The Church Lady

Wonder what popped into your mind when you read the title? When I hear the term “church lady” I think of Dana Carvey’s character on Saturday Night Live. That character cracks me up.

Really, when I think about a “church lady”, I picture an older woman, very serious looking – almost stern and of course she would be wearing a strand of pearls. Her collar would be buttoned up tight and her dress would be something matronly looking. Funny isn’t it what images we come up with certain words and phrases.

Going to services in our congregation I see all kinds of church ladies. Ladies with all different colors and lengths of hair, stylish clothing, all different ages and different sizes, and they all have one thing in common. Their willingness to meet together and worship God. Each one of them is different in their own way.

Let’s look at some of the women in the Bible.

• Eve – the mother of all living persons
• Woman at the well – sinful but searching
• Mary Magdalene – a follower of Jesus
• Esther – a queen
• Ruth – a beloved mother-in-law
• Jael – an ordinary woman who would kill
• Deborah – a warrior princess

Which one of these women would you be able to pick out of a crowd? Each of these listed above could be any one of us.

Some of those women I worship with I know them very well. Others I just know their names and faces, then others I’m just getting to know.

I’m always amazed when I get to know someone new and there story of where they have been in their lives and how they came to find Christ. When I first started going to worship, I felt like everyone was better than me and I was a heathen that had so much to learn. Amazing to find out that at some point and time we all have been “at the beginning” of becoming a “church lady”.

So as you go through your week, think about how far you have come in your walk with Christ and what kind of “church lady” you are. Stop and say a special prayer this week for all the women in the church who trying their best to be like Christ in their own special way with the gifts that God has given them.

May God Bless

Detoxing – All the Rave

So, tell me what is this “detox” all about? You drink lemon and spinach water and empty yourself until you can’t stand up. Whaaaat? Somehow I don’t think this is good for me. Now each of us can do our own thing, but I know for a fact that one isn’t going to work for me. Let me clarify, I’m not talking about detoxing from alcohol or drugs, that is a totally different subject.

I know we pick up free radicals thought our breathing air and drinking water. I know that our food is full of chemicals and hormones and antibiotics. I try my best to control the foods we eat. We don’t eat out a lot, comparatively to others, we buy local food as much as possible and I wash my food before I eat it. (Most of the time.)

I do believe that the more we process our food, the worse it is for us. Some days we get our healthy kale shakes in and some days we don’t. I can tell you this, we are doing better today than a year ago with our eating habits. So hurrah for us. I’m pretty lucky; my husband will eat just about anything. Every once in a while when I try something new, he will just say “not so much”. 

Just so you know, I refuse to give up my dark chocolate. Nope, it is not going to happen.

What I think we should be more concerned with is detoxing our minds and souls. What we watch, read, and listen to, can be more harmful than anything we eat or drink. This old body is going to give out one day and turn to dust, my soul, Lord willing, will live on forever.

The Olympics are really great. We have loved watching them, but one thing I don’t understand. Why do the ladies beach volleyball players have to be almost naked? Sure they are getting hot and sweaty and sand all over them, but that is the game. Don’t tell me they play better being dressed the way they are. I just am not buying it. But I digress.

Movies, TV shows, music, books are good and wonderful, as long as we are choosing those items appropriately. No, I don’t always make the right choice and no I’m not a prude. Anyone that knows me can vouch for that, but I try. I get up each day and try hard again. Then when I lay my head on that pillow at night I ask God to bless me, forgive me and let me try again the next day.

So instead of being so concerned about detoxing your body of harmful chemicals and such, try detoxing your mind and soul. It just might make your body feel better too.

May God Bless

My Meltdowns

My world is spinning and I’m dizzy. (Well not really, I’m fine) Metaphorically speaking everything is spinning and making me dizzy. The worst thing is when this happens and I don’t know why.

Sometimes I have to sit down and write a list of the things that are driving me crazy. A list of all the things that are swirling around in my mind like a Autumn wind tossing dried fallen leaves. Some items have control over and others I can’t do a thing about. Normally it’s the problems that I don’t have an answer for that really drive me crazy.

There are days I wake up and think – the earth has fallen off its axis. All day long I am waiting for the sky to fall like Chicken Little. I function but not completely. Those days are the days I can’t wait for the sun to go down so I can crawl under the covers and sleep. Hoping the next day will be normal again. 

After making my list and handling what I can, I normally have a meltdown about the remainder items on my list. Trust me an old lady having a meltdown is worse than a two year old having a tantrum. It most likely will involve crying, whining and chocolate in some form.

I’m old and just now wrapping my head around this fact and fighting it every inch of the way. My mind isn’t as sharp as it was. My hair doesn’t flow like it used too. The body – well it just isn’t the same. So why am I having this midlife crisis now? Because our world has gone crazy.

The upcoming Presidential elections are out of control. Crime and disrespect is at an all time high. Our enemies are now on our home soil and could be your neighbor. There is global warming – maybe – and my pants are tight.

Soooooo what is a woman to do? How about for a change, look to God and see what He has to say.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Oh look there is the answer, right there in the Bible, God’s word. Stop thinking about all those things I can’t control or fix and think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or good report and praiseworthy. 

My life would be so much simpler if I didn’t think so much and worry so much about thinks I can do nothing about. If when I open my eyes each morning I praise God and thing on only good things. I just might have to try this more often.

May God Bless

I'll Pray For You

Have you ever said “I’ll pray for you” to someone? I have and I do pray for them. Have you ever said it and then didn’t pray for them? I have and then forgotten and when I remember I feel really bad. Not that I don’t have enough things I can beat myself up about, let’s find another. But I feel like this one is really important.

James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Jesus tells us to pray for each other and I know a few really great prayer warriors that I want on my side submitting prayers to God on my behalf. Am I one of those people?

Remember the chain letters? If you don’t send this to 20 people you will something horrible happen to you. I always did them because I just didn’t want to tempt fate; I mean that million dollars just might come my way. It has to happen to somebody, right? 

We see it on social media all the time, someone asking for prayers for themselves or a loved one. Or the prayer chains that go around like the chain letters years ago. If I stopped to pray for everyone that I see on social media asking for prayers I would be here all day praying. Well I guess that wouldn’t be a bad thing, it would be a wonderful day if I did that. Let’s be realistic, I can’t do that every day. So what in the world are we supposed to do with all these requests?

Personally I have come up with a plan – I can hear God laughing every time I make a plan. So here it is, I simply say help them Lord. God knows who needs help, what the issues are and what needs to be done. Most of them on FaceBook I don’t have a relationship with.

The people that I do have a relationship, they get my detailed prayers. My family, my church family and my friends, the ones I really know what to pray for. The rest of the world I pray for in more of a one size fits all prayer. Please don’t think I am taking prayer lightly and the power it has for all. I’m just explaining in my simple terms how I try and combat the guilt that takes over sometimes.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – mediate on these things.

I think there are all kinds of prayers we can offer up to our Heavenly Father, short ones, long ones, some make me cry, some are for protection, others are for health and others for life and death.

Bottom line is – remember to pray, anywhere and anytime.

May God Bless