OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, they will renew the ruined cities...

Isaiah 61:1, 3-4

God moves into the the lives of broken people. God meets, heals and transforms.

God calls us to move into the lives of the poor, believing that His power can transform them into "oaks of righteousness." 

Now a drug addict or homeless person may not appear to be an "oak of righteousness" (or even a seedling of righteousness!). Perhaps that's why secularists who work among the poor have limited goals for the beneficiaries of their services. Secularists are happy if their programs help a homeless man to get sober, get a job, secure an apartment, and become a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen. (which is a good thing, of course) Christians, through their ministries, want the same homeless man to do all that and to become a servant of others--perhaps walking the streets and ministering among the homeless as one who has been there and, by God's grace, made it out. In our labors among the broken and destitute, we envision people whom God can transform into leaders who advance His Kingdom in marvelous ways. 

(from "Sharing God's Heart for the Poor" by Amy L. Sherman)

Continue serving this New Year!

Jen Too part 2

Another song that meant a lot to me after my brothers death was “Daniel”. I’ve posted it below and tried to explain what it said to me personally. 

“Daniel”

Elton John and Bernie Taupine

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane 

(he’s leaving us and his earthly home)

I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain 

(well, he wasn’t headed for Spain, but I could see the red tail lights as he flew out of sight--actually my eyes were quite red)

Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye 

God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes 

They say Spain is pretty though I've never been 

(I’ve read about heaven, sounds pretty)

Well Daniel says it's the best place that he's ever seen 

Oh and he should know, he's been there enough 

Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much 

( I do miss Charley, very much--but it doesn’t hurt as much as it once did.)

Daniel my brother you are older than me 

(he was 3 years older than me)

Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal 

(he had scars from tests, surgeries--of course, no more pain)

Your eyes have died but you see more than I 

(his physical eyes have died, but he sees so much more now that he has perfect eyes to see with. the eyes of Jesus)

Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky 

(Charley’s up there in the heavens--a star)

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane 

I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain 

Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye 

God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes 

Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes 

For JenToo

This evening I was in a bit of a nostalgic mood. Back in the day, 70’s to be exact, I was a big John Denver fan. So much so, my oldest son Caleb’s middle name is Denver. (Yes, I do have an older son. Yes, from the same marriage.) Anyway, I had found a couple of my John Denver cds (Since I no longer have the vinyls--what’s that you say? Ask your mother.). I also pulled out some of his songbooks. Do I play an instrument? Well, that’s questionable. Let’s just say I no longer have callouses on my finger tips and they hurt really bad! HA! So, on the way home from Panera tonight (yes, my favorite hangout) I was listening to “Rocky Mountain High” which brought back memories and a tear to my eye. So what does this have to do with anything? (Remember, this is MY blog and I write about what’s “On My Mind”. LOL) It got me thinking about my brother Charley. Charley passed away in 1973, a month before my first son Caleb was born. So, why didn’t I name him Charley? Well, I found it just too hard. His death was quite a shock to me and affected me for the next several years. His passing near the birth of my firstborn also took its toll on me.

On to John Denver...music often speaks to me, whether a worship song, hymn or pop tune. The following are the words to “Rocky Mountain High” with my attempt to explain what it means to me:

Rocky Mountain High

John Denver

Words by John Denver

Music by John Denver and Mike Taylor

He was born in the summer of his 27th year

(he was “reborn” in heaven at the age of 27--he was a believer)

Comin' home to a place he'd never been before

(he was going home, his heavenly home,  he’d never been there before)

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again

You might say he found a key for every door

(he did leave yesterday behind him including a young wife and 2 year old daughter)

(he found the key to his heavenly home)

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away

On the road and hangin' by a song

But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care

It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

(When he came to the mountains--heaven--his earthly life was far away. Things are changing fast for him, a new place, a new home, seeing people that have gone before him.)

(the chorus doesn’t have much to do with it but I’ll leave it just the same)

But the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye

Rocky mountain high

(though I believe the heavens are a site to behold)

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below

He saw everything as far as you can see

And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun

And he lost a friend but kept his memory

(the site of heaven is majestic, so I’m thinking he saw a lot of this and maybe seemed so close to the sun he could try to touch it)

(he did have some close friends and perhaps he was remembering them)

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams

Seeking grace in every step he takes

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand

The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

(I’m not sure if there will be forests and streams and lakes in heaven--I hope there are--but this verse reminds me of Psalm 23, so maybe there will be.)

And the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply

Rocky mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder....

That’s one song that reminds me of my brother. I loved him dearly. We may not have always gotten along when growing up, but we became quite close after he joined the Army and was shipped off to Viet Nam. 

So, 16 years after Caleb, I gave birth to my second son, and he wears the name of Charley.

By the way, Charley (my brother) died from melanoma (so slather on the sunscreen you guys). Well, that was the primary tumor. That caused a brain tumor the size of a plum which was removed. However, without my knowledge (and I think without my parents knowledge) the tumor returned and he actually died from a brain aneurysm (an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall).

More will come later.

I HOPE YOU DANCE

I love this song. I never really paid much attention to it before but Kelsey sings this in some of her sets and it kept running around in my head. Of course, any of these songs
that I post are better when heard by a performer but just another song that speaks to me.

I Hope You Dance
by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
Hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin'might be a mistake but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin'out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along

Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder
where those years have gone.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
I hope you dance

Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Dance
I hope you dance

Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder
where those years have gone
I hope you dance
Hope you dance

My Walk

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about my breast cancer journey. It hasn’t been heavy on my mind, but I think it’s because my dear friend Cindy is training for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk to help bring an end to breast cancer. I posted Melissa Ethridge’s song again, “I Run For Life” on my Facebook. I’m not sure if anyone is listening, there haven’t been any comments but I love that song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear her sing it. Cindy went through breast cancer a year before I did. She was diagnosed at a higher level than I was and she had to go through chemotherapy with her treatment. I was fortunate to only have a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. I’ve mentioned before about the day I was diagnosed. I was alone at the doctor’s when I first learned it was “probably” cancer. Then, I received the dreaded phone call to tell me that it was “definitely” cancer--February, 27, 2007. Charley was home with me. Jim was at work. Caleb was living in L.A. Cory was in Madagascar and Carey in Tennessee. Melanie and Mom were in Hawaii. I turned to Cindy and was so glad she was home when I called her. She came right over. She sat with me, talked with me, and told me I needed to let the family know. I was devastated, frightened, scared and afraid. (I know those words are all the same but that’s what I was feeling.) You see, I had always dreaded the word “cancer”. I had begged God more than once to keep cancer away from me. Why? Because I lost my dad and my brother to cancer. My brother was only 27 years old with a wife and almost 3 year old baby girl. He had melanoma. My father died a year or two later from pancreatic cancer. My grandmother died of cancer and my sister has had melanoma removed. So you see, it runs in the family. Well, with support from friends and family, I made it through those first few days of decision making--doctors, surgeons, hospitals, treatment, etc. Susan was there for me as well. What a prayer warrior she is. All of the email notes I received over the next few days were printed and added to my journal that I took to the hospital with me. Those notes of prayers and encouragement meant so much. And precious Sarah Kate and her family came to the hospital and she sang a song that touched me deeply. A nurse came in to pray for me. What a blessing. The doctors, nurses and staff were terrific. Radiation started a few weeks after I healed. That’s when I got my first tatoos. Actually they were just dots on the skin to show the radiologist where to shoot me with the radiation. I contemplated not going through with it, but I decided to go ahead. The techs were wonderful--Christians and easy to talk to. When you are going in weekly for several weeks, you become close. They were the same ones that Cindy had gone to. Today I’m 2 years, 9 months out and have an appointment on Monday with my oncologist. I’m on medication for 5 years which doesn’t really agree with me. The first year I was on one type of medicine which caused aching feet and hands. Now I’m on another with similar symptoms but has gone into my legs--the achiness that is. I’m laying off one of the meds to see if that helps. I’m sure I’ll get it from the doctor. On my 2 year anniversary from my diagnosis, I got my first real tatoo. It’s a pink ribbon on my right hand. I wanted people to see it and either ask or remember the fact that breast cancer is real. It also has my diagnosis date and C4 (C to the 4th power) which represents my four children whose names begin with a “C”. Of course, now they think their “old” mother is “bad”. Ha! I love it! Just wanted to share what’s on my mind and heart. Please remember Cindy. Remember those that have been touched by breast cancer in some way. Remember the survivors like myself. Remember those who have lost the fight. I won’t forget!

Take That Ride

---by Emmylou Harris

Don't you believe I loved you long enough
Didn't I try to give you all the right stuff
I hung around when the going got tough
Don't you believe I loved you long enough

Where were you when the world turned black
All those nights you never answered back
And I just asked you to cut me a little slack
Where were you when the world turned black

One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Though there may be nothing on the other side
I'm too old for changing
My true blues have all been tried
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride

Don't believe it's time to let me go
The clock is winding down and I'm moving slow
I could keep on dancing but it's just for show
Don't you believe it's time to let me go

One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Whatever's waiting on the other side
Had a little glory and I still got my pride
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Oh don't you believe it's time to take that ride
Take that ride
Take that ride
Take that ride

Gold

---Emmylou Harris

Oh the night is growing colder
And the stars have lost their shine
And I have been forsaken
By everything I thought was mine
For in the darkest hour
When the final story's told
No matter how bright I glittered baby
I could never be gold

You gave up your finest treasure
For the one you saw in me
But how could I know the measure
Of all you needed me to be
Though I came with sweet intentions
More my pockets could not hold
No matter how bright I glittered baby
I could never be gold

I finally gave up counting
The ways you said I let you down
When I fell into that river of no return
And you watched me drown
Oh I could sparkle like a diamond
Have silver line my soul
But no matter how bright I glittered baby
I could never be gold

You looked so high and long for heaven
I tried so hard to show the way
But though I flew on wings of angels
My feet were always made of clay
I could come trailing clouds of glory
But you saw nothing to behold
No matter how bright I glittered baby
I could never be gold

No matter how bright I glittered baby
I could never be gold

Concerts and Friends

Last weekend our dear friend Annelyse came to visit--all the way from Alaska. She was attending a conference here and stayed with us a couple of days. We had a great time. We were able to see Ginny Owens, Shawn Groves and Cindy Morgan in concert at our church to support The Well--a local food pantry. It was great.
The following is a song that Cindy Morgan sang that I just loved.

How You Live (Turn Up The Music)

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress, use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes 

And have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back 

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it 

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live 

So, go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night 

Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away, oh no
Just face it and you'll be okay 

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it 

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live 

Oh, wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin 

So, give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So, think of your fellow man 

And make peace with God
And make peace with yourself, oh yeah
'Cause in the end there's nobody else 

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it 

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live 

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live 

Jen's Visit

This past weekend, my niece Jenni and her two kids, Ben and Rachel, came from California for a visit. We haven’t seen them for over a year so it was a real treat. They were only here for a 4 day weekend so we spent a lot of time visiting one another rather than the sites. I think our old home movies were the hit of the visit, at least for Jenni.
We did make it to Franklin though for a look at Carnton Plantation and the downtown area. Franklin was founded in 1799 and has kept its charming downtown area with brick sidewalks and townsquare. The streets are filled with unique shops including local crafts, clothing and restaurants. We ended our walk through town with lunch at the Mellow Mushroom for delicious pizza.



Franklin During the Civil War
The Civil War brought skirmishes, spies and the burning and raiding of homes. On November 30, 1864 came the bloody and tragic Battle of Franklin, where Confederate forces charged entrenched Union soldiers near the Carter House and died by the thousands. The five hours of fighting resulted in Confederate losses of more than 6,000 and Union losses of more than 2,000.
Carnton Plantation was built by Randal McGavock in 1826. It was inherited by Randal’s son, John, who lived there with his wife Carrie. It became the largest Confederate field hospital as many wounded were brought in for treatment. This story was immortalized in Robert Hicks’ bestseller
The Widow of the South. 2 acres of land was designated a final burial place for confederate soldiers that died during that battle.

Breast Cancer Walk

Saturday, October 10, was Nashville’s Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, for breast cancer research. The race was a 5k walk or run in Brentwood. It was a cold and wet day but we headed out around 9, all wearing our pink t-shirts a friend had made for us. Instead of running the race, we visited the booths and observed the end of the walk. When they announced the survivors I lost it. It was exciting to see so many women, men and children of all ages participating. There were pink capes, hair, t-shirts and even a pink goatee. We then headed over to Radnor Lake to participate in our own 1.4 mile walk. It was decided that instead of donating $35 each to run in the 5k we’d rather donate some money to my dear friend Cindy Athon. Cindy is an almost 4 year breast cancer survivor. She’s a good friend, a sister in Christ, and a sister in the fight against breast cancer. Cindy came over right away when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007. I was devastated, but she was there for me. (Jim was at work, Carey was in TN, Cory was in Madagascar, my sister and mom were in Hawaii, Caleb was in L.A., Charley was there with me.) She will be walking 60 miles over a 3 day period in San Diego to support the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research fund which provides research, education, screening and treatment. She has been training with her friend Jessica and they each need to to raise $2,300. Cindy is about 82% to her goal. So, our family decided to do something different. Instead of each of us paying the registration fee for the Nashville walk, we had our own walk at Radnor Lake. We will then all donate to Cindy’s walk. As we walked our 1.4 miles along the trail, I thought of Cindy. She loves to hike and backpack. In fact, I’m a bit jealous. She and her husband, Don, and sometimes her daughters, take trips quite regularly into the Sierras and other remarkable places. They recently hiked over Mono Pass at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Amazing! Hope you enjoy the pictures of our walk around the lake. If you think of them, remember Cindy and Jessica on their 60 mile walk to help erradicate breast cancer.

Soda Pop Junction!

Soda Pop Junction, in the quaint town of Lynnville, is a darling old fashioned soda shop. They specialize in steaks, sandwiches and are known as being home to the #1 hamburger and #2 milkshake in the state of Tennessee. (They couldn't tell me who makes the #1 shake.) The chocolate milkshake was delicious though and the BBQ was great too. A few hours after the Ham Festival, Charley was ready to play guitar for Kelsey at the Junction. It was a lot of fun and Cory and I were glad we went. We've been wanting to go for a while now to see another friend play. That's coming up in a couple of weeks so we'll have to return and take the rest of the family. Discovery Channel's Globe Trekker has also filmed one of their shows here.
Lynnville was named for Lynn Creek which was named after the linden (or linn) trees that grew along its banks. Lynnville was a flourishing town before the Civil War, then was burned and destroyed during the war. In 1860, the Central-Southern Railroad was completed and now the train depot has been restored and made into a museum. An antique steam locomotive is on display.