What Happens When Scripture and Texting Collide....

One of the things I DO like about texting is being able to share scripture with my youngest daughters on a fairly regular basis from my daily reading.  Well, once I got into Kings and Chronicles, I had a hard time finding one-verse scriptures that would be relevant to them...but there were multiple verses that spoke loudly to me.  So I found myself adding my little commentary so that they might find some relevance...so, i thought i'd share this last week's worth here:

2 Chron. 16:9  "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."

Note:  This scripture really stuck out to me today--king Asa had, up to this point, been seeking God. When he took his focus off God and relied on man rather than God, he failed.  Hanani then reminds the king of God's power in Asa's life so far and then reminds him of this truth that is quoted.  Because he relied on man and not God, the natural consequence had lifelong implications!  God gives us a choice and when we rely on Him, He is able to show Himself strong...if we rely on others, we reject Him and, thus, His strength in exchange for what the world offers--and Satan is the prince of this world...we don't think we are rejecting God, but we are--by default!  That was so convicting to me!  It reminded me that reliance on God (and therefore His strength) is a daily, conscious, purposeful decision and effort ( requiring action on our part)  it pierced my heart and so I thought I'd pass it along to you!

1 Kings 19  11 Then He said (to Elijah), "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.  13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Note:  God doesn't always reveal Himself or accomplish His ways in the powerful, the miraculous, the mighty ways.  He is often missed because more than not He is found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart.  We must listen for Him as well as respond to that still, quiet whisper...

1 Kings 22 6 Then Ahab, the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or shall I refrain?" So they said, "Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king." 7 And Jehoshaphat, king of judah, said, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?"
Note:  Ahab did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and his "prophets" were selected not from the tribe of Levi but at random by Ahab.  Jehoshaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord.  I thought it rather humorous that Jehoshaphat after watching the scene, turns and  confronts Ahab with an attitude of "really?!  Do you not have anyone around who will ACTUALLY inquire of God and not just tell you what you want to hear?!"  Soo, the application to me is no matter how much we surround ourselves with folks who will tell us what we want to hear, it doesn't change the way things are or help our "causes" any. We needs godly folks who will speak truth to us so we can make wise decisions based on God and not on the world.  We need godly folks who will not be afraid to say the hard things we need to hear that will, in the long run, keep us on the right path...


2 Chronicles 21:6 "And Jehoram walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 22:3 "Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly."
Note:  it has struck me in reading kings and chronicles how these great men were destroyed because of wives and mothers.  In just two of the chapters I read today were these verses which, because  the kings listened to these evil women's advice, ultimately ended up being the cause of the kings' demise.  How powerful we are as women to bring evil or to bring good--and the effect we have on the generations as a result of our words and our actions...what a great responsibility we have!  Think of all the women out in the world who encourage evil and the death that results...maybe that's where Solomon received words for Proverbs? 

2 Kings 10:31 "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin."
Note:  kings/chronicles are so difficult to read because they are so detailed.  Jehu has become king of Israel and he followed after God and had done away with all associated with Baal (he is the 11th king since the kingdoms have been divided).  What stood out to me is the importance of following God with ALL our heart, soul, AND mind.  Because jehu didn't follow God with ALL, he still harbored sin--and not just any sin--the sin of his fathers from 11 generations prior (the generational thing we've discussed).  I think about Rebeka and katie's discussion about how we have broken so many of those generational strongholds/curses--AMEN!  However, we must persevere in our walk with the Lord in giving Him our ALL so that we can tear down and destroy ALL that which satan tries to keep  alive in us.  That is the legacy I want to leave with y'all and that I know you want to leave for your children!

What happens when scripture and texting collide?  it makes my cup runneth over! :)

Descriptions of the heart

There's a certain way words are phrased that cuts to the very marrow of your bone, opening the rusted door to your heart.  The chilling reality and redemption of these words resonated and bounced back and forth till i lost my balance:

DEAR X:
by Disciple

Dear pain, oh, it's been a long time--

Remember when you were holding me tight?

I would stay awake with you all night.

Dear shame, I was safe in your arms--

You were there when it all fell apart...

I would get so lost in your beautiful lies

I let you go, but you're still chasing...

Go ahead

You're never gonna take me.

You can bend

But you're never gonna break me.

I was yours,

I'm not yours anymore.

Oh, you don't own me!

Dear hate, I know you're not far--

You would wait at the door of my heart.

I was amazed at the passion in your cries!

Dear anger, you made me so high--

You were faithful to show up on time.

Such a flame that was burning in your eyes!

I let you go, but you're still chasing...

Go ahead,

Put a target on my forehead.

You can fire

But you've got no bullet.

I was yours

But I'm not yours anymore!

Oh, you don't own me!

You tempted me to look back,

But everything that we had together was a lie!

I am in awe of the writers' ability to give such powerful and reflective words to feelings--I could see my past in each stanza and literally cringed.

But even more powerful is the message of redemption and freedom that is found in the Truth and the Power that is ours as a result.  It reminded me of how far I have come and what an amazing God I serve who can break any chain, giving freedom to even the worst offenders!  Thank you, Jesus! 

When I reflect on that, i know why my cup runneth over!

Summer Surprises

I don't know why I am always surprised when God answers my prayers...especially when my prayer seems too insurmountable for even God.  Yet, the heart of a surrendered soul is bound to find itself overflowing--in the land of the living no less.

Puzzles and Other Life Saving Devices

I bought a puzzle a few weeks ago...

Growing up I used to spend A LOT of time putting puzzles together.  Then I went for YEARS without even seeing one.  Two years ago, I was reintroduced to them in a most peculiar way.

I had a doc appointment...every day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks...and every day, there it was...a puzzle just waiting for my attention.

Having grown up with puzzles, I was instantly drawn to it...but as the days passed by, i realized it held more than just my attention.

Every day I walked into the lobby, preparing myself each time to face the people who would bare my chest and the machine that would do strange things to that part of my body.  It was such a strange feeling to experience that I never did develop the necessary sense of humor that would have helped me fare so much better.  I don't think I have ever felt more alone and isolated in my whole life.

But always, the puzzle waited for me.  I'd check in and immediately sit down to piece the cardboard colors together. 

It began to have a calming effect on my soul.  It took my mind off the inevitable.  It put my thoughts on hold as I focused on making a whole out of all the pieces...kinda like how I felt my life was...in pieces, never to be or to feel whole again.

I don't know exactly what day it was or which puzzle I was working to piece together; but somewhere along the way, I began to not feel so all alone--even the people who bared my chest daily didn't seem so alien anymore.  Somehow, the pieces started coming together, and I could start making out the "pictures" of my life--my future. 

There are times when the Lord takes the yuckiness of our lives, and He draws us to Himself just so He can reveal Himself to us in such intimate ways--ways in which our family or friends are completely unable to even touch.  This was one of those times, and He used the puzzle.

I don't think I ever saw even one of those puzzles completely finished, nor did I ever find out the "rest of the story" for the many folks who crossed my path at that puzzle table--whose conversations I will cherish because we were all experiencing the same thing...invasion...change...loss...fear...uncertainty...and we found unity in working to put the puzzle pieces together--however, I think that was of God's perfect design and one of His many lessons taught me during this surreal time in my life.

I'm really just now beginning to piece together all that happened that summer 2 years ago and the lessons He shared with me during that time.  But just like the puzzle I bought a few weeks ago, it takes time to sort and separate and finally put together, piece by piece, the beautiful picture unseen in each colorful jigsaw. 

The biggest lesson God gave me was that it sometimes isn't about the picture...it may be more about the process, and what happens during the process and what we allow to happen in the process.  What, or Who, do we trust?

"But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works."  Psalm 73:28

It is because of His works that I can declare that my cup continues to runneth over...

Miss Caroline Lawson Kelly

Outside of Good Friday services, Friday seemed like any other day...Keith and I both worked, and Rebeka ended up babysitting for the neighbors until close to midnight.  Though we ended up not going to bed until late, I was hoping to get out Saturday to find something special for the girls' and Keith's easter baskets.

A little after 8 a.m., Jessica called apologizing for waking us up so early on a Saturday morning, but she thought she ought to let us know that her water had broken and they were on their way to the hospital!  I have to admit, I was actually excited, even though the baby wasn't due until May 15 (Jessica had scheduled her c-section for May 7). 

We had really wanted to be there when the baby was born, but with Keith just returning back to work and the end of school testing, it just wouldn't be possible.  This little surprise changed everything...so I called Keith, who was on his way home from work, and let him know the news--we agreed to pack and head for Georgia!  We had several errands to tend to before heading out, so the girls and I jumped into action, and I do believe we finished packing in record time--which is a feat for our household of women who struggle to keep the suitcases down to 2 EACH!!!

By the time Keith got home at 10, we were finished packing and all but 2 errands completed.  We finally hit the road at 11:30.  While stopping to grab a bite to eat along the way, I receive a text from Bert letting us know we had a new granddaughter!

Caroline Lawson Kelly made her way into our lives at 12:53 p.m. on April 23, 2011.  Though she was a preemie, she weighed in at 7.1 lbs and measured 19.5 inches!!!

We arrived about 4 p.m. just as Bert brought in Elizabeth to meet her new baby sister!  Though Elizabeth was excited about "her new baby," she wasn't quite sure about this newcomer and the attention Caroline was drawing!

The whole day seemed all too surreal for Bert and Jessica;  Excited yet exhausted, they weren't quite prepared for this unexpected surprise, but they fell in love with their new baby immediately!

Jessica, the organizer that she is, had already been doing her "nesting," and so we were not surprised to find out that she'd already packed her bags, finished sewing several dresses, jumpers, bloomers, shorts and t-shirts for Elizabeth; completed Elizabeth's age 2 album; organized and labeled bins for the panty, the bathroom, the medicine cabinet, the cabinet and drawer spaces for Elizabeth's and Caroline's cups, plates, bottles, bibs, nipples, etc.; pulled out and hung up all of Elizabeth's clothes for Caroline to wear; and set up Caroline's changing table and dresser!!  WHEW!  In her blog, she wrote:  Now I feel like if Caroline comes early (which I'm still praying she doesn't), then I'll be ready!

Early she did come, and for us that was a blessing to be able to share in that day!  Of course, Aunt Hannah and Aunt Rebeka couldn't wait to hold her!

When Pappa held her, she began to wake up, giving us some great photos!



Finally, it was my turn!



Soon, Caroline fell back asleep.....

...and so did someone else!!!!  (Bless his heart...!  He'd only been up 24 hours by this time!!!)

Soon after, we took Elizabeth home, so we could all get some rest...I surely wished we knew how to upload videos from an UN-smart phone, because we have the greatest footage of Elizabeth eating her dinner--her favor-ite, corn on the cob!!!  It is hilarious!  Once home, we bathed her, dressed her for bed in her "froggy" p.j.'s, read her her favorite books, and sang her a few lullabies; and before we knew it, she was in la-la land as happy as could be!

Though we had to leave Sunday, it was well worth the trip to be with our daughter and son-in-law to share in this moment! 

It would be Wednesday before they were released to go home...baby Caroline, though a bit jaundiced, was ready to go...here she is in her traveling outfit looking so much like Elizabeth!!!

Welcome Baby Caroline!  You have overwhelmed us with your beautiful little self, and I am reminded of the Psalmists words:  

For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was intricately woven in secret and skillfully wrought in the depths of my mother's womb.  Your eyes saw my substnace, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

The Message also excites me:

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them—any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!

Ohhhh!!!  How my cup runneth over!!!