Wisdom & Understanding

Definition of a STEEL MAGNOLIA... "(chiefly Southern US) A woman who exemplifies both traditional femininity as well as an uncommon fortitude." -quote from the online Your Dictionary.  My Mom gave this swag of Magnolias to me years ago while on a visit home in South Carolina during the Christmas season. I display it year round because it brings sweet memories whenever I see it. We both loved Magnolias. My Mom was a "Steel Magnolia" in every way...strong, resilient, full of love, and speaking the truth, all while being a real Lady. That is my earnest desire also...

One of my favorite hymns "How Great Thou Art". I am sure that there are generations of folks by now that have never heard of this song, but it is a staple for me when I need to declare His greatness over my life. This hymn actually derived from a poem written in the late 1800's by a Swedish gentleman, Carl Boberg; who was so inspired by the view from his window by the sea, after witnessing a thunderstorm with lightening and then seeing the aftermath of a beautiful clear sky.  My sweet memories of singing this hymn goes back to my childhood and hearing the St. John Methodist Church choir sing it. My mom who was a in the choir would sometimes let me sit with her in the choir loft. So I had a ring side seat! That tiny choir loft with my sister sometimes playing on that antique (even then) piano, my Mom singing in her sweet soprano voice among the other not so perfect voices, and me sitting on the steps and following along in one of the old hymn books, is a treasured mem...

"Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me."  Yesterday morning the words of this simple chorus written around 1926 by Daniel Iverson, came to mind; and as I began to sing it, it brought back the early years of my walk with the Lord. Some of you reading this may remember this worship chorus. It always took me to a moment that I knew was serious..."Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me" words I admit sometimes sung with hesitancy, because I knew that it meant some changes would come with the commitment. But you see, when God changes you, it is always for the good and it IS good. We all want to "grow", expand our borders, go to the next level, conquer the horizon, get deeper, wiser, stronger or whatever we want to call it. But you see, with "growing" there is stretching, with expansion there maybe some temporary disco...

January is the month of my husband's passing, and though it has been many years (almost 16) there still is a place in my heart, a scar if you will that reminds me of his absence from this life. Needless to say this whole month brings back memories of some of his last days here and I would be lying if I did not confess that it is hard on those days when the memories are crystal clear.  This morning actually while reminiscing, the Lord begin to intercept my thoughts about my husband and bring to mind people that I know whose hearts are broken also. Some from things in the past, others who are experiencing heart break even now. I began to go through my "mind rolodex" (I'm showing my age), what today would be my "mind contact list" and through all of the people that I know whose hearts may be broken or breaking; even to the people that I do not know personally, but through public conversation or just seeing them on the street, that impressed me that they were ...

"... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23  A thoughtful and precious gift from 2 lovely ladies (you know who you are); one of my favorite books, Anne of Green Gables, with the pages fashioned in to the words "JOY". Unbeknownst to them, they have given me a daily reminder that as I seek and serve the Lord it will produce JOY.  The character Anne of Green Gables, always looked for the good in situations, sometimes to others frustration; but her Joy in seeking the good and best in life caused others to eventually want that Joy too. We do not know what this next year will bring. While some are glad to get out of 2017, there are others that worry what will the new year bring. We know that we can not stop time and 2018 is coming regardless. I pray that those who have invited the Lord into their hearts and lives will have Joy; and for t...