This & That

I was informed last week I am up for "Jackson's Hottest TV Reporter" on an internet blog poll. I had to laugh because I'm not a reporter, I'm the only one on this poll who is married with several children and the poll even spells my name wrong. After reading the comments posters can make anonymously, it reminded me of the superficiality of my job. You can read the comments if you would like, but let me warn you, it is not for the faint of heart. One had written I have 80 pounds of hair; another said the pictures of me on this site weren't really me (which someone had gotten them off Facebook and yes, they are really me); and another said I had 10 kids! Some admit to multiple voting, which is allowed--you can vote once a day from as many different computers as you would like. The poll is on the right hand side. You can see it for yourself by clicking:

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2010/02/who-is-hottest-reporter-in-jackson.html?showComment=1265604109976#c1908643278860540704

Valentines is less than a week away and it's time for the annual Valentines Blood Drive. My friend and editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey and I will be at Mississippi Blood Services this Thursday, February 11 beginning at 6am asking people to drop by and donate blood. MBS would like to have 300 donors Thursday. This would provide enough blood to supply Mississippi hospitals for a day and a half (200 units of blood are used every day). Carter Jewelers has given us an arm load of their fine jewelry, the Pizza Shack will feed donors lunch, and the Viking Range Cooking School will give away a cooking class for one donor and 5 of their friends!



Here is the Valentines t-shirt Marshall has designed for donors. This is a black and white rendition, but the shirt is very colorful. And who doesn't love those candied hearts?





I hope to see you Thursday at Mississippi Blood Services on Lakeland Drive in Jackson!

Desert Travel Prepares You For Blessings To Come

Over the weekend while one of the children and I were nursing the stomach virus (yuck), I thought more about the desert experiences I wrote on last Friday.

If you think of the wanderings of the children of Israel, you can imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for them. They were taken out of their homeland, out of their comfort zone, only to be relocated to the Sinai Peninsula and set to walk around in circles in the desert. How many times did they curse Moses for leading them into this desolate place and how many more times did they curse God for not coming through for them, or so they thought.

Have you noticed that the bigger the challenge God has ahead of you, the longer you stay in your desert? It takes a long time to prepare for what God has for you on the other side. There was no way the children of Israel could have handled the Promised Land before they were ready. They may have thought they were ready and knew what to do with it, but God knew they were no where close to being ready. This became evident when they began to complain to Moses. Exodus 10:11, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?"

Have you ever felt God leading you in a direction, followed Him, only to feel abandoned by Him in the middle of it? I've lifted my fist quite a few times over the years, shaken it at God and thrown a southern belle fit in my best Scarlett O'Hara "never again" way!

Think of the others in the Bible who spent quite some time in their own personal desert. Joseph spent years in prison sharpening his leadership skills before he was elevated to rule Egypt. David had his years of hiding in caves with men who were in debt, unhappy and stressed before David was named king. All of these men had their moments of feeling alone, confused, and questioning why God had left them and wasn't acting on their behalf.

But God wanted to grow their faith enough so they could handle the blessings He was about to bring their way.

The more uncomfortable God allows you and I to get, the more demanding the challenges, the more pressure and risk we face, the more dynamic we'll be when God opens up the windows of heaven for us and brings us through to the other side.

The bigger question remains: when it seems as if God has left us in the desert to fend for ourself, will we still trust that He has a reason? That He could be preparing us for something greater? Will you and I give God permission to do His work, for as long as He wants, in the ways that He wants, to change us as deeply as He wants, to prepare us for the blessing ahead?

Barbie is away today. She has the stomach virus along with one of her children. She will return to the blog this Friday.

As you know, her book will be released in mid-March. Due to high demand, you can pre-order signed copies of her book, "Forecasts and Faith: 5 Keys to Weathering The Storms of Life" on Amazon.com . Pre-orders will be shipped out first. Barbie will also begin a book signing tour. You can join her at any of these locations or go to www.barbiebassett.com to see her schedule. New locations are being added weekly.

March 20, Book Signing, Marks Public Library, Marks, 10am-Noon
March 24, Book Signing, Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club, Ridgeland, Noon
March 27, Book Signing, Expectations Maternity & Nursery Boutique, Brookhaven, 11am-2pm
April 3, Book Signing, Essco/Shooz Too, Yazoo City, 10am-Noon
April 3, Book Signing, Turnrow Bookstore, Greenwood, 2pm-4pm
April 5, Book Signing, Lemuria Bookstore, Jackson, 5pm
April 10, Guest Speaker & Book Signing, First Baptist Church Womens Brunch, Bude, 10am
April 10, Book Signing, Turning Pages Books, Natchez, 1pm-3pm
April 14, Guest Speaker & Book Signing, St.Dominic Senior Adults Meeting, Jackson, 10am
April 16, Book Signing, Raleigh Public Library, 11am-12:30pm
April 17, Book Signing, Borders, Dogwood Festival Market, Flowood, Noon-until
April 24, Book Signing, Mississippi State Veterans Home Chapel, Kosciusko, 9:30am-11am
April 24, Book Signing, McCormick Book Inn, Greenville, 2pm
May 1, Book Signing, Ballyhoo Gifts, Mendenhall, 11am-1pm
May 8, Book Signing, Lifeway Christian Store-Ridgewood Court, Jackson, Noon-2pm

Where Is God?

In talking to a friend this week, it was obvious she felt deserted by God. Have you ever felt that way? You are doing what you feel God has led you to do, you've been seeking His will and His face, all to be left feeling like He's completely forgotten you. You're wandering in some no-man's land and you're beginning to wonder if you're doing the right thing? Maybe this wasn't the direction you were supposed to go? If so, God would've fixed the problem by now. Maybe I just need to give up. After all, God would've heard my prayers and answered them long before this point. I just don't think I can make it another day. I've exhausted all of my faith.

In homeschooling Gracie, she's been learning about the Biblical significance of Asia and Europe and the history behind them. One country we've studied a great deal about this semester is Egypt. The eastern part of Egypt is called the Sinai Peninsula. It's a triangular piece of land, about 23,000 square miles, and it's the land Moses and the children of Israel wandered in for 40 years. There's just no way to get from Egypt to Canaan without traveling through alot of desert. This peninsula is one of the driest, bleakest, loneliest places on earth. Surviving a desert experience like that changes you. The Israelites who entered the Promised Land were not the same complaining weaklings who initially left Egypt. Most of the slave generation had died and only a few remained. Forty years had passed and a new generation of tested, tried and true children had grown up and matured.

Joshua was one of those. He had suffered along with his fellow wanderers, gone through countless delays and trials, yet Joshua matured. He started out as one of Moses' spies, warriors and then began the preparation of leading Israel after Moses' death.

So what did this desert experience accomplish for the children of Israel and for people like Joshua? Moses tells them in Deuteronomy 8:2, "Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Moses goes on to tell them in Deuteronomy 30:16, "Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, and keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."

With every test in the desert and when it seems God is absent and everything is going wrong, will you still trust Him enough to patiently allow Him to prepare you for what's ahead? This desert spot we often find ourselves in because we follow Him doesn't happen because God isn't paying attention, because He's angry at us or because He's forgotten we're still down here. Instead, it happens for a good and important reason--it is an invaluable lesson of preparation for the blessing of what is to come. This vast desert is God's gift to your future! Can you wander in it alittle while longer?

What Is Abundant Life?

Call most businesses and someone will answer the phone like this, "Thank you for calling so-in-so company. How may I help you?" Have you ever had someone answer the phone and when you tell them what you need, they don't seem to know how to help? In turn, they pass you along to someone else who can get the job done.

What is it that you need? I mean, what is it that you really need? Is it a physical healing? It is a financial miracle, a job change, or maybe just to hear from the Lord on a particular matter?

John 10:10 is one of the more recognized verses in the New Testament. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." One translation puts it like this, "I came, that they have life, and have more plenteously." The Message says, " I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

For me, John 10:10 is what I have termed the 'everything I need' gospel.

I've heard people refer to how poor they were growing up. Many of them say they didn't have much money, but they had everything they needed. That's exactly what God does for you and me---everything we need.

What is a full life, an abundant life or a plenteous life to you? For me, it's peace. It's being content with what I have and yet striving for more spiritually. It's knowing that although the world may be in turmoil with it's wars and families may be shredding apart, God is still in control. It's relying on Father God to see me through every circumstance that comes my way. Because you see, everything you get with the arm of the flesh, you must keep with the arm of the flesh. There's nothing I have that I want to have to fight to keep! But whatever I gain in the spirit, I keep in the spirit.

What parent would not give their child what they need? The child may want the latest in cellphones, fashions and cars. As a parent, there comes a time when you have to decipher a need from a want, and as you know, there is a vast difference.

So if Jesus said He came so that we can have "life and have it to the fullest," then He was saying everything we ever need, He will provide. No, we may not get that job promotion, win the Publishers Clearinghouse millions or even be healed from a devastating cancer, but Jesus said He will provide...somehow, someway. It is not our responsibility to fix whatever it is. Our sole responsibility is to trust that if Jesus said He will give us a full life, then He will provide that life for us.

That's what's so amazing about grace.

Going Through Spiritual Warfare?

I've been studying more about spiritual warfare. So many times, we think of lies, various addictions, gossip or hateful comments and attitudes as just plain sin, which it is. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." So where does all of this come from? From Satan and his army of adversaries "in the heavenly realms". Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:3, "God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." According to this, there is a spiritual battle constantly going on in our lives in the unseen world and God has ALREADY blessed us in it! God wants us to be delivered from the power of Satan and his forces.

The good news is, that's already happened, so there's no need for us to fear our spiritual enemy. However, Satan still has the freedom to temp and harass Christians, but he has no direct authority over us. Instead, we have authority over him through Jesus Christ.

I'm sure you've dealt with it before, or possibly are dealing with it now in some way. For instance, take this blog. I normally leave the posting options open so anyone anywhere can post their comments on my blog, leaving their name or not. A few times, I've had some spammers who try to post a porn website, which I can delete. A couple of weeks ago, someone commented on one of my entries and made fun of my beliefs. They wrote how "stupid and wrong" they think I am as chief meteorologist for WLBT and how God is "laughing at me". I thought about leaving the comment on the blog so many of you could see what I deal with on a daily basis from the public, but decided it best to delete. It served no purpose and it was a personal attack. I saw it as spiritual warfare. Why? Because that person was simply a pawn in Satan's hand. The poster was being used by Satan to talk hate, ridicule my Father God, and the career I believe He has called me to do. The sad part about it--that person had no clue how they were being controlled. That is spiritual warfare.

Perhaps it is someone who has been spreading gossip about you, someone who has continued to make your life difficult, or even a disobedient child. We will, on occasion, have to confront Satan's work in people's lives. In Acts 13, we find where Paul and his friends met a false prophet (a phony) named Bar-Jesus. A high ranking official wanted Paul and Barnabas to teach him about Jesus but Bar-Jesus opposed them and tried to persuade the official not to listen. Verses 9-12 says, "Then Paul filled with the Holy Spirit looked straight at him and said, 'You are the child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.'" Did you see where Paul wasn't afraid to confront Bar-Jesus right there on the spot and tell him WHO was controlling him? Paul didn't get his feelings hurt, tuck his tail and slowly walk away, only to tell his friends how he had been so hurt my what had just happened. No, Paul talked directly TO Satan, without mincing words!

Spiritual warfare for Christians is fought in the mind, emotions and the will. The scripture is our first line of defense and that's why Paul urges us to be renewed with our minds. The more our minds are filled with the truth in God's Word, the less susceptible we are to Satan's musings through other people and temptations. Remember, Satan uses principalities to control personalities.

The Need To Hear God's Voice

I spent the first half of my Saturday speaking at First Baptist Mize women's brunch. Even on a rainy, dreary day, the church was packed. They had to line the walls with chairs! These women were so full of life and were eager to hear from the Holy Spirit. Thank you, ladies, for a "Son-filled" weekend after all!

The more older I get, the more I realize the need to hear the voice of God. Luke 12:47 makes a brutal statement, "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." That isn't the kindest passage, is it? As I reflect on last week's fast and the fast I'm currently on, I'm seeing that prayer and fasting makes one sensitive to the voice of the Lord. With all of the pressures and schedules pulling me here, there and yonder, it is enabling me to hear Him above everything else going on around me.

I wonder why we as Christians have gotten out of the habit of prayer and fasting? Instead we've gone to setting out "fleeces" in an attempt to know God's will for our life.

As a parent, I have a tendency to say, "just wait" or "just hold on" to my children. If I keep giving them this same answer, they become frustrated over time and do whatever they want to anyway. When I give a "no" answer, it is because I don't believe my child is ready for whatever they've asked for or what they've asked for is not good for them. When they get older and show more maturity and demonstrate responsibility, my "no" is lifted and becomes a "yes".

God knows what we can handle and He knows what is good for us. He already knows what we will do with what He gives us. Therefore, God doesn't answer our prayers in vague terms. His answers are specific and to the point. Because we Christians no longer hear the voice of God clearly, we act like immature preteens and end up getting ourselves into trouble in the process. It's time we grow up and act like adult believers.

Through last week's fast, I learned that every decision I make should be inspired by God; every move I make should be ordained by Him. If my decisions and moves aren't ordained by Him and His will for my life, I shouldn't be surprised when it isn't a success. God isn't trying to hide His will or to make it some mystery difficult to figure out. I think He just wants to be able to communicate with us anytime what it is He wants for us. He wants us to seek Him.

Acts 17:27 says it best, "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."