A Time For Giving ...

As the weather begins to cool and we catch a hint of relief from the summer's unsympathetic heat, in our mind's eye we can catch a glimpse of football games, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a roaring fire, and snuggling into a warm new sweatshirt.

For those of us here in the south those days aren't quite here yet but, every now and then, when the breeze blows just a certain way, we can feel it -- it's in the air -- Autumn!  And, as the air gets chillier and the mornings brisker, we find ourselves looking forward to the comforting fragrances of cinnamon, fresh apples, cloves, and other wonderful scents that begin stirring up a sense of holiday excitement that has lain dormant for seven or eight months.

But...
              not everyone.   

There are those in our communities who, although they may welcome the cooler temperatures, are dreading the approaching fall and winter months because there are not enough blankets for tucking the kids in bed on cold nights, not enough money to pay the rising heating bills, and last year's jackets no  longer fit.  There's no anticipation of delicious fragrances and thoughts of the upcoming holidays fill their hearts with despair.  As the cooler temperatures arrive and the Holiday season approaches, the needs of many low income families will become even greater.

• blankets
• warm clothing and coats
• holiday foods
• Christmas gifts for their children

Can God use you to touch one family this winter?  Is there a blanket or afghan packed away somewhere that you rarely use?  Has someone in your household outgrown a sweater or jacket this year?  Many families living in and around our communities will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in very sad circumstances.  What better time for us to share with them the love of our Savior?

Requests are already coming in to local food banks and shelters for blankets, coats, and food.

I hope you will join me in reaching out to those who are facing a long cold winter and bring your gifts to local churches and outreach ministries. 

Is there someone near you whom you can bless with a friendly visit, a small gift, or a home-cooked meal at any time, but especially the holidays?  What an awesome way to live our lives with Purpose and Joy!

Autumn .. a Time of Renewal.

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  And yet, it's actually the season of slowing down, sloughing off, and yes ... even death.   How could anything like that be so beautiful?  The vibrant reds, yellows and oranges of the leaves just before they fall to the ground and die. 
The gorgeous, sleek horses romp and play in the crisp air even as they begin to grow their shaggy overcoats to keep them warm when the north winds begin to blow. Slowly the sweet songs of the birds begin to die out as they head for warmer climates.  The butterflies in the fields disappear.   The prairies of wildflowers are turning brown .. mourning the deaths of the morning glories, bluebonnets, and buttercups.  And yet...there's a hint of excitement in the air. 
                                      Where did that come from?
               
Since the beginning of time, the seasons have come and gone. (Ecc. 3:3)  The earth knows that new life is only lying dormant for a time and then will return with renewed glory and vigor.  The bare trees stand proud and tall, knowing this is only a season of renewal.  The birds and butterflies disappear to warmer climates ... for a time of refreshing ... they know they will return bringing new life with them in the Spring.   Wild flowers that once spread their beauty across the fields have dropped their seeds, to lie in their deep earthy graves ... awaiting the day they will spring forth in a blaze of color.   As I gaze out at the fall beauty around me, I hear that still small Voice within whispering, "Consider the lilies of the field.."  (Luke 12:27-28)  Hmmm...

These seasons of renewal are not only for the earth ... they're for me

...  and for you.  

The beauty of this approaching Fall season is prompting me to reflect on things in my life that need renewing. I need a time of refreshing. There are areas of my heart and spirit that have lain dormant (did they die?) for a time.  But as I turn my eyes toward the Giver of Life I can feel my spirit leap to attention.  My hope and faith are renewed.  I can look at things differently ... disappointments are still there but now I can put them behind me and move forward with the promise of better things on the horizon.  Grief and loss are being replaced with hope and expectation. 

What do you need renewed in your life today?  What difference would it make if you focused your attention on the promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you?  (Heb 13:5) That surely Goodness and Mercy will follow you ALL the days of your life and your soul will be restored?  (Psalm 23)   

The root of the word "refreshing" means to "cool by blowing" with the potential for change and renewal ... the place where we can experience the very breath of God, ".... a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-21)  

The cooler temperatures haven't reached our part of Texas yet ... but they're on the way.  However, after spending some much needed quiet time in His presence, some soul-searching and yes, some repenting, I'm enjoying my time of refreshing and renewal ... and ready to continue living life with purpose and joy!

Now That It's Monday ...

Ethan, Emily & Trevor

We've eaten platesful of ham, chicken, or barbecue with sides of beans, potato salad, rolls and all kinds of decadent desserts.  We've taken pictures of the kids dressed up in their new clothes, scraped the last red jelly bean out of the carpet and, hopefully, found the last hidden hard-boiled Easter egg (winking at Linda).  Those who only attend church on Easter and Christmas have nearly nine months before they have to dress up and go again.  The songs have been sung, crucifixion sermons have been preached, and there's not a chocolate Easter Bunny in all the land with it's ears still intact.  The Easter celebration is over for another year.

Now what?

I love Easter .. Resurrection Sunday.  The food, colored eggs, new clothes ... I love it all.  But for me it's a reminder that life is still good.  No matter what is happening in the world or in my own life, the message of the resurrection of Christ brings a renewed hope and expectation of things to come.  Spring is in the air ... new life all around us.

Cody & baby Carson

The trees are putting on leaves ... gardens are flourishing ... the smell of freshly mown grass is in the air.

Resurrection is everywhere!

Is there something in your life that needs to be resurrected?  An unfulfilled dream?  A relationship that has lost its passion?  The hope that things will ever get better?  I know there are areas in my own life that need to be resurrected.  As a Christian, I know that there is a divine plan for my life but, if I lose sight of my goals,  I'll find myself struggling to just get through another day.  I've learned that changing my focus from my probems (and we all have them) to the blessings in my life (we all have those too!) gives me renewed energy and motivation to get back up and start again. 

We all have strengths ... talents ...  purpose. 

Jacee, Jaden, Jacob & Garrett

Life goes on.  We each have the choice to move forward regardless of the obstacles in our way:

 disappointment

 health issues

       missed opportunities 

...or we can stay where we are - paralyzed in regret and resentment.  Where are you today?  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is our source of hope and expectation that there is nothing that cannot be resurrected and renewed.  

Reagan

Having turned 60 last summer, my biggest hurdle is the feeling that I'm "too old" to be of much use at this point in time.  That's not the truth ... but it can cast a pretty big shadow sometimes.  Whatever your hurdle is ... let's catch a new vision ... dream a new dream ... and allow God to breathe a breath of life into our renewed purpose.  I'm ready to go forth in JOY!

Precious Memories ....

Memories .....

                        they can evoke powerful emotions .... good and bad.   As a life coach, I often help people process through painful memories of their past.  But many times reliving the good memories can bring healing to the spirit.  My sisters and I experienced this over the weekend while visiting with our 82-yr-old dad who now lives in a nursing home.  Having suffered several debilitating strokes and then the sudden accidental death of our mother last year, Dad is often confused and has difficulty speaking coherently most of the time.  But we do get glimpses of "Daddy" from time to time and we know he's still in there.  Often we'll bring pictures or try to talk about the "good old days" hoping to jog his memory and stimulate his senses enough to keep him communicating and able to relate to his surroundings.  On this last visit we began talking about the days when he traveled and sang with the southern gospel quartet, The Virginia Travelers, and how later my sisters and I sang back-up for him when he did his solos. 

Left to Right - Mitch Brown (Dad), Glenn Currier, Dave Rose, Jim Cook, Paul Secord at the piano

As we began singing, his countenance brightened and he began to sing along with us.  The tears began to flow as we realized he was singing harmony and remembered the words of the songs he sang so many years ago.  We could see he was reliving those wonderful days.  Soon we had staff and visitors

standing outside the door of our private little room listening in on our "jam session" with Dad.  No one but us knew that this precious elderly man had once traveled extensively singing in great concert halls as well as many churches and camps spreading the Good News in song and Christian entertainment for many years.  His beautiful natural tenor voice made him a favorite and there were many requests for his solo features such as "Oh What A Savior," "I've Been To Calvary," and "Sweet Jesus."  His voice is now weak, cracked, and often hard to hear ... but I believe the angels in Heaven stopped their singing that day to listen once again to Mitch Brown sing "What a Day That Will Be."

Mitch Brown 2012                                                            Mitch Brown 1962

Thank you, Dad, for living your life with great purpose and joy!

Left to Right - Margie, Debbi, Dad, Lena, Annette

Accidental Friends?

In my sister’s recent blog post the other day (Be Still And Know), she speaks of how wonderful it is to know that we are not alone, that God brings people together with certain gifts and anointings for just “such a time as this,” and uses each of us to meet the needs of others.  As I was reading that it reminded me of a children’s book by Dandi Mackall, “Made For A Purpose.”  The book is about a sad, lonely little girl who has been deeply hurt and disappointed and has shut herself away from the world, thinking she can be just fine by herself and has no need of friends.  She thinks she already knows what she wants to be when she grows up and just stays focused on that, keeping to herself. Through a series of “coincidences” she ends up meeting the need of a group of kids her age and, through their kindness and friendship, has her own need for love and acceptance met.  She discovers that she didn’t have to be alone, that God loved her and created her with a purpose.

                  It was God who had given her the dreams and ideas for her future.

There have been so many times when I’ve needed love, guidance, support .. and just when I didn’t know where to turn, someone came into my life who had just the right word, the right advice, a strong arm to hold me up when I needed it the most.

Accidental friendships …. or divine appointments?

I don’t want to always be on the receiving end of these appointments, do you?  As in my sister’s group of classmates, I want to be able to give as much, if not more, than I get.  There have been times when I knew I was the “giver.”  Other times … not so much.  But I have learned that we all have a contribution to make.  We can “bear one another’s burdens” and, have our own load lightened when we need it as well.  We’re not accidental friends … we were created and brought together for a purpose.

To love others and see their lives changed!

One thing I have learned is that God uses people to help people.  I believe in miracles ... but most miracles come in the form of someone fulfilling their purpose of reaching out and touching others. 

                            A box of groceries left on the front porch.

                            A nurse in the hospital hallway with a hug when the news is bad.

                            A Facebook “friend” with a word of encouragement.  

Someone needs a word … a prayer … a touch today.  You have that! I've discovered that when I'm reaching out to others with God’s love, I'm truly living life with Purpose and Joy!