Expect the Best ...

A few nights ago, I dreamt of my dad.

He stood with his arms crossed. Faded plaid shirt, expertly cuffed up to his biceps in military fashion.

And he was smiling.

He didn't say anything. He just smiled.

Dad's been gone for many years now. And, just like my siblings, I miss him every day.

Dad had many stories to tell and his penmanship was unique with it's distinct loops and lines. So in the early '90's I bought him a journal. It has an eagle on the front with Isaiah 40:31 printed at the bottom. I asked him to use some of those long Minnesota winter days to record his stories. Time passed and I forgot about the journal and my request.

Until my sibs and I were together to say our goodbyes.

There sat the journal. I picked it up, excited to see what treasure it held. And the words my dad penned, I imagine with a grin on his face, were:

Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

That was it. No stories.

Dad was highly opinionated and we didn't always agree. I never argued with my dad over our differences. I respected the man even when we were miles apart in our view of stuff. Maddening? Oh, sometimes it was. But we agreed on the stuff that mattered most.

God is holy.

The American flag is to be cherished. 

Respect the men and women of our armed forces.

And the Stranger of Galilee is our Savior.

I often think about what kind of conversations Dad and I would have if he were here to see the political and social climate of today ... I have to say I'm glad he isn't here to see it all. These days it's an uphill climb to expect the best.

Dad's final note of advice for me is biblical. God has told us to think on what is true, honest, and just (expect the best). He has also said to be as wise as a serpent (prepare for the worst).

The pain of goodbye and the longing to get one more hug lingers. I'd love to smell his aftershave and drink a cup of black coffee with him one more time. As much as I miss my dad's smile, I wouldn't want him to trade eternity with Jesus for another day on earth.

So here's the plan for today and every day, until I see my dad's smile and my Jesus -- I will expect the best but prepare for the worst. And as I live life, I think I'll write things down for my grandkids to read should Jesus tarry.

I feel a story coming on ...

Are We There Yet?

Our almost 3 year old granddaughter isn't very happy when we have to wait for the light to turn green. She's not the best at patience. Her dad and mom recently drove her up a mountain to a family reunion. I'm told she's already asking "Are we there yet?"

For those of us who believe in the power and promises of God, the answer to that question is "No, we are not there yet."

We all have our struggles and challenges. Yupp, even the ones who show up to church with the I've-got-it-all-together face.

It's not easy to pray for the people we love and then truly leave the concerns with only One who can bring hope.

Everyone deals with the weight of past disappointments and pain. And ... well ... weight.

Let's just be real and admit to one another, we are not there yet.

While we wait, we can know that we know that we know we can be strong and take heart because we can trust God to be who He says He is.

If you don't know who He says He is, it's easy to fix! Open your Bible and study Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus said "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father."

No, we aren't there yet. But we are living in exciting times, full of opportunity and promise. We know God is real and faithful. We know His love endures forever. We can trust Him.

Thank God, we are not there yet. But one day ... one day ... we will be!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

Being Good is Overrated

Being good.

Mind your manners. Be nice. Don't break things. Eat you green veggies. Don't talk back.
Do your homework. Pick up your toys. Wash behind your ears. Go to church on Sundays. Never tell a lie. Don't cuss. Read your Bible. Take out the trash. Follow the rules. Pray every day. Work hard.  Play harder. Earn your way. Listen. Smile. Drive the speed limit. Be generous. Leave things better than you found them. Tell the waitress she's doing a great job. Come to a complete stop before turning right. Wash your hands. Take your vitamins. Wear sunscreen.

And ...

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

And if the attitude of the heart is wrong ... none of the above things is pleasing to God.

A person could be good his entire life and never see heaven. Read the scripture ... Jesus never said "Be good."

I am going to choose godliness. Godliness is this: an attitude of the heart that focuses on pleasing God.

Many years ago, I learned the most important thing I can do is choose to please Jesus. I learned it's more than what I say and do ... it's also what I think.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer!

We were never told to be good, but scripture is clear ... be holy, because I am holy.

Holiness is godliness. Godliness is an attitude of the heart that focuses on pleasing God.

Instead of being good, let's choose to be godly.

I love that God gave us the ability to choose to know Him by spending time with Him, by reading His words and by praising Him. I'm thankful He never said "be good." 

Poor Santa Claus ... he's got it all wrong.

Dear God, May the words I speak and think please and glorify you. In my life Lord, be glorified.

Flip Flops, Full Bellies and a Loose Tooth

It's almost time to close the chapter of VBS 2017.

So.Much.Work.

So.Much.Fun.

I don't think it's possible to put into words exactly what happens during the week we call VBS.

But, is it possible to keep the focus among the hundreds (yes, thank God, I said hundreds) of little faces that passed by multiple times a day?

Is it possible to keep the focus by Thursday, when adults and teen helpers are fatigued?

Is it possible to remember we were all together last week for such a time as this--to tell the good news of the great Gospel of Jesus?

Yes. Yes it is.

Easy? No. Never easy.

I love that I am blessed to have the birds-eye view of what takes places 9:00-12:30, Monday through Friday during TOBC VBS. (I know the same things happen at thousands of churches across the nation)

Children get fed snacks and lunches. Their thirst is quenched by ice cold lemonade.

Children wearing shoes too small or too large find themselves offered a pair just their size.

Lord, when did we see you naked and clothe you or hungry and feed you?

Vacation Bible School.

As we poured into the lives and hearts of these kids, we overcame fatigue and irritability for the sake of the gospel. We taught the children they were created on purpose and with purpose, by a loving God who wants a relationship with each one of us.

We sang songs about God's love that will ring in their hearts all year long.

We learned amazing biblical truth--seeds planted in willing hearts.

I watched as adults prayed together, laughed together, and built new friendships.

And yupp, there was even a loose tooth pulled after Mom gave us permission.

What happens now that the decorations are down and the materials ready to pass along to another church?

What happens now that the volunteers have gone back to their daily routines and the kids get ready to begin another school year?

My prayer is each one who came in contact with The One True God--volunteers and kids--would be changed because of it. Each person, ready to be UNCOMMON in their lives.

My prayer is for the volunteers to crave to be used by God to help others know him and love Him.

My prayer is for the children to want more...more of Jesus.

I love VBS.

I love my Jesus.

I love what God does that week.

And I can't wait to see what He is doing because of it...

Unashamed

What is our purpose on this big blue marble?

Are we here to entertain the gods?

Are we here to struggle, wonder why, curse the day, and return to dust?

Are we here to pretend everything is always okay as  we live in our own world of make believe?

Maybe we are here to buy the biggest toys and be the most successful on the block.

Stop.

Right.

Now.

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes.

There it is. All summed up for me in one short Bible verse.

Our purpose on earth is for a relationship with Jesus that overflows and spills out onto those around us, leading to a relationship with Jesus that overflows and spills out onto those around us, leading to a relationship with Jesus that overflows and spills out onto those around us...

Forget the gods of this world--sports, money, personal satisfaction, success in business.

Forget the struggles of life that many of us like to think we experience in solitude...truth be remembered, every person (believer and non) struggles with the difficulties of life. Because...that's life.

Forget  looking to the make-believe that keeps us from staring reality in the face. Pretending we have all the time we need to come to terms with the gospel...pretending tomorrow is the day we will choose God...pretending personal beliefs are truth regardless of what the Bible tells us...

If Romans 1:16 is a true statement for each of us who  claim Jesus as Savior and Lord...what difference does it make?

For if God has the power unto salvation, can we not trust Him with all other matters of life?

God seeks and saves.

Our purpose on this big blue marble is that of a relationship with Jesus that grows and flourishes to the point of wanting all those around us to know the joy of salvation.

The freedom in forgiveness.

The peace that comes in trusting The One who created and knows all...

Let's be unashamed together.

Let's grow and flourish and tell our friends, co-workers...strangers in the grocery store...that Jesus still offers life eternal.

VBS makes me think of these things in a magnified way...

Won't you join me?

I am unashamed of the Gospel of Christ.


Picture props belong to my sister, Cari. She describes this pic as the path in her mind that leads to her real home, heaven. How perfect.

Melania's Wardrobe, Floating Yoga and Twitter Troubles

Headlines are full of fascinating and helpful information.

Ben Affleck's new girlfriend, Shia LaBeouf arrested, Germany's Prince Ernst married, and Ashton Kutcher got himself in hot water over a tweet...

Seriously.

We can, with a quick click, read about floating yoga, Netflix, and Melania's wardrobe.

This.is.news?

If we dig a little deeper we can even read about a bear that mauled a shepherd in Romania.

Mmmm...yeah...not impressed.

As for me, I'm involved in something more important that some Hollywood misstep or even balancing myself on a floating mat--which is really good, because I'm not into yoga or water-stuff.

Days filled with people and prayers, rockets and glow-in-the-dark stars. Attention given to allergy alerts and friendships, background checks and glue sticks.

Having a plan in place to buy new shoes for a child who wears a pair two sizes too big and being sure the volunteers are ready to fix food to fill hungry bellies.

Reminding my friends that for one full week, for every child who walks through our doors, we are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Those of you who know me well, know I am full-swing into the final days of preparation for Vacation Bible School.

This blog is asking you to click the X in the top right of your screen...after you finish reading, of course!

Put your phone down and say a focused prayer for the most important week of the year. The week set aside for sharing the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, Jesus is not just for kids. Jesus lived and died and lives again in order to provide a way for us to have a relationship with Him.

God is real.

He is good.

He is faithful.

You can trust Him.

I do hope Shia straightens up and I wish Prince Ernst well and I mean no disrespect to any of them when I say I didn't read past the headlines...

But...

seriously...

if you'll excuse me...

I feel a worthwhile tweet coming on...

America's Son

It was early July, 2011.

We were there with others. We looked on with pride and fear as America's sons, brothers, and fathers took their places in line up.

We were there to support them and pray for them and to wish them well and to say "We will see you later."

And we watched with pride and fear as America's sons, brothers, and fathers boarded the bus.

As for me, I couldn't breathe. I looked at my tall, strong young man and I saw the little boy who spent years in the dirt. The boy who farmers sought out on Sunday mornings, asking him to pray for rain. The little boy who preferred anything outdoors over anything indoors.

And I saw the light-hearted boy who stood next to me as we watched the towers fall the day before his 12th birthday. The day that something moved in his heart.

I saw the teenager who talked with me--sometimes late into the night--about school, football, his future, life and love and God.

I saw a young man who determined 10 years earlier to make a difference.

America's son, the young man who told his "Pop" and me, "I am safer in God's will in Afghanistan than outside His will in Greeneville,"

After the bus drove out of sight, the families of those who came to support, pray, wish them well and say "We will see you later" solemnly slipped into their vehicles.

There were no words in our car. I can't say what moved through the hearts and minds of our young man's pop and sisters...but I remember clearly what moved in me.

Blurry vision and still unable to breathe, I determined I would pray every day...okay, without ceasing...and trust God to be who He says He is.

Just as events change lives forever--births, deaths, storms, graduations, illnesses, weddings--deployment changed me forever.

There are truths in life that have always caused great awe in me...

The American flag.

Veterans, old and young.

The Star Spangled Banner.

The Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence.

The thought of a God who created us and cares about the details of life.

And watching God work in and through my children.

It was early July, 2011.

Yes, the star spangled banner still waves, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you, USMC Sergeant Pierce.

Thank you, American Military.

I still pray without ceasing.