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!

The Wide Eyed Wonder of a Child

Over the river and through the woods to Austin from Texas.....now it's play time with my Southern Texas Fam!!! Oh the miles I'm putting on my car....but every mile brings with it so much gratitude and thanksgiving. I delight in these precious times of family focus -- especially here during the Christmas season.

While my grandbabies are no longer babies, this time of the year -- more than ever -- we're reminded of the joys of being a child. Week before last, I was staying with my mother-in-law for a few days to finish up some scheduled activities, and one of the pleasures of spending time with her is the weekly visit of my niece (Mom's great-grandchild, Anna). Anna is three now and, without a doubt, her little life has added to the life of Mom in ways beyond we could count. Mom is radiant when Anna visits her and she will sit and watch every move Anna makes during the time she's there. She is "entertainment" personified!! And she's added to my life, because it brings me so much joy to hang out with her, too. My sis, Karen, bought a big doll house for Mom's house and the room that it's in is designated by Anna, as "Anna's Room". While with Mom, I purchased some doll-sized, Christmas decorations and dolls for the little house. I had it all decorated when Anna came over, and when she went into the room to the doll house, she put her hand over her mouth and was in awe. She looked at me and said, "What did you get these for me?" I said, "Because I love you so much!" She replied "I love you so much too!" She played with those dolls and decorations all day long.

Anna runs blissfully about, filled with happy freedom from care and concern. What joy it is to watch her and hear her talk. Matthew 18:4 says "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of God". When Jesus urged us to become like little children, He was saying He wants us to regain some of our childhood innocence and awe. When we were young, it was easy to believe in a good God Who watches over us and Who has a band of angels to protect us. I love how my two youngest grandsons make sure we pray for the angels to encamp around them while they sleep. They MUST have that prayer, and we're delighted that when we pray, they are comforted and then sweet sleep.

But as we grow older, some of those comforting images fade and we gradually lose that sense of security. Of course, as adults, we face many variables in life -- pressures, responsibilities, transitions, ups and downs in "life", and then we fail to remember the freedom and abandonment of worries as we did as children.

But let's change that. Let's revive the innocence and joy we knew as children -- not dependent on just our own efforts. The fact is -- maturity isn't being independent from God -- it's a deeper dependence more than EVER! We're DEPENDENT on His mercy and grace. God IS our DADDY, and from our first breath -- to our last breath -- He has a watchful eye over us and His plans for us include His very best. Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

Let's continue on into this beautiful season of Christmas with wide-eyed awe and wonder -- like we had as children. And, when "stuff" is chasing us down and we're about to be CAUGHT UP in the frenzy and stress that often comes with this season, let's look up and say, "I love you too so much!" God loves it when we become like little children reaching out to Him. I promise you, He'll reassure you with his love, support AND open arms!

They're Everywhere!

I went to see "Risen" on Good Friday. I highly recommend it. I enjoy seeing faith-based films and anything related to Jesus up on the big screen. It inspires me to visually see what I know from the Bible and I think it's great for others to have that kind of exposure to the Gospel. Getting that "Good News" message out, however, is key!

Bottom line, I believe there is nothing that can replace God's Word. Yet, I can enjoy a movie and how a director and producer team up to interpret what they know, and depict how they feel will make a good movie. I can distinguish the truth through the filter of God’s Word. Movies should be seen first as entertainment, and whether or not every detail in a movie is Biblically accurate, we can be inspired by a piece of artwork like this, just like we can a song or a painting or statute.

In this film, it was so thrilling to have a visual of what it must have been like after Jesus came back to life -- especially in the mindset of a non-believer (Clavius, a Roman soldier). The producers of the film took their artistic liberties in giving us some things to think about, particularly from the point of view of Clavius.

Here's one of my favorite lines in the whole movie, and it still resonates big in me. Bartholomew (one of the disciples) was a joy and faith-filled, disciple -- especially having seen the risen Christ. He had been found and was being interrogated by Clavius, with the intention of Bartholomew leading him to where the disciples were hiding out. Clavius said, "I'll kill you now if you don't tell me where His disciples are. Tell me now!" Bartholomew broke into the biggest smile ever as he joyfully answered, “THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!"

I loved that....and, yes, WE ARE EVERYWHERE and, like the disciples who went on to change their world, I have recounted Bartholomew's words countless times to others since I saw the movie. That's you and me. Now, we continue to manifest the words of Christ to "Go into all the world and preach the good news!" And if we're EVERYWHERE, then what are we doing to change our world? The more we realize the responsibility and mandate of our Lord, to be His devoted followers -- living out His ministry in words, actions and deeds, the more His message of love will be perpetuated. Isn't that what our world needs so abundantly?

Though the masses have continued to try to stamp out His message, it will continue to live on. It's unstoppable. Shouldn't we be living that mission with all our hearts? We're in quite an elite army. Our Captain is unfailing and relentless and we know HE WINS! When it's so easy to get wrapped up in matters that are so trivial.....instead, shouldn't we be the lights that carry His message on to CHANGE OUR WORLD and literally, BE EVERYWHERE....in our schools, politics, workplaces, government offices, churches, marketplaces, homes....yes, EVERYWHERE!

#Risen #GoodNews