Love Wins Dialogue

Creativity at Home

2012-01-11T19:52:00.002-06:00

I really like to be creative, but most of the time, I have more ideas than I can handle. Then when you add Pinterest on top of all of that, my ideas tend to get really carried away. So, I thought I would make a list of things that I want to accomplish in my house. If I could tackle a third of this list this year, I would be ecstatic!

1. New light over the kitchen sink with a colander. This one was completed yesterday with the help of my sister-in-law, Margie! yay!

2. Curtains on a rod to replace disgusting vertical blinds on the sliding door in our kitchen (black and white)

3. Cafe curtain to compliment the new curtains on the sliding glass doors (black and white)

4. Recover kitchen chairs (black and white)

5. Fabric covered, tufted headboard in the master bedroom

6. Curtains for the master bedroom. I already have the rods and the fabric for this one.

7. Hang a mirror in the master bedroom. It is sitting in the garage waiting for a coat of paint.

8. Paint a dresser for the master bedroom. Also sitting in the garage waiting for a coat of paint.

9. Move the craft office downstairs ???

10. Repaint the front door (new door possibly?)

Big changes that need to happen listed by priority:

1. New roof - this is coming next week, and thanks to our wonderful insurance company, we only have to pay the deductible and a little more to get a better roof!

2. Replace the deck

3. Replace the carpet

4. New tile flooring in both bathrooms

Wishin' and Hopin'!

1. Slipcovers for the living room furniture

2. Built-ins for the living room around the fireplace

3. Paint the cabinets in the kitchen

4. New counter tops in the kitchen

So, we'll see what I can accomplish with a list already out there! Here's to creativity at home in 2012!

Being Thankful

2011-11-01T20:27:00.004-05:00

I often think that others have great ideas, and I sometimes intend to put those ideas into practice. Yet most of the time, I rarely follow through with those good intentions.

One of the ideas I'd like to try to copy is a month of gratitude. The past few years, I've seen people all over the blogosphere keeping a list of things that they are thankful for throughout the month of November. So... here is my attempt:

November 1

Today I am thankful for my husband who works hard at making his family a priority. He has been through some stressful changes this year, but one of the things that he has realized throughout the struggle is how important his family is to him. So, one of his new goals has been to limit his time away from his family and to invest in us. I think that is a big gift for him to give to us, especially to his son, who seemed pretty confused this summer when his daddy was away from us for 5 weeks to train for a really stressful job. I know that lots of people are away from their families for years serving in the military. I don't mean to belittle their experience by saying that our struggle was SO hard. I really have no idea how those families cope. . It seems like it would be SO hard. To us, however, the last three months with that job were the most stressful we've ever experienced. Donnie decided to quit his job because he was away from us so much and because when he was home, he was preparing for his job or anxious and completely wiped out. So now, he has a job which does not require him to bring work home. Regular hours and only a 15 minute commute. He is returning to himself and is working on finding ways to spend quality time with Dawson and I. So thankful!

HP Inspired T-shirt for Little D

2011-09-27T21:54:00.007-05:00

So, I did it! I actually completed one of the other projects that I had intended to complete before Val's September 30th Pinterest Challenge deadline!!

I saw a picture of this cute little boy wearing a lightning bold t-shirt on Pinterest and thought... "Hmmm.... I think I could make Little D one of those and it could be his Harry Potter shirt!"

So I dug around in his thrifted fall clothes and found a couple of shirt options. I decided to go with the long sleeve burgundy one and use a mustard colored one (that is too small) for the lightning bolt. House colors of Griffindor, perfect!!!!
Both shirts had front pockets on them, so I decided to remove the pockets first, with my seam ripper. It wasn't really necessary to remove the pocket from the yellow shirt, but I decided it would make a cute embellishment on one of the sleeves.

Then I went to work making a lightning bolt with a straight edge and pen on the yellow shirt. Next I ironed freezer paper onto the reverse side before cutting out the shape and ironing it on. (Sorry no pics.)

I used a tight applique stitch with black thread to outline the shape. Finally, I pinned the little yellow pocket onto the right arm sleeve and used black embroidery floss to hand sew it on.

Here is my Little D sporting his new HP inspired lightning shirt!!! We went outside to play with sticks a.k.a. wands while we waited for my sister to come and babysit this morning.

I think I might just need my own HP lightning shirt!!! What do you think?

So there you go. Four out of six project ideas complete! Now if I could JUST find some thrifted lamps to make into fake mercury glass and get some pillows made!!!

Pinterest Challenge Progress

2011-09-24T14:36:00.008-05:00

I've been working hard at trying to accomplish a few creative tasks inspired by Pinterest. Thanks to my friend Val, I've been getting several things done. I realized, however, that most of my creative tasks lately have been related to things I've seen on Pinterest, anyways. I've been cooking recipes from my recipe boards, pinning shower decorations that are in the works, and my bedroom redo (that will probably not be finished in a year!!!) has lots of projects related to my inspiration board. MY problem is that I don't take my camera out and take pictures of the projects that I do. I didn't do much better this time around, but I do have some after shots and the links to the inspiration tutorials for you. :) So... here's where I'm at with the six projects I wanted to complete:

1. Harry Potter inspired Lightning Bolt toddler shirt for Little d.

Yet to be started...

2. Apple Pie Caramel Apple for friends :)

On Friday night, four friends came over and helped me make these gorgeous, yummy apple treats. About ten minutes into the process, I realized that making 50 caramel apples dipped in white chocolate was a much larger task than we could complete in two hours. But, we plowed ahead and started washing wax off, dipping in melty caramel, and then letting them sit in the fridge for about an hour before dipping them in chocolate and letting them set up some more in the fridge! My friends helped as long as they could (one had an allergic reaction to the apples, one had children to get to bed, another needed to pack for a trip, and one lasted until after 10pm) and I ended up finishing them at about 11:30 that night. So, just a fair warning: 50 apple pie caramel apples take about five and a half hours to complete. So glad that I have willing friends to come and help make them for our gifts this month at LOVE WINS!

3. Felt Leaf Garland for fallish decor.

This was my first project that was complete! It is hung in our main bath, where we have a colorful child-friendly shower curtain with lots of pockets for lotions, soap, toys, diaper creme, and other necessary baby hygiene products. :) I LOVE it! It is perfect with that shower curtain. I may just leave it up all year!

4. Freezer Stenciled word pillows for the couch or bedroom. Yet to begin. I don't know why I can't bite the bullet and get these things started!!! I have been wanting to make pillows with text embellishments for a LONG time!

5. Black and White Wreath.

When I saw this picture for the first time, I knew that I had the perfect fabric in my stash already. It is black and white with an almost terry cloth texture. SO lovely to tough and look at! I loved the black and white floral with a pop of bright color, but I could not get the idea of using orange with it for fall out of my mind. So, I followed the tutorial you can find by following the link above and I was finished in about 45 minutes. DONE!!!! and hung up! I decided to incorporate a little picture of my Little d into the wreath nook. I think it looks WAY cute!

6. Mercury Glass Lamp DIY SO want to do this for my bedroom.

For this project, I have yet to find the perfect lamps at thrift stores. I've had very little time to actually go to thrift stores lately, but I need to get to more than one to actually make a valiant effort in my search. I also need to reread the tutorial to see if it should be wood, brass, or something else for the Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. By the way, have you ever priced that stuff???? It is kind of expensive. $7 for a small spray can!!! Definitely going to need a handy dandy Hobby Lobby coupon for that one!

So, that's where I'm at. I have some other projects in the works for an upcoming baby shower for Baby P! Who knows if I will take pictures and share the results. It seems that the sharing is really only occurring once in a blue moon here on my blog! Thanks for inspiring me to be creative and share the results, Val!

Pinterest Challenge Accepted!

2011-09-12T22:08:00.007-05:00

My friend, Val, a.k.a One Sassy Housewife, put out a challenge a few days ago. It involves using some inspiration from a site called Pinterest. Haven't heard of it? Well, it has become sort of a time-sucking rabbit hole for me and I've noticed lots of other people that I know lately who've jumped into it. Well, Valerie suggested that we stop doing so much "pinning" and start actually crafting!

I've used some ideas in my bedroom redo, but that room isn't nearly finished and I have taken a break from it.

So... here are some of the ideas that I have in the works or REALLY want to try.

1. Harry Potter inspired Lightning Bolt toddler shirt for d.
2. Apple Pie Caramel Apple for friends :)
3. Felt Leaf Garland for fallish decor
4. Freezer Stenciled word pillows for the couch or bedroom.
5. Black and White Wreath. I'll embellish with orange for fall.
6. Mercury Glass Lamp DIY SO want to do this for my bedroom.
She gave a deadline of September 30th. So, hopefully I'll actually be back soon with another blog post to show something actually completed! :)

Laughing While You Sleep

2011-04-26T01:58:00.001-05:00

Tonight when I came to bed, you were laughing the way you sometimes do when you're dreaming about something funny. I'm not sure what you were thinking about or seeing in your dream, but I imagine it was something that really gets that laugh of yours going. Maybe you were "watching" It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia or The Office. Or maybe you were dreaming about something funny that you saw Dawson doing. Whatever it was, it made me smile to hear you laugh while you slept. I think that might be one of the best sounds in the whole entire universe. It might be one of the little momentary surprises that helps me heal a little bit.

Cookie Exchange: Aunt Debbie's Almond Sugar Cookies

2010-12-11T09:06:00.010-06:00

Almond Sugar Cookie Dough

1 cup butter (softened)

3/4 cup sugar

3 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 beaten egg

3/4 tsp. vanilla

3/4 tsp. almond flavoring

2 TBSP milk

My son Dawson and I getting the ingredients ready.

Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten egg, milk, vanilla, and almond flavoring. Gradually add dry ingredients. (Add an extra splash of milk if dough seems too crumbly after all dry ingredients are added.)

Pouring the dry ingredients into the big bowl.

Chill overnight. Roll out dough between 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out cookie shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes for thinner cookies, 10 minutes for thicker cookies.

Almond Frosting

2 cups powdered sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

2 TBSP. Milk

1/4 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. almond flavoring

2 1/2 TBSP. softened butter

Mix all ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Pipe with frosting tips onto cookies with plain icing and sugar with colored sprinkles.

NOTES:
Yields 4 dozen 2 inch cookies.

Small cookie cutters are great for this recipe. Little bite sized tastes of the almond flavored goodness seem to be just right. :)

December Daily Album

2010-12-01T08:19:00.004-06:00

I have a goal this December to record some every day and special holiday moments for our little family. Ali Edwards is the woman behind the idea and what inspires me so much to do this is her focus on simplicity of pictures and words. This inspiration is what is keeping me from stopping this project before I even begin. I would describe myself as a frustrated perfectionist. I want to do things the exact way that I have envisioned them, but the frustration that comes with not doing things perfectly the first time they are done many times leads to a lack of follow through on my part. Another downfall is my inability to focus on one thing and get it done and out of the way. So.... we'll see what happens this month.
I've got lots of pages ready to go. Now, I need to focus on the stories I want to tell.
Here are the ideas that are floating around in my head:
1. Decorating the tree
2. Reading Christmas books with Dawson
3. Christmas jammies and slippers to wear all month, instead of just on Christmas Eve
4. Baking cookies
5. Decorating cookies
6. HUnting for the Elf on the Shelf
7. Looking out the window at the garbage truck or neighbor's lights
8. Dawson playing with his trucks
9. Sitting by the fireplace with Donnie
10. Going to see Santa
11. Comminuty Theatre production of Miracle on 34th Street
12. Decorations around the house
13. Making Dawson a Christmas apron
14. Going to Fritz's to see "choo choo" trains
15. Making a gingerbread house with cousins
16. Unwrapping gifts
17. Playing with gifts
18. Watching Christmas specials and movies (Favorite list)
19. Donnie reading the Christmas story
20. Giving gifts to others
21. Favorite Christmas songs
22. Extended Family Christmases

Other ideas:
drinking a caramel apple cider at Starbucks
going out on a date with Donnie to Aixois
Christmas Pastoral Staff dinner
Andy's Safari Christmas Party
Staff Christmas sweaters
Getting packages in the mail
giving to the clubs
adopting a family
going to church
Dawson playing at the sitter's house
being with grandparents

Our Life the Money Pit...

2010-11-29T22:08:00.002-06:00

So within the last several weeks, we've had several household items that have gone in the crapper. Can you sense my frustration just a bit? Right now we are living on less money than we are used to due to some choices of our own and some not. Our savings account is okay. These types of things are the reasons that we put aside money... Well that and to pay for things like our retirement and our son's education. The current monthly savings plan is to pay for another degree. (I think in our house, there will always be school bills looming.) Well, this month, no savings are to be put aside for that purpose. Nope. Instead all of those savings and some other emergency reserve funds are going to replacement costs for things that don't last as long as you wish they did...
Thank you hot water heater, washing machine, tires for the Corolla, and garbage disposal. Thank you for quitting on us all at once and showing us that our best laid savings plans are definitely something to be thankful for, even if we aren't always able to use that savings for what we had intended.

A Shutterfly Merry Christmas

2010-11-22T16:05:00.007-06:00

Hi Friends,

Have you ever used Shutterfly for picture printing? Well, this summer when we had the fabulous Amber Dawkins photograph our family we decided to purchase the rights to all of the pictures so that we could print as many as we wanted. When she handed us the CD of images, she recommended Shutterfly for their quality and affordability. I've uploaded all of our images and still need to decide on some enlargements for our walls.

Fast forward a few months to last weekend. My friend Valerie told me about the fabulous holiday collection of cards that Shutterfly has created for 2010. When I went browsing, I found so many different enticing options for our little family's Christmas card. I've picked my favorite image from our summer photo shoot and now I just need to pick out a fabulous backdrop for it from Shutterfly's amazing selection! I really like bright and cheery colors to go along with our bright and cheery little family.

How about this photo card with the bold black and colorful type? Wouldn't our family of three look SO cute above those fun filled words???

Here is another colorful beauty. This one has rainbow snowflakes!!! Now how could you go wrong with those?

But what if I can't make up my mind about which picture to actually use for sending holiday cheer to all of my loved ones? Well, here is a colorful option with space to show off up to seven photos of my choice. Take a peek at this photo card!

Now if you know me well, you know that all of those decisions aren't necessarily a good thing. It could take me days to figure out the finalized card!?!?! But, I think I've got it narrowed down to those three for this year! And the beautiful thing about all of this? Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 FREE Photo Cards of their choice! Wow! How wonderful is that?!? Merry Christmas to me from Shutterfly!

A Mom Professes Her LOVE for Her Son

2010-11-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/

Loving Your Enemies

2010-09-19T23:15:00.001-05:00

Loving Your Enemies
Martin Luther King, Jr.
public domain sermon
Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Montgomery, Alabama, 17 November 1957.

I am forced to preach under something of a handicap this morning. In fact, I had the doctor before coming to church. And he said that it would be best for me to stay in the bed this morning. And I insisted that I would have to come to preach. So he allowed me to come out with one stipulation, and that is that I would not come in the pulpit until time to preach, and that after, that I would immediately go back home and get in the bed. So I’m going to try to follow his instructions from that point on.

I want to use as a subject from which to preach this morning a very familiar subject, and it is familiar to you because I have preached from this subject twice before to my knowing in this pulpit. I try to make it a, something of a custom or tradition to preach from this passage of Scripture at least once a year, adding new insights that I develop along the way out of new experiences as I give these messages. Although the content is, the basic content is the same, new insights and new experiences naturally make for new illustrations.

So I want to turn your attention to this subject: "Loving Your Enemies." It’s so basic to me because it is a part of my basic philosophical and theological orientation—the whole idea of love, the whole philosophy of love. In the fifth chapter of the gospel as recorded by Saint Matthew, we read these very arresting words flowing from the lips of our Lord and Master: "Ye have heard that it has been said, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

Certainly these are great words, words lifted to cosmic proportions. And over the centuries, many persons have argued that this is an extremely difficult command. Many would go so far as to say that it just isn’t possible to move out into the actual practice of this glorious command. They would go on to say that this is just additional proof that Jesus was an impractical idealist who never quite came down to earth. So the arguments abound. But far from being an impractical idealist, Jesus has become the practical realist. The words of this text glitter in our eyes with a new urgency. Far from being the pious injunction of a utopian dreamer, this command is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies.

Now let me hasten to say that Jesus was very serious when he gave this command; he wasn’t playing. He realized that it’s hard to love your enemies. He realized that it’s difficult to love those persons who seek to defeat you, those persons who say evil things about you. He realized that it was painfully hard, pressingly hard. But he wasn’t playing. And we cannot dismiss this passage as just another example of Oriental hyperbole, just a sort of exaggeration to get over the point. This is a basic philosophy of all that we hear coming from the lips of our Master. Because Jesus wasn’t playing; because he was serious. We have the Christian and moral responsibility to seek to discover the meaning of these words, and to discover how we can live out this command, and why we should live by this command.

Now first let us deal with this question, which is the practical question: How do you go about loving your enemies? I think the first thing is this: In order to love your enemies, you must begin by analyzing self. And I’m sure that seems strange to you, that I start out telling you this morning that you love your enemies by beginning with a look at self. It seems to me that that is the first and foremost way to come to an adequate discovery to the how of this situation.

Now, I’m aware of the fact that some people will not like you, not because of something you have done to them, but they just won’t like you. I’m quite aware of that. Some people aren’t going to like the way you walk; some people aren’t going to like the way you talk. Some people aren’t going to like you because you can do your job better than they can do theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because other people like you, and because you’re popular, and because you’re well-liked, they aren’t going to like you. Some people aren’t going to like you because your hair is a little shorter than theirs or your hair is a little longer than theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little brighter than theirs; and others aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little darker than theirs. So that some people aren’t going to like you. They’re going to dislike you, not because of something that you’ve done to them, but because of various jealous reactions and other reactions that are so prevalent in human nature.

But after looking at these things and admitting these things, we must face the fact that an individual might dislike us because of something that we’ve done deep down in the past, some personality attribute that we possess, something that we’ve done deep down in the past and we’ve forgotten about it; but it was that something that aroused the hate response within the individual. That is why I say, begin with yourself. There might be something within you that arouses the tragic hate response in the other individual.

This is true in our international struggle. We look at the struggle, the ideological struggle between communism on the one hand and democracy on the other, and we see the struggle between America and Russia. Now certainly, we can never give our allegiance to the Russian way of life, to the communistic way of life, because communism is based on an ethical relativism and a metaphysical materialism that no Christian can accept. When we look at the methods of communism, a philosophy where somehow the end justifies the means, we cannot accept that because we believe as Christians that the end is pre-existent in the means. But in spite of all of the weaknesses and evils inherent in communism, we must at the same time see the weaknesses and evils within democracy.

Democracy is the greatest form of government to my mind that man has ever conceived, but the weakness is that we have never touched it. Isn’t it true that we have often taken necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes? Isn’t it true that we have often in our democracy trampled over individuals and races with the iron feet of oppression? Isn’t it true that through our Western powers we have perpetuated colonialism and imperialism? And all of these things must be taken under consideration as we look at Russia. We must face the fact that the rhythmic beat of the deep rumblings of discontent from Asia and Africa is at bottom a revolt against the imperialism and colonialism perpetuated by Western civilization all these many years. The success of communism in the world today is due to the failure of democracy to live up to the noble ideals and principles inherent in its system.

And this is what Jesus means when he said: "How is it that you can see the mote in your brother’s eye and not see the beam in your own eye?" Or to put it in Moffatt’s translation: "How is it that you see the splinter in your brother’s eye and fail to see the plank in your own eye?" And this is one of the tragedies of human nature. So we begin to love our enemies and love those persons that hate us whether in collective life or individual life by looking at ourselves.

A second thing that an individual must do in seeking to love his enemy is to discover the element of good in his enemy, and everytime you begin to hate that person and think of hating that person, realize that there is some good there and look at those good points which will over-balance the bad points.

I’ve said to you on many occasions that each of us is something of a schizophrenic personality. We’re split up and divided against ourselves. And there is something of a civil war going on within all of our lives. There is a recalcitrant South of our soul revolting against the North of our soul. And there is this continual struggle within the very structure of every individual life. There is something within all of us that causes us to cry out with Ovid, the Latin poet, "I see and approve the better things of life, but the evil things I do." There is something within all of us that causes us to cry out with Plato that the human personality is like a charioteer with two headstrong horses, each wanting to go in different directions. There is something within each of us that causes us to cry out with Goethe, "There is enough stuff in me to make both a gentleman and a rogue." There is something within each of us that causes us to cry out with Apostle Paul, "I see and approve the better things of life, but the evil things I do."

So somehow the "isness" of our present nature is out of harmony with the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts us. And this simply means this: That within the best of us, there is some evil, and within the worst of us, there is some good. When we come to see this, we take a different attitude toward individuals. The person who hates you most has some good in him; even the nation that hates you most has some good in it; even the race that hates you most has some good in it. And when you come to the point that you look in the face of every man and see deep down within him what religion calls "the image of God," you begin to love him in spite of. No matter what he does, you see God’s image there. There is an element of goodness that he can never sluff off. Discover the element of good in your enemy. And as you seek to hate him, find the center of goodness and place your attention there and you will take a new attitude.

Another way that you love your enemy is this: When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it. There will come a time, in many instances, when the person who hates you most, the person who has misused you most, the person who has gossiped about you most, the person who has spread false rumors about you most, there will come a time when you will have an opportunity to defeat that person. It might be in terms of a recommendation for a job; it might be in terms of helping that person to make some move in life. That’s the time you must not do it. That is the meaning of love. In the final analysis, love is not this sentimental something that we talk about. It’s not merely an emotional something. Love is creative, understanding goodwill for all men. It is the refusal to defeat any individual. When you rise to the level of love, of its great beauty and power, you seek only to defeat evil systems. Individuals who happen to be caught up in that system, you love, but you seek to defeat the system.

The Greek language, as I’ve said so often before, is very powerful at this point. It comes to our aid beautifully in giving us the real meaning and depth of the whole philosophy of love. And I think it is quite apropos at this point, for you see the Greek language has three words for love, interestingly enough. It talks about love as eros. That’s one word for love. Eros is a sort of, aesthetic love. Plato talks about it a great deal in his dialogues, a sort of yearning of the soul for the realm of the gods. And it’s come to us to be a sort of romantic love, though it’s a beautiful love. Everybody has experienced eros in all of its beauty when you find some individual that is attractive to you and that you pour out all of your like and your love on that individual. That is eros, you see, and it’s a powerful, beautiful love that is given to us through all of the beauty of literature; we read about it.

Then the Greek language talks about philia, and that’s another type of love that’s also beautiful. It is a sort of intimate affection between personal friends. And this is the type of love that you have for those persons that you’re friendly with, your intimate friends, or people that you call on the telephone and you go by to have dinner with, and your roommate in college and that type of thing. It’s a sort of reciprocal love. On this level, you like a person because that person likes you. You love on this level, because you are loved. You love on this level, because there’s something about the person you love that is likeable to you. This too is a beautiful love. You can communicate with a person; you have certain things in common; you like to do things together. This is philia.

The Greek language comes out with another word for love. It is the word agape. And agape is more than eros; agape is more than philia; agape is something of the understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill for all men. It is a love that seeks nothing in return. It is an overflowing love; it’s what theologians would call the love of God working in the lives of men. And when you rise to love on this level, you begin to love men, not because they are likeable, but because God loves them. You look at every man, and you love him because you know God loves him. And he might be the worst person you’ve ever seen.

And this is what Jesus means, I think, in this very passage when he says, "Love your enemy." And it’s significant that he does not say, "Like your enemy." Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. I don’t like what they do to me. I don’t like what they say about me and other people. I don’t like their attitudes. I don’t like some of the things they’re doing. I don’t like them. But Jesus says love them. And love is greater than like. Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This is what Jesus means when he says, "Love your enemy." This is the way to do it. When the opportunity presents itself when you can defeat your enemy, you must not do it.

Now for the few moments left, let us move from the practical how to the theoretical why. It’s not only necessary to know how to go about loving your enemies, but also to go down into the question of why we should love our enemies. I think the first reason that we should love our enemies, and I think this was at the very center of Jesus’ thinking, is this: that hate for hate only intensifies the existence of hate and evil in the universe. If I hit you and you hit me and I hit you back and you hit me back and go on, you see, that goes on ad infinitum. [tapping on pulpit] It just never ends. Somewhere somebody must have a little sense, and that’s the strong person. The strong person is the person who can cut off the chain of hate, the chain of evil. And that is the tragedy of hate, that it doesn’t cut it off. It only intensifies the existence of hate and evil in the universe. Somebody must have religion enough and morality enough to cut it off and inject within the very structure of the universe that strong and powerful element of love.

I think I mentioned before that sometime ago my brother and I were driving one evening to Chattanooga, Tennessee, from Atlanta. He was driving the car. And for some reason the drivers were very discourteous that night. They didn’t dim their lights; hardly any driver that passed by dimmed his lights. And I remember very vividly, my brother A. D. looked over and in a tone of anger said: "I know what I’m going to do. The next car that comes along here and refuses to dim the lights, I’m going to fail to dim mine and pour them on in all of their power." And I looked at him right quick and said: "Oh no, don’t do that. There’d be too much light on this highway, and it will end up in mutual destruction for all. Somebody got to have some sense on this highway."

Somebody must have sense enough to dim the lights, and that is the trouble, isn’t it? That as all of the civilizations of the world move up the highway of history, so many civilizations, having looked at other civilizations that refused to dim the lights, and they decided to refuse to dim theirs. And Toynbee tells that out of the twenty-two civilizations that have risen up, all but about seven have found themselves in the junkheap of destruction. It is because civilizations fail to have sense enough to dim the lights. And if somebody doesn’t have sense enough to turn on the dim and beautiful and powerful lights of love in this world, the whole of our civilization will be plunged into the abyss of destruction. And we will all end up destroyed because nobody had any sense on the highway of history. Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a descending spiral, ultimately ending in destruction for all and everybody. Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And you do that by love.

There’s another reason why you should love your enemies, and that is because hate distorts the personality of the hater. We usually think of what hate does for the individual hated or the individuals hated or the groups hated. But it is even more tragic, it is even more ruinous and injurious to the individual who hates. You just begin hating somebody, and you will begin to do irrational things. You can’t see straight when you hate. You can’t walk straight when you hate. You can’t stand upright. Your vision is distorted. There is nothing more tragic than to see an individual whose heart is filled with hate. He comes to the point that he becomes a pathological case. For the person who hates, you can stand up and see a person and that person can be beautiful, and you will call them ugly. For the person who hates, the beautiful becomes ugly and the ugly becomes beautiful. For the person who hates, the good becomes bad and the bad becomes good. For the person who hates, the true becomes false and the false becomes true. That’s what hate does. You can’t see right. The symbol of objectivity is lost. Hate destroys the very structure of the personality of the hater. And this is why Jesus says hate [recording interrupted]

. . . that you want to be integrated with yourself, and the way to be integrated with yourself is be sure that you meet every situation of life with an abounding love. Never hate, because it ends up in tragic, neurotic responses. Psychologists and psychiatrists are telling us today that the more we hate, the more we develop guilt feelings and we begin to subconsciously repress or consciously suppress certain emotions, and they all stack up in our subconscious selves and make for tragic, neurotic responses. And may this not be the neuroses of many individuals as they confront life that that is an element of hate there. And modern psychology is calling on us now to love. But long before modern psychology came into being, the world’s greatest psychologist who walked around the hills of Galilee told us to love. He looked at men and said: "Love your enemies; don’t hate anybody." It’s not enough for us to hate your friends because—to to love your friends—because when you start hating anybody, it destroys the very center of your creative response to life and the universe; so love everybody. Hate at any point is a cancer that gnaws away at the very vital center of your life and your existence. It is like eroding acid that eats away the best and the objective center of your life. So Jesus says love, because hate destroys the hater as well as the hated.

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, "Love your enemies." Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.

I think of one of the best examples of this. We all remember the great president of this United States, Abraham Lincoln—these United States rather. You remember when Abraham Lincoln was running for president of the United States, there was a man who ran all around the country talking about Lincoln. He said a lot of bad things about Lincoln, a lot of unkind things. And sometimes he would get to the point that he would even talk about his looks, saying, "You don’t want a tall, lanky, ignorant man like this as the president of the United States." He went on and on and on and went around with that type of attitude and wrote about it. Finally, one day Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. And if you read the great biography of Lincoln, if you read the great works about him, you will discover that as every president comes to the point, he came to the point of having to choose a Cabinet. And then came the time for him to choose a Secretary of War. He looked across the nation, and decided to choose a man by the name of Mr. Stanton. And when Abraham Lincoln stood around his advisors and mentioned this fact, they said to him: "Mr. Lincoln, are you a fool? Do you know what Mr. Stanton has been saying about you? Do you know what he has done, tried to do to you? Do you know that he has tried to defeat you on every hand? Do you know that, Mr. Lincoln? Did you read all of those derogatory statements that he made about you?" Abraham Lincoln stood before the advisors around him and said: "Oh yes, I know about it; I read about it; I’ve heard him myself. But after looking over the country, I find that he is the best man for the job."

Mr. Stanton did become Secretary of War, and a few months later, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. And if you go to Washington, you will discover that one of the greatest words or statements ever made by, about Abraham Lincoln was made about this man Stanton. And as Abraham Lincoln came to the end of his life, Stanton stood up and said: "Now he belongs to the ages." And he made a beautiful statement concerning the character and the stature of this man. If Abraham Lincoln had hated Stanton, if Abraham Lincoln had answered everything Stanton said, Abraham Lincoln would have not transformed and redeemed Stanton. Stanton would have gone to his grave hating Lincoln, and Lincoln would have gone to his grave hating Stanton. But through the power of love Abraham Lincoln was able to redeem Stanton.

That’s it. There is a power in love that our world has not discovered yet. Jesus discovered it centuries ago. Mahatma Gandhi of India discovered it a few years ago, but most men and most women never discover it. For they believe in hitting for hitting; they believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; they believe in hating for hating; but Jesus comes to us and says, "This isn’t the way."

And oh this morning, as I think of the fact that our world is in transition now. Our whole world is facing a revolution. Our nation is facing a revolution, our nation. One of the things that concerns me most is that in the midst of the revolution of the world and the midst of the revolution of this nation, that we will discover the meaning of Jesus’ words.

History unfortunately leaves some people oppressed and some people oppressors. And there are three ways that individuals who are oppressed can deal with their oppression. One of them is to rise up against their oppressors with physical violence and corroding hatred. But oh this isn’t the way. For the danger and the weakness of this method is its futility. Violence creates many more social problems than it solves. And I’ve said, in so many instances, that as the Negro, in particular, and colored peoples all over the world struggle for freedom, if they succumb to the temptation of using violence in their struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and our chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. Violence isn’t the way.

Another way is to acquiesce and to give in, to resign yourself to the oppression. Some people do that. They discover the difficulties of the wilderness moving into the promised land, and they would rather go back to the despots of Egypt because it’s difficult to get in the promised land. And so they resign themselves to the fate of oppression; they somehow acquiesce to this thing. But that too isn’t the way because non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.

But there is another way. And that is to organize mass non-violent resistance based on the principle of love. It seems to me that this is the only way as our eyes look to the future. As we look out across the years and across the generations, let us develop and move right here. We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way. Jesus discovered that.

Not only did Jesus discover it, even great military leaders discover that. One day as Napoleon came toward the end of his career and looked back across the years—the great Napoleon that at a very early age had all but conquered the world. He was not stopped until he became, till he moved out to the battle of Leipzig and then to Waterloo. But that same Napoleon one day stood back and looked across the years, and said: "Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have built great empires. But upon what did they depend? They depended upon force. But long ago Jesus started an empire that depended on love, and even to this day millions will die for him."

Yes, I can see Jesus walking around the hills and the valleys of Palestine. And I can see him looking out at the Roman Empire with all of her fascinating and intricate military machinery. But in the midst of that, I can hear him saying: "I will not use this method. Neither will I hate the Roman Empire." [Radio Announcer:] (WRMA, Montgomery, Alabama. Due to the fact of the delay this morning, we are going over with the sermon.) [several words inaudible] . . . and just start marching.

And I’m proud to stand here in Dexter this morning and say that that army is still marching. It grew up from a group of eleven or twelve men to more than seven hundred million today. Because of the power and influence of the personality of this Christ, he was able to split history into a.d. and b.c. Because of his power, he was able to shake the hinges from the gates of the Roman Empire. And all around the world this morning, we can hear the glad echo of heaven ring:

Jesus shall reign wherever sun,
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom spreads from shore to shore,
Till moon shall wane and wax no more.

We can hear another chorus singing: "All hail the power of Jesus name!"
We can hear another chorus singing: "Hallelujah, hallelujah! He’s King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah, hallelujah!"
We can hear another choir singing:

In Christ there is no East or West.
In Him no North or South,
But one great Fellowship of Love
Throughout the whole wide world.

This is the only way.

And our civilization must discover that. Individuals must discover that as they deal with other individuals. There is a little tree planted on a little hill and on that tree hangs the most influential character that ever came in this world. But never feel that that tree is a meaningless drama that took place on the stages of history. Oh no, it is a telescope through which we look out into the long vista of eternity, and see the love of God breaking forth into time. It is an eternal reminder to a power-drunk generation that love is the only way. It is an eternal reminder to a generation depending on nuclear and atomic energy, a generation depending on physical violence, that love is the only creative, redemptive, transforming power in the universe.

So this morning, as I look into your eyes, and into the eyes of all of my brothers in Alabama and all over America and over the world, I say to you, "I love you. I would rather die than hate you." And I’m foolish enough to believe that through the power of this love somewhere, men of the most recalcitrant bent will be transformed. And then we will be in God’s kingdom. We will be able to matriculate into the university of eternal life because we had the power to love our enemies, to bless those persons that cursed us, to even decide to be good to those persons who hated us, and we even prayed for those persons who despitefully used us.

Oh God, help us in our lives and in all of our attitudes, to work out this controlling force of love, this controlling power that can solve every problem that we confront in all areas. Oh, we talk about politics; we talk about the problems facing our atomic civilization. Grant that all men will come together and discover that as we solve the crisis and solve these problems—the international problems, the problems of atomic energy, the problems of nuclear energy, and yes, even the race problem—let us join together in a great fellowship of love and bow down at the feet of Jesus. Give us this strong determination. In the name and spirit of this Christ, we pray. Amen.

No, Everything DOESN'T Happen for a Reason!!!

2010-08-25T08:35:00.003-05:00

You know the cliche. I'm sure you've heard it said or even uttered it yourself. "Everything happens for a reason." Lots of people who have no idea what else to say use this cliche to try to comfort themselves or others in times of loss and indecision.

Rewind to about two and a half years ago. We had been trying on our own to get pregnant for over a year, probably more like 2. We had actually not been using birth control pills for more than 5 years. At that point, we started opening up to friends and family about our situation. Donnie and I are pretty transparent when it comes to being real about what is happening in our lives. Then we started to hear suggestions about fertility treatments and adoption. Repeatedly through the months that we didn't get pregnant, people used the cliche that I have grown to hate, "Everything happens for a reason." Really???

In the fall of 2007, a friend at work mentioned that she had a friend that was trying to find a family to adopt her unborn son. We agreed to meet her and got to know her fairly well. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do, but we prayed for her and tried to support her as we felt like God was showing us to. The conversation quickly stopped after we started talking with a lawyer about how to proceed should she want to give us her baby. She quit calling. It wasn't until November of that year that I received a phone call from my friend saying that she was in the hospital and that she wanted me to come. She was twenty-three weeks away from her due date and something was wrong. I arrived that night and caught just a small glimpse of what life was like for this girl. Her mother was there and everything that this woman said focused on herself. How sick she felt, how late it was and how she needed to get home to sleep. Nothing about how her daughter was doing or feeling. And her daughter was in labor... 23 weeks early, in labor. She had an infection that was fighting against the baby and the baby was coming. After more than 12 hours of holding her hand, praying for her, and comforting her, I held that tiny fragile little body who had the chance to live for a few months in his mother's womb. After that experience I again heard, "Everything happens for a reason." Really???

After that, Donnie and I had been trying fertility treatments to get pregnant. With a low sperm count on the radar ,the doctor suggested in vitro. Guess what, my hormones didn't respond correctly to the procedure. And again, "Everything happens for a reason." Really people???

Just this week, another terrible tragedy happened to some friends of ours. Their teenage son was killed in a car accident near their home. Two other people were seriously injured and are in the hospital. This kid had a bright future. He was friends with all different kinds of people in school - athletes, musicians, academics. He was a person who believed inn God and showing kindness to others. His parents and siblings are equally awesome people and live their lives in the same way. They are hurting more than I can understand. And guess what I've heard again, "Everything happens for a reason."

You know, I don't think people think about what they are actually communicating when they say that phrase. To me it suggests that some cause is happening behind all of this mess in order for a greater purpose to be realized. Like God is making it happen to teach a lesson or to bring about some divine intervention to get our attention, or to punish or reward us with something better. I have to say that I wholeheartedly disagree. i don't believe that God sits up on his big throne in heaven and thinks of terrible things to happen to the creation that he loves. I also don't like looking at life as a series of cause and effects where one thing sucks so that another can bring joy. I just don't believe that way.

I believe that God's people can bring love into situations where love is absent.
That young mother needed someone who could comfort and love her when her baby was still born. There wasn't a reason for the baby to die. God is love, not pain. He didn't cause it, but he worked within the terrible pain.

I also believe that healing can come after horrible disappointment.
When we adopted our son, I wondered about this phrase "Everything happens for a reason" thinking it might be true. But just because we have a son to love, I still don't think that God ordered all of the terrible things to happen to bring us to that point. We were healed by the birth of our son. It caused us to keep on in our faith and life of love for others.

And I believe that if you love God, your life can communicate love to others, even after you die.
Andrew Hurd will be remembered for the way he lived his life. For the love he showed to others and the faith that he had. He will be remembered for showing kindness even though others didn't and maybe his example will cause someone else to know and love God the way he did.

No, I DON'T for one second believe that "Everything happens for a reason." Love happens for a reason. The reason it happens is because God first loved us and because of His love, we can't help but show it to others and help and heal when painful tragedies happen.

9 Years Ago Today

2009-07-01T10:42:00.003-05:00

9 years ago today I got up early and went to get my hair styled with my friend, Kreisa. It was an updo, the kind with pinned curls and I had a white sequined tiara. Then Donnie's cousin, Brenda did my make-up at the church as all of the other girls were arriving.
At the same time, my fiance was in a hotel room with a bunch of guys after a long night of little sleep. He just couldn't sleep... only about 45 minutes the whole night. I never knew that until later... I couldn't tell that day.
I remember funny little moments like my aunts checking my blood sugar while I was in my pretty, white dress... my sisters helping to hold my dress up while I went to the bathroom... scuffing our shoes out on the pavement in the 100+ degree heat... the ring bearer not wanting to be in pictures because he was shy and when our coordinator asked him to give me a kiss which warmed him up to being in some shots.
The moments that I will never forget start when Donnie and I had a few minutes alone before pictures. It was just the two of us. When I saw him, I know I had the biggest smile on my face and that smile wasn't hard to keep on all day long. I didn't even have sore smile muscles after all of the pictures. When I walked down the aisle with my dad, I had a feeling I haven't had since. It was a little sadness mingled with anticipation and wonder. Looking out at ALL of the faces as we stood together on the platform is a snapshot that both of us keep in our memories. People we loved being there was the most important part of our wedding plan. We knew our marriage was would be impacted by people, not flowers, food, or decorations.
The wedding day was splendid and full of memories, but our marriage was the significant thing that started that day. Today I want to say thank you to Donnie. The man in my life that is strong, dedicated to God, his family and people. I appreciate the thoughful gestures and consistency in my life. I love you!

The Magic Instant

2009-07-01T10:41:00.000-05:00

Paulo Coelho's The Magic Instant post includes these words:

Every day – together with the sun – God gives us a moment in which it is possible to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day we try to pretend that we don’t realize that moment, that it doesn’t exist, that today is just the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if you pay attention, you can discover the magic instant. It may be hiding at the moment when we put the key in the door in the morning, in the silence right after dinner, in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. This moment exists – a moment when all the strength of the stars passes through us and lets us work miracles.

100 Things To Do In the Summer With Your Family

2009-06-30T12:19:00.005-05:00

I got this list from the Studio Calico Blog. It is a scrapbooking blog for a scrapbook kit company. I wanted to remember this list of great thigns to do with your family in the summer! (Edited to fit KS.)
100 Things to do with your Kids this Summer by Joy Madison:

1. make Dixie cup popsicles
2. make a hopscotch game & play along with the kids
3. find summer constellations
4. make indoor s'mores
5. dress up like fancy ladies & gentlemen and have tea.
6. Make bubbles
7. Blow bubbles
8. go camping
9. make up a musical & perform for the neighbors
10. walk to DQ, McD's, or Basikin Robbins for a cone
11. make a weather chart & chart the weather for a month, graph the results
12. string up a laundry line & everyone helps put out the laundry
13. grow a sustainable container garden
14. make a chalk masterpiece for your neighborhood to enjoy
15. find a pen pal family & write to them weekly
16. make cards for hereos
17. go to an assisted care facility & visit with the residents
18. set up the sprinkler and EVERYBODY play
19. go to the park & do a photo scavenger hunt
20. scrapbook your scavenger hunt photos...get the kids involved with the page.
21. make butter by hand, make muffins to spread it on, enjoy!
22. buy some binoculars & hunt for local birds
23. pick strawberries, freeze the leftovers for smoothies
24. make sun prints
25. make clackers for your bikes
26. ride yours bikes around the neighborhood, gather your friends and have a parade
27. set up a lemonade stand
28. make daisy chain jewelry
29. take books to the park & have a restful afternoon
30. stay up late, make popcorn, & watch movies
31. take a picnic to the park
32. grow your own tomatoes in pots
33. go to your local farmer's market & make dinner ONLY with what you find there.
34. take art supplies into the yard & paint each others portraits...outside=easy clean up
35. find out when your local art museum is free...and go
36. take a picnic to to daddy's or mommy's work....eat there
37. take the train somwhere JUST FOR FUN
38. if you don't live near water, make a beach in the backyard
39. put on a luau
40. find a water play park
41. make virgin daquari's for the whole family....include umbrellas
42. make homemade ice cream (even without an ice cream maker)
43. walk to the library...bring a wagon to haul books!
44. make a fort in the living room & let the kids sleep there
45. organize a block party
46. pick a topic to learn more about AS A FAMILY...go learn about it
47. pop your tent in the backyard, or if its a nice night, just set up the sleeping bags.
48. take a roadtrip to a close-ish place you've never been before.
49. let the kids map out a trip, mom & dad NO CHEATING
50. eat dinner backwards
51. find a new family hobby
52. let the kids make dinner
53. go to a drive-in theater
54. research geo caching & go do it
55. pick blueberries! they are easy, fun and DELICIOUS
56. volunteer at a soup kitchen
57. make pottery that dries in the sun.
58. make a bird bath
59. do a fashion show for daddy, complete with paparazzi
60. stay up till midnight on the summer solstice and celebrate the longest day of the year
61. make a ghetto slip & slide with lawn bags
62. light some sparklers & take photos writing with light (flashlight works too)
63. do a roadtrip scavenger hunt, give a prize for the first person to finish
64. go on a media fast & plan a week of tv/dvd/internet/iphone free activities
65. face paint each other with non-toxic tempera paint
66. pick a book series for the whole family to enjoy & read it every night this summer
67. take fast food and a blanket to a park...a picnic without all the prep work
68. learn to make boondoggles or bead animals
69. find & wear the biggest weirdest sunglassses you can
70. dress up like tourists & tour your OWN town
71. buy a baby pool and spend the afternoon cooling everyone off
72. pick a lazy day & watch all of the Lord of the Rings Triology OR Sponge Bob Seasons 1-7 on DVD
73. make an ice cream sundae bar....invite your friends to dessert
74. join your library's summer reading program
75. decorate flip flops
76. hang your flag for 4th of July (or Canada Day) and talk about what the flag means
77. drill some old pots, pans, and metal ware to a tree or trellis & let the kids bang away
78. challenge yourself: eat a raw meal
79. bicycle to the grocery as a family & only buy what fits in back packs
80. find a pool hook up
81. fly a kite
82. sit and watch airplanes take off & land at a local airport
83. buy a treat from the ice cream man, even if he's only driving a mini-van
84. decorate a family flag & fly it
85. visit a farm and see all the new baby farm animals
86. buy everyone big round lolly pops, TAKE PHOTOS
87. go to an amusement park
88. wash the car together (but only like once a summer, b/c it wastes a LOT of water!)
89. give the kids sketch books & go on a nature walk.
90. make a family newspaper, print it & send it to far flung family members
91. buy 4th of july shirts and take a family photo
92. make playdough
93. make gak
94. make a junkyard band with things around the house, SING TOGETHER
95. have a yard sale
96. go to a free concert in the park
97. take advantage of free movie AIR CONDITIONING! most theaters have free/cheap kids movies in the summer, see if yours does
98. when it rains...everyone go out and splash around
99. have the kids invent a board game....then play it
100. CHILL OUT!

An Evening of Smiles

2009-06-01T10:33:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday I stopped in at the two clubs and met several new faces at stop number one. Actually, it was crazy because I did not know a single person. I met a new bouncer, bartneder, and two ladies that I had not yet met. The gift for this month had not come together, so I punted the first option and went with a sweet treat instead--popcorn snack mix and some mini cans of pop. The bouncer/dj looked perplexed, but buzzed me in and I headed straight for the dressing room where I chatted for a bit with the ladies getting ready. I got the same question I usually do when meeting new people. "What is this for?" I explained that I am from a church in Gardner and that my husband is the pastor. I said that we decided a long time ago thatwe wanted to do something to show God's love in a different way than normal. I appreciated the smile on their faces. I told them about the cards with our information inside and let them know that truely, if they needed help with anything to let us know.
At stop number two, there were lots of familiar smiling faces as well. At the bar, lots of guys were interested in the snacks, but the ladies made sure to tell them that they weren't for them. I liked the fact that they were aware that they didn't have to share. :)

30 goals in the year of 30 Update

2009-05-29T08:09:00.003-05:00

So far this year, I have touched on a handful of my goals.
2. Watch five musicals I have not seen.
I saw the movie versions of 42nd Street, Brigadoon, and Meet Me in St. Louis. Out of the three, I think Brigadoon was my favorite, even though it was based on a fantasy land. I LOVE Gene Kelly, too!
10. Organize my kitchen cabinets
Thanks to my mother-in-law and my sister, Molly, this got done not long after our little guy was born. Love the new Lazy Susan for spices, and the fact that we emptied enough for there to be almost a shole cabinet for baby stuff that is almost entirely filled already.
24. Go to three musical performances
Haven't seen any live yet, but this summer, plans are in the works to see 4! We're going to Starlight to see Snything Goes, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mama Mia. The fourth will by Gardner Community Theatre's summer performance of Bye Bye Birdie! AND, I would really like to go see some of the summer shows at Theater in the Park; especially Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. SO excited about this summer!
28. Make handmade baby gifts
I've given 4 or 6 different handmade burp cloths to friends that were having babies. I used them to wrap a purchased gift in one case. It was a lot of fun, even if they weren't perfect!
29. Let my fingernails grow out without biting them for three months (trimming of course)
I think I made it a little more than 2 months after baby boy came home. Then I went back to work and my fingernails suffered! I couldn't keep them out of my mouth. It's disgustting, I know...
30. Pray for my husband daily
I was doing great at this at first. I am the type of person that needs some kind of visual reminder for this. NOte to self: put a note on my mirror so that I see it in the morning!

It's been forever! Have you seen this video???

2009-05-26T21:52:00.005-05:00

Go down and turn my music player off first, of course.

30 goals in the year of 30

2009-01-19T14:02:00.002-06:00

1. Visit a state I've never been to
2. Watch five musicals I have not seen
3. Go to an apple orchard
4. Take a photography or decorating class
5. Find a great picture of my mother to frame
6. Make a scrapbook for profit
7. Make 20 cards to sell
8. Reach a happy weight: no specific # but something I am content with
9. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center
10. Organize my kitchen cabinets
11. Read Girl Meets God, Your Baby's First Year Week by Week, and Cross-Cultural Servanthood (and others if there is time. :)
12. Remember all of my family member's birthdays
13. Go out of state to a football game with Donnie and friends
14. Bake my own cheesecake (my friend Renee R. has a great easy recipe!)
15. Learn how to embroider with my new sewing machine
16. Walk with friends twice a week
17. Do something that scares me
18. Start a play group
19. Get the outside of my house painted, with new shutters
20. Enjoy a picnic in a rose garden
21. Antique furniture purchase???
22. Learn how to make homemade baby food
23. Water my outside plants regularly
24. Go to three musical performances
25. Read two books a month
26. Go to the Rosedale Arch in Kansas City
27. Sew a tree skirt for my Christmas tree
28. Make handmade baby gifts
29. Let my fingernails grow out without biting them for three months (trimming of course)
30. Pray for my husband daily

{Gratitude}

2008-12-06T08:16:00.001-06:00

"True gratitude is the ability to humbly see, feel, and even receive love. Gratitude is a form of returning love to God. Recognize His hand, tell Him so, express your love to Him." -Gene R. Cook

SOAP Reading for November 10th...a week late

2008-11-17T21:31:00.003-06:00

So this week's SOAP passages aren't posted yet on the SOAP blog, but I didn't get to them last week, so here we go!

Matthew 25
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

S: I read the scripture through which is a bit ironic because this is one of the passages that Pastor Donnie (a.k.a. my husband) will be using for the advent season.

O: All of the bridesmaids were given oil. Each of the ten had the opportunity to join the groom. Only 5 were wise and had enough oil. The other 5 missed out when the bridegroom came because they were out getting the supplies that they needed. The 5 wise ones were prepared with extra oil. When they tried to get the attention of the groom later, he didn't know who they were because they weren't ready to go with him on time.

A: Hmm... Some parallels that come to mind are that the 10 virgins are all of us. We all get an invitation to this feast. This wedding which is the final party of eternity. Each one of us is invited to join the groom as one of God's children. (I know, bridesmaid, child, groom, God... it gets a bit confusing.) As far as I can tell, the story is saying that each of us needs to be prepared to meet God. We need to be wise and get ourselves ready, so that whenever we do enter eternity, God will "know us". We will have made a decision to live our lives in His direction.
Am I doing that? Am I serving others in the way he expects? Am I learning more about how to be like Jesus by trying to connect to his word daily?

P: God, I pray that I will be prepared. Help me to be wise and to live in your guidance. Help me to see others as more important than myself. I need help to be disciplined. I am inclined to do things the easy way when it comes to my spiritual self. I want to grow in this area.

Calling ALL Bakers!

2008-11-09T22:48:00.003-06:00

Anyone interested in baking for the Love Wins Ministry for December, please keep reading! I need YOU, to help me with a big task of baking for a WHOLE LOT of gifts. We'd like to make a box of baked goodies for each of 40 ladies and maybe a tray for each club to set on the bar. This is where your help would be appreciated... I'd love to have 10-15 people each make 4 dozen of one kind of treat. I'd like each person to make a different type of treat. (hunks of fudge, peanut butter blossoms, baggies of choc. covered pretzels, any type of Christmas treat or cookie or bar.) We need 4 dozen of each treat so that we can make a nice, full box for each lady.
Please individually wrap 40 items and put the remaining ones in a separate container.
All baked goods need to be delivered to the Miller house no later than Wednesday December 17th. We'll package all of the treats on December 18th and the delivery date for December will be the 19th.
Please leave a comment below with what you'd like to bring.
Thanks so much for your help!

Shall we dance?

2008-10-07T22:55:00.003-05:00

So Donnie and I have been taking a ballroom dance class now for a few weeks. We had a couple of weeks off because our instructor is in a show and had two straight weeks of rehearsal. Getting back in the swing of things is a bit hard, and tonight we learned a pretty hard dance: the samba. It was a lot of fun, but there are some quick and complicated basic steps. AND a lot of hip action.
We've also learned a bit of the watlz, salsa, and swing. I think my favorite is the swing, but I did like the samba quite a bit tonight.
I think next week we're going to do more of the samba!

SOAPed Up Oct. 7th

2008-10-07T18:53:00.002-05:00

S = Scripture
Jeremiah 31
23 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people of Judah and its towns will again say, ‘The LORD bless you, O righteous home, O holy mountain!’24 Townspeople and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness.25 For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”26 At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet.27 “The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will greatly increase the human population and the number of animals here in Israel and Judah.28 In the past I deliberately uprooted and tore down this nation. I overthrew it, destroyed it, and brought disaster upon it. But in the future I will just as deliberately plant it and build it up. I, the LORD, have spoken!29 “The people will no longer quote this proverb:
‘The parents have eaten sour grapes,but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste.’
30 All people will die for their own sins—those who eat the sour grapes will be the ones whose mouths will pucker.31 “The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the LORD.33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

O = Observations

God gives rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing. This statement comes after he talks about very different kinds of people living together in harmony.
God did some harsh things intentionally: uprooting, tearing down, destroying, and bringing disaster.
The last few verses are really complex and yet they seem so simple. It talked about how God will write his instructions on the hearts of his people and that they will not have to teach others his ways because everyone will already know him. They will be forgiven and he will never remember their sins. (This seems to be about Jesus.)

A = Application

It seems like the beginning of this passage is missing something. There are some effects: uprooting, destroying, etc., but I don't see a cause. Maybe I need to read the passage before, but this makes it seem like God is upset with his people for some reason. Then when you get down to the second half, he offers a new kind of relationship. One that extends forgiveness, no matter what.

I am a pretty justice minded person. I don't offer mercy very readily. When I don't think rules are being followed, I usually get upset. If something doesn't seem fair, or if there is a lack of consideration, I am ready to jump in and try to rescue or protect or defend. I usually want the person to acknowledge what they did. I wonder if this is how God was reacting in the old way? I think the new way is something that I need help to do daily. Forgiving is really hard. I am a huge grudge holder. If I feel hurt, I really want to be understood in that hurt. I want acknowledgement when someone is doing wrong. I want them to take responsibility. What I really need to learn is how to take my hands off of other people's necks and extend grace and mercy.

P = Prayer

Father, help me to be merciful... To the drivers getting on the highway in the morning who cut other people off. To my husband when he is trying to tell me how he feels and I get defensive. To my students who sometimes forget procedures or their homework. To myself when I am not perfect and I think I should be. To my family who makes mistakes sometimes, too. I want to be gracious and forgiving like Jesus.

Soaped up on October 6th

2008-10-06T22:49:00.003-05:00

S=Scripture... The part where we read God's word.
Exodus 3
7 Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them.10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.* Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh,* the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.
This is my eternal name,my name to remember for all generations.
16 “Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me. He told me, “I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you.17 I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.”‘18 “The elders of Israel will accept your message. Then you and the elders must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD, our God.’19 “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him.*20 So I will raise my hand and strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go.21 And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed.22 Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth.”

O=Observation... The part where we write what we noticed in the reading.

God hears his people and tells Moses the specific problems that they are facing.
Moses talks back to God, protesting, and God still stays in conversation with him.
God is named lots of ways in this passage: the Lord, our God; I Am; the God of the Hebrews, and the God of your ancestors
God speaks directly to Moses
He makes promises to Moses, too
He knows what the reaction of the people will be, both Pharaoh and the Israelites
He causes good things to happen to his people: "I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you."

A=Application... The part where we think about what the passage is telling us, what God might be trying to say through his word to us.

Right now, I'm not too sure about this part. The application is sometimes hard. I think maybe I can understand that God knows the specific problems that I am facing. I have been angry with God before and I've thrown quite a bit of yelling his way. Lately I haven't felt like yelling. I've more felt like staying unengaged. That is totally lukewarm and probably really dissatisfying to God. Maybe I should yell some more. I don't think that it is disrespectful. Some people have the perspective that it is wrong to be angry at God. I don't think anger is wrong... I think some of the things people do toward others when they are angry is unhealthy. But, being angry with questions and confusion... That has to be okay. If not, how would we begin to grieve and heal? Sometimes I just want to understand why there is so much loss in life. The Israelites had it way tougher than me. They were worked to death. I'm just struggling with my purpose...

P=Prayer... The part where we pray.

Tonight, as I sit here trying to engage, God, I want to acknowledge your goodness. I want to thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for the amazing gifts that you've given to me. I have all of my needs met. I have a caring and loving husband and family. I also want to understand my purpose. I know that I may never figure it out, but I want to trust that you have a plan for my life. I don't want to speak in cliche. I just need to figure out how to let go of some things and to try to follow your leading. Help me to do that as you helped Moses to all those years ago.

Malnourished

2008-10-02T22:27:00.002-05:00

I'm just gonna be honest here. Besides the somewhat regular nightly reading of the bible with my husband before bed, I haven't spent a lot of time feeding my soul. I really like worshipping through music, but I don't spend a lot of time reading the bible. I haven't been getting "SOAPed up" like we talk about in church all the time. The word malnourished was brought to my attention the other day. I think I am starving myself spiritually in this way.
I'm a pretty undisciplined person in some ways. This is one of them. Anyone want to discuss some SOAP passages?
I'm going to try to post some here...

Conflicts all around

2008-10-02T22:16:00.004-05:00

So the other night as I was working at my computer, I heard a heated argument between two guys in the hallway. They were arguing about their job responsibilities and throwing threats and insults around. Since I am such a tough looking person (NOT) I thought that maybe I should go out and let them know that someone was in earshot... and that maybe they should calm down before things got carried away. Even though I suggested this, they kept it up. I thought they might actually throw a punch! But after a minute, I think they realized that they really should stop before things got out of hand. Let me tell you, egos were involved.
When I got back in my room, my phone rang... Another coworker down the hall had heard everything that was going on. She asked if we should call our boss. I said that I had been thinking about it. SO... I did.
Am I a rat? What if kids had been around? What if something had happened and someone did get hurt? They're both adults, but don't I have the responsibility to help people see that there are other ways besides abusing each other words or fists? My husband thinks I am crazy sometimes for getting involved. Maybe I am...

I LOVE hearing the rain

2008-09-12T22:56:00.002-05:00

I could
listen to the rain
for hours.

I could
walk in it
with bare feet
but, I think I would
take an
umbrella.

I love
wellies.
You know those
funny
rubber boots
that some people call
galoshes?
I'd like to have
a pair with
polka dots. :)

My favorite things
to do when it rains
are read
and
sleep.

My First Sewing Lesson

2008-09-12T22:44:00.002-05:00

On Thursday evening, I sat down in front of a sewing machine for a lesson. It's been 17 years since junior high home ec. My friend, Judy let me help a bit this summer with costume tasks for the musical, and one night she asked if I wanted to help overcast a seam on a skirt. I was WAY intimidated, but I tried. Stupid idea! I kept messing up the thread and getting all kinds of knots and running off the fabric. Urgh!
On Thursday, Judy and I decided that I should just start out by sewing some basic seams on some fabric that had no purpose. First she sat me in front of the machine and showed me how to thread it and what each of the parts did. Then I had to thread it myself. (She's a great teacher.) When I actually started, I had trouble with figuring out how to hold the threads while keeping the fabric flat and straight, guiding the edge, and keeping it straight. LOTS of multitasking in sewing! What I came to realize throughout the evening is that my trouble was with trying too hard to force the fabric through. I was trying to make the machine do the job that it was accomplishing all by itself.
Do you ever do this with your life? I sure do. All too often, I try to force things to happen. A death grip complete with white knuckles and all. I push that fabric through and what do you know? it gets wrinkled and all bunched up... Knots appear and string comes from places that I know they shouldn't. Why do I do this? Why do I make a mess of things by trying to control them? Why can't I give up control?
On the other side of the coin, there are many things that I don't control that I really should... Like what I eat. Will I ever get this balance thing figured out?

Labor Day with the Sass Family

2008-09-01T21:04:00.003-05:00

Today, Donnie and I were fortunate to be able to spend several hours with the Sass family. We met them through the musical this summer. Valerie and I were Pick-a-Little ladies together and Judy was in charge of costumes. All of the members of this family are so giving and loving. We started the day in a car ride to the lake. I rode with Dale and Judy (the parents). It was fun to chat and get to know them a bit more .
Then we went to the lake and hopped in their boat. We had an awesome lunch together sitting in the middle of the lake. Next it was time for tubing. Donnie and Zach went first. It was so fun to watch them hang on for dear life while Dale steered them around and kept speeding up. I think they fell off like three times! Then Valerie and I went out. Dale definitely took it easier on us. I liked zooming back and forth across the wake. Valerie fell off twice, but I actually managed to hold on both times! Then Donnie came out with me. We went quite a bit faster with him on the tube. Again, a whole lot of fun and I never went for a dive... until I was trying to climb back in the boat and my husband dunked me! After tubing, Donnie skied for a bit, followed by Zach and Valerie wake boarding. Dale slalomed and Donnie tried to wake board, but ended up skiing some more.
When we got back to Gardner, we all washed up and had a FABULOUS dinner! All homemade: steak, potatoes, bread, salad, sweet corn, peach ice cream and sugar free strawberry ice cream, and apple pie! Needless to say we are SO full.
It was a wonderful day filled with AMAZINGLY giving people. Thanks, Sass family, for an amazing day!

Coincidences and Prayer

2008-08-13T22:18:00.003-05:00

My husband likes to often repeat something he read from a professor some time ago: "A lot of coincidences seem to happen when we pray."

Last spring we were in Walmart after Donnie had been praying about getting involved in the community. A flyer for Gardner's Community Theater was in the cart. They were holding auditions for The Music Man. So, we look at each other and decide that it might be fun. At that point, Donnie was trying to figure out if this was what he had been praying about. So, Donnie goes in to audition and gets a call back. He gets the role of Harold Hill, which is the lead in the musical. I got to be in it, too - a Pick a Little Lady.
During rehearsals, we get to know a bunch of people--lots of people who live in the community or who drive in to be a part of the show. We hung out after rehearsals, go watch some other performances, and wouldn't you know it, people start noticing that Donnie is a bit different than a lot of pastors.
We did not directly invite people to church, however people asked about it. We had five different families visit our church after the musical. And there are some journeys beginning that you can read about on Donnie's blog.

Prayer and coincidences??? Yep! I think so!

Shades and Flip flops

2008-07-25T10:54:00.004-05:00

Tonight I get to bring some fun gifts to the ladies at the clubs. I had a great time picking out sunglasses from Forever 21 and I LOVE the pink and black flip flops from Old Navy, too! We've recently received lots of donations that have made these gifts possible. I'd like to give a shout out to Christ Community Church in Olathe, New Life Church in Gardner, and Burlington First Church in Burlington, Iowa. Thanks SO much for your generosity!
I just HAD to try on all of the shades when they were delivered by Mr. Brown. Don't you LOVE the stickers on the lenses!

Mama Mia!

2008-07-22T13:17:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, my friend, Debbie and I went to see Mama Mia. I LOVE musicals, hence the reason I am singing with Donnie and 90 other people on stage this weekend in The Music Man with Gardner Community Theatre. Anyways... the movie is SO awesome! Obviously a lot of music by Abba. There were some silly, quirky moments, but as usual for me, I laughed out loud and clapped and sang throughout the movie! I like to do that when I'm in public watching a musical! Don't you? I hope my friend, Debbie didn't mind!!! I would highly recommend it. It is REALLY fun! Thanks to Debbie for getting me out of the house. :)

Special Deliveries!?!?

2008-07-15T00:25:00.001-05:00

It is getting really late, but as I often do when I am up late, I was reading a blog by someone creative and stumbled upon this fabulous idea! It sounds a bit familiar...
http://simplyradiant.blogspot.com/2008/06/delivering.html

The writer happened to be a bit depressed about a move that is taking her away from her normalcy. She is grieving. Her loss is the home in which she and her family poured themselves. BUT, the cool thing is that when she is feeling blue, she brings unexpected gifts to friends, neighbors, etc. She is uplifted when she is uplifting someone else. That's what I want Love Wins to be. I want it to be a bright spot, even when there is crap happening to me or those who get the gifts. Right now, I feel pretty crappy. Sometimes I don't even want to get out of my pajamas and it is the middle of the afternoon... I do get pumped when I am thinking about Love Wins. I am really excited about the July gifts. The ladies will actually get to pick their favorites of two different, very summery things! Can you guess what they are?

Flower Food

2008-07-14T11:50:00.004-05:00

On Sunday at church, Phillip brought a whole bunch of white roses to church out of the kindness of his heart. He said that his dad works at a place where damaged goods are brought in and sold at reduced prices and this week, a flower truck was overturned. So he bought a whole bunch of different flowers. How nice for all of us! I ended up bringing home about a dozen white roses. The poor little things were in my car for a couple of hours in the scorching heat and looked pretty limp when I got home. So, I thought I would try to revive them before giving up and tossing them out. Last Spring, a florist from Hy-Vee came to my classroom to teach the kids how to arrange and care for cut flowers.

The first thing you always want to do is to put the flowers in water when you cut them again before putting them into a vase. You need to cut the stem at a diagonal under water. This allows the water to be better absorbed. Then put water in a vase and add a sweet and sour to it. For instance, I added a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of vinegar for a quart of water. Be sure to change the food and water every few days and your flowers will stay beautiful much longer!

Do you have any handy tips today?

56 Today

2008-07-06T09:15:00.002-05:00

Today is my mother's birthday. If she were still alive, she would be 56 years old. The last birthday that we got to celebrate with her was her 40th. I can remember what she was wearing at her party, assisted a bit by a photograph that we still have. She was wearing pink, white and blue with a pink scarf wrapped around her forehead. I can still see her crooked smile. That is a gift for which I am really thankful.
I remember her...
singing while she did the laundry
coming to our rooms at night to read or sing us to sleep
making beautiful dresses, costumes, and wrapped presents
staying up really late to finish a book
staying up really late to wrap presents
staying up really late to sew a last minute costume
talking with anyone who came to the door for an hour
loving the Christmas season
spending all of her clothing budget on my three sisters and I and not on herself
working for the Lee jeans company
smiling every minute of the roller coasters at Worlds of Fun
telling me not to shave my legs until jr. high (which I disobeyed and regret!)
being a goofy actress with her sisters
lighting up a room
being a friend to dad's sisters and cousins
favorite flowers were yellow roses
being persistent about my youngest sister's education
smelling like raspberries when she left the world
leaving the world when the sky was pink
always wanting what was best for me and my sisters.
We love you, Mom!

Cruisin' in Alaska: Skagway

2008-06-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

In Skagway we took an excursion by helicopter up to a mountain river and hiked about 2 miles up to a beautiful lookout point. Along the way we walked out to two spots on the river that were gorgeous! Our tour guide, Erin, taught us about many plants and animals that live along the trail. During the helicopter flight, our pilot took us to see another glacier up close. About 25 feet away, actually. Then he landed on a concrete slab near a railway bridge. We began our hike along the river. When we reached the lookout point, we returned to the landing spot and got on a train back to Skagway.

Cruisin' in Alaska: Juneau - City Walk & Whale Watching

2008-06-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

The nice thing about taking a cruise is that if you decide to do any of the excursions that the cruise ship has to offer, everything is taken care of for you. You don't have to think about where you're going and if there will be tickets available or not. There is a tour guide from the area and you get picked up and dropped off right by the ship. We also took advantage of a few hours between excursions to wander around Juneau. There were shops of course, as well as the capitol building, which we toured. It was interesting that Juneau has the largest area of any city in the country and only about 30, 000 people. Alaska also had a big part in the gold rush days. The Klondike Gold Rush to be exact.

An old mining building used in the Klondike Gold Rush days.

A cable car that takes you to the tip of a mountain above the port.
A cute little house in Juneau.Flags that tell the city's story.
A Russian Orthodox Church.

The capitol building in Juneau.

Alaska's state seal.

Side shot of a humpback whale coming up for a breather.

Humpback fluke.
A deep dive of a humpback whale.
Caught the fluke again! Sea lions resting on a buoy in the middle of the bay.

Can you believe this is ONE vertebrae of a whale!?!

Michelle, our naturalist, showing a part of a whale's baleen.

On the whale sightseeing boat. I think Dan was tired of pictures...
This is the ferry that takes people in and out of Juneau.
If you want to take your car, you bring it on the ferry, too!

Cruisin in Alaska: Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier

2008-06-23T08:30:00.003-05:00

We got off the boat in Juneau, Alaska's capitol on Day 4. This was a beautiful city of about 30,000 people. It sits in a valley surrounded by a magnificent landscape of mountains filled with glaciers. Donnie really wanted to go on the helicopter ride up to the glacier trek. I'm really glad he picked this one! It was the most amazing thing that we did. I had only seen a couple of pictures of glaciers and they could not compare to the experience.

In the helicopter flying to the glacier.

Glacier peeking beneath foggy mountains.

An Ice fall through the helicopter window.
And we've landed on Mendenhall Glacier.
Standing on and in front of part of the glacier.
This glacier is about 2,000 feet deep...

Lori and Dan.

Squinting for a picture.
Up close of the glacier's peaks.
Crevasses that have widened and deepened as the glacier has moved.
Donnie "Walking on water" with our guide Craig.

The 4 of us.
One of the deep crevasses.
The guides helped us straddle the crevasse.

That's Dulcie giving Lori bunny ears.

Fresh, icy glacier water. Mmmm!
Mendenhall Glacier. A deep pool that used to be covered in snow.
Never walk on snow on a glacier. You never know what's hidden.
Dulcie poking at the edge of the pool.

Cruisin' in Alaska: Ketchikan

2008-06-22T08:30:00.003-05:00

On day 3 we arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska. At this time of year, Akaska gets A LOT of sunlight. About 21 hours per day actually. And when you see the sun go down, it still has the affect of dusk and dawn, so there really is not any time of complete darkness in the summer. (In winter it is the opposite.) When we woke up and went out to see the city on the top deck, there were bi-planes flying all around us in the sunshine! This city also usually has rain about 2/3 of the year. We were told that we were lucky that the sun was shining.

Ketchikan is know for its salmon fishing. Every year, salmon swim fro the ocean up rivers and streams trying to get as close as possible to their place of birth. Then they lay eggs. We just missed the salmon season by a couple of weeks. Dan and I went on a little tour while Donnie and Lori snorkeled. We got to see a couple of bear cubs near one of the salmon hatcheries as well as a bunch of totem poles and a really pretty waterfall. While on our tour, we saw Donnie and Lori snorkeling from a distance! Then we went to Creek Street which is a bunch of shops in the old Red Light District of Ketchikan. Dan thought it was pretty much a tourist trap, but I had fun taking pictures!

Cruisin' to Alaska: First 2 Days at Sea

2008-06-21T08:30:00.002-05:00

When we got on the Coral Princess Monday afternoon, we did so with only our carry-on luggage. We had filled out at least three forms each for our checked bags that stayed overnight in Minneapolis. Donnie and I were freaking out about the possibility of having to go 8 days with only 2 pairs of underwear and no deodorant. His parents were a bit calmer. Thank the Lord, during our drill the first evening, Donnie ran to our rooms to call the front desk and there sat our luggage! Thank you Northwest Airlines!
The first night at sea was a bit chilly. We had been running around in the rain in Vancouver, so when we got on the ship and found our bags a few hours later, we took hot showers and went to dinner. It is so much fun to get dressed up for dinner each night and have lots of fabulous food from which to choose. (At least that's what I thought. Donnie and his dad would have rather eaten at the buffet for every meal so they could eat all they wanted and wear jeans!)
The second night was a formal evening. What a site to see so many people with white hair all gussied up. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Donnie and I were two of a small group of people under the age of 50 on the boat. Anyways, we ate dinner - 4 courses in all, and then we went dancing in the Wheelhouse Bar. We also went out into the heavy wind and took some silly pictures in our fancy get up!

And look! It's the Music man, Harold Hill, standing in front of a poster of his show!

Cruisin' to Alaska: Vancouver, British Columbia

2008-06-20T08:30:00.001-05:00

Just a few days ago, Donnie and I got back from a trip to Alaska. The best words to describe it would be breath-taking and exhilarating. We did some adventurous activities and saw things I'd never even seen in pictures. The first night, after we figured out our luggage hadn't followed our flight, we stayed in Vancouver. We spent the next day walking around the city and on the phone with the airline.

While in Vancouver, we learned that the Winter Olympics wil have their opening ceremonies in Vancouver in 2010. A girl working in the lookout tower building told us that Vancouver is also a site for tons of movies. She said that often Vancouver plays the part of New York... We also visited China Town. It was actually the neatest part of Vancouver to me. There was a lot of bright color and I really enjoyed watching people shop for things that were different.

Check back later for more from other places we visited!

Oh Neglected Blog... and a service project!

2008-06-19T22:52:00.004-05:00

I think it has been nearly three months since I have taken the time to say anything on this blog. Forgive me! I wonder if there is even anyone still interested in reading out there!

Well, I wanted to at least pop in and say, "Hello" just in case. so,"Hello out there!"

I also wanted to share about our visit to My Father's House in Paola about a month ago. It was an awesome day! I think the large group of us overwhelmed Jay and his son. They weren't quite sure what to have al of us do! After a bit, some of us started working outside on landscaping and clearing. Others painted inside. It was nice to get the chance to meet some new people and work together to help some others who needed it. I thought that it was a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God working together to accomplish good. Here is a link to Donnie's thoughts from the day on his blog. And here are some pictures from the day taken by Donnie and Brady.

Someday 2

2008-04-20T01:00:00.010-05:00

Do you ever daydream about places that you'd like to see? Maybe somewhere you've seen in a movie or possibly the country of your ancestry? Donnie and I like to take vacations. Some friends think that we're going to be world travelers all our lives. Just today someone said, "You're going to run out of places to go!" I don't think so. Especially since we'll probably stop venturing far away from home for quite awhile when we have children someday soon.

But, while I'm thinking about the subject of travel, I will daydream about visiting these breathtaking spots:

How about Austria? I've heard from friends that it is a GORGEOUS place! Not to mention you could sneak in and visit the VanTrapp family while you're there and maybe the sisters at the abbey! The hills are alive...

Ah Paris! We've been to this lovely city, but returning is going to be a lifelong goal. The architecture, baguettes and quiche, history, and parks are calling us back.

While we were in France, we spent a few days in the southern part of the country. Sadly, we did not make it down to the Mediterranean Coast. Maybe someday we'll get to see a view like this one of Nice or one of the other picturesque coastal cities.

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to go to Hawaii? I mean what is there not to like about beaches, fresh seafood, beautiful tropical scenery, and clear blue water? Sign me up! I've heard that the cost of a trip to Hawaii is about as much as Europe... Hmmm... Might have to wait on that one awhile.
The last stop on my list for today is Ireland. Growing up as Erin O'Toole has given me an appreciation for this land. No one in my family has been to this beautiful country of our heritage since my great great grandfather came here to the United States. This trip would be amazing!

Where will you go someday? What do you want to see or resee in the world?

Simple Quote

2008-04-19T17:03:00.003-05:00

"Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate." _ J.R.R. Tolkien

I could use a little inspiration about the future. This summer, Donnie and I are heading into some unknown territory. The prospect of getting pregnant with help from a fertility doctor and his team of helpers is a HUGE leap of faith. A lot of things run through my head when I think about it... Ideas of creating a home for a new little one. Adding that precious new life to our family. Today, I'm choosing to think positively. A new road... A secret gate...

Someday 1

2008-04-12T10:55:00.009-05:00

There are things that I think about a lot that I'd really like to accomplish, learn, grow into, and become better at. Have you ever made a list like this?

SCRAPBOOKING
I've spent a lot of time lately looking at creative blogs. Blogs that have to do with things like scrapbooking, card making, and sewing. One of the reasons that I don't do AS MUCH scrapbooking etc. as I'd like is because of limited resources. I don't throw a TON of money at these hobbies. Enough, I guess, but not as much as I COULD. So one of the things that I want to get better at is crafting. I LOVE this page from one of my favorite bloggers. Susan Weinroth. I think part of the reasons is because I am now 29 and think it would be fun to make a page like this!

SEWING

Sewing is something that I've always wanted to be good at, but never really taken the time to learn. My sister, Casey, is going to take a class this summer. Maybe if I see that it is doable for her, I will take the time to learn, too. She is the one with the sewing machine after all. This is a pillow that the same girl above, Susan, made for her baby's room. Isn't is soooo cute??? Her grandmother made a quilt with the same material. It is GORGEOUS!

PHOTOGRAPHY

Besides crafting, I'd really like to get better at taking pictures. I think looking at the pictures taken by people who have a camera in their hands at all times helps you to understand how to find a focus for your pictures. I think I'll have to take a class for this one, too. But it would definitely be fun. This summer we're going to Alaska on a cruise with Princess Cruise lines. I think Donnie and I will be fighting over the camera!

THE BOB!
Getting my haircut as rarely as I do, once every four to five months, is always a battle in my head. Should I chop it off or let it grow? I think most women have experienced this lifelong torment... Here is the picture that I keep thinking I will use as inspiration for my next "axing" haircut. What do you think? Can I pull it off? The bigger question is can I maintain it by getting my haircut every 6-8 weeks??? (I do realize that I am not as skinny as this chick!)
What are you going to do someday?

Daily Reading 31

2008-03-29T08:45:00.004-05:00

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" -John 1:29

Most "criminals" that were killed by hanging on a cross did pretty nasty things like murder. The "guilty" person had to carry a heavy cross beam through the streets, wearing a sign that stated the crime committed. Then when he arrived at the place of death, he was stripped and taunted.
This punishment was so awful that Cicero once wrote, "Let the very name of the cross be far away, not only from the body of Roman citizen, but even from his thoughts, his eyes, his ears."
Jesus experienced the feeling of shame for ALL of the sins that had or ever would be committed. He was not a liar, but felt the shame of one. He was not a cheater, but knew that people looking at him thought he was. He felt ALL of that shame. Jesus was not guilty. He hadn't done any of the things of which he was accused. he didn't deserve this punishment. We were the ones that did wrong. We deserved to be judged for our actions, not him. "BUT HE CHANGED PLACES WITH US." - Galatians 3:13.

Sometimes I can't stand to feel shame for the things I do. It is even worse for others to be aware of it. When I read these stories about Jesus' actions, I am always trying to imagine what it would be like to feel what he felt. In this case, I really don't want to feel all of that. Imagining what it was like to have so many people and God the Father looking at all of that shame heaped onto ONE person. He did that foe ALL of us! Man. I really need to try to do less shameful things.

What do you think about The Shack?

2008-03-21T19:23:00.003-05:00

Have you started reading this book by William P. Young? Do you love it? Hate it? Did it make you think? Wonder something? Give you a different outlook? Relate to you? I want to know what you think! Please share. Let's talk about questions. Give our comments.

My first thought when I read the beginning was, what's really going on here? Why is the main character in a foul mood? And calling God, "Papa"... I have never heard anyone call God, "Papa" before. That was different. I also related to the main character and his daughter Kate. They both seemed a bit depressed. Sometimes I feel that way. Especially when someone close to me is gone.

What are your thoughts?

Daily Reading 30

2008-03-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

"Jesus . . . endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2

Here is a list of some of the things that Jesus endured at the cross:

arms stretched across wooden beams
soldiers' knees in his forearms
metal spikes driven into his wrists and ankles

I think if any of us had been there, we would have wondered why he didn't try to stop them. When he turned his head and saw the nails, Mr. Max Lucado, the author of this daily reading suggests that he wasn't thinking about the pain. He was thinking of a long list. A list that includes all of my mistakes, your mistakes, and the mistakes of every person ever created. It included our selfish ways, our greed, lust, and anger. All of the things that we've done that we're not proud of were on it.

When he saw that list, he knew that somehow, there had to be a consequence. The sin that had been acted out resulted in death. And he knew that we were the source of that sin. He knew that each and every one of us would end up in eternity without God... So, instead of letting that happen, he took the penalty for us. He took the nails without fighting against them so that he could spend eternity with us.

What amazing grace!

Inspired This Morning

2008-03-18T09:06:00.004-05:00

A living House
God is building you!
by C.S. Lewis

God's work in our lives can be painful, but His ultimate goal is to transform us into something better.
Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.
But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building up a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.
C.S. Lewis, in "Mere Christianity"

REALLY WANT SOME!

2008-03-09T18:56:00.007-05:00

Do you ever pass something in the aisles at the store and just REALLY want to pick it up??? I really love Cadbury chocolate and these eggs are sooooooo YUMMY! I have resisted the urge to get any yet... And my mother-in-law and I decided to help each other lose 10 pounds in the next three months, so I won't be buying a big bag of them any time soon! She had the idea that we go without chocolate for a whole week. Then on Sunday we could indulge a little. Hmm... I wonder if they'll be out of those eggs by next Sunday???

Daily Reading 29

2008-03-04T20:44:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I've blogged about the bible. Hope you're ready to get in on the discussion!

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." -John 3:17

Mr. Max Lucado is the writer of the book 3:16 The Numbers of Hope. We've been using his guide to read about the life of Jesus. I'm actually kind of glad that we get to talk about the last part of Jesus' life right now. It's the part of his life that we celebrate in the church at this time every year. It is the time when he is preparing to die. You might think it is weird that I am excited about this... Well, sometimes we're more likely to talk about God when there is a big deal made about it. We think a lot about God around Easter and Christmas.

I thought of a lot of different things when I read the words above from the bible. I thought of how badly Jesus is represented sometimes by church people. A lot of people call themselves Christians, but judge others quickly. Too often Jesus is represented by those that think they have the rule book for entry to heaven. The point of the words above is to show the followers of Jesus that he wants to SAVE the world. He wants to reconcile the world. Save, reconcile. Those are pretty churchy words. Here is a dictionary entry for reconcile:

rec·on·cile
1. To reestablish a close relationship between.
2. To settle or resolve.
3. To bring (oneself) to accept: He finally reconciled himself to the change in management.
4. To make compatible or consistent: reconcile my way of thinking with yours.
1. To reestablish a close relationship, as in marriage: The estranged couple reconciled after a year.
2. To become compatible or consistent: The figures would not reconcile.

The major point of the entry for today is that God has shown us how far he will go to call us back. He has walked down a road that ended with him dying on a cross to show us. His biggest desire is to bring us home... And let me be clear about what home means. Home means to God, Himself. Whatever road you've walked down, God is walking with you, wanting to be in a close relationship with you.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

2008-03-03T21:54:00.002-06:00

I just have to say that I LOVE chocolate dipped strawberries!

Jaymie and I delivered gifts to the clubs again last Friday. We took chocolate dipped strawberries. They were a hit! Sarah and Aaron Holmes are definitely pros at making them. I didn't have the pleasure of eating any this time, but I have had that pleasure many times when they have made them in the past. I know that Aaron has his specific methods and that he spent some time coaching Sarah the night before so that they would be just perfect! And they totally were! Sarah did great! Lots of ladies and a couple of gentlemen enjoyed them and oohed and aahed over them while we were there.

Do you have a FAVORITE chocolate treat?

Daily Reading 28

2008-02-18T14:31:00.003-06:00

"The soldiers and the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium. . . And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown or thorns, they put it on His head." -Matthew 27: 27-29

The thorns that were put on Jesus's head were a symbol of the effects of sin. They weren't identifying Jesus as a sinner, they were actually pointing to the fact that our sins are piercing Jesus. When a sin grows, it is sharp, pointy, and hurtful. What are some of the sins that were laid on Jesus with that crown? Shame. Disgrace. Discouragement. Anxiety. Worry. Guilt.
Before the thorns were laid on him, Jesus had never felt any of these emotions. He was without sin. When al of humanity's sin was laid on him, he felt them all. That is why he cried out to God for help, "My God, my God, why have you rejected me?" - Matthew 27:46 He actually felt and experienced all of those hurts, the agony, the pain. I think it is pretty amazing that he took all of that on himself.
You need to know that he did that FOR YOU. For each of us, but definitely FOR YOU.

The Shack

2008-02-18T14:21:00.002-06:00

So I recently finished reading this AMAZING book called The Shack by William P. Young. It has really helped me to think through some of the perceptions I've had about God. You know the questions that most of us ask about why God allows bad things to happen or why did this have to happen to someone so good? I've realized that those questions are valid and that God is listening, that God is hurting because of those things, too.
Reading this story about a man who meets God was so refreshing. It helped me to see that even though people make choices that affect others in bad ways and that we often walk away from God, he is always following us, trying to have a relationship with us. God's plan involves trying to redeem all of those circumstances. He wants to help us to have a relationship with him even though those bad things have happened. He is not causing the bad things to happen to get us to notice him... He is trying to help us by continually shaping the choices we make into his ultimate plan to be our Father.
I don't know if that made total sense, but I really think that you should read this book yourself.

Daily Reading 27

2008-02-10T19:59:00.000-06:00

"You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me." -John 16:32

"With Judas were many people carrying swords and clubs who had ben sent from the leading priests. . . Then the people came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him." -Matthew 26:47, 50

Mr. Lucado points out that this same story is told in another book of the bible, John. In John there is a specuific name for the group of people in the original language which means a group of 200 soldiers. Wow! 200 soldiers were sent by the religious leaders to find Jesus and arrest him! 200!
In that group, there was not one who stood up for Jesus. I wonder if any of them had heard him speak in church? Had a family member healed by him? Not a single one stood up for him that night. Even though he came to save them, they turned against him.
Those 200probably didn't know any better. But, what about his followers, the disciples? I can't believe what cowards they all were. "All of Jesus' followers left him and ran away." -Matthew 26:56 They ran away???
Jesus, unlike all of us, was not limited to the circumstances in front of him. He could see the big picture. His view was totally different. He was able to see purpose in this betrayal and pain. God was with him and he knew it.
In the middle of pain I am usually really mad or depressed. A lot of thse feelings are directed at God. I need to be continually reminded that even though crappy things happen, I am not alone.

Lent - Leaving Something Behind and Taking Something On

2008-02-10T19:48:00.001-06:00

This morning at church, the message was about leaving behind selfishness and taking on living like Jesus. Lately I have been doing a bit too much talking about my frustrations with someone to people that really don't need to know about it. I have rationalized to myself that I am just venting, that this person is disrespectful and needs to change. I can't get over the way that this person drives me crazy! And I am near this person almost EVERY day.
Still, as I was thinking about what to let go of for lent (yes I realize that I am a bit late) this attitude of mine towards this person kept surfacing. Donnie referred to it as gossip. I guess on some levels that is exactly what it is. It totally pollutes me and keeps me from noticing anything positive in this relationship. I am going to try every morning to let this attitude go.
What I am planning to take on is meditation on scripture. Our church is doing this thing called "SOAP". Each day there is a reading from the bible to read. Reading the same thing as others is nice because you have a shared text to discuss. The other thing that I plan to do is to meditate on it, or spend time thinking about what it is saying. To let God talk to me through those words.

What are you letting go and taking on?

Daily Reading 26

2008-02-02T13:33:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't been doing daily posts for the daily reading thing...

"Jesus... kneeled down and prayed, 'Father if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want...' His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." -Luke 22:41-44
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." -John 14:1

Jesus is praying, alone with the exception of God. It is not going to be long before Jesus dies. And he knows it. He is totally showing that he is fully human here. He is afraid. And it is part of the bible, so we are given this story so that we can know that he was really afraid. Most of us, though, don't want anyone to kow we're afraid. He's not pretending to be strong for the benefit of others. He's actually asking FOR strength. He is going to his Heavenly Father. He is trusting Him.
It is amazing to me that Jesus went into the events of his death knowing exactly what was going to happen. He faced them. He was not alone, though.
We don't ahve to go through junk that happens to us alone either. God wants to walk with us, too. He also put us together onthis earth because he wants us to help each other. Don't go through life alone. Let God in. Tell Him your fears and trust Him. I'd love to help, too. Let me knowif I can. emillerk@gmail.com

New Soul

2008-01-30T21:10:00.001-06:00

I found this song as I was surfing the net and as soon as I heard it, I wanted to share it with someone else. CLick for video!
(I couldn't figure out how to imbed it myself...)

Daily Reading 25

2008-01-29T21:22:00.000-06:00

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." -Matthew 10:32

"If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of my people." - John 13:8

The story of Jesus washing the feet of his followers is in a few of the books of the bible. When I hear this story, the first thing that I think is, Why is he washing their feet? Shouldn't they be washing his? But nope. He takes the servant's robe off of the hook and grabs the water basin and towel.
The next thing that I think about is the nasty, smelliness of feet. Today especially, I know that I would not want Jesus any where near my feet. (I wore socks without shoes, and they are shoes that have been worn LOTS of times without socks. They are out there smelly!) I can totally see why Peter didn't want Jesus to be scrubbing those dirt covered, smelly things!
Some of the other guys were too busy fighting over who was best to even think about what Jesus was doing. Now how dumb is that? Doesn't it seem crazy to you that Jesus wanted to wash all of their feet? None of them would on trial, whipped by Roman guards, carrying their own heavy cross or be killed without reason. None of them.
BUT, this foot washing points out something about each of them and each of us. Some washing needs to be done. We need to confess that there have been times that we have hurt ourselves, others, and God.
Like Jesus said, "If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of my people." - John 13:8

Tunes

2008-01-29T07:09:00.001-06:00

I found a music player on another blog awhile ago and really wanted to have one for this blog. I noticed a link at the bottom and found that it was a free download! Click on the player below if you want to add a player to your Myspace, Facebook, or blog.

Any songs you'd like to hear on our Love Wins' player?

Daily Reading 24

2008-01-29T06:52:00.000-06:00

"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." -Luke 5:16

Jesus gets it when we struggle with doing things that are not the best choices. Don't you think that he had lots of times when he was tempted to be the biggest and best? Most of the people that heard him call himself the Messiah wanted him to become a powerful king, an army general, and lead them to blast the other guys that were in power for so long over the people of Israel.
Jesus was tempted by arrogance, but he walked away to be alone.
Another time was when Peter didn't believe that Jesus needed to die. It would have been tempting for me to walk away from that situation.
Jesus shut down Peter's argument and said, "You have no idea how God works."
Another time Jesus was mocked. A little girl was really sick and the family had called for him. When he got there, she was already dead. The crowd taunted him, but Jesus just dismissed them. He told them to go outside. "The child is not dead but sleeping."

Most of the time, our reactions to temptations have to do with lack of impulse control. I know for me, eating a lot of sugar is one of those temptations. I usually try to talk myself out of it, but then I just give in and find something sweet. If I try to look at what Jesus did, I can see that he guarded his heart. He seemed to easily react in the opposite way that I expected. I wonder if he planned his reaction? Probably if I actually sat down and thought about it, I could be prepared with a healthier snack when I am tempted to eat sweets all the time.
I'm tempted by lots of other things too. I think we all are. Today, I'm going to focus on one of those things and try not to let my impulses always win.

An Ongoing Conversation

2008-01-27T18:42:00.001-06:00

For the past 6 months or so, I've been talking with my friend, Emily about lots of things. Some things have been personal, some goofy, and some have been spiritual.
A long time ago, when I talked to people about spiritual things, it was a lot of, "Don't do that" and "Quit or else..." I remember seeing people I loved doing things that I thought they shouldn't and telling that it was wrong. I was trying to PUSH my beliefs onto them. Or at least what push onto them what I thought were beliefs. They were really just self imposed rules that I thought meant a person was okay with God. It was a simplistic way to try and fix everyone around me. It took me a bit to realize that my approach was WAY off. You see, I am naturally bossy and SOMETIMES people don't like it. (I know, I know, no one actually likes it.) I was obviously pushing them away.
My sister Casey has said that the way I behave toward people has changed A LOT. The way I see it, people really just want to know if you believe what you're saying. They don't want you to tell them that you believe it, they want you to SHOW them. AND it's not about following a list of DOs and DON'Ts. It's about allowing yourself to be imperfect and still be loved. That is the message that Jesus told. That is the kind of person that I want to be. One that loves God and others. One that loves without condition.
For several months, Emily pushed with lots of questions. She laughed about lots of things that I told her. She couldn't believe that I thought that God had a plan even though so much crap was happening around us and to us. She couldn't believe anything that I was saying for awhile. Then something changed... I'll let you read her thoughts about all of this on another blog.

Favorite Gift

2008-01-26T13:00:00.001-06:00

My favorite gift ever was a framed piece of poetry that my husband, Donnie had written. He actually gave it to me when we were still dating. I think we were celebrating an anniversary. It could have been the anniversary of our first date. Actually, on Monday it will have been 10 years since that night.
This man is a person who is Jesus to me. What I first noticed about him was his compassion for others. I was impressed by how he had gotten a call from someone in our class who had car trouble, and went to help, even though he was pressed for time with practice and studies. And no, he wasn't doing it because he was trying to get a date with anyone! He is also passionate about following Christ. He wants God's best for his life and for others around him. Lots of people have told me that they feel like they can ask Donnie any kind of question and he doesn't make them feel stupid. He is a really good teacher, too.
Do you have a favorite gift?

Daily Reading 23

2008-01-26T12:26:00.000-06:00

"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" -John 11:40

Jesus was pretty good friends with this family. They were a brother and two sisters. At this moment, Martha is confused and seems to be ticked off at Jesus. Her brother had just died and she had expected Jesus to be there. I think she even expected him to prevent it. She even confronts him with it, "If you had been here..." -John 11:21.
I've had moments like this. I remember being 13 and standing on my front porch just minutes after my mom passed away. Yelling at God made me feel good. Anger and disappointment filled me completely. I didn't get it. Four girls ages 10-18 needed their mother. Didn't God understand that? Like Martha, I think that my impression was that if God had been there, there would be no death.
Jesus then tells Martha that her brother will rise again. I think I would have fallen off the porch if Jesus had told me that! I wonder if Martha thought that he was nuts! He tells her that she has a choice to make. She has to decide if she will believe him. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." -John 11:25-26. Martha had to choose to believe.
What I started to understand as I began this journey with God, is that he was there at those moments. AND he had something to offer me if I chose to take it. He offered continued life with Him even after we die. Even though my mom didn't come back to life when she passed away, I have hope that I will see her again in the afterlife. If God isn't my God in the face of death, how is he God any other time?

Daily Reading 22

2008-01-22T21:26:00.001-06:00

"Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. -John 8:12

Do you watch court room dramas? You know the ones where the bad guy has a huge stack of evidence against him and the prosecution is calling witnesses who just nail him? (or her!) You know the ones I'm talking about: Law and Order, Boston Legal, etc. Well... this story is a bit like one of those dramas.
Picture a courtroom full of religious types in the jury, the public, and lawyers benches. Behind the defense table sits a woman in a sexy night time ensemble. She has just been dragged in by a bunch of men, who caught her in the middle of an affair with a man. Back in the time of the bible, this was outrageous. If the same Jewish laws were enforced today, the religious guys would have brought her into the courtroom screaming for her death sentence by lethal injection. They brought her straight to Jesus. He would be the judge. The men threw her in front of the bench and told him what she had done. They publicly tell Jesus that they dragged her out of the bed in the middle of the adulterous act.
So, they tell Jesus that the law of Moses commands that she be put to death by stoning. I don't know about you, but I think Jesus probably knew already the law... And what did he do? He started writing something down in the dirt. Then he looked up at all of the people, including the men who brought her in and said, "Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her." -John 8:7 Whoa! Instead of telling this lady how horrible she is and publicly humiliating and degrading her, he turns it back around on her accusers.
You see, Jesus doesn't take any body's crap. He doesn't let anyone think that their sins are "less" than another person's. The people holding stones dropped them and walked away. This woman was left standing with no one left to accuse her. When he asked her where her accusers were, she said that there were none left. He replied, "I also don't judge you guilty. You may do now, but don't sin anymore." Jesus had entered a "Not Guilty" plea on her behalf. EVEN THOUGH there was evidence to prove that she had done wrong, he accepted her and gave her a gift of forgiveness. You can see at the end of the story that he wanted the best for her. He knew that the choices that she was making were causing her pain and hurt. He loved her as she was, but he also wanted her to make choices that caused her to feel love instead of pain.
I like to remember that ALL OF US have a "Not Guilty" plea in God's courtroom. Jesus has put one in for every one of us. I hope you know that he loves you, even when you mess up. Even if you've never followed him or believed in him before. Even if you've been going to church your whole life and you feel like right now you just don't know what to think or believe.

Daily Reading 21

2008-01-22T20:57:00.000-06:00

"He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (which means, 'Be opened!')." -Mark 7:34

So there was this guy that Jesus had pulled aside from a big group in order to heal him. I think that it's interesting that he pulled him aside. He didn't want people to make a fuss about the fact that he was performing a miracle. (So Jesus wasn't like most of those TV preachers who want everyone to watch them perform miracles. He didn't get paid by people at home watching either.)
The bible tells us that this man could not hear or speak. People really wanted Jesus to heal him. They actually brought him to Jesus.
Something that didn't catch my attention when I read the verse above for the first time, was the word sigh. This is the point that Mr. Lucado brought to our attention. Isn't it a little weird that Jesus is sighing? He's not sighing because he is impatient or because he can't make someone understand. He is sighing because he could see the helplessness that the man felt. He sighed because he understood his frustration. I have a sister who is hearing impaired and she is often frustrated in a situation when hearing people all talk quickly and face away from her. I can only imagine that this man, who could not hear anything or speak clearly would be HIGHLY ticked on many occasions because he couldn't communicate.
Jesus is sighing to express to God that he gets this man's frustration. He is being a go between to God, sharing the man's concerns. The bible tells us that Jesus will go to God for us. When we're feeling lost, alone, confused, frustrated, angry, or even doubtful, we can tell Jesus. He gets it. He sighs for us and lets our Father know.

Daily Reading 20

2008-01-20T22:19:00.000-06:00

"There was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years." -Mark 5:25

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." -Mark 5:34

What kind of hands do you have? This woman's hands were the hands of a public outcast. She wasn't wanted around because she was too sick. Bleeding all the time. The way Max Lucado describes her hands - they probably hadn't been touched by another person for a long time. She was on her knees crawling after Jesus when she saw him walking through town. She and a bunch of others had heard about him and were following him around. She came homeless, poor, sick, and probably with little hope left.
Whispers had told her that there was something that this Jesus could do, that he was different. She literally had nothing to lose, so why not try? Why not do something desperate? She thinks to herself, "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." -Mark 5:28. Even though the crowd told her to move out of the way; even though she kept getting jostled by them, she moved closer. Then when she got close enough, she reached out and grabbed his robe.
She realized instantly that "the bleeding had stopped, and she could feel that she had been healed." -Mark 5:29. She had LIFE again. He gave her LIFE.
The cool thing is, he knew that it had happened. He tried to find her in the middle of the huge crowd to let her know that her act of faith was what made her better.
Life can sometimes be full of a bunch of crappy stuff that makes us feel really weak. We don't feel much hope when something takes our strength away. Maybe it is a family situation? A job that we feel like we have to keep doing? Maybe its a choice that we keep making that we wish we'd never even started? I don't know what might be making you feel weak. I do hear from this message though, that Jesus wants to hold our hands. When we reach through all of the people, he knows. "Yours is the hand he loves to hold."

Daily Reading 19

2008-01-19T20:21:00.000-06:00

"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped." -Mark 4:37

"Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." -Mark 4:39

"Even the wind and waves obey him!" -Mark 4:41

Jesus and a bunch of the guys were on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. A storm quickly moves in and then turns violent. We're talking "A Perfect Storm" kind of weather. The twelve guys that have been following Jesus around, end up panicked and huddling around the mast soaking wet. Then someone realizes that Jesus is not with them. Not only is he not standing with them worrying about the storm, he is actually sleeping through it. Lots of thoughts must have been going through the disciples heads when they realized that he was snoring. Were they perplexed? Mad? Shocked?
I'm sure that none of that really mattered for too long, because as soon as he got up, he stopped all of the chaos. He ended the storm! Then the disciples had to deal with a whole other level of amazement! Sure they had seen him heal the sick, eat with a crook, and talk to outsiders. But, this had to do with power over nature! He actually was in charge of the wind and waves.

All of this makes me really think about what kinds of storms people are facing. Some of the hard things in life that happen to us ARE really big storms: infertility, addiction, abuse, loss, abandonment, and LOTS of other things. I do not believe that God is sitting out in limbo CAUSING them to happen. I do believe that He feels our pain and that he wants to be with us in the middle of our struggles and as we try to heal from them.
Today's story doesn't tell me that God will always stop those storms from coming. What I got from it, is that he was there in the boat, along for the ride. Yes he is powerful and can change things if he chooses to, but I think I needed to remember that he is in the boat with me.

Are you going through a storm of some kind? If I can help, let me know. emillerk@gmail.com

Snow Day!

2008-01-17T11:17:00.000-06:00

So, I'm a teacher. Yesterday, my class along with 7 other classes had the chance to listen to Bryan Busby talk about weather. He was hilarious! One of the stories he told had to do with convincing the kids how much their teachers look forward to snow days. He talked about how we go home and flip channels, trying to find the meteorologist that is predicting the highest amount of snowfall. Then we walk around the house teasing and taunting everyone about having to go to work the next day... Only to wake up and see that there is barely any snow on the ground and have to face the fact that we really do have to go to work!
Well Mr. Busby, that 1-2 inches of snow that you thought was coming ended up turning into 3-4. (He also explained how difficult it is to predict how billions of molecules that you can't see with tons of other factors affecting them will act.) I know that this is not Cincinnati where you grew up with blizzards and mountains of snow, but I for one am not complaining about getting an early morning call that let me sleep in!

Daily Reading 18

2008-01-17T10:59:00.000-06:00

I just have to start off by giving you the gist of the last part of Max Lucado's writing for today. If Jesus were just God he could not understand us. If he were just man, he could love us but never save us. Then he says, "But a God-man Jesus? Near enough to touch. Strong enough to trust. A next-door Savior."

In the reading from Luke chapter 7, Jesus is watching a funeral procession. A mother is burying her little boy. Instead of standing with his head down and eyes watering like most of us would be, Jesus is whispering to the mother. She looks shocked and then nods. Jesus tells the men carrying the casket to wait. Then he speaks to the boy, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" -Luke 7:14. He says it with power and authority. Kind of like when your mother uses your full name. He meant business. The boy starts to breath again, his skin warms up, and he jumps into the arms of his mother.

Amazing. Raising someone from the dead. Kind of creepy, too, but definitely amazing. After the funeral, Jesus is eating with the disciples and Peter realizes who is sitting beside him. Jesus is sitting there eating lunch, probably laughing and telling stories with the guys. Peter thinks back to what just happened and the reality of this powerful, Godly man hits him. He probably wonders why this man is not surrounding himself by kings and angelic beings. But that is the irony of Jesus. He came for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. In order to let people know who he was, he did lots of amazing things. But at the end of the day, he was also a man, who could understand people because he was living right there with them.

Winter Blues

2008-01-15T19:52:00.000-06:00

Sometimes in the winter, I like to think longingly about summer things that I am missing. With the temperatures so cold this week, what a perfect time to imagine summer heat! (Don't worry, I know that in 6 months, I will be longing for the freezing temperatures again!)

-swinging at the park
-wearing flip flops all day!
-getting pink skin, that SOMETIMES turns brown
-the rising heat on the sidewalk
-the frogs that sing in the creek and jump on the sidewalk
-two months of vacation from work (I'm a teacher!)
-reading fiction for PLEASURE
-dipping my toes in the pool
-wearing bright colors
-taking walks in the evening with my hubby!
-diet cherry limeades from Sonic
-playing outside with my nieces and nephews at the park and pool

What are you missing right now about the summer?

Daily Reading 17

2008-01-15T19:28:00.000-06:00

"Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool. . . Here a great number of disabled people used to lie." -John 5:2-3

This pool. mentioned above is in a place called Bethesda. Lots of people are walking around, not paying any attention to the activity that is going on around this pool. Some of the passersby are going to the temple to seek God. the funny thing is, Jesus (God as a man) is walking near the pool amongst a whole lot of sick people who want to be well. The purpose of this "pool" was to heal. Under the pool, the water source was a natural spring. When the spring bubbled up, people thought that the first person to touch the water would be healed. One man was sitting a bit away from the pool, paralyzed when Jesus noticed him. At the time, he was alone; no disciples watching or following.
When Jesus sees this man, he asks him what appears to me to be a silly question, "Do you want to be well?"
The cynic in me says, "DUH, Jesus! Of course he wants to be well. Why do you think that he's there?"
The funny thing is that the man replies with a problem. He has no one to help him get to the water when it starts moving. And Jesus doesn't even really acknowledge the problem. Instead, he changed the man's perception and did something that he did not expect. He showed him the power of faith. Instead of carrying the man down to the pool, he told him to get up and walk. The man did it! He didn't argue that he couldn't. He didn't give excuses that others wouldn't help. He did what Jesus said because he believed him.

A lot of times I am not sure how have faith every day. I'm not saying that I don't believe that God loves me or that he forgives me. It's kind of hard to articulate. I guess I get annoyed sometimes when people say, "You just gotta have faith." What does that mean? Does that mean that I am not believing hard enough to please God? I don't think so. I don't think that God is up there waiting for us to perform certain actions in order to supernaturally open all of these consecutive doors. I guess my prayer to God is, help me to, "Get up and walk" when you're telling me to. Help me to step into the unknown and be okay with your guidance and my lack of control...
What do you think about this man's faith?

Daily Reading 16

2008-01-15T06:53:00.000-06:00

"I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." -Matthew 9:13 (Msg)

This time we're talking about how Jesus hung around a lot of people that were not perfect. The very religious people, the ones who tried to tell everyone how wrong they were, did not like this about
Jesus. Pastor Donnie is actually preaching through the book of Matthew this year. It just so happens that one of the biggest outsiders of the church back then was a guy named Matthew. He was a tax collector. Most of the people that knew him considered him a dirty crook. I don't know about you, but I am not a great supporter of the people who work in the business of taking money from my paycheck anyways. I would definitely have some strong opinions about a guy that was also taking more off the top for himself!
And yet, this guy was one of the closest followers of Jesus. One day Jesus walked up to him on the street, while he was working his tax collector both, and said, "Follow me." When Matthew responds, he doesn't just follow Jesus, he invites him over to get to know him. He wants to know more about this God Man. I'm sure that we can all picture what the religious types did when Jesus went to eat at Matthew's house. They weren't happy about it at all. But do you think Jesus cared?
He was sitting at a table with Matthew. he was letting him ask questions. He was probably helping Matthew get over some doubts that he had. In this story, we can see that Jesus wasn't here for the religious. Those guys thought that they had it figured out already. Matthew, on the other hand was just the type of guy with whom Jesus wanted to share his message. Think about it. What would the religious types do with this message that said their laws weren't everything? Go and plan to kill Jesus! And what about Matthew? He would be able to share a life changing message with other people like him.
Who can you share this message with? If you were in church on Sunday, who did you put in your fave five?

Quirky

2008-01-12T10:41:00.000-06:00

Here are some quirky things about me.

-my right big toe pops when I walk
-I have a weird human trick I can do with my feet
-I hate the smell of rye bread
-I love to eat snow
-a few weeks after I get my hair cut, I want it to be different again
-I like to sleep with the blankets curled up under my chin
-I love all of the old , half-hour Christmas specials (Charlie Brown, Grinch, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Frosty, Rudolph, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town) even though I hardly ever catch them on TV.
-I am a frustrated perfectionist. (I always know how I want things to be arranged, put away, etc. but I tend to live in clutter!)
-Sometimes when people are talking to me, I tap the syllables of what they're saying on my fingers (Told you they were quirky!)
-I am VERY indecisive (My sister, Casey, was in a store with me once and said that I had to say that I wanted something three times before I could get an item I was looking at because I kept looking at it but not making up my mind. A clerk had to get it down, so she wanted to make sure I REALLY wanted it! We were probably in the store for at least an hour before I finally made a decision!)

What is quirky about you?

Daily Reading 15

2008-01-12T09:48:00.000-06:00

"Master, we worked all night and caught nothing." -Luke 5:5

"They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." -Luke 5:6

At this point in his walking around and preaching, Jesus had been attracting some consistent followers. Peter was one of them. He had heard Jesus preach, let Jesus use his boat, and Jesus had even healed his mother-in-law. Then after Jesus had finished preaching from the boat to people, Jesus tells Peter and his fishing buddies to go back out into deeper water to catch some fish. At this, Peter responded warily that they had been out all night and didn't catch a thing. They were worn out and wanted to go home and sleep. More work was not on the top of their priority list.

Even though he didn't want to, Peter and the other fishermen go out and do what Jesus says. they may have been muttering under their breath, but they did it. I wonder if Jesus had one of those just trust me looks on his face. Mr. Lucado thinks that maybe, "Jesus had a smile on his face thinking about how Peter was about to be half yanked into the water." When they men pull up the nets, they are overwhelmed by their catch! And Peter, a man who doubts himself a lot, finally sees who this Jesus really is. HE recognizes that Jesus is God as a human. Not just a teacher or talker. Not just a healer or miracle worker. He is God, himself.

When Peter realizes this, he immediately pushes Jesus away saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." -Luke 5:8 Jesus does the exact opposite. He won't leave Peter. He stays with him, actually asks him to come with him and do some more fishing. Except this time, he wants Peter's help to "fish" for people. He wants Peter to let others know about who Jesus is and what he is all about.

I bet that all of us have felt like Peter. Tired. Needing rest. Doubting. Amazed. Self-conscious. Ashamed. Jesus encouraged him and accepted him. He invited him to be a part of what he was doing, even though Peter was not who he thought that he needed to be. He gives us the same chance.

Daily Reading 14

2008-01-12T09:15:00.000-06:00

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:2

"They were astonished at his teaching." -Luke 4:32

Jesus had been through all of those days of temptation in the wilderness, went home only to be rejected, and then showed up in a town that completely swelled with excitement over his presence. He was in Capernaum. While there, all kinds of people came to him with requests, advice, and their own agendas. Jesus healed some of them, who had needs. But others, who wanted to tell Jesus what to do and how to do it were told what was up! "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." Luke 42-43

After 40 days of temptation, it would be hard to resist having a huge mass of people who were amazed by his teaching, wanting him to stay around and tell them more. But Jesus knew his purpose well. He could see the bigger picture. People in other places needed to hear his message, too. Even though there were a ton of people in this place who wanted him to stay, he knew his mission was to let EVERYONE know. He probably had to leave some people who still wanted to know more, or who needed to be healed. I wonder if they ever figured out that they could hear Jesus through others who had listened to him?

I can get caught up in what I think needs to be done, just like the people of Capernaum. Sometimes I wonder why God is not moving or acting like I think he should. Maybe I'm missing the bigger picture. Maybe there is something that is going to happen that shows that God really is a big deal in a way that I am not expecting. I do know that I can participate in His work. I am not going to just sit idly and wait for things to be done by Him. I am one of His followers and I want to help to let others know about His message of hope.

Daily Reading 13

2008-01-12T08:53:00.000-06:00

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and with his own people and in his own home." -Mark 6:4

"And he was amazed at their lack of faith." -Mark 6:6

So, I'm really far behind in my daily readings. It has been a week since I sat down to read and reflect. So, here we are, picking back up with the topic of Jesus' family.

I had never thought about Jesus' family much except for his mother and his father. He had siblings, though. Just like every family, they had their imperfections. I don't think that his family really was able to understand who he really was. I know that Mary and Joseph had been told that he was the Son of God. Don't you think they would probably have shared that with their kids?

When Jesus went out, no one from his hometown, including his family was very supportive. When he was being dragged off to die by people from his own community, his brothers weren't even around. Could it be that they knew who he was, but they were embarrassed? They didn't think the way that he did. They probably didn't agree with what he was doing by willingly going to die.

Lots of times, we wish that someone else understood. We have these ideas about how someone should act or think or respond to us. We do this a lot with family or close friends. I think what Jesus teaches us in this story is that we can't let the behavior of someone else control our own behavior. We can't demand that someone else think or feel or act the way that we think they should. Even family.

This is a hard concept to swallow. Jesus also tells us that we have family in our fellow believers. This is our spiritual family. When it comes to understanding each other spiritually, we can find that in others who are taking steps on their spiritual journey as well.

Even though it is hard sometimes to be in the middle of family stuff, we still have ways to connect with others and our Heavenly Father.

Daily Reading 12

2008-01-04T07:04:00.000-06:00

"He knows me inside and out." - John 4:29

These words are talking about Jesus. The person who is saying them is not at all favorable in the opinion of many people... even some of Jesus' closest followers. If you think about who the woman is, she might remind you of some people that you have opinions about. She came from a place called Samaria. In this town lived a mixed race of Jews and Assyrians. Traditional Jews thought that the intermarriage meant betrayal. This woman was one of them. In the 9th verse of John chapter 4, the woman points this out to Jesus after he had asked her politely for a drink. "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman," she says.

Besides being Samaritan, was in a public place which meant that Jesus should not be seen talking to her as a Jewish man. She was also known by all who knew her to be living in sin. Jesus told her everything about herself. Things that he shouldn't have known because he had never met or talked about her with anyone. But this was God in front of her. She had no idea to whom she was talking.

Then he started to tell her about living water. He was explaining the condition of our souls. Just like our bodies need food and water, our souls need to be filled with the good news that Jesus loves us and accepts us, even while we are still in the middle of our sin. When we drink this water, it lasts forever. His forgiveness just has to be accepted.

Doesn't that tell you something about Jesus, that he was spending time with this woman who needed to hear about his grace? He wasn't just surrounding himself with religious people. He loved everyone. He came for ALL of us to know. Do you know what this woman's response was? She ran to the village, knowing that everyone already knew about her past, and she told them about Jesus' acceptance of her. When they heard this good news, they ran out to meet him themselves. He then stayed there for two days, sharing his message of love and grace and salvation with many more.

I know for a fact that Jesus wants everyone to know about this good news. Do you know that he loves and accepts you?

Daily Reading 11

2008-01-03T06:52:00.000-06:00

"Both Jesus and His followers were also invited to the wedding." -John 2:2

There is always some reason that a story is included in the Bible. This book called John is one of the four books of the bible called the gospels. They're given that title because they tell about the life and message of Jesus. Gospel means good news.
In my opinion, it is pretty good news that Jesus was invited to this wedding. You might say that He had just begun his "tour" and others had not really thought of Him as a celebrity, yet. A few guys had heard him talking about familiar things from the scriptures and wanted to know more about Him. But, at this time, Jesus was not doing miraculous healing or attracting a lot of attention. He was invited to a wedding, probably because the bride and or groom liked his company. He then walked a really long way - 90 miles to be at their wedding and His followers were invited, too.
It makes me smile to think that Jesus spent time at a wedding. He was very much God, but also did things to relate to us.

Daily Reading 10

2008-01-02T10:45:00.000-06:00

"Rabbi where are you staying?" they asked. (John 1:38)

"Come and see." -John 1:39

"We have found the Messiah." -John 1:41

Two guys, John and Andrew were doing a lot of listening to John the Baptist. Then they heard about Jesus and started listening to his teaching. The way that we can tell that these guys looked to him as different is by thinking about the question they asked. They asked where he was staying because they wanted to be around him, to learn from him, and to really know him.

The response Jesus gave, telling them to come and see is really intriguing. You know that popular catch phrase, "I'll believe it when I see it?" Jesus actually invited these two to get up close and personal and find out who he was. He wanted them to come and hang out with him. How could they really figure out who he was without doing so? Of course this makes sense. He wanted followers who wanted to know and learn from him. They took the initiative to ask and he welcomed it.

I can relate to John and Andrew. I want to understand and "see" who Jesus is, too. Reading his words helps me to figure out how to be more like him. When I do get that figured out, other people around me can "see" Jesus in my actions.

Daily Reading 9

2008-01-01T22:26:00.000-06:00

"He faced all of the same temptations we do." -Hebrews 4:15

"The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days." -Luke 4:1-2

"Well done, good and faithful servant." -Matthew 25:23

Today's entry deals with the concept of Jesus being tempted with all of the same temptations by which we are tempted. I am often tempted to be self-righteous, self gratifying, and glutinous. I can see how these temptations are similar to those that Jesus faced. AND I cannot imagine how tortuous it would have been to go through 40 entire days of any and all temptations that can be thrown at a person. He was starving and was tempted with the suggestion of food. Instead of taking the bait, he answered with what he knew to be true - that he cannot live on bread alone, but needed the word of God to sustain him. He was tempted with power and resisted.
You know what? The difficulty is that when I am faced with temptation, I sometimes give in.

As I read some more of the fourth chapter in Hebrews, I noticed that there were several mentions of the word rest. From these words, I can see that I can look beyond the moment of temptation to a time when I will no longer be stressed or worried over it. The 16th verse of Hebrews Chapter 4 says, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." This is the place of hope. I have strength knowing that I can overcome those moments with God's mercy and grace. It is there because I need it.

I'm glad that I read those words today. Now if I can just remember them when I am tempted!

Daily Reading 8

2007-12-31T12:03:00.000-06:00

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' " -Matthew 3:16-17

The scene unfolds on this crazy looking man, John, who is wading in the water, telling everyone about the need for forgiveness. When we hear this guy in the bible, he is usually talking about another person who was coming. Another person who would show people how to live and love each other. Lots of people were waiting in line that day to be baptized. Waiting for their chance to say publicly that they are changing how they act. What is so surprising about this entire scene is that Jesus is in the line with everyone else. He is in line with the Gentiles - people who were not born into the Jewish faith, those who were seen as unworthy and pretty much scum to many Jews. John is perplexed when Jesus gets in the water. He tries to convince Jesus to switch roles with him and do the baptizing instead. But this act was making way for Jesus to show us yet again that he is willing to act for us.

I really think that it would be great if you could read the last two paragraphs of Mr. Lucado's thoughts about this story. He is pretty much affirming that none of us is perfect. We've made mistakes, tried to do what is right, and sometimes we fail. The attempts never come out to be perfect. But Jesus waiting in that line with us to be baptized is our clue that he takes care of all of that stuff. He can measure up where we can't. He is willing to pay the price for us that we could not pay ourselves. When we are baptized, we are connecting to the time that Jesus was baptized. We are saying that we accept the gift that he gives to us - the wiping out of our sin. t was accomplished for us, by God coming here as a human, to do it perfectly because we were not able.

I believe I need to say thank you for that, and remember my baptism. I actually grew up going to the Catholic church. I cannot remember having baptism explained to me when I was young. It may have been, but I don't remember it. Within the last couple of years, someone told me the reason that there are water bowls posted at entrances/exits in a Catholic church... Their purpose is to help you to remember your baptism. To remember that Jesus paid the price for you and to remind you of the decision you made to live your life in His direction. I have actually had two baptisms. When I was a teenager, I got interested in learning more about God. A friend of mine sparked the interest and I went to a youth event. After several months of questions and discussions, I realized that some people that I had met had something that I wanted. They loved unconditionally and supported each other through really tough stuff. I prayed in my room one night telling God that I wanted what they had. My friend's parents had given me a bible. I read in Romans 10:9-10 "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." After some more discussion, I decided that I wanted to tell others about what I had learned, so I had a baptism. I don't necessarily think that I had to be baptised again. I believe that my parents wanted me to live with God's direction when I was baptised as a baby. This was another way to show how God had been working in my life.

Prayer of St. Francis

2007-12-30T22:54:00.000-06:00

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I came across this prayer in someone else's blog today. I remember it from a song that I used to know as a child in church. I can still remember the melody. I LOVE these words. The lyrics have always made me want to jump inside them and become part of the song. I think as this new year begins, I am going to try to pick one word that I can try to make a focus of my thinking and actions. The word that sticks with me from this prayer is peace. In being an agent of peace, many things are accomplished. I need peace for myself. I need to be able to accept and embrace some things that are tough before I can have that peace. Maybe I actually need to let some desires go. In rereading the words of the last few lines, I can also see that extending peace to others seems to bring peace to oneself.

Max Lucado Daily Reading 7

2007-12-30T00:16:00.000-06:00

"Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God." -Mark 1:14

"God chose him for this purpose long before the world began." -1 Peter 1:20

If you haven't tried it yet, find a bible and read some of the rest of the context surrounding the verse that starts each day. It totally helps to understand what is going on. Too often, we read quotes or bible verses in isolation. As I read the beginning of this first chapter of mark, I saw that it introduced Jesus a bit differently than Luke. It talked about John the baptist and how he proclaimed that the Messiah was soon coming. He was announcing Jesus' entrance into a life of public scrutiny. Max points out that Jesus had to first say goodbye to private life at home with his family in the little town of Nazareth before he went out. The crazy thing about it all is that Jesus didn't have to do any of it. He could have kept quiet and led a normal life. But he allowed God's plan to unfold anyway. Not just to be killed, but to willingly carry his own tool of death- a cross, to have it done.
My favorite question so far in these daily readings posed by our author came today: "I wonder what kind of love is this? When you come up with a word for such love, give it to Christ." I have a new friend that is a fabulous writer. I think someday, she will express this sentiment in a way that I cannot. I have been talking about God with her for only a short time, and she is continually blowing me away with her insight about this lifelong spiritual journey. I am thankful for her and I am thankful for what God has done. "immense in mercy and with an incredible love. . . embraced us." - Ephesians 2:4

Max Lucado Daily Reading 6

2007-12-29T22:26:00.000-06:00

"He's just a carpenter." -Mark 6:3

"No stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him." -Isaiah 53:2

"He had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as a high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself - all the pain, all the testing - and would be able to help where help was needed." -Hebrews 2:17-18

Today's reading takes us to the dusty village of Nazareth. It is brought to our attention that jesus is working there as a carpenter and that he is being raised by his mother Mary, alone. Joseph must have died. The passages above show us that others around jesus didn't see anything extraordnary about his childhood. He did a job that was dingy, hard, and probably caused a lot of BO! He is living among a bunch of people who are not thought of by their government as more than laborers. He lived in a simple place and did a mundane job. He worked for others in a job of service.

I can kind of get a glimpse into God's reasoning for sending his Son to live among us. I can see that jesus would really relate to us because of his childhood and job in these stories that are referenced above. It makes me want to thank God for showing us that he understands. I know that he knows and that helps. Sometimes I really want to shake my fist at Him and complain about my circumstances. At least Jesus was here and felt some of the same emotions. He probably didn't experience all of it the same way that I do, but he was here and he did endure "earth's toughest pain".

Max Lucado Daily Reading 5

2007-12-29T18:34:00.000-06:00

"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." -Luke 2:40

Mr. Lucado discusses the first time that Jesus is acting upon the knowledge of who he is - God in human form. His parents have been traveling on a return trip home after visiting Jerusalem. They realize after 3 days that he is not with them. They look for him at relatives' homes and friends' houses, but do not think to look at the temple. Max points out that this is the first place that our Lord goes. He goes there first, showing us that we can do the same. In this visit, Jesus astounds many thinkers that are much older and have had more education. AND, even though he senses this call on his life, he returns home with his family. He spends time living with, taking care of , and focusing on them.

First of all, it amazes me to think that it took three days for Mary and Joseph to notice that their son was missing from their traveling group. There must have been a lot of people in that caravan! Reading this today, it does not surprise me that Jesus was in the temple. But then again, I only have a few pages to read, between his birth and this story. We have the benefit of reading the summary of what happened... Angels appeared announcing the arrival of the Messiah and we can quickly find out about how Jesus grows up and teaches people about the love of God. Mary and Joseph didn't have that knowledge. They were frantic, looking for their missing child. If I stop to think about it, this makes complete sense. Who wouldn't be frantic?

It also caught me off guard to think about how Jesus did spend a lot of his life at home with his family. It wasn't until in his early thirties that he went and gathered the disciples to help him tell about God's story to others. He really cared for his family. He made them a priority and helped them understand. What made the most sense to me was the line where Max asked, "What makes you think they'll believe you overseas if they don't believe you across the hall?" Lots of times, I need guidance because I am scared to start a conversation about spiritual things. I think I should try focusing on my actions, though first.

Max Lucado Reading Day 4

2007-12-22T21:49:00.000-06:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

Still pondering that amazing day of Jesus' birth, we are asked the question, "Would you do what Jesus did?" There are a lot of things to consider in this small question. Would I have given up the peace of heaven? What about the security of the Father's company and the worship of the angels? Or the control of the universe? Hmm. Trading in all of that for a cramped womb and then to have needs that have to be met by a mother and father. Did he know that later he would be humiliated and beaten when he gave all of that up?
Then we are asked to think about how that decision is completely because of love. Love is the difference maker. It was a choice that Christ made... to love.
It amazed me to try and put myself in Jesus' shoes and wonder if I would have made the same choices that he did. He could have stopped any time, when he was confronted with something that wasn't a "Godly" task, or when he was mistreated by others. But that is exactly what he did not do. He did not turn away from any situations that faced him. He experienced them as a man, even though he was God. This is love. That choice shows that he is willing to experience the pain and hurt, the mistreatment and mocking. He loved us enough to become one of us, so that we could understand who he is. He went all the way to the cross to show us how much he loves us. He loved us that much!

Max Lucado Daily Reading 3

2007-12-20T17:09:00.000-06:00

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took Mary home to be his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." - Matthew 1:24-25

The big question asked by Max today is , "Why Joseph?" He questions the choice of this man as opposed to some lofty priest or scholar. What intrigued me is that the reason for God's choice of this man was probably because of the way he sacrificed his own reputation in order to be Mary's husband and the dad to Jesus.
Here on earth, we always seem to want the approval of others. Joseph knew that according to others, he should shun her publicly and then get out of the situation entirely.
It amazes me how similar this is to the story of Jesus talking with the woman caught in adultery. Men led her out to be stoned, telling Jesus of her sin and what should b e done. Instead of shunning her publicly like the other men did, he turned the situation around on them - "The one without sin should cast the first stone." Obviously the stones dropped and everyone went away. I wonder if when this happened later in his life, Jesus had any idea that his earthly father, Joseph had made a similar decision. His dad made a decision to let go his "unblemished reputation" because he believed. He put God's plan ahead of his own.
Today, I am praying that God will help me to put his plan ahead of my own and that you can do the same.

Max Lucado Daily Reading 2

2007-12-19T07:18:00.000-06:00

Mary Cradles God
"And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no roomfor them in the inn." - Luke 2:7

Today, Max talked about the surroundings of the stable where Christ was born: cobwebs, minimal hay, hard earth, and parents weary of a long trip on foot. Then he speaks of mary contemplating what has just taken place. She remembers what the angels had said, "His kingdom will have no end," and she knows that in her arms is God in baby form.

The funniest part to me was Max's comment that, "He looks like anything but a king. his face is prunish and red. he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being." I am amazed when I think about how God limited himself in the form of a baby, putting his powerful self in the arms of a woman who would change his diapers and nourish him. I wonder what Mary thought as she held him for the first time?

Max Lucado Daily Reading 1

2007-12-18T20:39:00.001-06:00

On Monday, a friend loaned me a book to read called 3:16 by Max Lucado. The amazing thing is that she read the ENTIRE thing over the course of Saturday morning. It was actually given to her the night before by another friend, who thought she would really like it. Well, she did. It answered a lot of questions that she was having. And so, on Sunday when I talked to her, we decided to use the 40-day devotional section at the back for discussion.
I think it would be a great way for discussion out there in the blogging world as well, so I am going to post here the scripture for the day and give a bit of summary as well as reflection about max's thoughts. I hope you'll consider reading the scriptures and commenting and questioning along with us!

"Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'" -Luke 2:13-14

I love this part of Luke's story when the angels announce the arrival of Jesus to the shepards. One of my favorite Christmas movie moments is when Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about. He recites this passage in Luke under the stage lights to a bunch of ordinary animated characters like Lucy, Pigpen, and old Charlie Brown. I think it is amazing how God announced the most important earthly arrival to normal, everyday beings. Even stinky, smelly shepards. They carried everything that they owned with them. He knew that they would be able to believe without needing to consult books or needing to clean themselves up first. They went straightaway to meet their Savior. What faith!