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Hello, I have a problem.​

Something is in my way and its name is Pandemic. COVID-19. Corona Virus. 

Pandemic is manifesting in the lives of people around the globe in various forms. Some are dealing with the illness caused by the virus. Others are overcome by fear of the unknown and are trying to gain some level of control through their panic-driven purchasing and hoarding. The status of employment has been compromised for people worldwide. Healthcare workers at every level are being pushed and stretched far beyond what they once thought was their capacity. 

I’m quite sure most of us in the United States of America—the land of opportunity and the land of plenty—never dreamed we would live in a state of Code Yellow, Code Orange, Code Red levels of mandated quarantine. We couldn’t have imagined the near-instant depletion of everyday necessities from our store shelves. In Manhattan, Times Square is devoid of its hum of citizens and tourists buying, selling, walking, talking, eating, laughing, and simply being. In middle America, Pandemic is plowing through with all its notoriety, wreaking havoc in its wake. And the 24/7 news cycle? Everything we see and hear seems to be driven by fear. It makes us want to throw our hands up and scream, “Aagh! Where is the good news?”

Believe it or not, there IS good news! As we have been forced to close up shop and bring our work home, we are waking up to a new reality. 

• We have a renewed appreciation for the people who make up the backbone of our economy; grocery stockers, custodial staff, cashiers, truckers, railroaders, utility workers, and healthcare personnel, just to name a few. 
• The fact that I can walk into a store and buy toilet paper (my favorite brand and level of softness toilet paper), hand soap, detergent, and disinfecting wipes is a privilege that doesn’t become a reality without the aforementioned workers.
• We are, by necessity, increasing our capacity for technical skills as we are called upon to utilize higher levels of technology in order to more effectively work from home.
• We are reaching out to, and caring for, our neighbors, our friends, our church members, and those we don’t know at all, to bring them hope. 
• We are spending time teaching and helping our own children with their school work.
• Families are eating meals together, playing games together, spending both quality and larger quantities of time together. 

Life is different during Pandemic, and in many ways, life is better.

In my book, Your Royal Rendezvous, I talk about fear and how it took over my life for more than twenty-five years! The GREAT NEWS is that no matter how fear starts in our lives, we don’t have to walk in it anymore! The Almighty God desires to deliver us from succumbing to fear. He will help us walk in triumphant victory every single day. 

Things get in our way and sabotage our endeavors but we can readjust our focus. Pandemic is hindering my ability to freely move from place to place and I don’t know how long that will last. Pandemic torpedoes my mind, blowing holes through my thoughts and creating the need to readjust my focus, often. BUT, I consciously and deliberately redirect my aim away from Pandemic and onto the desired target, and that is the next best step in reaching my goals, moving me toward my ultimate life vision.

One of my favorite scriptures is from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he instructs that congregation on how to focus their thoughts. He said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8 NIV)

When we readjust our focus and set our thoughts on what is right, our perspective is renewed. We can then offer the same hopeful perspective to others. Click To Tweet

Repeating Paul’s list of the kinds of thoughts that are worthy of our time and consideration–true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy–brings a sense of strength and resolve to our hearts. We have the authority to choose where our thoughts land.

God led me out of a fear-filled existence into a life filled with joy; from fear to fabulous, and He desires to do the same for you. 

Today, what is in your way?

Your rendezvous is waiting.

I LOVE the whole season of autumn into New Year’s Day! Everything about it makes me happy. I like Christmas spice coffee. I like the dust burning off the furnace the first time it comes on after summer. I like the sounds of the fallen leaves crunching under my feet. And, oooooh, that smell of a fireplace and the warmth of a glowing fire.

I enjoy quiet gatherings; dinner with friends or family, hot cocoa and a drive through the neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights, sitting at home in pjs, wrapped in a blanket watching It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, It Happened on 5th Avenue, A Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th Street (black & white, of course!). And,

I LOVE PARTIES!! Do you? Seriously, I love them! They are so much FUN! We have seven grandchildren and when we are all together, it is a natural party! It is a gathering of beautiful, organized chaos as children are chattering, playing, and moving everywhere and we attempt to get all of dinner on the table. With the assistance of all of the adults, we get it done.

At our most recent gathering, we decorated cookies and then ate them–piled high with loads of icing and sprinkles. We built with Legos. We opened gifts. We played outside. We watched movies. We read books. We ate together. We missed those precious ones who have moved from this life into the eternal spiritual realm. We took pictures. We talked. We laughed. We celebrated each other and life.

Whatever your events are, the season for gatherings is here! At this time of year we spend a lot of our time setting aside the negatives of life for the purpose of enjoying a few hours with friends and family. As we move full-force into this fun-filled, happy, party season, I want to not only remember, but also to meditate on what it is we are actually celebrating.

Jesus is still Emmanuel, God with us, because his Spirit dwells within the heart of the believer . Click To Tweet

Without Jesus–the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ–there is no Christmas. Although the origins of the designated date of this celebration are a bit sketchy, the point is that we have a designated date for the purpose of remembering the birth of Jesus and why he left glory and arrived on the earth. We are celebrating that Jesus came and dwelt among us, was crucified, buried, and rose again, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf. Because of this, when we entrust our lives to Him, we have the promise of eternal life. What’s more is that Jesus is still Emmanuel, God with us, because his Spirit takes up residence in our spirit. He dwells within our hearts. So, while he doesn’t walk on earth as he did with his disciples, he walks with us in our spirit. Because of this, the real celebration is in praise to the Lord.

Let’s have a PRAISE PARTY!!

Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise him with the timbrel and dance; Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise him with loud cymbals; Praise him with clashing cymbals! Let EVERYTHING that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the LORD! Psalm 150

Teaching the subject of choosing joy in a variety of venues, for many years–conferences, speakers bureaus, Bible studies, work training, etc.–the concept seemed to always resonate with audiences. So, I decided to write about it. My first endeavor was on another blog several years ago, and I decided to write about it again here.

I was thinking about this round of writing and started typing. My words began to hit the screen. Then, it happened. Phone calls came. Circumstances changed. I now state emphatically, for the sake of my heart, mind, and health, I CHOOSE JOY!

The words joy and happiness get used interchangeably in our culture but they are not the same. Happiness comes when we like or approve of our circumstances and situations. Often we go through our days and are overwhelmed by the push and pull of responsibilities, obligations, needs, and demands on ourselves, our time, and our resources. The movement between happy and sad moments of everyday life are circumstantial, and the result is vacillating emotions that can run the gamut from ecstasy to profound sadness. The responsibilities, obligations, needs, and demands diminish, grow, relocate, and make other changes with the day, and our emotions seem to follow in just as fickle a pattern.

Joy, in complete contrast, is not defined by what is happening around us. Joy is not dependent upon circumstance. In fact, our circumstances can be tragic and bring sadness, yet our hearts can still be containers of joy. How can this be?

This is true because joy is the evidence of what is happening inside us. King Solomon said having a joyful heart helps us have a healthy disposition and a joyful heart gives us a joyful countenance. [Proverbs 17:22; 15:13] It  is our choice to either keep, maintain, and increase our joy or to allow it to be stolen from us by our circumstances.

Joy revealed on the outside--our disposition, our countenance--is the evidence of what is happening inside us. Click To Tweet

Jesus said it like this, “… you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” [John 16:22]

What Jesus was explaining is that circumstances are fickle, changing from day to day, even moment to moment, and bring many emotions with them. Even when our circumstances are less than desirable, we can rejoice in our hope for better times. We aren’t denying or diminishing the reality of our circumstances when we focus on joy. Instead, we focus on the truth of the joy that dwells within us through the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than on the changing circumstances. There is hope for joy because joy is the result of a life established, rooted, and grounded in Jesus and empowered by His Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul admonished us several times to choose joy. In writing to the Romans, he said, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” [Romans 12:12] In this sentence Paul gave us three steps: 1) Remember, our hope is in Christ. 2) Trials will come, so be patient as you endure them. 3) Pray. Constantly have a mind of prayerfulness.

Paul taught us to always make joy our choice when he said, “Rejoice always.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16] He said the same thing to the Philippians and showed how we can rejoice always, when he instructed, “Rejoice in the Lord, aways. I will say it again: Rejoice!” [Phil 4:4] He said to first place your hope in the Lord and that is how you will find joy. The New Living Translation says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord–I say it again, Rejoice!”

Paul also says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” One version says to dwell on these things. Dwell means to live, to take up residence in that place. So if our minds live on truth, honor, righteousness, purity and excellence, then we are feeding ourselves on things that bring joy!

We can live, dwell, and abide with joy in our hearts, regardless of our circumstances.

As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we have the greatest hope there is and I CHOOSE JOY!

Yes, I Choose JOY!

What is that makes me SPARKLE?

I’ve often said JOY puts the sparkle in life. Still, there is more to the story than just a simple one-word answer, because the one-word answer requires a subsequent question.

What brings the JOY?

Guess what? There is also an answer to that question! There is a place where the SPARKLE of JOY begins. Let’s explore.

As a Christian believers, we know the Bible gives information and prescriptive to enable us to follow its instruction. There are several passages that address JOY and the strength we derive from it.

Nehemiah stated, “… The joy of the Lord is my strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10)

The palmist said, “God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all You do.” (Psalm 73:28)

The importance of JOY in the life of a believer is emphasized when we read it in the list of definitive fruit displayed, as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a Christian believer, in Galatians 5:22.

In his writings to the church at Galatia, Paul pronounces the results of God residing in the hearts of people in a list of nine words. Paul teaches that when we give ourselves over to God, fully, wholly, completely, God fills us with His presence. With His abiding presence comes His traits. God Himself possesses each of these, and His presence enables us to display His fruit in our lives. The yield of a life indwelled by Holy Sprit will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

The greatest thing about this list of qualities is that as we entrust our lives to the Lord, His presence enables us to live out all these traits in our lives with each encounter. We display the fruit of our lives with every relationship we experience on a daily basis. We will brush into and interact with family, friends, coworkers, grocery clerks, baristas, sales people, children, adults, teenagers, senior citizens, leaders, followers, etc. No matter who we encounter, or in what situation, we have the opportunity to leave the SPARKLE of the JOY of the LORD with them.

With every person we encounter, in any situation, we have the opportunity to leave the SPARKLE of the JOY of the LORD with them. Click To Tweet

When we are full of the JOY of the Lord, we will not be able to contain it. It will be spilling over from within, like a bubbling spring. Rather than hoarding the marvel of God’s presence, we will desire to share with others what the Lord is doing in our lives, and proclaim to them He can, and will, do the same, wonderful things for them.

I read an adage once, that says, “Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine.” I want to be that sunshine to others! I have something marvelous to offer the world in relationship with the Lord, His JOY, His PEACE, His KINDNESS! I want to share that in some way, at every encounter.

When we pursue a close, intimate relationship with the Lord, we will grow in our capacity to bear more of this wonderfully positive fruit and share it with more people.

In my own life, I have six little sparklers in my world, and another one due to arrive in February! Those little sweethearts rock this world of mine like nothing else! They bring with them at every encounter, the most beautiful, brilliant chaos I have ever known! May I be the SPARKLER for them so they will know how to SPARKLE to the world around them!!

Life without sparkles is a life with no color. Click To Tweet

Give it some thought today. Who is it in your life that makes your days SPARKLE?!? Who in your life needs a SPARKLE from you?!?

BE THE SPARKLE!!

 

 

Most Sundays you can find me on the platform at my home church leading our congregation in worship music, alongside our wonderful worship team. This year, I had the exceptional honor of speaking for our Mother’s Day service.

It was a blessing for our lead pastor to invite me and a privilege to fill the pulpit and bring the message on this special day. With that responsibility, I was also afforded the opportunity to, with a grateful heart, publicly bless and honor my mother.

Those of us who experience the good fortune to be raised and nurtured by a mother who loves the Lord and sets a godly example, will stand up and proclaim to the world, “I am blessed because of her.”

Mom & Me, Mother’s Day, May 13, 2018

We make this proclamation because they have adopted the attitude of Christ into their hearts. Subsequently, their love of God in Christ is poured upon us, and into us, as her child(ren).

Let’s face it a woman can make or break the spirit of her home with her attitude. She can create a negative atmosphere with critical contentiousness, odious offensiveness, or clamorous, angry, foolishness. All these easily find fodder and are displayed without thought of consequence.

On the other hand, a gracious, virtuous, and wise woman creates a positive, inviting atmosphere in her home. Such a home welcomes people with loving embrace and lifts them to new heights.

I grew up in the home of a godly, gracious, honorable and virtuous woman. Then, at the age of 19, I married the son of another such woman. These two special ladies, as well as both my grandmothers, beautifully adorned with wisdom and Christ-likeness, helped mold me into the woman I am today.

Many other women of significance in my life continue this shaping of me and my character through their wisdom and mentorship.  These ladies pour from their lives into mine and add tremendous value to me, so I may pour value into others, ripples …

You see, we are purveyors of HOPE!

We offer hope to our husbands in their endeavors. We offer hope to our children in teaching them as they grow. We offer hope to our friends as we cultivate a culture of love, peace, hope and joy in our homes and reach outside those walls into their lives. We offer hope to the world around us as we bear the yield of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ripples …

Many scriptures emphasize the impact of women on society and particularly for the glory of the Lord. One of my favorites is found in Psalm 68:11, “The LORD gives the command: The WOMEN who proclaim the good tidings are a GREAT HOST.”

My prayer for myself is that I bring good tidings of the presence of the Lord with every encounter with others, everyday.  In the end, may my husband, my children, and my spiritual children be able to do as Solomon declared,

     Her children will rise up and bless her;

     Her husband also, and he praises her, saying;

     “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”

     Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

(Proverbs 31:27-30)

Amid this world of chaos and clamor, may my life expand beyond myself creating ripples of peace, love, and  joy. Ripples …

 

This past Wednesday, a funeral.

How could attending the funeral of someone we love so dearly possibly be a WIN? Let me tell you.

While mourning the loss for myself, my husband, our children and our grandchildren, along with our extended family, I was also privileged to celebrate the life and memory of my precious father-in-law. Pop Fort was truly a man of impeccable character, integrity and honor. It seems he was loved and appreciated by all who knew him.

My relationship with Pop Fort began in the summer of 1981 when I first met him as the dad of one of my acquaintances. I was dating a young man at the time who had a cousin, Bruce, who played in a local band, Crossfire. Crossfire, along with several other bands, would be performing in Palo Duro Canyon (second only to the Grand Canyon) so my boyfriend and I decided to make a day of it and attend.

In Crossfire were Bruce’s two best friends, Loyd and Mike, whom my boyfriend also knew. Upon meeting these three on different occasions in the prior several months, we had an established relationship which I would define as recognizable acquaintances. From the first introduction and each subsequent meeting I was around these three, whether they were together, individually, or any combination of them, I was drawn to their friendliness, their wit, and the friendship they shared with one another. Although they were not yet my friends, I knew I wanted to become friends with them.

It was summer and I was ready to grab a large iced cola, walk down into the canyon and catch some rays while listening to the bands. It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day and the venue was fun for the crowd. Between sets, we visited with the band in a tent which was comfortably several degrees cooler than where we had been seated on the blankets outside. In that same covered area were Mike’s parents, his sister, Janice, and brother-in-law, Lynn. I was introduced to them and immediately liked each of them.

Pop became my dad-in-love that summer day, before I even knew it. You see, quite some time later I learned that Pop Fort chose me out of the crowd in the canyon that day and told Mike he should go after me. While there is much more to the story, the condensed version is that several months later Mike and I began dating and were married June 11, 1982.

On Saturday, April 14, 2018, Pop Fort was ushered into the magnificent, eternal presence of The Lord.

On the following Wednesday, I would normally have been doing my WINNING WINS-DAY report. Instead, Wednesday, April 18th, we attended the funeral service to bid our farewells and see you laters to our precious Pop.

Even with that, there is a HUGE WIN I want to share with you; the WINNING FAMILY SECRETS learned from Pop’s life. These can truly help anyone know how to get along in this life more effectively, so I want to share them.

First and foremost, Pop lived his life by the standard of God’s Word. His life was founded on his relationship with Jesus Christ and he lived by Christ’s principles. These principles are being lived out in the life of his family.

Life by God’s standard means Pop lived a life of HONOR & INTEGRITY. He was a man of truth and honesty. He did not have an easy life. He worked hard and provided as best he could for his family.

Pop provided a HAPPY HOME LIFE.  Pop provided for his family’s practical needs, yes, as well as for their emotional well-being. He was faithful to his wife, whom he married at the young age of seventeen, she sixteen. He went to work. He came home. He spent only what he earned. He was never too arrogant to take a job, any job, that would help pay the bills and provide for their needs.

Pop learned the VALUE OF HUMOR and expressed many times in various ways, if you can make people laugh, you will win them over and have them with you. He was, in his own words, “a cut-up” and on April 13th was telling silly stories, laughing, and keeping everyone in his hospice room laughing. Every visitor and every worker who entered his room that day was endeared to Pop because he brought them SMILES. 

To say I am thankful to have become one of his daughters thirty-six years ago seems so inadequate. The fine example of Pop Fort’s life grounded in his relationship with Jesus Christ is now lived out in the legacy of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Truly, there is no greater legacy than that.

Each day, my cousin texts an encouraging scripture and the day prior to Pop’s service, I received the following which is fitting for a life so well-lived:

“You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:22, 24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, Pop Fort is reaping the rewards of the life he lived on this earth. His faith and actions worked together. He entrusted his life to the cleansing power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and lived it out for His glory.

May I live a life that proclaims at the end, “I believed, I conducted, I lived out my life and brought encouragement and joy to others because of my relationship with Jesus.” Click To Tweet