 |
||||
Home
|
2007
Happy New Year!
November & December 2006
For the first time in sixteen years my schedule
during the Holiday Season was wide open, and concerned me greatly. BUT
God knew I would need this time and graciously kept me home. You see ,in
October my daddy unexpectedly went home to heaven. He had a massive
heart attack and died at home. If I could have written the script for
how I wanted Daddy to pass, I couldn't have written it more perfectly.
His last day on planet earth was spent with his family doing what He
loved to do. I am very thankful that his death wasn't drawn out with
hospitalizations, that he didn't suffer, that we never had to put
him in a nursing home, and that he was able to drive up to the very
last. I strongly felt that I was to speak at the funeral. I shared with
those gathered to pay their last respects that if Daddy could come back
and say one thing it would be this: "Whatever you do, don't miss
heaven." Because of his faith in Christ as Savior, he is now walking
streets of gold and worshiping the Lord in a way never experienced on
this side of Eternity.
October 2006 As the old song says, "If it keeps gettting better and better O Lord, I don't know what I'm gonna do!" That's how I feel about last month's meetings in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. I'll stay home in Carolina this month speaking for Sunday morning services in Mebane and Lexington, a ladies conference in Thomasville, and a ladies luncheon in Mocksville. That suits me just fine since God really shows off this time of the year as we watch the leaves turn vibrant yellow, red and orange. The changing of the seasons reminds me of Ecc. 3---"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." Seasons change, and we must learn to move forward, pressing on to avoid becoming stagnant. This Fall, let's purpose to look for God's new purpose for us as we enter this new season. Sounds kind of exciting, doesn't it?!
September 2006 Wow---summertime has flown by and it's time to get back on track! My summer schedule was light, but I did speak at ladies conferences in Charleston, and Hartsville, SC plus ladies meetings in Belmont and Charlotte. This month I'll be speaking in Kennesaw, GA and Knoxville, TN at weekend conferences and Sunday services. On the home front, I'll thrilled to report that Nicole is now gainfully employed! She is teaching high school Spanish and coaching the JV volleyball team at a brand new school in our area. Miss Tara is back at USC and loving it. Mel, Munchkin and I are glad to have our house back!!! A note of hope for you to think about: if God made heaven and earth in six days, don't you think He can handle the problems you face in your own personal world? Yes He Can!
May 2006 Spring is in full bloom here in Carolina with the dogwoods, azaleas and daffodils all proclaiming the glory of God. I'm looking forward to being in Wilmington, NC later this month for a ladies conference. On a personal note, we will celebrate Nicole's graduation from Montreat College on May 13th. Tara just arrived home from the University of South Carolina having completed her freshman year in the Honors College with a 4.0. We will spend a few days together at the beach before they take off to Costa Rica, and Germany respectively to study languages. I'll be home praying! God is good--all the time. All the time God is good. "Taste and see that the Lord is good. No good thing will He withhold from those that walk uprightly." Hope you're enjoying His goodness!
April 2006 "He is not here. He is risen, as he said." What a great message we have to share this month as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Because He lives, we live also! That's a message of hope for all of us. I'll be proclaiming that good news at two churches in the Jacksonville, FL area this month, and also speaking at Mud Creek Church in Hendersonville, NC and Sheets Memorial in Lexington, NC. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall never die." Thank God for His wonderful gift of eternal life!
March 2006 March takes off with a bang and will find me in the deep south (Ladies Conf; and Sunday am program, Livingston, LA), north Mississippi (Singles/Single Again Conf.), Asheville (Elizabethton, TN Ladies Conf), and Charlotte (Hickory Grove Ladies Conf). Spring is always a time of refreshment and new beginnings---and a great reminder that God lets us begin again when we've blown it. Forgiveness is waiting for those who are willing to confess and forsake their sin. Then it's time to forget it and MOVE ON! "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all iniquity" (I John 1:9). Now that's a note of hope for all of us!
February 2006
Love is in the air as we think of Valentine's
Day. There's so much confusion on what love really is in today's world.
God epitomized real love when "He gave His only son that whoever
believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." John
admonishes us to "love not in word, but in deed and truth"--in other
words, put your action where your mouth is! Jesus said, "If you love me,
keep my commandments." The real test of how much we love is how much we
obey. Using that as the test of love, how are we doing? Makes you think
twice, doesn't it!
January 2006 2006 sits before us as a blank canvas. As we begin this new year, day by day we will contribute to the picture our lives are drawing. I encourage you to "Begin with the end in mind." Prayerfully decide now what you want to accomplish and where you want to be this time next year. Aim at nothing, and you're sure to hit it! By setting goals, even if we fall short, we'll probably accomplish more than by not setting them. Read more books, spend more time in prayer and Bible study, make family relationships a priority, exercise 20 minutes a day---the options are endless. By starting now, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to see how far you've come in one year.
December 2005
Joy to the World--the LORD is come! In the midst
of all the trappings that we've added to the celebration of our Savior's
birth, it's easy to forget the real reason for the season. Maybe it's
time to break free from the excessive burdens we put on ourselves this
time of the year (you know what I mean---the one hundred thousand things
we "need to do"), and concentrate on the MAIN THING--Jesus! Whatever
happened to Christmas? A good thought for this month! November 2005
This month has given me the opportunity to speak
at Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN for their ladies
conference. What a great time together God gave us! Let me share what
their ministry director had to say: "I thank you from the bottom of my
heart. God has reminded me through so many of our ladies that He was at
work in the hearts of His daughters on Saturday. You truly ministered
to so many, myself included. I can't tell you how God used your words to
encourage me on Saturday. So many ladies said that the day was "just for
me". God is good like that isn't He? I can't thank you enough for being
so obedient to the way that God was leading. Not only were our ladies
encouraged, but there were several unchurched ladies there that had been
invited by friends. I'm so thankful that you had a chance to give the
gospel to them." October 2005
This months brings a real treat! I'll be speaking
for a 7 night Eastern Caribbean Singles Cruise from Oct. 2-9. "How To
Float Your Boat and Not Get Stuck in the Moat" will be our theme. Though
I look forward to the fun we'll have together, I'm also anticipating a
great time together in God's Word. It will be great having Mel accompany
me. After returning from the cruise, I'm off to Hilton Head, SC for a
ladies retreat. I'll meet with West Acres BC from Evans, GA to speak in
five Bible studies from Friday pm through Sunday a.m. Maybe I'll get to
enjoy some sun on the beach Saturday afternoon!
September 2005
Just as September's cool mornings and evenings
are so refreshing here at Green Acres, I found great soul refreshment in
wonderful God-blessed meetings in Tennessee last month. May God's good
hand of blessings be continued on this month's programs. In addition to
the weekly television tapings, I'll be at Northside Baptist Church,
Charlotte for an evening service, speaking for a ladies retreat for
First Baptist Church, Ozark, MO, and attending a "Right to the Heart"
Conference in Spartanburg with some of my AWSA (Advanced Writers and
Speakers Association) friends.
August 2005
June 2005
The Summer Slowdown has arrived. I'm looking
forward to using this more relaxed time to read, write, and catch up on
home projects. It's a new season in my life since I am "Home Alone" with
no girls! Nicole is in Lima, Peru for 7 weeks on a mission trip, while
Tara is at Myrtle Beach for 8 weeks with Campus Beach Outreach. I will
continue to tape the weekly "Hearts of Hope" TV program. Look for my
article, "Castles in the Sand," to appear in the August issue of
Home Life magazine. "Bless the Lord O My Soul and all that is within me
bless His holy name. Bless the Lord O My soul & forget not all His
benefits" (Psalm 103). May 2005
This has to be one of the most beautiful times of
the year here in Carolina. Everything is in bloom, and alive. Perhaps
one of the reasons I love Spring so much is because of the Winter I just
left. It is true that "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so
pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would
not be so welcome" (Anne Bradstreet, 'Meditations Divine and Moral,'
1655). God poured out His blessings last month in all the meetings, and
I pray He continues to do so this month as I go to Augusta, GA;
Baltimore, MD; and Vinton, VA. April 2005
Spring is finally here, and the weather is
wonderful here in Carolina! This month I'll be very busy--from
Evansville, IN, Yadkinville, NC, Summerville, SC and Opelika, AL. Three
of the events are ladies conferences where I'll speak three times.
"Spring Always Comes" will be my theme this month. What a good message
of hope for the heart, especially when it seems the winter will never
end. Keep hanging on to hope. The object of our hope, our Lord God,
Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, is always faithful and true. March 2005
Spring is just around the corner, and I'm ready
for it! Signs of new life refresh our hearts after the cold of winter.
This month I'll be speaking at three ladies conferences. Calvary Road
Baptist, Alexandria, VA; Atlantic Shores Baptist, Virginia Beach, and
First Baptist, Bossier City, LA. "Why Pray Anyway?", "When God Says No,"
and "That's What Friends are For" are the three sessions I'll present at
both VA conferences. "Standing On The Promises" will be my theme in LA.
I'm so excited that Kim Hill will be the musician, and Gigi Graham the
other speaker in Bossier City. I can't wait to meet these women that
I've long admired, and feel very honored and humbled to share the
platform with them. February 2005
Winter still has a strong hold on Carolina this month. Thankfully no scheduled programs have been affected. I'll be in Newport,TN and Virginia Beach,VA this month for ladies' conferences as well as two local programs. "Love Evermore" will be the theme of the Valentine's banquet at which I'll speak in Concord, NC. Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The greatest demonstration of love ever seen was when God gave His only Son for us. I am very grateful that I have the privilege of sharing this good news. January 2005
A fresh start! A new beginning---that's what I think of as we begin this new year. God is good to give us the opportunity to begin again, whether it's a new day, a new week, a new month, or a new year. We enter His family by being born anew, born again as we place our total faith in Christ. Let us purpose now to grow in grace and knowledge of Him in 2005. By beginning with this goal ("begin with the end in mind" as Steven Covey says), we'll be able to gage how far we've come when we're singing Christmas carols next December (and believe me--the older I get, the faster it comes!). December 2004
It's been said, "You can give without loving but you can't love without giving." This is the time of year when our eyes are focused on God's love demonstrated in the birth of the Christ-child. "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." As the world around us attempts to squash the real story of Christmas, let us determine to keep the main thing the main thing. It's a great opportunity to share the gospel message. November 2004
Too quickly this year is coming to an end. October 2004
October has arrived here in Carolina with all its
beauty. I'll stay in my home state this month with programs in Clemmons,
Mt. Ulla, Gibsonville, and Gastonia. My girls' volleyball teams continue
their winning streak. Attending their games keeps me running, especially
as we approach tournament finals (Montreat College & First Assembly HS,
Concord). In the midst of all the activity, isn't it good to know that
"the Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in" (Ps. 121:8).
I'm eager to see what God has in store during this beautiful time of
year as Notes of Hope continue to be sown. Looking forward to hearing
from you! September 2004 September arrives with "all systems go!" I'll hold ladies conferences in Summerville SC (Sept. 10-12), and also Conyers, GA (Sept. 24-25), and speak to the women at the Central West Evangelism Conference in Danville, VA Sept. 15th. I'm privileged to be a speaker for the "Truth For a New Generation" Conference in New Haven, CT on Sept. 21. which will be broadcast on SkyAngel. Would you please pray for me? Just as Paul requested, I echo his words: "Pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19). To God be the glory for what He will do!
August 2004
All too quickly summer has passed by! We just returned from the beach. Walking along the water's edge reminded me of David's words: "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard" (Psalm 19:1-3). Just looking at the gorgeous magnificent creation reminds me that such design requires a Designer and isn't the by product of time and chance.
July 2004 I'm flying high after just returning from Atlanta where I attended CBA--the Christian Bookseller's Association, and the AWSA Conference (Advanced Writer's and Speakers Association). What fun to be with dear friends in the same line of ministry. I will spend this month writing--hoping to find a home for my book proposal. The last week of this month, I'll hit the road again with five programs in Carolina. Aren't you thankful that our God promises that He will "Restore my soul, my cup runs over; surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23). What more could you want?!
June 2004
Summer--my favorite time of the year! I'm looking forward to being home this month and catching up on my "to do" list. May brought an unexpected blessing--Marita and Florence Littauer of CLASS asked me to be part of the staff for the CLASSeminar in Atlanta May 24-26. Ninty-five people from thirteen states attended. In addition to leading the music, I also led a group of nine ladies in developing speaking skills. God blessed our time! The magazine LIVING SOLO will publish my article "Trusting God During Hard Times" in their summer issue. I'll be attending the AWSA Conference and CBA in Atlanta June 25-30. In the meantime, "Summertime and the living is easy!" Enjoy this season! May 2004 Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the spring! May is always a busy month--Miss Tara's 17th birthday, Mother's Day, Graduation services (Tara is a Jr. Marshall), exams--and don't forget the Charlotte Coke-a-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (for those of you who aren't NASCAR fans--that's the race! Our high school volleyball team has a Coke booth on Speed Street during that event). RMM, Inc. will take me to several churches in Carolina and Virginia this month. How refreshing to see that "The winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come " (Song of Solomon 2:11-12).
April 2004 Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is my favorite day of the year. "BECAUSE I LIVE, YOU SHALL LIVE ALSO." There would be no NOTES OF HOPE without the defeat of sin, death and Satan on Easter Sunday! The world continues to secularize our Christian Holy Days. That just makes me want to shout even louder, "Hallalujah--He is risen!" This month will find me speaking in Kansas City, MO and Williamsburg VA. Also, I'll be spending a few days with family at our little place at the beach after our Easter celebration. Good news--I have been selected as a contributing author to a new book hitting the bookstores in June by Kregal Publishing--"But Lord, I Was Happy Shallow." My story, "Those People," emphasizes the deceitfulness of pride. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and being with you as God leads us both. Let's take full advantage of this special season to share the good news!
March 2004 Signs of spring are all around and I'm thrilled to see them. Visited by over a foot of snow in February, I am ready to open up and let the fresh air in! It's a note of hope to remember that SPRING ALWAYS COMES! God just keeps blessing RMM, Inc. and I give Him praise for fruitful trips last month. I'll be in GA, TN, and three different NC events this month. After sitting in airports on three different trips (two which were delayed for hours!) I'm glad to do more driving this month! The time of the singing of the birds is here. What a beautiful melody after the cold months of winter!
February 2004 Old Man Winter has worn out his welcome here in Carolina! Snow and ice have visited us several times in the last few weeks! That's why I'm glad to be headed south in February! I'll be flying to Jackson MS and also Jacksonville FL for two weekends of ministry events. The other weeks will find me home in Carolina--First Baptist Coats, and First Baptist Locust. I'm also working to complete a writing project, "Problems and Promises--Standing on the Promises from A to Z" which I hope to complete by the end of the month. I'll be having a birthday party on Feb. 8th--it's not polite to ask me my age! But let's just say if an average lifetime is 75 years, then I'm almost two thirds through! But just like Moses, I believe the best is yet to come!
January 2004 2004 is here! It's a great time to assess where you've been, and where you're going as we face a brand new year. It is true---if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got! If you're not satisfied with areas of your life, decide now to change the input, thereby producing a different output. Since we've creatures of habit, this requires conscious effort on our part. That's not always easy, but the results will be worth it! RMM, Inc. is moving on with the new year under God's leadership. I'm looking forward to talking with you about possibilities to share God's truth with your group. Call the office and let's talk soon!
December 2003
Ready or not, Christmas time is here! Somehow,
with all the extras we throw in, the most wonderful time of the year can
also be the most hectic. Sadly, I see society seeking to eliminate the
real reason for the season. "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings"
have replaced "Merry Christmas" by those who seek political
correctness. Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty are no longer just fun
fantasies, but have taken center stage. The focus is "peace and love,"
not the birth of the Prince of Peace who demonstrated real love by his
substitutionary death on the cross. All of this makes me want to sing
"Go tell it on the Mountain" loud and clear. "Jesus Christ is born."
Take advantage of this month to proclaim the best gift of all,
salvation to all who receive Christ by grace through faith. It is truly
"the gift of God, not of works" and we can only echo Paul's words,
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" November 2003 I can hardly believe November is here! The leaves are just about to reach their peak here at Green Acres. Harvest time is here, and we praise God, the Lord of the Harvest, for the bountiful reaping RMM has experienced this year. This past month was free from the hassles of flying! I drove to southern Virginia for a ladies conference on Kerr Lake, and a Sunday morning service. Small church--Big heart! We laughed and cried! What a great fellowship we had together. The next weekend I headed south to one of my favorite states: Georgia. Blackshear Place Church opened their arms wide to me. Four hundred women packed the fellowship hall on Sat. for a ladies Tea. I then stayed and sang in the morning services. What a pleasant surprise to find that Dr. Nelson Price, and his lovely wife Trudy, are interim staff here! It was just a few years ago that I spoke at Roswell St. BC right before their retirement. Unfortunately, the South Carolina Banquet was cancelled just two days prior to the event. A free weekend home! When these things happen, I have to remind myself that "My times are in your hands." God is in control of the schedule for RMM, Inc. Such good news to share regarding the girls' volleyball! Tara's high school team was runner up in the state finals! She'll start playing junior olympic VB for Charlotte Elite in two weeks. Nicole's college team will finish their Fall program the middle of November. We hope to finish with a strong record of wins! My special Christmas program, "Christmas Evermore," combines favorite songs of the season, both old and new, with the timeless message of the Savior's birth. Call the office if you're interested in finding out more about this fun and inspirational presentation. Isn't is good to know that because "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!" A note of hope we all need to remember!
October 2003 The old gospel song says, "If it keeps getting better and better ol Lord, I don't know what I'm gonna do"--my feelings exactly as I reflect on September's blessings! God has done great things for us & we are glad! The ministry of First Baptist, Jacksonville FL is incredible. I was privileged to speak to six hundred ladies, and also the single parents Sunday school class. On top of that, I got to hear Dr. Jerry Vines preach! The three other churches that hosted me last month were also times of wonderful fellowship and encouragement. Whether a little county church in Lilesville NC, or mega-church in Fl, God is good to draw us to Himself as we seek to lift Him up. The weather is changing here in Carolina as October begins. I'll stay in the mid-Atlantic states this month--VA, NC, SC, and GA. May God put His good hand on our efforts as RMM spreads Notes of Hope in this region. Apart from His blessing, all the time, money and effort are for nothing. We're in the midst of Volleyball season, and experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! With two girls on two different teams, emotions run high and low. So many life lessons are taught through athletics, and attending Nicole and Tara's VB games is one of our favorite activities--especially when they win! Pray for RMM, Inc. Your support is vital! And don't forget--"The world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17)
September 2003
Time to get "on the road again" after a great
summer at home! That means packing bags, shipping books, catching
flights, and sharing Notes of Hope! Florida will be my destination
two times this month as I go first to West August 2003 It’s sad but true---summertime, with it’s relaxed pace and fun, is quickly coming to an end. I have absolutely LOVED being home in June and July. My “to do” list is shorter, but not finished. My family and I have enjoyed being together, both here at Green Acres and also at the beach. Mel and I have one last get away weekend planned to Charleston. When we return, Nicole will return to Catawba College, Tara will start the 11th grade, and I’ll be gone most weekends as I get back to work! August finds me high on the mountain top at First Baptist, Bryson City, NC and then in the lush Piedmont at First Baptist, Summerville. I hope to complete a new writing project that I’ve been working on over the summer. Look for my articles in the following magazines: Aug/Sept Focus on The Family-Single Parent edition ("Reflections On A Loss"), Jill Briscoe's Fall Issue of Just Between Us ("Struggling With Forgiveness"), and Living Solo's Fall Issue ("Better Wise Up"). And don't forget--the brook would lose it's song without the rocks and stones! Keep singing,
June 2003 “Summer time and the living is easy!” It’s been a very busy year, and I am looking forward to a sweet summer at Green Acres! The first half of the year ended with a bang! Let me fill you in on May’s activities. A wonderful surprise was given to me the first week of May. Florence Littauer, founder of Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Seminar Inc. (CLASS) requested that I be a CLASS staff member for the program at First Baptist, Spartanburg, SC. For four days, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help train future speakers, lead them in music, getting to know Florence, Marita, Lauren, and the other staff members. To be with ladies who enjoy talking as much as I do was so much fun! I found myself high on the mountaintop when speaking at First Baptist, Cashiers, NC (the village looked like a storybook setting) and the next weekend in the South Carolina low country at Erhardt SC. The pastor and his wife are friends from college days (that definitely makes us “old friends!”). Two churches in the NC Piedmont area, Oak Grove Baptist and Friendly Ave closed out the first semester. Once again, I was reunited with friends from my younger days, and also blessed to make new ones! God is so good to give us the gift of friendship, and I feel I have been blessed above and beyond in this area. Tara turned sweet sixteen May 1, and will soon be driving (what will I do with myself when I am no longer the number one taxi driver?!). Miss Nicole finished her first year at Catawba College with a 4.0 and is now home, working at a restaurant when not working at volleyball camps. Bobby Jo, one of our seven goats, has just blessed us with two new kids. Becky and Bo Bo now join the herd. I wish they stayed little and cute like they are now! I plan to take care of home projects, write, work in my yard, tape the TV show, and spend time at our beach place! It’s going to be a relaxing time, and I look forward to it! I know it will end all too soon. A word to think about: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Sailing on,
April 2, 2003 April brings programs in Chattanooga TN, Vicksburg MS, and Burlington NC. Following Easter Sunday, our family will go to the beach for fun in the sun. Your support and love encourage my heart. Remember to make the most of today: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, Today is a gift--I guess that's why they call it THE PRESENT!" in Him,
March 10, 2003 Even in the midst of winter elements, February was a great month. I stayed close to home with three weekend ministry events in NC: Supply, Wilmington, and Wendell. All three of these pastors had me come to their previous pastorates, so I enjoyed being with them again, and seeing how God is using them in their new positions. The first two weekends of March found me in the mountains of Ga (wow--what beauty), and the hills of Alabama! Again, these programs were booked by friends from both college and seminary days! Each place brings new friends that I wish lived next door! Won't heaven be so much fun with all the people we wish we could be with more often here! Theologian and author Peter Kuzmic said, "Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; faith is the courage to dance to it today!" Keep on Dancing!! in Him,
February 7, 2003 Liz Curtis Higgs, Alicia Willisom, Foreign Missionary Anne Dent, and myself did just that, and God blessed. The next day, we repeated the same program to 1350 ladies at First Baptist Church, Shandon in Columbia. Afterwards, I was convinced that we had reached our peak--it was wonderful. BUT the best was yet to come! On Feb. 1, 3000 ladies packed into First Baptist, Columbia. let me tell you, the praise went up and the glory came down! What an honor to be part of such a tremendous program. You had to "be there!" You may order an audio tape or video tape if you missed it (see order form- coming soon!). I promise you--you'll be blessed! in Him, |
|
||
