect for that. We would all be better & more noble if we could summon that respect, & perhaps attempt to lay down our anger in the process.

So here we are, at the edge of a new time. The historic election is over. The votes have been counted & the message is decisive, thanks be to God. I believe the elasticity of our Republic has been stretched–to-breaking, & I'm not sure it could have withheld much more tension.

In this new day, let’s look to the leader to whom nearly half the electorate gave their vote, “These are difficult times…& I pledge to [Mr. Obama] tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next President our good will & earnest effort. And to find ways to come together to bridge our differences…Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans, & please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.” What a valiant, generous & gracious concession this was. Honorable, noble & just. It is to Senator McCain’s great credit (& to ours) that he is willing, even in defeat, to put his country first.

As I watched that speech last night, my heart was swollen with the sadness & disappointment of losing a hard fought battle, but also filled with the gratitude of knowing that my position was also honorable, noble & just; if not the winner this time. In his generosity, Senator McCain’s words prepared me to receive the next words that would fall on my ear…

I listened intently as I watched President-elect Obama. Throughout this campaign, I’ve been keenly aware of the bitter-sweet paradoxes that he represents. I ‘get’ why so many are drawn to him & inspired by his message. Never was it so clear as last night’s speech, delivered with a measure of humility not before seen in his countenance, & received with that same measure of humility by a throng of deeply grateful citizens. The gravity of the moment, & of history, had truly fallen upon the crowd. They all seemed aware, as I was, of the precious cornerstone of victory over our nation’s troubled past that Mr. Obama’s win signifies. I get that.

So today, I am willing to acquiesce to the authority placed above me, if not to the persuasion of its ideas. I am willing to ride this momentum into the future, not relinquishing principles, but certainly some degree of temporary jurisdiction.

Perhaps as a nation we can muster the courage - as Mr. McCain urges us all to do - to lay aside the penchants that have driven some toward a blinding, life-sapping hatred of our own countrymen. I’m willing to take up Senator McCain’s call. I will respect Mr. Obama, knowing that I stand, as he so finely noted, on the “enduring power of our ideals: Democracy, liberty, opportunity & unyielding hope.” As I do that, I trust that our nation’s character is more elastic, more resilient & greater than the strength of any one man to carry that torch of hope into the future.

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“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:20

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Big Ben Reprise.

Just so you know, friends, if anyone decided to take up the "Big Ben Silent Minute" with me, I'm still at it. Sometimes it's 9:15. Sometimes it's 9:2o. But other times it's actually 9:00. Sometimes I'm by myself, knowing that others are joining in. Sometimes my husband is right there with me, proving it.

I'm trusting that our temporal world doesn't matter to God - our small acts of discipline do. Our seeking His presence & pouring ourselves out for Him matters. Our humbling of ourselves & seeking His wisdom & will is what God desires. Oh Lord, help us to be what You desire.

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