Uphill idealist

Deuteronomy 31:6 (The Message) 6 "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." I posted this, just because it seems to fit my life right now. Hope it is a word of comfort and encouragement for you as well.

Image from Nataliedee . Today I worked outside spray painting murals for VBS. I met two boys, their little sister, their family friend, their Dad, three other neighborhood kids and two rabbits named Milk Chocolate and Cadbury. I also got to say hello to people just walking by and taking in the art in progress. It's was so interesting that so many people we drawn in by the art and by the end of the day, many of the people ended up helping me carry everything back inside when I was done. We chatted all afternoon in the hot sun and got to know each other a little. Isn't it amazing what happens when you simply walk outside your door? I need to get outside more. Today's meet, greet and paint was what I'd like to see more in our community.

Image found at Andrew Cusack's blog. Ginger-ale bubbles rise to the top of a ice cube filled glass as the ice jingles a little too cheerfully at one in the morning. Upset stomachs have a way of bringing even almost grown teenagers back to the place where all they desire is a tall glass of ginger-ale and their Mom. Comfortable blankets, rest, drinking (while hopefully keeping it all down) lots of fluids, and having Mom just a room or two away just in case - apparently is all my not-so-little one needs. Yes its late and the crickets are chirping their loud mid-summer night song, but this Mom is still carrying glasses filled with dancing ice cubes and amber bubbles in response to her child's need. Now I lay me down to sleep, almost. After her eyes close to rest and the magic ginger-ale bubbles do their work. I see ginger-ale works the night shift too - just like me.

OBSERVER Photo by Tim Latshaw Although much of West Main Street in Gowanda lied covered in dust Tuesday, patches and piles of mud still proved treacherous. Jamestown Savings Bank Arena serves as ‘drop off’ collection point for Chautauqua County flood victims Jamestown, NY – The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena is collecting any food, clothing or household items that people are willing to donate to help fellow residents of Chautauqua County who were affected by this week’s damaging floods. Residents can drop off items at the Arena from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s. “This is what an Arena like ours is for.” states Michael Ferguson, Arena GM. “In times of need or emergency, in any community, it should serve as a central service location to help those in times of trouble. We will see that the items dropped off at the Arena are delivered to the proper authorities for distribution throughout the affected communities.” The Jamestown Savings

Grace is a beautiful gift, if only we allow ourselves the space and time to receive it. Too often grace is one of those gifts that we'd prefer not to use. It can be easier to plug away at life with our own abilities and plans as the center and think grace is something to be used only in case of emergency. Honestly, I think the emergency is the fact that grace is treated as a minor benefit, is ignored until a disaster occurs, or become cheap in our nonchalant treatment of it. In the words of the famous hymn " Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Do these lyrics really reflect how I live out grace in my life? Grace has been on my mind a great deal this last week or so. In fact a few weeks ago, in the midst of a weary day and lots to do, I had to ask someone to give me some grace and some space to figure out what to do next. A funny thing happened when I asked for grace, the person d

Sorry for the day lateness of this host post, but I spent a few days out of town and where I was staying the internet access was spotty at best, so I opted on doing the post on Tuesday instead of struggling with it. There are times that being out of touch can be a blessing and a frustration, and for the most part being disconnected from the communicative norms of life usually allows for some unexpected space and time to simply live life. In light of this space, I began wondering this week about how we handle to unexpected spaces that life sometimes throw our way. I don't know about you, but I like to plan things to do and places to go, and sometimes the world and circumstances don't cooperate with what I had laid out. Sometimes I handle these disruptions gracefully, and other times not so much. In light of Sleeping with bread this week, what areas of unexpected space happened in your life this week? Were you able to find the bread to hold on to and the grace to let go of the no