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| I experienced the worst traffic jam EVER tonight in all the years I've been going to Beth Moore's Bible studies at First Baptist Houston. It took no time to get from Jersey Village to the church, but then I sat as traffic backed up for miles to get into one of several parking garages. My usual lot was already full, so I was charting unknown territory. While I sat in traffic I tweeted about the 1000s of people (4,000. to be exact) trying to get in.
Just as I made the turn to get into the parking garage, who do I see walking down the driveway but my former college roommate, staying in Houston taking care of her dad and her brother for awhile. She had driven her brother to a meeting at a nearby office building, dropped him off and wondered where the church was where Beth was speaking. Turns out I drove up just at the right time, flagged her down and she hopped in the car with me. She found her way with me to the Bible study and an available seat that my family and friends were holding. The church was packed to overflowing! Many had to go into the overflow area and watch on a big screen. Susan and I were there seated where I always sit in the balcony.
So just when I was lamenting the traffic, God had something else in mind. I need to remember this. | | |
| John Murphy is giving McDonald's a run for their money with the new Egg McMurphy(R). "It's all about having the right equipment," said Murphy, who made the Egg McMurphy in a tiny cast iron skillet about the size of his palm. The egg was cooked in the skillet over three coals in Murphy's back yard. The muffin is whole wheat, a healthier option than McDonald's version. "Yeah, I think I'll have another one," he said. "We're gonna have to buy more eggs."
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| Just when life gets a little too run-of-the-mill, out of nowhere comes a reminder that there's still mystery in life to surprise and delight you. Dave, a friend from high school days, and I recently reconnected through Facebook. Now, he'll be the first to tell you that he loathes Facebook and the whole social media scene, so I felt that I had to make that clear right up front. In fact, I may still be his only Facebook friend. He prefers email. That said, I'll go on to unveil the unusual connection he and I share. I found out about it while looking at some of his family vacation photos.
In email correspondence since the reconnect Dave has mentioned his wife by name several times and we have discussed getting together for dinner, but, to date, the timing just hasn't been right. So several days ago, I received a group email he sent out to a few of his friends of a photo of Alice Cooper (vintage Dave) on stage at a concert, part of Dave's family getaway. It brought back memories of the Ted Nugent concert we attended back in the late 70s. My recollection of that concert was Nugent spitting all over the stage, me being bored and us leaving early (now THAT's a friend). I hear nowadays that Ted Nugent is a conservative and a bow hunter. Go figure. But I digress...
The second batch of emailed vacation photos included a picture of his wife. I had to catch my breath the minute I saw her. It turns out she wasn't just Dave's wife; she was the woman who saved my life. "Betsy" (I didn't know her by that name, of course) was my breast surgeon who treated me with great TLC as she had to break the awful news that I had breast cancer. She was the one who, when during the biopsy, had taken an extra step of injecting anesthesia so that when the needle went in I barely felt it at all. She's the one who plucked the breast cancer pin off of her white coat to give to my husband after he made a passing comment about it. At "the meeting" she told us this thing called cancer would take about a year out of our lives. And she was right.
This lovely doctor was also the one whose handiwork was ooohed and ahhed over by subsequent surgeons when I was reconstructed several months after she removed the cancer from my body.
So as delightful as it's been reconnecting with my buddy Dave, I have to say that this new revelation has just amazed me. Hurry back from vacation, Dave; I have two necks to hug.
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| "You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by." Job 11:16
Reading God's word is like applying balm to a wound. Apply it long enough, and with care, and the wound eventually closes, heals and fades away. I'm giving thanks today as I recall the breast cancer diagnosis I was given three years ago on May 11, and being pronounced cancer free since mid-July of 2006. So this is my prayer of thanks to the great Healer of body, heart and mind.
O God, in times of trouble you meet every need and fear with your tender, peaceful presence. When it's dark you give comfort and light. When the "experts" pronounce judgement you sweep it away. Your verdict stands. You control all things. Bless you, Lord. Encourage those today who need your healing and peace. Lavish on them the strong presence of your Spirit. Remove all pain and fear. Our eyes are on you.
"Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor." Job 11-17-19
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