Are you Dyslexic?

                                                     

                                                                                                                  (courtesy of dyslexia2z.com)

                               

      It seems that I'm in a transition period lately and every time I question what in the world is going on with my life, I remember this story that happened several years ago.

     Also, I know that God is unchanging and I know that this word is just as relevant to my life today as it was when it happened.

God knew I didn’t really want to go to church that Wednesday night.

I'd had enough of the whole trying to walk the walk thing and never feeling like I measured up and like I was doing the Christian thing all wrong.
I had an attitude with a capital "A".
But, I went anyway.

Newcomers, visitors and tenured believers alike had all come together that evening to hear the guest pastor bring a word of encouragement.

With a loud and strong southern twang he began, “It is not by chance that you are here tonight. The Lord has asked me to deliver to you a very special message."

"He wants you to know that despite what it looks like, the promises he’s given you, will come to pass!”

 "I say, they will come to pass!"

Shouting now with over exaggerated vowels, “They will come to pass!”
 

 I think I rolled my eyes.

My sometimes minute by minute attention span wandered from the message and into my own doubting and often defiant mind. “How Lord?”
 

“How are the promises you’ve given me really going to come to pass? I'm going to be a world changer? Really? Have you seen me lately? Have you seen my family? My finances?

 I can’t even change my own life, let alone try and be a light in the world!"
"How am I ever going to be able to make a difference to anyone when I can't even get victory over my own stupid self? How? I mean it...tell me how!!”

My attitude was accusatory and unbelieving.

My life was a walking contradiction and I often ignored the prodding and convictions, convinced I could do things my way.

I pleaded once with him, "I just want some direction!"
He replied back with, "What you need girl, is a whole lotta correction."
Gulp.
Forget I asked. :)

The pastor continued with his sermon, but I wasn't really listening.
I was still caught up in trying to figure out 'how'.

And then I heard it.

That still small voice.

“Are you dyslexic?”
 

It's totally true that you reap what you sow.
There was an unmistakable undertone of sass behind the question.

My eyes grew wide, brows raised and I looked up at the sky and thought, “Are you talking to me?”
 

Again, “Are you dyslexic?”
 

Seriously?
 “Um, no Lord, I’m not dyslexic.”
"In fact, I'm a very good speller."

"Good, then get this."
“It’s not H-O-W.” 

“It’s W-H-O.”
He spelled it out. Just like that. One letter at a time.
 

It took me a minute to make sense of what I’d heard, so I spelled it out in my head

"H-O-W, W-H-O."
 

Five seconds later, I got the revelation.

Wow. I don’t often hear him quite so clearly.
But that I heard. And that, I understood.

It was one of those lightening bolt, jolting moments when something all of a sudden makes so much sense!

I don’t have to worry about how God is going to turn my ashes into beauty. I don’t have to be concerned with how he is going to restore the years that the locusts have eaten, or how he is going to bring forth the promises he's given me over the years.

 He said that he would and that settles it.

What I do have to do is believe that he is who he says he is and will do what he says he is going to do!
Period.

Just as importantly, I have to know down deep inside who he says that I am and I have to believe it!

I don't know about you, but that part is sometimes soooo much harder.

I don’t have to worry about the HOW!

I just have to know the WHO!

I'm not cursing...I'm calling on ya!

I have a bad habit of saying things like, "Oh Jesus!" and "Jesus, take me now."

Churchy, legalistic people would surely take offense to such statements.
But my God loves me, has a great sense of humor, knows my heart and understands where I'm coming from.

He's not offended by my sass. He's seen and heard it all.

In fact, I had to smile at church a few weeks ago as we were singing one of the old hymns.
I don't know any of them by heart....that's fine.

It's called a sacrifice of praise. :)

And though it's true that I have a preference to contemporary worship music, I can and do participate in true worship even with old songs that don't have a driving rock beat behind them.

I have to purposely check my heart and my attitude at times if I'm really being truthful, but I do come around.

I'm sure hymn lovers wish they would pass out ear plugs!

It's okay that we are all different. It keeps it interesting.
And we really are all one body, made up of many, many parts.

One of the lines in the song was, "Take me now, Jesus," or something like that.
Like I said, I'd never heard it before.

I laughed, inwardly of course and a smirk came across my face.
I'm always amazed at how God speaks to me in even simple moments like that.

'Cause really, that's exactly what I was thinking just before the next lyric slide came up with that same phrase!
"Jesus, take me now." :) or was it, "Take me now, Jesus" ?

He won't of course.
Billy Joel was right all along. Only the good die young.
Or so it seems.

And it looks like I'm gonna be here a while.

I am very aware that one of the first commandments is "Do not take the Lord's name in vain."
It's not the first but I'm pretty sure it made it to God's Top Five list.

Personally, I can't stand hearing kids say, "Oh my God!" I usually even OMGosh when texting.
Truly.

But sometimes I  have to ask to be excused for my outbursts.

Just in case his heart reading radar is not on when I might yell an, "Oh, Jesus!"
I quickly add, "I'm not cussing. I'm calling on ya!!" And I mean it.

"For the love of God, people please!" is another Fave.
Used usually in times when I am trying to evoke some sort of peace into a situation.

Blessed are the peacemakers ya know. They shall inherit the earth.

Then there is one of my all time favorite go-to line/verses.

The one I use when I have had enough and need him to move mightily on my behalf.
I've been using it a lot lately.

Before I share it I will say that I use it only on days when I can fully comprehend and understand what the word GRACE means.
Those times when I know that I really am the righteousness of Christ...

Days when I know that I know, despite the enemy's tries and lies of convincing me God's not going to move on my behalf, because I'm not "good" enough.....

In those moments when I have a firm & deep understanding of who I am in Christ, I pull out this one.....

"God, you see this situation...you know all that I've gone through...you know all of my faults and failures...but I know that you love me and YOUR word says that it is not because of my deeds, or because I am good or right, but for YOUR holy names sake (getting louder on this part) again, not because of me or anything I've done, but for YOUR HOLY NAME'S SAKE....please! Come to my rescue!"

yada, yada.

Specifically, I shared this recent prayer tonight with my friend Pat. I told her exactly what I've been telling God.

 "People are looking! Everyone is watching to see how this is all gonna play out, ya know. My life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. And we both know that I have a big mouth, and well, honestly, right now, it's not looking so good...so, again, not for me, but for you, Lord! 'Cause otherwise, I'm just looking like an idiot! And you wouldn't want that would you? "

Then Pat says to me, in her very straightforward, no nonsense tone, "Well, it'd just be embarrassing for him really."

I love this woman!!!

Bahahaha! Can I get a witness?

“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone." Ez. 36:22  


By Ez. 37:11 it says, "Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD."


Can I get an Amen???

Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation

Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation: Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspections reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out ...

Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation

Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspection reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out when they read them and overbearing underwriters will screw up a deal over them. (That just happened a few weeks ago) Ugh!

When a buyer pays for a home inspection, the licensed inspector will look at all of the operating systems. They will check out the plumbing, central heat & air, electric, roof, among other things and of course, most importantly, the foundation.

I live in an area where there are primarily, old, historic homes. Read: They need work!

Typically, homes here have lots of charm and character, but they need cosmetic work and updating to meet current code regulations and modern living "requirements". :)

I say this with a smile because it is amazing what people "require".

"I want a wonderful, large historic home with lots of character, central heat and air, 2 or more bathrooms, lots of great storage and walk-in closets!"

Okay Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of the hat!

It doesn't exist.

Old homes were small.

Those people only had like three outfits a piece when their homes were built.
Walk-in closets were not necessary.

Inside plumbing was a luxury back then. So, probably not going to find 2+ bathrooms.

Most educated buyers are aware of this and fine with that fact and they will often make a purchase after first finding out that the "bones are good."

Inevitably, I hear this too, "Oh! There are cracks in the plaster on the wall!"

Knowingly, I nod, "The house has been here since 1863...yep, there are some cracks."

But is the foundation solid?
Is it? Is your foundation solid?

Ironically, I've noticed recently that mine is cracked. :)
Seriously.

Most of these homes are on pier and beam which tend to move around a little depending on weather conditions.
Many have settled.

Settling is not fun.

There is a crack in the southeast cornerstone of my house and I know that it needs to be fixed.

To begin making repairs, the foundation must be set solid and firm.

Luke 6:49 says, "But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."


I need a foundation expert.
I also wonder if that's the real, hidden meaning behind the story of The Three Little Pigs?

The first house was made of straw.
The second was made of sticks.

And finally, the third little pig built a solid home that couldn't be huffed and puffed and blown away.
He built a home out of bricks.
Bricks are solid and they must be set on a firm foundation.

In 1 Cor. 3:10, Paul says, "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw."

Huh.
Maybe James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was aware of this verse also.
He's the wig wearing guy that wrote the Three Little Pigs and had it published in the mid 1800's.
Apparently he attended Jesus College in Cambridge.

According to Wikipedia of course.

 I assume he probably learned at his Jesus College the importance of building on a strong foundation in Christ.

I love to build sandcastles, but as pretty as they are and as much fun as they are to make, when the tide comes...they always wash away. As does everything else I've ever tried to build on my own.

As I am rebuilding, I pray.
Lord, help me to build (or rebuild) on that which cannot be shaken so that when the Big Bad Wolf shows up again, I shall not fear, but know that the skilled and trustworthy builder of my life has built this house with His very own hands.

Huff and Puff all you want fur face.
I'm still standing strong.

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There are a lot of people I’d love to get together with.
Actually,...

Little Miss Goody, Goody...

When I was in junior high, I had a guy friend who liked to call me, "Little Miss Goody Two Shoes."

I prefer to be called Little Miss Sunshine but, whatever.

I think I called him Burn-Out.

I apologize, *cough* Jeff Wiggins!
He also burned the butt of my brand new brown corduroy pants with a small blow torch during science class in the 8th grade.

Just because you forgive, doesn't mean you forget.


Well, unless you're a burn-out.
Ha!

Admittedly, I am a good deed do-er.

Not so much for the recognition, but because it just feels so good to do nice things for other people!!

The cynical crowd would say I do these things for my own self-gratification.
It reminds me of that "Friends" episode.

The one where Phoebe hates PBS.

(In case you haven't seen it, Phoebe selfish-lessly has babies for her brother and his wife.)

"Self-less good deeds don't exist!" insists Joey.
"It made you feel good, so that makes you selfish. There are no un-selfish good deeds. Sorry!"


Phoebe replies that there are "totally good deeds that are self-less."
And then goes about trying to find one...but Oh! That's hard.
Because doing some thing good for others, ALWAYS makes you feel good!

Or does it?


One of my personal favorite things to say is, "No good deed goes unpunished!"

Have you noticed that?

You try to do something nice for someone and then you get.....THe ZiNgER!


It goes something like this.

"I got you a cup of coffee."

"Is it a double soy latte two shot espresso?" she says back.


"Umm?? I'm sorry. It's just a cup of coffee."


Now I feel bad.
I have now become.....a Beast of Burden!!

"I brought you packets of cream and sugar."

Then comes the eye roll.

An eye roll? For real?

But, but, the word says "I am blessed to be a blessing!"
No, no I'm not. :)
Not usually anyway.

After baking bread for an acquaintance, "I only eat gluten free."

Gluten free? I was confused.

There's no glue in it? Two Googled words later, I realize.....I really am quite an idiot.

A few months ago I tried to help a client/friend who was stranded on the side of the road about 7 miles outside of town.

"Can you come pick me up?"

"Sure!"

I went 15 miles out the wrong highway, and then....ran out of gas.

Yes, This this really is my life. Enjoy every chapter.


Speaking of enjoying things, I found a real nugget of inspiration the other day in John, Chapter 10, verse 32. Seriously, if you are ever inclined to be a little sassy or sarcastic, you will appreciate the humor in this passage.

"At my father's direction, I have done many good works...For which one are you going to stone me?"

Bahahaha!!! Do you know who said this? JESUS!!! :)

Let's read it again. "At my father's direction, I have done many good (deeds), which one are you going to stone me for?"

Okay, one day...He and I will totally high five in heaven over that one!

I just can't describe how much that amuses me and gives me joy!
God gets me!

He understands my heart when I smile and say,
"Truly, no good deed goes unpunished!!"

Or unnoticed.
"And the good deeds done in secret, will someday come to light.

Shine on baby! Shine on!!