Are you waiting?

It requires much more courage to stand and wait and still not lose heart or lose hope, to submit to the will of God, to give up opportunities for work and leave honors to others, and to be quiet, confident, and rejoicing while the busy multitude goes happily along their way. - L.B. Cowman

No Shifting Shadows

I was joking with a friend a few weeks ago that I think I have a crush on my neighborhood Walgreens.  It’s just so good to me, makes my life so much easier, and always has a surprise for me when we meet.  This week, however, I think I may have found a serious contender for my affections in Half-Price Books.  I get giddy just approaching the door!  I could spend hours exploring all manner of subjects and never run out of things to discuss.  And, talk about surprises!  I never ever leave there disappointed.  This week, Half-Price was especially good to me.  There was a wonderful new journal covered in brightly colored butterflies (mariposas) that might as well have had my name on it, like it knew the time had come for me to start a fresh book of blank pages.  Next, I went right to the novel I was hoping to find, and as a bonus, found the sequel tucked away on the clearance shelf for just a dollar!  And, for those nights when I just don’t feel like writing or reading, there was Season 1 of ER just waiting to entertain me.  It doesn’t hurt Half-Price’s chances in the competition for my affections that Bueno is close by, either. 

Of course it’s silly to have a crush on or feel romanced by a pharmacy or a bookstore.  I know this.  But, it is great fun to find such delight in such simple pleasures.  And, ultimately, I am reminded that “every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) 

This week, I’ve had a lot of conversations with God that have started out with, “But what about …?”  Questions I just don’t have answers to right now.  Tonight, as I came home with all my simple pleasures and drew a bubble bath, I was reminded of this post from earlier this year.  And, it was as if the Lord said to me, “Kristen, it’s still Me, the One who took great joy in delighting you on that day, in working all the little things together for your good.  I am He.  I am the One providing for this day, too.  I have not changed.  I am every bit as committed to your good.”  I’m pretty sure a deep sigh escaped me as I let that truth roll over my mind and quiet all my questions.  

The Endless Supply

This morning, like most days, I have song lyrics stuck in my head.  What gets stuck in my thought loop varies widely from day to day, but some times, it does me well to pay attention to what's there.  This morning, I find myself humming "I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life" from the song Hungry.  -- Well, actually, prior to googling the correct lyrics, what I was singing was, "I am weary, but I know Your love does not run dry."  I'm cool and mix verses like that sometimes. --  I have a point, and I'm getting to it, promise.

Just before I got out of my car this morning, I heard Chris Tomlin's Everlasting God on the radio and couldn't help but focus again on the line that says "You won't grow weary."  And, for a month now at least, I've been listening to Matt Redman's You Alone Can Rescue which has two different lines I really love.  The first says, "Our shame was deeper than the sea, Your grace is deeper still," and the second says, " When our hearts were far away, your love goes further still."

So, putting all of these ideas together, here's my point. God's got an endless supply of all that we need.  When I'm weary, His is the touch that empowers me to keep going, gives me life.  When I'm empty, His is a love source that does not run dry.  When I'm at the end of me, He does not get weary.  (That one still baffles me!)  His grace far exceeds my shame.  His love will always outrun my rebellious heart.

Psalm 139:5, "You hem me in before and behind - You have laid your hand upon me." 

Lessons from the Altar

^{Genesis 22:9} When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. ¹² "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

Hebrews 11: ¹⁷By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." ¹⁹Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

It is not often that I get to experience the agony of laying something I prize on a sacrificial altar. I’ve come to realize there simply are not that many things in my life I cling to with such a fervor that releasing them would equal sacrifice.  Recently, however, I’ve had that opportunity.  After wrestling for far too long with something very valuable to me, I laid it down.  And, I’ve learned just a few things already in the process of surrender.

First, while I could have told you all day long that Jesus is enough, it’s entirely different to make that claim when your hands are still full.  There’s nothing like the moment you let go of all your other prizes and realize He is still enough. Jonah 2:8 says it like this, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." 

Second, there is great comfort in the character of God.  Sacrifice hurts.   But, there is great comfort in knowing that He is good.  And, He is trustworthy.  He does not call me to painful choices without grand purposes.  I am resting in His good character.  As David Platt says, “God’s sovereignty is our safety.”

Finally, the fear of the Lord means that all other fears must bow to my desire to please Him.  All the wrestling with and clinging to the things I must ultimately lay down comes from a fear of things other than the Lord.  Scripture is replete with promises for those who fear the Lord, and I want to be someone who can claim those promises. When Abraham laid Isaac on that altar, God said, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.”

I hope I will not sound heretical if I hypothesize for a moment.  Based solely on my own experience, I do wonder if Abraham’s experience at the altar was not so that God would know for sure where Abraham’s allegiance lay, as much as it was for Abraham to know.  I suspect the Omniscient knew Abraham’s heart, just as I am confident He knows mine.  It is unlikely to me that God learned anything new at that altar.  But, Abraham?  Abraham was probably still unpacking the lessons from that altar on his dying day. 

Romans 4: ²⁰Yet [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²²This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." ²³The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,²⁴but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

How Are You Living?

We’re living like [God]’s sovereign over all things and loves us deeply as His children. - Matt Chandler

I heard this today, and I was immediately fascinated by the thought, “What does it look like to live like that?”  Am I living like God is sovereign over all things and He loves me deeply as His daughter? 

The combination of realities is so poignant.  God’s sovereignty all by itself can be terrifying, often leaving me feeling helpless and confused.  But God’s sovereignty combined with his prodigious love toward me?  That takes my breath away.  That soothes every ache and calms every fear.  That is the very best kind of news.   It changes everything. 

Leadership Summit 2010: TD Jakes

How do we get that passion that exists in us to infiltrate those we lead?

Church leadership is unique.  People don’t come to follow you.  They come to follow Jesus.  They came to follow Him, but they get stuck with you.

#1 You have to make sure your leadership comes from a divine place.

We cannot be clones when it comes to passion.  It’s not about mimicking other people.  People will get tired of following a cheap copy of a great original.

Success is not maintaining.  People follow people who move, people who take action, people who take risks. I need a sense that I’m on a mission that’s bigger than me.  Make sure the passion doesn’t get diluted or polluted as it flows down. 

When God gives you people to work with you, they are assets right out of His treasure chest.  When God gives you people, He’s given you something He really cares about. 

#2 Make sure that the team around you delivers on the promise that you projected.

Passion is not emotionalism.  Passion is the fuel that makes the engine go.  Passion is the force behind it, the intensity.  I’m not asking you to be emotional.  There’s nothing wrong with being emotional.  There’s something wrong with being led by your emotions, but there’s nothing wrong with being emotional.  Passion is what makes people leap out of bed in the morning.

If you only surround yourself with people who do what you do, they compete with you, but they don’t complete you. 

Teammates are not confidantes. 

Confidantes are people that are for you.  When you’re up.  When you’re down.  When you’re popular.  When you’re not popular.  If you have two or three in a lifetime you are a blessed person.

Constituents.  Constituents are not for you, they are for what you are for.  They work with you and serve and volunteer because they believe in the mission. Don’t try to hold people too tightly who are meant to come and go.

Comrades.  Comrades are against what you’re against.  They’re an asset if you know how to use them.  If you don’t know how to use them, they’ll end up fighting you.   You don’t want to kill the fight, you want to direct them to the target. 

Test: If someone can read a look from across the room, they share your spirit.  You work best with people you read well.  You cannot be lead by people you cannot read because then the job becomes trying to read.

If you’re going to lead like Jesus, you have to be willing to show them your wounds and let them see who you are.  Jesus showed up after the resurrection and did not go to the crowds, he went to the disciples and showed them His wounds.  

The Leadership Summit: Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink – “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us”

Hypothesis: We all have three drives. 

Biological Drive

Reward/Punishment Drive (If…then rewards)

3^rd Drive: to connect, to be part of something larger than yourself, etc.

If you begin with the wrong assumptions, no matter how hard you work, the endeavor won’t go well.

False assumption #1: Human beings are machines.  If you press the right levers in the right way, people will pretty much do what you want them to do.

False assumption #2: Human beings are blobs – passive and inert.  Truth: We are engaged and active.

Three key elements of motivation:

• Autonomy
• Management
• Management is a technology designed to get compliance.
• Management fundamentally does not lead to engagement.
• Autonomy produces engagement:
• Time - when?
• Team – with whom?
• Task - what?
• Technique – how?
• Mastery
• Purpose

Performance reviews are not authentic conversations.  They are more like North American kabuki theater. :-) 

What pronouns are you using?  Are you a “we” organization or a “they” organization?

Anything good in life begins with a conversation: great romance, great business ventures, great revolutions …

Leadership Summit 2010: Jeff Manion

Okay, so if you've been skipping or skimming my Summit summaries, you should read this one.  I'm just saying ...

Jeff Manion's talk entitled "The Land Between" was quite possibly one of the most moving Summit speeches I've heard to date, and after 3 years of incredible presentations, that's saying something!

The land between, is the part of the journey between here (Egypt) and there (Canaan).  It's the place where our language is liberally sprinkled with "for now."

The land between is fertile soil for complaint. (Numbers 11:1-6)
The problem with the Israelites complaints is that they weren't complaining against circumstances, they were complaining against God.  Their ultimate complaint was that He was not enough.

The land between is also fertile soil for a leadership meltdown. (Numbers 11:11-14)
Throw yourself into spiritual leadership, and you will have moments when you come to the end of yourself.  Often times, we are prepared for disappointment, but we're not always prepared for YEARS of disappointment.

The land between is fertile soil for God's provision. (Numbers 11:16-17)
God's provision for Moses, a broken leader, "Bring me 70 elders ... they will help you ... you will not have to carry the burden alone."  What if God is good?  What if He is gracious?  What if He says, "As you open your hands to release the burden, leave them open to receive the blessing."?
Numbers 11:23, "Is the Lord's arm too short?"  Are you questioning God's character or His competence?

The land between is fertile soil for God's discipline.  (Numbers 11:18-20, 31-34)
Loving parents bring effective and timely discipline on beloved children.  Discipline is inflicting pain for redemptive purposes.  We are naive to think that we are immune from God's corrective hand.  Discipline is pain for the purpose of rescue.

The land between is fertile soil for transformational growth.  (Numbers 11:24-25)
The land between is where God whispers, "I need you to trust Me."  When you travel through the land between, your heart is in danger.  There are choices to be made that will determine who you are in the future.  Moses poured out his heart before God in the land between while the Israelites complained about God there.  The place that you hate is the soil where God can do some of His richest and deepest work.  The space in your life that you most resent is the very soil where God wants to produce the crop we so desperately desire.  Trust evicts complaint.  They are incompatible roommates.

I Know the Peace Maker

³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"  ³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Last week, during our community group discussion at Commons Church, we talked about the fact that authority is the key to peace.  Then I heard a speaker at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit (Have I mentioned I was there last week?) say that “Trust evicts complaint. They are incompatible roommates.” So, my conclusion is this:  When I trust whoever has the authority in a situation, I will know peace without complaint. 

Authority [uh-thor-i-tee] (n.) – the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine

This morning, I read the passage quoted above from Mark 4, and I was blessed to the core with the reminder that I know the Peace Maker.  Jesus is the Authority.  He can be trusted.  At a time in my life when I often feel like I’ve got more questions than answers, I am thankful for this reminder.  


Speak to storm inside of me and Your voice will calm the sea.
All of my fears completely cease as the storm gives way to peace. 
- Lyrics to Speak to the Storm by Gina Greek Funderburg

Leadership Summit 2010: Andy Stanley

I.  All organizations have tensions that are never resolved and problems that are never solved.  Great leaders leverage those issues in a way that creates progress for the organization.

• Examples: Home/Work, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Sales, Systems/Flexibility, Leading/Shepherding
• If you resolve these tensions, you only create new ones.
• Resolving these tensions creates barriers to progress
• Progress depends on the successful management of these tensions

II.  How to distinguish between problems to solve and tensions to manage:

• Does this problem or tension keep resurfacing?
• Are there mature advocates for both sides?
• Are the two sides really interdependent?

III.  The role of leadership is to leverage the tension to the benefit of the organization:

• Identify the tensions to be managed (not resolved)
• Inform your core about what those tensions are
• Continually give value to both sides
• Don't weigh in too heavily based on your personal biases
• Understand the upside of the opposite side
• Understand the downside of your side
• Don't allow strong personalities to always win the day.  We need people who will passionately champion a side, and mature people who will understand a tension that's never going to be resolved.
• Don't think in terms of balance, think in terms of rhythm.  There is a time to lean in heavily and a time to lean away.

Leadership Summit 2010: Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton's talk was titled "When Leaders Fall."  It was definitely not the feel good session of the conference, but it was well delivered and certainly valuable information for any organization.

Hamilton opened with a sad statistic.  I almost wrote "startling" statistic, but I'm afraid I wasn't all that surprised.  In 2006, 30% of 1,050 pastoral leaders surveyed admitted to sexual impropriety.

Hamilton says the church has four options when it comes to addressing fallen leaders:

1. Say Nothing -- let the rumor mill run its course
2. Be Evasive -- let the rumor mill run its course
3. Denounce sin and Distance Yourself -- the "scarlet letter" approach
4. Transparency, Honesty, Compassion, and Grace

He went on to share five strategies for resisting temptation.

1. Remember who you are.
2. Recognize the consequences of your actions:  Will I feel better or worse?  Will I want others to know?  Who will this hurt?
3. Rededicate your life to God.  When you recognize temptation, Stop. Drop. Pray.
4. Reveal your struggle to a trusted friend.  The power of temptation is in secrecy.
5. Remove yourself from the situation.  Sometimes avoiding sin requires radical action.

The best line of Hamilton's talk came toward the end as he discussed the church's responsibilty to respond to a broken or hurting or fallen family member.  The final word of the church must always be grace.

Leadership Summit 2010: Tony Dungy

I really like and respect Tony Dungy.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading his first book, and I suspect his second and third are equally worthwhile.  However, I did not take many notes during his session as Craig Groeschel interviewed him, so this post will be brief.  Four key quotes/ideas.  Ready.  Go!

• Stubbornness is a virtue ... if you're right. 
• The Lord sometimes has to short circuit even our best plans for our own benefit.
• Do not mistake hours for productivity.
• Why would you let anyone stop you from doing what you love?

Leadership Summit 2010: Christine Caine

Session 2, Part 2: Christine Caine

Maybe it's because she's a woman.  Maybe it's because she's got a cool accent.  Maybe it's because she quotes scripture as easily as she breathes.  Maybe it's because she's passionate about an issue and doing something to change it.  I can't say why for sure, but Christine Caine's is the talk that continues to echo in my mind two days later.

Christine Caine is the founder of A21, an effort to abolish human trafficking in the 21st century.  Christine boldy asks the question, "How is it possible in the 21st century, on our watch as the church of Jesus Christ, that human beings are being packed into shipping containers and sold into slavery?" 

I think what I appreciated so much about her audacity is that her Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is rooted in her hope in the power of Jesus Christ.  She says mildly, "I'm just old school enough to believe that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world."  I want to be that old school, too!  She challenges Christian leaders saying, "We have a responsibility to lead people out of a place of hope.  If we don't believe we can make a difference, why get out of bed?"  

Another of her thoughts that keeps ringing in my ears is this, "The truth of the Word of God is more powerful than the facts."  In other words, we ought not be deterred by circumstantial evidence.  God's Word is alive and active and powerful. His truth is bigger than whatever it is we think might stop us.  

Her call to Christian leaders is to take risks fueled by Hope rooted in Christ.  She tells a charming story about purchasing a flashlight for her young daughter.  As she handed the child the flashlight, her daughter says, "Mommy, let's go find some darkness!"  Christine likens this to the call for believers.  We have the Light of Christ, and our purpose is to go find the darkness and light it up!

Leadership Summit 2010: Jim Collins

Session 2:  Jim Collins - "Never, Ever Give Up"

So, just as the full import of Bill Hybels' words about leadership and the challenge to listen and heed God's whisper were hitting my heart and mind, Jim Collins took the stage.  It was only session two, and I was beginning to take notes on auto pilot.

Jim Collins is best known for his book, "Good to Great" and his leadership theme is all about studying what sets apart great leaders from good leaders.  Highlights from his talk:

• Good is the enemy of great. I think I could stop and write a whole blog about this thought alone.  The temptation to settle for good is enormous at times, but great is what I'm after.
• Great is not a matter of circumstances.  It is a matter of conscious choice and discipline.  Greatness never happens on accident.  
• Any leader can fall, many do, but some don't.  There are 5 stages of decline for any organization. Often, it is possible to look healthy on the outside, but be very sick on the inside.
• Stage 1: Hubris born of success.  It is not success to that leads to failure, it's hubris - outrageous arrogance.  Humility is the signature that sets apart great leaders.
• Stage 2: Undisciplined Pursuit of More.  Always regulate growth by asking whether or not all of the key seats on the team are filled with FANTASTIC people.  If they're not, resist the urge to grow until they are.  
• Stage 3: Denial of Risk and Peril.  Never confuse faith with facts.  Never confuse the need for absolute faith that you can and will prevail ultimately with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of today.
• Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation.  Greatness is never a single event, it's a cumulative process. Greatness is disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought taking disciplined action.
• Stage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death.  If you measure your success by money, you will always lose.  Winners have an answer to the question, "What will be lost if we leave?" and it gives them a reason to endure the struggles.  The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.

To Do List:

1. Do your diagnostics.  (www.jimcollins.com) 
2. Count your blessings.  When we begin to account for all the good things that we did not cause, it's humbling.
3. Fill the seats on your bus with FANTASTIC people.
4. With your team, create an inventory of the brutal facts, ie: Why we can't stay "here". 
5. Create a "stop doing" list to go beside your "to do" list.
6. Define results, recognize milestones.
7. Double your reach to young people by changing your practices without changing core values.
8. Set a BHAG (Big. Hairy. Audacious. Goal.)

Leadership Summit 2010

Session 1: Bill Hybels "Whispers of God"
Bill Hybels is the one constant at the Summit from year to year, and he does not disappoint.  Ever.

• Leaders move people from "here" (Egypt) to "there" (Promised Land), and they don't begin by telling people how great and wonderful "there" is.  They begin by explaining to people how awful "here" is and why we simply cannot stay any longer.
• Great leaders know that it takes FANTASTIC people to get from "here" to "there".  Great leaders build their teams based on 4 C's: Character, Competence, Chemistry, and Culture.  Truly fantastic team members are those it would make you sick to lose.
• Leaders recognize that people are most vulnerable in the midst of the journey from "here" to "there," so they celebrate milestones all along the way.  Great leaders recognize that vision leaks, so they regularly refill people's vision buckets.
• Great leaders know that nothing significant happens without direction from God. (John 10:27)  Great leaders believe that God still speaks and position themselves to hear His voice.  

Haunting Take-away Questions:  When God whispers, will you do everything in your power to heed His voice?  Is God's whisper enough to change the course of your life?

Because I'm Thankful

So, I usually save my thanksgiving posts for well Thanksgiving, but it just so happens that I'm feeling uber thankful right here at the beginning of August.  Shoot me.

• I am thankful that there are some ridiculously godly women in my life who are stinking fun to know.
• I am grateful that the a/c in my apartment works well.
• I am thankful that my pastor tells the lawnmower salesman about Jesus.
• I am grateful to work for an organization that provides for me to attend the Willow Creek Leadership Summit every summer.  I can hardly sleep I'm so excited about the next two days!
• I am thankful that there was a pool where I've been housesitting during this insane heat spell!
• I am thankful that God accepts my most honest prayers, especially when I'm sure I'm not saying it right.
• I am glad that when I feel absolutely crazy, He speaks peace.  
• I am thankful for my family and how they love each other and how they love me.  Wow.
• I am thankful that Walgreen's sells jugs of tea for times when I'm a little scatterbrained and forgetful.
• I am grateful that the Gospel is for Christians.
• I am thankful that I know God doesn't allow pain without purpose.
• I am glad there's a skip button for times when I don't like the song that just came on.
• I am thankful there are options for "mainstream" people who don't like "whiny" music.
• I am glad I have a blog where I can say what's running through my mind late on a Wednesday night and know that nobody has to read it.  

Strength In Weakness

Update:  Anita just called.  The wrong has been made right.  She just wanted me to know.  :-) 


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10


So, continuing with the theme of "rain" this week, I'd just like to say that when it rains it pours.  The pleasant showers I was hoping for have come more in the form of thunderstorms.


This week, I feel weak.  Every day, I come to work, and I just hope I can get through the day without making any major mistakes or allowing my weakness to upset anybody else's proverbial apple cart.  (I'm getting good with the cliches!)


This morning, however, Anita called.  Anita, my precious friend, a former client, someone God uses repeatedly to bless my socks off.  She was frantic, pouring out a story of someone who had used her Christian faith to manipulate her into a bad situation then sent her on a guilt trip when she stood up for herself.  She told me she was just calling to make sure I was in my office because she was coming to pray through it with me -- she needed my strength.  "This is bad, this is very, very bad," I thought to myself.  What have I left to give her this morning?  I have no reserves this week.  


And, of course, you know what happened next.  That Voice. That still, small, powerful, soothing Voice.  "Give her Me."  


Before I even had time to formulate a plan, Anita showed up.  She came inside my office, shut the door, sat down, and began telling her story.  And, the tears I hadn't yet shed today poured down my cheeks for her.  I listened.  I assured her she'd done nothing wrong.  I asked about other areas of her life and heard a glowing report of how she is doggedly pressing into Christ for her every need.  This woman has overcome more obstacles in her lifetime than you can conceive of were you to sit and count all day.  And, we prayed.  Grasping both hands, we bowed our heads and asked God for miracles.  I prayed until I ran out of words, fearful that what I had to offer her this morning might not be enough.  (Foolish, I know.)


When we'd finished praying.  We hugged, dried our tears, and then she said, "What do you need me to do today?"  I just stared at her.  "I've got time on my hands, how can I help out around here?"  I took her back to our warehouse/thrift store where I knew she'd be a welcome help.  As we passed others in the hallway who greeted her and asked how she was doing, she smiled brightly and said, "Oh, I'm blessed!"  


It was the most beautiful demonstration of Christ's power made perfect in weakness that I have ever personally witnessed.  And, then I was reminded of a story about Moses from Exodus 33 and how he insisted that the presence of God lead him and the Israelites or they would not move.  How I pray His presence would be so evident in my own life!



Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 

And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."  Exodus 33

It's Beginning to Rain ...

I’m coming to believe that nothing inspires a true fear of the Lord in me like a demonstration of Jesus’ magnificence.  This has been one seriously “Crazy or Jesus” week, and as I sit here at the end of it, having just witnessed another marvelous provision of God, I am struggling to find words for the things I am thinking and feeling.

This week alone, I have seen the Lord speak, counsel, and provide by His Spirit, by His Word, and by His Church in such specific and unique ways that I can find no other explanation for them but Christ alone. 

And, I vacillate between two responses to such grandeur. 

First, I am reminded of the story of Peter’s encounter with Jesus in Luke 5.  Having fished all night to no avail, Jesus comes to the fishermen and commands them to let down their nets one more time on the opposite side of the boat.  They are doubtful, but obedient, and they pull up a catch so large it strains their nets.  And Peter responds to Jesus, “Depart from me; I am a sinful man!” 

To be allowed to experience the grace of God in such personal ways tempts me to cry out, “God, don’t you know whom you are blessing?!  I am a sinful woman.   It’s too much.  It’s too wonderful.  It’s more than I can take!” But, Peter didn’t yet understand the grace and mercy of Christ.  He did not know that all his sin would be covered by Christ’s righteousness.  He didn’t know he could boldly approach the throne of grace and find mercy.  This leads me to my second response …

It’s ironic that I wrote earlier this week about praying for rain and carrying an umbrella because what I’m discovering today is that I’d much rather stand in the rain, face turned up, arms spread wide, and allow this incredible awareness of God’s extravagance to wash over me than to hold up an umbrella to shield me from it. 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7

Summer Reading List Recommendations

This summer has afforded me the luxury of doing a lot of reading, and I've got some books I'd like to recommend.  There's no particular order to this madness, just a list of what I've read so far.

1.  This Just In by Bob Schieffer ... I picked this one up on the clearance shelf at Half-Price Books, and it's been a delightful read.  I didn't know much about Bob Schieffer or his career, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that he is a Fort Worth native.  Many of his stories center around places very near and dear to my heart!
2.  Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers ... So so good.  I'm super late to the party on this series.  I can't even explain why I put it off for so long, but I cannot say the last time a fictional work had such a profound impact on my spiritual thought life.  Remarkable.
3.  The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield... I'm not done with this one yet, but I'm enjoying it enough that I figure it's okay to tell you about it.  This is the story of the Guinness family of brewers from Ireland and how their faith has impacted their family and so many others over whom they've had influence.  Fascinating.
4.  The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin ... Charles Martin is by far and away my favorite fiction writer. He weaves a story and paints a picture with such captivating detail.   A friend suggested his writing to me a little over a year ago.  I read the first book, then went out and bought everything else he'd written.  This latest story did not disappoint in any way.  Beautiful.
5.  The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns ... Wow.  This was the surprise of the summer.  I downloaded an audio version of this book for free from www.christianaudio.com, and had it saved on my computer for several months before deciding to give it a try.  I am so thankful I did.  Richard Stearns is the US President of World Vision, and the first section of this book is the story of his own unlikely arrival at that position.  He has such a gift for blending story and scripture and statistics and history into a challenge for believers.  I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
6.  Radical by David Platt ... I hate a band wagon.  Since everyone I knew was talking about this book, I almost didn't pick it up at all.  Besides, I'd heard that if I'd already read Francis Chan's Crazy Love, then I didn't have to read Platt.  However, I do love books on cd, so when Mardel ran this one on sale half-price, I picked it up and put it in my car.  I'm now wishing everyone I know would read/listen to this book.
7. The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson ... putting this on my list is kind of like admitting there's some Miley Cyrus on my summer playlist.  It's pure, unadulterated fun.  This series of stories about a family of orphans who decided to share a last name and form a bond that carries them long into adulthood was a wonderful escape.  I can't say it challenged me spiritually or taught me anything about life in general, but it did help me appreciate my friend-family and make me smile a lot.

Praying for Rain and Carrying an Umbrella

Occasionally, I am impressed to pray something so specifically that I feel convinced it could only be from the Lord.  And, for a few days, I will pray it fervently.  Then, seeing no immediate effects or rewards, the fervency wanes.  I may pray it once or twice a week, eventually resorting to a rare mention of it in my prayers.  And, generally, when I’ve all but forgotten that I ever felt called to ask for whatever that thing was, the Lord provides.  He answers out of His abundance, and I am completely stunned.  I’m as caught off guard by the answer as if I’d never asked for it, as if I’d never believed that the prompting for the asking came from Him in the first place.  It’s a silly cycle really.

Two weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a friend who’s been riding a perpetual emotional roller coaster in prayer for the last few years.  She believes she knows what the Lord has said to her, and she believes He’s affirmed that original message several times over.  But, nothing in her present circumstances indicates that an answer is on the way, so she doubts and fears and frets.   As I listened to her, I finally asked what I felt was the critical question, “Friend, what if you just decided to believe God?” What if you decided that He’s big enough to show you if you’re wrong, but as long as He continues to affirm His original word to you, you’re going to stand firm in that belief against all doubts or evidence to the contrary? 

Bold advice.  Easy to dispense.

Two days later, I hopped on my own roller coaster.  I found myself fretting at the feet of Jesus, wringing my hands and telling him all about my distress over His delayed answer to my very earnest request (the one He’d placed there!).  And, as if someone had pressed the “play” button on a recording of my conversation with my friend, I heard my own voice come back to me.  “Friend, what if you just decided to believe God?  What if you decided that He’s big enough to show you if you’re wrong, but as long as He continues to affirm His original word to you, you’re going to stand firm in that belief against all doubts or evidence to the contrary?”   I literally shook my head.  What if indeed …

A few days ago, I saw a church sign.  Now, I’m not a huge fan of church signs, the ones with the pithy sayings.  I generally find them cheesy at best, and too often obnoxious.  This one might have been a little bit of both, but it still got my attention.  It read simply, “If you’re praying for rain, be sure you carry an umbrella.”  I immediately began to wonder what it would look like to carry an umbrella – in other words, to live and act as though I expected my prayers to be answered at any moment.  How would my thinking change?  What would I do differently?  How would my conversations change?

In Joshua 6:1, the Bible says the city of Jericho was tightly shut up and nobody was getting in or out, but the Lord said to Joshua, “See I have delivered Jericho into your hands …”  Joshua would still have to march around the city wall and shout to see it fall, but Jericho was his from the moment God promised it.  He could carry an umbrella even though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.  

Thoughts from Psalm 81

Oh that My people would listen to Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!

I would quickly subdue their enemies

And turn My hand against their adversaries.

Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him,

And their time of punishment would be forever.

But I would feed you with the finest of wheat,

And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.

Psalm 81:13-16

As I set out this morning to talk about this passage, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it justice.  I'm afraid I won't be able to clearly communicate how these words arrested my thoughts today.  I am so guilty of loving to read the good things in scripture, the ways the Lord says He'll bless obedient people, but completely glossing over the dire warnings for the disobedient.  I have spoken frequently of Isaiah 30:18, and how the Lord longs to be gracious and rises to show us compassion, but just because one longs for something doesn't mean that longing can be fulfilled.  God cannot honor disobedience.  

This morning, as I read Psalm 81, I was reminded of that truth anew.  It's as if the Lord says, "If Israel, my people, would just walk obediently, I would do so many incredible things for them!  I want so badly for them to turn and listen and obey so that I can not just satisfy them, but pour out abundance on them!"  

Then my heart was pierced by verse 15, "Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him ..." My thoughts exploded with a resounding question, "What does it mean to pretend obedience?"  It's a frightening thought because somehow, deep down inside, I know it's something I'm guilty of doing.  Pretending obedience.  Faking obedience.  Doing the right things with the wrong heart.  God says those who do that, hate Him and are faced with eternal punishment.  It's serious.

Thankfully, we know that the righteous redemption of Jesus has taken away eternal punishment for all who call on Him, but it is still a sobering reminder of how seriously God views disobedience.  And, what His heart's desire is for His children.  

"But I would feed you with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." My prayer this morning is that I would not just be someone God wants to bless, but that I would be an obedient someone God can and will bless in the ways that He longs to do. 

A Quarter Century?!?

How bad is it when you start to feel embarrassed to tell someone how long you've been a Christian because it makes you sound old?  :-)
Today marks 25 years since the night I first asked Jesus to come into my heart, since I first accepted His gift of eternal life and salvation, since He justified, redeemed, sanctified, regenerated ... Often, my own theological education gets in the way of allowing me to fully celebrate this day because I'm afraid I might say it wrong and offend someone or sound like heretic to another.  Sometimes, I still wonder if I have a clue what all those big words mean.
I definitely had no idea what any of them meant on that day.  All I knew was that I was a sinner, and that God was holy (which meant He couldn't dwell with sinners), and that if I wanted to make things right with God and spend eternity in heaven with Him (which I definitely did), I was gonna need some help from His perfect Son, Jesus. Today, I feel like the blind man to whom Jesus gave sight. When people started asking him about Jesus, he exclaimed, "All I know is that I was blind, and now I see!" (John 9:25)
There are a lot of things I've done in the last 25 years of which I am not proud at all.  There are many things I'd rather forget.  But, knowing Jesus, trusting Him with each new day, taking refuge in His cross -- that's the best thing that's ever happened to me.  In Galatians 6:14, Paul said it this way, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Let it be so. 

Angry. Sad. Angry. Sad. Glad.

I am alternately angry and sad today.  I keep reminding myself that satan is a loser.  He does not win.  That is good and comforting truth for the long run, but here, today, in the short run, I'm just mad.  And sad.  He does not fight fair.  When I recognize the work of evil coming against me, I am annoyed.  I roll my eyes and feel foolish for letting my feathers get ruffled, and make a fresh determination to fix my eyes on Jesus.  Today, however, I recognize that someone near to me is under attack in a very unfair way, and I'm so angry.  And sad.  
I'd be angry and sad if it was just this one person.  But the fact that this comes after a string of similar stories coming from godly people all around me, just has me fit to be tied today.
And just when I think the anger or the sadness might take over, another emotions sneaks up on me.  Joy.
Here's the deal about spiritual warfare.  There's lots of stuff I don't know about it, but there's one thing I know for sure.  It only comes when I'm headed in the right direction.  Satan and his demons couldn't care less when I'm walking in disobedience or living a mediocre life that's not going to impact anyone here or in eternity.  And, the only way I can rejoice over that fact is when my relationship with Jesus is such that pleasing Him truly matters more to me than living in ease and without pain or trial.  And, I praise God that the friends I've shared that thought with today have agreed with me.  Jesus is better.

I John 4:4 Proverbs 18:10 I Peter 5:6-10 Matthew 5:12 II Timothy 3:12-4:5 Hebrews 1:2-3

Praying about Storms

I have a lot of family that live on the south Texas coast, all the way from South Padre Island to Corpus Christi to Houston.  I am naturally concerned anytime a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico, aware that someone about whom I care deeply could be affected.  This week, as the world watches Tropical Storm Alex travel into the Gulf, I have received a number of emails suggesting that we pray for it to miss the Rio Grande Valley or Corpus Christi, hoping that the trajectories showing the storm take a southern turn are correct.  And, it's occurred to me that this is a difficult thing for me to pray.  I can pray that my loved ones are safe.  I can pray that the storm dissipates in the Gulf.  I can pray that the winds die down or that structures withstand the force.  I cannot pray that the storm miss them and hit others, particularly, that it miss the US Coast and hit Mexico.  Not only does Mexico have a much higher poverty rate than most of the US, statistics say that less than 2% of its population claim to be born again Christians.  I cannot find it in me to pray for a devastating storm to pass over my loved ones who have means to protect themselves and/or get out of the way as well as eternal security in their relationship with Jesus Christ and hope that it strikes others much more likely to lose their homes and/or their lives with much higher consequences at stake.  I just can't do it.  :-/

Love and Humility

For someone who averages about one trip to the doctor's office every 12-18 months, 2010 is shaping up to be a very odd year.  In the first six months that I have lived alone, I've already been to the doctor 3 times for three very different issues, and I have had to ask for help from others on several different occasions.  It's never a good thing when the doctor looks at you and says, "You're single, right?  Live alone?  Do you have a very good friend nearby?":-/  Asking for help is hard enough. Asking for help when you're nauseated or in pain or need wound care at odd or inconvenient hours is an entirely different level of humility.  And, both times, I have come away from the experience with one repeating thought, "I have been loved well."  It's the only way I know to say it.  I am deeply moved by the realization that I have been blessed with friends who love me when I have absolutely nothing to give in return.  In those moments, I am completely without offering.  I feel terribly unworthy, unlovable -- and yet, that is when I know better, deeper, most profoundly that I am, in the most simple term, loved.  It seems to me that when we're "on top of the world" everyone "loves" us, but it's when we're hanging out in the depths that it is a priceless thing to find a friend still standing close.

Reflecting on the Beatitudes

<sup>Tonight at The Commons, we were "dragging the hook of the kingdom" through Matthew 5:1-10, more commonly known as The Beatitudes.  Corey, who was leading the conversation, did an excellent job of helping us gain a more clear understanding of what each of the statements means, 


Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who recognize their own poverty of spirit and need for a Savior</sup>
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, they get to live in the present reality and future hope of God's reign.
Blessed are those who mourn, those who grieve over their sin and how it grieves the heart of God
for they will be comforted, they will know that God's grace is deeper than their sin.
Blessed are the meek, those who have a humble disposition before the Lord
for they will inherit the earth, they will be lifted up in due time. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who seek God for relationship's sake rather than their own glory
for they will be filled, they will have as much of Him as they desire.
Blessed are the merciful, those who demonstrate toward others 
for the will be shown mercy, they will see understand with greater clarity the mercy they've been shown.
Blessed are the pure in heart, those whose heart intentions and actions are aligned with their desire to please God
for they will see God, they will recognize God at work in and around them and experience an increased intimacy with Him
Blessed are the peacemakers, those who actively strive to convey the message of reconciliation between God and man
for they will be called sons of God, they will be known as God's children carrying out His message.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, those who suffer for choosing to live rightly set apart as unto the Lord
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven, they live - both now and in eternity - under the blessed rule and reign of Christ.

The most profound thing that occurred to me tonight as we looked at this very familiar passage came toward the end of our conversation.  I'd been jotting down notes, and all of a sudden, I looked down the list of " "beatitudes" and noticed a pattern.  I believe there may very well be a progression as you move through the list.

Those who recognize their poverty of spirit, mourn over their sin, and therefore, adopt a disposition of humility before God.  The humbled and aware of their need, they hunger and thirst for right relationship with God.  Having been granted the the gift of that righteousness that is not their own but the gift of God, they freely demonstrate mercy toward others in need of the same gift.  Their righteousness allows them to approach God with purity of heart and mind and to commit themselves to proclaiming the message of peace with God (reconciliation) for which they are persecuted, yet able to rejoice having inherited an eternal reward.

I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but it really resonated with me.  As we looked over the list and began discussing which ones we were "good" at or "bad" at, I began to think about my own life and realize that until I truly understood "poor in Spirit" and my need for a Savior, I never stood a chance at understanding or developing anything else on the list.  I couldn't mourn over my sin apart from that understanding.  I couldn't be humble before the Lord as long as I was still clinging to pride.  I couldn't hunger and thirst for Christ's righteousness until I understood that I had none of my own.  I couldn't show mercy to others until I understood how much mercy I'd been shown.  I couldn't align my heart with my actions in a pure way before the Lord until I understood that obedience was about a desire to please Him not impress Him or others.  I couldn't actively proclaim the message of peace until I'd experienced genuine peace with God.  And, I'd never rejoice through persecution if I didn't consider the rule and reign of my precious Savior to be the utmost reward.

New Morning, New Attitude

Can I just say that I personally think one of the most brilliant things God ever did was create mornings?  I mean seriously.  We get to start over every single day.
I woke up this morning and not a single thing had changed about my circumstances and the things that had me so miserably frustrated last night, but somehow, knowing I had a whole new day to approach it energized me afresh.  I got to lay there before I even opened my eyes and repent of all of yesterday's temper tantrums and commit afresh to walking graciously through whatever today brings.  I got to wash my face and brush my teeth and pick out clean clothes and remind myself of all the things that do matter and repent of all the things that don't.
And, I was reminded of Psalm 17:15, As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Some People Don't Believe I Get Grumpy

My morning began with the song "Blessed Be Your Name."  As we sang the line, Blessed be your name when the sun's shining down on me, when the world's all as it should be ... I thought, "Yes!  That's today, Lord.  Things are GOOD.  You are good.  Blessed be your name!"  I didn't think it lightly, either.  I've sung that song plenty of times with tears streaming down my face as I choked out the words Blessed be your name on a road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be your name. I never take for granted the days when I can sing the words with joy.  

After church, I met my mom and dad for lunch, and felt really privileged to be able to actually buy their meal for once!  We had a great visit, and I was in a great mood as I got back to my apartment early in the afternoon.

Then I discovered the broken hot water heater I called maintenance about had not been fixed.  And the cover to the light fixture in the shower was still laying on the bathroom floor.  Then I lost my phone and was forced to use facebook to find someone to call it for me which always frustrates me.  My day was going downhill fast.  I had a brief recovery when Erin and I made a trip to the mall for some window shopping and a snowcone.  But, I came back home to fix dinner and had a mom-question.  I reached for my phone, sitting on top of my purse on the counter just over my kitchen sink.  As I pulled the phone away from the purse, it slipped from my hand, bounced off the counter top, and dropped right to the bottom of the coffee pot full of water sitting in the sink.  And, now it is dead.  And, I am in a seriously foul mood.  And I can't even call and whine about it to anyone - which is by far the worst punishment for a verbal processor. 

Earlier, I was shopping online for a new laptop I've convinced myself I really do need.  Now, I'm shopping for a replacement phone instead because when I bought this one about 8 months ago, I told myself (and the store clerk) in one of my more genius moments that I didn't want insurance since I'd never used my cell phone insurance in the past and this was by far the cheapest phone I'd bought yet, so I definitely wasn't going to insure it.  Doh!

I want to just be grumpy.  I want to believe I have an excuse to just be grumpy.  And throw a big ol' pity party.  And wallow in it.  Dia would tell me to go in the closet and pick out a new attitude.  My mom would tell me to put my big girl panties on and deal with it.  My great grandmother would have told me I could get glad in the same clothes I got mad in.  Angela would tell me a sad story about finding a spider in her house, and hope feeling sorry for her made me feel less pitiful for me (it didn't).

And, all evening long, a bridge keeps playing in my head ... You give and take away, You give and take away, My heart will choose to say: Blessed be Your name! 

This is not a road marked with suffering.  It's just a hitch in my giddy-up.  I do think I'll go to bed early and hope things look better in the morning, though -- just in case. 

By the way, the hot water mysteriously started working again about 30 minutes ago.  

I Call Him Daddy

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,he leads forth the prisoners with singing ... Psalm 68:5-6

Father's Day sometimes makes me feel a little guilty.  I had no say in choosing my father, and yet, I managed to get one of the finest men around -- and I'm the ONLY one in the whole world who gets to call him Daddy.  It's staggering really when I think about it.  And, it makes me feel like I'm bragging when I talk about him - 'cause I kinda am.  


However, it's impossible in my line of work -- or really, just as a citizen of humanity -- not to think about those who don't have this wonderful swelling pride that bubbles up at Father's Day.  Unfortunately, I often feel like I know more people than not who don't exactly feel all warm and fuzzy when this day roles around. 

This year, as I've thought about something new I could say about my wondeful Dad, I've been thinking about his influence in the lives of others.  David Horton is a world class counselor, mentor, and friend.  And, he's funny.  People seek him out on a regular basis because of this.  And, he patiently listens and provides wise and gentle feedback. 

This Father's Day, I may be the only one who gets to call him "Daddy" but I am aware that there are many whom the Lord has blessed by placing him in their paths, giving them a surrogate father and family - some for a season, others for a life time.  And, I know, that like me, they too will have a clearer picture of their Heavenly Father because of it.

Coming Up Short

In the practice of confession this week, I was treading very slowly, choosing my words with extra care. My sister finally said, "spit it out, my ears can handle it!"  Chagrined, I admitted, "it's not your ears I worry about; it's my own dignity I'm still trying to preserve."  I've thought about that conversation a lot.  The absurdity of my attempts to confess my own wickedness while maintaining some semblance of respectability would be comical if it were not so pitiable.

She graciously heard what I needed to say, listened carefully, without passing judgment, then boiled it all down to a simple statement that I hope will haunt me for a long time to come.  "At some point, you're going to have to decide if you love your sin or if you love Christ."

I've known for a long time now that I am guilty of stopping short of radical.  I want enough of Jesus to be usable.  Even better, I want to be "blessable."  But, I always shy away from crossing the line into radical.
The problem is, there's no such thing.  I've drawn a false line.  I can't be usable or blessable without being radical.  I can be dignified.  I can have the respect of persons.  I can own nice things.  I can hold honored positions. I can bask in my meager accomplishments.  But, I cannot be Spirit-filled, Christlike, God-glorifiying without full surrender of myself, my will, and my delusions of dignity.

It is a strange thing to fear and yet crave the humbling that I know must come.  I cannot pray daily to love what God loves and hate what He hates, then expect that He would allow any amount of pride to go unmortified.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Adventures in Volunteer Direction

At the very top of the application we have all new volunteers fill out, there are three blanks:

Date of Application: ___________ Orientation: ________________ Tour: ___________________

To be fair, most people don't know what to put in those second two categories, so they generally leave them blank.  (They are places for me to mark the date and initials of the person who provides the volunteer orientation and tour.)

Occasionally, though, some over-achiever decides to think really hard and make their best guess at what goes in those blanks.  Generally, I get a "yes" or "no" next to the tour line, and more often than you'd imagine I get the word "straight" next to orientation.  Today, however, I picked up an application with the word "black" next to orientation.

Seriously?  A) I don't think it's remotely appropriate or necessary for me to know someone's race or ethnicity in order for them to volunteer for us.  B)  If I were going to ask for that information in an application, would I really put it on the very top line of the form?  And refer to it as "orientation"?  Really???

And I was worried my job wouldn't be as interesting working with volunteers rather than clients ...

Papa's Antics

It has been well-documented on this blog that I love my Papa -- and that I might be a little bit like him.  This weekend, my family is gathering to celebrate my cousin Gina's wedding, and the festivities began today.  While I arrived in Harlingen this morning, I didn't get to see Papa until dinner time.  But, in the last four hours, he's provided more bloggable entertainment than I'll ever be able to record if I wait until I get home!

1.  He showed up at dinner with a mini satellite TV in his shirt pocket.  FOX News was glowing from his chest, and blaring, but he was so wound up, he didn't even hear it, just kept talking over it until we asked him to turn it down.  Then, he muted the TV but left it turned on and kept right on talking.  Karen captured the moment for me -- if you look closely at Papa's left shirt pocket, you'll see what I'm talking about. (Pay no attention to Gina -- not only is she the bride, today was also her birthday, so she was hamming it up!)

2.  Papa was so excited about meeting new "family" -- Gina's in-laws -- that he talked nonstop throughout our entire meal.  The rest of us were eating ice cream before he'd even looked down to take a bite. At one point, Uncle Vance, stole his plate.  When Papa looked down, a little confused, Nana asked him, "Gene, did you eat your sandwich?"  And he honestly said, "I don't know.  I think I might have."  LOL!  We packed the sandwich up in a to-go box, and he brought it home, then offered it to me as a late night snack -- it's still sitting on the counter.

3.  On the ride home from dinner Papa informed me that he's got someone he wants me to meet.  I'm thinking a lady in their church who does women's ministry or something like this ... He then proceeds to tell me about a "fine young man" in their congregation that loves Jesus.  Papa knows this because this man carries his Bible with him (to church) and it looks like it's been used.  He hopes this man will come to Gina's wedding because Papa invited him.  Those of you who think match-making parents are trouble -- just wait till your grandparents get in on the game!

4.  At the house, where Nana and Papa have lived for a good 25 years, he proceeded to show me the way around, including lessons on how to leave the light on in the bathroom in case I think I might need it in the middle of the night, how to turn the a/c up and down, and how to use their home phone (even after I told him I had my cell phone with me). 

5.  Nana and I were sitting on my bed visiting when Papa came to get me to rescue him from his "computer emergency."  He'd somehow gotten a folder full of pictures stuck in the sidebar of his desktop and couldn't figure out how to get it off there.  He said he let it frustrate him for a few days, then he remembered "the cavalry is coming" and waited for me to arrive.  I figured it out relatively quickly, and he thanked me at least 5 times and told me how proud he is of me before he went to bed.  It's the little things, I guess.

6.  As he was shutting things down for the night, he told me NOT to turn the TV off in the living room (the one beside the "happy tree" aka: Christmas Tree that hasn't been taken down yet) -- said when he turns it off, it gets fuzzy and has to be reset, then he winked and told me, "Besides, when it dies, I can buy a new one ... a bigger one!" 

This is just Day One, folks.

In Case You Need to Be Reminded

I am blessed to work in a place where people pray together, regularly.  Each Wednesday morning, we are invited to meet together for prayer and devotions led by various staff members.  Today, our administrative assistant shared from Isaiah 41:18-20, then read the quote copied below.  If you’re in need today of a reminder of just how extravagant God’s love and care for you are, I cannot encourage you strongly enough to shut your doors, turn down your music, and read these words aloud. 


I will make rivers flow on barren heights, 
and springs within the valleys. 
I will turn the desert into pools of water, 
and the parched ground into springs.


I will put in the desert 
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. 
I will set pines in the wasteland, 
the fir and the cypress together,


so that people may see and know, 
may consider and understand, 
that the hand of the LORD has done this, 
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. - Isaiah 41:18-20


We are profoundly impressed with the unlimited resources of the God of the Bible.  He never does anything small.  When He makes an ocean He makes it so deep that no man can fathom it.  When He makes a mountain He makes it so large that no one can measure or weigh it.  When He makes flowers, He scatters multiplied millions of them where there is no one to admire them but Himself.  When He makes grace, He makes it without sides or bottom and leaves the top off.  Instead of giving salvation with a medicine dropper, He pours it forth like a river. 


When God sets out to do a thing for us, He does it with a prodigality of love-prompted abundance that fairly staggers one who reckons things by the coldly calculating standards of earth.

Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960)