It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Blazing

This photo of Bryson, my youngest grandson, was taken one year ago on April 11th. He was with his family touring Austin with their best friends and they came across this lovely property which included these cute, harmless goats and my grandson loved them then, and even more today. Now they are his. It was that day that the spark of moving to Austin was ignited in my kids. Here we are -- one year later, with them living in that home in Austin. Who knew that, on that day, the spark would start burning until it became a blaze? A good idea was really a God-idea!

Do you remember the ALS ice bucket challenge and how it went viral? IT started as a spark and became a huge fire. The challenge helped raise awareness for ALS. It started with one person and it grew from there. It grabbed the hearts of celebrities, organizations, and everyone in between. Since July 29, 2014, The ALS Association collected over $220 million globally because of that challenge. One of my favorite quotes is from Margaret Mead which says: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

All it takes is for one person to spark a positive change. You and I can have a good idea and it can become a great idea -- even a God-idea.....and even go viral. A dream, like the one my kids had, can become a reality. Whenever we determine to live in a state of hope and expectation, creativity is revealed and God's voice giving us wisdom becomes clear -- we know what to do and when to do it.

Rather than siding in with the negative voices that limit growth, determination and change -- why not be a change-maker and world changer?

My prayer is that God sparks a fire in you and me. I pray He starts a fire in our souls. I pray that He fans the flame and makes it grow so there’s no doubt or denying -- it is His idea and we should pursue it. I pray that He lets it burn so brightly that everyone around can see that it’s Him that we need. Our God is the fire. He is the flame. He is the light on the darkest day. I pray for all of those that need our Lord now and that will soon know Him in a real and intimate way.

It only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it. You spread His love to everyone. You want to pass it on.

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Believe and Receive

I'm still here in Austin with who I now call my "Austin Family". It's as though my family has been here for quite some time, and they just arrived last weekend. They already have lots of new friends, the boys were already drafted into baseball teams (winning big yesterday). They're adapting quite well to their new school -- it's a much earlier school start time (7:45 am), and they love their teachers and routines.

We had lots of celebrations yesterday. Brennan pitched a 3-up, 3-out inning. We celebrated big brother, Barrett's, 21st birthday (still attending university in WA, he flew in a couple of days ago) and we got a couple more rooms at their home all unpacked and organized. Another fun celebration was the arrival of their horse and miniature donkey. Now, not only do they have five goats, a barn cat, their sweet Havanese dog, Bentley, but now it's beginning to look like a real Texas ranch....with the horse and donkey.

Here's how God cares about what we care about. So the Wuerch's new home on 11 acres came with five billy goats. They are so fun....they see us, and they come running to us, and there's one that's a real show off. He jumps up on the corral fence. Their new home in Austin, came with a beautiful barn, with eight stalls -- it just needed to be occupied. So the timing was perfect and God provided the horse and its buddy, a minature donkey. Here's the hilarious icing on the cake. These are the names of our boys: Braden, Barrett, Brennan and Bryson. Their dog is Bentley. Their horse was named Boogie and the donkey was Biscuit. It's all about the B's!!! LOL!

Isn't it amazing how much God cares about even the smallest desires of our hearts? The boys longed for a horse and they got the bonus of the cute little furry donkey. Yes, there are those times when we just have to look up to heaven and say, "Thanks, God. I know you did that!" It is truly a miracle that the God of the universe surrounds our tiny, little lives with His loving care. Maybe we should look for the miracles of answered prayers and desires of our hearts. It's not always big and showy, but it is no less a miracle when the God of the universe shows up to kids who just happen to have a barn.

What's Chasing YOU?

Day 100 of Photo Inspirations -- What’s Chasing You?

This photo is my youngest grandson being chased up a tree by a harmless Billy goat.  It seems quite terrifying to me, but my grandson appears to be totally enjoying himself. It must be because he knows that Billy goat is a pet – not a predator.

Once upon a time, I day-dreamed AND night-dreamed about a cute dark haired, dark eyed boy chasing me.  I couldn’t get him off my mind AND neither did I want to. And, that dream came true!  I was chased and caught!  And, I'm so glad I was!

This photo of my grandson sparked my thoughts about the not-so-good-things that chase us -- like those negative thoughts “You can’t make it!  You’re not good enough! You’re too old or too young!  Life is too hard!  You’re just too tired!  You’ve failed too many times!  You’ll never get well."  When those thoughts come chasing you, keep running as fast as you can -- refuse those lies -- you sure don't want them catching YOU!

On the flip side – let those optimistic, positive, and joy-filled thoughts chase you down and overtake you.  Like my grandson’s smiling face with that Billy goat, you’ll be so empowered by the greatness in you, NOTHING will be able to slow you down on your way to the TOP!

Here's the best medicine for those good things to chase us and over take us....."Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME"  Isaiah 26:3.  "And all these blessings shall come upon you and OVERTAKE you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God."  Dueteronomy 28:2