Clouds.... Zach Sobiech

"Most People Live In The Middle Of Dream Come True And You Are Dying, And It's A Comfortable Place To Live." Zach

Today is hard. 

Maybe you woke up feeling this same way.

Sorrow.

Loss is close... tragedy being two short hours away. Trying to make sense of it... Can't.

I came across this beautiful story of life. 

I hope you feel blessed and see the truth his mama spoke,

 'The blessing of cancer is it takes you out of denial."

This family is beautiful... a picture of what God created family to look like...

connected, supportive, loving... no matter what.

A diagnosis brings us closer.

Truth is.

We are all terminal.

Live today like Zach.

 

The Only Goal In Life...

 My devotions this week have hit home...

"Rise to the occasion - do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body." My Utmost For His Highest.

My trials and tribulations are small, though I tend to let them bubble up and over,  becoming mountains I cannot hope to see clear of, by the end of the day.
Then God drops some truth on me... many times in His provision and blessing.
I never stop being amazed by the goodness of God.

I continue to read...

"May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality - a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father and neither are we to make demands on God." My Utmost


How many times do I make demands on God? Many times they are unspoken by human word, but don't doubt that they are well thought out and weary from travel in my mind. I am good at deception... especially to my Lord.
I tell Him I will gladly do something, and then I quickly set to work on how I will work this to my benefit.
Oh, the human mind is so suspect, and so gifted in this endeavor.

But then I read His truth and Paul reminds me of the goal.
Chapter two of Philipians shares the attitude of Christ...
plain and simple in front of my deceived face.

Verse 3, "Don't be selfish (ouch); don't try to impress others (ouch). Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had...
vs 6-11 explain the attitude of Christ... HUMBLE

Go. Read. It...

You will be changed...

Christ was the humble servant...
and I am the weak, self obsessed, child of God...
recoginzing the need of a Savior ...
more and more each day.

May I seek His face today.

An Open Letter To Moms from Kid President

Mothers Day is over... but we moms are moms every day and maybe you missed this sweet, funny, laugh till you cry, smile till it hurts, spill tears from the corners of your eyes, video by my favorite Kid President.

                                                                                      Enjoy

Be On The Lookout For Wonder...

  by MINETTE LAYNE

"Always be on the lookout for wonder." E.B. White

Psalm 119:18

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things from Your instruction."

Look for wonder today.... in God's ways, for humanity and nature?

He is at work all around us.

Do we see Him?

The Mother Of All Days.... It's Coming.

 Listen you Mothers...

I have something to say.

The day is fast approaching,

when you desire

to hear your loved ones say,

"You da bomb, you da best, you are so much better than the rest."

 Rah, rah, rah...

and all that.

Well, it may not happen that way, and I don't want you to 

be caught off guard.

The day of cards and candy, flowers and buffets,

holds some tricks along the way.

 When we sign up to become a mom, it takes many forms.

Some joyful, others bringing storms.

We know we are more than a day, but we've bought a line 

from a store...

an envelope holding a card,

that tells us who we are.

Wait... what?!

Right.

So, my thought is this...

take the day in stride,

and don't let your heart be hurt.

Some have the gift of giving...

others, have no idea where to start.

I think of my girl, who called her dad and brother her first year away, to make sure there would be no tears...

on her mama's Mothers Day.
She was sure they would forget.

I missed my girl that year...

but the truth grew in my heart.

It's the hours and moments we share,

that can never be contained in a card.

I told my mom she is fabulous in the card I sent her this year.

She told me how much that meant to her.

She is fabulous, and deserves to hear those words...

more than once a year. 

 

I used to get my feelings hurt and remember 

a certain year...

my husband had a meeting on my birthday.

 Candor was not my strong point.
I was hurt, and let him know.

He left, I pouted.

No... I am not proud.

Fifteen minutes later he walked in the door,

two cakes in hand.

He had gone to the bakery and begged off his meeting.

He called the neighbors and a party began.

I was sheepish I had behaved that way.

I have not forgotten that day... both the kindness of my husband and the selfishness of my ways.

Celebrate those you love, the mothers who are yours and the ones you just adore.

The ones you mother alongside and the ones you watch afar.

 If your boy forgets a card... no worries.

Think of the times he sends a text, just checking in to say, he loves his momma and knows he's blessed.

If the husband seems distracted, hug him hard around the neck. Tell him that you love him and glad to be together in this mess.

Celebrate each day...

the love and family that we are...

and pat ourselves on the back,
because they are awesome..
and we cheer.

 Or...

You could post this somewhere they might see it...
and your Mothers Day may be complete.

Good luck with that.

Happy Mothers Day...

 all you amazing, beautiful, fantastic women!!!

Is Your Compassion Ready Today?

Do you claim the name of Christ?
Do you speak on His behalf?
Do others see Him in you... in me?

The Bible is full of wisdom in living our days and years.
We are wise when we choose God's desire for us.

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know truth."
2 Timothy 2: 22-25 

May we show compassion and love today, desiring peace with our brothers and sisters, those we know.... and those we will meet today.
Be ready... with gentleness, humility... compassion.

Friday Facts... Poison Ivy, The kentucky Derby and The God Of Details...

Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby.

I will be wearing a hat that has danced at the Derby... thanks to my beautiful friend Kelly.
No... the above hat is not the hat.
That resembles a small country.
I don't believe my neck could support that beauty.

I will be celebrating in Wichita... kinda like Louisville... except that it is Wichita and nothing like Louisville.

 At all.

Have you been there? Louisville?

Do you know how hard it is to correctly pronounce Louisville, like you are one of them? 

If you are not birthed there, you must take a prerequisite course, before moving in.

This is a fact.

Look it up.

 Okay, not really.

Today my son is in Indiana with his College track team.

He will be running the 800, looking for a P. R., 

personal record, so he can run in the fastest heat at Conference next week in Florida.

I love this boy and his commitment.

Last night he sent me a picture of a nasty looking foot, with red sores/swollen ugliness on it.

I asked, "Who's foot is that?" 

 I was praying he would not say it was his.

He responded, "Mine. Do you think this is poison ivy? 

Ask Dad."

Oh... because the surgeon would know poison ivy better than the mom.

Really Dan, you cut me to the bone.

I am hoping poison ivy somehow improves running times.

Perhaps the fact that the person is in such distress that they must run at record speed, so they can tear off shoe and itch foot.

Not sure if there is any scientific evidence to this thought.

 

Yesterday, I had lunch with a new friend. 

I love how God brings women into my life, who will make me better.

She runs a non profit counseling center. I am impressed with what they accomplish.

She paid me a compliment that was a God moment for me.

It was confirmation of something I desire and believe I am to do, but I am not sure how to go forward.

There is also some fear involved.

And doubt...

about myself.

 Just being honest.

Lunch was a blessing from God, in a week that started hard for me.

I had moments of doubt and sadness.

Each day I leaned more on Him and less on me...  He blessed me each day.

His word is Truth and He is faithful.

I learned that again this week.

 

This weekend... I will pray for my boy, that he runs the race of life well, both on and of the track.

That he honor God with his gifts.

I will attend a Derby Party to support a Pregnancy Center. God will bless me through His people, the ones I have not met yet. 

The ones that desire to serve Him.

I will think of this friendship God has given me and look forward to what he has for us.

It will be good, if it is for His glory.

All for Him.

In Hebrews 12 it says, "Let us run with patience, the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

This life is a race, but we do not run alone. 
We run shoulder to shoulder, nudging and encouraging one another.
Who are you running beside today and who is God calling you to encourage? 
There is someone who needs you today.
 

I Am Praying For You On This National Day Of Prayer...

  May 2nd brings cold, hard rain stinging my windows, a final reminder of winter. The heat back on.. after two days in the 80's. 

Thoughts of my dad's 80th birthday, though he celebrates in heaven. I see posts of first birthdays, 30th birthdays today, reminding me of the winds of change, the vapor of our days.

 I talk with my mom... the first week of May holding their anniversary. Prayers for healing and peace.

The nino, became a Junior yesterday... finals finished. We talked last night, many miles in between. I suggested he slow down his college experience and he agreed to stay a junior for the next year. He's funny like that.

His dad missed him, called to the hospital last evening.

A man I do not know, in need of an operating room and people to care for him. I said a prayer. 

Not old, but ill, his wife away... at the birth of their grandchild. 

Life doesn't stop. Babies do not wait.

The hubby returned home late in the night and left early, before I could ask of his patient. I will pray for both of them today. 

The boy will travel to Indiana today with his team. One more run before conference. His goals are high. He believes in himself. I believe in him. I will pray for him.. for quickness of speed, timing, health and joy.

A year ago we celebrated the daughters graduation from college. She toils long hours in the non profit world of social work now, with many responsibilities. I have never seen her happier. I will pray for her, safety where she travels and rest for her body and soul... and joy. Always joy.

Today is the National Day of Prayer.... perhaps we should treat each day as a day of prayer.

Pray for our leaders, our military, our country, our world, our children, our babies, our elderly population, 

the persecuted church, the hidden population of slaves in our world, many young women.. with no voice.

Pray for change.

I will pray for neighbors, friends, young ones... dealing with diagnosis of cancer, instead of laughing and dancing the days through college. I will pray for you... though I do not know your need. God does. He is big enough to handle those details.
Just pray.

Pray for peace... yes

the peace that passeth all understanding. Not the peace this world gives, but God gives.

The peace that calms the soul in the midst of the storm, the trial, the living, the dying.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

 Pray today, for your needs, those you love and those you have not met.

God listens. God loves.

God is at work.

Are You Certain Of Him?

 

"Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life - gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring."

C.S. Lewis

The question is...

Do we fear this fact,

or do we look forward with a breathless anticipation,

knowing that it is of God and for our good?

Is there anything holding you back today,

or are you looking forward to 

the work and blessing He holds for you?

The Holy Spirits Sucker Punch...

I feel like I've been sucker punched. 

A sucker punch leaves us defenseless.

Hit under the rib cage, we lose our breath.

Maybe I'm reading too many twitter news feeds.

Maybe...

not.

Maybe, it's life and sometimes its hard, sad and anything but peaceful...

the words I cry out to God each morning. 

"Your peace Lord, that's all I need, oh and that other thing, and those things I mentioned yesterday and don't forget God."

Do we pray.

Or do we fret?

Here is my list, at the moment.

I found my knees this morning... cause we are in serious discussions.

A young, very young woman, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. What?! Why?

A young man, very young, having his.. hopefully last cancer treatment this week. Why?!

Hopefully they will both finish college and build lives,

abundant lives.

A woman, young, very young, struggling with an eating disorder.

Please God, make the voices go away in her head. The ones that fill her with lies and hold her hostage.

A girl, very, very young, struggling with an undiagnosed illness, sometimes unable to go to school, get out of bed. The mama is bearing much of this. 

Peace Lord, answers, healing.

A boy, beautiful, nineteen, took his life.

Oh God.... why?!

He had so much to look forward to.

God... his parents. Protect his parents.

Young marrieds, some in the homeland, others oversees, building Christ centered lives, families.

Lord, protect them, for they are effective. May they trust wholly in you, each day.

My own sweet ones. 

Protect their souls, minds, bodies, provide... relationships where Christ is the center. 

No worries after that. 

You can conquer the world if you put Him in the center. 

The list goes on...

encourage those in my sphere to look deep and hard. Priorities, goals, desires... how we spend our days.

Hold our mates accountable and find others to grow with. 

No more Lone Ranger Religon.

It's too easy to pat ourselves on the back, when we need a swift kick in the butt.

The husband and I talk of life. 

He says, "Does it make a difference if we live to see 8, 18, or 80?

Our goal is Christ."

 He sees pain and suffering every day.

He hates it...

He follows it with Jesus words in John 10:10, 

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Yes, the struggle of this.

 We know Truth,

yet we live in a fallen world.

We will suffer the sins of Adam.

Yet,

God wants us to have abundant life.

I believe that with all my heart... and yet I lost love early, twice.

 Didn't feel abundant...

but looking back, I see God's abundance in my life... His grace and mercy.

I learned to stop chasing...

anything other than Christ.

 We need a change agent in this whole mess called life....

to see clearly.

It's been around for years, but we seldom tap in.

 It's the key to life abundant, no matter the circumstances.

The Holy Spirit.

Boom.  

That guy, He will take you to your knees. 

 sucker punch you, taking your breath away, replacing it with wisdom, discernment.

You will bring nothing to the party,

so leave your degrees, your pride and accomplishments at home.

Let the Holy Spirit fill and overflow your soul.

He will teach us to pray.

He will groan for you when you can't find the words.

 He will lead us to Jesus, show us the Father, transform us, exposing lies in our life.

Pray... if you do nothing else today, pray.

Pray the Holy Spirit into your life.

That is where you will find Truth.

No. Where. Else.

Find your knees.

"Be Still and know that I am GOD."

Psalm 46:10

Just Nineteen... Still A Boy

 We spent the weekend with our sweet daughter and son.

My heart struggled to leave them... an emotional week, leaving me raw.

It seemed sadness and heartache, in our country and friends lives had formed a cloud around me.

I was holding my sweet ones closer, believing I could protect them.

Saturday night my husband and I had dinner with our nineteen year old son.

 A boy/man finding his way in the world. 

We talked life, relationships, his track team, encouraging the freshman guys to stay strong, remembering how hard it was for him to be far from home that first year. 

The newness of the new... the foreignness of the strange and unknown, adjusting to life as a college student.

We talked of his upcoming trip to Australia this summer. Being responsible for the cost and learning how to balance his many responsibilities.

The boy and dad talked of younger days, when dad would come home and the boy would wrestle him to the ground, before dad could change into clothes more suitable for wrestlemania.

 The dad quickly forgot anything besides the moment with his boy, as the groaning and crying would continue until someone cried uncle.

They talked baseball days. Little league, farm, suited.

 Dad and the boy loved baseball. 

Back then... neither of them imagined running would end up the son's college sport. 

The boy laughed as they reminisced about specific games, the outcomes, some good, some not so much. The boy remembered how hard it was running in cleats.

We didn't know he had feet made for thin running shoes, no room for a sock, causing blistered feet and mangled toes.

The boy shared his growing faith in God and his desire to serve him with his life.

Friday he had handed letters to the husband and I, through the fence, at his track meet. He shared how he appreciated the support and love over the years, hoping to be as Godly and supportive a husband and dad as his has been.

 He told me he desires a wife who loves her God, husband and kids as I do. I think he mentioned something about being fun too.

Tears in my eyes as I read this letter.

We walked away from dinner that night looking at each other, mumbling, "Who was that man we were with?"

Proud, yes. 

Grateful, oh yeah. 

Blessed, you better believe it.

Nineteen. Just nineteen. Still a young one, finding his way.

Truth is... he knows he is safe with us. He knows we have his back. He knows who he serves, the God of creation. 

He has the support of a team and friends who care for one another, holding each other accountable.

He knows we have set high standards for him. Not that he will never fall or fail, but that we will be there to help him up and set him back on the path... of Truth and light.

Nineteen.

Nineteen.

Still my boy.

I  think of another nineteen year old, who lays in a hospital room, because of his own hands.

A boy who followed his brother down a path, of destruction.

Who believed lies.

Who caused such grief and pain... to so many.

My heart aches for these people.

A boy whose parents think differently than us.

I have never been in their home, but I have read enough to know that life, discussions and beliefs were different than in our home.

I do not know how this nineteen year old became the monster he was on that day or in the proceeding days... but my heart aches... for that mother and her boy. 

Her boys.

Even if she is a mother with a warped sense of reality. 

She has lost her sons and no mother births babies ... thinking they will live this reality or come to this end.

My heart is heavy with grief for this boy/man who will never come to maturity and be the man he was intended to be, by the God of creation.

Did he know the unconditional love of a father and mother?

Did anyone share truth of a God who loves all people and whose definition is love?

 Was he loved, believed in, told he could be anything he wanted to be?

Did his dad wrestle with him, grab his cheeks and tell him he loved him?

I don't know. 

I am grateful that I could hug my boy this weekend, laugh with him, tell him I love him. To know in complete truth that I will never worry this could come of him. To know he loves his sister, and would protect her from harm. To know his feet are set on solid ground, in the light of Christ.

I am sorry for this boy and this mother and this family, destroyed... by their own hands,

and the devastation and pain left in their wake. 

My heart grieves... and I am reminded of God's love for His world and my role in sharing Him

with all I meet, no matter who, what, where. 

We are all in need of a Savior.

Feeling A Bit Bruised And Beaten Today?

I'ts been a gut wrenching 72 hours for us... we, who live in the land of the free and home of the brave.

Our hearts ache, cry out when little boys hold peace signs and die at the hand of evil.

A family changed in the blink of a finish line. 

A momma who may survive, but will never be the same.

A daughter who will not run to her father again. 

An older son and dad... left to pick up pieces, tatters, of a life.

I think of friends, in shock from the loss of a young friend. 

A momma, a friend, needed and loved by many.

Woke up Sunday morning and she was gone.

No goodbyes, wait, hold on, one more hug.

I see my son's Facebook post Monday morning saying he wished he was in Boston running the marathon that day. 

My breath catches, forever grateful he was not there.

Monday afternoon I am giving blood, in a red bus with too many people with nothing to do. People do not like to take time to give this precious liquid away.

It's life as usual for them, until one tells us of the events in Boston.

Thankful for the blood that flows from my arm and will enter the arm of another.

Perhaps they will feel the warmth I send along.

I watch the news and wish I could shut it off. 

Foolishness, as if this was a made for TV crime show... and we demand answers, when the hour ends.

I blame the media.

Remind me to never to go out in the ocean with them. I've no doubt they would sabotage the boat for a good story, even though we'd die telling it.

I think of the young man who is struggling with a cancer diagnosis. His life has been ripped apart, no warning. 

There is a wedding soon, and life to think of. Twenty five is too young for this.

His parents share their exhaustion, and their undaunting love for this boy/man.

We pray.

I look at my prayer journal. The pages full... needs never ending.

The prayers sent up to One who waits, who is always listening.

I look at another page. Answers.

Ah... this is why I journal. This is why I pray.

Reminders, proof, of His faithfulness.

I am bruised and battered today, but my heart cry is heard. 

My heart aches for the agony of so many.

Life is beautiful, yes, but so tragic....

We would not understand the beauty if we did not experience the pain.

I am sorry for this truth.

We find our beauty amongst the ruin.

Hold on friend...

just a bit longer,

and seek the light.

What's Love Got To Do With It, Got To Do With It?

Last week the hubs and I went to a dinner at Wichita State University, hosted by Interfaith Ministries. 

My husband had done some work with an engineering professor at the university. The professor, a Muslim had asked my husband a few questions about his Christian faith.

He was an organizer of this event, that has been ongoing for 10 years,

and thought we might enjoy it.

I did not know what to expect.

The food was fabulous... WSU put on the dog, or at least the puppy. No Bordeaux or Chianti as this appeared to be a Muslim sponsored event.

There was hummus and warm pita bread set out on tables. Hummus is a staple in most restaurants here.

Still surprised by the ethnicity of Wichita... the Greeks and Lebanese have found a home in the wild west.

 The speaker, a Muslim best selling author from Turkey. He has done it all in the speaking, writing world, from NPR to Ted-Talks. 

Well spoken and desiring to put to rest some of the misconceptions of the Muslim faith. Along with that, he was quick to add some of the grossly heinous crimes carried out in the name of Islam. 

He condemns and also points to extreme people doing extreme things. His book is titled,  

Islam Without Extremes.

He did not speak of the stoning of women, marriage of young girls, or lack of access to education.

Somehow, I thought these would have been important but maybe time did not allow.

He openly shared that he believes there is a freedom deficit in the Islamic world and my favorite words he spoke... You cannot institute a faith. You can only propose a faith.

There was a short, too short question and answer time.

An Indian man with a thick accent asked a question.. which ended up a long dialogue on his thoughts... on what, we were unsure. Awesome. 

An older french gentleman asked if the author was aware of certain groups with Islam ties in France. The author did not. I don't think they were nice groups. Could be wrong here.

Then my favorite.

A man. A Black man with the most beautiful deep baritone voice and beautiful smile... A man that looked like he might have been a left tackle for the Chicago Bears...

asked a question.

"How Does Love Fit In Your Faith?" 

The author hesitated a minute.

He shared that in the Muslim faith there are 99 characteristics of God and love is one of them.

He said his faith could do a better job with love, instead of focusing on the negative. He said it should be talked about more, shown to others more...

I could see he was feeling certain that love needed to be a main characteristic of his faith, but had missed the mark.

 I appreciated his words and uncomfortableness in this discussion.

We have all missed the mark when it comes to love in our faith walk. 

Love needs to be at the forefront of faith...

or we are a clanging cymbal and banging gong.

When I think of how love fits in my faith, it is this.

God Is Love. It is not one of His Characteristics. He IS Love.

My takeaway is this...

While I may have disagreed with some of his statements, I came away informed on some issues. I realize you can't blanket statement a culture or a people. 

I've met some ugly Christians, Jews, and atheists. 

I've met some beautiful Christians, Jews and Atheists. 

We are individuals.

While I believe it is difficult to come together as religions, without undermining and watering down our own beliefs, I do believe we can love one another, sharing deep respect for one another, as people.

We do not have to agree when it comes to our faith differences, but we do need to love, and it can be done.

And Love Has Everything To Do With It.

Just ask Tina.

Jesus Jukes And Being Fragile.

 There's a guy I read... John Acuff. 

He is bright, funny and tweets a lot. 

I watched him turn his dream into reality. Now he helps others do the same, and gets paid for it.

 The old, "Do what you love and the money will come" idea.

 It seems to be working for him.

A couple years ago

he posted a picture of himself packing for a family vacation. He has a wife and two young girls.

 He had 13 books in his suitcase. Okay, at least 7. Brownie promise.

He was going to the beach, for a week...

Seriously John?

I found the picture hilarious, recognizing I had been where he was, with young kids.

 Leave the books home.

So... I commented.

I wrote, "Take all but two of those books out. Make the second your book, and give it away. Then go play in the sand."

He had recently published a book and looked for opportunities to give a free copy when traveling. 

A good book. 

A book I bought. I am a fan.

He responded to my tweet. He said I kid juked him. I didn't know what it meant at first, but it sunk in.

A juke is when someone takes a joke and turns it serious.

I don't think he was kidding, but I could be wrong.

    It was interesting 

because

 the dude has tons of followers..

and he has never responded to other tweets of mine.

It was pretty funny, I laughed. I think he did too.

Similarly, the first tweet I ever received was from Don Miller, as in The Donald Miller. Gifted writer and a bit quirky, just the way I like people.

My daughter rolled her eyes at this, "Mom, it figures your first tweet would be from a famous author." 

I think she re-tweeted it... though I had no idea what that was.

The reason Don tweeted me...

I commented on one of his books.

 I said something like, the first part was slow, but so glad I stuck with it as it has turned into one of my favorites. I shared that I read the book to my high school small group and they pretty much fell in love with the ideas in his book. 

So, it was kind of a backhanded compliment.

He tweeted that he was glad I stuck with it. No big deal. No friend request, just a simple comment.

I thought it was cool.

The guy writes like a boss.

My take away...

We all want to be liked, appreciated and respected. We are all fragile and if you put yourself out there with words, be prepared. 

People will cut you and make you bleed in three words or less.

I have seen it.

It's ugly.

Have you been juked or back handed by a compliment lately? 

Do you Jesus Juke?

I have. It's dumb.

It looks like this...

 "Wow, those fans are awesome! They are so passionate!"

Response... "Yeah, wouldn't it be great if they were that passionate about Jesus and read their Bibles like fans."

or one of John's examples,

He tweeted about going to see Conan O'Brien and how big the crowd was and someone responded, "If we held a concert for Jesus and gave away free tickets, no one would come." Waa waa.

Who does this help, uplift, encourage?

No one. It makes us feel superior. 

No one is going to "Come to Jesus" through shame.

I have learned much through men and women I read. I see brilliance, giftedness, that I may never share with them.

Yet, we are not so different. We all want to be heard, validated and we can offer that to one another.

It costs nothing and offers everything.

Listen deeply to each other, offer soft words in response.

And... no juking allowed.

Contentment... A Bitter Pill To Swallow... Wednesday Rewind

Wednesday rewind... I need to read it again.
Maybe you do too.

 "A contented person has learned to accept the bitter with the sweet."

Contentment is a word I've struggled with my whole life.

It seems whatever is on the other side of that green pasture, it must be better. Richer, lovelier and calling out to me.

Just gotta hop that fence, even though it may be 9 feet high and strung with barbed wire.

  Contentment visits me through work. A project, a task. Something I can dig into and watch grow.

It makes me feel worthwhile............... for awhile.  

The act of doing, the exhaustion of finishing a project is contentment.

But there's the rub.... the finishing.... Then what?

At the moment, physical work, creating, accomplishing, but I sense it coming to an end. I am about done. 

Time to wrap this project up and move along....

What lies on the other side of finished?

Where do I look for my next "contentment high?"

I see the flaw in my thinking. 

You can cover stuff in busy for only so long.

True contentment is not being busy.

I know my value is greater than my next project. 

Ah, now I understand the familiar saying,

"That can be a bitter pill to swallow,"

I am choking on it.

Contentment doesn't need a cover. It is your cover.

"A contented person has learned to accept the bitter with the sweet."

I 

don't know

who said that...

but I'll be first in line to buy it.

The sweet...

 in the known, familiar, comfortable, joyous moments  of life.

That's easy, though sometimes overlooked, and maybe taken for granted.

The Bitter...

in the uprooting, unfamiliar and change of life.

It's not so easy and sometimes hard to swallow.

If

we wait, trust... we might grow.

Opportunity slides in, usually surprising us. Smiling upon us, warming us and giving life to where we had gone dormant. It reminds us of our worth, our gifts to share

Bitter can become better, but it may be a dark road that leads us there.

2 Corinthians 12:9 is a clear reminder to me.

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

Can't get much clearer than that.

I will always be weak, embrace it shall I?

Will I let Him, my Father use my weakness and what might seem bitter,

 to use me... for His glory?

What else am I here for?

I am going to play to my strength on this one.. and He is it.

 He is my strength in my weakness. He is my guide in the dark. He is my Warrior when I fear. He always protects me and never leaves me.... never.

That's the contentment I seek. 

He is my cover.

48 Hour Rewind... Track, Jesus And The NFL

 I have my own show... 48 Hours. 

Mine is mostly in my head, on repeat.
If I don't repeat, I sometimes forget.

You probably have your own version of this show.

Last weekend... those 48 hours 

went like 

this...

Drive a thousand (not really) miles, see the boy (Dan). See Dan run. See Dan run fast. 

See Dan pr. (personal record)

See Dan smile.

 See Dan hug his dad. 

Hear Dan tell his mom he loves her and thank her for driving a thousand (not really) miles to see Dan run less than 2 minutes. 

This is college track people....

Drive hundreds (really) of miles, half way back home

Dan's dad smiled all the way.
 Me too.

 Sleep for a few hours.

Meet sweet friends and their beautiful girls...

for Easter Sunday Celebration.

See Jesus rise.

It's Easter!!!

Had dinner with their family. 

His mom is beautiful, humble and gracious.

We enjoy a feast.

His dad is gifted. I see where the son gets it.

This dad works with athletes, men who need reconciliation with sons. 

It's a big job. He asks for prayer this week as he will be at the Final Four, looking for opportunities to support, encourage, heal... broken men.

At dinner is a soft spoken NFL running back, recently retired. He shares some statistics on NFL players after retirement.

Within 2 years 78% of retired players are bankrupt or in some type of financial distress.

The divorce rate is high.

No surprise here. The two seem to go hand in hand.

He speaks of backgrounds that many players come from.

Poor, hungry, without male role models in their lives.

He shares a time in his own life...

 He had signed on with a team and received a healthy signing bonus.

He had a memory...

of calling his mom while in college, asking her for twenty bucks so he could go out with friends.  

Her response, "Are you crazy? I don't have that kind of money."

He called the bank,

told them he was coming in with a large check

and was going to cash it.

The green paper stuff.

He walked out of that bank with two million dollars in a case.

He took it home, kept it in his house for two weeks...

before depositing it somewhere.

I did not ask where.

I did ask why.

He said,

"I wanted to see it, feel it, it was mine."

He developed the habit of having a large amount of cash in his pocket. If he spent two hundred bucks, he would go to the bank, replace what he spent.

It took him a few years to get comfortable with money.

He no longer does this.

He learned through a course on money management.

He sat at the table with his beautiful wife and handsome boys.

He is a grounded man now.

His boys understand the value of a dollar and earn their spending money.

From their earnings they save and tithe.

 The men at the table laughed and shared that they are happy if they have a twenty in their pocket.

We are more alike than different.

Those 48 hours...

Exhausting, blessed, joyful.

I love how God puts people in our lives...

to teach, remind and point us to Him.

Can't wait for the next 48 Hours.

What's on your calendar?

Moses, GPS And My IPhone...

My Iphone is a constant reminder of truth for me. 

It's weird, but it happens often.

Siri, you don't understand much, but God... He speaks even when I haven't asked Him a question.

This morning I was responding to a sweet person in my life. 

She texted me, "I really needed that!" 

I had sent her a word, one word of encouragement. 

The word was P R A Y.

I responded... or tried to respond, "God told me." 

What came up on my screen was, "GPS told me."

I caught it in time, but the message was not lost on me. 

Many times I follow my GPS which, truth be told, should be called, DPS... for Dale's Plan of Success.

It has no resemblance to God's plan for Dale.

This almost message of "GPS" was a quick reminder to me, to look up and not inward.

 To keep it real, as I shared with you in the past... when my spell check constantly corrected my name to fake instead of Dale. 

Ouch.

Yes, some of this may be due to my mad typing skills, but I believe it's a picture of God using my inadequacies and quirks to remind me of Him. 

I've been repeating this mistake longer than Moses in the dessert. 

What?!

Yes.

 Get the picture? 

When you make your plans, remember this... "Make your plans in pencil, and give God the eraser."

His ways are better than anything we could hope, dream, imagine.

What are your plans today and have you asked God about them?

Happy Easter

 HE Is Risen... HE Is Risen Indeed!

Where Were You Good Friday?

 

                                                       Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
 

Oh were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

 Were you there when they nailed Him to the cross?

Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble
Were you there when they nailed Him to the cross?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Well, were you there when the stone was rolled away?
Ohh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble

I will never sing this song without sobs in my throat, tears running a river down my face.

I do not deserve what my Lord did for me... and I tremble. 

Thank you Jesus.

The Command Of Maundy Thursday... Love

 Today... Maundy Thursday. When Jesus met with His disciples for the last meal, the last supper, passover.

A night heavy with grief to come. Grief that only Jesus understood. A night filled with Jesus love, betrayal by a follower, others would scatter, deny and cry out, in fear and grief.

Through the cross Jesus exhibited perfect love, confidence, humility, a path to follow. 

Forgiveness - forever.

 Perfect Love, Forgiveness, by going to the cross, for us. He, who was without sin, paid our sin. We celebrate this everyday, but this week we remember what it took for Jesus to do this.

In Matthew Jesus shared, "My soul is crushed with grief, to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." speaking to James and John.

He prays, 

"My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine."

Read these words with awe... of the One who paid our price. He knew it would be horrific, both in pain and in separation from God. God would not be able to look on the sin of the world, that would be placed on His Son's shoulders.

Jesus had confidence in His Fathers will. He prays, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done."  

Jesus knew that He was given all authority and would soon return to the Father.

 

Jesus bowed in humility at the Disciples feet, as He washed them. John 13:4-5 "So He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him."

 

John chapters 13 though 17 are red inked with Christ's words to us... a path to follow.

 In those chapters, shortly before His death Jesus explains... Jesus is The Way, to the Father (14), the promise of the Holy Spirit (14), Jesus is the True Vine (15), the worlds hatred of us, because of Him (15), the work of the Holy Spirit (16)  

"And this is the way to have eternal life-to know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Now Father, bring Me into the glory we shared before the world began." (17:3-5)

The end of Jesus prayer in John 17:25-26, "O Righteous Father, the world doesn't know You, but I do; and these disciples know you sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them."

Maundy... Latin for command. Today is a day we are given a command.

In John 13 Jesus says, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

We need not suffer as the disciples. We can read the Word, enjoy the Holy Spirit and live in the light of it!

Have you read the scriptures this Holy Week?

Read God's word.... His Pure, Precious, Holy, Clear, Perfect Word. Drink it deep into your heart and see Him with fresh eyes this Easter...

and follow His commands... to love one another.

If we do not do this... does the love of the Father truly live in us?

You Must Be Emptied To Be Filled...

Holy Week is here. 

The emptying and the filling begins.

We see what God accomplished for us, through His son.

We must empty ourselves... of us, in order to be filled with God. 

We must become humble.

Christ emptied Himself for me, for you, for all... 

on a cross. 

How do we respond, reflect, fill ourselves? 

Do we empty ourselves of our will... in exchange for His?

May Christ be the only One who fills us.

The only One who satisfies our soul.

Let us remember, though He made man in the image of God... His creatures are nothing like the Creator.

Only He is God, whose name should be reserved for reverence. Yahweh, Truth, The Alpha and Omega.

Philippians 2:5-11

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 

 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 

 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name, 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

May we acknowledge the truth of salvation today, this week.

The One who came, so we could have life, everlasting.

Prepare our hearts... for the King. 

Glory to God in the highest, the Everlasting, the Holy One, the Righteous One, the Trinity... 

the true definition of Love.

The Story Of Ellen And Rebecca... World Down Syndrome Day

Emanuel Ringelblum wrote of a “Psychosis Of Fear” in relation to the Jew in Nazi Germany:

“It is the imaginary perils, [the] supposed observation by the neighbor, porter, manager, or passer-by in the street, that constitute the main danger, because the Jew… gives himself away by looking around in every direction to see if anyone is watching him, by the nervous expression on his face, by the frightened look of a hunted animal, smelling danger of some kind everywhere.”

This was the life of the Jew living through Hitler’s war on Europe. Fear was the word on their lips, morning till night, then the desperate hours of restless sleep. Listening for sounds, of imagined German soldiers, others... flesh and blood soldiers. Fear was the constant shadow of the Jew.

I went to hear a story. A story about a smiling, 90 yr old beauty named Ellen. Bright, well spoken. A wise sage.

 I listened to her story. The one, now gray haired, bent shoulders, who lived through the Holocaust in Germany. Born in Berlin to a Jewish mother from Poland. Her father a German Christian. Both highly educated, her mother a Professor of Economics. Papa, a lawyer and part of the Reichstag (German Parliament).

This woman had a presence about her. Her education, remarkable... speaking multiple languages, having been an interpreter in Europe, before and after the war.

She witnessed atrocities too awful to utter, yet she did. A baby lost, too young for this world. A husband lost, too young in years… yet, there was a joy, a peace that could not be stripped of her soul. She told us she was a Messianic Jew, a person who accepts Christ as the Messiah.

I am reading The Zookeepers Wife. The true story of a family living in Poland during Hitler’s time of horror. I see similarities, not identical, yet the same fear.

As I read, I began to hear Ellen’s voice in my head and I feel fear pounding in my heart.  I see her face in Antonina, the Zookeepers wife. The fear, the truth of horror that caught like wildfire in those evil days. Lapping at you from every corner, not knowing when it would turn in your direction… when you would be consumed by the inferno.

Ellen knew fear… as Emanuel Ringelblum wrote of. The Nazi’s used it to separate, control and crush any who did not fit their chosen Aryan race.

After the war Ellen moved to the states with her American soldier husband. They had 7 children, lost their next one, too early.

There was the struggle of faith. She had none, saw no need. And then… Ellen described how she came to believe in this Jesus, that her husband told her about. She told God, “Show yourself to me!” She was a proud woman. She had been through much and survived.  She would not be easily swayed.

And then.

She remembered a day, during the war. She was walking down the street, half Jew, half Christian that she was. The Jewish part, buried, hidden, so as not to betray her.

She saw a Jewish man sweeping dirt. The bright yellow star on his arm, showing his Jewishness to all. Like a leper. She carried a loaf of bread under her arm. She knew the man received 250 calories of food a day. This was one quarter what a Christian received. He and his family were starving to death. As she walked by she thought of sharing her bread, but she was afraid. Fear. Afraid of being caught helping a Jew, like her.  She would be killed for it.

She felt ashamed. In that moment of remembering, she felt God’s presence. She believed His Word that day, of sending His only Son to earth to die, for her. He loved her that much. That day everything changed as her heart recognized Christ as the Messiah.

She had faith… Then Rebecca was born, and she knew fear again.

A different fear. A fear she had always dreaded, “to have a child that was mentally retarded,” were her words back then. Words were harsh, hurtful, denying the child of value. How hard to parent then, without support from community. Without understanding the value these children held.

She remembered The Medical Encyclopedia described children with Down Syndrome as Mongoloid and went on to say, “These little idiots are best put into an institution before you get attached to them.” Her husband read this, slammed the book shut, threw it across the room and later, into the trash. He said, “She is our little girl and we will keep her!”

I hesitate to write these ugly words. I know they are hurtful, but this is not my story.

Ellen struggled, with emotion, anger at God, who allowed this to happen. She wondered if she was capable of the task ahead. Fear. She cried out to God, to help her love, nurture and advocate for this baby.

She became an advocate, for life. She found calling in The Right To Life Movement, recognizing that all life was precious.

Another holocaust, on the most innocent.

Life ending before a first breath is taken, because they are different, not what we consider perfect. Numbers for terminations of pregnancies with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome are about 67% in the U.S.  Some reports have been as high as 92% worldwide. Many woman choose not to test, knowing they will not terminate. My heart thanks these women, these couples. I do not judge them, as I only imagine the road they travel. I simply offer them my heart and hands in any way I can serve them. I am humbled and I thank them for their trust and courage, in something bigger than themselves.

This story is not about numbers though, it is about life.

The life of Rebecca. Rebecca with the joyful laugh. She engaged easily in conversation and told me how she felt. She smiled as she talked about wanting chocolate chip cookies. She had sat through her mom’s presentation, not complaining, but waiting quietly. She was now voicing her feelings that it was time to go home. She told me she was getting cranky and wanted a nap.

Walking into the parking lot, I watched Ellen and Rebecca hold hands. Ellen told me they go everywhere together. The bond between them is undeniable.

I asked Rebecca how old she was. She quickly said she was 42. Ellen said, “Rebecca, remember you just had a birthday, you are 43.”  Something in that moment triggered Rebecca’s thoughts. She became focused on the words, Down Syndrome. Neither of us had voiced those words.

She excitedly asked her mom to pronounce the words. She began to repeat them. I watched her tongue and mouth move to pronounce exactly as her mom did. 

However, instead of saying, “I have Down Syndrome", she said, “I am Down Syndrome.”

A feeling of sadness shot through me. I watched her elderly mama take Rebecca’s face gently in her hands, look into her eyes and say, "Rebecca, you have Down Syndrome, you are NOT Down Syndrome.” She smiled and stroked her face.

I became undone. Fear has no hold on this woman. She is thankful for her dear, sweet Rebecca. Her confidant, her friend, her partner in crime. They are a walking witness of love, acceptance, transformation.

I will never forget this moment I witnessed. I see a woman who understands the value of human life. She walked where Hitler’s army mopped the streets with the blood of those who were different. Because they were different, they would die. They had no value. They were seen as weak, sick, insubstantial, dim, inferior, not normal.

Who gets dibs on ”normal?”  We humans, have the same value, given by the same God who created us. We are precious in His sight… because Jesus loves the little children of the world.

We will be accountable for our actions.

The story I went to hear, was not what I heard. It was deeper, complex, riddled with pain, loss and also love. So much love. Love so perfect that it could only be from God.

May we celebrate our children today. The gift, the blessing, the wonder that they are. They are all God's masterpiece and we are His servants. May we serve and protect these babies and children well.

Mark 10:14 “When Jesus saw this He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”

Psalm 127:3 “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him."

 Fear not dear ones... Joshua 1:9 tells us, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."