COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Four)

Four weeks and counting...

One of my Christmas gifts from my mother came in three parts. The first box I opened had a tag that said CLUE #1. Inside was one of Brittany's old childhood games called DO YOU REMEMBER? The object of the game is to turn over the picture tiles two at a time and try to remember where they are to make a match. If you are my age, you may remember this as the TV game show CONCENTRATION.
Clue # 2 was hidden in an end table. It was a yellow rose in a glass vase. Clue # 3 was wrapped in a vintage Lerner's box and contained a page from an atlas map showing HOUSTON and a check to use for my trip. Because I have memorized scripture I get to go to the yellow rose of Texas state and celebrate with Beth and my fellow Siestas in Houston.
Thanks Mama and Daddy !!!

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness", has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 (NIV)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I had the privilege of singing at our downtown campus for two Christmas Eve services this year. After the challenges our congregation went through in October 2008 involving the music program, it was a testament to God's faithfulness to see a full congregation, a full choir loft and over 20 instrumentalists worshipping Jesus on this most Holy night.

May you experience Christmas Joy this year as never before. Merry Christmas.

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT

Today I was in ZAXBY'S picking up lunch for Brittany and while I was waiting for the food, a man walked in wearing a coat that said LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL. He commented on the UL jacket I was wearing and I told him I had a car outside that matched and a UL SHRINE at UK where I work.

He asked if I was going to the game tomorrow and I said I didn't think so. He pulled out his business card and said "I'm Jeff Walz, head coach for the UL women. E mail me and tell me how many tickets you need and I will put you on the pass list for tomorrow's game."

AND THAT IS HOW CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR THIS CARDINAL IN WILDCAT COUNTRY!!!

At 1:00 pm tomorrow I will be one of the few CARDINALS in a sea of Wildcat blue yelling GO CARDS ! BEAT UK

WHOO HOO !!!!!!

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Five)

Five weeks and counting...

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (Holman CSB)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6: 10-11 (NIV)

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.
Psalm 57:2 (NIV) This was Beth's verse for 8/1/2009 and I decided to memorize it with her.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Four)

Six weeks and counting.


God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like Him in every way. By His own mighty Word, He holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, He sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3 ( Contemporary English Version)

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 ( NIV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation -whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Three)

Seven weeks and counting.

The angel said to the women, " Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen just as He said.
Matthew 28: 5-6 (NIV)

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NLT)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Two)

Eight weeks and counting. Here are my next three memory verses.

I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 NLT 2-15-2009

Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name. Malachi 3:16 Message 3-1-09
This was the verse that Beth chose in a different translation.

When the country is in chaos, everyone has a plan to fix it- But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. Proverbs 28:2
Message 3-15-2009
This verse seemed appropriate, following the 2008 Presidential campaign, election, and inauguration.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part 1)

Nine weeks from today I will be in Houston to celebrate with Beth Moore, the staff at Living Proof Ministries (LPM), and other Siesta Scripture Memory Team (SSMT) Members at Beth's church.

Last Dec. Beth challenged the Siestas who follow the LPM blog to make 2009 a JESUS YEAR by committing to scripture memorization. We were to post a scripture on the LPM blog on the 1st and 15th of each month that we planned to memorize, or at least meditate on if our memorization skills were lacking.

On March 15, 2009 Beth announced that she was planning a free celebration for those of us who had posted our scriptures at least 20 times and could recite 10 of them from memory. Our admission ticket is our spiral bound notecards with our scripture verses on them.

I am EXCITED to meet Beth in a smaller group setting but I started this challenge with the only reward being God's Word in my head and heart and that continues to be the BIG PRIZE......but I am not cancelling my hotel or plane reservation !!

Because this has been such a powerful experience I want to share it with you. I am going to post 3 scriptures each week until I go, in hopes that you will be blessed also. I have chosen scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments and from six different translations. Let's get started.....



Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. Luke 1 :45 NIV 1-1-09



Celebrate God all day, everyday. I mean revel in Him. Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them to see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Philippians 4: 4-5 The Message

1-15-09



I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. By you Words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalm 119: 11 and 89 (NIV) and 105 (Message) 2-1-09

I chose these scriptures after being in Gatlinburg with our Baby Boomer group. Dulaney's lessons were on WORDS and their impact, both positive and negative. What better way to focus on the postive impact of words than by learning GOD's WORDS!

That's it for now. See you next week for part 2.

30 YEARS AND COUNTING

On November 17, 1979 I became Mrs. Ernie Peel. Many of you know about our whirlwind courtship... We met on a blind date arranged by Ernie's sister Patsy on 6/24/79 and became engaged on July 12, 1979 . During that short time frame we only saw each other EIGHT DAYS!!!! And here we are 30 years later still sharing a life together.

Thank you to our families and friends who have supported us and shown us wonderful examples of unconditional love. You have made our marriage richer.

60 YEARS AND COUNTING

On October 1, 1949 Joyce Parcher married Charles Wilmoth at Fourth Avenue Methodist Church in Louisville. My parents have been married SIXTY years today!!!!

Happy Anniversary Mama and Daddy. You are a blessing to me, Ernie, and Brittany..... and to everyone who has the honor of calling you friends.

I love you to the moon and back !!!! GO CARDS !!!

WHAT KIND OF A FAN ARE YOU?

Today is the big game between my UL Cardinals and the UK Wildcats ! Of course I want to win but this year UK seems to be the better team. If UL loses, will I stop supporting them? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I am NOT a fair weather fan. I have been a CARDINAL since birth. My parents' first date was to a UL Homecoming Dance and they will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 1. I grew up going to UL games and remain a supporter WIN or Lose.

This got me thinking about Christianity. What kind of a Christian are you? Are you a fair weather Christian, happy to follow Jesus as long as things go your way? Do you stay in your church as long as things remain COMFORTABLE? No talk of sin and repentance? Your kind of music? An entertaining minister?

Or are you a loyal follower of Jesus? Will you follow Him no matter what happens in your life? If your spouse leaves you, if illness comes you way, if your job is eliminated? Will you remain loyal to your church even if the minister is not a gifted speaker? If he or she challenges you to change (REPENT) your behavior (SIN)?

Jesus has not promised us an easy life BUT He has promised to "Never leave you or forsake you". Being a fair weather or loyal fan of your team will have no impact on eternity.... but being a loyal follower of Jesus will reap ETERNAL VICTORY. Lord, please find me faithful.....

A DISTURBING BUMPER STICKER

Today as I was driving along I saw a car with a "DARWIN" symbol and this bumper sticker on the back.

IF GOING TO CHURCH MAKES YOU
A CHRISTIAN, DOES GOING TO A
GARAGE MAKE YOU A CAR?

I wanted to tell the driver how flawed that logic was. I wanted to say the
only thing that makes you a Christian is a relationship with Jesus Christ... and I DID say those things. Of course I was alone in my car and the driver had no idea I was speaking to him or her.

Maybe that driver has never heard the Good News....
Maybe that driver has heard the Good News in a bad way....
Maybe some "human" messed up in telling the driver about Jesus, showing condemnation and judgment rather than love....
Maybe the driver knows ME and saw me acting in an Unchristian way...

Todd's current sermon series is called ALL IN THE FAMILY . We are looking at ways to make people feel like they belong to our body of believers.... that even if they are "new" to our church, they are part of us, an important part.
The premise of this sermon series is that INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE NEED TO BE ACCEPTED, VALUED, AND INCLUDED.

Am I living a life that reflects my relationship with Jesus? Are You?

Last night I (?) picked my memory verse for Aug. 15th. Today, I see how perfect that verse is for leading people to want what we Christians have. (And it is not a church building.......)

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT)

FAITH PROMISE

"And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. " John Wesley, Founder of Methodism

Today is Faith Promise Sunday at our church. In Faith Promise, we give out of our abundance so that others may receive what they need. Faith Promise money is different from a yearly pledge. It is a promise to you from God that he will provide you with a certain amount and through prayer, faith and trust you promise to give what God provides to our church for missions, both local and global.

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that this has been a challenging time for First United Methodist Church. Divisions have occurred and some long time members have left our congregation over personnel issues. Gloom and Doom have been predicted. Our church will never survive some have said. BUT those of us who remained, who felt that we were where God would have us be have never lost faith.

TODAY God proved Himself faithful. Our Faith Promise pledge was almost THREE TIMES the amount ever pledged in a year. Praise God.

Some say our church is finished....Some say the Christian church has lost it's relevance..... some say there is no place for traditional worship in today's fast paced world.....some say ( you fill in the blank).

BUT WE SAY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS DOWNTOWN FOR GOOD.
TWO LOCATIONS. ONE FIRM FOUNDATION. OUR MISSION IS TO INVITE, EQUIP AND DEPLOY FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OFJESUS CHRIST.

To God be the Glory. Great things He has done.

GOD CHILLS

Looks like I completely missed posting in the month of April. I hope to do better in May.

Today when I opened my mailbox I had a card addressed to me from Grayson KY. I immediately knew who it was from and knew it contained something special but I was not prepared for the chills I physically experienced when I opened the envelope. Tammy, a friend I have never met but know ( if you are a blogger, this makes perfect sense to you !) had sent me a coin from India called a RUPEE. The coin is special because there is a "THUMBS UP" engraved on each RUPEE.

THUMBS UP is a very important sign to Tammy and her family. You see her son NICK lost his 6 year battle against brain cancer on 11-29-2008. And THUMBS UP was Nick's sign and God's sign to Nick and his family it seems. One day Nick's grandmother photographed a THUMBS UP cloud in the sky. You can read lots of other THUMBS UP stories and learn about Nick's courageous journey at www.nick7-11.zoomshare.com. Please also visit tammy's website My heart...His words at tammynischan.blogspot.com. You will be blessed by Tammy's words as she clings to God in times of great JOY and great SORROW.

Thank you Tammy for sharing NICK with us . Praising GOD for the way He is using Nick to change lives.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Several weeks ago Beth and her staff at Living Proof Ministries started a Siesta scholarship fund to help women who might not be able to afford to attend some of the LPL events or purchase resources. As a kickoff, Beth invited the Siesta community to nominate a church or ministry that could really use some Bible study materials that might not have been budgeted for. Two hundred fifty eight Siestas responded. I nominated the church I grew up in ,Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. When the 5 winners of the Esther Bible studies were announced, Fourth Avenue was not one of the winners. And that was that.... or so I thought.

Imagine my surprise when 25 runner up prizes were given away today AND WOO HOO Fourth Avenue is a winner!

My father has been a member of Fourth Ave. for more than 70 years. He and my mother met there, were married in the beautiful sanctuary as were Ernie and I. Both sets of my grandparents, all my aunts, uncles, and cousin were also members there. The congregation was large at one time but as more and more churches moved to the suburbs, membership declined. There are presently just a few hundred members. Now the church is a more diverse , multicultural fellowship with outreach to the inner city. But it takes a lot of money to heat , cool and maintain this beautiful, historic building. So these DVD studies from GOD to Beth to the members of Fourth Avenue are truly a blessing... FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.........

To learn more about Fourth Avenue go to www.fourthavenue.us

DESTINY IN SIESTA LAND

A friend ( the kind I haven't met yet) poured her heart out on her blog today. She said it was mostly for herself, to sort out her thoughts but I read EVERY word. I could almost feel the pain and uncertainty she is experiencing. And the only reason I even "know" her is because she was faithful last summer when GOD called her to start a forum for women to do a Bible study together...... DESTINY

Another friend started using her computer daily because of some difficult life circumstances that caused her to be homebound. She says she was rarely on the computer before. She is a GIFTED writer and encourager and she has impacted many lives through her online skills. Do I believe God gave her these circumstances so she would be influential in many lives? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But she is faithful in using the gifts God gave her , in SPITE of her circumstances.....DESTINY.

In the Esther Bible study Beth says one of the most important parts of our destiny is TRANSPARENCY. And boy do we have transparency on our forum! I believe that each time we laugh or share or pray or encourage each other GOD takes note.

Listen to Malachi 3:16 from the Message:
Then those whose lives honored GOD got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in GOD's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the GOD-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored GOD's name.

Those of us who are "members" of the SIESTAS FOR HIM forum believe that we were DESTINED to be there together, led by God "For such a time as this".
Thank you so much for being part of this DESTINY with me. I love you all.

POWERLESS

Powerless... What comes to mind? For me I am using the "electric" translation as in "without any". I feel a little like a fraud in posting this because our electricity is now back on but this has been rolling around in my head and without power I could not post it so please indulge me.

Powerless.... We have no electricity in our all electric house. We are "powerless" to do anything to get the power back on. We have to wait and rely on someone who is in charge of restoring the power, someone who has control.

Powerless vs. Powerful..... We often confuse the two. Sometimes we say we are powerless to.... give up an unhealthy habit, arrive on time for an appointment or work or even a social engagement, to change the world or just our neighborhood for the better. But usually we have the power to do all these things.

Sometimes we say we are powerful. We don't need God or each other. We will solve the problem without any help. Don't let anyone get too close. Maintain control at all costs. In truth, when we think this way we usually have very little power.

Power according to scripture:

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

When we realize that we are powerless without God and powerful through Him, we will shine brightly regardless of our circumstances. Let your light shine in the darkness.

LINDA

JANUARY BLESSINGS

I have mentioned several times to different friends that I feel like 2009 is going to be a very special year, a year that shows GOD'S GLORY in huge ways. I am not psychic, nor have I had a "vision". And I don't think I am WEIRD. I just have a "sense" about this year. Which leads me into this post about January Blessings.

I started this month committing ( with Beth Moore and over 2000 other Siestas) to memorize 2 scriptures a month. Each person picks her own verses to memorize and these are mine for January.

Jan. 1 LUKE 1:45 (NIV) Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.

Jan. 15 Philippians 4:4-5 (The Message) Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

January 11th brought the celebration of 100 years in our present sanctuary at First United Methodist Church in Lexington. After the "split" our congregation experienced in the last few months of 2008, I am sure some wondered if this celebration could be "pulled off" . Maybe those who worried about the service had not yet heard that 2009 is a year for God's Glory. The sanctuary was filled with God's presence and the worship service was incredible at that Sunday celebration.

January brought a new Beth Moore Bible study into my life. I am studying Esther with my Siestas for Him forum friends. On Jan. 13 my mother called to tell me that she had just attended her very first Beth Moore Bible study. Her voice was bubbling over with excitement as she surprised me with this news . A big January blessing in my life is the simultaneous study of Esther with my mother.

January also brings our Baby Boomer retreat to Gatlinburg. Ernie and I just returned today from a weekend of fun, food, shopping, sharing, singing, and worshipping with 27 of our dear friends. This trip started 26 years ago and Ernie and I joined in in 1989. We have watched our children grow up and some now are grandparents. We have shared our joys and our sorrows together and we are bonded together for good. The Gatlinburg trip also brought an unexpected blessing in 2009. I was able to meet one of my online Siestas in the flesh for the first time. Debbie lives in Seymour Tenn. and she drove down to Pigeon Forge on Sat. Ernie ate lunch with us and then Debbie and I shopped and talked, explored the countryside and talked some more. It was like meeting an old friend. We already "knew" each other...we had just never met! What a joy to spend time with you Debbie!!

The theme song Dulaney picked for our program this year in Gatlinburg was from the musical WICKED. I am posting the words in hopes that you will read them closely and KNOW that because " I KNEW EACH OF YOU, I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD..... Love, LINDA

FOR GOOD by Stephen Schwartz

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing

something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow

if we let them and we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true but I know I'm who I am today

because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you I have been changed for good.....

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime so let me say

before we part so much of me is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart and now whatever way our

stories end I know you have re-written mine being my friend......

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea, like a seed dropped

by a skybird in a distant wood who can say if I've been changed for the better?

but because I knew you I have been changed for good.....

DIFFERENT DATE, DIFFERENT VENUE, SAME OUTCOME

Tonight my UL Cards beat the UK Wildcats in Freedom Hall and , thanks to the generosity of my parents ( my father gave me his ticket), I was there cheering them on. My mother and I had a great time cheering our team to VICTORY and tomorrow will be a great day at work for a CARDINAL IN WILDCAT COUNTRY!!!
Thanks again mama and daddy. You are the BEST.