A Lesson in Lightning

Okay, check this out:
In storm clouds, tiny particles in the cloud move around picking up positive or negative energy charges, like when shoes scuff a rug. The positive charged particles stay light, and rise to the top of the cloud. The negative charged particles get heavier, and collect at the bottom of the cloud.
As more particles become charged, they divide into opposing groups in the cloud. When the power of attraction between them gets too great, the particles discharge their energy at each other, completing a path for electricity to travel through the air. We call this flow of electricity lightning.
It's the negative charges in the bottom of the cloud that cause lightning to strike the ground. When the negatively charged particles group together, they begin to seek out positive charges from the ground below. The excess electrons create a channel of charged air called a leader that reaches down to the ground below. The leaders attract other charged ground-based channels called streamers.
When the stepped leader from the cloud meets a returning streamer from the ground, the path is ready. An electrical current called the return stroke, travels back up the path. This return stroke releases tremendous energy, bright light and thunder.

Why am I sharing a science lesson with you? Well...a couple of weeks ago I attended some revival services where a friend of mine was preaching. He shared the above information from a spiritual perspective, and it really got me fired up. The concept is actually very cool, that the leaders are reaching toward earth, the streamers are reaching up, and when the two connect, the power flows! What a picture! It really made me think again of how much God wants to use us as His hands on this earth. To be involved with Him...to be sensitive to what He wants to accomplish. Sure He could speak the word, snap His fingers or whatever, and things would be done...but He chooses to work through US...

Are you reaching up?

Heard that before...

A week or so ago, our pastor began his sermon quoting Jeremiah 29:11, and when I heard the address, I halted the motion of my hands to open my Bible to the reference. Why should I? I knew the verse...heard it quoted hundreds of times not to mention it being on every graduation card, and a variety of gifts that have passed through the store. In the midst of my indifferent attitude, I heard Him...that still small voice...delivering a gentle rebuke as only He can.

" Those are my words", He seemed to say to me. "Don't ever let the familiarity block you from receiving what I wish to give you. Today these words are for you...I know the plans I have for you, Brenda Martin, plans to prosper you and not to harm you...plans to give you a future and a hope."

And so I heard the words of the scripture again, with a redeemed attitude.

A Defining Moment

I have tried this once already today, but apparently the site was under some duress earlier.
Hopefully the previous attempt will not show up later, thus causing me to unintentionally reiterate.

I wanted to shed some light on my selection of title.

The phrase "mortal coil" first captured my attention in the form of lyrics to a song which I heard not long after my conversion. I thought it unusual, and usually it is the unusual that tends to stick. I later learned that it is a phrase that had been penned in Shakespeare's Hamlet:

‘For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause.’

In language:
Mortal coil is a poetic term that means the troubles of daily life and the strife and suffering of the world.

http://www.allwords.com/word-this%20mortal%20coil.html

http://www.wordcourt.com/archives.php?show=2004-11-03

So then, in light of the above, and in keeping with my spiritual leanings, the mortal coil seemed to be very closely related to the concept of the human condition, the physical body that houses the spirit man. Me...in the flesh...ick...not a very pretty picture! I choose rather to conquer this mortal coil, and be found walking in the Spirit :)

So be it.

Shalom on your home,
B

Intentionally yours

My new word for the hour...intentional.
Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you agree? But what does it mean?
"done, made, or performed with purpose and intent"
I have adopted this word of late, mainly in reference to relationships. Life is too short, lifestyles too busy, and people too important not to let them know what they mean to us.

Things began stirring in my heart over a year ago in August, when we lost a well respected and loved member of our church. Then a couple of months later, another treasured friend died from cancer. But the biggest blow was the death of my younger sister, Lori, last October. The words I was hearing sent me into another dimension, almost, as my mom explained that she had died overnight in her sleep. The cause was not immediately known, but an autopsy revealed that she had suffered a brain anuerism. My youngest sister and I spent that week in Orlando with my folks. Meeting some of Lori's friends and hearing their stories gave me a glimpse of that part of her life that she never felt at liberty to share with me. I have my theories about the distance that had crept between us, bringing us so far from the best friend status we experienced when we were little. I had moved away when I was 18, and our lives went in different directions. At the end of 1984, I made the decision to stop playing games with God and be a Christian for real. Over the years, I believe Lor shied away from sharing things with me because of how she thought I might respond, instead of giving me a chance to respond to her the only way I could have...as her sister. I loved her from a distance as I found myself moving to Georgia in 1989. I was proud of her for so many reasons. She made it through school and became a reputable and sought after hairstylist. She bought a house, and loved to travel. About 6 months before she died, she had called me to talk, and we had one of the best conversations we had ever had. How thankful I am for that phone call!! And it is amazing over the last year, how many things will turn my thoughts toward her. Sometimes driving down the interstate I will be blindsided by a thought and the tears cloud my vision. I do miss her.

So in the mental processing of all three losses, a determination has risen within to seize the day, "carpe diem"...to be intentional...determined to follow through with every nudge to make a phone call, or send a card...or simply to hug someone's neck and tell them how important they are in my life. Flowers for the living. Love unshown is love unknown. We have the opportunity now...today...to say the things that need saying. Why wait, only to get lost in wishes, could haves and should haves?

Another area in which this word has affected my life is my relationship with the Lord. There have been way too many days that have ended with me crawling into bed, already half asleep, muttering something like "tomorrow...tomorrow I will spend time with You..." In an effort to reprioritize, I cleaned out my computer room, giving away my PC (I have a laptop that I use) and the desk. I turned the futon around to face east through the bay window. First thing in the morning, the sun shines through the blinds, creating quite a spiritually inviting atmosphere. I am very excited about the potential, and since the rearranging only took place a few days ago, will have to keep you posted in the upcoming weeks.

"Early in the morning will I seek You"...an interesting development, considering I am the farthest thing from a morning person!!!

Intentionally yours,
B

Ever Learning

Lastnight was such a refreshing evening. A group of about 35 men and women gathered in a living room to bless a friend as she prepares to leave this week for Israel. Several voiced concerns and prayers for her safety, but she assured us of her confidence that the Lord has opened this door for her, and there was no doubt that she was prepared to follow Him as He leads. She will be teaching English to third-graders for ten months, and is very excited about the opportunity. Part of my heart is jealous in a good way...it stirs in me the desire not only to be able to "go", but to be available. My debt has become nothing less than a chain around my neck, and though the learning has been hard, I am determined to be debt free (emphasis on FREE). That, of course, may mean that I will have to venture out and leave my comfort zone...maybe a job change? Relocating? Those used to be huge issues, but their intimidation is weakening. Catch phrases from years of sermons echo in my head..."only what is done for God will last"..."we need to be making deposits into our eternal accounts"..."here am I, Lord, send me"..."Jesus came to give us life more abundantly". What is that abundant life? For me over the last 22 years, it has become a passion to see Him at work...in everything. The mystery of God is that He is so awesome...so inexplainable...and yet so practical and simple. He holds the universe together, and yet His eye is drawn to a falling sparrow...

One of these days maybe I will catch up with the rest of the world. If you are reading this, WELCOME! I am bursting with pride (the good kind) in being able to invite you into my cozy blogging room. Pull up a bean bag for a few moments and let's chat.
Today is a typical day. I am at work, entering new products into the database, and checking in restocks. I am previewing a new CD by Kim Dexter. It has some catchy tunes...kinda fun.
The weather here in GA has been hot hot hot! But then again, I hear reports of various locations experiencing the same, so there certainly is not a tone of complaint in my statement. But it does make one wonder how in the world people EVER lived without airconditioning!! wow...
I will have to decide what direction to take in this new adventure...what would make interesting reading? hmmmm....
Until next time, peace to you!
the worshippeach