Ancora Imparo

Quiet Morning

2012-01-24T07:25:00.002-06:00

My mornings are usually full of sounds. Usually, the radio is playing, the Weathermanis reporting the forecast and the Newswoman is reporting the latestheadlines. But this morning, I catch aquiet morning. I listen to the coffeepot dripping, the low whirr of the ceiling fans, and the quiet crackle of thefire in the stove. The house is quietfor a few minutes and I settle in to listen.

The sound of a household waking up, is a familiar one tomany of us. They may all sounddifferent, but there are the typical wake up sounds of showers, feet on thefloor, and doors opening and shutting. Iwonder what it would sound like to listen to a community wake up. I’m sure there are those daily familiarsounds of cars starting, trash going to the curb, and garage doors opening. Inside my house, I don’t really hear those things;insulation is a very handy invention.

I’ve been reading through the Old Testament lately,revisiting the places of Jacob, Moses, and Abraham. So I find myself wondering this morning, whatwere the sounds of the people who had fled Egypt – what did the camp sound likewaking up? There were so many of them,estimates around 2 million. To put thatin perspective, it’s a bit under the population of the estimated statepopulation of Iowa. Without theinsulation that lets me sleep late on occasion and also keeps me unaware ofthose many sounds, I would hear so much more. In a tent city, as this would have been for this great population, it wouldhave been even noisier. Babies hungryfor an early morning feeding, neighbor dogs barking, the early risers upstirring and preparing for the work of the day, they would have been just a fewof the sounds heard every day by these people. I wonder what they thought as they lay on the edge of sleep andwakefulness, listening to the sounds of waking up.

The Countdown – Is It Too Early?

2011-11-05T17:38:00.001-05:00

With less than fifty days till Christmas, I am hearing avariety of complaints that it is just too early with the Thanksgiving holiday comingand going in the ‘tween of now and the evergreen decked holiday. Personally, I love fall and have no wish tohurry though the changing colors and the songs of the leaves scattering throughthe yard. At the same time, I loveChristmas. The sounds, and smells, andthe beautiful decorations! So, whatabout that “rule” of when the decorations should go up? Is there really any truth to it or is it justa bit of grumpy bunk of some people who just need some extra turkey?

So, with a chuckle and a scent of turkey, evergreen, and awood fire I think of the concept of the Thanksgiving to Christmastimeline. Skipping the whole shoppingcenter décor (which is a matter of marketing, product movement, and economicstudies), my own home will soon be the subject of a vigorous pre-Christmascleaning before decorating. That’s rightfolks – the trees (yes, there are quite a few more than one), will be up beforethe Thanksgiving turkey is thawed.

That doesn’t mean I will be skipping the holiday of rememberingthe action of giving thanks. Rather, itis that the attitude of giving thanks should be a daily one, not dependent uponthe calendar. I challenge those who aretaking it upon themselves to be thankful daily during November to make it anopportunity instead of forming a habit of gratitude. God is good, each day, every moment. Now, I am a great grumbler, I think I wouldhave fit right in with the Israelites. So,this is a habit I am also working on. Instead,let me give thanks for each day, each breath.

Psalm92:1-2 “Itis good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaimingyour love in the morning and yourfaithfulness at night…”

So while not skipping Thanksgiving, and taking my time to loveChristmas, I also am thinking of Mary and preparing for the birth ofChrist. Nine months of preparation…yeah, she definitely started her preparation before Thanksgiving. (Yes, I know that there was no Thanksgivingholiday in her lifetime). But, trulythink about it – her preparation did start a long time before the month beforebirth. What about a nine monthcelebration? Or at least a two monthcelebration? After all, the stars thatthe shepherds saw in the sky were planned far before Thanksgiving.

Regardless of when you start celebrating, let’s just startcelebrating. Giving thanks for the many blessings,the many mercies of our Great God.

Down the Side Streets

2011-11-03T21:02:00.000-05:00

Driving through small towns, I think side streets are sointeresting. Main Street gets the focus,the chamber attention, and little groups of community involved spirit. Beyond that main focal point, there are sidestreets. They don’t get the same drivethrough focus, but have many other little indicators of town flavor. Potted plants, picket fences, wreathes, andthe last of the fall flowers are arranged around mailboxes and cars parked indriveways. Even though the focalattention is on main street, the town’s story is played out on the side streetsand alley ways.

Back in town, I drive past alley ways and side streets toget to work. In the last few days ofmisty fall rain, as the leaves have been pasted to streets and miscellaneousobjects, the roadways have taken on a special kind of painted appeal. Driving to work yesterday, I thought abouthow the side streets of a little town are kind of like the stories inlife. Main Street is the public view,the part that is carefully arranged for the view of the world. My make-up is on, hair is done, the rightshoes, etc… But, the side streets arewhere the stories are that make up the interest. Some of them are full of the scent of sweetmemories, the sounds of laughter, and the lights of many candles, wood fires,and Christmas tree lights. There are afew of the side streets that are darker, tattered and have tissues instead ofthe bright leaves. But, I am relentlesslycleaning those out, steadily and slowly installing lamp posts along the way. There are side streets with music, singingand instruments. Don’t enter that one unlessyou are prepared for song to be interrupting your conversation at any moment,and in public.

No matter whether it is Main Street or on the side street, itis good to know that I don’t travel them alone.

Crashing Rhythms

2011-10-30T21:49:00.004-05:00

I once had apercussion instructor who believed that just about everything in our planet,and our lives had a rhythm. The speedof the wind blowing….

I started writing this a few days ago, and since then therhythm that has picked up in our lives hit an unexpected and new fast pacedrhythm. It hardly seems possible thatjust over a week ago; I was standing in a field with prairie dogs all around,barking and chirping to each other. Then, we received a phone call that caused heart rates to pick up, andthe relaxed rhythm of a vacation to swing into a staccato roll of forwardmovement.

Hospital… Stroke… Stable… Doctor…

My grandfather had suffered from a stroke and was on his wayto the large regional hospital for care. Plans changed, we packed our bags, and headed home immediately.

The week to follow has been a blur, fast moving combinationshave accompanied us. Hospital, thetat-a-tat fast paced rhythm has moved to a steady and sweet pulse of caregiverswho are seeking to bring healing and renewed strength to my grandfather. Encouragement has changed the staccato to asteady heart beat, familiar and encouraging.

Stroke, a new rhythm that is unfamiliar and moves at a speedthat is hard to keep up with. Newvocabulary, new tests to understand, research; adrenaline rushed rhythms moveinto ones that are lagging with tired steps. Yet, slowly a normalcy of pace resumes, with a few helpful naps allowedfor. The information comes, dropping inplace slowly and filling in the syncopated feeling into more of a swing beat.

So many rhythms and changes in tempo have occurred. In the midst of this, with rhythms that havefelt more impacting than ones to be walked along with, I have been having adifferent rhythm in my head. It is froma song that I love, “Never Going to Steal My Joy” by Mandisa. If you aren’t familiar with it, I wouldhighly suggest a quick Google look-up. Itis the strength in the words that I love, the staunch stance that though therhythms may change or be those which crash in on us quickly and seem overpowering. And while I think of those songs, I rememberstanding on the mountain, at a beautiful and quiet peaceful lake, with gentlesweet rhythms.

In the peaceful movement of God’s rhythm of the crashing waves oflife, I am reminded of someone who experienced crashing rhythms of hisown. David, as he penned what we callPsalm 121, was making his own declaration that amidst the rhythms that come atus syncopated, staccato, rushing, and tumbling, that there is Someone who isnot thrown by the tympanic changes.

Psalm 121

I will liftup mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My helpcometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will notsuffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, hethat keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD isthy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sunshall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORDshall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The LORDshall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and evenfor

evermore.

A Dragon’s Breath and Small Towns

2011-10-20T09:02:00.003-05:00

The last few days have gone much too quickly, as the sceneshave passed the car window. Fumaroles andsteep snow covered mountains have given way to rolling pine covered hills and anew town. The parks are overwhelming intheir grandeur. The vast sizes of thelandscape, where the next turn shows something new and then the next and thenext, quickly has become overwhelming for me. Sitting at Jenny Lake, watching the clear water lap against the rockyshore, and listening to the quiet of the place, I have felt completelyoverwhelmed as the thought occurs to me, if this is earth – what must heaven belike?

From the quiet of a lake shore to the fumaroles area of aDragon’s Breath, I was fascinated by the steam moving against the cavern wallswith such power that it created powerful waves. An eco-system in a microcosm exists as the water is pushed out and thenis distributed through a series of small chambers and caverns, filling smallpools and then draining them. They areleft steaming from the scalding liquids and receiving another layer of mineralwash. The sound of the water and steamsounds like a heart-beat. It is as ifthe earth itself is opening a portal to hear her heart beat, slow and steady.

Leaving the caldera of Yellowstone, we moved through aseries of small towns across Wyoming. Itwas great to see towns, ranging from a population of around twenty five tonearly thirty thousand, spring up against the cattle dotted landscape. So many little towns, remaining unknown tothe majority of us, are scattered across the country. They are a back bone of the country, inproviding a variety of crops and products. We saw production areas of benzonite and coal mines. Cattle grazed among petroleum pumps withherds of antelope. Beautiful horses randown a sage covered slope, tossing their heads in the wind. Post Offices, a restaurant, and a city hall become the main features in thesmall areas. Sometimes, they are allcombined into one spot. A really inventiveentrepreneur combined a coffee shop and auto place. I thought that was pretty well thought out,enjoy your coffee while you wait for an oil change. Rivers and streams cut through land, helpingto feed fields of potatoes and other crops.

Oh beautiful land, I cannot wait to see what is along thenext corner.

A Couch in a Field

2011-10-15T07:48:00.003-05:00

Yesterday took us from the train yards of Cheyenne, Wyomingto the Tetons of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Thescenery along the way was beautiful, changing from hills dotted with bluetinged sage bushes to mountains trimmed in pristine white. Cattle poked along through the sage, munchingand walking. Except one white facedbull, he found a good spot to rub its chin on the fence and looked verycontent. The trees slowly became morepopulous, and the pines stood higher, flecked with tiny cones.

Among all of the sights, smells, and views, there was acouch in one of the fields. Out with thecows, in the middle of a ranch, with no buildings around, sat a couch. I didn’t give it much thought during the day,just that it seemed kind of a different place to put a couch. But, then evening came.

When I was last in the Teton area, we were camping. I walked out of the laundry house and lookedup at the night sky. It was a sky I hadnever seen before – the Milky Way was spilled across the sky in brilliantcolor. I couldn’t keep from staring,mouth agape, doing some sort of a happy dance there in the dusty drive.

Knowing that we were coming back to this area, I have beendreaming of that sky. So, last night, Dadand I headed out to the National Elk Refuge. Driving out past the lights of town, we kept out an eye for elk, and keptmoving away from the lights. Then,sitting in the van, heater running, we waited. Slowly the sun went down. A mothcame to visit a few times, fluttering against my window (and causing me to jumpat the unexpected movement). Eventually,the sky darkened, the stars came out. Hello to the sky that I had missed seeing. Oh, the stars – I never knew there were somany!

Now I have a different idea about the couch in thefield. What a perfect spot to star gaze.

Misleading Distances

2011-10-14T06:54:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the first day of vacation, and after puttingsome loose ends behind us, we headed out on a long drive to Cheyenne,Wyoming. As we traveled, I thought ofthe pioneers who moved across the west in wagon trains. As they were full of hope and tired feet, Ikept looking out and wondering what they thought of this land. While creeks are still prominent and the landwas rich for growing crops, I can see them looking at this with a sense offuture potential. Then, farther west, asthe cliffs starting cropping out of the lands, maybe it was those who dreamedof raising cattle who saw the land as a place of opportunity.

I did wonder, as the lands flatten out and distances aremisleading, how that struck these travelers. As they crossed the flat stretches, they would have seen for days infront of them what was next to travel. But, I wondered if that was a comfort of knowing what was ahead, or adiscouragement of perhaps not seeing the hills grow any closer.

Distance can be misleading. It can seem that the next turn, (metaphorically now), in life should be rightnow. But, there it is way off in theshadowy haze of the horizon. “How longLord?” is a question I’m sure many lips have asked crossing through this land,and through life.

But, the hills are growing closer and last night we evenspotted mountains in the distance, rising up out of the plains. I think I found my song to fit them, “Angelswe have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echo back theirglorious strain. Gloria!” Gloria indeed for a beautiful land, sodiverse as we move through it. What abeautiful way to kick off vacation, with realizing the diversity our earth haswithin it.

Music for the Trip

2011-10-11T21:41:00.000-05:00

I watched a lovely fall concert yesterday of the local highschool choirs. The kids did a great job,as did their conductors and pianists. One of the group I was with mentioned something about how people don’tnecessarily go through life like in a musical, a.k.a. they don’t burst intosong in random public places. But, don’tyou wish they would?

Even right now as I write this, I am finishing my day with “SimpleLove” by Alison Krauss and Union Station playing softly in the background. Music is like breathing, melodies comewithout thought, harmony without the need for written lines. My world has always had a component of musicto it, and what a journey of music it has been. High school concerts, it reminds me of my own days of rehearsal roomsand practices. Don’t really miss therehearsal rooms, and I greatly enjoy the church choir, (we can be a bit rowdy –I warn you now!). But, this isn’t themusic that is in the scheduled time frames, this is the random music. I hear the melodies; I hear it in thelaughter of those walking by. I hear itin the flapping of the birds wings, the leaves patter as they fall, the soundsof friends laughing.

The music woke me upthis morning in a softly falling rain. How I love that sound, gently lyrical as they bring out the fallelements even stronger. Leave mesnuggled in the bed with my book and listening to that rain, or even better ona porch swing listening to the sounds.

Heading out on vacation so very soon, and here Iam burning last minute CD’s of music. Ifind myself thinking about what music I want to hear when the mountains comeinto sight. The only thing I can thinkof is “How Great Thou Art”. How could Ibut look upon that and see anything but the work of the Creator, and His impeccablesense of the beautiful. The structure ofthe land, it is musical itself.

Vacation Count Down

2011-10-10T22:01:00.002-05:00

Two days until vacation, hooray! I always find that the closer I am to avacation, the more I need it. And, thisis no exception. With all the events ofthe last few months, especially as today is marking the one month of my grandpa’s death,this has been quite the summer. But, nowfall is here. Fall, with it’s beautifulleaves and cooler temperatures. Andsoon, it will find me in the mountains with snow, pine trees with that scent thatstrikes my nose as so clean and pure, and of course on the look-out for buffalo andmoose.

Vacation, such a wonderful concept, like a longer version ofa Sabbath of sorts. Sunday afternoons nearly always find someone in the house taking a nap. I am not really muchof a nap taker, as much as I may wish I was at times. Often, I find myself far groggier after a napthan not. With that said, I still am afirm believer in the need to recharge, to rest and recover ourselves after suchbusy schedules. An article came acrossmy desk not too long ago, stating that it really takes two weeks in our busylives to truly disconnect, let ourselves relax, and then be able to go back tothe work environment.

So I will pack my bags, which are still in the basementwaiting for the actual packing, charge the camera and head out the door. I am looking for buffalo with snow dustedcoats, the sound of elk in the dusk, the feel of Jenny Lake on my fingers, andthe sound of wild horses running through the plains. I am looking for a time to relax, breaking awayfrom the daily pace of life. I amlooking for the site of the Milky Way spilled across the night sky in a momentthat completely takes my breath. I amlooking for the quiet that only exists in groves of pine trees.

And in the quiet… in the quiet I am reminded of a differenttime and a different need for quiet. Iam reminded of sitting in a sanctuary, soaking in words of grace. The grace of Jesus, the grace that is muchmore inspiring and beautiful than even that spill of stars, just sitting in thequiet and soaking it in. I am countingdown to a time of sanctuary, of Sabbath, of finding the quiet in the trees, thesong in the leaves, the rhythm of the tides, the percussion of the runninghooves.

Courage in Small Talk

2011-10-09T07:56:00.003-05:00

I met a beautiful young mom yesterday, with a swath of blondhair that was just beautiful. I admiredthis young woman, because she did something which to me took a lot ofcourage. But, let me back up first andset the stage.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, clear skies and warmertemperatures. Yesterday was also ourFall Festival at church. It is a way togive back to the community for their support over the year, with music, food,games, etc… The young mom mentionedabove came with her two children, a toddler and little boy. She led them through the games, they ate,they participated. But, unlike manyothers who really didn’t know anyone there – she really participated. She was part, with a running stream ofconversation, trying out different activities, introducing herself to others,and helping her children join in with the others.

I admire this ability to jump into a situation, surroundedby strangers, albeit friendly ones, and make yourself at home. I think that this is something which demandscourage. Oh, I can make small talk, (thefood, the location, hobbies, and weather), the kind of talk that goes no deeperthan the food on the table. But, to stayand really go out of your way to meet people and join in, that is not somethingI’m sure I would have done.

It is a skill I admire, and I do equate it with courage. I think it is a quiet kind of courage, thatallows you to jump in like that. Iwatched with admiration yesterday, and it was a reminder to myself of how therecan be a great joy in making that step.

Tex “the Doggy” Walker

2011-09-27T13:11:00.002-05:00

A little neighbor dog has visited us a few times. His name is Tex Walker, a small black andwhite terrier with soft wiry hair. As wewere calling his people and then waiting for them to come, I couldn’t help butthink of why Tex was out for a stroll on a drizzly day. Being the name of Tex Walker of course mademe think of a certain Walker, Texas Ranger television character. And why would Tex Walker be out in the mistyevening air?

So, I thought…

Squirrels were raiding the neighborhood, thieving varmints –chasing down walnuts and carrying them back to their winter stash. They had been warned away by the law, butdisregarded the warning. So, Tex wassent out to deal them a final blow and stop their lawbreaking ways. He chased them up one hill and down thenext. He followed their trail until hecame to their secret hideout. All alone,Tex made his way in stealthily to see what kind of mess was in hisneighborhood. And, with a flurry ofactivity, Tex scared off the desperado squirrels with a quick bark. All was quiet once again as Tex restored thepeace.

Okay – so maybe he was just a cute little dog out for awalk, exploring smells and sites. But,isn’t imagination fun.

That Kind of a Man

2011-09-20T18:22:00.004-05:00

My grandfather just passed away, passed from this life intohis eternal one. The last week and fewdays have been a blur. Shock, grief,rejoicing, more shock, numbness, grief, the emotions are in the rock tumblerand are being turned quite quickly. As aresult, much of the actual funerary proceedings, the viewing, funeral service,graveside service, and dinner; are more like short snippets of moments in mymind. Some things are extraordinarilyclear while others are just as if time passed in a fog.

However, there was a moment at the viewing that did standout and continues to. Grandpa struggledwith depression and anxiety for years, an illness that is as harmful as acancer in its own way. But, unlikecancer, you cannot see depression or anxiety, only the effects of them. So, what was seen was a man struggling withlife, facing each day with terrors of terror, exhaustion, and being jailed byhis own mind. If you have never feltsuch a thing, even its mildest form, I praise God. But, I also urge you to be judicious in yourjudgments, because unless you have stepped in that to some degree, you have noidea what it is like.

At the viewing, I remember to gentleman coming in, in theirparamedic uniforms. I greeted them,thanking them for coming and asked if they had been there after grandpa hadpassed away. They told me no. One had been a mechanic prior to being aparamedic and had known grandpa through that. The other, well he had been at the house in the 1990s and early 2000swhen there were many squad runs. Thisman saw my grandpa in the clutches of the disease of depression. He saw him when he was ill. He saw him when he was certainly not hisbest. And this man came to pay hisrespects. I must have looked a bit dumbfounded and overwhelmed, because he looked me in the eye and said, “He was agood man.”

A good man in the most terrible of times, in times when hewasn’t sure he could go on. He was agood man. That impacted me. That struck me as a psychological imprintthat is indelible. A good man in thehard things, not just the easy things and when times are good, but when timesare bad. I thank God that this paramedichas the eyes to see something beyond the immediacy of his work, hispatient. I thank God for a man that hascompassion on his patients, that can see beyond the illness to the person. That is also a good man. Yes, grandpa – you were a good man in even thehard things.

For Grandpa

2011-09-18T16:04:00.003-05:00

Imagineif you would a very homey room, decorated and quite cozy. A table is set up in the middle of the roomto accommodate the feast that is being set. The details are all being worked on; menu, centerpiece, arrangement ofeach plate, each glass, each decoration. The air is alive with excitement and anticipation. More guests are coming and the level ofenergy only increases at this prospect of such a well-attendedcelebration. The attention paid to eachfacet is not one of obligation, tradition, normal routines, or a defined senseof expectation. It is the attention thatis paid to each detail when there is such love that you want every detail,every bite, every smell, and every subtle touch to be a gift.

Isaiah25: 6-9 says:

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest ofwines. On this mountain he willdestroy the shroud that enfoldsall peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations; hewill swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away thetears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. TheLORD has spoken. In that day they willsay, “Surely this is our God; wetrusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him; letus rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

A few years ago,grandpa was struggling with severe health problems. The tension of the unknown, the what if, thewill he be better grew on all of us. Iknow it did on me.
But, Goddelights in comforting His children. And, I was blessed to have a very vivid, very memorable dream. I saw the room I just described a moment ago. I saw the table being set. I heard the laughter. I felt the joy, anticipation, and thewholeness of the moment. Here was nowworry, no upset, no stress, no illness, no fear, none of the hard things thatwe have seen grandpa go through. There was only this very great preparation.
But, the tablewas not ready. There were others comingand someone had to go get more tables and chairs. It was going to be a very full room of manyguests. And, I know that they were preparingthe feast for grandpa.

They werepreparing this banquet to welcome him home.

And it was acomfort.

John 14:1-7 says:

“Do not let yourhearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’shouse has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I amgoing there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place foryou, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where Iam. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t knowwhere you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesusanswered, “I am the way and thetruth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father aswell. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The banquet was ready. The meal was prepared and grandpa was broughthome for the celebration.

And that also is a comfort.

I rejoice in knowing I will seegrandpa again. I rejoice in knowing whata great fulfillment of that planning of a banquet, in the visits that are beingheld, the friendships renewed. I rejoicethat grandpa is sitting with his Savior. And I rejoice that I will see them both someday.

And that is comfort.

Stills

2011-09-10T08:35:00.007-05:00

It is ten years tomorrow since the horrible events ofSeptember 11 occurred. All that are oldenough to remember that day remember it with stories of where they were andwhat was going on. I remember beinghome, I remember the stunned, shocked, horror. I remember people pouring out of homes, businesses, schools, to reachout to neighbors, strangers, friends, and family. I remember silent skies as the normal jetsthat go over, carrying people from destination to destination, weregrounded. But, my memories are those setin an Iowa town, miles and hours away from New York, D.C., andPennsylvania. So, the uncertainty wastempered with distance.

For those in those locations, the distance was nocomfort. And, our psyche demands that weat some point deal with the horrific around us. One gallery, sitting very closeto what was then Ground Zero, hit upon an idea that resonated with many, andserved as an outlet by telling the story of what happened and was happening throughstills. Single moments caught in time bycameras, professional and amateur photographers alike provided these photos,and a collection of over five thousand photos were gathered. The stories these photos tell is profound,provoking the heart to increase over the agony, tears to well, pride in therescue workers and survivors to fill you to your toes, and the story of eachstill to tell part of the story.

In an attempt to tell the story and raise funds for childrenof those who were victims of this mass murder, the book and website was created, “Here isNew York: A Democracy of Photographs”. Now, ten years later, the website is keptalive by volunteers who recognize the importance of the voice of the people inthe healing of our country. It isn’t apretty thing, not a pleasure like looking at photos of a child’s first birthdayor the beautiful poses of a bride to be. But, these stills tells a story that has hit us all.

It is ten years tomorrow, and I have notforgotten. I was at home. I was beyond dismayed. I wanted my friends and family, to just reachout to them. I lit candles. I hung a flag. I was angry. I was burdened. I didn’t knowwhat to think. I am proud of those whoserved, in the immediate aftermath, and those who took on the new burden ofbeing soldiers in far away troubled lands. I am dismayed at the politicizing. I am proud at the healing that has occurred. I have not, nor will I forget.

Forward Looking

2011-09-07T21:41:00.000-05:00

I admit that I have a love for NASA, flight, and spacescience in general. It is fascinating,beautiful, and such a frontier of new possibilities. And, I will also admit that it was time forthe elegant orbiters to be phased out for new technology. But, I do find it absolutely bitterly ironic thatnow; that the space shuttle program is done that it came as some sort ofsurprise. I hear the question in thenews, “What now?” What do we donow? And I hear well meaning, butignorant statements, from others saying “Good riddance – a waste of money”.

To the first I have to shake my head, what in heaven’s namedid you think was going to happen when people said it was the last shuttlemission? As I said before, I do think itwas time for the shuttle to be phased out. The technology used which was incredibly advanced in its design and use,needs to be updated. And, there is aprogram being designed for the future. Arocket and a capsule reminiscent of Apollo are in the works for futuremissions. So, it is coming, but willtake time to develop.

For the latter, I’d like to share a few “spin-off” productsthat have come from space science. Unlessof course, you would like to remove your scratch resistant glasses and skipthis part. Yes, scratch resistant lensesare a product that came from the science. Or what about temper foam. Morethan just Temperpedic mattresses, this also makes its way into motorcycleseats, padding for artificial limbs, and protection in racecars fordrivers. Measuring the temperature ofstars with infrared temperatures led to thermometers that measure temperaturesvia the ear. It is more accurate thanthe mercury, not to mention much faster. Better ditch the shoes, because the soles of the running shoes have beenimpacted (pun intended J)bymoon boots. The lessons learned increating these boots led to the athletic shoes we have now, which spread weightimpact across the foot in athletic activities. Dustbusters, cordless drills, and other cordless tools are a result of aneed for working in space. It would takequite the extension cord otherwise. Homesecurity systems have been developed, along with satellite technology, andinsulation for more efficient heat and cool retention.

A few of the others that have been impacted, brought aboutby, or further developed by NASA are:

· Toothpaste
· Cosmetics and lotions that are safe andeffective
· A really cool smart valve that prevents scalding
· Sewage treatments
· Water softeners
· Remote control technology
· Enriched baby food
· Water purification
· Gardening in tight spaces
· Software – that you may be using right now
· New metal alloys that are stronger and can bemade into more materials with less vibration and last longer
· Shock reduction materials in sports helmets,football gear, athletic protective pads for a variety of sports,
· Light bulb advances
· Carbon monoxide detectors
· UV blocking in glasses
· Pilot testing for flight stresses
· Cleaner engines
· Air filtration systems
· Scanners found everywhere from the grocery storeto the airline gateway
· Plasma displays for TV’s and mega screens alike
· Truck design that is more efficient to movethrough the air, thus using less fuel
· Lubricants used in cars, homes, and oh yes – thespace shuttle
· New power plant designs that help withstandearthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters
· Chemical detectors that warn again dangerouschemicals
· Refrigerators at the grocery store that helpkeep the food safe
· Food imaging that can detect harmful chemicalsin meats
· Light emitting medical treatments – so cool,being used as a form of ways to help treat cancer
· Artificial insulin pumps, artificial limbs, and artificialhips
· A heart pump that is based on the fuel system!
· Bridges that are better supported and thus safer
· Biodegradable cleaners
· Fire fighting gear and fire resistant materials

I look at this list, it isn’t complete, and am amazed at allof the products which have either been a direct result of or a trickle-downeffect of the technology that has come about since the inception of the spaceprogram. One man presented a goal forthe country, a man on the moon. He setup a timeline in a big public way, and what the expectation was for meeting this goal. The country was enthused and imagination tookflight along side of each rocket. Then,we lost interest. It wasn’t the latestand greatest. Okay – yeah, we went tothe moon. And, we had a short view. Unfortunately, our short view is stillshort. We again have been caught in atime with a declining public interest in exploration. Who will step up with a goal, something broadand expansive, amazing and imagination capturing? Who will step forth and create new industry,new growth, and new possibilities? Whowill create the dreams of children for the future? Who will watch the next great leap forward inscience occur? Who will be the nextpilgrim of space? Encourage yourchildren to look up to the sky and dream. Maybe, it will be them.

Pause

2011-09-04T20:43:00.000-05:00

In the busy time of life, holiday weekends, work, school, activities, families, etc.. Stop and smell a flower.

Theater Ropes

2011-09-02T13:26:00.002-05:00

Have you ever walked into a theater or maybe a line at theamusement park and there are these ropes, gently curving between poles? They guide you into a certain path and out ofanother. While quite useful in directingtraffic, I think sometimes we intentionally and unintentionally create a box oftheater ropes around ourselves. And,again, in many places that is not only normal but appropriate. It is the unspoken and spoken rules we liveby in our world, the cultural laws that dictate how you address a stranger, howclose you stand, what can you share and when it can be shared.

But, is there any place where those ropes should notexist? Someone mentioned that theyalways sit alone at church. And, Icouldn’t help but think – of all the places to sit, that is one where youshouldn’t feel alone. Instead, youshould feel surrounded by family and friends. Still, how many times does the very opposite occur. We sit in our little roped off box and hidefrom everyone else, as they hide from us. Can’t you just imagine it? Asanctuary full of people surrounded by little squares of velvet wrappedrope. It is an odd picture, one thatmight be used to make a media statement. Unfortunately, it is also a statement that is too often true.

So, how does that impact us? What do we do? Well, there arethese little clasps at the end of the rope, connecting it to the pole. Just reach up and undo the clasp. Shake hands with the person next to you. Invite them into your square, and viceversa. The family of God should not needthe surrounding of tiny squares, when we are directed to love each other asourselves. If there is one place wherewe should be able to drop the ropes, it is here.

I challenge each of us to reach out to someone you sit nextto, say hello, offer a smile. Don’t justgo for someone new, but for the person who is sitting alone, the families,those who seem to have tons of friends. Let’s drop the theater ropes and see what happens.

Airports

2011-09-01T20:45:00.003-05:00

Some of the best people watching, I think, occurs inairports. People from all over the placefrom all over the place, crammed into long hallways with security, mechanical apparatus,and loud speaker announcements that I can only pick a few words out of. With the last few days of travel, I had ampleopportunity to watch people. From thefellow that I was enviously aware of snoring away in the seat (I really wasready to get some sleep), to the little girl who thought of the terminal as hergiant play ground, they all have a destination they are trying to get to.

Life can be an airport terminal at times, transferring fromone motion path to another. And, we mayfeel stuck in the layover (forever!!). Forexample, the time with a bum knee felt kind of like being stuck in theairport. But, the nice thing is that eventuallywhatever the cause for the pause in the travel, it finally changes and soon youare off the ground. Then, you can admirethe snores of a nearby traveler or watch the clouds as you are moving on.

Sidewalk Notions

2011-08-23T21:43:00.001-05:00

The smell of steak on a charcoal grill hit me while walkingdown the sidewalk. While not ready togive up my car, I am enjoying my walks. The pace, with the yellow lab pushing me to keep walking faster andfaster, is much slower than in the car. And, even with the windows down the many details from the walks arecompletely missed at even twenty five miles an hour down quite neighborhoodstreets. Instead, here I am huffing andpuffing down the sidewalk and focusing on the details around me and trying to distractmyself from the sweat and the burning legs.

Walking down the sidewalk, I am noticing obviously the abovementioned steak on the charcoal grill. And the garlic bread a few houses down!! Just not fair to have to walk like that and smell those wonderfulthings! But are other, less edible, smells like laundry being done and freshcut grass. Small trees dot the landscape,framed out by a few larger trees. I’malways so grateful for the shade they offer.

Sidewalks look so steady and constant at a blur as Ipass. But, I’m coming to realize thedips, the slight twists and holes that have been worn by weather and use. Steps and porch swings frame front doors and landscaping. Summer flowers mingle with the morepersistent of the summer weeds, as well as the bushes of peonies that are pasttheir blooms.

As I walk past, I like to think about the people who maylive here. There are often childrendotted about the path, on scooters and bikes, or running between houses andlooking for their friends. Dogs of allshapes and sizes like to bark their greetings. Cats stretch out on porches and lie in wait in the flowers.

The sidewalk is an interesting spot where there is much to see. And smell – that charcoal grilled steak andgarlic bread…. Yumm!

Surgical Orchestral and Set Free

2011-08-15T21:56:00.001-05:00

I have heard of operating rooms described as theaters, but Ithink an orchestra might be a better metaphor. The anesthesiologist, he tuned up the room like the firstviolinist. The surgeon, the conductorthat controls the speed, action, and movement of the procedure, moves medicaltools rather than a baton. From thistheater comes music of healing.

It’s been nearly two months now since knee surgery. And today, I received my free and clear fromthe surgeon. What a great way to start aweek!

As I left the doctor’s office, I started thinking about thelast few weeks. I thought about how Ihave been supported by my family and friends. I thought about how just a few weeks ago I could not have handledwalking a half mile, let alone three. Iwas surrounded by the caring of family and friends, and felt like I had my ownprivate nursing staff! No one could askfor better care. Today, walking aroundthe neighborhood, sweating and puffing along, I was excited to think of thechange that only a few months can bring. I felt set free.

Wedding Anniversary Roses

2011-08-10T18:03:00.002-05:00

My parents celebrated their 37^th wedding anniversary yesterday with cards, cake, roses, and memories. Thirty seven years is a wonderfully long time, and my dad has a tradition of one rose per year as a gift. So, thirty seven long stem red roses grace the table, making quite the floral statement of celebration. I was thinking about those roses and how if each one could talk, what it would say about the year it represented. I know there would be times when the talk would be about lean budgets, worries, sadness, and aches. But, I think there would be much more clamor about laughter, learning, sacrifice, giving, and togetherness. And that was a lovely thought to me. Because, it is easy to become caught up in the moment, whether it is ecstatic or tragic, and start to feel as if this is our whole life. And yet, it isn’t. The moment passes. The extreme pain fades as healing occurs. The laughter till you ache fades to sweet memories. Then new moments occur, each also vivid and bright in the mind.

If each rose would hold the voice of a year, and if I would think about what this new year would contain, I hope that this would be a sweet voice. That it would be one of great health, joy, and wisdom.

A Circuitous Route

2011-08-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

I recently had an opportunity to go back to Ohio for afamily reunion. It was wonderful to seeeveryone, reveling in the laughter, the memories, a few tears, and lots ofgreat food. Driving each way eight hoursmakes for a long trip, and when people ask me here where I am going I sayhome. Home… a complicated word formany. I think of three things when Ithink of home, right now, future, and eternal. Right now, my home is in a town that I had never heard of prior to movinghere. Musca…what? I moved around a lot as a kid, so I was neversure how to answer the question – where are you from? Well… at this age, it was this town and thenthat place at another age. I’m notworried about my eternal home; heaven will be the perfect spot. But, I do wonder about what home will be forme in the future.

A place with a view, mountains, rivers, snow, beaches? I don’t know there are so manypossibilities. And that is only thegeography and climate. What about thepeople, the culture, the neighbors? Thoseare also really important. I don’t know whatthat will look like or where it will be, on the other side of town or on the otherside of the state. But, the route iscircuitous, meandering past potentials and pasts. Isn’t it odd how things work, how we repeatsome areas and then venture into new territories? The trip back to Ohio was wonderful, a triphome. Then, arrived back home inIowa. My next home, I don’t know – it’srather exciting.

Chicken Fajitas

2011-08-07T18:21:00.000-05:00

I had chicken fajitas the other night, the smell of fajitaseasoning, sautéing onions and green peppers permeated the kitchen. The counter was full of containers withlettuce, olives, onions, sour cream, salsa, and cheese. The smell hit me and my memory went back severalyears to fajitas in San Diego.

It was an unexpected trip, coming out after my dad hademergency surgery while at a conference. Trying to keep our costs down while there, my mom and I shared theseenormous fajitas served at the hotel restaurant. We would even have enough left over foranother meal. And the fajitas were good,packed with meat and dripping with this flavorful sauce.

Our hostess at the restaurant, nearly every night there fora while, would take our order and we struck up conversations with her. Mom and I were feeling pretty disconnectedfrom everyone at this point, on the west coast without any contacts. But, when we would finish up eating fajitasand ask for a box to take it back to the hotel room, we would find extrashells, meat, etc… tucked inside. Thegesture was small, the impact was enormous. That small bit of love from a college studentwaitressing her way through to pay the bills, I pray that she is blessed backmany many times over in her life.

So, I had fajitas the other night and they were reallygood. They reminded me of thatgirl. I wondered what she was doing, ifshe was still in California, and if she knew that she has an important impacton her world.

na na na na na na

2011-08-05T20:31:00.003-05:00

Between knee surgery recovery and writing a lot at work(which I like to do), at the end of the day my brain feels kind of like jelloand says na na na na na na…. But, withhealing occurring and being more awake again by the end of the day, I want totry and get back to blogging. I found ithard to keep up with prior to surgery as well, with the pain just eating atme. It was hard to stay focused withthat going on. The good news is that theonly pain in my knee now is from muscles that are getting to be used! It is so awesome to be able to climb stairsor walk a ramp without feeling as if my knee will buckle or the pain level willramp up.

So, with all of that, and the heat finally starting tobreak, it’s time to get into a good routine to rehab. My chocolate lab and I will soon be venturingout to see if we can’t make our legs stronger. Watching the walkers around neighborhoods or on the local paths, I havebeen thinking about being able to do that again. Basically, I feel like I’m saying na na na nana na na to knee pain! Hooray!

The Day After Independence Day

2011-07-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Last night I just couldn’t stay up to watch the fireworks. So, I opted for an early bed time, kneepropped up, book in hand, and sleep sitting heavy on my eyes. I couldn’t see the fireworks, but I couldhear the booms and sizzles as I lay there. With the patriotic themes, music, and thoughts of the day, my mindturned to those who heard different booms on the nights in the days when the Declarationof Independence was written, adopted, and presented to the people. As the word spread, battles had already been occurring. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,Boston, and Montreal – many heard the boom of cannons and rifles.

I wondered about how they felt when they were hearing thesebooms, not the joy of fireworks and their beauty. But, the sound of gunpowder launching anarsenal of bullets towards the enemy; there must have been many frayed nerves,stomachs upset with tension, the pounding of hearts. The sound of hooves as horses and oxen moved menand artillery from place to place, the sound of feet moving together in marchesacross dirt roads. The sounds of booms.

And I also thought of different booms that occurred thereshortly after attacks, after the war was over. These were the booms of hammers, tools rebuilding and fixing up of homesand cities. There were sounds of a newcapital being built, saws moving through new wood, and celebrations that occurred.

Independence Day is a good day to celebrate with the boom offireworks, so long as we don’t forget the booms that went into it.

Fireworks and Dreams

2011-07-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

Don’t you love fourth of July fireworks? The colors, the sizzle sound that hissesthrough the air exploding with a concussive boom, only serves to highlight theintricate patterns of colored sparks. Todayis the fourth of July, a national holiday for us in the USA, marked withparades, cook-outs, orchestras, and of course - fireworks.

July fourth, the year 1776, in a hot Philadelphia room, theContinental Congress had been debating over a document written by ThomasJefferson. They had finally decided thatthe grievances between the colonies and England were much too drastic to allowfor repairs to be made. They had decidedto take their lives into their hands, and consider a true separation from themother country. This compilation ofdoctors, farmers, lawyers… men of good standing in their community governmentsnow debated as hotly as the temperature of that Philadelphia room. They argued over words, ideas, potentialoutcomes, and the fate of what was a nation struggling to be born.

Finally, two hundred and thirty five years ago on this day,the majority of those present adopted the now famous document, The Declarationof Independence. They knew that thissignature in ink would be cause for hanging if the infant nation died inbirth. They knew that there were makingdecisions which could impact the in-cohesive colonies for the life times ofthemselves, their children, and grandchildren, and grandchildren to come. Today, we celebrate the brave decision theymade.

When in the Course of human events, itbecomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which haveconnected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, theseparate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's Godentitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that theyshould declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator withcertain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuitof Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted amongMen, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --Thatwhenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is theRight of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in suchform, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not bechanged for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hathshewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the sameObject evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is theirright, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide newGuards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance ofthese Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to altertheir former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of GreatBritain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in directobject the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To provethis, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, themost wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance,unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; andwhen so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts ofpeople, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in theLegislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, anddistant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose offatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manlyfirmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to beelected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, havereturned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in themean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purposeobstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass othersto encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of newAppropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Lawsfor establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of theiroffices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officersto harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent ofour legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civilpower.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to ourconstitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Actsof pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders whichthey should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province,establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries soas to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the sameabsolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and alteringfundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested withpower to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection andwaging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyedthe lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleatthe works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances ofCruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, andtotally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bearArms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends andBrethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bringon the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose knownrule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes andconditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions Wehave Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitionshave been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thusmarked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of afree people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentionsto our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts bytheir legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We havereminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. Wehave appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjuredthem by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which,would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too havebeen deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, aswe hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives ofthe united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to theSupreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in theName, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publishand declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free andIndependent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the BritishCrown, and that all political connection between them and the State of GreatBritain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and IndependentStates, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances,establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which IndependentStates may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firmreliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to eachother our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Let us be celebratory, let us be thankful, on thisday. As there are many other nationswhich have also lauded words to the high praise of a local people, only to seetheir fire stamped out with terrible violence.

Happy Birthday to the United States of America!

Birthday Countdown

2011-06-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

My thirty-second birthday is just days away. While that in and of itself is hard tobelieve, it is even harder to believe that I will be having knee surgery theday after. But, with thirty onebirthdays that have come and gone, with another one just round the bend, I havebeen thinking about my past birthdays. We moved a lot when I was a kid. No, I wasn’t a military brat, but a corporate one instead. We moved with my dad’s job, taking us from placesin Ohio to Kentucky to Florida to Ohio to Iowa. I laugh now as I think of how many of the places I was completelyunaware of their existence, let alone the people in them. Now, I think of birthdays that werecelebrated along the way. I wouldimagine that some of the birthday celebrations would look a little quiet tothose on the outside. But, moving somuch, the family bond has strengthened and those quiet family dinners, completewith cake and song, are precious to me.

Now, with this new birthday approaching, I have beenbouncing back and forth between trying to decide what treat to take to work (chocolateor savory), and how to prepare for surgery. The reaction most people have when they hear about one following theother, is a look like what are you thinking about combined with an unspoken, “really?”. Yes – really!

So, with all of that this is my thought about that. A new year is about to begin. And, I can’t know what will come. However, I am trying to look at it as anauspicious beginning to this year, as the beginning of knee health. It’s a bit nerve wracking because we don’treally know what is wrong the knee. Nothingon x-ray or MRI, just a persistent pain, that has kept me stuck and missing outon doing activities. All of that leadsme to my hope that this will be a year that is soon full of long walks, hikes,and being able to walk more than a block.

I still don’t know what I will take to work Thursday – gooeydessert or vegetables…

Life

2011-06-13T21:06:00.002-05:00

It has been a busy weekend, with plants, tree frogs tadpoles, mustangs with eagle feathers, and little baby robins fledglings. The robins we have been watching for the lastfew weeks took their chances and left the nest. It is amazing to me how these little lives can know how to fly afterbeing alive and out of their shells less than a month! Their eyes aren’t even open for about fivedays. To know that they are now outthere, and on their own is very exciting. As much as miss seeing those little feathered faces with wide openmouths as I stand at the kitchen sink, it is a thrill to see some adolescent robinfly from limb to limb.

The precious state of life, fragile in baby birds or littletadpoles was demonstrated this weekend. A trip to a friend’s house led me to spend some time happily takingpictures of various animals, including tree frog eggs and tadpoles. These tiny dots would become the little fishlike creatures, and then on to become tree frogs. Surrounded by these little creatures, chicks,hens, and beautiful plants, it was a gently vibrant place where life wasflourishing.

I think we may take life for granted some days, get used towhat is around us and forget it’s miraculous nature in just being present. I mean, think of the variety of those frogs,birds, and plants. They are so diverse thatit boggles the imagination.

Well-Fare

2011-06-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

A little post has been going around facebook about drugtesting for those on welfare. Somethingabout how Florida legislation is about to enact a drug testing policy for thoseon welfare. I can put out the disclaimerthat I am neither a legal expert or political one. I’m just a citizen who has seen some of the “poor”,rich in family, hope, and dreams – poor in finances, economic stability, and economicgrowth potential.

So, welfare drug testing, don’t have drug testing – I don’tknow. We are making complicated issuesso simplistic in arguments that it doesn’t even provide the justice tounderstand that these are the lives of real people. And, unfortunately, I also don’t have any bigsuggestions on how to fix this. There isabuse of this system, which shouldn’t occur. But, how do we really fix this? How do we really, as communities, reach out to those who are trulyunable to work and prepare them to be productive workers? How do we move into the next generation toteach them with spirited compassion, restoring and renewing? How do we address the real problems, withoutcutting out the source of provider that may be tending to the rest of thefamily?

There is a legend of a Gordian knot. The legend goes that a city had a knot thatwas a centerpiece of their temple, with 100 ropes woven in and out. It was extremely complex and none of the endsshowed. It was considered lucky to stopand try to figure out the knot’s secret before leaving the town, but nobodycould succeed. One day, Alexander theGreat came to this city and challenged with this knot, he simply sliced it intotwo parts – thus the knot was dissolved.

This whole thing, it’s a great big Gordian knot, with wellmore than one hundred parts. There areends not exposed and other ends that look real, but are really fake. This whole well (sound, able, thriving,properly, goodly) fare (get along, manage, cope, progress, advance), willhopefully become sound progress, thriving advancement, goodly coping, andproperly getting along. That will liveit up to it’s name. Of course, it will takea community to do.

Birthday Celebrations - Capturing Moments

2011-06-02T20:27:00.002-05:00

For some when they are stressed, they want exercise or adrink or shopping… I want chocolate, good chocolate. And I want good chocolate when I’m hurting ortired or happy – or just in general… Yeah, what can I say, I likechocolate. Birthdays are an excellenttime to bring out the chocolate. So,with a chocolate cake, and a blend of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, wecelebrated my mom’s birthday. Birthdaysare wonderful things, even knowing that some pretend to be a younger age or acertain age and holding that. But, theyare a celebration of what was and a moment to consider what can or willbe. I have my own birthday coming uplater this month. And as those numbersadd up, I want to celebrate each one.

I had a chance this last week to celebrate a birthday of adarling girl who turned eight. Missing alot of family birthday parties over my life due to living away, these times areextra special to me. There were soundsof laughter, teasing of cousins, car sounds from little boys, and giggles fromthe little girls. Three sisters movedthrough the room, with a special bond, even as others they loved were there celebratingwith them. I imagine that these three women havecelebrated many birthdays together, complete with various forms of gifts,games, and foods. Family moments arereally so precious, even with families being messy things and made up ofimperfect people. But, in this time therewas a celebration of this little girl and the joy of her life.

What a precious thing it is to stop and celebrate. Life gets so busy that we can forget to celebratethe momentous passing times, and it can help to have these little stops sort ofpre-built into our schedules. Becausethe momentous times are often only lasting a moment and then it is gone and hasmoved on. Grab the candles, thecupcakes, balloons, and your best singing voice; find the moment and celebrateit!

Catching Up - Part I

2011-06-01T20:58:00.000-05:00

I have started writing a blog over the last few weeks andfound myself stuck, not because I have ran out of things to say (but because Ihave been doing a lot of writing at work and my brain seems to want to be inneutral at home). So, let me recap….

There was Memorial Day – wonderful sleeping in day! I love a sale as much as the next person, butthat day is really not about sales for me. I have had many people in my family that have served in themilitary. And, it is a day that Iremember not only those who served or are serving, but also those who are leftbehind and serve at home. The mothers,wives, and children who waited at home for the letters from far off battle fieldheld it all together until the family was joined again.

It was graduation weekend too – with parties and ceremoniesand a combination of memories remembered and new ones made. There are a few kids saying bye-bye to highschool and hello to the new adventure of college. Of course, it brought back memories of my ownhigh school graduation. We held ourceremony outside, and the memories of that day and the celebration came rollingback.

A birthday girl turned 8 years old! And I had such fun helping to celebrate thatwith her. She is growing up sobeautifully, inside and out. I havespent the majority of my growing up away from family, so I have missed manybirthday parties. It is so much fun to participatein these family parties with special friends.

There was more, but it will have to wait for another day –my mind is tired and my eyes say it is time to ditch the contacts and go tosleep.

Larry

2011-05-24T19:36:00.002-05:00

The recent storms in Joplin, Missouri have left many of usgrateful for those who are okay and amazed at the devastation. But, in the days of 24/7 news channels, Ithink that we have developed a thicker skin. I mean, it’s terrible and I would like to be able to go help, but then theTV is turned off. I forget, go back tomy own life.

Yesterday, I was listening to the news guy or theweather/news guy talk about what he was seeking. Everything was pretty normal and then, theystarted interviewing a man looking for his neighbor. I had probably already heard three peopletalk about looking for their neighbors. But,this fellow looked at the camera and said he was looking for his neighbor,Larry. Larry is in his 70s and was homewhen the tornado hit. They can’t findhim.

That hit me. Therewas a name, an age, a man – a real person trapped in his house. I don’t know if he is alive or dead, injuredor safe. I don’t know if he has childrenor grandchildren, if he is retired, likes or dislikes, etc… I don’tknow what he looks like, his favorite color, if he likes ice cream ordogs. I don’t know what his thoughtswere as the tornado hit his home and created devastation. I don’t really know anything about him,except his name is Larry, he is in his 70s and he is missing. I tell you what, that name, the age, it brokethe barrier that I had of thick skinned listening before I even knew it wasthere.

I hope Larry is okay.

Iris

2011-05-22T18:18:00.001-05:00

This is iris season, and it seems in many yards, there are avariety of blooms gracing carefully arranged gardens complimenting frontporches, sidewalk shoulders, and simple gatherings of flower clumps. The colors and their variety are reallyastounding. Russet reds, sunny yellows,purple splashes, and pure white can be the sole color or a mix of patterns thatdraws the eye in. Green stalk leaves shootup surrounding the flowers, like spear bearing foot men protecting their ladiesgrace.

I love spring flowers. Not just because it’s wonderful to drink in the color after a long whitewinter, but as a sign in and of themselves of renewal that is coming. But, I think one of the favorite parts of theiris for me is the variety and diversity of them. So many beautiful colors, sizes, and complexityof blooms can be combined in one flower bed. They all complement each other, each one adding it own shade of colordepth. I have a great privilege ofenjoying many diverse people around me. From different parts of the country, different countries, the people areall so different, and yet so similar. Itis something I enjoy to be able to see the depth of diversity in that humangarden.

I think the other thing that I love about irises, and manyflowers in general, is that they are something that the humblest and richest ofus can enjoy. Shared by many greenthumbed gardeners who discover that they have a commonality in the love ofgrowing things, clumps, clippings, and seeds are shared over fences and aroundorganizations. I see a very humble homemany times in a week, it is not the most beautiful home or most elaborate. Instead, it looks as if it needs a great dealof care. But, in a side yard carefullytended clump are a mixture of yellow irises. It’s like a bit of sunshine that landed in their yard and decided thatit liked the green so much it would stay.

I love flowers, but I don’t love to weed! Oh it comes in fits and starts where I wantto get stick my hands into garden gloves and feel the pull of the weeds and thesmell of the warm dirt. I do enjoyseeing the cleanly orderliness of the flower beds afterwards. But, in my mind – I pull weeds once in theyear and it should just be done! Some ofthose weeds are just annoyingly persistent. And that is one of the thins that I also applaud irises and otherflowers for when they don’t need a lot of tending. These are no fragile hot house flowers thatwill wilt if they do not receive 4.2 hours of sunlight and 14 tablespoons offiltered water in an eyedropper. Okay,so I exaggerate (a bit), but these are hardy flowers. The bulbs are placed in the earth and therethey will come and grow and spread for years. It is their resilience in a Midwestthat often faces snow and ice storms over long winter months. I want to be resilient as well, to be plantedin good soil and then allowed to grow and bloom yearly.

Enjoy the blooms from the yard.

Foundations

2011-05-21T20:39:00.000-05:00

I have friends that have just had a new home built. It has been so exciting watching this housetake shape, all from a solid foundation. It is a good reminder to me the importance of a foundation. I can’t even pretend to know a lot aboutconstruction, but it just makes sense that what you start with at the lowestand earliest level will be what is built on later. That lowest and earliest level must be strongto allow for the future growth to be strong as well. Imagine building on Jell-O or feathers. I could create walls of Jell-O (well maybenot me but someone), but as soon as the house is built on it, the foundationwould split, smash, and fall.

People need foundations as well. We need solidity and structure to build ourlives on. With graduation approaching, Ithink about the foundations that many students have been provided. Some of the foundations are pudding at best,and the students are toddling out in a wobble to their new stage of life. Others have had a solid foundation and aswill continue to grow with strength. Ithink of the foundation I have been provided in my own life and am quitethankful. I had parents who investedtheir caring, time, energy, and wisdom. Therehave been those who have lent their ear, shoulder, feet, laughter, and strengthas well. We must reach out and helpbuild these foundations, investing in the generations to come.

The Choir Loft

2011-05-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

Sunday mornings I can be found sitting up in the choir loftof our local church. I enjoy ourslightly rambunctious, at times off key, normally enthusiastic singing. In two rows, we divide into our parts,soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. I am analto and I’m used to hearing my part and the tenors behind me. But, I know that what I hear is completelydifferent from what our audience hears. When we sing, the music travels out and it blends differently that ifyou are right there in the mix.

A little girl joined us last Sunday, one of the choirmembers was helping to look after her. Standingon the pew with her blond hair in two braids and silver bows, I saw littlechildish hands pull out a hymnal and flip through the pages. We were all holding our choir books, she wassimply modeling what we were doing. But,how precious it was to see her flipping through the book and I watched her andrecognized the titles of the songs that she was staring blankly at. Then, the singing started. The jaw in that round face dropped. “Itsounds different up here?” Big eyeslooked at me and her head nodded. Shestood there turning round and round, taking it all in.

I had two thoughts standing there, with a big grin plasteredon my face. Who could help it, she wasso cute! One thought was I wonder ifthat will be me one day. Standing there,every tongue confessing that Christ is Lord, worshipping with the family of God– how it will sound when I am in the midst of the crowd! My other thought was how quickly this littlegirl was modeling our behavior. What areminder that even without any formal lessons, we need to be cognizant of ourbehaviors with these children around us.

I hope one day to see her singing with great praise.

PT Lessons

2011-05-16T21:14:00.000-05:00

I have been participating in physical therapy for quite sometime now, a couple of months at least (though it feels longer than that tothink back on it). Can’t say that I haveproblems with going, I like the people and they are really working on hard onstrengthening my leg. But, I will admitwhen I missed a few weeks, that I quickly slipped into missing my “homework”routine on home exercises. I meant to dothem, but it seemed like that the business slipped up on me and soon I washeading to bed and well, shucks another day without PT.

What has surprised me as I’ve jumped back on the bandwagonis how quickly the strength that was being built up has diminished. I’m not talking years here, or even months… twoweeks! And equally surprising is that itis also being built back up quickly. It’snot that it takes a long time to do the exercises; it’s just a matter of doingthem, and then reaping the benefits.

I think Bible study is much the same. If I stay exercising my heart, mind, and spiritin the Word, then those muscles grow and current strength becomesstronger. I learn to rely on God’sstrength in new ways and His strength is just phenomenal. But, if I let the study lapse, take a breakthat turns into a vacation that turns into a hiatus and then a permanentchange, then those “muscles” become weak from lack of use. I need to be disciplined in my studies AND inmy PT.

Oh well, one is done, the next is coming up here in just afew minutes.

Re

2011-05-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Refresh, Renew, Relax, Restore… I lovethat little prefix re. It makes a bigdifference in little words. And, beingable to act on those words can make a big difference in my day. I love winter snow, the crisp cleanness ofthe air, but the grey skies of spring make me so sleepy. I think I have yawned for a monthstraight! I need sunshine and light andbrightness. Add busy schedules, packedcalendars, obligations, plans, goals, and to-dos, and grey skies! Oh, just let me have some sun shine and arecharge of my internal batteries. I’mlike that you know, I run into walls at times and need recharged.

This last weekend, we had a wonderful visit with Al and EdieLewis, missionaries with Reach Global and are also friends. A visit with friends, friends who have acommon passion for God’s family and a love for sharing and communicating thatto others, with laughter and slobbery dogs and Oreos, that was just what wasneeded for recharging. There is justsomething so wonderful about being with friends. Even with busy schedules, it can recharge mybatteries. I’m not sure why, except thatfellowship is a lovely thing.

Spring Porch Sitting

2011-05-13T19:09:00.000-05:00

My green plastic chair sits on the front porch and my feetare rested up on the porch post, causing the chair to tip back just a bit tothe perfect angle. With the sun shining,a book in my lap, and the quiet around, I find one of my favorite parts ofspring. It is in the quiet of humansounds, and the increase of the nature sounds around me. Winter’s quiet gives way to the noise andriotous color of spring as if the very bubbling of life is something thatcannot be held back.

I sit there, to take it in and read when I remember. I breathe deep and smell the purple smells oflilac, the light fragrance of green leaves, and warming smell of soil. A chickadee grand stands from the tip of atall pine tree. Chest puffed out, itrills it’s song and sings loud and sweet music. The notes are intricate and the music seems so large from such a tinybird.

Another page in my book is turned and then I watch the dogssplash about in their kiddy pool. “SplashSierra!” becomes a common cry over thesummer on the porch. She will send waterflying behind her, creating a mini tidal wave in a green plastic pool. Her dark eyes are happy with this firstsplashing time of the year. Personally,I think the water is still quite cold and will wait for the sun to warmit. So, I skirt her splashes for now,and help her stay pointed towards me, and the water away.

There is just so much to see I can hardly stand to read mybook. Nestling down into my chair, feetup, Diet Pepsi by my hand, and my book resting on my lap, I feel myself warmedby the sun. I try to soak up the heat, thesmell, the feel of spring.

Uncle Raul’s Song

2011-05-03T20:29:00.000-05:00

I have fond memories of sitting in my Uncle Raul and AuntMac’s living room, listening to him play “Rank Stranger”. Gentle strumming on the strings and the sweetmusic filled the room. These songs, “RankStranger”, “How Tedious and Tasteless”, “Using my Bible as a Road Map,” andothers were sung many times in my life. Other songs have come from friends, “It is Well With my Soul,” “Jericho Road,”and “Heaven’s Jubilee.” Songs like theseare a wonderful resource to pull on when times are tough.

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrowslike sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well,it is well with my soul.” Songs, poems,stories, they are all so important to my family culture. Traditions are passed down in word and versefor generations, building history and common understanding. The memories of singing in the kitchen, theliving room, the car, and everywhere between, they are sweet indeed.

Historic

2011-05-02T20:37:00.002-05:00

Iheard the news last night about Osama Bin Laden dying as part of a militaryaction. All I could do was sitthere. I thought of the people who havedied, both here and in other countries. Ithought of the gift of leadership that this man had, that was so twisted intohatred. But, when it came down to it andhearing the news, all I could feel was pity. I felt sorrow for the family of this man, family who will always havememories and who will always be impacted by his action. I felt pity for the people who rely on suchhatred to make change in the world. Itwas a historic moment, one that will impact the world for years to come.

In the Valley, On the Mountain, In the Pen

2011-04-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

    I’m once again sitting in the puppy pen, with the dog. Poor pup, she had one internal suture that just wouldn’t dissolve and had to be removed. So, here we are again - in the pen, with her paw sitting on top of my foot. A knee brace is on my knee and I’m tired. It’s been a long day. Running here, running there – I admit that I was close to tears this morning. Poke me and I won’t bleed, I’ll just melt into a hot salty mess of tears making a great big puddle in the floor. What caused all of that though? Well, I got up early to take the dog to the vet to have the suture removed. I always hate leaving her, but especially hated it this time because I knew she really just had her ACL fixed about a month and a half ago. Reopen part of the incision, it seems like a really awful thing, especially when I can’t explain why or what for or really reassure that this is for her good and I am coming back. So, leaving there, I headed to the knee doctor. I have reached the point, six months after originally injuring it, where I just want it fixed. Really folks, it’s been long enough. I’ve tried to be a good sport with physical therapy, repeated appointments, etc… but today I felt like we were back at the beginning. Well, it could be… or it could be… or …. Oh my goodness, just fix it! So, I tried to pull it all together and get to work. Only to have to leave a few hours later for an MRI and then to pick up the pup from the vet, did I mention I did a lot of going from place to place today.
   So, sitting here in the pen I could quite easily feel pretty sorry for myself. I hurt and am tired, the pup has a wound that is seeping a bit still, and I still don’t have an answer for my knee. But instead of dissolving and melting, which is still a possibility because that’s life, I’m trying my best to remember that God is in control and is good. He is good on the mountain when things are calm and beautiful. He is in the valley, when things are dark and you want to just go back to bed and crawl in for the remainder of however long it’s going to take for the remaining problem to dissipate. He is good when you are sitting in the puppy pen with the dog licking your pajama pant leg as she is commencing her nightly bathing ritual. He is good regardless. Regardless of the place, the situation, the mood, the weather, the economy, the politics, the environment, regardless of my hopes or dreams or failures – God is good. He is good when there are valleys and storms. He is good when joints hurt or sutures don’t dissolve. God is good when lupine is blooming and spring winds are carrying sounds of mountain goats. God is good when skies are blue, clouds are fluffy and everything is going just right. God is good when dogs are hurt, when we are hurt and when we are contained in puppy pens.
   I may just spend some time dissolving into a pile of tears soon, especially if I don’t have an answer of something that is wrong with my knee in the next week. But, God will still be good.

The Time Between

2011-04-23T20:17:00.000-05:00

   Between the silence of Good Friday and the slow crescendo of praise on what we know as Easter, I wonder what it sounded like between. But, not only in Jerusalem, but in heaven. As the tragedy of the sinless Christ taking on the sin of the world passed, I wonder what it sounded like in heaven.

   I know a bit of who God is, what He is like. I know that He is not the creator of panic and despondency that literally sucks up hope like a black hole sucks up light. He is source of hope, of joy, of the perfect plan. I can imagine with knowing that, that heaven’s citizens gathered around to praise God. Not to rejoice in the pain and suffering, but to marvel at the majesty of the sacrifice of love that was made. I imagine Jesus speaking to the thief who had joined him the day before in paradise. Perhaps providing a tour or introducing him to the actual Moses whose words he had most likely heard most of his life. I can imagine the people gathering to Jesus, those who He had healed, touched, or ministered to during his lifetime. Stories could have been passed, “do you remember when…” I can imagine God the Father greeting His Son. The Holy Spirit could have joined them in a close embrace, as the plan that they had enacted together was changing so drastically for people.
   I would imagine that the praise started much sooner in heaven on earth. And on earth, it was a time of doubt and fear.

The Sounds of the Day

2011-04-22T21:51:00.003-05:00

   It’s Good Friday and I have been thinking about the sounds that would have comprised this day in Jerusalem. It is obviously a day that focuses on Jesus, and the sacrifice He made for us. However, I wonder what the sounds were like that day.
   It’s been like living in a rain forest here, a cold damp wet rain forest, which creates lovely sounds on the roof as I settle in to sleep. The sounds of the birds outside, the dogs as they bark their hellos, the television, the wind in the pines… there are just so many sounds surrounding me today.
   I wonder what the sounds were on that day in Jerusalem. After Christ died, after his body was removed from the cross. The heckling sounds, the feet on the roads, and the sound of the hammer and nails have all faded. Now, it is the sounds of soldiers and the sigh of wood as it is relieved of its weight. The night sounds could have occurred. People would have returned to their homes, I wonder what that sound was. Doors opened and closed, and what were the conversations that occurred? Had the fever of the day been broken with the realization of the actions of the day and its consequences? Were voices lowered in fear or raised in irritation? Did children sense the tension and rev up their little motors to pitches normally only reached during full moons? Were there the sounds of sobs in the streets or laughter?
Today we remember. Today we think back and remember the actions, sights, and sounds of that day.

From Noise to Quiet

2011-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

   It’s taken several years, a lot of practice, and literally holding onto my Bible and clutching at the verses inside, but I have learned to appreciate some quiet time. There were the times when, if I was alone, I would have the TV turned up, the CD player playing, and singing along at the top of my lungs. It wasn’t so much that I was afraid of being alone at that time; it was that the quiet got to me. It was so quiet it was loud and pounded in my ears.

   I’m not even sure when it happened; though I do know it happened slowly, when the quiet did not become such a difficult thing. When that happened, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the quiet, the relaxing I found inside of it. The sweetness of the quiet, to hear myself think and even better to listen to the voice that urges me to “be still.” Now, I find that I look to turn off the phone, unplug from the craziness of a packed schedule, turn off the TV, and enjoy the comfort of a quiet book on the front porch with sunshine.
   When I find the noise of life filling my “ears” back up I am now more comfortable with the hush. It is a friend, a comfort that is welcomed.

Not Going to Listen

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

   I stand with my hands firmly placed over my ears. They put a solid, consistent pressure over the openings and block out some sound. “I’m not going to listen. I refuse. I won’t.” The muscles are tense and getting tired, my head starts hurting, and yet I remain stubborn – I’m not listening! I don’t care if everyone else says that it’s about God and not about me, I’m not happy with the change and so I intend to just ignore it until the very thing I am ignoring comes and knocks me flat on my behind.

   I’ve been in that spot before. I’ve been there, with cramped arms and a cramped torso, and feeling stuck because you can’t do much with your hands placed over your ears. My stomach places itself into knots as my refusal turns from rebellion to indignation to arrogant pride to sheepish un-knowing of how to extract myself from the situation. I’ve placed my hands over my ears when God tells me to move and when He tells me not to move. “Are you kidding me? You want me to do WHAT? Have you thought that through thoroughly?”
   And in the midst of that, the sorrowful things mount. I miss out on the conversation, feeling as if God is standing there with an exasperated look on His face, shaking His head, and waiting with great patience for a small child to stop throwing a temper tantrum. I miss out on His plan, His desire to do work within me. All that strain on my arms, like holding a handle for too long and too tightly and the muscles don’t relax easily. “Ummm… I’m stuck God.” I do appreciate that He doesn’t laugh at me at this point, but helps me to remove my arms.
   If you have your movement of arms stuck up in some weird angle, hands thoroughly pressed against your ears, I encourage you to know that you aren’t alone and that God can help those hands relax so you can hear again.

Thirds and Pens

2011-04-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Before I was even born, my life included music. Between my mother singing to me before I was born and my dad singing to her belly, the harmony of music has been in my life longer than I have been drawing air into my lungs. Tight harmony has been part of that, where chord structures bound into thirds have twisted and turned in the air, jumping from ear to ear. Moving up and building into strong crescendos, tipping back into gentle pianissimo tones. Growing up with that kind of harmony, I am fortunate to be able to read music, but can also hear the harmony. Let me hear a song a few times and then I feel free to jump in (in most cases).

I’ve also been, and am blessed by, some wonderful friendships. I remember writing pages and pages of letters to one of these friends. Such sweet girly fluff that was absolute life and death to us at the time. We wrote letters back and forth about school, boyfriends, teachers, marching band, laughter, hopes, fears, families, I don’t believe that there were any subjects which were off limits. This kind of friend is like a musical third, sketched out on stationary and through life stories rather than score paper. We have laughed hysterically, like a rapid crescendo that leaves to harmony that bubbles back through the phrase. We have cried and cradled each other in sorrow, letting tears play tight minor dissonance resolving back into the harmony over and over. These kinds of friends are rare and a blessing. They are a treasure of life harmony in thirds.

Ya’ll, Coke, and Yankee

2011-04-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

   I’m not sure if it’s the result of reading To Kill a Mockingbird again, or the first few warm days of spring, or just remembrances, but part of me has been remembering living in the southern US and missing it. I have to chuckle to myself when this feeling hits me, because I wasn’t all that sad about leaving the south to live in the mid-west again. Don’t get me wrong, it had its charms. I just got sick and tired of being called a Yankee and being asked what kind of coke I would like at the drive through window when I ordered coke to drink. The culture was foreign to me, and I remember feeling very alone in the midst of a world that I just did not understand. I said “you guys” instead of “hey ya’ll” and constantly forget to include ma’am and sir in my sentences. I have to admit, the manners were pretty nice, and you just can’t get better fish fry hush puppies. But, it wasn’t something I really understood and I was ready to move on.

   Now, I am remembering a slow moving southern town, with the smell of honeysuckle and salty Gulf air when the breeze blew just right. I am remembering the manners when gentlemen hold the doors open and help you carry your bags. I remember the slightly slower drawl that only serve to disguise the quick wits that lay beneath. Azalea blooms rampantly through sandy grass yards, where mounds of fire ants live their lives. Something has happened between then and now, and now I can appreciate the place as I couldn’t then.
   Maybe I just need to go find myself an azalea to stick my nose into or make real sweet tea. Maybe one good mornin’ ya’ll would get it out of my system. If I could though, I think I would take an amalgamation of all the places I have lived and bring out the best things. For example, there are just not as many fans as fervent in their baseball player support as the Cleveland Indians. Bring out that enthusiasm and rock solid school districts, with the slightly slower pace and hospitality and community values of the southern Christian families. Then, throw in some mid-west solidity and poof – it’s a heady mix of Spanish moss and corn fields.
I think what it really boils down is that some days, I just get home sick. And my heart tells me that I’m not at home yet. Not really. Oh, it’s a nice enough place that I live in now, even though they don’t make hush puppies at fish fries, but it’s still foreign. There are times when I just grow weary of being an alien in the land and want to feel that I really fit. God knows where this life will take me, certainly I don’t, and I may once again wind up hearing that drawl and seeing signs for boiled peanuts. Or, maybe I’ll head out west and try a new flavor. But regardless, I think part of me will always hold back because that won’t be home either. Moving around, well it’s made me understand more of how this world is not my home. And today, well today I’m just a bit home sick.

Seaborn

2011-04-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

   I just finished Chesapeake by Michener, a book that found me thoroughly hooked by the end of the second chapter. As the times progressed, (and I promise not to give out the ending of the story), I thought of my own family and how they moved across the ocean and to the frontier of the New World.

   One particular family story sticks in my mind as I think of the settlers. Leaving from Wales, a husband and wife, and their two boys boarded a ship and sailed the Atlantic to arrive in Penn’s colony. It must have taken such nerve to leave home, family, friends, and a way of life for parts literally unknown. But, to top it off, the third boy was due soon and born while at sea. They named him Seaborn Lewis. Every once in a while I think about what it must have been like to travel across the sea like that and what the general feeling was upon that ship. With a new baby and two little boys to get underfoot, under deck, and under anything else on a ship where there could be mischief; how did they handle that? Was this young mother frightened over the colony that awaited her or excited. Did she stand on the deck and watch her home slowly move farther and farther into the horizon, or did she look out to the home that would be? Regardless of her fears and possible hesitations, this wife and mother made the journey and raised her family to be part of their new community.
   I moved around a bit as a kid. Sometimes it wasn’t too hard, other times it was dreadfully difficult. Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Iowa…. Schools changed, friends were made and left, neighborhoods were known and then left. I developed a strong distaste for that song Friends, by Michael W. Smith, because I heard it so much. In this day and age, there are many ways to communicate with the people who were and are part of my life, though separated by many miles. Skype, facebook, e-mail, telephone, letters, photos, packages, or even trips; my possibilities are full of options. With that, I think about how that would have been so different in the 1600s. A letter, carried on a ship over an ocean, perhaps a package or a silhouette. Whole families would have sprung up with barely knowing each other as an ocean separated them. The words on long awaited letters must have been cherished.
   I pass people on the sidewalk, sit next to them at church, talk to them in random conversations. I wonder how many of them have had someone reach out to bring cherished words. As they also need someone who seeks to understand them, the feeling of separation or conquering their own ocean.

Lead Wings

2011-04-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now that the weather has turned, the birds are starting to return. Strings of geese fly overhead, honking and forming great v’s in the sky. As they fly up there, I notice that the v is a constant changing thing, like a living breathing entity. One goose holds the lead and then another. They sweep into the lead position and back out, moving gracefully and without argument over and over.

The lead goose, cutting through the air for all the others has a most tiring job. Leadership, whether in a sweep of geese or of people, can be a tiring thing. We can learn from the geese as they allow the leadership position to move through the whole flock. The fortitude of the birds, it is one because they share responsibilities. We also can learn to share the burdens of leadership.

Yearly Spring Watch

2011-04-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every year I look forward to seeing the trees bud out, the first blossoms prepare to bloom, and the smell of the season change to reflect the earth’s soil melting the ice coat it has had all winter. Somehow each year I miss the moment when the season changes. Not the calendar date that marks when spring officially begins, but the actual moment when the leaves start sprouting and budded flowers start blooming. I think it must happen overnight in the blink of an eye. One moment, everything is still and cautious again late snowfalls and frosts. And then the next moment, caution is thrown aside and the leaves come out. Soon, the trees contain a haze of fresh green and the ground a landscape of littered leaf protectors.

It seems that normally when the first day occurs that I am at work. The weather is perfect, a light breeze and the temperatures are not too high, and I’m stuck inside. So, this Sunday was such a wonderful anomaly. Sitting in a dark green plastic chair, with my feet propped up on a bright yellow children’s plastic slide I found myself sinking lower and lower as my mid section relaxed into the beautiful day. A book in hand, my Diet Pepsi sitting next to the chair’s legs, and the dogs wandering about the yard finding sticks to eat on – what a lovely way to kick off spring.

Stay-Cation

2011-04-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

   I heard a friend coin a term that I just loved, a “Stay-cation”. A vacation where you stay at home. It may mean a complete break from everything or just stepping away from the normal responsibilities of life to enjoy a break. When I mentioned this to another friend, she wanted to know if I ever felt guilty when I declared these mini-vacation where I don’t actually vacate. I have to say, “no”. A resounding, great big no!

   We live in a world driven by doing. Every moment seems to be taken with doing something, not necessarily doing something productive, just doing something. Wonderful technology that can keep us connected can also become burdensome after a while. The constant connection, constant movement, it can be quite overwhelming. When I am in the middle of the busy times, when I can’t seem to do more than juggle the calendar, I remember how Jesus took his disciples away. They would move away from the people, the burdens, the demands, and the needs. They would be guided away for times of teaching, of a mental and emotional breather.
    I hope that if you need a break, that you will schedule it in, schedule it into the business of your calendar.

Practicing Patience Makes For….

2011-04-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Practice makes perfect, and I’m practicing patience. Somehow, I’ve not arrived at perfect patience yet. Patience, so elusive, and yet desirable to have. Why? Because it will make things smoother or less stressful? Because it is a virtue? Can’t I just have patience – you know, right now this instant? I’m practicing patience with a knee injury. A stumble in November still leaves me with a knee that is now taped, braced, and iced on a daily basis with physical therapy exercises to do. They urge me in physical therapy to have patience, it takes time to rebuild muscle. Arrrggghhh!!! I want to not hurt, to be able to trust the next step.

So, in the middle of physical therapy exercises, and the restraint not to just throw the tape in the trash, I’m trying to practice patience. Practice, keep trying, forward movement that is intentional though not always perfect. Hopefully this will be something that is fixed soon and I can toss the tape and put away the brace. But in the meantime, I will be attempting to continue the practice of patience and put away the grumbling.

Explorers

2011-04-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

My dogs make me laugh. They are such a big part of my life, full of joy, slobbery kisses, and paw holding. But, one of the characteristics that I just love the most are the ways they explore the world around them. I have the tendency to just gloss over the details in places I see every day. Don’t ask me what someone else wore, because unless it really caught my eye – there is a good chance I won’t notice. I have to really catch my attention and bring it into focus with a purpose for detail to really notice them. The dogs on the other hand… I think they notice everything. Megan notices everything that goes in the house, especially if it involves the treat door. I think she has a special alarm hard wired into her ears to go off – “treat door opening, treat door opening, approach treat door with caution and sad puppy face.” She takes it all in, holding up her head like some dignitary and observes her realm. Megan even notices when I put on my tennis shoes, work shoes, or am barefoot. They all mean something different to her and they are clues to how her day is going. Sierra takes in all the motion in bushes. She will stick her head into the bushes and soon birds will go flying from them. And she loves lights, dancing and prancing around the bushes whenever the lights are to be turned on. Snowflakes are carefully selected from across the yard to be chased down with delight. Buddy is the youngest and notices everything, birds flying, sounds from the computer, the water bowl being filled. They all take such great notice of their world and know the details. I love my furry explorers. They know so much and notice so much in their environment. They are beautiful explorers.

Pots on the Porch

2011-04-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Spring must be coming, even though it was thirty degrees this morning, because a porch has been lined with pots. They aren’t fancy or much too look at, a rangy bunch of mismatched colors, beigey green and grayed white, with a mix of shapes and sizes. I see them; dirt spilled here and there showing work in progress. I’m looking forward to seeing what grows in these pots. Seeds to be planted, growing where they are placed.

Sometimes I don’t come across too fancy. I can have some really interesting hair days or dry skin or just feel off. Truth be told, I would love to just stay in my sweatpants, throw on a t-shirt, and toss my hair up in pigtails or in a ball cap for my going out outfit for the day. Shoes should either be cute and comfy or strictly optional. As a child I would refuse jeans in favor of the comfort of sweats. Still love them! And these are just the surface things, just like that assortment of pots. It is in the dirt, loamy and nutrient filled that seeds are placed and then grow. Blooming up, bountiful in growth, the pots become just an afterthought in the green above them.

A Wedding Feast

2011-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

   I have read the story of the wedding feast in the Bible many times, how the celebration occurred and the water that turned to wine. But, yesterday I attended a wedding feast where I watched such joy and celebration that it was indeed the turning of two into one.

   There have been several weddings I have had the pleasure of attending, some that were extremely personally important to me. The groom saw the bride and his face just beamed. Flowers, carefully picked out and arranged around a carefully chosen color scheme echo the personal preference of the couple. The music, cake, dress, suit, etc.. – they have all been so carefully chosen. This wedding had all of those, but this one was unique in a really wonderful way.
   Sitting at the reception, the toasts begin. A heartfelt toast from two brothers and a sister leave us laughing and reflecting about the couple. Then, the bride and groom took a moment with the mic to address their guests. I’ve never heard an altar call at a wedding, but this one had one. Wow! In no way did this diminish the moment of this couple, or reduce the attention on them. But, instead it was such a beautifully powerful reminder of the love Christ has for his bride, the Church. Many congratulations to the new couple. I hope they can look back on their wedding day with great memories and one day hear how seeds they planted on that day took root.

Sheldon and Mr. B

2011-04-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

   Two turtles live in a pen/tank at the local nature center. Mr. B is a pretty green, with the traditionally shaped chiseled looking turtle head. He stretches out his neck to look at visitors and fans his delicate looking clawed toes through the water. The shell is arched and covers his body, providing protection from any wild and crazy spectator that might approach.

   Sheldon is the other turtle in the tank. A soft shelled turtle, rather greenish grey, he is shaped differently than other turtles that I am used to seeing. Flatter and his shell fits more as a covering for the body, not as a hiding place. Sheldon is a bit wider, with a tuberous nosed face. He looks completely different.
   They are both turtles. They both are made to look exactly like that type of turtle looks.
   I pass around a dozen people a day in a walk from work to my car. Each one looks different. They are all people, but completely unique. While you determine if you are a fan of Sheldon or Mr. B or both, don’t lose sight that they are both turtles – and we are both people.

Mouse House

2011-03-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

New insurance cards came, and one goes in my wallet – the other goes in the glove compartment. I open the door and there is a rounded mound of white material, shredded and crumpled in the left hand corner of the space. A mouse house! A mouse house in my car? Close the glove compartment door quickly! I double checked it was really closed and then thought about evacuating the vehicle. Alarms were going off, sirens, “This is not a test!” Okay, maybe that was only happening in my head, but it was perfectly real there, believe me. Every time my pant leg would move across my foot on my drive to work I would squirm. Eww!!!! There is a mouse house in my car, what do I do now? Needless to say, the mouse house (a pile of shredded napkins) fluffed and arranged was removed via fireplace tongs, thick gloves, a trash bag, and morale support from the dogs.

I didn’t, and don’t like the thought of a mouse in my car, unless it sings and dances or cooks. But, it had to be taken care of. Sometimes there are mouse houses in our lives, the metaphorical kind. Those have to be taken care of too. It may require gloves and fireplace tongs, and trashbags – but needs to be removed. It may be a poor habit or choices or lack thereof. Sometimes there are mouse houses, and well – they just have to go!

Cupboards

2011-03-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

   Can’t…. Take….. It…. ANY MORE!!! That was the general thought in my mind when I would look around my bedroom and see the mess. But, then as I would leave the room for the day, I would quite happily let the frustration leave my mind and focus on other things. At the end of the day, there the mess would be again. Books piled in the corner, and that other corner. Dusty mess meets shoes meets a few stray socks. With a knee that has been hurting, laundry started to be draped over a hamper. Little storage available only increased the frustration. There isn’t anywhere to put it – how am I supposed to put it away.

   So, I finally placed an order for furniture with Ikea! It came, and being Ikea – it has to be put together. A couple shelves and a night stand have been put together. I’m so excited to see the parts come together. I will admit, as I’m not quite comfortable with tools, that when I first opened the box and started looking at the parts and the directions, I was overwhelmed. What was I thinking? This was going to be hard!
   But, one step at a time, and thirteen steps later – I have a nightstand, with a door that opens and closes, Correctly! It is so great seeing all of the parts come together and an actual piece of usable furniture come out of the pieces and parts. I can’t wait to see it all come together.

Step Stools and Mary Hearts

2011-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

   I had the project this last weekend to completely empty and clean my bedroom. So, after everything was moved, the walls still needed to be washed and the carpet cleaned. With a sore knee, the step stool wasn’t really all that fun. But, I had to do something to reach the top of the walls. So, it was on and off the step stool I went. By the end of the day, what can I say but ouch. However, it felt so good to have the room clean. At the end of the day, I stretched out on the floor, just to enjoy the carpet.

   As much as I am looking forward to having the new furniture in place and everything back, I love the quiet space that now exists.
   The quiet, when our world just gets too busy and noisy (which is quite frequently), it is a precious thing to me. When I become too busy, it is just so difficult to hear from God. That is probably partially why I so admire the Mary heart. Luke 10:41-42 says, “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
   There seems to be plenty to worry about, knees for instance as you climb up and down off of step stools. But, what good does that worry do me? I don’t mean not caring and just nonchalantly passing off everything in my path. There are definitely items which require planning, coordination, and are deserving of attention. But, that isn’t worry. Worry is the act of just well, worrying. You don’t do anything productive with it.
   I am a champion worrier. I know how to worry in multiple time zones, across continents with multiple subjects at one time! I know how to worry about the weather (a dog that freaks out at storms), the future, the past, work, bills, life, health, family, friends…. I know how to worry! And maybe that is part of the trick of it, I know how to worry. I get it, I understand it. But, not worry and sit at the feet of Jesus, well that is not my natural state and I have to unlearn and relearn things. Lying on that carpet though, I was reminded once again, gently and quietly, with that still small voice, “Give it to me.”
   “Lord, I’m worried about…..” my list would start rolling off my tongue.
   “Give it to me”
   “But, Lord, I’m worried about….. (I’m know progressing into international politics, weather, and my April calendar).
   “Give it to me”
   “But Lord, are you hearing me? I said I’m worried about…..”
   “Give it to me.”
    I paused, and then it hit me – wow I’m doing this again. I’m worrying, and holding on to things that I can’t control, can’t fix, can’t do anything with.
   “Lord, I’m giving it you.”
   “Thanks. Now, just be quiet”

Sunday Morning Prayers

2011-03-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

   I enjoy church services most of the time, the sermons that I am privileged to listen to are really wonderful and quite often challenge me to think of God in a new way. This last Sunday I felt burdened to forego listening to the sermon and pray instead. I want to share a piece of that.

   “Lord, today I feel burdened to pray, though torn because I believe that this sermon is going to be good and useful to hear. But I also want to have a merry hear Lord, doing what you want me too obediently and with joy. So, here we are. I also want a Mary heart, one that sits in your presence, content to soak you in. So again, here we are.
   Lord, my heart is heavy. So much news, such sadness and hurting, fearful and hateful and terrible things in the world. What do I do in the midst of this? We have so many that are ill, many that are angry, burdened, frustrated. I am overwhelmed at the hurt, broken hearted over the pain. What can I possibly do with all of this? I could just ask for you to fix it. But even as you do, because you are faithful to, would I remember to thank you? I hope so.
   Lord, please let our hearts be submissive to you, open to hear you. Abba Father, our ears are so stopped up that we only hear muffles of your word. Remove the blockages, that sin like an ugly and filthy dirt, so that we can hear you. How you love us, I don’t know if I will understand, but I am grateful.
   Lord, I loose your forgiveness. I loose a quiet, conscious, driven seeking of your quiet, of you – that we will ache with the need for time with you.
   Lord, I loose your peace. In the midst of such suffering, in the middle of an ugly world with hateful words, poor attitudes, and the tyranny of busyness, the deceit of arrogance, I loose Your Peace. In the middle of all of that and more, the wreckage of humanity, I believe that you will clean up the filth. The mess is overwhelming when your peace and grace illuminates it. But, then, we watch the hands remove the debris. I think of the wreckage in the lives of people have been hit with earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, fires. The debris is still being cleaned up, I beg you to loose your peace in the middle of the cleaning.
   Lord, I loose your joy. Let my own heart be joyful in my tasks. When difficulties come, please maintain the balance of joy in my life. Let me do my tasks with joy.
   Lord, I loose your goodness and holiness. Father, the people here, in this room right now, they are your children that you know intimately from before they were born. You know them from head to foot, each hair, freckle, thought, want hope, hurt, desire. You know all. In this please loose your goodness to pull us closer to you.
   Thank you Father, my own heart is lighter. You are so good. Thank you that you do not just leave us when we mess up to clean up the afore said mess. But instead, you help us, illuminate our way, and bring your joy, peace, growth, and love.”
   This is just a part of it. I missed really paying attention to the sermon, but I felt as if Jesus were sitting in the pew with me. I just couldn’t miss out on the time to talk to Him.

Cleaning out the Dust Bunnies

2011-03-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

   If anyone is looking for a pet dust bunny or perhaps a cute little fluff of fur, I would be happy to work out a deal. Yesterday was the official kick off of deep spring cleaning project. It involved emptying the room of everything (including furniture), and then today will be an afternoon with the vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner. It was hard work, and the project is not over. But, it feels so good to have a place that will be so clean.

   As I was cleaning, I was thinking about how I need to take stock of the condition of the interior of my heart and soul and mind from time to time as well. Are there cobwebs in the corner or window panes that are dirt covered? Is the dust piling up or perhaps there are those little fur balls in the corner. A spring cleaning of the soul is a perfect time to examine where I am in my life and if it is aligned with what God wants.
   It is such a wonderful feeling to have cleaning done, open the windows and be refreshed.

6 x 6 Squares

2011-03-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

A community mosaic, consisting of 6 x 6 canvas squares, was arranged by a local art center. Several hundred canvases were the source of personal inspiration. I saw a string of eleven of them in a row and it struck me how unique each one was. There were oil paints, cut glass, photos, pencils, paper, and other media used. Combined by individuals they are each so beautifully unique. I love how with all of these being by different people, that they are so unique. It is a reflection of their creators that they are also so unique. Just little squares of canvas become little captures of people’s hearts.

Anticipation of a Western Sky

2011-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

I stood outside of a campground laundry, listening to the dryers run and watching my breath fog up in front of me. Then, looking up I saw something that took my breath away. The sky was completely full of stars. I mean, I have seen star filled skies before, but nothing like this. Without cities around, I really understood for the first time why it was called the Milky Way.

Now, I’m looking forward to seeing that sight again. I can’t wait until I get to see that sight again. There is a grandeur to this planet that can take my breath away. Mountains that sweep up to the sky in strong peaks and hidden vales are home to the most amazing climbers, goats that seem to have feet that could never hold them on the tiny ledges – but do. Plains that move with the wind like the ocean, and hold a smell from a purple clover like plant that just smells purple, the birds dip and dive over the plants. Lupine growing in valleys, purple and pink, with bees that travel from petal to petal searing out hungrily for food. Tiny little insects and giant buffalo, geysers and crystal clear ice chilled pools. I do long to see that sky again, and once again sing, “How Great Thou Art.”

Where is the Power in Prayer

2011-03-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Finishing up the list of why we pray in James 5, this statement follows, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” While I would like to think my own prayers are effective and powerful, I know that I don’t have a source of power within me that can actually answer prayer. So, how does that work with this statement? Righteous prayers are those aligned to God’s will. I would imagine that they are honorable and upright before God. Following God’s plan and seeking God’s will – the prayer of a righteous man is something which also aligns with who God is.

So, align myself with who God is – and pray with faith and excited anticipation to watch God’s answer. There is indeed power in prayer, it is the power of a holy God.

Why Do We Pray – Help Needed

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

   We pray when we are in trouble, when we are happy, when we are sick – and also when we need help. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” I have been going to physical therapy for knee problems lately. What I didn’t know was that part of the problem was caused by weak muscles in my hip. Relying on my own resources, I could never fix the problem. Instead, the irritation of the joint continues, creating further problems, thus more irritation and more problems. It’s not a pretty picture.

   We pray when we need help. Here in James 5 we are instructed to confess to each other and pray for each other for healing. Confess? Umm….. could I just confess that I ate to many thin mint cookies yesterday and leave it at that? Confession is good for us and yet very difficult to do. Why? Because we are afraid of the consequences and the reaction. What will they say? What will they think of me? And what is that supposed to do anyway? Well, when I got help for my knee – I found someone who had different resources than I did. They helped me find different approaches to stairs and other difficulties. So, the person we confess too may be able to help us by providing new insight and resources. Also, it is a matter that can build accountability. If someone knows where we fall, then they can ask how we are doing in that area. If we know someone will ask, then we are more apt to look at the change of behavior we are striving for. It breaks the vicious self-reliance cycle.
   Those who are hearing that confession, they must be prepared to respond appropriately and pray with that person for healing. That means that we don’t get to play the shocked and spotless person who has never messed up. We must instead be real and honest ourselves as we pray with them for healing. We are not the one who can wash away that sin stain, but we do have an opportunity of helping to hold up that brother or sister.

Why Do We Pray – We Can’t Fix It

2011-03-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love the smell of a hardware store. The feel of wood and all of those really interesting tools that I don’t know how to use, such fun! As much as I enjoy a hardware store, I am not terribly adept at power tools. I am not the person to come to when something breaks. There are times when things more serious than an appliance or piece of furniture breaks. When a person breaks, be it directly related to sin or indirectly related to the condition of sin – I do not possess the capability to fix them. So, what to do?

James 5 says, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” The prayer offered in faith, stepping out on belief and trust of the commitment God has toward His children, it is a powerfully moving action. It is not that the prayer is so powerful, but the act of trusting an omniscient, almighty Creator who is powerful is something which reinforces our reliance upon Him. To make the sick well. Well can mean different things, one is acceptable. When I read this, part of me wants it to say healthy, so that the sick will be healthy. But sickness truly is directly related to an action of sin, or indirectly related through the very presence of sin in our world. Therefore, it is unacceptable. But, this prayer in faith, to make the unacceptable acceptable, the un-forgiven forgiven, it is better than physical health. It is spiritual health, and more important.

Why do We Pray – We Aren’t Feeling So Swift

2011-03-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

   Even a low grade fever can just knock me off my feet. Something about that temperature spike and I just feel so tired and achy. Low grade fever, that will come and go – it is the bodies way of fighting off infection. But, sickness is another example of when we pray. We pray when we are in trouble, when we are happy, and when we are sick. This prayer takes a form of physical action, in obedience, and stepping out on faith.

   Continuing in James 5, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” Well, the instructions seem pretty simple don’t they? We certainly just can accept it at face value – obey and pray. But, we can also look below the surface to better understand.
   If we are sick, we are instructed to call for the elders. These leaders are to pray for our healing, asking God in agreement for healing. Then, anoint with oil is mentioned. I love how God uses ordinary oil for an extraordinary concept. Oil was seen as something of health in the ancient world. This oil that is mentioned, it’s just oil. I could use it to cook with as well as be prayed over. God uses the everyday object, and lets us see Him work extraordinary miracles and be associated with His blessing.
   I think of how we might also act as oil for God. We can be ordinary objects which may pour out love on another, like an oil, and God can use this to create marvelous effects.

Why do we pray - We’re doing the happy dance

2011-03-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Yesterday, I started tackling this great question, “Why do we pray?” I say it’s a great question because I believe that God is big enough for all of our questions and enjoys watching us grow. So, I’m working through the big ideas in the few lines of James 5. For today, it’s “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”

   Now, I’m a singer and anyone who has been with me for any great length of time will hear me at random places (public and private) hum, sing softly, or even sing loudly. I can sing by ear or note, in choirs, groups, or solos. Microphone in hand and feet on the stage or barefoot in the living room or the pasture – singing is a form of prayer for me. It is a way for me to communicate with (speaking, listening, receiving, responding) to God.
   I have a beautiful little chocolate lab who had surgery earlier this week. When she is back up on all fours, she will be doing her happy puppy dance once again. When she is happy, you can’t help but know it. There is a dance in her step, a prance in her walk, and a happy tail waggle. In her own way, she is singing a song of praise.
   Praise is just a much part of prayer as petition. So, when we are in trouble we pray. When things are going well and we are happy – we praise. For many of us, that takes care of two major mood groups right there. But, it does beg the question – why praise? Have you taken a good look at the news out there? I have a couple of thoughts. One is that it’s infectious. It really is! When someone around you is happy and sharing that joy, others perk up as well. I think that we are meant to help share that happiness with others around us. But, maybe it helps perk God up to. In the sense that it makes Him happy to hear us realize the gifts in our own designed (albeit limited) ways. Another is that the good seems to be weighed down by the bad these days. The news can be hard to take. Praise reminds us that God really is sovereign and in charge – in the good and the trouble.
   Give it a try today, burst out in song. Maybe someone will even sing along!

Why Do We Pray – We’re in Trouble Again!

2011-03-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

   I heard a wonderful question the other day – why do we pray? Now, don’t just give the standard answer. Think about it, wrestle with the question, let it roll around in your brain. Why? Thankfully God is big enough for all of our questions – so let’s go ahead and ask it.
   Then, I think of a series of answers in James 5. One of them is “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.” Those moments of trouble do seem to inspire a getting real with ourselves and God perspective, don’t they. Especially when troubles become miseries and desperations, we may find ourselves on our face before God. We are weighted down by the trouble, the dilemma, trial, and tribulation need someone to help relieve us of our burden. So, why do we pray? Because we are in trouble again.
   Is that a bad thing? I’m going to venture a no – the reason being that this is a pretty clear instruction. In trouble, pray. Let me give an example from my own week. Wednesday morning dawns, kind of gray and soggy, but nonetheless a new day. I get ready for work, dressed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, and shoes and everything. When I walk out to my car, I circle round to the driver’s side and what do I see – but a flat tire! Oh no!! A quick phone call to give those at work a head’s up that I’ll be late and I head back inside to call AAA. The tire guy comes and puts on my spare in a jiffy (he made it look really easy). Now, I’m an hour late to work and still have a busy schedule ahead plus physical therapy. My necklace breaks, my button falls off my coat! What’s next? So, in the time period when all of that was going on I have a choice to make. I can either get upset and stew for an hour – which won’t help. Or, I can pray about it. “God, would you take care of this whole tire thing and let me use this extra time at home wisely?” I felt myself calming down and spent the time rehearsing a song for choir. I was still able to get things done at work and even have new exercises at physical therapy because I’m getting stronger. All in all, it was a pretty good day. It wasn’t that my situation changed, though God certainly could replace the tire if he wanted. It is that I asked God to make it the morning He wanted it to be. In other words, I handed over the weight of the trouble for the peace and strength of God.
   We pray – because we are in trouble.

Hold My Paw

2011-03-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

About ten years ago, I had a beautiful little chocolate lab puppy come and join my life. I watched her eyes turn from a smoky green to a beautiful golden brown. She grew and has been the closest of my furry companions for years now. In this last big snow, Megan’s ACL tendon went pop and so we found ourselves at the vet yesterday for surgery. Surgery happened, Megan is home recovering.

I know that there are plenty of people out there would not understand, but I just couldn’t breathe easy until I heard that the surgery went okay. Then, when they did call, there was nowhere I wanted to be but at the vets. These wild furry creatures, they share my home, make me laugh, and have such personalities and intelligence it’s astounding. Megan will be taken care of as she heals. I’ll be holding her paw as much as I can.

Cardinals in the Cedars

2011-03-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

At the edge of the yard, a few cedars stand. They have retained three green hue even through a long, and very snowy, winter. The cardinals really seem to love those branches, because in the mornings I often see them tucked into the branches, peeking out at the morning. The brilliant crimson of the feathers stand out in the cedar, creating a classic Christmas card look each morning. When the colors are combined with the being struck by the morning sun, it becomes an effect which really belongs more to oil paint than birds and trees. The cardinal is a brilliant color and when it is in the sun, its color is only brighter and more pronounced.

God made us with unique characteristics, bits of color in our character. We are certainly responsible to grow these strengths. Then, they are to be used to the most honorable and right to forward God’s people and purpose. But, as much as we work on these gifts, it is when the Son’s light is part of the equation that we really see the attributes stand out distinctively.

Approach

2011-03-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Spring is coming, it really is. Between the robins and a tiny little green leaf sticking out of a sidewalk crack, I’m sure that it is coming. There are all of these beautiful little signs, and then Boom! A crack of lightning strikes, the temperatures plummet and ice coats the twigs again. Late snows, mud, thunder, and a cold rain are also parts of spring. Spring approaches and it can be tumultuous as the warmth approaches.

   If I didn’t know that spring was coming, and that soon the flowers were to be budding, I would probably wonder at it’s approach. Is it worth it, to see flowers, to go through the cold and mud and storms? Sometimes, our life is about to open into a spring. There are flowers and warm sunny days right around the corner. But, as it approaches, all we can see are the turbulent days which occur leading up to the seasonal change. Without the approach of spring, those flowers wouldn’t have the moisture in the ground for growth, we wouldn’t have the food we need for growth.
   Give it time, keep looking for spring’s approach.

Stopping to See the Robin

2011-03-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

It’s too early to smell the roses, they haven’t even leafed out yet. But, I did stop to see a robin. The little feathered creature perched on top of a low tree and just watched as I walked by. I was close enough to admire the feathered lines that looked as if they had been painted by a light expert touch. Puffed up, the little bird held to the warm air in its feathers. I wanted to hold it in my hand.

It’s been a really busy couple of days and it’s so easy to lose sight of the robins, roses, or other moments to relish. Life gets hectic, responsibilities mount, and before I know it – I can lose sight of some of the little joys which make life worth living. As spring approaches, even before the roses are holding a single leaf, stop and see the robins. Notice the little details.

Imagine a Walk in Space

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have had a love for space for years. Something about the mystery of it, the vast size and splendor, it attracts my mind and heart. I could stare at the stars for hours, just admiring them. Right now, the orbiter Discovery is in orbit around our planet. She acts as a home and working place, a place of safety in the void of space. I think one of the most amazing experiences out of that whole conjunction of amazing experiences would be to take a space walk. An extra vehicular activity (EVA) is when the astronaut suits up in his or her very carefully prepared, multi-layered, suit and steps outside the sheltered environment to begin a task. But, in that first step, that big grandiose moment when the astronaut steps into the space and sees stars that cannot be seen through our atmosphere. I can only imagine what it would be like to take a walk in space, to see the earth and the stars in their glory. Discovery will land in a few days, returning back to our much larger ship (a.k.a planet) that protects us from vacuum of space. Endeavor and Atlantis are the last flights, following the Discovery. I hope that the imagination that led us to the wondrous ability to walk in space will lead us to future walks.

Light Effects

2011-03-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

There was an ice storm a few nights ago. Waking up, I found a layer of ice covering everything. After letting the car run for quite some time, I was able to scrape the remainder off the car. A tenuous walk in to work, led to me being a bit apprehensive about walking out to my car later. Would it still be slick outside? The power of the sun was at work and where it’s rays could reach the ice had melted off. I was amazed at the difference of the effect the light made, and started thinking about light.
God is described as light, and wants us to bring up the icy patches, the slippery spots, in our lives so that he can melt them. The ice could be issues that we don’t want to deal with, hard or cold parts that are painful to touch. But, when God’s light touches them, they start melting and become softer. Then, the shell melts away and the light contacts the surface. God moves and His light creates change.

Persistent Calling

2011-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

   “Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy…” Her little voice just keeps repeating the word. There is no hysteria or whine in her voice, just a persistent calling of her dad’s name. I can tell by the way she repeats “daddy” that she is sure that through a combination of her persistence and his care that she will be heard. I love her assurance.

   Luke 10:21 says, “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.’” The little girl, standing there and seeking out her father’s attention – she is such a beautiful example of a child who reaches out to her father with the expectation of his response.
   When I pray, I need to remember this small voice repeating “daddy” over and over. It is a revelation of how we connect with our Heavenly Father. We all have times when prayers seem to stop at the ceiling and just hover there taunting us. But, in reality we need to be persistently, patiently, repetitively approaching our Father with great anticipation. Because sure enough, the daddy soon enough stooped low, picked up his daughter, and gave her His full attention. Would our Heavenly Father do any less?

Knees

2011-02-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

Over the last few months I have been nursing a knee injury that finally led me at a doctor and physical therapy. The doctor thinks that the fat pad under the knee cap has been pinched and is irritated. When I momentarily got over the fact that he said fat pad and must be a brave (or nutty) fellow to ever tell a woman such a thing, I was ready to listen to all the instructions. One of which again must have led to a look between confusion, consternation, and just plain a lack of translation. The instruction boiled down to, in a nutshell – if it hurts you, then don’t do that. Do something else. Well, by the end of the day, walking hurts, sitting hurts – what am I supposed to do? It is really hard for me to give myself permission to sit and rest this leg. I have found myself trying to consolidate trips into the other room or down the hall. So, why if I know that this joint needs to rest is it hard to rest?

We have heard mention of the Puritan work ethic, to not be lazy. But, when is it okay to rest? When do we seek out rest? And yet, we have such a wonderful example to look at. God creates the world. He pulls it all together in it’s tiny and great complexities and then rests. He doesn’t rest because of fatigue. He rested as an example. There was no thought of laziness, lack of productivity. My knee hurts. I’m going to rest it and not feel guilty. After all, what better example could I follow?

Countdown

2011-02-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

   In just a few hours, the Discovery STS-133 will launch from its pad at Kennedy, and start its mission in space. What an amazing experience that must be, to feel the great engines lift you aloft and then the pressure gradually build until you are released into an environment of micro-gravity. The clock is already counting down; the anticipation must be building in Mission Control even now.

   I would love to be there, in that room, watching it all happen. Feeling the energy in the room, ebbing and flowing as processes are followed. People start gathering, sitting in the stands with binoculars and cameras at the ready watching the clock count down. They will feel the compression and shock of the air as the gases mix and combust. The sound will vibrate the inner ear as the eye watches the orbiter being carried away from the gravitational pull of the earth.
   How amazing it is that such a thing received so much of its early constructive knowledge in warfare. Early parents of rocketry found themselves gaining experience during the World Wars, as the instruments rained down terrible experiences on the population below. That beautiful orbiter, the External Tank, and Solid Rocket Boosters, they are an instrument of peace and exploration. We have just started understanding space, it’s mysteries and complexities, and something of terror gave birth to something of beauty.

President’s Day

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Yesterday was President’s Day, which I enjoyed having off from work. In the face of all the historical happenings around the world, it was a striking thing that in the midst of our own turmoil, the powers that be are really quite stable. It’s not a perfect system. There are flaws of people; both arrogance and inadequate information. There are flaws of economy as we have all participated in the economic rollercoaster of the last few years. Differences are vast, in philosophy, communication styles, expectations, and hoped for outcomes.

   In all of this, we have a wonderful connection within our government of stability. Think about how even now, with protests in Wisconsin, there are no tanks rolling in the streets. When the whole hanging chad thing came about with ballots several years ago, there was not a coup d’état or a militant uprising.
   From a collection of men, longing for their families and putting their lives at risk, came a system of government that was impassioned and yet separated to maintain control of power levels. From this small group of ministers, lawyers, businessmen, farmers, and others who went to do their best. They inspired a nation and created documents which are still of great importance. Thank you to all of our Presidents, all of our founders, each person who has worked in the government from the clerk to the senator. I don’t always agree with you, but thank you for serving.

Provision

2011-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

I love quiet alone time in my car. It’s sort of my me and God time, minus the phone (no texting you know), limited distractions, and no other people in my car. I hit the button, turn off the radio and love to just talk with God. Yesterday, I was looking forward to that time, knowing I would have probably around forty five minutes in my car with a few errands and then getting to go see a friend play basketball. Heading down the road, I turned off the radio and started thanking God for his provision.

As I thought back over the last few years, it struck me afresh how deep down prayers, groaned at the throne of the Heavenly Father, had been answered. I felt my eyes welt up, a good thing I was turning into the parking lot! The thing that really hit me was that when I was pouring out my heart a few years ago, I never would have guessed at how the answer would have shown up. And yet, it’s a perfect fit for me. It amazes me over and over when God does that. I could never have planned this this well, and it was a matter of trust and patience. God’s provision really is amazing.

Un-Bundled

2011-02-19T06:00:00.001-06:00

   I am so grateful for a thick winter coat and warm snow pants when the snow is up to my knees. I can just sit right down in the fluffy white stuff and enjoy it. But, it is difficult to move, my freedom is restricted as the layers that are difficult to maneuver in. Just last night, I took the dog for a walk and enjoyed being outside in sweats and a t-shirt. It felt so good to have that freedom of movement!

   Imagine trying to stay that bundled in warmer temperatures. Not only would it still be bulky, but extremely uncomfortable! But, if that is what I am used to, it would feel strange not to be bundled. I would just think it was normal to feel that way, to feel like I couldn’t really move about. I think sin is something like that in our lives. We are born into sin, a thick blanket and coat of the familiar and the corrupt. When we are saved through grace, it is as if those layers have been stripped away and we are suddenly blessed with freedom of movement.
   It may feel strange, even fearful. But, we are blessed with freedom in God to be un-bundled from sin and instead provided freedom in grace.

Reflections

2011-02-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

As the snow is melting and the air warming up, we had a thick blanket of fog one morning this week. Soon, the knee high snow outside my front door changed to puddles. A combination of the fog making the sky look opaque and the water in the puddle being still led to a reflection of the trees in the water. I noticed the puddle and how the trees were reflected on that wet surface, not a perfect representation – but a representation none the less. As I moved around the puddle, trying to skirt it and avoid getting mud on my dress shoes (a.k.a. work shoes), the reflective image changed. The more I moved, the more it changed.

I started thinking about what I am supposed to be a reflection of. When people look at me, I want them to see a reflection of God. But, if they continue on around the puddle of me, what else do they see? Do they see circumstances reflected or God moving through them? Do they see my failings or God working through them? Do they see my successes or God using them? I want to be like a puddle, clear and a smooth surface for God to be reflected on.

Spring is Coming

2011-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

   It is unmistakable, the first signs of spring are being shown. I love snow, but it is good to feel the sun and it’s warmth. Soon, the flowers will be blooming and the air will be full of their smell.

   Each season is so different. I love the feel of fresh snow, powdery and deep. I like to really dress in all the snow gear and then head out at night with the dogs. Just sinking down into it, leaning back and watching the stars. It’s beautiful; the intense quiet, and the brightness of the sun on the snow.
   Spring comes in with a passion of storms and a swirl of bright colors. The air itself changes it’s fragrance and becomes full of the smell of earth. The ground soaks in the moisture and the green starts returning to the yard. Tree buds are just a moment away. I know that they open secretly, because I go to bed one night and they are buds. The next morning, there are tiny leaves.
   Summer comes with its heat and the smell of sun block. Summer vacations are planned and the anticipation that has lasted all winter and spring now comes to fruition. The earth is warm under my feet, and I begrudge my time in shoes. Summer rains are something to walk in, to sit on the front porches with porch swings, and enjoy the sound of the rain.
   Fall, every fall I think it’s my favorite. The color, the smell, the “lullaby of the leaves”. Red, yellow, and orange colors are painted onto the leaves by the Great Painter and the world takes on a new due of color. The yellow leaves are my favorite, it seems like sunshine on the top and on the bottom.
So, I’m saying good-bye to winter and hello to spring. Especially since I have seen a robin and a bug in the yard! It’s a sure sign.

Snow Melt

2011-02-15T07:17:00.000-06:00

   After a few days of sunshine and warmer temperatures, the fluffy white stuff is starting to turn to little streams and spongy earth. I have noticed over the last years that around trees and bushes the snow melts first. The warmth of the trunk and the roots creates a warmer area of ground and the snow melts faster. If you have grown up around snow, this may just be an accepted part of winter melting. But, why does that happen?

   The truck of the tree is darker and absorbs more heat in the light than the white snow does. The tree is also much more than meets the eye on the surface. A whole other part of the tree sits underground, sheltered by the deeper earth and containing a greater degree of heat. They work together and soon that snow melts off much faster than what is in the neighboring field.
   So, can we learn anything from that that applies back to people? Sure! We all experience snow, the frozen condensation that piles up and up and up in life. Will it ever melt? The deeper the roots, the more protected we are from the frost that is permeating the ground. The trunk stands strong and holds the heat, it just stands and holds that heat, storing it up for usage. We need to plant our roots deep, by digging into the Word. In our busy world, we also need to stand still and soak in the warmth of Jesus. We don’t have to run around like a crazy person to enjoy the presence of Jesus.
   So, as the snow melts, take a look at the trees. Enjoy your roots, stretch out, be still, and enjoy the presence and warmth of Jesus.

Possibility

2011-02-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

I just had my very first skype conversation, with wonderful friends who live 8 hours away. That is so cool! Imagine being able to hear each other and see each other at the same time. March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone. That must have been such a culture shattering moment, as sound was transmitted over space from person to person. Imagine people who have never heard the voice of a loved one after moving away, being able to speak and hold conversations. The possibility of the technology was truly astounding. Now, just over 100 years later a tiny lens is built into my computer along with a microphone, and I talked to friends states away!
Alexander Graham Bell never had the opportunity to see something like Skype and web cams, but I wondered if he dreamed of the potential possibilities the communication would one day arrive at. Now, that we have this, I wonder what will be next. Let’s keep dreaming and inventing and exploring. Maybe one day it will be a hologram or better yet, a transporter!

The Eternal Assurance Agent

2011-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Working my way through books, H.G. Wells wrote in the War of the Worlds, that “God is no insurance agent.” I thought that that was an interesting statement, but wanted to add my own though at the end of the characters. God is an assurance agent!

   Insurance is (according to the English Encarta Dictionary) “an arrangement in which a company provides customers financial protection against loss or harm in return for a sum of money in premium payments.” So, if God is an insurance agent, then I have to buy an agreement and pay for it. And, I better make sure that that agreement covers everything under the sun, because insurance only covers what is in the agreement.
   Assurance is a pledge of promise of certainty. Again, going to the dictionary, an assurance is “confidence and freedom from uncertainty; a declaration intended to inspire confidence.” In Job, a companion said, “Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.” The certainty God offers is not based on what is covered in our plan, but in His plan. He is the maker of eternal assurance.

Job 36:4

Raspberry Mocha

2011-02-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

   I’m a person who needs sleep. If I want to be functional, not grumpy, and not ready to cry at the drop of the hat then I need a good amount of sleep. Lately, my schedule has been a bit crazy and left me with less sleep than normal. Yesterday, I found myself struggling with being cranky out of being tired and knowing that what I really wanted was to not just get out of bed. By lunch time, I felt like I was wading in deeper and deeper water and losing ground. It was time for extreme measures! A raspberry mocha – with an extra shot of espresso was my solution. The lady looked at me kind of funny when I ordered the extra espresso. “Ummm…. You know, that will be four shots?” I told her that that was okay and headed out with my extra caffeinated raspberry flavor treat.

   What is so sad is that this highly caffeinated yummy drink lasted did perk me up, for about four hours. And then, I could feel the tide returning and I resumed dragging myself along. “Must sleep!! Must sleep!!! O bed, where art thou!” Okay, I know I’m being a bit melodramatic, but it is really amazing how we require certain things to function.
   We need food for energy and strength. Sleep and rest is absolutely necessary for functioning. Certain minerals, vitamins – they provide good growth and help with good bone and joint health. Shelter, water, heat, clothing, each part is like an important puzzle piece, where all together it makes it work.
   We need each other as well; companionship, caring, and friendship also play a part; as we are not meant to be solitary creations. We also play a part in our differences, as the different pieces work together to create something new. But, just like the need for sleep, we have to be aware of our diversities and look for ways to use them as part of a whole, not see them just for their separations.

Edify

2011-02-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

   It shouldn’t be so hard, but it is. It shouldn’t be such a struggle, but it is. With one quick flick of fingers over a keyboard of a computer or phone, with a phone call or ill conceived word, we can be so cutting. Our words can turn each other into a mass of cuts before our eyes, and we walk away as if nothing ever happened.

   “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
   The Superbowl came and went, championship come and go, celebrity awards – they come and go with a moment in our lives. But, how do we respond to those who did not receive the spoils – that lose the game? Losers! Just think of the talk the last few hours of a national song which was sung with great enthusiasm but the words became mixed up, a toss that was missed, or a run that wasn’t quite fast enough. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I could nerve up to sing in front of millions and certainly not to run in front of them.
   So, how do we respond? We need to edify them! Because with that, we are telling each other that we all make mistakes. We are human, let’s go on and help each other get better. It’s not ignoring the mistake but not blasting someone for an error either.
   I have a choice to make to edify someone today. I’m going to give it a shot – how about you?

Between the Game

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

   I will admit that I am not the biggest football fan out there. It’s not that I’m opposed to football, I just don’t really understand it. I was in band and my personal thought is that the football game is the entertainment for before and after halftime. Okay, okay… I can practically hear people groaning. Anyway, yesterday was the Super Bowl. I watched the interview with the president and the reading of one of our great founding documents.

   The Declaration of Independence, what an amazing document. Written and signed by men who represented colonies of people, nearly separate countries in their thinking and economic planning. This is such an amazing declaration in part because the possible severity of what would have occurred to the signers if the events had been different. If you have never actually read the Declaration of Independence, I would encourage you. There is a list in there of grievances against the king. Stating the complaints, the colonies declared their separation from the thing which was causing the problem.
   Do you need a Declaration of Independence? Do you need to declare yourself separated from the trouble in your life? Where does trouble come from? Well, if God is peace then the opposite of that is being troubled; therefore the devil brings the trouble, sin brings trouble. What do we do then with that realization. I propose that we sign off on the declaration of independence, the acceptance of salvation that God provides us. I hope you enjoyed the game and watched the commercials. But, between the game and commercials and the reassertion of your normal schedule, I hope you think about your declaration of independence.
   Oh, and I will admit – I do enjoy watching my neighbor play football because I can sort of follow him around the field, or at least I am learning to.

How Long

2011-02-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

   I read an interesting question yesterday from the Making Disciples facebook wall, “How much time must a disciple-maker spend with one being made into a disciple?” It’s an interesting question, and may seem to be quite complex at initial glance. I admit that my first thought was to modern culture and somewhere between the thought of the mobile society we live in and Master Yoda of Star Wars.

   How much time must I spend discipline to make them a disciple? Wait a minute, I don’t make disciples. I can help mentor and grow and teach those who are learning to follow Christ, but it is He who makes them, not me. Now that the pressure of making things is off, I can think more about the time.
   We do live in a very mobile world now. People that may have once never traveled much farther than their homes, may now move around the entire world. When the physical distance grows, the time factor mentioned in this question can become quite difficult. Communication, even through the social media technology available currently, can still be quite different than talking in person. In addition, the person needed and most suited to work with that individual at that time, may not be the person to grow with them and teach them later. That is the beauty of the body, each piece functioning as it should.
   So, I will go back to my original answer of my post – “as much time as we are given.” As God moves us along our own lives, He will move us in and out of these places, so we are both “made.”

Coffee & Water Break

2011-02-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

A long time ago, I lived in Florida and there were two hurricanes. The first went through, and then the second followed only a month later. If you have never been through a hurricane, think tornado, but magnified over and over. Midst the roads that had been swept away, the flooding, the wind and storm damage, there was a small army of people who went out and started working. There were crews putting back the lines, repairing piping, patrolling, and in general putting the town back together. Working in the heat and humidity, the crews there received a mix of thanks and hostile hurry ups.

Just this week in Iowa we have had a blizzard, in a storm that covered many states with snow and ice. There are many people who were left without power, in very messy snow drifted and ice covered circumstances. People headed out into the crazy weather, to do their job and help others. It is easy to complain, to moan and groan about circumstances. But, let’s remember those people who are working hard, as their own driveways remain needing plowed and their only families are missing them. Let’s remember to take them coffee and water and say thank you. You can make a difference to your community as well.

Just a Way to Occupy Your Time

2011-02-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

   We had a blizzard and ended up with giant snow drifts here and there and, well – just about everywhere. After we tackled the driveway and cleaned around the car, there was time to come in and warm up. Personally, I have enjoyed the quiet day as work was even closed with the poor weather conditions. But, I understand that there are a few folks that were bored with everything being shut down.

   When I was a little girl, my mother had a cure for boredom. If I approached her and told her that I was bored, she would ever so sweetly send me off to dust. I didn’t have to dust that long, but any complaints of boredom it led to a dusting cloth in my hand. So, for any of you that might be having a quiet day and don’t want to dust, I thought perhaps I could provide a few ideas for something to do.
1. Dust – I just had to throw that in

2. Go play in the snow
3. Try a new recipe
4. Create something with an art project
5. Read a book
6. Play a game
7. Talk to a friend
8. Provide a neighbor with some snow removal assistance
9. Spend some time in prayer
10. Brush the dogs
11. Go take pictures of the wintry scenes
12. Take up sledding
13. Run a long hot bath with lots of bubbles
14. Take a nap in the sun
15. Write a thank you note – I’m sure you can find someone to thank
    Hope that you don’t have to spend a snow day dusting.

Blizzard

2011-02-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

   I have been told that there was a blizzard the year I was born. But, as I was not actually born yet, I can’t say that I remember it. Yesterday, the snow started flying here with a strong wind blowing. Pretty little star shaped flakes that lightly landed on my coat in the morning suddenly became whipping little stingers of ice. The snow kept piling up around the front door.

   Snow was piling higher and higher around the front of the house, and it was a great deal of fun watching the dogs try and work their way through it. But, the majority of the time was not spent outside – it was spent warm and cozy inside. With a yellow lab curled up next to me, curled into the curve of the back of the couch and snoozing along quite happily. A wood stove put out a wonderful heat that seeks into you and warms in it’s wonderful unique way. A cinnamon and a pine candle provide a sweet smell to the room. If this is how blizzards go, I’m okay with it.
   As an aside – thanks to all of those who are not able to be at home or someplace warm during the blizzard because they are at work. Thank you to the emergency workers, the police officers, the power and water folks, the street cleaners, and all of the other workers that keep working even when we are in the middle of a blizzard.

Watch Out for the Pedestrian

2011-02-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

   I was walking to my car and came to an intersection. Look right, left, back farther to the right – it is a four way stop, and then I started walking across the street. A teal colored car with a red stripe and rest spots was preparing to make the corner. The driver decided that there was a great need to hurry me along and proceeded to yell – hurry up as he drove past. I don’t know, perhaps there was a great emergency or perhaps he thought he was funny (which he was not). Either way, I was crossing along on a snowy road and being hurried along by someone in a car. Needless to say, by the time I was crossed the intersection, I was just down-right irritated!

   Arriving at my own car, I started thinking about how the driver was really quite rude and if I had slipped on the wet and wintry conditions, that would have created a potentially serious hazard. I felt my irritation grow. But, after I had cleaned off my own car and given myself a few minutes to cool off, I thought about how the driver could not have known that my knee was hurting or how I was concerned with slipping. I’m not excusing this or justifying the behavior. I’m simply stating that we are often unaware of a bigger picture.
   Sometimes, we have pedestrians in front of our ideas, policies, practices, and they resist change. They hem and haw their way along (or at least we think so), while we are attempting to move forward. How tempting to roll down the window, “hurry up!” Otherwise, I will run over you with progress, change, and the newness of life. I may not be aware of their pains, fears, and aversions. They may not understand why I am attempting to move forward.
   So, be careful when crossing the street, and be mindful of the pedestrians. You may just be one of them.

Skid Strips

2011-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

   There is a beautiful marble piece outside of the door, worn smooth with many shoe falls. It’s really a great piece of stone, but every time it got wet – it got really slippery. So, a thin ice film or just a little cover of moisture, and that beautiful stone becomes a polished stone that might as well have an oil covering. So, every time I would walk on it when it was wet, it required some fancy footwork – or a little bit of ice skating. Then, one day I walked there, and outside the door on the marble, there were black skid strips. I had a moment where I was just a little sad. Such beautiful marble and now covered in thick black lines. Then, I stepped over it and was very glad about the safety that was now there.

   There are other things in life that appear beautiful. But when you actually step over to examine it more closely, you find your feet slipping out from under you and the beauty changes to danger. It’s at that moment, those big thick strips are such a comfort and safety. Footing becomes firm, the door opens, and instead of doing a face plant against the threshold, I can actually step across it.
   When a danger presents itself, when a trouble starts it’s sing song of worry and dread, when fear works its way in slowly and subtly – look for the thick black skid strips. Look for the thick black skid strips in the Bible, in the Word of God, as you seek out the truths and peace He offers. There is nothing quite like it.

New Day

2011-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

Celebrate - It's a New Day

Stuck

2011-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Ow, ow ow ow ow ow!!! Somehow I managed to catch my hand between the phone and the plastic phone case. It was stuck on a pants pocket and I couldn’t get it off my pants pocket or my hand. Let me set the scene….

   Buddy, the puppy needs to go out and I put his leash on him and we go out. I grab a hat on my way out the door. After a text, and trying to put the phone back into the case one handed with a leash being yanked on by a happy hyper puppy, somehow my a small chunk of skin got caught in the phone case with the phone. Thus, here I am standing outside in my rubber boots, hat, and with the puppy on the leash declaring to the entire neighborhood, ow ow OW! My attempt to release my hand wasn’t working and it was really jammed in there, I couldn’t just pull it out. So, I dashed inside and got assistance to get my hand free! Thank heavens for helping hands!
   So, what did I learn besides putting your phone back into it’s case should be done only with two hands and adult supervision? Sometimes, you need someone else to help untangle you!
   Matthew 18:15 tells us, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” We were not made to be solitary creatures, but to rely on each other as one part of the body relies on another part to function. There are times when we can work through a problem, just us and God. However, there are other times when we need someone else to come along beside and teach.

Anticipation

2011-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have been counting down, three weeks, two weeks, and now I am down to days. Soon, weather permitting, dear friends will be here for a visit. I cannot explain the joy I have at seeing them again, as these are such dear people in my life. I plan for their coming, how can I make it extra special? What can we do to make wonderful memories? And yet I know that the simple time spent together will be the most special of all.

I think this must just be a taste of what it’s like in heaven. As our Lord prepares a place for us, He is counting down – oh, only two more years, weeks, months, days, hours, minutes, etc… until I can finally hold my friend and sit and talk with them again face to face. How I long for that and want everything to be just perfect for their arrival. The anticipation of a God who loves His children – that is a great thing.

Young at Heart

2011-01-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

No matter your age, I encourage you to remain young at heart. Not, childish in choices or immature, but young in retaining and excitement and wonder of the discovery of the world. I witnessed a child yesterday examine something small and common place, a door stop. A piece of rubber, triangular shaped with the purpose of holding doors. I pass it every day and haven’t really noticed it in months. And yet, here he was, squatted down as only a toddler can do, investigating as only a toddler does. The young at heart there in living, moving color.

Go, investigate and discover your world. Learn, try, be brave, be daring – notice the everyday, it just might be extraordinary.

Simeon’s Bucket List

2011-01-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

   Do you remember the movie that came out several years ago, about two men who were approaching their deaths. They decided that there were things that they wanted to do, a list of things prior to (sorry for the cliché) “kicking the bucket.”

   It’s not really such a bad idea to have a list of goals, of desired accomplishments in a life. But, what should that list look like? What should I put on there? It struck me yesterday morning, kind of an out of the blue thought, that Simeon had an excellent bucket list.
   Simeon was a man who lived in Jerusalem and was waiting to see the Messiah before dying. This was not just the top thing on his list – this was his list. What an amazing concept, of making seeing Jesus your bucket list. What would the side effects be? If our true focus and goal is to see Jesus, then I believe we would see numerous unexpected changes in our lives. Our perspectives would shift, our choices would change, slowly but surely our ideals and ideas would come into line with God’s will. We would start to experience peace, joy, and love in new and wondrous ways.