The Local

There's More to Life than Duct Tape and Spit

Being the youngest in my extremely large family was at times, lonely.  I grew up in a world surrounded by adults.  Bear with me while I give you the numbers from all sides.  My family recipe as a child consisted of one mama, one daddy, one grandmother, one granddaddy, three brothers, two sisters-in-law, six aunts, three uncles, one niece, twelve first cousins, and five "first cousins once removed."  My Aunt Mertie was big on that "once removed" stuff.  She explained it to me on many occasions, complete with graphs, but I'm not sure I ever completely grasped it to her liking.  

The only person I ever recall being removed was me!!  Many times I was told to remove myself from the dinner table for being too loud while others were trying to talk.  On one such occasion, I found myself in a bit of a predicament when interrupting adult conversation during dinner at my Aunt Angel's house.  I was kindly asked to excuse myself.  During my first attempt to comply, I realized I had turned myself around in the wooden chair I was sitting in and until then was relaxing comfortably with my skinny knees in between the wooden spindles adorning the back.  When I tried to ease out, I suddenly recognized that I was stuck.  Apparently my knees had swollen between the spindles and I couldn't move.  My mother thought I was being disobedient and instructed me in a more deliberate tone to excuse myself from the table.  What was I to do?  If I cried, I would be called a baby by the beloved compliant children lingering about.  If I failed to get up, my legs would be striped with a switch of my picking.  I squirmed and wiggled and tugged at my legs trying to pry them away, but the more I struggled, the more my knees swelled.  I didn't realize it at the time, but at this young age the Holy Spirit helped me out of a jam.  He reminded me of how peanut butter and ice had successfully removed the bubble gum mangled in my hair a few days prior, proving once and for all there IS more to life than duct tape and spit.  Surely the same would hold true for my knees!  I politely asked if I could have a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of ice water.  My mother questioned how I could still be hungry since I apparently had just cleaned my plate, but I suppose she thought if I were eating, the nonstop chattering from my mouth would cease.  After all, talking with one's mouth full and smacking were strictly prohibited.  Even I refused to cross that line!

As my mother approached where I was sitting with my request of what she thought would be my after dinner snack, she quickly noticed the unusual condition of my otherwise scrawny knees.  Everyone in the house ran to her side as she screamed for HELP!  My brothers and cousins laughed and chided, but my precious Uncle Ash came to my rescue, as so often he did for all of us.  He and my Aunt Angel never had any children, but to them we all belonged to them.  I have never met a couple more equipped at parenting without the experience of raising their own.  I whispered to my Uncle Ash about my condition and how I planned to resolve my current state of affairs.  With the gentleness of his loving heart, he opened the sandwich and started applying the peanut butter and ice to my inflamed knees, all the while complimenting me for my quick thinking.  I began to grin from ear to ear and in no time, my legs were released.  As I stood on my feet, I felt wobbly, but he never left my side.  I scooted toward the den and Uncle Ash lifted me onto his lap.  Now I was sitting in "the big chair" wrapped in the arms of a man who always responded in love.

I encourage you to curl up in the lap of your loving, Heavenly Father and search His Word for whatever you are facing today.  He has "the big chair" and all of the right answers.   The only way He knows to respond is with love.  I John 4:8

God's answers for:

Loneliness:        Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20, John 14:18

Predicaments:    Psalm 46:1, Philippians 4:19, I Corinthians 10:13

Wobbling:           Psalm 94:17-18, Isaiah 43:3-5, 2 Timothy 4:16, 17

 

 

 

 

 

Storm Warning - Take Immediate Shelter!

Fast forward 44 years from the days at "The Royal Barge" and picture with me a beautiful spring morning.  The kind with baby birds chirping their first songs, the sun beaming through a background of brilliant blue that can only be surpassed by my husband's eyes, and the warm air whispering a gentle breeze that has heaven written all over it.  Before you are swept away by the vivid scene I can now recall, let me disclose that my life before "this day" was anything but beautiful.  God and only God could take me back to "this day" and recount my surroundings as they were in the natural and in my heart; sunny and warm.  Previously, the account of my soul consisted of one squall line after another. 

In Alabama, when weather persons have squall lines in their forecast, citizens take notice.  Growing up in tornado alley should have prepared me for the storms of life.  After all, don't all civilizations set their watch by the testing of sirens at 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday morning?  If you grew up in my small town, "Mobile Home Foundation of the World and  Thankful for It," there is no explanation needed.  However, if you happen to be reading this and have never heard of Haleyville or for that matter siren testing, let me attempt to educate you on the subject.  Should you have the pleasure of visiting our fair city and a piercing blast overtakes your ability to hear anything except dogs howling at pitches that would break the sound barrier, please remain calm.  This too shall pass.  If the siren sounds and then slowly appears to be fading, HOLD ON!  In a matter of seconds, it will return for what will seem like an eternity.  Remember, this is most likely only a test and you are in no eminent danger.  Sometimes I forget what day it is and have to look outside to confirm.  Blue sky ----- Wednesday ----- check watch for 10:00 a.m.  Dark clouds ---- locate flashlight, weather radio and bicycle helmet.  Test two is the same horn with one marked difference.  The deafening sound never fades.  It involves one very long continuous blast indicating a Tornado Warning.  Again, this is more than likely only a test, but just in case --- IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME - GET OUT!

During one very stormy night of my youth, I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of twelve.  I was home alone except for the presence of my two new born nephews whom I was babysitting.  My two oldest brothers Moe and Larry, and their two wives, Hillary and Nancy, were just down the road at the country club attending a party after a golf tournament the guys had entered over the weekend.  My dad was in Birmingham with my mother at the hospital where she was recovering from surgery.  My mother, who has been affectionately named seven different names by each set of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to suit their own tastes, was scheduled to come home the next day.  To me,  she is today and will always lovingly be,  "my mother."

I had rocked Big E and Peanut to sleep when I received an anxious message over the telephone from my Aunt M concerning my mother's condition.  She told me my mother had been rushed into emergency surgery due to internal bleeding.  Aunt M continued by assuring me that she and "the ladies from the church" would be right over.  As I hung up the telephone I realized her call was preparation for what was to come.  After all, "the ladies of the church' only come to your house for one reason if your mother isn't home - CASSEROLES.  My dad, nicknamed "Smoke" because of his incredible speed on foot, didn't care for scrambled food.  As a WW2 veteran from The United States Marine Corps, he ate military style; one thing at a time until it was all gone.  He didn't mix the food on his plate and he didn't want it mixed for him during the cooking process.  I had very little experience with casserole eating or my mother being sick.

Suddenly, I was overcome with fear.  Had my mother passed away?  Was my aunt trying to soften the bolt?  The only thing that brought me back to reality was one thunderous crying baby.  Obviously the sound of the telephone ringing had awakened my youngest nephew, Big E, who was now screaming at the top of his lungs.  I went to pick him up and walked slowly into my bathroom singing "Jesus Loves Me."  Amazingly, it worked.  Anyone having the unfortunate experience of sitting in front of me in church knows that singing is not one of my gifts.  I guess the child's only hope was to go back from whence he came and the song beckoned him to sleep, all the while, summoning my heart to call on the name of Jesus.  As I looked in the mirror confessing and repenting  my sins and asking God to forgive me, I promised Him that I would follow Jesus.  I knew Jesus loved the little children and I knew He loved me.  Fear subsided and peace flooded my heart.  I knew I wasn't alone.  I also prayed earnestly that God would be with my mother and allow her to live.  I didn't know fancy words or exactly what to say.  None of that mattered.   God heard me and He answered.  Aunt M and "the ladies from the church" came never knowing I had just given my life to Christ.  Soon after, Smoke called to report that my mother was out of surgery and doing much better.   Although she didn't come home the next day, she did come home and I am happy to report some 37 years later, she is alive and well!  God had dried up my puddle of tears and put a rainbow above.    As for my promise, I was true to my word.  I had been brought up all my life that one must hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized in order to be saved.  I crossed off all five and continued to believe, so far, so good."

Unfortunately, as my teenage years approached,  dark skies began to enter my horizon.  I became more full of myself than of Jesus.  My choices most often did not line up with my decision making process and promise to follow Him.  To add insult to my own injuries, Satan had not forgotten the statement I proclaimed "that he hadn't gotten me yet!"  By choices of my own accord, I opened the door.  In Genesis 4:7, the Lord is inspiring Cain to do better with these words.    "If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."  As the story in the Bible goes, we know Cain did not heed the correct voice.  He didn't choose well.  Neither did I and Satan was just waiting for the moment of attack to show me he indeed could use his wicked schemes to entice me with more sin than I could think up on my own.  But, enough about that scoundrel. Now, let me report about the good stuff!

Think back to the day I described as I began this writing as "this day."  "This day" was THE DAY that I realized my forecast was designed by God. (Jeremiah 29:11)    My radar had been connected to the wrong station.   John 10:1-6 reminds us of this:  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a a thief and a robber.  Bu he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the gatekeeper opens.  The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all of his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."  I had turned from the Biblical teaching of my childhood that is summed up in the verses of a song that is precious to me -  "Oh Be Careful, Little Eyes"  In each verse, it tells of how we are to be careful what our eyes see, what our ears hear, what our hands do, where our feet go, and what our mouth says.  It reminds us that our Father is looking with love and again that we are to be careful.  We are to proceed with caution, taking cover under His refuge (Psalm 91) when the alarm sounds and sirens blare WATCH and then WARNING!   

I challenge and encourage you today with these truths from God's Word concerning the storms of life.  If we aren't tuned in to what He says, we may find ourselves in a rain delay or even more concerning; convinced we have suffered a complete loss.   Whose forecast are you following?  Be assured, God's Word is certain.  It is not based on prediction; only truth. 

 

*    If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, please stop, drop, and LISTEN.  2 Chronicles 20:20, Acts 16:31, John 3:16, Romans 10:9, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Matthew 7:7,             Revelation 3:20.       

*    If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you are considering opening doors to the voice of a stranger, please heed the warning signs and don't talk to strangers!  RUN quickly to the         open arms of the Good Shepherd.  Even if you aren't as quick as old "Smoke," it doesn't matter.  Jesus is as close as the first step. Psalms 91, 46:1, Proverbs 30:5, John 10: 25-37,               John 10:10, John 15:4, I Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18, I Peter 5:8-9. 

*    If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you have already opened doors of your own choosing and have been deceived by what you have allowed to come in, TURN BACK!  It is                   NEVER too late.  Remember, there are no name games in The Kingdom of Heaven and God knows exactly who and where we reside.  Psalms 51:10, 103:1-5, Acts 3:19-20,                               Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 8:26-39, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 2:14-15, Hebrews 8:12, James 4:2.

I want to THANK ALL OF YOU who have commented, posted, and encouraged me in my previous blogs.  Your time is valuable and I am honored you would spend a moment or two with me and then take more time to respond with reassurance.  Next time,  I plan to share the 3rd most embarrassing moment of my life and unravel the question......Whose got your back?  After you read it, you will be asking yourself, "You mean there are two other experiences more embarrassing than that?"  No need for me to make a bucket list.  My husband, Ham, just rolls his eyes with a flabbergasted grin and replies....."my life with Jubilea."  Until then my friends, take shelter in the shadow of The Almighty!  No bicycle helmet needed.

 

 

 

 

The Name Game

As the youngest of four and the only girl, my three older and wiser brothers insist on referring to me most of the time as, "The General."  Over the years they have honored me with various adjectives and nicknames describing my bossiness, as well as, delighted in ongoing remarks about my apparent shortcomings involving vertical challenges.  My brothers, Moe, Larry, and Curly, have also enlisted my husband, Ham, in their antics making family occasions and holidays blissfully eventful!

In 1533, the diminutive wife of the Duke of Orleans, Catherine de Medici, commissioned a cobbler to design a pair of high-heels both for fashion and to increase her stature.  Later in history, around 1660, a shoemaker named Nicholas Lestage created a high-heeled shoe for Louis XIV.  Some were more than 4" and were decorated in various battle scenes.  I owe a tremendous debt to these entrepreneurs for their inspirations which have aided in my ability to overcome the artillery of teasing from my rivals, Moe, Larry, Curly, and Ham. I never leave home without at least one pair of my most valuable parts of armor - my heels!  Some are fashionable, most are at least 4" but ALL are fit for battle any time short jokes appear on the battlefield.  If my heels bore the pictures of my war zones, intense warnings would be needful for all who beheld their sight.  I must confess, "Shodding my feet with the gospel of peace,"  is often not on my radar when defending myself against these four increasingly balding beasts, all of which have misplaced a great deal of the hair from the top of their heads to the covering of their ears.  

Aside from "The General," their most infamous nickname for me was "Maggot."  I'm speaking in the past tense because God sent an angel of a sister-in-law to stand tall in the midst of my scorn insisting that "Maggot" crossed every line of sibling abuse.  According to Webster, a maggot is the legless, soft-bodied, worm-like larvae of various flies, often found in decaying material.  The slang term is despicable person.  While my sister-in-law, Nancy, was certainly justified in demanding a cease fire with respects to "Maggot calling" God has truly shown me the meaning of Genesis 50:20.  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done."  I know my brothers truly love me and did not mean it for harm.  As brothers often do, they toughen you up so that when the world swings and hits you right square in the mouth, the pain isn't so bad.  They prepared me for damaging words that would be a step up and nothing would leave a lasting wound.  They instilled perseverance because no matter the nick name, adjective, or joke, they knew that if I could get back up after all their blows, their 5'1 1/2" baby sister could withstand the storms of life.

There is no name game when it comes to the name of Jesus.  In Philippians 2:9-10 The Bible says, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth."  God did not mess around when naming His one and only Son, Jesus.  There are many ways God reveals Himself  to us in scripture.

Jehovah Tsidkenu highlighted in Jeremiah 23:6 "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."2 Corinthians 5:21.

Jehovah Shalom found in Judges 6:24, "THE LORD IS PEACE." John 14:27 reminds us as Jesus speaks, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Jehovah Shammah (Yahweh)  "THE LORD IS THERE" written in Ezekiel 48:35.  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

Jehovah Rapha "THE LORD WHO HEALS" recorded in Exodus 15: 26.  "For He was wounded for our transgressions and by His stripes, we are healed."  Isaiah 53:5

Jehovah Jireh "THE LORD WHO PROVIDES" Genesis 22:14.  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

Jehovah Nissi "THE LORD OUR BANNER" Exodus 17:15  "He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love."  Song of Solomon 2:4

Jehovah Rohi "THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD"  Psalm 23:1  Jesus tells us in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  

 

God also knows our names and we need to be reminded of who we are in Christ.  No matter the names we are called by the world.  No matter what we may think of ourselves.  We are valuable to God because He gave His only Son that we might live.  John 3:16 

God calls us ACCEPTED:

John 1:12 We are God's children.

John 15:15 We are Christ's friend.

I Corinthians 6:20 We have been bought with a price.  We belong to God.

Ephesians 1:5 We have been adopted as God's children.

Colossians 1:14 We are complete in Christ.

God calls us SECURE:

Romans 8:35-38 We cannot be separated from the love of God. 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 We have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.  

Philippians 3:20 We are citizens of heaven. 

God calls us SIGNIFICANT:

Matthew 5:13-14  We are the salt and light of the earth.

John 15:16  We have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

Acts 1:8  We are personal witnesses of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21  We are ministers of reconciliation for God

 

I want to encourage you today and every day to remember and declare the precious name of Jesus and all that He is to those who follow Him.  In prayer, remind Him who He is to you.  There is no better time than today, Good Friday, to begin or continue to lift up the name of Jesus.  In this season when our hearts are focused on all that He has done for us, let us daily be reminded in John 14:6 as Jesus tells us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me," because Jesus, the name above every name, is the only certainty we have!  Hebrews 13:8  

Assure the devil every day that his deception cannot harm you.  Remind him of who you are in Christ by the truth of what God's Word says about you. In my blog "So Far So Good, I confessed that I had allowed Satan to catch up with me at times in my life, but when it comes to "The Name Game,"  I use a powerful weapon given to me by God. It was right under my nose all the time.  Confess God's precious Word over your life and though the devil may think he is fast on your heels, he will never be able to stand up to God's spoken and written Word.  Above all else, remember the sweetest name of all, the precious name of Jesus.  

I must go to continue packing for my upcoming family trip.  Yes, I have my highest heels!!  Without them, I must admit I might not pass the height requirement, leaving my grandson to go the rides alone.  Heels or no heels, Moe, Larry, Curly, and Ham, wouldn't think of braving the thrills with him.  They can't  risk getting the few hairs left on their precious heads out of place!  Continue to fight the good fight my friends.  Join me next time when I have a feeling the subject might have something to do with repentance and forgiveness, especially if I tell you about the time......................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Far, So Good?

Someone once said, "An optimist is someone who falls off of the Empire State Building and after 50 floors says, "So far, so good!"  Somehow at the ripe old age of 4, my perspective on life was just that........ "So far, so good!"  Little did I know that some 40 plus years later I would recall details from that time and link them to what I now know was the beginning of my testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. 

In the late 1960's, my Mother owned a gift shop in our small town of Haleyville, Alabama, named "The Royal Barge."  A Royal Barge is a ceremonial barge used by  monarchs for processions and transports on a body of water.  These ceremonies of royal and often religious significance have been taking place for over 700 years.  The only noted processions I recall in "The Royal Barge Gift Shop" included a body of water from my tears as I hesitantly returned any and every item I had taken from the shop that I thought I could not live without.  Somehow I did not grasp the concept that my mother was working daily to earn money from the items she sold in the store.  In my 4 year old brain, "The Royal Barge" existed for the transportation of toys from the shelves to my bedroom.

Through the brilliance of my Mother's marketing efforts at the shop, "bridal registry" in Haleyville was born and remains today as one of our most impressive community outreach projects.  Her insight ignited the formation of some of the most elaborate and notable social events of this century.  Every bride and/or groom fortunate enough to be born in "The Free State of Winston" is feted with a tea or coffee in an attempt to set them up for housekeeping.  Not to mention, the food served at these famous events is to die for.  Haleyvillian women diet for weeks in anticipation of the array of food offered by the best cooks the south has ever raised.  One thing I've never understood is why we insist on trying to pack a sample of each cuisine, in most cases at least 30 choices, onto a 6" plastic plate.  Not only is the circumference too small, but the sheer weight of all that cream cheese alone is too heavy for the most durable of plastics.  After gorging, gossiping, and gifting for upwards of two hours, the men, including the honorary groom, of our fair city are called upon to pack and load.  Pack the china and crystal delicately and load it with ease lest they desire the hissy fit that would ensue from the hostesses should one box be dropped.  All out war is declared should one gift tag be removed from the gift without the proper description of said gift with details enabling the bride to write a suitable and timely thank you!  Why in the world would any male subject himself to such scrutiny right in the middle of their Sunday afternoon nap or last hole of the PGA tournament on the Golf Channel?  Two simple explanations overtake their need for sleep or sports.  For those brave men and boys willing to risk life and limb at one of our hen gatherings, leftovers abound AND the plates get bigger!!  I cannot confirm this, but I have been told that some have even been blessed with take-out on occasion.

In addition to the great selection of wedding gifts offered at "The Royal Barge"  my mom was privileged to be the first to sell "Hallmark" products and cards within a 60 mile radius of our area and she should be duly noted as the pioneer of the "thinking global and buying local" campaign trending in today's economy.  She sold every form of creative genius inspired by our residents that her shelves and walls could hold.  "The Royal Barge" of Haleyville was indeed a unique establishment housed at the end cap of The Quick Shop strip mall.  If you have ever lived in Haleyville you know where The Quick Shop is and chances are you have given many a direction to foreigners using this historic local landmark as a reference.

Every day the shop was open for business, I spent my mornings helping my Mother greet customers.  My afternoons were filled with normal 4 year old activities such as attending half day private kindergarten at Mrs. Joe and Mrs. Billie's.  Private kindergarten sounded so important I could not resist using the term, but the truth is if a child attended kindergarten in the late 1960's; it was private.  No such animal existed in the public school system.  I spent three of the best years of my life under the big oak trees of Mrs. Joe's yard on 15th Avenue, frequently digging to China and making flower bracelets from clovers.  Yes, three years because my mother was friends with both teachers and she insisted that I was a child prodigy convincing them to enroll me as a student at age 3.  Honestly, my mother needed a break.  I cried all day because my older brother, Curly, was in big school and her only choice was to take me to work with her.  If not for Mrs. Joe and Mrs. Billie's willingness to accept me, I would have run off the other half of the patrons who remained loyal despite my incessant talking.

As if my help was not enough, Mother often hired part-time employees during the peak times of the year.  One morning business was slow and I found myself talking to Marilyn.  Marilyn not only worked for us, she also attended the same church.  During our conversation, Marilyn asked, "Do you just love everybody?"  I have no idea why she asked, but of course I was quick to answer, "Yes ma'am, I sure do.  I even love the devil!!!"  She was horrified and immediately told me not to say such things.  I simply responded in 4 year old fashion by saying, "Well, he hasn't got me yet!"  I can just see myself looking in the mirror admiring my recent new shag hair-do sassing about with the attitude, "So far, so good."  At 4, I was correct.  So far, my life was very good.  No trials, no tribulations, no sin.  At least I was not at the age of accountability.  I really thought all of those things I took from Mother's store belonged to our family.  I did not know someone had to pay for them.  I did not have a clue I was stealing.  I also did not understand the words I had spoken concerning Satan.  At this age, any knowledge of the devil was a little red man in a red suit with a large fork.  My world consisted of playing dolls with my friends, enjoying summers at the beach with my family, and spending holidays at my Mama Chriser's, where she and my aunts prepared meals second to none.  I did not have to count calories, money, or time.  

Speaking of time, it sure does fly and if you have stayed with me this long, I'm certain you have supper on the stove or supper to eat, kids to bathe, or garbage to take out.  Please visit "The Local" again soon to read the ongoing stories of "So Far, So Good."  I promise to share a little about how the devil did "get me", MUCH more about how Jesus rescued me time and time again, and prayerfully provide insight through God's Word about how He has given us all the answers we will ever need for Spiritual battles.  Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and hide God's precious Word in your heart daily.  Though the battles may seem tough, The Armor of God is more powerful than any scheme of the devil.  Suit up my friends and be blessed in the name of Jesus!