The Things We Do For Love

I've always loved all kinds of music. My college and early career pursuits were in classical music, and I'd prayed on and off for years for an opportunity to participate in that again. I've been teaching piano, choir, and voice for over thirty years, and served in church music all my life. I'd thought about starting a group here in my home town. Last fall, my prayers were answered. Enter the Chorus of the Big Bend, led by a talented young man, Alex Cordero.

I love it! Alex has gathered a group of enthusiasts, young and not so young, who all have some kind of musical background. The music has challenged us, inspired us, and we hope the same for our community. I jumped in with both feet, but forgot something.  I'm not as young as I used to be.

I'd forgotten that my blood pressure issues make it hard for me to stand for long periods of time, and my knees don't like it either. Ah, I long now for the days when I could stand and sing for hours on our worship team, or a for a whole concert. I remember singing in operas that included kneeling, walking around, standing.

No more just learning the music. Before rehearsal, and especially before a concert, there is a rather involved preparation. It doesn't always get done before a rehearsal because I go straight from work, but I do my best.

1. Pray
2. Stay off my feet as much as possible.
3. Drink a lot of water
4.. No eating after lunchtime (digestion effects my blood pressure).

5. Take blood pressure medicine 2 hours before rehearsal/concert.

6. Take 2 Aleve and a packet of EmergenC or a Baobab tea an hour before.

7. Rub pain stuff into knees.

8. Drop some peppermint oil into my necklace oil infuser. Seems to help if I start feeling wonky.

9. Pray.

80 pounds lost has helped a great deal, and I'm still losing. But either way, I don't mind the preparations, because I love what we're doing. Besides the music, it's been great to be with people that I've known for a long time, but never really spent much time with. The camaraderie building in the group is encouraging. The men don't mind lending a helping a hand to those needing a help up stairs. Grateful thanks to Chris Alexander who installed a rail on the side of the stage.

We have a concert tonight, and I'm really looking forward to it. I've arranged to get off work early so I can be fully prepared to do my best. But essentially, when we're singing, I'm not young or old, feeble or strong, just a human connecting with music, my community, and my Lord.


If you're local, come on out. I know you'll love it.

Devo Thursday

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." 2 Peter 3:14

Spots, I've got 'em. Aging isn't for sissies, that's for sure. Makeup, I own it, use it, sell it. My favorite product is concealer. My morning routine includes dotting the wonderful stuff on my age spots that congregate and hold serious meetings on my face. They are effective recruiters, these spots, because the congregation grows each year. 

Peter was referring to the new heaven and the new earth, a time when Christ will reign. He is coming for a spotless bride. I'm so grateful that my sin spots have vanished because of the Lord's sacrifice for me. His death and resurrection makes me spotless and at peace with Him.

 There is nothing I can do to cover the spot of sin in my life. My sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Aren't you glad that we are "saved by grace, and that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God." (Eph. 2:8)

I think of this each time I put my face on in the morning. Each imperfection reminds me that through our precious Savior, we are washed clean. 

Guest Post Gayle Ferguson

Our guest blogger this week is my sweet friend, Gayle Ferguson. Her comment to Monday's post was so beautiful, I thought it worth repeating.

These lyrics from Les Miserable hold the key to what most of us feel as we get older:

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

So many of us as we age,have had our dreams crushed or we abandoned them by the wayside due to other obligations taking their place. But as Christians, we need to hold tight to the promises God has made to us.Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

If we believe we are loved,then we must know that God wants to encourage our dreams.The dreams you hold onto were put there inside you by the one who created you.He knows your talents,your personality. It is not an accident that wine gets better with age.We can also see that with age, our hearts grow softer,our compassion greater,our depth of understanding situations priceless.

Take those small steps, with each step your courage builds,and you step into your own true self.But don't stop there,be an encouragement to others who have been battered by life as well,reach out to them and show them that it all starts with Faith,and that love will carry them the rest of the way.

What would you say to someone whose given up on their dreams?

Plenty of Time

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

It has been said "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy." I have always been busy; homeschooled six children, thriving ministry, now six grandchildren and a full time job - not to mention home businesses, friends family...you know what I mean.

As a Christian, it's a given that we are to order our steps according to God's will for our lives.  My struggle lately has been stressing over how quickly time is passing.  I sometimes feel my age and the rapid spiral this world is taking toward the second coming of Christ. Will I get it all done?

That kind of stress is not the "peace that passes all understanding" that we are supposed to have.  I realize as I pray about these things today, that there is plenty of time as long as I am walking in the will of God. If I have wasted time, then I should repent and order my steps anew.  He is not going to take me out of this world until I have fulfilled my purpose; my days are numbered and safe in His hand. Whether I have five minutes, five years, or 50 years remaining, I am safe in the palm of His hand and my plans will succeed if my plans are commited to Him.  I have plenty of time!