Jesus Shall Reign

Photo by Dave Bothwell

The past two weeks I've fought writing. Although my head-knowledge shouts God is in control, my heart-knowledge blocks that truth. This trips me, and I wallow in discouragement. I cry.

No, there's nothing wrong with crying. Sometimes it's a great release and also appropriate. I grieve for our nation and uncertainty "we the people" face, I weep for Israel ~ the apple of God's Eye and my sister's adopted homeland. I wonder and, yes, (hate to admit) worry about our son's future when evaluations are less than "flattering." I doubt when my husband's health declines even more ~ all this comsuming me.

Yet my failure to cling doesn't alter the Almighty's sovereignty. It is I who falls short on a morning-by-morning basis. I must cling to the Hope Rope extended from Jesus' nail-scarred Hands to mine. As discouraged as I was with all the above mentioned, I woke up the day before elections with a hymn on my heart and have made this my Thanksgiving praise...

JESUS SHALL REIGN

By Issac Watts

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does his successive journeys run;

His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till suns shall rise and set no more.

To Jesus endless prayer be made, and praises throng to crown His Head;

His Name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue dwell on His Love with sweetest song;

And infant voices shall proclaim their young Hosannas to His Name.

Blessings abound where'er He reigns; the prisoner leaps to lose his chains;

the weary find eternal rest, and all the sons of want are blessed.

Where He displays His healing power death and the curse are known no more;

In Him the tribes of Adam boast more blessings than their father lost.

Let every creature rise and bring its grateful honors to our King'

Angels descend with songs again, and earth prolong the loud amen!

Great God, Whose universal sway the known and unknown worlds obey,

Now give the Kingdom to Thy Son, extend His power, exalt His Throne.

The scepter well becomes His Hands; all Heaven submits to His Commands;

His justice shall avenge the poor, and pride and rage prevail no more.

With power He vindicates the just, and treads the oppressor in the dust;

His worship and His fear shall last till the full course of time be past.

As rain on meadows newly mown, so shall He send His Influence down;

His Grace on fainting souls distills like heavenly dw on thirsty hills.

The heathen lands, that lie beneath the shades of overspreading death,

Revive at His first dawning light; and deserts blossom at the sight.

The saints shall flourish in His days, decked in the robes of joy and praise;

Peace, like a river, from His Throne shall flow to nations yet unknown.

Follow The Leader

Photo by Laura Kee Clouse

Does the tot in the photo want to catch up with the pumpkins or with his dad? He may relish the prizes they picked from the patch that day, but ultimately he needs his daddy ~ the leader, the one who helped find these big round orange wonders that now have faces carved in them.

I've been thinking a lot these pre-election days. Who will we chose to follow the next four years? What do I look for in a leader? Here are some thoughts:

~ I want a leader who is honest, no matter how bad the news. I can trust someone who doesn't lie. If a person deceives once, he may again. Being able to trust is vital.

~ I need a leader who knows what he's talking about, has proven it, and doesn't give empty promises (which are no better than lies).

~ I desire a leader of good moral character. What is in one's heart reflects through his life and actions, and one's faith guides how he does both. Some say character and faith don't matter, but what seed is rooted in the heart always grows either into a good plant or terrible weed.

This election like no other in our nation's history will decide our fate ~ whether we will journey down a deteriorating path or hope for another period of grace on this God-founded country. Who will I chose?

Photo by Stephen Brower

Ultimately, I'll follow Truth ~ no matter what happens at the polls. Our sovereign God is over all. I pray He grants us favor and once again "sheds His grace on thee," America. No matter what the voting outcome, I have a Leader I can follow, One who will lead me to the heavenly prize and hold my hand the whole way.

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD; look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn..." 
Isaiah 51:1

Sunflowers

Photo by Joanna Sensenig

I'm a city girl who grew up in a "brown thumb" family. Oh, Mom and Dad occasionally grew tomatoes in a tiny patch of earth. These endeavors generally yielded little to nothing. I, too, have tried from time to time raising a garden. Sadly, I inherited my parents' gardening gene. Yet I'm still fascinated with all God's given to enjoy in His creation ~ one of these being sunflowers.

Not until a few years ago, while researching a story idea, did I realize the wonder of these giants. I had assumed one planted them to face the direction where they'd receive the most admiration from passers by. Silly city girl! Instead, the magnificent flowers follow the sun east to west all day long every day. That amazed me. They don't stand at attention to me or anyone else, instead, totally yielding to the Creator's sun as if their life depends on this. And, indeed, it does.

If I focus on the things and people about me and fail to keep my eyes on Jesus, I become down-trodden and discouraged. Surely this life yields its share of difficulties. But if I fix my eyes on my Savior, Who is always there and never fails, my hope is renewed ~ just like the sunflower that gathers it's nutrients from following the sun.

Used with Christian Charisma's permission

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2) The One Who died and rose again is the same One on Whom I can depend no matter what. If I take my eyes off the Lord, I sink just like the disciple Peter, when Jesus bid him to walk on the water. As long as Peter focused on His Savior, he continued toward Jesus. But when the disciple looked down at the fearful waves about him, he began sinking. (I'm so like this.)

My prayer for you is that you'll look to Jesus ~ not just when times distress and waves toss you about ~ but that your face will always follow the Son. Then when the travails of life hit, you will still draw life-giving Hope from the Savior.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus ~ Look full in His wonderful Face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.

(Public Domain ~ Helen H. Lemmel ~ 1922)

Helen Keller ~ Giver Of Hope

Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan

Last week I attempted to eliminate some children's books from my collection. A few tattered paperbacks minus covers and pages certainly didn't add beauty to the shelves. I pulled those first, deciding to read them before discarding. One particularly dilapidated early Scholastic edition was about Helen Keller. Although I knew much about Miss Keller, she being a prominent inspiring individual, I learned more.

Helen's indomitable will fought against her as a young girl trapped in a silent, dark world. Yet that same spirit worked on her behalf, once Anne Sullivan entered six-year-old Helen's life. Helen's parents pitied her and didn't think her capable of living civilly in a hearing/seeing world. They left her untrained. Then Anne Sullivan arrived. "Teacher," as Helen dubbed her, expected much more and practiced tough-love with this child. Once Helen's strong will yielded to Teacher's demands, the young girl soared.

By the time Miss Sullivan had been with the Kellers four months, she taught Helen to finger spell (manual alphabet), form sentences, write on paper in an understandable fashion, read and type braille ~ all this from a child not thought capable of learning. Within the next few years, Helen (who didn't want to be "dumb") learned to speak understandably enough to ones who knew her.

Helen at Radcliffe

Helen determined to attend Radcliffe (Harvard's women's division). They didn't initially want her. Minds changed, however, when Helen wrote to them saying, "I realize that the obstacles in the way of my receiving a college education are very great. But a true soldier does not admit defeat before the battle." She was accepted (with Teacher at her side), wrote The Story Of My Life during those years, and graduated with honors.

Once graduated, this young woman desired to earn her way in life. She did so by writing, touring the lecture circuit, and "performing" in Vaudeville (harshly criticized but wanting to earn enough to sponsor Anne Sullivan for life, in gratitude for what Teacher had done for her).

Helen wanted to offer the world what Anne Sullivan had given her ~ hope. She promised Teacher she'd do just that. When World War II ended, Helen and new companion Polly went to hospitals to encourage soldiers and citizens blinded in battle and air raids. She advocated for the sightless worldwide, raising funds and petitioning for better disability laws.

Helen "listening" to President Eisenhower

Helen Keller, known and respected by countless thousands, held audience with royalty, celebrities, and Presidents. She learned to understand those who could not communicate with her by reading their lips. What a remarkable individual!

In closing, I share with you several quotes from the woman who "spoke" well: "I never fight, except against difficulties ... I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a thought of yearning at times, but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers ... I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble ... Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain." ~ Helen Keller

(Photos ~ Public Domain)

Solid Ground ~ Part 3

Photo by Liz Marr

Our hope is based on solid ground whether talking about life, faith, or politics. Storms will come in all areas of life, but what's founded on rock holds. Remember the example in Part 1 where a foolish man's house built on sand cannot withstand the tiniest wave, like my childhood sand castles? But the wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation stands much greater rate of survival.

Over the years, many churches have weakened their message in hopes of bringing in greater numbers, diverse age groups, or a trendier crowd. The very people searching for a firm foundation cannot find it. They may become believers, but they're not grounded in Biblical teaching. So how can they grow strong and stand when trials hit? Bible doctrines, God's principles for living, are essential for us to grow and stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this have to do with politics? Same principle holds true. About 100 years ago in our nation's history, men who ruled strayed from our founding father's intent, putting into play a whole new philosophy to weaken our republic. Although we've had a few presidents since who've tried to rescue us and place us back on freedom's trail, the ones who've undone have succeeded in weakening our nation. None has done so as drastically as our present leader.

Our founding fathers birthed us a country with a strong Constitution. These men didn't haphazardly throw together what they like for convenience or self-aggrandizement. Quite the opposite, despite what modern-day textbooks may tell us. They sacrificed much ~ they and their families, knowing full well it might cost them the ultimate price. And the key? They based their beliefs on God, Lord and Creator of the very ground on which they stood.

To uproot a nation built on such principles and plant it on sandy soil of feel-goodism, lies, and anti-God rhetoric is to doom what blood bought and paid for ~ not only military blood but Jesus' as well. For our founding fathers reverenced the Almighty and understood the importance of centering our government on Him.

The farther a people stray from our Solid Rock, the closer they come to destruction ~ whether we're speaking of their personal lives, their faith, or their political choices for governing us all. Now more than ever it's essential we understand our future lies in the balance. Will we chose solid foundation or crumbling sand? This individual choice will affect us all, come election day. May we look to the Lord for His discernment in every decision.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand...all other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward Mote ~ 1836)

Solid Ground ~ Part 2

Firm foundations are essential. I'm convinced we can only survive if we are anchored in solid ground. As I reflected on the subject of hope, I realized this is key.

Back to doctrine (mentioned in part 1) ~ Foundations of our faith based on God's Word, the Bible, serve as building blocks for everything else in our lives. If we trust Jesus as Savior, Who Himself is the Rock and Cornerstone, then we've taken the first step toward building that foundation. But is that enough?

Yes, it's enough to seal our salvation from sin and destination to Heaven ~ also our escape from hell. No, we should not stop once sealed by the Holy Spirit even though our salvation is complete. We need to grow ~ become anchored. That's why God instructs us to learn more of Him through His Word. By reading and memorizing the Bible, we grow in our relationship with Him and remain on solid ground. God speaks truth. Truth is hope's foundation.

All through history false teachers have risen up and attempted to convince people there are other foundations. But all these, based on false gods, have failed. Like building a house on sand. The only one Who has stood the test of time is the Trinity ~ God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Why? Go back to the cross. Jesus, God the Son, not only took our sin on Himself and shed blood for our forgiveness but rose again and lives. Had He not risen again, would He be any different from the others? His grave is empty. Truth lives. Hope lives.

My faith is not only founded on solid doctrines/teachings/ground, but I can say without a doubt I serve and love the Living God. You may ask what that has to do with hope, truth, and doctrine. My answer? Everything. By learning God's Character through time spent in His Word, I realize one of God's attributes is that He Is Truth ~ thus He Is Hope. If I don't learn more of Him, I could easily waver when other "gods" try to sway me.

So learning about God's attributes and growing in Him is essential for my life, faith, and how I carry out my civic duty. Some will argue that character, morals, and wishy-washy beliefs do not affect who we are as a people, body of Christ, and nation. I disagree...

Solid Ground ~ Part 1 of 3

Photo by Marion Tripp

When I was a child, my family traveled crowded Jersey highways to the shore. I tip-toed across the beach, hoping to avoid shells and what-nots from hurting my tender soles. Then I reached the ocean's damp edge and took baby steps toward the Atlantic.

Others about me charged in, splashing cold salt water on this chicken. I jumped back and then inched forward until I stood waist-high in water ~ at which point a wave would undoubtedly knocked me down. Initiation completed.

The relationship between me and the ocean was a daunting one. I entered this wet world with fear, recalling a couple times when I'd gone too deep for my non-swimming body, only to fight for air until waves carried me ashore.

Most of my beach time I parked securely not too distant from the tide line, shoveling damp sand to form moats about molded walls and towers. My imagination soared, like the seagulls overhead!

As the hours passed and sun burned, the tide made its way to my real estate and within minutes washed it away. I knew it would. I hated to see it go. So it was, building on sand. And, yes, it always reminded me of the Sunday school song about the foolish man building upon sand and the wise man establishing his house on the rock.

Until I reached the know-it-all teen years, I thought this song was about nothing more than a stupid man vs. a much smarter one. Of course the third verse held a big clue ~ So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. But I didn't realize this went beyond "Lord Jesus, come into my life."

Then I went to Christian college and heard the word doctrine for the first time. I'd been brought up in a Christian home and church, where parents and teachers taught us Bible stories and verses, missions, and importance of prayer. Yet somehow this single-minded girl didn't grasp the whole "doctrine thing."

Much later in life I realized how all the pieces fit together and that my Christian life isn't just about salvation. These doctrines were the foundation stones God laid so my life gripped the Solid Rock, Jesus, when waves of trouble struck me.

I now see the importance of firm grounding in every aspect of life. Without these, we cannot stand as a people or a nation...

It's A Small World

Diana's Ice Cream Truck in New Jersey

When I saw this photo, I just had to borrow it. So many of these sweltering summer days I've listened to the ice cream truck drive by. That daily traveler brings back memories of childhood.

Yet the ice cream lady in the photo is someone special. When we last saw each other, she was a young girl and I a teen. I found her on Facebook. You see, her grandpa was one of my heroes.

My sister and I called him "Uncle Wilmos." He and his wife became my parents' dear friends. And Uncle Wilmos taught me violin and life. He was my friend, hero, confidant. He always treated me like I was special. Years later he'd come play and speak at my commissioning-into-missionary service gathering, and only a heart-attack kept him from our wedding.

I snapped this photo when I was a teen.

When I reached dating age, Uncle Wilmos sat me down and gave advice drawn from his life experiences. I valued his words. They were from a man who cared about me. Other than my own Dad in those early years, this one man influenced my life profoundly.

Now, it's a small world because my dearest friend in the whole world since age 11 was Joan. I use to untie my sneakers when I saw her coming at church because I knew she'd stop, bend down, tie them, and give me a hug. This woman and I bonded at the heart~growing in joys and pains. We shared a for-life friendship. I trusted her when we went through our roughest trials because she'd known similar pain, which speaks volumes to one who's hurting.

At my bridal shower.

Uncle Wilmos and Joan both live in Heaven now. I miss them more than I can say, yet I'm comforted because I know we'll be together when my turn comes to pass from this world into eternity. So many precious folk wait for us on the other side.

Back to Diana~When I found her on Facebook, I realized we shared a mutual friend in Joan's daughter. Diana was her town's Ice Cream Lady. Joan's daughter didn't know Diana was kin to Uncle Wilmos, but she remembered the violin-playing Hungarian who traveled to churches where her mom, Joan, brought her to listen to the music she loved. It is a small world after all.

There's nothing deep or profound here, but I'm feeling nostalgic, and~even though this has been a tough summer~these memories of dear ones helps put a smile on this girl's face. I think I'll smile even more next time the ice cream truck comes by...and probably think of Uncle Wilmos, Joan, and Diana too.

Does Jesus Care?

Summer 2012 ~ I'd rather not repeat this one ... full to overflowing with significant difficulties. Actually not just this summer, but well into last year. Death of a brother-in-law, note from our prodigal saying never to contact her again, unexpected marriage of a son, another mini-stroke for my husband, bullying at school to the nth degree for our youngest, suspected cancer (praise God not full-blown), and now 96-year-old Mom-in-love hospitalized after a fall and fracture.

Have you endured weeks, months, years like this? Some ask, "Does Jesus care?"

If I truly believe God's Word and promises, then I know He's planned the ultimate good for us all. Does that make these situations easier? In one way, no. In another, yes. Pain is pain, and grief is grief. Yet, knowing God goes through this with us and understands what we endure, comforts and gives hope.

A hymn that helped us this week is Does Jesus Care? written by Frank E. Graeff in 1901. May these words lift you also.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief, though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”to the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks~Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares.

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Work vs. Passion

Photo by Jess Kvarta

My husband, son, and I attended an all-day conference Saturday where doctors, researchers, and families with neurofibromatosis types 1 & 2 ~(NF, for short) came together to learn what's the latest help for those afflicted with this genetic disease. NF changed our son's summer when he was admitted for surgery to have one of its "affects" removed. We know other tumors may require future surgeries.


I was particularly taken aback when a research doctor announced a breakthrough in the form of a clinical trial for a drug that seems to shrink NF tumors ~ #15 in the long list of ones studied over the past decades. Simply put, that means 14 others failed to show such promise up until this one.

I thought of all the years dedicated to finding a cure or at least a help for thousands affected by NF. What drove researchers to stay with it? Funding? The fact that this is their work and they get paid for it? Rewards for their efforts? Perhaps, but I saw in this woman a passion for her work. Imagine studying 14 drugs (a full clinical trial takes up to 20 years) and finally finding one with promise!

Then I thought about work and ministry, in particular. There are years my husband and I have served on the U.S. mission field with seemingly small results. Then after a dry spell we might see a few who accept Jesus as Savior and hunger to know Him better. Yet my husband not only "works" but has a passion to reach people for Jesus Christ. So we become weary and sometimes discouraged, yet we don't quit.

I've worked on a memoir for more than a decade. The writing and editing are grueling at times. And when my editor sends back the manuscript with more marks than I can count, I cry. Real tears. Then I begin again, trying to see how this work can be better ~ driven by my passion to write well.

Work is one thing, but passion quite another. Some go to work each day and "just do their job." Others pour theirs hearts into the task ~ for pay or not ~ and burn to do it well. When the two are intertwined, then hope is born out of each failure.

A researcher seeing promise after 14 failed tries. My husband discipling a handful of saved souls after telling multitudes the Gospel. And a lover of writing who wants to share her story in the way that most pleases her God. All have a passion for this work set before us.

My prayer for you this day? May your work and passion be so intertwined that you press on to see it completed. May what you do for eternal value make the trials worth going through. If your work is done for the Savior, then "He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV

Worth Living ~ Worth Dying ~ Part 2

If a nation's ideals are worth dying for, how much more important are the people who make up that nation ~ or all the nations, for that matter? We sent men and women to war to preserve our freedoms and liberties, and those who volunteer to serve know full well they may pay the ultimate price.

God loved this world (people) so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. (John 3:16) Why did Jesus have to die? Our sin. God said in the Old Testament that blood had to be shed as forgiveness of sin. He provided a way for that through the sacrifice of lambs. But then again the ultimate sacrifice comes into the picture. Lamb's blood had to be shed repeatedly.

God had a once-for-all plan before the beginning of time, knowing we'd fail. Fulfilled how? He would die for the sins of us all. But God is spirit, and spirit doesn't have blood. So He did what only God could do and sent a part of Himself (not a piece ~ God the Son) to the world through Mary. And because God the Son, named Jesus, came through a human line, He became the ultimate Blood-sacrifice.

Willing to die because we were worth living? Hard for me to comprehend God loving me enough to do this. Jesus faced agony going to the cross and even more agony on it. Yet He was obedient to God the Father and sacrificed for the sins of us all. Wow.

I've thought a lot about being willing to die so someone else can live. I say to myself I'd do that. But, if the situation called for that, would I truly die for someone else? I don't know. I think I'd die for someone I loved, like my husband or children. I also figure it would be easier to say I'd do this for someone who loved me as much. But die for who-knows-who, a person who doesn't care about me, God, or even him/herself? Hmm.

Yet God did this. "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person ~ though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die ~ but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7,8 ESV

We're worth living? God thinks so and proved it. And not only did Jesus give the ultimate sacrifice, He rose again! May my life make His dying known to others who have yet to know their lives are worth the living.

Worth Living ~ Worth Dying

If something is worth preserving, it's also worth dying for. Such is true of our country. Some attack our freedom. How can men of power crush what shed blood preserved, cheapening the mission of those who've fought, been wounded, and given the ultimate sacrifice? I cannot comprehend this.

America: 236 years young. It's lived a good life, suffered periods of harm, and sickened by means of immoral, godless beings who say, "Let her die. She's had a good life. She's old and not worth much. What need have we of her?"

No! I, for one, am not willing to think our fathers, sons and countless other troops fought in vain for liberty. There's another element to this fight to keep our United States alive and well. This lies in the hands of the believers. A nation is only as strong as its faith, destined to fail without God. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I promise to pray for my country and to implore God to have mercy on us when our leaders fail to seek true Wisdom.

Those who love our God, cry out to Him in this seemingly hopeless time. He has promised "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

We're wounded but not dead, and we're worth the living. God shed His grace on us. May God again have reason to bless America!

"The Weaver"

So much of this week's news devastates. In times like these it's easy to become overwhelmed by nature's havoc and man's blunders. Yet God is in control. I know this because I know Him. Still, looking about me I can easily forget He has a plan. After all, one of our sons and his wife live in Colorado Springs. My mind and heart ache for them and all who wait for that disaster to end.

No, I do not attribute raging wildfires and flooding halfway around the world to God. Nor do I think the mind of man always seeks His wisdom before making decisions that affect us all. The prince of the power of the air ~ the devil ~ destroys and has his way. Yet God allows. Why? I don't know. I only know God is God, and He has a plan. He can make beauty out of ashes ~ even in the lives of us all.

The Weaver

By Grant Colfax Tullar

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me.

I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper and I, the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver's skillful Hand

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

All of us go through good, joyful times as well as the much harder ones. Until we reach Heaven, we cannot see "the completed tapestry." So for today, trust the Weaver. Even when the enemy tries to devastate, God is sovereign ... and one day, believer, we will understand it all.

God ~ My Under-Rower

The lady pictured is Murlene. She held a national record ~ the longest living Canadian with cancer. What a record. This dear servant of the Most High God struggled several decades with the dreaded disease and did so with grace and joy. Did she tire along the way? To be sure. Yet look at her smile. This was the Murlene we knew and loved. This month she went to Heaven.

I attended a mission-sponsored learning-styles seminar back in the mid-1990s, and Murlene was there. When the instructor asked us to complete the sentence "God is my...", many of the missionaries volunteered answers like Refuge, Strong Tower, Help, Best Friend, Savior, and more. But we were all taken aback when Murlene spoke with confidence, "God is my Under-Rower."

This dear lady explained that in biblical times slaves were chained in the belly of the ship's bottom-most tier and rowed to the beat of a drum. These men had the most difficult task of plowing oars through the water's depths "three-stories" under. Although they received no recognition and knew they could well die at their posts, these men were essential.

Those of us who knew all Murlene endured understood the depth of that statement. And her Under-Rower carried her through another decade plus of cancer until He carried her Home. But there's more I'd like you to know about this precious sister in Christ. She became our under-rower.

Three months after that learning styles seminar began the toughest period in our lives. Our 16-year-old daughter ran away from home, she accused us of child abuse, department of social services tried to take all our children away, our to-be-adopted special-needs son nearly faced deportment, and much of our church leadership (and ones we thought were friends) turned their backs on us. To this day I cannot fully express in words the horror of those nightmare years.

We shared this pain with our mission board, and they put us on the prayer chain. Several wrote to us, but the most poignant letters we received were from Murlene who expressed her deep sorrow at all the pain we were going through and said she wished she could take that pain and carry it for us.


Wow. When my husband and I read this, we wept. What kind of servant ~ one who suffers every minute she breathes ~ says she'd do this for us if she could? An under-rower ~ one who knows the importance of having someone in your life who will carry you across the rough sea when you cannot travel it yourself. Murlene would bless us with several more letters over those turbulent years.


Thank You, God, for being Murlene's Under-Rower and, in turn, her being that to us. Lord and Savior, thank You for taking on the form of a servant and coming to this earth to die for our sins so that we could be adopted into Your family. And thank you for going through the rough waters with us and rowing when we have no strength to do so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Our A-Typical God

Last month doctors discovered our son had a grapefruit-sized tumor under his kidney. Tests before surgery didn't alleviate our fears. The PET scan showed an active tumor, most often associated with cancer. Our son has neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic tumor-growing disease, and this mass was a result of that. These particular tumors are transformers and often become cancerous.

We waited three hours before our son's surgeon approached us in the waiting area. There he told us our son's mass was an a-typical NF1 tumor ~ that most of these tend to spread tentacles into other areas, making them much harder to remove. Our son's had not done this. "It was as if it were all patted into a neat ball-like object," the surgeon shared. As he demonstrated with his hands, one question came to mind.

Had God cupped Min's tumor in His Hands and commanded, "you aren't going anywhere"? This is what this "nicely" formed, a-typical growth meant to me. I believe God chose to do that. Not only did He command that mass to stay put, but He also surprised us with the amazing news that the tumor, although precancerous, hadn't developed into full-blown cancer. How we praise our God!

I've heard the term a-typical before in our family's medical journeys. I've come to think of this as a God-description, not unlike the word "miracle." Truly the one who formed the world in His Hands and scooped up clay and breathed life into it could very well have ordered that awful tumor to stop. He's been known to command the elements, and even the wind obeyed.

Although the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of shock, exhaustion, and more, we thank God for being the Miracle-worker ~ God of the a-typical ~ One we can trust even when facing threat of cancer. It's likely we'll take this same journey again, as our son has other plexiform neurofibromas. May we remember what the Great Physician has done and continue to place our son in His Hands.

So You Won't Go Through This Alone

Last Sunday should have been our son's high school graduation. That's what's marked on the calendar. But what actually took place was abdominal surgery. Of course, God knew this all ahead of time. He even knew before we adopted Min that he would one day face surgery due to his genetic disease.

Week ago Monday our son had an ultrasound to study his kidneys, which can become problematic for kids with neurofibromatosis, type 1. During that scan, a large mass was found. We spent the rest of that week helping Min through additional tests, resulting in surgery by week's end. Now that the grapefruit-sized mass is removed, our son lies recovering ~ very slowly and not so smoothly.

Because of our son's other life-struggle, Asperger's, we are staying with him around-the-clock, attempting to keep his busy hands from undoing IV's, stopping him from removing tubes that must stay in place, and protecting his incision. It's a 24/7 task.

A thought occurred to me when doctors told us our son would have a large active tumor removed ... This is why we adopted Min ~ so he wouldn't go through this alone. Oh sure, there are other reason we adopted him, but perhaps non so important as this (with exception to teaching him about the Savior so he could one day accept Jesus into his life).

Did we adopt Min because we needed him? Not in one sense of the word. Did we want him? Yes. If we hadn't adopted Min, he was slated to go to an orphanage for the "unadoptable." I thought about what it might have been like if Min had faced this surgery and rough aftermath in a hospital without family ... perhaps alone and so full of fear.

I've also reflected how my relationship with God, Who adopted me, is similar. Did He need me? Not really. Did He want me? Yes. And He is with me through all the trials I go through. That's a great reason to be adopted. I'm so glad my loving Father took me in and made me a part of His family so I don't have to go through ANYTHING alone.

During Min's struggles with testing, surgery, and rough post-op period, he cried, "I'm so glad you are here to help me."

Min, we are too ... and we're also grateful that God is with us all so we don't have to go through this alone.

*During our time at the hospital, I'm not able to get into this browser and respond or post additional blogs. We are going on week two there. Please be patient with me. I shall return! And thank you so much for your prayers. We certainly need them.

Forgotten Treasures

Our on-going effort to remove clutter and unused items from our home resulted in my husband purchasing a USB turntable ~ spending countless hours converting well over 100 vinyl LP records into digital format and burned onto CDs.

Weeks later, thanks to hubby's hard work, I enjoy beautifully performed classical music ~ a collection once belonging to his parents and one they treasured. No wonder. Even now as I write, my heart and mind are calmed by the works of Bach, Handel, Liszt, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms, Mozart, and many more.

Not only do I enjoy this, but I love hearing those melody lines used in songs found in our hymnals. Then there are others that live in songs of our day and age, walking me down memory lane. So this phase of Operation Downsize has been (other than boxes of records and stacks of electronic equipment all over our living room) pure pleasure.

For years these records sat in boxes, were stored in closets, and filled our bottom bookshelf  six feet from where I new write. Unused.

I liken this to my Bible. God gave His precious Word to us century's ago. We have many Bibles filling our bookshelves. This holy Book is filled with treasures and within fingertip grasp. Yet if I leave them as "objects" filling our shelves, I miss the treasures God has for me.

In the pages of God's Word are life, hope, blessing, love, and ~ oh ~ so much more! Through reading what God wrote to me, I build a relationship with my Savior and become more like Him through the time we spend together.

Today I will not only treasure the beautiful music filling our home, but I will also wonder in the life-giving, hope-breathing words God has given.

Master Designer

Photo by Heidi Beukema Hurley

Maybe it's my art-trained eye, but I tend to see design in everything around me. Symmetry, patterns, positive and negative spaces, lights and darks creating affects where color doesn't exist.

Or is it that God intended His creation to reflect beauty and design? Unlike me who uses her eyes and hands to make something out of nothing, the Master Designer spoke all He made into being. How fitting of The Word!

Photo by Mitchell Williams

This past weekend seemed horrible, to put it bluntly. My little world spun out of control. Pattern, beauty, symmetry, design? Not visible to me until I washed my eyes with tears, called out to God, and took a ride. Then I saw it all around me. God's reminders. His creations shouting from both sides of the road!

This same God Who spoke design, patterns, symmetry, and positive and negative spaces into being also cares about my broken heart. May I never forget that. He is interested in every detail. And while my world seems to spiral out of control, His does not. I can rest in Him. Trust Him. See in the negatives the beauty and purpose of the positives.

I Was Held Up

Fellow BCM missionaries at our regional retreat~Photo by Rick Franklin

We've just returned from our BCM Southeast Regional Missionary Retreat. The gang wasn't great in number this time, but~boy~were they ever big on encouragement! We left refreshed, knowing our fellow missionaries would be praying for us...and we for them.

Each one of these dear ones has known hard times and realizes the importance of comforting others who struggle. Sometimes when you serve God full-time, it's like tiring in battle.

May I share the Biblical account of Moses holding up his arms while the Israelites battled against the enemy (in Exodus 17)? As long as Moses' arms stayed up, the Israelites prevailed. But when his arms wearied and dropped, the enemy prevailed. So Aaron and Hur held up Moses' arms until the battle was over and God's people were victorious. Had it not been for Aaron and Hur, Moses couldn't have endured till the end.

There have been many a time had God not send encouragers to "hold up our arms in the battle," Brian and I would have been overcome. Others at this retreat testified the same. And we all pledged to "hold up each other's arms" when absent from one another~through prayer.

Do you have people like this in your life? If so, you're abundantly blessed. Do you know someone who needs their "arms held up" until their struggle passes? Can you be that one? Especially if you've been on the receiving end of encouragement, you well know how it lifted your spirit to continue on. If you need an encourager now and feel you don't have one, let me know. I'd be so glad to hold you up in prayer.

But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:12

Promises~Promises

Sunrise in Jenkins, Kentucky ~ Photo by Cindy Fleming

Imagine we're swaying gently on my front porch swing, savoring this sunrise between sips of hot coffee. Our Creator sweeps His brush across the skies, giving glimpses of His majesty and reminding us of His promises ~ like those found in Lamentations 3: 22-24...

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'"

Do you wonder if God ever stops loving you? ~ His steadfast love never ceases.
Is there doubt He can forgive when you've messed up for the umpteenth time? ~ His mercies never come to an end.
How can you know this? ~ Great is His faithfulness.
Is this God of promise enough to fill the empty in your soul? ~ The Lord is your portion~"full plate."
Am I sure? ~ He cannot fail. (It's not in His Character.)

One of my favorite hymns is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Although I cannot post the words due to copyright laws, here is a link for you to listen on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o  

May God's promises and this song's powerful words (right from the Bible) guide you to the One Who is able to restore your hope. Have a blessed day!

Redbud Reminder

Photo by Gracie Walters Maggard

While most welcome spring's new life, I think of weeds and mowing ~ beauty vs. fight-for-life. Lawns and gardens require perpetual care lest they be choked and destroyed.

Appalachian winters tend to grow depression. Narrow hollers weave between towering brown mountains with few hours of direct sunlight. Yet every spring redbud whispers hope of what's coming, bringing smiles to mountain folk who know the new season's promise.

Photo by Dawn Marie Pennell

If you wrestle with the negative, you're not alone. I, too, need "redbud-reminders." Here are some suggestions that may help:

Plant: Pray, asking God to grow in your life.

Water: The Bible is a good place to stay "watered." Fellowship with God's people in small group or church is also a plus.

Weed: Seek God's help when sin, pain, hurt, and grief overwhelm. The enemy wants to steal your joy. Don't let him. Weed away! The Lord, your Creator and Care-giver, delights in being there for you.

Enjoy: Praise the Lord for Who He is, all He's made, and what He will accomplish. You'll find pain, hurt, and grief yield a beautiful planting.

History's Most Horrible & Wonderful Event

Holy Week ~ a time to reflect and remember the final events Jesus, God the Son, endured leading to His crucifixion. Why did this have to happen?

In the beginning Adam and Eve sinned, so God had to put into place forgiveness of sin (He doesn't want anyone to perish). Our all-knowing God foresaw this before He laid the world's foundation. He knew a perfect blood sacrifice was needed.

The problem with shedding animal blood? It didn't last. Even though it covered sin in Old Testament times, an animal ~ once slaughtered ~ was dead. The end. So these sacrifices had to be repeated as instructed by Old Testament laws.

Then came Jesus ~ the Blood-part of God. Since God is Spirit, He cannot shed blood, yet He provided The Way through sending His Holy Spirit to conceive a child through Mary. Jesus ~ God-with-blood ~ Perfect, Spotless, Sinless Sacrifice ~ His primary reason for putting on skin and walking on this earth.

The difference between animals being shed and Jesus (God) dying and shedding His blood was what followed the crucifixion. Life! Three days after that horrible event (remembered on Good Friday) comes Resurrection Sunday (Easter)! The Perfect Sacrifice given for all came to life again ~ the most wonderful event! Only God could do that.

In His infinite wisdom, God prepared the Way for us to be forgiven today. No longer do we shed blood of animals because Jesus' Blood paid the price, receipted, and sealed our salvation by the Resurrection ~ our Reason for Hope.

Thank You, Lord God, for providing the forgiveness of sin through Jesus' death and resurrection. I know when I asked You into my life, you forgave me. Sealed me. And even now, when I stumble and do wrong, you are still my Abba Father Who lets me come to you, accepts my apology, and still claims me as Your own. What an awesome Love! Thank you for this time of remembering, reflecting on the wonderful terrible event that You endured, and celebrating Hope! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Jesus said ... "I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die ..." John 11:25,26 ESV

Eating Elephant

Maybe you're not into eating elephant. That's okay, although if you are, I've heard you can purchase pre-packaged elephant ear in some U.S. grocery stores. But eat a whole elephant? Not impossible, although looking at the creature may seem so.

Of late we've been bombarded with numerous challenges and decisions. When this happens, I want to throw my hands up and quit. Just then hubby asks, "How do you eat an elephant?" And I grudgingly reply, "One bite at a time."

Many of life's issues overwhelm. If you are "facing an elephant," try "taking one bite at a time"~one day at a time. Are you steeped in grief and cannot make it through a whole day? Then try one step at a time. And if you're totally spent, how 'bout a moment at a time?

My life's verses are Proverbs 3:5,6~"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." I learned this Scripture in the King James Version (KJV) as a child and still remember it best this way.

Although I like some newer translations, I disagree with those that read "...and He will make your paths straight." God never promised an easy journey. He does promise, however, to take the journey with us. If you've asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord, you do not travel even on the roughest, most crooked paths alone. What comfort to know He has gone this route! We can trust Someone Who already knows the way.

So the next time you face something that seems too large, remember that "elephant in the room." And mind your manners! One bite at a time.

"Who loves you best?"

Photo by Laura Kee Clouse

Every morning we read some sort of devotion to start the school day. These are short and on the age level of our child at that time. 

When our youngest was in elementary school, we usually read a short biblical account, followed by questions. Sometimes our learning disabled son could answer, sometimes not.

One particular day I wanted to help him get the correct answer ~ boost his morale. Question: "Who loves you best?"

He guessed ~ his mom, dad, brothers, Grandma. 

I tried again~simplifying my question. Still no correct answer. Then I said, "I'll give you a clue. This is how you spell the answer: G-O-D."

Our very good speller's eyes lit as he clapped his hands together and exclaimed, "The dog!"

We had a good laugh over that one. And, although the dog did love him very much, that wasn't what I was going for either. Yet several times since I've thought about our son's connection to animals~man's best friend in particular~and seen correlations between the dog and God.

Please do not throw your computer and scream, "Heretic!" I mean no disrespect to God, as I revere Him above all. But think about it. On an earthly scale, aren't dogs great examples of unconditional love? Parents or friends can be, but they aren't always. Yet the family dog will greet you like you're royalty every time you enter your home, lick you and show affection even when you've wronged it, and remains loyal and true.

Photo by Laura Kee Clouse

God's love is unconditional. I cannot compare His amount of love with anything on this earth~only use one of His creations as a mini-example. Our dog, however, didn't lay down her life and die for us. (Who would? Military? Parents? Given that choice.) Only Jesus, God The Son, did that and then rose again~proving He is our Living God.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God ...

1 John 3:1 

God loves so much He's made a way for us to be with Him for eternity. You can click on one of the tabs near the top of this blog to learn more about that. If you're not His child, you can become His today. If you are His yet have erred, He hasn't stopped being your Father or ceased loving you. 

So, who loves you best? I'll give you a clue. This is how you spell the answer: G-O-D!

Storm-takers & Hope-givers

Tornadoes ravaged our part of the country 11 days ago. Although numerous twisters touching down here, most damage occurred on the Ohio River's western side. Marysville, Indiana no longer exists, and most of neighboring Henryville lies in ruins. One of our church families lost their home this side of the river.

Government arrived on day 4 to assess damage. It deemed Henryville hadn't sustained enough damage to qualify for help, "only" having 300 homes in shambles, not the 400 or more required.

Community began clean-up as soon as the storm passed. And one standing church in Henryville served meals and provided needs~not days later, but immediately. One report told of a man going to his truck to get some sleep and finding food and blankets placed there by people who just did what needed to be done.

So it was with our church family's home and property. Pastor, other family & friends, folks from the community, and 4 other churches showed up to help. Mark, the husband, relayed, "They were like a human vacuum, cleaning so much so fast, I couldn't believe my eyes." The ones who gathered that day came to restore hope to this devastated family. Pastor said the helpers were equally blessed by one another.

Houses and material possessions are gone, but those hit by these storms haven't lost hope, and neither have those who've stepped in where government hasn't. We need each other.

Our Army National Guard son called, telling us of storm-torn counties in Eastern Kentucky~one town  nearly gone and another calling in the guard for road-clearing. State funds were not available to do more. Yet, newspaper articles report people didn't head to shelters or to the Red Cross for help. Family and friends took them in. That's what mountain folk do~and do it so well.

Storms take away (weather-related and life ones both) ... yet God gives hope, and so do those who share Him with their community. Thank you, hope-givers! You're an amazing blessing!

Is This All Worth It?

1. As I wrote last week's blog, a hymn played repeatedly in my mind. I decided to post When I Get to the End of the Way* ~ an "oldie" revived by Gaithers in their Homecoming series and sung by Lynda Randle. If you'd like to listen, here's a link: 

http://youtu.be/aUCF9RbAbOg

The sands have been washed in the footprints of the stranger on Galilee’s shore, and the voice that subdued the rough billows, will be heard in Judea no more. But the path of that lone Galilean, with joy I will follow today; And the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way.

1. There are so many hills to climb upward, I often am longing for rest, but He who appoints me my pathway knows just what is needful and best. I know in His word He hath promised that my strength, “it shall be as my day”; and the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way.
2. He loves me too well to forsake me, or give me a trial too much; all His people have been dearly purchased, and Satan can never claim such. By and by I shall see Him and praise Him, in the city of unending day; and the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way.
3. When the last, feeble step has been taken, and the gates of that city appear, and the beautiful songs of the angels float out on my listening ear; when all that now seems so mysterious will be bright and as clear as the day, then the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way.
4. All our trials will be naught when we see Jesus. Heaven ~ where Hope lives! Can't wait!

*By Charles Tillman ~ public domain.

Our "Trip To Holland"

Photo by Heather Rae Ackerman

Last week I mentioned sharing a personal "welcome to Holland" story. Since then I've pondered if ours really was such. Yes, we "landed in a different country," but we ended in a horrible place as well. Still God used our new path, leading us to people we'd not have known otherwise.

Our teen-aged daughter ran away from home and charged us with child abuse. Despite all our efforts to bring her home, we failed. Then people who believed her story moved her out of state ~ far away from us. For months we didn't know where she was. Social Services (now called child protective services) entered our lives, threatened to remove all our children, and judged us guilty without trial. (That's the way they do it.) Our only recourse was appeal in their court with their administrative judge.

We needed a lawyer, for we were now blind-folded, trodding an unplanned journey. We were shocked, devastated, fearful, distraught. I wept continually that year ... and I was crying the day we sat in front of our new lawyer who'd hopefully win our case. I stared at the floor, ashamed we even needed this man's help, while my husband explained all that had happened.

Well into the conversation about our dilemma and everything else in the world (this gentleman liked to talk) our Jewish lawyer asked, "In your religion what does conversion mean?" I glanced up wide-eyed. My mind flashed to the Biblical account of the apostle Paul in prison for a crime he hadn't committed. God shook the prison via earthquake, and the jailer asked the Paul 'What must I do to be saved?'" Paul told him, and the jailer asked Jesus to be his Savior. I bowed my head and prayed within as Brian explained "conversion" in our "religion."

Had it not been for the devastation we'd been through, we wouldn't have been in that place at that time ~ truly a "such a time as this" moment. Did we want these events that happened to us? No. Would we have trade them and missed this opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ? No. Paul was in the right place at the right time, and so were we.

Eventually we were cleared of all charges (more were added along the way), but during that journey we'd met others who'd know deep pain ~ folks whose paths we wouldn't have crossed had it not been for our "trip to Holland."

"Welcome To Holland"

Photo by Dave Bothwell

The most poignant piece I've ever read on raising a disabled child (originally published in a 1987 Dear Abby column) hung on our son's special education preschool bulletin board. I've seen it multiple times since and still love the concept.

It's author, Emily Perl Kingley, mom of a Down's syndrome son, writes of the parent's planned vacation to Italy~buying guide books, thrilling at the thought of seeing the art, architecture, and wonder of the Italy.

When the plane lands, however, the stewardess announces "Welcome to Holland."

What? Major mistake! This plane was supposed to land in Italy! Now the parent's stuck in Holland. Yet the pilot hasn't taken her to a horrible place, just a different one. So now she needs new guidebooks and must learn phrases in another language. There are people she'd never planned to meet in this slower-paced, not-so-fancy country.

"But after you've been there for a while...you begin to notice that Holland has windmills ... tulips ... Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and ... bragging about what a wonderful time they had ... the rest of your life you will say, 'Yes, that's ... what I had planned.' And the pain of that experience will never ... go away ... but if you spend your life mourning ... you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special ... lovely things about Holland." ~EPK

The "Welcome To Holland" metaphor fits more than parenting special needs kids. I believe it applies to most types of loss. Dreams die, and that hurts. But this takes us on paths we never planned. And along those we may just trade "...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." (Isaiah 61:3)

Next week I'll post a "Welcome To Holland" experience my husband and I shared. In the meantime, here's a link to the entire essay* by Mrs. Kingsley: http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html

*I'm unable to post the whole essay due to copyright restrictions, but I encourage you to read it as the author meant it to be.

Crazy Love

Many people loved me~parents, grandparents, sister, genuine friends, my husband and kids. But One loved me more than any of these precious folks. Numerous Bible verses share God's Love, but one causes me to awe...

"For one will scarcely die for a righteous person~though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die~but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7&8

My folks and husband loved me through unlovely times, but Jesus Christ is THE One Who committed to die on a cross before I was a thought in my parents' mind. He KNEW I'd need that kind of love. I cannot comprehend this.

A great hymn for today...
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; the guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.
When hoary time shall pass away, and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, when men who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong; redeeming grace to Adam’s race—the saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! 

It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song. 

Under the lyrics of this hymn (on the Internet) a note read, "Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin." How crazy was one grasping this concept so powerfully! Who could have said it better? Perhaps the apostle Paul when he penned...

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God." Romans 8:38-39

Great hope on this day we celebrate Love!

Giant and Patriot

Future NFLers? Hmm. Could be!
Photo by Laura Walters Lucas~Proud Mamma of #52

New York Giant Mathias Kiwanuka knows the meaning of sacrifice. His grandfather, Benedicto Kiwanuka, became first prime minister of freed-from-British-rule Uganda, East Africa. His struggle to bring democracy and hope to his country caused him his life~snuffed out by the evil regime of Idi Ahmin. Prime Minister Kiwanuka was a patriot.

Hope involves sacrifice. Mathias knows this. Although he may hope for a Super Bowl victory in his hometown, he's also devoted to his heritage an ocean away.

Giants vs. Patriots: football fun, fast-paced, fleeting. But there are giants and patriots outside the stadium~ones who've given their lives, just like Mathias's grandfather.

I'm thankful for my freedom as an American. Soldiers and truth-speakers sacrificed and, in some cases, gave their lives for this people. And what about hope for my soul? The ultimate sacrifice paid by Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Eternally grateful for victory in Jesus!

Aurora Borealis

Use by permission from photographer, Timothy Sloma*

At breakfast last week our son announced, “I want to see the Northern Lights, so I prayed to God to bring them here.”

I smiled and replied, “I don’t about that. I think Northern Lights stay pretty much in the north.” I reminded him we had a glimpse of them when we lived in Central New York, but he didn't remember and wanted to see them NOW.

Min is multiply disabled. Everything he does (outside of his Aspergian niches) challenges him. Yet, when Min prays for something, God always seems to answer his requests. So much so, that we often ask Min to pray when we have a need. It’s like a gift God’s given him—a ministry.

So Min fully expected God would bring the Northern Lights to Kentucky. I, however, doubted and wondered if Min’s bubble would burst. Later I told my husband about the morning’s conversation.

He replied, “Oh well”…as if to say maybe God wouldn’t answer this one…this time.

Imagine our shock and awe when that afternoon’s weather reportor announced that, should the sky be clear, the Aurora Borealis would be visible in Kentucky. Hubby and I looked at each other, eyes popping and jaws dropped.

When Min came home, we told him God had heard his prayer and planned to send the Northern Lights our way.

Min smiled. “I knew God could do that, but why did He do it for me?”

I wondered too. “Maybe God wants you to know He loves you so much and wanted to do something special for you.”

“I think that means, if He cares about me this much,” Min pondered aloud, “He will help me when I grow up to live in an apartment and get a job and help me be able to do those things okay.”

Sadly, cloud-cover stopped us from seeing this sight, but the lights were there, non-the-less. That’s all that mattered to Min. That and knowing God loved him so much that He answered yet another of his prayers.

...With God all things are possible. 

Matthew 19:26b ESV

*Tim captured this sight on film in Alaska. This photo may not be copied without his permission.