Comfort and Peace in the Storm

I’m continuing my blog series about these two furry grand-dogs that I’m keeping while my children are away. It’s Sunday morning and I get a wake-up call, rather a wake-up barking at 4:30 am from Emma, the Yorkie. I’m not a happy camper. Who wants to be awakened by a barking alarm? My sleep is very important to me because I get so little of it. So the little I get doesn't want to be disturbed. I prance into my granddaughter’s bedroom where Emma sleeps and I shoosh her. I get back to my room and determine to get just a few more minutes of shut-eye, then I hear thunder bellowing loudly. Aw! So that’s why Emma is barking. She is afraid. I go pick her up and bring her to my bed. She snuggles in closely to me. She is comforted. She is at peace because I represent peace and comfort to her.

Rarely do I veer off-course from my life experiences in my blogs. That’s on purpose. St. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 1:4 "That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with." And, indeed, that is my desire to bring comfort – not to just a furry friend, but to comfort others with the many times of comfort that I have been comforted with during my own “thunderous, stormy and difficult times. I want to help others learn their lessons.....much faster than I do.

I found that when the storms come, it’s our nature to get worried –- like little Emma. She doesn’t understand loud thunder. And, maybe we don’t either. Oftentimes, praying and seeking God for the answer is the last thing we do to escape our storms. "Well, I've tried everything else.....so as a last resort, I'll ask God for help!" We do our best to try to figure it all out, when He Who knows everything about everything has it all figured out. He is just waiting for us to cry out to Him for the answers.

The disciples knew Jesus was on the mountain praying. They discounted the fact that He was the authentic, unparalleled storm chaser and peace maker. They toiled and feared in their boat on the stormy waters, but Christ was praying on the mountainside for them because He saw the storm come up and He saw their fear. And we should realize that He sees and knows the storms we're going through and He is hearing our prayers in the midst of OUR storms.

Little Emma snuggles in close to me and even as I type this blog this early Sunday morning, she sleeps on, and, in fact -- snoring. If my tender heart cares for the concerns of this little dog, how much more does our loving Heavenly Father care about us? He is always inviting us to “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) We can know this: There is no difficulty in life that is stronger than Jesus. We can snuggle in close to Him and face our difficult times with courage because He promised to ALWAYS be with us! I love knowing that His peace is ours during our storms....and how reassuring to know that right behind this storm is a rainbow of blessing! He promised it, and I've come to count on it!

Just Harping About Loving

What are we going to do about the evil in this world? Let it play out, or, as Christians, take the responsibility to demonstrate radical love that people will start to know Jesus by our love. We could reach the world with this radical, Christ-like love.

How do we measure up? Do others know we're a disciple of Christ by the way we talk the "love talk" and walk the "love walk"? Let's take St. Paul's love test to see how we measure up: “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own way, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). That love is the mark of Christ’s disciples.

Yes, I’m harping on loving. We’re in good company if we become a “love-harper”. We’ll be taking after Jesus. Our hearts of love (or not) are being exposed. Here’s a scripture that reveals whose side we’re on: “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy”, but the Jesus way of love says: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) The thief is aka Satan. The Lover and Life-giver is Jesus.

Jesus explained it in an easy-to-understand way. He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.“ (Matthew 22:37-38) Loving God is the heart of the matter. Without love for God, first and foremost, it's easy to violate all the other commandments, the laws of the land, love and respect for our brothers and sisters, and ourselves. If we stuck to this one -- we'd sail through the other ones!

And, isn’t that why Jesus gave us that first and most important commandment? It was because He loves us too much to see us wander and become isolated from a Father-Child, loving relationship that is about obedience, righteousness and a daily heart-check-up! If we aren’t purposefully loving God with all our hearts, it's easy to slide on keeping any of the others.

These times call for an immersion in the waters of love. When we fall in love with the Lover of our Souls, then it is a natural by-product of Jesus’ second greatest commandment – to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). In 1st John the connection is explicit: “We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:19-21). Whew! How much clearer could it get?

So, how can we measure up to loving in spite of wrongs done to us? We can't measure up, but there is One who does. Jesus loved us perfectly and gave Himself for us. He saved us when none of us could save ourselves. And now, when we put our trust in Him, we are transformed and can imitate the pattern of His love: In receiving His love, we can, in turn, love others. It’s a win-win – we love God with all our hearts – and then, we live it out by loving others. Let's harp about this kind-of-love!

Power Fishing -- Power Bait -- Power Living

Since the end of last year’s fishing trip in Oklahoma, we’ve looked forward to this day, this year. We’ll re-enact it all over again. It’s our Payton’s 20th birthday today and as has been requested by him for many years – we’re celebrating in grand “hook-line-sinker and power-bait” way – his favorite way!

I’m all in. Geared up, fishing clothes, enough food to feed this hungry crew and beyond, water shoes, hats, sun screen, bug repellant – all the necessities are checked off the list. It’s the list that was made originally by Papa and I years ago. Now it’s updated and all items are present and accounted for plus all the items for the guys' cabin. Changes came this year. Larry, Staci, Alexia and I will be staying in their super-sized RV. Payton and his two friends’ bachelor pad will be in a cabin.

It's Payton's birthday and it may sound like this is all for him -- oh, but not so. I remember last year, after fishing almost all day, we stopped to go in for dinner. It was getting darker and Larry asked Staci: “Wanna’ go fishing?” Her reply was “Morning, noon and night!” LOL! This girl is the real fishing deal. She vowed to fish in 50 different fishing holes across the U.S. this year – now that they have this RV. So, Payton gets his love for fishing honestly --- not to mention, he was Papa’s fishing buddy as long as Papa was on this side of heaven.

Fishing is a natural AND spiritual experience for us. We'll fish and pray, fish and praise, fish and meditate. It’s so natural to flow like that, especially when we’re smack dab in the middle of God’s creation wonderland. Fishing brings to mind how often we hear Bible stories of someone fishing or being eaten by a fish. Yikes! Jonah, what were you thinking?

It was the fishermen brothers, Peter and Andrew, who Jesus first called to be His disciples. It was fish that Jesus multiplied to feed the 5,000+. It was fish that Jesus cooked up for His disciples. It was in a fish’s mouth that Jesus sent the disciples to get the coin to pay their taxes. It was fish that Jesus likened to, when He said to His disciples “Be fishers of men”! There’s something about fishing. Jesus set the example, and we’re simply doing what He did. There’s a little competition, but mostly relaxation and a potential fish meal (or meals) in store, as the fruits of the rewards of fishing are bountiful. Aw! I can taste that beer-battered fried fish now! Great expectations!

By the campfire, we'll laugh and talk about our adventures in each day. We’ll rattle on about the “big one” that might have gotten away or the fishing techniques that an old fisherman might have shared with us. We’ll make lots more memories that we’ll continue to share for years to come.

This place may not fit into your idea of a dream vacation, but it is ours. I’m still remembering the many fishing trips when our kids were kids. All those memories continue to mount up – even to the point we know Payton and Alexia will want to bring their kids back here some day! Might I suggest that you ponder about the memories you'd like your kiddos to want a “repeat” with their kids. I promise. It's worth it! Now, until you hear from me again, we’ve GONE FISHING!

The Divine Tag-a-Long Changed Their Lives

As I was walking yesterday, basking in the freshness of the early morning, I said, “Open my eyes to see you, Lord.” I knew I was already seeing Him in the beauty of His creation, but I sensed a true desire to open my eyes to His presence – right now!

After I posted my blog that described my 6:15 am early morning walk on Friday, a friend cautioned me about walking alone in the darkness and recommended I get a stun gun or another protective device. I appreciated his concern and told him I live in a safe 55+ community. I asked if he knew the old hymn “In the Garden” that went like this: "I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ears, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there -- none other has ever known!" Oh, the sweet early morning encounters! I am so not alone.

That “open my eyes to His presence” made me recall the huge statute at Emmaus Church in Austin and the story of the two disciples journeying home to Emmaus after the death of Jesus. (Luke 24:13-35) They didn't believe the rumor that Jesus was alive and were in doubt and despair. Then, out of nowhere, the Divine Tag-a-Long, the Risen Jesus, began to walk with them. They didn’t recognize Him even when He shared many Old Testament stories. When it came time for dinner, they invited the stranger to join them. Jesus accepted and when He blessed and broke the bread, their eyes were opened and they saw that their guest was Jesus.

Suddenly those two disciples went from doubt and despair to faith in the Risen Lord. And, I think Jesus was walking with me yesterday, specifically to open my eyes to the truth of the matter. He is ALWAYS walking with me – with us. Especially when we are in doubt and despair and concern – right here, right now in the middle of these COVID-19 times to acknowledge we're not alone and to stand strong in faith in OUR Risen Savior. Yes, it feels like we’re walking through a strange land and are traveling down a road of wondering why this is happening – why so many people have died or are suffering from the pain of loss of a loved one or the loss of a job or the loss of a dream. "Why is God permitting things like this to happen?"

Just like the two disciples, we are sometimes caught up in our doubt and despair and we can't see Jesus as He travels with us. They couldn't see the Divine Tag-a-Long Who made their hearts burn as He shared scriptures with them. But, right in the very moments of their doubt and despair, Jesus was working on their hearts. He had a plan all along to reveal Himself to them. They would be two of the first disciples that He would prove He was alive and well. And so it is in our lives. God is at work in the details of our lives. He chooses our everyday doubts and despair to open our eyes to Jesus Who is with us.

The Risen Jesus wants to be invited to walk alongside us in every facet of our lives -- in the craziness of our kids running rampant, in the painful times of a loved one's passing or unable to be with our loved ones. He walks beside the frontliners. God is a good, good Father and any good that is happening during these times -- is from God HImself. He is walking with us and talking with us and telling us we are His own -- and He would never leave us or forsake us. May we allow Him to remind us that wherever we are and whatever we're going through, He is with us. Remember, just as His disciples recognized Him in the simple breaking of bread, His Holy Presence is with us in the simplicity of our every day lives. Lord, please open our eyes to You, today! You are here with us right here, right now!

Mercy, Lord! Lord, Have Mercy!

We’re one week into the 40 days of Easter through to Jesus' ascension to heaven. It’s been an unusual time of “incubation” – I like that word better than “isolation” – because I believe God is doing a sovereign work in our lives during this time and we are going to emerge out of this season as the mature “chicks” that He planned for us all along.

That’s the visual I get about “incubation”. Last summer, as a Volunteer at Children’s Hospital, I was in charge of the baby chicks in their incubation at their Ranch Days Fair. I had to keep little children from reaching into the incubator to pick them up. They weren’t big enough to handle yet and stayed under a warm light so they could absorb what they needed to develop and grow stronger.

That’s a choice we can make too. We can continue to think we’re being punished by a Daddy Who carries a big stick or we can realize our Daddy doesn’t carry a stick at all. Well, maybe He does carry a couple of sticks that remind us what we received from Christ on the cross at Calvary.

Oh, the mercy of our Father Who loves us so much that He gave us His beloved one and only Son to take on our sins – the sins of all humanity – so that we can live with him forever and ever. Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Saint Faustina wrote some beautiful words in her Diary about God’s mercy: “All grace flows from mercy . . . even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary: that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (Diary of Saint Faustina)

If we open our hearts, just a little, even a tiny crack, God’s light (like those little chicks’ light in the incubator) can shine in and He can work marvels of transformation within us.

“Stay at Home” orders are no match for Jesus. Remember how afraid Jesus’ disciples were of the Jewish leaders and were huddled in fear behind locked doors? But….then Jesus came in. He could have had an agenda that included setting them straight. He could have started in a rant about their weaknesses and failures. He could have displayed His disappointment in their betrayal and denial of Him. His first words could have been, “Thanks…. for NOTHING! What were you thinking? Where were you when I needed you?” He had every right to unload His righteous indignation on them. But, no, His first words to them were “Peace be with you”. Isn’t that the way He continues to speak to us – in spite of our mistakes & failures? He loves us unconditionally and speaks “Peace be with you.” Yes, He is our "Divine Mercy" Jesus!

None of us need to be defined by our past because Divine Mercy is open to us all. Whether our sins are small or great, the mercy of God is available to all of us. The mercy of God is real! The mercy of God is His love! The mercy of God is the power of the resurrection still working today. You are not your past. Believe it! Embrace it! God’s Divine Mercy forgives, forgets and even forges the way to becoming all God destined for us in the first place. So, shouldn’t His example cause us to be His people of mercy, too — forgiving and loving others with mercy? Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy!

He's the Answer to Everything

Maybe you're thinking "Donna sure loves Easter because she keeps talking about it". If you thought that, then you’re right! I can’t leave Easter alone – it’s the reason for everything we hold dear in our lives. And, besides, Easter isn’t over anyway. We're not done yet! The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) continues for 40 days AFTER Christ’s resurrection. That’s why I’ll keep all my Easter décor up until we celebrate His ascension to heaven on Thursday, May 21st!

That was 40 days He was "in and out" of places and people's lives. He was showing up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who were eye witnesses of the "alive and well" Jesus? They are those who documented and verified Jesus lives. Thank goodness for the Chronicles of Jesus in the Bible. True story. Without a doubt, He lives!

Among those who witnessed Him alive, the first was a woman, Mary Magdalene. He even spoke His first words as our resurrected Lord to her. Then there was Peter and the disciples behind closed doors, and even to "doubting" Thomas who touched the nail prints in His hands and His pierced side. I love the story of Jesus joining the two disciples on the Emmaus road as a stranger. He went to their home, broke bread with them and they recognized their Lord.

For 40 days, Jesus was able to prove to His followers that He really had been raised from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that Jesus "appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time". He needed to teach His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a seminar on biblical teaching and resurrection life that must have been! Imagine being taught about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25). And at the end of the 40 days, He ascended to heaven. But, even that wasn't enough for Him. He couldn't be everywhere at one time, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to comfort, guide, and lead us. He lives in our hearts.

What does the Life of Christ -- His birth, His resurrection and these forty days to His ascension mean to us? First of all, because He lives, we can face whatever this day and what our tomorrows hold. Only He knows if we’ll be able to be back home in our churches, our places of business, dining in at restaurants and shopping at our favorite stores any time soon. I watch the news very little – only for an occasional update. I don’t want to live in the gloom and despair – not to be oblivious of it, but I, rather, want to be a member of the choir that sings songs of hope, joy, peace and LIFE that Christ gave us.

The Life of Christ is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING -- past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme -- overall and that should change our perspective about EVERYTHING.

Science was never my favorite class in school, so I was eternally grateful when I passed that class. Done and done! Whew! So, although I'm not a stellar scientific know-it-all, I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and planets, I know He lives. When I walk outside in the daytime and see the beauty all around me, when I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and as I live in peace that passes understanding, I know it's because my Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords LIVES. Let's keep celebrating this miraculous, life-changing Savior Who is the answer to EVERYTHING!

The Morning's Blaze of Glory

I don’t think we were ever so grateful for Easter to arrive as we were this year. At least that's how I felt about the new hope that comes with the resurrection of our Lord. And, what a declaration was made when a downpour of rain came and knock-me-outta’-my-bed-thunder and lightning early morning. I thought: "God, is that You echoing the sounds of the morning of Your beloved Son's resurrection when the earthquake rolled away the stone from His tomb? And, then You accentuate the 'great escape' when I see the sun breaking through the clouds in splendor as I drive to my children’s home for Easter breakfast?" The dismal, dark skies broke through like a blaze of glory -- maybe like Jesus broke through on that Resurrection morning!

Immediately, I started thinking about another Gospel song by the Gaither’s with Guy Penrod singing these words:
“Then came the morning, night turned into day
The stone was rolled away. Hope rose with the dawn
Then came the morning. Shadows vanished before the sun.
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come."

I googled the song to listen to those inspiring words again. These lines touched me as much as the Christmas song, “Mary, did you know?” These words speak to her heart once again:
"The angel, the star, the kings from afar,
the wedding, the water, the wine.
Now it was done, they'd taken her Son, wasted before His time.
She knew it was true, she'd watched Him die too
She'd heard them call Him just a man.
But deep in her heart, she knew from the start
Somehow her Son would live again. Then came the morning…"

That was yesterday. This is the day after THAT never-to-be-surpassed morning. The plastic eggs are put away, the Easter meal left-overs are in the fridge. But, our new normal may be to leave up the palms, the crosses, and red ribbons. We’re not ready to put away the exhilaration that comes from our Savior coming back to life. Imagine what Easter Sunday was like. I mean, wow. It must have been a blaze of glory.

But, that blaze of glory wasn't temporary. It ignited a movement -- a spiritual, proactive, action-driven movement of discipleship. It was a movement of “let's change the world". And that mandate and movement is now passed on to you and me. We don’t need a microphone or a platform to share the good news. We just share it in our homes, our neighborhood, and the marketplace. Yes, we're the ones with the palms and crosses on our doors or in our yards. We're the ones that blog, post a comment about our Lord's love. We listen for His voice. We stand to our feet. We follow where He leads. And, we tell any and every one that will listen: “This is the God who loves us so much HE gave us His best." This is the God who sends us.” Everything changed THAT morning! A blaze of glory was ignited. Are we catching the flame to go and BE the followers who proclaim our resurrected Lord and Savior?

For Holy Easter chills, listen to Guy Penrod and the Gaithers sing this exhilarating song of morning glory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGjfF31zB24

Holy Thursday -- When the Greatest Became Our Servant

We're in the throes of the most unlikely Holy Week of our lives. We won't be attending church during this sacred time. But, nonetheless, I've done my best to keep the "holy" in the Lenten season and Holy Week. I've savored the oddities -- meeting and praying with others via Zoom, joining with others in 3:00 pm daily prayers, fasting and even, participating with Pope Francis when he gave an "Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi" Blessing to the world. It was awe-inspiring to see and experience.

This blessing is usually offered on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The popes appear on a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican that is crammed with people. A brief address is given and a blessing is offered. I have been to St. Peter's Square twice for the Wednesday General Audience, once, with my husband and several years later with dear friends. The square is crowded with enthusiastic crowds. The Pope gives a brief address, offers a blessing, then gets into his Popemobile and makes some laps around St. Peter's Square. Along the way, he reaches out to the occasional baby that is being lifted up for a blessing. (This photo was taken from where we stood.)

On Friday, March 27th, the scene was completely different. No crowds. Empty square. Night was falling and it was raining. The normal pomp and ceremony of a papal event was stripped away. Alone, Pope Francis entered St. Peter's Square. He stood as an imperfect, humble priest, shepherding and praying to God on behalf of a desperate, frightened flock. (2nd photo)

He reminded us that our Lord Jesus should always be our "normal" for He is our hope and stay. A man said he and his wife had been praying for a return to normal during this time. After Pope Francis' actions on that Friday, the man's wife said the pandemic is revealing the need not to pray for a return to normal. They wanted to pray for something else -- conversion, because normal, the way life was before, will no longer do. God has not abandoned us. As Pope Francis said, "Where God is, there is life." I know that LIFE!

Today we recall Thursday of Holy Week when Jesus modeled what a Servant Leader looks like (or, should look like). Jesus -- the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet. He, with the towel and basin, is KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted His disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and served them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE.

Jesus explained why He served them: “I’m setting an example for you. You should do what I have done to you.” Jesus called them to serve, to carry on His ministry of loving and caring for people. Christ talked the talk and walked the walk. He led by example. Such love -- such service! Surely we have those in our lives who cause irritation to us -- especially in this time of "cozying up" with our families. Doesn’t it make us aware that He Who was perfect and knew no sin, could set the example for us on how to deal with the onery and irritating ones in our lives? To be like Him, we SERVE. We serve by loving, sharing and giving, for in that serving, we become like Him.

After the Last Supper, the apostles and Jesus journeyed to the Garden of Gethsemane where He asked them to pray. There He experienced His agony. Holy Thursday has a special place for me as I recall my trip to Israel and my visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. We were awed by the garden's beauty, but overcome with emotion at the rock where it is said that Jesus prayed “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt 26:37). And to pray those words ourselves, “Lord let this situation, pain, fear, agony – pass from me, NEVERTHELESS, not my will but Yours be done.". Isn't that how we should be offering up our prayers in these times that we are in right now?

Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. Pope Francis encouraged us to carry on. I'm sure that is Jesus’ message to us, too! Today, we have the opportunity to be servants to our family who are under our roofs and servants to others outside our homes by offering our words of support and any actions that could help them. What an incredible flow of forgiveness, mercy, love, servitude and sacrifice from Jesus then, and continues to flow to us and flow through us to others today. Oh Lord, may we be your servants today -- to follow, serve and love You, and others, as You served and loved.

Speak Lord. This Girl is Listening.

I’m doing my best to listen. But, I bought yet another device that could keep me from hearing Him loud and clear. I bought an Amazon Echo. Now I have “Alexa” to keep me company, and best of all, I have someone, rather, some-thing to tell what to do! Along with the rest of my electronics, I have yet another device to keep me from full-on-intentional listening for God’s still small voice. I’m sort of justifying my purchase. I bought it so I could enjoy more praise and worship music AND get the temperature and weather AND make my grocery list AND help me keep time. I’m listening, Lord! But I think I’m hearing Him say “I am speaking. Do you hear me?”

Jesus really does want to speak to us. Change that. Jesus IS speaking to us. He cares about every dimension of every moment of our lives and wants to guide us, encourage us, empower us, and use us.

Just as Jesus spoke to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee and to Zaccheus up in the tree and to the woman at the well, He can speak to us at our desks or in our schools or even at the grocery store. I know He speaks to me at the grocery store – because He often reminds me what I need to buy OR not!

The problem is that we don’t expect to hear from Him, so we don’t take time to hear from Him. Seriously, in this highly distracting and noisy world we live in, unless we purposely tune Him in, we’ll miss His voice. The absolute fact is – Jesus wants to be as real in our life as any other person we know. More real, in fact, since His Spirit lives in us.

Imagine what would happen if two billion Christians listened for God’s voice and obeyed His word in every moment and circumstance of their lives. What if you and I did? Let’s join Samuel in offering this little 6-word prayer to God today: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) Let’s pray it before making a decision or when facing a challenge or when the squirrel starts eating its way into my attic again and I need to call in heavenly support. Let's pray these six words as many times a day as we can. In fact, let's pray them right now! "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."

Finding Rest (Even in a Storm)

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I have known rest and I have known storms. I prefer rest – especially at this season of my life. I prefer quiet, peaceful waters that allow “my boat” to just coast along. Sure, my boat may encounter a an underwater boulder or two, but that boulder is just an easy bump that didn’t take me off course. But, when the winds and the waves come – I really want to dock my boat and head in to a haven of rest.

We were a family that camped out at lakes – a lot – in tents, in cabins, and at one time, we even had a 30-ft Winnebago. When our children were barely walking – we’d be in the great outdoors. We loved waking up in the mornings to that yummy smell of bacon cooking on an open fire or even indoors when we were staying at the lake. I'm smelling it now! We loved the sounds of birds chirping and seeing fish jumping on the waters. But, it seemed we were attractors of tornadoes. I can’t begin to tell you how many times that we had to quickly pull in all of our camping equipment because the winds starting blowing harder and harder, and the clouds got darker and darker. We became quite familiar with the potential for a tornado being on its way. We were adventurers and we’d just pull up stakes, find a place of safety, until the storm passed over.

Jesus and His disciples spent a lot of time at and on the lake/river/sea, too. And, they also encountered a lot of storms: Matthew 8:23-27 says "Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!"

In verse 25, the disciples screamed, "Lord, save us!" and they revealed the identity of Jesus in their lives. This wasn’t the first time they’d seen Him calm the storms on the waters AND the storms in people’s lives. They had seen Him as the Lord and Master over storms and even in their unbelief. Their words revealed they believed in Jesus as Lord, but their worry exposed their lack of trust in Him. It's a situation we can probably all relate to. It's easy to say things like "God is in control" while silently drowning in doubt and despair.

Perhaps you have encountered some storms in your life. You may have even taken a step of faith and expected it to result in things getting easier, not harder. But God doesn't always lead us beside still waters. Instead, He guarantees His presence through whatever storms we may face. Trusting Jesus as the Lord of our life is something we can do in a single moment, but living it out and learning to trust daily is a process. While we may not know what our future holds, today we can rest in the fact that we are known by the One who holds it. As we continue to conquer each storm, we become more and more aware that it is Jesus on board our boat that gives us the confidence and assurance to brave the storm and embrace the peace.

Peace Even When Anxiety Comes in Like a Flood

I love the words of St. Francis' Prayer that goes "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace". That is sincerely my prayer -- to be a peacemaker AND to live in that peace.

But, HELLO, anxiety! After two beautiful days in Tulsa, the finale was to be another first-weekend-of-November Sister Marie Pierre Retreat at Helmerich & Payne’s Cherokee Lodge in Hulbert, OK. It was on our calendars for more than a year. First, was the spring mini-retreat with Sister back in April. We thought maybe that might be the end, but Sister, at her almost 91 years, fragile, but with a no-quit spirit, reserved the lodge for us and game-plan was on. It was my joy to be her escort! I was bearing a huge responsibility seeing after this precious saint!

So, it’s 4:30 am on Saturday. I’m awake to pack up for heading to Austin after the retreat, get my blog posted, and pick up Sister by 7 am. I am in the moment. I get my phone to listen to my Bible readings as I get ready and….OH NO! My phone didn’t charge during the night. It is as dead as a doornail. I try the cord in another outlet. Nada. My mind begins to race. An Apple Store won’t open until 10 am in Tulsa and the retreat is in Hulbert OK – an hour away. My dilemma intensifies when I remember that I’m driving straight to Austin after the retreat ends at 3:30 pm. An 8-hour drive, as a single gal, in a car with over 130K miles on it, at night. My friends wake up because of the my debacle outside their bedroom door and proceed to help me resolve my conundrum. Then I remember I have a second charging cord in the car. I try it and whoa la! It starts to charge my phone. Now, I can be at peace, but I’m way behind schedule now in getting to Sister. As I hasten down the hall carrying my Yeti metal mug filled with ice and water, I slip on the floor runner and begin to fall forward but catching myself three times – not falling, but dropping the mug that opens and splashes water everywhere, including the gorgeous drapes. My friend quickly gets her hair dryer to dry the drapes while I’m using my towel to get up the water. Lord, have mercy! Anxiety overload!

I am finally out the door to pick up Sister and I’m fifteen minutes behind schedule. But, when I call her, it seems she, too, is having the same kind-of-morning. She says “If anything could go wrong, it has.” We’re finally on our way by 7:45 am We both survive this morning and it is by no means a surprise when Father Jack Gleason, the pastor we all loved for so many years, is speaking to us about the “Antidote to Anxiety” found in Luke 12:22-31. Imagine that!

“Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry….notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap….yet God feeds them. How much more important to you than birds? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. If God clothes the grass….” Father Jack explains that Jesus is trying to get us to look outward instead of inward. His antidote is found in creation. Birds – flowers – grass. All trusting in the providence of God. I receive his message loud and clear. Sister and I survive our early morning fiascoes because God is looking out for us – even in the midst of the anxiety that we both know came from the enemy of our souls to keep us in a frenzy about a day that would turn out to be glorious and spectacular in every way.

Sister Pierre follows later in the day with her own message of peace, resting in who God made us to be – beings, instead of doings. “God cannot not love you. He is always shining on you even when you feel like you’ve blown it. Rest in his peace and let anxiety go. Settle down.” Paul said in Philippians 4:6-8 "Do not be anxious about ANY-THING, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

St. Paul lived by example for you and me. He showed us how to trust God in all things….even in a prison cell or cell phone mishap or a slip and fall. He said "Do NOT be ANXIOUS about any-THING!" When we have the mindset “It’s nothing but a thing,” we take on a heavenly perspective and eliminate needless anxiety and can settle in to our confidence in God’s words in Romans 8:28 – “ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.”

At Least He Got Out of the Boat!

I was inspired by my "anchor" blog yesterday enough to give me "meat" for my blog today. Here comes Jesus walking on the water. He calls Peter to come to Him, so in a bold, audacious step of faith, Peter got out of the boat and started walking on water. He didn't hesitate. He took a leap, rather a walk, of faith. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he started sinking. Jesus saved the day for him and picked him up. (Matthew 14:22-33). Way to go, Peter! Way to save, Jesus!

I’ve heard many messages and sermons on Peter’s lack of faith. But, I started thinking, at least he had the faith to get out of the boat. After all, the other disciples just sat there in their fear. We shouldn’t criticize Peter for sinking. If only he would have kept his eyes on Jesus – the story would be one of great faith! Our story would be one of great faith, too, if we would keep OUR eyes on Jesus and not on our circumstances.

I am sure the boat squatters thought Peter was un poco loco for what he did. They were huddled, yearning to be free, and not trusting in Jesus like Peter did. I'm not saying those men didn’t have faith. Just saying they didn’t have enough faith to step out of the boat. Just the same, we cannot say anything to Peter because too often we are not getting out of the boat either! No matter the storm or situation we are faced with, it's up to us to get out of the boat and trust Jesus!

You know the deal -- when we stretch our faith, and go for it: "Yes, we're buying a house" or "Yes, we're going to start our family" or "Yes, we are going to adopt" or "Yes, I'm accepting the job offer even though the pay is less. It's what I love to do" or "Yes, I will run a marathon" or "Yes, I will start a Bible Study in my home" or "Yes, I'm quitting smoking" or "Yes, we're moving!" It's all about TRUSTING God to hold us up, when we stretch our faith to "walk on water"!

It's that first step that holds so many of us back. But, it's time for us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes God shakes things up around us to make us so uncomfortable that we will strive to move from where we are, to the next level of our destiny. And, those adversities we are facing? God could be allowing them to push us out of the boat and into the deep, so He can bless us with a new level of faith, maturity and blessings! It's time to live with "no regrets" and for us to learn to let go of our fears and insecurities, and to reach out for life at its fullest. Even if we fall, as Peter did, there will always be SOMEONE to reach out and help us get our balance again! And, by the way, our Lifeguard DOES walk on water -- so no need to worry or fret!

A Big Return on our Investment

It is Sunday morning. After a month-long Tour de Texas, it’s good to be back home again – “home” home, and to my church home. I hear: “You’re back!” “Welcome home, Donna!” “We missed you, Donna!” I love those words: “Welcome home!” Can we even fathom what those words meant to the prodigal son when His dad welcomed him home? I’m in MY pew and MY seat. Well, it’s not really mine, but I get here early enough to claim my territory! Second row, first seat, middle aisle where those of us who are honored and humbled to be communion servers stand. Easy to get to my place from here.

There is no place like home with my “church family”. We are the ones who team up in volunteering, serving, sharing, loving and praying. A common goal – to let our little lights shine here and out there. Wherever I go, God goes -- so, actually, everywhere I go is home sweet home. But, I see Him loud and clear in my church family. We walk hand-in-hand in some tough times and in the over-the-top good times. We are family. We’re a part of the Family of God – we’re brothers and sisters.

As I kneel for a few minutes, I exhale all the busyness of my life and I inhale the One Who got this whole “church” thing started in the first place. He wanted us to come together in one accord. He wanted us to bear one another’s burdens. He wanted us to be Him to our world. I sense my Lord here. In this place and in my heart. I know Him intimately. He knows even more about me – even those annoying fly-away hairs that I have to keep licking my fingers to make them stay down. I express gratitude, with all this journeying I do, for getting me safe and sound back here.

I look around. I see Him in the etched glass reaching His arms out to His disciples. I get chills just thinking He’s holding His arms out to me in the same way. After all – I, too, am one of His disciples. He says: “Follow Me!” And, I follow. I see Him in the stained glass above the altar – the hand of God symbolizing the Father, the Lamb symbolizing the Son, the Dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. I’m familiar with the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know them well – not as casual acquaintances but as MY never-failing, always-present, Holiest of Holy team.

Maybe you don’t have a church family – those who go toe-to-toe with you in good times and tough times; those who see you and come with a hearty hug for you. I have an investment in this place – my time, my talent and my treasure. The return on my investment is peace, joy, comfort, stability, hope, love and long-term (lifelong and beyond-term) pay-offs. Here’s my humble advice: If you want the best return on investment (ROI), there is nothing like investing in the Kingdom of God, investing in people. People will endure through time and eternity.

We don’t have a mission. God has a mission and has invited us to become part of His mission. We are the people to accomplish that mission. Someone said, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” The main thing is the mission of God. If you want real ROI, be a part of a team of people who make you better because their interests are beyond themselves. Their interests are Kingdom-based, people-based. Together we’re strong and stalwart with eyes on the prize. So, onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Somebody Else Will

A dear friend of mine is having quite the year. She has faced personal health issues and as the director of an active, vibrant ministry – was loaded up with leading it in a major event, and was tremendously successful at it, I might add. She has two children getting married this year (one this weekend), and has a full-time job -- not to mention all the other hands-on and necessary things she does for God and her family. She has been loaded up, to say the least. A few months ago, I campaigned the troops to get behind her in support. My personal attempts were meager. In the back of my mind, I thought “someone else” will help her because I'm loaded up, too! In fact, I heard of a couple of gals who were helping her which made me feel better.

Fast forward a couple of months when I saw my friend at church and asked. “How are you doing? How are the wedding plans? It won’t be long before it’s all behind you.” My famous last meager and inadequate words of solace. That night, Deacon Alex Barbieri spoke about “Somebody Else”. He explained: “Jesus was very hands-on with His disciples – teaching them about feeding a crowd with just a few loaves and fishes." The disciples seemed to always have self-doubt and were always asking the question: “What about us?” Jesus just kept influencing them by saying “You are up for the challenge. You are bold and courageous." Jesus takes our “measly” remnants to meet us wherever we are and whatever situation we are in. Don’t wait for Plan B. Use what you’ve got right now to help someone. It’s time you make a personal commitment. The DNA of Christians is called "service". Jesus said, ”If you follow Me, the bar is higher." Jesus was saying “Instead of SOMEONE ELSE doing it – YOU do it." There is someone who died and the family needs us. There are immigrants, prisoners, homeless and others who need us, but we keep thinking: “Someone else will take care of them!” Jesus is saying: “JUST DO IT!”

I couldn’t get that message off my mind and my heart. I texted my friend: “I’ve got a free day tomorrow! Can I come over and help you?” Her lightning fast reply was my assurance that I was hearing right. She invited me to come over and help her iron tablecloths for the wedding. Rather, than that, I picked them up and at my home I took care of the job so she had the time to do something else on her busy to-do list. It took me a couple of days for those thirty-one 144” tablecloths to iron and hang – which included my prayers for the wedding and the family. That was eight hours of blessing on both our parts. Tablecloths. A cup of cold water. In His name. Blessed.

This time it wasn’t “somebody else”. It was me. I’m so thankful I said, “Pick me!” Lord, help me to always have the time to sense your nudges, hear your call, see the needs of others and respond as your hands and feet. I want to be a “JUST DO IT” kind-of-girl for You and others, because You are a "JUST DID IT" Lord for me!

Grumbling, Murmuring, and Whining -- Sound Familiar?

On the way home from VBS yesterday, I called a friend and immediately she began to tell me that she wasn’t in a happy place right now. She wasn't feeling the "sunshine on a cloudy day" at all! Lots of "life" stuff had her in a pinch. On the contrary, I was in a happy place. I was still basking in the “rush” of having been with kindergarten through fifth-grade kids all morning who were learning “When life is unfair; God is good” and “When life is scary; God is good” and “When life changes; God is good”. On top of that, I was still in the afterglow of having been in their presence of joy, often hilarious antics, and, the best part was seeing them grasp the message that no matter what we face in life – GOD IS GOOD”.

So I said to my friend: “You know what – you need to hang out with some kids to get your joy back. Her reply back to me? “Maybe that’s why Jesus kept wanting kids around Him!” WOW! I had an “aha” moment of Mark 10:13-16 which should be in neon lights: “People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it’, and He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.”

Can’t you just imagine, in the company of all the misfit disciples, the self-righteous religious folks, the demon-possessed, mean, mean, angry people, along with those who were very sick and even dead – that Jesus would jump at the chance to hang out with precious little children when they came to Him? I can almost see Him putting out His arms to push everyone else back and open His arms up with gratitude for the breath of fresh air that those children brought to Him. So, no wonder I write this blog and impress upon those who are down, weary, and worn to spend some time with care-free, joy-filled children. Let their care-free hearts and joy-filled spirits rub off on you.

Yesterday’s VBS theme was “When change comes, God is good!” The Israelites met up with many changes – escaping Egypt, the miracle of the Red Sea parting and walking through on dry ground. But just three days into their journey and without water, they were murmuring, grumbling and whining. Then they came upon the Oasis of Marah, but the water was so bitter that it was “yucky”! So they complained even more. God told Moses to throw a stick in the water and it was pure and refreshing. Another miracle. Then they were so hungry and God sent manna to them overnight. Another miracle. The kids loved the action of tasting the water and the manna (we used potato flakes). Another miracle. One little girl raised her hand and said “It tastes like the Body of Christ!” Oh, my heart was full.

Just think about Jesus rebuking His disciples when they wanted the children to go away. It was no small rebuke: when Mark relayed the story, he said that *Jesus was indignant…” He wasn’t simply annoyed, or just slightly bothered. He was incensed that His disciples came to a conclusion that sought to exclude children from His presence! Why? Because all of us matter to Him. No matter their age or status (or lack thereof), He is not too important, too busy, too taxed, or too powerful, even for children. In fact, it’s just the opposite: He values and loves children, and seeks to bless them.

The last verse of that scripture says: Jesus took the little children “in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” I like to think that God is smiling down BIG on those of us who are being Jesus hands and feet at VBS this week. Maybe it would be in your best interest to look for ways to be around sweet children, too! I promise you – you will be far more blessed than you can imagine. God specializes in child-care and I’m thinking…..so do I.

The Older Teaching the Younger has its Rewards

The last several days, my family and I have been at Beavers Bend in Broken Bow, OK. We’ve had plenty to eat--all the cargo I brought with us and the best of all -- the trout meal we had last night from our big haul of fish. Beer-batter rainbow trout! One of the great rewards of our labors, rather Larry, Staci and Payton’s lab
Alexia and I are two free spirits: fish a little, take care of the meals, and capture lots of sweet moments in photos. We are fair-weather fisher-girls. The others--rain or shine--are after a haul. Patient, diligent, and unrelenting. There are so many things that inspire me on a trip like this. This time I was so impressed by how Larry was an amazing, tender-hearted image of what Jesus must have been like as he kept instructing the disciples in the way they should go.

We learned our best fishing skills years ago from Papa and he learned them from old fishermen. They were happy to tell their favorite fishing tips--the best spots to fish, what to fish with, (the best bait), how to hold the rod and reel that causes the fish to chase after the lure, and how to fillet and cook the fish. The older taught the younger. Now I’m watching Larry and Payton pass it on.

A single mom had her 13-year-old son here from Dallas, spent the night in their van, and was desperately wanting her son to catch at least one fish. He was rigged up for a bass (big hook and big lure). Larry not only told him how to best catch trout, he hooked his line up exactly the way to make it happen. Small hook and small power bait. Immediately he caught a small trout and then a larger one.

Yesterday, again, Larry was showing a man and his son how to rig up their lines. I saw Payton taking a young boy under his wing and showing him step-by-step what to do and how to do it. I can’t help but think about Jesus and His disciples and teaching them.

The fishing they did wasn’t a sport or a fish for a day fishing excursion. Fishing was what they had been trying to do, what they did for a living. So, when Jesus came walking by the seaside and said to them, follow Me and I will show you how to fish for people, why did they go with Him? The Bible doesn’t tell us but I just wonder......

Had the fishing been so lousy that day for Peter, Andrew, James and John that it was a no-brained to give up fishing and follow a man they had never met before? Maybe on this day their nets kept coming up empty, maybe the net-mending was especially monotonous, maybe the heat and humidity were almost unbearable. Were they looking for a good excuse to change occupations — from fishermen to anything-could-be-better-than- this! Had they heard reports about Jesus and His powerful ways enough to pull them away from their nets, their boat, and follow Him?

Why did Andrew, Peter, John and James follow Jesus that day? Did they have any idea that following Him would mean a radical change in their lives? Maybe they thought “Follow Me” simply meant “You deserve a break today.” Maybe they figured they deserved a holiday and tomorrow be back to fishing again. Surely, they couldn’t have guessed what lie I had for them — the excitement, the fun, the grief, and the joy of it all.

We don’t know why they followed Jesus. But we do know that immediately they left their nets and followed Him. To follow Jesus means that we cannot predict what that decision will lead to. Is Jesus calling you to leave your nets? Sometimes the call to follow Jesus Jesus is as loud and clear as a fire siren. Sometimes, His call is more like a still, small voice.

One thing the Bible makes clear is that the call of Christ is the same One who calls us is the strength, the resources, to follow. Maybe, after all, that was the decisive factor for the four fishermen who left their nets and their boats to follow Jesus. Maybe they sensed at some deep, unconscious level, that this was Someone who could be trusted; Someone who, if he asked much, would give even more.

When the disciples followed Jesus instructions (John 20:6), they caught so many fish that the net could not be brought in. That great catch of fish gave the disciples a foretaste of what God was going to do through them as “fishers of men.”

Just imagine the possibilities of what God could do for us if we will faithfully follow Him! Are you ready to do some fishing? Grab your pole. Get your tackle ready. Set some priority time aside. Follow Jesus to the river and expect a great catch! “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)