GROWING SEEDS: "Let's Get Acquainted - David & Patty Brewer"

 

"Give, and it will be given to you.
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. 
For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."  Luke 6:38

There's just something about getting married that drops reality straight into your lap and helps one organize their priorities.  Such was the case of David and Patty Brewer. 

After dating for 12 years, they were married almost two years ago.  David, having been raised a Methodist and Patty a Baptist, they hadn't attended church since they were kids.  They decided when they said "I Do" to each other, to also say "I Will" to attending church together, and First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon was blessed it was our pews they chose to sit in each week.

Two months after committing their love to each other, they received the difficult news from a routine annual examination that David had Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease. 

Pure Devastation. 

Because both kidneys were the size of footballs, weighing 15 pounds and invading other vital organs.....removal of both kidneys was the only option.   Their immediate families lived states away and David and Patty, reeling from the shock of this diagnosis, knew they'd be walking this journey alone. 

But God had other plans.  He provided them a church family to walk beside them through the weeks, months and years ahead as they went through surgeries, daily dialysis and hospitalizations.  As food arrived at their home to nourish them, money started coming in from anonymous members of this precious church to help with the cost of lost work and gas to and from doctor appointments.  Prayers of hope and healing are sent daily to the throne room of God with their names on them by many. 

And they looked at each other and said, "We aren't alone.....God provided us a church family that is standing right next to us."

Their journey is just beginning.  The waiting list for a kidney transplant is almost 10 years and hopefully an artificial kidney will be on the horizon in the year 2020....God willing.  And Patty....well, Patty is ready to be baptized.  She is ready and anxious to proclaim her love for Christ and the many hands and feet of Christ that sit next to her....whether in the hospital waiting room or their favorite pew at this precious church. 


** Interested in helping David and Patty?  Please contact Kathy Byrd in the church office at (903) 537-3616 or by donating to a GoFundMe account set up at www.gofundme.com/n2a4w-medical-fund

GROWING SEEDS: HOPE

 

 This week marks the beginning of Chapter 57 in the Life of Liz. 

And there's just something about being another year older that causes you to reflect back on Chapters 56 or 40 or 20 in your life.  Don't get me wrong....I'm looking forward as much as I'm reflecting backwards, but when you look back on spent chapters in your life, you are able to see with clarity....20-20 vision....the pouring out of Grace into your very soul.  You remember the sufferings.....but you also see the ripples from your endurance muscles increasing because of the suffering.

"Suffering produces Endurance....." (Romans 5:3)

And because your endurance muscles are more toned and strong now, your character starts changing.  You start caring more for others than you do for yourself.  Your heart starts breaking for the things that breaks God's heart.  Those fancy clothes or expensive vacations you once treated yourself to for years, well.....they become less important as your character changes.  Your focus changes to those who are suffering, just as you once did, and you long to help them....instead of yourself.   You start to take on the character of God.....

"Endurance produces Character....." (Romans 5:4)

And suddenly, you get to Chapter 57 or 75 or 90, and you find this chapter is full of Hope.  Hope....because God's love has poured continuously into your heart through the Suffering....through the Endurance....and now through the gift of Hope of the Holy Spirit.  You see the common thread of God's finger in your life that has gotten you to where you are.

"Character produces Hope....." (Romans 5:4)

And this crazy wonderful wild Hope......well, it's the very Heart of Jesus.

GROWING SEEDS: "Embrace The Darkness"

 

"Take the hardest thing in your life - the place of difficulty, outward or inward,
and expect God to triumph gloriously in that very spot. 
Just there he can bring your soul into blossom." 

I don't know who wrote the words above......but I cling tightly to them....with fingers that include chipped and broken nails from a very difficult year.  And I know I am joined by many others who are clinging tightly to a broken heart from a failed marriage...or a painful hip that flat-out won't heal and needs injections.....or maybe a diagnosis there is no cure for.....or even the sting of loneliness as those you once counted on have vanished from your side.

"It is when the rain is falling, or the mist hangs in the air
When the road is dark and rugged, and the wind no longer fair
That we find it hard to trust Him, and are slower to obey."
George McDonald

Yet...it's in the darkness, friends, that we learn the gift of faith.  It's in the darkest moments of our lives He lets us know what His hands feel like. It's in those times where we can't see beyond our toes that our sense of hearing kicks in and we hear Him breathing our name and leading us through the night with His voice.  It's trusting......even when we feel forsaken.

But He promises, if you stay focused on the touch of His hand and the calm of His voice, you will come through the storm.  And one day, you will wake up and find yourself walking out of the dark tunnel of confusion, pain and hurt and realize you survived....chipped nails and all....to a life that includes bright sunshine and a Friend who will never let go of you.

Embrace the darkness, Friends......it's a Gift.

"That person will receive the Crown of Life....Promised." 
James 1:12

GROWING SEEDS: "The Birthmark of a Believer is a Bullseye"

 

 "The birthmark of a Believer is a Bullseye"


I'm not sure if you know this or not......but Satan doesn't much like you. 

And as God is raising you up, Satan is using you as target practice to bring you down.  He's a lion....licking his lips.....and you are in his sight.  He is waiting for that opportunity, when you least expect it, to pounce on you with his claws.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." ~ Isaiah 41:13

He despises the passion you have for God.....and he wants nothing more than to distract you, make you anxious and convince you he is right and God is wrong (remember that chick named Eve?).  But this is a time for resistance, not a time to run.  Yes....he is wanting to eat you for dinner and he is proud of how he is able to manipulate you into believing you aren't worthy or a good enough Christian.  He is a master talker and influencer and convincer. 

.....Satan knows you better than you know yourself.

And one more thing he knows.....he is on a leash.  He knows he can only go so far and he can only do so much.  He can't keep you down forever when you put your trust and faith in God.  God Himself will step in and restore you and make you strong.

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." ~ Psalm 18:30

"Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side. 
Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you
to get through whatever must be endured." 
~ Jesus Calling

GROWING SEEDS: Never Forget ......Why We Remember

 

Never Forget.....Why We Remember

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

It's Memorial Day Weekend.

As we hang our flag at half staff, welcome family and friends down for hot dogs, watermelon and homemade ice cream on the back porch, there are many families this weekend standing over a simple white cross in a military cemetery, remembering their loved ones who they waved goodbye to as they boarded a military plane and welcomed home in a wooden box.

I never lost a loved one in military combat......but I worry I've lost loved ones in spiritual combat. 

Memorial Day is, at its very core, about expressing gratitude for those who have lost their lives in service to our country.  After the death of thousands of soldiers following the Civil War, our country's leaders instituted this as a day to remember the ultimate price that was paid. 

Much like the ultimate price that Jesus made for us....for you and for me....His Friends, His Country, His Family.  He, like the guardians of our beloved country, lay His own life down to secure your freedom.....but not so you can live on this earth in peace from those who long to hurt us.....but from sin, death and hell. 

May we Never Forget......why we Remember.

GROWING SEEDS: Dear Graduate

  

Dear Graduate,

As you prepare to cross that long stage in front of your family and friends and eagerly close one chapter and open the next, there are a couple of things this old lady whose tassel was moved from the right to the left many years ago would like for you to know:

Be An Individual.  There is a reason you are alive.  This culture we live in makes it far too easy to look alike, act alike and believe alike.  Discover who YOU are.....and don't be afraid to be different.  That goofy graduation cap on your head is a ticket to life.  You can stand out and you can be the change you wish to see in the world.  Learn to fly solo......

Help Others.  We all have a calling in life.  And if there's one lesson I've learned over all others, it's that we are placed on this earth to help other people.  In the book The Original Human Dilemma (2004), supposedly in hell, they sit around a great pot, all hungry, because the spoons they hold are too long to bring the food to their mouths.  In heaven, people are sitting around the same pot with the same long spoons, but everyone is full. Why?  Because in heaven, everyone uses their long spoons to feed one another.

Don't Let Technology Be Your God.  As someone who is writing this to you from her laptop with her cell phone charging as she types with buds in her ears, I know a bit about this subject.  Techno-gadgets are merely distractions.....just look around you....even us old people have made our phones our god.  If you are going to make a difference.....put down the cell, take the buds out and spend less time in front of the screen.  Put Real Life First.

Place God as the Driver of Your Life.  Really hear this....NOTHING else matters if you don't have God as your Driver.  You are traveling down the Highway Of This World at a rapid speed.  GET OFF....NOW.  There are exit ramps along the way and they lead to a narrow, difficult and rarely traveled path.  But this path is unlike the highway that leads to certain death and an eternity in hell....the narrow path leads you HOME.  Yes....you will most likely arrive home sore, scratched and tired from the bumps along the way, but you will LIVE to see Home. 

And be happy......as God intended you to be!

Dear Graduate.....

 Yesterday, as we were re-siding the boathouse, I noticed what looked like an old birds nest up in the eaves.  I reached up and pulled it down and found this....

What a surprise!!  I put it gently back up in the eaves and we continued on with our work.

The next day, I just had to see what was going on in that nest and found this....

It reminded me of the kids graduating and getting ready to "leave the nest" to start a new chapter in their lives.  It reminded me of my own journey of leaving the nest 1000 years ago.....the mistakes made and the lessons learned.  And much like these baby birds who are blindly starting this life, so are those graduating from the comfort of depending on others (parents, teachers, etc.). 

Please appease me with one last piece of advice.....



Dear Graduate,

As you prepare to cross that long stage in front of your family and friends and eagerly close one chapter and open the next, there are a couple of things this old lady whose tassel was moved from the right to the left many years ago would like for you to know:

Be An Individual.  There is a reason you are alive.  This culture we live in makes it far too easy to look alike, act alike and believe alike.  Discover who YOU are.....and don't be afraid to be different.  That goofy graduation cap on your head is a ticket to life.  You can stand out and you can be the change you wish to see in the world.  Learn to fly solo......

Help Others.  We all have a calling in life.  And if there's one lesson I've learned over all others, it's that we are placed on this earth to help other people.  In the book The Original Human Dilemma (2004), supposedly in hell, they sit around a great pot, all hungry, because the spoons they hold are too long to bring the food to their mouths.  In heaven, people are sitting around the same pot with the same long spoons, but everyone is full. Why?  Because in heaven, everyone uses their long spoons to feed one another.

Don't Let Technology Be Your God.  As someone who is writing this to you from her laptop with her cell phone charging as she types with buds in her ears, I know a bit about this subject.  Techno-gadgets are merely distractions.....just look around you....even us old people have made our phones our god.  If you are going to make a difference.....put down the cell, take the buds out and spend less time in front of the screen.  Put Real Life First.

Place God as the Driver of Your Life.  Really hear this....NOTHING else matters if you don't have God as your Driver.  You are traveling down the Highway Of This World at a rapid speed.  GET OFF....NOW.  There are exit ramps along the way and they lead to a narrow, difficult and rarely traveled path.  But this path is unlike the highway that leads to certain death and an eternity in hell....the narrow path leads you HOME.  Yes....you will most likely arrive home sore, scratched and tired from the bumps along the way, but you will LIVE to see Home. 

And be happy......as God intended you to be!

GROWING SEEDS: The Gift of Mom

 

"Jesus' MOTHER stood at the foot of the cross.......
Jesus saw his mother and the disciple He loved standing near her. 
He said to His mother, "Woman, here is your son." 
Then to the disciple, "Here is your mother." 
From that moment, the disciple accepted her as his own MOTHER." 
John 19:25-27

I love that even in His darkest moment, Jesus made sure His Mom was taken care of after He was gone.  He knew that an arrow was piercing her own soul as much as it was His side, so He gifted His Mom to John, the disciple He loved and trusted.

My mom died two weeks before Mothers Day.  I dreaded going through that weekend without her.....I was childless and now I was motherless.  But then I received a call.  A call from a lady named Pam in Winnsboro.......a lady I had met over the years as I delivered Meals on Wheels to her own elderly mother......and Pam wanted to share her mother with me that weekend.

And so she did.

She invited me to Sunday lunch with the whole family......to celebrate this lady she called Mom and I called Jewel.  She gifted me with love.....she gifted me a Mom. 

It was probably one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.  She knew my heart was piercing; aching to feel the touch of a wrinkled hand touching my cheek....longing to smell the Estee Lauder perfume that always arrived moments prior to Mom entering a room.  She knew my heart had a crack in it.....so she handed me her heart.

The Gift of a Mom......I think God had it right creating her from the rib of man....the rib always keeps the heart safe.

The Gift of Mom

 

 

"Jesus' MOTHER stood at the foot of the cross.......
Jesus saw his mother and the disciple He loved standing near her. 
He said to His mother, "Woman, here is your son." 
Then to the disciple, "Here is your mother." 
From that moment, the disciple accepted her as his own MOTHER." 
John 19:25-27

I love that even in His darkest moment, Jesus made sure His Mom was taken care of after He was gone.  He knew that an arrow was piercing her own soul as much as it was His side, so He gifted His Mom to John, the disciple He loved and trusted.

My mom died two weeks before Mothers Day.  I dreaded going through that weekend without her.....I was childless and now I was motherless.  But then I received a call.  A call from a lady named Pam in Winnsboro.......a lady I had met over the years as I delivered Meals on Wheels to her own elderly mother......and Pam wanted to share her mother with me that weekend.

And so she did.

She invited me to Sunday lunch with the whole family......to celebrate this lady she called Mom and I called Jewel.  She gifted me with love.....she gifted me a Mom. 

It was probably one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.  She knew my heart was piercing; aching to feel the touch of a wrinkled hand touching my cheek....longing to smell the Estee Lauder perfume that always arrived moments prior to Mom entering a room.  She knew my heart had a crack in it.....so she handed me her heart.

The Gift of a Mom......I think God had it right creating her from the rib of man....the rib always keeps the heart safe.

GROWING SEEDS: Patiently Endure, Slave

 

"For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and

patiently endure unfair treatment."

1 Peter 2:19

We've all been there.  Treated wrongly for something we didn't do.....almost wishing you might-as-well-have-done-it-since-you-were-getting-blamed-for-it, after all. 

Think about the last time this happened to you.  Think about the last time YOU did this TO some one.  Kinda makes your eye twitch a bit, doesn't it?

It's time for a little confession: I've been that person doing the unfair treatment that Peter is speaking of.  Yep, for a host of many reasons....some of which had titles such as Insecurity, Pride, Anger, Resentment....I was the person he warned the early Christians about in his first letter.  I cringe typing those words for you to read...... 

But it's true......of all of us.  We wear masks that are so convincing we actually convince ourselves we are Justified, Deserving and Right to treat others as inferior to ourselves.  We "act" as though we are better, smarter, prettier, more qualified.  I find it quite ironic that in my Bible, the title to this series of verses is "Instructions For Slaves". 

A few years ago, my friend Stephen Marshall and I went Photohopping with our cameras around Franklin County.  We have this strange attraction to cemeteries and in his earlier cemetery travels, he had come across where a Franklin County family had buried their slaves in the back of their family cemetery.  As we stood there looking at the huge black cross that drew an invisible line between Slave and Owner, we couldn't help but think how much this family must have loved their slaves and treated them fairly......to bury them with the family, after all, was a big deal. 

And Peter goes on a few verses later, instructing the slaves with these words, "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example, and you must follow in His footsteps." 1 Peter 2:21

I have a feeling that maybe....just maybe.....I was the slave Peter was referring to.......