Nil's Offers Reliable Lunch Spot
5 hours ago
Thursday, February 16, 2012
70 PAGES
That's how long my phone bill was once I printed it out. 70, 8x11 pages long! Someone's bill was $70 bucks this month...it wasn't me.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT...
THERE IS GREAT DARKNESS.
Years ago I went to Asheville with Georgia and we ventured into the downtown area, full of unique shops, cafes, etc. I loved some of the stores, enjoyed the food and coffee, but as the hours passed, I found myself feeling a great weight of darkness. I became deeply aware of the void of wholesome, joyful, pure, Christianity. The true kind. The kind that laughs and shares, looks those walking in darkness in their eyes, with compassion, knowing they are unaware of the darkness that encompasses their very souls, that deceives them into believing, like I once did, that Christianity, God, holiness, purity, are all false, useless. Unfortunately, due to the lack of true love, they can be correct in assuming that just mere Christianity is indeed useless. But what of true love, the kind that "heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery to the sight of the blind, sets at liberty those who are oppressed."?
It's hit home, friends. Literally. When I opened the salon I asked the LORD to send my clients to me. Those I could minister to and those who would minister to me. I have never advertised, and I've recieved 80% of my new clients from the internet searches they do to find a new hairdresser. Sometimes folks come in, I get an uneasy feeling, and yet they return, and God makes the difference. Sometimes I feel the profound depth of depravity in them, and literally annoint them with oil and prayer, unbeknownst to them.
That happened this morning. I had a family come in, parents, 2 little children. There was a LOT of "positive affirmation" going on, and very little order, no real direction. After the kids, there was mom, and I felt deep darkness in her soul. I found out she is a shaman, and practices spiritual "healings". As I gently questioned her about what that meant in a tangible form, and who the spirit entity she called for healing was, she was troubled. I shared with her whom I believe to be the creator of all souls and how He transformed my life from 'mourning to joy'. She was very quick to enthusiastically say "Oh, that's great!" Guess what? Surprise, surprise. She grew up "going to church?"
Is that what we do? Just go to church? Is that what the unbeliever sees in us?
The word of God says in Luke 6 that "GOD IS KIND TO THE UNTHANKFUL AND EVIL." Are we? Followed by " Therefore, be merciful, just as God is merciful." How are we merciful?
Great darkness is filling Fuquay, a very Christ-centered community. Great darkness amidst church steeples, and specialized ministries, and bible studies.
Food banks that feed the belly but not the soul. Clothing ministries that clothe the poor and leave their spirit naked. Pregnancy centers and military missions and on and on...but what of the street, the high school, the day care centers, the gyms, the sports teams, the the individual that walks about town with a clear need for fellowship and love and direction?
What about the shaman, or her husband, the counselor who asked about "uneasy spirits" in my salon because a bottle fell of the shelf? What about all the people he counsels and the ones who go to her for spiritual healing?
They need to be loved into the body of Christ, to know how he loves them, that he is the "Light, that all though Him might believe." "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
"For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." Saved from darkness, death and destruction.
Years ago I went to Asheville with Georgia and we ventured into the downtown area, full of unique shops, cafes, etc. I loved some of the stores, enjoyed the food and coffee, but as the hours passed, I found myself feeling a great weight of darkness. I became deeply aware of the void of wholesome, joyful, pure, Christianity. The true kind. The kind that laughs and shares, looks those walking in darkness in their eyes, with compassion, knowing they are unaware of the darkness that encompasses their very souls, that deceives them into believing, like I once did, that Christianity, God, holiness, purity, are all false, useless. Unfortunately, due to the lack of true love, they can be correct in assuming that just mere Christianity is indeed useless. But what of true love, the kind that "heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery to the sight of the blind, sets at liberty those who are oppressed."?
It's hit home, friends. Literally. When I opened the salon I asked the LORD to send my clients to me. Those I could minister to and those who would minister to me. I have never advertised, and I've recieved 80% of my new clients from the internet searches they do to find a new hairdresser. Sometimes folks come in, I get an uneasy feeling, and yet they return, and God makes the difference. Sometimes I feel the profound depth of depravity in them, and literally annoint them with oil and prayer, unbeknownst to them.
That happened this morning. I had a family come in, parents, 2 little children. There was a LOT of "positive affirmation" going on, and very little order, no real direction. After the kids, there was mom, and I felt deep darkness in her soul. I found out she is a shaman, and practices spiritual "healings". As I gently questioned her about what that meant in a tangible form, and who the spirit entity she called for healing was, she was troubled. I shared with her whom I believe to be the creator of all souls and how He transformed my life from 'mourning to joy'. She was very quick to enthusiastically say "Oh, that's great!" Guess what? Surprise, surprise. She grew up "going to church?"
Is that what we do? Just go to church? Is that what the unbeliever sees in us?
The word of God says in Luke 6 that "GOD IS KIND TO THE UNTHANKFUL AND EVIL." Are we? Followed by " Therefore, be merciful, just as God is merciful." How are we merciful?
Great darkness is filling Fuquay, a very Christ-centered community. Great darkness amidst church steeples, and specialized ministries, and bible studies.
Food banks that feed the belly but not the soul. Clothing ministries that clothe the poor and leave their spirit naked. Pregnancy centers and military missions and on and on...but what of the street, the high school, the day care centers, the gyms, the sports teams, the the individual that walks about town with a clear need for fellowship and love and direction?
What about the shaman, or her husband, the counselor who asked about "uneasy spirits" in my salon because a bottle fell of the shelf? What about all the people he counsels and the ones who go to her for spiritual healing?
They need to be loved into the body of Christ, to know how he loves them, that he is the "Light, that all though Him might believe." "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
"For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." Saved from darkness, death and destruction.
Monday, January 30, 2012
JANUARY
So far this month...
I have become obsessed with Adele's "21" CD that Winston gave me for my birthday. I have sung "Lovesong" at least a dozen times today, all the while imagining myself singing it at an open mic and shocking my family and friends, who sit agog marveling at how amazing I sound.
Vanity oh vanity....
I have lost 8 pounds, yessir. After 10 years of trying. I have figured out that toxicity leads to being overweight, and not the other way around. I now look at people who are very overweight or really fat and think, "They are so toxic. Bless their hearts." Instead of fat leading to toxicity, it is the other way around, people! Says I, the expert...
I am jogging now. Get Running (an app) has been great and I am on week 5 now. Except today I decided it was such a nice day I really should be outside instead of on the cushy, flat track at the Y. And man, what a difference! I should know that, since I used to be a runner. Not a jogger, mind you, a runner; which is quite a different animal altogether. So is the outdoors from the track. So much harder! But then again, when you actually finish your 30 minute jog you feel so dang successful. Aw Haw. In the fall I will run in a 5k and do well, I hope.
I turned 51 and I'm feeling great. Went out to Baptist Grove for BBQ for my birthday dinner with all the family, which apparently the entire county showed up for because the MEAT was all gone when we got there at 6:30 pm. So off to El Dorado. Not quite the same, I must say to the detriment of the latter. Next time we will be showing up at Baptist Grove for lunch.
Lilly turned 18 and is steady at Paul Mitchell, The Academy, doing hair and doing great.
Winston turned 15 and got his driving permit, and I must say, is the best driver of all my children so far.
Tim sold his little house, and has become laundry-obsessed. That's what happens when you don't work full time and your only hobby is working out. There is something about life that forces you to take interest in something outside your self. For Tim, it's laundry and the laundry room. You must think, "aw, that's nice." But no, sister, it is not. Control freaks obsessed with laundry is not "nice". On the bright side, the laundry is getting done...daily.
The salon is still going great.
The dog is still crapping on the floor.
Mira is still cute and wonderful and smart. She is kiiinnd, she is smaaaart, she is impohrtant. (I've seen it 3 times)
Ruby is in San Diego working for a few weeks.
Kenneth is still working hard, and loving the Lord.
Georgia is still pregnant. But not for long!
I have become obsessed with Adele's "21" CD that Winston gave me for my birthday. I have sung "Lovesong" at least a dozen times today, all the while imagining myself singing it at an open mic and shocking my family and friends, who sit agog marveling at how amazing I sound.
Vanity oh vanity....
I have lost 8 pounds, yessir. After 10 years of trying. I have figured out that toxicity leads to being overweight, and not the other way around. I now look at people who are very overweight or really fat and think, "They are so toxic. Bless their hearts." Instead of fat leading to toxicity, it is the other way around, people! Says I, the expert...
I am jogging now. Get Running (an app) has been great and I am on week 5 now. Except today I decided it was such a nice day I really should be outside instead of on the cushy, flat track at the Y. And man, what a difference! I should know that, since I used to be a runner. Not a jogger, mind you, a runner; which is quite a different animal altogether. So is the outdoors from the track. So much harder! But then again, when you actually finish your 30 minute jog you feel so dang successful. Aw Haw. In the fall I will run in a 5k and do well, I hope.
I turned 51 and I'm feeling great. Went out to Baptist Grove for BBQ for my birthday dinner with all the family, which apparently the entire county showed up for because the MEAT was all gone when we got there at 6:30 pm. So off to El Dorado. Not quite the same, I must say to the detriment of the latter. Next time we will be showing up at Baptist Grove for lunch.
Lilly turned 18 and is steady at Paul Mitchell, The Academy, doing hair and doing great.
Winston turned 15 and got his driving permit, and I must say, is the best driver of all my children so far.
Tim sold his little house, and has become laundry-obsessed. That's what happens when you don't work full time and your only hobby is working out. There is something about life that forces you to take interest in something outside your self. For Tim, it's laundry and the laundry room. You must think, "aw, that's nice." But no, sister, it is not. Control freaks obsessed with laundry is not "nice". On the bright side, the laundry is getting done...daily.
The salon is still going great.
The dog is still crapping on the floor.
Mira is still cute and wonderful and smart. She is kiiinnd, she is smaaaart, she is impohrtant. (I've seen it 3 times)
Ruby is in San Diego working for a few weeks.
Kenneth is still working hard, and loving the Lord.
Georgia is still pregnant. But not for long!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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