My Bucket List is Complete .... or is it?

When I went to Israel a few years ago, my Bucket List was complete. Sure I'll take on more adventures, but I don't have to. I am good to GO! No longer have a need for a bucket!

According to the 2007 movie “The Bucket List” where Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson (both of whose characters are dying of cancer) create a bucket list of things to do before they die – and then they actually do them. But, historians say that it dates to the Middle Ages when a method of execution involved the victim standing on a bucket with a noose tied around their necks. The bucket would then be kicked away, and good-bye to the victim. It is easy to see how the term could have been adapted to do those things that you would want to do today if you thought it possible that you might die tomorrow.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gift then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gifts then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Though my husband made plans and goals, not everything came to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways that are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother. She must have had a detailed “bucket list” for her upcoming marriage to Joseph. She probably dreamed one day she would have a baby – maybe even calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it. Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding than any list we could ever come up with.

We should continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith, but, let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

A Year of GREAT Expectations!

With the Christmas season and story still resonating in my heart -- of a baby in a manger Who became our Savior, I am starting this new year of 2020 on a " great expectation” high. Certainly not expecting a Disney World kind-of-magical-year, but simple confidence in “He Who began a good work in me (and you), is faithful to complete it!” (Philippians 1:6) He Who promised that if I put my faith and trust in Him, will show me where to go and how to get there! “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

As I said in my blog yesterday, the number 20 symbolizes expectancy. My “expectors” are on high alert for a 2020 year and a decade of blessings! I plan to wake up each day with expecting the best out of this day – this moment. No doubt, there will be some highs and lows – but it doesn’t matter, because I plan to view each day as a gift and how I tackle it with my attitude AND fortitude will either make it or break it for me – and even others in my sphere of influence.

My husband and I, for years, made it an annual tradition to meet with our children and we’d write out our goals for the next year. We made dream boards that made our visions very plain (Habakkuk 2:2) like this one of mine and Payton’s. BTW – most all of the pictures and the dreams behind them came true in some way. There’s just something to be said for goal-setting and vision-casting. Goals create a road map for success. They are the targets that we point our lives to – with a starting point and a destination to reach. They help us clarify what we desire to do, understanding the importance of pursuing them and committing ourselves to making them happen.

My vision casting, today, isn’t so much about the things to attain since I’ve been there and have been so blessed. I’m in this sweet season of purposely laying up my treasures in heaven far more. That’s not to say we shouldn’t set goals spiritually AND naturally that include dreams and desires. But, for me, my goals are so simple – spending time with my family, some travelling, but most of all, serving God. I’m intent on leaving a legacy of faith. I sincerely believe this 2020 year will be marked by opportunities to share God’s good news everywhere I go. My “YES” is big when it comes to being a devoted follower of Christ. I’m keeping my eyes and ears wide open with great expectations for a harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God and seeing radical life transformations in those God places in my pathway. I’m purposing to find things that I can take delight in so that I always dwell on goodness and not sorrow. I know I can trust God to bring me through every circumstance in peace.

I am looking to the future and not the past. I know WHO holds my future so I have no reason to fear or doubt. I refuse to allow discouragement to take me off course. I intend to embrace what God is doing in each situation and circumstance of my life because, by now, I’ve learned “ALL things work together for good” because I love God with all my heart and I know I’m called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)

This is my "Great Expectation" declaration! Could I please urge you to begin this year with a Great Expectation declaration, too? Great Expections that something good is about to happen to you and yours each day. Great expectations that God is for you. Great expectations for a great hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). Great expectations for living in hope, love, joy and peace – every single day of this new year! Let's get our "expectors" expecting!

Write the Vision and Make it Plain

When my daughter was single, she made quite the list (100 items to be exact) of all the qualities she was hoping for in a future husband. She wrote out her vision and she made it VERY plain. When Larry came along, initially, he was about 95 out of the 100. But, the longer they knew each other and fell in love, every single one of those items was checked off her list and he measured up to her greatest desires. I thank God every day for my amazing son!

Monday night I was visiting with a successful young woman. She has a good – no, great job with a title of influence plus the salary to match, but she is dissatisfied and completely unfulfilled. Her greatest desire is to be in a third world country, defending marginalized people, bringing aid and assistance to them and making a real difference in their lives. Not only her job, but she also desires a husband, a family and to personally fill cared for and loved. Seems like a tall order, right?

But, not so when the Bible gives us many promises to hold near and dear to our hearts. I gave her this scripture that has served our family well. Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision. Make it plain so that he who reads it, can run with it.” It’s writing out a vision (making a list) and giving it in prayer to God.

That scripture partly explains how to get into position for the vision to become reality. I told that young woman to write down every single desire she has for her future: her job and ministry, a husband, children, satisfaction, peace, security, etc. Then I went on to explain, “When we write our vision down, making it precise and plain, our angels who accompany us 24/7 can read it and run after it. Hebrews 1:14 says “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Our angels are dispatched to bring about the reality of that vision. The caveat is “your positioning”. Here is how to get into position for your dream job, your dream husband or wife, your dream children, and your peace and satisfaction. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: 1) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; 2) Lean not to your own understanding; 3) Acknowledge Him, and then, He will direct your paths.”

To write a vision without the counsel and wisdom of God is just an exercise of wants and wishes. It’s like treating God as a genie in a lamp or treating Him like a slot machine. But, to write a vision and make it plain while acknowledging the presence, the wisdom and the counsel of God and trusting Him in His perfect timing puts our angels on dispatch for bringing about what our list entails.

So make that list…..in pencil and then give God the pen to ensure the BEST-LAID plans are His plans!

What's on Your Bucket List?

Finish High School - Check
Get a good job -- Check (Nope, college wasn't on the list.)
Get married - Check
Have babies - Check
Lose 10 pounds - Check
Learn to fly an airplane - Check
Go on a cruise - Check (15, in fact)
Take a trip to the Holy Lands -- (still on my list)

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless, annual goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." While cleaning out my office closet, I found this old Vision Board that Ron not only wrote the vision but he made it plain by clipping out photos of what he was believing for.

Here are some of his Vision 2008 specifics:
Home on a lake -- bought that home in Sapulpa. Check.
TEAM 2008 -- His sister and bro-in-law in business with us. Check. Our family altogether on a family vacation. (Took a cruise) Check
Becoming proficient at fly fishing. Check.
New laptop computer. Check.
Missions trip and teaching pastors in Belize. Check
Working with the Joshua Child Development Center. Check.

But, several things on that Vision Board DIDN'T come about. Sometimes, our best laid plans and goals don't come to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother, and what her bucket list might have looked like. We know she had a goal to get married to Joseph because they were engaged, and she probably was already getting her beautiful wedding gown made and maybe she was already practicing writing her new name -- Mrs. Joseph -- and she probably dreamed of the day when she would have a baby -- probably thinking about calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it.

Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding -- and surprising -- than any list we could ever come up with. We hope that we don't have the challenges and hardships that Mary had, but then again, who else could say that "a simple 'yes' made her the Mother of our Creator, our Savior and our Lord?

Let's continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith......BUT -- let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

Casting Vision

After two weeks before and two weeks after of helping my son and daughter's move from Seattle to Texas, I left Austin early yesterday morning, to travel and meet up with my Dallas/Frisco crew at College Station, home of Texas A&M, Larry’s alma mater. There's something about the pride one has for their college or university, but Texas A&M (The 12th Man) graduates seem to have a pride beyond compare. I felt it as I arrived on campus. I was inspired just walking on those grounds.

But this day was about Lexi. She and Payton, both, aspire to follow in their Dad’s footsteps, and attend A&M. We attended the Open House for those who hope to “make the cut” as veterinary students.

Our first session was at 9 am. Dr. Dan Posey, the Director of Veterinary Student Affairs and Clinical Professor, gave any potential vet student every reason in the world to want to attend A&M's Vet School. He was humorous and passionate about his career. He explained how he personally benefitted from the field of veterinarian medicine. He said the diabetic pump was first tested on animals, and now because of that breakthrough, he wears a diabetic pump with gratitude for veterinarian research.

When I heard him talk about the qualities of vets, I had to think how these qualities should be in every one of our lives:

1) They have compassion and passion.

2) They are knowledgeable and trainable.

3) They have the ability to apply their skills.

4) They are intellectually curious.

5) They are very observant.

6) They are community leaders.

Don't those qualities sound like a well-rounded individual who desires to be the best they can be in whatever career they choose.

He told us that his first choice in life was to be a professional basketball player so his Dad took him to a college game. He realized, as he watched that game, he didn’t have the size or the skills he needed to be a professional athlete. It was then that his Dad discussed options for his future. He reminded him about his abilities in math and science and his love for animals. He said, “How about considering becoming a veterinarian? Only as a 7th grader, that day, his Dad helped him cast vision for his future. He attended Texas A&M and became a veterinarian, went on to work with various areas of vet medicine and has been a professor at Texas A&M for many years. He is passionate about his field.

Casting vision. That’s what we did with Lexi today. She's only 14 years old, but she already has a "bent" toward animals and already possesses many of those "veterinarian" qualities. She saw many exhibits of animals being treated for various issues. She saw a pregnant goat having an ultra-sound. She saw dogs, cats, cattle, horses, birds, snakes, armadillo and had hands-on experiences and heard teaching about their habitats, the foods (toxic and non-toxic) they can or cannot eat, and so much more. She saw vet students who exhibited a love for their studies. Lexi's mom and dad (and her Nana) care about what she cares about so vision casting is what this day was about. Whether she pursues this field or not….she has cheerleaders who say to her “You can be anything you want to be and do.”

Isn’t that what God helps us to do with our lives? He says in Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." Are we casting vision for ourselves, our children and others for what we hope to accomplish in our homes, our workplaces, our ministries and our relationships? Whose cheerleader can we be? Whose expectations, vision, and hope can we stir up today? The sky is the limit when we realize "With God, nothing is impossible."

By the way -- check out the sign with the Texas Longhorn -- of course his "use" is to be "meat" for the Aggies! LOL!