And God Said, "Ta-da!"

When my granddaughter was little, she loved wearing princess dresses. Right from the start, she was introduced to princess-dom because her room and crib were all arrayed in princess décor. Even at our home, we had a frilly, girly room with all kinds of reminders of how special she was to us. After all, she was our only granddaughter, amongst five boys. So Alexia knew, right from the start, that she was special. Even today, we continue to remind her how beautiful, precious and special she is.

I thought about all that when I read an article by one of my favorite authors, Liz Curtis Higgs. The article was entitled “And God Said, “Ta da!”

I love that. God made the earth. God made the stars, the moon, the oceans, the dry ground. He made man and woman. And the scripture that followed was “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). In essence, God said, “Ta da!” It’s like the dramatic entrance of royalty into the court when a servant announces “I present to you…..” God made the announcement “What I made is very good! Ta da! And THAT includes YOU!”

My post today is to remind all my friends that God says “Ta-da! I present (add your name here) and I call her/him very good!” Maybe you’re not feeling so “ta da-ish” today, but maybe you should. Psalm 149:4 says “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people.” You bring Him pleasure. Maybe you don’t feel so beautiful, but maybe you need to be looking at YOU through your Father’s eyes. He doesn’t simply accept you, forgive you or put up with you. He delights in you. Think about this “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5

My grandson will be marrying his precious fiancé on October 1st. I can hardly wait to see the look in his eyes when she comes down the aisle. It will, no doubt be a “Ta-da!” moment. You better believe that he’ll be rejoicing over his bride…….but nothing can compare to the rejoicing that God has over us.

When God looks at you and me, He doesn’t evaluate us based on our family history, or how cute and spunky we are, or how popular we are. He doesn’t consider our education, our resume OR even our bank balance. What may impress others, doesn’t impress God. None of that changes how He values us. In fact, whether we behave well, or not, His love for us is unconditional. He doesn’t love us because we’re wealthy or smart or good. He loves us because we’re HIS! “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called Children of God” 1 John 3:1

I started this post out talking about my granddaughter and how she has grown up knowing how precious and special she is to us. Let me give YOU some good news. God says “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and precious and special – not just slightly attractive, but BEAUTIFUL. My mom used to say “Pretty is as pretty does.” I remember those words and they are true, but whether we are on our best behavior or not, God sees us BEAUTIFUL, because we look JUST LIKE OUR DAD. “God (Dad) created mankind in His own image.” Genesis 1:27. And that includes you AND me.

God doesn’t compare us to others. We are a unique work of His creation. And we are His definition of BEAUTIFUL. Isn’t it time we see ourselves as God sees us?

Maybe it’s time for us to stand in front of the mirror (this exercise may work better with clothes on – LOL!) and say it like we mean it…..”Ta-da!” And the ultimate “Ta-da” comes when we know that we know that our Father is holding his outstretched arms and announcing His daughter or son with the greatest pride and joy any Father could have “I see what I have made, and she/he is VERY GOOD!”

Go With the Flow

Go With the Flow
The notion of being like a bottle that just floats aimlessly with the water’s current can have both a negative and positive connotation. If we were like those who “go with the flow” of following the crowd, we could end up in quite precarious situations. For example, the young person who yields to peer pressure and follows the crowd that takes them to less than acceptable places and friendships. In that instance, “going with the flow” could lead to all kinds of difficulties.

Over the last few days, however, I’ve found myself using the term “going with the flow” in a positive, faith-filled way. There have been many things "on my plate" and weariness had set in. I was shouldering some big-deal responsibilities and I wanted to make the best decisions and I wanted to prove my abilities and strengths in them. I became somewhat anxious and unsettled. That’s when I heard those words “Go with the flow!” I remembered seeing the illustration of that plastic bottle just floating along, going where the current took it. The bottle didn’t resist. The bottle didn’t say “NO, not that way. This way is better.” The bottle was just “being” – doing what a bottle should do if placed in a current. It goes with the flow.

And it was amazing. God met me with this illustration. He is such a personal and specific God. He knows the hearts of those who love Him. And though we don't always need a word from God to get us moving -- most days we just must “trust AND obey”, relying on His Word. We don’t have to be so set in our ways, that we can’t make adjustments and “go with the flow”. I like to think of it as abandoning my way of hurdles to climb, speed bumps to cross over, and detours that take me the opposite direction. When I simply rest in the fact that His way will take me to my destination in short, fast and safe order, then going with His flow, is the way to go.

My husband was a “do it by the book” kind-of-guy. He left little room for spontaneity. He wanted an itinerary and all the specifics laid out way before we’d venture out. Then there was the day, when he won an 8-day, all expenses paid trip to Sweden. No time for planning. While we were there, spontaneously, we bought backpacks and ventured to Denmark and Germany. We rode on trains, took cabs, ferries, and bicycle carts – all without making a big deal about anything. We went with the flow, and we enjoyed adventures of our lifetime. We literally had no plans – just casting caution to the wind and free-styled through Europe.

All we did was show up and obey. God did the rest. And that, my friend, is all we have to do. Mentally, physically and spiritually, we just need to become that bottle that is at the mercy of the flow of the river. Being at the mercy of God’s best plans instead of our own, causes us to relax and enjoy the journey. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know WHO holds our tomorrows and He is the Master of the waterways.

Psalm 66:12 “You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.”

Forgive Them Anyway

Remember the good ole' days when chivalry, good manners, courtesy, compassion, sensitivity, concern for each other, patrioticism, kindness, politeness, respectfulness, graciousness, consideration, and thoughtfulness were the norm? At least, it seemed like the norm, but as I just typed that question, Eddie Haskell from "Leave It To Beaver" came to mind. Okay, I know there are just a few of you who remember Eddie, but those of us who will admit it, we remember how considerate and polite Eddie was when Mrs. Cleaver (June) was around, but when out of her sight and hearing, he was as ornery and mean as the day was long.

So, while it seems like things have changed from the past, there were always those who leaned toward the wild side, the mean, disrespectful, angry, and bitter side -- those who could find something negative in every situation, instead of looking for, and finding the good.

Case in point. Today I clicked on my FB Newsfeed when there was a news station announcing that a specific political candidate was LIVE right now. It sidetracked me and I watched it. While I watched, there were comments after comments being made, "likes and love" symbols were flashing across the screen, and "sad faces" were too. I could hardly believe how mean and angry some of the comments were and I could hardly believe how polar opposite the upbeat, celebratory and happy comments of others were on the same feed. It didn't take long for me to "x" out of that feed. Why would I want to lend myself to such rivalry? I get that people are afraid, angered, upset, and confused about this world we live in, but there is such a better way of expressing ourselves. My Mama said it best, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"

My Mama and Mother Teresa had a lot in common when it comes to loving and caring. Here's the way Mother Teresa put it:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

Dr. Whirlwind and Dr. Peace -- Relax. Trust Me.

Six years ago my sweetheart was in for another hospital adventure. We were still learning some very important lessons on our faith journey. I needed an extra dose of peace yesterday, so I thought about those lessons. I had some good reminders and thought maybe my FB family could use some of those lessons too.

During those times, our mode of operation was to seek peace first -- finding that place of relaxing and resting in green pastures -- before moving forward too quickly when making decisions or taking steps in our journey. We were faced with yet another major decision. Our primary Neurosurgeon (NS) was enjoying himself as he rode in the Tour de France. His partner was acting in his behalf -- handling our case. Unlike our Neurosurgeon, this NS was hyper, abrupt, negative, and sincerely lacked the "bedside manner" that we had been used to. When it appeared that Ron's kidneys were not functioning, when his legs were losing feeling, when a mileogram indicated that his spinal cord was being compressed, and when lab results were unfavorable, this NS said "I don't want to operate!!! I don't want to operate!!! But I will not have you go paralyzed under my watch, so I must operate! Tomorrow morning, we'll see what the lab reports say and then we'll operate if your kidney function numbers are better!! I'm posting NPO (no food or water) after midnight on your door! I'll see you in the morning" Whew!!! Whirlwind in……take a deep breath…..PEACE OUT!

It was then that I grabbed Karen's hand (Ron's sister) and said "Let's go for a walk around the hospital!" As we did, we prayed for God to encamp His angels around the hospital, for God's healing touch to Ron, for wisdom and knowledge to our medical team, and then, God gave us a sincere desire to see our stand-in NS touched by God's love, to witness the Light of Jesus in us, and to experience the same peace that we were experiencing. As we made our 6th round, we noticed lying on the grass at the corner of the hospital grounds was a Mama cat and her baby. They watched us intently, and never flinched. Immediately, we could sense God saying to us "RELAX -- peace -- I am with you -- Trust Me!" We made our final and 7th round, and just as we had not seen the cats in rounds one to five, they were gone on the 7th, but those words resonated within us. We came back to the hospital room and Ron, Staci, our daughter and her husband, Larry, were singing and praising God for the answer we knew He would give us the next morning. We went to sleep that night, completely at peace, knowing that God would be orchestrating the plans for the next day.

Early, the next morning, we were awakened by the lab technicians to draw the blood for the lab tests. At 6:30 am, our stand-in NS (aka Dr. Whirlwind) came in the room exasperated, saying "I'm so upset! The labs are not in yet and I have a surgery at St. John's in 15 minutes. I have a full day of patients that I will have to reschedule. Let me check your legs. They appear stronger. I believe you're stable. So, are we going to operate or not?" Ron, so at peace, replied, "I don't think so; I think we'll wait until next week!" Then Ron shared about his Dad's healing of cancer and lived another 15 years. We watched Dr. Whirlwind calm down, relax and experience a few moments of peace -- even though he was late for his next surgery. I asked him if he liked his work. He said, "Yes, but I can't stop thinking about it -- at work or when not at work." I said, "Then you are a dedicated, gifted physician and, obviously, God called you to do what you do. We're going to pray that He gives you balance and that you find peace." To that, he let me hug him and, in a complete shift in demeanor, he gave us his best wishes, and peaceably removed the NPO sign off the door. Ron enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Later that day, the lab results came in. Ron's kidney functions were drastically improved, his legs were stronger and we relaxed in knowing that God would cradle us in His arms….until our primary NS would return to Tulsa.

When our NS, Dr. Tomacek ada Dr. "Peace", returned, he reviewed all the excitement we'd been through in his absence and gave us his optimistic expectations about the surgery he would do in a couple of days. He told us that while in France, he went to Notre Dame de Lourdes. He said he saw thousands of people coming there for healing, and he prayed for us. I told Ron, "I choose to believe that Doc received a healing touch so much so that when he operates on Thursday, that his hands which were touched by God, will impart that healing to you." I was bold enough to believe that God uses many different ways to bring healing to us.

The next night, my sister-in-law, Karen, and my dear friend, Sheila Michie, and I, took another march/walk around the hospital. With the same fervor, determination, and faith, we expected the same peace that carried us that far in our faith journey to carry us through that surgery and onto complete wholeness. We looked for the Mama Cat and her baby. They didn't show up, but we still heard the words "Relax. Trust Me." And we did.

Stranded or Rescuer

SPOILER ALERT! At our Life Group meeting, last night, we talked about the difference in being someone who feels or is “stranded” – all alone, hopeless and they may have already determined that they wouldn’t make it through their crisis. They’ve quit on pushing on. They've given up on life. We also discussed those who are “rescuers” – those who go in to encourage, support and help rescue someone from being “stranded”.

That discussion was based on the excerpts/clips from the movie “Martian” which were brilliantly used by Pastor Craig Groeschel to make the point about the choices we make. We are either “stranded” or we are a "rescuer". That was the story of Astronaut Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon) when he was left for dead during their mission to Mars. With Watney believed dead, the mission commander ordered the remaining crew to return to their orbiting vessel without him. Mark had a choice to make: he either gives up and accepts that he is going to die or to use his intellect, drive and determination to live.

Eventually, because of Mark's abilities, mental resources and determination, he was able to communicate back to earth that he was alive, and then it was up to the mission commander and her crew to return to save him. The “stranded” and the “rescuers”.

Yesterday, I posted a photo of a man slumped-in-his-chair with drink in hand. The tagline said, “Many people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75." I think that speaks to those who are “stranded”. They are stuck in mediocrity, have given up pursuing their dreams and visions, and serve no one else. They serve themselves with defeat, lack of motivation, and have essentially “died” to a life of potential and possibilities. On the other hand, there are those relentless, selfless, inspiring, and undaunted people who are the “rescuers” – not only are they their personal rescuer, but they rescue others by building them up, encouraging them, loving them through this season of their lives.

Mark Watney said, “I’m not going to die here” and he didn’t. Just maybe it’s time we get the fortitude and attitude that says “I’m not giving up….until I’m taken up! And, while I'm still here, I'll be a RESCUER!"

Go Outside and Make Soup

“I’m so bored!” Famous words from kids during their summer vacation. Did you complain of boredom when you were a kid? I did. My Mom’s reply to that – “Go outside and make soup.” WHAT? Oh, I knew what she meant. She wanted me to go outside and play, because that's where we had lots of "play grounds" that resolved boredom. Playgrounds that offered great imagination and adventures. We had a Mimosa tree in our front yard. We kids would take the bean pods from it and break it up into a big bowl. We’d add the leaves, seeds, pods and flowers from it and other trees, and add a little dirt for seasoning. We didn’t eat it, but we had so much fun pretending we were cooks. That little pretend scenario was one of many we imagined. We pretended to be school teachers, and sometimes we did some things that required bravery – like riding our bicycles – no hands, or climbing trees to get into our "club house". Sometimes our imagination went too far. I’ll never forget the trouble my friend and I got into when we wanted a swimming pool and dug an 8 foot by 8 foot by 1 foot hole in my backyard. We were finally caught when we were adding water to “our pit”. I’ll bet you can remember some wild and crazy adventures when you are a kid. Those adventures sure did break up monotony and boredom.

Even more so as adults, we know that adventures break up monotony and the same oh, same oh routines. That’s why our family loves fishing in lakes, ponds AND in oceans.

"Boredom” isn’t a word used in my vocabulary any more. I seem to be flying by the seat of my pants….quite regularly. In a moment’s notice, you might find me hitting the road to go see my kids in Texas, or taking off to a fun location or venue with friends, or volunteering for yet another ministry outreach.

Here’s the thing -- God didn’t create us for boredom! In John 10:10, Jesus said “I have come to give you LIFE, and LIFE more abundantly!” The question is “Are we taking Him up on His offer?”
We are always being “pushed” to be more, do more, experience more, celebrate more, live life larger than ever before. Here’s another great verse. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing and they will do EVEN GREATER things than these because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

So, why sit in the pit of boredom, complacency, and idleness when there's so much to see, so much to do and so much to experience? This world is the greatest ";playground". Why be "dead men and women walking", instead of people who are alive, imaginative, creative AND adventureous? After all, this ABUNDANT LIFE is ready for us to enjoy it to the fullest.

Birthdays Really Matter

I’m heading back home today after several days of celebrating my son’s birthday. I brought Payton and Alexia (my daughter’s two) with me to Austin and yesterday Larry and Staci drove down after having just returned from a missions trip to Mexico the night before. Our family is BIG on birthdays, and while it may sound child-like to make such a big deal about birthdays, it really shouldn’t, because birthdays mean we made it through another year, and we're still here for a reason. That should be a BIG DEAL to us!

Yesterday I heard a lady say “I’m not having any more birthdays. In fact, I don’t even know how old I am anymore.” And I quickly replied, “Goodness gracious, I'm thrilled to celebrate my birthday. It means I made it through another year." I heard Christine Caine's remarks about birthdays. She said, "The older we get, we downplay having another birthday. We don't want any 'big deals' or ANY attention given to us having another birthday. How silly it is to throw a gigantic, blow-out of a birthday for a one-year old. What has a one year old done to deserve that birthday? Those who have been here for half a century and more are the ones to be celebrated. For goodness sakes, every year that we're still here, we deserve fireworks, celebrations, recognition and tributes..... because we EARNED this birthday and every other birthday! We made it another year."

Let’s be clear – it’s not as much about the presents, as it is of the PRESENCE of those who love us and make us feel…..”I am special”.
Here’s the real crux of the matter: You may not have had the ideal family life or have the perfect body OR be the “sharpest tool in the shed”, but you always were and always will be a treasure, and on your birthday, you get to rock that truth.

Birthdays say, “You’re special!” That’s what we do with the red “special plate” where we go around and share why “the birthday boy or girl or man or woman” is special to us. Birthdays say, “Hey, you, you’re great! I’m so glad you’re in my life.” And that’s why birthdays are a big deal – because birthdays represent our God-given mission and destiny and every year that we’re here, we get to celebrate our journey.

And with each year.....we have the opportunity to celebrate -- not for just THE day, but EACH day that God gives us. Celebrating it with a merry heart, a glad heart, a thankful heart, a forgiving heart, a heart open to the abundance of God's love and bringing forth fruit, being vigorous and flourishing.

I have a dear friend who doesn't wait for someone to throw her a party. She throws a birthday bash for herself, and she invites us all to join her for her BIG DAY. I love that. She knows she is special to us AND God, so, of course, we celebrate her.

So, today, whether you or 6 or 60 or 96.....you are to be celebrated. You're still bearing fruit. You're still here....you're not done!

We've Been Together From the Start

This day holds so many precious memories. Today is my son’s birthday. It's hard to believe this many years have passed since that little man sat in his high chair at the end of the table. He changed our lives, and he is changing the world beause he cares about people and making a difference in their lives. He lives his life with purpose and passion. He is relentless in his pursuits and won't stop until he finishes what he starts.

My precious son, I loved you before I met you. You knew my voice and my heart beat before anyone else’s. You were my second love in the world – I was your first love. You and I grew up together -- literally – a young Mom that new little of raising a boy to a man. I made many mistakes along the way, but with God’s help and your Daddy’s help, you made it! It seems like I blinked and no longer did I have a little boy. Now a strong and mighty man stands where that precious little man used to be.

It comes with the "mother" territory -- it doesn't matter how old you get, you will always be my baby boy and I will cherish that forever.
I know, you know, that I love you so much. Thank you for loving me, and for letting me hold on, even though there's just a strand left in my apron strings.

Though I no longer carry you in my arms, I will always carry you in my heart. You will always be my dream come true. You filled my days with so much happiness and joy. And now, today.......you are still my dream come true. No one else can claim this important fact…I am your one and only Mom, and you are my son. I’m thrilled to see where the next years take you. With your tenacity, passion, and determination, that has always been evident….there are no limits. I love you so much and I am so grateful that God blessed me......with YOU!! Happy Birthday, my precious SON!

Keep Smiling!

Yesterday’s visit to the dentist with my two youngest grandsons, inspired this post today. I saw that sign on the wall, and of course it called for a photo opt with my two boys. The smiles on these two boys remind me of the joys of a smile and the importance of a simple smile:
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1. Smiling can make us happy (even when we're not).
2. Smiling can make others happy.
3. Smiling makes us more attractive.
4. Smiling can help us de-stress.
5. Smiling can help us land a job, win friends, open the doors of opportunity.
6. Smiling can lead to laughter.
7. Smiling just feels good.

But, with so much to look perplexed about these days...who will be our next president, how to keep our families safe, how to earn enough finances to keep afloat, dealing with a physical issue, how to calm the storms in our lives – how can we possible muster up smiling all the time?

Even more loving and caring than our parents when we were kids, is our loving and caring Father God who wants to help us "worry less and smile more often". As God's children, should we worry and fret? Would He teach us to walk, to watch us fall? Would He give us life, to watch us fail? Would He be nailed to the cross and then disregard our prayers?

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us -- so let's purpose to WORRY LESS and SMILE MORE OFTEN! I think that's exactly how our DAD wants us to live -- complete trust in His wise and sovereign ways that ensure we are in His loving care.

I'll take that! I'm smiling BIG! How about you!

Got WISDOM?

I'm reading the Bible through this year, but more than just reading, I'm pondering the words I read. This month I'm in the Book of Proverbs I've noticed that the central theme is found in Chapter 4:7 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; yes, with all your getting, get understanding."

In yesterday's reading, I was inspired for today's post, especially in the light of this political whirlwind that seems to consume our media, our conversations, and our hearts. Oh, how I wish that our politicians cultivated these words in their lives. Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Verse 16: "How much better to get wisdom than gold!"

It's obvious that there is a battle going on. A battle for our hearts and our minds. There are two camps, two sides, each claiming to have wisdom. Each claiming truth. Each telling us what we need to do to be successful in our lives. Ironically, we need wisdom to choose between these two forms of wisdom. If ever we needed wisdom to determine who we believe has the most wisdom, we need it today.

So how do we get wisdom? The Apostle James is a big help in this matter. In James 1:5, he says “ Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone." This wisdom is a wisdom from God. The Old Testament prophets taught that the fear of the Lord was true wisdom. True wisdom is to look to God, to worship him with our whole being, to let Him rule and guide our lives. To let Him and His teaching be the foundation of all we do.

We’ve seen that wisdom in different people’s lives and actions. We see it in their families, generation after generation serving the Lord. We see whole families -- from the grandparents to the grandchildren all worshiping the Lord together. This is the harvest of sowing the seeds of God’s wisdom. We see it in families who live in harmony and who are able to express their love for each other and who are able to disagree with each other in healthy ways. Families and relationships that can survive through difficulties, and not just survive but thrive. We see co-workers who can sort out their differences. We see people who have a gift of bringing harmony and unity in a tense and possibly explosive situation. We see God’s grace lived out in their lives and in their interactions. We see this because these people are following a wisdom that is pure, considerate, and full of mercy, instead of a wisdom that is full of envy, bitterness, and selfish ambition. THIS wisdom is what our Country needs.

Every day of our lives we must make a choice. A choice to follow the wisdom of the world or the wisdom of heaven. It’s an important choice because it will impact not just us, not just our eternal situation, but it will also impact the generations to follow. It will impact whether we harvest a crop of disorder and evil or a harvest of righteousness. Essentially every day we must ask ourselves, “What kind of wisdom will I follow?”

Just maybe the change we desire in our country, is the change we need to start in our own homes and families. What if our little seed of wisdom was the mustard seed that God could use to start the ripple effect into our cities, our states, our country and our world?

Let there be wisdom in our Country and in our leaders......and let it begin in ME!

Great is Your Faithfulness

My “ROCK-solid” foundation came as a result of having parents that loved and served God with all their hearts. Our church seemed to be our second home. We were in there whenever the doors opened – oftentimes five times (or more) a week. I’m a lifelong Sunday School girl, and my memory bank is packed full of children’s songs (with the hand motions that accompanied them), as well as all the verses of many hymns and choruses. There are so many beautiful songs written today and sung by incredible artists, but when I find myself humming or singing a tune, it’s usually one that goes way back. One of my favorites is the old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.“ written in 1925. The lyrics come from Lamentations 3:22-24 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness."

Nighttime – seems to present the toughest times when sleep is disturbed by worry, concern and fear. I remember, as a little girl, having a bad dream or one of those awful virus bugs, and the long, long, nights that seemed like they would never end. I remember very long and troubled nights when my young children suffered from an illness or were afraid of something and they’d crawl into bed with us for comfort. I remember the many painful nights that my sweetheart struggled for rest and peace in his body. But, in every nighttime interruption of sleep, I remember the sweet mornings that eventually came, when hope and comfort was restored. Surely, the line of the song that said, “Morning by morning new mercies I see…..” was so true. Those mercies ARE new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness to us.

Typically we don't wake in the morning thinking about God’s mercies. We’re already in the “to-do-list” mode. Rather than listing God’s mercies, we’re listing our concerns and worries for this new day. In my morning prayer time, I really do endeavor to adore, worship and thank God before I go into my "needs and wants" list. That old hymn rolls around in my head and instead of all those needs, wants and desires, I start to hum the tune I’ve known since childhood. And it reminds me of the God who has loved me since long before that.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

That “All I have needed” part is what makes me stop and be thankful. Do I really believe that “all I have needed His hand has provided? Do I live like I really believe that? The list is so numerous when I start to ponder His faithfulness to me – my 25+ year old washer and dryer that continue to work so faithfully, my strength and good health that I never take for granted, my precious family, my friends, my churches, my 6-year old car, my sound mind, my dishwasher, microwave, stove, refrigerator, fresh water, warmth in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, living in America, for the kindness of others, for the internet and Facebook, for food and clothes. And, so many more things that can be added to God’s faithfulness.

God’s faithfulness is new every morning in hundreds of different ways. In all the ups and downs, disappointments and joys, the good times and the bad....there is this one thing that doesn’t change -- God’s faithfulness.

I so desperately want to become an expert at believing that. Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.

Anxious and Worried

I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about the newest game, Pokemon GO. There are many various opinions about whether it is a fun game which endeavors to get people off their couches and out to get some activity in their lives or that’s it’s an evil scheme to bring harm to children and families. I'm not discussing the pros and cons, but I'm amazed at the things that create instantaneous crazes. It's said that Pokémon GO is the most popular mobile game in American history. In one week’s time, there were over 15 million downloads of the game. The app instructs players to use their mobile devices to catch Pokémon characters in the real world. It has sent multitudes of people into streets, parks, malls and even my church parking lot looking for such virtual creatures.


It seems one of the main reasons for the popularity of Pokémon GO is that it provides a distraction from a world that lives in anxiety and worry about the frightening atrocities that have been happening.

Sunday’s scripture reading at my church was from Luke 10:38-42 – the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha’s home. If you’re a server, by nature, like I am, you can only imagine what that meant: clean the house…to spotless, get out the best dishes, and go shopping so you can serve your personal best meal. I’d be busy for days getting my menu perfected. So, yes, I have a tendency to side in with Martha’s angst about her sister who was just sitting at the feet of Jesus while she did all the work. Mary was grasping hold of every word Jesus spoke. He was the royal Guest of Honor and she didn’t want to miss a thing He had to say or even a moment to be with Him.

On the other hand, dear Martha was feverishly getting all the fixin’s ready to serve His her Lord a meal that could satisfy Him beyond description, and give Him the honor He deserved.

Father Bryan V. Brooks gave me a new perspective about that story. He talked about “Discipleship in our active, daily life.” He went on to say, “When Jesus addressed Martha about her busy-ness, He didn’t speak to her about her hospitality. He said 'You’re ANXIOUS and WORRIED about MANY things. There is only the need for one thing.' Anxious and worried. Not only does it fit the description of Martha , but it describes us as well. We live in anxious times – war, violence, terrorism, politics, unemployment. And these don’t include day-to-day worries about family, work, raising children, caring for a home, running a business, caring for elderly parents, balancing family and budgets. No wonder people seek distractions in sports, in games, in looking for Pokemon GO figures in church parking lots (our church was a location where people gathered at 4 am in the morning to find the creature). The anxiety and worry can have a way of throwing things out of balance – like with Martha. Jesus gives Martha and us a gentle correction in wisdom on how to be His disciples. The one thing to be concerned about is to “listen to Jesus”. Welcoming and accepting Jesus – Jesus as the Christ – Jesus as Lord. THIS is "THE ONE THING that is necessary" – to be His disciples. Disciples where busy-ness and duty is replaced with acts of joy and love. If we have our life in the right order – everything else will fall into place. Our relationship with Jesus will bring to completion the Word of God – Christ in us – the hope of glory. In that order, we’ll live and become faithful disciples of Jesus."

Then, no ANXIETY or WORRY will ever DISTRACT us from what’s most important – sitting at the feet of Jesus, being in the presence of Jesus in awe of Him and His holiness. When we are there, peace and comfort abounds.

Not on My Watch

My precious grandmother had 10 children. I remember her prayer “God, there’s not one of my children that are too bad for Satan to have. They will all come to know you in personal way before I ever leave this earth.” Maybe that’s what took her so long to “go home”, because when she passed away at 99-1/2 years old, every one of her children had a precious relationship with God. In today’s terminology, she might have said, “Satan, NOT ON MY WATCH will you get your hands on my children!”

Someone was asking me to pray for their wayward child and I told her the story of my grandmother. I told her to stand in the gap for her child and declare “Not on my watch” to the enemy.

When the tornado was close to my home last week, and I had my granddaughter and her friend with me at my home, I thought “Not on my watch, will I put these girls in danger!” I took them across the street to a neighbor’s storm shelter. I feel that way with those that I hold near and dear to my heart. “Not on my watch – will I stop praying for them.”

What if we had that attitude about our communities, our states and our country? NOT ON MY WATCH – will the enemy continue to invade our lives. It’s time for us to arise from our slumber and complacency and take a stand for what is right in our homes and our country. God placed us here on this earth at this time for a specific purpose – to be watch-men and watch-women. God is speaking to each of us to RISE AND SHINE.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Paul wasn’t telling us to be passive spectators—of entertainment or anything else. He meant something far different. He meant for us to stand up and be accounted for. He meant for us to say “Not on my watch will the enemy win.”

If ever there was a time for us to resist wasting our lives away, the time is now. To waste time is to waste life. A Watchman is one who has sympathy, empathy and compassion for our fellow countrymen and for all humanity -- so much so that he or she fullfills our God-ordained responsibility to watch and pray.

The best watch-men and watch-women that we can be is a LIGHT SHINER. We must be “the light of the world” by being a godly example for others to follow (Matthew 5:14). We must go into all the world and spread the “good news” of God’s love and mercy. In such a chaotic time in our world, God is calling us with a higher calling. NOT ON MY WATCH -- will the enemy win, because if GOD BE FOR US, who can be against us!

Do you have Heaven-on-Earth moments?

Nearly 49 years ago, when my son was just 6-weeks old, I remember a little mini-vacation to Hilltop Lakes, Texas, that my husband and I took with cousins, Ron Haake and Noreen Haake. It was one of those 3-day, 2 night FREE gift packages to encourage guests to come and enjoy the place, with the hopes they would want to purchase property there. "FREE" was so inviting for these newlyweds. This was the first time we were away from our baby boy, so there were already anxious moments while we were on our much-needed vacation.....which ended up being somewhat like the movie, National Lampoon's Vacation. LOL!

The first thing we did when we arrived at our "get-away" house was turn the air conditioner up as high as it would go, so that we could turn the fireplace on. We wanted romantic ambience, but what we got was a smoke-filled house. Wanting to check-out the facilities, we headed over to the clubhouse and all we saw were ping pong tables, broken and folded up against the wall. In the same area was a "greasy spoon" diner which didn't appeal to our desires for a fine dining meal. The guys wanted to take us girls out for a romantic canoe ride, but when the guys got in the canoe and shoved it off the bank, the canoe tipped over with both guys falling into the water. My Ron's banlon shirt was stretched to his knees. We checked out horseback riding, but the poor horses were so exhausted that they had no vitality for this foursome. When we were out in the paddleboats, our big paddle fell off into the lake. After all those misadventures, you can imagine the "panic" mode Noreen and I went into, when our guys gave us the news that they had bought a lake lot there. How relieved we were when those mischievious guys fessed up.

In spite of it all, we have those "now" hilarious memories of our romantic get-away. Indeed, we could call it our "heaven on earth" that gave two couples, so desperately in love with their spouses, to have memories that have lasted a lifetime.

"Heaven on earth" is when we pause to bring worship from earth to heaven and then God brings heaven to earth. When we take time to be thankful for the journeys, whether they are winding and twisting, or 4-lane smooth highways, and have gratitude in it all, heaven shows up on earth. Any time we pray, “God, let your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we’re asking God to declare the truths of heaven into this world.

I know what heaven on earth is and everyday I invest my time in looking for and living in my heaven on earth. Yes, one day, I'll get to graduate for this earth to heaven, but I sincerely believe God delights in our appreciating the heaven we can have daily as we commune with Him and let Him make His presence known in every facet of our lives. Here's some of my "heaven on earth" moments:

~ savoring the "kisses from heaven" in nature, in children, in sweet friends and family.
~ seeing my kids and grandkids loving and worshipping God, singing His praises, and speaking His Word.
~ watching my kids and grandkids excel in their careers, in their schoolwork, in sports, in music, in their friendships
~ celebrating God's goodness each week with the women in my Life Group and hearing answers to our prayers.
~ eating my favorite foods
~ blogging and posting and hearing that God used me to encourage someone.
~ being used by God to speak and encourage people to know God and His unconditional love for them -- and then watching them become fully devoted followers of Christ.
~ hearing someone talk about the impact that my husband and I had on their lives -- like yesterday morning in church when a man just had to say "I remember your strong, distinguished husband, Ron, and was so impressed with the love you had for each other."
~ feeling alive and filled with God's love, peace, joy, strength and courage.

Yes, all those "heaven on earth" times sure makes this journey so sweet on the way to "heaven in heaven". Every day, we can make the choice to have "heaven on earth" moments. Maybe it's time to take stock in YOUR "heaven on earth" blessings, too!

Life is Like Candy Land! It's a Sweet Spot or a Sticky Swamp!

Everyone that will read my post today will, no doubt, remember playing, at least one time or another, the "sweet" game of Candy Land. It still ranks as one of the most popular children's games in the U.S. I've played it with my kids and grandkids -- many times. The goal of the game is to make it to the end of a winding route and reach King Kandy -- but the path is very unpredictable. You pick a card and it might indicate that you can jump way ahead or you may have to go way back to the beginning. Or you might get stuck in Molasses Swamp, where you have to stay until the right cards turn up. The randomness of the cards adds to the adventure. You can be almost to the end of the adventure, but you still have to draw just the right card to reach your destination.

Though the game is truly a "game of luck", it plays very close to the real unpredicatability of our lives. One moment we might be in a state of incredible joy, but give it a couple of days, and we might face incredible disappointment. Neverthless, the reward of reaching King Kandy makes the adventure worthwhile. In this post, I'm referring to King Kandy aka Father God. No, He is not a Candy Store where we can always expect sweet delacacies, but we can trust that even in the tough times, He is directing our steps. Proverbs 16:9 "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

I know those adventures. And, I know my faith tells me that my Lord walks the journey with me. He never promised a clear, unobstructed road, but He did promise to be with me -- even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Having Him with me, gives me joy, peace, and contentment, whether the adventures lead me to sweet treats or to yucky swamps.

God's Word (scriptures) illuminates my pathways. "His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my pathway." Psalm 119:105. His LIGHT keeps me from going off-course. As long as I keep my focus on Him, He keeps me in peace.

So, today, if you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting because you're hanging out in places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Let God fill your heart and home with His light. Let Him eliminate the sources of darkness. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT. Then you'll live in Candy Land's home SWEET home everyday!
— feeling peaceful.

Where DO YOU Hide When Storms Come?

Yesterday, I heard a news commentator say, "We are in World War III." I don't think that was an "official" statement, but in the light of the literal wars against human lives all over world, it makes sense that World War II could be declared.

As a kid, I remember the Duck and Cover drills we had for personal protection against the effects of a nuclear attack which could have come at any time without warning. We got in the fetal position, face down and covered our heads with our hands. Then, I remember the Vietnam War well, as it was a time when my young husband could have been drafted, but wasn't.

There have always been wars and rumors of wars since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, that hasn't changed, but what has changed is the thought that at any moment and in any place, we could be a casualty in an attack from an enemy.

Yesterday, there were countless tornadoes in Oklahoma and other states. I live smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley. I have been in many tornado warnings, sightings, and alerts. I have never run to a Storm Shelter until yesterday, when I had my granddaughter and her friend here. I knew I had to take extra precaution because they were my responsibility, so we ran across the street to a neighbor's Storm Shelter. Tornadoes have hit, and can hit almost anywhere and at any time.

In reality, there seems to be no certainty in anything anywhere, EXCEPT that our God is stable, secure, and is our ANCHOR that holds in spite of storms, wars and any other force that comes against us. Bottom line. We don't need to fear. God is our rock, our refuge, our shelter in the time of any storm or war.

If ever there was a time to find peace, security and hope in our Father, it is now. He wants us to prepare and rise above these storms of life whether they are storms within our families, the storms of wars around our world or literal storms. It's time for us to pray...passionately for the peace and presence of God in our lives. We need to pray for our world and the uncertainties that face mankind. We need to come back to our CENTER and find our peace in Him. Our peace is an incredible testimony in hard times and will help those around us to find Him as their Prince of Peace. He wants to make Himself known in the middle of the present shaking. I can't think of a better place to go to, and place to be than in God's shelter.

This chapter is one I've prayed over my family for years. It is still relevant and precisely the "Word" for us today:

Psalm 91:1-16 -- "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Time for an Eye Exam and a Heart Check-Up?

Have you ever gotten a little speck or an eyelash in your eye and it was so painful until you managed to get it removed. Even though we know we shouldn’t rub our eye to try to remove it, we can’t help ourselves and, oftentimes, we just makes the matter worse.

What about those conversations we have with someone and that conversation goes awry. It becomes negative and we are mutually complaining and becoming angry about something or someone….. and just as naturally as rubbing our eye when we get a speck in it, we chime in and the conversation just goes SOUTH. We don’t help to deter the conversation to a more positive place. We just add to the brewing animosity. We just helped make the matter worse.

Maybe it’s time for an “eye” exam and a “heart” check-up so that our eyes will be clearer and our hearts will be softer and more understanding. Rather than “seeing” the worst in someone and “feeling” animosity toward them, we can purpose to have our Father’s eyes and heart – that sees the best in others, regardless of whether or not they are exuding “their worst”. Rather than taking on an attitude of blame or misunderstanding, just maybe we’ll start approaching our brothers and sisters with kindness, love and better understanding of the struggles they may be going through. What if that cashier who was cranky or grumpy, just received a notice that her house was being foreclosed on? What if that car driver who was speeding past you, was rushing to get to a family member that had been in an accident? What if that young person who was so disrespectful, was abandoned by his family?

Matthew 7:5 says “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

What do our eyes see? And what does our heart feel? Anxiety or peace? Envy or encouragement? Doubt or optimism? Anger or love? Wherever WE are at can be places where love is lived, where people sense God’s peace and acceptance. It may sound simplistic, but it is still true: our calm, peaceful, and loving presence can be infectious.

What if we had our Father’s eyes -- eyes that find the good in things, when good is not around. Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found. Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain. Knowing what others are going through and feeling it the same. Just like our Father’s eyes. (Thank you, Amy Grant, for those words!)

Yes, it just may be time for an Eye Exam and a Heart Check-Up!

This, That and The Other

Often our lives are made up of having a little longing for THIS or being a little offended about THAT or complaining a little about the OTHER. Being dissatisfied about THIS, THAT or the OTHER.

I’m guilty. Sometimes I have a longing for something on my bucket list. I was offended when an online merchant deceived me. My yard has ruts in it from when my yard man mowed way too low. I deserve to feel all these dissatisfied emotions about THIS, THAT or the OTHER. Or do I?

Then comes a reality shake-up on really what matters. Heaven met earth when my Life Group and I headed to James Mission on Tuesday Night to take a look at their operations. We thought they may be a good outreach ministry that we could volunteer for and support.

James Mission, here in Tulsa and Nowata, is all about restoring hope through God’s love by providing resources, encouragement and support to orphans, foster and displaced families. What started in their home, is now their own location at the Resource and Visitation Center. The visitation rooms give biological parents and their children a safe and friendly environment for their visits together. And their newest project is Loads of Love for those children who are removed from their home for various reasons, and all the things they hold dear (favorite toys, books, clothes and keepsakes, etc.) are left behind – sometimes forever. This “on-call” delivery of filled suitcases & bags for kids who are newly placed into Emergency Foster Care helps soothe the pain these kids face..

We saw their many tubs of neatly folded “like-new” or new clothes arranged according to ages and sizes. We saw loads of diapers, toys, Bibles, toiletries – all the things that help that precious child feel loved in spite of their unfortunate circumstances.

Love and compassion built James Mission. The Reyes, foster and adoptive parents themselves, run this ministry because of their undaunted love and care for needy children. Marisa, their own foster, and now “adopted” daughter, was our guide and it was easy to see how what was meant for her demise, became the vehicle that brought love and care (a hope and a future) from the Reyes family. After moving three times in foster homes and a youth shelter for over a year, Marisa met the Reyes family. Marisa says "After about eight months of living with such a great foster family, I was adopted in February, 2015. Their love for me reminds me that I was chosen, special, and loved. I now have three brothers, a sister and two dogs. My family means more than you could ever imagine and I couldn’t have done better for myself without them."

Our Life Group has already determined to be a part of James Mission because we hold dear God’s Word that says in James 1:27 “The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans and widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence. This is the kind of worship that God accepts as pure and good.”

In the light of so many needs all around us, we’ll find those who LONG a warm bed and a family that loves them. If any have the right to be offended by negligent family members, and have reasons to complain about their mistreatment, these precious children do. How can I justify longing, being offended or complaining for those really non-vital issues in my world. I know God expects more from us. He expects us to be His hands extended to a hurting world. He expects us to be a light in the darkness to the hurting: THIS child. THAT broken-hearted widow. The OTHERS who are just a hug away from our making a difference in their lives. Indeed THE WORSHIP God wants from us is loving, caring and helping His children – those who can’t help themselves.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35

Selah! Pause, Praise.....and Rest a While

I heard a beautiful message last weekend on the importance of pausing to rest. The Hebrew word, selah, is used often in the Book of Psalm, and is defined as a pause at the end of a verse or in a musical arrangement, to pause between measures. The singer or instrumentalist sustains (or holds) the note until the leader continues.

And, it's time for us to "pause". It's time for us to rest. While listening to this message, I wrote a little "love note" to my daughter. It said, "It's time to rest!" Staci Wallace is a woman who has a "no quit" attitude. From sun-up to sun-down, she is all about not only doing the most and best she can for her family, but is relentless in helping other families as well. I'm so thrilled those words from her Mama went straight to her heart. I was bringing Lexi home with me anyway, but I loved it when she said, "I'm coming too! I want to see my Granny!" Yay!

I had a several-hour-meeting to attend. I took the girls to Granny's and we surprised her. It was 3+ hours of girl time, pausing time, and resting time. So much so, that when I returned to pick them up, there was Mom and Staci "pausing, praising, and resting". That sight reminded me of the many times my sweet husband would go visit his Mom and, inevitably, he would fall asleep in her recliner. Her little home represents comfort, peace, and rest. All you can hear while in that chair, are the little wind chimes outside her back door.

Maybe it's time someone told you and I to hit the PAUSE button on our TV, our phones, our many tasks, and rest a while and to LOOK BACK -- to remember the tough times and PAUSE to see how God worked it all for our good. Right now....right in the midst of our circumstances, to PAUSE and PRAISE. Maybe a "SELAH" philosophy should become our LIFE philosophy.

Psalm 46:7 "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah." Indeed. He is our Selah Philosophy AND our LIFE Philosophy -- we find our soul's rest and comfort in Him.

Her Children Rise Up and Call Her Blessed

Happy Birthday to my sweet angel Mom -- she'd be 105 today. I ran past these photos of my her with her Great Granddaughter, my Alexia Wallace (14 years ago). I loved the "before" and "after" of Alexia getting hold of that bottle. LOL!

I treasure photos like this because it reminds me of where the best of me came from. If ever there was an angel on earth, it was my Mom. She was my mentor, role model and everything a mother should be. She selflessly gave -- "Just give me the fried chicken neck -- that's good enough for me." She always forgave -- "It's okay. God forgives me all the time. I sure can forgive you." She unconditionally loved -- "It's okay that they (my siblings that lived in other states) don't write or call me much. I love and pray for them anyway." Her integrity and honesty were of the utmost importance to her. At 5 years old, I'll never forget the day I saw a candy bar on the floor in the grocery store and put it in my pocket. I reasoned that "if it's on the floor, it's okay to have it". When she found it in my pocket, she took me back to the store and I had to admit my wrong-doing. That incident and lesson stuck with me like glue.

She gave me boundaries that worked -- "Let your conscience be your guide." And those words always rang in my ears when I was choosing between right or wrong. She never missed a church service -- Wednesday night, Friday prayer meeting, women's meetings, Sunday School AND church -- twice each Sunday. She sacrificed her own personal needs for my needs. She showed me undaunted faith and determination in the toughest of times when my Daddy was so sick and when our finances were so meager. I heard her praying for me and my siblings from her bedroom. She was unquestionably the most tender, kind-hearted, loving, gentle, caring and pure woman I have ever known. She was my hero, and to this day, she remains my hero. Her example made me a better me.

The reason why I'm giving this tribute to her today, is for you and me to realize -- it's not the things or treasures or inheritance or life insurance or jewelry -- the tangible things that make us. What makes us, and the legacy we leave to our children, are the things that money could never buy. Her influence on me caused me to be honest, to love and care passionately, to put my faith in God during the best and worst of times, to give and to suck it up when I've been hurt or offended, to trust in God's plans for my life and to leave my family with something so much more than the things that can be bought. I intend to leave them the very best of me......and the very best of me is my precious mother's example. What are those things that you'll leave to your children and grandchildren? "Her children rise up, and call her blessed...." Proverbs 31:28

Nothing to Fear

I've had many tears and sorrows. I've had questions for tomorrow. There have been times I didn't know right from wrong. But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come to only make me strong.

Those who have heard and sung the songs of Andrae Crouch (we sang many of them), will recognize that first paragraph from his song, “Through It All”. The chorus goes on to say, “Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to depend upon His Word."

Actually, those words could be my song and my story, because through everything I’ve encountered in my life, from a young girl to today, I’ve learned, through it all, to trust God and His Word. That is my anchor, my mainstay, my pillar of strength, my shelter from the storms, my strong tower.

I like what George Mueller said to a man who had asked him the best way to have strong faith. 'The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials." Whew! Great trials?? That's not what we wanted to hear.

If ever we need to trust God and His Word, it is in these perilous times. There’s plenty going on to make us fearful. In times like these, when our entire world is in turmoil and when nothing seems safe or secure, our God says, "Fear not!"

Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

To those, today, who are facing financial challenges, health issues, marriage problems, have children who are off-course, have fear for safety and peace, our Father’s message to us today is the same as the angel’s word to the shepherds “Fear not”, the same words that God spoke to Joshua, “Fear not”, the same words that Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID."

Knowing that I have a Father who comes to me and says, “Fear not, I am with you” gives me so much hope, encouragement, solace and assurance for all my todays and tomorrows. By the way, He's your Dad, too -- He says the same thing to you!

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Because of a Leadership Training in Richardson, TX on Saturday, I drove down a few days early to be with my kids in Frisco. Being in the Dallas area when the tragic shootings took place on Thursday night, hearing the heart-wrenching details of the police and civilians killed or injured, brought memories back to me when I was in my 10th grade Geometry Class at South Oak Cliff High School here in Dallas. Over the loud speaker came the inconceivable words of our Principal, "President Kennedy has been shot and killed". It seemed our world momentarily stood still. We were in shock. How could something so appalling take place in OUR city, Big "D"? Then a few years later, in 1968, the terrible atrocities of the civil rights riots made us feel that our country was falling apart. I remember Martin Luther King's words just before his assassination in 1968: "Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

The answer then and the answer for Thursday night and all other diabolical killings and injuries, is still the same, though it almost sounds lofty and unattainable: Love is the answer. In the photo here is a Dallas area man, Jimmy Lee Robinson, who gives his time to spreading good news in the form of homemade signs held up with positive and motivating words. In light of these last few days, when I saw him walking down Main Street, here in Frisco, I made a U-turn to get a photo of this day's message: "I love you". I hugged him. He's my brother. We're on the same team. We're in the same family of God. We all want and need love -- even those misguided, mentally bent individuals who take people's lives. If they had known love, perhaps their decisions would have been different.

Whatever message we should be conveying -- in good AND bad times -- boils down to one primary theme....LOVE. We are faced with a choice. We can let the horrible tragedies weigh on us until we are angry and in fear and we ask..."How can LOVE be the answer when there are those who are filled with so much hate, bitterness, sick minds and spirits?" It's the same answer when they killed and crucified our Savior...."Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do." That's love. Oh that we can give that love.

I said it last week and I say it again. "It's time for us to love and pray passionately." Yesterday, at the meeting I attended, the speaker prayed these words of St. Francis of Assisi. If we took these words, meditated on them and sincerely prayed them with all our hearts, just maybe we could be the catalyst for change:

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.