Why I Love Those Ladies, Let me Count the Ways

As I stood in the kitchen making lunch for my man (who was flying home from a trustee meeting in Nashville) I was thinking about the group of women that I get to hang out with on Wednesday mornings. Honestly, I feel the word love is overused so when it comes to talking about my Wednesday morning Bible study ladies, love just doesn't seem big enough. I adore them. I cherish our time together.   They're magnificent. (and I'm not using hyperbole, though I've been known to a time or two) So, in honor of Valentines' Day and my adoration of these women, let me count the ways I love them:

1) They're studying the Bible. I love that about them.
2) They're showing up every week to talk about what God has been teaching them over the last week.
3) They're being vulnerable and sharing their lives.
4) They know what is said at Bible study stays at Bible study when it comes to private matters.
5) But, when it comes to matters of faith, they're learning how to share the important things with others.
6) They are encouragement to each other and to me.
7) They're asking questions and seeking for deeper answers.
8) They're believing God for those answers.
9) We're mixed ages and generations but we so get along and enjoy each other.
10) We can be serious or silly but it all comes from a deep affection that is rooted in the Father's love.

My heart overflows and these words hardly seem adequate. I'm grateful and blessed.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

I have always enjoyed this hymn since I first heard it at a Beth Moore Living Proof Live event in the late 1990s. This morning I found out that it was also a favorite of one of my heroes of missions and of the faith, Hudson Taylor. I have been reading a book about his life written by his son and daughter-in-law, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secrets, on and off for months. Hudson Taylor was a missionary and founder of a mission organization to China from the 1850s to early 1900s. It's one of my favorite books of all time. I wanted my daughter to read it but told her she had to get her own copy. I'm simply unwilling to part with mine. (selfish, I know)

Here's the story: once while in London, Taylor received word that some of his missionaries were facing great difficulties. He began to whistle this hymn he liked so much and his associate asked how he could whistle when there was so much trouble. Taylor replied, "Would you have me anxious and troubled? That would not help them, and would certainly incapacitate me for my work. I have just to roll the burden on the Lord." (209)

Powerful words to read from one who is prone to worry. I love the thought, "just ... roll the burden on the Lord." And rest.

Enjoy the video!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Glory to God in the Highest

I've been listening to a lot of Christmas music (of course) but my favorite this year is Chris Tomlin's Christmas album. Yeah, yeah, it's a couple of years old & I'm a late-comer but it is so good. Our kids' choir sang a song from it and it's magnificent - and that has little to do with the fact that I'm partial to the drummer that played with them that day!

Jessica and I were talking about the songs that say "glory to God in the highest" the other day. The angels said it to the shepherds when they announced the Savior of the world's birth. Jessica asked if glory in the highest means highest praise to God or glory because He's the highest. What a great question and one that I certainly don't have the answer for. Perhaps it could be both.

That sent me on a search for use of the word glory in the Bible. It's over 300 times, by the way. The second time it's used in the NASB is in Exodus 16. The setting is after the Hebrew people were delivered from Egypt and had already crossed the sea on dry land. But, they were hungry and they started to grumble. I'm not judging, I'm just reporting. I've been known to grumble a time or one thousand myself.  The Hebrews even wondered if they would've been better off still in captivity because at least there they had food to eat and their physical hunger was satisfied. God's reply to their grumbling? Food. Moses said, "God will show you His glory by providing food for you to eat." (my paraphrase) God said, "You shall know that I am the Lord your God" because He's the one that satisfies every need.

My soul repeats glory to God in the highest these days because of His provision. In so many ways He has provided and satisfied. I am humbly grateful - and that seems like an understatement. I know all too well hunger, if not physical, and sorrow and despair. I'm grateful for provision in those cases too.

My favorite book of 2012 is Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. It was written in 1932 but Hudson Taylor was a missionary to China beginning in 1853. He knew hardship and physical loss. In all that he experienced and endured he knew, really knew, about God's provision. I hope you'll read these words he wrote following the death of his wife:

"The present year has been in many ways remarkable. Perhaps every one of our number has been more or less face to face with danger, perplexity and distress. But out of it all the Lord has delivered us. And some who have drunk more deeply than ever before the cup of the Man of Sorrows can testify that it has been a most blessed year to our souls and can give God thanks for it. Personally, it has been the most sorrowful and the most blessed year of my life, and I doubt not that others have had in some measure the same experience. We have put to the proof the faithfulness of God - His power to support in trouble and to give patience under affliction, as well as to deliver from danger. And should greater dangers await us, should deeper sorrows come...it is to be hoped that they will be met in a strengthened confidence in our God." (180) 

Glory to God in the highest. Highest glory to Him because He's proven Himself faithful, though He doesn't have to. Glory to God in the highest because He hears, He responds, He knows. Glory to God because He's the highest and I know He's the Lord my God. 

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Whose Side are You Leaning On?

I really can't remember if Whose Side Are You Leaning On? was a song we sang in youth group when I was a teen (back in the dark ages) or if we sang it in the early days of leading Student Ministry. If you were not a teen in the 80's or maybe even early 90's, you probably don't know it. The words were simply - Whose side are you leaning on? I'm leaning on the Lord's side? (repeat) I lean, I lean, I lean, I lean, I'm leaning on the Lord's side. Snazzy, right? Remember, these were the dark ages. Ok, here's the fun part - every time you sang the word lean or leaning, you physically leaned. It was a lot of fun and could get a little rough, depending who was sitting next to you.

I thought about that song this morning in cycle class. I hadn't been in 2 weeks (mistake) and I forgot my water bottle. I was already running late and had to stop in the cafe for water. I was a little frustrated and I didn't remember, until the instructor kept telling us to turn the gear up, that the only way I make it through cycle class is to pray. It's a great time to talk to God about Himself, what's on my heart, and friends and such. I was praying about the election tomorrow and thought about a story from Scripture and so I came home to look it up. It's found in Joshua 5:13-15, if you care to look for yourself.

Basically, here's the background: Moses died, Joshua was put in charge. The Hebrew people had been wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years and they were finally going into the land of promise. The crossed the Jordan River on dry land - not because there was a drought but because God dried it up. The people took some time to celebrate the Passover but then Joshua was looking ahead to the battle for Jericho.

Here's the encounter: Joshua was checking out Jericho and as he looked he saw a man standing with his sword drawn. Joshua approached him and asked, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" (Whose side are you leaning on...) The man answered, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord."

I had to start a new paragraph right here so you could let that sink in just a bit. I have chills.

Here's why: at that moment Joshua realized to Whom he was speaking. One commentator I read this morning wrote that it was possibly a Christophany - an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. It was at that moment that Joshua fell face down. All the way down.

And that, my friends who are believers, is where I'll be tomorrow. (and you should be too) Tomorrow is a critical day. I've already voted and I voted my convictions. I fully recognize that there are believers and followers of Christ who do not share my political convictions and have voted in a contrary way. Ultimately, as believers and followers, we might label ourselves are Republican or Democrat or Independent but Whose side we are on is clear. And I'm pretty sure He's not wearing any labels. And, I can type with confidence, that no matter who the next president of our great nation is, God will still be on His throne and our knees should be used to being on the floor.

As for me, I'm leaning on the Lord's side.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

#firstworldprobs

I was home a couple of days ago doing the awful house cleaning so I thought I would turn the tv on to keep me company. I rarely watch tv on a week day and, if I do, it's always something on Food Network. This particular day I watched a day-time talk show. It was my first time to see it but I was attracted because I saw on the guide that Kelly Pickler was guest co-hosting and Chris Rene was going to be on.

(I want to write parenthetically here that I do watch reality tv shows. I did see Chris Rene win XFactor last year and I do remember when Kelly Pickler was on American Idol. I will not, however, under any circumstances watch American Idol this year because a certain new judge has made it unwatchable in my opinion. Also, does everyone in the world now have a day-time talk show? I mean, I watch 30-Minute Meals but not that cook on a talk show. We're huge Survivor fans but that host now also has a day-time talk show. No, I've never seen it but I saw it listed today when I was setting my dvr to make sure I recorded the season premier of Duck Dynasty tonight. Reality tv = a silly habit that I can't kick.)

Anyway, on that day's episode of the show there was a segment about rage in America. There was a set-up in an ice cream shop and customers were secretly recorded to see how long it would take them to get mad about bad service or the waitress touching her hair before she touched the food or whatever. At this point, I was on my hands & knees scrubbing my kitchen floor so I'm not all together sure exactly what happened. But, there was a psychiatrist or sociologist or "expert" of some kind reporting about the increased cases of people's anger getting out of control over meaningless stuff. Some of the customers that were recorded in the ice cream shop were there to tell their stories about getting so mad. The expert was there to provide counsel on how to avoid such situations and, maybe, some anger management advice.

Really, I'm embarrassed that I've spent an entire paragraph explaining the segment on the show but, hang on, I'm about to make a point.

The problem with anger in America is simply a first world problem. I see that hashtag on twitter on occasion. I did a search for it just now. Things like - pants being wrinkled, walking into a door because it's automatic, iphone is here but can't pick it up til later today, and, oh, this may be the kicker, "Im hungry and want food but im to lazy to get up." (yes, there are some errors to that but I typed it exactly like it appeared on twitter.)

Yeah, we've got problems. Really nothing at all like the problems found in third world countries. You know, like starving and wanting something to eat but there's nowhere to get food and, even if there was, there's no money to buy it.

We have anger issues because we're used to getting what we want when we want it. We don't want to wait for anything and we certainly don't want there to be problems or hold-ups or people not serving us in the manner in which we deserve. Give us some respect, would ya? And, by the way, if I do become angry it's really not my fault anyway.  I know for sure I will be able to find someone to blame it on.

I could go on and on but I've got to go wash dishes. I'm gonna have dish-pan hands because I'm not used to washing dishes but my dishwasher is broken and the repairman couldn't get to my house until later this week. ugh!

#firstworldprobs

Serving the King,

Jeanette

What Would You Give to Save a Life?

I was hanging out with these beauties last night and the subject of blogging came up. My oldest has been blogging daily about what's on his mind. We were talking about it in light of the presidential debate a couple of nights ago but the comment was made that I have not blogged in weeks. Months, actually. I've had a thought for a post in my head since June, though, so I'll see if I can make some sense out of it.

Weeks and weeks ago now I got emotional while teaching Life Group. I may have gotten emotional since then (if you know me personally, you know that is highly likely - I live emotions full on) but this day sticks out in my mind. Actually, it was June 10th and our Life Group had been doing a study of the book of Philippians and it was the last day so we were at the end of chapter 4. In Philippians 4:17 Paul wrote this, "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account." When Johnny preached a sermon on giving he said it's like God is saying to us, "I don't seek what's yours but you." (as if it's really ours any way) God's purposes on earth will be accomplished but it's our privilege to be participants. Paul wrote of his gratitude to the people of Philippi for their support of him but the message is that they got it. They got it that living their lives and giving of their possessions were to be about something greater than themselves.

Let me just interject right here that I am so guilty of being fixated on self. At times, I want to hunker down with those 4 whose faces I posted on this post and not be aware of hurt and suffering and need around me. Our schedules become busy and our lives so full that we are completely unaware of what's all around us. That's not how we are supposed to live though.

I asked the question in Life Group (here's the part where I lost it), "What would you be willing to give in order to save a life?" I mentioned a couple (his parents go to our church) that had reduced their worldly possessions to 8 suitcases and left the comforts of home to go live on a foreign mission field. We're not all called to do that, so I also mentioned the 18 million (I can't even type it without tears) people - I can't even fathom 18 million people - that are suffering from food shortages in Africa. In an area called The Sahel of Africa, nearly 1.5 million children are near starvation. There's a ministry website that counts the number of people who die daily from starvation - they report 1 every 6 seconds.  From my desk here in Texas I can't save 1.5 million children but I can't turn a blind eye either. Mother Theresa once said if you can't feed 100 hungry people then feed just 1.

We were never meant to hoard our blessings or our time or our families. That's not what Jesus taught.

My birthday was just a few days before that lesson on June 10th. A mother and her adult daughter often sit right behind us in corporate worship on Sundays. They gave me a fun card and gift and I was talking to them and thanking them. The mom's words penetrated my heart and have stuck with me. She talked about my travel and mission work and she said something about "all those lives you're saving."

I rarely feel like a life saver but I want to be one. Whether far away across the sea or right here in my community I know there's some lives that need to be saved. I've become fully aware of some chances I've missed just recently. Gosh, it hurts.  

I'd rather have the profit to my account than the hurt. Not more profit in my bank account. I could care less about that except in what I need to take care of those 3 that God entrusted to Johnny and me. I want that profit that's like a big hug from my Father. To hear in my spirit, "Well done. You're getting it. You're living like you believe Me."

Weighing what I'm personally willing to give to save a life is a daily task. All I ask from God is that He make me willing to give more. That He never stops calling me and asking me to join Him in His purposes.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

I'm Not So Great at Goodbye

This picture was taken a few weeks ago on our family vacation. This summer we went to Sedona, Arizona. It was beautiful and amazing and relaxing and fun. I'd rather be with these 4 people than anywhere or with anyone else. But, college classes start back tomorrow and high school the next Monday. That means the college kids are back at school and summer is coming to an end. I feel super melancholy today about the whole thing. Well, let me back up a week...

Last Saturday night Johnny got a call from his mom telling us his dad had a really rough day. I can't remember the exact conversations or even the right timeline of things but, essentially, we didn't realize how bad it was until Johnny talked to the hospice nurse on Sunday after church. Needless to say, Johnny, Josh, Jacob and I threw some stuff in suitcases (Jessica was in Amarillo visiting a friend) and started toward Georgia. It's a stinkin' long way from Mansfield, Texas, to Lavonia, Georgia. We made it there the next morning and spent the next 3 hours standing and sitting, keeping vigil over the bedside of one we love so much. My boys talked to their Granddad about fun things they had done together, about great memories, about computer repairs, and about what a great role model he was of how to be a godly man. Johnny assured his dad that his mom was going to be ok. Actually, Johnny told his dad that he was proud of his mom and how strong she was. Johnny's sister was there - she laid up in the bed with her dad for a while and just loved on him. When she left the room, it was just me and Josh and Jacob watching as Johnny's dad drew his last breath and slipped peacefully into eternity. Just like that, it was over and we said goodbye to the patriarch of the Dickerson family. Heaven was richer - our loss was its gain.

It was nice to see old friends and to spend the next few days with family. Even those goodbyes were hard for some reason that I can't really explain. Packing up the car with my 4 people (we flew Jessica in from Amarillo to Georgia) - even then, being with my people - and driving away from the lake house was wrenching.

We drove straight through the night and, again, made it home in the wee hours of the morning.  I don't know what I expected. Maybe for the 5 of us to sit around and share our feelings for the next few hours. (I'm so kidding) Nope, none of that. Our kids had things to do and people to see. I knew I would see Josh over the weekend but Jessica headed back to school that afternoon. We hardly saw her this summer - she was on the road working most of the summer. I know DBU is just a 20-25 minute drive from here but there's something about those kids not being here, not sleeping in their own bed, my not seeing their faces, not having them with me...

Josh is starting his last semester of his bachelor's degree tomorrow. Jacob starts his last year of high school the next week. An ending is always followed by a beginning.

So we've said some goodbyes. We've closed some chapters but we've started some new ones. I know life is supposed to go on, and it will. I told Johnny today that tomorrow life will go back to normal (whatever normal is) but it seems like it shouldn't. We keep moving forward even when we have to say goodbye.

Serving the King,

Jeanette