Delinda Layne HomepageDelinda Layne

Speaker, EmpowerMentor, Author

greatness

Big Fish – Little pond!

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Louisiana College, (known as LC), is a small Baptist school in Pineville, LA.  It is a beautiful campus with pine trees, magnolias, and Southern charm.  Several of us from our church in Bellevue NE, went to college there. How do you get from Bellevue, NE, to Pineville, LA?  Interesting story.

Bellevue was the home of SAC – Strategic Air Command, for the Air Force.  Most of us in the church were ‘Air Force brats’, as we were commonly called.  As it turns out, one of our youth workers, was married to an Air Force man, and her Dad was the President of LC, Dr. Quinn.  Of course, she told us all about the school, they set up a information night, and the works, and several of us, six I think, decided that was ‘it’.  Not only did we all go, we were all music majors.  Pretty fun, huh?

As I mentioned, LC was a small school, about 900 total for the four year school.  We had all graduated from a high school with over 500 in our Senior class, so a big change.  The good news is it was a chance to really do and be involved in whatever you wanted to do.  Sort of the big fish in a little pond concept.  I was able to be in the music productions, Booster Club, a cheerleader (and my voice professor really did not like that, he almost kicked me out of music department).   The point is, we had choices of things to do.   Another really great thing about it was we had small classes, got to really know the professors, and we felt like they really cared about us and wanted us to succeed.

Most of us were active in local churches.  I was able to direct children choirs, teach Sunday School at a local school for disabled kids, as part of our church reach out program, work in the church office during the summer, and sing in both the adult choir and the singles ensemble.  The opportunities to serve and be part of the working body was a great learning experience, as well as a time of growing closer to the Lord and seeing Him work through all of us.  My roommate, Martha, was a Godsend in many ways.  First, I never knew how to study until I met Martha. Thanks so much – I graduated!  Even more important is that we are still great friends.  She is a wonderful woman of God, and is still serving and ministering in her church.  (There are many others of you, so I  can’t name individually, but just know, you bless my life.)

It is amazing to me that after all these years, so many of my friends in College are still serving, being faithful stewards of the Lord.  Some are in paid positions, and many are lay persons, teaching Sunday School, leading small groups, etc.   They are making a difference in their churches and communities.  This is part of what we learned and practiced while at LC. Little did I realize how God was grooming all of us for His work, for His kingdom.

As you continue to think about your story, can you think of a time when God was grooming you, that now you can see it, but at the time, maybe you didn’t.  These are precious things to remember, and be thankful.

I’d love to hear your story. Will you share it with me?

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Have you been thinking of your story? How has God been grooming you?

TO FOLLOW and LIKE  this blog go to TOP LEFT  above the PINK Band- Thanks

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

       702-510-1212     www.delindalayne.com

Hand outs- too scary!

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Most of the time we talk and tease about the people who hand out tracks.  Mostly because we can’t imagine ourselves doing it.  It’s just too scary. That really is an evangelist, and that is their calling.  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up   (Ephesians 4:10-12)   We may not be called to be an evangelist, to hand out tracks, but we all have a story to tell.  I hope you are thinking about yours.

Part of my story is about one of those people. When I was a little girl in Abilene, there was a neighbor,  who gave me these handouts that had pretty pictures with scriptures.  I had accepted Jesus into my heart and I loved Him.  I loved going to Sunday School and church, and when we couldn’t go, I taught my brother and sister Sunday School with those pictures.  I think I made my own flannel board type of thing to put them on.  (I guess I was ahead of my time.)

Each summer we would go and visit family.  My grandmother and aunts took me to  Sunday School and VBS. I have a great heritage of Christian women in my family.   Those are wonderful memories, and God was at work through it all, and it was fun.

My dad was in the Air Force so we moved around. We went from Abilene, TX, to Minot, ND, (Yes, it was sooo cold there), next on to Shreveport, LA, and then by Junior High, we were in Bellevue, NE.  It was in in junior high youth group and youth choir that God made a call on my life.  In 7th grade  I sang my first official solo in church. In those junior high years, God placed a call on my heart  and He is still accomplishing that call today.  He who began a work in you is faithful to complete it.

I’ve always been thankful for that man in the neighborhood for sharing God’s word with me through those pretty picture hand outs. I’m also thankful for my youth workers. Bless all of you who may be youth directors, youth workers, those in children’s ministry, etc.  You are making a difference, and you never know how much those seeds you are planting will grow and the fruit they will produce, because you are faithful!

As you think about your story and how Christ has worked and touched  your life, can you remember the people who were there and have touched your life?

I’d love to hear your story.

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Have you been thinking of your story?  Maybe you have some stepping stones too.  Who are some of the people who have touched your life?

TO FOLLOW and LIKE  this blog go to TOP LEFT  above the PINK Band- Thanks

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

       702-510-1212     www.delindalayne.com

No Dispute, No Debate – Just Truth

No dispute, No debate – Just truth.  Your truth, your story.  Consider the words to a song in the musical TELL IT LIKE IT IS, a youth musical, written by Ralph Carmichael and  Kurt Kaiser, in the late sixties  (and yes, as a matter of fact, I was a youth at that time and sang this musical.)

I BELIEVE GOD IS REAL

If I were to tell you what someone told me,

Well, I might miss a detail or two.

For when you describe something you didn’t see,

Then you’re never quite sure that it’s true.

But what we have seen with the eyes of our soul

And with fingers of faith we can feel,

Well, you just have to listen and know that it’s true.

There’s no doubt we believe God is real.

When you share with someone what God  means to you, they can’t dispute it, argue with it, or debate it, because it’s your story.  We don’t have to be theologians, know all the scriptures, or have the answers to the big questions.  We are only responsible for what He means to us.  Whew!  Isn’t that a relief?

Sometimes I think we are timid about sharing Christ because we aren’t a Pastor, or maybe we feel inadequate, but alas, all we have to do is tell our story.  As a believer we have a story of what Christ has done for us. We each have a story of His provision, His peace, His strength. Sharing what Christ has done for us, how He has touched our life, that is our truth.

I am currently doing a Bible study, Stress-Free Believers, by Harold Metzel,  and he talks about this very thing.  Gives you food for thought. (www.stressfreebelievers.com)

So go for it.  Tell your story.  My story with Jesus started in Abilene, TX, at age 7, at  a good ole’ Baptist revival.  That’s when I said ‘yes’ to Jesus.  That’s where my journey began.  That’s been quite a few years ago, and His peace and joy continues today.

Next time, the rest of the story, or part of it.

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Do you have a personal story with Jesus?  When did your story  begin?

TO FOLLOW and LIKE  this blog go to TOP LEFT  above the PINK Band- Thanks

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

                   702-510-1212

Website:       www.delindalayne.com

Listen to music:    www.reverbnation.com/delindalayne

Bury Me with a Fork …

Bury me with a fork?  What?  You are probably thinking I’ve really gone off the deep end… what could this be about?

The following story came to me from my friend Lydia.  She heard it from someone, who heard it from someone, so we don’t know who to give credit.  If it is yours, I apologize, let me know and I’ll post it.  It is also possible it isn’t a true story, but the lesson is still there. Thanks Lydia for sharing.

It made me stop and think, so I am sharing with you. It’s a little longer than my usual posts, but I think it is worth it.

Woman and the Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.  As she was getting her things ‘in order,’ she contacted her Pastor. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.  Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

‘There’s one more thing,’ she said excitedly.

‘What’s that?’ came the Pastor’s reply?

‘This is very important,’ the young woman continued. ‘I want to be buried with a fork in my Right hand.’

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young woman asked.

‘Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. ‘My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming…like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!’

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork …the best is yet to come.’

The Pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. He also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman’s casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’ And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember…keep your fork!  The BEST is yet to come! (Ummm I think there’s a song about that…)

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Do you believe it? Have you ever thought about the fact that with Jesus the Best is yet to come?

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

                   702-510-1212

www.delindalayne.com          www.reverbnation.com/delindalayne

Spiral to the Top

Spiral to the Top.  No more tiny pieces of paper, random notes.

Let me ask you this.  Have you ever written a note on a little piece of paper, sure that you’d remember where it is, and then lose it?  I think everyone has done that on occasion.  It is very frustrating. Or you are writing down some important information and you have a full sheet of paper, sure you are not going to lose it, right?  A couple days later you need the info, and alas, you can’t find it. Maybe you, like my husband, make notes on the back of other papers, but then don’t know where the note is. Sticky notes everywhere?

(Yes I have his permission for this pic =)

Well, I have the answer.  It has been working well for me… for about 20 years.  While in Mary Kay, my dear friend and National Sales Director, taught me some invaluable little lessons that are still serving me well.  This is one of them and it is huge.  Are you ready?

A spiral notebook. Yep.  That is it.  Easy, simple, and inexpensive.  From a phone call from a repair man, to list of important things to do, the response from cable company company, cancellation numbers, on and on.  If I talked to someone last week, or last month,  about something and I need that info, voila,  there it is.  You will feel so organized and on top of your game.

I have years of spirals, and I actually have had to go back a few times for a phone number, or other info, and was so happy it was there. So my spiral is always on top– no more little pieces of paper.

Try it for a while and see if it helps you.  Do you have a tip to share?  I’d love to hear from you.

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION: What do you do with all your pieces of paper?  Are you willing to try the ‘spiral’ approach?

I am available to speak to your group.

To  Reserve a Date –

                   702-510-1212

www.delindalayne.com          www.reverbnation.com/delindalayne

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