Quietness

July 31, 2011 12:45 AM 5

Quietness. Yes! Even with my sanguine and outgoing personality, I love solitude and quietness. I actually crave it. Quietness…some definitions I love:

  • making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound
  • restrained in speech, manner, saying little
  • free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful, a quiet life
  • being at rest
  • refraining or free from activity, especially busy activity
  • making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable
  • free from disturbing thoughts & emotions, mentally peaceful, a quiet conscience
  • expressed in an unobtrusive way
  • not showy or obtrusive; subdued
  • not busy or active

The past few months have been a lesson for me in the discipline of quietness.  I read a tweet recently by James MacDonald of Walk in the Word Ministries.  It simply said:

“Finding out all the facts in every fiasco you face is overrated –
consider the discipline of not knowing – it will help you give grace later on.”

I wasn’t “facing a fiasco” as mentioned in the tweet, but had been through a season in life that was difficult and quite frankly, was draining me in body, soul, and spirit. As I sought solitude God began to speak to me through His Word, drawing me to quietness, to “not knowing everything going on.” This “not knowing” brought peace. Here are some passages that really encouraged my heart:

Exodus 14:14
 “The LORD will fight for you, and you have onlyB)”> to be silent.”

Job 34:29 
When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble
Psalm 4:4  
“Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still”
Psalm 46:10 
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 141:3 
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips 
Isaiah 30:15
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 32:17
 “The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness,
 quietness and assurance forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11
 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life,
to mind your own business and work with your hands
If you are going through a rough time, step back, get quiet, and be still before the Lord. The wonderful passage in Psalm 46:10 about “being still” means cease striving…take your hands off, relax.  I promise you this, you will find out and know – HE IS GOD. He has everything well under control – yes, HE IS GOD. 
Get some rest, seek quietness. I know you young moms and busy wives have precious little solitude, but try to carve out some time in the day, even if only a few moments…to just close your eyes and meditate on the goodness of the Lord.  Be Still. R-E-S-T in Him.
~Georgia Jan
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July 31, 2011 12:45 AM 5

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

July 17, 2011 1:21 AM 5
This song “Blessings“ has absolutely blessed my SOUL all day today. I first heard it recently, but not enough of the lyrics to find the songwriter…until today.  My best friend Lanie and I spent the day together shopping and enjoying coffee and sweet fellowship.  Lanie is an ovarian cancer survivor for over a year now.  The song came on the radio today in her car and I said, “that’s the song I’ve been looking for.”  She told me how it had ministered to her in her deepest moments of need the past year and a half. I pray it ministers to you too.  This young woman is gifted and you can tell she writes from a deep place.  She is also the writer of “Mighty to Save.”  Her name is Laura Story and her “story” is full of God’s grace.

’Blessings’ – it’s one of those songs that unexpectedly touches listeners in their deepest need,”
says Wally Dekker from WBFJ-FM in Greensboro. “Laura Story’s simple delivery of such a
poignant message provides instant connection. If you want a song that elicits response,
please consider. If you want a song that will touch hearts for eternity, it’s a must add.”

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July 17, 2011 1:21 AM 5

1,000 GIFTS, #207 to #215

July 12, 2011 2:08 AM 4
 I have had one of the absolute BEST weeks in a long time! It has been very peaceful and quiet – and this wafted over to the same PURE Joy in my spirit – all from Jesus. This JOY will be reflected in my list of counting grace gifts to 1,000:
207. Nowhere to go last week…off work…reconnecting with all things H-O-M-E…stillness.
208. Celebrating my re-birthday this week, the day I became a born again believer in Jesus Christ, on 7-7-85. I’m 26 years old in the LORD, and I wrote my story here.
209. Lots of garden time last week and the daily delights of fresh tomatoes.
210. A “sew-in” with my friend Lanie. I had a pattern for a “sewing mate,” and we made them together. So peaceful and fun, more JOY. This creation holds all your sewing notions close at hand. The bag on the far right is a little trash container for threads, etc.
211. My son is fishing in Canada this past weekend, and he is so proud of this Walleye, the biggest catch at the Lodge this summer. He is a JOY to my heart.
212. On my backroad drive to go to my friend’s for our sew-in, I saw this hay bale. I loved it and was reminded to pray for my friend Beth Moore as she wraps up her study on the book of James.  The other side of the bale said “James 5:16.” 
213. Plans are being made for a baby shower in a few weeks, and I’m one of the hostesses. The baby girl we are celebrating will be born into a family of strong women of faith and she will mark the Fourth Generation!  I sure love y’all – Mrs. Mary (great-grandmother), Pat (grandmom), Pam (great Aunt), Jennifer (mom-to-be), Lindsey (aunt), Allison (aunt), Stephanie (aunt), and little miss Taylor Kate (baby girl due in August).  The joy of long-time friends from serving in one church for over 23 years…PRICELESS!
214. My mom and I spent most of Saturday morning painting our front gates…the fellowship was so good and I really did enjoy spending that time with her.
214. The reference of Habakkuk 3:17-19 has come to me from many sources the past month. Again this morning while listening to David Jeremiah and his new series entitled “The Joy of Encouragement.”  He did.
215. My daughter-in-law Erin saw this bookrack in a magazine and that smart girl duplicated it! Her Dad made the rack and I sewed the fabric that made the “shelves.”  Jackson loves it – he loves books. So did his daddy. 
Counting my blessings, naming them one by one – all the way to one thousand!
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July 12, 2011 2:08 AM 4

With God As Our Partner

June 11, 2011 2:28 PM 4
It takes a groom, it takes a bride,
two people standing side by side.
It takes a ring and vows that say,
“this is our happy wedding day.”
But marriage vows are sanctified
and loving hearts are unified
when standing with the bride and groom,
unseen by others in the room
the Spirt of the LORD is there
to bless this happy bridal pair.
For God is love and married life
is richer for both man and wife
when God becomes a partner too
in everything we say and do.
And every home is specially blessed
when God is made our daily guest.
For married folks who pray together are
happy folks who stay together.
For when God’s love becomes a part
of body, mind, and soul and heart,
our love becomes a wondrous blending
that is both eternal and unending.
And God looks down and says, “well done”
for now we two are truly one!
(by Helen Steiner Rice)

 

Gary Timothy Morton wed Pamela Jan Maloy
June 11, 1977
Highland Park Baptist Church
Conyers, Georgia
34 years ago today!
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June 11, 2011 2:28 PM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #189

June 7, 2011 4:03 AM 5
My life has been blessed with many gifts this week. (One in particular is going to need a blog post all its own. I’m processing it slowly because it has happened that way…slowly over the past few months as God has been gently healing my heart and teaching me some truths by the power of His Word.)  But on this late night Multitude Monday, I want to dedicate this post to only ONE GIFT from the past week. It needs to stand alone. A GIFT SO WONDERFUL THAT IT WILL CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER.
My husband and I have taught a class at our church for many years now. It is a Bible study/Sunday School class for prospective church members, a covenant membership class called “Second Life.”  Many people come and go through the class.  But this past Sunday was absolutely wonderful…

#189.  Yesterday morning a young girl about 20 years old arrived early before anyone else. I was talking to some friends and as they were leaving, she asked us, “is this where the class meets for people interested in this church?”  We welcomed her and told her she was in exactly the right place and then I had her sign in and gave her the book we use for the four-week class.

A few minutes later my husband came in and we started chatting with Caitlyn. She had been coming to church as a guest of another young woman for about 2 months, and was playing church softball.  As Gary began teaching the content of “Week 1” which includes  doctrinal teaching and the truths of salvation, I noticed how Caitlyn was listening so intently. She then began talking and told us about the girls on the softball team sharing their “stories and their moments,” (testimonies) and then she simply said the most beautiful thing…
“That’s what I want, I want my own moment
with Jesus, I want a story too.”
That statement opened the door and became the most natural and wonderful opportunity to share with this young woman the timeless truths of God’s plan of salvation.  It was obvious that someone has been planting and watering the seeds and that Gary and I were just blessed to be there for the ripe harvest. We shared from God’s Word with her – we talked about salvation and God’s plan. We talked about sin and separation from God.  She understood – she was ready to get it settled down and taken care of right then.  So she prayed and asked Christ to be her Lord & Savior. 
My gift of seeing Caitlyn receive THE GREATEST GRACE GIFT of all was so wonderful, so marvelous.  To be there with my husband as he ministered the Word to her was a blessing to my heart. I’m so thankful to serve a church where God’s Word is taught and believers are strengthened and trained and non believers learn the basic truths of the Bible as they seek a church to call home.

I know that her friends had been praying for her for a long time and using the avenue of church softball to reach her. It was absolutely God-ordained for us to be in the right place at just the right time to put into practice I Peter 3:15 – always be ready with an answer! 
I Corinthians 3:7
So then neither the one who plants nor
the one who waters is anything,
 but God who causes the growth.

Thank you for taking the time to read this…my blessing to witness this young woman receive the gift of eternal life…I count it ALL GRACE!

In His Name,
Mrs. Jan 
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June 7, 2011 4:03 AM 5

1,000 GIFTS, #153 to #170

May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2
As I come to yet another Multitude Monday, my heart is overflowing with His goodness as I continue to count blessings, grace gifts. Including pictures makes this more than a simple list, but I pray you’ll indulge me.  As you know, “a picture is worth a thousand words…”  I’m working to one thousand gifts…so one thousand words in pictures sounds joyful too.
153.  My dearest friend is named Lanie. We were talking in the car on the way to our quilt class last week and she quoted a line from her Mother’s Day card from her husband…it sounded familiar. Can you say like-minded friends and husbands? Our husbands gave us the exact same Mother’s Day Cards! What a gift to have life-long friends.

154.  Lunch at Longhorns with a like-minded same-season-sister, Patsy. We have so much in common. She raised 3 sons, I raised two. One of her boys is married, both of mine are. We love the Word, we love our church, we love each other. It was such a sweet time and it was her treat…making it all the sweeter!

155.  A wonderful meeting in my home with my church’s Women’s Ministry Leadership Team. We accomplished so much, and enjoyed some delicious chicken salad too. I made a homemade peach cobbler.  Here is my recipe! Complete with pictures. 🙂

156.  Zeke spent the night with me Friday and we had so much fun.  He is getting older and it is getting funner (great word).  We picked blueberries and worked in the garden.

157.  And of course blueberries on Saturday morning call for blueberry waffles:
158.  I just love this picture and had to share these sweet little hands with 4 blueberries.
159.  The Instrumental worship pastor from my church, Rev. Dawson Hull attended a conference and my friend, Rev. Travis Cottrell was there leading in some of the sessions. I got this picture on my cell phone with a “Travis says hi” message and it made my day! 
160.  This is a “Blushing Bride Hydrangea” from the Endless Summer Collection.  I planted it the spring my youngest son Jonathan married his blushing bride, Erin on 06-07-08!  It blooms a pale white/pink, then turns into a very pale blue.  I love it!
161.  This is the son of Jonathan & Erin, sweet baby Jackson. He knows so many words and understands just about everything they ask him to do…he will toddle off and do whatever it is they say or do…here he is “loving Curious George.”  Sweet!  He has a first birthday coming up one week from tomorrow.
162. This past Friday my friend and co-worker Sharon and I attended the funeral for the brother of our mutual friend and co-worker, Brenda. It was one of the most inspirational funerals I have ever attended. Three preachers and a quartet!  It was a celebration homegoing and the quartet sang a song called “If You Knew Him,” by The Perry’s that is absolutely wonderful!
163. The drive to the funeral was all backroads country and it was good for the soul.  We came upon this old covered bridge.  It is in Upson County, GA and is called Auchumpkee Creek Bridge and of course is tied to the time when the Creek Indians lived in this part of Georgia. I could have stayed there all day.  Had a great time tweeting about it with my siestas!
164.  This is the first daylily of 2011 from my garden.  Daylilies are my favorite perennial. 
165.  All the songs we sang yesterday in our morning worship were about God’s holiness. “Holy Holy Holy,” then a beautiful duet by Julie and Megan entitled “No Word But Holy,” and then “Lord, You’re Holy.”  The Spirit was strong and the LORD added to His church. 
166.  Big families! Our church hosts a monthly “visitors luncheon” where new and prospective members meet and have lunch with the pastors and their families. Three of the families there yesterday had lots of children! I mean lots!  Two of them had 5 children each, and the other had six children! Hope for the future of Christian families.
167.  Our church nominated a great group of folks last night to serve as our Pastor Search Team. As God calls them to your memory, will you just pray for His will to be done?  We are searching for a Senior Pastor to come shepherd us, love us, and lead us.  Exciting times ahead for our family of faith!
168.  This is sweet baby Madie Ruth, my granddaughter, in as her momma calls it, “her girliest outfit yet.”  There’s more to come baby girl and we can’t wait!
169.  Lastly…as I sign off tonight, I just want to say it is going to be 49 degrees tonight and I am loving this gift of cooler weather.
170.  One more lastly, I planted green beans, squash and cucumbers in my garden this past weekend.  I harvested red potatoes and onions to make room for the above veggies. The tomatoes have been planted for about 3 weeks and are growing so well with the help of my farmhand, Zeke.  He was watering them for Gran Jan!
It’s been a very good week and I thank you for sharing this journey of counting His gifts with me.  Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be…

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May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2

ALABAMA TORNADO RELIEF EFFORT – FROM LISA McKAY

April 29, 2011 9:45 PM 33

It is such an honor to post concerning the Alabama Tornado Relief Effort on behalf of my dear friend in the Sisterhood of PW’s (preacher’s wives), Mrs. Lisa McKay. I talked to her for a long time this morning, and cannot tell you how the chills ran up and down my spine as she shared. In fact, when I saw her name on my cell phone as a call coming in, my heart began to race. She has not been far from my thoughts or prayers the past 3 days.

First and foremost she wants everyone to know that she and her husband, Rev. Luke McKay and their four children are safe. Their home is uninhabitable at the present, but it can be fixed and will be! They had much devastation up and down their road. Lisa was so thankful and yet grieved, in that place where joy and sorrow meet. Thankful for her own family being spared, and grieved to tears at the pain of others.  In the words of Lisa, “It is like God reached down His Hand and cupped His palm over my home as the tornado jumped and skipped all around…” More chills. More tears. More praise.

She and Luke and the kids were in the crawl space of their home and she said she was praying and crying out to God Psalm 57:1 over and over…

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
She said she was praying, “Lord either take all of us or none of us, don’t leave part of us…” Can you even imagine? The children were telling each other they loved each other. For those of us who have or have raised squabbling siblings – that in itself will make you cry. Let’s all commit to pray that the terror of this will be erased from their memories by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lisa also said that yes – a tornado sounds like a train and she cannot even describe the terror and feeling of doom as they were huddled together waiting…waiting…waiting. And to hear the sound of your man crying out as well…

They had neighbors that were killed (pray as members of the Otts family grieve) and another neighbor where the concrete slab foundation of their home was literally “wiped from the face of the earth,” only 200 yards away.

And now, at Lisa’s request – the purpose of this post is to let you all know that another local church in the area, Chestnut Grove Baptist is the “HUB” of all collections, donations, etc. for the relief effort in their community. They have a fund set up that is ongoing for benevolence called “Chestnut Grove Needy Child Fund” where the tornado efforts will be pooled. This is the address of the bank where the funds may be sent:

Citizens Bank
Attn: Chestnut Grove Needy Child Fund
PO Box 147
Valley Head, AL  35989

The donations are tax deductible and receipts/thank you’s will be mailed!

Following are pictures that Lisa sent me…with her text beneath the pictures:

 More of our road I’m just now seeing.
This is the landscape for miles.
 Behind the house.  My backyard used to be a dense pine thicket.
 The trees miraculously began falling horizontal to the house
where we were hiding underneath.
 We were in this crawlspace…
Front of the house. All trees blowing directly perpendicular to it.
I love you Lisa, and we are praying for you. And you know there’s a guestroom here at the farm with YOUR name on it!
Your friend,
Jan

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April 29, 2011 9:45 PM 33
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