IN HARD TIMES…..

PS 37:19 “They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.”

That verse is so true! You say how do you know? Because in my 67 years I have been around and seen them, there have been times when I thought we were not going to make it and some how something happened through God my Heavenly Father using someone to meet that need. And you know, I look past that person’s hand and I see God. Aren’t you thinking, “but what if that person wasn’t sensitive to what God wanted to do for you?” Glad you ask, that’s what I want to talk about today. Just how we fit in…

It’s coming up on the time of year when people begin to think about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I read this verse and it reminded me of all those beginning to worry about how they will make it through this season. I know from our past experience as a pastor’s wife we would have to sit the kids down and explain how we wouldn’t be able to have much for Christmas and when it was all said and done, we had so much it was amazing how it all worked out.

I wish you could be around our house when the kids all come home and we’re finishing a meal, sitting there laughing and talking about those times. Robbie will be the one to say, “I remember when Dad would say sons I have to tell you something. This year we don’t have much and Christmas is going to be slim.” I would laugh until I was out of control at him imitating what his Dad would say and we thought they had not heard it before. We worried for nothing when you think about it. Till this day Rob has the biggest Christmas he can and with him it is all about making it good for others. Lessons learned as a child live on forever! I know one thing! They sure got to see how God did provide in a miraculous way. Even one year we were able to get the set of weights they wanted but little did we know they found where we hid them and was already using them before we wrapped them and got them under the tree Christmas morning. Oh what fun times we had and have to this day, telling the stories that make up this fun family.

But now lets just stop and think about those who are working through HARD TIMES! Be
sure to look around and find some family your can help or just the ordinary people you come in contact on the street each day. Just look at the faces of the people in this picture they all have needs, they are everywhere, and Father wants to help them, but you know what? He has to use us to get them fed and taken care of. We are His hands, His feet; He uses our mouth to tell them He loves them. We’re coming up on that time so lets get together and do the work we are called to do like Isaiah talks about in Isaiah 58: 7 “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
As the old country preacher would say, “now ain’t that good”.

In doing the above there is a promise we need to see in the next verse. Now mind you, we are not to do those things for others to get stuff or “points with God”. Don’t hear me saying that, I am just quoting what Isaiah is saying about the Truth! Really we are not to make a lot of noise about what we do if we do, it will become “all about us”. But, just look what we can expect from helping those in need. In verse 8 & 9 of the same chapter 58, Isaiah says, “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. How much better does that get!!! Going to go for now going to start looking around……

THE MIND …….WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?...

Today I was thinking…HA! That’s funny that is what I want to write about. I was wondering if you have ever thought about what you think? Do you have the same thoughts often that are maybe, Negative? Our Dominant Thought will eventually affect our behavior. That is just how our mind works. Healthy habits begin by having positive thoughts. When you get up in the morning, this is a good place to start. When you start your day why not say, “This is the Day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”, or “Wow! I have another day with a clean slate I will make wise choices as it unfolds facing challenges or just have a day of calmness”. It always helps to look outside ourselves and say, “Who needs a smile today or a good word of encouragement”?

Pictured above is my husband Phil Mason, he lives this way everyday. He is forever studying something getting equipped for his life and to share with others. For the last few years, from time to time, he has studied how the Mind works and how what we think affects it. He lives a life of positive thinking. In this last year, he has been faced with a health challenge and his study has come in handy, for sure. Here is what he says, “ Yeah, the doctor says I have Wegener's granulomatosis, (WG for short) but it is not “my” disease, if I say, “it is my disease it will own me.” He lives with a positive attitude each day. I know, I live with him. I watched him at first when we discovered it was present and attacking his body. The doctor’s were baffled at what it was, until lots of blood work and biopsies revealed the problem and it was discovered. Thankfully, with medical research, a series of drugs were discovered by Dr Wegener that would work to put it into remission. He believes in the power of focus. What you focus on you will have. His focus is on living an active life each day practicing good health by eating well, taking the proper supplements and exercise. And guess what? It is working!!!

I am grateful to have a husband who lives what he “preaches”. In fact, he is consistently giving it away, by sharing with young men by way of mentoring them in following the path he sees that works, which brings a life successful in Body/Soul and Spirit.

Just the other day he emailed me this quote to file away for my “life study” and now I share it with you…..


A Good Dominant Thought:

"Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and
nourish with repetition and emotion will
one day become a reality."
— Earl Nightingale

THE STREET… CLAIRE DRIVE…

Lots happened on that street when I was growing up, I was brought home from Crawford Long Hospital to that street and my life began. It was where my “home place” was for many years. It was a street with sidewalks people would walk up and down them going to and fro mainly to catch the “trolley”, that was what the transit system was back then. Lakewood Heights was a place that held the stores we shopped in. Combies Drugs Store, Miss Georgia Ice Cream Parlor, The Movie Show, Cecil’s Hamburger Joint, the Hardware Store. Just a nice community with the Baptist Church and the Methodist Church in its circle of course, hate to say it, the people identified themselves by the two, you were one or the other.

The street in the summer time had big oak trees that made a canapé as they grew. Their limbs and leaves joined one side to the other. The old cars drove swiftly under them and that was before the automatic transmissions were invented. Inside you would see the occupants all dressed up, the men in suits with their felt hats the ladies in their dresses with maybe a hat and certainly white gloves. They had their cars, they didn’t have to ride the streetcars. Shopping was the thing in downtown Atlanta and that would be their destination either to Davidson’s or Rich’s and for lunch at Woolworth’s for a good hotdog then go by Planter’s peanuts for a bag of hot peanuts to select from behind the glass case.

Saturdays was my time to enjoy The Street. Mother wouldn’t let us go outside to play until the house was clean and the sidewalk was swept. When my list was done I would put my skates on, back then you used a metal key to tighten them on our shoes, then I was on my way to meet my friend, Sandra. We would go up and down skating away watching the heaves on our path to keep from being thrown a sunder! After awhile I could hear mother calling me in for our usual lunch. Mother could cook up some of the best pork and beans you could smell the sautéed onions cooking to go in them a mile away. I would put a big spoon of them on my plate, stick my hand in a new Marietta bag for a slice of loaf bread, had to get a middle one, that's where the bigger ones were. Oh yum! I would spread some of mother newly made soft butter and OH! Heavens!! A glass of her sweet tea, boy was that a good meal!

The night time on The Street was when all the neighbors would gather on the porches you could hear the voices sound in the night as they discussed the latest news or got into the politics it got rather loud then. The windows were open, as the night came to an end we went in to our beds and heard the crickets in the silence of the night. In it’s quietness The Street was waiting for another day until we were out and about again….

(Got the following from my niece after she read the above post. I could not let it go without sharing it here its more valuable memories from the past to be documented)
Stacey wrote:
The picture of Claire Dr. brought back memories for me. One was when my mother picked me up from kindergarten and said we would go visit grandmother and granddaddy. I was so excited. She was sweeping the stairs when we drove up. She had on a sleeveless green sweater. (I think I remember that.) She told us to come in she just made a caramel cake. Yum!!!!!!!!!! Grandaddy was in his shop. He stopped to say hi. I can remember before bed Grandaddy would say come on Stacey it is time for cookies and milk. We would sit at their kitchen table and Grandmother would get the tupperware of cookies out. They would sit in their chairs and I would sit on a stool. We would talk and then go to bed. I have endless memories of those two. And after Grandmother passed away I have memories of visiting just Granddaddy. At the time I don't think my parents knew how those times with them were shaping me as a person. In my eyes I saw true love between them.

BULLYING – LOTS SAID ABOUT THIS LATELY…

My thoughts about this subject, is we really need to be careful with our words. Things we say cannot be brought back in. I heard a little story one time about a young girl who had said some bad things about her friend; the friend was hurt and suffering from the words that had come her way. This girl’s mother took her to their attic and opened the window. She placed a feather pillow in the young girls hands and ask her to shake it out the window. Little did she know that the pillow had a slit in it and feathers flew everywhere as the wind whipped among them. The mother looked at the little girl and said, “Now go pick them all up”. There’s a strong lesson we can learn here. It is impossible to gather up all those things we say about someone with the intent to harm. That is called Slander or in today’s society Bullying.

This is done much to often in our School System even more than when I was in my early days of education. In my minds eye I do remember walking down the halls afraid someone would say one of those hurtful things. I had practiced my “comebacks”. It was either, “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” or “ Oh! Go jump in a lake, swallow a snake and come up with a belly ache”. Those things no doubt were made up by someone in their own defense and it is still probably making it’s circuit trying to help someone fight off the hurtful words that come their way. Looking back I am smiling right now just thinking what a weak defense I had and didn’t even know it. But I went out with those phrases in mind to hold back the mean kids wanting to demean someone and I feared it was going to be me. It’s a harsh world out there and if we don’t know who we are, what we are about and walk with confidence we become a target. Today, I hold my head up high knowing, Who I am and Who I belong to, I ‘m a daughter of the King. He is on my side my Father is The Almighty God, my Brother is Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior and I am equip inside with Holy Spirit Who guides my every step!!!

I can only speak for myself, but I want my words when I speak to someone, to be encouraging, spoken with thought and not to cut down. The latter would mean I don’t think very much of myself and I want to pull them down with me or below me. And as far as speaking words about someone in their absence, it is not worth it you pay a price and you could be in bondage to it for years! Think about it…. it sure is good not to have to go back and cover your tracks. Talk healthy words to someone today…..

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE….

So here we are with another day, what’s in it for you? Well we never know. To some I know you are dreading it because of some news you are waiting on, will it be good or bad? Then there is “just another day”, you say with boredom. But I know of people who wake up and jump out of bed, stretch and say, “look out world here I come” looking for what they can take in with great expectancy. Don’t you want the attitude of the latter?....

I just finished listening to a song called “He’s Alive” my mind went back to when Jesus hung on the Cross that day dying, taking our sin away and finally calling out, “It Is Finished”. How about how the woman felt when she went to the sealed tomb and found it open with Jesus gone? Wow! Can’t get my mind around that one! That had to be an excitement you cannot describe! Not only did she realize He had done the work on the Cross, she had to realize she had a life she could live facing all challenges because the work was done.

Today we can face all the “stuff” that comes our way, knowing He did go before us and paved the way. One day I came to the reality that I could not live my life anymore I was a failure at it, it was not working. I needed Someone to take over and live it for me and I gave up the reigns handing my life over to the One Who Could and it has been different ever since. I can get up each day and face whatever comes my way saying, “THIS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE”……

BE KIND TO SOMEONE TODAY…

Just got through reading about a woman in the Bible. She was kind to someone; it was the widow who shared her last morsel with the prophet Elijah, he had a need. God supplied it through her. No doubt she was being kind to someone that day. And she was sensitive to the needs of others and allowing Father to use her vessel to give to the needs of others.

You know one interesting fact, Elijah lived with this woman and her boy for a long time and he got to know her well, but he has left us with no clue as to her identity or the son. It didn’t matter “who” she was, it mattered only in “what” she did for someone else. And another thing, I don’t think it mattered to her “who” she was. Don’t know about you but that convicts me. I think we want our name made known way too much, forgetting about giving something to someone and not expecting something in return.

I am going to think about this gal today. I want to put myself in her place and look for someone Father wants to give to through me. It could come in the form of, a “cool drink of water” by way of a smile, or a kind word or supplying a need to someone who is without. Look around and find them they are out there with an “Elijah Need”……

WHAT ARE YOU FACING TODAY?

Just want to share my heart today. Sitting here early this morning setting my mind for the day, praying for my friend who will be laying her Mom to rest this afternoon at 2:00. She had lived a good life but these last few years she had suffered so much pain. What a blessing to be home with those who have gone before her. She is going to be greatly missed.

I know there are others facing challenges today. Life can be hard sometimes but we have a God who loves us and surrounds us with His awesome care. If only we would stop an acknowledge that fact, living our lives out of His resources, but we tend to live it our way then wonder why He allows “stuff” to happen.

Looking into the Scriptures we read, “Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest (Matt: 11:28). “Rest” did you hear that? Wow! That’s right we can have rest. I was overwhelmed with our tight schedule in the last few days. We had clients waiting to come to Safe Place, some who had been here calling with issues that still were lingering asking, “what can we do about this?” Then there were those little “time robbers” like the typical car breaking down, spilled something down the front of my blouse just as I was walking out the door, traffic, waiting in line for a price check for the person in front of me. I could fill my “stress level” rising and at that point, I thought “just BREATH Mary, BREATH!!

Just answer me how do you REST with all that going on? Well the above scripture says we can. I am in a place today that could rob me of my peace and I cannot afford that. I realize I cannot do it. That is so right, I CANNOT do it, but He CAN as I rest in Him. You know, when you live this way you don’t get tired because it is Him doing it and not you. He guides me and it all gets done. I then have a fragrance that is Him that draws others to Him. That is Peace and Contentment in action.

Hope whatever you are facing today you call on Him to face it for you. I just prayed that for you my friend!

Resting in His Lap with you……
Mary

FALL …DON’T YOU LOVE IT?....

It’s afternoon, I just finished a great cup of coffee. Been trying to do the LowCarb thing….again! So I made a fresh pot of coffee, trying to stay out of the sweets, thought it would help. I used low carb hazelnut syrup and a bit of Almond Milk. I’m sitting here in my living room listening to some good Baroque Classical Music playing in the background. Out my window the trees are blowing pretty strong it’s in the mid 60’s prefect blue sky, makes for a good day!

As I look out my window, my mind tends to wonder at how God made the seasons so perfect. I’m so glad I live in the North Georgia Mountains. We get a good flavor of the four seasons. When each season rolls around I always say, "this one is my favorite" but then the next one gets my attention the same way. This time of year people begin to express how glad they are to see cooler weather arrive after having survived the summer heat.

This is the time of year you can ride through the smaller towns and see the Fall Festivals happening. Locals put out their talented crafts for sale. I love to stop and buy one or two, then get a bag of Kettle Corn or a Funnel cake. Don’t you just hate it when you get so sticky with the white powdered sugar, but you keep picking at
it and putting it in your mouth? Oh! And what about the smell of the Barbecue cooking on a homemade grill, made from and old black oil drum ? You just have to buy a BQ Plate to support the local Jaycees or some church, for goodness sake….Yeah, Right!

I’m getting excited; our town Blairsville, always has the Sorghum Festival two weekends in Oct. It brings people from all around. Rather sad talking to a local fellow the other day, he said the making of Sorghum Syrup is going out as he said, “these young people just not a eatin it like those old folk who are a dyin off”. I did notice the cane syrup wasn’t growing in the open fields in the last few months and the Old Dyer Family Mill wasn’t cleared off from the Kudzu growing all around. Use to when you would drive down Hwy 129 around late Sept, you would see the good ole boys out there with their tractors and bush hogs getting it ready for the all night cooking of the stuff that brings so many adults and children in to see the happenings and getting in on the Biscuit Sopping Contest.

The Fall is popping out all over. So start watching as the leaves get golden, then maybe an orange, then a bright red, as if they are saying “Dah- Dah” with pride….I can’t wait!