A New Name

I over think everything...E-VER-Y-THING.  For example, I have re-typed this blog entry 4 times now.  It was too boring...then too long...then just boring again...now I am on number 4.  It can get ridiculous.  Please stick with this one...it has a point!

I decided the old blog name was just too hard to understand or at least too hard to spell.  It had significance (you can read about it in the very first blog post), but I wanted it to be more simple.  Well, as always, I over thought this decision.  To make a long story short, I tried some names and they were taken.  So...I thought about significant times I have had with the Lord and came up with the current title "Whispers in Breezes".  

I can remember going to watch our friend Will Buie play football for Northview several years ago.  It was a very hot night and I was enjoying watching the people around me.  I remember talking to the Lord while I sat there and specifically asking Him to speak to me.  It was only seconds later that this cool breeze blew across my face.  It was the kind of breeze that is several degrees cooler than the actual temp outside...the kind that moves your hair across your face and makes you smile.   I remember feeling the Lord whisper in that breeze that He was always with me.  It was beautiful.  I have always loved breezes.  The wind just reminds me of the Lord's ways...how they are unseen yet always felt...strong yet gentle...refreshing and renewing.  Just a couple of nights ago I was outside with my Katie and we were looking at the stars  and recalling how Isaiah 40 says God's power holds them all in place, His might keeps none of them from going missing, and how He knows each of their names.  The wind blew as we talked about Him and His character of faithfulness.  We both smiled and acknowledged His presence in that breeze.  I knew right then what to name the blog.  

We have to pay attention to the small details the Lord puts around us.  We so often overlook the small things because we are so determined to find our desires met in big ones.  Some of the most precious times I have had with Jesus were when I noticed small things He was doing around me.  Some of the times I have heard His voice the loudest were in His whispers.  Things change when I am really aware of Him...when my eyes are open to see His working around me, my ears are open to hear His voice, and my heart is open to feel His presence however He chooses to come near.  Those are times when I find the most satisfaction.  I really think this is because I am not pre-occupied with my preconceived ideas of how God should act, speak, and visit, but completely surrendered to His being who He is.  I like that.  He is best at being Him - He doesn't need me to tell Him how to do it.  Boy, would things would be messed up if He listened to my instructions!  I am very thankful tonight.  

Convicted by my own words...Really?!

I am totally outdone with myself. I really don't know what else to even say. It has been over a year since I blogged. Sad. So here is the ugly truth. I have been seriously down on myself. I need to get over it and be done, but I just haven't been able to do it. I decided I would blog Friday. I don't know why, but I thought I should post something. When I logged on I began to read the last two things I had posted. Would you believe the Lord used them to convict me? All I can say is "IT FIGURES". I really felt like throwing my hands up and giving the Lord a big fat "WHATEVER", but I decided that would be irreverent, although, quite honestly, I figured He could have handled my aggravation. Without going into too much detail on my ridiculous struggles of late, I will just tell you I tend to forget how much the Lord loves me. I tend to forget that He has a plan for my life and that He will complete the work He started. I found myself complaining way too much (like my kids & the children of Israel I wrote about in that last post). I just get impatient and frustrated...am I the only one? There is one thing I can say though...I like knowing He will set me straight. What in the world would I do if He didn't? His correction is proof enough of His love. I am thankful for His kindness and compassion. If only His children (including me) would show the same kindness and compassion to others, the church - not to mention the world - would be a totally different place. I wonder if it is as hard for Him to correct me as it is for me to correct those I love...if so...it gives me a whole new view of His heart. It makes me love Him even more.

Lessons from the Israelites

I'm so excited! I have so much to write about. I knew exactly what I wanted to share with you too, but just about the time I went to type it, my boys began to fight for the million and first time today. UGH! I sweetly said to them, with no emotion at all (hahaha!!! Do I do anything without emotion???) "STOP IT ALREADY". I think I have had enough for one 24 hour period. "I'm telling" - "Mommy, Tell him to stop" - "Tell him not to touch me" - "Tell him to stop looking at me" - "Tell him to stop singing...it is making me lose my game"... Well, Well, Well... at least I have a perfectly wonderful cup of coffee in a HUGE new mug (thanks Sheila)! Needless to say - I can't concentrate. Hmmm...how do I pull this into something meaningful? What spiritual wisdom is there in the hysteria of mommyhood? Well, I bet God gets sick of me whining to him. I think of the Israelites while they were in the wilderness. How could they see miracle after miracle and still complain about every single little challenge?! I mean...really? The Red Sea parted in front of them and they walked through on dry ground with the whales (I may have added whales for drama) and fish swimming on each side of them! They tasted the bitter water at Marah that turned sweet because an old stick was thrown into it. They rested in an oasis at Elim...right in the middle of a wilderness, nonetheless! They saw God's presence up on that mountain and literally heard His voice. They even saw grapes so big it took two men to carry them! What were they thinking? Oh, wait - I think they are actually beginning to sound vaguely familiar. It couldn't be...no, surely not...I mean...well I'll just be...I sound just like them. Ugh again! You know what though? He still called them His Special treasure...His children...His chosen. THANK GOODNESS! I was about to get concerned. There is hope for a distracted girl like me. If they were all those things to God and more -then I am too! Is there anything more encouraging than knowing I am God's chosen, special child? Nope...can't think of a single one. Hmmm...I guess there is one other thing I can pull from my frazzled head full of colored hair. Just like my boys come and tattle on each other, I can go to my Father and tattle on the stinkin' devil. I know He will take care of him. Shew! Finally something I can count on. He will also listen to me tell Him all about people who hurt my feelings...things I don't understand...& stuff that's just plain ol' unfair. I love how He is my Daddy...my Abba. Maybe my hair won't fall out after all...at least not today.

Little Children

If you know me much you know I am terribly addicted to coffee...I enjoy it so much. You also know I love daisies and the colors pink and yellow. Some of you, especially my friend Michelle, know I never volunteer for children's ministry opportunities. It isn't that I don't love children. I actually do very much, but I don't feel called to teach them like I feel called to women. Now, don't get me wrong, I actually do work with kids. I teach Bible School, Awana, and I work with them at ministry functions, but if there is a group of women, I will be drawn to them like a magnet. Today I was asked to sing for the 5 year old kindergarten thru 2ND graders in their chapel at our school. I would be lying if I told you that I took the offer with great excitement, but I did say yes. I decided I would sing Jesus Loves Me. How easy is that??? I told the Lord I knew I was a wimp, but I just thought it would be best. Of course, He never lets me off that easy. I felt I had to tell them about the Bible and why that song is special so I did just that.

One thing about kids I love is they always have such excitement over truth. They answered my questions with a shout and a smile. They knew all the answers too! I wish my high school students had that excitement over God's Word. I wish the ladies I speak to always had that excitement...I wish I always had that excitement! What makes us loose it?

Well, I have never had the opportunity to teach that I did not learn a truth for myself. I shared with those children that many men picked up a pen and wrote the words of the scriptures on paper, but it was God who told them what to write. I asked them if God could ever tell a lie and they replied with a shout...NO! So I asked "If God can never tell a lie and in this book (I held up the Bible) He says He loves you...does that mean He really loves you?" They roared out a huge YES. How sweet. And as I sang that old children's song with them I was convicted about my doubt. He loves me...He loves you. He says it in His Word and He cannot lie. How comforting is that? I walked away from chapel with a smile and a reminder from God that I am loved and how do I know? Because the Bible tells me so, of course!

G.P.S. lesson

Original date of this post was a few Aprils back :)
So...I went to a Beth Moore conference this weekend. It was in Columbia, South Carolina. Long drive...well worth it! My best girlfriend Robyn and I jumped in the car and went. Her husband programmed a G.P.S. for us...let me just say...I don't get lost easily, but she does and since she was driving...I entertained the thought that the G.P.S would be fun. We named the G.P.S. Cindy for reasons I can't disclose without self-distructing. She (Cindy the G.P.S.) was extremely annoying. A true know-it-all. She took us through every town this side of Buddah. We saw more cows and pecan trees than I knew existed. I will give it this...there were no traffic jams. We barely saw another car unless we were rounding yet another town square (yes they do still exist). So what can I learn from this that is worth sharing with you? Hmmmmm....I guess life under faith can be somewhat like that G. P.S. We may think we know the way our life should go. What path to take. Our way is down fast interstates, through huge cities with horrible traffic, and over seemingly smooth pavement. It is the fastest route, but with the least amount of scenery and memories. God is like the G.P.S. for our life journey. He has the way mapped out from the beginning to the end. He takes us down the long country roads that seem very seldom traveled. He gives us scenery that teaches us about His power and glory. He provides memories to remind us of His faithfulness. It is tempting to turn the G.P.S. off and go our own way. Get there quickly...skip the extras just so we can be comfortable. So...what can I learn from this trip besides the wonderful truths shared by my friend Beth? Enjoy the ride (life)...take in the scenery (lessons)...remember the trip (memories or memorials of His faithfulness). God is certainly good - wonderful - my love - a blast. Enjoy Him my friend...the trip is worth the time. Oh yeah, just for the record - I did get us lost, but only for about 30 seconds. Love to you all!

Seasons

This was a post from an earlier March ...
I was outside today with my boys. It is spring break and they are bored to death. I guess school keeps them so busy they don't know how to just chill. We walked through the woods and went to the park. It was fun. I noticed all of the new growth. All of the green. Life is in bloom all around. I was telling a friend how that reminds me of the ways God works in us. Just like the seasons He recreates us. It is a never ending process...He changes us from glory to glory. Let me just say...THANK GOODNESS!! I have a lot in me that needs refreshing...changing. I say keep on Lord...till I look like You. Wouldn't it be cool to be mistaken for Jesus. To be so much like Him...to mirror His character so much that we really look like Him. WOW!
There is one thing I would love to change about this season...the pollen. YUCK. My red car stays yellow and my sinuses are not happy!!! Anyway - Press on my dear brothers and sisters...press on!

Thoughts...

I originally posted this in March one year.

OK...so I hate subject lines on e-mails. I don't really hate for other people to write in them, but I hate having to figure out how to sum up all I am writing about in one sentence. If I could do that my e-mails would be one sentence...wouldn't they? In the words of a great brother in Christ I am truly a knucklehead. ANYWAY...today I was thinking about how often I desire to be in the Word of God, but instead of opening His word I open a book with someone else's take on the Word. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love Bible studies. Anyone who knows me at all knows that. I am thoroughly amazed at the words that God gives people and the wisdom with which they write. (writers like Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Angela Thomas, Margaret Kennedy...and many many more)With that said - God has been dealing with the fact that I am not as quick to take scripture, ponder it, and wait on Him to speak to me. When He points things out like that I only have one word to describe the feeling I get - YUCK! It isn't that I don't want His instruction...oh I do more than I can say. It just doesn't always feel so good to have our faults pointed out to us. SO...lately I have been digging for my own insight...my own wisdom. I have always loved to do that - just not with the excitement I am finding lately. Funny...I want you to have it too! Thank you for reading...I can't help but wonder who you are!