23RD ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CELEBRATION!

Sunday, May 18th is our 23rd Anniversary Celebration at Church In The Now, and it's going to be an awesome day. I want to see a full house ITB @ 10AM, so please be there and BRING A FRIEND! For information about the Kim Clement meeting, see the article for May 15...

We're leaving for Washington D.C. very, very early in the morning and will be back tomorrow night, and then we leave for Nashville right after the Sunday Celebration, so I'm starting this article now, and will add to it throughout the weekend as I find the time. You can go ahead and start adding your comments now...

Even as I write this I am posting your comments pertaining to the last article, and I want you to know that I feel your faith. Thanks for making BLOGINTHENOW much more than just a blog...

This is what I'd like to hear from you...What part of CITN are you celebrating this weekend? What does this Anniversary mean to us as a Prophetic Community? What creative words do you have to speak over the next 23 years? What is the Spirit of God saying to you right now about the role of this church body in the world, and in your personal life?

I'm posting this on Friday night, and will continue it, as I said, over the next two days. I may not even be able to finish it until Monday night after we get back in town, so this is going to be a different kind of post, but it's going to be important. So, let's get started...

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF EMBRACING “THE NOW”!

The name Church In The Now is a prophetic name...it is our mandate from the Holy Spirit, Who is the Divine Officer of Protocol, to always stay in the now, because God is always in the now! God is the "I Am" (Exodus 3:14), not the "I was" or the "I will be". God is eternal, and eternity is best defined as "the now". CITN is a place where you can always experience the "presence" of God ("God is our refuge and strength, an ever-PRESENT help in trouble" - Psalms 46:1 TNIV ). Many people miss the miracle of the now because they are too distracted by regret over the past, or fear of the future. But at CITN you are encouraged to "forget what is behind" (Philippians 3:13), and to stop worrying about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34), so that you can say THIS is the day that the Lord has made! CITN is a community of faith, and faith is always "now" ("NOW faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 TNIV) In the natural we are 23 years old, but in the spiritual, we are totally IN THE NOW!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL!

While we embrace all people of faith around the world, and honor and respect their beliefs, whatever they may be, our own theology remains decidedly Christian and orthodox. The dictionary defines orthodoxy as the quality of being orthodox (especially in religion) a belief or orientation agreeing with conventional standards. The word is from the Greek ortho ('right', 'correct') and doxa ('thought', 'teaching', 'glorification'), and is typically used to refer to the correct theological or doctrinal observance of religion, as determined by some overseeing body; those beliefs which reflect the faith of the whole Church since the time of the apostles; a term used in a number of senses, of which the following are the most important: (1) Orthodoxy in the literal sense of 'right belief,' as opposed to heresy; (2) Orthodoxy in the sense of the forms of Christianity which are dominant in the East. We honor the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and other historical and foundational Christian statements of faith, because of their relevance to our ministry. The message of Reconciliation that we preach is organic, original and orthodox Christian theology…the Gospel of the Kingdom!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF THE EXALTATION OF LOVE!

Everything that we preach…indeed, everything that we stand for, should and must be potentially summed up in these three words: GOD IS LOVE. This and all gospel preaching/teaching must meet that criteria – if it doesn’t demonstrate and exalt the love of God, it’s not the gospel. More than anything else, we at CITN must always strive to be stewards of that gospel, the definition of which is simply: the good news. The true, eternal gospel of God is positive, proactive and life-affirming, so we never want to be labeled as a church that doesn’t believe in something or who is “against” a particular doctrine. We cannot reconcile that kind of negative posturing with the constructive nature and life-giving essence that is required of authentic gospel preaching!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX!

The Conyers and Rockdale County that I first encountered in 1985 was quite a different place than it is now. At that time I was a very idealistic young man, and I came here, full of faith and attitude, to establish a local congregation that would be more than just another local Charismatic church. I didn’t want to lead and pastor an established church body, because I had a vision for a different kind of place that would be built upon the words recorded in Psalms 2:8 (KJV), which says Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Better translations use the word “nations” rather than “heathen”, but either word was a prophetic stretch for mid-80’s Conyers, GA. But the revelation of that powerful Scripture manifested, as a diverse group of people met together for the first time in May of 1985 in a little storefront on Royal Drive. The county then was 90% white, very religious, and extremely conservative, but we were eclectic and multicultural from that very first day.

But CITN (then Word of Faith) was about more than just multiculturalism, it was about the creation of an alternative to irrelevant, traditional church, and religious “business as usual”. And 23 years later, my faith is stronger, and my ideals are higher than they were then. And even though I am no longer a young man, chronologically (although I feel younger now than I did then), I am definitely more out of the box than I was 23 years ago, and I show no signs of moving toward the safety of mainstream mediocrity. Two decades plus of leading a church like this in a community like this has convinced me that anything is possible!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF WALKING BY FAITH!

This ministry has been an adventure of faith from the beginning, and twenty-three years later we are still learning to walk in the fullness of our unique destiny. It is written that the just shall LIVE BY FAITH, and so twenty-three years later, this house of worship is still discovering new ways to overcome the growth obstacles that exist for a truly multicultural church. Twenty-three years later, CITN is still attempting to create a real sense of community in a church that was not birthed out of an established community or a denomination. Twenty-three years later, the leadership of this church is still trying to instill within this body a sense of ownership among the people, and a comprehension of the need for them to be investors in it. And so this weekend we celebrate how far we’ve come, but we also take inventory of where we are on the journey. We've come this far by faith, but we’ve only just begun. We call those things which are not as though they are, because we’ve been called to do what hasn’t been done before!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF VISION!

I am, and I believe that many of you are, totally committed to the ideal of 100% participation among the membership of CITN…the realization of a vision to reach the goal of Everyone Actively Contributing and Helping. (E.A.C.H.) In the natural, it appears that not everyone who attends the church understands this yet. The Scriptures say that where there is no vision, the people perish, and a better translation is “where there is no prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint”. In other words, a real commitment to discipline only comes through vision.

I refuse to believe that the manifestation of a workable E.A.C.H. program – a mindset among the people that causes full community commitment – is a goal that is unrealistic or unreachable. Because I believe that there is nothing more powerful in the world than the power of vision...and becuase I am convinced that the vision of this ministry is God-inspired...I am fully persuaded that, eventually, everyone connected to this ministry will become an active part of it, a real asset to it, and a actual contributor to its success!

ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT!

As we enjoy the fruit of our labor on this anniversary, I believe that now is the time to make real the promises of every prophecy that has been spoken over this ministry in the last twenty-three years. And, as many of you know, it has been prophesied that CITN will do something that hasn’t been done before. On one level, I believe that that means that we will move from some of the people doing all of the work and all of the giving (as is typical in many if not most churches), to the new possibility of everyone pulling their weight and making a real contribution to the greater good. Now is the time to lift our church from the quicksands of mediocrity to the solid rock of being a successful megachurch, so that we can do, in the larger world around us, what has never been done by a church before. What all does that entail? I don’t fully know at this point, but I do believe that now is the time to make this ministry be all that it can be. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy!

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SATURDAY NIGHT: BACK FROM WASHINGTON...EVERYTHING WAS AWESOME...TELL YOU ABOUT IT TOMORROW!
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ON THIS CITN ANNIVERSARY WEEK-END WE CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF COMMUNITY!

I said under #5 that we were still walking by faith when it comes to creating a covenant community, but I need to clarify that statement. Although we are still growing into full megachurch/metron reality, there is, without a doubt, already a very strong and vibrant cross section of CITN, too large to simply be called a core group, which is literally a church within the church. And that “inner church” (and you know who you are)…that wheel in the middle of the wheel, if you will...is already pulling its weight through called and responsible Kingdom people who are actively participating in every way. And so I speak to those of you who comprise that part of CITN, and I exhort you to not look down on those who don’t see the vision yet. You must love them, set an example for them, and encourage them to see the benefits of becoming a part of this body that is fitly joined together. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed those who comprehend what this church needs to be must not lead us to reject those who stay on the periphery, for they are our brothers and sisters. Let us pray that they come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny…that they will see and believe that we might not have it all together, but together we have it all!

Eternal Life!

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you. . . ETERNAL LIFE. . . therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us – ETERNAL LIFE." (1 John 1:1, 2; 2:24, 25)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am living my life from the inside out: spiritually, first — mentally, second — physically, third. My reality is determined by the eternal part of me, where the fullness of the Godhead lives; I am a spirit being trying to find definition in the material world.

Today I will let that abide in me which I heard from the beginning — those eternal God-words that I heard when I was in Him at the creation of all things. I will base my knowledge on the speech of the spirit – those "I Am" concepts that my finite memory has not contained, but are still a reality in my inner man!

Today I will be empowered and energized by my awareness of what is eternal in me. The transient events of the day will be trivialized by the triumph of the ever-living, ever-lasting Mind of Christ. The "eternal me" is bigger than the events of this day, so they will not be able to overwhelm or overpower me in any way!





















Today I will examine the building blocks of my world-view, and whatever I find in my foundation that is not based on the fundamentals of eternal truths will be challenged to change. I will make the choice to begin to receive my information from the voice of my Creator, rather than from the alternative messages that I have received since my earth-birth.

Today I will take the concept of seeing the big picture to a whole new level, as I focus on the larger ideas of purpose and destiny. My life is more than my current circumstances — I am here for a reason — my life matters because it is a valid and viable part of the grand scheme of things. I will believe this until I can feel it.





















Today I will be able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and still fear no evil, because I am alive forevermore. Death has no sting for me, because the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus liberates me from its grasp, and His eternal love produces fearlessness in me!

Today I will really live my real life, and today I will live in the now!


Father, help me to stay connected to my eternal life today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

OK, Here's the Deal...

Wow, a lot’s going on today…so what else is new? First of all, thanks to those of you who went ahead and posted comments this morning before I wrote anything (see below). There are 15 posted at the time of this writing, including my explanation of why there was no article here earlier today.

As far as the financial stuff goes, all I can tell you is that I was basically preaching to myself last night, and I’m being attentive to walk in that word today. God’s reality for this house must be my/our reality, so I will speak of the non-existent things as those they already exist, as He does (Romans 4:17 AMP). I may have more about that later, but the bottom line is that, at this point, I need for you all to hear directly from the Spirit of God concerning your responsibility to whatever level of covenant commitment you have with this ministry. The flesh profits nothing, so I will leave it at that.

Anyway, here’s what is happening now. I have had to draw on the strength of the Holy Spirit as Comforter a lot this week because of the death of Dottie Rambo. Most of you wouldn’t know it, but back in the day, her ministry was a big influence on my life, and had a direct connection to my own songwriting. I loved her very much. And you obviously know how close I am to Pastors Dony and Reba, so of course I wanted to attend the funeral in Nashville on Monday, if for nothing else than to be there for them. The death of a parent is one of the biggest and hardest things that anyone ever goes through in life, but it is especially difficult for only children. I have always related to Reba as an only child, as I’m sure any of you who are only children would understand.

But I couldn’t go because there would be no way to do that and get back for the Kim Clement meeting that night, so I found out that there was going to be a time of visitation at the funeral home on Saturday, so Debye and I decided to drive up Saturday and right back to be here for church on Sunday. So when P.Dony found out that we were coming, he asked us to come up Friday night and stay at their house and go with them to the funeral home on Saturday.

I was certainly glad to do that and to have some time with them, the only problem was that I was tentatively scheduled to speak in Washington on Saturday at the American Clergy Leadership Conference. So I thought that I could get out of that, but this morning I got an e-mail from Rev. Jenkins stating that they were definitely expecting us and were bringing in all these pastors from the D.C. area to be at the meeting which is about the Global Peace Festival. So I immediately returned his message and said that I wouldn’t be able to make it because I had to be in Nashville on Saturday because I couldn’t be at the funeral on Monday.

Then, as soon as I sent the message to him, I got an urgent message from Kim’s secretary that there has been an emergency with Kim’s mother in South Africa that sounds like a life and death situation, and that Kim has had to leave Israel to go to S.A. and needs to postpone the meeting here. So I called Rev. Jenkins and told him that I could, indeed, speak in Washington on Saturday, and then called Dony to tell them that we could be at the funeral after all, so he invited us to come up and stay with them on Sunday night and go to the funeral with them the next day, and maybe even participate in it (which would be a great honor for me).

So…Debye and I are back on for Washington on Saturday, the Sunday service is still going to be amazing, we will be able to attend Dottie’s funeral, and we have Kim tentatively scheduled a couple of weeks later on June 14th and 15th, which I think is Father’s Day weekend. At least that’s the way everything stands at three o’clock on Thursday afternoon.

If anything changes, I’ll let you know.

Peace.

P.S. I'd like to hear from you today, so post a comment. It doesn't have to be lengthy or profound...just let me know you're out there.

And, Dennis, I accidentally posted this on your site...my bad...but I deleted it.

Jesus Saves!

"Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them." (Hebrews 7:25 – AMP)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I know that I am absolutely and ultimately saved, since Jesus, the Captain of my salvation, has completed His assignment through His death, burial, resurrection, and intercession for me! He sees the travail of His soul on my behalf, and is satisfied!

Today I will celebrate the capability that I possess through the cross of Christ, the Conqueror. As an heir of salvation, I am invincible and indestructible!

Today I will not take my salvation for granted, but will walk in the revelation that He Who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, shall also freely give us all things. (Romans 8:32). If I have received the gift of salvation, I believe that I am able to receive any other gift from God.

Today I will remember that my life is a river that is fed by two streams: the will of God, which is the part that only He can do; and my response to His will, which is the part that only I can do. My salvation is synergistic in that Jesus and I are cooperating in its execution. He paid the price for me (the blood of the Lamb) because I couldn't, and I live my own life for Him (the word of my testimony), because He can't live it for me. By the agreement of these two things, I am able to overcome the accuser of the brethren, once and for all.

Today I will remember that, even though my salvation is secure, my life is still a work in progress. Jesus is able to save me "to the uttermost" through a process that takes time – He is the Author and the Finisher of my faith, and He who began a good work in me will continue to perform it! Therefore, I will be content with my current walk with Him, confident that the seed of Christ in me must eventually produce after its own kind! Through faith and patience I will inherit this promise.

Today I will live in a state of perfect peace, because my salvation frees me from any fear of death, hell, or the grave. I will, therefore, face this day fearlessly!





















Today I will speak the word of reconciliation to others, letting them know that their own salvation has been paid for, and today I will live in the now!





Father, help me to remember that I am saved to the uttermost today. In Jesus’ name, amen.


JESUS SAVED!

The Earth is the Lord's! (And then some)

In the last few days and hours, all over the globe, there have been cyclones, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes and earthquakes, among other disasters, that have claimed the lives of literally thousands and thousands of people, worldwide. It's really very hard to get your head around the enormity of the number of casualties, and, as I said in a recent article here, I believe that something is definitely going on with the planet.

Al Gore, along with many others with his world-view, believes that it is the inevitable fallout from global warming. Most evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians believe that it is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy...signs of the times...a prelude to "the Apocalypse", as they believe it to be. My personal belief is that it is evidence of the whole creation groaning in painful travail, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God according to Romans 8...the birth pangs for the new earth. Whatever it is, it is certainly unsettling to see what has been happening, even right here in our immediate area.

Today a Christian minister was lamenting the fact that, because so many of these disasters were happening in predominately Buddhist and Hindu (and some Islam) nations, that thousands and thousands of unknowing people who were dying in these catastrophes were being hurled into eternal hell because they had most likely not embraced Christianity or acknowledged or confessed Romans 10:9, 10 (even though they don't have Christian Bibles).

A few years ago I might have believed that myself. Now I believe in the what the Scriptures really say, in the love and mercy of God, in His plan to restore all things, and all of humanity, and in the Last Adam's ultimate triumph over the first Adam.

I don't have all the answers, but I know that it is not His will that any should perish, and that He is good, and His mercy endures forever. I also believe in the power of prayer...pray for your planet today. It's a great day to be alive!


I have some more things to say, and will probably be back here later today...

















In the meantime, what is in your spirit today concerning these things?

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Hey bloggers,

I said earlier that I had more to say on this subject, and so I’m adding this part many hours later. At the time of this writing there are about 26 comments posted, and let me just say how impressed I am by all of your keen insights, and how proud I am of you as a blog community. You have all brought up some very interesting and compelling points, all of which I basically agree with on some level, and I appreciate the balance of intelligence and compassionate sensitivity that you all show.

As a student of history, I certainly am aware that natural disasters have always happened, and I also realize that with constant, 24 hour news coverage, it may appear that more is happening now than has happened in the past in this area. But you have to admit, the last few days and hours have been pretty intense.

And yet, at the same time, there is such an amazing move of God happening in the world right now…a great awakening is taking place. I realize that there are some Christians who interpret this awakening as “the great falling away”, and I understand their paradigm. I was raised on it. And let me just say, for the record, that I do believe that John 14:6 is the truth. I do believe that Jesus was speaking rightly when He said “no man comes to the Father but by Me”. As the perfect embodiment of the Christ, He established Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that is an absolute in my heart and mind.

But the same Jesus said that those who were not against Him were for Him. John the Baptist said, “Behold, the lamb of God WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” The best-case scenario is found in John 3:16…that “whosoever would believe in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life.” But, thank God, verse 17 follows verse 16, for those who have never heard, or who have not had the proper influences in their lives to cause them to believe in Him…“For God sent not His son to condemn the world, but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED!” He is the Savior of all men, ESPECIALLY those who believe.

I may even add more to this later today. In the meantime, I don’t know if you noticed or not, but the picture of the drinking deer has a structure in the background that reminds me of something out of Asian architecture…something that you might see in China or Myanmar (the Land of Pagodas)…I put it there to remind us all to pray for our brothers and sisters in those nations who are suffering even as I write this. They make up a huge part of the Family of God…our family…and those who have lost their lives are with the Lord. The Scriptures say “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”, and that is a universal promise.

That’s all for now. Keep up the beautiful correspondence. I love you all.

Nice Touch!

"And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him,
turned around in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?'"
(Mark 5:30)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am in direct contact with my Source and Creator; God has touched me, and I can touch God! He knows my name, hears me when I pray, and cares about what is happening in my life today. My strength to live this day successfully comes from His unique touch – His hand is on my life, and He is with me in every step I take!

Today I will not live an isolated life. Others have touched me, so I will reach out in unselfishness to someone who needs my touch today. I will not let the activities of the day cause me to become insensitive to those in my life who may be lonely or hurting. I will take some time out of my schedule, and invest it in a real, personal connection with that one who is in need.

Today I will touch someone in a positive way, because I know that using negatives, on myself or others, will not get me the results that I'm looking for. Negative interaction and response will only bring a multitude of new problems into my life (like depression, rebellion, division), so I will overcome evil with good today, and will walk in the God-kind of love that never fails.

Today I will take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus, my High Priest is touched with the feelings of my humanity and weaknesses. His empathy for me enables me to be emancipated from unrealistic expectations for myself and for others. Today I will live and let live.

Today I will not let myself become cynical and unfeeling, but I will remain reachable – in touch with my emotions . . . caring . . . in touch with the real world.

Today I will touch the throne of God by praying effective, genuine prayers in line with His Word and His will. My prayers will avail much because I am righteous!

Today I will give something back. I will freely give because I have freely received, recognizing the significance of reciprocating — the sowing and reaping principle — leaving something for the next generation — leaving the world in a better condition than the one in which I discovered it. I will do my part. I will do what I can. I will touch someone with my life today, and today I will live in the now!


Father, help me to stay in touch with You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.


Make a connection...reach out and touch someone with your blog comments now...

Celebrate Today! (And then some)

First of all, today is Mother’s Day, so I want to honor all of you great women who have brought life into the world, and who have faithfully nurtured it! I especially thank God for my mom, Darlene, my wife, Debye, my mother-in-law, Shirley, and my daughter, Christina, all of whom are exceptional women, and excellent mothers. Your children rise up and call you all blessed!

Even as He was dying, Jesus made it a point to make sure that His mother was taken care of…

…But standing by Jesus’ cross were His mother and her sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother standing there, and the disciple that He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Great lady, this man is now your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “My brother, this woman is now your mother!” And from that moment on, that disciple took her into his own home and loved and cared for her as if she were his own mother. After taking care of this last detail, Jesus knew that His work in the earthly dimension was now finished….
(John 19:25-28 – John In The Now)

God bless all of our moms!


Secondly, today is Pentecost Sunday, so I want to honor the Holy Spirit and His movement in the earth! I started CITN (then called Word of Faith) on Pentecost Sunday 1985, and usually we acknowledge the church anniversary on that day each year, whenever it comes, but we’re going to celebrate it this year, instead, next Sunday on the 18th for several reasons. A few weeks ago I wrote and posted this acrostic for PENTECOST which I had planned to use on Pentecost Sunday, and I may still refer to it, but I’m kind of going in a different direction in today’s service, as I talk about the dynamic maternal aspects of the Holy Spirit. Once again, here’s the acrostic…

P - ushing limits

E - mbracing diversity

N - etworking nationals

T - ranscending culture

E - mpowering believers

C - ommunicating truth

O - vercoming divisions

S - eeing globalism

T - aking dominion

God bless the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all humanity!


Thirdly, today is the Three Monthaversary of BLOGINTHENOW, so I want to honor all of you who have been (and are) a part of it. It seems like we’ve been doing this for longer than 3 months…so much has happened in these weeks…so much has evolved. But I really love connecting with you all here every day, and I believe that the best is yet to come.

God bless BLOGINTHENOW!

So today is an important day, and I want to celebrate all of it! What does this day mean to you?

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Sunday evening: Hey bloggers...just thinking about the day and wanting to reach out to you...great service this morning...Golden Girls were cute...hope the message wasn't too "out there"...loved the new song about the city...I've posted an apology to Aaron Conyers on the church blog for not reading his name with the other graduates, but can't get in touch with Robyn to put it through...looking at Dottie Rambo clips on YouTube and feeling really sad about what happened...feeling especially bad for Reba to get that news on Mother's Day...very windy outside...praying for protection over all of you...if you still have your mom, did you call her today?