Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and there's no detergent? Well, I guess it was time for me to do my store run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."
It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal."
"Hal, like Halloween?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden, however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion but I sure love living in God's garden."
Please the next time you see a BLUE ROSE don't turn your head and walk off, take the time to smile and say Hello. Because by the grace of GOD this mother could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece, nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.
From an old dandelion.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Showing posts with label encourage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encourage. Show all posts
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Words from God
This is an excerpt from "The Beloved" by Henri Nouwen.
"I have called you by name from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother's womb. I have carved you in the palm of my hand and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased.
"I have called you by name from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother's womb. I have carved you in the palm of my hand and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Father's Love Letter
From YouTube poster UncleDadEddie:
"Warning! Watching this video may change your life. When I first heard Father's Love Letter I was inspired to put video to the song. I received the song from a friend who did not know the author. After research I found that it was narrated by Roy Lamont and written by Barry Adams.+
Visit author's site fathersloveletter.com and God Bless!
"Warning! Watching this video may change your life. When I first heard Father's Love Letter I was inspired to put video to the song. I received the song from a friend who did not know the author. After research I found that it was narrated by Roy Lamont and written by Barry Adams.+
Visit author's site fathersloveletter.com and God Bless!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Faith
Outstanding and inspiring read. Thanks, Mike and Ron.
http://www.gainesvilleregister.com/local/local_story_019144933.html
http://www.gainesvilleregister.com/local/local_story_019144933.html
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Malachi 3:3
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
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This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm
God's Super Glue
Written by a doctor....
A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio.... and I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned, but I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.
He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is, how He spoke the universe into being, how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire, etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder.
At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know) and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking. How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our Sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about laminins. I knew about laminins. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: 'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.' You see, laminins are what hold us together.... LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what they LOOKED LIKE.
But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since....
Here is what the structure of laminin looks like... AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it. If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing.
The glue that holds us together.... ALL of us.... is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.
'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER.' Colossians 1:15-17
Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together... one cell to another... by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam breathed his first breath!!
A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio.... and I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned, but I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.
He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is, how He spoke the universe into being, how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire, etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder.
At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know) and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking. How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our Sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about laminins. I knew about laminins. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: 'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.' You see, laminins are what hold us together.... LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what they LOOKED LIKE.
But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since....
Here is what the structure of laminin looks like... AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it. If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing.
The glue that holds us together.... ALL of us.... is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.
'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER.' Colossians 1:15-17
Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together... one cell to another... by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam breathed his first breath!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Today's Prayer
“Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see” -- William Newton Clarke
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. . . . 24 By faith Moses . . . left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:1, 24 NIV
All Powerful Invisible One,
Give me eyes to see the invisible and a soul that moves confidently into a future guided by you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Check out “Growing Up . . .” at http://www.newheritagefamily.com/
Terry Cartwright
New Heritage a Family of Christ
8 Prestige Cir
Suite 122
Allen, Texas 75002
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. . . . 24 By faith Moses . . . left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:1, 24 NIV
All Powerful Invisible One,
Give me eyes to see the invisible and a soul that moves confidently into a future guided by you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Check out “Growing Up . . .” at http://www.newheritagefamily.com/
Terry Cartwright
New Heritage a Family of Christ
8 Prestige Cir
Suite 122
Allen, Texas 75002
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'
--------------
Thanks, Mike.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Today's Prayer
“Sacrifice, which is the passion of great souls, has never been the law of societies.” -- Henri Frederic Amiel
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern 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 12:1-2 NIV
Lord of All Creation,
Help to live above the common and to seek the higher . . . giving myself to the good and well-being of others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Terry Cartwright, Pastor, New Heritage Church, Allen, Texas
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern 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 12:1-2 NIV
Lord of All Creation,
Help to live above the common and to seek the higher . . . giving myself to the good and well-being of others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Terry Cartwright, Pastor, New Heritage Church, Allen, Texas
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Kurtis the Stock Boy
This story is true, but some details are wrong. See the link after you read it.
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/warner.asp
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.
So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a Super Bowl win. They play the Steelers next weekend.
Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.
It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
-----------------------------------
Thanks, Brenda.
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http://www.snopes.com/glurge/warner.asp
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.
So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a Super Bowl win. They play the Steelers next weekend.
Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.
It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
-----------------------------------
Thanks, Brenda.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Daily Devotional by Max Lucado, Jan 19th
| | Daily Devotional by Max Lucado “the One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks” January 19 What Are Your Strengths? We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. There are some things we want to do but simply aren't equipped to accomplish. I, for example, have the desire to sing. Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn't give the same satisfaction to my audience.... Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3: "Have a sane estimate of your capabilities" (PHILLIPS). In other words, be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow? When you administer, do things improve? Where are you most productive? Identify your strengths, and then.... major in them.... Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique tasks God has called us to do. From: Just Like Jesus Copyright (Word Publishing, 1998) |
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Rebirth of the Eagle
Great story here. Thanks, Mark.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/RebirthoftheEagle.pps
This video plays with Powerpoint Viewer or Powerpoint.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/RebirthoftheEagle.pps
This video plays with Powerpoint Viewer or Powerpoint.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Present
A great, encouraging video!
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/A_Present.pps
Plays with Powerpoint Viewer or Powerpoint.
Thanks, Brenda.
http://paulw.gray.googlepages.com/A_Present.pps
Plays with Powerpoint Viewer or Powerpoint.
Thanks, Brenda.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Today's Prayer, from Terry Cartwright
Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, we connect spiritually.” -- Sue Patton
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,[b] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Papa in Heaven,
I praise you that I am your child . . . I thank you for communicating with me, for allowing your Spirit to touch mine. I confess that I don’t always listen . . . change that in me so that I hear your voice at all times. In His Name, Amen
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Lucky
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a week end visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease...in fact, she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember...live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!
A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen.
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating, even if it's to one more person,
in memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it.
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a week end visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease...in fact, she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember...live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!
A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen.
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating, even if it's to one more person,
in memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it.
A Rancher's Rumblings from Texas Baptists Committed, Jan. 9, 2009
A RANCHER'S RUMBLINGS, January 9, 2009
Starting New Again
by David R. Currie, Executive Director, Texas Baptists Committed
(NOTE: You can also read this column online at www.txbc.org <http://www.txbc.org> - in addition to all previous editions of A Rancher's Rumblings, Baptist Reflections, and the TBC Newsletter.)
Many of you probably heard your pastor preach last Sunday about the new year as an opportunity for you and your church to look ahead and move forward. Such a sermon is timely and appropriate. But your church home isn't your only "family of faith" - I hope you consider TBC and me to be "family" as well. That's sure how I feel about you.
In that spirit, I'd like to talk to you, too, about moving ahead in the new year, but in my Currie Cowboy way, and I think you understand what that means - raw honesty and candor.
To be honest, I will not look back on 2008 with many fond memories. But, being a person of faith, I can't help but mix the good stuff with the bad as I reflect on last year.
Bad Stuff/Good Stuff - No Joke!
Bad Stuff: Mother went through a lot, including undergoing two brain surgeries to remove blood on her brain and having to leave the home in which she had lived for nearly 48 years.
Good Stuff: Now she is at Baptist Memorials in San Angelo, and I see her more often than I have in the past 30 years, as I eat lunch with her twice a week. As it turned out, we still had a wonderful Christmas at Paint Rock like always.
Bad Stuff: Since last Christmas, my wonderful brother-in-law lost both his Dad and Mom.
Good Stuff: Their passing was a blessing for them, for both of them had lost much of their quality of life, which was very sad for a couple that had once been so vibrant. I still remember the special time in Sweetwater, years ago, when my brother-in-law, his Dad, and I played golf together and won a flight. I'm a horrible golfer, and that will never happen again, but experiencing that with them was special. My brother-in-law's Dad was a giant of a man and very strong.
Bad Stuff: Many of us had a great deal of our retirement accounts wiped out and investments, if we had any, which is very disturbing and scary.
Good Stuff: Ah, ummm, interest rates are low on my ranch loans. But let's face it - financially, it was just a flat bad year, and I can't come up with any way to whitewash that fact.
Bad Stuff: As the year began, the BGCT was still working its way through a tough time, and many were worried about its future.
Good Stuff: The BGCT Executive Board hired a remarkable man to serve as Executive Director - Randel Everett - who lives out integrity, competence, and grace, and has a deep passion for the lost and being Baptist to the core. We continue to have a bright future as a denomination and convention. And yes, friends, just realize, the BGCT is free as a denomination, and that's something to get excited about.
Bad Stuff: TBC really struggled financially, and we would have struggled even more without the help of some very good friends and an end-of-year surge in giving.
Good Stuff: TBC made some very significant contributions to BGCT life in many ways last year and have put in place some programs that promise to have a great impact on the future of Texas Baptists. We also had a great Convocation in August, giving us the opportunity to show people the kind of work we're doing and how they can get involved in it. Besides that, we added Kerry Horn as Associate Executive Director, and Kerry is helping us connect with more pastors and provide the help and encouragement that they need.
Bad Stuff: I lost some good friends in 2008 and went to more funerals than ever before.
Good Stuff: Every friend I lost loved Jesus, so they only transitioned to a better life and a closer walk with Christ. Isn't that awesome when you really think about it!!!! But it still hurts, and I still miss them.
So where do we go from here?
John Claypool had great insight when he said that life is a series of exits and entrances. We exit one stage of life and enter another - birth to childhood; childhood to adolescence; adolescence to young adulthood; single to married for many of us; from no children to having children; student to career; adulthood to senior adulthood; and other stages as well.
So it is that we leave one year behind us and start a new one. This year - maybe more than since 1969, following 1968's assassinations, riots, and continuing war in Vietnam - we enter 2009 with a deep desire, and even a need, for something new and different and exciting and passionate.
I started the New Year by speaking on religious liberty at a local meeting on January 5. Oh my Lord, I loved it. I felt so alive, so passionate, so happy while I gave that speech and took questions.
If I have one request for 2009, it would be to give that speech at least 100 times across America. I want it so bad that I'll come if you will promise even 20 people in your living room. But I would love to do it in churches all across America on Sunday or Wednesday nights. Please call or email me, and ask me to come. Nothing makes me feel so alive and worthwhile as getting to speak and share on this particular subject. There's nothing more Baptist than religious liberty, because Christ is all about freedom, and Baptists are all about Christ.
In that spirit, let me encourage you to do one thing in 2009: Find your passion . . . what excites you . . . and give yourself to it with abandon. Make an impact. It will make you feel alive. You'll feel alive and like you are starting anew. Make it a wonderful year for you and yours.
Starting New Again
by David R. Currie, Executive Director, Texas Baptists Committed
(NOTE: You can also read this column online at www.txbc.org <http://www.txbc.org> - in addition to all previous editions of A Rancher's Rumblings, Baptist Reflections, and the TBC Newsletter.)
Many of you probably heard your pastor preach last Sunday about the new year as an opportunity for you and your church to look ahead and move forward. Such a sermon is timely and appropriate. But your church home isn't your only "family of faith" - I hope you consider TBC and me to be "family" as well. That's sure how I feel about you.
In that spirit, I'd like to talk to you, too, about moving ahead in the new year, but in my Currie Cowboy way, and I think you understand what that means - raw honesty and candor.
To be honest, I will not look back on 2008 with many fond memories. But, being a person of faith, I can't help but mix the good stuff with the bad as I reflect on last year.
Bad Stuff/Good Stuff - No Joke!
Bad Stuff: Mother went through a lot, including undergoing two brain surgeries to remove blood on her brain and having to leave the home in which she had lived for nearly 48 years.
Good Stuff: Now she is at Baptist Memorials in San Angelo, and I see her more often than I have in the past 30 years, as I eat lunch with her twice a week. As it turned out, we still had a wonderful Christmas at Paint Rock like always.
Bad Stuff: Since last Christmas, my wonderful brother-in-law lost both his Dad and Mom.
Good Stuff: Their passing was a blessing for them, for both of them had lost much of their quality of life, which was very sad for a couple that had once been so vibrant. I still remember the special time in Sweetwater, years ago, when my brother-in-law, his Dad, and I played golf together and won a flight. I'm a horrible golfer, and that will never happen again, but experiencing that with them was special. My brother-in-law's Dad was a giant of a man and very strong.
Bad Stuff: Many of us had a great deal of our retirement accounts wiped out and investments, if we had any, which is very disturbing and scary.
Good Stuff: Ah, ummm, interest rates are low on my ranch loans. But let's face it - financially, it was just a flat bad year, and I can't come up with any way to whitewash that fact.
Bad Stuff: As the year began, the BGCT was still working its way through a tough time, and many were worried about its future.
Good Stuff: The BGCT Executive Board hired a remarkable man to serve as Executive Director - Randel Everett - who lives out integrity, competence, and grace, and has a deep passion for the lost and being Baptist to the core. We continue to have a bright future as a denomination and convention. And yes, friends, just realize, the BGCT is free as a denomination, and that's something to get excited about.
Bad Stuff: TBC really struggled financially, and we would have struggled even more without the help of some very good friends and an end-of-year surge in giving.
Good Stuff: TBC made some very significant contributions to BGCT life in many ways last year and have put in place some programs that promise to have a great impact on the future of Texas Baptists. We also had a great Convocation in August, giving us the opportunity to show people the kind of work we're doing and how they can get involved in it. Besides that, we added Kerry Horn as Associate Executive Director, and Kerry is helping us connect with more pastors and provide the help and encouragement that they need.
Bad Stuff: I lost some good friends in 2008 and went to more funerals than ever before.
Good Stuff: Every friend I lost loved Jesus, so they only transitioned to a better life and a closer walk with Christ. Isn't that awesome when you really think about it!!!! But it still hurts, and I still miss them.
So where do we go from here?
John Claypool had great insight when he said that life is a series of exits and entrances. We exit one stage of life and enter another - birth to childhood; childhood to adolescence; adolescence to young adulthood; single to married for many of us; from no children to having children; student to career; adulthood to senior adulthood; and other stages as well.
So it is that we leave one year behind us and start a new one. This year - maybe more than since 1969, following 1968's assassinations, riots, and continuing war in Vietnam - we enter 2009 with a deep desire, and even a need, for something new and different and exciting and passionate.
I started the New Year by speaking on religious liberty at a local meeting on January 5. Oh my Lord, I loved it. I felt so alive, so passionate, so happy while I gave that speech and took questions.
If I have one request for 2009, it would be to give that speech at least 100 times across America. I want it so bad that I'll come if you will promise even 20 people in your living room. But I would love to do it in churches all across America on Sunday or Wednesday nights. Please call or email me, and ask me to come. Nothing makes me feel so alive and worthwhile as getting to speak and share on this particular subject. There's nothing more Baptist than religious liberty, because Christ is all about freedom, and Baptists are all about Christ.
In that spirit, let me encourage you to do one thing in 2009: Find your passion . . . what excites you . . . and give yourself to it with abandon. Make an impact. It will make you feel alive. You'll feel alive and like you are starting anew. Make it a wonderful year for you and yours.
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