Sign of the Times

Selah is a Hebrew musical term meaning pause or interlude between verses. The house in the Piney Woods is just that for me. This isn't an end to "life as it was," for life is ever unfolding and rhythmically modulating from one verse to another. But there are those moments of rest and transition that set the stage. In today's praise music environment, the Selah is the place where the worship leader talks and the musicians vamp behind him (or her). He encourages, he lifts, he even beseeches (though I don't think the younger ones know that word).
My house is named Selah. I am here to hear ---- to listen to the Worship Leader between verses and get my bearings as I continue playing my soul's music.
I made the sign last year one weekend --- and was most proud of myself. But it never had legs. When Rickiey delivered the benches I mentioned it to him. I was thinking of something ordinary --- he wasn't. Again, I am glad I trusted him. It is a perfect fit for the house.
As I drive in and out, it will be an unspoken message to me. "Pause, Brenda, listen to the music and pay attention to the heavenly Minstrel as He soothes your soul."

You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

Do you remember the lonely pipe sticking out of the newly-laid foundation? Just weeks ago, Mary Helen stood there, expectantly waiting for something to happen.
Now look! You can see the pipe, Mary Helen ---- and lots of house! The sheer volume of the interior dwarfs my sister.
I have never built a house, nor followed one so closely. What fun this is. When the walls are finished, and the infrastructure is covered up, I will still remember what it looked like as it turned from a pile of sticks into a house of dreams.
"Strengthening the core" is a current craze for those who exercise. No, I am not one of them! What happens on the outside to us directly correlates to what happens on the inside - within our musculature.
Mary Helen and Smith's house is just the same. Any shortcuts, or flaws will be covered, but the impact will be felt in years to come. They can see the strength of their house and know it is being done correctly.
"Whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" was a foundational verse for the Smith family (along with "wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise....) The core and the core values are important. We might look good on the outside, but ultimately we will display how we are constructed.
Often we hear people speak of older houses with "good bones." I want my life to be that way. I am aging (sometimes too quickly); I am sagging, assuredly. But I want God's "good bones" to be seen and felt through me. The work He began in me will undoubtedly be completed, just like their new house. I am grateful.

Out ' N About in East Texas

Two great messages on the Highway 14 from Hawkins to Tyler.....

The cadillac sat on its patch of unmown grass letting the passersby know that it "runs super, but has no brakes." The picture doesn't show that the grass all around the car has been cut, leaving the prized auto perched on a green throne.

Haven't you felt that way before? As long as I don't have to stop, I am running super. I am in the fast lane, with the "pedal to the metal." Only problem is: stopping usually entails hitting a wall or another vehicle. Brakes are essential to cars and lifestyles.

My friend, Becky, wrote today and said she didn't get the license number on the truck, but she obviously got hit by one. She was running great, but temporarily ran out of brakes in her go for broke life.

A friend gifted me with a candle holder saying, "Be still and know I am God." When we are running super, we find it hard to be still, don't we? "Don't let the sun go down on your idleness" had to be one of my Mom's biblical paraphrases. She was not crazy about laziness. For sure, Jesus wasn't going to return and find her on the couch.

"No Brakes...." If we don't apply them regularly, we find ourselves out of control. I would love to see who buys that car.....someone who likes to drag his foot on the pavement, I suppose.

The bumper sticker isn't too clear, but it reads, "Tree hugging dirt worshipper." It was firmly attached to a "Nature's Child Landscaping Service" vehicle. Just in case you didn't know, East Texas loves its pine trees as good as anybody in the world. But, we aren't in the practice of hugging too many of them ----- and definitely not worshipping dirt. You may find a few saying prayers beside their oil wells, but soil isn't the stuff of idols.

Later that afternoon, I read to my friend Patti in Mother Francis hospital. We read Isaiah 45. Verse after verse after verse clearly articulated the thought, "I am the Lord. I am God alone. Give up your idols." So, I am most thankful for the trees,, the dirt, and even the crazy deer who eat my plants. But when it comes to worship, I have to lay all the false idols down and recognize that there is only one who deserves, demands, and delights in worship.

Imagination

Question: When are chains to install the porch swing dramatic accessories?

Answer: When an 11 year old grandson hangs them around his neck, strikes a frightening pose, and clanks through the house!

I have five grandsons (age 11 to 2 months) and one granddaughter (age 8). Andrew, Colby, Caden, Colin and Bree Anna are all creative, active, and participative (I needed another "tive" word). Jack, at two months, is working on his "tiveness," and promises great spunk.

The Westminster Confession says the chief end of man is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever." I am really working on that enjoying part. Grandchildren model pure enthusiasm and exuberance. I hope the Lord sees me like that when He checks on his piney woods child.

Li'l Red (the new golf cart) had an experience the other day ---- she and Andrew went out for a spin. When he came back in the house, he nearly bounced off the walls. "Andrew, settle down." "Gram, my adrenalin is running because I had such a good time driving the golf cart."

Later on, I went for a ride with him. He proudly showed how he could use good judgment, take careful turns, and ease off the accelerator. At the end of the road he stopped and asked, "Am I worthy to drive the cart now?"

WOW! That sent my mind spinning in all directions. I would like to think Jesus is riding in my life's golf cart and blesses my driving. Ultimately, I am thankful for this life because He is worthy! Good stuff learned from grandkids.

S'mores, anyone?

When realtors show houses, they don't want the potential buyers to see walls and floors --- they want them to see lifestyle. "Just picture yourself entertaining your family here....making memories."
My back deck is just that ----a family gathering place (except for the bugs and the heat, that is).

I have always wanted a fire pit. Why? Because I see friends and family with long sticks roasting marshmallows and singing Kum Ba Yah.

But what is a firepit without benches?

I love the word "serendipity." It is something extraordinary happening when you are walking down the street doing the ordinary. My new benches are serendipitous. Ricky, the Lone Star Woodworker, came into my life randomly as I looked for two benches. He lovingly described his process and then quoted me a price much higher than I planned to pay. Oh, how thankful I am for the good sense not to quibble over dollars and cents.

Ricky delivered two benches to me today that aren't just well-made ---- they are works of art. They will support the bottoms of many s'mores makers for years to come.

Mom and Dad bought a table nearly 50 years ago crafted as a single 8 foot cut of wood. All of the grandchildren learned to walk around that table. These benches now join the family tradition.

Al Angell taught me years ago the difference between price and cost. One is short term; the other long range. The price was higher on these benches, but the cost is so much lower than inferior products which are disposable and merely utilitarian.

It is a good reminder to me ---- look for the art in life. Look for the beauty beyond function. And share the joy of the craftsman's work. Moses put it this way, "Confirm the works of our hands." Ricky's hands did well.

Do-gooding

"Grow not weary in well-doing" was my Grandmother's favorite Bible verse. She took it to heart as she raised 5 boys during the depression in Nashville's mill district while her husband preached the word "in and out of season" to all who would listen(and probably to many who wouldn't).
John and Jessie Cheng came to the piney woods on Thursday. She is writing a book and wanted to talk through the story. We talked, we ate, we sang, we laughed.....you get the point. We had a very good time.
John picked up his drill the next morning and did much good for me around here. I see lots of things that need doing, but usually don't have the tools or the know-how. John had both!
The laundry room proudly sports new shelving - much needed shelving. How could one person collect so much stuff? Actually, that is a common question asked regularly by all who know me.
Do-gooders deserve a little fun in the sun, so after the shelving, the fire pit assemblage, the porch swing, etc, etc, they piddled in the pool.
They came here for a day of rest --- they left me with blessings.

See Me Grow!

"And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man."

"Oh, look how much has been done on the house, Mary Helen! It is so beautiful. Don't you just love it?"

My sister's new house isn't Solomon's Temple, but it is just as holy. It has been set apart and dedicated to the glory of God. In one week, framing has surrounded the pipe where she stood. By next week, walls will enclose the pipe and we will no longer have a measuring standard.
It is growing in stature - and definitely in favor. Somehow, I think it pleases God to see their home take shape.
We are told that God's church is a building in which Jesus is the cornerstone. This everlasting building continues to grow as new believers are added day by day. Mary Helen and Smith (Yes, my brother in law's first name is Smith) watch their home change day by day as the workmen ply their trades and apply their craftsmanship.
One day I will post the final picture and it will be ready for occupancy. Someday the last brick will be laid in the heavenly temple, and the New Jerusalem will be ready for occupancy. I kinda like the expectancy of both.