Abba's Girl

I have been asked about the Muddy Rain mentioned above my husband's picture. Nearly 2 weeks ago most of Texas had a torrential rain storm which had collided with a dust storm in West Texas. As a result of the 2 storms blending into 1 storm, it rained mud all over Texas. (We have unusual weather in Texas upon occasion.) At work today we all mentioned we hope it will rain and wash the oak pollen off of everything. Our cars and trucks are yellow-green. The sidewalks are yellow-green. The streets are yellow-green. It's not a pretty colour. Most of us are sneezing and coughing and I have bags under my eyes the size of I don't know what. You think of rain as clean and cleansing, but we had muddy rain, that left everything grimey and splotched. I started thinking about it, our vision is muddy unless we use our spiritual eyes and see people and things the way God sees them. He is what makes our vision clear. Remember how Jesus saw the woman at the well in John 4: When a Samaritan w...

Way back in Jan. 1986 my husband and I were throwing a Super Bowl party. We had been married about 5 months. I was cleaning the day before the party and preparing what food I could the day before. My husband walked in and asked if there was anything he could do to help me. I said yes, clean your bathroom. I handed him a sponge, paper towels, Windex and a brand new container of Spic n Span. In my mind, cleaning the bathroom meant: Cleaning the Counters Cleaning the Sink (he would say lavatory because he is a plumber) and Fixtures Cleaning the Mirror Cleaning the Toilet & Tub Mopping the Floor I went into the bathroom about 45 minutes later to get the Spic n Span, to my horror the container was almost empty and the bathroom was a disaster, it looked like it did earlier that morning. He had taken the lid off the toilet tank to clean it which he did and then decided to clean the inside of the tank. To this day, I think why!!!!! I blew a gasket, said unkind things (I was in my backslidd...

Do you remember as a young child coming home from school very excited because you had a new friend? I say young child, because in 5th or 6th grade I began to dislike school, by 7th grade I had determined it cut into my telephone time and time in the ballet studio...homework when I could be practicing grande jetes...please... I had several good friends in the neighborhood - Kim, Cari, Jenise & Allison, many of us walked to and from Andy Anderson Elementary together...this was before my parents felt the need for me to attend a Christian school and I was enrolled in St Thomas' Episcopal School. I met Lori at ballet when we were three, I was so excited that she was in my kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classes. Sandy lived across the street, she is 5 or 6 years older than me, I looked to her as the model way to dress and behave. Even her Barbie dolls were better attired than mine. I have mentioned before, Sandy taught me many things, because she loved things, I loved them, pepperon...

I had a very odd day yesterday. I had planned on taking my friend Denise and meeting my friend Valerie and her husband Jay at the rodeo yesterday for the championship. Valerie called and told me she could not attend due to a family emergency. Denise called and said she was ill and had to stay home. I thought well, I will stay home and finish the house then go to Patty's jewelry party. I thought about it and decided to go to the rodeo anyway. My husband was out of town, my house was 1/2 way clean, I had spent a lot of time in the Gospels that morning and had already decided to skip church. I am not a fan of Episcopalian Easter Vigil services, the church is dark, I have a hard time trying to read the prayer book by candle light these days. I took a flashlight last year and thought I am not doing this anymore. (And I am not Episcopalian any more though I love Father Frankie and the people of Calvary Episcopal Church.) As I travelled up Beechnut to Buffalo Speedway, a woman was on the ...

Mark 16 The Resurrection 1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" 4Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they )were amazed. 6And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

I grew up in and attended a liturgical church for almost all 46.9 years of my life. There are 2 things I love about my former denomination. 1) Celebrating Communion almost every time the door opens for worship 2) The Liturgical Calendar The Liturgical Calendar really emphasizes Jesus' last week on earth during Holy Week. Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, people were shouting Hosanna and praising Him, He cleared the temple, cursed the fig tree, celebrated Communion, prayed in the garden, and prayed some more then healed a man's ear in the garden as He was arrested. Our Lord was arrested like a common criminal, put on trial, a mockery of a trial if there ever was one, beaten, cursed, and mocked. His friends deserted Him like rats leaving a sinking ship. The key testimony against Jesus is found in the Gospels, Matthew 26:60-61 states: Finally two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days....

Jesus serves Communion to the Disciples and talks about the New Covenant. The New Covenant, let that sink in for a moment...it's extraordinary, we do not have to live under the Law...the precious Blood and Broken Body of our Lord Jesus Christ makes the New Covenant possible, we are reconciled to our Father. Jesus was active in planning the Last Supper. He was active at dinner serving the Disciples, He then washed their feet. Jesus served, He took, He blessed, He broke, He gave. Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. He still serves. The Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, Eucharist for you Episcopalians out there, had to say it as I was an Episcopalian for nearly 43 years, is a Sacrament, it is a gift not a sacrifice. Expect healing and all kinds of miracles when you receive Communion. Don't look at it as gloom and doom, do not partake because it's tradition, take and receive because you will be dining with our Triumphant King, our Risen Lord, our ...

Without the cross, without the new birth, without Christ I am destined to be a failure, unworthy, and every other negative thing the world and hell has to throw at me. But because of the cross, because Jesus is my Lord and Savior, because the Holy Spirit of God lives in me, I am not a failure. God did not create me or you to be a failure. He did not put His Son through the agony of Calvary for us to remain nothings, unworthy or failures. His Son redeemed us from these things. Romans 8:37 says No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Even a thief on a cross became something, he became a born again, heaven bound believer, an heir of Abraham. If you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life do so now and call someone, tell them. Let them join heaven in celebrating the addition of a new brother or sister in Christ. Smith Wigglesworth was a powerful man of prayer. Below is one of his prayers I love very much: In You, O Christ, I am not a failure. Your c...

Last night as I walked on the sky bridge over Kirby to the Reliant Stadium parking lot, it was very windy. A couple of gusts almost knocked me over, my friend Valerie paused a moment to catch her balance. (It wasn't raining, so there is no hair story here.) We were staggered by the wind going down the stairs into the parking lot as well. I think the disciples were staggered when they saw the fig tree Jesus had cursed. Mark11:20-25 states: 20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yo...

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" There are huckters in God's House. As we can see they were in his house when Jesus lived on earth. In the Middle Ages, the poorest of the poor struggled to buy alms and indulgences on behalf of their sick or dead loved ones, in recent history we have seen Jim Jones and David Koresh and the resulting tragedies. The Bible warns us of false teachers: 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even de...

I was a prayer minister at Mission Bend United Methodist Church on Sat & Sun. They invited Jack & Anna Marie Sheffield, Deep River Ministries to teach the 4 ways God heals and how to effectively pray for people on Saturday and Jack preached at 2 of their services today. We ended the day with a healing service. About 75 people stayed for the healing service and prayer. It is such a honour to pray with people. You really have to trust the prayer ministers. We can NEVER discuss with anyone what we pray about. At my former home church, people would walk up and try to hear what we were praying about or ask me in the parking lot - what kind of pray did Susie Q need, I only want to know because I am their friend. Today we had a couple pf problems with people trying to intrude on prayer. The funny thing is, few people see who disrespectful to the Lord this is. It is like women tiptoeing out the door when Beth Moore prays at the end of her Bible Study....they are still being disrespectf...

Rodeo Houston features a concert after each rodeo, primarily country music. We have a Black Heritage Day and a Hispanic Heritage Day which features African American artists and Latino/Latina artists...and to many children's delight and parent's horror, the last 2 years Hannah Montana has been a featured act. Last night the singer was John Fogerty. I laughed because as you looked around, it was easy to discern (church word) the rodeo patron from the I'm here because John Fogerty is singing tonight patron. As the rodeo progressed the 1st time rodeo patrons really got into the rodeo and were clapping and cheering. (There was a lot of tie dye attire last night and men with really long ponytails.) I started thinking does our clothing make us recognizable as Christians when we are out and about our daily lives at work, school, the store....are we clothed modestly, or are our bodies so exposed because our clothing is so skimpy, people would be clueless to our faith in Jesus Christ...

OK..many of you sent Bible verses which mean a lot to you, if you want to send more or have not e-mailed them to me, send them, I can add to this. Originally my idea was to turn this into a prayer for all of us. Instead...it seems I have come up with a creed, or a faith pledge. I know times in my life I have written verses on a card and read them out loud every day. I will send the pledge as an attachment in case you want to print it. Thanks for all your imput . I appreciate it very much! Our Creed: Heavenly Father, I know You are not the source of pain because that would be contrary to Who You are. You provide comfort and solace to those Who seek you during times of trial and suffering. Your Word says to call on You, Yaweh in my distress and You will answer me. You are my fortress and refuge, my strength. You will save me from the fowler ’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. I stand in the Name of Jesus on Your promises: I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, ...

Glory to God, I walked from my car to the Livestock Show yesterday, no rain, no wind, the sun was shining. Saw a blazer I had to have, it's black with few rhinestones around the collar. I then attended the rodeo with my friend Valerie. We met in 5th grade when my parents enrolled me in St Thomas' Episcopal School. Valerie and I spent a little time out in the hallway kneeling, I am not sure if she was sent to the headmaster Mr Walters as often as I was. We saw my sis in law Diane and my niece Randi. They were going to the Livestock show after the calf scramble. Wonder what Randi had to have? The rodeo was great. Some team ropers and bull doggers had problems, a few bull riders were bucked off in a couple of seconds, but all in all it was a good rodeo. As one bull dogger leapt from his horse (which was travelling 30 mph or so) to grab the steer's horns, he realized as he hit the dirt he had over shot the steer. The steer kinda pranced his way down the arena to the coral. How ...

I asked several of you to send verses which comfort you in good times and bad. Here they are in no particular order: My friend Camille, a great woman of God sent the following verses which have meant much to her over the years: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11 “and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 – Wonder how many people will send this one to you? Jordan, my 15 year old "spiritual niece" stands on these Scriptures: They weren't in love with themselves; they were ...

Last night was cold, wet, and windy...anyone in Southeast Texas can describe the awful commute time at 5pm. At the Livestock Show entrance as well as the entrance to Reliant Stadium for the rodeo, trashcans were full of umbrellas that had been blown inside out from powerful wind gusts. (I think my biceps received quite a workout as I gripped my umbrella w/ all the strength I possessed, I didn't notice the walk as being far only because I was so desperately trying to remain upright.) Dipping Dots were not a temptation last night...but shopping for a long coat and hat was a great temptation! My port side was sopping wet. I cannot even begin to describe my hair. I had put a lot of hairspray in it, I was concerned about causing another hole in the ozone due to all the hairspray. My hair got wet, it was blown around, and then it dried and the hairspray re-petrified. All the time I took to straighten it, and it was a wavy, curly mess which became a petrified wavy, curly mess. (There are ...

The Lord has recently put a former student of mine back in my life. It is a joy to see the adult woman of God she has become. A wonderful wife, mother, and minister. She recently suffered a tremendous loss which led me to think about losses I have experienced in my almost 47 years on this planet as well as losses good friends have experienced. I know many times when I tried to verbalize my feelings, I was interupted by people who either told me how to solve my problem with grief (stay busy, don't dwell on it) or told me about their worse loss and I should count myself lucky. As Christians we should listen, offer advice when asked, and stay in prayer for the person who is hurting. People usually don't want you to fix it for them, they want someone to listen. I have a dear person in my life who rarely lets me finish a sentence and does not realize what I am about to say, she assumes she knows what I will say and jumps in telling me what to do. I love this person, but cannot real...

I made it from my car to Reliant Stadium last night, was it ever windy. One of those Southeast Texas days that is so typical in late February and early March. 72 degrees at lunch, a cold front arrives with rain and wind, and the temperature plummets 35 degrees in an hour. As I walked into the north wind, I really think it was blowing 25 to 30 mph, I thought about how we really need to be spiritually fit as well as physically fit. I decided to skip all the fun rodeo food, (Dipping Dot ice cream was not a temptation due to the cold weather.) I didn't eat a Bum Phillips hamburger or buy dinner from the Go Tejano diner. Between the round trip walk to the car and eating a healthy meal at home, it's a start...getting in physical shape. At least I am in good spiritual shape, we must renew our minds by staying in the Word, it's the equivalent of a "spiritual work out". We must stay in prayer. Ephesians 6 is vital to life here on earth: Finally, be strong in the Lord and i...

It's March 1, 2008...I cannot believe it's already March and the azaleas are blooming in Southeast Texas. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo begins on Monday...and I have not accomplished much of what I wanted to accomplish in Jan. & Feb. 01/01/08 I began a program to read the Bible in a year. I began lifting weights the last week of Dec. and was supposed to be walking 2.5 miles a day at least 5 days a week by the end of Jan. My father was hospitalized 01/08...I quit lifting weights, I read the Bible but could not keep up with the daily readings to read the entire Bible in 2008, and have not been walking unless you count walking to the Coke machine in the waiting room. But I did press in and rely on my Heavenly Father, I do read the Bible, my prayer time is growing daily again, and I am filled with peace. I am going for a walk today. Monday, I will hike from my car to Reliant Stadium to the 1st rodeo of the season. (I may need oxygen by the time I reach my seat. Just ki...