Sunday school is always a pleasure for me. A person knows they're called to teach if they have an uncontrollable desire to share absolutely everything they learn. I'm so thankful the Holy Spirit has given me both the desire to learn & the desire to share. There's always more information on a subject than can possibly be dealt with in 30-40 minutes, but last Sunday our class voted to start 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time so we'll have more time for Bible study and all without any prompting from me. The Sunshine Ladies love to study God's Word. Aren't they great!!

We've been playing catch-up for the last several Sundays. We began this quarter by meeting in the sanctuary under the leadership of our pastor to explore the vision God has for Belden. Other classes might have just picked up on the date they went back to their classes, but we're studying 1 & 2 Peter and we didn't want to miss a word. We've been trying to cover two lessons each week and after tomorrow we'll be back on track.

Our lessons build on each other naturally as we use the Explore the Bible material that covers a book at a time. The two lessons we're studying tomorrow are definitely yoked together. The first comes from 1 Peter 4 about staying focused on God's purposes. The second lesson is from 1 Peter 5 and covers acting with humility.

You just can't do one without the other. In order to stay focused on God's purposes our hearts must be humbled to understand that His purposes are what we're about. If we try to serve His purposes without humility, our activity is just that - activity. And self-righteous activity, at that. And "humility" without acknowledging God's purposes becomes low self-esteem with no goal. God has created us in such a way that our ultimate fulfillment is only found in Him. His purpose should be my goal; His glory should be what I'm about; His Kingdom should reign. And you know what? His glory, His purpose and His Kingdom will always be supreme, no matter what I do. But what a blessing I'll miss if I choose not to be a part of it, all because He created me to be a part of it.

So I commit to staying focused on God's purposes and to acting with humility. Those of you know me wonder if I can do the second. Absolutely not - not without Him. Humility isn't a personality trait in God's Kingdom. It's a recognition that God is sovereign and that my sole purpose is to serve His purpose. His purpose includes putting the needs of others before my own. It means crucifying the "I-itis" that is part of the old person. I don't get it right every time, but it's my desire to do so. In Psalm 37:4 David says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." And in 63:8 he says, "My soul followeth hard after Thee." (KJV) I'm praying that the desire of my heart will be to follow hard after Him.

School Days

Laurie sent school pictures of Carter & Aaron. The teacher told her they had to take dozens of shots of Aaron to get the one below. He didn’t understand the concept of the hand-in-pocket; he wanted to shove his whole hand in as far as possible. But they finally got just the right pose and with a smile, even. Most people think Aaron looks just like his dad, and while I agree, I still think he has the Roebuck look about him. I can’t decide who Carter looks like, but he’s a ham for the camera. Maybe I’ll have school pics of Katelee & Tucker soon.

Carter (l); Aaron (r)

My world seems very small sometimes. If it happens outside my sphere of influence (incoming & outgoing), it doesn’t hold my attention very long. Does that seem shallow? Maybe. But there’s so much I can’t control that I have to pay attention to what I can (semi-) control.

Most of the time I feel that work demands entirely too much of my self – emotional and physical. This week I’ve been dealing with maintenance techs from Texas – very nice guys. Unusual circumstances sap my energy. I’ve also had government audits and safety audits/training. In the midst of all this unusual activity I forgot something very important – Secretary’s Day.

Glenda doesn’t wear the formal title of “Secretary”; she’s the Office Administrator/Safety Coordinator. But she is the one who makes my life a whole lot easier. She’s important to the company, to the Tupelo plant and to me. It made me sad that I forgot a day dedicated to those who help maintain order in our chaotic worlds. She’s very good at what she does and I’d be lost without her. I learned long ago that surrounding myself with intelligent, capable people poses no threat to my job; it makes me look a whole lot better. So I’m glad to have Glenda in my world. She’s not only an employee and co-worker; she’s a dear friend.

Goodness, I spent my lunch writing a post and lost it when my new computer went haywire. Here’s what I was thinking about…

Yesterday was a banner day at Belden Baptist Church. We started out with a great Sunday school lesson. I say that, not because I’m the Lead Learner, but because there was lots of participation/sharing about some wonderful, but often misunderstood, scripture. Ladies, y’all are the best!

Worship service included recognition of Bible drillers, then Parent/Child dedication. I’m so thankful that BBC encourages Bible drill participation; it’s one of the best things my girls were involved in at Plantersville. Their leaders were heroes of faith to them and the scriptures learned have always ‘stuck’.

Only last year Marcus was dedicated, and this year Marlee was in the lineup. Of course, I was tickled when Bro. Jim told everyone, “Her name is Marlee K; just K; it doesn’t stand for anything.” The he pointed out that she’s a true Baptist – she was eating in church. Babies do not wait around when it’s bottle time.

After church some in our SS class went to Santa Fe Cattle Company for lunch. Good food; good fun; good fellowship. Shelia, I’ll buy dessert next time.

And last night…..Words (almost) fail me. The combined choirs and orchestras of BBC and DeSota Hills Baptist Church of Southaven presented He’s Alive Forever. We couldn’t have gotten any closer to the threshold of Heaven. So many people worked long, hard hours to put this together and it showed. I naturally was proud of Dewayne’s bass solo and Laurie’s flute solos. There was a large crowd and we were all blessed. Thank You, Father, for so many talented people who love to praise You through music. And thank You for ears to hear.

Today’s Aaron’s 3rd birthday. There’s a post about him on my xanga site.

What a week! By Thursday I was so aggravated by such little things that I was miserable. And I know I was making others feel miserable, too. Late Thu night & early Fri morning I spent a lot of time praying, asking forgiveness, staying close to my Father. It helped a lot. And it helped to stop watching all TV reports on the week's events.

My heart aches for the losses so many families are dealing with right now. And the public needs to know about what's going on. But 24-hour cable news has changed our reception and perception of the human condition. Most of what we hear is bad. Is it any wonder that people are depressed, ill (read ornery) and medicated ?!?

The truth is that lots of very good things go on in our world. But our atavistic side wants to feed on the darker side of things. (OK. I just got up, turned the TV off and turned on my iTunes Praise & Worship playlist.) Christians should never let their darker side have the upper hand. In fact, that darker side was crucified on a cross 2,000 years ago. I insult my Savior when I act like the old person I was before He saved me. We're children of the Living Lord and His Spirit abides in us. It's not who I am, but whose I am. His Light should always shine out of me. Cathy's story about which wolf we feed speaks to this issue. Here it is:

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

"The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked, "Which wolf wins?

"The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
The illustration worked perfectly with our SS lesson last week about displaying a new identity, taken from 1 Peter 2:1-12. (Thank you, Cathy.)

So, I commit to feeding the good things by staying in the Word, by talking frequently with my Father, by remembering the enormous, unspeakable sacrifice Jesus Christ made to free me from the bondage of sin, to look for the good in others, to remember whose I am.

Growing Pains

In a matter of days our circumstances changed. When you have a presence within 7 miles of something that huge, it impacts your life. New home developments are sprining up; prices on existing houses and house sites have almost tripled. Area schools are already gearing up for rapid growth. So we could expect no less than that Toyota would have an impact on Belden Baptist Church.

We recently spent 5 Sundays under Bro. Jim's leadership learning about what will happen to BBC. Many of us took his teachings to heart. We're excited, enthused, inspired, convicted and ready to G.R.O.W. in God's Kingdom.

G.R.O.W. stands for God Rewards Our Work. The program involves giving one evening a month to visit, write letters, make phone calls, pray or keep babies so others can visit. And God will reward that effort. You see, there's a field white unto harvest already. As our leaders have told us repeatedly, "There are many unsaved, unchurched people in the shadow of our steeple." Now the fields will be even more populated. By 2011, within a 15 mile radius of WellSpring, there will be one church for every 1,514 people. WOW.

G.R.O.W. is just one of the things we're doing. At BBC we're preparing our Sunday school classes for growth. According to Bro. Jim, Sunday school is the single most crucial program for church growth. If a preacher tells you that if you can come to only one thing at church, make it Sunday school, you know it has to be important. Growth may mean making some sacrifices. What if we have to give up a room we like? What if we have to go into a different class because our class has gotten so large? What is a personal sacrifice compared with the souls of people who need the Lord?

And at long last, we're developing an AWANA program for children. Churches that have an AWANA program experience increased professions of faith, first with the kids, then reaching out to their parents. This also is not without it's challenges. Are there enough high-energy leaders? Will we change the way we use existing space? Is a building more important than the eternal salvation of a child? Even one child? Surely not.

Most people don't like change, but think of all the exciting adventures God has planned for us that we will miss if we hold on to our chosen ideas with both fists! Some changes will probably make me sad, but I'd be even sadder if I didn't let God pry loose my fingers from my stuff and I missed His stuff.

And what about love? Love for God's Kingdom work? Love for each other? We have the privilege and the awesome responsibility of putting others' needs ahead of our own. Am I doing that? Am I showing the agape love for my Christian family that is a positive witness for Jesus Christ? Families squabble - fact of human life. But if we can always remember before we speak that everything Jesus did, He did for His Father and for His children and act accordingling, the squabbles will quietly resolve themselves. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 1Th 5:11

Some great things are going on and being planned at BBC. And there are a bunch of wonderful people involved, people with different ideas, but people, nontheless, who want to see what God is doing and go to work with Him there. What a joy to be a part of all this!

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of my worship and praise. As You increase Your Kingdom in our midst, please tender my heart to know and do Your will. Give me sensitivty to the needs and cares of others. Pull out any weed of pride and selfishness in my heart and fill me with Your love. Show me what You want me to do and help me see the resources You have already given me to do it. Father, when my mind drifts to vain imaginings that would falsely increase my stature and decrease others, stop me by Your Spirit. Don't let me stray into that dark area of me, my & mine. Father, live through me, love through me, shine out of me and make me fit for Your Kingdom purpose. Because of the precious blod of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Week That Was

Some of you have been wondering where I've been. So have I. Don't get me wrong; I like to stay busy at work, but, whew, this one was a bully-woogger.

As of last Friday, our work in a major department more than doubled. YEA. On Monday morning I had to start interviewing candidates for 5+ new positions. BOO. I'm really thankful for the work, but goodness, interviewing is one of my least favorite things to do.

What can you really know about a person with just a cursory look at an application? First, they're only going to put the good stuff on the app. And in the interview they're going to put their best face on. And when you call former employers for a reference, what good does that do? In this new age of litigation, most employers will only verify that a person did work for them and what dates. Yes, a former employee can sue a former employer if, because of the information they give, the candidate doesn't get a job. Can you say "tort reform"? And did you know that if you work for Wal*Mart and apply for another job, your potential new employer would have to pay at least $13 just to get a verification of employment. Forget it. Who's going to pay that?

Thankfully, I've had some very good candidates this week. Two start on Monday and I'm calling two more in on Monday for drug screens. If you knew how thin we've been stretched for the last 4 months, you'd know that having even just 2 additional folks on Monday will relieve lots of stress and anxiety. Some wise soul said to be a good leader you should surround yourself with very good people. I'm going to give God all the credit for the super group of staff that surrounds me. There've been times in the last few months when it wouldn't have surprised me at all if they'd walked off the job. Thank you, God, for the loyalty, perseverance and stamina of some great unsung heroes....Jack, Glenda, Edna & Terry. What would I do without you!

And through all this I've been fighting terrible allergies. As Terry is so fond of saying, "Did you wake up grouchy this morning? No, I let her sleep late." The temperament of a bear has had nothing on me these last few days.

But you know what's been fun? I've managed to see the girls and some of the kidlettes. Monday Laurie brought Marlee by the plant and they were here when I got home from work. I love it. And Tuesday night Katey, Andy, Katelee & Tucker came for supper and some house-building advise. Mamaw got really busy in the kitchen, whipped out the phone and called Domino's. Shoot, pizza is always a winner w/ my grands. Note to Domino's....when I order cinna stix, please don't send garlic bread.....big difference. Molly & Kevin came by last night on their way home from Memphis. She had an impromptu job interview & they looked at houses (from the outside only). Ah, the redeeming quality of my week...short but wonderful glimpses of my family.

And here's a precious memory...

On Sunday, April 1st, Katelee & Tucker exhibited their paintings at the Gum Tree Museum of Art, along with a lot of other students. This is Tucker's first exhibit and Katelee's third. They were mentioned in the Daily Journal on Monday. (15 minutes of fame?) I expect to be reading more about them when they become famous artists. (Mamaw smiles)




Here are their works.....

Tucker's Rainbow Shapes












Katelee's Golden Heart