Wipe Out

As a teenager I lived in Southern California less than 2 miles from the beach. I loved the beach and really enjoyed body surfing, although I am no expert. No surf board or boogie board, just me and the water. I used to go to the beach with my family on the weekends and then with friends during the week days during the summer. Many times I would go alone. I was an aide in the Principal's office at the high school I attended. I knew if I got the faculty mail sorted quickly that his secretary would let me leave early and I could get down to the beach for a while. I loved that woman!

So I would drive down to the beach in my 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, get out, drop my stuff on the beach and run and jump in the water. I would patiently wait for something decent to ride in on. Sometimes I'd wait for a long time. It was so peaceful out there just me and the water. Then I'd spot it, a decent wave! I'd start to swim really hard and as fast as I could and if I caught it I'd ride it in. It was such a amazing experience!

I live in the south now and I am very land locked. We only get to the beach once every couple years now. I have children and I am usually too busy keeping an eye on them to go out by myself. The only water my children regularly get exposed to is our neighborhood pool. So, naturally, for safety sake, I don't take my eyes off them. My body surfing days are behind me now.

The other night I was dreaming about a day long ago on the beach. I remember I had been out in the water for a long time and then I saw it! The bomb, that is a pretty large wave, compared to the normal sized waves I'd seen that day. I hesitated and thought maybe I'd just swim under it. Maybe I couldn't handle it. You know that little voice that kinda gives you a check in your spirit. Well, I heard it and I ignored it. My 16 year old, teenage excitement overcame that voice and I started swimming and I caught it! It was awesome. At that moment I felt as though I was on top of the world. I felt like I was flying and gliding on top of the water as it carried me to shore! There is not a feeling like it in the world!

Then something went wrong and then next thing I know I was spinning around and twirling under the water and eating a little sand as well. As things began to calm I started looking around and it occurred to me that I didn't know where I was. I didn't know where up or down was. I had drifted down deeply in the water and I couldn't see the surface. I was in serious trouble. I had this panicky feeling and the thought occurred to me that this might be the end. I began fighting those thoughts and tried hard to calm myself down. I started looking around. I notice the bubbles next to me and noted the direction they were going in and followed them to the surface. I gasped loudly as my face hit the surface. Breathing air had never been so wonderful! I don't know how long I was down there, but it felt like a really, really long time!

So now it is 24 years later and I awake with a start! It was just a dream. It was just memory from long ago. I am in my house, in my bed. My husband is asleep next to me and my kids are all asleep in their rooms. I lay there thinking about that moment years ago and about what fear can do. I remember how paralyzed I was in that moment. I thought about the battle that was taking place in my mind. If I didn't take control of my thoughts that day I may very well not be here today. Then a familiar scripture came to mind.

2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

Our minds can take us to some pretty far out places. If we let fear get a grip on our thoughts the results can be pretty catastrophic. Faith is the opposite of fear. Our fearful thoughts can drown out wisdom and direction. If we are living fearfully, we simply are not living. Fear brings distraction and distraction brings mistakes. We can miss what God might be trying to tell us. Some mistakes are costly. Some mistakes have eternal significance that we are not even aware of.

Father, help me to keep my mind closed to fear and fearful thoughts. Help me God to take all thoughts captive to Christ. Where there is doubt Lord, help me to overcome it. Especially when I wipe out! In Jesus Name, Amen.

More Than A Conqueror

The Storm

Some seasons seem to be filled with more storms than others. This year in the Southern United States we had a very stormy spring. Summer seems pretty dry in comparison so far, but we are getting some nice ones here and there. The rain, wind, lightening and thunder in nature I don't mind too much. They are actually quite nice, particularly with the heat we have been experiencing.

The storms of our lives are quite another subject all together. I wish I could say that those kind of storms were relaxing, refreshing and they cooled the atmosphere, but they are not and they do not. Those kind of storms can cause you to feel weariness, discouragement, depression, like you are all alone and that your trials might never end.

Since 2001 my family and I have been facing many different kinds of storms. Storms like threats of lay offs, good size pay cuts and financial trials, relational struggles, deaths of loved ones, fostering and adopting two hurting children and various other large and small disappointments and set backs. It has been quite a roller coaster.

I don't think we are all that unusual. I just think that people in the christian community would prefer to hide the dirt under the rug. We just don't talk about it and we think that somehow doing that makes it go away. Down deep we are hurting and struggling, but since everyone else is behaving like everything is "hunky dory" we feel naked and exposed revealing our own trials. Sometimes we take a chance, share and get the "deer in the headlights" look from someone and that sets us back a bit. We end up feeling more misunderstood and stranger than ever so we pick ourselves up and get back to building our perfect white picket fence again. We try to "look" OK, but we are not. It reminds me so much of that children's book The Emperor's New Clothes. A crafty tailor had convinced the emperor that he had made the most beautiful robe for him to wear, when in reality he wasn't wearing anything at all. No one would dare say anything about the emperor's nakedness except for one very honest little child who pointed out the obvious deficiency in clothing to the emperor. I always get a chuckle out of that story. Some days I am the emperor and other days I play the child. It is amazing what we will tell ourselves to get by. Sometimes though the truth is staring us right in the face and there is just no looking away!

Can I be very bold and say that I am tired of all the pretending and faking it? Life is hard. The Word of God is very clear about that.

1 Peter 4:12:
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

Fiery, wow, that doesn't sound very fun. I have to admit I have thought it strange more than once. "Why me?" I have thought. "Why us?" I've wondered. Well, if I am understanding that verse correctly, why not me and why not us, right?

Bad things and really hard things are just going to happen sometimes. There is no magic formula to negate the truth that we are living in a fallen world and have an adversary that delights in causing us pain and discomfort.

Can we love one another, reserve judgement and stand in the gap during each other's trials and struggles? Let us not scatter and avoid people that are suffering. Let us not run for the hills when others are full of joy and we are not.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Most of all we need to understand that we have a BIG God that is in there with us, through all of it and will never leave or forsake us. He sent us The Holy Spirit who will never abandon us.

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever--

Father through the storms in life that I encounter, and through all the disappointments and pain.... I am so grateful that You have not left me and that You never will. Thank you God and help me to love others as you have loved me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

More Than A Conqueror

People Who Bite (Yes, My Mind Works A Bit Differently Than Others)

No, this one is not about vampires. I think my kids would probably think it was really cool if it was, with the current Twilight movie trend. This one is about prickly people. You know ones I am talking about, those people that try to take a chunk out of you when you get near them. I suppose all of us have been that way at least once or twice in our lives. Well, maybe some of us a bit more than that perhaps? But some people, it seems, know no other way to be. I think that is tragically sad. My focus isn't only on the reasons they became that way, but on an appropriate response to them. It would be helpful to understand them better although that does nothing to curtail their mood or destructive actions. It is really hard not to blow it sometimes and react in kind. Seems the only variable that is controllable in circumstances such as these is our own reactions to their behavior. The feelings that try to sneak in are even harder to get a handle on.

I have a fascination with Cesar Millan, star of The Dog Whisperer. I think he is really on to something and not just with canines. Honestly, I think the guy is brilliant! You probably think I am a bit strange, but check out an episode or two and you will know exactly what I am talking about. I have a miniature dachshund and if you know much about the breed you know how dominant they can be if you let them.

So here I was one night watching The Dog Whisperer and checking out Cesar in action and I began wondering why some people are just always in a bad mood and are difficult to get along with, like the dogs he was working with. I thought about dogs. I thought about "unbalanced" dogs, "fearful" dogs, "dominant" dogs and "vicious" dogs etc., etc. I think people are not much different in that respect. People are unbalanced because they have been given wrong information about who they are. People are fearful because they have been hurt and wounded at some point in their lives and can't move forward because of the memory. People are overly dominant because they under the mistaken assumption that they must be in control of any given situation. People are vicious I think because because they are in mental anguish. Truly, I think it all comes down to fear. Have you seen that insane chihuahua episode? That dog looks like it is demon possessed or something! It might have something to do with the fact that death for him means someone sitting in the wrong chair, I don't know.

Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear communicates a lack of trust. Fear is defined as: a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. Faith on the other hand is defined as: confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. So can we say that difficult, angry, unkind people in general are probably very fearful people? Seems like it to me.

So how do I react? I am a pretty sensitive person. It isn't hard for me to feel wounded and captured in my own fleshly pity party. I am being completely transparent with you. Cesar would say that I am creating unbalance in the "animal" by behaving that way. It shows weakness. If I get angry at their assault and bite back that is also interpreted by them as weakness and will increase the anxiety and fear in the "animal". The correct response would be "calm, assertive" behavior. Well, what does this look like I wondered?

I looked to the Bible, sorry Cesar but Jesus trumps you and me, and I searched out what reaction Jesus had towards his biggest critics and accusers. These dudes got down right ugly. The Pharisees were harsh. They continually misrepresented God as a "can't wait to rain fire and brimstone on you" type of deity. They missed the point and message of Jesus all together. They were well studied and they got the truth part right some of the time because of all their "knowledge", but completely missed the love part (which is kinda central, don't you think?). They made a big deal about things that really didn't matter. They were committed to truth at any cost, and they didn't care who they destroyed in order to protect that truth. I'd say they were a bit "prickly" wouldn't you? Jesus was not threatened by their heavy handed attacks and threats. He was "calm and assertive". He is the "Truth" and He was sitting right there under their noses and they were completely blind to it.

Matthew 15

10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”
13 Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

and also

Ephesians 4

15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

They couldn't rattle him and He was no wimp. He didn't run away from confrontation. He didn't argue with them in vain. He simply said it like it was and did it in a calm manner. He sounds pretty "balanced" to me!

Father, please help me to not get caught up in my own emotions and personalize fiery darts that come my way. It is no surprise that they come, because your Word says they will. Help me to react in a way that honors You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

To Everything There Is A Season

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1



Birth, growth, play, love, work (planting), harvest and death. There are many seasons in a person's life and is thus reflected in all of God's creation.

Springtime buds and the emerging greenery signals the beginning of new life and fills hearts with expectation of what is to come. Droplets of rain come and quench the thirst of the young lings as they struggle to grow and emerge from their beginnings. Walking is fierce, although unsure and unsteady. The young lings haphazardly and foolishly dance on the dew of the green grass oblivious to the dangers all around them. Every moment is a discovery. Hidden treasures and adventures are abundant.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The summer sun kisses the faces of all and sparks glee in the hearts of the young and old with anticipation of play and celebration in the heat of the day. The heat brings perspiration and fatigue at times as we labor with the work of our hands. Cool and consistent refreshment and nourishment is required to maintain strength and health in the heavy humidity and heat of this season. Wars wage during this season. Hands grow strong and calloused. Wounds are suffered, but the battle continues.

Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Fall brings an uncomparable beauty at the maturation of the foliage all around in the brightest, deepest hues of color. The air becomes crisp, cool, rich and sweet with the fragrance of ripened fruit. With fall beautiful wisdom has arrived. She is steady, dignified and sure. Her hard fought scars and wounds are badges of honor and upon her head sits the crown of respect.

Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.


Winter brings wet, cold and powdery snow and an expiration to that which was once green and new. Winter has a dangerous beauty all her own. The icy wind becomes hard, forceful and cuts like a knife. She painfully stings faces with her icy air, but hope and new life is deep and hidden beneath the face of impending death. Death is impregnated with a new life that is mysterious and unknown. It's appearance and approach is both strange and frightening. The painful struggle begins and the stong waves of labor in time succumb to restful and welcomed surrender. Surrender then gives birth to something new, beautiful and amazing.

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.

Physical death, the death of a dream, plan or expectation for God's people is not the end. It is a new beginning. Underneath the hopeless, crushed decay lies something amazing and mysterious that God is preparing to be born. There is hope for the believer. Jesus willingly sacraficied himself and was crushed for our iniquities so that upon our physical death here on earth we can enjoy eternal life and peace with God. He only asks that we recieve him as Lord and Savior and His gift...His blood, His death and resurrection. His death and His resurrected life has produced and continues to produce much fruit in those that recieve Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Dedicated to my Grandmother. I wish the rocky soils of this life had not separated us and that there was time for us to know each other. I pray that your journey is full of peace and your destination be the loving arms of Jesus. In Jesus Name. Amen.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Warning!!! This may not apply to you. In that case YOU ARE AWESOME. I have not been so awesome in my own life.....but I am learning!

When I look at our culture one of the biggest abuses I see is a wide spread lack of respect for others. We are in every one's business, everywhere. We tell people what they should do, what they should not do etc., etc. There is very little respect for one's privacy, choices or personal beliefs. Aretha Franklin's song Respect comes to mind. Yes, I believe there are moral absolutes, but I am to play God in people's lives? If people don't want my opinion I generally don't give it. If they don't desire my "teaching" or correction I am simply wasting my time and theirs offering it. I may have the best intentions, but do you remember what was once said about good intentions? Sometimes I mess up and cross over the line and for those errors I sincerely ask for forgiveness. I have had a taste of that from others from time to time and it doesn't feel good.

When someone knows you care about them and respect them generally they will desire and value your opinion. They will probably ASK for it and that is the best time to give it! I absolutely love this quote:

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Unknown Author.

I also really love this scripture:

1 Peter 3:15:15

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

If we don't have relationship with people, how can we expect them to value our knowledge? Relationship builds that bridge, but we can still abuse it in our lack of sensitivity and respect for the boundaries of others.

Arguing is also vain. It accomplishes nothing but building up the "self" if I happen to win. This is not the victory I desire. This is not the victory anyone should desire. I won, but what was the award? Broken relationships are the trophies. Some trophy! Offense, strife and misunderstandings are the rotten and stinking fruit of arguing and having to be seen as "right".

Job 6:25 How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

My God respects the free will of mankind to choose Him or to reject Him. He is a Gentleman and non imposing. He knocks at the door and WAITS for us to answer. He doesn't force Himself on anyone. If our witness is a weak one, could it be that we lack respect for others? If our relationships are weak, could it be that we don't truly respect, love or invest in the lives of others?

"He removes the greatest ornament of friendship, who takes away from it respect." Cicero

Just thoughts from More Than A Conqueror