Uphill idealist

John Testifies About Jesus John 1: 29-34 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[d] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joy has a way of evading us when we are looking for it. Those following John were so excited and enthused about his ministry that they joyously began to exclaim that he mu...

An author acquaintance of mine, Enuma Okoro , recently wrote and was published at ABC news weekly inspiration , some thoughts concerning Mary (the mother of Christ) and what kind of person she really must have been. There has always been a great deal of wonder and speculation about Mary, but what I love about what Enuma brings to light is, the attitude of courageous expectation she must have possessed. In a less-than-best-circumstance, Mary was willing to say - "As you say, so shall it be with me." She considered herself 'blessed', where many would have not. I'm impressed with Mary even more now that I see her as a young woman with "moxy" as a characteristic. Somehow that makes me smile. I'm also challenged to follow the example of Mary in this Advent season, by living in a space of courageous expectation. Courageous because of the ability to be active and impacting even difficult circumstances and expectant because of God's provision - in all ...

September 2010 They change so fast, they move so swiftly, their ability to adapt is really quite nifty. They once were so small and now have grown tall - my daughter, my son - my heart - my all.

Image from Spiegel Online International. What is your manna? Manna was the food that God provided the Israelites in their time of wandering in the wilderness. In this account in the gospel of John, Jesus makes reference to this "manna" or bread that God provided for his people. Jesus draws the connection for his listeners of how God provided then and how God was going to provide for them in Christ himself. The hunger and thirst that Jesus was speaking of, were not simply the manifestation of physical hunger; but the deep spiritual need we all have for God. Blasé Pascal , a French mathematician and philosopher said, "There is a God shaped vacuume in the heart of every man(person)which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the creator, made known through Jesus." When I think of the things that I'm most grateful for in life, they most often are NOT in the material category. For instance, I may enjoy reading a good book, but the knowledge I ob...

Sometimes encouragement comes in the most interesting manner. Like when a song pop's up on random in internet radio and it's just the thing you need to hear... "Won't stop till it's over..." but what I hear on first listen was "Don't stop till its over." Sweet Disposition from Fabio Barbato on Vimeo . Keep on keeping on, crew. What songs inspire you? Never too soon Oh reckless abandon, Like no one's watching you A moment, a love A dream, a laugh A kiss, a cry Our rights, our wrongs A moment, a love A dream, a laugh A moment, a love A dream, a laugh Just stay there Cause I'll be comin' over While our bloods still young It's so young, it runs Won't stop til it's over Won't stop to surrender Songs of desperation I played them for you A moment, a love A dream, a laugh A kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs A moment, a love A dream, a laugh A moment, a love A dream, a laugh Just stay there Cause I'll be comin' over...

My it's a blustery day outside! All this wooshing wind, leaves and garbage cans reminds me of a picture of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet walking hand in hand on such a day as today. Memories of Winnie the Pooh bring a smile to my face. There are so many childhood and 'mommy' memories that come together in that hundred acre wood. Here are some of my favorite quotes from that fluffy old bear and his friends. I hope they make you smile, so put on a tea kettle and get settled in for this Pooh-Bear blustery and somewhat sentimental day. PS. Don't forget the honey, P-P-P- please. Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it. -- Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering. -- Piglet, Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne I am a Bear of Very Lit...

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,...