Offering Sacrifices of Praise is Sometimes All We’ve Got

A dear friend of mine, for over nine years has been relentless in the care of her sweet boy and his journey with Full Trisomy 13. I’ve never seen anything like what this sweet boy has endured and neither have I seen a mother more devoted to her boy in meeting his daily needs, but is even more devoted in audacious faith, believing always for a miracle. I saw her post a few days ago, after going through a tremendously traumatic Christmas break with her young son. She was simply wishing she could have had time with her other two sons, but she couldn’t. She was at the hospital with her youngest. She is brave and courageous beyond words, but deep inside warriors is that longing for normalcy. Yesterday, I read that she is still in the hospital with that precious little man. It was Epiphany Sunday and I prayed for God to reveal Himself strong to her.

Saying we’re praying for her/them, seems trite. The only words I could come up with during that Christmas time were to urge her, when it’s too hard to praise, to offer a sacrifice of praise. These were the only words I could think of to offer her. They still seem meager to offer some consolation to her, but, what better words could I give her than from God’s Word? I share them here today with you because there may be some of you who are also exhausted, spent, ready to throw in the towel and be done. But, DON’T QUIT! Praise, even if it's a sacrifice.

"Precious, loving, devoted "L". I pray for you today – you who are carrying such a heavy load – but also knowing you know our burden-removing Lord Who bears those burdens with you and for you. I pray you are able to cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you and your family so much. "K" is still in God's hands though it may not seem like it. His life and yours are a shining example of true love, compassion, and devotion. I pray you find your voice of praise and thanksgiving -- even though it may be a sacrifice to do so. Hebrews 13:15 says, '“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name.”'

A sacrifice is a gift to God declaring that He is worthy. It is also, by definition, difficult. A sacrifice hurts, it’s costly, it takes effort—and the ultimate sacrifice cost Jesus His life. And, for us, a sacrifice of praise won’t always be easy, but difficult and costly. Because of Scripture, we know that we don’t just confess God’s name when it feels good, looks good, or benefits us in some way. We offer praise, as Hebrews 13:15 says, “continually.” This means without ceasing, in all circumstances. Like Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And, as this verse says, we’re able to do all this “through Him.” Through Jesus, we’re able to see the great, great love of our great, great God Who holds everything in the palm of His hand and bends it to His will with a word. Through Jesus, our mediator, we’re able to access the Father in order to give Him due praise (1 Timothy 2:5).

Nehemiah says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (8:10). Through praise we enjoy God. Imagine that! Praise focuses us on where our joy comes from and where our gaze should be, and the result is our strength! Whether through prayer, meditating on God’s Word, thanksgiving, or praise, we can lift tired hands even when it’s hard -- especially when it’s hard -- and say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord!” (Isaiah 6:3).

Here's what your devotion, love and suffering did for me today, dear "L". You gave me a blog that will surely be posted and shared for others to learn from your beautiful life of love for your little angel boy!" 🙏❤️🙏❤️

In my own experience, there were times when the last thing I wanted to do was praise God. In those times, the burden of offering such a sacrifice seemed impossible -- and I know I wasn’t alone in this. I know many who are in a fetal position right now from the weights they carry. Weariness has set in – and it seems tomorrow will never come. But, as I shared with my friend – when all else fails, when the night seems so, so long – we become “praisers” – in the middle of it all. The middle can be a hard place to be – but joy comes in the morning. I pray morning breaks for my sweet friend and for you today. Let us offer sacrifices of praise because God is there soaking those praises in. Will you please join me in praying and praising with me for my sweet friend and her precious boy today?

Keep On Keeping On

Of course this precious man's photo is my inspiration for today. Heaven is a wonderful place and every time I hear about someone's loved one getting to go there, it seems to get sweeter and sweeter. At least it sure does for me.

I am a team member on a Faith & Grief support group that helps those who have suffered a loss of a loved one and are struggling to move on. In fact we don’t say “move on” because moving on denotes “forgetting the past and getting over the loss”. Better stated is “keep on, keeping on.” I embrace those words because I was given an assignment by God at my birth, and it’s MY assignment until I get to “go home” to heaven.

My best friend, my husband, lover, sweetheart, and my kids' beloved father and papa went to his home in heaven this day nine years ago. I don't take his death anniversary as an opportunity to cry over that moment of departure. Instead, I celebrate his life by living mine. I live his list, my list and everything in between. I've spent the last nine years of my life, evolving and growing. It's my legacy to a man who loved and lived life in his God-given purpose on purpose. He was always KEEPING ON. Most importantly at 9 years post his graduation, I know I'm carrying on his and my legacy. If one person makes a decision to live a beautiful life because I share my journey, then my Ron lives on. That's our collective gift to this world.

I tell you to KEEP ON keeping on living with audacious and relentless faith because Ron would tell you to live like there is no tomorrow. I invite you to live because I know firsthand it's the best choice for anyone who grieves and can’t seem to keep on going. We can't bring them back, but we can honor all they were by being and doing all we can. Go live. You are still here for a reason. Take in the view. Live for others and bring them along with you to heaven. I tell you this because Ron taught me one valuable lesson throughout our forty-nine years together. He taught me to keep on keeping on – no matter the storms or circumstances, no matter the bumps or bruises -- all because of the cross of Jesus that we can keep on, keeping on.

On this day, I ponder: It’s been 9 years since I laid next to him. It’s been 9 years since I kissed him. It’s been 9 years since I've seen him hug our children and grandchildren. It’s been 9 years since I've heard him say, "I love you." Oh, but, because I keep on, keeping on, look what 9 years has done for me: It’s been 9 years of personal growth and living daily with determination and purpose. It’s been 9 years of new adventures – new places I never saw, new people I’ve come to love, and a new mission. It’s been 9 years of rediscovery of learning to love myself alone. I am enough because God is enough.

I've moved forward boldly while honoring my past. I still miss that man as much as I ever have, but that “missing” has changed and evolved as I have. He will forever have a special place in my heart and the hearts of my children and grandchildren. What I can tell you today is that nine years ago I didn’t know what my future would look like without this larger-than-life man in my life. What I didn't know is that my life didn't end. It had just begun.

Everything I am. Everything I've learned. Every part of my heart and soul is better today than it was nine years ago. His leaving was my opportunity to make ME so much better. I didn't die on November 16th, 2010, and I'm thankful that I realized I am still here for a reason. Regardless of what you are going through today, you have a purpose, and you can survive it. Take small daily baby steps, listen to your heart and remember to live. I can’t promise that the pain will ever go away, but I will promise that you are strong, brave and capable of anything. How do I know that? Because you have made it this far. The sun came up on this day so we can face this day with the goal of living and loving this life with all that is in us. Let’s face this day and keep on keeping on for everyone who no longer can.

With a Little Help From My Friends

Woody and Buzz Lightyear in "Toy Story" sang "You've got a friend in me!" There’s this thing about friendships. True friendships. Those friendships that pick us up just by showing up. And it doesn’t even have to be in person. It can be a phone call, text message, email, a Facebook comment, or a card. They seem to know when we need a pick-me-up -- an encouraging word or "You've been on my heart lately" or they’re just checking in to see what’s up in our world.

Those are the friends that we know we can call any time of the day – they’ll be there. As busy as they may be – they’ll come to a screeching halt when they see our name pop up on their phone. And when they show up for us – we can tell we have their undivided attention. They make us feel we matter. When we’re together, they do that thing — that thing where they look right into our eyes and whisper secret truths to us. They surprise us with a hot fudge sundae when we’re under the weather.

They’re the ones who hold our hand tight while we're trying to exhale. That thing they do? It’s life-giving. It’s oxygen and courage and conviction all rolled into one. It’s the kind of gift that can turn a day inside out. This is God-given, God-infused friendships. It's what true friendships can do for one another. The ones that see through our words and heal us with the power of a word or laughter. Of encouragement. Of acceptance. And hospitality that’s contagious.

Sometimes we’re so busy wondering if we’re getting it right, so busy worrying we’re not measuring up, so caught up in thinking we need to be just like her or him that we forget they love us just the way we are. They love the joy and Jesus and friendship. Forget awkward, forget feeling small or insecure or worried about what they’re thinking.

This version of friendship is a true story, an old story, the same story that we’ve all been living. This is purposeful commitment of friendship that connects, mends, restores and heals us. This kind of friendship is the gift. It is the testimony of the brave who chose friendship in spite of fear. It's the loud voice of comparison squashed down, drowned out, overcome by a choice to love, to love because Christ first loved us.

This brave choice is the laying down of jealousy, the raising up of encouragement. This is the cheering for someone else and feeling the powerful joy in return. This is where it’s okay to cry. This is where we nod our heads and open our arms and say, “Me, too. Yes, me too.” This is friendship on purpose. I see it in each of you who are my friends -- in how you encourage, pray and reach out a kind hand in the comments on my blog and in other's posts who reach out in distress. Day in and day out. I see you. I see how you believe the best, and hold up tired arms, and encourage the spirits here -- how you whisper in other's ears and in mind how brave you think we are. More importantly, God sees you and applauds you. On behalf of those of us who really, really need and want your friendship, just know how grateful we are -- how grateful I am to call you friends.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."

God Bless America – Land of the Free – Home of the Brave

Happy 4th of July aka Independence Day! And, it's Happy Birthday, America Party Day -- the birth of Democracy! You're looking good, America, to be 243 years old! And what a way to celebrate -- with fireworks, parades, concerts, family get-togethers and barbecues!

Others will celebrate by staying at home with life-as-usual. For some, it may be to tune in to the evening news because, after all, we must see the latest political entertainment. I keep hoping and praying people will settle down and learn to respect each other – to “do unto others as they would have others do unto them”. I wonder if our forefathers had this kind of “independence” in mind when they crafted the Declaration of Independence. That historical moment occurred as a result of wise, committed leaders and followers pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish a foundation where a nation and its people could build their families and future. It came as the result of those seeking the right to worship the living Creator God without restraint from any earthly power, and the right of all citizens to pursue their hopes and dreams with liberty while exercising personal responsibility.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Don’t you love that excerpt from the Declaration of Independence? Democracy was born on this day 243 years ago on July 4th, 1776. Just think of those freedoms that we have that we take so lightly. No wonder thousands leave their homeland in the quest to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave”. I know immigration laws had to be created because of abuses, but, don’t we need to thank God that we were either born here or were able to immigrate here? Isn't it time we show our gratitude and appreciation to be Americans?

Think about it. This country became prosperous and strong on the backs of immigrants who were yearning to breathe free. This country has always been a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom. No wonder so many desire to live here. All over the world people dream of a “home” where the government protects them and not abuses them; where people are not punished for what they think or say or write.

The future of freedom is in our hands and rests on our shoulders. Freedom must not die on our watch. If it does, it will be by our own hand because people who claim faith in God remain uninformed, indifferent, and uninvolved. We will have handed freedom over to the destroyer of life and liberty. God forgive us if we do! By prayerfully and boldly uniting together we can celebrate the rebirth of freedom rather than witness the death of it. The future is in our hands. Now is the time to stand up and be counted!

My hope this 4th of July is that we all stop to appreciate our freedoms. I hope and pray that we all begin to think about how we can work together to solve problems, be a part of the solution, not part of the political divide, and promote respect and dignity for all. Remember, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." I wish you all a happy and healthy Independence Day!

Thanks, Veterans! I Owe You My Next Breath of Fresh Air!

Happy Memorial Day! My 55+ community of 3,000+ homes is proud to display its patriotism. The main roadways and most all homes, including mine, have American flags billowing in the wind. Those who are veterans have dozens of flags all around their property. I'm honored to sing with Lee Greenwood: "I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land. God bless the U.SA."

There are not enough words of gratitude to express to those who have gone before us and to all of you serving today who have been willing to sacrifice your life for our peace and our freedoms. Move over, ANYONE, who takes this peace and freedom for granted. I love you, but, I'll, respectfully walk out on your rants about what's wrong with America, because it dishonors those who gave their lives for all that's right.

Memorial Day was originally created to help us remember the sacrifices of the brave heroes who fought for our peace My family loved this 3-day weekend when we'd gather for a family reunion or a well-planned camping trip. Such sweet peace – sitting around a campfire! That peace was brought to us by those who we honor on Memorial Day.

Our world falls short on peace these days, doesn’t it? Mother Teresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Sometimes it seems we have forgotten that we really are in this together. It’s a noisy, hectic, I’m-right-you’re-wrong world out there. Today, I want to make a special effort to be less concerned with making a point, and more concerned with making some peace. Surely if our brave service men and women were (and are) willing to lay down their lives for us, can’t we pull our bootstraps up and do what we can to help bring peace to our world today?

If there really is going to be peace here or anywhere on earth, as the song says, “Let it begin with me.” Let it begin with me on social media, or around the dinner table, or in a church, or a family squabble, or in some legislative chamber. We can take our peace efforts up a notch by serving someone – anyone -- whose life is in turmoil or could use a bit of the love that we have within our heart.

Ultimately, the only way we’ll find true peace is when we look to Jesus Who laid down His life for us. Happy Memorial Day to our Lord -- thanks for the memories of giving Your life freely for our peace. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. (Colossians 3:15)

On this Memorial Day, may we put aside all the petty things we complain about, and sincerely be a people who humble ourselves and pray and offer thanksgiving to God Almighty for our great country and for those who served and continue to serve us so unselfishly! God bless America! And, God bless our service men and women from yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Audacious Living, With Audacious Faith

Big Audacious Living With Audacious Faith
AUDACIOUS -- showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; daring, fearless, brave, courageous, valiant, venturesome

Brilliant author and speaker, Erwin McManus, was speaking on TV a few days ago. I was immensely inspired. Less than a year ago, he was dying from cancer, and now he is cancer-free and living AUDACIOUSLY. Erwin had simply gone in for an “insurance exam” for a life insurance policy and cancer was found throughout his body. It was then that he realized he had been taking “living” for granted. He said, “I’m dying, but so are you. We live our lives as though there is no end and so we live it as though it has no value. If we understood our life is time-dated and when we took our first breath, we were moving toward our last breath, then maybe we would live our life AUDACIOUSLY. We get so complacent in our lives – so comfortable. We think ‘Don’t rock the boat. Don’t take me out of my comfort zone.’” Then he spoke about how he now looks at each day as one to take on AUDACIOUSLY. First day of surgery, he forced himself to get up and walk. Painful? He said, “Tremendous pain, but pain meant I was alive to feel it.” Three weeks after his cancer surgery, though still in tremendous pain, he played two hours of basketball with his buddies. He said, “Cancer may determine how I die, but it cannot determine how I live. I will live out my life AUDACIOUSLY!”

AUDACIOUSLY living each day. I held a Life Group at my home in Tulsa. It was called the “The 50s+ No Limits Life Group" and we described it this way: “Are you ready to live a life of audacious, “no limits” faith? Are you tired of the bench, and you're ready to play the game? Then "The 50s+ No Limits” Life Group is for you. We are all about believing God for the impossible and helping others do the same. If you’re not dead, you’re not done! We will dream big, take action with passion, make new friends, have extreme fun and fellowship, and be an encouragement and support to each other on this exciting journey of faith!” And, we did. That little band of women recognized that AUDACIOUS faith produced AUDACIOUS results. We witnessed marriages being restored, physical healings, new jobs being given, babies being born, and oh, so many more answers to prayer.

Those big AUDACIOUS prayers are what Jesus had in mind when He gave us the Lord’s Prayer for our model. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” God is for us. If we don't believe that, then we'll pray small timid prayers. If we do believe it, then we'll pray big AUDACIOUS prayers. And one way or another, our small timid prayers, or big AUDACIOUS prayers will change our lives. WOW! I've witnessed it. When I’ve prayed with bold, AUDACIOUS, unwavering faith, I've seen God move enormous mountains. Father knew best, but my complete trust in Him, brought the answer to those prayers in ways I couldn't have even conceived.

To me, AUDACIOUS living means living life with passion, being open to possibilities, and reaching for the stars.....well, at least the top of trees! It’s responding to a grandchild with “YES!” when they ask if we’ll go fishing or shopping or play another game with them, when we sure would rather take a nap. It’s having the freedom to live, laugh, and love. It means deliberately choosing to be inspired and motivated enough to live without limits -- or just getting off the couch and doing something! It means letting go of fear, getting gutsy and getting going. AUDACIOUS living is using our talents, enthusiasm and drive to make a difference in our day and our world. Since “Nothing is impossible with our God”, maybe it’s time for us to get up, get moving, and live every day with AUDACIOUS faith and actions!

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Last night, the gals from my Life Group embraced one of our members whose dear husband went to heaven two years ago, yesterday. At dinner she shared what a wonderful husband and dad he was, as well as being a brave soldier in the Vietnam war. Then we went to see "Heaven is For Real". Perfect movie for the celebration. Sweet times -- sharing each other's faith journeys. This group, also, wants to be good soldiers, armored with God’s Word. Most importantly, we are doing what St. Paul told young Timothy to do in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of FAITH!” We are convinced God uses our “life's adventures” to equip us with undaunted and unwavering faith.

I remember what a brave, courageous soldier my own sweet husband was, and what it was like.....before the "suddenly". Once upon a time, we had days that seemed so “routine”....waking up, getting dressed, having devotion, eating breakfast, going to work, etc. Repeat. And then, the “suddenly” came that brought a totally new life perspective. Before, rarely did we take the time to focus on how green the grass was, how blue the sky was, how bright the sun was, and how precious were days that were pain-free.

We took the preciousness of life so for granted. I received a lot of e-mails from friends that talked about appreciating life…..and never really got it, until our "suddenly". You know, holding my Honey’s hand, kissing his sweet lips, smelling his wonderful smell (btw -- “Fierce by Abercrombie” -- LOL!), hearing his laughter when he played with the grandchildren, hearing him tell me once again “I love you” – all those things that were once “routine” became so precious and dear to me!

Why do I continue to share my story with my FB friends? Because I want you to appreciate the life, love and laughter God has given you with your precious loved ones. Make every day a day of great thankgiving and making precious memories that will last a lifetime. In the meantime, for my sweet friend and I -- our husbands are cheering us on from heaven's grandstands, and we plant their flag of VICTORY knowing they fought the good fight, conquered, and earned their reward. And, she and I are both determined to finish our race strong -- cherishing each day, and celebrating this side of heaven. We know the other side will make room for us soon enough. That's when we'll plant OUR victory flag -- THERE!