I've been thinking about birthdays...

62 CANDLES

Today, May 16th, is my birthday but instead of singing 16 Candles by Roy Orbison, I've been hearing 62 Candles by Darryl DelHousaye! Here are his new words to an old original:

Happy birthday, happy birthday, baby
Oh, I love you so

62 candles make a frightening sight
Way more bright than your eyes tonight (than your eyes tonight-oh!)
Blow out the candles, try to huff and puff
Call 9-1-1 when it gets too tough (when it gets too tough)

You're only 62 (62)
But you're my middle age queen (you're my queen)
- He redeemed himself here -
You're the prettiest, loveliest girl I've ever seen (I've ever seen-oh!)

62 candles in my heart will glow
For ever and ever for I love you so (for I love you so)

You're only 62 (62)
But you're my middle age queen (you're my queen)
You're the prettiest, loveliest girl I've ever seen (I've ever seen-oh!)

62 candles in my heart will glow
For ever and ever for I love you so (for I love you so)
For I love you so!!!

Birthdays are birth anniversaries that remind me to celebrate the goodness of God. They are opportunities to break out of my normal routines, kick up my heels, and openly express how satisfied I am with my life.

This has been a good day! I have been deluged by friends on facebook. With uncharacteristic spontaneity, Darryl and I had breakfast together at The Original Pancake House this morning. I opened a beautiful Nordstrom's package I had been holding until today to find a fabulous leopard bag from a generous friend.
My mailbox was jammed with thoughtful cards. I feel blessed!

It has been said that a wise husband makes his wife's birthday cake large enough to make it memorable but small enough so it cannot hold all the candles! I say let it all hang out! Make it large enough for all the candles! 62 candles really don't make a frightening sight - they just make the festivities extra, extra bright!

I've been thinking about communication...

The Samuel Precedent

A friend mentioned to me how she finds the time of day recorded on my blogs very interesting. I have to admit there have been some that screamed to be written in the very early hours of the morning. Why did they have to be dealt with just then? Because when the Lord speaks to me, I have learned to say, in earnest, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening!"

I took the opportunity to share with my friend how God communicates to me by using The Samuel Precedent. To understand what I mean by that, I need to take you to 1 Samuel 3:1-9 in the Amplified Bible.

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision (but that is about to change!)

The story goes on to record that the Lord calls Samuel in the night, but Samuel thinks it is Eli calling. When the Lord called, Samuel! And he answered, Here I am. He ran to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. Eli said, I did not call you; lie down again. So he went and lay down.

The Lord called again and again, eventually calling Samuel three times, each time with more intensity. Finally, the elderly Eli perceives just who is calling and he instructs Samuel about what to do. Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down. And if He calls you, you shall say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Then the Lord once again called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Samuel then receives his first communication from the Lord.

So often the themes of my blogs are the answers to prayers I have breathed over concerns in my life. Regularly I ask Him, "What should I do, Lord?" And then, I wait, for the moment He calls my name. When He calls, many times during the night, I have learned to respond with, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Speak, Lord, and I will get up and run to write down the insights and perspectives You are giving to me right now. Thank you, Lord, for communicating to me. It is precious to hear Your voice."

I am not alone in embracing The Samuel Precedent. It is interesting to note that the Lord communicated with other individuals at crucial points in their lives, e.g. Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Jacob (Genesis 46:2) and Moses (Exodus 3:4).

So don't be intimidated by those who may not understand how God communicates to you. Celebrate His goodness to you and the fact that He knows your name. And then, listen with eager ears for His message because He changes the courses of our lives when He communicates!

The Lord told Samuel, Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of all who hear it shall tingle. 1 Samuel 3:11

I've been thinking about goals...

CONSECRATION, COMPASSION & COLLABORATION

When the storms of life become intense, I pull back to solid ground. My solid ground is the stability and focus of intentionality I have found in creating God-honoring life goals.

My life goals are largely attitudinal and profoundly simple. I have three. They are -to bring glory to God - to honor covenant relationships - and - to impact my world. This year I decided to strengthen them for greater impact by adding focus words.

Here are my focus words along with the Scriptural support:

1) TO BRING GLORY TO GOD - Consecration
Consecration means to be devoted with deep solemnity and dedication. Long ago I decided to make it my aim to please an audience of ONE. 2 Corinthians 5:9, So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. (ESV)

Consecration keeps bringing me back to humility before God, realizing that I must continually submit my will to Him. Each time I submit I find renewed peace and joy flooding into my soul. Why would I want to live any other way?

2) TO HONOR COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS - Compassion
Compassion means to sympathize with a desire to alleviate distress. I honor my covenant relationships by prioritizing and cherishing them. Proverbs 11:25, Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (ESV)

Compassion drives so many of the choices I make as I spend time thinking about tangible ways to help out, lift up and and make positive deposits into the lives of those I love. I find that generosity expressed in sympathetic words and kind gestures is a huge factor in meeting needs - especially those pressing in at the moment. Why would I want to live any other way?

3) TO IMPACT MY WORLD - Collaboration
Collaboration means to work jointly especially in an intellectual endeavor. I enjoy studying how teams are built, how they work together and I contribute wholeheartedly whenever I can. Hebrews 13:16, Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV)

My secondary spiritual gift is organization. I often remind myself that organizers feel a tremendous joy and fulfillment in seeing all the components of a project come together so that others can benefit from and enjoy the results of their efforts. Collaboration fleshes out the components so that there can be a successful outcome with blessings shared all around. Why would I want to live any other way?

These three focus words - consecration - compassion - collaboration - anchor me to hope and the perspective God planted in my heart during quiet listening times. As I fight to regain my balance during the raging of a storm, I do know that when the storm has ceased, I will be standing firmly on solid ground once again. Why would I want to live any other way?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you many ABOUND in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)