Faithful Always

God is so much more faithful to me than I am to Him.

I'm a 100% commission salesperson. If our clients don't pay their bills in 90 days, I lose my commission. Which means I sold the advertising, and handled everything that takes place from the point of sale to getting the client on the air, and making sure their spots air correctly, then if they don't pay in 90 days, I've basically done all the work for FREE.

Yesterday as I looked at my accounts receivables I had close to $30,000 from one particular client of mine that had not been paid. It was Thursday, May 28th, if the money was not in the house by the end of the day Friday, I would lose approximately $3,000. My first thought was, "there is no way this money is going to be in the house by tomorrow." I mean, if I were to call them immediately, they would have to overnight the check to make that happen, and I couldn't see them doing that.

I was mad at myself for the oversight. I was mad at my job for the seemingly stupid rule. And I wasn't very happy with God for He, more than anyone, knew how hard I had worked at my job, and how could He let this happen?

So, I prayed what has been my favorite prayer all year. Seriously. I prayed this prayer while auditioning girls for the all female praise band. I prayed this prayer while sorting thru some tough issues with the praise band. I have prayed this prayer MULTIPLE times as I have lived through 2009. It's a simple prayer. Let me share it with you, here are the words:

"Father...help." "help."

And then I called the client. The check had been mailed on the 20th of May. That was my first Hallelujah. But why didn't we have it? So, I called my boss...he checked again. The money was there. It was already there before I freaked out about it. While I was in the "Freak out" stage, the money was there all along, my report that had been printed out for me was incorrect. Why am I so quick to doubt His provision, and His faithfulness.

He is so much more faithful to me than I am to Him.

What is your current concern? Try my prayer, "Father...help."

Lord, You are faithful always.

Here's a song we've been singing in church for the last few months. I don't think it's out on CD yet, but due out anytime. I did, however, finally find it on Youtube.

She Never Called Me By My Name...

This week we lost a beloved member of our church and our community, as Margaret Thornsburg passed away. She had prayed for Jesus to take her home to be with Him, and He answered that prayer.

As I think of Mrs. Thornsburg, there are some memories that come to mind. One is that her daughters used to babysit me. Another is, of course, a memory that many others have of her as well, she was my English teacher in high school. But the memory that stands out the most to me about Mrs. Thornsburg, is that she NEVER called me by my name. Ever.

From the time she taught my English class when I was a Freshman in high school, 'til the time she passed away, she always called me "Barbara". She knew that my very favorite singer/entertainer was (and still remains to be) Barbara Mandrell. So that's what she called me. Not Missy. Not Melissa. Barbara.

So, when John (our preacher) called to tell me that her daughters had asked me to sing at the funeral, they had also told him that she always referred to me as Barbara.

Today, as we honored her life, I was honored to sing at her funeral. It seemed such an appropriate ending to our relationship here on this Earth...that I, Missy/Barbara would have the chance to sing for her one more time....'til I see her again.

Psalm 119:89-96

89-96 What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!

Lil' Joshy made the news!

Yesterday I bought flowers, and Josh begged me to let him help plant them last night. While begging me, he informed me that we needed to call "811" before we started digging.

I said, "where did you hear that at?" He proceeded to tell me that they had planted some stuff at school today, and had talked about it.

Today when I got to work, I found him on our website. (must have been a slow news day) :-)

Here's a link to the video, when the box first comes up, Josh is the boy closest to the building.

http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/news_wthi_marshall_students_dig_for_important_lesson_200905181802

Unity Night

What an honor it was to get to lead worship again at this year's Wabash Valley Ladies Unity Night. And what an honor to get to serve with Lysa TerKeurst. I thoroughly enjoy listening to Lysa speak, and am moved each time I hear her!

It was also fun leading worship with my new friends in Christ, Dawn, Christa, Jacki, Aimee, Tonya, Roxie, Ashley, and Cathy! They are sold out for Jesus, and were so much fun spending time with!

I'm also thankful for Jona, the event coordinator. God has given us a special friendship, and I count her as one of my dearest friends...

The WVLUN planning committee works so hard, and many months, to put on this event, so that we women, of various denominations, can come together, and celebrate Christ!

If you go to FCC, be sure and thank Lisa Lashbrook for all her efforts...she has served on this planning committee for the past few years.

Here's a link to a news story about the evening...

http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/news_wthi_TerreHaute_LadiesUnityNight_2009_05152220

Talkin' Like an Angel

This morning, I read Acts 12...and chuckled as I read it.

Peter is in prison (that's not the funny part). Smile. But anyway, Peter is in prison and an Angel of the Lord comes to him, while he is sleeping, wakes him up, and says this:

“Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

When I read that, it reminded of the conversation that typically takes place at our house every morning when I'm waking the kids up to go to school. I usually say pretty similar things:

Quick. Get up!
Get dressed!
Put your shoes on!
Get your coat!

All this time I thought I was being a domineering Mama...I never realized that I was just talkin' like an angel. :-)

So Grateful

Today Denny and I celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. Typically, I'm very happy when we celebrate an anniversary, but I don't get real mushy about it. This morning, however, I find myself in a very different place.

For this year's anniversary, God has decided to take me down memory lane, and he has reminded me, very clearly, of where we've been and how far we've come...or should I say, how far He has brought us. And to be honest, that simply leaves me being SOOOO grateful.

2 Samuel 7:18 [ David's Prayer ] Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

This song has been a staple for me, this year, in my personal worship time.

Exceeding Joy

No other song captures my heart quite like this one. Every time I hear it, I am immediately ushered into HIS presence. I can't really explain why it touches me like it does, I just know it does. Thought I'd share it with you...



I have found exceeding joy,
Jesus answered when I called
this Name that has saved me,
pure love that embraced me.

Mercy, grace, eternal life.
Bought from darkness to His light.
While lost in my sin, He
raised me and made me live.

Chorus:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
my heart joys in God my Saviour,
for He lifts the lowly,
He's done great things for me.
I will sing, praising evermore,
He is mighty and Holy is His Name.

I will lift my head up high,
praising Jesus through each trial.
Though I have not seen Him,
I love Him completely.

Chorus:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
my heart joys in God my Saviour,
for He lifts the lowly,
He's done great things for me.
I will sing, praising evermore,
He is mighty and Holy is His Name.

Homeless Story

In case you haven't heard, this week, WTHI-TV news anchor Mark Allen is homeless. He's doing a news story to experience, as best as he can, what it's like to be a homeless person. You can follow that story here. Today, for instance, he went dumpster diving and found a banana...and ate it. Yuk.

Tune in to WTHI-TV and WTHI-TV.com for more info on Mark's experience as a homeless person.