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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are You Hot Air or a Breath of Fresh Air?

On June 24th, a hot air balloon crashed into power lines that sparked an explosion at the annual Balloonfest in Michigan. Fortunately, the balloon landed in a nearby lake and the pilot was rescued by local fishermen. Whew! That sure makes me question the notion that I once had to take a hot air balloon ride – especially in this Austin HOT AIR.

Before I heard about that accident, it sounded like a thrill-ride to take a balloon ride, but now I’m thinking “Bring on the fresh air – NOT, the hot air!” We often hear or say “I’m going outside to get some FRESH AIR”. But with all the air quality control measures and warnings out there, it makes us wonder if fresh air really good for us? From recent studies, the answer is "yes", depending on the air quality where we're at. If we're out camping in one of our beautiful wilderness areas, the answer is a hearty "YES"! Where my children live in the hills of Austin, the answer is also “YES”! Fresh air cleans our lungs. If the air we're breathing is clean -- which it would be if we're away from the pollutants of cities -- then the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen. If we exercise outdoors, our body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to our muscles and our brain. Getting plenty of clean, fresh air into our lungs is a good way to keep our brain functioning at tip-top capacity, so bring on the fresh air!

“Donna, here you go on another tangent -- where are you going with this Hot Air vs Fresh Air post?” Let's think about it. In terms of our nature, attitude and spirit -- which are we? Hot Air or Fresh Air? We've heard "He's/she’s just blowing 'hot air'!" What that means is those folks are typically conceited, braggadocios, love the sound of their own voice, exaggerate and often....full of empty hot air. We would like to leave the room when they come in because their hot air causes us to crave some 'FRESH AIR'!

And, then there are those who come into a room and you just sense "A breath of fresh air just came in.” They create an atmosphere of life-giving, energizing joy and peace and you sense their heart is full of gratitude. Their countenance emits love and kindness. Their gratitude is undeniable even though you know their circumstances warrant some “hot air” of sadness, weariness, and sorrow. They inspire you to want to take a deep breath and take in their "fresh air".

I have many “fresh air friends” They are going through real stuff, real heartbreak, real pain, real circumstances that could make them want to run from it all, but instead, in the midst of it all, they are encouragers, bright shining "air filters" that destroy the pollutants of negativity. They know negativism destroys fresh air, so they live just the opposite. They are fresh air proponents. Where does that come from? I believe it comes from deep inside them where God is – where He has taken up occupancy – where He breathes life into them and that’s called abundant fresh air LIFE! They spend time with Him and daily pursue taking on His beauty and His character. They have learned to LOVE as THE Master Lover loves us. I sure do want to be that FRESH AIR to my world – don’t you?

I love The Message Bible’s interpretation of St. Paul’s writings about fresh air in Philippians 2:15-16: “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.”

I sure do want to be that breath of fresh air to my world – don’t you?

Is the Coming of Spring Bringing Spring to Your Steps?

Just 7 days until it's officially Spring (March 20th). The pink tulips, the bright yellow jonquils and the bright yellow forsythia are out. The red bud trees are red budding. The creeping phlox are creeping out. And, Sunday, I came out -- outside, that is. I've been hibernating for most of this winter. What happened to Texas heat, anyway?

My walking/jogging routine came to a halt when I injured my ankle and it's been so cold outside and I've been so busy and I've been traveling here, there and everywhere. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. I was speaking all of that to myself when I took to the streets and sidewalks on Sunday. That's when I saw the new life in the plants, trees and flowers (photos here). I realized it's time to get Spring into my steps!

My word of the day is obviously, SPRING: to move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward; leap; arise, evolve, AND the season between winter and summer.

I was a greeter and held the door open at church on Sunday in spite of the 30 mph winds. I'd use cliches like "Look what the wind blew in!" "So glad you didn't blow away!" "We've got that 'wind-blown-look today, don't we?" Then a jolly fellow that had a bounce to his steps, beat me to the punch and said, "Could you turn down the wind, please?"

Did you ever hear that phrase -- a SPRING in your steps? It means we're walking with a bit of a bounce in our steps, implying that we're in a good mood or something good has just happened to us. Ever been weighed down with a heavy situation, and suddenly good news came, and you felt light as a feather? You were pressed down and weighed down, then suddenly you had SPRING IN YOUR STEPS!

This time of year helps with adding Spring to our steps and we get a fresh new perspective on life. Spring marks a new beginning. I love that it brings Easter -- the celebration that Christ lives. All of nature is renewed and it reminds me all the more of God's great love for us. Everything starts to come alive. Our world gets filled with color. Isn't all that reason enough to have SPRING in our steps?

Spring in our steps brings a breath of fresh air to those we meet and come in contact with. We have the reasons for joy and life and it should exude from us. We should be like a ray of sunshine because we have good news of a great and mighty God to share. We have some wonderful things in our lives that make us different and because of it, we should have that extra bounce to our walk. Like the birds that come singing in the Spring, we should be singing songs of praise and thanksgiving with a "Spring in our Step" everyday! With each step, we should have a smile on our face and love in our hearts! After all, WE KNOW the CREATOR of Springtime. He is our Maker and He made us with "built-in" springs that can cause us to always rebound with God’s peace, joy and love each and every day!

Are You Hot Air or Fresh Air?

Day 196 of Photo Inspirations -- Are You Hot Air or Fresh Air?
Travelling to Texas a few weeks ago, I thoroughly enjoyed watching HOT AIR Balloons making their way across the sky.  What an ingenious application of those basic scientific principles we learned in elementary school.  There was a kid in my class who demonstrated that principle in the Science Fair. He used a toaster, put a cardboard tunnel around it and a large plastic bag on top.  He showed how hot air rises.  In scientific terms, it's based on hot air is lighter than cool air and to keep the hot air balloon in the air and rising, the hot air needs to be propelled upward into the fabric balloon using a burner.  The burner uses propane gas to heat up the air to move the balloon off the ground and into the air. The pilot must keep firing the burner at regular intervals throughout the flight to ensure that the balloon continues to be stable.  In case you'd like a ride, I found a company right here inTulsa, as well as all over the U.S.  

Hot air used to provide an adventure is awesome, but there's nothing like a breath of FRESH AIR. We all grew up hearing people tell us to "go out and get some fresh air."   But with all the air quality control measures and warnings out there, it makes us wonder is fresh air really good for us?  I found that in recent studies, the answer is a qualified "yes" -- depending on the air quality where we're at.   If we're out camping in one of our beautiful wilderness areas, the answer is a gigantic "YES"!  Fresh air cleans our lungs. If the air we're breathing is clean -- which it would be if we're away from the pollutants of cities -- then the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen. If we exercise outdoors, our body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to our muscles and our brain. Getting plenty of clean, fresh air into our lungs is a good way to keep our brain functioning at tip-top capacity.  BRING ON the FRESH AIR!

Donna, where are you going with this Hot Air vs Fresh Air post?  Let's think about it.  In terms of our nature, attitude and spirit -- which are we?  Hot Air or Fresh Air?  We've heard someone say, "He's/She's just blowing 'hot air'!" Those are the folks that are typically pompous, conceited, bragadocious, love the sound of their own voice, exaggerate and often....just full of empty hot air. Quite frankly, we would just as soon leave the room when they come in because their hot air causes us to crave some 'FRESH AIR'!  

And, then there are those who walk in a room and you just sense "A breath of fresh air just came in the door".  They create an atmosphere of life-giving, energizing joy and peace.  Their countenance emits love and kindness. They exude comfort and strength even though you know their circumstances warrant a grumpy, sad and depressed spirit.  They cause you to want to take a deep breath and take in their FRESH AIR.  Where does that come from?  I believe it comes from those who have learned to wake up each day with gratitude for the life God has given them.  They spend time with Him and daily pursue taking on His beauty and His character.  They have learned to LOVE as THE Master Lover loves us.   I want to be FRESH AIR, don't you?
1 Corinthians 13:1 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."