Encouragement and Comfort

The day after the bombing at the Boston Marathon my husband changed the location of the Saturday run he leads with the John's Striders. Instead of running out in the beautiful Bluegrass countryside, Ernie wanted to create a run to remember Boston. Four short days later over 300 runners and walkers met at John's Run Walk Shop. After singing the National Anthem in solidarity, runners and walkers took off on various routes, sporting black ribbons on shirts, many of which either mentioned Boston or were the colors associated with Boston and the Marathon. What a sight to behold ! But what spoke to me even more was the effect the running community has on my husband and the effect he has on his runners. Ernie is an encourager...he wants to help you do your best. He is self sacrificing...he will run slowly if that is what you need. He will meet you at the crack of dawn and he will make you believe you can...run a half...run a full...get a PR. I am SO PROUD of Ernie and the lives he has impacted. Know that if you run with Ernie you have made an impact on our lives as well. I have been having a diificult time choosing my eight scripture for the SSMT with Beth Moore but tonight I found one that sums up today and the events leading up to it.
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (CEV)

Ringing in 2013

Hard to believe that my last post was two and a half years ago!

 I just finished writing my first scripture for 2013 in my brand new SSMT Spiral.  "NEW"...isn't that what we love about January 1st? New calendars, new chances, new beginnings. " New" is about fresh, clean, spotless...but life is more often filled with "old"..our past mistakes, failings, missed opportunities, regrets.
The scripture I chose speaks about the NEW:
But the Lord says," Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already--you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there. Isaiah 43: 18-19  ( Good News Translation).
And, as if I was receiving confirmation that this is MY verse, I found this as I was reading through Facebook posts from  the WEDNESDAYS with Beth page...

The enemy will convince us that everything behind us is a forecast of everything in front of us and that is a lie! - Beth Moore

Praying that in 2013 you and I will chose to believe GOD instead of Satan. Happy NEW Year !

GOD SPOKE !

I have been wrestling with how to write this and have decided I will just tell the story; hopefully, you will feel the emotions and awesome wonder of God in my words. I have my daughter Brittany's permission to share this .

Some of you know that Brittany got out of an abusive relationship a little over a year ago. She is now happy and healthy and has a boyfriend who treats her with love and respect. But our past always affects us and recently Brittany has experienced some fear and anxiety related to that former situation.

One day last week, I called Brittany at work and she sounded teary eyed and emotional on the phone.I asked if she was ok and she said she couldn't talk about it right then. If you are a mother ( or a grandmother) then you can imagine that my heart broke a little. We never want our children to "hurt".

Later that day when we talked, I was the emotional one. Here is what Brittany relayed to me....
Mom a couple of workers came to repair the central vac at work today. We were in the hall talking with them. They have done mission work in Africa and they were telling us about their experiences there and about Jesus. The phone rang at the front desk so I had to leave to answer it. Later the workers came up to me and said " Repairing the central vac is not the only reason we are here today Brittany. The Holy Spirit led us here to tell you how much God loves you."

WOW. I have prayed for Brittany to experience a "fresh wind of the Holy Spirit" and many of YOU have been praying for her too. What a powerful answer to prayer! Thank you Jesus.

From Celebration to Tragedy to Glorious Victory

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Christians celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is also His last week on earth. The same people who shouted "Hosanna" on Sunday would be crying "Crucify" on Friday.
As a life long Methodist I have always seen the celebratory side of Palm Sunday. Yesterday I received a letter from my mother which read " Have a great Palm Sunday. In my mind, I see you in the side balcony singing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". ( This is a reference to me singing in the childrens choir at 4th Avenue United Methodist Church many moons ago!) I have sung Hosannas and waved palm branches with my own daughter Brittany when she was young. I have always seen the "happy side" of Palm Sunday..... until today. Until I sang the anthem "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty" at our downtown campus of 1st UMC.

Ride on, ride on in majesty. Hark ! All the tribes hosanna cry.
O Savior meek, your road pursue, with palms and scattered
garments strewed.
Ride on in majesty! O Christ, your triumphs now begin o'er
captive death and conquered sin. Ride on, ride on in majesty.
The winged squadrons of the sky look down with sad and
wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die!
Bow your meek head to mortal pain. Then take, O Christ your
pow'r and reign. Hosanna, Hosanna ride on , ride on.
(Text : Henry Milman Music: Daniel Kallman 2010)

Jesus knew, from the foundation of the world, that He was born to die. As He heard the cries of hosanna and saw the people celebrating His triumphant entry into the Holy City, He KNEW what was coming..... but He "rode on" anyway.
May you more fully realize the depth of God's love for you as you journey through this HOLY WEEK.... Easter is coming but Jesus' pain and suffering is just beginning.

IF THEY BRING OUT THE KOOL AID.......

Don't Drink It !!
These were my husband's words to me last month as I got ready to head to Houston for the SSMT Celebration at Beth Moore's Church. If you are a "young reader", this is a reference to Jim Jones who poisoned his followers with cyanide laced Kool Aid in 1978.
Ernie thinks I am a Beth Moore Fanatic ! Apparently my new friend Sheri over at theleakingwindow.blogspot.com has a husband who thinks the same thing about her! Now Sheri and I BOTH LOVE BETH. She is funny, cute, energetic, passionate, and the real deal BUT the reason we love Beth( if I can speak for you Sheri) is she leads us closer to Jesus. Beth does not seek one iota of glory for herself and she makes that clear every time she speaks or leads a Bible Study. She is a great encourager of women and says that if God can use Beth Moore, He can use me and you. Ernie and Anthony are right about one thing...Sheri and I ARE Fanatics..... we are fanatical about God and His unspeakable gift to us in Jesus.
My response to my husband's warning????
I said "If Beth offers me a glass of Kool Aid, I am going to ask for the entire pitcher!!

CELEBRATING OUR JESUS YEAR HOUSTON STYLE

On January 1, 2009 BETH challenged her fellow SIESTAS to make it a JESUS year by memorizing scripture with her. Twelve months and twenty four scriptures later, 508 SIESTAS representing 42 states (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and 22 different denominations converged on Houston's First Baptist Church to CELEBRATE with BETH, AMANDA, MELISSA, TRAVIS, and the hard working LPM STAFF. What a BLESSING as well as a BLAST!

My journey started with a Wednesday night stay at my parents' home where I enjoyed great food and hospitality before heading to the airport on Thursday morning. I boarded my Continental Flight with great expectations. I arrived at the HOUSTON OMNI on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday night I met Jackie and Sheri while waiting for the elevator. They had an extra seat in their rental car and we made plans for Friday. On Friday I met the other member of their group, Charlotte from none other than..... LEXINGTON! On Amanda's recommendation, we headed to PAPPASITA'S for chicken fajitas. Lots of pink feather boas at the restaurant. Anne, the Siesta who came up with the idea of the pink boas to set us apart, joined us for dinner. After dinner, we headed for First Baptist Church for worship music led by Travis, teaching by Beth on PSALM 119 (Did you know it has 176 verses?), and TEXAS SHEET CAKE.

On Saturday morning, Beth wrapped up her teaching on Psalm 119 and we broke into groups of two to say our memory verses. Charlotte and I went out in the courtyard and we said our 24 verses to each other. We all gathered back for more singing, a fun time of questions and answers with Beth and her daughters, and before we knew it the time had come to say goodbye.

Thank you Beth, Amanda, Melissa, Travis, and the LPM Staff for such a wonderful time of worship, instruction, and just plain FUN!!!
I can hardly wait for the next get together with my SIESTAS. Thanks for sharing this JESUS year with me.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Seven)

One week from tonight I will be worshipping with 449 other Siestas at Beth Moore's Church in Houston as we celebrate all that God has done for us this year through our scripture memorization.

I know this will be a life changing trip and I am SO excited about the opportunity to be with Beth in a more intimate setting than RUPP ARENA or SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN.

I am also grateful to my husband, daughter, and parents who have supported me in my decision to take this trip.

I hope to have lots of pictures and stories to share with you when I get back to Lexington. If you want to know more about Beth or this celebration check out the LPM Blog.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Six)

Two weeks and counting....

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 110 (KJV) This was my verse for 11/15/09, 2 days before our 30th wedding anniversary. This psalm was read during our wedding ceremony.

Nothing is impossible for God! Luke 1:37 ( Contemporary English Version)

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 As my last verse of 2009, this sums up my feelings ( and many of my SSMT sisters I imagine) as we finish up 2009... our JESUS year.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Five)

Three weeks and counting.......

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (HCS) I chose this verse on Oct. 1st in honor of my parent's 60th wedding anniversary

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
Psalm 119: 175 (Message)

When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.
Ephesians 5:19 ( Contemporary English Version)

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.....