iona's blog 8/14 - 8/20/2005

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August 14, 2005

What a glorious Sunday we had today! Our lesson in Sunday School class was one of the heart quickening variety when you know the Lord has drawn near and been heard. Tom Lane spoke of loving one another with a passion and sincerity of one who hears and heeds the voice of the Lord.

The sermon was way above usual church fare... I don't mean at FBC, nor actually any church in particular. I have been blessed to learn from top flight pastors... but I also have visited a number of churches in my day and can speak from considerable experience.

Folks, we have a first rate, spirit led pastor at FBC. There is indeed a high level of spiritual maturity throughout the congregation. I pray we'll soon be birthing some new baby Christians.

I encourage you whoever and where ever you are, pray for your church family and pastor every day. It will work wonders... and pray also that the unchurched and/or the unsaved will be brought into the fold.

Well, as you can see, I have been working on a web page for my blogs. It's not done yet, but it is getting there. Perhaps I can finish tomorrow.

August 15, 2005

Can you speak "Bird?" Before you start reading this, take a moment to prayerfully read the latest from Tom Lane. I guarantee you will be changed!

Cracked Pots
I was so completely wiped out I went to bed without writing my usual Prayer Journal, personal Journal and BLOG. I had done very little in the day of physical activity today, I was taking a battery of neuropsych tests to see how well my brain is functioning a year after my accident. I think I did quite well on some of it, but other parts were harder to tolerate.

I guess this is a good place to squeeze in a little background. After retiring from earlier vocational pursuits, I went to work for Wal-Mart in Sept. of 2002. I loved working for Wal-Mart and was soon offered a management promotion. Once I completed the training phase I was transferred from Alabama to California.

My new store and Assist. Manager position were fun, exciting and challenging; and I loved it. But a mere three months after I came here, I had an accident at work which involved being knocked unconscious... a place I had been twice before... not a good place! All at once I became a reluctant member of thousands with TBI (traumatic brain injury), We are the world's genuine cracked pots. lol A wonderful Lord-lovin' lady whose name I cannot seem to remember wrote a delightful book about God's Using Cracked Pots.

One of the inherent joys in my life is serving God, whenever, where ever and however He calls. It has made my life an adventure and I can't thank him enough! But after this last injury, and being so new in the congregation, I had no "formal" duties in my local church home. All God's children gotta have chores... it's part of being in the family! If you have no "chore" in your church home, go offer to help with something, anything. Ask God to put you to work.

He already knows you aren't perfect, and I'd bet the congregation does, too. lol God delights in using the foolish, simple things and people to advance his Kingdom. I don't need to tell you that many Biblical "heroes' had a proverbial plank in their eye!

I will begin to hold a Women's Bible study on Thursday, Sept. 1st, praise God! So now as I embark to once more minister to women ( I guess I never really stopped) I am so thankful. I am indeed blessed. I may not always remember their names, but I do remember I love them, and Jesus loves them... and I have been called to show them that and as we encourage and love one another, praising the Lord of our lives, we fulfill a very special calling together... even those of us with a crack or two. After all, cracks let Light in and out!

August 16, 2005

Mobile Prayer Closet
My e-mail friend Katie spends some time driving almost daily and uses that as an opportunity to pray. Her car is her prayer closet. I used to almost always pray as I drove but have recently drifted away at times, especially when driving to the doctor (did I mention I dislike going to medical appointments) or when I am in a time crunch.

Today, however, was different. My thoughts turned to Katie as I drove to yet another doctor's appointment and I was reminded of her faithfulness. This, of course led to a beautiful time with my Lord and a reminder of just how easy it is to be distracted by the temporary, fleeting things of this life so that the truly important is sacrificed on the altar of the urgent. In short, we get pressed by expectations (ours and others') and deadlines which will not matter a hundred years from now and neglect the only things that count.

Ever so gradually, I had allowed my own petty dislikes to crowd out the joy I know in Christ. How good it was to be reminded. Thank you, Katie! Thank you, Lord!!!

The rest of my day was wonderful... Even my visit with the doctor turned out well. I had a chance to talk about Jesus with him at some length. I think we were both blessed by that.

August 17, 2005

The Greatest Birthday Gift
Today is my birthday and it was a grand day indeed. At varied times all day long I was blessed with the company of dear people I love... Some I am just getting to know, and yet already they are so very, very dear to me.

Some of my children and friends called and was telephonically loved by them. We didn't go out to dinner or have any formal celebration (there had been a family birthday picnic last weekend) but went to Bible Study where I was surprised by a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to You." We don't know any of the folks real well since we are fairly new to the church, but as I looked around the room I realized how deeply I loved each one... and felt their love as well.

Isn't it a precious gift that the Lord enables us to love one another and people in general? It's one of the many, many hidden wonders of salvation. When Jesus moves onto the throne and takes over management of a life, He brings a new capacity for love and enables the believer to find joy in loving others. Sometimes, however, although enabled, we do not follow through.

Love is a choice. Jesus commanded us to love one another... and He enables us to do so IF we will but choose to. But, you know, there have been times I have chosen not to! They weren't good times, mind you; they were times when I joined others in self-righteous judgment, or times of selfish pride, or times when I preferred to revel in my anger.. They were the times of a fool!

I am so glad we serve a patient and forgiving Lord. I am thankful He has given us the gift of love, and on this 66th birthday reminded me once again how much I love Him and the people He created.... Happy Lovin' Birthday to Me!

August 18, 2005

A Boost
I was in a doctor's office for the third time this week and must report in the early morning for lab tests. This morning was a repeat of a monthly ritual called "Team Conference" when my doctors and therapists meet to discuss my recovery from a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and decide on the next course of treatment.

This was an especially long meeting and I was struggling to keep track of the rather multifaceted discussion, so by the time I got home, I was exhausted and somewhat discouraged. I took a long nap and almost slept into my prayer time (4:00 p.m.)!

I must admit I did not approach my afternoon visit with the Lord with my usual enthusiasm. In fact, I was ashamed at my inner desire to just go back to sleep... But as soon as I began to praise and magnify the Lord of my life, He filled me with joy and energized my flagging spirits.

As I prayed, I was reminded of the sweet letter Katie sent (see Pastor Rob's Blog) then in a few minutes, Eva's situation came to mind. Her wisdom is rare for one so young. She showed us the depth of her emotions as she worked her way though a gamut of emotions over a difficult dilemma . You should have a read! Soon, all discouragement was gone and I was refreshed.

Now, it's off to bed with me so I can arise early to make my annual contribution of blood to the reagent filled vials of the lab medicos.

August 19, 2005

I'm not feeling at all well this evening so my entry will be short. I was with therapists most of the day. In the morning we worked on memory exercises and problem solving at Arden Fair Mall and in the afternoon, another therapist reviewed strategies and discussed the Team Conference with me.

I've done little since supper and am ready to get a good night's rest... praying to feel better in the morning. If not, I'll take it easy tomorrow so as to perhaps recover before Sunday.

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