Brenda’s Blog – December 13, 2022

“Joy costs – there is nothing free.”

My son-in-law and I were laughing about the “privilege” of material ownership. He and my daughter had just completed winterizing their boat and undergoing regular maintenance. “But just remember all the happy hours you spend riding on the lake with friends,” I said with my positive voice.

He quickly and wise responded, “Joy costs… there is nothing free.” Yes, indeed.

Marketing and advertising textbooks tell us the word “Free” grabs attention faster than any others. This was true decades ago when I was in college and is still true today. Think of the way it is used and draws us in, grabbing us, even if just briefly. It got “eyeballs!”

But when we read the small print carefully we realize there is always a catch.

We talk about the gift of salvation is free, don’t we? We talk about grace as receiving something which is undeserved. But on closer examination we see that without a doubt – our salvation may be unearned by us, but it is NOT free… it cost the second person of the Trinity dearly. He paid with His life so that we could live forever in fellowship with the great God, creator of heaven and earth.

As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation may we joyfully remember He came into our midst to bring redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. As someone said, “He moved into our neighborhood.” Yes! He became one of us, yet without sin. Hallelujah!

May you walk in faith, hope, and truth as you think about what Christmas means.

Brenda’s Blog – November 29, 2022

It is almost 5:00 on a Saturday afternoon. Every window brings in beautiful fall sunshine. The leaves are creating a patterned ground covering resembling a Persian carpet. The poem, Pippa’s Song comes to mind: “God’s in His heaven, all’s right in the world.” The crisp, fresh air invigorates and makes me smile.

Twenty-four hours ago I was gathering pillows, rugs, flashlights, bottled water, closed-toe shoes, head covering, and my charged up phone. Why? The weather report went from “storm predicted, to tornado watch, to tornado warning with those frightening words, “Find your windowless, inside place and shelter.”

For the next hours I sat on my ottoman with the weather warnings blaring “now crossing I-20, spotted north of Hawkins.” Thankfully the power stayed on. 600 of the 1800 homes in our community lost power, but through the several hours of hunkering down in my “tornado closet” the lights, TV, and appliances hummed along without a glitch.

Yes, we had a tremendous storm with lightning streaks, thunder, and rain, but the tornado turned away. I awoke to a classic November morning.

What a difference a day made!

Tonight I will go to sleep only to wake up with an extra hour. What happened? I didn’t time travel; I didn’t step through into the Twilight Zone. No, I crossed that mysterious, Congress-imposed “time change.” In the wee hours we fell back. I remember last year when I was traveling on this weekend. I went West gaining two time zones, so my fall back was three hours!

It takes so very little for an experience to change the trajectory of our lives, doesn’t it? A phone call, a visit, an invitation, a business decision – all can take such a short time with such long term consequences. Lively wisely means keeping our eyes open to see the blessings of each day and working hard to appreciate them. Each day is an opportunity to fully share grace with others, making a difference in their days.

Brenda’s Blog – November 15, 2022

“It just happened.”

The concept of randomness is prevalent in our society, despite all evidence to the contrary.

A friend explained marital infidelity with those three words. There was no recognition of the many decision points between fidelity and infidelity. “I certainly didn’t plan it- it just happened.” Denial.

To the contrary my Dad gave me an eagle with these words on the base: “soaring never just happens.” Thought, discipline, and sacrifice are foundational not casual coincidence.

Likewise, my current study of worldviews reinforces my appreciation for intentional, divine creation. The Designer brought purpose, function, joy, and delight together exquisitely to speak mankind and all nature into existence.

Think about your experiences; look at the patterns; and consider that they didn’t “just happen.” Take a minute to enjoy the process. And if there are darker chapters, understand the decisions leading to those actions, learn from them, and move forward in the light.

Brenda’s Blog – November 1, 2022

“They never have anybody pray, so I just volunteered.”

My son’s words still remain in my mind.

Their entire family of six volunteered to fill food packages for distribution to Guatemala. Feeding His Starving Children operates 30 sessions each week, drawing volunteers from the Minneapolis area. Fifty percent of them are under 18 representing church, school, community groups, and families who come to serve together.

My grandson Will wanted the family to go as part of his birthday celebration. I was blessed to be visiting and was included in the effort.

On that particular Saturday meals sufficient for thousands of orphans were boxed and prepared for shipment.

When the session ended the ministry leader announced they were going to pray over the pallets as they send them to Guatemala.

“Does anyone want to pray?” My son moved quickly to the front and prayed earnestly and clearly in the name of Jesus.

As we walked out he said, “Whenever we come, no one volunteers to pray, so I did.”

It made me think… where can I step into a vacuum? Maybe it is not public prayer, but it can be a word of kindness, an errand run, a message of hope or comfort… wherever you can say, “I could, so I did.”

Brenda’s Blog – October 18, 2022

Steve Brown is a Bible teacher from Florida whose well-known tag line when he finishes a radio program or a sermon is always ”Now you think about that.”

A.W. Tozer said, “What you think about when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”
The Bible says, “As a man thinks, so is he.”

Growing up I was encouraged to say “I think” rather than “I feel.” As an adult I now know both are important and each is indicative of particular personality types. We also know our behavior follows thoughts and feelings. Action doesn’t spring out of thin air; it has a solid basis.

Watching college students for years I soon learned what was important to them. It was what they talked about – and especially who they talked about. People in love cannot avoid mentioning the other because the relationship fills their thoughts.

Recently the phrase “top of mind” made the news. That is exactly what it is. We fill our minds with seemingly limitless data, but some of it rises to the top and commands our attention. More than that, it often determines our behavior. Compulsions and premeditated crimes are literally outcomes of “top of mind” obsession.

Our creator knows us and in His design He built in the ability to filter and choose our thoughts. We are given categories on which to focus (e.g. true, honorable, pure, of good reputation, etc.). We are instructed to capture our thoughts and manage what we spend time thinking about.

Dad once told me he came in to say goodnight and I was still awake, sitting on my bed and looking out the window. “Why aren’t you asleep?” “How can anybody sleep when there is so much to think about?” was my answer. Oh, to be that little girl!
It is easy in our media-sated culture to avoid thinking, but how much poorer we are. We were given minds as a fantastic tool. Using them to grow healthy and helpful is a rich opportunity.

Brenda’s Blog – October 4, 2022

“Sorry, he wasn’t heying you – he was talking to me.”

As I walked through the grocery the lady directly in front of me stopped dead in her tracks. She looked around with a puzzled expression. Then a store employee walked out of the office, looked at the customer, and apologized.

Living in Texas for years has accustomed me to “fixin’ to,” “y’all,” and especially “all y’all.” But I wasn’t prepared for “heying you.” It made me think about the different ways we get someone else’s attention. I grew up with “hey, you,” was quite familiar with “youse guys,” but it made me smile to see the relief on the customer’s face when she realized she wasn’t being called.

Then I started thinking about the way we communicate with each other – and particularly the way we get attention. We can wave, wink an eye, or even reach out to connect. We can clear our throats with a not-so-subtle “ahem,” or we can politely offer a “pardon me, please.” It is interesting to sit in public places and watch the male/female dance that starts with a quick glance; perhaps move on to a light smile, then if the signals are right, results in lingering eye contact. No words are spoken, but the message is clear.

As I thought about it more deeply I thought about how God contacts us. How does He get our attention? How do we know He has something to say to us? Theologians talk about general and special revelation: the magnificence of nature is there for all to experience. The awesomeness of the Rockies, the powerful roar of Niagara Falls, or the vast plains with their miles of crops… all are unspoken messages from the God of creation shared with everyone. These are examples of general revelation.

Special revelation is indeed that – special. It is a term that talks about the way God communicates with us through the Bible, His written Word, and through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh to bring us back into relationship after our genetic father Adam lost our access to heaven. There are no heys, howdies, or youse guys – there is just the powerful message that in the beginning God created; and in the incarnation God recreated.

Glorious! Let’s study the Word, let’s hear Him as we pray, and let’s celebrate the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s eagerly share the mystery of the God-man, second person of the Trinity, and Savior. May we be intent on calling to others with the great news of the God who calls us. And may we pray the Holy Spirit is surely “heying” others, bringing them into the Kingdom and into the conversation.

Brenda’s Blog – September 20, 2022

The voice rang out: “Three Cheers for the King!” What started as a prelude to a toast has now become a familiar chant for the monarch. In that large crowd, the calls rang out! Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip Hooray! They were expressing their approval, their encouragement, and good wishes.

This joyful noise immediately brought my friend Becky to mind. In her last weeks of completing her Doctorate of Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary, she received a severe diagnosis of uterine cancer. She took it on as a calling, creating a vibrant support group at Dallas Baylor Hospital, speaking, putting together volumes from stories of the support group women’s journeys. Her ministry looked much different than her plan. This was not serving in a church as Women’s Minister, but working day by day in a world of women whose lives were about pain, suffering, and death.

In a speech she spoke the promise of God’s presence. She lifted up the reality of Christian faith in the darkest of times. She challenged the women to look to Jesus for meaning, security, and confidence.

As she concluded her stirring message she lifted her hands and exclaimed “Hope, Hope, Hooray! Hope, Hope, Hooray! Hope, Hope, Hooray!” Becky expressed her approval of the God who was with her, the encouragement for those who were walking the cancer road, and eternal good wishes for life with Him even when the earthly time ended.

Brenda’s Blog – September 6, 2022

“I am proud of myself for adulting today.”

My comment to my daughter made both of us laugh. At nearly 80 wouldn’t you think I had conquered all possible hindrances to maturity? But no –

Last week an allergy attack left me with puffy eyes and a most unattractive stye. Ordinarily I would ignore it. However, on Saturday I was beginning a ten month program of study with a required meeting in Dallas. A short email message tied me in knots: “The first thing will be an individual photo session for the directory. Come prepared.”

I looked in the mirror, hoping the lumpy, bumpy eyelid was now smooth. Instead, it seemed enlarged. I actually entertained thoughts of asking permission to have my photo done with sunglasses. Then, it got serious – I considered not attending.

Then I started the growing up process. First, I got up at 4:30am, drove to Dallas, took off my sunglasses, got in the photo line – and adulted!

You know what happened? I stopped thinking about myself, engaged in the lectures, discussion, and group interactions. No one drew back in sheer horror, or proposed to eliminate me from the program.

C.S. Lewis says, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” It reminds me maturity includes developing humility and a sense of reality. Adulting is an exercise in humility.

At the end of Saturday I thought back to high school and the time I missed an important leadership conference because it was a bad hair day and I couldn’t face anybody “like that.” At least I have made progress in the intervening 60 years.

Have fun as you practice adulting and let me know how you are doing.

Brenda’s Blog – August 23, 2022

“Welcome to the future, Gram.”

My 13 year old grandson told me about his enjoyment of the TV show, Monk. “Oh, I like that show, too. I watch it when I can’t sleep because it is on from 1-4am at home.”

“Do you want to watch one with me?” “Yes, I would love that. What time is it on?”

“We stream it, and watch it whenever we want to – we don’t have to wait for it to be on a TV channel. Welcome to the future, Gram.” I laughed and laughed. I felt like he was explaining how to use a car, leaving the horse and buggy in the barn!

My Dad used to say “principles never change, just the illustrations.” It is crucial to have a timeless foundation and timely applications. When we were raising the children our way of saying it was: “give them roots and wings.”

My future-oriented grandson teaches me about bloggers, YouTube videos, and fantasy games. I can teach him about character, perseverance, and love. The ancient truths of Biblical wisdom never become obsolete. My responsibility is to stay curious about all the “what’s new” pieces of his world while enjoying the opportunity to talk about sustainable values.

The sixty-five years between us evaporates when we laugh, marvel, and learn from each other. I may be older, but am trying to avoid getting old. His exuberance oils my imagination and my eagerness for all things new. Of course, there are times when my travels around the sun allow me to see potholes, and mine fields. My challenge is to warn in a helpful way, without wagging a finger. My concern must be based on God’s wisdom and love – two everlasting tent posts.

He may introduce me to on demand Monk… great fun! And, my desire is to encourage him as he grows in knowledge, good decision-making, and the joy of following Jesus. I, too, welcome him to the future!

Brenda’s Blog – August 9, 2022

“Some of my most significant life events happened at an altar.” Jack Graham, Pastor Prestonwood Church

As I drove down the road early one morning I listened to the sermon of Jack Graham. His subject was total surrender to God’s will. I thought back over my life, recalling several key moments kneeling at an altar dedicating my life; standing before an altar pledging marital fidelity, and joining hands with family members as we said goodbye to beloved parents.

Then, in typical Brenda-fashion, I started hearing the word roll around, changing its meaning. Altar became alter. But they really are not so very unlike.

I heard a woman bemoaning additional weight the other day… ”I used to blame my dryer for shrinking my clothes, but I was wrong – it was the refrigerator’s fault.” Clothes that used to be a tad too big now hug my ample late fourth quarter body. How thankful I am for elasticized waists!

Living for nearly 80 years gives me the advantage – a robust selection of rear view mirror experiences. I can look back on moments of alteration when critical changes were made. Some shocked me while others quietly creeped up. Some were received with boundless joy while others took my breath away and threw me into a spin. But all were alterations!

And even better than that – they were altar-ations. They were brought into my life by the hand of a loving, gracious, all-powerful God. When I kneeled in recognition of His goodness my heart experienced peace preciously unknown. Peace with God and the peace of God gave me an acceptance of alterations and made each day one to practice altar-ations.