Shattering the Darkness

Yesterday my husband and I drove to Memphis, TN to host a booth at the Bellevue Baptist Church's Missions Fair. The theme this year is "Shattering the Darkness."

Many different ministries come in and set up booths depicting the particular work that God has called them to.  They are all equally worthy and I pray that the call of God would touch many hearts there at Bellevue to support the various ministries.

In the missionary's message to us, he stated that he once heard it said that every Christian should have a ministry and a mission.  The ministry being to minister to other Christians more needy than oneself and the mission to bless those who do not know Christ.

The ministry and mission that Larry and I have been blessed to become a part of is operated by gifts from individuals and churches.  We are brand new and still needing people who will link up arm in arm with us and be willing to invest a few dollars a month to a great cause.

For many years when we were raising three sons, I had several ministries that my heart yearned to support. Somehow I thought that I had to give $25, $50 or more a month to make an impact.  I realize now that had I only sent $5 a month, it would have made a difference.

Here are several of the worthy ministries hosting a booth:

Fellowship of Christian Athletes was particularly instrumental in my own sons' lives and I will always be grateful for the work they do.

If we love God, love people, share Jesus and make disciples, we will shatter many dark places.  Oh God, help us to bring light wherever we go--help us to play a part in shattering the darkness so that light may penetrate to the very last people group on earth.

Always loving you my dearest friends,
Dianne
2011-the Year of Beyond

After the Storm

A tremendous line of thunderstorms carrying tornadoes swooped through central Arkansas on Thursday evening. This is a picture of one of the residents looking at the awesome beauty of God's handiwork after the storm was over.

I couldn't help but wonder if his mind was going forward anticipating the beauty to come in his own life after the storms of the last few years are over. He is doing very well and I have every hope, faith and confidence that he, along with many others, is going to make it through the program and graduate with high honors.

Right now they are learning to take one day at a time--to be victorious in Christ one moment at a time--

Renewal Ranch has been in operation for three full weeks. At a meeting last night, the director was telling how he'd personally had a very trying day on Wednesday of this week. As he was feeling the pressure and stress of starting and maintaining this great ministry, he heard a knock on his front door.

It was S. He had memorized eight scriptures earlier in his stay but was wanting to quote twelve more scriptures to James--twenty scriptures committed to memory in three weeks time. Somehow the cares and stress of the day lifted with the repeating of God's living Word.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b,14

Always loving you,
Dianne
2011-the Year of Beyond

I Hope You Dance

You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song,
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough. Psalm 30:11-12

Good morning dear Lord, I love you. I give you the highest praise.

Lord, you know what I'm here for--to ask your favor and protection upon my children. Lord, I pray that they would be obedient and compliant with Your Holy Spirit so that You can accomplish all that You desire for them in this lifetime. I pray that they will give you supreme place in their lives--that they would have no other gods before You.

And I pray that if their hearts are heavy today about anything, Lord, that you will change their murmurings, gripings and complainings into wild and joyful dance. Oh God, I can just picture them clothed in wildflowers from head to toe and singing at the tops of their lungs. Give them this kind of joy, Father--the joy that can only be found in You.

I pray that You would place a love for righteousness and a hatred for wickedness in their hearts.  Let them love what is good, wholesome and Godly.

Lord, I pray this in the precious, sweet Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.  Hebrews 1:9

I hope you dance,
Dianne
2011-the Year of Beyond

Dancing on Streets of Gold

I received a phone call today about 12:42 PM from my life-long friend, Marilyn. Her first words were, "Well, I just called to tell you that Daddy is dancing on streets of gold." He made his entrance into the pearly gates about 12:40. If I ever wondered if Jesus is being magnified, I would wonder no longer. I have never known anyone who worshiped the way he worshiped--total abandonment, no inhibition whatsoever--when he started praying, he was in his closet--there was no one else in the room.

In the latter part of 2009, I shared this post. It was entitled:

No Liquids On Your Keyboard

I met him when I was eleven years old. I never could have known then how he was to affect my life. His oldest daughter became my best friend. You know the old, old gloves that fit no matter how your hands change over the years--the warm winter toboggan that ends up the focal point of every winter picture--that is what she and her family and her dad--my pastor during my youth--are like to me. Comfort, pure comfort--no matter when, no matter where--no matter how many years have separated us.


He is now up in his late eighties--Parkinson's has ravaged a once vibrant and zestful personality. Quite unbelievably though, almost every time I go to see him and his wife of almost seventy years, his old personality shines through. He, once again, is the young preacher with the spirited congregation worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth. His conversation is laced with old, amusing stories and tears when talking about starting a new church and preaching once more.


He is funny, quite animated and makes me smile and laugh out loud. He is the essence of the young preacher man who I have vivid memories of down on one knee, tears streaming down his face, talking to God in a loud, pleading voice with all the sincerity one could muster--yet, with one eye open ready to lovingly but firmly discipline the fidgety teenagers on the back row.


We respected and loved him so much though that it was a rare occurence when he rose from that knee and came walking purposefully toward that back row and let us know in a strong velvet-like voice that we were still in the House of the Lord.


Years after we sat under his fiery but compassionate preaching, my brother, with a twinkle in his eye, would joke about this scenario: (funny--I never noticed this but Johnny, who was a teenager at the time, did). My brother says that when a certain bosomy young woman, who always wore sweaters, walked up the aisle to the podium to sing a solo, Bro. B, as we called him, would always say, "Now, let's keep our minds on the Lord." I think my brother's guilt feelings had a part in embellishing that story just a little bit.


Recently when he was in the hospital and very sick, Bro. B told this story. It seems there was a certain preacher who had a reputation for his prayers being answered really fast. One Sunday a young overweight man came down front asking for prayer that God would help him lose weight. Quite confidently and loudly right before he started to pray, the reverend told the young man, "Grab your britches, boy." He has always loved to tell "preacher" jokes.


Bro. B has always fought giving in to the Parkinson's and becoming incapacitated and dying. Lately, the fight has not been going well. His daughter, my best friend, emailed me this morning to tell me that he has started talking about "going home." When one of his daughters asked him if he was referring to heaven, he quite simply said, "Yes, I am going home in a few days." I emailed my friend back to ask her if she knew that you weren't supposed to get liquids all over your keyboard.

************************************

His few days turned in to a year and a half--he went to a nursing home after the above story happened -- One resident told Bro. B's family that he had passed her room in his wheel chair about fifty times that day.  There was always "somebody else" that needed to know about the Lord.  The nurses finally put the brakes on his wheel chair, but that didn't stop him.  Marilyn told me today that he had worn all the rubber off the tires where the brake tried to hold.  Such passion for Christ!

Would you please pray for the Ballard family.  His wife told me today right outside his hospital room shortly after his home-going that she would not bring him back for anything, she was just trying to figure out how she is going to live without him.  It won't be easy after seventy years but I know God will lift her and the three daughters up to fly like eagles--maybe in their soaring they can catch a glimpse of those dancing feet--you know, the streets of gold are transparent--so I am going to look up!

Always loving you,
Dianne
2011-the Year of Beyond

Win or Lose!

This picture makes my heart glad and gives me hope for the future of America--two precious teams and their cheering squads praying together--one with a great victory, one with a crushing defeat.

Taking the initiative themselves without adult intervention, they lay aside their earthly disappointments for a couple of minutes and give thanks and praise to our Great Creator. Praise God!

P.S.  Should say that one is a private Christian high school and one a public school--the public school kids initiated the prayer.

Good Morning!

I'm not usually one to wish my life away but as you can tell by my header I am getting just a little anxious for spring. How about you--wanting more winter or ready for some warm, sunny days? It is supposed to be 70 degrees here today.


Look to the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face always. Psalm 105:4

Good morning, Lord. Here I am again asking, seeking, knocking for my children, my descendants, my seed.

O God I pray that each one of them would look only to Your strength today--that they would seek Your face always. There is no other who has every answer they need. Your strength and yours alone is all that will save them--Bring situations into their lives that would cause them to see their extreme and desperate need of You and Your strength.

Lord, there is one partiuclar situation I am praying for right now. You know what it is--please help us not to be guilty of judging another's motives no matter how evident those motives might seem to be. We know that you are not the author of confusion, but the great creator and orchestrator. I pray that you will bring order and peace out of this situation--bring good to all involved. Let Your will be done.

I pray in Jesus' name. Amen

Always loving you my friend,
Dianne
2011-the year of beyond

Weekend Worship at First Presbyterian, Little Rock, Arkansas

My lover spoke and said to me,

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.

See!  The winter is past;  the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;  the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves is heard in our land,

The fig tree forms its early fruit;  the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Arise, come, my darling;  my beautiful one, come with me."

See!  The winter is past;  the rains are over and gone.
From Song of Solomon 2

The juxtaposition of this particular scripture with this church photographed in the dead of winter last year, gives us reason to understand more fully why many across our frozen country are crying out for the winter to be over and gone.  It appears that Arkansas will get into the sixties this next week.

But no matter where you are and no matter whether your coming days are forecast to be cold or hot, I pray that you will find warmth in your heart and spirit by choosing to worship with someone you love.

Whether it is the lowliest of worship centers, the most majestic of cathedrals or in the shelter of your own home, I pray that you and at least one other will have the opportunity to give back to the Lover of your soul.

Have a blessed weekend of joyful worship,
Dianne
2011-the year of beyond

Arkansas Winter

Before last winter, I had gone five years without seeing any snow in Arkansas. We lived in northern Oklahoma for thirty years and got at least a couple of good snows almost every year. This year we have had more than our share in Arkansas and especially the northwest part of the state where my good friend, Nava, lives.

She has taken some incredible pictures of the birds in her backyard. Just wanted to take this chance to share a few of them with you. Hope you enjoy!

This is Nava's front yard.  Forecast was 2-4" and they got 21" this week.  It was -15 degrees there last night.  I think this is record setting cold for Arkansas.

We got 6" in the Little Rock area yesterday after two inches late last week and about five or six a few days before that.

 Hope you are staying safe and warm wherever you are.

Love,
Dianne
2011-the year of beyond

Dear Men of Renewal Ranch,

How do I begin? How do I begin to tell you how you made my heart feel? As if it would burst? That is not a very good description for something that is stretched and pulled taut to a capacity that seems to rival impossibility! How do I describe the thirty miles back home, thirty miles of mist draining down? Of joy unspeakable and full of glory? How do I tell you of a mind blown to smithereens with the love and appreciation you displayed to me yesterday?

When I asked you to envision your lives five years down the road and you looked at me with this written across the eyes of your soul :

"Hope is the dream of a soul awake."--a French proverb

Yes, you laid yourself out all vulnerable. You who have only been here a week--living with people who were strangers to you a little more than seven days ago and now you are laying your insides out in front of everyone, taking a chance, taking a risk--you who have been to hell and back more times than I want to enumerate.

Yes, you looked at me with hope. Hope from one who was reared without a father, with a mother who left you alone to fend for yourself, with no one to really care for you. Hope from one who suffered the effects of Hurricane Katrina, even the horrors of the Superdome?

How does that not awake the dream in my own soul--the dream of serving Jesus by serving my fellow man?

And when you looked at me with resolve and sincerity and responded, "I hope I am helping someone." I knew that Christ had opened the dream eyes of your soul--only through the love of Christ can we respond in that manner.

And when you said to me, "Ms. Dianne," I don't feel that I am struggling with reading but my brain is just not cooperating. Can you help me with some study skills?" Oh, how I wanted to be the "study skills" expert of the universe--to be able to give you a list of things to do that would make your brain cooperate. You whose brain has been ravaged by the abuse of alcohol and drugs. I wanted to do more than just encourage you to give your brain a chance to catch up, to tell you that each day it will become stronger--.

And when you said to the group, "I am admitting all my faults--I was told that I am reading on a second grade level,"--I admired you so that you were man enough to admit to all of us that your life had been fraught with mistakes, your learning taking the brunt of your decisions.

And when you said to me, "Ms. Dianne, I don't know if you noticed or not, but the other day when you came out to the 'smoke hole' to talk to me, I got tears in my eyes because I had never been shown love like that before."

All I did was walk a few feet to talk to you and that meant the world to you? Oh my, how many days do I let go by that I make no attempt to walk a few feet to talk to someone who needs to feel Your Love, Lord?

So many tears--so many tears for these opportunities, for lost opportunities, for a love that I can only wish to be able to describe in this humanly tool of communication made with a simple twenty-six letters? How can I possibly put those twenty-six characters together well enough to exalt a love the likes that only angels can translate?

And when you said to me, "When are you coming back?" and came up and gave me not one but two hugs, I was back home again. Seven years I've been retired from the classroom--and the pay this time far exceeds what I made before.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. Psalms 65:5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

This writing is in response to a "tutoring session" I was supposed to have with three of the men. Eight men and God showed up. Wow!

To those of you who were praying for these men, I can never thank you enough.

Love,
Dianne
2011-the year of beyond

Dear Debbie,

Just wanted to write you a short note and let you know what is going on in my life.

My pastor from my youth is very bad in ICU of Baptist Hospital. Yesterday I went to see him--he has staph among other things--so I dressed in gown and gloves--sanitizing before and after visit--I peeked in and there was no one there--I had been there earlier in the morning and one of his daughters was there but he was all alone. I found out later that I had walked right by another of his daughters in the lobby downstairs. Her son had come and brought the grandchildren with him so she was taking a break to go see them.

Anyway, I know it worked out that way for a reason. As I sat there and talked to him (he had been totally unresponsive when I was there earlier--he is on a ventilator and they were keeping him sedated because of the discomfort), he started trying to open his eyes and I knew he was hearing me.

I should have taken my own Bible but did not think of it. I searched all the drawers and could not find a Gideon Bible. I think that is the first time in my life that I have looked for a Gideon Bible in a hospital room and not found one. The Gideons are an incredible organization. How I appreciate them. I finally got a nurse to go hunt one down for me and while I know Bro. B loves the King James, I thought I wasn't going to get through all those Psalms with the "thees and thous and sheweths"--I had to stop and untwist my tongue several times.

I sang one of the songs that he used to sing from the pulpit when I was little. He usually left the singing to his wife and daughters but every once in a while he would belt out, "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands." So, I sang that to him.

What a blessing! What a joy. He read the scriptures to me when I was a young girl--over a half-century later, I am getting to return the favor. What an awesome privilege. God orchestrates the symphonies of our lives with such precision. I tell Him all the time how smart He is. He amazes me.

Anyway, Debbie, I don't think you were reading my blog when I wrote this post about him so if you get a chance, you might want to get to know him a little better. He is a jewel.

Oh, and by the way, I hope you don't care if others read this also. I just felt like addressing it to you after your sweet comment the other day.

Your blog is one of the highlights of my day. My very favorites post of yours is the one where you and your sister and maybe your mom ( I can't remember for sure ) take silverware, dishes, centerpieces, napkins, tablecloths, chairs, table, and so much more out in the middle of a cotton field and set up the most gorgeous table I've ever seen.

I guess that was special to me because I grew up listening to my father tell about planting, chopping and harvesting cotton. His dad was a sharecropper.

I absolutely love all of your posts but my second favorite one is about you being afraid of the dark. And you referring to yourself as "the baby of the family." It was so amusing and I laughed aloud with tears splashing down my cheeks. All my life, I have struggled with fears of all kinds so I could easily relate to that post.  I'm going to hop back over and reread your "shopping posts."  I didn't get to spend as much time soaking all that up as I would have liked.

Well, this turned out to be more than a short note but I wanted you to know I was thinking about you and how much I loved your sweet comment.

Hope your day is blessed.

Love,
Dianne

P.S.  Would you please say a prayer for me?  On Tuesday I will be going to Renewal Ranch to tutor three of the guys who are feeling a little overwhelmed with the course work in light of their reading abilities.  Please pray that God will open their minds to learn and the Bible, as well as other books, will come alive for them.  Well, I guess I really want you to mainly say a prayer for them--C, W, and P.  But I do want to be a blessing to them and hopefully to motivate and encourage them.  Thank you.

This was Debbie's comment from the other day.

*Just beautiful. Your thoughts remind me of exactly how I feel when I visit old churches. The comments about the bell reminded me of the little brown church of my own childhood. In fact, several blogs recently have reminded me of it. I feel as if I want to put my heart into words, but as yet, I can't. Loved this. And can I say that your whole blog is just "pretty" these days? I like reading the script. It feels like you have written me a letter.

You can access Debbie's blog here.

Weekend Worship at First Christian Church, Marshall, Arkansas

I can't help but wonder for whom this bell tolled.

I wonder if any of the members here now are old enough
to remember when that old bell pealed its melodies
beckoning the people to come and worship.

And if they were, I wonder what kind of clothes they wore,
what the church looked like.  Were the pews hard like the ones I sat on growing up?

Wow!  Organized in 1880--My grandfather was born in 1878.
He was two years old when this church was established.  Hard to believe!

I wonder if church shut down when there were big snows
like much of the country has had this past week or did they
come on to church since they drove horses and buggies.

I'm so glad they preserved this old bell.

Don't you know it brings back memories for many!




 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it; 

 for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.


  Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
   Who may stand in his holy place? 

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.


 They will receive blessing from the Lord
   and vindication from God their Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.




from Psalm 24

Just Because I Love You!

This is a thick, hearty soup--

It's been snowing here today and I cooked a big crock pot full of soup--It was so good--here's the recipe for you.

I used two frozen chicken breasts but sometimes if you wanna be a little on the lazy side, just use a big can of Sam's Member's Mark (or whatever brand you prefer) chicken breast.  Both are really good.

I threw four chicken breasts into the skillet--so I would have two left for tomorrow night's dinner or a luncheon salad.  I cook them in olive oil and white cooking wine.  But however you cook them is fine--my DIL boils them.

I heat most of the liquid ingredients in a pan before putting in my crock pot.  I do this because it cuts at least a couple hours off the cooking time.

2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans Rotel
1 can chicken broth
1 can refried beans (I use fat-free but regular will do)
1 cup water

You can use packaged taco seasoning mix but I make my own using:
If you use the packaged, you will need 2 pkgs.  The ingredients below equal two packs.

2 T chili powder
4 t. onion powder
2 t. each ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, powdered oregano and sugar (I used 4 pkgs. of Splenda instead)
1 t. salt
pepper to your taste (I used about a half t. of white pepper)

I also add
2 T. Hidden Valley dry ranch dressing mix--this gives it an incredible pop! in my opinion

About half-way through cooking time, I add

1 can kidney beans
1 can ranch-style beans
1 can whole kernel corn  (I drain and rinse beans and corn but you don't have to)

 add the shredded chicken breasts

You can serve with a variety of things:  mixed cheeses, avocado, sour cream, crackers, rolled and buttered tortillas, fritos--I ate it today with nothing added and really enjoyed it.  Trying to leave off so many carbs!

I usually cook this for 4 or 5 hours but you can leave it on low all day.  I put it on high for the first couple of hours and then turn it down to medium or low for another couple of hours.  If you don't heat those first ingredients, you will need to cook 6 or 7 hours.

This will fill a big crock pot 3/4 full or more.  I usually freeze some or use a couple days later.  It's even better then.

I don't have a picture but you can trust me on this.  It is so good--and healthy and hearty.  I also substitute ground beef for the chicken breasts (ground turkey would work also).

So I hope you enjoy.

Stay warm this weekend.

Love,
Dianne

I Called, He Answered

My name is Bartimaeus,
I was not blind from birth, once I could see,
That changed--I didn't know the reason then--
I know it now.

To be used for God's purpose to prove
the identity of His only begotten Son
Is overwhelming to think about,
I know that now.

One day while begging to make a living,
I heard a commotion from the people gathered,
I asked what was going on--
The crowd shushed me--
I didn't know why then
I know why now.

The crowd said Jesus of Nazareth was passing by,
But I knew deep within,
The Son of David, the Messiah was there,
I called out to Him referring to Him in that manner,
The crowd tried to hush me,
I called all the more--
I knew why.

I had a need.
I wanted to see again.
Jesus ordered that I be brought to Him,
He asked me what He could do for me,
As if He didn't know.

I told Him I wanted to see again,
He told me to receive my sight
and instantly I was healed--

Immediately I followed Him
and the crowd who had tried to quiet me
followed--all of them praising God.

The years I had sat in darkness and shame,
questioning why me
Were now a haze in the distance
I was whole again.

A few days later
This same Jesus, the Messiah
Came passing by again,
This time carrying a heavy cross,
Bent and bowed low with the weight of the world's sins
Upon His shoulders.

To view this with eyes that now could see
Was more than my heart could bear
And yet I knew that if he did not bear this load
The scales of sin and sorrow and shame
Would still blind my eyes--
The eyes of my soul.

I know that now.

Jesus is passing your way today,
Like me, one day He will be passing by
for the last time,
Won't you cry out to Him today.
He wants to make you whole.

Please know that.

___________________________________

I wrote this from the study of Luke 18:35-43.  The last three verses are from what I think could have happened.  We do not have a record of Bartimaeus being there when Jesus carried the cross but it certainly could have happened.  He was healed in Jericho but he could have walked the 15 miles from Jericho to Jerusalem especially since he now could see.  Jesus traveled this road many times.

Meet My Friend, Sheila

My beautiful friend, Sheila

Hey sweet friends,
I have a favor to ask of you that I think will bless you.

My former principal and good friend, Sheila Michie just launched a new blog today entitled Becoming Women of Peace.  She is a Catholic Christian very much in love with Jesus who started a ministry in 2001 by the same name.  She holds workshops/retreats in an endeavor to help women truly become bearers of the peace that Jesus desires for all of us.

Won't you please hop over to her website, and read her first post today.  I'm praying that many of you will support her in this endeavor.  I think God has a lot to offer us through Sheila's wisdom and grace.

Thank you my friends,
I love you,
Dianne

The picture below is one that Sheila'a mom painted.  She wrote some beautiful prose which explains the painting.  Sheila includes that prose in her first post.  I think you will really enjoy the beauty and richness of her mom's writing.