Friday, December 28, 2018


GETTING READY

In a few days, we will take down the 2018 calendar and put up the 2019 one.  I have my 2019 pocket calendar started with birthdays, appointments, scheduled activities and vacations entered.  2019 is full of my plans.  January, February and March have a lot of entries and then things slow down.  I am sure the other months will fill up with doctor appointments, meetings, time with friends and family and days with nothing special to do.

Am I ready for 2019?  Yes! 

“Are you really ready Mary?”

Oh no.  God was listening.

“I like to listen to you, especially when you make funny comments like you are ready for 2019.”

Funny?  I am ready for 2019!  I have calendars with my plans written down and can handle what comes --- with your help, of course.

“I always get a chuckle when my children mention their plans.  I do have a question.  What are you leaving behind and what are you taking with you into this new year?”

Leaving behind?  Taking with me?  Hum…. 2018 was a bit of a challenge so I will leave behind frustration and resentment, but during the challenges I made some new friends, so I will take them with me.  I also learned how to research and dig for the truth, so I will take the ability to learn with me.

“Keep going.”

Well ….. I know.  Impatience.  I am not always the most patient person.  In 2019, I will work on being more understanding when people do not want to do it my way.  But honestly, if they would only listen….

“They should listen like you listen to my plan and, you have to admit, my plan is better than yours.”

So it wasn’t the part about being ready you thought was funny, it was the part about it being my plan?

“Bingo.  Maybe you would like to try and answer my question again.  What are you leaving behind and what are you taking with you into this new year?”

I am leaving behind my plan and taking your plan into 2019.  But how do I do that?  I do not know your plan.

“Look up Proverbs 3:5-6.  And use the King James Version for this one.  Happy New Year my child.”

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

&   &   &   &   &  &   &   &   &   &

I never make resolutions.  I know I will never keep them, but maybe it is time to try.  Maybe this time, I will make the right resolution.  Maybe I can keep this one. 

I will trust in my LORD with all my heart.
I will not do it my way.
I will recognize the authority of my LORD and allow him to lead me.

&   &   &   &   &  &   &   &   &   &

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Friday, December 21, 2018


A CHILD IS BORN

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.  In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan –
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every Warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
Isiah 9:1-5

I want to claim this Scripture!  I do not want to live in gloom or in distress.  I want a great light to shine so I no longer walk in darkness and no longer see the shadow of death.  I want a life of joy.  I want to rejoice.  I want my shoulders to be free of any yoke my sin has placed there.  I never want to see another soldier’s uniform become bloody.

This is what I want!  But how?

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-33

“Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isiah 9:6-7

Wonderful Counselor.  Mighty God.  Everlasting Father.  Prince of Peace. 

This is what I want!  But how?  How?  That is easy.  God sent a baby.

A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TO YOU; HE IS CHRIST THE LORD

And that is exactly what I want you to have from now into eternity. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 14, 2018


THEY STUDIED, THEY FOLLOWED, THEY ARRIVED

THEY STUDIED

“I know I read that somewhere,” said Caspar, “but where?”

“Hurry and figure it out because the star is a sign,” Balthazar replied.  “Why did you not write it down?  How many times have we told you to take notes?”

“I take notes,” Melchior chimed in, trying to calm Balthazar down.  “The prophesy said ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’

Looking at the map, they agreed.  The star had risen in the east, traveled west and did seem to stop over that area. 

“The caravan is ready.  Let us follow the star,” shouted Balthazar.

THEY FOLLOWED

The Magi had been following the star for many, many miles.  For many, many months.  They finally arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

They were so close.  They even secretly talked to the king about the exact time the star had appeared.  The king confirmed they should go to Bethlehem. 

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them

THEY ARRIVED

until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

The star stopped!  The journey was finally over.  The child… The child. 

THEY STUDIED, THEY FOLLOWED, THEY ARRIVED

There is very little known about the Magi.  The Bible leaves out all the details that are not important but I am going to use my imagination and picture it.

Think about the subject that caused you the most trouble.  Think how hard you had to study.  Think how one question led to another and another and another.  Now picture the Magi reading Micah 5:2-5 which led them to Numbers 24:17 which led to Genesis 49:10 which led to … Get the picture?  They studied!  They researched! 

The Magi went on a long trip.  They did not have GPS or suitcases on wheels.  These were Wise Men but I bet they did not know how to set up a tent and were clueless on the care of camels.  The Hallmark card might show three guys on camels but there would have been a tremendous support system.  Did the Magi know how much food to take along?  Did they know where there were watering holes for the camels?  Did they know good water from bad?  Did they know …?  The Magi knew where they were going but the picture on the Christmas card is far from accurate. 

They finally arrived at their destination but how did they know exactly?  Was there a straight line from the star to the house?  Did Mary hear all the noise as the Magi and their entourage coming down their street?  Did she take Jesus outside to watch?  They knew!  They saw the child and his mother and they knew! 

And that is exactly what I want you to do this week:  study, follow and arrive.

Study the verses about the Magi – the Wise Men – and picture them in your mind.  Are they in a big room with books piled high?  Are they looking in one book and then another?  Are they watching the sky?  How do they act when they find the direction they need?

Follow in the steps of the Wise Men.  They were seeking.  They were willing to follow a star.  Follow in the steps of the Wise Men as you seek to follow where God leads you.

Most importantly, you are to arrive.  You are to find the child.  A Savior, Christ the Lord.

There is very little known about the Magi.  What we can learn from them is that we are to study, to follow, and to arrive.

So go forth and be wise.  Find Christ.  But also know how to take care of your camel.


(Scriptures used Matthew 2:1-12 and Micah 5:2-5)

(Assumptions:  There were three Magi because there were three gifts and it is tradition they were named Casper, Melchior and Balthazar.)

Friday, December 07, 2018


THEY PRACTICE, THEY INFORM, THEY OBEY

THE ANGELS PRACTICE

The choir director said, “No.  No.  No.  How many times do we have to go over this?  It must be perfect.  It must be exactly as written!”

“It is not ‘Listen up.  I have something to tell you.’  The time is getting closer and you have a very important job,” she continued.  “Do I need to go talk with Archangel Michael?”

One angel replied, “Do not disturb him.  Besides he is a bit upset with me anyway.  Seems he did not appreciate the drum solo in the middle of prayers……May I try again?”

Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

The choir director turned to the choir, “Then you will join in.  And remember, in unison, – you only have one chance to get it right.  This is our last practice.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

THE ANGELS INFORM

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

Please remember this was a long before the countryside was covered with dusk-dawn lights.  The shepherds might have had a fire going and a couple of lamps but it would have been dark.  They would have been able to see the stars.  They might have been talking quietly or maybe the only sound was the sheep. 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

“What?  The light is so bright I cannot see where it is coming from.  The sheep….” shouted the frightened shepherds.

The choir director smiled when she heard, “Fear not:…...“  All that practice paid off.  The Angels nailed it!  The shepherds were no longer afraid and their job was completed.

THE SHEPHERDS OBEY

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

Dark, light, dark.  I bet their eyes were having trouble adjusting back to the darkness.  I would have loved to hear the conversation after the angels left. 
  • Was I dreaming?
  • Well, if you were dreaming, we all had the same dream.
  • I have never seen a light like that.
  • Well, duh!  It was the Glory of the Lord.  Nothing else can be that bright!
  • What did you hear?

the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

THEY PRACTICE, THEY INFORM, THEY OBEY

Yes, I have a vivid imagination and, yes, I picture the angels practicing.  This night was important.  Everything was in place and the angels were ready.

The angels had a message to deliver.  A very specific message.  Not your usual birth announcement.  This baby was our SAVIOUR.  This baby was CHRIST THE LORD.  The pressure to make every word heard and understood was a big responsibility.

I often feel sorry for the shepherds.  There they were, doing their job, watching the sheep, eyes adjusted to the dark, when WHAM – well, no wonder they were scared.  They probably thought they were going to die.  How would an angel’s voice sound?  Could they comprehend what they heard?   

fear not.. good tidingsgreat joyto all people

And that is exactly what I want you to do this week:  comprehend those words.

This week enjoy the preparation of Christmas but take time to be a shepherd.  Go to a dark room, sit there, think about your sheep (those you care about), listen for their voices, and allow your eyes to adjust to the dark.  Then turn the lights on.  WHAM!  Your eyes – your whole being – will be out of whack.  Your brain has to regroup. 

Multiply that feeling by a lot because there were angels involved.  Then hear the words fear not.  Take a deep breath.  Let it out.  Ready?

Place yourself in that field, surrounded by a light like you have never seen before.  Brighter than the lights at the Super Bowl. 

Here is the exciting part.  It is time to open the door and realize what just happened. 

The good tidings are for YOU!
The great joy is for YOU!
The Saviour born that day in the city of David, which is Christ the Lord, was born for YOU!

This birth was for you.  And me.  And them.  And her.  And him.  And all people. 

Now be a good shepherd and go tell someone.

(Scriptures taken from Luke 2:8-18)

Friday, November 30, 2018


THE LOOKS, THE STARES, THE GOSSIP

MARY

Poor Mary.  Here was a young woman, a virgin, and pledged to be married to Joseph, but suddenly an angel appeared and her life changed as she listened to the angel.

The angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, Son of the Most High.”

Mary replied, “May it be to be as you have said.”

I can imagine the thoughts that were flying in and out of her mind.  How?  Why me?  Joseph.  My parents.  I will go see Elizabeth and figure this out.

It took much courage for Mary to return home.  What would her parents say?  What would Joseph do?  He had every right to divorce her.  How would her friends and neighbors act when they realized she was pregnant?  I imagine Mary was unsure about Joseph, but she would know what was ahead.  The looks.  The stares.  The gossip. 

JOSEPH

Poor Joseph.  Here was a righteous man, a carpenter, and ready to take Mary as his wife, but when Mary returned from seeing Elizabeth, he knew she was pregnant.  One look and he could see the changes in her body. 

What would happen when others saw her?  They would look.  Then they would stare.  They would think …….  No, they would not notice as easily as he had. 

Joseph thought, “I do not want to expose her to public disgrace.  I will divorce her quietly.”

Having figured out a way to make the best of this situation, Joseph rested.  Joseph dreamed.

An angel appeared in Joseph’s dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph did as the Lord commanded, but I imagine he also dreaded the looks, the stares, and the gossip that were sure to follow.

Joseph, a righteous man, took Mary home as his wife.

Scriptures used:  Luke 1:26-45 and 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-25

THE LOOKS, THE STARES, THE GOSSIP

It is not hard to imagine what Mary and Joseph were thinking.  Times have changed, but, honestly, people never seem to change.  We look.  We stare.  We gossip. 

And that is exactly what I would like you to do this Christmas.

I want you to look at the scriptures which tell of the birth of Jesus.  Really, really look.  Not just skim over, but look at them.  Read slowly, looking at every word.

I want you to stare at the Christmas Story until you can picture each part.  Stare until you see Mary leaving town and coming home.  Stare until you see Joseph struggle with a decision.  Stare until you can picture an angel appearing to Mary and Joseph.  Stare until you can imagine Joseph and Mary walking toward their future.

I want you to gossip about Mary and Joseph.  When you are setting up the tree, say, “Did you hear Mary left town?”  Tell your in-laws, “Mary came home and I think she is pregnant.”  At coffee, whisper, “Joseph was visited by an angel.”  Gossip and spread the story because this story is the beginning of our eternal life.

HAVE AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS!!

Friday, November 23, 2018


FREE WILL

The other day, I was asked the question:  How could a loving God allow three children to die as they walked to the bus?  (This happened and devastated the community.)

Disclaimer:  I, for sure, do not have the theological background to answer this question.  But my heart breaks for this person because this question is standing between them and fully believing in God.

Free will:

God wants us to LOVE him, not because we have to but because we want to.  Without the ability to make choices, we would be like puppets, with God controlling our every move.  We would not feel emotion.  We would not know true love, only demanded love. 

Free will gives us the ability to think.  We have the ability to look around and realize there is a Creator.  We have the ability to seek and, when we find God, we have the ability to LOVE – a honest love, freely given – because we know all he has done for us.

But there is another side to free will and that is the side we question.

The driver did not set out to cause such loss but did freely get in the truck and head down the road.  For whatever reason, the children were not seen until it was too late.  And the voices ask God, “Why did you allow this to happen?”

A loved one dies and the voices ask God, “Why did you allow this to happen?”

A child is abducted and the voices ask God, “Why did you allow this to happen?”

A drink is taken and another and another – addiction begins – and the voices ask God, “Why did you allow this to happen?”

A hurricane, fire, or tornado wipes out a town and the voices ask God, “Why did you allow this to happen?”

“Why God?  Why?”  This is the question we all want answered.

Google why does God allow bad things to happen and you will have to search through 11,300,000 answers.  Bad things happen to teach us a lesson.  Bad things happen because of our actions.  Bad things happen because God is not a loving God.  11,300,000 answers to pick from.

This is a quote from an article, by Lee Strobel, found at https://www.equip.org/article/why-does-god-allow-suffering/

Human suffering came about because people abused their free will, not because God wanted to hurt us.  God decided to give free will to men and women because this is the only way we can enjoy the highest value in the universe, which is love.  Jesus said, “The first and greatest commandment” is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and the second is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (see Matt. 22:37–39). Without free will, we could never love, because in order to love we must have the choice not to love.

If God had forced us to love, this would be akin to programming a robot to say, “I love you.”  It could utter the words, but they would be meaningless because it has no choice but to say them.

I do know one thing about asking God why.  If you are going to ask, “Why did God allow this to happen?” you also need to ask the same question of your blessings.

“Why did God allow me to see?”

“Why did God allow me to hear?”

“Why did God allow me to blessed with children?”

“Why did God allow me to be cancer free?”

“Why did God forgive me?”

“Why did God allow me to ………?”

God decided to give free will to men and women because this is the only way we can enjoy the highest value in the universe, which is love.  

Why?  I have no idea.  BUT I believe in a God who loves me enough to give me options.  Sometimes the option I pick causes others pain.  Sometimes the option I pick causes joy.  And sometimes the option I pick leads me to eternal life.  It is that option God rejoices over.

Friday, November 16, 2018


THANKSGIVING - A CONVERSATION WITH GOD

“Mary what are you thankful for this year?” God asked.

“I hate it when you ask me questions.  No matter what I answer you will find something I missed and it will turn into you making a point,” I answered.

“Not this time. I was just wondering.”

(My mind went into overdrive!  If I say indoor plumbing, God will think I am being flippant.  If I say the universe YOU created, he will think I am trying to make brownie points.  I wonder if I could get away with putting my hand on my chin, look like I am really thinking and wait him out.  Oh my gosh!  Wait God out.  Come on Mary.  Give an answer!)

“I am thankful for ... popcorn.”

(Popcorn?  Where did that come from?  God asks what I am thankful for and I blurt out popcorn.)

“Popcorn.  Oh I wish you could have seen the face of the first person to pop corn.  They burnt the first batch.  Then they tried it with oil.  That worked but what a mess.  Gabriel and I laughed and laughed.  The next time they put a lid on the pan.”

“I didn’t mean to say popcorn.  I meant to say ... toothpicks.”

(Toothpicks.  That is even worse than popcorn.  Where did that come from?  I did go to the dentist this week but why didn’t dentist come out of my mouth instead of toothpick?)

“So those little pieces of food stuck between your teeth are annoying?”

“You have no idea.”

“Anything else you are thankful for?”

“Talking with you!”

(Finally my mind and my mouth worked together.)

“Aren’t you afraid people will think you are crazy when you tell them you talk to me?”

“NO!  Well, there are some who question how my mind works but everyone can talk to you.  We can just ..... talk to you.  Tell you what is on our hearts.  Tell you when we are scared or happy or sometimes sit quietly and know you are there.  That is my final answer:  I am thankful I can talk to you.”

“One more thing.”

“I knew it.  Here comes the point of our conversation.”

“Oh, Mary.  No point to be made by me this time, but I have one more question.  What will people think about us having a back and forth conversation?”

“This is my blog and if I want to write it in conversation form it is perfectly fine.  Besides, I have a point to make.”

<   <   <   <   <    >   >   >   >   >

Thanksgiving —- Giving Thanks

The point?  When you are filled to the brim with turkey, ham, dressing/stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pie and someone asks, “What are you thankful for?”, blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind.  Have fun with the question and celebrate the answer.  Yes be thankful for family and friends and home and .... But what about popcorn?  Of course!  The sound of it popping.  The smell.  The crunch.  The popcorn hull stuck between your teeth.  Now you are thankful for a toothpick.

Yes be thankful for health and sunsets and faith and ..... But be thankful for jokes that make us laugh and hugs and games and books and funky socks and...... conversations with God.

Happy Thanksgiving.


Friday, November 09, 2018


A STUFFED FROG

I have a secret identity.  A stuffed frog!  His name is Norman and I live vicariously through him.

It started a number of years ago when Norman was sitting on a shelf at the local CVS.  There he sat, looking at me with those big eyes.  He is a rather large frog.  A great shade of green.  And, since it was close to Valentine’s Day, he has a red heart on his … well, … on his butt. 

Honestly, I was just standing there, when that frog jumped right into my cart.  I had no choice but to take him home.  As I drove home, with this big green frog that would not fit in a bag, I wondered what hubby would say.  Would he think I had finally gone over the edge?

Hubby took one look at the frog and one look at me.  He was smiling and I knew he was sure I had officially gone bonkers.  “Does it have a name?”  he asked.

That night we were watching City Slickers and there was a calf named Norman.  We looked at each other and said, “Norman.  The frog is Norman.” 

To shorten a long story, let me say that Norman has an Instagram account: #adventureswithnorman or norman_frog.  I have 221 Facebook friends.  Norman has 876 followers.  It is quite humiliating to know a stuffed frog has more “friends” than I do.  If that is not enough, other than one friend in England and a few that could swim, my friends are on the east side of the Mississippi.  Not Norman.  His summer postcard went to 13 states and 20 countries.  He even gets mail in HIS NAME from such places as Russia, Germany, The Netherlands, Moldovia, Singapore and once from the Antarctic.  I mean really!  Norman got a card from a man spending the winter in the Antarctic! 

Norman is famous for his red heart, getting stuck, having conversations with his human (aka me) and hosting the #plushieolympics2018nf.  With help from his human, Norman has given the children’s story at church.



Norman at church.


Norman was on vacation with us.
He got bored and the next thing we knew he was upside down.

I bet you agree with Bill:  Mary has finally lost it!  Just the opposite.  I get to use my imagination.  I see pictures of places I will never visit.  Norman received a CD from a musician in The Netherlands who has won international carillon competitions.  He uses Instagram to talk to an actor and Ninja Warriors.  Now stop and contemplate that.  If you think I am a bit off center, exactly what would you call a photographer who sends a card from the Antarctic to a frog, a world famous carillon artist who addressed that envelope to Norman Frog, the Ninja Warrior who liked Norman’s moves and the actor who thought he might have a role for Norman in his next movie.  (The actor did mention a table and frog legs…..)

So often Christians think they should go around with long faces.  Never have joy.  Never laugh. The Bible says just the opposite.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
…. a time to laugh,
…. a time to dance
Ecclesiastes 3:1 and parts of 4

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 47:1

God wants us to have joy.  God has a sense of humor.  I mean, he created the platypus and that long neck on the giraffe.  And if you want proof God has a sense of humor:  He created--- us.

This week – this life – find something joyful.  Who knows….you might happen upon a frog, sitting on the top shelf, with a red heart on his butt and very big eyes.  And that frog might open up a whole new adventure for you.

CELEBRATE EVERY DAY WITH JOY

Friday, November 02, 2018


LOST IN A ROOM

My younger sister is directionally challenged.  I am not saying she cannot get out of her driveway, but her finding the way back to said driveway is never a certainty.

We were talking about this and she said, “I can get lost in a room.”  Then we laughed.

Later my mind started turning that phrase over and over and …. That phrase was the topic at our last W W & W Discussion Group.  At first there was silence.  Finally, a look appeared in their eyes.  Then, the question:  What do you mean lost in a room?  I shrugged my shoulders.

The light bulbs started shining and the discussion began.

LOST IN A ROOM

How can anyone get lost in a room?  A room has walls and doors.  That should be easy to get in and out of.  But is it?  Everyone has rooms they get lost in.  Rooms they try to find.

ROOMS WE GET LOST IN:
Despair                  Depression                  Anger                          Hopelessness
Resentment           Frustration                   Distrust                       Joy
Worry                    Fear                             Anxiety                       ??

I bet you understand why all of these are on the list except Joy.  Joy, in this case, would be when you put on those rose colored glasses and fail to see the reality of the world around you.  Coming out of any of these rooms takes great courage.  A person, lost in these rooms, is blessed when they have someone to open the door and walk with them, as they learn a new way of living.

THOSE WALLS AND DOORS:  OPTIONS
Build taller walls                                       Tear down the walls
Lock the doors                                          Fling the door wide
Stay in the room                                        Find a way out

We do have options but they are not always easy.  Sometimes, sadly, the doors stay shut forever and the walls close in tighter and tighter.  The eyes and heart see no way out and the body does not have the strength to even nudge the door.  Sometimes, thankfully, the doors open and the walls crumble.  And the light gets in.

ROOMS WE TRY TO FIND:
Love                      Peace                           Calm                            Understanding
Healing                  Acceptance                 Answers                      Companionship
Wealth                   Comfort                      A Purpose                   ??

Do most of these make sense as things we try to find?  We all want love and calm and companionship and answers.  Does wealth belong on this list?  Somehow it seems out of place, but people try to find the room they think is important.

THOSE WALLS AND DOORS:  OPTIONS
Make sure it is the right room                   Enter or turn away
Find the key                                              Open the door or leave it closed
Go in

We all have options.  Sometimes it is as hard to enter a room as it is to leave one.

LOST IN A ROOM

Have I made you think?  Have you thought about rooms you have stayed in way too long because you could not find the way out?  Have you thought about rooms you would like to find? 

Do I have news for you!!!  You are not alone and there is one who will open the door for you and will walk beside you as you learn to leave behind fear and anger and hopelessness.  And those rooms you are looking for -- peace and calm and love?  My goodness!  He knows the way to those too. 


I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

Yup, Jesus knows you.  He can knock down walls and open doors.  He will get you out of those rooms you are lost in.  He will give you strength and courage.  He wants his sheep in the light, not shut in a room.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

Yup, Jesus knows the path to the rooms you are seeking.  And he knows which rooms you need to stay away from.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

Yup, all you have to do is open the door.  Allow Jesus into your life and your life will change.

And go get the good china – you know the china you don’t use so you can pass down to your kids – because the last of that verse says Jesus wants to sit and eat with you.

Jesus, with his elbows on your table, leaning forward, looking you right in the eyes and saying, “Did you hear me when I said I love you?”

Now honestly --- DOESN'T THAT JUST BLOW YOUR MIND? 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018


RIPPLES

Have you ever thrown a stone into a lake and watched the ripples spread into larger and larger circles?  Watching, until the ripples again return to a smooth surface.  That is how our community feels today.  Except the ripples continue to reach further and further.

At 7:10 the community was calm.  People were going to work.  People were talking and drinking coffee.  People were sending their children to school.  And then the stone was thrown into the water.

At 7:15 a vehicle did not stop and, while crossing the road to get on the bus, three children were killed and one injured.  A nine year old and six year old, twin siblings were killed and the ripples began.  The ripples are still moving.  There is no calm.  No smooth surface. 

In a split second, lives changed forever.  And I can only imagine…..

I spoke with one friend, who has buried a child, and her prayers immediately went out to the parents.  She talked from her heart and experience.  I lift up the parents in prayer.  May you find strength to breathe.  May you find courage to move.  May you find comfort in your faith.

I saw pictures of the scene.  A school bus no longer headed to school.  I lift up the bus driver and students who were on the bus in prayer.  May you find rest when you close your eyes.  May you be surrounded by those who can help you understand the tragedy. 

There were police cars and ambulances and a helicopter.  Each filled with those who would have to do their job, fill out the forms, talk to everyone and be strong while doing so.  It is what they are trained to do.  I lift up the police and EMTs in prayer.  May you always serve with courage and strength, but with compassion and gentleness.  May you find a healthy way to relieve the stress and images of your job. 

I saw the truck that hit the children and I wondered why.  I still wonder but I have heard the driver is a good woman.  I lift up the driver in prayer.  May you find the courage to be truthful as you answer questions and try to figure out how this could happen. 

I could picture the school.  Administrators advising teachers.  Teachers telling students.  Students confused.  I lift up the school in prayer.  May the staff and counselors find the words to comfort the children.  May the children not be afraid.  May the staff and counselors find a way to stay strong but allow themselves a time to grieve.

My day started with a nice smooth surface.  Friends having coffee.  Then the phone rang.  Conversation stopped as we heard about the accident.  The accident was like a stone thrown into the lake.  A ripple began.  A ripple that will last a lifetime.

We often think communities are small areas, but when something like this happens we are all a community.  We all question.  We all grieve.  We all want to hold our children and never let them go.