No Excuses -- Especially When God is with Us

If anyone ever had good excuses, it was Moses.
When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses had a whole list ready.

"I'm not good enough."
"I don't have all the answers."
"What if they don't believe me?"
"I don't speak well."

Sound familiar?
Most of us have our own version.

"I'm too old."
"I'm too young."
"I don't have enough experience."
"I'll do it -- someday."

The truth is, God has never been limited by our limitations.
He simply asks for our willingness.

I've reached the age where I could probably come up with a dozen good excuses every morning. My knees occasionally remind me I'm not thirty anymore, my reading glasses have become permanent companions, and if I sit too long, my body negotiates with me before standing up!

But I'm discovering something wonderful.
God isn't finished with me yet.

The Bible says, "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Notice it doesn't say, "Sit on the sidelines and explain why you can't run."
It says, RUN!

Not someone else's race. Our race.

God has uniquely equipped each of us with gifts, opportunities, and people to encourage. We may not all stand behind a pulpit or climb a mountain, but every day offers another opportunity to love, serve, forgive, encourage, and share the hope of Christ.

One day, the only thing that will matter isn't how many excuses we had.

It will be whether we trusted God enough to say, "Here I am, Lord."

When I reach the finish line, I don't want my life to be remembered for all the reasons I couldn't.
I want it to be remembered for all the reasons God could.

So today...no excuses.
Just faith.
Just obedience.
Just trust.
And let's run our race with joy until the Lord calls us Home.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Shaping Worries Into Prayers

I've had several things on my mind recently. Actually -- several people on my mind and praying daily for each one.

A nephew facing the possibility of losing a foot. A godson recovering from kidney surgery. A friend enduring dialysis four times a week. Then my precious bonus daughter, recovering from shoulder surgery. Another friend has daily cancer treatments. Yet another dear friend is preparing for knee surgery.

Goodness -- before long, my heart starts carrying their burdens -- and my burdens feel heavier than I was meant to carry.
Maybe you've been there too.

Then I remember something important -- while these concerns may feel enormous to me, they are not overwhelming to God.

The Lord who created the mountains, hung the stars in place, and knows the number of hairs on our heads is fully aware of every detail.

"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)

What a comfort!

Then, I put on the TV and I start to worry about world events, wars, rising prices, and all the uncertainties that seem to fill the news. Sometimes I think if worrying burned calories, I'd be in excellent shape by now!

But God never asked us to carry the weight of the world.
He asked us to bring it to Him.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." (Philippians 4:6)

I especially love how The Message Bible paraphrases that scripture:
"Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers."

What a beautiful picture!

Like a potter shaping clay, God can take our anxious thoughts and mold them into something better -- trust, peace, and deeper faith.

The circumstances may not change overnight.
The surgery may still happen.
The treatment may continue.
The answers may take time.

But something changes within us when we place our worries into God's hands.

Our hearts become lighter because we're no longer carrying the burden alone. We don't carry the weight by ourselves.

We can leave them with THE ONE Who can do and will do something about it! We can shape it into a prayer and leave it with our Father God Who is still on the throne, still in control, and still working all things together for good.

To put a stamp of approval on this blog, in the words of an old song, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there!" Now, that's what I call -- burdens that are worth surrendering!

#burdenstoblessings #prayerchangesthings #LetGoLetGod

What's Puzzling You?

We made it back home to Austin from Crested Butte Monday night. And, I'm carrying precious memories with me -- like the mountain views, family laughter, delicious meals, and one very determined group of women.

Last year, Amelia and I tackled a 1,000-piece Colorado puzzle she purchased in a quaint shop on Elk Avenue. We were determined to finish it -- and we did!

For Amelia's birthday last month, we gave her another 1,000-piece puzzle featuring beloved television classics like "The Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, MASH, The Love Boat, Mork & Mindy and many more.

Well, let me tell you, that puzzle became serious business.
Amelia, Cathy, Marilyn, Beverly, and I couldn't walk past the table without stopping to add "just one more piece."

An hour later, we'd still be standing there searching for that elusive little piece hiding in plain sight.

The grand finale came when Amelia, Cathy, and I placed the final pieces into position.

Victory!

As I watched us celebrate, I couldn't help but think how much life resembles a puzzle.

Sometimes we stare at a situation and can't figure out where the next piece belongs.

Sometimes we search and search for answers that seem nowhere to be found.

And sometimes the best thing we can do is walk away, take a breath, and come back with fresh eyes.

Life can be puzzling.
But God isn't puzzled.

He sees the finished picture while we're still sorting through the pieces.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

What comfort to know that when we can't see how things fit together, our Heavenly Father can.

The older I get, the more I realize that God rarely hands us the box top. Instead, He asks us to trust Him one piece at a time.

So if something is puzzling you today, don't lose heart.
Keep trusting.
Keep praying.
Keep placing one piece after another into God's hands.

Our Master Creator already knows exactly how our picture turns out. I think that's a message all of us need to remember.

And unlike our puzzle, He never loses a single piece.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6)

#puzzletime #Godisfaithful #whatspuzzlingyou

Bringing in the Sheaves

 

This morning, I woke up singing an old hymn I haven't heard in years:

"Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

Now, I'll be honest. As a child, I sang those words with great enthusiasm while having absolutely no idea what a "sheaf" was.

For all I knew, it might have been a Bible character, a casserole, or a distant relative!

A sheaf, of course, is a bundle of harvested grain gathered from the field. The hymn is based on Psalm 126:5-6:

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy."

The picture is beautiful. Farmers work hard, planting seeds and trusting God for the harvest. They don't see results overnight. They wait. They pray. They persevere.

Isn't that a lot like the Christian life?

Many of us have loved ones who don't know Jesus. We've prayed for years. We've shared our faith. We've planted seeds of kindness, encouragement, and truth.

Sometimes we wonder if anything is happening.

But God is always at work.

The harvest belongs to Him.

Perhaps "bringing in the sheaves" means more than gathering grain. Maybe it's about seeing people come home to God. One heart at a time. One prayer at a time. One act of love at a time.

I think about grandparents praying for grandchildren, parents praying for prodigal children, friends praying for friends, and believers quietly sharing God's love wherever they go.

We may sow the seeds, but God brings the growth.

So let's don't give up on the people we've been praying for.

Let's keep loving.

Let's keep believing.

Let's keep sowing.

One day, by God's grace, we'll stand rejoicing at the harvest and discover that not one prayer was wasted.

And until then, if an old hymn pops into your head before sunrise, just sing along.

We never know what lesson God is planting in our hearts.

In the meantime -- let's keep bringing in the sheaves!

#Harvestime #BringingInTheSheaves #KeepSowing

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.