I visited my 100 year old dad last week before making my trek to Mustang, OK, to voice my newest book - Laughing with the Lord -  for audio. I try to keep him abreast of my comings and goings so he will know why I might miss a few days visiting him in his home at an assisted living facility.  It falls my lot to start conversations and keep them going, because he just doesn't think of much to say.
 "Pop, I'll be gone for a few days."
 "Where are you going?" he asked.
 "Steve and I will be traveling to Oklahoma for me to record my new book for audio."
 He looked up a bit astonished and replied, "That's a mighty far piece, isn't it?"
 "Yes, it will be a long drive."  He asked more about what an audio book is, and I tried to explain.
 Being the pragmatist he is, he asked in his most serious tone, "Is that completely necessary?"
 "No, nor will it be a very profitable proposition, but I feel it is a type of ministry.  By producing and offering the book on audio, some people, who no longer can read or some who travel a lot, can listen to some humor and some spiritual inspiration at the same time," I explained.
 Well, Friends, I promise you, Oklahoma is a far piece from Alabama.  Several times during the trip my dad's words echoed in my being.  First of all, I am somewhat clastrophobic, and the sound booth, which was to be my spot for the duration of the recording, is small, dark, closed in, and tight.  It took great prayer effort for me to get in and then even more, for me to stay there for a period of time.  "Is this completely necessary," I thought.
 After a day and a half of constant reading, something happened unusual for me - I tired of talking.  People who know me well either wouldn't believe that or would think it very strange, because I am known for being quite loquacious.  Toward the end of each sessions, my tongue would get so tangled and twisted I would have to lay down a marker ( I learned that was the term for hitting a computer button when I made a mistake and read the sentence again).  I would try the same simple sentence once more, only to mess up again.  I'm sure the sound editor thought I must have had my finger hung on the marker button.  Again, the words, "Is this completely necessary?" rang in my mind.
 Finally, I completed the laborious process and bid my friends at Tate Publishing farewell.  Steve thought it prudent for us to get on the road and travel at least part way home so the drive would not be so long the next day.  I didn't know how to appreciate the beauty of Alabama's landscapes until we had traveled through Oklahoma and Arkansas.  Now, I don't mean to speak disparagingly against these fine states, but the interstate view offers nothing appealing.  We reached Conway, Arkansas, about 6:00 P.M., had a wonderful dinner at a downtown restaurant - Mike's Place, and enjoyed a restful night's sleep.
 After a good breakfast and several cups of coffee, we got on the road again.  We had traveled about my limit before my usual need for a restroom break, and I told Steve, "I need to stop at the next exit and find a restroom."  I had hardly voiced the words when traffic started slowing and then coming to a halt.  As far as the eye could see ahead, and very soon, that far behind also, cars and trucks filled our lane.  With rails in the median and on the side, there was no escape.  After  several minutes, people started standing outside their vehicles trying to see what was holding us up.
 A sense of community arises when people find themselves in these circumstances.  We talked with the young ladies who were directly in front of us.  Soon a trucker emerged who was in front of them.  He brougt not so good news.  "There is a tanker truck overturned and burning ahead.  We may be here several hours."  We turned off the motor so as to avoid overheating the car, but in the 102 degrees weather, we had to drink our water and soft drinks to avoid ovrheating ourselves.  You know where that led, don't you.  With an already full bladder, the added liquid soon had me dancing the dance. "Was this trip completely necessary?" I thought again.
 Several vehicles forward, I spotted an RV with a big, University of Alabama Roll Tide sign on the back of it.  The saying, "Any port in a storm"came to mind.  Never having been a shy one and at the moment, being one in great distress, I walked up to the side of it, knocked on the window, and said, "Hello, Alabama Friends." I introduced myself, told the lady my dilemma, and asked if I might use their toliet.  She did look a bit apprehensive but opened the door for me to come in.  I expected her to ask, "Is that completely necessary?' but as evidenced by my floating eyballs, she knew it was.  Anyway, we Alabamians just do things like that for people.
 Just as I positioned myself on the squatty potty, I heard her voice on the other side of the door.  "My husband said if traffic starts moving, you are with us."  I didn't even care because I was enjoying some relief. Traffic didn't budge though and I made it back to our car only to hear Steve laughing as he told some of our friends over the phone what I had just done.  "Only Barbara," he said shaking his head.  Our delay proved to be somewhat shorter than first feared, only about one hour.
 Was the trip necessary? Maybe not, but I committed it to the Lord and trust Him to use the results to minister to someone along the way.  For some reason the following verse came to mind:
1 Corinthians 10:23
 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.
 I trust God will find this audio book both constructive and beneficial.  Now if each of you will order about three or four of them for friends for Christmas, I just might be able to pay for the trip. ( Keep checking my web site for release date.)

I awoke this morning to beautiful sunshine.  How refreshing after the storms of the night and the tornadoes which ravaged our area just a week ago.  I think the Lord gives us many messages through nature.  This one seems to say, "I will not keep my children OUT of the storms, but I will be with them THROUGH them.

I resolve to praise HIM in both the good times and the bad because he has a purpose in both.  Besides, if I don't praise HIM, the rocks will do it.  Praise be to HIS holy name.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19: 37 - 40

Commit to the Lord What You Do

Collinsville Christian Ladies’ Retreat 

For some time now, I’ve been extolling the promise in Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  One must be careful when instructing others to follow this verse.  God will test you; I know He did me.

Recently, I received a call inquiring about my availability to speak at a ladies’ retreat.  The dreaded and seemingly  inappropriate question came.  “Do you charge anything for speaking?”

Put off by this, I answered without much enthusiasm, “I usually receive a nice honorarium or at least a love offering.  You know I do have expenses.”

Not to be deterred this bold lady continued, “In faith we put on this retreat for the ladies in our community and the surrounding ones every year.  We bring them in, give them a day of inspiration and prayer, and feed them a catered lunch.  Since we don’t charge them, we don’t pay the speaker or musicians.  I thought you might donate your time.”

Then God gave me that holy nudge, Commit to the LORD whatever you do... I said, “I’ll come.”

 Speaking to four sessions of the Pastors/Deacons/Spouses Retreat at Shocco Springs brought many delights, as well as a few surprises.  I love these occasions because I meet so many wonderful servants of God, and they are eager to have some stress relief in form of laughter.

When I was asked to lead these sessions, I was told I would primarily be speaking to the spouses because other sessions - some planned just for the men - would be going on at the same time.  I prepared accordingly.  To my surprise, I had as many men as I did women in each session.  They wanted a reprieve from the more serious meetings also.  I spoke on Laugh often, Love much, and Live well on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, and on Show Me Your Glory on Sat., Sept. 26, 2009.

These people were eager to laugh; therefore, they provided the ideal audience.  As an icebreaker and a getting-to-know-you activity, I asked participants to pair up with someone they didn't know and quickly tell each other something funny that had happened in church.  Before the session ended, they wrote their own anecdotes for me to use at some future time.  What a hoot they were!

I am constantly reminded that God works through humor.  He wants his children to have cheerful hearts.  We all left refreshed and renewed.

Although the elements were stormy outside, many senior adults were warmly greeted inside FBC Russellville with a beautiful Senior Aprreciation luncheon.  Bert Fowler, pastor to senior adults, and his wife Carole covered every detail to make this a spectacular event.  The meal was fabulous and was served by the youth from this great church.  Many attending went home with door prizes; some even won the spring flower bouquets which adorned each table.

As I spoke on "Joy in the Journey," I realized, from the pleasant smiles on the faces, these people knew  this joy of which I spoke; they are carriers of it.  Although I drove through torential rains on my way home, I too, returned home with a smile as I recalled the funny anecdotes some of these seniors shared with me.

As I've said in other places, I try to follow Proverbs 3:16 in both my professional and personal life.  Commit whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.  Following such a noble intent would surely protect me from problems, right? So wrong! Recession, illnesses, flight delays - all affect everyone; Not even I am exempt.

Just as the rest of the world is being affected by financial woes and economic down turns, so are we who work for the Lord.  With my schedule near full, I twittered about, thinking all was well in my world - that is until calls started coming in with the message, "With the economy being such as it is, I'm afraid we are having to cancel our event."  Well, maybe two calls anyway.  I merely resolved to do the best I could with the events that were still scheduled.  Surely the Lord wanted me to bring Christian humor to this dismal world.

As I prepared for the Feb. 7th event - a Valentine banquet in Tuscaloosa for the Emanuel Baptist Church, that familiar tickle in the throat began.  Then the coughing set in.  Not to be deterred, my husband and I planned to put on our Valentine attire and celebrate the holiday with others attending the banquet.  Then the event planner called. "I did tell you the event will be held in a barn and the dress is dressy denim, didn't I?"  Having some reservations about speaking in a barn and waning in my confidence about what dressy denim is, we began our journey with plenty of cough syrup in my system.  We were pleasantly surprised to find the barn nothing short of elegant.  No animal had ever set foot in it; it had been built just for such events as this one.  Although interrupted a few times with coughing spasms, I, with the Lord's help, was able to bring inspiration and laughter to the occasion.

On to Illness - Prattville FBC Event at Shocco Springs

Surely a little cough was all that would beset my spring events - wrong again.  For months I had anticipated being the keynote speaker for the "Women's Winter Retreat" for FBC Prattville.  I spent more that a few hours preparing for the given theme - "Show Me Your Glory."  A main thought that permeated  my preperations and sessions was "It's not about me or us; it's about Him."  Well darling, that was put to the test.  The night before the big event, the worst virus of my life attacked; vomitting and diarrhea were my constant companions.  Now how can you not think about ME instead of HIM in a state such as that?

Not to be deterred, I pulled myself out of bed knowing I had to get better (I couldn't get worse, it seemed), and after three tries, I finally showered and dressed.  My sweet husband doubted I was in condition to speak, but seeing my determination, he drove me to Talladega to Shocco Springs, unloaded my "stuff" and prayed for me.  I prayed too.  "Lord, if you want me to do this, you are going to have to  do a miracle, put strength in my spaghetti knees, and help the Emetrol and Imodium to do their job."  He answered that prayer and His joy prevailed.

Planes and Problems Cause Me to Cancel an Event

Realizing my schedule was tight, I sent ahead my books and warned the event planner for the WINGS Candlelight Dinner at Brasher's Chapel Church that if I were to be late for the meal, I would definitely be there in time to speak.  But you know what the say about the best laid plans of mice and men ---.

Seated on the plane in Columbia, Missouri, I relaxed believing I was going to make the event with time to spare.  Then the pilot announced, "We have a problem with one of the engines.  I am not comfortable taking off until a trained mechanic flies in to check it out."  If he wasn't comfortable with it, I surely wasn't.  After an hour or so and still no mechanic at work, I realized I would miss my connection, therefore, ending my chances of making the event at all.  I did what I could; I called a fellow speaker and asked her to substitute for me.  Apparently God wanted her message presented instead of my humor.

In spite of maladies which can beset us all, I have a peace.  When I truly give myself and all I do to the Lord, I am confident all will work for His good.  It has and it still does.