HEART THOUGHTS..... from Helen

"Birthdays"

"Luke, the beloved physician..." Colossians 4:14 AMP

Luke: Light-giving or luminous
David: Beloved

Luke Speir Lynn enlightened our lives ten years ago on January 24. His proud parents, David and Lisa, added their third son to our family on the day prior to David's own birthday. Weighing in at 8 lbs, 13 oz, 20 inches, the obstetrician delivering him dubbed him the 'linebacker', from the get-go. He still looks like a linebacker and he loves to play the game. Luke's physique and many of his characteristics bear an uncanny resemblance to his Poppy. Not only does he love to play football (and basketball) he knows statistics like his Poppy, watching ESPN and all the other sports channels he can find. He predicts Heisman Trophy winners with pretty good accuracy and Luke Spier Lynn's blood does run ORANGE. The boy wears Clemson shirts, shorts or shoes or jacket or tiger paws every day. To say he is an avid fan would be to understate the facts. During tryouts this past fall, Luke determinedly dieted. Each time he came to our house, he would run on the treadmill, then run to weigh on the scales. He made his weight goal with sheer determination. Seems like I remember his daddy doing something similar at that age. His MaMa told him he was getting fat after he'd visited my parents in the lower part of the state so David made up his mind not to be. He dieted and jumped rope every day, inside and out and lost weight, never to be called 'fat' again.

They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Our beloved David, whose birthday, falls on the 25 is overshadowed by his third son's and he hasn't seemed to mind in the least. He is a proud father of his three sons. When David was around Luke's age and older he acquired orange everything. My mother made him orange curtains and bedspread for his room. He wore his orange overalls until they wore completely out. The orange sweat suit he acquired somewhere along the way went with him all the way through high school and beyond. To say our eldest loves football is quite the understatement. During the season our house is college football headquarters. There's nothing the Lynn men would rather do than gather and cheer for their teams. David involves himself in every aspect of Blue Ridge Youth Association sports where his sons participate.

Back to Luke. My daddy died when Luke was five months old and he attended the wake in his little carrier. Honestly, he smiled, charming every person coming through the line and was such a sweet and happy blessing at such a difficult time. Luke is a loving and considerate young man. Even though I know those moments of public affection will soon depart when adolescence rears its head, he still hugs his Nana in public and will sit and talk to me at games, when I'm sure he'd rather be with the guys. Luke also is observant. He noticed that I had trouble keeping my coffee hot in the mornings, so for my birthday he got me an insulated coffee cup. For Christmas this fella purchased a heating, vibrating, neck pillow to soothe the muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders. Luke is a straight "A" fourth grade student at Mt. View Elementary and a terrific kid! Whether or not he becomes a physician like the one in Scripture, I don't know; he will however, do well on whatever he sets his mind. We are his proud grandparents. And David, our oldest? He's a beloved keeper too!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SON, DAVID, AND HIS YOUNGEST SON, LUKE.

HEART THOUGHTS... from Helen

Snow

"...wash me, and I shall (in reality) be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7b - AMP)

"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;" (Isaiah 1:18 AMP)

As a girl growing up in the lower part of the state, we seldom enjoyed a real snow. When we did, my Mother and I enjoyed walking down our country road on the outskirts of Oswego, leaving our footprints on the "unadulterated snow", as she called it.

Last week we watched it snow and snow and snow, loving every minute of it. It's mesmerizing. So is the opposite, watching the flames of a fire burn relaxes me. When you can watch it snow in front of the fire, it soon becomes paralyzing. The older I get the less I want to do anything when it snows, but sit and watch it and stay warm. I've read numbers of comments about the snow on Face book. Many are so similar to my own feelings that we should put them in a book and call it, Snow Soliloquy. Then we could sit by the fire, watch it snow and intermittently read everyone's snow sayings. In actuality a lot of us did that yesterday with the aid of technology.

But then, we walked on it, took Sadie, our Golden out in it, tromped across the 'unadulterated snow' on our patio and messed it all up. We took pictures of the beautiful 'unadulterated snow' from the road, on the road and from the front/back doors. Now it's not pure and pristine; the stunning snow is 'adulterated,' pock marked with footprints and a lot of other things. Why do you think we feel we have to mess up a perfectly beautiful snow white scene by tromping on it? And then there's the snowmen, snow ladies, snow children, snow angels, and my grandchildren dug a snow tunnel or Alaskans call that an igloo. Five children crawled in, turned around and smiled out at the camera. Definitely a Kodak moment! My other three grandchildren entertained every male child (their parents did) near and far, feeding them all pancakes. Can you imagine all that testosterone in one place? Thoughts and prayers to Lisa.

Beauty and the Beast: Snow and Sin: The beauty of the driven, 'unadulterated' snow and the beast of sin polluting us all. We loved watching it fall and cover all the ugliness: the barren tree limbs, the asphalt road, the dead grass, the un-raked leaves, everything. Now, many want it gone and want it gone NOW. Scrape the roads, shovel the walk ways, and "LET ME OUT OF HERE! I want to be about my normal business". It was fun for a few hours but let's not get carried away with this white stuff. We're southerners; we're not used to it and we've done all the snow things we can do, eaten all the snow cream we can eat, eaten everything we can get our hands on and our mouth around, had a day off from work and school, now let's get on with life as we know it". It is a temporary fix, this snow event.

The Psalmist and the poet prophet, Isaiah, saw snow as quite another metaphor. Sin and snow. Not a thought we care to think about. "Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow". What is whiter than snow? ME! All washed and covered from the stain of sin. Abba Father says, "Come on, let's talk about this sin thing, let's reason together. I can cover your sin as the snow that covers the southeast. You become pure, pristine and 'unadulterated' when you come in repentance, confessing all the ugly, dirty, dead stuff and claiming your snow status"(my paraphrase) This may take a daily cleansing from walking and playing in the world, but my crucial cleansing, my snow is 'unadulterated' and not temporary.

Go find a spot of snow on the ground that is untouched by human or animal. Look carefully at it and thank your Abba Father for providing His Son, the ultimate in snow covering for your sin.

HEART THOUGHTS from Helen

"Let my one desire to be still before you." (Andrew Murray)

"For this reason ever since we heard about you (from Epaphras), we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual understanding." Colossians 1:9 (NIV) parenthesis is mine.

Ever wondered about Epaphras? His name means 'charming or foamy'. Not phony, but foamy.

He labored alongside Paul and in some way served as fellow prisoner. Herbert Lockyer calls him the man who was a giant in Prayer. I'd like to be known for such qualities. Do you have an Epaphras in your life? Epaphras, the Colossian, ministered to Paul in his need and to the church in her need. His prayer ministry is what is most notable about him.

Lockyer: "This giant in prayer knew how to lay all before the Lord, and laboring in secret, made the saints to be perfect and complete in their standing through his kneeling. He "strove earnestly in his prayers" for the Colossians." When is the last time you strove earnestly in your prayers for the saints?

Paul regarded his friend's perseverance as well as his prayers; he was a practical as well as a prayerful man. This man encouraged the imprisoned Paul with wonderfully charming good news of the saints in Colossae, probably resulting in the letter to the Colossians.

I've thanked God many times for persevering, powerful prayer warriors in my life. I honestly don't know what I'd do without them. I'd name them but would not want to omit any of them. Some have gone on to glory, but some still callous their knees in helping me to stand. Of course, my GREATEST INTERCESSOR is Christ, Himself. (Romans 8:34)

At the close of an old year, we succumb to some old habits, perhaps. Along with feeling much older, I've discovered that my prayer time suffers from insufficient time, insufficient listening as I should, over-sufficient distractions of everything and anything. Instead of choosing the better part like Mary, I resort to old Martha's busyness. It's been called the 'tyranny of the urgent'. I've confessed that and am determined to rename and recommit myself to being a Mary... Epaphras in this New Year. (Do you think it possible that they might have known each other?) Should I be successful, I'm thinking I'll see more of heaven in two thousand eleven.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL YOU EPAPHRAS-ITES

HEART THOUGHTS from Helen

Prayer

"He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intercede;
...so His own arm worked salvation for him" Isaiah 59:16 NIV

Lessons learned at the University of the Feet extended themselves to post graduate work in the basics of breathing. It's one thing to have limited mobility because of foot surgery but quite another to pant from pneumonia. Asthma, though not alien to me, took a back seat a number of years ago and has been controlled for the most part, for which I'm most grateful. A couple of weeks ago it reared it's ugly head as a result of an upper respiratory infection resulting in pneumonia. My, how quickly we forget just what an important role breathing plays in our existence. So, lame in the foot and lacking in proper lung performance, my life in learning new lessons took me to my old journals. I like to call it HARVESTING. In the midst of it all, I am reminded of my deep desire to be an effective intercessor and the struggles and groans that go along with such.

From my journals dating back to 1981 (and there are many more prior to that date), the pleadings of my heart record prayed prayers, praise prayers, importunate prayers, intercession, supplication, and ...you name it, I prayed it. My family, my friends, my fellowship of believers, my follies, my failures, all lay at the foot of the cross. My thoughts, my devotional times, my cares, my concerns, all, turned into prayers prayed.

So, while I've been incapacitated physically, my heart as turned once again to more strenuously to intercession.

"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." (1 Samuel 12:23, NIV)

What can you do when your body must be still? Breathe your prayers upward and wait expectantly.

HEART THOUGHTS... from Helen

Thanksgiving

“At this she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me---? Ruth 2:10

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” I asked the teenager at the grocery store check out line.
He replied, “I’m going to my grandmother’s and I can’t wait.”
I asked, “What makes going to your grandmother’s house so special.”
He quickly responded, “She’s the best cook ever!”
I suppose you’d call that ‘comfort food’ if your grandchildren can’t wait. That’s the same answer I received from others. I can’t help but smile because I’m the grandmother now. While one of my sons will be at his in-laws this year, my other son and his family will be at our house. Hopefully, his five children will feel about my food like the young man in the grocery store.

Growing up in the low country of South Carolina, I remember going out to my granddaddy’s farm on Thanksgiving after the devouring of the feast. My siblings and cousins and I would go out to the pecan trees which lined the lane to the barn and pick up pecans. Finding those mottled brown nuggets under the multicolored leaves was like mining for gold and the end result was just as good for me. If I recall correctly at times we got down on our hands and knees to search for the bounty. We’d get two in our hands and squeeze with all our might to crack them and pick out the marvelous meat inside. The trick is not to get any of the shell along with the meat, because everybody knows that just turns your mouth inside out. That also reminds me of a t-shirt I saw with a squirrel on it that said, “My family tree has a lot of nuts.” Perhaps that could be said of your family also.

What will our grandchildren remember about coming to our house for Thanksgiving? Will it be the bountiful food or playing ball in the back yard or shooting caroms or laughing at remembered family antics (the nutty things) or watching football?

I want it to be a special Thanksgiving. A spiritual marker, if you will. Of course, these two wishes are always at the top of my list for family gatherings. I don’t want to get so caught up in the cooking, serving, and cleaning that I can’t enjoy the fellowship and share my thankful heart. I want my family to share their ‘thanksgiving’ also. And somewhere along the way, when they’re older maybe their memoirs will relate Thanksgivings at our house and they will say: “I’m going to Nana and Poppy’s for Thanksgiving and I can’t wait”. I want to fall on my face like Ruth and exclaim:

“Why have I found such favor in your eyes?”

O Lord our Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for your bountiful gifts to us even if some of them come in packages that look brown and mottled and we have to work hard to get at the good parts. I think every day will be Thanksgiving when we get to heaven!

HEART THOUGHTS from Helen

"For this is what the high and lofty One says-He who lives forever, whose name is holy. ""I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."." Isaiah 57:15 NIV

Election time: Have you noticed that that those who hold high and lofty positions in government pull out all the stops to meet the lowly voter? It's take off your tie or jacket, roll up your sleeves, put on your jeans and tennis shoes and rub elbows with the "people" time. Let's meet the constituents. Instead of the 'sacred' halls of Washington, Columbia, Columbus, Ohio, Carson City, Nevada, Tallahassee, Florida and all around the country, the candidates donned their local garb and came into folks' back yards, main streets, and town halls to taut their rhetoric. Yes! We must vote! And yes, I did vote, prayerfully and trust THE HIGH AND LOFTY ONE to raise up the leaders He chooses for such a time as this.

This passage from Isaiah 57 speaks to me of the Only High and Holy One and what He considers of utmost importance. I'll report...and you decide.

Divine condescension (His)
Contrition (ours)
Christ's indwelling (His in us)
Cause for such (Why would He do such a thing)

Remember Who He is and never forget that He is holy and one holy night He condescended to come to earth to live with servants who demonstrated contrite hearts. Joseph and Mary met the requirements. Do we?

Remember who you should be: contrite and lowly in spirit. Repentance is required to have a contrite heart. I don't know what the holy couple had to be remorseful about, but I know it doesn't take long for me to come up with a penitent attitude when I think of God's holiness. How's your heart?

Remember His purpose is to revive the spirit and heart of the lowly and contrite. It isn't to beat up on nor cast aspersions.

The High and Holy One dwells in a high and holy place but also lives within the contrite heart through the power of His Holy Spirit to revive the spirit and revive the heart. Are you in need of revival?

We've witnessed many who think they're high and holy in this election. 'But also', we've witnessed those humbled with a contrite heart. Only THE HIGH AND HOLY really knows the hearts that exhibit contrition and humility and He promised to live within and revive their spirits and their hearts. I'm amazed at the energy demanded of these candidates during such crushing schedules. Honestly, I confess to coveting some of that energy. I'm quite sure I would need the promise of revival should I be involved in the election process, other than participating in the voting booth. How do you think the high and holy One would have you respond?

"A Message from the high and towering God,
Who lives in eternity, Whose name is Holy:
"I live in the high and holy places,
But also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed.
And what I do is put new spirit in them
Get them up and on their feet again.
(Isaiah 57:15...THE MESSAGE)

HEART THOUGHTS .... from Helen

"...she fell at his feet" John 11:32

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." (Isaiah 52:7)

I'm taking a page from the book of Mary...to be found in the library at THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FEET. My syllabus includes several weeks' worth of foot pain beginning with surgery on Tuesday and ending with a few more weeks of recuperative time. Bunions cause pain, preventing many activities and many pairs of shoes lying dormant in my closet. And then there is the problem of a neuroma that must be removed. So, do you have your Google search going yet? I'll save you some time because I know you rushed to do your research at the U of F library.

Bunions: an inflammation of the sac bursa around the first joint of the big toe, accompanied by swelling and sideways displacement of the joint. When I saw my foot x-rays, I nearly fell off the table. These are not the beautiful feet I read about in Scripture. Oh dear, no wonder my feet hurt. Neuroma: usually benign tumor growing on the sheath of a nerve (under my third and fourth toe).

While I'm learning more at Foot College perhaps I'll take a refresher course at spending time at the Master's feet. Mary certainly learned a lot doing just that. Spending time at the feet of Jesus, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, demonstrates just what a real education is all about. In fact every time we encounter this Mary, we find her attending the University of the Feet, learning, feeding, and ministering. An apt lesson to learn!

Luke 10:39, tells us that "she sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said". Unfortunately, Mary received quite the reprimand from her sister for not helping Martha, prepare the food and wait on their Guest. Have you ever been rebuked for studying too much? Have you ever been scolded for partaking of 'soul food'? When is the last time you sat raptly at His feet and listened to Him?

In John the eleventh chapter, Mary sought the Lord after her brother's death when her sister informed her that "The Teacher is here ...and is asking for you." (v. 28) He sought her; she found Him. In your grief, do you hurry to Him who has the only comfort that counts?

In the twelfth chapter of John, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with about a half quart of expensive perfume. She then wiped them with her hair. It seems spending time at Jesus' feet educates you far beyond the obvious. She apparently wanted to do her part in anointing His body for burial. Mary sacrificially broke open her most precious possession and poured its contents on His soon to be pierced feet. What does the song say? Broken and spilled out just for love of you Jesus... (Steve Green)

Lord, You know I've never liked school in any shape or form but to sit at Your Feet and to look into Your Face, surely learning will take on new meaning. I enroll now in THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FEET, knowing how expensive the tuition but I simply must learn another lesson in pain and patience as You, O Excellent Rabbi, teach me.