Changes on the Horizon

 Changes can be a good thing…..or they can not!  I think I have always dealt with change fairly well.  After all, being married to a preacher I have had to deal with changes quite often.

It looks like there may be some changes on our horizon.  When I was younger I dealt with change with few problems.  I faced it, dealt with it and moved on.  However, as I get older it is not as easy.  Change brings anxiety, stress, concern, sadness and pain.  At this stage in my life I don’t like change.  I have a routine and I am comfortable and I am happy.

It’s strange though, change doesn’t seem to care about my routine or my comfort or my age!!  It is just forging ahead……dragging me with it.

Stay tuned!  This may get very interesting!

Summertime!

Summer is here and we have already been on an RV trip!  We went to two State Parks in Alabama.  We will be RVing most of July as Warren is preaching at two Campmeetings and we are attending two others.  It is a fun way to travel and it beats hotels!  It is great to be able to take our sweet Bessie girl with us.  She enjoys it too.

The only problem right now is the price of gas!  We put gas in it about 5 miles from our house on the way home and it was $175 and that wasn’t even completely filling the tank!!!!!!  It is hard to believe.  Regardless of your politics, gas prices are totally unnecessary when we can drill for crude right here in our own country!!!  I will now step off my soapbox!

In late September we are going on a family camping trip with our son’s family and his in-laws.  We are going west to Yellowstone, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon and some other sites.  It will be a memory making trip.

Here are pictures from our recent trip.

Venezuela…….Maybe

 We love Venezuela.  We began a ministry there in 1998.  There is now a Seminary, 5 Medical Clinics and many Methodist Churches.  In 2015 we returned from a trip and suddenly the government there decided to not allow any more visas for religious workers.  So we have not been able to return since.

We have prayed for that to change and there is now that possibility. We have so many people there we love and want to see.  There are new babies to hug, new churches to visit, old friends to spend time with and just be in our second home.

However, for some reason, I am now finding it difficult to get excited.  For lack of a better way to put it, I am afraid!  It’s not like I have never been there, it’s not like I fear flying (although it’s not a happy thing for me!), it’s not that I don’t trust God.  I don’t know what is causing this fear.  It is real and palpable.

Warren is trying to be understanding and has told me it is my decision.  He is going whether I go or not.  The problem is he will be there for a month.  That would be hard.  

I am praying for peace and for my fear to disappear. 

The United Methodist Church is Broken

 I have been a Methodist all my life…..my father and mother were Methodists, my father’s parents were Methodists, my great grandparents were Methodists.  You get the picture.  My husband is 8th generation Methodist.  It is in our blood.  

Unfortunately, the church I have known and been a part of and loved is no longer the church John Wesley began.  Wesley’s admonition to “do no harm” is no longer the norm.  Instead, those who choose to hold fast to the Bible and the Discipline of the United Methodist Church  are told they are unloving and intolerant.  Those of us who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God are looked upon as simple minded.

Our Bishop here is always talking about loving each other but shows no love for Aunt Sally, Mr. Joe, little Mary or Bobby who just want to go to church and hear the Word preached and serve their communities and be in mission to the world.  No, her concern is to promote the progressive agenda  of inclusivity and tolerance. I am not opposed to opening the church to anyone who wishes to worship.  All are welcome.  However, we are ALL called to align with God’s Word.  But if you don’t consider His Word inerrant then there is no standard.

As a result of this rift the Global Methodist Church will be birthed soon.  This new denomination DOES believe what the Bible says.  It does believe the Word to be inerrant.  

It is heartbreaking 💔 but it is time to go another direction and walk away. It is time to be about the Father’s business.

Why I Love Southern Gospel Music

This past Saturday night Warren and I went to the Rome City Auditorium and heard The Collingsworth Family in concert.  This mother, father and four adult children are all extremely talented. The mom, Kim, is an extremely accomplished pianist and song writer.  Her husband plays the trumpet and two of the daughters play the violin.  They are already preparing the next generation too. One of their grand daughters sang for us and did a great job. It truly was a worship experience!

Warren and I both grew up listening to Gospel music.  It was an integral part of our church experience and especially Campmeeting in the summer.  We grew up listening to The Chuck Wagon Gang, The Nelons, The Goodmans,  The Inspirations, The Sego Brothers and Naomi…….and many more.

Every Sunday morning my parents listened to The Gospel Jubilee on television as we were preparing to go to church.  It was a great way to start the day.  Over time my parents acquired countless VCR tapes of the Gaithers Reunions and played them over and over.  The time they spent watching them gave them great joy and comfort.

So, why do we like Southern Gospel music so much?  There are several reasons.  The words to the songs always seem to speak directly to our hearts.  The lyrics are Biblically sound and transport you into the presence of God.  Sometimes the songs make you smile and want to shout; sometimes they bring you to tears and send you to your knees.  The songs express what our faith means to us.  The songs add to our worship experience.

I know Southern Gospel is not everyone’s thing and that’s okay.  Let me just suggest you go to YouTube and find The Collingsworth Family or The Gaither Vocal Band and others and listen.  You may find yourself tapping your foot, smiling or maybe shedding a tear.  You might just like it!

Confused!!??!!

I am a well educated, stable, well adjusted person.  I have been happily married for almost 49 years and raised two fine sons.  I have always tried to treat people the way I want to be treated.  If I have a difference of opinion with another person I don’t feel the need to put them down or name call.

This is where my confusion enters.  What happened to “agreeing to disagree”.  We are all entitled to our own opinions.  I don’t expect everyone to agree with me.  I am happy to discuss opinions, share ideas and then part on good terms.  However, there seem to be those who don’t share that idea.  For some, if a person has a different opinion or view they feel the need to berate, slam, belittle and/or shame them.  

What does that accomplish?  Nothing!!!!  It only leads to broken relationships, tense family gatherings and hurt feelings.  Today there is a lot of this going on…….between Republicans and Democrats,  conservatives and liberals, family members, churches and the list goes on.

Life is full of situations that lend themselves to a variety of opinions.  Our world is in turmoil.  There are more important things in life than agreeing on every subject!  As Christians we are always to be about the Father’s business.  Love one another, spread the Good News of the Gospel, help those in need and live as Christ wants us to live.  

A different opinion, a different outlook is not a reason for berating, belittling, shaming or slamming someone.  The results are not worth it!  Agree to disagree and let it go!  

It’s Me Again

For several years I had a blog.  It was a wonderful experience and I got to know many fabulous people.  I actually met some in person and they remain good friends today.  Many of those I met virtually I am still in contact with on Facebook.  I find that amazing as well as a blessing.

I have been toying with the idea of starting another blog to share what is going on in our lives now.  A lot has changed since I started “Cozy Reader” many years ago.  I am older, we have moved, I am Nana to four beautiful grands and surrogate grandma to five others.  We have a Class A RV that we enjoy a lot, we have not been to Venezuela since 2015 (hoping that will change soon), we have more aches and pains we didn’t have.

We have a new dog, Bessie, after being without one for several years after our sweet Smokie died. My kitty, Boxer, has also crossed the rainbow bridge.  Those who love their fur babies understand the sadness that brings.

As I write this our world is in turmoil.  Russia has invaded Ukraine, our President has caused inflation to rise to record breaking levels and it looks like we will be paying more for gas than ever before.  There is turmoil in our churches. As a United Methodist we are heartbroken with the path our denomination has chosen.  Soon, we will no longer be United Methodist……we (my husband and I) will be Global Methodists!

We hope to take a road trip in the RV soon and I will share that here.  When and if we get a VISA to return to Venezuela, I will share that.  Most importantly, I will share my grandchildren……it’s part of the Nana Code!!!!

So stay tuned……..