Start spreading the news…

#FiveMinuteFriday seems to roll around so quickly. Hope you all enjoy your weekend. I am heading south to Murfreesboro, Tennessee today to be with my daughter-in-law at our BABY SHOWER on Saturday! She has made it to 36 weeks and we couldn’t be more thrilled to meet Miss Norah Jayne. God is in the miracle working business and if you haven’t read about Kyle and Rachel’s miracle, go ahead and do that here. It will open in a new tab and then you can come right back! (Grab the tissues.) What are your plans for the weekend?

We might actually learn something today and that is a good thing.

Did you know that some believe that the word news is an acronym for the four cardinal directions, North, East, West and South? It isn’t true, it is definitely a myth.

The word news goes all the way back to late Middle English, right around the 14^th century. It was a plural for the adjective new or new thing. For grammar and English buffs, you would understand that it is rare for an English adjective to become a noun when made plural. Possibly it derives from the Old French nouveau, meaning new, and its plural becomes nouvelles which means…wait for it…news!

Even more interesting is the tidbit that before the 14^th century those that spoke the English language used the word tidings, kind of like an announcement of something that was to take place.

Today, the news has changed. I would not call what we see on the evening news a new thing and I wouldn’t call it tidings, definitely not glad tidings! It has become a pre-cursor to Saturday Night Live and we can see it every night of the week, not just one.

We long for entertainment, no matter how raunchy. And may I say, this presidential race is flat out raunchy. I am embarrassed for them! I just want to hear what you are going to do to fix our economy, defeat terrorism and provide jobs for the unemployed. And don’t forget the health insurance thing; it’s kind of big. I don’t care how much a candidate sweats, how much water he does or doesn’t drink or what brand of suit he is wearing.

Newsflash: We don’t care!

For as bad as the news is, it isn’t a new thing. News has been spreading long before they knew what to call it. According to Bible.org, “The term gospel is found ninety-nine times in the New American Standard Bible and ninety-two times in the NET Bible. In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the translation of the Greek noun euangelion (occurring 76 times) “good news,” and the verb euangelizo„ (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or announce good news.” Both words are derived from the nounangelos, “messenger.”

In classical Greek, an euangelos was one who brought a message of victory or other political or personal news that caused joy. In addition, euangelizomai (the middle voice form of the verb) meant “to speak as a messenger of gladness, to proclaim good news.”Further, the noun euangelion became a technical term for the message of victory, though it was also used for a political or private message that brought joy.”

The Apostle Paul seems to convey it best in his letter to the Corinthians. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.

Paul is adamant that the death, burial and, most importantly, resurrection of Jesus Christ was an actual event. He is so convinced that he is putting his life at risk, over and over again, to spread this Good News. This is a glad tiding!

We have this eternal hope in Christ if we “hold fast” to what we first received.

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When you hear some good news, you want to share it, right? That’s how the Gospel has been spreading for a couple thousand years and it won’t stop until every nation has heard that Jesus died for all of us and eternal life is freely available, but only through Him.

What kind of news are you spreading today? What are you focused and consumed with? The presidential race here in the United States is definitely important, no doubt, but the enemy would love to distract us from the best news we could share, the Good News that Jesus saves, delivers, satisfies and makes all things new.

Start spreading the news…

Cavities, extractions & mistakes: Reflections of a five-year-old

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“Blessed are they who hold lively conversations with the helplessly mute, for they shall be called dentists.” ― Ann Landers

The year was 1966. I was a tiny five-year-old. I wasn’t in kindergarten since it had not been instituted in our local school yet. If that doesn’t make you feel old, what wouldn’t? As My Three Sons used to say, “Kindergarten hadn’t been invented yet? WOW!!”

I had a toothache. At five years old, it was my first of many more to come, even though I was completely unaware of that fact. Maybe I should say I was thankfully unaware. So, like any good parents, mine took me to the dentist to see about this little bitty piece of dentin and enamel that was causing me so much discomfort.

Surely this dentist, who had a valid license, just made a simple mistake. They happen. But to go from the dentist office, back home, and then end up in the emergency room was a huge mistake to us.

As soon as we arrived at the ER my pediatrician was called, who happened to already be at the hospital. He took one look at me and reacted quickly. I had been bleeding profusely ever since we left the dentist early that afternoon and my parents couldn’t get it to stop. Thankfully, they panicked and took me to the hospital, where my doctor announced that I would have bled to death had they not come. Good to know.

The dentist had pulled the wrong tooth.

My pediatrician picked up the phone and gave him a piece of his mind! I actually do remember this day, even though it seems impossible to remember something that happened to you at the age of five. I vividly remember the dentist visit, the pain, the bleeding and even the ER trauma. I can still see my doctor standing over me, furious that this had happened to such a sweet, tiny, little girl.

That was just the beginning of my dental woes. I don’t remember visiting the dentist much growing up; thankfully I didn’t have many problems. Once I was married, I was introduced to my husband’s family dentist, Doc Boruff as he was lovingly referred to. He was a good friend to the family and my sister-in-law’s mother also worked for him. There was no thinking about it or looking through the phone book, Doc was now my dentist too.

A couple of years into our marriage I totaled The Sweetheart’s little truck and smashed my face pretty good. (You can read that story here!) My front tooth was broken and Doc met me at the office after hours to relieve my pain and make a plan of action to crown the tooth. He was my hero.

Fast forward about four years when my wisdom teeth were giving me fits. Doc told me they needed to come out but only two were pushing through; the others were impacted. He recommended an oral surgeon.

I refused.

No one was touching my teeth except Doc. That scare at the age of five had followed me and I was not a trusting soul. I wanted Doc Boruff to extract my wisdom teeth and I wouldn’t budge.

Doc was also a farmer, a hard-working man who towered over most. I was always amazed that he was a dentist because he had the biggest hands I had ever seen and I had the smallest mouth opening he had ever seen. Removing my wisdom teeth that day, the sweat dripped from Doc’s face and ran down mine. I should never have put him through that. Hindsight, as they say, is better than foresight. I should have gone to an oral surgeon and taken the drugs instead of staring wide-eyed at Doc for hours that day. (I no longer sit in a dentist’s chair with my eyes open, I am sure they appreciate that!)

Naturally, he did a great job and I WALKED four blocks to my grandmother’s house that day and then hosted a bridal shower for my sister that night! (Yes, it did all hit me about halfway into the shower and I thought I would surely pass out into the peach punch from the pain.)

Doc Boruff passed away many years ago and I would not be the only one to say he was the best dentist around. Professionalism and perfectionism were his trademarks but his personality kept you coming back. You just trusted Doc to take care of whatever was causing your pain.

In my 54 years of living, I have spent countless DAYS in a dentist’s chair. I surely could have bought a luxury car with what I have spent, maybe even a house! I have had several dentists down through the years since I have lived in three states and several different cities. I have even been to the dentist in the country of Estonia a couple of summers ago. That was an interesting experience!

When we came back from Latvia in 2012, I was thankfully introduced to my current dentist, Dr. Arnold. After my second visit, I told The Sweetheart that I thought I had found the 21^st century Doc Boruff. Kind, personable and the best at making you comfortable, I have never even thought of going anywhere else. Like Doc Boruff, he doesn’t do anything that doesn’t need to be done, which means so much when you are paying out of pocket.

If you have read this far, you are surely wondering why a faith-based blog is sharing dental experiences! It is because the last few days I have been suffering with my second dry socket.

If you have never experienced this phenomena, believe me, you do not ever want to obtain membership to that club. I had a tooth extracted, but the blood clot, that normally forms to heal, came loose somehow, leaving the bone open and exposed. Saturday morning, my wonderful dentist met me at the office even though they were closed. I had tried clove oil (which truly does help numb the area!) and ibuprofen for the pain, but trust me, it was unbearable. It doesn’t just throb where the tooth was removed, it takes over that entire side of the face, up and down the jaw and into your ear and at one point, I felt it in my eye; truly one of the most uncomfortable experiences ever.

It is healing, albeit slowly, and I am thankful for people who care that you are in pain and for a God who listens in the middle of the night when you think you just can’t stand it any longer…He brings sweet relief and rest even to phantom toothache pain.

Do you have a dental horror story to share? We would love to hear it! (Please do not mention any names if it is not flattering.) Feel free to share the good, the bad and the ugly here today. One of these days I will share the story of me being DROPPED during surgery. If it had to happen, it had to be me!

Be blessed as you start another week and whatever you are facing, know our great God is with you. Always.

Sharing with Soul Survival, Modest Monday, Good morning Mondays

Processing Pain

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Contentment is a rare bird, but it sings sweetly in the breast. ~ Martin Luther

“Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your word…It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes.” Psalm119:67 and 119:71.

Is it possible to have contentment in life regardless of your circumstance?

Job was stripped of everything that was of any importance to him: His family, possessions, seemingly taken in an instant. His wife was not much help, encouraging him to curse God and get it over with. His friends were not necessarily the neighborhood welcoming committee. Listening to them hour after hour would depress anyone and make you want to give up.

But Job didn’t do any of that. He continued to hang on to his faith in spite of his circumstances, even in the middle of intense personal pain and suffering.

How did he do it? How did Joseph do it?

There are few people in the Bible that had worse luck than Joseph.

Favorite of his father; despised by his brothers.
Sold into slavery; reported as dead.
Taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.
Gains favor in Potiphar’s house only to have Potiphar’s wife attempt to seduce him.
Interprets dreams for baker and butler only to be forgotten.

He is finally remembered for his special dream interpreting skills and gets a spot in front of Potiphar and then goes on to be second in command in Egypt.

When Joseph is reunited with his repentant brothers he assures them it isn’t entirely their fault: “But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21.

Joseph would never have risen to the top without first overcoming the obstacles that were put in his way.

He learned, he grew, and he gained knowledge from his difficulties that would help him when he finally got to where God intended him to be: a leader of leaders.

Remember the TV show Happy Days? Richie Cunningham had been grounded for life by his father for disobeying. Being the fatherly adviser that he was, Richie’s dad, Howard, asked, “Did you know that there is a lesson in this for you?’ Richie replied, “I figured anything with this much pain had to have a lesson in it somewhere.”

Yes, Richie, there is a plan in the hardships of life. And even if God doesn’t put these things upon us, He can turn them around for our good!

Does that apply to physical pain and suffering? Can it be for our good? How is that possible?

Our infirmities, and especially our weaknesses, will cause us to look to God, rely on Him and help us to achieve His purpose.

We don’t need the crutches of this world if we have Jesus!

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When we are desperate for Him, when we have nowhere else to turn, our sickness, illness and infirmities will cause us to search the Word for answers. There, in that secret place of prayer and devotion, the Holy Spirit helps us to know the will of God!

Joseph and Job both left us examples to follow. When they were at their lowest, lost everything that meant anything to them, afflicted physically, suffering intense pain and even imprisonment, they looked up. They could have done as Job’s wife suggested, “Curse God and die!” But neither one of them chose that path and instead left us with Godly wisdom for the ages. Job even responded to his wife and said, “‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all of this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:9-10.

When Job learned that all of his children had just been killed? “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped.” Job 1:20.

He went to the Source, the Creator of life. He knew where his strength would come from and eternal hope abided!

Is your pain too great to bear? Are you struggling with what you have been dealt with today? Are family situations, relationships, work difficulties causing you heartache? Is chronic pain, fatigue, fibromyalgia, cancer, MS, MD, (Insert pain here_________) weighing down your faith?

They are all very real to you, friend they are very real to God.

God sees it all. He also sees down the road and knows that you will be stronger, wiser and able to help others when you overcome your own adversity. The best part? He is with you. Always. He never leaves us in our weaknesses, He walks beside us, carries us if necessary. He gives strength for each new day, so try not to rush through, be patient, depend on the Word and meet Him in prayer every day. There you will find your sustenance; enough for each 24 hour period.

Call on Him throughout your day! He will show up!! He is alive IN you, the Comforter was sent just for that purpose.

Use the following scriptures to encourage yourself in the Lord as you process through your pain with prayer and the Word!

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end..” Jeremiah 29:11.

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Corinthians 10:13.

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17.

Sharing with Wedded Wednesday, A little R & R