Grandma, Get Your Groove On!

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been. ~Madeleine L'Engle Oh, how I love this quote by a truly great writer.. This is why it's so CRUCIAL to have our mature and aging generation an integral part of evangelical, inspirational, corporate worship and ministry endeavors within the church. To exclude them, is like spiritual euthanasia. And one day, if you ignored them or made them invisible in your ministry as a leader, be assured - you'll be a part of the very group you once excluded. And very lonely, I might add..

I felt this strongly this morning, as I could barely get out of bed! You see, yesterday I did enough yard work - cutting of shrubbery, tree limbs, pulling weeds, mowing the lawn that my fifty-five year old body said to me, "OK, you are older now. You aren't able to do as much as you used to!" (or so it seems!) This, however, didn't affect my mind, spirit or passion one bit! I still am ME, whether my new hair growth (gray-haired roots!) blind you, or if I can't do the walkathons I used to do, or hike the mountains in a frivolous trot! I'm still a viable, loving contributor to this race we call human.

So, with that thought tucked in my back pocket today, I continue to empower, build up and utilize the giftings of those of you who are considered to be (like me!) in the "aging" group! We need you now more than ever, especially as the mass exodus of seniors stay home from church on Sunday mornings. I've been told they feel they aren't needed anymore or aren't relatable to the new generation. Heaven, I believe, has a whole different and widening concept on that belief system. It's sad that we earthlings think we know better.....than God.

(The picture above is my Aunt Sara, my grandmother Hilda, my great-grandmother Elizabeth, and my eleven year old mother, Naomi. This was not only family, it was community.)

Reaching Women in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I'm excited to be going to Malaysia and the Philippines in November 2011 to minister to the awesome women of Redeeming Roses. Redeeming Roses was founded with a purpose of bringing healing and wholeness to women who have suffered abuse and exploitation. The redeeming love of Jesus Christ is the answer. My long time friend and Jersey girl (too!), Carrie Baber, has extended an invitation for me to come for a women's conference, a worship seminar, as well as ministering to women on the streets, in homes and even a few churches. I have prayed about going as a volunteer for quite a few years and feel now is the right time! I hope to raise funds for living expenses plus travel to, from and within Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and on to Philippines. My heart is already full and excited to share Jesus in a most unique way (worship, music and comedy) to my new sisters in Christ! I ask for your prayers most of all, but also ask you to consider helping me get there. Thank you in advance for sponsoring me in any tangible way you can. Every dollar will count. And I will take you with me by holding you in my heart!

For information on how you can help, send an email to Radiosue@me.com or Visa/MC/Discover/Amex is available for online giving (both safe and easy) as well. To contribute go to FundRazer.

Love, Sue

Amusing Grace

I didn't exactly use a lot of wisdom back in the 70s. I remember wearing short skirts on church platforms and event stages, then being reprimanded later for my lack of discernment in my choice of attire (or "attire-less"). Today, I wouldn't be caught dead in a short skirt and that's not because I have some sort of clothes-line religion - just that I care NOT to expose my white-pillar dimpled thighs and "shar pei" wrinkled knobby knees to the world. The "amusing grace" about this is: At one time, I had pretty nice legs! And now I don't, so there's no need to subject them to the public.

A young teenage girl asked me recently to evaluate her performance, her singing and her stage presence. (I find this to be a very delicate thing to do, by the way..) But I did it anyway. Before she sang a note, I asked her, "What will you be wearing when you sing and lead worship?" She said, "Hmm, never thought much about that. Probably what I'm wearing now..". (She had on shorts and a T-shirt) I told her my story from the 70s and encouraged her to "think" about her fashion statement before representing the gospel on stage. A chill went down my spine, realizing that I had become exactly that same archaic old-fashioned voice who reprimanded me 37 years ago! Amusing Grace.

I was at a conference where a scantily clad young woman was singing in the worship band. I could not imagine what the men were thinking, let alone the teenage boys in the crowd. I assumed everyone around me thought I was very spiritual, because from the moment she hit the stage, I slammed my eyes shut - not opening them until the worship segment was over. The "Amusing Grace" part about this was: While trying to focus on worshipping God, I kept "seeing" myself 37 years prior, in my little white mini-skirt - trying to sing for Jesus!

As women, we're all better off when we choose to represent Christ in a fashionably modest way. I know how tough that can be, especially in the summer months with all the media venues hitting us with what is "cool" and "chic" to wear. I'll be forever indebted to Moody Bible's Dr. Rosalie de Rosset for her workshop, "Thinking Theologically in a Hollywood Mindset", at the Elmbrook Women's Conference a few years back. If you'd like a copy or download of her teaching, post a comment here and I'll send it to you or give you information on how you can get it. It'll shock you, move you, disturb you and create in you a real desire to counsel our young girls (and sometimes the older gals too!) on how they (we) dress. I guarantee, you'll need the "amusing grace" to have the courage to lead, represent and instruct. If we don't do it (in love), who will?