TERRIFIED

"Don't think Paul was not terrified at times. Of course he was. To think otherwise would minimize his faithfulness. Paul was afraid but his love for Christ exceeded his fear of suffering or death."

Beth Moore
To Live Is Christ
Broadman and Holman  2001
p. 166

Why would I have a file on fear?! Cause that's where I live? I suppose a good Christian shouldn't be so honest, but . . . sometimes, you just gotta be real.

What do I fear? Mostly finances; they've taken more hits than I can count. Freeways (When I merge into traffic, asking God for a wide berth, I remind Him that it isn't just "my" life at stake.) I fear the safety of our children, and fear for any unhappiness in their lives. I'm pretty afraid of people. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself or of someone thinking I don't live in a nice house--and that it's "my" fault.

But first, I have to tell you, "God's been faithful. I've never gone a day without food, warmth, hugs, a bed, or work. God has provided wide spaces in the middle of unbelieveable traffic--not just for the safety of "other" people, but just to show me that He is an Awesome, Able, and Loving God. Our children have had some close calls but we still have them and love them more than can be expressed. Their happiness? Oh man, I wish I could fix every booboo and broken heart! I can't.

What's exciting about today's quote, for me, is that "doing it afraid" can be a measure of faithfulness. I "do" still love my God and my Savior. I take no credit. Jude tells us that "He" keeps us from stumbling. This gives me a new goal--faithfulness, along with many opportunities to practice it.

Thank You, God.

Everyday, Growing,
Lonnie

MY SHARE, PLUS 1

"A Springfield neighbor looked out the window one day and saw Lincoln carrying his 2 sons, Willie and Tad. The boys were shouting at each other and punching the air.

"'What's wrong?' said Lincoln's neighbor.

"'Just what's the matter with the whole world,' replied Lincoln. 'I've got 3 walnuts and each wants 2.'"

Robert Dole
Great Presidential Wit
Scribner  2001
p.30

Sorry. But colour me guilty. When dividing is done, I always want it to fall in my favor.

Growing Needed,
Lonnie

MINUS CALORIES

"Where do we get the idea that the Christian life is a picnic with our favorite foods, minus the calories?"

Lonnie
Journal # ??

Ha. Couldn't believe "I" wrote this--but then, yes I could.

I'd been reading about Paul's sufferings. Most times when I do, I think about the folks who promise us health, wealth, and roads without potholes. Really? BUT that being said, that's how I accepted Christ. Love, gone wrong, sent me to where love never fails. Unfailing love, to me, meant no problems. If you don't believe in Christ's keeping power, believe it! With my distorted attitude and a whole lot of challenges, I'm still following Christ; and still loving His rich Word.

Colin Smith, on KTIS AM, was talking one morning about Paradise. He says if we keep trying to make "this life" paradise, we will always be disappointed. (uh huh) He suggested hanging signs in various places (I'm guessing in BOLD black letters on florescent yellow tag board) stating, "THIS IS NOT PARADISE."

We are promised paradise--just not here--not now. Today is hard, but we have so much to look forward to: Unfailing Love Named Jesus plus music and flawless beauty like our hearts cannot imagine.

What did you expect when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Or have you? I can't promise you ease, but God's Word promises so much more.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie 

WE LOVE FREEDOM

"We love freedom, but too often we treat freedom as a blank check to live as we please, rather than a sacred responsibility to live just and virtuous lives. Too many Americans--from elementary school children to college students to CEOs of our largest corporations--do not know American well enough to love her deeply or critisize her wisely."

Gary Bauer
Doing Things Right
Word Publishing  2001

I think we ALL have room to grow here. I'm honestly not sure how to know America well enough to love her deeply or critisize her wisely. Any ideas?

The one thing I totally appreciate, (partly because I see the absence of this freedom in other countries; and partly because I see freedom of religion eroding in our country) is this: The freedom to own and read my Bible. I was so blessed the other day at Caribou. There were three groups of 2 or 3 sitting around me either having Bible study or discussing spiritual matters. Thank you God. Please preserve that freedom. Your Word is rich, true, and unchanging.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

P.S.

I love writing this blog. I've kicked myself so many times for having "wasted" all that time "handwriting" notes--most of them never used in an article. But, I am getting re-blessed and re-blessed as I RE-read. I am smiling. I'm re-learning. I'm just having fun.

Have a Great Day!

Keep Growing,
Lonnie

THIS TEACHER GETS AN A+

"Someone asked me recently how I handled students who failed. And I said, 'Why I never failed a student. Not in fifty years of teaching. I worked with the troubled students until they succeeded. I thought that was my job."

Sadie Delany
Book of Everyday Wisdom
Kodansha International   1994

If you haven't read, Having Our Way, by Sadie and Betsy Delany, you are missing a treat! Very few books, do I read more than once. This is an exception.

Sadie and Betsy were feisty African American women who lived to be over 100. If I recall, they were trimming their own trees in their 70s because the trees spoiled their view. Sadie was a teacher, Betsy a dentist. I believe Sadie was hired as a teacher without an interview. With an interview, she'd have lost the job, because she was black. 

The Book of Everyday Wisdom is a collection of their sayings. It's great, but you'll miss the humor and spunky interaction between the sisters that you'd enjoy in their biography.

Have you had a teacher that "made the difference" in your life? Share with us; and thank them.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

QUALITY TIME

" . . . at age 24 (1754) Benjamin Banneker built a clock of wood. It kept the time of day and struck the hour.

"Banneker's clock is believed to be the first clock made in the United States. He was a good craftsman, that it kept perfect time his whole life.

"The day of his funeral, his cabin burned to the ground, as did his clock."

Jim Haskins
Outward Dreams: Black Inventors and Their Inventions   2003

Benjamin Banneker's story is one worth reading. He was homeschooled and caught the attention of a Quaker neighbor. George Ellicot noticed Benjamin's facination with how things were put together, and loaned him books to encourage him to continue learning.

Later in life, Benjamin's neighbors thought him lazy because he slept all day. However, he did so because he was calculating the movement of the stars. He determined (and succeeded) to publish the most accurate almanac yet printed.

His talent didn't stop there. Following the Revolutionary War, George Washington set up a commission to design a capital city for the new United States. Three men, including Banneker, worked on that project. However, one man left America and took the plans with him. The officials paniced. How would the city be completed without plans?

But

Benjamin Banneker came to the rescue. He drew the plans from memory!

Children's books often get to the exciting parts of someone's life--and stay there. I've indulged in a few. This story captures me on several levels: homeschooled, unfair judgment, encouragement by a neighbor, determination, and talent. I love inventor stories anyway. They exhibit ingenuity and a level of stubbornness I'd do well to emulate--not giving up just because the road isn't smooth.

Well, I've gone on and on today. Passion is hard to shut up, I guess.

Growing and Wordy,
Lonnie