I'm currently reading a novel by Amor Towles "A Gentleman In Moscow". In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov, an unrepentant aristocrat was sentenced to house arrest in Moscow. During one of his chance encounters, which didn't go well, he had the opportunity of a do-over when given a note which read "Please allow me a second chance at a first impression". After a bit of time with this individual, the Count concludes: "What can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration--and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour."
WOW! I REALLY like this! In our current climate of intolerance, we could all do well to consider this as we meet, greet and chat with others.
Monday, February 24, 2020
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Sorrow in name calling
Well,
I've been called a racist, the "great white hope", snowflake and
mentally ill, not needing God but a therapist. It is SO sad that over
the past week I have tried to have a decent discussion with those of
differing political views. I've vowed to myself to keep my remarks
non-judging and not personally attacking. But no matter, the mud
continued to be slung at me...and it hurts. None of these people know
me or my heart and I didn't talk sides, red or blue. I truly feel their
agenda is to shut the mouths of those who see issues differently. I
thought I could withstand the hate. But I can't. So now I will be
silent.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
2020 State of the Union
Stories shared about hope, courage, compassion, sorrow, dreams and so much more:
1. ICE leader who leads in securing our borders
2. Man who lost his brother killed by a captured and released Illegal protected in Sanctuary Cities
3. Rush Limbau receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
4. Mom with two young children (Dad returned from battle field and united with them)
5. Young boy with dreams of going into space program
6. Mom with her two year old daughter who is a 21 week premie survivor
7. Single black mom with young daughter who received a scholarship to attend school of choice and
leave the ineffective state school.
8. 100 year old military black officer who received stars on shoulders at White House
9. Husband and Wife who lost daughter who served in Syria the needy and was captured, tortured
and murdered by terrorist.
10.Grieving mom and young son - husband/dad killed by terrorist
11.Black army vet
12,Venezuelan President Juan Guiado
1. ICE leader who leads in securing our borders
2. Man who lost his brother killed by a captured and released Illegal protected in Sanctuary Cities
3. Rush Limbau receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
4. Mom with two young children (Dad returned from battle field and united with them)
5. Young boy with dreams of going into space program
6. Mom with her two year old daughter who is a 21 week premie survivor
7. Single black mom with young daughter who received a scholarship to attend school of choice and
leave the ineffective state school.
8. 100 year old military black officer who received stars on shoulders at White House
9. Husband and Wife who lost daughter who served in Syria the needy and was captured, tortured
and murdered by terrorist.
10.Grieving mom and young son - husband/dad killed by terrorist
11.Black army vet
12,Venezuelan President Juan Guiado
Monday, January 27, 2020
Constitutional Ways
I've served on several juries. What a learning and awesome responsibility. In one particular case the defendant was found innocent, much to the surprise of all in the court. When I went into the jury room to discuss the case with the other jurors, I thought the individual was guilty but after listening to ALL jurors share and the vote was cast, I agreed with "innocent".
As I watched the impeachment of President Trump process on Monday in the Senate, I felt like I was back in the classroom in a Constitutional Law class. And as I listened I wished all voting adults in America could be hearing what I was hearing. The future of our beloved Constitution is at stake. The rights and freedoms of our citizens are at stake. Future presidential elections and terms in office are at stake. Regardless of whether or not you are for this president, I pray you will be responsible in hearing BOTH sides as I did as a jurist.
As I watched the impeachment of President Trump process on Monday in the Senate, I felt like I was back in the classroom in a Constitutional Law class. And as I listened I wished all voting adults in America could be hearing what I was hearing. The future of our beloved Constitution is at stake. The rights and freedoms of our citizens are at stake. Future presidential elections and terms in office are at stake. Regardless of whether or not you are for this president, I pray you will be responsible in hearing BOTH sides as I did as a jurist.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Remembering Lew
I want to say "Happy Birthday Lew" because today is his birthday. But he is now in heaven with Jesus, mom and dad and Caroline and Charlie's brother, Jack and their mom and others. WOW! Amazing to think of him whole and totally out of pain. Lew loved our LORD SO MUCH, EVEN THROUGH THE LIFE THAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM.
What a joy it will be to spend eternity with him and ALL saints who trusted Jesus.
What a joy it will be to spend eternity with him and ALL saints who trusted Jesus.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
True friendship
If there were ever a relationship that shows what a godly,
authentic relationship should look like, it would be Jonathan and
David’s in the story of 1Samuel 18-20.
Their relationship models four essential principles to forming authentic relationships that we can apply to our own lives today:
1. Be Aware. (1 Samuel 18:1-2)
When Jonathan and David met, they had little in common. David was a poor shepherd and Jonathan was a prince, next in line to be the King of Israel. Yet, in spite of their differences, they became fast friends. They didn’t allow their differences to mask their real selves.
Sometimes we may miss the opportunity to connect with someone because we aren’t from the same social status or we don’t have the same color of skin. We need to be aware that God might bring us the very best friend we’ve ever had in someone who is very different.
2. Be Intentional. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)
And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan took the initiative to be David’s special friend. Since he had the power and position, he made a vow and verbalized that he wanted to be David’s friend. Then he sealed the deal by giving David his clothes and even his sword, demonstrating with his actions that he had set aside his power and prestiges that he would be on even terms with David.
Similarly, rarely do we “drift” into authentic community. Deep friendships don’t “just happen.” God often orchestrates our friendships and the chemistry we have with others, but we have to be intentional about pursuing the relationship. To have a friend, you must also be a friend.
3. Be Available. (1 Samuel 20:4)
Do you have a 2 a.m. friend? This is the kind of friend that will be there for you no matter the situation – even a crisis in the middle of the night.
Jonathan and David definitely had this kind of friendship. When Jonathan’s father Saul tried to assassinate David, Jonathan found his friend, who was in the midst of his darkest hours, and said, “Tell me what I can do to help you.”
4. Be Honest.(1 Samuel 20:9)
At this point in the story, David was literally running for his life. So he frantically turned to his friend for help. He pleaded with Jonathan not to betray him to his dad.
“Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”
Jonathan loved David enough to deliver him the difficult news. When Jonathan found out that his dad did indeed intend to kill David, he told him.
True friends will speak the hard and uncomfortable truth when we need to hear it the most.
If you long for authentic community, you need at least one friend who will be honest with you when no one else will. This type of friend should have the freedom to speak into all of the significant areas of your life such as your spiritual life, your use of finances, and your relationship with your spouse and kids.
For more on how to experience authentic, godly relationships, check out our True Spirituality series resources.
Their relationship models four essential principles to forming authentic relationships that we can apply to our own lives today:
1. Be Aware. (1 Samuel 18:1-2)
When Jonathan and David met, they had little in common. David was a poor shepherd and Jonathan was a prince, next in line to be the King of Israel. Yet, in spite of their differences, they became fast friends. They didn’t allow their differences to mask their real selves.
Sometimes we may miss the opportunity to connect with someone because we aren’t from the same social status or we don’t have the same color of skin. We need to be aware that God might bring us the very best friend we’ve ever had in someone who is very different.
2. Be Intentional. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)
And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan took the initiative to be David’s special friend. Since he had the power and position, he made a vow and verbalized that he wanted to be David’s friend. Then he sealed the deal by giving David his clothes and even his sword, demonstrating with his actions that he had set aside his power and prestiges that he would be on even terms with David.
Similarly, rarely do we “drift” into authentic community. Deep friendships don’t “just happen.” God often orchestrates our friendships and the chemistry we have with others, but we have to be intentional about pursuing the relationship. To have a friend, you must also be a friend.
3. Be Available. (1 Samuel 20:4)
Do you have a 2 a.m. friend? This is the kind of friend that will be there for you no matter the situation – even a crisis in the middle of the night.
Jonathan and David definitely had this kind of friendship. When Jonathan’s father Saul tried to assassinate David, Jonathan found his friend, who was in the midst of his darkest hours, and said, “Tell me what I can do to help you.”
4. Be Honest.(1 Samuel 20:9)
At this point in the story, David was literally running for his life. So he frantically turned to his friend for help. He pleaded with Jonathan not to betray him to his dad.
“Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”
Jonathan loved David enough to deliver him the difficult news. When Jonathan found out that his dad did indeed intend to kill David, he told him.
True friends will speak the hard and uncomfortable truth when we need to hear it the most.
If you long for authentic community, you need at least one friend who will be honest with you when no one else will. This type of friend should have the freedom to speak into all of the significant areas of your life such as your spiritual life, your use of finances, and your relationship with your spouse and kids.
For more on how to experience authentic, godly relationships, check out our True Spirituality series resources.
Written By
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Thanksgiving Day 2019
WOW! Rain! Rain! Rain! Snow on the Grapevine!!!
We considered going to Bakersfield for the day because Brian and family were camping. But, the Grapevine was closed with snow. So, we are snuggled up in our home with Jackson. The apple pie has been made and is cooling as the aroma fills the house. We will have Thanksgiving dinner at Brian and Kelsi's tomorrow in the afternoon. A day of gratitude. Thank you Abba Father for your MANY blessings.💓💓💓 Charlie and I went to see the movie Ford vs Ferrari - a car movie. So fun and the theater was nearly empty and we came out to heavy rain.
We considered going to Bakersfield for the day because Brian and family were camping. But, the Grapevine was closed with snow. So, we are snuggled up in our home with Jackson. The apple pie has been made and is cooling as the aroma fills the house. We will have Thanksgiving dinner at Brian and Kelsi's tomorrow in the afternoon. A day of gratitude. Thank you Abba Father for your MANY blessings.💓💓💓 Charlie and I went to see the movie Ford vs Ferrari - a car movie. So fun and the theater was nearly empty and we came out to heavy rain.
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