Where Were You?

Nine years ago, America collectively gasped and watched our illusion of safety crumble to the ground when not one but three immediately recognizable buildings were struck by terrorist controlled airplanes. Since that day, we have studied videos, listened to countless commentaries, read hundreds of stories and articles, and wondered.

September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in the memory of most Americans for a very long time. For my parents' generation, it ranks right up there with November 22, 1963. Just as our parents could tell you where they were and what they were doing when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, most people of my generation remember quite well where they were and what they were doing on 9/11/01. I was at work when one of my employees walked in and said "A plane just flew into the Pentagon." My first response was a thoroughly professional "Nuh-uh ... you're kidding, right?" There were no tv's available to us, just radio ... which obligingly within moments broke in with the shocking news that she was indeed correct. A few frantic phone calls later, it started to sink in with a gut-wrenching reality. Our safe haven had been violated not once but three times, and it appeared that there would have been a 4th attempt but the plane had crash landed. Within a two hour time period, both the north and south towers of the World Trade Center had been struck by aircraft, the Pentagon had been hit, and the plane crash in Pennsylvania was a horrific ending to what might have been yet another terrorist attack.

Within the days, weeks, and months that followed, America pulled together like never before in my memory. We were Americans and we would stand against those who dared to invade the sanctuary of our borders. We cried, we held hands, we hugged, we prayed. We knelt down, we looked up. We stood up ... and we stood tall. Eight years later, it is a horrific memory, and a realization of our vulnerability. Terrorism does happen; it happened here.

Where were you eight years ago? Did the events of 9/11/01 effect a change in your life? The last eight years have brought changes both good and bad into my life. Fortunately, the most recent changes have all been good. I thank God every day for the blessings He has given me.

We all have the capacity for change. Fortunately, most change does not require an earth-shattering event like we lived through in 2001. If a major change in your life were to happen, traumatic or otherwise, will God be your guide? If you can't answer "YES!" without hesitation, take some time to ask Him to fill that role for you. Believe in Him, and He will guide you in all things.

Jesus, lay your Hand on our hearts and minds today as we reflect on those who lost their lives in the tragedies of 2001. Guide their families to peace, guide us as a nation to stand strong. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

"... Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror."~Isaiah 21:1 NIV

A Fresh Start

As you may have noticed, I am a reader. Sometimes, I write about what I am reading because it has touched me in some way that I feel a need to share with you. The book I recently finished reading has done just that. Finding an outlet that allows me to do so was part of what drew me to Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers. Working with Thomas Nelson publishers allows me to read (which I love), write about what I've read (which I also love), and to combine the two in a way that will make you want to read what I've just read (which I hope to do).

The first thing that drew me to this book was not the title, but the cover artwork. Simplistic? Maybe. But take a look before you dive inside. Cool, clear water is the impression that you receive, and water does what for us? Refreshes us and quenches our thirst. Fresh Start, written by teaching pastor Doug Fields, invites you inside to learn just how "God's Invitation to a Great Life" can work for you.

You immediately discover that Fields is not your typical self-help book author. He uses humor, common sense, real-life examples, and scripture that drives his point home to bring you into the world of change. His introduction tells the tale of Thomas Edison. Not of his amazing discoveries, but of the destructive fire that obliterated much of his work. Edison's reaction? " ... I am not too old to make a fresh start." With that simple statement, Doug Fields begins to walk us through just how to make such a change happen in our lives, and what effect even simple changes will have.

Fields uses the word stuck to describe our spiritual habits, and how accurate this description is! He reminds us that through the maze of self-help, we need to focus on the one thing that can indeed bring us from "stuck" to starting over, and that's simply that "change comes only because we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13)," and that "real, lasting change comes from God's unlimited power." Over and over, throughout the 193 pages of this work, Doug Fields makes a point, questions your understanding, reinforces what he is teaching, and moves you forward. I just wanted to keep reading, and read this book in one day!

From defining "Unstuck," to inviting you "To Boldly Go," to "Analyzing Anger," and realizing "What You Value Most," Doug Fields has written a book that draws you in with a timely message for today's hurry-up-right-now-I-want-it-all society. Why not see what Fresh Start means to you?

"I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland!"~Isaiah 43:19 NLT

Seventy Two Hours

In just under seventy two hours, Fall semester 2009 begins at Wallace Community College. This is the beginning of my fourth semester of nursing school, and one step closer to achieving my goal of graduating in May 2010.

Most of us have grown up with the television classic "60 Minutes." In less than an hour, we receive succinct and timely narrations of current issues of interest. The news program "48 Hours" has a slightly different focus. It is now "48 Hours/Mystery". Both are viewed on CBS. If you add the two together, it equals 72 hours. Much can happen in that time span.

Did you know that many survival experts recommend a "72 hour kit?" What, you ask, is a 72 hour kit? In case of a disaster, a 72 hour kit may mean the difference between life and death. The past few years have shown us just how important emergency preparedness is. From Katrina to the local spring flooding, it has been brought home in a sometimes painful way. If disaster strikes, would you be prepared?

First and foremost, I am no expert. Like most, I am fairly proficient with a computer search engine, however. When the "72 hours" stuck in my head today as I was thinking about the start of the upcoming semester, I decided to search that phrase and see what came up. The very first thing my search engine returned was 72 Hour Kits/Home Security. Because my curiosity was peaked, I read on.

What would you need to survive for 72 hours (three days)? We see it flashing on the tv screens more frequently these days due to hurricane season: water! Humans need water to survive, and this particular site recommends 1-2 gallons per day per person for your kit. The list goes on, and is pretty much common sense. Think about it: what would you need if you were away from everything for 3 days? Toiletries, changes of clothing, medications, entertainment (think books, puzzles), and food. Remember the last time we had severe weather warnings? If you were at Walmart, you realize just how many people leave things until the last minute. If you don't think so, try to buy batteries, bottled water, or toilet paper during a state of weather emergency. Are you prepared?

When Jesus returns, we won't have 72 hours. It will be much like a tornado, here then gone, touching down to retrieve His children and leaving nonbelievers behind. Preparation for His return is vital, because the Bible tells us that we don't know when He is coming, simply to be ready. It might seem difficult or complicated, but it is not. How do you prepare for Jesus' return?

Believe and accept that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and your ticket home to heaven. Why? Because He is. In John 14:6, Jesus states it simply and clearly: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." Get your Heaven kit ready. Call on Jesus today, accept and believe, and be prepared for whatever tomorrow may bring.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father ... Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come ... So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."~Matthew 24:36,42,44NIV

Greenie Fight Never Dies!

Last year, I was privileged to be a part of a special occasion in my (then) boyfriend's life. June 2008 was his 30th class reunion, and it was the culmination of a week-long vacation in Texas. I was excited for more than one reason: I was meeting the family (his), meeting the friends from high school (most of whom he had not seen in 20 years or more), and returning to Texas! When he told me where he had graduated from high school, my first thought was "What??" Rob graduated Class of 1978 from SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL, Beaumont, Texas.

Absolutely nothing like the fictitious South Park of Cartoon Network fame, South Park High School served the South Park neighborhood of Beaumont. This classic building stands 3 stories high, is constructed of red brick, and has a sweeping stairway going up to the front doors that face Highland Avenue. Not necessarily large by high school standards, during Rob's tenure at SPHS, there were approximately 800-900 students in grades 9-12. Compare that to Dothan High or Northview and SPHS is quite a bit smaller. Consider, however, that Beaumont had seven high schools in the late 70's.

SPHS was built in the early 1900's, and its first graduating class was the class of 1915. Some 71 years later, SPHS would see the last class of senior high school students exit its doors when the class of 1986 finished their four years. The 1986-1987 school year saw it become South Park Middle School, and today the fight is on to keep this amazing part of Beaumont's educational history alive. I don't know all the reasons behind the planned destruction of this building, but what I do know of SPHS is what amazes me.

Imagine my surprise when we enter this semi-formal event and are greeted by the silent-yet-screaming presence of the school mascot "Sparky." Standing even taller than my 6'3" boyfriend, Sparky proudly wears the school colors (kelly green and white) and is the cause of more than one smile that evening. What stands out most in my memories of this part of our trip is the camaraderie and genuine caring I recognized between the classmates spread across the country from Alaska (Tommy Morris) to Alabama (Rob). Many still live in their home state of Texas, although very few at all live in the South Park neighborhood in which they grew up. This once thriving, vibrant community is now but a shell of its former self.

Take a minute to reflect on your high school days. Have you attended any reunions? Do you plan to? Why or why not? What would you feel if your school was slated for destruction? I never attended South Park High, never even lived in Beaumont, but I am saddened at the potential loss of history. There are many factors that will be taken into consideration before the judge makes his final decision as to the fate of SPHS. We may or may not ever know what those factors are. Regardless of the outcome, the Greenie spirit that lives in the former students is a wonderful thing to behold.

The sun that sets

may never rise

but Greenie fight

never dies!

What spirit shows in you? Are you as proud of Jesus as you are of the car you drive, the house you live in, or even the school you attended? I'm relatively certain He doesn't care if you don't have a bumper sticker that shouts "GO JESUS!", but what screams are heard when you open your mouth? Even more important, what is heard when you say nothing at all?

Try not to be the careless driver who was pulled over by the policeman on traffic duty. When she belligerently questioned his reasons for stopping her, he replied: "You ran a stop sign while traveling 10 mph above the speed limit, talking on your cell phone and not wearing your seat belt. You flipped off the last person you passed, and questioned my heritage when I asked for your license and registration. The bumper sticker on the back of your car says 'Honk if you love Jesus.' I thought the car was stolen." (anonymous)

Lord, help me to make the most of each day. Help me think before I speak. Better yet, keep your hand on my shoulder so you are close enough to clap it over my mouth if necessary!

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."~John 15:12-13 NIV

The Library is Your Friend

On Sunday, August 16, Mrs. Brenda Watson passed away. In my school days (the 70s and 80s), Mrs. Watson was a smiling fixture in the library at Cottonwood High School, and back in those school days, she was called the librarian. I think these days, they are media center specialists or something like that, but Mrs. Watson was definitely not your typical librarian.

Make no mistake, just because she was totally different from our previous librarian (Mrs. Windsor), that did not mean that she took her job less seriously ... far from that. She was a veritable wealth of knowledge on books, authors, and writing! She also maintained a pretty tight ship when it came to her library, there was no horseplay or loud noise allowed.

I have not been back to CHS in years, probably more than 20 years now. At that time, the library was in the center of the main hall across from the principal's office. It was a wonderful part of the original school structure, with high windows and varied shelf heights. The stage was in the library, with its maroon velvet curtains that seemed to be 20 feet tall. There was a little hallway when you first entered the library, and a closet to the left about midway down that hall. If you kept walking straight in, the first section of books you would come to was the junior section. It was wonderful to be old enough to check books from there! It was home to biographies in blue bindings - I read stories of Juliette Low, Abraham Lincoln, and Helen Keller. I followed in the detective steps of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

The center section that ran parallel to the main hall outside was a short section of shelves and was home not only to the elementary books (we were GROWN when we didn't have to check from there anymore!), but also to the reference books and encyclopedias. Research papers were done painstakingly by hand in those days, and you knew for sure that the school would have more than one set of encyclopedias. It was also a good bet that they did not have the same Funk & Wagnalls set that you had at home. There were dictionaries, works of fiction, and even magazines!

What's in your personal library? Do you have one? I confess. I am a bookaholic. I have books in almost every single room of my house, and yes, that is books plural. They are filling the bookshelves, stacked on the floor, on the bedside tables (both sides!), and in boxes not yet unpacked. If I were to count every book in my house, it would literally take days. I could call myself a collector (I am), but truth be told, I just simply love books. I love to read.

I could not even begin to list the books I have read in my lifetime, there are far too many. I feel blessed in that my children have the same love for reading. What you read, however, can be as important as how much you read. I read just about anything, and yes, I have read the entire Bible. Like music, books have the ability to take you places you may never otherwise have the opportunity to go. When I read, I am a part of the book!

If you don't like to read, find something that interests you. Start small. There is a reason books for young children are short: so is their attention span! If you are not a fan of reading, by all means don't pick up a Bible concordance to work your way through! Choose a book of the Bible instead. What did the pastor speak on last Sunday? Did that sermon strike a nerve? Do you want to know more about where his ideas came from? Read that book of the Bible. Read a Psalm, or read the first book of Genesis and be amazed all over again at the creation. In 31 verses, you can see our world created.

God, I thank you for the love of reading. I thank you for the encouragement I have received throughout my life that fostered that love. Thank you for blessing me with the presence of a wonderful librarian, Mrs. Watson, who was part of that encouragement, and with parents who loved to read. Thank you for allowing that blessing to overflow to my children and grandchild. May I continue to be able to share that love through the written and spoken word.

RIP Mrs. Brenda Joyce Watson.

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."~Revelation 1:3 NIV