Phewwwyyyyy!

Hello Everyone ~

I have plenty of days I feel like a lousy wife and housekeeper, but every now and then I get the sense that I've done it right that day. Those days usually consist of clean clothes in my husband’s drawer and a luscious aroma from my kitchen, greeting all who enter through the door. I don't know if smells mean that much to other people, but I love things to smell good! A pleasant fragrance gives me the illusion that all is right with the world.

The other day I took my mom and my aunt to a well-known restaurant to celebrate my mom's birthday. The restaurant's rave revues amped up my expectation of the occasion. I couldn't wait to try it!

We pulled into the back lot and the three of us split up to begin our search for the entrance. I wondered down a side corridor to a large wooden door. Through the glass pane I my eye caught sight a stately old fountain surrounded by a charming terrace. I could see the water gently cascading over the sides splashing into the basin below. The late morning sun soaked the space with a happy glow casting gentle shadows from the large tropical plants scattered about. Oh, how lovely. I walked back toward the my dinner partners and yelled, "Hey, I think I found it!" Yeah, we were almost in!

My mom and aunt quickly made their way to my secret side entrance and I pulled open the brown wooden door. Then it hit me...Phhheweyyyy... this place stinks! I'm not sure what instigated the smell. I suppose it could have been the old building or sulfur water or actually who knows what. But all of my information had failed to mention the foul odor that would take your breath away the minute you stepped inside.

Despite my first impression, I must say we did thoroughly enjoy our time there. The food and the service matched its reputation and I would definitely go back, but next time I'll take a deep breath before I enter. (I did notice the smell was worse in that side corridor. When we left I saw an employee spraying room freshener along that hall!)

That experience made such an impression on me it caused me to ask myself, "What smells do I emit when people enter into my life?"On a side note, I have a perplexing question I like to ask people. “If you were meeting the President would you rather look good and smell bad or smell good and look bad.” It’s so interesting to hear people’s answers and reasons! (I'd love to hear your choice too!)

The other day Ronnie was helping me find something on the Internet so I had leaned in close to him. After a few seconds, he pulled away from me and started sniffing...(I hate it when he starts sniffing!) Then he wrinkled his nose and asked with a tinge of disgust, "Have you eaten some garlic today?" Truth is I could have, but I honestly didn't know. Apparently I had eaten something pungent!

Here is what I realized. Whatever we put in our lives will eventually come through some way. II Corinthians 2:14 - 16 talks about us being a sweet savor unto God... but am I? I guess it depends on what I allow into my life. Maybe I have garlic in my soul. What do I feed on? (not just physically but spiritually, emotionally, socially speaking...) What do I dwell on? What am I living for? Who or what do I truly love? Am I full of pride and self? Am I not dealing with things I need to deal with? If any of those answers are contrary to what the Bible says than chances are I could be like the restaurant; nothing out of the norm from outside the door, but open it up and pheweyyy...I stink!

I don't want to stink when someone gets up close or opens the door to my home or my life. I want to be a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord... I plan on taking some time this weekend to ask Him. I wonder what He will say... Whatever it is, at least I know it doesn't have to stay stinking! I can make it right and be that sweet savor He desires and deserves.

Hope & Glory! To You ~ Love

Rebecca

P.S. I love hearing from you! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. We need each other :) You are like iron that sharpens iron to me and I appreciate you taking the time to write!

One Big Idea...

Hello Everyone ~

I’ve had one big idea sort of …how shall I say it…STAMPEDING through my thoughts this week. It may seem silly to you because it’s certainly not rocket science. In fact it’s quite basic and in a sense I guess I’ve known it all along, but the reality of it just hit me afresh this week. Remember the old fashioned Polaroid film that you could watch develop before your eyes? Yeah, that’s how I felt as the big picture of life came into clearer view.

It all started with a couple of – again – simple questions. Here’s the first one. Who was God’s physical body on earth? Duh…this in not a trick question. Yes, the answer is Jesus. But if you know your Bible, you know that in Acts 1 the disciples watched as Jesus descended into Heaven…so no more God on earth. Just saying that makes me feel empty and hopeless. I wouldn’t want to live one second without Him.

But we also know that the story doesn’t end there. God sent His Spirit to indwell every person who has trusted Him as Savior. (Ephesians 1:13) So question number two: Now who is God’s physical body on earth? This is the big idea that I am just laser stuck on! It’s you and me! We have replaced Jesus…yikes, right? Well, no. Not yikes; more like “Oh my stars!” This is the cool part. When you accepted Christ as your Savior, God gave you a specific gift to use to accomplish His purpose in the body of Christ.

I love how God gives us tangible examples to help us understand spiritual truth. Enter the example from Romans 12:4 – 8 explaining how each member of our physical body is needed for you and me to function at full capacity. We get that; I mean which part of your body would you like to chop off? (ok maybe a few fat cells but…you get the point) He translates that picture into a spiritual truth. Together with other believers we make up the body of Christ. We do not have to be Christ all by ourselves, but we unite together with the other parts of the body to enhance and grow His Kingdom!

Now the body of Christ has parts different from our physical body parts. Instead of hands and bones and internal organs etc…God’s body consists of parts like teaching, exhorting, mercy, administration, giving, helps and the list goes on.

So suddenly this week I get it…I have a huge purpose. I’ve been equipped by God, gifted if you will, to participate in replacing His physical body on this earth. Whoa. But, I don’t have to replace Him by myself. I’m not the only part of the body…in fact I’m only part of the body. If I use my gifts and you use yours…together we make a powerful and beautiful body of Christ.

Do you know what your gifts are? If not, find out! You’ll never be more satisfied and fulfilled then when you fulfill the purpose God has given you! You may be just the hand to go with my fingers. You may be the foot that leads the rest of the body to our place of ministry.

Let’s not leave each other hanging! Together we work ToGetHer! …Or him J

I want to be one of those...

Howdy All ~

I've been dealing with a wart this week. Yuk. I know. Not the skin kind; the worry kind. I'm ashamed to admit that. You'd think after all I know about God and all I know about His word, I wouldn't get caught up in it anymore...but I did this week, even messing up my sleep. Generally all I have to do is get near my pillow and I'm out! But not this week. Why? I was trying to solve all my concerns by myself without factoring in my God who loves me and has sufficient grace to supply my need.

One of my issues has been the barrage of bad news about some dear people around me; people who know God but choosing to walk away ...breaks my heart. But even in the midst of disappointment, God will always have His remnant. Like a bright splash of color in a dull black & white picture, I heard the following true story recently.

An ice cream shop up North provided a great local hangout for kids wanting something fun to do without getting in trouble. The only problem was this shop, along with many other local businesses, took a huge economic hit with the financial down turn. The owner struggled as long as he could but finally announced he just couldn't make it anymore. He'd have to close up shop.

A local youth group heard about this man's dilemma and came up with a plan to help. They agreed to work for the man without pay to help ease his financial burden until he could get back on his feet. A local business man, Inspired by the young people's example and kindness, wanted to join in the blessing. He sent a check to pay for a month's rent. Together, this community pulled the shop through the lean months and the man managed to get his head above water and keep his business afloat! What a great story, eh?

I encourage you this week to remember even in the midst of a wacko world, God has His remnant of people who will still do right, who will still sacrifice their own comfort for the well being of another, who will still love the Lord with all their heart, all their soul and all their mind!

I want to be one of those, don't you? :)

Hope & Glory! To You ~ Love

Rebecca

PS ~ Love on someone today :) You never know what it may mean to them!

Hey Everyone ~

I've been struggling lately. I don't know what my problem is. Ok...maybe I know a little what it is, but when the truth pops up, I shake my head and say, "Oh that's stupid!" I don't want something so minor to have such a major impact on me... Listen to my friend Stephanie from her new book Ecclesiastes: Understanding What Matters Most. It hit me hard. Shook me out of my funk. Put the fear of God in me. My discontent isn't a minor issue. Left unchecked it has destructive potential. Time to dethrone it's seat!

"As I sit here with my pen in hand and my own heart ready for a little self- examination, I'm reminded of several women I know who have paid a high price for 'being discontent.' Oh sister, hear my heart! I may not have seen the cause, but I've often seen the effects and I truly want to convey how rocky the road can be when it begins with a discontent heart...the grass is never greener on the other side...in fact, it's just as weed infested over there as it is where you are right now. I've seen too many women hurting , too many homes in financial mess, and too many marriages suffering needlessly at the hands of a discontent heart. It may seem extreme, but if a discontent heart can cause Israel to cry our for a king at its own peril, what can it make you and me cry our for, and at what cost?"

Stephanie's right...The great nation of Israel began it's downfall because they were discontent with what God had given them...yikes. I appreciate the warning, Stephanie! I don't want to follow Israel's path.

One more quote from the first lesson of Stephanie's new 6 week Bible study book, "When our path seems more appealing to us than God's, it is evident we don't really understand His love." I love that truth. I needed to be reminded of that today :)

Thanks Stephanie! Check out her book ~ Ecclesiastes: Understanding What Matters Most

http://www.stephanieshott.com

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1. POST PURCHASE LINKS:

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http://tinyurl.com/6j9vqby (Amazon)

http://tinyurl.com/6cj2elt (Christianbook.com)

http://tinyurl.com/63obfhr (Barnes and Noble)

http://tinyurl.com/3kxhgql (Booksamillion.com)

Hope & Glory To You! Love

Rebecca

Rocky For Short

Rocky For Short

Psalm 23: 4-6

Happy Day All ~

I gritted my teeth and tried to remain as calm and "adult like" as possible while I hollered out, "Rocky, COME here!" Rockingham is the full name of my parent's sassy little yorky, who we call Rocky for short. (My sweet little nephew Thomas used to yell, "Here, Rocky for short. Here boy!" Thinking his nickname was "Rocky for Short".) The itsy bitsy dog is way too big for his britches and darts here and there faster than a pinball flicked by the rubber flippers. Rocky and I were supposed to be taking a walk, but he decided running all over, paying absolutely no attention to my frequent calls to come back and wreaking havoc in the neighborhood fit more to his agenda. (I know what you're thinking, "Why didn't you just use a leash?" Yeah, that is a good question I suppose, but we never needed one for my dog, Pandora. My mom & dad didn’t even own one. So, habit I guess...)

When suddenly, out of nowhere, Rocky heard the deep, threatening barks from a dog quadruple his size. He came bounding to my side like I was his long lost buddy and why hadn’t I called or written? I picked up the scrawny little guy and his quivering body snuggled into my shoulder and neck like we were made for each other.

I love that silly dog. It didn’t matter to me that he had been ignoring my every command all morning. Ain’t no way (to all you English teachers; pardon my language) I was going to let that big dog get him or even intimidate him. At that moment, my main goal was to make sure that Rocky knew he was safe with me! I snuggled him right back and carried him the whole way through the scary part of our walk.

That seems like an unimportant event in the routine of life, yet that day God used it to speak a life lesson to me. He showed me the big ole dog in my life may not go away, but He would walk with me and even hold me tight through the scary part! I know sometimes it feels you are walking it alone, but rest assured you have never left His sight, not even for a second! He's holding you, interceding for you, and making a way where there seems to be no way!

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:4-6