Day 21 of 4: Company Coming (11/27/12)

Day 21 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 27, 2012

Company coming! Hooray! Today is the day my sister (she is not really company) is coming to stay with me for 11 whole days!!! I am so excited! I even like to buy magazines for her to read while she is here, and you can be sure she will bring some to me, too. We "get" each other quite well!

What do you do when you have anticipated guests? Clean your house? Plan activities for their stay? Cook their favorite foods? Buy special gifts you know they will love? Prepare their bed " just so?" For me, all of the above. Part of the joy of the visit is the preparation.

So that is how it has been for me the last few weeks. I am almost ready for her. Electric blanket on her bed (maybe we will need it someday), surprise gifts of matching dorky Christmas shirts ("Hello Kitty" was the cutest one I found) and chili fixins' are ready to put on to simmer! It will be a great day!

So, can you even imagine the preparations our Heavenly Father is making for us? When we see Him face to face and see the marvelous place He has prepared for us? I just know every detail will be perfection! After all, He told us there were many mansions there, so I know there will be lots of room. Imagine the things you enjoy here on earth. Will they be there? I don't pretend to know that, but I do know He gave us loves here on earth and He is not the kind of God to deny us good things. Wow! He is the King of all good things, since He created them! Your dear family? I can't imagine heaven without them. How about your beloved pets? Let's not argue pet Heaven here. I choose to believe God provides for that love, too. In my heaven, Carlo, Alexis, Henry and Baylor are there. Am we really supposed to try to figure out what heaven will be like? Probably not an assignment God gave us, but I do like to let my imagination go there some days. I hope you agree that heaven will such an extreme, God-infused, magnificence that our human brains can't comprehend! It will be the magnification of all the joy we have ever felt on earth! What I want us to dwell on, ever so briefly, is our Heavenly Father eagerly preparing our place in heaven with Him! Maybe there could even be chili!

"In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you...I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:2-3

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Pray: 

Father, give us joy in imagining the beautiful heaven You have gone to prepare for us. Thank you for giving us a special time on earth to treasure the blessings of loved ones who come to see us.

Amen

Day 20 of 4: Elf on the Shelf (11/26/12)

Day 20 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 26, 2012

Is your Elf on your shelf? Do you have an Elf? This "new" Christmas activity has been evolving for several years, and if your are not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, here is what I know: my grandchildren were visited by this mischievous little tattle tale several years ago. Apparently, Santa sends elves all over the world to report back to him who is naughty or nice. He arrives (in my daughters' houses) the day they put up the tree, and he leaves on Christmas day. He is found in a different place each morning, because he has reported overnight the good or bad done at the Cooley/Sapp households. (Luckily, I am safe from the little tattletale!) By the way, you must name your Elf, like Maurice, and you can register him online (I guess in case he gets lost or becomes especially pesky). Some elves create mischief, some do sweet things and some don't change locations too often, if the adults "forget!" My grandchildren love the search each morning!!!

Controversy came up the other day on Facebook. Some parents think it is just too much trouble, one more chore for them, he sets a bad example if he makes a mess, and he is basically a spy. Also, it does force you to buy something: the silly little elf guy or you could use a stuffed animal you already own. All valid points. I would kick the little fellow to the curb if he started making a mess, but I only saw it as fun and joyful.

So what is the harm in the elf? Is he a bad influence, or a bad example? Or is he one more way we are tempted to take our eyes off the true meaning of Christmas? Happily, I don't have to make the decision for my children. I felt quickly defensive of the Elf. I am like that. Quick to defend a "cause" even if it is a silly elf! My idea here, just mine, is that our eyes at Christmas should be upward....giving thanks and worshipping a God who sent His Son to save us! Taking every opportunity to praise Him and point others away from secular things. So....

If you decide you and your kids want an Elf on your shelf, he can be a fun addition to your holiday. Carefully, though, look at his antics...maybe one day he is found with an open Bible reading the real Christmas story! Or he could be sitting by your plastic Fisher Price nativity wanting to join in worshipping the baby Jesus! Wouldn't the kids love that? The Elf (aka, Maurice) is not bad, but our attitudes can be. My eyes dropped down to defend an Elf, for Heaven's sake! Forgive me, Lord! Help me go out tomorrow, looking for fun in all the right places, with my eyes turned heavenward!

Pray:

Father, forgive me for judging others as grumpy for not doing what I think is fun. Help me keep my eyes on You and the true meaning of Christmas.

Amen

Day 19 of 4: Good Bye (11/25/12)

Day 19 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 25, 2012

Good bye day! Hymn day!

Is your company leaving today? Many times it is a bittersweet time on the last day of a holiday. Perhaps your family and friends are local and your goodbyes are easy... "see you tomorrow." But maybe they live far away. Then it gets more difficult. Perhaps you won't even see them again at Christmas. Sadness sort of drapes its ugly self over the last day of a visit. I always dreaded the Sunday I had to go back to school or work. "But we had so much fun! Can't we make it last?" I believe we can. I know our togetherness can last for eternity.

Goodbyes are usually hard, but for the Christian, we have a blessed provision. There was a popular song when my kids were growing up, "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's The Lord of all." It was always comforting to the graduating class and my dear friend beautifully sang it for the class each year. (Inject many tears here). 

The good news for us is that we know God is amazingly capable of caring for us while we are apart, and lovingly understands our sadness at parting. "Into His hands we should commit all our lives. He will protect and preserve even to death, and when our time comes to meet Him, He protects and keeps us especially then." Ron Holland, written only months before He met Jesus.

Hymn for today is "God Be With You." It was written in the 1880's as a Christian good-bye accompanying the doxology of scripture. Most know all the words, but cherish these phrases: 

"Counsels guide, uphold you."

"With His sheep securely fold you."

"Neath His wings securely hide you."

"Daily manna still provide you."

"Put His arms unfailing 'round you."

"Keep love's banner floating o'er you."

"Smite death's threatening wave before you."

"God be with you 'til we meet again." 

I pray these words will comfort you today if you are saying goodbye to your loved ones.

"I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

"May The Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." Genesis 31:49

Pray:

Father, help us rest in Your promises as we are sad to let our loved ones go. Give us joy in Your protection of us all.

Amen

Day 18 of 4: Jane (11/24/12)

Day 18 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 24, 2012

Holiday time means family time! Are you ready? Well, I am! I am talking in all exclamations because I have exciting family news! Not another grandchild, I am thrilled with just one more addition in January! No, my great news is that my sister is coming to see me for 11 whole days!!!! She lives in British Columbia (the most beautiful place, except for Paradise). If I am lucky, I get to see her once or twice a year. And I anticipate these visits more than Christmas! She is that great!

I know she will read this, but I don't really care. Describing her just makes me smile! She is amazing! Oh, and I have to say she is my baby sister. The one I had to "put up with" as a child. Well, not any more. This is Jane: There is nothing she can't do, and no, I did not teach her anything! The biggest thing to this timid equestrian: she knows her way around a horse! While my cousin and I were reading movie magazines and dreaming about Elvis, she and my other cousin (her age) were dreaming of horses, plotting to ride horses any way they could and stalking them. Never boys or dates, just big, scary animals! She is currently the proud owner of two horses (I think, unless she has rescued another one).

But that is just the tip of the sister! She is a fearless cook. No food has ever intimidated my sister! Can I say sushi, crepes, tamales, Nanaimo bars, Dutch oven on the horse trail, etc.,no fear! She goes for it! 

Not to stop there, there is no remodeling, construction project or crazy building idea that intimidated her either. She can or has attempted (usually successfully) tiling, wallpaper, painting anything, dry wall, plumbing, chicken coops, all of it, except for electrical...thank goodness she draws a line somewhere! Her secret weapon here is an equally talented husband who is her partner in crime for most projects! I love this about her! Brave, strong and talented! And she was the "baby!"

Just a preview of the amazing Jane! I will bring you a taste of some of our adventures coming up! I can't wait until Tuesday! I don't even have to clean my house or cook! All she needs is an electric blanket on her bed!

Pray:

Father, protect my sister as she travels. Give me and all of us times with our families that are blessed!

Amen

Day 17 of 4: Thanksgiving Perfection (11/23/12)

Day 17 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 23, 2012

How was your Thanksgiving? Was it perfect? The turkey plump and not dry, the dressing moist and yummy, the potatoes perfection? I really hope so. After all it is The Meal of the Year! 

How about the company? The family? Did you spend it holding your ears or quietly alone? Was there love all around or a tension from old hurt "feelers?" Are you tired from all your efforts and still full from yesterday? 

Truthfully, our day was almost perfect, with the exception of missing my son and daughter in law, and Scott, of course. My daughters and I performing our "woman" duties of getting it all on the table, just about an hour behind time, but after all, who's keeping time?

Perfection for me happened just before we ate. My grandchildren, led by Henry who had just finished memorizing it for the kindergarten program, reciting Psalm 100 together. The adults chimed in, too, even with our rusty memories! What a beautiful sound!

"Make a joyful noise unto The Lord, all ye lands.

Serve The Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that The Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

For The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100

Pray:

Father, give us grateful hearts every day and may Your blessings continue for the generations to come.

Amen

Day 16 of 4: Thanksgiving for Ron (11/22/12)

Day 16 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving for a man I will never meet until we meet again in heaven! A man who reaches out to me almost every morning to lighten my day or challenge me to think about what God is doing in my life! Amazing!

After Scott died I received many precious gifts: devotionals, cards, calls, music, and scriptures. I cherished them all. Many we're read briefly and set aside, but a devotional called "Life's Daily Adventures" has become one of my daily inspirations. It was written by Ron Holland. His wife works for a company where my son is a sales representative. Pam heard of my loss and gave it to my son for me. She, too, had lost her husband, Ron, unexpectedly. He died in April of 2008. The book was published in 2006, so Ron had only recently completed the devotional. What is amazing is that Ron is not an author; he is a computer guy. But God laid this book on his heart, and through God's power, Ron completed a work for Him. It is incredible. Pam did include her telephone number and I have been able to tell her how much her gift meant to me.

Thanksgiving for Ron Holland! His devotions from heaven, written with his eyes lifted upward are precious to me. Even though he had no idea how soon God would call him home, his words hold prophetic hints of eternity.

Adventure! Yesterday in my Bible study notes I read the following: "Abraham is central to this book (Genesis) not because of brilliance or initiative, but because he trusted God, and therefore his life was a great adventure. The record of his life points to God, who is present with those who believe in Him."

Ron Holland said, "Remember the advice of the psalmist and understand that God creates each new day. We must choose in our hearts to be happy that we have a new day to live. Decide to look for the adventures that God will give us, and each day will have a newness and joy."

What adventure will we have today? Thanksgiving! Let's look for the joy as we thank God for giving us another day!

"This is the day that The Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of another day. Let us reach for the adventures You have for us today. Thank you for the abundant blessings you shower on us each day! Thank You for the gift of Your Son!

Amen

Day 15 of 4: God became one of us! (11/21/12)

Day 15 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 21, 2012

God became one of us! Imagine a God who is right beside you....not high up in heaven or at a beautiful lake, in another state helping your friend, or in the Middle East tending to that misery. All the time! 

This belief is unique to Christianity. I did not ever think of that. But the Islam teaching is that their god is one who sends others, like prophets. Their god is too holy to come to them, no, that would be considered blasphemy.

But there is no one like our God! For thousands of years before He came to earth God spoke to everyday men, like Adam, Noah, Moses and Isaiah. They hardly seem like every day people when we hear about their feats in the Bible, but what made them "special" wasn't anything about them or how good they were. They were chosen by God and used by Him. It is amazing to think that you don't need to be qualified to be called! So God talked to them in an audible voice. Today if someone says, "God told me," we sort of look at them funny. But today He speaks differently: through His Word, in answered prayer, in inspired teaching. 

Let's wrap our thankful minds around the greatest blessing ever given: God coming down to earth at Bethlehem...a real live baby. Now, we have heaven on earth! Baby Jesus! 

That is what I will say when we circle the table for what I am most thankful or tomorrow! Let me know what you would say!

"I came to give life...life to its fullest! John 10:10

Pray: Dear Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Help us to never forget Your love for us.

Give our country grateful hearts also, Lord, so we might again be blessed by You. 

Amen

Day 14 of 4: Thanksgiving Shopping (11/20/12)

Day 14 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving shopping! 

Nothing quite like it. Not Black Friday, but Sunny Yellow Monday! The grocery store! Shopping for the big meal, the most important one of the year. Yes, Christmas is big, too, but it is diluted by all the presents and the baby Jesus' birth. My Mom always loved Thanksgiving best because it was like Christmas without the gifts! The emphasis is more on family and food!!!

This post is for those of you who participate in this crazy ritual. And if you don't, this is a glimpse into what your wife, sister, mom or maybe dad does. You talk about it for weeks, think about it even in church where you jot down a list, research new recipes for sweet potatoes, pull out old reliable recipes, talk about it more, make a game plan, get out the trusty yellow pad and make your final list and "ta da!" You are at the grocery store! Finally! Game face, shopping face, no distractions, no ambling! And what? No fresh cranberries!!!

As I was looking for cranberries, I couldn't help but notice two middle-aged black ladies shopping together. I only mention their race because of an important fact I learned when I taught school in inner city Houston. Black funerals. That is what they were discussing, preparation for a funeral reception for 200 people! Also, the funerals in this society can last for days. They had a funeral to plan and Thanksgiving dinner, too!!! My problems paled in comparison! But I noted their happy demeanor, quickly pointing me to the hiding cranberries, and giving me some suggestions. They were delightful as they went about this huge challenge together. You see, people in the grocery store at this time of year are all in the same boat, and there is a common kindness that you certainly won't see on Black Friday. When you go (if you still have this chore to do), look around for the lost husband looking for marshmallows, or the elderly woman who can't reach so high or (my favorite) the newly retired man "helping" his wife! They are there and like me, could probably use a hand!

Give out the living water today, in kindness! It certainly made my day to receive some help from my new friends. Still praying they get the meals done in time!

"This is what God commands:...that we love each other." 1 John: 3:23

Pray: Father, help us to be aware of the needs of those around us and to give out Your love to someone today.

Amen

Day 13 of 4: Be Careful (11/19/12)

Day 13 of 4 More Years: Originally posted on Facebook on November 19, 2012

Be careful! Have a safe trip. Be safe! Go with God. These are phrases we say when saying goodbye to friends or family. Does anyone actually plan to drive unsafely, bike on I-30 or get on a plane with loose wings? Does God really want to travel with us? Maybe God doesn't even want us to go, but we go anyway. Does He stay home then? Or does He come along in spite of us?

There are verses in Ephesians 5:15-20 that talk about how to live and to travel in life. "Be careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (no kidding). Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine (or other things) which leads to debauchery (bad activities). Instead be filled with the Spirit! Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs. Sing and make music in your heart to The Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ."

Paul is giving us some guidelines to follow as we "take care." I believe he is telling us to be aware, pay attention. We can partly control our own actions, but what about those around us? Look for the unsafe situations and steer away. When we tell our departing guest, child or friend, "Be careful," give them some armor to protect them. Tell them, I trust your decisions, it is the others' I don't trust. And I trust God to protect you when I can't.

Love Carefully

So we want to be clear headed, avoiding things that impair our judgment and use our God-given brain to make wise choices. Let the Spirit of God guide us. How do we do that? It is in the Ephesians verses. Be thankful, grateful and full of praise. Tune out the news, look upward, and laugh today in praise to God. That keeps the sorrow of the world's chaos at a dull hum in the background. And always remembering where the source of our strength comes and thanking God in advance for every good thing that comes our way!

Hallelujah! Thanksgiving is just a few days away. We should all be 

thinking of our blessings. For example, I watched the Thanksgiving episode of the Pioneer Woman (a show about a ranching family and the cook who constantly feeds them). At their Thanksgiving dinner, they all went around the table telling what they were grateful for. Not to be critical (wink), but there was not one mention of God or His blessings. Then, they chowed down without a prayer or even a moment of silence! I guess she is just being politically correct, but we certainly don't have to be! 

For Christians, every day is one of thanksgiving. And a day of being careful....to thank Him, praise Him and walk with Him every day until we see Him! Living our lives in His grace, avoiding the dangers of Satan and his evil chaos, and giving out the love of God. I know you are being careful today!

Pray:

Father, help us to be careful. Protect us from evil, our families from harm and bless us as a grateful people.

Amen