Catalytic Converters....

What does a Catalytic Converter do for a car?  Well, it is part of the exhaust system and keeps it from making a loud rumbling or roaring sound - a bit like the muscle cars in the 1960's when the owner wanted it to sound loud to get attention!

So, why are people stealing these so often in today's world?  The reason is that they have precious metals in them such as platinum, palladium and rhodium - copper, silver and gold.  They sell it to make money!  And, it is a hot item right now is most cities.  Our church parking lot has been the source of several thefts and it boggles my mind that people have the skill to cut these parts off so quickly in broad daylight when no one is looking!  Seriously???

So, why am I writing about this?  Because my car just had its catalytic converter stolen this week.......another part of the saga in car repairs this past month.  But no worries! I am not telling you this for sympathy, but  to show how God is working in my life and my son's to bring redemption!!!

What is a Cataclysm?  It is a violent and sudden upheaval.  Well, having this part stolen has been sudden and it has been and upheaval in my life.  Cataclysm, catalytic, cathartic.

It's all part of a figurative way of purging my emotions and testing my faith. And, it is bringing healing!  Yes, "All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His prupose!!!"  (Romans 8:28)  All, not some, not part, not most, but ALL.

Despite the fact that this part being stolen is wrong (and annoying), God is working in my heart (and my son's) to show me that He is still in control!  He is still on the Throne!!  He is Sovereign!!!

Matt commented to me on Thanksgiving Day that he KNOWS there is a God because his mom is a praying mom and his life is a witness to God's Sovereignty!!!  Through all the trials and tribulations and  multiple life-threating experiences he has had in his life, he know he is still alive because him mom prays!  This is NOT about me.  It is about GOD.  It is about PRAYER. And, this is a HUGE revelation for my son!  HUGE!!!  

And, to me, this is about God's Glory!!!  When we pray, He is faithful!!!  And this entire experience

shows me that the God who watches over us indeed does watch over us. 

He never leaves us.  

He never forsakes us.

He IS faithful.

Always.  

What catalyst is at work in YOUR Life this week?

Sweet Memories...

Memories.....sweet remembrances of my family fill my mind and heart at this time of year.  We live 643-840 miles apart, but we love each other tremendously!  I realize that we are very lucky in our family to be so close and to want to talk to each other and spend time together.  I know some families do not share that closeness and I wish I could change that for several friends who do not have that closeness.  And, I am very grateful that our family does share that closeness!  I do not mean that as a boast, that is a true place a gratitude in my heart!!!  I know it is rare and I cannot thank God enough for it every day!

I have two older sisters and one younger brother, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law, plus my son, three wonderful nieces, two incredible nephews, two amazing great nieces and my brother's two grandkids.  We have so much fun together when we are able to get together.........most of my family lives in Ohio,Texas and Virginia, and one recently moved to Belize.  Recalling their faces and their smiles fills my heart with joy.  We tease, we joke, we laugh, we taunt each other and we love each other.  Goofiness abounds when we are together!

My siblings and I have a series of "decade" photos:  Our thirty-something, forty-something, fifty-something and our sixty-something years we have captured in photos!!!  It is so much fun, but how did we get that old???  Ha! Ha!  My oldest sister turns 70 this year, so a new decade is upon us.  Wow............six decades of love and joy and laughter and yes, heartache, sorrow and tears have filled our paths as well.  But, what holds us together is LOVE!

A deep abiding love that stems from our parents and grandparents and great grandparents! Despite the troubles we have seen, we still gather and enjoy each other's company and cherish those moments.

Tell me, do you have sweet memories of your family or friends in your life?  I hope so!  Cherish them!  Enjoy them!  Spend time with them.  Tell them how much they mean to you!  Tell them as often as you can!!!  Don't take for granted that they "know" you love them...........tell them!  Show them! Hug them!!!

As I write out my Thanksgiving cards again this year, there is a saying that I found years ago that expresses the depth of my heart:

"Like an old country road,

Our Thanksgiving memories always lead us to the warm, familiar places we love...

And to the cherished faces waiting there."

Go to those warm, familiar places..........cherish those faces........let go of any unpleasant things of the past.....let by-gones be by-gones!  Forgive..........start over.......call them, text them, email them, have lunch or dinner with them, take them to the grocery, run errands with them, pick up leaves with them, throw snowballs at them.........whatever way you can find to show your heart.........and love, really love those in your life!  Tell them often!!!

GROW = Gracious Riches of Wonder

 Have you ever wondered how there are so many ways to GROW??  Cities grow, countries grow, plants grow, trees grow, grass grows, children grow, adults grow and somehow inside each of us, our souls grow.

I would love for you to consider going on this journey with me!  Recently, my church in Cincinnati had a 5 week journey of exploring how we each can GROW in our walk toward God.  Feel free to listen to the 5 sermons as they are very helpful and full of lots of challenges for you to GROW!  Just go to Crossroads.net/journey and watch all five weeks of lessons!  They are each about 20 minutes to listen to and have incredible tips on how to grow in your relationship with God!

Here is a listing of the five weeks:

1) Connect with God daily.

2) Receive teaching weekly

3) Share your story!

4) Get Baptized

5) Join Community

As the Grow Guide states (ask online for one to be sent to you, if you like!), for any relationship to grow, communication is the key - it is critical!  And, a relationship with God is NO different!  Check it out.....the more you talk to God, read His Word (The Bible) and ask lots of questions! Pick a time of day that works for you and start with 5 minutes of talking to God.  He is listening!

Each week that you listen to one of the messages, you can take a note pad and jot down what you learn.  Then, try to apply ONE thing that following week that you learned.

As you probably know, regular reading of God's Word is always good for our soul.  We GROW as we learn about what God wants to tell you in the pages of scripture.  Trying readying Matthew 5 which includes the Sermon on the Mount - check it out!

Believe it or not, you have an interesting story to tell!  Yes, YOU!  You have gone through experiences in this life that perhaps many have never experienced yet.  This sermon series teaches you how to create a way to share your story.  It is powerful because it's YOUR story - no one else has lived your life!  And, you have valuable information that can help others on their way.  Try it!

Baptism is a public display of our inward devotion for God and a decision to follow Jesus.  It's simple. And, it's amazing!  Even if you were baptized as a baby, you can declare your love for God by getting baptized as an adult.  Check out various churches in your area who will help you learn why and how to do just that.  Crossroads-Christian Church in Shawnee, KS is wonderful to explore this option!

Finally, we were meant to be experience life together.  If you don't have a community of friends or a church that you call home, I hope that you will explore new options for yourself soon.  The New Testament is a collection of books written to GROUPS of people:  The Colossians, the Ephesians, the Corinthians, etc.  Each city had its own set of people who lived in community together.  They broke bread and ate meals together, they worked together on the farms, in the fields, in their cities, in the barns, etc.  And, they did it all together! There's a wonderful scripture in Matthew 18:20 that says:

"Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am among them."

Think about that!  The presence of God right in the midst of your community!

There are SO many ways to explore how to grow in your Journey to God!

If you know me well, you know that I love acronyms!  So, here is one to consider:

GROW = Gracious Riches of Wonder.

God gives us so many riches every day and they are glorious and gracious:  Sunrises, sunsets, daily sunshine, rain to water the earth, trees  that turn beautiful colors in the Fall and give us a sense new growth in the Spring, flowers, vegetables and gardens that grow continuously, friends, family, co-workers, prayer partners, bicycle clubs, car pool groups, bunko groups, crochet groups, quilting clubs, etc. etc. etc.  The list goes on and on.........what can you add to your list of gracious riches in your life?

There is SO much wonder, too: the wonder of life, the wonder of marriage, the wonder of friendship, the awe and admiration of nature and so many things to marvel at how they came to be!  

Try taking an hour and be curious about something you have never explored before and see if you cannot find the wonder of something you have never known before.  It will be amazing!  

And, you will GROW because of it!!