Steven Curtis Chapman was on Larry King Live Thursday night.  As his family talked about the tragic death of their five year old, I wondered how people would respond to their comments.  It seems we have a lot of pat phrases we use when people are hurting, many of which fall on deaf ears.  The Chapmans said the most comfort they received was when people didn’t try to say something clever, but just came alongside them in their grief.

We don’t know why God allows bad things to happen, but His Word assures us that He cares.

Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)  “…the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.”

 Isaiah 51:12 (NIV)  "I, even I, am He who comforts you.”

Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)  “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;”

2 Cor. 1:4 (NIV)  “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Cor. 7:6 (NIV)  “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us”

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)  “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

John 11:35 (NIV)  “Jesus wept.”

Sally

Has God called you to be a...

...Leader?
...Author?
...Speaker?

Are you asking yourself, "How do I accomplish God's call?"
If so, CLASServices, Inc. is for you!

CLASSeminar is Coming to Jamestown, NY
September 8-10, 2008
Busti Church of God

       996 Forest Ave. Extension

The CLASSeminar, featuring Florence Littauer, Marita Littauer and a complete staff of professional speakers and writers, provides practical methods and proven plans paired with professionalism and polish so that you can become a skilled communicator.

 Learn how to quickly develop an effective spoken/written message

• Increase confidence in your communication skills
• Discover proven techniques to market your ministry
• Develop a professional style

If you are looking for focus and refinement in your communication skills, CLASServices, Inc. is for you! Our friendly staff and encouraging faculty will help guide and mentor you in your quest to be all God has called you to be.

A lot of excitement is building for this CLASSeminar;
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Get ready for God to do amazing things!

CLASServices is a full-service training and equipping agency for Christian leaders, authors and speakers.

Along with the CLASSeminar we provide other training, resources, and services to help you fulfill your calling and achieve your potential.

Take the next step and develop your skills.

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HE PASSED!  On the way home from the Road Test and from dropping Nate off at football conditioning, I started to realize what was happening.  I was going through a series of “lasts” and not even realizing it!  That was the last time to drive him to practice.  The last time to carry on a conversation in the van about his day.  The last time to give him play by play directions to the destination point.  Maybe the last time to drive him to youth activities.

How does a parent learn to let go?  I’ve heard that it is a process we begin the day they are born.  We let go with a series of “firsts.”  The first day with a babysitter.  The first day of school.  The first sleepover.

So it is with life.  Endings become new beginnings and we step into a new chapter of life.  One day at a time.

Sally

I got to watch a photo shoot today!  I’m still pinching myself, but it really did happen!  Country Woman Magazine came to catch Dawn Samuelson in her natural element on their farm.  Cheryl Wahlstrom sent a letter to the editor many months ago about Dawn and her clinics.  They were interested in what Dawn is teaching about relationships and they sent out a team!  Jim (the photographer), Missy (lead stylist), and Linda (the makeup artist) all flew into Erie last night and stayed at Chautauqua Suites.  Tammy brought food over today from BonJour and we were treated to a scrumptious feast of homemade breads, pastries and fresh fruit.

With digital cameras, they were able to set the pictures behind computer templates for the magazine cover, to see if they were getting an angle they liked.  They also caught great shots of the horses in the background and could work on them to adjust images.  It was fascinating to watch the process.

Don’t you love it when the Lord lets you see a slice of life that is different from your own?  We each have a story, a tale to tell of God’s presence in the difficult times, and of His mercy in the good times.  We learn so much from sharing those experiences and seeing God’s faithfulness.  So take David’s advice today:  Be strong, show your character, and follow God’s ways (I Kings 2:2-3).  You have things about you that are “uniquely-you” and much to offer to the world.  Go and tell!

Sally

P.S.  Dawn will be the cover girl on the June/July 2009 issue of Country Woman!

Hubby returned late last nite with our 16 year old son.  They had driven three hours one way to see the Cleveland Browns do a scrimmage.  They also added a tour of the Indians’ Stadium (that’s sacred ground in the Ferguson tradition).  The thing of it was, they came home looking like kids in a candy store.  Both of ‘em.  They were grinning ear-to-ear and couldn’t wait to tell me about their adventures.  They got freebies at the game, autographs from the players and bought goodies at the team store.

Yup.  It was a good day.

Us gals did what gals like to do.  We went shopping.  Of course, it was a necessity, ‘cause we had to get school clothes (for both of us).  I think we hit almost every store at the Mall.  We decided to Shop ‘til you Drop (me, not her – she’s 14 and can outlast any seasoned shopper!).  Then we had supper at Applebee’s.  Appetizers and all.

It was a very good day.

Ya know what I’m thinkin’?  I think God must love to spend time with His kids as much as we love to be with ours.  He loves to laugh with us and giggle and share a good appetizer.  He chuckles when He sees us enjoying what He created for our good.  And He sees all that He has made, and all of His hopes and dreams for His people, and on the day when we come and ask Him to be the leader of our lives?

He declares it, “That’s a very, very good day!”

Sally

Genesis 1:31 NIV  “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) 

    The Lord your God is with you,

        He is mighty to save.

    He will take great delight in you,

        He will quiet you with his love,

        He will rejoice over you with singing."

If you’re Born Organized, then I have a question for you.  

How do you stay on-task when it means disrupting other people?  

Yesterday I had great intentions to Finish What I Start.  (Don’t laugh at me.   )  I declared war with the spiders in our house.  And off I went with the vacuum cleaner and hose.  I scoured every nook and cranny I could find.  I chased every spider and grabbed its’ webs.  I was a woman on a mission!  Until…I came to the TV room.  Everything came to a halt because I didn’t want to bother the ones who were viewing.  

Today, the vacuum cleaner is in mourning because it still sits where I left it!  

How do you stay on-track without bullying others to accommodate you?

Sally

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NIV) 

    But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Usually we think of habits as those bad things that are ingrained.  How about some good habits, like exercise, keeping up with clutter, or hugging your family every day?  (If you have teens, then you know that is a lofty goal!)

A habit I would like to work on is the self-discipline of staying on-task.  But I struggle with the tyranny of the urgent.  I tell myself, “I don’t want to focus on just one thing, because it would become an obsession.”  But, truthfully, I am just easily sidetracked.

Marla says the BO people (born organized) are able to get more things done because they finish what they start.  (Hmmm.  I thought being sidetracked was a normal part of a mom’s life!)  Well, I’ll have to add some more self-discipline to the mix.

I want to…but will I?

According to Dr. Jay Adams, it takes six weeks to develop a habit.  Three to get comfortable with the new practice.  And three more to incorporate it into yourself.  So, how about turning over a new leaf?  For today, I’m going to finish what I start.  That sounds like the beginning of a good habit!

Sally

Successful Seminar Has 25+ Year History Training People to Do What They Fear Most

When “speaking publicly” repeatedly tops the list for people’s fears, why would people want to attend a three-day conference focused on doing just that? Because, many people have had experiences others want to hear about–but, they do not know how to share it in a way that will be memorable. For others, God has done something so exciting in their life, they can hardly keep their mouth shut–but, and they do not know how to communicate it effectively. Some people have to give presentations as a part of their job–but, they struggle with “stage fright.” A few people, like pastors, speak and write professionally–but, need help in finding fresh material and on expediting the preparation process. Those who have written books find that now people want them to talk about the topic–but, they are writers not speakers. For all of these people, and many more, the CLASSeminar helps men and women speak with confidence and learn what it takes to get published. The CLASSeminar will be held September 8-10, 2008 at the Busti Church of God in Jamestown from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. all three days.

Originally offered in 1981, the CLASSeminar has trained more than 10,000 men and women in speaking and writing, including many notables within the Christian Community such as Becky Tirabassi, Beth Moore, Emilie Barnes, Patsy Clairmont, Jack Cavanaugh, Dave & Claudia Arp, Jim Lucas and Liz Curtis Higgs. The CLASSeminar has gained a reputation as the premier learning experience for anyone wishing to improve their communication skills for personal, business or ministry purposes. Taught by renowned speakers & authors Marita Littauer and Florence Littauer, plus a complete staff of professional speakers and published writers, this intensive three-day seminar has been compared to a semester’s worth of education. The CLASSeminar is appropriate for aspiring and established speakers and writers, as well as pastors and Christian leaders and includes sessions on selecting your topic, research, effective examples, incorporating Scripture and teaching the Bible, presentation structure, promotional materials, and publishing. Besides laying a basis for your communication in speaking and writing, this seminar is also filled with practical tips and tools. Additionally, a complete selection of resources and helps are available at the conference

The registration fee is $450. This fee covers seminar, materials and lunches for the three days. For further information, contact the CLASS office at 800.433.6633, or visit www.classervices.com.

My kids have been staying up late with their summer freedom.  They spend a lot of time talking to their friends on the internet, who evidently are also getting to stay up late.  Actually, it’s nice for me in the morning, as it gives me a quiet house in which to work while they catch up on their sleep.

Well, I noticed they watched Mrs. Doubtfire the night before last.  If you remember the storyline, it’s about a dad who learns take care of the house and his life in unconventional ways.  Somewhere between returning from the youth convention in San Antonio and watching this movie, my teens decided to do the dishes.  Gasp! 

There was a note on the countertop when I got up in the morning:  “we just wanted to do something special for you so that you didn’t have to worry about the dishes…we love you.”

I think I must have read it four or five times before my brain finally registered what had happened.  Behold; a clean countertop!

So, I got a glimpse of what can happen when we don’t give up on our kids.  They really are listening.  They really do care about their families.  And, Eureka!  The next generation will one day be a part of a responsible society! 

Sally

Findley Lake is one of western New York’s best kept secrets!  For years, it has been one of my favorite getaways for an all-day outing.  But last night, Hubby & I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and found out what it was like to really be pampered!  When we walked in to the main desk, we were greeted with a smile and a cold can of Pepsi and a cold bottle of water.  There was fresh fruit on the countertop and the offer of ice cream in the lobby.  As the temperatures were in the 90’s, we were happy to take them up on both accounts.  Our first order of business was to head to the pool, and when we came back, they had popcorn ready!  We are already brainstorming about sponsoring a marriage retreat at this great find.

For supper, we went to The Blue Heron.  Roy got the BBQ chicken and ribs.  I had my old standby, their special quiche.  One of the things I like about the Blue Heron is the personal pots for tea.  I feel special when I can have my own teapot!  We also enjoyed watching swimmers swing out into the lake from a rope in the tree, while we were eating on the deck.

The first shop I must visit is called Wonderments (716-769-7190 ) .  I have found many treasures in this special place over the years.  Lace and tea, bath soaps and garden adornments fill this shop.  Today, my treasure was an adorable teacup and saucer with birds and branches.  It is a nice memento of our trip to Findley Lake.

Beth’s Candle Cottage is a great place to go for gifts.  When you walk in the door, your nose immediately kicks into high gear as you sniff the myriad of offerings.  In the production room out back, a new scent is always on trial as the candles are being poured into molds.  Our Own Candle Co. has a boatload of woodsy items.  Bear designs are a big theme there, right alongside candles.   And another unusual treat is at Pick-A-Bouquet (716-769-7557     .  Here you can wander through all kinds of flowers to make your own arrangement. 

The cozy feel of small-town friendliness is a part of the whole experience at Findley Lake.  It’s one I like to renew time and again!

Sally

At a week-long 4H camp in Hamburg, NY, teens are learning how to work with their mini horses.  I had the opportunity to travel there yesterday with Equine Behavioral Clinician, Dawn Samuelson.  It was interesting for me to observe the activities because it brought back a lot of memories from my childhood.  The smell of horse hair and barn dust stirred up the  long buried times of adventure in the back pasture. I felt an affinity to these kids with their miniature horses because my sister and I rode our ponies from sun-up to sun-down all summer long!  Dawn spent the day teaching the basics of observing the horse’s body language.  She said, “A horse speaks ‘horse.’  We speak ‘human.’  Because we’re speaking a different language, we need someone to translate!”

Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?  He came to translate the Father’s love in a way we could comprehend it.  And more than understanding, He wanted us to personally experience it! 

Now that’s better than horse sense!

Find out more about Dawn’s work at www.dawnscoat.com

Volunteers are needed in all kinds of organizations, all across the world.  Every city has need for people to step up and help others.  From nursing home visitors to pet shelter walkers to neighborhood cleanup crews, we can make a difference and show pride in our own arena. 

I’ve started a new blog for our local community center.  It houses the soup kitchen, thrift store, and many other programs to help people who are in midst of a difficult time.

You can help out by leaving comments about ways that your vicinity lends a helping hand.  Or maybe you have been on the receiving end?  When my son and I went to Atlanta last year, we saw how discouraging it could get if you never heard any success stories.  So share them too.  We can learn from each other!

Stop in at http://thegate.braveblog.com

Blessings to you as you give to others,

Sally