tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33948862784535409002024-03-13T21:29:57.699-05:00sisterpastorWhere you can get the "real" scoop on marriage, parenting teens, being a pastors' wife and discovering "what on earth we're doing...for heaven's sake!"Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-72263832392552942412011-07-19T09:10:00.000-05:002011-07-19T09:10:55.129-05:00Rainbows and promisesHas anyone besides me noticed how many rainbows God has flung in the sky this year? Maybe it's just me but I think there have been more this year than in my lifetime combined.<br />
<br />
I saw the first one on June 2, 2010. It appeared just over 840 when Tom and I were on our way home to confront our crisis. When I saw it I was immediately taken back to the summer of 1980. That summer I was captain of our high school marching band's colorguard. That put me responsible for 40 flag twirlers and 8 rifle tossers. Quite a big role for a rising high school senior. Our band director purchased new flags for us and they were colored like rainbows. It was a beautiful display--our 200 plus instrument band marching with a rainbow surrounding them.<br />
<br />
At the end of the marching season I wrote each of the girls a note and printed Genesis 9:16 in it. "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." <br />
<br />
The rainbow still appears in the clouds and reminds us that "God always does what He says He will do." His covenant is everlasting! That means that all through the years...thousands of them, God has always done what He says He will do. NEVER has He EVER not kept His Word.<br />
<br />
I find it also interesting that in our preschool class on Sunday mornings, the Bible truth we are teaching is this very one...that God always does what He says He will do. Two weeks ago we made rainbows out of popsicle sticks and ribbons (and an ark out of cardboard boxes). <br />
<br />
This has been a season of rainbows and promises. I'm still suspended between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise but God's still suspending rainbows over my head. So I will choose to believe that since God always does what He says He will do--I will not only dance in the rain, but I'll worship under the rainbows and walk about with a smile in my spirit that says, "It's just a matter of time..." <br />
<br />
God knew that summer of 1980 that I'd need a few rainbow in 2011. And that makes me smile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IDdPfGAa7ErST-zQszEJVSfw-okFSvwTQmzJXrrT8LLI-vTNqNFjMecvfj3h-d7_CtzD7hHuZVM_H_VhTvKcY3sa618PPyAvm26N-suQE_j3XBUEfGGxfZrzDvTDaXLmNZ6ayfOknD6/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IDdPfGAa7ErST-zQszEJVSfw-okFSvwTQmzJXrrT8LLI-vTNqNFjMecvfj3h-d7_CtzD7hHuZVM_H_VhTvKcY3sa618PPyAvm26N-suQE_j3XBUEfGGxfZrzDvTDaXLmNZ6ayfOknD6/s200/photo.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOnGsVRrp1_WdZD1lm7G-vBzcjgjGKnLyo4Qxhacm7ND5_KYwYxrn8odbwRQdrT72i9x_wzATjWZqvFhwxrRm_TKzmBfqbjqBHSQPoMdosI63dYq4uxnQ8deAfV1VXl2N0o1NR8_Rl9Zt/s1600/rainbow+July.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOnGsVRrp1_WdZD1lm7G-vBzcjgjGKnLyo4Qxhacm7ND5_KYwYxrn8odbwRQdrT72i9x_wzATjWZqvFhwxrRm_TKzmBfqbjqBHSQPoMdosI63dYq4uxnQ8deAfV1VXl2N0o1NR8_Rl9Zt/s200/rainbow+July.JPG" /></a></div>Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-22781444551762979282011-07-10T22:05:00.004-05:002011-07-10T22:20:19.398-05:00Reflections in July<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs6KUgN_li5PUzfGJNlUL4dqe_0J-TlgKIAUsvKliHTYyVkPxyGQ37HcTHnnb6GDspbdC_r-yHRldGOllmktEe5MXfSLkOq4cik-Q2kWbKSBn9pkBM3n_JcShORXtvtLzScfaTvviqf-g/s1600/NEW._SpiritualWarfareForWomen%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs6KUgN_li5PUzfGJNlUL4dqe_0J-TlgKIAUsvKliHTYyVkPxyGQ37HcTHnnb6GDspbdC_r-yHRldGOllmktEe5MXfSLkOq4cik-Q2kWbKSBn9pkBM3n_JcShORXtvtLzScfaTvviqf-g/s200/NEW._SpiritualWarfareForWomen%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627928697976871250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCFXfagGujEyqhyxLG24W7TL3qzzCoS7cTXxM0o-Y7Pc2ESI3GvwjR3ntnAHd91kK5Ttp3GmSr84NrrYJRAFtMN_SGZD5Z27i2rzKdZRye3uWjO0scV44t8JQH04iVLag5W6jXodZwuh9/s1600/Imported+June+2011+506.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCFXfagGujEyqhyxLG24W7TL3qzzCoS7cTXxM0o-Y7Pc2ESI3GvwjR3ntnAHd91kK5Ttp3GmSr84NrrYJRAFtMN_SGZD5Z27i2rzKdZRye3uWjO0scV44t8JQH04iVLag5W6jXodZwuh9/s200/Imported+June+2011+506.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627928684484703346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zaYuaUA_Bmz4bkypq8qbtNvZ_u_DLUS6Wqa46MHjzeuLOjh4nQVawcCO4JnRDkwkp7DD3Bc3_ycUnBYPUdrKe3E4hwU1r4vSqo5QSkPaYlqviNsNYK8wgGpZbtnGB-UB7aSHR81c5jTU/s1600/48+candles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zaYuaUA_Bmz4bkypq8qbtNvZ_u_DLUS6Wqa46MHjzeuLOjh4nQVawcCO4JnRDkwkp7DD3Bc3_ycUnBYPUdrKe3E4hwU1r4vSqo5QSkPaYlqviNsNYK8wgGpZbtnGB-UB7aSHR81c5jTU/s200/48+candles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627928681793126434" /></a> <br /> I'm not sure of the exact date but in July 1975 I asked Jesus to be my Savior while I listened to a man sing "O Holy Night" at Camp Pinnacle in the North Georgia Mountains. We were celebrating Christmas in July and somehow taking the baby away from the trimmings, I was able to understand how very near He was to the cross.<br /><br /> This July we celebrated Tom's 48th birthday. That's right...my good husband is only two years shy of 50 and I'm right behind him! More than half of those 48 years I've shared with him...I chose wisely. :) <br /><br /> And our baby? She's growing! She turned five months old yesterday. Just look at the smile. <br /><br /> It's been a long time coming--and don't even get me started on what all transpired while it was in the making but my book is hitting the retail market soon. <em>Spiritual Warfare for Women</em> has been released. How could I have ever known the adventure God had in store for me when I gave him my life at Camp Pinnacle many July's ago.<br /><br />All the way my Savior leads me...and wherever He leads I'll go.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-35962224316701355912011-04-29T09:33:00.002-05:002011-04-29T10:10:57.896-05:00The LONG SATURDAYWe just celebrated Easter. On Friday night we attended the Secret Church Simulcast and heard excellent teaching on the Doctrine of Salvation by David Platt. It was a perfect way to commemorate "Good Friday." <br /><br /> Easter seemed different this year. I think it's because I'm stuck in Saturday. Think about it--Jesus tried to warn His disciples of what was to come, but they didn't hear Him. Here they'd left all that they had and put their trust, their vocations and their hopes in Him. When their world came crashing down and their hope hung dying on a cross--the Scripture says that they scattered.<br /><br /> What did they do on Saturday? I would imagine that some of them laid on the ground and cried in anguish like I did last summer. Others probably stared at the walls and questioned everything they'd ever believed about Him. <br /><br /> Saturday was a long day.<br /><br /> Saturdays like that can be excruciatingly painful and way longer than 24 hours. Long hours when nothing makes sense, countless promises linger (and almost haunt you with their voices), and things are just "not right." It's the time between God's greatest work and His greatest glory. <br /><br /> If you're living in the LONG SATURDAY, I hesitate to even say this because I don't know if it will make you hurt worse or help you feel better. And I only want to say something that will make you feel better although I'm not sure words are ever enough on the LONG SATURDAY. <br /> <br /> But because I've been thinking about this LONG SATURDAY for a few weeks now, and I read this in my little "Streams in the Desert" devotional book this morning, I'm going to share it:<br /><br /> "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly." James 5:17. ...The literal meaning of this in the Greek says, "He prayed in prayer." In other words, "He kept on praying." The lesson here is that you must keep praying.<br /><br /> The devotional goes on to talk about Elijah's prayer that followed his great victory on top of Mt. Carmel. After the fire came from heaven, rain was still needed for God's prophecy to be fulfilled. But when Elijah prayed for the rain, he sent his servant six times to look for a storm cloud and six times the servant returned to report that there was no cloud. Nothing.<br /><br /> Yet the 7th time "a cloud as small as a man's hand" was reported to Elijah by his servant. <br /><br /> I would imagine that you've already prayed much more than 7 times! I know that I've prayed at least 7317 times. But, maybe God's answer is coming on my 8654th prayer and I only have another thousand plus a few prayers to pray.<br /><br /> The writer says this, "This is a story of faith and sight--faith cutting itself off from everything except God, with sight that looks and yet sees nothing." <br /><br /> This next part encouraged me, and I hope it will you--I DO believe it's true, but I am wrestling with it ...<br /><br /> "Our heavenly Father lives, and even the delays of answers to our prayers are part of His goodness." <br /><br /> Hmmmmm.....I know He lives and I know He's good--but it's been a very LONG SATURDAY for me, perhaps for you and I know for several of my friends. If you are one of those that I'm praying with, please know that I am praying for our storm clouds to form.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-53754777457408043272011-03-10T20:59:00.003-06:002011-03-10T21:25:49.955-06:00...couldn't put Humpty together againJust this week I had the privilege of speaking to the day and night Mom to Mom groups at the People's Church (a great sister church in our area). And I was reminded of a truth God revealed to me several years ago with Humpty Dumpty--you know, the egg that fell off the wall.<br /><br /> My sister and I were having one of those "sister chats" that only happen once in a blue moon (normally that moon shines during the holidays), and we happened upon Humpty Dumpty after his great fall. I told my sister that had I walked up to Humpty all splattered on the ground, and if I'd seen "all the king's horses and all the king's men" riding off in the distance, I would get down on my knees and start putting those pieces back together again. For even if no one else could do it--somehow I'd think that I could figure out a way--and I could fix Humpty good as new!<br /><br /> Last year Humpty fell off that wall. And ever since that day I've been up to my elbows in egg yolk and shell fragments. I've cried and prayed. I've maneuvered and schemed. I've shouted and even cursed. (Is that ok to admit on this blog--being a pastor's wife and all that?!)<br /><br /> And finally yesterday, through a text message I fell on my face in that rotten egg mess and realized, I couldn't put Humpty together again. <br /><br /> He fell. He shouldn't have been on that wall in the first place. I wasn't there to catch him! He hit the ground and he broke into a million pieces and I can't put him together again. <br /><br /> Not even when I pray.<br /> Not when I fast.<br /> Not when I read books about "getting over the fall," "forgiving him for cracking," or "putting the King's power into practice."<br /> Not when I memorize Scripture.<br /> Nor when I post it all over my walls.<br /><br /> Humpty is broken. And there is absolutely nothing I can do for him.<br /><br /> You'd think I would be devastated by this realization but just the opposite happened. On the same day that I realized this truth, the KING called to me from the distance. He reminded me (in a miraculous way that I will blog about in the future)of this, "I know what you are going through and I haven't forgotten you." Just a simple word to reassure me that He had His eye on Humpty all along. And even though His own men and horses--and I--can't put Humpty together again, <br /><br /> He can!Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-53244336162021280642011-02-28T17:56:00.005-06:002011-02-28T18:13:07.538-06:0015 Things My Grandma Smith Taught Me...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJCzzWYLqAd5FrhcBUdt3a6ZbQ1PPFr5QUuuXe5uTIp06jetldc9f06OLGRLK_fk2tJlhIITrD32euTdIefSyPykufpQLBP_RtaQhMGDptsfg2IkS03FUXF_w7JAyZTFfbHsDHpb3pQze/s1600/Grandma+and+Mikel.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJCzzWYLqAd5FrhcBUdt3a6ZbQ1PPFr5QUuuXe5uTIp06jetldc9f06OLGRLK_fk2tJlhIITrD32euTdIefSyPykufpQLBP_RtaQhMGDptsfg2IkS03FUXF_w7JAyZTFfbHsDHpb3pQze/s400/Grandma+and+Mikel.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578897539447949026" /></a><br /> As a tribute to my Grandma Smith (whom we buried yesterday beside my Papa at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church just a 1/4 mile from the house where they lived for most of their lives).<br /><br />1. I'm never too old to hold my husband's hand.<br />2. You can turn an ordinary meal into an occasion by adding salad plates; each one filled with a leaf of lettuce, 1/2 a pear (home grown and canned), a dollop of mayonnaise and shredded cheese (but you have to shred the cheese yourself). <br />3. Even very young grandchildren can help fry chicken if you have a paper sack.<br />4. Girlfriends are important and the party line is way more fun than facebook.<br />5. Wear a floppy hat and your husband's old work shirt if you want to work in the garden. And do your garden work early before it gets too hot.<br />6. Tell funny stories. It helps to keep life in perspective.<br />7. Learn to laugh at yourself and you'll never be without amusement.<br />8. Listen respectfully to the daily Bible reading even if the eggs are getting cold and the chapters are long.<br />9. Write encouraging letters to your grandchildren when they go to college and sometimes send them with tea cakes or fried pies.<br />10. Always frost the tea cakes you make at Easter (and sprinkle colored sugar on the ones you make for Christmas).<br />11. Don't ever stop believing in Santa Claus!<br />12. If your grandchildren can't stop giggling when they go to bed at your house--just jump in bed with them!<br />13. When life begins to take you in a direction you'd rather not go--look for one thing you can appreciate; like a good road.<br />14. If you want to tell someone how very much you love them--feed them until they pop!<br />15. Take time to sit on the porch and watch the traffic go by.<br /><br />Mikel couldn't be with us at the funeral, but she texted me and said this about Grandma, "She made me laugh." Four words that sum up her life perfectly!! <br /><br />"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she can laugh..."Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-41120466601850141192011-02-22T12:47:00.003-06:002011-02-22T13:22:38.649-06:00The Picture God is Painting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS6fkyrwrpNbZLEuTLDBelB9Tpetlf3nYGj_tmtAm2-nhteVA2tVJSUroefocmKVhDuQlbEOowliESQg4x53WdESVmcsOCATaO1YfZ8YbzCvzHa4fjZ9DOW_wExubk1TOpvQI83VfLbR2/s1600/Misty+at+home.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS6fkyrwrpNbZLEuTLDBelB9Tpetlf3nYGj_tmtAm2-nhteVA2tVJSUroefocmKVhDuQlbEOowliESQg4x53WdESVmcsOCATaO1YfZ8YbzCvzHa4fjZ9DOW_wExubk1TOpvQI83VfLbR2/s400/Misty+at+home.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576596251107157218" /></a><br />I'm embarrassed that it's been over a month since I updated my blog. I promise to do better. :) <br /><br />If you've been keeping up with me, you know that on February 9 I became a NANA when my 18 year old daughter gave birth to her 10lb 2 oz baby girl. If you know me at all--you also know that in the picture I was painting for my daughter's life--not in a million years would I have painted THIS! <br /><br />In my last shout out; I told you that I was convicted that I needed to "step away from the canvas" and let God do the painting. My exact words were: <br /><br />...In the conversation with one of those friends, I told her that God was showing me the difference between begging Him for the "picture" and instead trusting Him for the "promise." <br /><br />You see, God is faithful to HIS PROMISES, not to our pictures. We have a tendency to paint pictures that interpret His promises--imaginations gone wild--daydreams---snapshots of what the fulfillment of God's promises look like. <br /><br />As I described this thought to one friend I told her that God was challenging me to let Him be the one to paint the picture. She responded to me, "Leighann, step away from the canvas!" <br /><br />So right now I'm washing my paint brushes and putting them away--for God has assured me that when He fulfills His promises the picture He paints will be a MASTERpiece. <br /><br />Well, I just want you to know that He is far from finished; but you tell me--how's He doing so far?Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-88421589264156277342011-02-22T12:28:00.004-06:002011-03-08T14:01:52.961-06:00Hope Deferred Makes the Heart SickI've been thinking a whole lot about the Proverb that says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." What does that mean? <br /><br /> I've come to the conclusion that it's talking about me this year--having my hope wrapped around whether or not circumstances will change (quickly) to bring peace to the storm and wholeness to what is broken. In essence, I want what God wants! Isn't He all about peace and wholeness? That's my "hope." <br /><br /> The "deferred" part is being disappointed at just about every turn. Because I'm so "hopeful" I watch every day for one tiny text message or phone call; or even a slight sigh that no one hears but me. And when I get that, I just KNOW my hope is about to be fulfilled--only to have that hope crushed as the next "big" thing moves me seemingly further away rather than closer to that which I'm hoping for. <br /><br /> I have a friend whose husband is determined to divorce her. She wants her marriage--he wants out. She is taking care of their 3 children (one who is autistic) and rallies prayer support. One day she's up because they plan to spend the weekend together; or they have a great phone conversation; or the family has some good family time. But the next day she's served papers; or receives notice of her 'day in court.' <br /><br /> Hope deferred makes the heart sick.<br /> <br /> There are two things that she and and I need to do now. <br /><br />1. Stand on the promise God's given us for the one we love. Claim it; rejoice in it; thank God for it; and shout AMEN to it. Just this morning I read this in Lynn Cowman's devotional book <em>Streams in the Desert</em>, "Faith adds the "Amen" to God's "Yes" and then takes its hands off, leaving God to finish His work."<br /><br />2. Release ourselves to pour GOOD STUFF into the family He's given us to love (our other 3) and ourselves! While God is meticulously and methodically working with what HE knows in the lives of those we thought we knew; we get to carry on. Carry on with living our lives to the glory of God--trusting Him to bind our gaping wounds and to provide us with strength, mercy, grace and everything else we need to deal with the "mean time." <br /><br /> The other day God asked me if I trusted Him. I said, "Yes, Lord. I do trust You." He then asked if I trusted Him no matter how long it might take to make good on His promise. I cried, and I sputtered and told Him how hard it is for me, and He reminded me of another old hymn, <br /><br />"Have Thine Own Way, Lord, Have Thine Own Way...Hold O're my being absolute sway." <br /><br /> Absolute sway means whatever, wherever, however and <strong>when</strong>ever. <br /><br /> I told my friend that it stinks this "hope deferred" stuff. The wise person who first penned those words certainly knew what he was talking about: Hope deferred makes the heart sick.<br /> <br /> Sick unto death--a daily death. Dying daily to my losses and my offenses. <br /><br /> But dying daily paves the way also for a daily resurrection--a resurrection in believing that God backs His promises with His very own name. He'll come through for us, my friend! He has to. :)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-70652225036449684232011-01-07T08:04:00.003-06:002011-01-07T08:22:51.576-06:00Pictures and PromisesSunday night I sunk into my "exotic coconut" bath and wept. <br /><br /> Like many of you, I'm on part of life's journey that simply STINKS!!! I've thought lots lately about the hikes I love to take in the mountains. You know, the ones that are supposed to be "moderately difficult" but then take you through marshy, mucky, yucky, stinky mud, right near a plant I can only identify by the smell: Stinkin' Benjamin, and straight through yellow jacket holes. Surely you've been on some of those paths. But when you keep on walking your trail finally takes you to the waterfall and you're glad you took the hike.<br /><br /> Well, I'm on that kind of path right now, the stinky mud is caked on my hiking boots, the smell of stinkin' benjamin is stuck in my throat, and the yellow jackets are swarming! <br /><br /> Note to self: "whatever bath oil Leighann was using, DON'T!" <br /><br /> So...in my tub--I cried out to God and told Him this: "Lord, I can put up with the mud, the stink and the stings but I've GOT TO KNOW YOU ARE WALKING WITH ME!!" The hardest thing about Sunday night was the feeling of being without Him! <br /><br /> God heard my cry for mercy (I KNOW that's a phrase straight out of the Psalms) and answered me. In my quiet time on Tuesday He took me to Lamentations 3 where I discovered I wasn't the first one to feel this way. Then on Wednesday He took me to Romans 4 where I was inspired by Abraham when he "faced the facts" and chose to believe. And on Thursday God took me to Hebrews 11 and 12 and gave me a good dose of FAITH. I can harldy wait to see what He has for me today! <br /><br /> But God isn't just showing up in my quiet times, He's making appearances in my conversations with friends--even prompting friends from as far away as Nevada and as near as Georgia to contact me. In the conversation with one of those friends, I told them that God was showing me the difference between begging Him for the "picture" and instead trusting Him for the "promise." <br /><br /> You see, God is faithful to HIS PROMISES, not to our pictures. We have a tendency to paint pictures that interpret His promises--imaginations gone wild--daydreams---snapshots of what the fulfillment of God's promises look like. <br /><br /> As I described this thought to one friend I told her that God was challenging me to let Him be the one to paint the picture. She responded to me, "Leighann, step away from the canvas!" <br /><br /> So right now I'm washing my paint brushes and putting them away--for God has assured me that when He fulfills His promises the picture He paints will be a MASTERpiece.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-18267018543271723682010-12-21T07:41:00.002-06:002010-12-21T07:49:57.646-06:00Recipe for Snowballs!After many requests I am sharing with you one of my tastiest Christmas memories. If you decide to make my Grandma's snowballs this year, please say a prayer for her, Mamie Smith. She is in a nursing home and so ready to go to heaven. :) She married Papa (Elmer) on Christmas Day. They eloped! Boy, would I like to have the rest of that story!! And wouldn't it be great it they could spend Christmas together? Papa went to heaven December 1995. <br /><br />Recipe for Snowballs...<br /> 1 stick of butter, softened (forget that you did this)<br /> 1 cup of sugar (better forget this too)<br /> 1 small can of crushed pineapple undrained<br /> 1 cup finely chopped pecans<br /> 1 cup finely chopped dates<br /> 1 package butter cookies<br /> 2 tubs cool whip (or other whipped topping)<br /> cocunut<br /><br />To make the yumminess: Cream sugar and butter together until smooth. Stir together pineapple, dates and nuts, add to sugar mixture and stir well. Cover cookie sheets with aluminum foil. Place butter cookies about 3 inches apart on cookie sheet. Alternate a layer of yumminess with butter cookies until you have stacked yumminess between 3 butter cookies (3 cookies, 2 layers of yumminess). Cover cookies stackes with cool whip, then sprinkle with cocunut. Place in freezer for at least 3 hours. Voila!! ENJOY! <br /> I know from experience they will save til summer. But the health department would most likely not recommend that. :)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-91178169683779947632010-12-05T21:35:00.005-06:002010-12-05T22:12:22.115-06:00Boundaries and Barbed Wire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmud-3CthcO2YM6dzjcD8xN_FWrY6T3ogPAZy7RNdNkfKUVhQP5igw0HPRUVr3vBjpaM8rJf7bWtMTpt-6OZROcHpvvldAI__euEU7Bv5CQ1qv2FPVxXl_hmKiND03qzSNnSS6Sug6s9Q/s1600/barbed+wire.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmud-3CthcO2YM6dzjcD8xN_FWrY6T3ogPAZy7RNdNkfKUVhQP5igw0HPRUVr3vBjpaM8rJf7bWtMTpt-6OZROcHpvvldAI__euEU7Bv5CQ1qv2FPVxXl_hmKiND03qzSNnSS6Sug6s9Q/s400/barbed+wire.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547415536235539442" /></a><br />If you've been reading my blog for the past several months you know that I'm praying through the darkest valley of my life (thus far). In this valley I've learned that the battle I'm fighting really has two fronts. One is the obvious one with the circumstances that are breaking my heart and the other is with God.<br /><br />That's right...my spiritual warfare includes my own personal struggle in my relationship with God. I'm not struggling with loving Him. Nor do I struggle with serving Him. But I do struggle with His sovereignty in this situation. <br /><br />Every step of the way I've defined the reasonable boundaries of the other battle front. For instance I tell God what lines the Enemy must not be allowed to cross. I started doing this in June. But soon after I defined the boundary line, the Enemy crossed it. I was devestated. Then, last month I defined the boundary with a deadline. The Enemy blasted over that boundary too.<br /><br />Today I'm tempted to define two more boundary lines. My struggle with God has been unnecessarily magnified by these boundary lines. Once I define the boundaries I decide that I know better than God how much is too much and how long is too long. When I do that I totally disregard God's Word in Isaiah 55:9<br /><br />"As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." <br /><br />The boundaries I construct become like barbed wire. They hem me in when I pray. I camp out just this side of them and spend much of my energy begging God to keep them strong. Thus far, those boundaries have been blatantly disregarded by the Enemy and when he plows through them he drags me behind him. Often I'm left on the other side of that barbed wire bleeding and wounded wondering where God was when I just got taken further than I ever wanted to go into the depths of this valley.<br /><br />But today, I've decided to stop marking off the territory. I'm finally ready to say to God--wherever You want to go; and whatever You want to do, take me there and do that. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are Your ways higher than mine and Your thoughts higher than my thoughts. <br /><br />You know what You're up to and I trust you."Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-44490955916181718792010-11-27T13:32:00.005-06:002010-11-27T13:35:23.490-06:00Hearing the Voice of God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHeT4-AW-1SK_9DtNbK8BP012IeyTX3N8YwSQhF2Xu7ZZ2r96vpWsnHcmOfjnVeqYQ6YQhMk-qUCadK1iu4kkXIDGntE1xpQjUH0MMumbG5uy5vEBZU2fE8LW3ciURq8ePzvNmbxXnAlt/s1600/Imported+November+2010+337.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHeT4-AW-1SK_9DtNbK8BP012IeyTX3N8YwSQhF2Xu7ZZ2r96vpWsnHcmOfjnVeqYQ6YQhMk-qUCadK1iu4kkXIDGntE1xpQjUH0MMumbG5uy5vEBZU2fE8LW3ciURq8ePzvNmbxXnAlt/s400/Imported+November+2010+337.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544315013975668418" /></a><br /> So, I've been teaching people to pray for years now, and one question that I hear a lot is: "How do I hear the voice of God?" The first person who asked me this was my daughter Kaleigh. She was six. "Mama, I know that when I pray, I talk to God. But how does He talk to me? I hear Daddy when he talks to me; I hear you when you talk to me; but I don't hear God? Why doesn't he just talk to me like you do?" <br /><br /> Just last week my son, TJ asked the same question. His went like this, "Mom, seems to me that if God made mouths and ears for us to use when we communicate with one another--He'd understand that THAT is the way we hear! Why then, doesn't He just speak to us with His own mouth so that we can hear Him with our own ears?" <br /><br /> My Sunday School answer to everyone--Kaleigh, TJ and all the others who've ever asked me about hearing the voice of God--has been, that most of what God has to say to us He's already said in His Word. We just need to read it; obey it; and as we do that we'll get better at being able to trust that inner "feeling...voice...whisper...whatever it is inside of us that makes us feel like we're hearing a voice other than our own..." <br /><br /> I don't think you can be a follower of Christ without spending time in His Word on a daily basis. How can you follow Him if you don't know where He's leading you? <br /><br /> With that said, I do read the Bible almost every single day. And everytime I open God's Word--He has a WORD for me. But sometimes, when I'm in a faith workout season of my life (such as I am in right now), I begin to hear that inner voice a bit louder. But because I know that my own thoughts can interfere with God's voice I always make whatever it is that I think I've heard from God--bow down to His Word. I ask God to validate the "voice" with Scripture.<br /><br /> This happened to me on October 20. I thought I heard God tell me something that I VERY MUCH wanted to hear. It was a miracle He was going to perform by Thanksgiving Day. In keeping with my own rule, I asked Him to validate His "word" to me by giving me Scripture. God gave me Isaiah 55:11-13 (a passage of Scripture that tells us that God's Word never returns to Him without first accomplishing all that He means for it to accomplish.) I was excited to hear this; since I'd waited for months for God to do this miracle. But the closer I got to Thanksgiving; the more I doubted whether or not I'd heard God's "word" or just validated my own desire.<br /><br /> Only Jesus never had to feel this way. He always heard His Father's voice. And He never doubted if His own desires were playing tricks on Him. His "secret" was that He'd come to a place where He genuinely had "no will of His own." (see John 6:38)<br /><br /> I haven't come to that place. I have a will of my own. I have my own timing and my own limits to my own distress. On Thanksgiving Day I learned that I still have much to learn and more to "die to." My miracle didn't come--not the way I expected it. But, in keeping with His faithfulness, God renewed my strength! (Isaiah 40:31). <br /><br /> He also gave me another "word" on Friday afternoon when I went with Kaleigh to the attic to pull down some decorations. This one was definitely from Him--it was printed on the doorframe that connects TJ's room to the attic. It was put there by the men who did the remodeling for us. I've been in and out of that door at least 100 times and have never seen that "word" before. So--because I know that God hears me everytime I pray; because I know that He collects every tear I shed; and because I believe that He is WITH ME NOW; I KNOW I heard Him this time. The verse above that door said this, <br /><br /> Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." <br /><br /> And that "word" from that "voice" is quite enough for me today.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-32358438790573447412010-11-20T20:43:00.003-06:002010-11-20T21:06:33.434-06:00Never Doubt in the Darkness"Never doubt in the darkness what you believed in the light." (Joni E. Tada)<br /> <br /> A very good friend sent me this quote today and oh did I need it! Lately I've heard myself say some things I never would have EVER thought would come out of my mouth.<br /><br /> No, I'm not cussing like a sailor-that would be mild compared to what I've said. Here I am bumbling about in a darkness created by someone I love very much and everything I've ever taught is heckling me in the shadows.<br /><br /> How can God be good when He doesn't answer your cries?<br /> Maybe He doesn't really hear you! <br /> Maybe He doesn't even care.<br /> Maybe His are IS too short to save and His ear IS too dull to hear! <br /> Maybe you don't know how to hear Him at all! <br /> Maybe...<br /><br /> I'm afraid I'm guilty of doubting in the darkness what I believed in the light. I <em>know</em> God is good. I <em>know </em>He loves me. I <em>know</em> He will answer my prayers for His very own glory (which includes my very own good).<br /><br /> But...the mean time is MEAN! And there are still 24 hours in a day. And when all that surrounds me points to the exact opposite of all that I am praying...<br /><br /> I guess that's what makes the darkness dark. So, let me see if I can recall what I believed in the light. Here is an excerpt from chapter 2 in my upcoming book "Spiritual Warfare for Women"<br /><br /><strong>Every attack from the Enemy brings with it a divine invitation from the sovereign hand of God to learn by experience what love does.</strong> <br /><br /> If I did not believe that truth I wouldn’t be writing this book. I told you in the introduction that since I started writing I have been diagnosed with cancer, our church was flooded and my daughter left home. I’ve no doubt that what I have experienced is more than what some of you have experienced in the past few months and less than what others of you have experienced recently. As I reference my personal battles please know that in no way am I diminishing the battles you face. I am humble as I share with you that already I have experienced the love of God in each of these situations. Two of them (the cancer and flood) have impressively demonstrated the power and glory of God. And I am fully convinced that He will do the same, perhaps even bigger and better in my daughter’s life as well. Furthermore, I am convinced that God will also demonstrate His power and His glory in whatever circumstances you find yourself in today.<br /><br /> Every attack from the Enemy, every one brings with it a divine invitation to experience what God’s love does. Romans 8:28 speaks to this truth:<br /><br />Romans 8:28 (HCSB)<br />28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.<br /><br /> "Never doubt in the darkness what you believed in the light."Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-8679496157407752002010-11-08T11:49:00.002-06:002010-11-08T12:00:24.305-06:00Catching up with my blogging friendsBlogging is such an interesting hobby--one that I've neglected during this season of my life. The problem is that when I blog I don't really know who I'm talking to; and because I like to process my intimate thoughts when I write, I'm tempted to spill all my inmost thoughts to the faceless and nameless masses.<br /><br /> Only if I do that during these days I will infringe on the personal lives of people I love a WHOLE LOT! And...tomorrow I might be sorry that I divulged so much personal STUFF to people who are too smart to divulge their STUFF in return. :) <br /><br /> So...I've resisted the urge. <br /><br /> But in an effort to get back in the blogging saddle here I am!Let me see if I can just give you some little snapshots of my life (Kind of like the snapshots we don't admit that we like to digest in People magazine while we're waiting to earn our Kroger points at the grocery.) <br /><br /> TJ is doing something that I would have never expected him to do...He's NOT playing basketball anymore (I am thanking God for that decision daily.) But instead He's joined the Cheerleading squad!! I would have NEVER imagined that my SON would be my high school cheerleader!! Go EAGLES! <br /><br /> Kaleigh has just about decided to attend Samford University next year! And we are so excited about that...First, it's only 2 1/2 hours down the road. And second, Samford is my alma mater!! Go Bulldogs! <br /><br /> Mikel is giving Tom and me a granddaughter in January or February 2011. We are looking forward to seeing what God has in mind for all of us through the precious life of Misty Sierra. :) <br /><br /> There you go...a snapshot. Oh, and if you've been following my blogs! Our seniors won their float contest! I can't find a picture right now so go to Kaleigh McCoy's facebook page and see her pictures. :)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-89590291421799228312010-09-27T12:46:00.002-05:002010-09-27T13:01:20.359-05:00Class of 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuK-mEsdwmOkiKhkxNxVz80EmgYl43XqFlPYCc0DebhGjYBSD8WSVFeT3oEnxXACAORbLHY79JqT4tZP2D-mQby4Zrni1W59g8i4Wm16xieiEQhNBaOXnpJLhDpmNamhVNq4xfcBiSiY3/s1600/Kaleighs+party+and+float+building+103.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuK-mEsdwmOkiKhkxNxVz80EmgYl43XqFlPYCc0DebhGjYBSD8WSVFeT3oEnxXACAORbLHY79JqT4tZP2D-mQby4Zrni1W59g8i4Wm16xieiEQhNBaOXnpJLhDpmNamhVNq4xfcBiSiY3/s200/Kaleighs+party+and+float+building+103.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521654803180182994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJdQbFsIg-YoXlfD5KGp7ls5FgQqrNvzLV3M_M7Z-5hY6bFtjMs85ZFmbLD2E51Se4PD7qUIqlQxdwcDDmSO5A06C7OTdFrB_JfZqb9fVSXj_Xx4tN9pKdW4YYma3FWKZ5LSNg4xIOW5_/s1600/Homecoming+021.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJdQbFsIg-YoXlfD5KGp7ls5FgQqrNvzLV3M_M7Z-5hY6bFtjMs85ZFmbLD2E51Se4PD7qUIqlQxdwcDDmSO5A06C7OTdFrB_JfZqb9fVSXj_Xx4tN9pKdW4YYma3FWKZ5LSNg4xIOW5_/s200/Homecoming+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521654792342682994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYlaseG2mO4yrUaGCR3n8n0BqbtBiW2w51pxzja0sB3NvnAYE4Pf8gJURyGWTMRX18VWZOwgDMCD7za7FtbQ6V5AJTrXUK9oZ55V4gSm3qSSD_keeUBSkKALhz5mCFaq_WQqvxx9Hn-du/s1600/Pictures+downloaded+Jan+10+423.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYlaseG2mO4yrUaGCR3n8n0BqbtBiW2w51pxzja0sB3NvnAYE4Pf8gJURyGWTMRX18VWZOwgDMCD7za7FtbQ6V5AJTrXUK9oZ55V4gSm3qSSD_keeUBSkKALhz5mCFaq_WQqvxx9Hn-du/s200/Pictures+downloaded+Jan+10+423.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521654783923839538" /></a><br /> I love the Class of 2011. Don't tell the classes of 2010 or 2013, but this one is and always has been my favorite. Ever since they were babies in the nursery at church I have loved them. There were always more of them. As they grew up we scrambled to find them enough rooms and teachers. The class of 2011 is filled with leaders and question askers and dreamers and mischief-makers. <br /> And in 2007 they chose to come to my house to build their homecoming float. A few other mothers and I fed them sloppy joe's and pizza. We figured that if they were fed they would stay on task. I was impressed that although 2/3rds of them were from Heritage and 1/3 were from Page--they quickly traded stories and friendships and allowed themselves to grow together to be the IHS class of 2011. As sophomores they made me so proud when at least 100 of them worked together to create a submarine. And as junoirs they truly outdid themselves with their pirate ship (even if the live fish did find their way somehow into my girls' bathtub on Friday night)!! <br /> They are coming back today--I'm not sure what they'll build, but I'm headed to Kroger to get the ingredients for my 4th round of sloppy joe's and pizza. I can't wait to have them descend on my house this week. We'll have tissue paper piled sky high, and we'll be picking up wire for the next 6 months but <em>this</em> is what I live for. :)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-54174909702915653542010-08-15T15:29:00.004-05:002010-08-15T15:49:30.220-05:00To GOD be the Glory...2010 will go down as the year God literally "rocked my world." Not in a "rock concert, WOW, that's so cool!" kind of way but more like an earthquake, shake the foundations tsunami flood kind of way.<br /><br /> I am trying to journal and catch ALL the truth treasures that are whirling around me, and there are too many to record. But one of the greatest was this one that God taught me just this past week. (Actually I think He finally got to the POINT He's been trying to make with me for many years.)<br /><br /> It's these "rock my world" revelations that make the destruction almost bearable. (OK...I'm being melodramatic...actually the "destruction" is more than bearable. I was with my entire family yesterday and laughed until I almost cried. I think that is a bit like dancing in the fire! The valley is certainly bearable and the companionship there is actually cherished.)<br /><br /> But back to my truth treasure. I was praying for my daughter whom I love and telling God how I thought HE ought to work things out. He reminded me that HE is about HIS own glory not hers. This is what He asked me, "Leighann, do you want MY GLORY in this or (He said her name...)'s?" <br /><br /> I love it when God asks me questions, it's not like HE doesn't already know the answer. So I smiled and said, "Hers!" He smiled right back and whispered, "That's whay I thought. Don't forget my precious daughter-Mama...I am a JEALOUS GOD and the only GLORY I'm interested in is MY own."<br /><br /> That could sound arrogant or full of pride if it weren't for the fact that God is perfect and HE knows that His own glory is the only Glory there is. To focus His energy and attention on any other glory would be futile (and sacreligious). As a mother I want what makes my daughters and son happy. I want them to have lives void of suffering and free of pain. I want so much for them! But, if I pray for God to do something in their lives that is motivated by my mother heart the heart that cringes at pain...and if God's glory involves a measure of suffering on my child's part then I have to understand that He is willing to sacrifice my children's safety for His glory.<br /><br /> I know what I want. You see I have a "vision" of what would bring God great glory.It's a picture painted in my mind (more like a dvd that runs continually). But if God's GLORY is better demonstrated through something that doesn't look exactly like my picture then I have to decide if I'm willing to yield my picture to His Glory. Ephesians 3:20 tells me that God wants to exceed my dreams and abundantly overwhelm my requests with HIS OWN GLORY.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-23604714555732319892010-07-13T09:32:00.003-05:002010-07-13T09:42:07.092-05:00The Glorious Fish BowlAs I write this post, I'm in another state, far away from Tennessee and my church family. I'm enjoying the glory of the Lord in the mountains--a glory that is only there. :) <br /><br /> Sunday we shared our story--it was not easy, not even the 4th time. (Because we have 3 services and were leading a class for our adult leaders Sunday morning we had to share 4 times.) But we are glad we shared, and I really think that it's the only way to be a good pastor to our flock.<br /><br /> In May, 1991 I shook as I stood before our small congregation and told them about mine and Tom's struggle with infertility. We'd been seeing a specialist for three years--every month for three years. I'd had surgery, we'd undergone some interesting tests and I struggled silently away from my church family. Prior to sharing that Sunday morning in May I thought I was doing them (and me) a favor by not letting them know what we were really going through. I thought I was a better and braver minister for being willing to suffer alone.<br /><br /> But God told me that He wanted me to share. He wanted me to let them in to my personal pain and walk with me toward the future He had for me. He was teaching me so many things, and I had this burning desire to share them with our church. So, I stood in front of over 100 people and told them about our struggle, our heartache and our desire.<br /><br /> Ever since that day we've lived our life honestly and openly in front of our people. I know that many pastors and especially their wives might think we are crazy for doing that...but we have to lead the way God's told us to lead, and this seems to be the way He wants us to do it.<br /><br /> I'm grateful for the genuine love that grows out of honesty. I'm even more grateful for the multiplicity of prayers. I hope that our willingness to share will spur others toward doing the same--maybe not in front of 2000 people--but at least with a trusted few. God created us to be interdependent on one another. If we're going to be the hands and heart of Christ we have to be vulnerable with one another.<br /><br /> Life in the glorious fish bowl...it's not a life for everyone; but it's the only one for me.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-30419354337750553462010-07-04T06:09:00.003-05:002010-07-04T06:22:03.898-05:00PR PlanOne of the unique elements of living in the fish bowl is the PR plan that has to accompany all that happens in our private lives. The day we discovered I had cancer Tom graciously didn't tell a soul for 24 hours. But then...we had to discuss the PR plan.<br /><br /> I didn't like that--having to deal with such upheavel on a deeply personal level (my colon for heaven's sake) and then to have to do it in front of 2000+ people, but it's just the nature of our lives. Tom held me when I cried a bit about it and said, "Leighann, this goes with what God has given us to do..." <br /><br /> And to tell you the truth it wasn't all that hard really. We were overwhelmed at the outpouring of love. I saved all the cards and took pictures of all the flowers that were sent. I still have people come up to me and ask me how I'm doing, and it makes me smile.<br /><br /> So, in a week or so we're going to open up and let the world in on our current situation. I can't imagine how I'll manage it but "this goes with what God has given us to do..." <br /><br /> We're not the first ones to walk this path, and unfortunately won't be the last. And just like the cancer, I want to do this right. A very wise pastor told us yesterday that when you are a pastor you aren't expected to manage your life in such a way that you don't encounter trouble, but instead, you are supposed to manage your trouble well. <br /><br /> We are going to try our best to manage our trouble well, to love God and to love people and to "Walk in the Light and Do Right." (something else our friend encouraged us to do)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-30421364398527331382010-06-25T20:27:00.002-05:002010-06-25T20:36:21.292-05:00When TJ was first getting into gaming systems he had a game on his computer where he could build a theme park. He created roller coasters, decided where to place them, designed the landscaping...you know, all the things that go into great theme parks. Then, when his theme park was finally ready he would open the gates and let the people in.<br /><br /> He'd watch to see how they were liking the park (he could scroll over their heads and see what they were thinking). If anyone was having a negative thought, and if they were headed out of the park, TJ would intercept them and put them in the back of the park to make sure they would never get out. Sometimes he even tried to drown them in the duck ponds. <br /> We chuckled at his strategy. The way he figured it, if they were having a bad time and they left the park they would tell others and his numbers would go down and if his numbers went down he wouldn't make millions of dollars.<br /><br /> Smart kid!<br /><br /> Only, I'm not having too much fun in this park, and it feels like God's picking me up and putting me in the very back. And that wouldn't be so bad if He were letting me float the days away on the little boat ride, but NO! I'm on the whirly thingy that makes you throw up when you finally get off. Maybe if I PROMISE not to tell everyone how awful this part of His park is He'll let me out!! <br /><br /> :) <br /><br /> You know I'm kidding. The reality is that we live on a battlefield, not in a theme park. And sometimes we find ourselves in the "thick of it." We have a formidable foe (after all He had the audacity to take on the heavenly host and God Himself)---and even though he's out for blood (and nicks me at times) He will never win. I'll die on this field if I have to--singing "Victory in Jesus" while I go down.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-52784468845013259732010-06-19T05:52:00.005-05:002010-06-19T06:25:08.214-05:00Scream machines, Mind Benders and ...So, life is full of ups and downs. But they all stay within certain limits. It's like the "scream machine" at Six Flags over Georgia. When I was a teenager we went there and stood in line for HOURS just to experience the thrill. I knew the roller coaster was going to take me up and down ridiculous hills, and around sharp curves I could see it all from the 2 hour line I was waiting in. I knew that even though it was going to take me high, shove me down and jerk me about--in about a minute and a half I'd get off and go recover on the antique merry go round.<br /><br /> When Dr. Caudill sat on the gurney beside me, wrapped his arm around me and said, "You've got cancer" I wept. Now, if you've walked that journey with me--you know that. I wept for several reasons--the first being because of the "C" word...but the grief that I felt had more to do with the end of my fairy tale life than it had to do with cancer. I sensed that the life I knew had just ended. And for that I grieved. Of course my grief soon turned to great faith, deep peace and almost laughter in the "pure joy" of the cancer journey. And when it was over I was just beginning to get my old life back. The "scream machine" one--with it's break-neck speed, highs and lows, sharp curves and abrupt stops. <br /><br /> God has been good to me! I've enjoyed my life...very much--even if it has made me a bit woozy at times. :) But, with this new twist I'm forced to realize that the grieving I felt that day was there because of what was coming next. God knew--and His Spirit that lives in me knew. Thankfully I was on a "need to know" basis and He didn't think I needed to know more then. <br /><br /> Just suffice it to say I was right to grieve. My fairy tale life is definitely over. And now, I'm fastened tightly in a metal box with a padded shoulder bar hooked over me and secured at my waist. But, unlike the "scream machine" I've got no idea where this ride's taking me. The hills keep getting higher, the speed faster and the curves sharper. It's more like the "mind bender" (another ride at Six Flags that includes loopty loops and was added a fews years later). Only there's no way to see where I'm headed or how long it will last. Not even a little bit (like space mountain at Disney world where eventually your eyes adjust to the dark and make out the shapes in the twinkly lights). <br /><br /> It's certainly NOT the "coaster" I know. Nor the one I stood in line for hours to enjoy. And I don't necessarily "feel Him" with me but I KNOW that God is still the Master of the Ride.<br /><br />"For You are great and do marvelous deeds You alone are God." Psalm 86:10Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-52568557298209520392010-06-15T17:57:00.002-05:002010-06-15T18:08:12.368-05:00To my blogging friendsWhen I created this blog I wanted it to be place where I could be utterly honest, and let the rest of the world (or at least the 2 or 3 who might pop in every once in a while) capture an inside glimpse of what life is like in my seat.<br /><br /> When my children were learning to drive--I wrote about it here. When they had their first wreck--I wrote about it here...boyfriends, proms, cancer...I wrote about it here.<br /><br /> But now something has happened that is more painful than cancer and more serious than car wrecks. And I'm not going to write about it here. <br /><br /> So--what do I write about? <br /><br /> How I cry myself to sleep at night? Or wake up at 4:30 in the morning to talk to God about it? I don't really know how to do vague and discreet. But for now it has to be. So...I'll blog a bit--maybe figure a way to share without sharing and invite you into this journey with me.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-11206053218815992482010-06-12T08:08:00.001-05:002010-06-12T08:09:39.867-05:00Excerpt from New BookMeet Me at the Manger and I'll Lead You to the Cross<br /><br />“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”.<br /><br /> We stood in a semi-circle when we arrived at the opening. Under our feet was a cold dirt floor and we were surrounded by stone walls. The air was cool and damp. The tour guide explained that stables in Jesus’ day were not made out of wood (as they are portrayed in most of our nativity scenes), but that they were carved out of stone. I envisioned this “stable” filled with dirty animals and weary travelers. He then pointed to a gold plate on the floor that marked the (exact) spot where Jesus was born. My imagination carried me back to that first Christmas Eve. I could almost hear the hustle and bustle of people as they crowded into the City of David to be counted in the census. I could imagine the inn keeper looking at Joseph’s desperate face and Mary’s obvious pain. I could almost see Mary double over with the next of a wave of contractions as Joseph rushed to spread blankets on the hard floor. <br /><br /> And then, I stared at that gold plate. And I wondered at the majesty and love of God that would allow His Son to be born into this world. I wondered at the glory of God that would allow His Son to come to us since we were unable to go to Him. I worshipped God in that cave because I knew that had the Word not become flesh and dwelt among us, we could never have the opportunity to even begin to experience His glory. I thanked God for being full of grace and truth.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-7485319896013707872010-04-22T14:58:00.003-05:002010-04-22T15:05:34.977-05:00Cancer is over and Life returnsSo, this is the first week I've been responsible for family meals again. I thank God for Chick Fil A!! I'm wondering if our family could just sign up for home cooked meals every spring. They could start coming when softball begins and end when the last tennis match is over. :) (Of course next year there will be NO MORE SOFTBALL!!...Don't EVEN get me started!)<br /><br /> I thought that my journey through cancer would drastically change me. But I'm slipping back into my pre-cancer mode all too quickly. I still want to eat sweets at night. I have been satisfying that sweet tooth with Lucky Charms lately. Maybe the almond milk is better than skim and the "lucky" will counter-balance the cancer loving SUGAR!!<br /><br /> I told Tom that I was going to adopt a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for stress. But two days back in the office at TSC and Good Grief!! What was I THINKING?!! <br /><br /> And, when I was pondering the possible spread of cancer in my body I came in to my home office and CLEANED HOUSE! I mean I tossed away entire stacks of "I've got to get on that" projects! It felt good. For the first time EVER I saw clearly what God meant for me to do. I was convinced that I would never again take on more than what was supposed to be mine--I would "stay in my lane" to quote a dear friend who endured the autobahn with me last fall. <br /><br /> It was a good idea...<br /><br /> God is still good. I'm still smiling at how He rocked me close last month at this time, but it's kind of like He's set me down now on my own two feet, patted me on the behind and said, "get back out there and do your thing."<br /><br /> I just want "my thing" to be His thing too.Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-20806910414384426922010-04-06T10:40:00.002-05:002010-04-06T10:50:20.747-05:00This is My Story...This is My Song...I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.<br /> Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.<br /><br /> The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;<br /> I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.<br /> Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!"<br /><br /> The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.<br /> The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.<br /><br /> Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to me." <br /><br /> Psalm 116:1-7 NIV<br /><br /> I read these words in a card that Mel Fell gave me just before I went in for surgery and knew they expressed exactly the way I feel. I've struggled with "why me?" Why should God be so good to me? And when I read these words my heart came to rest. Immediately I sang, <br /><br /> "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long!" <br /><br /> And I realized, that "this is MY STORY..." He gave me a SONG! So just as the psalmist sang many years ago, so I'll join my voice with his...<br /><br /> "I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. <br /> I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord--in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord." <br /><br /> Psalm 116:17-19 NIVLeighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-60477611279174564242010-04-03T14:25:00.003-05:002010-04-03T14:50:03.330-05:00Still pondering these things...It's the Saturday before Easter; 70 degrees and gorgeous outside today on my back porch. The trees seem to be celebrating the Resurrection with everything God put in them!! And me? I'm shaking my head at His goodness.<br /><br /> To tell you the truth, I've experienced miraculous recovery from surgery. It's been 11 days since I had major surgery at Vanderbilt Hospital, and today I walked 3.8 miles!! (It's a big loop that I used to enjoy jogging.) Don't tell any of my healthcare providers, and for sure don't let my mother know I did that!! But...I feel great.<br /> <br /> In fact, as my body has made this miraculous recovery, my heart and mind are trying to play "catch-up." One of the first things I confessed a day after I was told I had cancer was how angry and disappointed I was with my body. I felt a bit betrayed. For I have been one to try to eat right and exercise all my adult life. When my children learned I had cancer they immediately blamed it on "all the healthy food you feed us!" I told Tom I didn't think I'd ever trust my body again. To think it was sick for years and I didn't even know it! <br /><br /> But now that this same body has kicked into warp speed on the road to recovery, I'm beginning to smile--and make peace with the "old girl." She's doing what I expect and treating me well. <br /><br /> Of course this has been much more than a physical journey for me. It's been quite the spiritual journey as well. And the spiritual part is the one that makes me say, "hmmm..." <br /><br /> I wanted the miracle of no chemotherapy, I really did and even prayed for it. But for God to grant it so graciously...who am I? Who am I that He should be so sweet to me??? <br /><br /> Before March 1, it's all I knew. All I knew was the goodness and sweetness of God. I walked with others in unimaginable places, but as for my own personal experience with Him, GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO GRACIOUS AND KIND! It's really all I have ever known. And even in this month-long journey through cancer---He's been more gentle, more REAL, more present than ever! And with Him granting me complete healing with surgery, it's all I still know. God is good--and why? Why does He do this for me? <br /><br /> If He hadn't been "good" would He still be God? <br /><br /> That question I now have an answer for...YES! Even if He had seen fit for this cancer to be in my liver and lungs He would have been just as good and just as God as He is in my health. I told my prayer partners on Wednesday, March 3 that if I died of colon cancer, I wanted them to be sure to testify to God's goodness to me. For I refused to let death rob God's glory. <br /><br /> For whatever reason He has chosen to hear our prayers and extend my time on earth. I am more grateful than what may be spiritual to admit; but I know that this healing is His "GREATER GOOD." So, it's with fear and trembling that I'm going to keep "working this out" in my heart and mind--and with faith I'm going to keep walking it out each precious day.<br /><br /> I'm not sure I've ever seen a spring so beautiful in all my life!Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3394886278453540900.post-83611967681225896492010-03-26T18:08:00.002-05:002010-03-26T18:13:16.271-05:00Good News!!!I'm still a bit "under the influence" but just want you to know that we received a call from Dr. Herline this afternoon to tell us there was no cancer in any of my lymph nodes. My cancer is stage 2 which means NO CHEMO!!! <br /><br /> God is good!! Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers!! <br /><br />Supernatural answers: <br /> Two church members were nurses one in pre-op and one in recovery<br /> Had no nausea at all (while at the hospital)<br /> Left way sooner than anticipated<br /> The man who wheeled me out seranaded Mikel, me and my mother with old hymns all the way from my room to the curb where Tom waited, the ones I remember singing with him were "The B I B L E" "At the Cross" "Trust and Obey" and I know a few others...only God would give me a hymn sing on the way to the car.<br /><br /> You and your prayers have meant more to me than I will most likely ever be able to communicate in words. (and that's a lot since I enjoy communicating with words)Leighannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862606843290626920noreply@blogger.com7