Holy Ground

Have you ever noticed at most churches, there is a room that seperates the outside from the sanctuary. Some folks call it a vestibule, or an atrium, or a lobby. Whatever you call it, its the room you enter before you enter the sanctuary. Have you ever wondered what that room was for? I had not thought much about it until I started thinking about a song I am going to sing soon. The song is Holy Ground, and the words start out....as I walked thru the door I sensed His presence....and it made me stop and think once again about just what a Sanctuary really is. It is defined as a sacred or holy place, the holy of holies, a place of refuge for the weary. Makes ya think...do I treat the sancuary as such? Or do I treat it as just another room in just another building? If it is the holy of holies....should we bring in our sin with us...riding proudly on our backs, as we walk thru those doors? Or do we continue to act the same way we did in the parking lot? Don't get me wrong, God doesn't care about how you look.  He's not worried about what you're wearing.  God is looking at the condition of your soul.  He wants to know, are you there to worship, or there to make a list of your complaints? Are you there to praise God, or are you there to be entertained, to gossip, to stir up mischief or just to be seen? What are you thinking about during the music or the sermon. Are you thinking...this song it too long and I'm tired of standing, or I don't even like this song, or he just pronounced that word wrong, or how long is he going to preach, etc. Are you paying attention...or texting your best friend, passing notes, making other people laugh, and goofing off? When you walk into that little room before the Sanctuary I want you to think about it very hard before you walk through those doors. Take off all the sinful nature, put away from you the wordly things, the things that would distract you from what God is going to say to you. Stop worrying that you have to stand up too long, you don't like all the songs, or the message goes a little over. WHY ARE YOU THERE?? You are stepping into the Holy of Holies because Jesus made it possible for YOU to approach the throne of God! You are entering God's house, and even though you cannot actually, physically see Him...He is there. Now...how are you going to act? What are you going to do? What are you going to be thinking about in the presence of God? "As I walked through the door, I sensed His presence, and I knew this was a place where love abounds. For this is the Temple, Jehova God abides here, and we are standing in HIS presence on Holy Ground!"

What's down in the well...comes UP in the bucket!

I feel a blog entry coming on….it’s weird how it happens. One minute I am clueless, staring at a blank page wondering if there is anything intelligent I can write, and the next minute something happens that sets it all in motion. Sometimes it’s a good "happening"…sometimes it’s not. I’ll first say the “happening” that just happened was not a pleasant one, although not unexpected. Here’s the dilemma, trying to be kind, understanding, and good at what I do, I often ask if there is anything I CAN do, or anything I may have overlooked. I mean, with three schools to take care of, often I do forget something. Who wouldn’t? I certainly don’t claim to be perfect, but I do strive with all that I am to be consistent, understanding, patient and kind. These traits after all, do make things move along a lot smoother when dealing with people. That is why I simply cannot understand the meanness in some people…the downright ugly, rudeness that some people seem to be born to spread. It especially upsets me when I know I have done everything I can to be kind and patient with that person. I have heard that it takes seven compliments to make up for one negative comment. Sometimes, I think it might take twenty. At any rate, getting down to the main thing I am trying to say…what kind of person are you? Are you the kind of person that can be nice to mean people? There are not a lot of those kinds of people out there ya know? I try really hard to be that kind of person, but I admit there are times that I am simply not capable. My humanness creeps out all over the place and I just want to clobber them! I am having a moment like that right now. I am thanking God that they are in another school building, and I will not have to run into them in the hallway today. Because, I am certain if I did run into them it would not be a pleasant scene for either of us! Aren’t you glad that God loves us, even when we are angry? He loves us even when WE are the mean ones. He loves us NO MATTER WHAT!! And as I type that I realize that, even though I am fairly certain from my dealings with this person they are not a Christian, God loves her too!! So I am going to stomp my feet a few times to make ME feel a little better (wish I had a punching bag!), and then I am going to sincerely pray for her and also pray that I can show her what a real Christian is…and that I can love her with Christ’s love, even if I don’t “like” her very much!!
“What’s down in the well….comes UP in the bucket!!”

God, there's rocks in my stream!

In Elkmont Campground, in the Great Smoky Mountains is the Little Pigeon River. It's simply beautiful and one of my most favorite places on earth. It's full of boulders and rocks, and my mom and I love to go rock hunting down by its edge, hunting for that perfect smooth rock to paint something on. My boys used to love to search for little, flat, round rocks that look like coins. They called it "river money" and we always came home with ziplock bags full of it. Because of all those rocks, the sound of the river fills up the campground with its song...there are no words to describe how it calms your soul. My whole family goes back there every summer for a week. I wish I was there right now. I'll admit it, something has perturbed me. It's dumb really, and I know better than to let it bug me considering the source. Sometimes I wonder, why does God allow those things to get in our way? But then I realize...if life was always smooth sailing we'd be really bored and never learn anything at all. I've had some giant sized boulders fall in front of me before and I've overcome them by depending on God and believing His promises....this is more like a pebble in my shoe really. So I'm just gonna pray for that pitiful little pebble and shake it out of my shoe and move on! The brooke would lose its song if God removed the rocks!

It Blows Me Away...

Maybe I'm just getting older, having a "hormonal moment" a little more often, I don't know...but driving in to work this morning I saw the most beautiful sight. It was like an award- winning National Geographic photo...but it was real, and it made me cry. God just blows me away and at the most unexpected times. I cross the Brunswick and Cape Fear Rivers every morning on the way to work, usually just as the sun is coming up over the horizon. It is always beautiful, but this morning was simply glorious! There's no other word for it! Just as I rounded the corner to cross the Brunswick River, the sun peeped over the horizon, sitting there on the river which was as smooth as glass. The reflection of the sun on the river was just like a mirror. Beautiful pink and amber clouds surrounded it as a flock of birds flew across it's face. At that very moment I was singing along with the radio, just as I looked up and saw this awesome sight..."How Great Is Our God!" The timing could not have been more perfect. I felt in my soul God saying "Good Morning! I love you THIS much!" It was awesome!! As I crossed the bridge into town and rounded the corner, I was met with stopped traffic and a train. GREAT! I thought, now I'm gonna be late. I was starting to feel a bit agitated, and then I looked out the window. I was sitting right next to Greenfield Lake and just ask I looked up a beautiful crane flew gently across the lake and the spanish moss in the trees swayed gently in the breeze as the sun peeped through the branches. Wow...twice in one morning! It was gorgeous! I was delayed by the train at least 5 minutes and I just sat and stared at the lake, watching the mist rise into the sun. You know that saying, "Stop and smell the roses"? Make a point today to stop and see God's creation around you....watch & listen to that "still, small voice"...it's all around you!!

What if they've never been told?

Raising kids is tough. One of the toughest jobs you'll ever do. And sometimes, even though you think you've done everything right they still grow up and run away from all they've been taught. In a way, we all do it at some point in our lives. Some just run a little farther than others. But one of the most important things you can ever teach your children is about God's immeasurable love for them. They need to be taught that only God can fill up that emptiness in their soul, not money, not boyfriends or girlfriends, not work, not friends, not alcohol, not drugs. Teach them who to turn to in trouble.
Teach them who to praise in good times. Teach them about His unconditional love, about His forgiveness and mercy, His longing to have a relationship with them and to bless them, so that when they reach the end of who they are, when they fall on their faces and realize they are standing in a pigpen eating slop like the prodigal son, they will know WHO to run back to and they will know God is there watching for them, waiting to run to them and take them in His arms! To whom or to what will they run if they've never been told? Even when it seems hopeless, keep leading by example, keep praying, keep showing them the way home. What is impossible for God? Nothing!!

Just Trust...

I was watching Dr. Joyce Meyer on TV the other day and she was talking about trusting God. Now I know I'm supposed to trust Him with everything, but just like most people, there are just some things that I think well, it would be nice...but that's impossible. I doubt. I don't really believe He can do the impossible sometimes. There are many examples in the bible of how God DID do the impossible, but the one that has always stood out the most to me is the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. At 100 years old Abraham fathered a son...and even more amazing, at 91 Sarah gave birth to a son! 91!!! That's insane! Can you even imagine? No wonder they both laughed when they heard the news! Who wouldn't? And yet, they trusted God was going to do what He said. In Genesis 18:14 it says "Is anything to hard for God?" No...nothing...there is nothing too hard for God to do. There is nobody too far gone for God to reach...no child, no husband, no wife, no friend. He can heal any sickness, rescue anyone from an addiction, NO ONE and NO THING Is hopeless in His eyes. I never want to forget that, no matter how hopeless a situation may seem.

What My Words Cannot Say

Has your heart ever been troubled for a friend and when you tried to talk to God about it the words just wouldn't come to you? Have you ever tried with all your might to find the perfect words to describe what you're feeling, and they just wouldn't come? Ever tried to find the correct way to write down what you are trying to say so as not to offend anyone, all the while making your point very clear? I'm having one of those days. The fact is, God knows our hearts. He knows our feelings. He knows our thoughts, good and bad. But most importantly, He is in control of the situations we face each day. So maybe all we need to do is go to Him and say, "Lord...I don't know WHAT to say...but You can hear the groaning of my spirit and You understand the feelings I cannot describe." So that is my prayer this day..."Lord, I lift my friends up to you. I ask You to protect them. I ask You to bless them abundantly. I ask You to guard their hearts, minds and spirits from satan's arrows. Hear what my spirit whispers and my words cannot say. Amen!"

HIS way....not your way

His way....not your way.

What do you do when things don't go your way?  How do you deal with it when something that has always been a certain way changes?  Do you threaten to take your ball and go home if you don't get your way?  Do you bully people into doing things your way?  Is it your way or the highway??  Or do you welcome the opportunity God has placed before you to learn something new, to do something you'd have never thought of doing, to follow in God's footsteps and see just where He is leading you.  Some people carry around a man-made bible in their heads.  It's full of rules and regulations made up by man.  It dictates how they are suposed to act, dress, behave, sit, stand, sleep, walk, eat, even worship.  The Pharisees had rules like that too, but it seems to me that Jesus was pretty clear that their "rules" were not what was important.  Their laws were not His laws.  Following their laws would not get you to heaven, would not earn you a bigger mansion or more reward in heaven.  Jesus explained over and over it's not about following man-made rules, it's not about keeping us comfortable....it's about reaching the lost!  When His children start seeing that, and start doing that, inevitably satan starts stirring the pot to try and get it stopped.  So, don't get discouraged.  There is nothing that you need to do to defend yourself. Keep your eyes on God and keep your Heart focused on what He is leading you to do.  Even if bullies stir up strife against you, you don’t need to worry because the Lord will cause you always to triumph.  All you need to do is to be yielded to the Lord, believe His Word, and trust completely in Him. Be a DOER of the word. ACT on God’s Word. Walk in the LOVE of God and He will take care of the rest.

Isaiah 54:13-17

What are you here for?

You do know you aren't an accident right?  You aren't here by some random chance.  You are here, now, at this particular point in time, because that is how God planned it.  But have you ever thought about WHY?  Why are YOU here?  Are you here for what you can get out of this life...or for what you can give??  Hmm.  Powerful thought.  Are you here to lift up others, or lift yourself up?  Ouch.  Are you here to gripe, complain, and make certain that everyone knows "That is NOT how we have always done things."!  Are you here to make lots of money and friends, and buy the best of everything, or can you be happy with what you've got...or can you be happy with just a dollar in your pocket?  I met a man today named Gene and I know without a doubt why God put him here.  It was extremely obvious.  I had seen him before.  He walked by my car one day as I sat at a red light with my boys.  I saw him coming in the rear view mirror and immediately noticed by the way he walked that he was not your typical pedestrian.  He walked like a child, swinging his arms happily, nearly skipping, and smiling for no apparent reason as he did so, however, he appeared to be around 50 years old.  My first thought was, "wow...what have we here?".  When he got even with the passenger side window, he stopped, leaned down and waved wildly, as a little kid would do, with the biggest smile I have ever seen.  My eldest son said, "Mom, someone has lost him!  I wonder where he belongs?  Someone should call the cops and tell them he has gotten lost!"  I admit...I had never had anyone do this to me before and I was just as shocked my son was.  He proceeded to the curb, where he waved at the lady in front of me, and then to every car that passed by.  It wasn't a wave or a smile you could ever ignore, and as I sat there and watched I realized that every person that drove by ended up smiling, perhaps laughing a little and some even waved back.  When the light changed and I drove by, he waved at me again, as if he was seeing a long lost friend after a long absence...and I smiled again.  After that encounter I had pretty much forgotten about him.  Today, as I was checking out at one of my favorite retailers, I heard the doors open and a gleeful voice proclaim, "Hi!!  Gene's here!!  I turned around to see who had come in, and as I turned I caught his eyes as he smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen and said, "Gene's here ladies!!" and he waved wildly at the cashiers and then walked right up to me as I stood there with my mouth open.  He patted me on the back, smiled that huge smile, and said, "How are you today?  Are you doing good? "  I stammered a bit, then said, "Hello Gene.  I am doing great, how are you?"  He patted me on the back again and said, "Gene is fine!  Gene is fine!"  and then, spying a bright orange golf bag full of gleeming new golf clubs behind me said, " Oh WOW!  Look at those golf clubs!  I can't buy those.  I don't have enough money.  I only have a dollar in my pocket and that's not enough!  Then he spun around, waved and shouted,  Goodbye ladies!!" and out the door he went, practically skipping with glee.  Now, most of us would say, "that old man is just crazy!  He has no purpose, he's not all there!"  But, when he left the store, every single person up front...the cashiers, and every customer was smiling.  You see, Gene's purpose in life is to spead his JOY!  I don't know what makes Gene so happy, I didn't think to ask, but when he left every person at the front of that store was smiling....He KNOWS what his purpose is and he does it to the very best of his ability!  We all have a purpose.  Are you fullfilling God's purpose for your life?  If you are, it should leave people with a smile, with more joy than what they started out with... or are you carrying out your own man-made purpose?  Are you so busy trying to live out the purpose you have created that you forget how to be joyful, or even how to smile?  I  know somebody who can help you put a smile back on your face! ;0D It's something to think about...

Worship....According to my dog

As I came through the doorway the other day with my hands full of groceries and a million other things on my mind, my dog Roxie started barking and jumping around at my feet. She was so happy to see me, as always, doing everything she could to get my attention, barking & jumping and wagging her tail in excitement. But I was busy....I had more groceries to carry in, clothes to put in the wash, floors to sweep, dinner to make....I didn't even acknowledge she was there. Realizing that I was not going to play with her right then, she simply plopped down on her bed and waited for me. Later, when I finally had a minute to sit down, she immediately ran over and jumped up in my lap, wiggling with happiness and giving kisses. She loves me no matter what. I could walk in the door, yell at her to go away and ignore her existence and yet this doesn't discourage her at all. She simply waits for me to calm down and then she runs to me to let me know she loves me, unconditionally. She worships the ground I walk on! This got me to thinking about worship. How do you define worship? Is it just a word to describe the morning service at church? Is it just the act of standing, singing, bowing the head and sitting when told? I mean after all, you are in "Worship Service" and if you do what everyone else does you are "worshiping" right? I have heard comments in the past like, "We had to stand up and sing too long this morning." or "I just can't worship if the choir isn't wearing their robes, it distracts me." or "That sermon was too long. We shouldn't have to sit there so long." or "Did you see what so and so was wearing this morning?!" I admit, I have had some truly silly thoughts sometimes during worship service too. I am just as guilty as the next person. Sometimes I don't like the songs, or my back starts to ache from sitting too long, or my stomach starts to growl with hunger, or I start thinking about all the stuff I need to get done when I get home, and I get distracted. But why are we in that sanctuary to begin with? Why are we attending the "Worship Service"? Are we there to critique the choir's wardrobe or the songs we sing? Are we there to be entertained? Are we there to make sure all the other members, and all the staff, are following all the rules and doing what they, in my opinion, are supposed to be doing? Are we there to time the music, the sermon, the sitting, the standing.... or are we there to Worship God? There are a million things that we can be distracted with during the worship service.... but only ONE thing we have to be focused on....worshiping God. As we enter the sanctuary this coming Sunday, stop at the doorway, take off that big, heavy, overcoat of distractions and leave it there....outside the sanctuary. Why would you bring it in with you? I mean, it is called a "sanctuary".....a place of peace, a place of refuge from the storm! Then once you have entered the sanctuary, focus your mind on one thing...."Worship". If we all truly did this, if we all truly laid down our distractions at the door and entered the sanctuary to do nothing but worship...just imagine...just imagine the worship service we would have!!! And to think, it took a dog to make me think about worship like this! But you know what? My dog is also a perfect picture of how God loves us! She adores me, no matter what I do, no matter how much I ignore her, she just sits there waiting on me to calm down and turn to her, and when I do she RUNS to me. My Savior loves me, no matter what. I've been purchased by His blood. I am His and He is mine, and even if I ignore Him sometimes, He will still be there waiting on me to calm down and turn to Him, and He will accept me and RUN to me with open arms. Oh to be like my puppy dog, able to worship without distraction, and able to love without condition.
Blessings, Amy :)


* A wonderful article on worship:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2007/001/2.27.html

An Introduction...

I was born in Chattanooga, TN in 1967. When I was born I had 8 great grandparents, and 4 grandparents! Was I blessed or what?!! We have always been a very close family and I love that. I grew up in a musical family. My Grandfather and his brothers were "The Hartman Bros. Band" and sang Country/Western Music. Family reunions on Signal Mountain, surrounded by their music, listening to the banjo, guitar and fiddle and my Grandad and Uncles singing cowboy songs and old hymns was a highlight of my summer. My father also sang frequently in church. I grew up going to church at White Oak United Methodist Church, where I was saved at age 13 during a revival. In my teenage years we joined Mountain Creek Baptist Church. It was there that I started singing in the choir at the age of 15. At the same time I was also singing at school in choir with a director we called "Mama Branch". She was awesome. She taught us black gospel music by rote. If you don't know what that means, she taught us to sing by singing it to us first, line by line, part by part, until we got it. Then we did it over and over until we had it memorized. We never had sheet music. It was awesome! One day in choir Ms. Branch was looking for someone to sing a solo part and she pointed at me and asked me to come down and sing. I was terrified!! I was extremely shy, and though I loved to sing, and wished I could sing, I didn't think I could. She stood me by her at the piano and started to play the solo part and I was so scared nothing would come out but a squeak! She turned around and looked at me and said, now I know you can do better than that...take a deep breath and let me here you SING! So, I mustered all the bravery I had and I SANG. When I stopped she spun around on her piano bench, looked at me and said, "Child, you can SING! Why are you so afraid? God gave you a gift, and you gotta USE it!" She told me I would be singing the solo on that song and I said, "oh no I can't do that!" and she said, "You will....or you will get an F!" and she winked at me. I have never been so sick to my stomach as I was the first time I sang that song. But it lit a fire inside of me...and it is something you simply cannot control! I have heard preachers say before that when God gives them something to preach it is like there is a fire inside of them that cannot wait to get out! It is the same way with singing praises to God. It just HAS to come out! It was at Mountain Creek Baptist Church where I met my future husband. He was the choir director! Trust me, everything happens for a reason people. I may not be the very best singer you ever heard. I may sing some wrong notes, and certainly the wrong words sometimes, but to God it is perfect. When that music of praise rises up to Him, there is nothing sweeter, and the result is my heart being filled to overflowing with His love. The bible says, "Sing to the Lord a new song!"...not "Sing to the Lord a "perfect" song". Whether you can carry a tune in a bucket or not...Sing to the Lord!... and He will fill you up to overflowing with His love! :)