CLOSING THE GAP....

THEN...

NOW...



Why he looks like a turtle I cannot explain.

Other than I was interrupting his viewing of Iron Man 2

and he was not happy about it.

WHO IS YOUR AUTHOR?

We will all have a testimony. We all have a story. What's yours? Who is writing it?

GETTING HER DUCKS IN A ROW

My sister Casey, well, she may not like me after I talk about her.
Hmmm....oh well.
My sister Casey is #2 in birth order. She is typically quiet and reserved. If we are in a big group of people, she is going to be the one not talking. She talks to us, but the rest of the world is out of luck.
Except...
Except when she is on the sidelines of a basketball game in the capacity of head coach.
Casey is an excellent basketball coach. She is fantastic to watch and listen to. Girl knows her stuff. What is most delightful to watch is how this shy, quiet, modest sister of mine quickly becomes a vocal, demonstrative and passionate coach. And witty. Little sister is quick on these big old feet of hers.
Last weekend, during the 12 hours we spent in the car together, she told us a story that I just feel I need to share. Because it is so not her, but then again so is.
Sister is known in the family for defending her team, meaning she'll give a ref a good talking to. Let's just say she is not a stranger to technical fouls.
Anyway, during one game, Mr. Referee had told her to sit down. Then he forgot and, wink wink, so did she. Sometime during the game he remembered and told her to sit down again. At which time, she promptly pulled her chair right up to the sideline and sat. The conversation went something like this.

Coach, you can't do that.

I'm sitting.

You can't sit there, you'll interfere with the game.

I am not on the court.

Coach, you have to be lined up with your team.

(and this is my favorite part) Without missing a beat, my sister looks down her bench at the precious little high school girls she worked with and said...

Girls......move'em up.

and those little duckies picked up their chairs and aligned themselves with her.

I have no clue how it went from there. Somewhere in the middle of this story we moved to the time she dug through her purse, pulled out her glasses and walked the sidelines offering them to the referee. She got a tech for that one, too.

I just thought those of you who know sister would appreciate this little story.
I did.
Classic....absolutely classic.
Love you sister! 

A CHANCE FOR TESTIMONY

Luke 21:12 - 15
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

I used to practice a lot of speeches in my head. Did you? Still do sometimes. Speeches about how I am going to set her straight. Speeches about how I am going to let him know he wronged me and I wasn't going to take it any more. Speeches filled with wit and sarcasm, cutting straight to the quick.
Usually, I practice these after I have been "wronged". Sometimes I practice them in preparation for when I am going to see him or her or them again, and boy hidy, I am going to unload with both barrels! No tears, no red face, just me putting them in their place. Soundly.
When I was reading this last night I thought what great advice the bold, italicized part in the verse above is for those exact situations. How those situations are an occasion for testimony. Testimony that could be for God's glory and not a celebration for my sinful flesh. The person leaving those conversations will have a testimony to share. What will I choose to let it be? What will I choose to be my part in it?
I really love the instruction to settle in your hearts not to mediate beforehand on what you will answer. How my time would be better spent praying for those situations instead of rehearsing how I can knock another person down a notch or two. Praying for God to guard my words. For them to be truth in love. Edifying, yet correcting if need be. Asking for my words to be His words. Humble words that willing admit my wrongdoing where I need to, willing to speak God's truth without compromising, and willing to do so with the grace and love of Christ.
I am thinking I am going to post this on my wall (my actual wall, not my FB wall) to be a reminder before me. Maybe you need to choose to do the same. 

I DIDN'T SAY....

I was writing on this blog everyday though. Today it's over here. Be ready. Your enemy is.

CALL OF DUTY

Because I am making my self post something daily, today you get to find out.....
- I took a one day road trip with my sisters and our dad to see relatives.
- I am going to the "root canal" specialist today, barring any unforeseen flat tires
- my sisters make me laugh a lot
- on said road trips it is always good to establish what is facebookable and what is not. We had a lot of NOT.
- I have not slept an entire night in my own bed in several days. MC 2.
- this summer I am taking a class on Philippians by Matt Chandler. I have never done a study by Chandler before so it will be interesting to see.

and this fulfills my sense of obligation to post daily. Have a great day!

TODAY, OVER THERE

A Beautiful Mind