The world has certainly come a long way technologically, but in many ways it hasn’t changed much.  The world is still searching for God.  Looking for meaning.  Trying to figure it all out.  I just started reading “God’s World and our Place in It” by Fulton Sheen and was struck by one of the subtitles in the first chapter: “The world still doesn’t know where to find God.”  What a sad truth!

We’re certainly very creative in the many places we look for Him – nature, relationships, work, family, and for some poor souls in sex, drugs and alcohol.  But even in those instances where we find Him in some of these places, He’s veiled – hidden behind or inside of something else.  Where’s the one place that isn’t true (or should I say in what person)?  In Jesus Christ.

It is only in Jesus that we can find God in all His love and goodness.  And yet how often we forget this and look elsewhere!   And I’m just as guilty in this as the next person.  In fact just today, I had to drag myself to Church (it’s like 3 degrees outside!).   And as always I’m so glad I went, because if there is one place we can all always find God, it is in the Eucharist!  There is just no equivalent to receiving Jesus’ body and blood.  No equivalent to this reminder that He loves us and wants to be with us so much, that He gives all of Himself in mere bread and wine.  What an undeserved gift!

It’s easy to just go to Church every week and take for granted the Eucharist.  To forget what an immense privilege it is.  To forget the strength and graces we receive from Him there.  Today I needed that reminder that there’s no better place to find Jesus (and hey, I figure the reminder can’t hurt you either).  May the body and blood of Christ bring us all to everlasting life!

An Atlanta bus driver stopped their bus in mid transit to lead passengers in a 4 minute prayer. People observed the parked bus and saw men and women standing inside, but could not tell what they were doing. Well, they were praying of course. Because, that’s what you do on a bus. Jesus could not be reached for comment.

“Dear Lord I would like to thank you for this bus that I am driving today. I’d like to thank you on behalf of my passengers for the very comfortable ride. I ask that you forgive me Lord for all of the bugs that I have killed with my windshield today. Please don’t let anyone find the bodies in my crawl space, Lord.”

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God,

your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness…,” (Palms 457).

Today, we live in a world of impressive technology and advanced science.  Although there still remains a lot to be uncovered, we as a civilization have already gained a great deal of knowledge.  There is not much that we can’t do.  But because of our natural instinct to learn, to discover, to push mankind’s own limits we have often ventured into the realms of God.  We are either trying to be God by tampering with things like cloning, or we are trying to say that He never existed by using science to disprove anything that was ever said or recorded of God’s actions in our civilizations existence.  The battle between God and science has existed for many thousand years, and both sides have very staunch advocates.

Being a person of science, I can understand the intrigue in finding the answers to what we don’t know, like the creation of our planet and of our universe.  I can also appreciate all the scientific answers we discover through our deep research and elaborate studies.  But as a person of faith, I also believe that God does exist.  I believe that the answers are neither all on one side nor on the other.  Instead, I believe that it is a combination of both.  Yes, the scientific explanation of the big bang is correct, but something was behind the entire picture causing each event to occur.  And I believe that something is God.  After all, what other great being or thing could make such grand things happen.  What could have the hands and insight to create things of great complexity and intricate details?  What can create such beautiful swirls of colored gas and explosions of massive proportions?  Yes, science has theories to explain all that, but then behind science who/what is there to make science happen?  It is all too big to be just one gigantic coincidence, a coincidence that can pass through time.  That almost sounds too stupid to say.

If we can allow ourselves to believe in wizardry, fait, psychic powers, and alien life forms, why can’t we allow ourselves to believe in God?  Maybe God doesn’t exist in the human form that we are accustomed to believing.  Maybe that is why we have not seen Him.  If you have ever looked at the cosmos and see all its wonders and beauty it is almost impossible to think that science just happened by it self.  Something that grand could not be explained away by science alone.  If it were so, we would have almost all the answers by now.  There would not be things that we would just cast away as the unexplainable.  Our problem still is that we lack faith.  Like the disciple Thomas, we need to see and feel hard cold evidence before we can believe.  Blessed is he who has not seen but yet believe.

“Lord Jesus, may life’s sufferings increase my humanity

so that I may joyfully embrace the divine life you give.”

Picture this story in the privacy of your minds eye.  It starts out something like this….

A little girl about 4 years old is walking along a dusty dirt road with Jesus hand in hand.  Around them there are crowds of people; some were selling goods, others buying goods, and others like them, were just walking along the dirt road to nowhere.  The two were talking about the child’s troubles and how it was weighing her down.  Jesus could feel her sadness and suggested that they rest at a bench ahead of them for a while to talk.  He placed the little girl on his lap, cradling her as she continued to cry out to him.  She said, “Lord, please take away this cross from me.  I’ve always been faithful and ready to do your will whenever you’ve called on me in the past.  Though I was weakened with every cross I carried, you blessed me with your grace and gave me a renewed sense of energy to carry on.  But this time, the cross is too big for my small frame and its abrasive surfaces are piercing into my shoulder dragging me down with its heaviness.”  Jesus took child into his arms and rested her head on his chest and said, “This cross was made especially for you.  Only you alone can carry it.  I promise that you will not be alone, and when you tumble I will carry the cross for you….”

With the confidence that Jesus gave her, the young child left the Lord and went about her road of life.  Jesus helped her place the big wooden cross her shoulders; it was very evident that the cross was too big for her.  Oh how the heaviness of it weighed her down, at first weakening her knees and causing them to buckle.  Jesus helped her up.  Then gently, he placed the cross upon her narrow, soft, child frame shoulders once more.  Her face grimaced, showing her pain as the full weight of the wooden cross begin to bare its mass on her body.  But with all her might she steadied her legs from shaking, and slowly trudged along while hunched over on a dusty lone road.  The foot of the cross dragged behind her because it was much taller than she was.

Just then, a man and woman came up to Jesus.  They looked frantic and were in tears.  “Sir!” the woman asked as she tugged on the Lord’s robe.  “We’ve lost our child.  We haven’t seen her for days.  My husband and I have been looking for her every where, but no one has seen her, and neither have we.  Kind Sir, have you seen our little girl?  She is about four years old, her face precious and kind, strong in heart and spirit, but she’s still just a child … our baby as a matter of fact.  And we just want to find her.”  The couple held on to each other’s hand tightly as the Lord place his hand on the husband’s back as if to console him and said, “Do not worry.  Your little child is not lost.  There she is, just beyond that tree.  She is the one carrying that cross for me.”  And as the child’s parents saw this, they began to weep even more.  The woman fell to her knees and her husband bent down to hold her, “Lord,” they both pleaded, “let us carry the cross for you.  Our child is too young, she will not make it.  See, she’s already fallen and the cross is lying flat on top of her back.  Oh how her fragile body must be tattered and torn by the cross’s weight.”  But again Jesus said, “this cross was made just for her.  No one else may carry it except for her.  I’ve asked her to carry it for me, and she had the right to say no, but she accepted.  For she wishes to be a witness to the people of her generation of my love for mankind and my Father’s love for mankind.  And by emulating me in my life’s suffering on Earth, she has chosen to give testimony to my pain and my commitment to the human race that I will save them from damnation; for through the price of my crucifixion, man’s sins shall be erased from all records.  So come the day when my Father calls that you’d be on that list to come home.”

Then before Jesus could finish his words, a large crowd of thousands swarmed in around him.  They came from all directions and with their great numbers filled even the distance between the child and the Lord.  They begged him to heal them from their disease and release them from their disparity.  The crowd began to push and shove trying to get closer to Jesus so that may touch his cloak and be healed.  Voices from all angles shouted out, “Jesus, please have mercy on me for…I have wronged you…I have leospardsy …I am blind…I am deft….” Between the shoving and pushing of the crowd, the little girl was torn away from Jesus’ grip.  She began to get scared and cried out, “Jesus! Where are you?” and from far away you can hear another person’s voice shouting, “Young child, where are you?”

Eventually, the little girl grew tired of fighting the crowd and gave up.  A woman from the crowd came to her and said, “Why are you sad?  Go to him and he will heal you.  No sin is too great for him to forgive.  No matter is too hard for him to do for you.  Look at me, a woman with many sins, yet he has opened his arms to me.”  She kept repeating, “go on, go on…he is waiting for you” as she nudged the girl forward.  Soon everyone else was nudging her forward saying, “Go on little one…” And as the crowd cheered the little girl on, she could feel a strong presence of the Holy Spirit working inside her.  Then finally, there he was an image of a bright shinning light.  Jesus kneeled down to the girl’s level and said with open arms, “Come to me my child.  Your faith has forever healed you.  Your burden is my burden and your tears are mine to wipe.  The cross that you carry is a sacrifice you’ve made for all other sinners.  Offer the sacrifice and you’re suffering up to me, and I will help you carry cross to our Father most high.”

So to you now I say, “don’t be afraid to turn back to the Lord and say, ‘Lord, here I am humbled and with sorrow.  Give me your grace so that I may carry on….’” And in the background you’ll hear the crowd cheer you on “go to him…go to him”.  Close your eyes…can’t you hear them?  “Go to him, he is waiting for you.”

Today i just want to take the time to thank God for all his blessings. He has been so good to me. He has brought me so far with Him. I thanks him for the air i breathe, I give thanks as He is still on the throne. As long as He is on the throne i know that verything will be okay.

You know at time its so easy to get so wrapped up in all that is going wrong in your woorld. But at times its just to take a a step back and appreciate all that He has done for you and all that He continues to do for you. My Lord’s mercies are new each day and forever I will sing His Praise.

I love the Lord.

A Sunday school teacher is concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus, so he asks his class, “Where is Jesus today?”

Steven raises his hand and says, “He’s in Heaven.”

Mary answers, “He’s in my heart.”

Little Johnny waves his hand furiously and blurts out, “He’s in our bathroom!”

The surprised teacher asks Little Johnny how he knows this.

“Well,” Little Johnny says, “every morning, my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door and yells ‘Jesus Christ, are you still in there?!’”

With the credit crunch hitting hard and peoples moods being low, we should all visit the lolcats to cheer ourselves up.

Finding Jesus

It certainly makes me smile

Andy

Compare-Airport-Hotel
Gatwick-Airport-Hotels

What if I greeted every person I met with the love and compassion of Jesus?

What would have to change in my day?
What would I have to do with my formal schedule and completely booked planner?
What kind of attitude would I have to have?
What kind of words would I speak?
What would happen to my neatly outlined budget?
What kind of prayers would I pray?

What if?

After a week of serving with our youth group at Camp of the Hills, we are blessed. Exhausted but blessed.

More to come tomorrow.

I found Jesus several times yesterday:

I found him over lunch with an old friend and future mentor. I found him in the way this friend affirmed me, the way he listened to me, and the way he drove an hour each way for lunch during what is likely one of the busiest weeks of his life.

I also found him in the 6 women that spent almost three hours helping me set up for our graduation banquet last night at church. I found him in their selflessness to be there, their resounding laughter, and the love they poured into making sure every detail was perfect. I found him when I realized these ladies do stuff like this ALL THE TIME and most people never even know it.

Where have you found Jesus lately?

Every single time I spend time with my mom I find Jesus.

I see him in her thoughtful notes, her deep concern for others, the thankless meals she prepares for 15 or 20 of our family, her willingness to help anyone I meet that needs something, her frugality in checking out books from the library, her thoughtfulness in always making sure there is a vegetarian option for me to eat, her sweet smile, the way she prays for her children, a heart that answers nursing (in both senses of the word) questions anytime and anywhere, her not nailing our butts to the floor, her obvious love for my dad and the kindness they always show one another, her sense of humor, and the way she honors every person she meets as being important.

Love you mom. Happy Mother’s Day!

Consumer confidence is at a five year low. Gas prices are through the roof. The American dollar seems to be losing value almost daily.

Now could be the perfect time for people to find Jesus.

Now could be the ideal moment for people to understand that they will never be content with possessions and that happiness based on the NASDAQ being up or down is not happiness at all. Now could be the opportune chance for Christians to show that they are different because a recession only means less “stuff” anyway.

Now could be the perfect time. We just have to put our money where our mouths are every Sunday.

Did you hear about the guy that took Jesus seriously?!?

A 31-year old man in NYC got off the subway and was approached by a teenager holding a knife and demanding his money. So the man gives the kid his wallet.

And then as the teenager is hurrying away, the man yells out to him, “Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you’re going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm.”

The kid is startled and asks the man why he is doing this. And the man replies “If you’re willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me … hey, you’re more than welcome.”

And so the kid joins the man for dinner. And they break bread together. And they sit and spend time talking about life and goals and opportunities. And the kid gives the man his wallet back and also the knife he used to rob him. And they both walk away changed.

Thank you Jesus for perspective. Please give us the courage to take you seriously everyday. Amen.

I mentioned on my “purpose of this blog” page (link right above me) that one thing I have been trying to do lately is find Jesus in the everyday routines of life. Well one day of the week that I always feel like I get to encounter my Lord is on Wednesdays. And no, I’m not talking about our hour long gathering at the church building although that is nice, also.

Every Wednesday at lunch and dinner I get the chance to spend time with the homeless and down on their luck at our local homeless shelter soup kitchen. It is a neat little place called the “Community Cafe,” and they have it set up a little bit like a restaurant. Now it’s not like a restaurant that you or I would ever choose but it serves its purpose well for those who come there. And the people that come there every week are exactly why I enjoy it so much.

African American, Caucasian, Native American, Hispanic, as young as the 3 year old I met yesterday and some probably 80+, veterans of the US military, life long drug addicts and alcoholics, English speaking, non-English speaking, working poor, not working poor, divorced, married, happy, sad. You name it, and they are there on Wednesdays. And that is what I love about the Cafe. It is a true melting pot.

My time there has led me to several friendships already, and I pray earnestly that it will lead to more. My time there has also served as a great reminder of my deep love for the “underdogs” of the world. The ones we tend to forget when we go to church in our neatly pressed clothes and shiny shoes.

One man I met yesterday was named Steve. I “snuck” him some food to take home because no food is supposed to leave the Cafe (even though the food I gave him was about to go in a slop bucket for some pigs). So I walked with him outside and just started visiting. He was probably 40 or 45 years old. A very nice man. Easy to talk with, very friendly. He is a veteran of the military (like many that are homeless in the US) and suffered several injuries while in the service. He has bounced around some but mostly stayed in the Veterans Hospital in Temple, Tx. But now he is here in Bryan and looking for a job. It is tough for him to do manual labor with his injuries, but he still does it. Shows up at a place called “Labor Ready” and works 8 hour days every chance he gets. After they have taken out taxes and child support (for a 17 and 19 year old), Steve takes home $26 for 8 hours of work. Hard to get ahead like that. Heck, it’s hard to break even on that. But Steve doesn’t complain. He’s grateful for a free meal and for another day. And I am grateful for Steve. And hopeful for his future. And excited about the relationship that began yesterday.

The funny thing is that Steve probably thinks I can help him with life. And there are certainly some ways that I can do that. But I have no doubt he will help me more than I could ever help him. Because that’s what happens when you find Jesus.

This past week has definitely been one of THOSE weeks!! Lots of hair pulling and tempers frayed… all over a piece of software!! Both my husband and I were at our wits end over it.

And the software company didn’t help!! They made you feel that you were stupid because you couldn’t work it. And it was essential that we get things up and going, because our signwriting business depended on it. Customers were waiting for jobs.

Well, today we managed to get things going… in a sorta fashion.

However, this wasn’t a new thing, and I’d had enough of this program that had caused us so much contention between us over the past few years. Why should a piece of software be allowed to disrupt our otherwise peaceful marriage. Surely there had to be a program that made more sense.

So this morning, I thought, IT’S TIME TO GOOGLE!! I did and within no time at all, I found a sight that was telling what I wanted to know. It pointed me to a couple of sites that provided some sign-making shareware.

As I clicked on the first link, I opened a page with another link to the software I was after. I was pleased that it gave me a 60 day free trial. But before I clicked the link, I browsed down the page to see what else they had to offer…

… and I came across these words on a link ….

WHO NEEDS JESUS?

Of course my answer at that moment was “ME!!!”

Well, I couldn’t follow the link straight away, because I was on this software mission. But after checking out the software, and liking what I found, I decided to go back to the Jesus like to see what it was all about.

Now, you click here, and you’ll see what I found.

It sure was a pleasant surprise!! I think it will help heaps as I put this blog together… and not to mention the God talks with my atheist friends.

Isn’t God good!! He sends His answers in the most unpredictable ways!! You can find Jesus in the strangest of places!!

For some people, this is a very lonely time of year. The celebrations of Christmas have come and gone. New Year resolutions are beginning to fail, and the hopes of making a difference or being successful are starting to fade. Loneliness sets in and depression, like a creeping shadow, slowly overcomes some people.

Podcast version here

Finding God in loneliness can be hard at times. And yet the Bible is full of lonely people. Joseph is kidnapped and finds himself in a foreign land. Moses is exiled from his people until he is eighty. Ruth and Naomi feel abandoned by their community when their husbands die. David has to flee for safety and live in caves several times throughout his long life. Elijah is a fugitive and just wants to die because he is so lonely. Daniel is isolated in the lion’s den where no one can help him. Jesus gets so lonely at times, even in the midst of crowds, that He has to go off early in the morning to solitary places just to have some quiet time with God.

And how lonely must it have felt for Christ, when the whole world turned against Him and nailed Him to a cross of shame?

Verse of the Day

Psalm 118:29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Loneliness is a tough part of life and a hurting of the soul. A recent study suggests that people who are lonely, who feel disconnected to society, look to God for solace, friendship, and companionship. Perhaps they understand that loneliness and isolation will come to us all one day. Perhaps lonely people are one spiritual step ahead of the crowd, because they understand that in the end it’s our relationship with God that will eternally matter. And perhaps they know, in the midst of their hurt, disappointment, and loneliness that only God’s love endures forever.

In the midst of our busy, stressful lives, we should set aside sometime to be lonely – lonely and looking for God. Our loneliness can lead to faithfulness in a sacred way that only the lonely understand. Their loneliness can become a gift from a loving God, for better than others, they know that He will never abandon nor forsake them, nor will He ever stop loving them or let them go.

Prayer:                        O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. Amen.

As stated previously, we haven’t been big posters of Michael Vick-related news around these parts.

Basically, we just think it’s out of control now. And it only continues to spiral downward.

But, today’s press conference (and preceding Outside-the-Lines-type program) did have mom’s basement aglow.

A few thoughts –

***Skip Bayless is the most moronic, outrageous ESPN personality. His comments today included this gem:

“Michael Vick has killed hundreds and hundreds of dogs.”

Skip probably has evidence to support this, but he is exempt from all federal investigations — it’s one of the perks of being a founding father of Cold Pizza.

***Vick was doing alright in giving his statement (not prepared, at least somewhat from the heart), until he said he “this situation has helped me find Jesus” and “I’ve turned my life over to God.”

Is this a requirement for every athlete/rapper/personality who finds the law first?

If Vick would have looked at his WWJD bracelet a few years earlier, it probably would have said “not sponsor a dog fighting empire” on the flip side.

***Lastly, Vick is getting shafted. His image, combined with his notoriety, have brought a probably somewhat unfair sentence. This statement is based on the fact that Leonard Little has actually killed a person and still plays in the NFL. To show that he was indeed contrite, Little got another DUI six years after committing murder.

Boy, this was awfully serious for us. Thanks Mike.