The Feather: A Symbol of High Honor

Yesterday, I was drawn again to all the geese that abound in my community. Not before the last couple of days did I notice so many of their feathers all around the grounds. I gathered enough molten feathers for a feather bouquet. My research found that Native American culture believes that all things possess an inherent virtue, power, and wisdom. For example, the feather signifies a connection between the Creator and the feather of the bird that lost it. It symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. It is deeply revered.

My feather bouquet is symbolic to who I desire to be – a woman of trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. I also learned that Native American warriors were awarded a feather when they won a battle or were particularly brave in war. When a feather falls to the earth, it is believed to carry the bird's energy, and perceived as a gift from God.

No wonder I was drawn to pick up those feathers. They were a gift to me from the geese and God. I read that they shed their feathers because they are dead structures, like our hair or nails and are made of the same ingredient, the protein keratin. That means when they get damaged, they can’t heal themselves. They have to be replaced and that's called molt. Molt keeps birds in top flying condition. Timing is everything in molting so they avoid other periods of high energy demands, like nesting or migration. So, there you have it – my biology lesson on molting.

Timing is everything for us, too. What about this timing of stay-at-home and focusing more inward than outward? Are we in a time when God is causing our "dead feathers" to be replaced like the molting process when birds get a new look and so they will be in top flying condition?

Maybe we need that process to get rid of the old, broken, worn, damaged areas of our lives that cause old, broken, damaged thinking? Just as those geese don’t stubbornly hold on to their dead feathers, so we shouldn’t hold on to the unnecessary weights of negativity that have clung on way too long in our lives. I am so ready to move on to a new season from the old one that was filled with stinking thinking, poor self-image, mistakes made, regrets and disappointments to the new feathers that symbolize our connection between our Creator -- whereby our new feathers are those of trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom.

Oh, how God longs to empower and strengthen us to be able to take flight from all those things that have held us earth-bound and weary. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19

God longs to help us let go. All we have to do is go to Him in prayer and ask Him to shine His light on any thoughts, circumstances, habits or other “dead feathers” we might be clinging to. My prayer is that we let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with God, with our family, with our brothers and sisters as children of God. I’m determined to “let go” and let God have His way in me. I’m looking for some new feathers! How about you?

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I'm singing that Rodgers & Hammerstein song from their "Oklahoma" musical this morning right here from Texas! I’ve been that morning gal most all my life. I own it. When I wake up, I don’t feel the need to pull the blanket over my head and long for just a few more minutes. I don't need an alarm clock -- mine is built-in -- usually, around 5:00 am. My daily schedule hasn't changed that much during this shelter-at-home. I would usually take my walks in the afternoon when it was warmer outsides.

That changed this week. Now, it’s at 6:15 am when I'm out and about with my one-hour walk. I, not being a sunshine-lover on my white-lily-skin, realized I needed to escape to the outdoors before the sun rose! I was blessed to make the change. Being a part of a brand-new day is now my new normal for spring and summer. It seems it’s easier to be an early morning noticer. Yesterday my phone’s playlist wouldn’t play, so I couldn’t listen to my “walking” music. I took out my earbuds and whoa-la – I heard birds chirping in almost every tree I passed. I saw little youngster geese following mama goose on the water. I noticed the beautiful colors of spring in all the plants and flowers that were revealing the exquisite details of our Master Creator.

And, I relished in those morning skies that soon gave way to a brilliant sunrise. I started praising and thanking God out loud. I noticed this baby sidewinder rattle snake – sidewinding his way across the sidewalk. I heard about the sidewinder snake from a friend years ago, but I met one on this day. Indeed, he was maneuvering sideways instead of slithering forward. I didn’t disturb him in case his mom or dad were around. But, I made a quick shout-out to God: “Please keep me moving straight ahead on the narrow path with You!"

God is awesome to give me so many object lessons on a daily basis, but this day I realized that when I’m in my own little world with earbuds on and belting out hallelujahs from a play list – though it’s a sweet opportunity for getting into the groove with God, it’s still a vice that’s not needed. Especially when God has divine set ups for me -- like my noticing -- seeing and hearing straight from His divine creation set-ups. And, oh those skies that welcomed me: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)

I think I’m learning and understanding that the “Genesis” story of creation really doesn’t give God’s handiwork the justice it deserves. We have to get out in it to appreciate it. Creation is proof of how God is so very present in all the intricate details of our lives. Jesus spoke of God’s attention to detail when He talked about God’s concern for the lily of the field. He cares about details – the colors everywhere, the rich variety of plant life, wildlife, and the climate. But, oh the crazy chaos that the enemy wishes to use to take our eyes off of God’s creation. He wants us to be inside-minded -- side-winders – void of the treasures God has stored up for us. He wants us to be “it’s all about me”, instead of “it’s all about WE”.

This world is made up of a family of people from all different ethnicities, backgrounds, beliefs and values – all those realities that should unite us and never put us at odds with one another. Seriously, I grapple with this still, devisive country when, if ever there was a time to unite, it is now. God has given us an opportunity to display who we are as HIS people -- all for one and one for all. Made in His image, shouldn't we be the reflection of our sovereign, loving God? We are chips off the “old block” who were born to create and love, too. So let’s create! Let’s love. Let's celebrate that we can see, be, live, laugh, love, reflect, and show our true colors. We too are creators who were born as God’s masterpieces who can display God’s glory and creative genius to a world that needs those colors and example so much!

I Love My High-Tech Life

See that alarm clock! I remember every night's routine of winding it up to keep it going – especially so that the alarm would go off the next morning. Fast forward to today and my “Alexa” plays a comfortable sound that wakes me up!

A few days ago, I blogged about high discernment being better than high-tech. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not knocking our world of technology. Even when one of my high-tech devices goes on the fritz, doing life the good-old-days way, is a hassle. You know – the microwave, the dishwasher, etc. We are so high tech that we get whatever we need for whatever we are doing at the time -- from driving to all kinds of gadgets in every place -- the kitchen, the car, garage, music, fitness, watches. I'm so grateful to be able to move through my life with less to be concerned about – like when I drive so many miles to Tulsa or down to Austin. The technology in my car -- a GPS sytem and indicators let me know when a tire is too low or it’s time for an oil change.

I can’t imagine how long it would take me to write my daily blogs without my computer and access to the internet. The Internet has forever changed the way we relate to one another. Getting messages out to a large list of people in an instant, at one time, unlike the days of phoning all those people or snail mail. The good old days, were good, but, hallelujah, for these good NEW days when we get so much accomplished so much faster.

My little world of technology makes so much difference to me, but it's truly a miracle for those who can see now because of specialized glasses, for those who can hear because of implants, and those without limbs or even a voice have access to technology that gives them the ability to speak.

What a privilege it is to be alive today and see how many people are benefited because of man’s creation. Our Great Creator creates through His children. Every creative act is a partnership with The Creator! I am so privileged. You are so privileged. How often we take our blessings for granted. I’m impressed to consider the gifts in my life that are not available to others -- the ability to see, read, write, or have access to running water, electricity, the internet, transportation, a safe space to call home. If you are reading this blog -- you are so blessed!

God started all this “technology” business. He is the Creator of heaven and earth. He created life itself. That is who we are: Children of the Creator. This blog today is pretty basic in its message but quite advanced in us recognizing that technology is a gift from Him, our Creator, and He operates through His skilled image-bearers. It is His Genius that inspires innovators with innovations, artists with art, creators with creations AND you and me who should open up our hearts and lives to Him -- and just perhaps, we might come up with the next technology that creates something that will be used to know Him better, love each other more and glorify Him above all! Let's live with expectant, anticipatory waiting -- not listening like we are chilling in a rocking chair, but listening like we are on the edge of our seat … like we are anticipating a God-idea!

You Have Permission....to be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for you! I can't overstate how much my social media family means to me. I am so grateful that you read my blogs. I know that God gave me this platform to celebrate Him and all that knowing Him affords: peace, comfort, joy, zest for life, faith, hope, and untold blessings. I'm glad we're a part of God's great, big family. And, now for what my heart is leading me to say……

I love this day so much -- the fall weather, the yummy food, warm smells coming from the kitchen and the house bustling with my people. Still, I can’t ignore the quiet rumblings of hearts on days like today. Maybe that’s you. You may feel overwhelmed. Or forgotten. You may feel out of place. You may feel stressed and frustrated. You may feel disappointed or anxious with worry. Or just incredibly lonely.

In a world filled with social media posts with “perfect families” as the featured photo, it can feel like an empty place for hurting hearts. But, let's not go there. Let's flip that nagging heart around, because of Who we are and Whose we are! Today is about giving thanks. It is a day for us to give thanks for the things that really matter: the inner peace that settles us when we are afraid. The inner calm that rises above obstacles and calls us to be brave. The inner voice that steadies us when the world crashes around us. We give thanks for the countless blessings we receive in spite of the odds against us. We give thanks for a Creator who sees us, knows us and accepts us just as we are – even when we feel lost on days like today.

That is the beauty of today. I hope you are at a table with those you are proud to call your own. But, if you find yourself at a table that isn’t a “comfort zone” – embrace the opportunity that you are there – making a difference because you are loved by God and you get to be His representative at that table. Smile and breathe. Connect with that inner voice of God that says “You are enough! You are so very loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are brave!” Remind yourself of the ONE Who is right there with you and Who makes your family of plenty or your family of one, so very loved.

You have permission to be exactly who you are and to be reminded that that is enough. Allow the servant part of you to open your arms and serve. Hmmm! I wonder who that sounds like – it was Jesus Who sat in a room of lovers and haters, some deniers, some rejecters. Serving doesn’t feel like a burden at all – instead it’s something we naturally long to do, where the act of giving becomes a natural expression of our heart.

Whatever your table looks like, I promise there is no obligation greater than the one you have to yourself: to be sure you realize how loved you are. You are worthy of being seen and known. You are worthy of being fought for. Be thankful you are loved by the One Who loves you most. I love you and I pray this is a Thanksgiving in your heart and soul – like none ever before.

Super Special Because of Who Created Us

Happy 13th Birthday, Super Bryson! So my precious Bryson, the youngest of my seven awesome grandkids, turns a big 13! What??? He’s a teenager now! How can it be? This boy that still holds my hand when we walk and still wants to sleep with me in that big king-sized bed in the guest bedroom. Oh, the joy he gives his Nana! His birthday is the day after his Papa’s graduation to heaven. How befitting that one day meant an earth to heaven departure and the next day represents a heaven on earth celebration of the life of a sweet boy who fills me up with so much joy.

I celebrated with him last week when I was in Austin while his mom and dad were away. This morning, he’ll open this birthday card and some dosh left over from the hat he wanted at Crux Climbing Center and the yo-yo – and, I might add -- that he has mastered quite amazingly – he’s got the “around-the-world” trick down that I taught him. This card awaits him this morning when the family will have their traditional "special plate" breakfast. This card represents last year that was filled with him taking his love for climbing trees, houses, poles, rock walls and fences (anything climbable) and taking it to a whole new level at the climbing wall gyms and yesterday, literally climbing a mountain with his instructor.

He still wants me to tell him "Super Bryson" stories at bedtime, but 13 means he tells me "Super Nana" stories. The most recent one was about Super Nana and how she was about to battle a bad guy that came out of a volcano but she had to put the bad guy on "pause" because she had to go write a blog. LOL! She finished the blog and went back and annialiated the bad guy. No question -- that story is inspired by them seeing me so devoted to my blogging!

While I'm celebrating my sweet boy's birthday today, I'm thinking about the most important thing we can do for others is to celebrate them and help them to know THEY MATTER. Why does it matter? Because it matters to our Creator. He specifically planned each of us individually and uniquely with the funny little quirky smile we might have, the color of our hair and eyes, the freckles on our nose. We are so special that His eyes are on us ALL the time. He knows everything about us. We're His special treasures......and He thinks about us ALL THE TIME....so shouldn't we think about others in a way that God uses our arms to hug them, our mouths to tell them how special and beautiful they are. After all, they're our sisters and our brothers in this royal family of God. I can't explain it in mere words, but God can, and here's why I am PRO-LIFE and what makes us ALL so SUPER special to Him:

Psalm 139:1-5;13-18 "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"

Oh, the Entertainment Value of God’s Creation

Change is in the air and change is in God’s creation. Austin’s Hill Country behind my children’s home is a display of God’s handiwork. Many of the trees are showing off their radiant, colored leaves and the evergreens are just that -- ever green. And there has been changes and additions to our family here. I sure get amused at us. I can only imagine how amused God must get at His creation. He certainly doesn’t need a TV for entertainment. Speaking of entertainment – I headed out to get the car washed and what did my wandering eyes would appear but all eight goats out of their corral. Seems Oreo, the black and white goat, fiesty one, has learned to open the latch of the stable! Fortunately, Bryson is their shepherd, or is it goat-herd and they know his voice and they follow him home.

Since my last visit to Austin, we have two new grand-puppies. Braden & Ruth, my oldest grandson and his wife, adopted a beautiful, white, 8-month-old Lab, Bella Mae (a southern name for a southern girl). "Lucky Lab Rescue" saved Bella Mae from an owner who had cruelly abused her and she was severely malnourished. She was put into a foster home and my kids adopted her. Now she is secure, happy, and the beloved pet of my grands. I love the love they have given her and the love she has given them. My second to the oldest grandson, Barrett aka Bear, at the same time, adopted a precious, 8-week-old Aussie-Doodle, Mayra, in Oklahoma. Yay! We have an Okie puppy at last. We are multi-state animal lovers. The Lab is from Texas, the Aussie Doodle, Oklahoma, the two back in Frisco, Buddy, the Australian Shepherd, is from Washington State, and Emma, the Yorkie, hails from Arkansas. And sweet and beloved, 10-year-old Bentley, the Havanese, is from Iowa and lives here with my youngest grands.

I read this scripture: "He is God of the living, “for to Him all are alive” (Luke 20:38). Oh, I know that scripture pertains to our life evermore, even after we die, but I thought about how God is everywhere in all of His living creation – the God of the living. He cares for all living things: the flowers, the birds, the grass. The Creator created everything for a purpose. He even uses them in describing how we should live. Colossians 1:16 says “….all things have been created through Him and FOR Him!” I just know this family of mine keeps Him entertained.

As cute, loveable, and adoring as my grand-dogs and my grand-farm animals are – it’s really their owners that I love the most – and I never take them for granted – it was them that gave me grandchildren and grandpets. Thanks, kids, for your contribution to my full of love and blessed life!

Why Am I Here Anyway?

We hear many sermons and talks about why God put us here at this time and in this space. Here’s what His Word says: “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and WE EXIST FOR HIM…..”; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and WE EXIST THROUGH HIM.” (1 Corinthians 8:6). So there you go. The answer to “Why am I here anyway?” Maybe it’s better asked: “WHO am I here for anyway?” We exist for God.

Doesn’t that make you feel no longer “ordinary”. You and I are extraordinarily God’s very own creation – existing for Him. So, when another ordinary Monday rolls around and you’re loading up the kids, their backpacks and their lunches into the car or you are heading off for your morning commute to your office job, or you are facing another week of medical tests, doctor’s appointments and treatments, or you are studying for that exam that will make or break your grade average – you wonder “Is there more than all that working and studying and the going and the doing?”

This life may feel so big and we may struggle to find our place in it. We may wonder if we matter. We try to find a purpose for our being. The reality is we are not only made for a purpose; we are made for a Person. We are made for the Miracle-Worker, Chain-Breaker, Water-Walker, the Stars and Planets Creator, the Man-Sculptor who brought us forth from dust. We are made for the One who holds all the world in His hands.

And “We exist through Jesus” (1 Cor 8:6), the One who made it possible for us to make our way home to our Most Awesome God, Who laid down His life that we might find ours. We also live by the Spirit. What a TEAM! Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We are empowered, equipped, strengthened and comforted. We are never, ever alone.

What does this mean in the middle of our routine and ordinary days? It means that our car can be a holy place of joy to the Lord. It means our sink full of dishes can be an altar of praise to our Most High. It means our office can be a sanctuary as we acknowledge the One that we are here for. Imagine the joy it brings to Him, when we acknowledge Him.

Wherever you are today, whatever your routine might be, whether or not you feel noticed, this is the message of God: “You are loved. You are mine. You matter. I see you." This is the truth I’m taking with me each day. We were made for not only a purpose but for a Person – the One who has brought me into this world for Himself. There is no greater calling. There is no more glamorous career. There is no higher glory. We are His. He is ours. This is enough reason to exist for a lifetime…and eternity.

The Greatest “Once-Upon-A Time” Love Story Ever

Don’t you love that start to a movie or a story because you just know there's going to be a happy ending at the end. I love thinking about my own “Once upon a time” love story, but no love story compares to this beginning…..

Once upon a tree…..a Creator gave His life for His creation. From the very beginning of time…..this true story began….but there was never, and there will never be a “The End”, to this story. It took our Creator stepping up to give His life for His creation so that all of man’s mistakes from the beginning of time, could have a happy EVER AFTER!

Every one of us are writing our stories by the way we live our lives each day. No, we don't have to have a "Once upon a tree"....story, because God lived that story once and for all for all of us. Some of our stories may seem ho-hum, while other stories may be adventures-of-a-lifetime every day, but we can choose how our story reads out. Maybe one of these beginnings would look good in your story:

Once upon a phone…..a devoted follower of Christ shared encouragement and love with his friend, and the friend met the Creator through him. It was a happy-ever-after phone story.

Once upon a greeting card….. there was someone who was hurting so much, but she realized someone else was hurting more than she was, so she shared the faithfulness of God in her card, and they both received renewed strength for their journeys of faith.

Once upon a car…..someone’s friend needed a ride to their doctor, so the driver became a chauffeur for God that showed what “mercy” looks like.

Once upon a dollar…..a kind-hearted soul, gave that dollar, and a hug, to a blind man holding a tin cup.

Once upon a rope…..someone tossed the end to a drowning man and saved their life. That day, the rope and the rope-thrower became a life-saver.

Once upon an altar…..someone gave their time to pray for someone who needed a Savior.

And that brings us right back to the very beginning of the “Once upon the beginning of time” story that has no ending, because in each of those scenarios the answer came with Jesus’ words to Peter “Peter do you love me? Then, feed my lambs. Peter do you love me? Feed my sheep.” And those words to Peter are Jesus’ words to us. “Do you love me? Love and care for my sheep.”

God started it all. He gave His one and only Son’s life for those who come to know Him as Lord. He asks us to be a part of His never ending story. Maybe we are the answer to someone’s prayers and, of course, we are the answer to sharing God’s story enough to give those He loves a never-ending story of their own.

In between the “Once upon a time” and the “happy ever after”…..there’s a whole lotta living going on – living to love and serve others, loving enough to be a light that draws them to the cross where our Savior died and to the empty tomb where He no longer lives, but is seated at the Father’s right hand, interceding and welcoming us to our HAPPY EVER AFTER with Him.

Once upon a Facebook post, someone told this story with the great expectation that God’s story begins in YOU and me!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Soaring Above it All

I saw this photo on a friend's FB post about her recent vacation. Right away a blog started forming in my head. Her FB comment was: “Oh, today, let’s be adventurers! Feel the wind and fly.” Obviously, she and her husband took her words to action. I commented on her post: "I love that! I sense that’s a word from God telling us to rise above anything that is keeping us earthbound. He will carry us above all as we place our trust in Him. God gives us wings as eagles to fly and strength to rise above it all. When our feet begin to stumble and our dreams begin to crumble, we mount up on eagle’s wings. Instead of doubt and fear, we get adventurous!! Count me in!"

Their adventure reminded me of my parasailing two years ago while in Zihuatanejo, Mexico for my son’s birthday celebration (2nd photo here). It looked like a cinch to me to be strapped into the harness and take to soaring behind the boat. But, I missed an important detail: “Sit back in the harness.” I didn’t and for the entire experience, I prayed and held on for dear life hoping I wouldn’t fall out of it. It felt so loose. I wouldn’t have fallen out, but still my mind wasn’t on soaring but staying locked in.” Indeed, it was an adventure for me.

No matter whether we’re walking on water with Peter (yesterday’s blog), earthbound and never flying in an airplane or a para-sail or jumping from an airplane in a parachute – there is no 100% guarantee that we will arrive safely to our destination. We don't know the equipment, the pilots and, as trained and skilled as they are, they just can't predict everything. Then what about the potential wackiness of other passengers on an airplane? With bombs found in shoes and bags, everyone is suspect when boarding a plane. The reality is that many things can go wrong and, despite the airline's stellar track record, and parachutes and para-sails working properly -- history has proven that bad things can happen.

Still, I fly. Still I para-sail. Still I raise my hand “Pick me!” when offered an adventure. And, the same is true about my faith. Like that enormous aircraft getting off the ground -- my faith even defies human logic. We are told our Savior is one who died, then came back to life. How can that be possible? But I BELIEVE. We're asked to trust God Who we can’t even see. But when we do, and we put our lives in His hands and have faith that His flight plan is the best course for us, we arrive safely at our faith destination -- fulfilling our destiny and purpose.

We were handcrafted by our Creator to soar far above this earth, going to places that would be impossible to go under our own power and doing things we never imagined. If we let go of inhibitions and fears, we can expect a faith journey of soaring high above this earth's worries and concerns, and, He guarantees 100% ON-TIME arrival! WOW! That's a record that can't be beat! Come, fly with me!

Born to Create

Our Creator continues to inspire me daily. All of His creation is masterful! I'm so proud of Him. I'm like a child when I say, "THAT’S MY DAD!”

Honestly, I cringe when I hear people say: "I'm not creative. I can't cook. I'm not an artist. I’m not a crafty person. I can't sing. I can't sew. I'm not technological. I could never blog like you do. I can’t play an instrument." I continue to be amazed at the talents and abilities of those who activated their creative abilities! Those who realized that with training, studying, practicing and pursuing, are the ones who are doing what we wished we could do. It started with a desire and a dream and they put those desires and dreams to task when they turned their “I can’t” to “I can”!

Case in point….Marco! I met this brilliant and talented master chef last week while in Mexico. His culinary abilities were outstanding and his attention to detail inspired me. Oh, I know we are all busy and it takes time to master a skill as Marco has done, but he took the time to learn and it has served him well around the world.

My 96-year old friend in Tulsa recently took up watercolor painting. She was delighted to show me her works of art displayed all around her room. She followed in her Creator’s handprints and created.

Erwin McManus, author and speaker, says: "God designed you to design; He created you to create; He imagined you to imagine; God dreamed you to dream; When you were born, you were not an ordinary child. Someone made you feel you were ordinary. You are the essence of your Creator. You are the reflection of God, Himself. You are extraordinary. Now it's time to BE the genius He created you to be -- you are both a work of art and an artist at work."

The CREATOR of the universe made us in His image so we have the goods to do WHATEVER we set our heart and mind to do. I, for one, didn’t realize I could write and blog eight years ago, but I let the creative juices that were already in me, placed there by MY Creator flow and I began to write. Here I am, eight years and 1,898 blogs later and I am creating!

Maybe someone convinced you that you are not creative. Someone spoke into your life to make you LESS. And it's time someone spoke into your life to make you MORE. I’m doing that today. I’m encouraging you to create. We are WORKS of ART.....and we are ARTISTS at WORK. Our homes should be like Picasso's attic -- where we are dreaming and imagining and creating. I'm speaking into your life RIGHT NOW and telling you...."Silence the voices. Get out that paint brush.....and start painting! Get out your pen or computer and start writing! Get out your cookbook and start cooking! Take a class. Buy a “How-to” book. BE a Creator!”

Our Great Creator and Entertainer

My typical Sunday morning routine is to listen to an online church service or Christian video while I'm endeavoring to “beautify” myself -- hair, make-up, clothes selection, etc. Yesterday, my search left me wanting, so I stopped looking. I promptly apologized to God and said, “How could I be looking for something to entertain me when you are the “Great Entertainer” Who brings me so much amusement and enjoyment!

The Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Awards or Grammys is announced when a single or group wins the accolades of fans who vote them in because of their talents. I love it when I hear the performers give all the credit to God for their abilities and fame. They are giving credit where credit is due when they do that -- like when John the Baptist announced “I must decrease. He must increase!” (John 3:30).

God our Creator, deserves all the glory and praise because He created everything, including you and me. Maybe it sounds irreverent to call Him the Great Entertainer but how could I think otherwise when I realize He entertains me with the wonder and beauty of His creation. He entertains me through my friends and family. He entertains me when He nudges me in the direction I should go. And, here’s one I hadn’t thought about until Sunday morning -- He entertains me when I’m sleeping and gives me sweet rest and sometimes gives me dreams. In fact, He entertained me Saturday night when I dreamed that Jesus was dead and lying on a slab. People were with me and we were mourning His death when all of sudden His eyes opened up and we started cheering and shouting “Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!”

I’m thinking the Jesus I saw in that dream was probably Jim Caviezel who played Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”. Jim’s parents attend my church here in Frisco and I remember hearing his testimony about how, during the filming of the movie, that he was hit with lightning at precisely the time of the crucifixion and on the cross. He had a near-death experience. It was captured on film and his realistic acting wasn’t acting at all. He lived through it to tell the story. Talk about God being the Great Entertainer!

He continues to entertain us as we watch the shenanigans of the enemy who is making such a fool of himself in the political and Hollywood arenas. That’s how we should look at the enemy – a weak, fearful, screwed up (as written by C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters”) and near-to-his-end. We will certainly be entertained by giving him the “last laugh” one day.

It’s time we put God on the pedestal and give Him the honor, the glory, and the praise that He is most worthy of because He is truly the incomparable, undeniable, indescribable GREAT Entertainer Who surprises us each day with His newest and greatest performances. He’ll make us laugh and we’ll cry with the thrills of His beneficent mercy and grace. He made all of this just for us! Perhaps it’s time to switch off the social media, TV, and the voices that endeavor to drown Him out. When we do that….we’ll most likely realize “There’s no business, like God’s show business…..because He shows out every day!”

But put your hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17).

Excuse Me! Could I Have Your Undivided Attention, Please?

This photo may look familiar. It should because I was in this very spot two years ago. I’m back in Tulsa for a few days that lead up to my mother-in-law’s 96th birthday on Wednesday. After my home sold two years ago, I stayed at a dear friend’s home for another six weeks because I had speaking engagements and other responsibilities here. I am back in this sweet spot and I get to enjoy this little piece of heaven again. This city holds so many precious memories, precious people, and so many favorite places to go. It’s not a vacay, but it sure is a favorite place to be.

I sat in this very spot each morning for my morning devotions when I was here before. I’d look out across this beautiful pond that my home backed up to. I received so much peace and comfort in this spot. I like to think that God also enjoyed my stay here because He got my undivided attention.

I wonder how God must feel about the lack of our attention because I get a little frustrated when I don’t receive full attention when I’m with someone. I can be having a nice conversation with someone, and then their phone rings or dings and, without even a second thought, they leave me hanging while they answer their phone or text message. Okay! I'll admit it. I've been on both sides....the one singing "All By Myself" while others were heads down in their phones and I've been the one with my head down in MY phone. What in the world? Where did our respect for others go? I'm ashamed of us!! It's time for putting those phones in another room or turning them off so we can get back to what's REALLY important -- being a sincere, caring, and respectful friend and family member.

Even worse is how disrespectful we can be to God. We can be right in the middle of sweet fellowship with Him when our phone dings and we can’t resist checking to see what that text message is all about. After all, it could be the plumber, the friend that we’re meeting later or one of our children or grandchildren who might need us. Right? But, oh so WRONG! We can be fully engaged in conversation with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Who gave His life for us and we allow ourselves to be interrupted. Sound familiar? God must be tapping His fingers on the arm of His royal throne as He tenderly and lovingly says “Excuse Me....could I have your undivided attention, please? I have secrets to reveal and plans to give you for your good.”

Just look at the object in this photo that the enemy of our souls uses to steal our alone time with our Best Friend, our Father, and our CEO? There it is, smack dab in the middle, instead of away from being a distraction to my one-on-one time with my royal guest. Jesus sat the example for us in Mark 1:35-36 "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a DESOLATE PLACE, and there He prayed."

Our Creator's Epic Creation -- the Skies AND You and Me

Sunday morning, on the way to church, I was mesmerized with the Eastern skies. I stopped several times to take photos of the panoramic view of God’s handiwork. Oh my, He was certainly showing off. I told Him so! It was as though He wanted us to see Who could a thousand times over one-up the ability of any brilliant artist on the “human” scale. Michelangelo was sometimes called “the divine one” because his works were so grand and full of strong emotion. I agree that Michelangelo’s works were breathtaking. I have seen many of them, firsthand, but there is only one “DIVINE ONE” and that is our Divine Creator Who set the bar for creativity, artistry, musicality, spirituality, physically and in every other way.

All of creation is God’s epic painting, and the really good news is WE are in the painting. Unlike a landscape on canvas, God’s painting is three dimensional and living and breathing and when He looked at us (humankind) in the beginning, He declared “It is good!” We can gaze up into the sky that God painted with the brush of His Word, "Let there be...." and understand that the God who painted this landscape is the glorious Creator of us. We realize He had a divine purpose for us, just as all of the rest of His creation. We look at this world and see God’s brushstrokes everywhere. It amazes me that anyone could deny that God created all of this.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Notice that scripture is in present tense. The heavens ARE declaring and the sky IS proclaiming God’s handiwork. All of nature itself shows the greatness of God. It’s a continual display. And all of that greatness is inanimate. If the inanimate declares His glory and proclaims His handiwork, how much more should we be declaring and proclaiming His awesomeness in living our lives out loud, fulfilling the purposes He had for us? We should be constantly showing off the amazing Creator He is and that He really exists by the way we live as His reflection on this earth!

The sky is preaching the glory of God to us every day. I really sensed that God was showing off on Sunday to get our attention. I suspect that I wasn’t the only one awed by His display of His greatness. I felt honored that He got my attention – not once, but several times as I made my way to church. After church, I looked at the Eastern sky and by then, the painting was blue and white instead of the yellows and reds and oranges and blues that I witnessed earlier. Specifically, the Psalmist wants us to look up and see all the wondrous things God has created.

Again, Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Creation shouts the glory of God. Whenever we look up our eyes partake of this epic portrait and epic perpetual sermon to the Glory of God.

How do we know God? We look up. We open our eyes and take in His creation and understand that this magnificent work of art has a Divine Artist. Then we take a deep breath of the air of His creation, and breathe out our praise to THE ONE who put it all on display for us, the ones He created and who are on display for the world to see Him in us and see what He saw “And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

How Do You Use Your Lightning-Fast Mind?

In the 90s, as the Associate Director of Communications at the University of Manitoba, I received this Inuit stone carving in appreciation for the “innovative idea” I had for an intra-campus courier service. Of course, we’ll have great ideas for witty inventions and innovations if we actually use these “lightning fast minds” that were made in the image of our Great Innovator and Creator. Just think about the brilliant minds of Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos in this generation and how they took the limits and restrictions off their minds and CREATED.

I like to think that I used my “innovative” thoughts similarly to those brilliant minds who did something that met a need. Oh, that we would put our thoughts to good use to meet needs and create solutions to problems instead of negative thoughts and actions that think “No way can that be done!” “That’s a dumb idea!” “It will cost too much!” “It will take too long!” We can put these God-given brains and minds to good use if we realize the potential that lies inside us. St. Paul told us how to use our “thinkers”. Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things.”

Imagine a world where we thought only about “these things”. It would be a world that creativity flowed even beyond where we are today. It would be a world where we honored God with our thoughts and then the words and actions of that honor would produce world changers and history makers.

These thoughts regarding being a creator and thinker were spawned from an article I read yesterday about a new, creative idea of a young adult librarian from the Riverside branch of the New York Public Library. Her idea became reality last month when the library began to offer neckties, bow ties, handbags and briefcases intended for people with limited resources who are heading for job interviews, auditions or any other events for which they need to dress up.

Michelle Lee came up with the concept while teaching a free class at the library about job seeking and résumé making. She told the high school students: “You want to look professional. You shouldn’t be bringing a backpack to a job interview." She was surprised by their reaction. “For a lot of them, it was eye-opening because they never thought about it. One of the students said he didn’t have anything like that. The other kids said ‘I don’t have nice things.’” She realized the students needed more than a résumé class. She said, “It got me thinking if the library could help,” she said. (My thought: She used her "thinker")

She felt that she already had the teens' attention because many of them use the library as a hangout spot after school, often doing homework on computers, or borrowing laptops. So she drafted a proposal for the ties and handbags and submitted it to the library’s Innovation Project, a program that allows library staffers to suggest ideas and solutions to problems they come across, with a budget of about $3,000 or less each. After a submission period, the staff voted Lee’s project a winner. With funding from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, which sponsors the Innovation Project, she bought 12 handbags and briefcases new from Amazon -- priced between $40 and $120 -- and the ties and pocket squares were donated, including by an employee at Bloomingdale’s.

Lee said she thinks the lending program will be useful because many teens and adults use the library to work on résumés or apply for jobs. The library already refers patrons who need business attire to organizations that lend clothes. She figured that allowing people to check out ties and bags would fill a need.
Library patrons with less than $15 in fines are eligible to borrow the ties and bags for a three-week span.

What a great example of using her “thinker” for good!! What if we only allowed creativity and ideas and good thinking to come into and out of our minds? Just imagine a home where the wife and mom used her mind to create “systems” that caused her home to function better. Just a imagine a secretary that offered her mind to come up with solutions for the supply room or filing system. Just imagine freeing up our minds of the useless trash, negative thinking to open the door of our minds to be “thinkers” of possibilities!

It's All About Perspective

Continuing on with my animal-sitting here in Austin, I was taking the 2,000 lb longhorn, Vamanos, his morning meal, consisting of huge grain pellets and lots of hay. He is usually standing at the fence waiting or at least comes trotting if he is a distance away. Yesterday, no sign of Vamanos. I clanged the gate with the chain. Nada. I hollered and yelled for him. Nada. Suddenly, I became alarmed. NEVER had he not shown up for his mealtime. I, cautiously, walked inside the fence and went down a path that leads to a thick treed area, but then Mother Wisdom warned me about getting too far from the gate so I could make a quick exit if he shows up. He seems like a gentle giant, but my good instincts tell me he sees "red" when he sees me!

In a distance, I saw what looked to be horns and a carcass in the field. My heart was beating a mile a minute. I imagined wild animals had attacked him and eaten him up. As I walked closer, I was greatly relieved that it was the remains of a fallen tree looking exactly like what my imagination was telling me. After breathing a sigh of relief, I made my way back to the gate and called some more. I started pondering "Who can I call to go into that pasture and treed area to see if he is okay or hurt or sick?" I thought, "I'll give it an hour (it was 7 am) and then I'll go back and see if he showed up. As I was walking away, meandering up the hill, was Vamanos. I probably had awakened him from one of those mornings deep periods of sleep.

Of course, I would find a post for today out of that morning ordeal. My perspective was imagining the worst possible scenario and my vision saw it just that. Not until I got closer to the false scenario, did I change my perspective.

How many times do we imagine the worst possible thing to happen in our lives instead of getting a reality check? We hear the weather reports and rather than turning to the Creator of the weather, we succumb to fear and anxiety. We come up against some tough times financially, and we see ourselves going bankrupt instead of turning to He Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (gotta' keep up with my farm analogy). We see a light at the end of the tunnel but it's a train coming to take us out instead of the Light of the World turning things around for us.

Even though our perspective might be skewed and we may not see things clearly, just hold on. Time will pass and we will see it as clearly as God had planned all along. It will be like seeing with new eyes. Seeing things through His planned perspective. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ {Jeremiah 29:11}

When we let our own limited perspective get in our way, we miss God in the midst. When we dwell on the outcome, we miss what is happening now. He is right there with us. He knows the way. He has the plan all figured out and He knows how it will all come together.

Just as Vamanos came sauntering up for his breakfast instead of being eaten alive as my perspective had made me think.....God will saunter or stroll along for a while, and in His perfectly set time.....we will see Him clearly and we will see the BIG PICTURE He planned all along.

Excuse Me....Could I Have Your Undivided Attention Please?

Excuse Me....Could I Have Your Undivided Attention Please?
These days, it's almost impossible to have a meal or a focused conversation with someone without being interrupted by a phone call or text message. How does it make you feel to be having a nice conversation with someone, and then THEIR phone rings or dings that indicates a text message coming through, AND, without even a second thought, they leave you hanging while they answer their phone or text message? Ugh! And how do you feel if you're sitting at the dinner table with others and instead of carrying on conversation with you, you seem to be the only one at attention because the others are all checking their Facebook, Instagram or emails?

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been on both sides....the one singing "All By Myself" while others were heads down in their phones, AND I've been the one with my head down in MY phone. What in the world? Where did our respect for others and being laser focused on others in their presence go? I'm ashamed of us!! It's time for putting those phones in another room or turning them off so we can get back to what's REALLY important -- being a sincere, caring, and respectful friend and family member. It's like going into a store -- you made the effort to go to the store and BE THERE, when the store's phone rings, and the sales clerk answers it and carries on a conversation with them, instead of honoring the fact that YOU ARE THERE!

The point was made ever so profoundly yesterday morning as I sat on my friend's lovely screened-in porch that overlooks the beautiful pond and fountain, sipping my coffee, worshipping and praising my Lord as I read my devotion book and scriptures, WHEN.....my phone dinged, alerting me to check out who just left a text message for me. After all, it could be the plumber, the friend that's coming over later today, or one of my children or grandchildren needing me. Right? Oh, so WRONG! I was fully engaged in conversation with my Heavenly Father, Maker of Heaven and Earth, My Creator, My Savior Who Gave His life for me, My Confidant, Healer and the King of all Kings....and I let myself be interrupted. Oh, and to make matters worse....while I was checking that ding, I just had to check my Facebook account and any emails that may have come in. Are you kidding ME? How could I be so inconsiderate? How could I be so unthoughtful? Suddenly, I was well aware of how rude and disrepectful I have been. Immediately, I heard God's tender and loving words "Heaven to Donna!!!! Could I have your undivided attention please?" While begging for forgiveness, I took the phone into the house and then went back to my Welcomed Guest and resumed my one-on-one with The Almighty! My goodness!

So let's do a Where's Waldo?" search. Where is the object in this photo that is used by the enemy to steal my alone time with my Best Friend, Father and my CEO? Oh, there it is.....smack dab in the middle.....instead of AWAY from being a distraction to my one-on-one time with my ROYAL guest. Jesus sat the example for us in Mark 1:35-36 "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a DESOLATE PLACE, and there He prayed."

Like Father.....Like Sons & Daughters

That 3-1/2 to 4 hours between Frisco, TX and Tulsa, OK gives me plenty of time to think about subject matter for my FB posts. This trip back to Tulsa didn't disappoint. As I gazed at the beautiful blue skies with puffy white clouds, the trees, and pastures abundant with cattle -- I thought "Father God -- You are such an awesome Creator!" And, I thought about His magnificent genius in creating you and me -- IN HIS IMAGE (Genesis 1:26)! Now that's something to think about! I don't think that scripture means "look like Him" as much as "act like Him". We should bear the family resemblance.

In Genesis we read that God spoke things into being. He said, "Let there be light" and there was light. He said let there be skies and earth and stars and moon and there were skies and earth and stars and moon. By what He said, things were created.

So, doesn't it make sense that if we’re made in his image and He created with words, we are creators with our words also? Proverbs 18:21 says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue." The example I thought of was a young woman we knew, who was so near and dear to us. She grew up with people telling her she was stupid, that she'd never amount to anything, that she was lazy, and a hopeless case. That resonated within her for years and years. Those people were creators. They created a world of pain, hurt, disappointment, inferiority and rejection in this young woman, but all was not lost. One day, she came into our lives. Immediately we began to create beauty and life as God would. We started speaking into her "You are beautiful, you are worthwhile, you are smart, you are funny, you are valuable, you are precious, you are packed with potential and accomplishment. The more we spoke into her, the more she started believing and becoming all that....and more.

Everyday we have the opportunity to not only CREATE beauty in others by the way we speak to them, but we have the opportunity to CREATE environments conducive to turning darkness to light, animosity to tenderness and kindness, hatred to love and sadness to joy! So, CREATORS!!! Let's CREATE!!! Let's get our "creative" juices flowing and start creating beauty and life with OUR words AND actions! Wouldn't it be great if we could look at OUR creations, and, like God, say, "It is very good!" (Genesis 1:31)

Inner Beauty AND Being a Masterpiece

Yesterday, in my post, I talked about divine set-ups. I like to think that God is always setting us up for divine appointments. Knowing that, we should be keeping our eyes, ears and hearts open to the possibility of those times. He sure has a way of surprising me in the middle of a routine day, with another "aha" moment. My post included the topic of "inner beauty". Then, when I looked at my Facebook "On This Day" posting from years before on my timeline, I had one of those "aha" moments because it confirmed the discussion of "inner beauty".

How appropriate for me to see that post on this day. Here's why! Have you ever started to take a photo with your cell phone and you accidentally pushed "selfie" mode and it flipped around and you got the "up close and personal" view of yourself? Whoa! I did! Who was that ole' gal looking back at me? It couldn't have been me. After all, I dolled this girl up this morning and when I looked in the mirror, it revealed only a "slightly mature" woman, but that selfie was MY mother!!! Okay, God, I get it. You wanted me to see this post because it talked about being YOUR masterpiece. It went like this:

This world will always try to make us think “we're too young or too old; not pretty enough or handsome enough; not rich enough; not thin enough; not talented enough; not smart enough!!: It's time for us to STOP listening to what the world thinks and says. There is only one voice that truly speaks truth, and that ONE is the voice of our Creator Who made us on purpose and in His image.

And He says: "You are my MASTERPIECE -- and I made you JUST RIGHT -- right for the special purposes only you can fulfill! You ARE exactly who I made you to BE! Don't look for the approval of others. I approve you, and that’s all that matters! When you look in the mirror...look at the BEAUTY I made you to be! Now, go make your Dad proud as you take your BEAUTY and make a difference in this world!!"
"You are so beautiful to Me!" -- Love, God

I like to think that when He shows up, it's up to me to give Him the recognition and the honor for the inspiration. So, today, I do, and I thank You, Father, for reminding me that I AM beautiful....inside AND out!

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." Proverbs 31:30

Being a Show Off

Yesterday, was officially the first day of Summer, Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and, to throw a big whoop-la celebration, our Creator made it to be extra special as it conincided with a full moon in a rare event that hasn't be seen in nearly 70 years. It also featured a full "strawberry" moon -- the name comes from the belief that strawberry-picking season is at its peak during this time of the year. What preciseness it took for God to Master-plan that one! What a "show-off" He is! Genius....to put it mildly!

Here we are on Day 2 of Summer. Summer is a season of long sunshine and heat-filled days — memories made at the pool and lake, vacation travels, camp-outs, grilling and lots of ice cold drinks and good times spent with friends.

One of my all-time favorite times is when it's an Olympics year. I'm thrilled that this is the year for the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to 21, 2016. I'm already counting the days -- it's one of my favorite times -- seeing those determined and skilled athletes "show off" what they can achieve from the dedication and hard work that got them there.

Hmmm -- showing off. God, and His artistry, and the Olympics with those talented athletes. Is there a way we can show off, too? We get to "show off" how much we can be like our Creator. He loves us so much that He purposefully gave us a "sun and moon" show, but that's not the real "show-stopper". He gave us His one and only Son to be our Savior. And what does He ask of us? To love Him back and love our neighbors, our friends, our world as much as we love ourselves.

I started thinking about that -- being intentional with loving and caring about others. Intentionality doesn’t have to mean a ton of time. Maybe, intentional with a text message to someone to tell them they are loved or a few words about a prayer we've said for them.

Sometimes we just need to pick up the phone. I know. I know. There's just not enough hours in the day to get into a drawn-out telephone conversation, but there are times when a friend's face or name pops up in our minds, and that may be God's way of showing us they need a friendly and warm call.

Sometimes we are so busy with our plans that we have blinders on to others who may be yearning for community. And the thing is, many times it would be so easy to just engage someone in a conversation that opens the door for them and us to find a new, close friend.

We’re all busy. But if busyness is preventing us from "showing off" our love and compassion for others, then we're just too busy.

Maybe this lazy, hazy days of Summer could actually turn out to be the most show-stopping, exhilarating, thrilling and BLESSED summer EVER, when we become more Creator-like, creating friendships and relationships that matter....in the light of eternity.

Breaking Out of the Box

We've all heard the saying "Think OUTSIDE the Box" which means think more creatively. But I heard my grandkids' youth pastor speak about "Getting Out of the Box" completely on Sunday night. I was able to attend the youth service at their church in Frisco, TX on Sunday night. Over 200 "praising and worshipping" kids attended that meeting.

Way beyond the years of those young people, the youth pastor's message struck a chord with even me. He had four boxes on the stage and asked one of the young men to get inside one. It was an effort for him to scrunch inside that box. In essence, he was living inside that VERY uncomfortable box. It was a great analogy of too many of us that have settled for "box" living.

We’ve accepted the status quo, we’ve accepted other people’s negative opinion of us, we’ve accepted “this is who I will always be”. He gave himself as an example. He was a broken little boy. His family's circumstances kept him in the box. He had a learning disability as a child that kept him in the box. When other kids could read several chapters of a book, it took him an hour to read just one page.

The good news is he refused the labels, he persevered and pushed through every obstacle and everything that kept him from turning his life around. He was the first one in his family to finish high school. He GOT OUT OF THE BOX in his attitude AND his aptitude. He eventually became a devoted follower of Christ and then a member of the Strike Force Team, a group of men who go into schools and organizations, performing feats of strength that opens the door for them to give messages of anti-bullying and bullying prevention, teamwork, drug prevention and character development. Just look at what "getting out of the box" did for him.

He passionately spoke to those kids on Sunday night, ”Not one of you is here on this earth, as an accident. God made you and formed you. When people try to put you in this category, break out of it. Christ rules in your life. You are detined for greatness. He told those kids to “break out of the box” that keeps you from being all God destined you to be. Tonight, there are those of you who will say, "I'm done with living inside this box and I'm going ALL-OUT to get out. I'm going to wake up and give it my all. God, I'm in it to WIN IT. I'm not giving up or giving in. I'm breaking out of the box!" And on stage, the young man in the box, literally broke out of the box. You could sure sense he was thrilled for his new-found freedom!

Whatever age you are today, you may feel trapped, misunderstood, broken, defeated, and stuck in a box, but you're ready to not only think outside the box, but break through and LIVE outside the box. Keep this in mind: You are always connected to the ever-present wellspring of creativity, power and wisdom, and it's God, Himself. His expertise lives BIG in you if you know Him intimately. Go ahead, call on Him and He'll help you break OUT OF THE BOX.