The “Go-To” on Lookin’ Good!

Well… I’ve been in my new home city and state for about six months now and I am glad to say that I am finally beginning to feel fairly confident in finding my way around!  But while I can find them okay, I’m still getting used to the layout of the two grocery stores that I’ve been shopping at.  In Oklahoma, I was pretty much satisfied with the two Walmart’s near my home.  Turning left from my neighborhood was the Super Walmart where you could literally get anything from food, to clothes, paint, plants, garden supplies and hardware for the kitchen sink or turning to the right, there was the smaller Neighborhood Walmart which is basically just groceries and a pharmacy.  That was sort of my “Go-To’ store for quick in and out purchases.

Here in Tennessee, I have the luxury of a Kroger that is very close to my home (which reminds me of the Raley’s in Santa Rosa that Piper, the kids and I used to shop at) and then a Super Walmart about 10 minutes away… Oh… and don’t let me forget… there is a Dollar General which is literally just outside our gated community and works extremely well as my “Go-To” store for almost anything!  I’m constantly amazed at the variety of name-brand merchandise that they stuff into that store!

But… back to Walmart!  Each Walmart that I’ve been in from the West Coast to the East, is laid out a little differently.  My store here is more familiar to the store we frequented in Fuquay-Varina (NC) than the Super Walmart near us in Broken Arrow (OK).  But I still find myself, at times, walking in circles… like yesterday when I couldn’t find the pharmacy department!

So, while I was trying to get my memory re-centered on the particular layout of this store… in contrast to the other Walmart on the other side of town where my daughter likes to shop… my attention was drawn to a heavy-set, well and brightly dressed (and made-up) woman, wearing sunglasses, driving one of the motorized store carts while she spoke loudly to another lady on her cell phone… with the speaker phone on! 

She was a few aisles away from me, so I slipped in behind the Pepsi distributor who was restocking the shelves… shared a laugh with him and picked up a six pack of Coke Zero (he wasn’t pleased with my choice!) and continued on.  What I noticed pretty quickly was that the gal was totally oblivious to anyone or anything around her.  She was whole heartedly laughing and joking with the gal on the other end of the call and then in response to something that was said, broke out into… what sounded to me to be… a black, full of soul, jazz solo! (of which I have to admit… she was pretty good!)  What I also observed, was that the other shoppers weren’t necessarily turning away from her… but were actually smiling as the seemed to draw closer to her!

 

Well… I finally figured out where the pharmacy was (at the other end of the store) and pointed my cart in that direction… while the singing behind me slowly drifted away from my hearing.  But, the thought of the Gal’s boldness lingered on in my mind as I walked through the parking lot to my car.  When I moved the bags from the cart to the back of my car, I got to thinking what it would be like if we Christians were just as outgoing and confident as the lady in the store seemed to be.

What if we sang praise songs to the Lord… when we’re out and about on our daily activities… with the same heart and smile that that lady did with the music that emanated from her?  I came across a scripture yesterday, before my shopping trip, where the Psalmist declared,

“Good people, cheer GOD! Right-living people sound best when praising.” (Psalm 33:1 - The Message Bible)

Hummm… think about that… the Psalmist states that Christians “sound (and most-likely look) best” when their singing!  But… Ah-Oh… I know what YOUR thinking… “I don’t have a good voice!”  Hah… let me dispel that thought!  The word “CHEER” in this psalm is the word “REJOICE” in the King James Version which, according to Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Definitions, means “to creak or admit a stridulous sound!”  With “stridulous” defined in Dictionary.com as “making or having a harsh or grating sound.”  So, therefore, the melody that comes from your heart is of more importance than the tone of your voice.

My mom was very musical, loved to play the piano and sing and had a very nice voice… but her best friend Norma couldn’t… as they say… carry a tune in a bucket!  My mom would joke about how they would be standing together at church and when the music started Norma would sing out loud and to her heart’s content… totally off key!  But you know what?  My mom and the people at St Rose Catholic Church knew Norma.  They knew the goodness of her heart and her dynamic, caring and quite funny personality that she lived before the world 24/7… and they loved her and her voice… even the more!

It was kind of funny… as I was driving back home from the store yesterday morning, I found myself humming and even attempting to sing the song that the colorful lady was singing in the store!  I wasn’t familiar with the song… and in fact… hardly ever listen to any music that does not have Christian lyrics… but that song caught my attention… so much so that… I was thinking about it throughout the rest of the day!

What if a PRAISE song that you or I was singing in a store, walking down the street or waiting in the doctor’s office (where I was earlier in the week, listening to the receptionist singing along with the songs that were playing in the waiting room…) caught the attention of those around us… and got them thinking about having a relationship with Jesus?  What if someone came up to you and asked you about the song you were singing (or creaking from your heart!)? 

Wouldn’t that be COOL!

I sure think that it would be special!  Why let the world have all the fun!  So… what would I suggest?  Very simple… Fill up your heart with your love of God through the truth of His Word… and then sing it out!

Oooh!  What Fun!  I can’t wait to hear your stories!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!  We are in the midst of beautiful weather in the mid-80’s with bright blue skies and soft breezes!  I’m hoping that this short’s wearing weather is here to stay (although we had a freeze last week!).  And there… wherever you are as well!

Weather Fluctuations and Instruments!

Welcome to Tennessee!  Whew… I feel like I received my formal christening into Tennessee citizenship this weekend… at least weather wise that is!  Saturday and Sunday were beautiful spring-like days.  Yesterday I wore my shorts and a light golf shirt throughout the day… but then around 9:00 in the evening a cold front came across the state and the calm of the last few days was destroyed in a moment as the cold air came into contact with the warm and what resulted was winds blowing up to 75 mph, torrential rain, bright cloud to cloud lightning and LOUD thunder… and you guessed it… Tornadoes!  I got my first introduction to the Tennessee tornado sirens (which are just like Oklahoma’s – no surprise) and their emergency broadcast system! 

I even got to spend some time in my saferoom (ie; the bathroom, which is the centermost room in my apartment).  The only throw back to my Oklahoma storm night adventures was that I kept finding myself calling out to Fiver with calming words - every time things got loud… only to catch myself with a pang of sentimental sorrow and a laugh!  And then on my early morning walk today… the temperature had a wind-chill factor of 28 degrees and there were snow flurries stinging my face with the 20+ mph wind gusts!

Like I said… WELCOME TO TENNESSEE!

My family and I came through the storm okay, but I read this morning that there was some storm damage in south central Tennessee.  At this point, they are not sure if it was due to tornado touchdowns or the strong straight-line winds.  That clarification will come out in the next few days as the storm experts go over the scenes.

Prior to the roller-coaster weather changes this weekend, though… I spent a fair amount of time contemplating the shocking reality of me celebrating my 73^rd Birthday on Saturday the 14^th.  This Birthday seemed to hold a higher significance than all the previous ones since Piper’s homegoing.

As most of you know, my move here six months ago, was to be a new beginning… a fresh start (or re-start…) to my life in this senior season of my life.  And… this birthday seems to be a trigger to what’s ahead!  Even my dog’s departure from my side looks to me, to be a part of the process… as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says in the Message Bible,

“…The old (familiar) life is gone; a (fresh) new life burgeons! Look at it (and jump in with both feet)!” 

And it wasn’t just me thinking about this birthday and the moments and opportunities of personal growth ahead.  I’ve felt that the Lord has been working to prepare the way during our morning Bible Study and fellowship times each day… Since Piper’s passing, I have hardly even picked up my guitars and played a chord… which is something I loved to do when we were ministering in the various churches together.  I don’t think that I ever serenaded Piper with my guitar (or even wrote a song about her!), but always played them… after our marriage… to the glory of God as a vital part of our ministry to the children, youth and adults at church.

So… it wasn’t necessarily her connection to my guitars that caused me to lose interest in them… but the radical turn in my life that occurred when the Jim and Piper ministry team (in operation since High School) and the plans we had to pioneer a church in northern California following Bible College in 2008… suddenly went up in smoke!

But then early last week, I suddenly had the urge one morning to turn to the book of Psalms (I usually spend a lot more time in the New Testament epistles than I do in the Old Testament portions of my Bible) and read from Psalm 33:3-4 where the author wrote,

“Compose new melodies that release new praises to the Lord. Play His praises on instruments (in my case, my guitars) with the anointing and skill He gives you. Sing and shout with passion; make a spectacular sound of joy— For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to His promises, His word can be trusted, and everything He does is reliable and right.”  (The Passion Translation)

So… without boring you with a lot of detail… I really began to sense as I’ve been reading these verses for the last week or so, that God wants me to go back to some of the things that I really enjoyed… things that brought meaning to my life and gave me an outlet of personal expression and ministry.  To pick up some of the pieces of ME… that I dropped somewhere along the way between North Carolina and my recent return to the south here in Tennessee… and to realize and depend on the fact… according to these portions of scripture… that He has given me an anointing and skill to play my guitars, write music again and sing to and for Him.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

As I’ve been learning this and receiving the rekindling of the joy that playing music for Him brings me… I’ve also realized, as I write this post for you, that He isn’t just talking to me and my guitars as instruments to be used for Him… but also to you and the “INSTRUMENTS” that you have used in the past to minister to and for Him and/or just to give you pleasure, enjoyment and personal fulfillment.  And He is not just speaking of musical “INSTRUMENTS” but instruments… ie; giftings, talents, hobbies and activities that you’ve enjoyed in the past that you’ve… for whatever reasons… put aside, lost interest in or maybe… don’t think you’re worthy to do anymore!

You may not have ever thought of those things that you do as being given to you by the Father… along with a special anointing to do them well… but I’m here to tell you today… that He only has GOOD plans and desires for you!  And He wants you to live your ENTIRE life to the fulness of the abilities that He has blessed you with!

So… think about it… pray about it… and read this post a few times.  Print it out and make notes of the thoughts that pop into your head as you read it… Then follow your heart and do and/or go back to doing the special, anointed things that He has especially given to YOU!

Isn’t God Good!

God Save the Chili!

I spent a good portion of the evening last night keeping track of the powerful storms* that were making their way through my former home state of Oklahoma.

My older daughter, who only lives a few buildings over from my apartment, and I had been texting back and forth with her two younger siblings that live in Oklahoma throughout the afternoon as the bigger storm began its journey into the areas of the state in which they live.  My younger son lives near Oklahoma City while my younger daughter lives a couple of hours northeast of him near Tulsa where my older daughter and I also used to live.

The storm passed through my son’s area pretty smoothly, but seemed to build in volume and velocity as it moved northeast.  By around 7:30 my younger daughter reported that the sirens in their area were just sounding… right as she was cooking some homemade chili… So of course, my immediate word of wisdom and encouragement was,

“God save the chili!”

I have always found that a little bit of humor helps to dispel thoughts of anxiety and stress… but I am also well aware… that if my wife taught our kids anything… it was to boldly, confidently and peacefully stand on the Word of God for His faithful protection of their family and property.

Well, the exceptionally strong wind, damaging hail and various manifestations and occasional touchdowns (ie; tornados) of circulation sent its havoc across the greater Tulsa area but… PRAISE THE LORD!... it passed south of where my daughter lives and literally came within a block of where I used to live near southeast Tulsa.

I will admit that watching the local Tulsa news station app on my smart TV brought back a lot of memories of Fiver and I hunkering down in the center of the house when tornado threats came near our neighborhood while living back there.  But I had to laugh and text my older daughter after the immediate threats had passed by… and tell her that I had a image of my dog Fiver sitting on a couch somewhere in heaven, watching the reporting of the Oklahoma storm through some kind of intergalactic internet, as he lay warm, calm and quiet next to my wife… with a clearly defined smirk on his face knowing that he’ll NEVER again, have to go through the anxiety that overtook him whenever the storms came by our earthly abode!

Another thought that I had last night was of how I am captivated and maybe even mesmerized a bit, by the sheer magnitude of the power and force that can be displayed by a severe thunderstorm as it generates excessive winds, hail and tornados that can leave behind a swath of destruction and mayhem all along its path.

Conversely, I guess I could kind of say the same thing about the positive way in which I am drawn to, captivated and definitely mesmerized by the name of Jesus and the power of His Word that leaves a wide swath of love, life, joy, peace, grace and wisdom in the hearts and lives of those of us, who make the daily decision to enfold their lives into Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that,

“Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he (or she) has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.” (TPT) 

WOW!  If you’re anything like me… that particular verse of the truth of God’s Word should thrill you from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet!  But you know what?  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the thrill of God’s Word working in my life and have finally come… through my own thick-headed thinking… to the realization that not everyone thinks on or about the Word of God in the same way that I do.

Like “DAH” Right?  I’ve discovered that I tend to share a lot of the Word with people and suggest certain verses of scripture for them to read…especially here in my blog posts… and expect them to understand it just like I do.  But many times, I’ve seen some folks who will look at the recommended verses and not really gain the conceptualization of the points being made.  I remember my early years in my Christian walk as I excitedly sat down to read in my Bible only to turn away disappointed and thinking hummm… that’s all Greek to me (and I was reading an English translation)!

So, my point?  The scripture above tells us that as Christians, we HAVE become an entirely NEW person and that the old ways of sin that we may or may not have lived and seen as common place to us… the old habits, thoughts. words, tempers etc… are GONE!  VANISHED!  And BEHOLD!  ALL things have become new!  Like WOW, RIGHT?  But is it really possible?  Well… according to this verse IT IS?

But how do I do this, one might ask?  How do I start living the NEW life?  Well… First of all, it takes an ever-increasing knowledge of the Word!  So… you want me to read my Bible more?  Yes… BUT… you need teaching to go along with the personal reading of it!  So that’s another area that I am going to venture out into with this blog.  Along with the weekly posts, I am going to start suggesting some study aids in the forms of Bible Study series, Christian teaching books, videos and other helpful aids that you can study your Bible with when you are alone or with family and friends!

It looks like I’m getting a little too windy here… so I’d better wrap this up!  But I am excited to hear about each of you growing in your excitement with the tangible changes you will begin to experience as you learn more and more of God’s will (ie; His Word) in your lives!  And just to wet your whistle (as my mom would say…) a couple of my favorite Bible Study series are the “LifeChange Bible Study Series”** from the Navigators and the Warren W. Wiersbe “B” Series of Bible Study books.***

As I look out the window right now, I can see and hear that our Tennessee series of thunderstorms have moved into the area… and although there is a forecast of strong winds and heavy downpours… the chance for tornados is minimal with this storm!  PTL!  Have a great rest of your weekend and when the storms of life come to your neighborhood, REMEMBER…

God Save the Chili!  - (ie; chill and trust in the Lord!)

 

 *There were three different fronts that made their ways across the state throughout the day and night.  The most consequential coming across Oklahoma from the southwest in the early evening hours.

** https://www.navigators.org/resource/life-change-series/

*** https://wiersbe.com/books/series/be-series