Decisions, Decisions!

Saturday, November 14th, I had the privilege of being a part of Belmont Baptist's Ladies Tea. The event was in Gainesville, Ga. The men of the church cooked and served the women! I liked that :) Each table had a hostess responsible for decorating in a theme. From fine china to mason jars, the details were terrific. One lady hunter even dressed her table in camouflage and hung a deer head over the table!

I met a lady named "Beulah Land"...no kidding.

Below is a follow-up e-mail from the coordinator of the event.

Janet,
Thank you so much for coming and sharing with us. You did an incredible job and everyone had great things to say about you. Even our youth were impressed and that's a hard thing to accomplish. My older daughter lost a very close cheerleader friend to a brain aneurysm this past January and she said your message spoke straight to her. On Sunday, a lot of the older ladies told me they thoroughly enjoyed your songs and your humor. Several asked how I had found you. When I went through the response cards, 2 marked that they prayed for salvation and 4 prayed to rededicate their lives. PTL!! I am so thankful that Amy led me to you. It was simply wonderful. Keep up the good work, God is obviously doing great things through you. I will continue to pray for your ministry. May God bless!
~Lois

Two Decisions for Salvation and 4 Rededications!
God is so good!

What Does It All Mean??

After having an assignment to look up and write definitions of his spelling words for homework, Sam said, "I have never seen any adult looking up words in a dictionary. Can't we just use the computer?"

I kind of agree. I tried to explain that adults know most of the definitions :) I'm not sure he bought it.

Family Circus Moment

Roller Quote of the Day

"Sam, you don't have any toys in your pockets today, do you?"
"No, Mom. If you don't believe me, go look all over my floor in my room."

That should be in Family Circus.

"I'm Ready!"

This morning my mind flashed back to the time when my son was 3-years-old. He was excited about going to visit overnight with his cousins. I noticed his turtle-shaped overnight bag was packed and waiting by the door but I assumed my husband had prepared it for the trip. He assumed the same about me. In an effort to make sure he hadn’t left anything out, I unzipped the sweet suitcase for one last inspection. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Tucked inside the green fabric case was a motley assortment of items: one pair of fuzzy flannel pajama pants, a Christmas bear sweater vest and a miniature football. “Who packed this bag?” I asked, knowing the answer already. “I did,” Sam stated proudly. “I’m ready to go!”

My heart couldn’t contain the chuckles as my mind flashed pictures of him playing football the next day in a pair of flannel pj pants and a sweater vest.

He thought he was ready. In reality, he didn’t even know what he needed to be “ready” – he just grabbed a few things he knew he liked and settled in for the trip. That’s why he has parents.

I wonder how many times I thought I was “ready” to move on to the next thing on my journey. Did God look at my preparation and chuckle? Was I focused on the soft and cuddly things, the fun things or things that just didn’t matter much?

How do we know the difference between what matters and just what matters to us?

1. Search for God’s Will.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Is what you want to do God’s best for you? Pray for open and shut doors. I recently interviewed for a great job in my area. I prayed going into it that I would have favor but I also prayed that God would make it abundantly clear if this door should be shut. Slam. I will admit, the closed door does sometimes feel like it hits your nose. I was disappointed, at first. But then I became excited knowing God had something even better in mind if He wanted my time free from the stress of a new position. Instead, I devoted a larger portion of my time preparing for the ministry He has already placed before me.

2. Ask for direction during your journey.
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
Every day is a battle for my time. When the children go to school and I’m at home alone, it is so easy to hit that soft, cool pillow and snooze the morning away. I have done that. Instead, now I ask God to direct my calendar and my list for the day. What should I be doing with this day, God? What will please You? The pleasure of obedience is much more gratifying than a few more hours of sleep.

3. Get up and move.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Matthew 11:12
We all have a responsibility to advance the kingdom. Each person has different skills and talents. Ask God where your place is within His current work. Most of us want to be used in a big way and we think the only “big” thing we can do is serve in a foreign country or raising lots of money for a cause. God’s kingdom is in our homes. Mothers and fathers have enormous responsibilities in their own children. Teach them about God. Actively serve with them. Advance the kingdom together.

God wants us to move and prepare with an eager heart. Today, ask Him what He wants you to do with your day. You may need a Christmas bear sweater vest.

If I Had to Introduce Christ to a Room Full of People...

More Ice, Please.

Our ice maker went out so I bought some ice trays yesterday. Sam asked me why I had blue egg cartons...he had NEVER seen an ice tray! What are we doing to our youth of today?? Every kid should experience the twisting, popping, filling and balancing!

My kids think it is the coolest thing ever. They keep going to the freezer to "check" if the water has changed. Maybe I should have waited until Christmas to unveil this trendy new gadget.

Sometimes it's the simple things that bring us back to basics. I have taken an Interim position as Music Director at a local church. Over the past 10 years, Matt and I have served in churches with music programs that included large choirs, bands and orchestras. This church has a piano and organ (played by two very capable musicians). The absence of strings and drums was shocking at first. But now, I find myself really focusing on the message of the songs - which is what it's all about anyway.

The bottom-line is: Whether you have an electric ice maker or ice trays...you still get ice to cool your drink. Whether you have a huge choir and band or a small choir and keyboard, if you are worshipping with what you have, God is pleased.

Technology!!!

Just wanted to cover my bases today...
I have had several "Contact Form" submissions on my website today. Unfortunately the host has had a hiccup and when I received the form, they were blank! Not great for returning phone calls!!!

IF YOU HAVE SENT A SUBMISSION TODAY OR IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS...resend, please! The problem has been addressed and I want to hear from you!

Thanks,
Janet

God is Doing Big Stuff!

Busy week coming up! Gold Party tomorrow night, singing at luncheon and starting my new job at Mt. Vernon Baptist Wednesday, Bible study Thursday, driving to Raleigh Friday to write music with Babs, emceeing a bridal show and beginning our 4-day revival at Mt. Vernon Sunday...whooh!

I found out Sunday that I'll be opening the show for "The Hoppers" in May! They are coming to be a part of the Carolina Gospel Association's Concert Series. I am so excited!!!

God is doing big stuff!

Goodbye, Good Buddy.

Just got back home from the grocery store and found Matt and Sam in the backyard setting plastic army men on fire. I feel like I should record this date in Sam's baby book.

I can't believe the things you say when you're a parent..."now honey, you know you're not supposed to burn your army men unless your daddy's with you, right?"

What is it about Summer?

What is it about summer? The lack of schedule and constant travel is a sure way to get off schedule with God. No Spirit rain equals dryness of the soul. I’m there…and so are many of the ladies I’ve talked to recently.

It’s easy to do: the kids sleep in, so do you. Mornings usually reserved for soulful conversations are now replaced with deep bed-lines across your face, telling a different story. Before long, the rut of dryness becomes deeper than any crease in the face…and the soul desperately longs for moisture.

I’ve been presented with a few decisions for the future and I can’t make a discernment-based decision without time in The Word. This morning I put myself in the book where wisdom is found.

Proverbs 2 (New International Version)
Moral Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.


Sometimes I slip into a mode of spoiled expectancy...waiting for God to just shine a big beam on the right path. After reading this passage, I italicized what's required of me in order to receive wisdom from God: in a word - action. I must actively seek Him and THEN I will receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding (v6).

I'm feeling a few drops already.

Spring 2009

I continue to be amazed by God's ability to take my meger offering and use it for His glory. This Spring has been filled with wonderful opportunities to share His message of love and comfort.

The Taylors First Baptist Womens' Conference a The Cove was a time of breaking down strongholds as we studied the Battle of Jericho.
Here we are enjoying the final day of sunshine and beautiful views.

Among the other events this Spring was the Extreme Spiritual Makeover at Cliffside Baptist. I was fortunate to be a part of it last year as well. This year, however, I served with my precious sister-in-law, Alison.
Here we are...the "holy Roller's".

The team...Kelly Parkison, Alison Roller, Carol Davis and me.

My blogging has taken a "back burner" due to a busier schedule after I took a part-time job at a local elementary school. My search for a little more cash flow has revealed itself as much more. My eyes have been opened to so many situations in the little one's lives. Please pray that I will be "Jesus" to them. I believe I'm there for a purpose...for such a time as this.

Extreme Spiritual Makeover 2009 - Cliffside Baptist!

For ticket information: click here!

That's My King D'You Know HIM???

From Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge's famous sermon.

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews.
He's the King of Israel.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords.
That's my King. I wonder...Do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define his limitless love.
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's Savior.
He's the peak of civilization.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today.

He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager.
I wonder if you know Him.

He's the key to knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?

Well, His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you! Yes, He's indescribable.
He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible.
He's irresistible.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your head.
You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.
Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.

I wonder if you know Him.

2009 Snow!!!

Shalom = Peace

This weekend I had the privilege of being a part of the Shalom Women's Conference with Fairview Mountain Ministries. A precious group of women gathered on the top of Cherry Mountain in North Carolina for a time of encouragement and Bible study.

The picture above is just one of the beautiful scenes along the road to the top of the steep, rain-slick path. This was not terrain that I'm used to driving. (I'm normally clinging to the passenger-side door while Matt handles the road.)

Even on the rainy day, the atmosphere was peaceful and God-filled. We all came together for one purpose...to encounter Shalom Jehovah - The God of Peace.

When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV

Every Hair

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7

TSMS- The Kingdom Heirs - He Had to Rise

I just saw The Kingdom Heirs in person for the first time this week. They were wonderful! I grew up listening to southern gospel and had forgotten how much I love it. Hope you enjoy this song!

For more Then Sings My Soul selections...check out Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders!

Heart of Stone

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26NIV

Picture Perfect

I love sending pictures with my Christmas cards. For some of my family, it's the only time they "see" my children! It never fails. Each year, beginning at Thanksgiving, we attempt to get the "perfect family picture" for the annual send out. Before the days of digital...it was a bit more frustrating.

One year stands out in my mind. My children were 1 and 2. Our film camera had a great timer (or so we thought at the time). With the piano bench perfectly placed in front of the perfectly decorated Christmas tree...we "cheesed" through a roll of film. "One hour" later we realized that although my husband and I looked exactly the same in all 24 takes, our two children took turns smiling. Another whole roll of imbalance later, I was fed up. It was time to take matters into my own hands.

Clip. Paste. Scan. Print. Just like that our family was "perfect". Thanks to a minor edit and old fashioned "cut and splice", both children were smiling perfectly while perfectly seated in front of our perfectly decorated tree.

We do that in our ordinary, everyday lives, don't we? Instead of just being real with one another, we edit ourselves and situations to appear perfect. AND we do it in our marriages! It's time to "Get Real".

Florence Baptist Church in Forest City, NC will be hosting a "Let's Get Real" Marriage Enrichment Conference on March 20-21 with Dale & Jena Forehand. The Forehand's have been featured speakers at LifeWay's Festival of Marriage and the 700 Club, among many others.

If you're within driving distance, consider coming. It's only $40 a couple...and that includes lunch on Saturday! For more information: www.daleandjena.com or www.florencechurch.net

And Just Like That...

Have you ever felt like your day was God-ordered and "in line" with His plan for the day? AND THEN...something happens? And just like that - you're out of His will.

This morning was great. Matt has been out of town for 4 days and today he's coming home! Anticipation of his return energized our house as we prepared for school. The kids dressed quickly, excited about the "we can wear jeans" day. Normally they wear khaki bottoms with their uniforms everyday. Sam dressed quickly and put on his usual uniform-approved black shoes. In an effort to be a "fun idea" mom...I suggested he wear his "cool sneakers" today. After all - he was already in jeans!

During our ride to school, we had a great talk about doing the "right thing" and being kind to one another. "Things happen everyday and we have a choice of how to react," I inspired. After dropping them off EARLY (kind of a rare occasion), I motored on home feeling like I had really been a great mom today.

Entering the house I began praying for the family and focusing on getting a "word" from God today. My lesson lead me to the state of a heart. This was going to be a GREAT day in God.

In the middle of my really spiritual moment - the phone rang. It was Sam's teacher letting me know that those "cool shoes" I suggested did not meet "uniform standards" and I needed to bring different ones. And just like that...

I love his teacher. But just like that-my spirit of mercy, love and kindness left me. I took the shoes but I was NOT happy about it. I didn't do anything externally-but my heart was huffing. The "reaction" lesson I just spoke about less than an hour earlier was MY lesson for the day.

Sometimes the "word" from God isn't in the scripture...it's in living. How I am living day-to-day shows whether the scripture is sinking in beneath the surface layer of my heart. My prayer today is to be so full of God's love that my reaction matches God's heart.

Worship

Today I heard a great quote:
"Worship is the only activity we participate in that will be carried over to Heaven".


Think about that: Not committee meetings. Not dressing nice for church. Not job status. Not anything else...worship.

"Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." Luke 10:27

"The hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:23-24 NKJV

It's easy to say, "put God in the very highest place". But what does that mean and how do we do it?

Personally, when my focus is somewhere other than where it on the Lord, I try to redirect my focus through gratitude. I begin thanking Him for all I have.

If you feel you've "lost" so much (and in this economy - that is definatly possible), thank Him for what you have left.

You don't have to wax poetic in perfect rhyme and meter. Just tell Him just how much He means to you. Tell Him how much you love Him. Tell Him just how much He is WORTH to you. Is He more precious than silver? Is He more precious than Gold?

You don't have to walk around Wal-mart with your hands in the air singing hymns (unless the Spirit leads). In your everyday, mundane activites just start thanking Him.

*Unloading the dishes..."thank you for the food You provided".
*Folding the clothes..."thank you for each member of my family and for safety and health"
*Cleaning the toilet..."thank you for indoor plumbing."

For 2009, I want to be more consistant in my worship. Not just Sunday morning - daily. After all, when we worship Him, He comes near (Psalm 22:3). Then, it's Heaven on Earth!

TSMS-Red Wing

Today, my TSMS post is a little different. It's about a song...but as stirring as any lyric. Suzanne Gaither-Jennings wrote and read a poem called "Red Wing" at one of the many Homecoming videos hosted by her parents, Bill and Gloria Gaither.

If you will hang with it...and have children...especially little boys...I think you won't regret the few minutes it takes to hear it.

With two children of my own, who are growing up before my very eyes, I was moved by the perspective Suzanne offered as a mother. One day my children may turn away from all I've tried to place in their hearts...but I pray that wherever they are - they remember songs we sang and stories they heard and feel close to God.



More Then Sings My Soul with Amy at www.signsmiraclesandwonders.blogspot.com

Just a Cool Picture

This picture was taken at Bradley Falls in NC during a Geocaching adventure. Matt included his dad and a few of the cousins this time. I just thought it was a cool picture.

Just a Few Family Pictures

For Such a Time...

This weekend I returned to my hometown of Hartsville, SC for a special event - the 70th Anniversary of Miss Hartsville. While returning as a former Miss Hartsville/Miss South Carolina is an honor, this day represents much more.

Thirteen years ago, in a hospital room less than a mile from the location of tonight's program, my mother went Home to be with the Lord. I was Miss Hartsville that year. I must admit, when I was first asked to come back to emcee on THIS date, I nearly declined. However, God has used the time leading up to the event to point out parts of His perspective.

*Without the loss of my precious "Mama", there would have been no Legacy ministry message.
*Without the title of Miss Hartsville, there would have been no Miss South Carolina.
*Without the title of Miss South Carolina, there would have been no exposure and platform.
*Without the exposure, there would have been no invitations to share my message.
*Without the opportunities to share, there would have been no leading to write songs to incorporate that message through song.
*Without the leading, there would have been no music project.
*Without the music project, there would have been no "For Such a Time as This" confirmation in my life.

God truly does "align all the lines"...but only the passage of time gives us the vantage point to appreciate it.

Tonight I will share a short explanation of this event before I sing "For Such a Time as This". My prayer is that God would use the message of the song to offer hope and healing to those who may not understand what is happening in their lives right now...but still fully Trust the heart of God.