Dear Readers, I'm excited to build on the short Journey to Easter series we just completed together. Based on blog traffic, there seem to be a lot of folks who are also wanting to go a bit deeper into God's Word and its practical application to our lives.

Here's my disclaimer: I'm not a theologian, Bible scholar, or historian. As a born again child of God, I love His Word. I can usually navigate scripture, but I'm certainly no authority. My goal is to put more faith into the "right mix" of faith, fun and encouragement. I hope you'll continue the journey with me.

I toyed briefly between calling these posts either "Faithful Friday" or "Friday Faith". To tell the truth, "Faithful Friday" sounded a little stodgy to me.

"Friday Faith" seemed to have a double connotation. As Christians, we may tend to think of Friday as "Good", even if it wears a shroud.  It's a day of reflection and personal examination. I hope that perspective will help me be transparent in trying to align Scripture to life.

On a lighter note, Fridays also make me think of going out with friends at the end of the work week. A time to relax, lean in, show and soak up a little extra TLC. It also sounds like an appropriate perspective for spending some time in the Word.

What do you think? "Friday Faith", a time to reflect and lean in to God's love. Let's see where it takes us, shall we?

On a cold December evening, when Annalyn was a very tiny one month old, Mary and Mark came over for an impromptu visit. As chili hummed on the stove, I held that precious bundle as close as I could. 

Gazing at the wonder of her, my daughter asked the same question Mama had asked nearly thirty years earlier as I held Mary. I think Mary chuckled when she said something about Annalyn not going anywhere. I told  Mary the same thing I told Mama: I wanted that precious baby to know my touch, and my face, my voice and even my smell. 

Sounds corny, doesn't it? Maybe, but that doesn't stop me from holding our two little girls and whispering sweet words to them every chance I get. I want them to have my heart print, not just my hand print, on their hearts.

I love the things we do with our girls, like Christmas dates and going to the mountains. But we all know the world can be harsh. More than going places with them, I pray for my heart print to make me a haven, a place of safety, for Annalyn and Gracie.

Our youngest child, Rachael, is getting married this summer. Her fiance, Brandon, is very nice and comes with a six year old son, Parker. Rach has already been working very hard to build a trusting relationship with Parker.

Rach became a permanent part of our nuclear family about the same age Parker was when he entered her life. She's working through some of the same challenges as a parent that Tom and I did. 

Dear Reader, Tom and I are barely getting to know Parker. He's already six and his everyday world is filled with lots of grandparents and extended family. Between that and them living in another city, I've been wondering if I will actually be able to leave a heart print on his life. I'm really going to have to trust God on this one.

Rach's learning the difference from between leaving hand prints (visible, superficial influence) and heart prints on a child. Watching Rach with Parker has caused me to think about how I relate to others children in my world. Do I settle for superficial activities, instead of mixing it up with genuine affection in word and deed?

Dear Reader, what works for me is to consider the heart prints placed upon my life by Jesus and those who love me. For me to consider and ask myself if I'm passing along the same kind of blessings.

Do you have young children in your extended family, once removed? I'd love to hear how you go about establishing a good relationship.

Readers over at Giving Up on Perfect and Coffee for Your Heart, I hope you'll chime in on this topic, also. I really appreciate your input!

No, not this guy! Although even with that goofy surprised look on his face, George Clooney still looks pretty good. May I just pause there for a moment? 

Okay, enough of that. Let's move on.

Last week I whined about dresses, weight, and dressing room mirrors. Thank you for indulging me. Anita's supportive words helped me gain a more realistic perspective. (Anita stopped by David's Daughter to leave her positive comment. I love comments!)

Since the whiny post, I've been chipping at the bit, as Mama used to say, to tell you my good news! A couple of days after posting that, Tom went shopping with me for a new dress. This time we shopped somewhere new, not our usual department store. (Does God ever urge you our of your comfort zone?) I tried to remember Anita's encouragement. Then I asked God for wisdom, and favor finding the right dress for my figure and our finances. 

If that isn't a tall enough order, one of the occasions for the dress is my school's annual auction, a luau. At staff meeting last week, a new colleague asked for clarification on appropriate attire. A cocktail dress with flowers. My brain almost switched to IMPOSSIBLE! mode. Almost, but not quite. 

Lately, God's been showing out, alot! And just to make sure I didn't forget, He tucked this verse into my quiet time reading the morning before Tom and I went shopping: "We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will." (I John 5:14 GNT)

So, Tom and I went shopping. And would you believe it? The second dress I tried on was a keeper. Almost a keeper: I had to send Tom back to get it in a smaller size! Oh my gosh, Dear Reader! I know how extraordinarily vain it sounds, but HE DID IT! He did it for me.

Newsflash, I am vain! But here's my defense. God probably wants His children to feel good about themselves. Who would want to follow Jesus if all His followers mumbled and stumbled through life feeling badly about how they looked? The world can't see the glow on our faces if our heads are hung down.

Dear Reader, if you haven't been in the glorious in-between of hope and amazement, hoping God will answer your prayer and a little amazed when He does, I pray you will be soon. Hope keeps us relying on His grace, and amazement seems to birth authentic praise.

​And how about this? Do something soon that makes you feel good about yourself. It's okay; I know you won't break the bank. I promise, the economy won't reel out of control and God won't be mad at you. Maybe He's actually looking for a new way to bless you. Go ahead, let God put a smile on His face and on yours!

​Come with me to visit Crystal and Kelly this week at their link-ups.

​When I was in second grade and my parents told us we were moving from middle Georgia to Kansas, I thought, "Hot dog! Marshall Matt Dillon and the Land of Oz! Can it get any better?" Looking back as an adult, I have a glimpse of how brave Mama and Daddy were to go where they were being sent.

Going back to college after a seventeen year absence was exciting, most of the time. But other times were downright scary. Going to college with a husband, family and mortgage is a lot different than right out of high school, on my parents' dime.

But God doesn't call us to be stagnant, does He? All the way through the Bible, He was telling one person after another to get going.

Most of us probably know about the Old Testament biggies, like Abraham and Moses. Pack up the fam, leave all you know, and hit the road! And they went. But, I'm so thankful we are told about more than their obedience. You know, the whole Abraham and the servant girl thing (Genesis 16:14). And it gets too weird when Abraham tried to pass off his wife, Sarah, as his sister when they were in Egypt (Genesis 12: 10-20). Abraham may have gone when the Lord said, "Go!", but that didn't mean he was perfect.

Our man, Moses, could be a bit of a whiner (Exodus 4:10). Can you imagine? God had led him safely across the desert, given him a family, and Moses was whining about talking. For crying out loud, he was raised as a pharaoh's son. Maybe he'd been with the sheep too long and forgotten how to speak to sovereigns and servants. After Moses found his tongue, faced down pharaoh and orchestrated the evacuation of thousands, then he got worried about how to feed them (Numbers 11:12 - 15). I wonder if God ever wanted to say to Moses, "Man up!"

Going. Esther risked her life by going into the king's presence without being called (Esther 4:15-16). Jonah tried to get out of going, and ended up on the wrong side of a big fish (Jonah 1:1-3). And what about our boy, Hosea? God told him to go after that sorry Gomer (Hosea 1:2), and to keep going after her (Hosea 3:1). God means business when it comes to "going".

And God is still in the business of going today. The "Great Commission" wasn't just for the eleven disciples and other onlookers at Christ's ascension. When Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age,” (Matthew 28:18b - 20 RSV,) He was talking to us, too!

[WARNING: This post may contain whining.] 

Diet changes and doctors are making me crazy! Have you eaten mashed potatoes or rice without salt? Why bother!

Okay, so I tried adding garlic and onion to more foods to punch them up a bit. Unfortunately, I'm not the most creative cook in the house, and proportions elude me.

Do you have any idea how many things have caffeine in them? If being bloated from water retention and tired isn't enough, a new study just came out about the healthy benefits of caffeine. The rest of the world is being encouraged to ingest nature's stimulant and diuretic, and I'm missing out on chocolate and Cherry Coke.

After complaining to my allergist for years about the perennial "wad of snot" at the back of my nasal passages, he convinced me to cut out dairy for a while. Well, son of a gun! Less dairy, less drainage. 

I was surprised that this was the easiest sacrifice. Okay, maybe not easy, but it sure makes breathing easier for me. After almost eliminating milk products, now I feel their effects almost immediately when I give into temptation.

Here's the real kicker. Last week I was doing a little shopping for a new outfit for a couple of "dressy" occasions coming up. Do you remember when I got all excited because my colleague thought I was losing weight? I was looking forward to trying on dresses. 

 Unfortunately, I didn't remember until I was in the dressing room why I don't like trying on clothes in stores. Of course I'm delusional! But for Pete's sake, I'd probably pay more for clothes if the lights and mirrors were just a little more flattering. Magnifying mirrors and harsh lighting should only be allowed in surgery suites. With every body image fallacy glaring at me, all I wanted to do was duck and run.

I have had all the best intentions since the beginning of the year.  God's been cracking some doors to new adventures. It would be terrific to feel good, and look better. But my best efforts with changing personal diet habits don't seem to be making any difference.
What's a gal to do?

Why would the Creator of the Universe care about my health, or my weight? Why should He care that I'd really like a new, "dressy" outfit? Or that I get tired of bland food or not enjoying what I do eat? Surely, God's got a lot more important things on His mind then my crazy.

And then He draws me back to His Word. His Son told His disciples, " You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:14 NIV) Did He say ANYTHING? As in making health a higher priority than my taste buds? And believing Him for the best outfit for my body and my budget?

Yep! In the book of James, God's Word says flat out, "You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it." (James 4:2b GNT). The only requirement is to ask in God's will. 

What works for me is to ask myself what I believe God's good plan for my life is. Then I have to ask what His plan requires of me. It may not require me to look good, but it definitely demands the best health possible.

What does God have in store for you? What does His plan require of you?  I don't know about you, Dear Reader, but this is hard stuff for me. Are we brave enough to be transparent? Do we dare to take God at His Word? Come on, let's give it a try!

Join me over at Mary's blog and Holley's website this week where I'll also be posting.
​

Dear Reader, I thought this post was going to be so easy to write. It hasn't been! It's been harder than usual. It's important to get it right. Let me tell you what God's been up to lately.

A few weeks ago, I was prompted to write "Journey to Easter" series that's been posting on Fridays (and the adjoining weekends). It was risky for me. I'm not used to putting my faith center stage. But once the Lord planted the seed, those posts have seemed to write themselves. An increasing number of folks have been stopping by to read the series. I can't wait to see where the "Journey to Easter" series may take us!

In the upcoming days, I am excited to be going to two new schools for "Read & Gives". It started with a prompting to read a story and give each student a copy of Life with Bobby and Bonnie in Annalyn's class. Then the Lord opened doors to two classrooms in another school across town. That's opportunities to give the gospel to over sixty children! And I've been told there's even more who want Bobby, Bonnie and me to come for a visit. 

Here's where I made my mistake. I thought the "gift" was writing. I was wrong! The gift that keeps on giving is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you." (John 14:26 GNT)

I think God wants us to be partners in His will. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 28:2 AMPC) He surely has been overtaking me lately!

​The deeper I go into the stream, seeking and listening to God's will, the better it gets! The more I chase after Him, the more He inspires me. So many ideas chasing around in my head and heart, I can hardly keep up!

What's God calling you to do? If it's God, it's got to be terrific! 

If you'd like more information about "Read & Gives", take a look in the "MORE' tab above. Then select either "Kids Outreach Ministry" or "Kids Outreach Gallery".  Or you can simply click on Allie's Kids Outreach Ministry to learn more. These kids are blessing my socks off, and I'm sure they'll do the same for you!

I'll be sharing this post on Crystal's website and Kelly's blog this week.

This picture is adorable to me! I love the child stretching, reaching, touching. I love the little bare feet and the little, upturned curls. And I love that the child isn't spotlessly clean. Have you stood on tiptoes to reach for something lately? Have you brushed the fingers of Jesus as He reached for you?

According to Mark's gospel, early in Jesus' ministry the word was already getting around about what this astonishing guy could do: "And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.”" (Mark 1:40 - 41 RSV) Jesus didn't ask for two forms of ID, or his credit card. He simply did what was needed, He reached out and healed the leper.

And then there was Peter. This poor man seemed to go from faux pas to crisis to amazing in a matter of minutes. Picture this. The homeboys are out in the boats trekking to their next destination. I'm betting they were tired, and maybe a touch cranky. After all, feeding 5000 takes a lot of work. To top it off, once they were on the water, the wind came up and so did the waves. (John 6:16-21)

For crying out loud! What else could happen? Isn't that precisely the time Jesus seems to enjoy showing up? 

So, the disciples are tired, in the boat, wind and waves out of control, and here comes Jesus walking on the water! Get outta here! 

Our boy, Peter, was only momentarily deterred. He asked the unbelievable: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14: 28 NASB)  When the Lord told him to haul it on out of the boat, Peter did just that!

The month of March brings more than spring with its whisper of warmer days. It's also brings standardized testing in many schools. Of course, shedding coats and leggings also makes it a good time for potty-training.

For as long as I can remember, teachers have been stocking up on peppermints to boost student achievement. Several articles say it works as aromatherapy to improve concentration and focus. Even the best students can get a little rocky when taking high stakes assessments. Peppermints are a small price to pay to sweeten the deal.

Oops! Our new principal forgot to get number 2 pencils for the scantron sheets. (Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen any number 1 pencils. Is that an artist's thing?) Anyway, since I was going to Wal-Mart to pick up peppermints, I may as get some pencils, just in case.

About those panties.... Honestly, Tom and I don't spoil Annalyn and Gracie. Not in a big way, anyway. Maybe I should back up and confess that until Annalyn came along, we still gave our young adult kids little gifts for several holidays throughout the year. Now, of course Grandpa and Allie have to do the same for our little girls.

I'm not sure what the potty training issue of the moment was that caused our little diva to melt down. I know I've felt the same way when starting something new. How about you?

Last week, at the tea, Gracie insisted on making FIVE trips to the bathroom. The trips may have taken a little extra time since she had insisted on wearing big girl panties over her pull-up. (That time it was Mom indulging Baby Sister.)

So, guess what's being added to the Easter bag? Yep! Thought the girl needed some Minnie Mouse panties since Minnie is one of her favs. Not only that, but they match the cute outfit for our trip to Colorado that's also in the bag. That's not spoiling, is it?

Isn't it handy to be able to go somewhere 24/7 to pick up just what you need? For all the trips I make to Wal-Mart to get all those things, like pencils, peppermints and panties, I think I need, Wal-Mart doesn't hold a candle when it comes to providing what we really need. " And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:19 RSV)

Dear Reader, shopping trips anywhere for anything can be reminders that our Heavenly Father cares about all of our needs, big and small. What works for me is trying to keep my heart grateful. What works for me is keeping God's Word close so I claim it for the real needs of life, like discouragement, grief, loneliness. How can we help but be thankful for the Creator of the Universe to lean in close, through His Word, whenever, wherever we need Him?

​Join me this week as I post over at Mary's blog and Holley's website.

Buzz Lightyear's character may have coined the phrase " to infinity and beyond", but the premise is anything but new. Unlike Buzz, we don't have to be grounded by the encumbrances of this world. I'm thankful for our Heavenly Father's, and an earthly father, who have provided assurance that His grace and mercy extend to infinity and beyond.

Have you traveled to infinity and beyond lately? What did it look like to you? I remember getting my first glimpse.

It was supposed to be a rare gathering of Daddy, all his brothers, and Granddaddy. Daddy was euphoric. I was thrilled for Tom, two and a half year old Mary, and me to be going along for the visit.

Separated by over a thousand miles, the Herndon boys and their families managed to stay very close. Our family trips "home" to south Georgia were once a year, at best. Phone calls and letters were crucial to filling in the gap. Unfortunately, those didn't prepare us for the change that was about to occur.

After a dinner (which is the noon meal in the South) of fresh homegrown vegetables, country smoked ham, and enough rich desserts to put a diabetic in a permanent coma, we had all settled in the living room. It was time to relax and let the stories roll. This was the time I'd been looking forward to for months.

I was snuggled into the couch ready to soak up some down home love. Then Uncle Clewis, brother #3 and just younger than Daddy, dropped his bomb. Everyone had wondered why Aunt Nell hadn't come with him from St. Petersburg. Now he told us it was because they were getting a divorce. (That may not sound like a big deal to you, but to that generation, in our family, in that place, it was devastating.),

Granddaddy, our strong and adored patriarch, began to weep softly. In that moment, I thought if I'd had a gun, I'd have shot Uncle Clewis. (Well, maybe not. But I never thought of him the same way afterwards. Now you've seen my darkest side.)

Uncle Clewis and Uncle Harry, brother #1, went to walk in the pasture. Daddy and Uncle Cleo, brother #4, drifted between the kitchen and the living room. I went to sit by Granddaddy, glad to hold his hand.

Staring ahead, Granddaddy quietly said, "You all live a lifetime. Your children are long past grown. And they can still hurt you and break your heart."

As saddened as Granddaddy was over Uncle Clewis and Aunt Nell's divorce, he didn't allow any estrangement to develop between him, or any of his boys. He taught this young mother that parenthood is a lifetime commitment with no guarantees, no matter the ages of parents and their children. The lesson still affects how I parent my kids.

We are thrilled Mary will be making a trip to Kenya this summer to see the work being done for and with women suffering the ravages of war. Mary has always had a tender heart. I'm confident the trip will deepen her empathy for others and her passion for Christ.

Mary seemed confident when she began to ask Tom and I if the girls could stay with us while she made the ten day trip. We were grinning, hugging the girls, and saying yes almost before she finished the question. Two primary goals for our adult children have been for them to be empowered and independent, but also to know Tom and I can be relied upon.

The Lord has outrageously blessed me by showing me Granddaddy's model of a commitment to grace. It makes it so much easier to understand that our Heavenly Father's grace is to infinity and beyond. Dear Reader, aren't we thankful we can ". . . step boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and grace to help when we need it most"? (Hebrews 4:16 VOICE) 

Our Father is always ready to reach out to us where we are. His grace is literally to infinity and beyond. We only have to do two things: accept His hand, and receive the grace He freely offers us. And, just think, we don't even have to go to Kenya!

​Hey, how about join me over at Crystal's this Tuesday. I hope you can also come along to Kelly's. 

One of my absolutely favorite verses is Mark 1:17 (RSV). " And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” Did you catch that "...  become fishers of men." You have to read the Revised Standard Version to get the BECOME. I love that! 

I don't have to be a perfect size six, or a perfect mom, or wife. I don't have to be a faultless teacher or friend. All I have to do is choose to follow, and Jesus promises to do the rest. (Matthew 11:28-30) How cool is that!

And I know His promise is true!

Let's go for the big guns first, shall we? Talk about becoming! Lazarus became alive when Jesus went to work. "43 After Jesus said this he called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44 The dead man came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with pieces of cloth. He had a handkerchief covering his face. Jesus said to the people, “Take off the cloth and let him go.” (John 11: 43-44 ERV)