Sweet Communion

Yesterday our Crested Butte crew (aka Carl's daughter and son-in-law and his siblings and spouses) -- made attending church a priority. Yes, that's what those of us who put God first in our lives do! God first. Worship first. Being grateful first.

Oh, how the presence of God was felt as we belted out songs of worship, joined in prayers and heard a message from the pastor that equipped us with serving our Lord even more faithfully.

After church, we took a leisurely walk down Elk Avenue -- through the Farmer’s Market – a Sunday weekly outdoor bonanza: artisans, musicians, foodies, jewelers, and creators -- all displaying their gifts like an open-air treasure chest.

Goodness! We’ve hiked, we’ve laughed, and we’ve stood still more than once, jaws dropped at the beauty that surrounds us.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1).

That’s what it feels like -- like the world slows down and bows low to the One who spoke it into being.

We've taken in so much in this jaw-dropping alpine scenery in a town that has no chain franchises -- just lots of moms and pops stores, restaurants and boutiques.

Such wonderful family time in God's vast domain! Just looking out the back window of the Gates' home, we saw four deer wandering through the beautiful landscape as if they own the place. (Truthfully, I think they do.)

Aw! Family. Stories. Jigsaw puzzles, Laughter. Memories. Prayers.

Amelia certainly earned the title of "hostess with the mostest," serving charcuterie boards overflowing with cheeses, crackers, bruschetta, and enough goodies to make us all forget our good intentions.

Not to be outdone, Cathy and Marilyn introduced us to their healthy homemade milled bread. Meanwhile, I faithfully represented the dessert category with DoubleTree cookies and banana nut bread. Every family gathering needs balance, right?

Of course, the stories have been just as rich as the food.

One favorite involves Amelia and Terrell setting out on what was supposed to be a two-mile hike with their tiny dog tagging along behind. Somewhere along the way, two miles mysteriously turned into nine. I suspect that story will be told for years to come -- and poor Terrell may never fully recover from it!

Saturday morning, Carl and the ladies walked up the mountain on a winding paved road. We talked, laughed, and breathed in the fresh Colorado air.

It struck me that this is one of God's sweetest gifts.
Not the mountains.
Not the food.
Not even the scenery.
It's the people He gives us to share life with.

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

In a world that often feels rushed and divided, these moments remind us what matters most.

Faith.
Family.
Friendship.
And gratitude for the God who gives them all.

Today, my heart is full.
And I have a feeling Heaven will feel a little bit like this -- a table full of people we love, sharing stories, laughter, and the goodness of God forever.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

Thanks, Dad -- Happy Father's Day!

Thanks, Dad -- Happy Father's Day!
This Father's Day weekend, we're here in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado, where Carl's daughter, Amelia, and son-in-law, Terrell, have a gorgeous mountain home.

Even better, Carl's brother Zane and wife Marilyn, his sister Beverly, and his brother Brent and wife Cathy are here with us. What a precious gift to gather siblings together and celebrate Father's Day surrounded by family.

We're enjoying the mountains, the wildflowers, the aspens, the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and we'd like to think we're young enough to tackle those famous ski slopes. (Let's just say we'll admire them from a safe distance!)

But while my thoughts turn to mountains, they also turn to fathers.

My own daddy passed away when I was only fifteen years old. It was just Mom and me from then on. Yet through every season, God faithfully cared for us.

Over the years, I've come to know my Heavenly Father in a deeply personal way. He has comforted me, guided me, corrected me, provided for me, and loved me through every chapter of life.

Father's Day reminds us to honor our dads -- whether they were with us for many years or only a few, whether they were perfect or imperfect. After all, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here!

So thank you, Dads! Thank you for working long hours and showing up for Little League games and piano or dance recitals!

Thank you for cheering us on when we succeeded and encouraging us when we failed.

Thank you for teaching us how to ride a bike, drive a car, balance a checkbook, or maybe just how to tell a really corny joke.

Most of all, thank you to the fathers who pointed us toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:13)

This Father's Day, let's celebrate the dads who loved us, the fathers who shaped us, and our Heavenly Father who never leaves us.

And to all the dads who may not have children of their own -- but certainly do love and care and support us -- we salute you!

Happy Father's Day!

I Give Up

 

I give up! But, help is on the way!

I remember playing "hide and go seek" and I reached the point where I threw up my hands and declared, "That's it -- I give up!"

Those were kids' games -- but I have probably said those three words more times than I'd like to admit. Usually after trying to fix a problem, solve a mystery, find a missing password, or assemble something with "easy-to-follow instructions" that apparently were written in another language.

One day, frustrated and out of answers, I dropped into a chair and declared defeat. "I give up!"

But as I sat there feeling sorry for myself, something began to change. Hope started bubbling to the surface.

Instead of saying, "I give up," I found myself praying, "Jesus, I surrender."

What a difference one word makes.

The world tells us to try harder, push further, and never quit. So we keep striving, worrying, fixing, controlling, and carrying loads that were never ours to carry.

Before long, we're hanging onto the end of our rope with both hands -- and sometimes our teeth.

God offers a better way.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Notice that God never asks us to carry everything ourselves. He simply asks us to bring it to Him.

Giving up says, "Nothing can be done."
Surrender says, "God, I trust You to do what I cannot."

One leads to despair.
The other leads to peace.

When we surrender, we release our need to know the why, when, and how. We place our worries into the hands of the One who sees the end from the beginning.

So if you're feeling overwhelmed today, don't sit at the end of your rope. Hand the rope to Jesus.
Then rest beneath His mighty hand.

Help is on the way. Hope is already rising. And the God Who cares for you is working, even now.

Sometimes the greatest victory begins when we stop saying, "I give up," and start saying, "Lord, I surrender!"

Never Too Old

A few days ago, I wrote about our adventure at Legoland in California. We spent the day laughing, riding rides, admiring giant LEGO creations, and rediscovering our inner child.

Little did I know the fun wasn't over.

On Tuesday nights, Arlene, a most precious Godly woman, in her eighties, opens her home, prepares a feast and welcomes people in from every walk of life.

We call it House Church – but it’s really about coming together to feast on delicious food, praise the Lord in song and hear a beautiful testimony of God’s amazing grace – often people once incarcerated or lived a life without Jesus give their testimony.

This week, we had wonderful speakers, Ron and Katie Brigmon, weekly attenders and ministers in prisons and leading people to the love of Jesus.

Ron is known as "Rappin' Ron." At eighty years young, he carries his Bible everywhere, ministers in prisons, and shares the Gospel with passion, poetry, and plenty of joy. Ron is also an incredible musician (clarinet and saxophone) – that started way back before “Jesus”.

When I heard he and Katie were going to be our speakers – I was inspired to write a rap honoring Ron and Katie's 56 years of marriage and ministry. So I got my game on – and before they spoke, I rapped! Oh yes I did! It was time to get my game on.

Now picture this.

This grandmother who had recently survived the Galacticoaster at Legoland giving a rap performance!

The room erupted with laughter, smiles, and clapping to the beat!

And in that moment, I realized something.

We are never too old to have fun.

Never too old to laugh.

Never too old to encourage someone.

Never too old to try something new.

The world says growing older means slowing down. God says growing older means growing wiser, deeper, and more grateful.

Psalm 92:14 says, "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green."

Whether we’re riding a roller coaster, sharing a rap, teaching a Bible study, rocking a grandbaby, or simply encouraging a friend, God still has purpose for our lives.

So let's keep celebrating His goodness.

Let's keep laughing and serving -- with joy in our hearts.

After all, we're not getting older -- we're getting better at living.

Here’s the “rap” honoring Ron & Katie:

A match ordained by God above,

A lifetime built on faith and love.

Fifty-six years they've walked as one,

Trusting Jesus till their race is run.

Some said it never could endure,

One raised in church, one less secure.

But God delights in showing grace,

And wrote a love story time can't erase.

Ron is known as "Rappin' Ron,"

Still preaching Christ and pressing on.

At eighty years, he's young at heart,

With Bible in hand, he's set apart.

His laughter brightens every room,

His faith brings hope where fears may loom.

Whether behind a pulpit stand,

Or sharing Jesus hand in hand.

And Katie, faithful by his side,

His greatest cheerleader and bride.

Her gentle strength and steadfast care

Reflect God's love everywhere.

Together they've seen lives transformed,

Broken vessels rebuilt and reformed.

Their "turf assignment" has been clear:

To share God's love both far and near.

From prison walls to open seas,

They've pointed countless souls to peace.

On cruises, too, they laugh and roam,

For where they're together, there is home.

When future generations tell

Of lives lived faithful, lived so well,

They'll speak of Ron and Katie's way --

Of serving Jesus day by day.

And when their story here is done,

They'll hear the words, "Well done, well done."

For lives that showed God's faithfulness true,

And hearts that loved as Christians do.

The years have flown, but one thing stays:

God's hand upon their lives always.

A beautiful journey, rich and long,

Still singing Heaven's faithful song.

Let's Eliminate "Just a"

Have you ever noticed how often people downplay themselves?

I asked a young woman what she did for a living. She smiled and said, "Oh, I'm just a stay-at-home mom."

I immediately replied, "There is no such thing as just a stay-at-home mom!"

After all, she was raising future adults, settling disputes, managing schedules, preparing meals, teaching life lessons, finding missing shoes, and somehow keeping everyone alive. That's not "just" anything -- that's superhero work without a cape!

The truth is, I think we should eliminate the phrase "I am just a..." from our vocabulary.

"I'm just a volunteer."
"I'm just a cashier."
"I'm just retired."
"I'm just a student."
"I'm just a receptionist."

No, you're not!!!!!
God never created a "just a" person.

David could have said, "I'm just a shepherd boy." Instead, he faced a giant.

Paul could have said, "I'm just a tentmaker." Instead, he helped change the world with the Gospel.

Mary could have said, "I'm just a young girl." Instead, she became the mother of our Savior.

And what about us?

The Bible says we are children of God, heirs of His promises, and members of His family. That's a pretty impressive job description!

Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and think our contribution is small. Yet God specializes in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

A kind word, a meal delivered, a prayer offered, a grandchild encouraged, a friend called at just the right moment—these may seem like little things, but God uses them in powerful ways.

So the next time you're tempted to say, "I'm just a..." stop right there.

Stand a little taller.
Lift your head.
Square your shoulders.
You are a beloved child of the King of Kings.
And there is absolutely nothing "just" about that.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Embrace the greater truth -- God has never created a single "just a" anybody! Let's own who we are -- hand made by the Creator. Now that's what I call a SOMEBODY!

Young at Heart

Our family reunion in Carlsbad, California ended with a "Let's go to Legoland"! There I said it and we did it. WHAT? A couple of oldies and a middle-age daughter took to adventure.

Hold it!! I need to explain!

The grand finale at the family reunion was the annual Silent Auction. Family members spent the morning bidding on everything from treasures to treats, with proceeds helping celebrate graduates, new babies, and other special family milestones during the year.

Oh, but it didn't stop there -- Carl saw four auction items that stated: Legoland California -- 3 tickets each. Carl's thought and action was: "Why not?" Determined to stay as young as possible, he placed a bid on one of those 3-tickets' auction items to Legoland. AND, he won his bid.

I thought, "How cute!" After all, I remembered taking my grandchildren to the Legoland Discovery Center in Grapevine, Texas -- a wonderful indoor world of LEGO creations.

But this was different -- uh, not just different -- it was above and beyond what we expected -- a 128-acre theme park!

A gorgeous 75 degrees outing awaited us! Carl, our daughter Veronica, and I found ourselves wandering through an enormous park filled with life-sized animals, cities, landmarks, and creatures -- all built from millions of colorful LEGO bricks.

We took a jungle boat ride past giant dinosaurs and marveled at the creativity everywhere we looked.

Then I had what some might call a questionable idea.

"Let's ride the roller coaster!"

A few minutes later, we were strapped into the Galacticoaster, a space-themed adventure that launched us through twists, turns, and enough excitement to wake up every creaky joint in my body.

As we blasted through the darkness, I laughed and wondered, "Lord, is this ride taking me straight to Heaven?" Not this time! LOL!

For a couple of hours -- we were children again. It was wonderful -- the awe and wonder of everything we saw and did!

And perhaps that's exactly what Jesus had in mind when He said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

Jesus wasn't talking about childishness. He was talking about childlike faith -- humility, trust, wonder, and complete dependence on our Heavenly Father.

Children don't spend their days worrying about tomorrow. They trust. They believe. They receive joy freely.

Maybe that's a lesson some of us need to relearn.

No matter our age, God invites us to approach Him with the faith of a child, the wonder of a child, and the trust of a child.

So let's go ahead -- laugh a little louder, enjoy the ride, and embrace the joy God gives us today.

After all, growing older is inevitable.

Growing old at heart is optional.

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A Humility Checkup

Every now and then, it's good to stop and take a spiritual checkup.

The Bible gives us a simple prescription:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Notice that God starts with humility.

That's not always easy for us. We live in a world filled with opinions, predictions, advice, and enough social media commentary to last several lifetimes. It's easy to think we have all the answers for our nation, our neighbors, and even our family members.

Then God gently reminds us, "You're not in charge. I am."

I've discovered that humility is a lot like vegetables. I know it's good for me, but sometimes I'd rather have dessert.

Unfortunately, one of God's favorite desserts is Humble Pie.
I've eaten more than a few slices over the years.

Just when I start feeling pretty confident about my health, my wisdom, or my ability to juggle life's responsibilities, something creaks, squeaks, or quits working altogether.

One day I'm walking on sunshine, and the next day I'm looking for my reading glasses while they're sitting on top of my head!

Humility reminds us that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God. Our health. Our strength. Our families. Our opportunities. Even our next breath.

Humility isn't weakness. It's recognizing where our true strength comes from.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30). If the Son of God depended on His Father, how much more should we?

So today, let's keep our hearts teachable, our prayers sincere, and our dependence on God strong.

And maybe -- just maybe -- we can avoid another serving of Humble Pie.

Although if God decides we need a slice, we can trust that it will be exactly what we need.

After all, humility looks good on every one of us.

Remembering Our Roots

This last weekend, we attended yet another family reunion -- this time celebrating Carl's grandfather and grandmother, Russell & Ruth Noble. They have long passed on but the family carries on -- and this time it was in Carlsbad, California.

What a weekend!

Family members drove and flew in from near and far -- ages from 92 years old to 3-months old. There were hugs that lasted a little longer, laughter that echoed a little louder, and stories about Grandpaw Russell Noble's mischievous adventures that somehow seem to get funnier every year.

The theme was simple but powerful -- "Remembering Our Roots."

And underneath those words was this beautiful reminder:

"Our family is a circle of strength, founded on faith, joined in love, kept by God -- together forever."

The hosts went above and beyond. There were welcome bags, coasters, bookmarks, keychains, pens, water bottles, and even hand lotion—all carrying messages about family, faith, roots, and love.

The coasters read: The Noble Family Reunion -- 2026, Carlsbad, CA
Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends,
To our dearest family -- we extend our heartfelt gratitude for joining us in Carlsbad. The laughter, stories, and memories shared are priceless. Though miles may separate us, the "Noble" bond unites us. Until we meet again. Noble Family 2026.
One favorite read:

On the water bottles, the label said: "Our roots run deep -- our love runs deeper." Everything given to us carried the message of this family's forever love for each other.

As I looked around the room, I realized something. Family isn't really built around the souvenirs we take home. It's built around the memories we make together.

It's grandparents rocking babies.
It's cousins laughing until tears roll down their cheeks.
It's listening to stories we've heard before and loving them even more this time.

It's sharing meals, desserts, prayers, and precious moments that become part of the family story.

God designed family long before He designed governments, businesses, or social media. He knew we would need roots to steady us and relationships to sustain us.

Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation shall commend Your works to another."

That's exactly what happened this weekend.

The older generation passed along stories, values, faith, and love. The younger generation listened, laughed, and created memories of their own.

One day, these children and grandchildren will be telling these stories to their children.


And that's the beauty of roots.
They grow deeper with every generation.

Thank You, Lord, for family -- the place where life begins, love never ends, and Your blessings are remembered for generations to come.

The Little Things are the Big Things

Someone once wrote, "Enjoy the little things in life because one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."

And, oh, how true that is.

I remember the little people in my life -- my children and grandchildren when they were small. Back then, my days were filled with wiping sticky faces, washing tiny hands, picking up toys that would be scattered again within minutes, and tackling laundry piles that seemed to multiply while I slept.

At the time, those tasks felt ordinary. Sometimes exhausting!

Now our youngest grandchild is 19 and the oldest is 34. Those "little things" have become some of my sweetest memories.

Life still presents plenty of little things. Listening patiently to a loved one tell a story I've heard before. Letting someone merge into traffic ahead of me. Answering the phone when an aching heart needs a listening ear.

If I'm honest, I sometimes want to skip ahead to the things that seem important -- the measurable accomplishments, the big projects, the impressive results. Yet God continually whispers, "Slow down. Pay attention. Savor this moment!"

The Bible says, "Do not despise these small beginnings" (Zechariah 4:10).

Our God has always loved small things. A widow's tiny offering. A little child sitting on Jesus' lap. A few loaves and fish. A baby born in a manger.

God often does His biggest work through what appears to be small and insignificant.

And isn't that good news for us?

Because most of life isn't lived on grand stages. It's lived in kitchens, phone calls, waiting rooms, family gatherings, and quiet acts of kindness no one else notices.

The little things matter because people matter.

So today, let's not rush through the ordinary moments. One day we'll look back and realize that the interrupted schedules, the repeated stories, the hugs, the prayers, and the simple acts of love were never little at all.

They were the big things.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10)

#LittleIsMuch #littlethingsmatter #smallbeginnings

God's Hidden Training Ground

 

Many years ago, I spent my days taking shorthand, typing letters, writing board meeting minutes, and helping put together newsletters.

At the time, I was helping support my family, but I often found myself asking God, "When will I do what You've really called me to do?"

Looking back, I smile at my impatience. What I thought was a boring job was actually God's training ground.

Isn't that just like Him?

Sometimes we dream of doing something great for God, imagining that one day we'll wake up with a sudden talent, a perfect opportunity, and a heavenly spotlight shining on us.

Instead, God quietly develops us through ordinary days, routine tasks, and even difficult seasons.

The Israelites experienced something similar. After leaving Egypt, God instructed them to build a beautiful sanctuary. Scripture says He equipped skilled workers like Bezalel and Oholiab for the task (Exodus 36:1).

I doubt they woke up one morning in the wilderness suddenly knowing how to work with gold, carve wood, or weave intricate designs. More likely, those skills were developed during years of slavery in Egypt.

What seemed like wasted years were actually preparation years.

The same is true for us.

Maybe you're caring for aging parents, working for a difficult boss, volunteering behind the scenes, or simply trying to make ends meet. It may feel ordinary, but God never wastes experience.

Trust me, even writing a daily blog comes with plenty of do-overs! My readers see the finished version, but they don't see the paragraphs deleted, the sentences rewritten, or the occasional battle with spell-check that seems convinced it knows better than I do.

Yet God uses it all.

Dear friends -- you may feel stuck in a season of preparation. Don't lose heart. The Lord is shaping your character, strengthening your faith, and refining your gifts.

The clay doesn't always understand what the Potter is doing, but the Potter always knows.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep showing up.

God is preparing you for something beautiful.

#SeasonOfPreparation #ThePotter #theclayway

S

It's All About Him

If we want God to use us, we need to remember one important truth -- it's not about us. It's all about Jesus.

That idea runs completely against our culture. Everywhere we turn, we're told, "Put yourself first. Follow your heart. You deserve it!" Yet the more we make life about ourselves, the more frustrated and empty we become.

The truth is, we were never meant to be the center of the story. God is.

The Apostle Paul understood -- he said: “Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for His sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

We may achieve success, receive applause, and check every box, but if our motives are pride, greed, envy, or competition, we've missed the point.

On the other hand, we may stumble, make mistakes, and occasionally forget a key ingredient in life -- or in banana bread. (Speaking from experience, sugar is apparently important!)

Yet when our hearts are motivated by love for Christ, God can still use our imperfect efforts for His glory.

I'll admit it -- clearly I am still on the Potter's wheel. He's still working on me and I'm still working on me. Oh, I'd like to think I've arrived -- but not so. But, I'm not giving up!

Every day, I choose to press onward and purpose in "whatever I do, whether in word or deed -- to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Colossians 3:17

What if today we made Jesus our motivation? Not success. Not recognition. Not comfort. Just Jesus.

Most of us won't preach to thousands today, but we can encourage those in our sphere of influence. And that's exactly where the Lord meets us.

May we see ourselves in the stories that point to Jesus. That's the beauty of the Gospel -- it takes ordinary moments and fills them with eternal meaning.

And, really -- this life isn't about making much of us. It's about making much of our Lord.

Now, that's a message worth carrying into every day.

#pressonward #ItsAboutJesus #OrdinaryMoments