You Can't Live Without It

We’re driving home from Bryson’s wall climbing sport. It’s his absolute love. He is making climbs that the adults have trouble with. I witnessed them trying, but, then again, this Nana is super-partial. I’m amazed by how skilled he is compared to the last time I was here. He’s telling me jokes. “Did you hear about the new Apple car? It’s great but they’re having trouble with its “Windows”.” And, I remind him of the riddle he told me a couple of years ago. We were sitting on their patio and the rain was pouring down. He started talking about a tsunami. Then he asks me “ What is it that we can’t live without, but it can still kill you?” I didn't know. The answer? Water. So, Bryson says, “Wonder what it feels like to be drowning?” I respond: “Well, have you ever been in water and you couldn’t get your breath?” Bryson says. "Oh, yes. Brothers. It’s called brothers.”

This kid cracks me up! But, his analogy and riddle gave me "food" for thought! Oh, FOOD – something else we can’t live without for more than 4-6 weeks – depending on the weight and health of the person! We can’t live without air for more than 3 minutes. Some people can’t live long without certain medicines or medical care. Some can’t live long without financial support of others because they are either physically or mentally disabled. The point being, there are more than a few things in life we can’t live without, but there is one thing that supersedes them all, and that is God and His Word. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). Yes, we can’t live physically without the necessities of life here on planet earth: air, water and food. However, even with those necessities, we will still eventually die and face God and if we face Him, unprepared, then we might say “We’re up a creek without a paddle!” I know the life I have here is just temporary and if I don’t have air, water and food – I’ll be a goner on this side of heaven. But, not when it comes to the promises God made in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That WHOEVER believes in Him, shall NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!” Woohoo! That’s what I’m talking about! Real life begins when we leave this life to eternal life.

If we desire to live eternally with God in heaven, we might start asking the riddle: ““What is it that you can’t live without in eternity, but must die to get it?” And, the answer is: “We must come to know the Maker of Heaven and Earth – the ONE Who created life, in the first place. Get to know the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ – Who came to give us eternal life. “To live with Christ, we must be buried with Him by baptism and raised to walk in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:3,4) Yes, we must first die with Christ, in order to live forever with Him. (2 Timothy 2:11,12)

So, if we want that “live forever and ever” guarantee – then we “Believe on the Lord, Jesus, Christ – AND we shall be saved!” (Acts 16:31) “And, Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” That, my friends is the Christian’s Bill of Health guarantee. Believe me when I say, you can’t truly live without it!

Lost…..and May Never Be Found

A friend’s Facebook post said: “There are five things that you cannot recover in life:
The Stone...........after it's thrown,
The Word...............after it's said,
The Occasion......after it's missed,
The Time.............after it's gone.
A person...............after they die
I realize this so much now. Life is too short. As I get older I just want to live in peace and harmony and have joy because it can all be gone in an instant. Give love and forgive each other. For you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”


Such true words, and great reminder of “living with no regrets”. I don’t want to say “I wish I hadn’t”, “I wish I didn’t” “If only….” I said that to myself as I was trimming my trees and bushes (4 large trash bags full). I looked at my bushes afterwards, pleased that they’re ready for stringing my Christmas lights on them. WHAT? Christmas? Already? Where did this year go? And, like my friend’s post said -- we can’t get that time back!

I’m going to keep that “no regrets” mindset. I’m purposing to pray each day and live by this scripture: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O God!” (Psalm 19:14) In fact, I’ve declared it as my new life scripture. I add my words to that scripture: ”also acceptable to my family, my friends and everyone I encounter in this day.” Words too quickly spoken can be regret “stones”. Please, Lord, keep a gate on my mouth and mind.

I made sure I was seizing the moments yesterday at Children’s Hospital. Patients went on a scavenger hunt throughout the hospital. At my Radiology station, I stamped their scavenger hunt cards and gave them a goody bag. I embraced the glow on those kiddos faces! No regrets! A contest was given for the hospital staff's best costumes. I loved my Radiology's team's great idea -- a ride at Six Flags!

Then, I made way to my "stomping grounds" in Tulsa. First order of “no regret” was celebrating Mom’s 97th birthday. Bonus was my great grand niece, Anna, was there and getting to love on her. Then to top off my day was staying at my besties' and capturing Sheila reading to her little angel granddaughter, Penelope. Be still my heart!

Tomorrow, I’ll be driving my beloved mentor, Sister Marie Pierre to our last First Weekend of November, Fall Retreat at Cherokee Lodge on Fort Gibson Lake. Oh, the memories of God showing off there with so many precius women who sat at the feet of Sister Pierre over the years, gleaning from her wisdom of serving God in practical Christian living.

After the retreat, I’ll head to Austin with my grands for a week or so. Some of life's greatest lessons come from firsthand experience. And those experiences teach us "living with regrets" or "living with NO regrets". The latter on that statement is truly the way to go. Believe me, I've known both. Those times we "miss it" are surely those times we learn from the most. Life is so short and making the most of everything we can when the opportunities arise, not only produces sweet memories, but it makes for deepening our relationships with each other.

Are you seizing those moments, minutes, days of YOUR life? We are here at this place, and this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gave for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow....and let's live ALL IN! Let's look for those moments in this day that are over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments, so that tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I lived with no regrets!"

Good Friday? or, Black Friday?

Shouldn't "Good Friday" be called "Black Friday"? After all, on this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. He wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, compassionate, giving, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends,and spit on by countless people, some of whom, just a few days before, treated Him as royalty as He entered the city. He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. And, bottom line, He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) NOW, we know why it's called "GOOD FRIDAY".

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?" He answered, "This much," as He spread out his arms and died. This is a TRUE love story written with you and me in mind. Isn't that enough reason for us to slow down and literally put on the brakes, today, to REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS for this GOOD Friday when HE loved us -- TO INFINITY and BEYOND!