James One: The Results Are In: JOY!!!

  James 1:2-3  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Happy Nu Jeerth!  We all love to embrace the new because it is so freeing to let go of the old!  For the past six months I have been in "learn to persevere" mode so I, for one, was super ready to cross over into 2012 in hopes this particular training period would cease.  God has been working on teaching me how to respond to a lot of different situations (trials of many kinds if you will)  through perseverance training.  It wasn't until October when I finally asked "what are we working on, LORD?", when He responded with this word in my heart:  "perseverance." Then it all made sense. Perseverance training is sort of like a boot camp.  It can be super intense for a season.  But God is relentless and insistent that we stick with Him through it.  Remaining under (Greek word-hupomene) His authority and cooperating with ample grace is our part.  Actually, it's quite simple if you really consider what He is after.  He is after our submission!!!  And He sets us up to succeed. But we must choose to walk His way. Like a wild pony that needs to be broken, trials of many kinds are His way of "breaking" us while teaching us His way of holiness and making us strong in Christ along the way.  Learning to persevere is a big deal to Him as is learning to follow! Glory is at stake and our joy hangs in the balance.  

These are just a few of the trials He used on me. In June, right after we had just celebrated two college graduations within 20 hours of each other with one in Nashville and the other in Chicago....then throw in a canceled flight to Chicago due to weather and add an 8 hour drive instead to the second graduation, I was convinced that my summer would be calm and easy as I was completely ready to sip lemonade in a rocking chair on a porch.  Not. Two weeks later,  my 32 year old nephew who I love, moved in and the LORD allowed him to detox over an 8 day period of a hard core drug addiction in my very home. Honestly, I did not see that one coming!  Probably best!  We didn't know he had not already been delivered from his drug addiction when he moved in.  But the LORD was HUGE and we made Psalm 23 our deliverance verses.....He makes me lie down in green carpet (vs. pastures)...the carpet in the bedroom in which he "layed"  was hunter green so we just changed the wording up a bit to make it our own. God also lead him beside the "still waters" (it rained almost the entire week and his bed was right beside the window). We were making spiritual apps all over the place! God was leading him OUT of his past addiction even though he was flat on his back most of the time.  MAKE NO MISTAKE. Even though he was still, HE WAS BEING LED. This was by far one of the most God-glorifying times I have ever experienced.  I learned of a power of God through this that I had never known.  Boomer, his yellow lab/golden retriever had also moved in with us and several vicious dog fights broke out between him and and our boxer, Boaz.  This alone about drove me nuts! But God was enough for all of us and victory did come to all. PTL! 


Various smaller trials ensued as they tend to do on earth.  But then my dad experienced a sudden illness (sepsis, gallbladder pancreatitis) and nearly died. And after 7 days in the ICU plus 3 regular room days,  his long recovery began with a four week pit-stop in the nursing home.  The trial for me at this point was being "there" for my mom.  The week he got sick, I remember I had nothing written on my calendar. It didn't take long to figure out why God had cleared my schedule that entire week!  She needed support!  Mental, physical, emotional you name it.  But she was a trooper and prayed voraciously for dad.  She was not ready to let him go.  Her real trial began when he came home and she became the numero uno caregiver.  Talk about hard labor.   But she was willing and able although it took a huge toll on her and she was in the thick of her own "trials of many kinds."  But I learned that so much of how we "learn Christ" is also by being subjected to other people's trials.  How we respond to situations and family issues and whatnot is as much our training as our own personal trials.  Frustrated people frustrate people.  Of this we can be sure.  But God was teaching me how not to respond and it is most certainly by taking the "high road." 

Reason to Party!

 Long story, long, Christmas came and we celebrated Jesus' birthday with "His" cake and with way too many presents for ourselves.  Molly and Jason helped me "undeck the halls" the first week of the new year.  All the ornaments had been removed from the tree and I decided to view it one last time before I turned the Christmas lights out.  But, alas, I noticed one last ornament that hadn't been removed. I looked closer and there it was all spelled out in gold----JOY!  I couldn't believe it.  I knew God had made sure Molly left it there just for me.  I asked her if she knew she had left one last ornament on the tree.  She nonchalantly said she thought she had them all.  I said to her, "You won't believe what was left!  It was JOY!!!"  I was sooo excited because I knew God was giving me my end of semester grade.  It wasn't an A.  It was better.  I had gotten a "JOY." In school I was an average student and I didn't necessarily prioritize grades but this was a important to me. Joy does come when we stick it out with Christ.  That's why James tells us to consider "it" before hand.  It's because he knows it's coming!!   We might do well to remember that.  

Penn State Peril

     I was on the Music Boat Cruise Wednesday night when all the details surrounding the Second Mile/Jerry Sandusky/association with Penn State and the longstanding sexual abuse scandal unfolded.  I remember hearing earlier that afternoon on a scuba diving excursion that Joe Paterno had "retired" and didn't really think much about it assuming their season had ended or something normal had prompted his decision.  But as I later watched the news conference and realized ALL that was going on, I was sickened and shocked by the disaster and felt so disgusted by the thought that a "program" was protected at all costs while the abused children were not.  This, to me, says a lot about our spiritual health in America as a society.   And we are VERY sick.

     For me, it was a pivotal moment as I assessed the sanctity of a young life and realized that the value was deemed inferior to a superior "white washed" football program and as a society,  just how "sin sick" we actually are.   As I processed the info, I quickly made a spiritual app regarding hidden sin and the time bomb it becomes when not dealt with.  Sin that is not dealt with promptly and properly (confession and genuine repentance all the while getting to KNOW God through His word) will ultimately be exposed in a hot mess such as this.  The opportunity to deal with the situation presented itself 10 years ago.  But unfortunately, it was swept under the astroturf.  But sin management doesn't work for long!   Hello, Christian America?!! God was always right!!  Why are we so prone to unbelief?!  Can't we learn anything in the classroom?!  I wonder how many times the Holy Spirit convicted those involved, however "indirectly," and the Holy Spirit was ignored.  That is so dangerous because the Scriptures speak of this and the results are horrendous!  Perpetually hardened hearts are eventually given over to depravity.  I know that all of the "innocent" bystanders would have been miserable if they in fact chose to ignore the Spirit.  Surely the "thought's" came; thoughts of calling the police and righting the wrong on so many levels. But then you block them and try to ignore them by distracting yourself or justifying yourself  or whatever it takes to move on.  We've all done this to some extent or another.....entertain doing the right thing but choosing not to.  Failure to deal with your sin will always cost you and those closest to you more the longer you postpone it.
  

     As Penn State now knows all too clearly, what may have been a slight bruise to the program 10 years ago,  is now a mortal injury. Actually I think exposing Jerry Sandusky and the sham at THAT time would have deemed Joe Paterno and all of Penn State University as a heros.   But THEY chose to believe a lie from the pit that it's better to keep such things in the dark....out of sight out of mind.  Doubtful!  I bet it crossed everyone's minds that knew about it more than they will admit.

      As a Christian, I know that sin exposed to The Light is how the healing begins.  Light heals.  God gives us the opportunity to TURN from our sin but when we choose to continue down the path of rebellion and deceive ourselves into believing that it will all work out just the same with no dire consequences, we are genuinely deceived.

     Good News:  Before the Penn State vs. Nebraska game today, both teams came together mid-field and got on their knees in unity as Nebraska assistant coach, Rob Brown, lead a time of prayer.  I was praising God for that prayer time for the abused children.  I know that bringing it out into the light in humility and unity was a huge godly step.  I am not going to use this opportunity to bash or criticize how Penn State handled this horrible ordeal.  But what I can do is examine my heart and ask the LORD to shine His light on it and reveal to me anything offensive, hurtful or damaging to His character that might be dwelling in me.  I am learning that it's easier to deal with sin upfront than to sweep it under the rug and pretend it isn't there.

 Oh, LORD, pour out Your Spirit on us and may we return to you and the fear of the LORD.

Luke 8:17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

John 8:12  "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Love Is The Greatest Commandment

Most of us know the Greatest Commandment and if you don't, no worries.  Here it is. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Mark 12:30 NIV   In April 2009, I made a road-trip to Nashville where my daughter  was a junior in college at Belmont University. The  following day, I dropped her off at school as I had planned to head over to the Opry Mills Mall and shop for a couple of hours while she was in class. I told her that I would be back to get her.  Only as I began to leave, I felt compelled to stay and pray on the campus.  The only way I can explain it is that I had trouble walking away to my car because I didn't have peace about leaving.  I wrestled it out for a moment as I really had my heart set on quality shopping time. But the LORD had a different agenda for me.  He wanted me to stay on campus and pray and walk and pray some more. Lord knows the prayers that are needed on our college campuses today so I obeyed the Spirit and did just that.  I basically began to pray whatever came to my mind in regards to possible things that the students could've been dealing with such as various strongholds, temptations, secular verses Christian worldview issues plus other various petitions.  I kept waiting for the Spirit to release me to go to the outlet mall.  After all, Pastor Ken spoke once in a sermon about the importance of having outlets!!  Surely this is what he meant!! Haha.  At least that's how I interpreted that particular sermon!  But He did not release me.  So I stayed and prayed what was on my heart for the students of that campus.  After a little while, I walked to another section of the campus and began to ask God if there was "anything in particular He wanted me to pray?"  He immediately spoke to me and said, "Love," to which  I retorted, "Oh, pray that they would love each other."  And He said, "No.  Pray that they would love ME."  I immediately had an "aha" moment because it became clear to me that if they loved HIM, they would love each other as well.  Loving God would have a domino effect that would topple over to others.  Our capacity to love others as well as ourselves would depend on our supernatural agape love for Him.  So I quickly began to cry out, "Oh LORD, I pray for them to love YOU!"  Over and over I prayed this.  And it was so simple!  God boiled it down for me when I asked Him.  Imagine that!  Ye have not because ye ask not!  What if we asked God for His prayer requests?  Maybe some of you do.  But this was a new revelation to me.  Up until this point, I assumed I knew what ought to be lifted up in prayer.  Hmmm.  God taught me something that day.  And I realized that had I ignored His prompting to stay and pray and shopped instead, I may have come away with a cute dress or darling top but nothing of real eternal value.  I believe by faith that the students and professors must have benefited from my obedience that day.  Although we often don't know or have the ability to measure the outcome of our petitions and prayers, God does.  And sometimes He does give us a glimpse of how HE IS answering.  When I returned in the fall for another visit, two particular girls told me on two separate occasions how God was working in their life and how they had been growing in their faith.  They knew nothing of my prayer time back in the spring. They went out of their way to enthusiastically share this with me.  Both had been prodigals for quite some time before that.  Later, after pondering what they had shared, it occurred to me that God was letting me in on something!  He wanted me to know that my prayers had made a difference!!   Bottom line.  There is a time for everything under the sun;  a time to shop and a time to pray.  Also, we would do well to ask Him on occasion if HE has any prayer requests and PRAY TO LOVE GOD over the next few weeks. Let's ask the Father of Love to give us what we lack and teach us how to honor His Greatest Commandment.  This IS His Will.

Why Jesus IS The Party!!!

                                             Jonathan (L)  and Jordy (R)

In the fall of 2005, my step-son, Jonathan, moved into his dorm room at Marshall University.  After carrying multiple loads of "freshman stuff" up and helping him to get settled in, it was time to say goodbye.  I wanted to say something profound that would stick in his brain for-ev-ah!  I grabbed his Bible and wrote, "Have a great time, but remember, Jesus IS the party!!!  I had never used that phrase or even thought of it until that moment.  But in remembering what I knew as a college freshman myself back in the Fall of 1980 at the University of Kentucky versus what I know now,  that was the best way I could think of to articulate what I wanted him to know from me.  I gave him a phrase that just boiled it all down.  Granted it took me many years to come to this conclusion, I had higher hopes that he would not flounder in the desert for as many years as I had before I came around.  The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.  I suppose that is the average time it takes for Christians to come to their senses!!  Fast forward six years, Jonathan, like I had, has done some serious false partying.  But I can honestly say today that he is way ahead of where I was at his age and is earnestly seeking the LORD.  PTL!!

Dr. McDreamy (from Oct. 20, 2010)

March 27, 1999
Molly, Lauren, Sophie, Me, Mike, Jonathan, and Jason

Show Us Your Life at Kelly’s Korner is asking for bloggers to submit their best marriage advice and although I wrote this back in October of last year, I submit this post today as my best marriage advice evah!

Today I wanted to share about something Mike and I do whenever we have an argument, disagreement or any type of conflict or strife. Approximately six or seven years ago, we started a conflict resolution solution that seriously works to the point of healing all grudges, bitterness, friction and gunk! The Lord taught this method of conflict resoulution to us and it is completely failproof because it is of Him.

Whenever the "fight or conflict" occurs, the "bigger" Christian (a.k.a. most willing to humble them self) at the time will encourage the other to walk together to a quiet place (bedroom) where we both get on our knees and pray something like, "Father, we have sinned againstYou. We ask for Your forgiveness in dishonoring You by how we have spoken or treated each other. Then we look at one another and ask forgiveness of each other. We tell each other we are sorry. We ask the LORD to completely heal the hurt and pain we've inflicted upon one another (and we mean it! If not, repeat the process!!! This takes humbling oneself). By humbling ourselves before the LORD, He has never failed to come through and completely heal our wounds. This way, we never carry unforgiveness into the relationship and thus, our marriage remains healthy. I am not saying this is easy. Pride is stubborn and admitting our wrongs is terribly hard at times. But if you choose to trust God and go with Him here, HE works!! He heals!!! Usually within one hour, the feeling of hostility subsides toward my mate as God supernaturally displaces it with love. This IS supernatural!!! I completely forget the angst or inner turmoil that previously consumed me. Then when I see or hang with him as our day progresses, he is back to "Dr. McDreamy" to me in my heart and in my mind. Only the supernatural power of God's Holy Spirit can do that kind of divine work.

Hanging onto unforgiveness can kill a marriage! We know. This is the second marriage for both of us. Oh, wait, one more tidbit of advice......PRAY TOGETHER. Push through any awkwardness and do it!!!! Pray, pray, pray!!!! That is all.

James 4:7-10 says it perfectly, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you......Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

Also, 1 Peter 5:5b says, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Psalm 51:4a "Against You, You only, have I sinned." (NIV note: David acknowledges that his sin was preeminently against God)

May Oh and June Oh

May began with the Greenup County National Day of Prayer walk and quickly followed were two college graduations within 20 hours of each other.....one in Nashville and the other, Chicago. No problem we thought. We can just fly everywhere we need to go. RRRRrrrrrrightttt! Except that every time we went to the airport, there was an issue about getting from A to B. "Your flight is delayed, you will miss your connection in Charlotte, we don't have seats to accommodate you on a later flight to Nashville, Your Chicago flight is canceled, blah, blah, blah, capeesh?! No problem. We know somebody. So we prayed to the LORD our God and every time, He worked it out! We arrived at our destinations in time and we KNEW who was on the throne! He even worked it out so we could drive to Chicago in order that Molly could join us. Long story short, He works!!

June was supposed to be a low key month as we didn't plan many activities in order than we would be available for the birth of Silas Jason Tucker in Louisville. We did host a community kitchen fundraiser dinner "A taste of New Orleans," which was a blast and a blessing!! We did all the cooking ourselves and since this was our signature food, it was easy.......bayou spicy shrimp appetizer, uptown salad with red leaf lettuce pears, pecans, blue cheese and homemade balsamic vinaigrette. The soup was a French Quarter chicken, andouille, and oyster gumbo over rice and the entrees were chicken and sausage jambalaya as well as craw fish etouffee. The dessert was my fav bread pudding recipe with whiskey sauce and, of course, pralines with cafe' a lait. The community kitchen held dinners in 5 other homes, all of which had different themes. They raised approx. $6000 to help supply food for the year

Then, Molly left for Camp Hollymont, Silas was born, Jason, my nephew moved in with us to get free (detox) from a serious drug addiction, seven difficult but sacred days PTL, as the LORD was His Shepherd who made him lie down on hunter green carpet, we adopted his dog, Boomer (named after Boomer Esiason), who loves to pick fights with our boxer, Boaz. Both are currently bitter and holding onto unforgiveness, jealousy and stubbornness. Why, LORD, can't they just love one another?! Jonny turned 25!!

But in all of this, God revealed His unequaled greatness and we knew He was with us and ordaining our months according to His will. We embraced what He had arranged for us. Galatians 3:11 says, "The righteous will live by faith." (NIV) But the Message translation says it best, "Those who live in right relationship with God will do so by embracing what He arranges for them." He taught me that verse at the Opryland Hotel back in 2005 via a sub-par room.

King Of The Road (Trip)

As I was reading The One Year Bible for March 31, 2011, I was a bit frazzled trying to get my act together to leave town for Nashville by noonish. Molly's senior sorority brunch was on for Saturday and I had never attended so this was the year to make that happen. But Mike was on call for both hospitals and as always, when he is on call, I might as well be on call because my week is notoriously just as hectic. This has been the case for many years now. But that particular morning, I wanted peace to reign in my heart and mind but guilt and chaos were clearly at the helm. Guilt loves to mess with me by saying things like, "Probably isn't the best time for you to leave your domestic responsibilities and such and don't forget the difficulties your mother is experiencing with your dad and wouldn't it be easier if you stayed here to help out? Blaty blaty blah...." So the war wages on in my mind to quench my road-trip excitement. But low and behold, God's Word came in like a superhero to save the day!!! As I read from Deuteronomy 16, the passage spoke of the Festival of Shelters or Tabernacles. When I got to verse 14, it read, "This will be a HAPPY TIME of celebrating with your DAUGHTER....and in verse 15, these words leapt off the page. "You MUST CELEBRATE this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place He chooses, for it is He who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. THIS FESTIVAL (celebratory trip to Nashville) WILL BE A TIME OF GREAT JOY FOR ALL." I knew that God had spoken to me from an unlikely place in Scripture but it was Him and I knew it. Woo hoo! I had been given a "divine guilt-free hall pass" to go to Nashville and celebrate with Molly all that the LORD had done over the past four years. He had brought me through empty nest-hood and revealed Himself in a mighty way in Molly's life as well. I needed to know that He was sending me on this road-trip and He revealed that this was His will. So now I could tell the enemy to back off and shut thee up! I was headed to Nashville to have a blast with my daughter for her Alpha Sigma Tau parent's weekend. To sum up His message to me, "Now go have fun and reflect on all I have done for you both!!!" Yes Sir!!!

If anyone thinks that reading the Bible doesn't make a difference in your day, weekend or life, I beg to differ!!! God used Deuteronomy 16:14-15 to fight the enemy of my soul and to prevent him from stealing a precious time that was meant to be celebrated and enjoyed.    John 10:10 says that, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly." God's Word to me on that particular day was a loss prevention word. I had an amazing time of great joy with Molly in Nashville. Thank you, LORD!!!