Friends for all seasons

We had a great weekend at our house recently. UGA Homecoming. Two different families came into town and we got to break some bread together. Friends from college days and newlywed years. The forever kind of friends. Even though we go long stretches without face time or even chatting, we know these people are our rock solids. The best.

And, it’s not at all why they came into town, but while they were here, we had some excitement. Our son, Chip, got to climb down off the UGA Mic Man stage at the football game and step onto the field for a few moments. Not as wide receiver or anything but nearly as fun. I got to stand beside him as his name was announced as UGA 2018 Homecoming King. Not sure what that really means, LOL, but it was fun few moments to watch.

Grateful for the honor and hoping that somehow the Lord uses this to open doors for the Gospel. That is indeed our prayer.

But a blessing it is, indeed. So grateful.

And the best part of this blessing…is YOU ALL. As soon as his name was called, every member of my family began hearing from friends who were celebrating with us. Friends who rejoiced over our good news, friends who wanted to add to our blessing, friends who shared in this season. And, y’all, we read every text, every social media comment, and appreciated every “like”. For real. We noticed and cherished every single one. I mean it. We were (are) floored by the kindnesses of our friends. Friends from college, friends from other towns. Friends from high school and hometowns. Friends from church and the neighborhood. Friends from work and the community. Even friends we’ve seen only six times a year for over a decade, sharing a row at UGA home games. It would’ve been so easy for you to just wish us well in your hearts and not reach out. You could’ve so easily thought one text wouldn’t matter. You could have….but you didn’t. You rejoiced with us and in so doing, you not only shared our joy, you multiplied it. Exponentially.

In the scheme of things, being HOCO King is probably not a big deal. Truly. But having great friends definitely is.

And, the incredible thing is, these same friends who’ve rejoiced with us this weekend, wept with us three years ago this very day. The day my Daddy told us Good-bye and told Heaven hello. These friends of ours. Showed up at our door with food (my everlasting love language!). Sent cards and text messages. Came to deliver a hug or a pound cake. Were present at his funeral service and wrapped their arms around us. Made donations in his name and continue to remember him even now. Friends. Friends for all seasons. It would’ve been much easier for you all to think your card or call or casserole wouldn’t really help. Or even be noticed. But you knew better. You knew that every single thing would deliver love and healing to our hearts. And so you came. You called. You loved. So well.

And we are so thankful. So very thankful.

For friends like you. Friends for all seasons.

Thank you.

Girl Power -Part 2

Girl Power.


Yesterday we looked at the double-barreled weapon of praying God's Word.  If you haven't already checked out the link to Scripture prayers here on the blog, please do so.  Or make your own set.  God has made available to you and me this potent resource, capable of moving mountains of rebellion, prejudice, greed, unforgiveness, and insecurity.  The weapon with the potential to unleash torrents of love and joy and peace, of reconciliation and health and confidence, of changed hearts and mended marriages and secure children. The tool for all Christ-followers.  He just says ask.


For us girlfriends, He gives us something else powerful, too.  More of a tool than a weapon.  A tool more effective than the strongest bully or the greatest orator...and especially more so than the most manipulative personality. 


Like many of God's choices, it seems like a paradox.  Counterintuitive. Like it couldn't possibly work.


But God tells us wives the way to persuade the hubs - even one who doesn't follow God's Word - is not to better explain our point of view.  Nor to cry or freeze him out or pitch a fit.  Not even to get him to read the right books or listen to the right podcasts or join a men's group.


Rather it is

Without a word.


No way!  Really? 


Yep, the most effective way for a wife to change her husband is to not open her mouth in an effort to bring about that change.  But rather to treat him with respect.


Well, I'll be!


Here's how God says it:
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct.  I Peter 3:1,2


In this verse, "likewise" refers to the preceding verses where Peter lifts up Christ as our example in suffering.  He didn't return insults or threats to those who mistreated Him.  He didn't insist on His rights as God.  Instead, He trusted God to unfold His plan and He submitted Himself to that plan...which included suffering to the point of death.


That's our example as wives.  When we feel our husband is wrong and we want to "help" him be right, our recourse is not to badger or argue or pout.  It is instead to pray and wait...and to treat him with respect and kindness in the process.


Wow.  That's a most unusual tactic. 
Only God!


And a few verses later, God has Brother Peter give us an example of success...


Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; ⁴ but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. ⁵ For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; ⁶ just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.


Sarah.   Listed in the book of Hebrews' Hall of Faith. (chapter 11, verse 12)
She faced intensely painful personal disappointment.
She was put in places of fear and abuse because of Abraham's cowardice
She waited a long long time to see God act on His promise to her husband.
And, yes, she made some mistakes herself along the way, but the record of Scripture highlights not her physical beauty (although that was noted in Genesis) but rather her respectful behavior towards her husband and her courage because she trusted God's sovereign rule in her life.


Don't miss this!
In the midst of personal pain and her husband's failures, Sarah responded with respect and gentleness.  She trusted God to accomplish good for her in spite of all around her that seemed to the contrary.  The word used for "lord" in verse 6 is a Greek word which actually means "agent for good".  Sarah could submit to her husband not because she trusted Abraham's character and wisdom but rather because she trusted her God to use even a disobedient husband to bring about good for her! She trusted Him to use circumstances (and people) that seemed harmful and opposed to God's best to be instruments of blessing because she knew all was in  the hands of the Divine Alchemist.  Instead of fretting or fearing or fussing, Sarah could respond with respect...because she trusted God. 


Word to the wise wives....Trust God and treat hubs with respect.


That opens the path for God to work His plan.  And His plans are always good.  Always loving.  Always faithful.


Girl Power!!!

Girl Power

I grew up in the throes of feminism. All around me were emerging philosophies that insisted (rightly) on equality of pay and opportunity. Slowly women began being recognized as capable of the same accomplishments as men. This movement gave great opportunity to my generation and all that have followed.


Like all changes, though, there came some bad with the good. In attempts to establish ourselves as "equal", women began to believe that meant "sameness". As a gender, we morphed into acting like our power came from argumentation, domination, and aggression. I suppose that has won us some battles but I posit that perhaps we have lost more than we have gained. When I look around, I see an awful lot of females acting like bullies. All in the name of power. And, while men may outwardly defer to their demands, it seems to me that inwardly they long for women to be women and for men to be men. Equal is one thing...sameness is another.


God's design is not to assign positions of inferiority and superiority, but rather for both genders to express different aspects of His nature. In the image of God, He created him, male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 Singularly, each gender cannot convey the attributes of God but collectively, we get a picture of what He is like.


So when we insist on sameness, we rob the world of an opportunity to see the glory of God.


And we wind up resorting to ineffective tactics to achieve the power we need to influence those around us. Things like airing our opinions too freely. Insisting that others do things our way because we're right. Pushing back when we get bumped. Demanding that our "needs" get met. Proving our worth by challenging authority or competing fiercely with those around us.


Compared to the repression previous generations have experienced, some find this preferable.


But I don't think it's an "either/or" option.


God has indeed equipped us with girl power. Ways to handle even the most impossible situations with laudable results. Options that every woman of God can avail herself of, regardless of her education, her social standing, or her life stage.


Two "weapons", if you will. Although I extend a word of caution here - "weapons" are used in combat against an enemy. We need to remember who the enemy is...and who it is not. Our enemy is not our husband, our children, our employer or our neighbor. Not flesh and blood at all but rather, our enemy is spiritual. The enemy who wants to attack us, divide us, and ultimately, destroy us. He shows up in disguise and deceives us into thinking that we should fight another to get what we want. And in that process, walls are built, souls are damaged, and relationships are severed.


God has a better way.




The first weapon is available to all believers, not just women. It is actually two weapons in one, strapped together like two sticks of dynamite, powerful for blowing up plans and plots of destruction, of harm, of despair. An invisible weapon, to be sure, but dynamically effective indeed.
This double-barreled weapon is mentioned in one passage and explained more thoroughly in another:


For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses 2 Corinthians 10:3,4




The weapons mentioned there are explained further in Ephesians 6:17b-18 - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

The weapons? Prayer and God's Word. In tandem.
Praying the Word of God. Taking Scripture and praying it, believing it, standing on Truth. Powerful for destroying the schemes of the real enemy. Powerful to accomplish God's will on Earth. Powerful to fulfill the desires of our hearts.


Invisible. But effective. Powerful. And available.


When we women are willing to pray, God responds. And He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think.


Through prayer, God moves mightily to get His will done on Earth. When we pray according to His Word, He moves mountains. He restores relationships, provides protection, appropriates resources, and changes hearts. All He wants are a few hearts willing to cry out to Him. To pray and keep praying. And to follow what He tells us to do.


Prayer. Not great knowledge or persuasive speech. Not impressive talent or force of will. Not tenacity or determination. Prayer is the tool God makes available for us to wield power.


If you want some help getting started, I have posted a link on the side that lists Scripture prayers for each day of the month - verses to read and pray God's Word back to Him for yourself, your hubby, an your kiddos. (Tip - the format on a mobile device doesn't show this link in same place as on a laptop so you may have to search -- but it is there :) )


The second weapon, also quite powerful and effective, is one that God makes available specifically for women, particularly wives, in fact.


The second weapon, well, I'll tell you tomorrow. This post is getting long!