"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance if fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." James 1:2-4

We are beginning our new pulpit series this week. It's always difficult for me to get into another series. I typically (with some exceptions) love the series we are in and find it difficult to change gears and embrace a new one. However, I began reading James and decided it was going to be a good thing not only for this church, but for me personally.

I'm looking forward to what God is planning to do during the next 13 weeks. We have the privilege of not only our regular rotation of speakers, but the addition of Brady Smith in August. What a treat!

So, my question of the day is: All you preachers/scholars/students of the Word, give me your favorite thing/things about the book of James. What comes to mind when you think of a study of that book?

Happy Wednesday!

Family, Bar-B-Que, Sleeping In, Pool Tournament in Mom's Patio, Home Made Vanilla Ice Cream, Warm and gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies, Reading...

It is a beautiful day. The weather isn't cold or hot...it's juuuuust right! The perfect day for spending time with family and having fun.

I hope today you all get to do things you love to do with people you love to do them with.

Remember, though, to take time to remember.

Have a beautiful Memorial Day...

I had the pleasure, Saturday, of spending most of the day with my nephew, James.

It really was a special day, because, you see, even though I see him often, it is always with other people around.

James and I rarely get the chance to have a one-on-one day. In fact, I don't remember a time before that I had him without others with me.

His Dad brought him over and we had 1/2 a donut and watched a few minutes of some cartoons, which he had to explain to me. (Not exactly the same stuff on that my kids used to watch.)

Avery woke up about an hour earlier than necessary (he usually sleeps until the absolute final moment that allows him just enough time to get ready for school, work, church, etc...) so he could hang out with James for a few minutes before he went to work.


They blew bubbles, hosed off the sidewalk, and drove the remote control car. Very fun.

We took Avery to work, and then headed to Taco Bell. We ate and then headed home to get ready for the T-Ball game. Sunscreen, two shirts (James' request), a hat, our glove, our inhaler in case we stop breathing (!?), and we're off!

T-ball was...well...just plain funny.

Then we headed to pick up our cousin, Ashley, who had been at work all morning making coffee for people. James was excited to get to see Ashley because she makes him a drink with milk and bananas and chocalate and ice all blended up. He loves it!

Back to the house where it was nap time! Whew!

Throughout this day, I decided to teach James a scripture...so, I did what any self respecting Aunt would do. I told him that if he learned a memory verse while he was with me, I would take him to Target to get a Hot Wheels of his choice.

He worked all day on it...little by little...laughing, getting frustrated, being silly, working hard.

Finally, he said,
"John 3:16...God loves the world soooooo much, he gave us his only Son!...John 3:16"

Very cool.

I learned a few things Saturday...or maybe I was just reminded again. It's been a while since I was in charge of a 5 year old boy.

I learned that if you both get Nachos at Taco Bell, you can double dip your chips into the stuff they call cheese, because you have your own. But if you share a Nachos, you're not supposed to "double dip."

I learned that "Mommy lets me get Pepsi, but only once. After that's gone, I have to fill my cup with water."

I remembered that finding sticks and rocks in the parking lot is equal to buried treasure.

I remembered that spilling the bubbles and hosing them off is more fun than actually blowing through the little lame plastic circle stick they give you.

I remembered that you can sit, crouched in "catchers position" and watch a slug for minutes...I mean minutes, and never move.

I remembered that to look a child in the eye and tell them how very much you love them never gets old. And to hear it back is magical...

I remembered what it's like to be silly and make a child laugh a big deep down belly laugh.

And, I remembered how very precious it is to hear scripture from the lips of a child.

It was a very good day.

Scripture

I love so many things about scripture...

I love the fact that the more I read and study, the less I know.

I love the idea that it is an eternal well that never runs dry...always there to quench my thirsty soul...to speak to me in a new and different way than the time before.

I love the excitement of the Old Testament. The God who actually spoke to people. What would that have been like? How exciting is that!?

I love the weaving of my Savior all through the Old Testament until, finally, we get to meet him face to face in the New Testament.

I love reading about people dedicated to their God and to Jesus Christ. People who would give their life before they would ever turn their back on what they believed to be true.

All these things I love, and many more.

But I think the most amazing thing to me is the way those ancient words relate to me...today...in 2006.

And today, their are two verses that I am basking in...

Psalm 71:5
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I've trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.

Psalm 16:1
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

What a blessing, in these days of change and uncertainty to have this to rest on.
God is my refuge...my hope. He is my net when I'm on the high wire.
He receives my full trust, because, just as in scripture, He has never, ever failed me.

And...bloggers, He will never fail you...ever.

It's test time...
Finals week for Ashley.

It's her last time in High School to experience the long hours of test week...but we all know, College is just around the corner!

There are things about being young that I miss. There are moments when I think, "enjoy this...these are good times".

But testing, nope...don't miss that at all.

Their school follows the Fresno State University schedule which actually gives them 10 days less of class instruction than the other high schools in town. That is difficult for the teachers as well as the students.

She is allowed to take Fresno State classes, along with her regular high school classes, so this semester she has a University Geology class and German class as well. ( my Mom said "she's too pretty to speak German. She should pick another language." Those Grandma's...they're priceless.)

After Finals week, they go into "electives" which basically means she is through with class work and now rehearses and works for 2 weeks to put on a really good show. It's a fun time for the kids after such a difficult study schedule.

But for now, we are in Finals Week. It's difficult for me to stand by and watch her work and study so hard with so little sleep! I want desperately to help, but can't.

I guess the best I can do is sharpen those #2 pencils and pray!

It's Monday!

Tell me what Monday means to you.
Is it a welcome day after a long hectic weekend?
Is it a time to rest?
Is it a jump back on to the 'ole hamster wheel?

I've said this before, but I used to despise Monday.
I didn't hate school, but would have rather been home.
So, Sunday night, I would feel the anxiety of Monday.
It would actually ruin my Sunday night because Monday was so close around the corner.

I love Monday's.

I love the fact that nothing is due or pressing for me.

I love the fact that I have flexibility on my job, so if the laundry is piled up after a long weekend, or dishes are in the sink, I can take some extra time at home and finish up my duties there.

I love coming into the office and cleaning the coffee pot from the day before.

I love thinking about the time spent just 24 hours earlier in that room praying, laughing, singing, worshiping together before heading out to the auditorium.

I bask in the goodness of God as I think about the day before, as He always, and I do mean always, shows Himself somehow in a way I didn't expect on Sunday.

So, Monday? Bring it on.
For me, it's a great day.

Blessings

Ana One, Ana Two...

Ashley handed me a tiny article cut from the newspaper...I unfolded it and she said,
"Wanna go...?"

It was the Lawrence Welk Mother's Day tour coming through Fresno.

Laugh if you want...I'll give you a minute.

But yesterday, Ashley and Grandma (my Mom), and I all enjoyed a wonderful lunch together and then headed down town to see a Lawrence Welk show.

When I was a little girl, my Saturday night consisted of sitting in the floor while my Mom combed out my freshly washed hair and curled it in rag curls for Sunday morning.

My Dad was in his recliner, Mom in her chair, and I was at her feet watching Lawrence Welk. (and Hee Haw!) Every Saturday night.

So, for me, Lawrence Welk became a part of who I was. It provided safety, security, and consistency because that's how I felt in that room with my parents...every Saturday night.

When my daughter was little, she would sit at my feet as we watched Lawrence Welk re-runs on PBS on Saturday night. Or, if we had already curled the hair, we would just sit together and watch.

Beautiful girls, Handsome men, sparkling dresses, lovely voices, and the bubbles. We loved it.

So, when Ashley asked me to go and bring Grandma, how could I resist such an invitation?

When the curtain opened and the band played and the singers began singing, I cried.
When Joe Feeney (beautiful Irish tenor) sang Oh, Danny Boy, I cried.
When they began the closing song, "Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you..." I cried.

It wasn't just about the Lawrence Welk Show, it was about a childhood, and now me, a mother and a daughter sitting between my mother and daughter.

So laugh if you want...make fun...I can take it.

It was a blast!

Last night, I had the pleasure of knowing everybody was home and in their own "place" in our house. It's so good to have Avery and Lex home. Lex had a great time at Pepperdine and Avery had a very successful rocket launch and journey home.

I will post more later regarding the launch, but for now...

Yesterday morning we were in the middle of our rehearsal time. Singing through the music we would soon be sharing with the church. One of our praise team members stopped us and shared her heart and a scripture....

We were singing "Be Unto Your Name". (From ZOE Heart of Worship CD)

She said she couldn't sing it without thinking about Revelation and then proceeded to read to us what was on her heart.

"...Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty --
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come." (4:8)

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power..."(4:11)

The scripture was beautiful. We love that song and have sung it many times, but yesterday, I saw it differently. Fresh, full of the Spirit. We knew it was from scripture, but to be stopped and have our attention brought back to it was a wonderful experience amidst the "rehearsal" time.

So today as I reflect on those few minutes, I'm very grateful for people who give their hearts in service to God. People who do what they do not for the glory or attention of it, (which can be a down fall to some Worship Teams and/or Leaders), but simply because they are in love with their Savior and in awe of their God and want to share that with others.

Blessings...

I took yesterday off and enjoyed doing...absolutely...nothing!

Don't tell my husband. He's working hard in Malibu, bless his heart!

Lex comes home today but informed me last night he's headed straight to the "shop" because they have their first "Friday Night Event" of the summer. He feels he needs to be there, so once again, I lose to the motorcycles.

Avery is having a very good time in Huntsville. He had lunch yesterday with the pilot of the next Space Shuttle. wow...I really wouldn't even know how to converse with the guy. They launch tomorrow, so when you get a chance, maybe you could pray for safety and success for the team.

Ashley has had two AP tests and a college level Geology Final this week. Whew! What a week for her! She's quite a girl.

I've done a couple of things I've never done before. Emptied the garbage from the house, took the cans to the street for pick-up, lost the dog in the process (I'm an amateur), and then brought the cans back up the next day. It was amazing as I was doing it that I realized I had never had to do it before. Never. At least now we know I can! (The dog came back as soon as he finished his little journey around the block.)

It's been very clear to me recently how very blessed we all are to have relationship with each other through the Father. It amazes me to think about dropping my daughter off in another state and have full assurance and peace that she will not only be just fine, but really have a chance to grow and become something wonderful for the Kingdom of God. Not just because of her efforts, but because of all the people who already know and love her and are willing to help develop and support her. Not to mention the ones she's yet to meet.

It's been wonderful for Lex to be at Pepperdine and have time with the "guys". He doesn't get a chance to do stuff like that at home. But what a blessing to have a group of people he can call on if he needed somebody to pray with him and/or for him. Through blogging, through Pepperdine, through ZOE, through church...what an enormous blessing it is to be connected.

Blessings to you all in Pepperdine as you finish up your week and get ready to travel home. I hope you're filled up and overflowing!

Blessings to those of you who are traveling home from other places. (NASA and Georgia in particular)

Blessings to those of you who stayed home this week and just kept doing what you do in beautiful service to your family and God.

Had an Elder walk by me last night at church and say with a little twinkle in his eye, "read your blog today".

Great. The one time I let a little frustration out regarding a church process and result, he reads my blog. The only thing I could think to say was, "at least I didn't say anything about the Elders, right?"

Had another person stop me last night and tell me they were going to shake down their second grade class last night to raise money for my salary...that way the church could pay for me as well as that Saturday advertising! Funny people.

I'm glad we can have a sense of humor about some things. So far, the class has raised $3.50. It looks like I'm getting a raise! (couldn't resist...sorry, Elder, if you chose to read again.)

On a lighter note, here are some pics from recent happenings...
Ashley with her very good friend and horn partner, Chris, at their final concert. This boy is a precious part of our family.

The Quartet at their final vocal concert

Ashley with Daddy before Prom.
Ashley with friends before Prom. Beautiful girls.

Thanks for stopping by!

Because there are so many things to blog about, so many things happening in the Henderson household, as well as the church household, I have hesitated blogging at all!

Here in a nutshell is what is going on:

*Ashley had her last concerts Monday, Thursday, and Friday of last week. I've been attending school concerts for many years, and last week, I watched kids whom I have been watching since Elementary school give their final performances for the parents. They were wonderful. And, yes, a few tears fell. (and not just mine, by the way!)

*Ashley turned down the Pepperdine Scholarship and Admission and decided to attend Abilene Christian University. As much as I would have loved to have her within arms reach in Malibu, I think, for her heart and future, she made a very wise decision. So, amidst final concerts, and Finals, and AP testing, and graduation thoughts, she's made a very prayerful and good decision regarding her future. I've very proud of her.

*Lex leaves today to work for ZOE at Pepperdine. He's never gone without me. I will miss him, but know he's doing something God has gifted him to do. I've said it before...there isn't a better sound guy with a heart for worship than Lex. He's a treasure.

*Avery leaves tomorrow for Alabama for the Launch with NASA. He and his team have been working overtime on the final preparations for their rocket. He's put some special things in this year that he's anxious (maybe a little stressed) to see if it produces the kind of launch he's hoping for. To say I'm proud of him is an understatement. He's quite intelligent...and very sweet.

*Our church just finished a process of communication that was, at best, interesting. There was a Steering Committee appointed to "poll" the church on different issues. Can you say "can of worms?" Anyway, a 50 page report came out Sunday with suggestions from the congregation regarding anything you could think of. Although there were some very thoughtful and enlightening responses, (very few), my favorite was to let the Worship Minister go (that would be me) because it's an unnecessary expense and use that money to take out a full page ad in the Saturday religion section of the paper inviting people to come to our church. My salary should cover the advertising costs.

Although some of the remarks hurt a bit, for the most part, I found the whole process and result amusing. It's a sign of growth for me. In the past I would have been devastated to think somebody didn't like me. That's o.k. God has a purpose for me and for now, it involves serving at the College Church. When that's over, He'll let me know. Don't let my comments steer you toward thinking it was only a negative report, there were many sweet and positive comments made regarding many things, I just found amusement with some of the other suggestions.

Hhmmm...seems like there's more, but for now, I can't think beyond what I've told you...so, enjoy your day bloggers...particularly those of you enjoying the sun and fellowship and rich teaching in Malibu!