It's time for HIM...

Dear Lord,

We are merely human.  You created us.  We are your creation. 

Things have gotten really bad.  So bad that we don't know what else to do to stop it.  You created even the smartest of us and gave us brains technology, equipment and processes for such things.   

Sometimes things don't go as we plan.  Maybe because it's not really our plan anyway.  Well, I'm done praying for the leaders to figure out a solution.  I'm now calling on YOU.  You are almighty and powerful... and capable of miracles and this one is big... 

To all beauty that you created... the seas... the skies... the animals... the land... and us.

-Amen.

Mantra- Philipians 4:13

When times are the worst,

I must say to myself,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When all faith seems gone,

And I feel all alone,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When fear blocks my eyes,

And the dark is all I see,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When there's not enough time,
To get it all done,
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

No matter the challenge, 

Or the mountain so high,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

With words I find peace,

As I stand proud and brave,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Dragon Inside the Teacher

Ode to patience, precious patience,
Soothe my angry head,
The calmness comes with smiles for all,
From morning until bed.

But something evil inside the kids,
Can take it all away,
And soon the dragon leaps around,
And this is is what she'd say...

"Oh evil child, please do sit down,
don't ever speak again,
Or I will tear you all apart
You won't know where you've been.

Keep your head from turning round,
And tune your ears to me,
Or else those ears will soon me mine,
And deaf you'll surely be.

I don't care that you have to pee,
You shouldn't have drank more,
To write a pass would be the end,
So don't leak on the floor.

You're here to learn, so listen up,
You'd better take some notes,
Or you will wish you never lived,
And hope your body floats.

You need a pencil, did you say?
What're ya gonna do?
Did'ya plan to pull it out of air?
We'll then get some paper too!"

Yes there is a dragon there,
She holds her tongue instead,
And come to teach another day,
With patience and a tired head.

For Sunday Scribblings, Topic: Dragon

The Escalator

As she entered through the sliding doors, she squinted slightly at the brightness of the sun reflecting on the stark and shiny tiles that lay across the floor.  She looked around, right then left, surveying the large lobby to see which direction she would go.  As she moved forward through the large entry, at the back of the room, she discovered stairs reaching up as high as she could see.  Nearing, she realized that the stairs were actually an escalator, each steel stair moving with a small hum.  The stairs seemed to be moving downward and she was puzzled as she looked around to find a corresponding escalator going upward... she looked... no stairs?  Despite the challenge of the stairs she felt drawn to go upward.  She walked quickly and began up the escalator as the stairs continued to move downward.  With each large step, she only made a small bit of progress upward.  One foot after another, she practically ran up the stairs toward the top.  Reaching a point of exhaustion and defeat, she stopped and stood still on one of the stairs.  Sinking, she began a downward slope back towards the tile floor.  Her heart sunk to her stomach at this small moment of weakness and she quickly began walking against the stairs downward movement.  With each step she got closer and closer... now she could see the light... a man, with arms outstretched, as if he was waiting on her.  She continued to climb and climb, and the stairs continued to move down.  She drew closer and closer, and as she was able to finally touch his fingertips.   A calmness came over her.  Her climb didn't stop, but she continued to stay near him.  She felt his warmth... his comfort... and she knew that she was loved. 
 
Drawing near to Christ is not as simple as jumping on an "up" escalator and riding to Him.  Staying near Him is hard, like swimming upstream.  Riding down with the sinners is easy, but going against the ways of the world is so difficult.  If we stop seeking a relationship with Christ, the distance will slowly become so large that He will slip out of site... out of mind... out of our heart.   

I want to seek Jesus.  I want to keep running towards Him... against the world... against what is easy.   I want to see Him, and know that He is near always.  

I seek you with all my heart;  do not let me stray from your commands.  Psalm 119:10

Recipe for Life

A recipe can be a guide,

To figuring out what works.

The path that’s sometimes winding,

Facing challenges that will lurk.

A recipe can be a secret,

For us to figure out.

The greatest lessons are often learned,

When we are left without.

A recipe can be a tradition,

Given from old to young,

The passing of our family,

And the beginning of our own.

A recipe can be a reference,

Like God’s Word is for life.

To seek direction when times are hard,

Finding strength in every strife.

A recipe is a beginning,

No need to start from scratch.

So much support around you,

Encouraging this precious match.

A recipe is a lot like marriage,

A mixture of lots into one.

While sometime it’ll be hard,

Don’t forget it’s also fun.

A recipe can be a gift,

Given with love for others.

For love’s the greatest gift of all,

From Sisters, Dads and Mothers.

For Spencer and Shelby 
to celebrate their marriage... 5/15/10

Whiskers

My dog looked at me with head tilted to the side every so slightly and eyes wide and curious, as if to say "don't you want to play?"  While I didn't have a minute to play, I reached over with both hands and stroked the sides of my dogs face.  He flinched and closed his eyes as I touched his whiskers.

Ever thought about your dog or cat's whiskers?  Did you know that whiskers actually have an important  function for dogs and cats?  Well, whiskers are each an intricate receptor sensing movement and vibrations.  Each whisker is twice as long and thick as ordinary hair and it is set three times as deep providing a rich supply of nerve receptors.  These whiskers aren't merely a misplaced facial feature, they are in fact a way to sense the presence, size and shape of nearby objects.

I feel like I too have this innate ability given to me by the Lord to sense when things are wrong, or when something bad is about to happen.  There is a feeling deep down in my gut that pushes me to move from a situation or to do the right thing.  Sometimes I feel uneasy about situations that are not pleasing to the Lord.  It's like when I became a Christian I was given a set of whiskers to help me to sense Satan's presence in my life so that I can turn away when he nears.  What a blessing it is to have such sensitivity to handle life proactively instead of always dealing with the consequences when I've already run face first into sin.

Ever feel like you have whiskers?