Prayer

Zoe recently gave me Philip Yancey's book "Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference?" She is also reading a library copy. The reason she gave it to me is because we are in a season of studying prayer.

I also meet with 2 mature Christian women in my neighborhood on Monday nights for a time of fellowship and Bible study. We are studying prayer. But we are not using any type of guide or book, etc, we've chosen to let God bring to mind Scripture about various aspects of prayer. It has been quite an amazing time of rich insight, humble revelation, and a deep encouragement to pray for each other.

My study of Luke at CBS has also been instrumental in this whole "prayer" topic. I am seeing Jesus as a man of prayer, in many ways for the first time clearly in my Christian life. How odd.

I feel that its almost like I am learning about who Jesus was during his ministry for the first time. Why, when, where, how, for how long did Jesus pray as recorded in scripture is such an intimate window into the heart of our Saviour. I am ashamed to confess, I had no idea. I had no idea the prayers He DIDN'T pray are also as important as the prayers He did.

Yancey's book is "uncomfortable" initially to read because it does ask the hard questions about prayer you fear may not have the "right biblical" answers. The question of WHY we should pray could be answered so many practical ways. But the simple truth is this: We should pray because Jesus did (p. 78). And if I know WHO Jesus is, then I will understand why I should pray.

I have been a Christian since I was 13. That's 26 years. That's over a quarter of a century. My heart is almost crushed that I do not know my Saviour. His Word is full of the intimacies of His life, love, wisdom, character and on and on and on, and somehow this entire time I missed so many of the details. And much of it is revealed in His praying.

My prayers are so idiotic. And at this point, I can barely get the words out to say, "Lord, I just want to KNOW you." What if another 25 years goes by and I am at the same place of "I do not really know my Saviour" ???

Wine-Price Weekend 09

Several weekends ago, we had our annual Wine-Price Girls at the beach. This is our 5th (?) year at the beach but probably our 8th annual get together. I can't even remember now.

As the years have passed, as we've aged, as we've faced various life circumstances, these weekend experiences have changed as well. Some years are pure girly fun. Others are more "challenging" in our friendships. But in the end, the tie that binds us has always been our shared faith in Jesus Christ. We are as different in personality as we look. The seasons these friendships have gone through bring laughter, tears, frustration, growth, grace, and ultimately gratefullness.

Here's to the Wine-Price girls, to our flaws and our fashion and our friendship!

I Feel Pretty And Witty

The Scudders and Dulins double-dated again. We hit a wonderful Polish/German restaurant in Raleigh J. Betzki's (For Cat: I had the pumkin soup and then the Duck Confit, Polish White Bean and Sausage Stew, Cider Braised Cabbage and for dessert Chocoalte-Hazelnut Torte with Sea Salt, Caramel and Crispy Bacon!!!).

After dinner we met up with Michael and Lauren to see the musical West Side Story. We are all pretty much done with musicals that end with tragic love and gun shots. Sigh.

By the way, I am convinced Maria's song "I Am Pretty" is my personal theme song. OH, dear!

I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight.

I feel charming,
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real.

See the pretty girl in that mirror there:
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face,
Such a pretty dress,
Such a pretty smile,
Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing,
Feel like running and dancing for joy,
For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy (man)!

Happy Birthday

I did it again. October 8th came and went and I forgot to acknowledge it was the day Danny was "born again." It was down on the National Mall at a Luis Palau festival. Anyway, above April 29, 1968 and June 7, 2008, October 8, 2005 was definitely a day of good news and celebration.

John 3:1-8 (The Message)

1-2 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it."

3Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom."

4"How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?"

5-6Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.

7-8"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."

He Is Our Counselor

For lack of explanation about the details of my life, this particular passage I read today seems appropriate. All text is taken from a little booklet: "He Is" by Ken Hemphill. (Holly if you're reading this, I think it was in the welcome packet we got when we went to church with you and your parents and grandparents several years ago!)

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He Is Our Counselor

Isaiah 9:6
He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

We seem to have plenty of counselors today. We have both the secular and the Christian varieties, the paid and the unpaid, the good and the bad, the invited and the uninvited. It seems like everyone has a solution to our problems . . . even if they can't solve their own! A good counselor will listen, empathize, and point the way to healing, perfectly balancing grace and truth.

And during the dark days in which Isaiah wrote, the people were in great need of one. So he swept back the dark clouds, promising that the gloom of the distressed land would one day be lifted, and that those "walking in darkness" would admit to seeing "a great light."

The cause of the celebration would be the birth of a child. But not just any child! The breadth of what is said of him so far exceeds human boundaries, even the most profound skeptic would have trouble arguing that the prophet had an earthly prince in mind. He must have been looking forward to the day of the Messiah, the Anointed One, the rightful King.

Isaiah saw the child with the royal symbol of government flowing from his shoulders, yet the child was so glorious that one name proved insufficient to describe him. Therefore we find five descriptive titles, including this one: Counselor.

In chapter 11 the prophet identified him as a shoot growing from the stump of Jesse. "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him -- a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." (v.2). This coming one was promised to be the counselor of his people.

Look at Jesus later as he counsels the woman taken in adultery. He offers her grace but confronts her with the truth. Yes, we have a perfect counselor in Jesus. But to benefit from his counseling, we must be willing to listen to him, meditating on his Word, and taking his prescription for our healing; our total obedience.

Remembering Jack

Its hard to believe today marks 3 years since my Dad past away. I confess this year, it feels less significant as my thoughts and heart have been more preoccupied with my Mother's passing in May.

I wanted to just list some things about him that I remember, because no matter what people say time DOES fade memories. I do not believe his spirit is still here or that he lives in my heart or memories --- that doesn't mean he is absent from my life, my thoughts, and my heart. I just believe that it is my responsibility to intentionally remember him so that I won't forget.

One of the ways I remember him most, almost on a weekly basis is observing my Danny. They say little girls are drawn to men that are like their fathers. If you know Danny or Mr. Snead, you know there isn't anyone in the check-out line, the drive-thru or ANY public setting that either of them won't engage in friendly exchange with. Ask Danny, and he will tell you after I've seen him joke or be friendly to someone, I say, "I married Jack Snead."

• My father loved people
• He cherished me
• He SPOILED me
• He liked to dance but looked a little weird at it
• He let me stand on his feet when we danced together
• He use to say to me "There's the pretty girl!"
• He spanked me with a belt (ouch!)
• His nick name for me was "Jack-Jack"
• I have many memories of him fully supporting me in all my school activities
• He was generous in telling me he loved me and was proud of me

Request for My Modeling Talents

I'm back by popular demand.

Yes, I've been approached to be a model for an upcoming Bridal Fashion Show November 8 in Cary, NC. I know, I know, many of you have wondered what was going on with my acting/modeling career --- was it on hold indefinitely? was I waiting for the perfect time for a comeback? did I truly understand how my absence has affected the entertainment industry? Fear no longer, as this role as a bride is one I think will be my most brilliant yet.

I'll start my regiment of water and oxygen to get ready to squeeze into a size 0 gown. Well, okay maybe a size .75. Um, maybe I'll just opt for wearing the mother of the bride dresses ......

Click here for details on my upcoming appearance.

The Diviners

Congratulations to Lauren who landed the part of a 1930s diner owner in this fall's play, The Diviners. There are only 4 female roles and the main characters are 2 men. Its a small part, but she is thrilled to have made the cut and is looking forward to the production. Rumors have it that it will be a "minimalist" production with few props and set production. Even Michael, our theatre tech guru doesn't expect to do much because of this.

Here is a brief synopsis of the play which, in my opinion is "interesting."

In a small farm community during the depression water and faith are in short supply. A charismatic but back-sliding preacher drifts into town and meets a gentle but misunderstood boy with the gift of divining or water-witching. The two outcasts find a common bond and help each other divine for truth, faith and hope. The townspeople though demand the preacher return to a way of life he no longer believes in and it drives both men to a crisis of trust. Jim Leonard Jr.'s earthy, funny, poignant and profoundly tragic play has echoes of Steinbeck's classic depression era work. The characters are simple but good people searching for hope and something to believe in.