Soothe

That's what the rain did today. Soothed. And still kinda does as I type this.

Today the last song I hear on the radio as I pulled into Inspiring Body of Church's parking lot, was the classic "The Closer I Get To You" with Roberta Flack and the late, great Donny Hathaway. I hurried to my seat, because it was close to service time and Bear is the last person I pass to get to one. Bear was ready to give the group prayer. After Bear finished, I told him how good it is to hear him do prayer--Bear beamed. And said what I truly believe, "It's all God." Did I ever say Bear looks good in a suit?

IBOC's Pastor Rickie Rush taught a lesson on how to get thru disappointments. He used cripture from the Old Testament, The Book of Jeremiah. The lesson included Pastor Rush discussing a ride on a roller coaster and when he was little and stole chocolate out of his mom's purse. The chocolate which really was Exlax--this lesson dealt with what God has called you to do and how you are always in His hands. Trust me--it ALL worked! :)

Got school work done. Never cleaned the house--imagine that--smiled at my backyard flowers and the leaves on the pecan tree. The scent of burgandy roses waltzed to my nose and then I smiled how a cat with dandelions is dee-lightful sight of Spring.

I am blessed.

Ahh..

My extra long weekend does waltz to its end. Kinda bummed about that since it's been a wonderful few days...

Church was grand! It amazes me how IBOC's Pastor Rickie Rush, gives the message I need to hear. This time how Satan can play with your mind, when you're not as prayerful as you should be. I admit, I'm guilty. Have what I call a prayer pedestal (it's really a ceramic thing that held up a glass coffee table top) which I've not used as I use to. My cats perch on it tho. In days before, t I'd kneel before it and lay my hands, other times I'd wail, while other times I'd give praise.

Gotta get back to it.

On top of that, Bear and I had a sweet, short chat after service. I'm amazed, again how in a crowd of hundreds, we spot each other.

As I write this, tis early evening. The sun still shines. Gotta enjoy it before the sun sets.

I am blessed.

January 1, 2010 is Friday

Headed to Inspiring Body of Christ Church tonight--Over 4400 of my closest and dearest friends headed there to get a Word from Pastor Rickie Rush. And the music! No booze, but was as if everyone was higher than a kite, cause the music was pumpin and the brass section was smokin! Just had to be there. And oh yea, best is yet to come!

Got in my car at 1:15 AM for my 20 mile trip home. No prob. Came home and did what I've done since New Year's Eve 2003--say my State of Union Prayer for the New Year. Before the house, I stood on my apartment balcony--hoping there wouldn't be some stray reveler's bullet finding it's way to me. This night I stood in my back yard and gandered at the full moon, the stars, and wondered which planet was which. Then, as I still prayed, I walked my back yard and felt so grateful, the little lady who lived here loved plants. She made sure flowers bloomed all year round. Maybe this year, I'll finally add my own touch.

Ahh. 2010. A fresh slate. Excited. It's all out in front and all I need to say:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday Special Order

Gotta admit, eventho Pastor Rickie Rush of Inspiring Body of Christ Church, preached a shorter (for him) sermon today, the words still hit me right upside the head.

How DOES that happen?

Anyway, of late, I've wondered why things have passed me by, while others have prospered. With some of them, I do admit I didn't believe they deserved their prosperity.

Pastor Rush said the devil isn't after you for what you've done, but for what he knows God has planned for you. God has put desires in your heart, which you must tell Him. The devil knows this, and out to ruin you is the plan.Made sense to me. For I was born with one ear, my mom dies when we were both too young, the on-going inner fight of how I didn't need or want anybody's help for anything--to me, at the time, was a sign of weakness, if I did ask for help, and then the chums who have known me for years, either ry to poke fun at my Walk, and/or try to remind how I was once upon a time. OK--like I can really forget, and honestly, there are times I still smile at the memories, and/or they don't really like when I 'preach' on my blog.

Oh well and too bad.

And the stuff of present day. Pastor Rush said, while you wait in line, you learn patience. HA! Well, I'm still learning that--better than before, yet more to go. It's all about to have a special order. Something I need to get ready for. Seen images in my mind. Scary--yet like what I see lots. I gotta be close, because this scar from my little open-heart surgery reminds me everyday (especially when it itches) how far I've come.

And He didn't bring me this far to leave me.

Stay tuned.

Yea, well...

I'm pissed. I admit it.

To gripe ain't gonna help.

Need to look within myself to see

What there is to see.

Prayer. Faith.

Will not paint myself with impatience.

Done that much all my life-

Yea, I'm pissed

And no Blue Bell Ice Cream in the freezer to ease....

Prayer, Faith. Will ease all true.

Ice cream awaits tomorrow.

I'm pissed. I admit it.

Yet, I remain blessed.

My Birthday...My Bench

My day isn't over yet. Phone still rings with those to add their wishes for a great birthday. Feels quite nice. Even my cats have been good and plus, I'm off again tomorrow...LOVE that!

Most of my day was spent with friends, as will be the rest of the week. In fact, I just came from dining with Movie Man. He looked all spiff in his shirt and slacks-just came straight from work-while me in my shorts, Tazmainian Devil t-shirt and tenny shoes. Perfect pair. :) See, before I met up with Movie Man, I think I did my most fun thing today.

I went for a walk. After all it was National Walking Day--I LOVE being national!--and I walked around the park I spent so much time on. Especially during my recuperation from open-heart surgery, in 2006, when I wondered if I would ever get around it -just once- and not have to sit on one of the benches-before I continued on.

My walk around the park, which is about 20 miles from my house, was my chance to reflect and be grateful. Honestly, I couldn't wait to sit on my Forrest Gump bench. I've missed it. How many times, in the last three years I sat there after my laps? Just to look up to the trees, the sky and talk out loud to God? Then smiled when the wind's kiss rustled thru the trees and carressed my face. I knew I had been heard.

Funny how things change. In yester-decades' birthdays I was always out. Usually partied pretty hard too. I reminded a chum of my 35th birthday where--well...hmm...let's just say, another time another place. A good time was had by all that night and I got home about 4 am. Even at my 40th birthday, some guy tried to tell me how his wife just didn't understand him, and why don't we just take a bath together?

I digress.

The point I'm trying to make, my birthdays have been memorable, some more than others. But these days, there's a small thing that sticks out. And today that was my walk. I walked for my parents and for me. I walked for the fact I was their last chance at a baby after four stillborns. Because of one more try, I'm here. My mom and I stayed in the hospital for almost a month after my birth because she wasn't well enough to go home. I walked for the memory my dad's annual story of how the nurse whisked me past him. I screamed at the top of my lungs while the nurse said, "Don, it's a girl!' and Dad said he just saw all this black hair. And I walked to remember Dad would call me at 4:37 am on each April 8 to wish me Happy Birthday. He's been gone eight years and I still expect that call. I walked because even at this age, my gift is to my parents is to do the best I can. For them. To make them proud. Then my bench gave me rest.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Stay tuned.

Sunday Something

Pastor Rickie G. Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church, preached from 2 Corinthians 4:18 today. What you see is temporary, what you don't see is eternal. How God breaks you to get YOU ready for the blessings--His plan for YOU. Your decision are not His decisions.

Yea. Feel all of that. I know I'm better than what I was. A work in progress--that's what I am--with more ways to go. I need to rejoice more in what I have--instead of worrying so much what I don't have. Which, honestly. are material things.

Oh wait, except for the man, I don't have in my life. That's not material. It's flesh. But yet, one of those things God is getting me prepared for. Just didn't want to be 100 when Mister Right Are You Still Breathing Now? appears. I digress.

I look around and open my eyes to what God has blessed me with. It's the little things. The little things, I claim should make me happy--that have grown into big things. A purr of a cat. A touch of a friend. The laughter of children--of all ages-including my own.
How He continues to prepare me. To make the images, He's flashed in my brain, come to be. I have to be ready. I can't force it. He's know what's right. I need to release more, give Him all my troubles and just give Him glory.

He doesn't ask for much.

He's not brought me this far to leave me.

I am blessed.

Tuesday Results....

Yes, Ms. Tina did Dallas two nights ago. I am still in awe. This woman will be 69 next week and still with the BEST legs on either side of the Atlantic. Don't you think Ike cussed his way all the way to the grave? To watch Ms. Tina is such an inspiration. I mean, come ON, the grandma filled the American Airlines Centers, as the review said, "just hair short of sold out"--while Janet Jackson, just a few short days earlier had curtains in front of the non-sold seats. All young performers of today, take a listen, do you like what you see? Will folks want to see you when you're 69?

Got in a walk tonight. Had to. Just sat all day at work--at least I did produce. Made it to the park up the street. Had to rush because it so close to nightfall. Pet a dog named Coco along the way. I couldn't imagine just to sit in front of the TV after I sat ALL day in front of the PC at work. Walked. Had to. Prayed. Had to. I didn't care who heard. My conversation with Him.

So home. Nuked some veggies (this diet after all) and have the DWTS result show on. Please...PLEASE...let it be Cloris--even tho she is a legend.....

And now one last video from Best...This was from Los Angeles a week or so ago. I'm going to e-mail this guy to say THANK YOU!

My '99 Candy Apple Red Grand Am.....

....with a gazillion miles on it--translation:over 110k--including treks up I-35 to Iowa, and back to Dallas--needs a head gasket--translation: $$$$$

Yep--this worm may be the final one to spoil this apple---permanently.

Thank goodness I have today's Young & the Restless episode for a quick escape--I mean really, do the writers WANT us to forget about Victor's snip surgery--isn't that why Ashley stole his....wait--I'll stop now....

Nonetheless, say a prayer. I know He's got my back.

Stay tuned.

Tonight...

Walked tonight.

A storm blew through earlier, which cooled zapped the Dallas heat. Loverly! I headed to the park—again forgetful with the bread for the ducks, turtles, fish and other birds there. I promised I would bring it next time. I love to stroll outside. That is the one thing I do miss about the apartment complex I lived in: The park just next door.

During my recuperation, that park’s walk path (three times around equaled a mile) was my gauge for regaining strength. Benches were situated around it, so if I ever needed to stop I could. And did—often at first. As my strength increased, one bench was my reward after my laps. I called it my “Forrest Gump Bench”. I sat there so many times. Prayed. Cried. Wondered. Rejoiced. Strike up chats with folks, pet every dog, enough to know their names. I do miss that. Especially a little Yorkie, named Annabelle. She would see me, dash and hop on me, then love all over me. Her human said, “She has her favorites.”

I miss that park.

Yet, my new Park seems so much more infinite. The wildlife. The landscape includes inclines. Trees. I love the feel. There are some benches, if I need to stop. And I do. Often. I watch ducks waddle; the cranes scoop unsuspecting fish in the pond. Kids laughing. Young lovers basking in their young love. Smile at the woman who says she has to walk six miles, yet her heart beats so fast after just one lap. I look at the horizon. Just nice.

Now I sit here in my ‘office’—which so far includes my pc, and two cats crammed in the window. A light breeze floats through the window. Both cats are attentive to the cardinal's coo from the birdfeeder. I like the window-faces the street, so the cats and I can watch the world.

Yep, a storm blew through Dallas earlier. Cooled things off. So different from yesterday’s 100 degrees. I got to enjoy my park today. My windows are open for what fresh air we can savor.

I miss some things from my life, just a few months ago. Yet, I am so joyful for what I have now.

Not bad.