Time Keeps on tickin tickin tickin...

A moment to sit and write!

The weather of late has been nice...cooler...not even needing to run the air at night. Nice weather for cruising! I inherited my sister Lori's car from my other sis, Missy. With a gaggle of chillins and a rather burly hubby, it was not a practical vehicle. Whether permanent or temporary, we don't know yet, but while it is in my possession, I will enjoy it!

For those who read and enjoyed the lightening post, I found a very cool video and added it to my links. You can actually SEE all of the leaders, and the one that makes the connection! WOW!

I can't even begin to describe really how it feels to have construction finished and things back in place in my home! I need to publically thank Randall, Kurt and Bill for their sacrifice and expertise in this huge project! And to the Davis'...let's just say "I owe you big time" LOL...I won't publish the pics here, but you can see them on my facebook page. I have my futon room back, and I love being drawn to that special place of communication and intimacy with God. Of course I know that prayer can happen anywhere at all, and there is nothing "magical" about my futon, but there is something special about having that one place that is sanctified and set apart with that particular intent...seeking Him until He is found!

I am preparing and saving to journey up to Rhode Island in a few weeks to attend my oldest sister's wedding. For their 25th anniversary of being together, they decided to make it official and get married. It is a 17 hour drive, and while I have not totally given up on finding a cool airfare deal, it looks like driving will be my best option. Turns out that my bestest bud Marianne from Chicago will be there at the same time, dropping off her son for college. So having my car will be beneficial in getting around where I need to be.

I have requested that mid-September be my final time of being on a set schedule at the bookstore. That means that the weekends will be mine...I have never ever had a job that did not require Saturday commitments and I really really like the idea! Of course, I will still be around to help out with certain things like doing the billing once a month, but at least I will be able to work on MY terms, as MY schedule permits.

For now, I must go finish up some laundry, and hope to come back and blog again in a more timely manner.

May you be blessed today, wrapped in the arms of the One who loves you beyond words.

Buds to Blossoms

Not much to write, the pics say it all! Several years ago, I brought an Easter lily home from church and planted it by the mailbox...I have enjoyed it every year since!!

It's Only Family

Wow!!! Best intentions got thrown by the wayside, but I am going back to pick them up, dust them off, and reinstate them!! I simply cannot believe how fast time flies…
I have a lot to write to catch up, so it looks like I will not elaborate too much on each topic, and break it up into different posts. The first one I believe I need to catch up on was a real blow to my heart. I have had family issues as far back as I can remember, but this one takes the cake. A couple of weeks after Mother’s day, I received an envelope in the mail with no return address. When I opened it up, there inside was the unopened Mother’s day card that I had sent to my German mom up in RI. She had written “return to sender” on the envelope, but apparently the postman missed it the first time and delivered it to her a second time. To insure that it did not happen again, she put it inside another envelope and sent it on its way. A bit of trouble to go through to make a point, and I wish somehow that I knew what her point was. I have no idea what I did to deserve such an action, and my many phone calls went unanswered. The little girl inside who has only ever cried out for their love has been once again crushed. I have experienced the whole spectrum of emotion, and am at a place currently where I just have to lay my heart out before the One whose love is secure in my life. He can handle it all…the sadness, the anger, the bitterness, the injustice, the pain…He only asks that I give it to Him first, and this I am trying my best to accomplish.
I have an older sis who also lives in RI…same town actually, and they have not spoken in four years (so maybe it is not me?). This sister will be getting married in September, and if all goes as planned, I count on dropping by Mom’s place to see if I can at the very least get some kind of explanation for her unfounded action. Some people would encourage me to let it go…just write her off…but actually, I feel like confronting her would be a step of growth for this lifelong stuffer.

Rockin' 'Boo!!!!

As promised...here is a shot of my bamboo shoot!

The Hope of Life

Mercy!! How fun to be in the doghouse for not posting current news on the ol' blogspot!!

Unfortunately I won't be able to get into much detail at present. It is already 10:38, and I have much to do before I lay my head to rest...



For future blogs, you can look forward to some home reconstruction, my thoughts on "The Shack", and promising floral progress, (the lilies are looking strong!)

I love watching things grow, and there is a story concerning my bamboo plant on my desk at work. They sent out a notice several months ago that whatever we had on our desk could not show above the level of the cubicle walls. Uh Oh!! My bamboo was rather healthy and pretty tall...so I researched online, and asked people about pruning bamboo...but to no avail...no answers could I find. So I took my chances, and trimmed it back. I tried to keep the cut part moistened as much as possible, but it looked pretty dried out and nothing happened with it for weeks. I thought for sure I had killed it, and was really feeling pretty sad about it. Lo and behold last week, I was beside myself to see a sprout...and that little sprout is just TAKING OFF!!! Woohoo, you GO 'boo!! I will bring my camera tomorrow and get a shot so you can see what I am talking about. In this drama unfolding is once again the voice of a faithful God...LIFE...LIFE for things we think are dead...LIFE for malnourished and inactive dreams...LIFE in Him when we choose to take ahold of all that He has promised...it brings to mind again one of my favorite scenes in Pilgrims Progress...when Christian first makes his break from the City of Destruction...

"Now he had not run far from his own door but his Wife and Children perceiving it began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on crying 'Life! Life! Eternal Life!' "

Hardly anything is more invigorating than the hope of LIFE!

Inconceivable!!

A year and a half?? It has actually been a year and a half since I have written...WOW! If I had to reflect over that period of time, so much has happened...some good, some not so good. It has been a time of adjustment and new adventure, a time of soul searching and gut wrenching honesty. I have learned and grown, withdrawn and withheld, cried and cried out. Two main things that contributed to my condition were first off, emotional issues regarding family circumstances. The second being a church split. I knew I hated to hear stories of churches breaking up, but now I despise them. It is an incredibly painful experience when you are one who becomes incredibly attached. It wouldn't take much sometimes to get me missing people. But I knew it was affecting me way too deeply. There was something else happening in me. I prayed many times and asked God to help me see what was really going on. Wow!! There were all kinds of things that would surface as a result of that prayer! Step by step, healing along the way and with each day I recommitted myself to rekindle the flame of all that stirs my heart. Today's sermon was a good one for me, and another several weeks back from our youth minister. I am getting my LIFE back and it feels good!!

March marked the one year anniversary of my employment at Shaw Industries, and I am still working part time at the Christian Bookstore where I had been for just shy of 19 years. Bit by bit I am relinquishing my responsibilities there, and as I get my finances in shape, I hope to soon be working one job. I was talking with a friend the other day, and it struck me that I don't think I have ever had a job that I did not have to work weekends...lol...what in the world will I do?? Maybe plant more...I am so proud of my daffodils, and will have to post the irises and lilies when they arrive as well!


I received a call to be a part of the next Tres Dias weekend with Southeast Tennessee, and I am very excited about that. I had to turn down the previous two invitations due to the job situation. But now I once again have vacation time and am able to be involved.

I have many home projects ahead, one of which I just found out about today. There is a leak somewhere in my guest room (the futon room!) and I suspect it is coming from the seal on the outside around the door to the water heater. Should be a simple fix once the rain stops, but the carpet will have to go, and maybe the floor replaced. Compared to other things I have done, this will be a piece of cake!

For now I will have to close this post as I am meeting some gals from work for a night in Chatt town. Dinner at Tony's? Rembrandts? Mmmmmmmmm...

God's richest blessings on you!

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