More Email Issues

I am sick of myself.  Truly sick to death.

After not receiving any website mail for a few weeks I decided to use my time with internet today to look into the problem. I discovered that I had failed to change my old email address in my contact forms and if I am seeing it correctly, there are quite a lot of your messages that came through that were rejected. 

If you were one who did not receive a response, I am so sorry.  I’ve fixed it now so please resubmit your question/request/insults, whatever.  I will be oh so happy to hear from you.  (Except if you plan on insulting.  It is quite possible that could make me cry.)

February 22, 2011 | Filed Under Blog Stuff, Uncategorized | 3 Comments 

Profound Typos

Hey sisters!  Long time, no see.  I’m working from the church today to prepare for some teaching Saturday and Tuesday and thought I would take advantage of the wi-fi to visit a bit.  Obviously we still don’t have internet at the house but I’ve done some research and have about made a decision on the route we need to go.  I really thought we could function without a home connection but it’s hindering working from home in a bad way.  Hopefully soon!

So what’s been going on with you?  Life is crazy as usual in our neck of the woods.  My homegirls just went on our annual retreat at Shocco Springs (Birmingham area) and had a fabulous time of just being together.  I love these women like crazy and considering the year we’ve all had around here, we were overdue a couple of uninterrupted days to study and laugh and cry and pray with one another.  The Lord must be coming back soon and the danged devil is in overdrive because 2010 like to have killed most of us for one reason or another.  The seclusion of  the retreat center was a balm to our souls. ( Shocco was a wonderful host and if you are interested in all in using their facility for your next event, I have a 10% off coupon to use toward your registration once you book.  Just email me and I’ll send it to you.) 

Since blogging hasn’t been much of an option for me lately, I’ve taken to the Twitter more than usual.  The thing about my phone is that it likes to auto-correct my words which can be either mortifying or profound.  Just this week I was having a terrible time with our old cable company’s customer service and meant to type the phrase, “About to lose my religion with these cable people!”  (Notice I didn’t say lose my salvation but no theological debates here, please.  If you don’t know me by now, you will never ever ever know me…hoooo ooo ooooo)  Instead my phone auto-corrected me and it came out, “About to LIVE my religion with these cable people!”  When I read it before I tweeted (because I’ve learned my lesson on that) I was ashamed at myself (because I hadn’t lived it with the customer service agent I had just spoken with) so I just deleted the thing.  But that doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about it.

What if, in those moments we are about to lose our religion we live it instead?  That we would get to that point of explosion and rather than vomit rage we would be a geyser of grace?  That we would lay down our pride and get over ourselves for just a minute?  Luke has been preaching a series on revival and it’s eating my lunch.  One of the big issues I have faced this year is how to guard against bitterness when my family is maligned by those who have absolutely no clue what they are talking about.  My flesh tempts me to respond in kind because I’m so over it.  OVER IT.  But Jesus has reminded me so many times in my spirit, “Forgive them, for they no not what they do.”   I have to remember that the majority of people who lash out are doing it out of their own issues and that those have nothing to do with me at all. Hurt people hurt people.  So do I hurt them back?  No.  I reach out.  I entreat.  I apologize for any real or perceived offense.  If there is no response and they continue their angry tirade?  Well, then I love them with the cross in between us.  The end.

I don’t know if that means anything to you at all or if you find yourself at a similar crossroads of losing it or living it.  I would love to hear what you have to say on the matter. 

Have I mentioned I’ve missed talking with you?

February 22, 2011 | Filed Under Spiritually Speaking | 18 Comments 

Jacksonville FBC Pastor/PW Conference!

Okay, so I know you thought I fell off the face of the earth but really I just slid south a state or two.  Friday I flew to Jacksonville, FL to be a part of the Jacksonville FBC Pastor’s Conference.  Like I heard one of the staff say on my way out of the church today, don’t ask me any hard questions because my brain is wrecked.  It’s funny how purging your heart only seems to fill it right back up.  I am absolutely smitten with the pastor’s wives I had the privilege to serve this weekend and won’t soon get over it.     

I can’t say enough about my new friend Marilyn who is the director of women’s ministry.  Man, does she love Jesus and the women she serves.  She also must love (or hate) me since she was my live gps when I continued to get myself lost driving around down town. (In a Kia Soul!  You can get with this, or you can get with that!  It’s my new favorite.  I was so sad to turn it back in.  Mostly because it was clean.  And my car, after 8 years and 4 kids is not.)    I also had the privilege of meeting Debbie Brunson (Mac Brunson’s wife).  I am still coveting her shoe collection.  Alabama girls, you would have loved her houndstooth stilettos.  Had lunch with Lauren Chandler and was just blown away by her faith as she upholds her pastor husband as he battles cancer.  I should mention girlfriend can sang.  And play the piano.   Met adorable Alicia who works for the North American Mission Board.  She changed my life by teaching me how to use the navigation app on my phone.  Marilyn wishes she had changed it before having to talk me down every street in Jacksonville. Also got to be a part of a hysterical PW Panel on Saturday.  The best piece of advice we heard that day was from Nancy Sullivan (adored her!) but in the interest of keeping some things sacred and because I’m the biggest prude you will ever meet, I’ll let that remain between us girls who were there.  You can just imagine the topic.

I know I’m leaving out so many wonderful people who were nothing but gracious.  It’s an amazing thing to be behind the scenes at an event like this and see the logistics of what has to happen to pull the thing off.  I’m telling you people, you don’t do all this work unless you really care about the people for whom you are working.  This church loves pastors and their families and I for one can’t thank them enough for the privilege of encouraging our kind. 

So much more to say, but the plane is about to board.  And as you know, I STILL DON’T HAVE INTERNET AT HOME.  And yes, I’m freaking out about it.  Hopefully we’ll be remedying that soon.  I thought I could live but alas, I can not. 

If you attended the conference, please keep in touch with me and remember CONNECT and ENDURE!!

February 1, 2011 | Filed Under Event Recaps | 12 Comments 

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