My Prayer Chicks

In Proverbs 18:24 it says, "A woman of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a sister". (Chick translation)

These are my sisters. They are the ones I call when times get tough, when I don't have the answers or when I just need to tell somebody the exciting news. They are not fair-weathered friends, for they have accompanied me through a variety of storms, some just windy days, some catostrophic. 

I can relate to the Proverbial woman who has too many "friends". They are the shallow connections we make that serve as investments to our own sense of successful socializing. But a true friend that sticks closer than a sister doesn't care about how you look, how much money you make or whether your zip code is impressive. A true sister is the one who tells you the truth, questions your intentions and hugs tight on you when everyone else is letting go. 

My prayer chicks are true sisters. We have been meeting for over 14 years. We have prayed over pregnancies, held hands through tragedies, laughed together, cried together, swapped clothes, swapped kids, visited hospitals, patched up eachothers kids, prayed for husbands, and blessed eachother in a myriad of ways. 

I am looking forward to growing old with them, going to their children's weddings, holding their hands at funerals, celebrating with them for their golden anniversaries, being there when the next one hears the "C" word, wearing purple together and taking trips to "somewhere warm". 

Love you ladies, and thanks for Blessing me real good!

Some things are funny... 'til milk comes out your nose.

I know that "All Scripture ...is profitable....that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17, however, I think I would be better equipped if I knew what made Jesus laugh. I'm sure there's "sinful" laughing, but what's appropriate for a child of God?

I'm confident that Jesus laughed. I don't mean giggled, I mean full-belly-hurting-rib-clenching-hardy-har-har-milk-out-your-nose laugh, but Peter and Paul don't tell us about it. 

We know He cried, He slept, He ate fish and made good wine, but we don't read anywhere what made him laugh. Peter must have made Jesus laugh, he was funny! "I'll never let you wash my feet Lord..... well, when you put it that way, how about my whole body?".... "I'll never deny you... cockadoodledooo"! He was the first one with his hands up, lips puckered with his "oooh! oooh! oooh! Pick me!" attitude. I love him. 

This is one of the hundred questions I intend to ask my Jesus about. What makes Him laugh? His answer will probably be.... me. 

Book Review for "In Search of Eden", by Linda Nichols

With man, the things that are painful, unbearable, are left to harden and decay, rarely resulting in anything good. But with God all things are possible. Miranda discovers the truth of this in a heart-lifting story of Grace and mercy. At the age of 16 Miranda gives birth to her baby. It is quickly taken from her and she is left with a yearning that lasts for years. While searching for her baby she discovers herself and finally comes face to face with the Hound of Heaven. 

Neighbors

Like most folks, we have two neighbors, one to our left, the other to our right. On our left are the Townsend's. With four children and a backyard with a huge trampoline, the spontaneous outbursts of giggling, screams and joy reverberate refreshingly over the fence. However, to our right is a mystery family. 

We have lived here almost 5 months and I couldn't tell you what the folks to our right look like. So, today I am going to be a "Southern Texan" and take some brown sugar pound cake over to them.

When Jesus asked us to love our neighbors as ourselves I guess He figured we could identify them. I'd best get on that...

Book Review for "Sufficient Grace", by Darnell Arnoult

Disappointed. 

It's the kind of disappointment that comes from licking a tootsie roll and finding no center. There were some moments of enjoyment in the sugar coating, but the quintessential chewy-chocolate-goodness was missing. 

Arnoult weaves a wonderful tale, builds a few characters that are very likeable and fills it out with good old southern charm. My human nature liked it, however my Spiritual nature was left searching for substance. 

The characters' spiritual life completely lacks formation, mixing myth with Christianity, reflecting the author's misunderstanding of a Christian worldview. For example, a few of her main characters mix the world of fairies with Christ, and the author doesn't resolve this for them at any point or time. 

The fundamental issue in the story deals with mental illness, but the author leaves her protagonist as confused, alone and sick as we originally found her, perhaps more so. Furthermore, her characters, while they describe themselves as bible-believers, have no qualm about having sex outside of marriage. Again, the author does not resolve this in any spiritual way. Her characters feel unabashed and they suffer no consequences by it. Having developed her story in the heart of the bible belt, and having described her tale as spiritual, I expected more traditional values. 

This isn't about grace, it's about making excuses, letting go of substance and expecting none in return. 

Very disappointing.