Sherlock gets a new home

Had a great week last week...very productive!  Then Sheila and I left Saturday morning to head to Paris.  We made a stop at Barnes and Noble on Sundance Square and then looked for a good place to eat lunch.  We found an interesting place called "The Corner Bakery" and decided to give it a try...BEST sandwiches I've ever eaten!  Then back on I30 and heading east.  That drive is usually soooo long and tiring, but I really enjoyed the time with my girl!  We had us a good long visit.  We made it to Stephen & Mandy's house around 4, and then left again at 5 to pick up Stephen's "little brother" and his little brother, Christian and Damion.  We went to eat supper and then headed over to the Paris Community Theatre.  Mandy gave the four of us a tour of the theatre while Stephen was getting dressed for his performance.  The play was so fun!  Stephen did a good job as narrator/villain!

We had services Sunday morning in Stephen's office...the 4 of us plus the McLemores.  Then Sheila and I had to hit the road.  Stephen and Mandy had been given a kitten that they couldn't keep...their Lily did NOT like the competition!  I needed to get the kitten home and acclimated before going to evening services at Highway.  The first 30 minutes, the kitten (who I'm calling Sherlock) cried the whole time!  Finally I asked Sheila to drive, so I could take him out of his carrier and hold him in my lap.  He did fine the rest of the way home.  He definitely likes attention!  As soon as I put him in the backyard, the neighbor dogs barked and Sherlock disappeared.  We finally found him hiding under the shed.  So that has turned out to be his "safe" place.  (We are surrounded by neighbor's dogs, so the poor little thing will have to get used to dogs barking!)  He made it through the night just fine.  I'm hoping he is smart enough to survive around here.  My last kitten didn't make it through the first week.  :(

I heard from Jessica this morning that her mom's surgery went fine and she should be getting out of the hospital in the morning.  I know they are relieved!

Well I need to get my mowing done before it gets too hot.  I hope everyone has a great week!

Ho 2:18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

Don't worry, be happy now!

This has been a week of contemplation for me...lots on my mind.  I'm struggling to bring my life closer to how God would have me to be...looking for ways that I can be more helpful to others...striving to improve my attitude and outlook.  I've had the "blahs" for a good long while and have really wrestled with it.  Depression and I are not strangers, but I thought that I had pretty much moved past that in my life since hormones no longer dictate my moods.  I haven't really felt "sad" or had a lot of the more common symptoms, but something has been "off" for a long time.  Depression makes me angry at myself (redundant, I know, since depression is often anger turned inward).  I've decided I've got to DO something to get out of this slump!

The first thing I did was sit down and make "the list".  Looking at the things that I'm unhappy with vs. the blessings that I have.  Doing it mentally doesn't seem to do the trick with me, but seeing it laid out on paper (or the computer screen nowadays) helps me better to see things in the proper perspective.  And, of course, my blessings always outweigh my complaints!  Counting your blessings...simple concept, powerful tool!

As always when the blues take hold of me, I've found that reaching out to help others helps me so much more.  It is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you are ministering to others who are hurting.  I've been less than satisfied with my volunteer job for a good while.  I started off going to the Ronald McDonald House once a week, but ended up having to cut back to once every other week.  The drive is just too far.  Plus my duties were necessary, but not very fulfilling.  I know that my chores were things that needed to be done and made things easier for the staff and parents at the house, but I didn't really interact with the people I was there to help.  I decided to resign from there and find something closer to home where I feel like I can be of more benefit.  I plan to go talk to The Center of Hope, in Weatherford, this week about a once a week position with them.  I'm very excited to find out more.  Heather and Linda and I have been discussing trying to work up enough ladies from our congregation to serve a meal there once a month.   We still need to investigate more to see what all is involved, but we are hoping that would provide a good way for our group to reach out to the community.

All in all, it has been a good week!  I feel happy and have several things on my mind that have me excited about future opportunities.  We enjoyed a wonderful Lord's Day today: had two very good and inspiring lessons; enjoyed some great fellowship; and feel renewed in my spirit from praising God in song.  I heard from Ricky twice this weekend, and he sounds great!  AND we were blessed with at least 2 inches of rain this weekend.  God is good!

Ps 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Life goes on

So much has happened since this time last week!  As most, if not all of you know, my Uncle Buddy passed away last Tuesday...on Ricky's birthday.  Our two families are strangely interconnected in death.  My mom passed away on the same day that Anita (Buddy's daughter) received her confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer.  Therefore she will always remember the day Momma died, and I will always remember the day Uncle Buddy died.  (She probably would anyway, but her memory is MUCH better than mine)

The remainder of the week was pretty much focused on the family and the funeral preparations.  His funeral was Saturday morning, with a lunch for the family immediately following.  It was beginning to look like we wouldn't be able to find a suitable location for the dinner...trying to find a facility on a Saturday in the summertime around here is almost impossible.  The family finally located a room at one of the local motels that was available.  We were a little panicky when we saw how small it was (it would only seat around 60 people...which was about how many family were expected).  But everything worked out fine.  The funeral had a huge turnout...standing room only!  Most of the people left before going to the cemetery.  I'm sure the heat discouraged most people.  We got to the room at 11:30, got everything set up, got everyone fed after they returned from the cemetery, got everything cleaned up and were out of there at 2 minutes before 2:00, which was our "checkout" time.  We were sweating it (in more ways than one)!  I think everyone headed home and threw off their sweaty clothes and got comfortable as soon as possible.  At least I know I did!  I know the family will have some difficult time ahead of them, dealing with their grief and missing Buddy.  However, I think everyone is relieved for his sake that his suffering has finally come to an end.  I don't know if I've ever seen anyone as ready to go as he was.  So nice to know that he is at peace now!

We had a wonderful Lord's Day yesterday.  Our crowd was small due to several attending Eastside to be with Frieda, plus others were gone on vacation.  But the assembly was great!  The girls came over for lunch and then the four of us napped all afternoon.  Back to an even smaller assembly that evening, but it was a good group!  Afterwards most of us went to eat together at McAlister's Deli and visited until almost 9:00.  Layne and Heather noticed a woman sitting alongside the road as we arrived at the restaurant, so they went out to check on her situation.  She had no place to stay the night and no money, so Layne took her down to the Super 8 and got her a room.  She was needing a ride to Dallas today, so Charles, Linda and Heather were going to see about taking her.  We spent a good portion of our visit discussing ways to help others in the community.  I'm so thankful that we have such good-hearted people that are concerned with helping those around them!

I heard from Bobbie this morning.  They took Daddy to the hand specialist in FW and everything looked fine.  Daddy's wrist was set properly, so they put him in a cast and told him to come back in a couple of weeks.  He is having very little pain associated with his break.  He took a pain pill on Thursday (the day he broke it) but hasn't had one since.  So very thankful for that!

I hope that everyone's week goes well and no one suffers any ill effects from the heat.  Please keep the Putman family in your prayers.  The reality of losing Buddy will be hitting them now that life is "getting back to normal". 

Ps 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Listen

I read a book last week entitled “Listen”.  It is the story of a town that was torn apart because someone started posting private conversations on the internet...on a website called “listen to yourself”.  The theme of the book has strongly been on my mind.  Then Jamie gave a wonderful lesson yesterday morning about friendship that tied in very well with my thoughts.  I decided to share those thoughts with you.  (I ask for your forbearance up front.  I’m not a talented writer and my thoughts rarely come out in an orderly and easily followed pattern.  I’m just “speaking” from my heart.   Mt 12:34 ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.)

I have struggled my whole life with my tongue.  I know all the verses that tell us how to use or not use our tongue, and I truly have tried to obey those verses.  I consistently fail.  I also realize that this is a universal problem.  Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  However that doesn’t negate our responsibility to do our best in this regard.  We make excuses; we mean well; we only discuss others with our spouse, or best friend, or family; we do it out of concern.  Sometimes it is necessary to discuss others, but we should be so very careful to make sure we are not making excuses for ourselves before speaking.

The conversations that are exposed in this book are private conversations...often between a husband and wife in the privacy of their own home.  What’s wrong with that?  How would we feel if those private conversations were shared with the person that we are discussing?  Ec 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.  Even if our intent isn’t to hurt or belittle, would it do so if overheard?  As Jesus told us, we speak what is in our hearts.  Therefore we need to truly examine our hearts.  Are all of our conversations directed by love?  One of my favorite anchor verses is:  Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Why is it my anchor verse?  Not because I excel at doing this, but because I constantly struggle with it!  If our hearts and minds are being focused on these good things, then our lips will speak accordingly. Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Our fruit should show forth these things...and it will if our hearts are properly cultivated.  And, of course, we can’t forget the characteristics of love that should be firmly implanted in our lives:  1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Another common excuse for misusing our words is that we are “just kidding.”  How many hurtful and damaging things have been said in jest?  Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  People make fun of others because of their weight, their excess of or lack of hair, their complexion, their intelligence or lack of, their clothes....the list is endless.  Being put down is NOT funny!  As long as I can remember, people have teased my dad about his stomach.  He’s never been a large man and would never be characterized as fat...except for his stomach.  He doesn’t appear to be bothered by it and will also joke about it, but if people said those things to or about me, it would devastate me.  I don’t know of anyone who enjoys being overweight (or underweight, or ugly, or stupid, etc.).  So why do we think it is funny to talk about it?  Why do we think it is RIGHT to do so?  Job 15:2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Words are so very powerful!  Pr 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  Before we hand our children a hunting rifle, we teach them to use it safely and correctly.  Before we allow someone to operate a motor vehicle, they must first be instructed in the safe and lawful operation of it and pass a written exam as well as demonstrate their driving proficiency.  The tongue is much more powerful and dangerous than either of these.  Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Words can also be powerful in a positive direction.  They can comfort, inspire, teach, encourage.  Pr 16:24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.   Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

I plan to work harder to control the beast.  I pray that God will  “create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51:10).   I hope to be slow to speak and truly consider the words of my mouth, that they be “in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them;” (Prov. 8:8), that they be “as deep waters” (Prov. 18:4), and “gracious” (Eccl. 10:12).  I ask for your prayers, as well, for all of us to improve.  I feel that this is something that we all struggle with daily, but I want to emphasize that this is primarily directed at myself.
 Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Ps 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.