Prayer

Oh, God, with anguish of soul we cry out to you. We see death surrounding, closing in, but we battle on. Linda has been nine days now without food and water. Her organs are failing, but she looks into our eyes, she follows the little boy in the room with those brown eyes as he skips and sings, she greets a newcomer with those eyes. She meets our eyes and focuses, she holds our hands. She wipes off the cold drip of water as I sponge a meager offering onto her water-thirsty lips.

But she is failing. Nine days. We need an absolute miracle. We need Lazarus-sized help.

Oh, God, we groan, we cry out, we do not cease from asking: overrule this darkness; intervene for our dear sister whose will is so strong; bring supernatural hydration and nourishment to these failing cells; and MOVE on the hearts of those who refuse to give her basic nutrition. Oh, God, hear your people as we lift these desperate needs to You.

Battles To Win

Pensive moments have been encountered around the table as we process the moment by moment life of a dear friend who has suffered severe brain damage due to a stroke. She lies in a nearby hospital fighting for life. We wrestle in prayer for her healing, and for her chance to live. Helping young people comprehend such a vicissitude is challenging, especially when one has not quite grasped all that is happening oneself.

I spent some time at her bedside last night. Many have faithfully stood there just like me, holding her hand, looking into her eyes, reminding her of their love and His faithfulness. She is surrounded by witnesses of her desire to be well, her will to survive. We persevere in prayer and supplication -- not for her soul. That is a settled matter. Grateful beyond words am I to know of a surety that she will gain eternity with Him -- but for her physical healing.

Pray with us. Linda is her name.

Simple Does It

Showcase -- to display, to place in the public's attention.

Sometimes His intention is merely to showcase who He is within us. The world marvels at titanic talent, extravagant expense, intimidating intelligence, and sizzling style. They love to showcase such things.

He wants to showcase His mercy, His great love and faithfulness, and His glorious salvation. We are His showcase, His display. They see all of that through us.

So when in doubt, shine, Christian, shine. When you feel overlooked, shine His love. Not the brightest crayon in the box today? Showcase His mercy and faithfulness. In need of affirmation? Display His salvation.

Keeping it simple these days, folks. That's all.

KISS

Keep it simple, stupid.

I have always loved the directness of simple thought. Perhaps it's is because I am a bit simple myself. Oh, well. So it may be.

This morning in church we focused on simple things. We talked about the need to simply trust God. When the going gets tough, trust Him. When the answer eludes, trust Him. When the dark hovers and the tunnel is long, trust Him.

I've been up and down a bit lately. Sensing a transition. No, more than sensing -- I'm in the midst of a transition -- and feeling very unsure of where and how it will all end. Now -- finally -- I remember my favorite counsel: KISS. For example: trust Him. Period.

I forgot that simple does me fine. No complex sorting out, no great lengthy expositions. Just plain truth. It rings true, inspires me, and catches the wind in my sails. Others may need a deep understanding, and there is a time and place for that, I am sure. But the bottom line of His truth remains simple enough for a child to grasp. Jesus is that accessible.

Simple enough for even me.

Join me?

Uh oh. God's stirring me up. Not that that's a bad thing. It's a very good thing, a seemingly overdue thing - a desperately needed thing.

He's getting me all excited about prayer. Hm. Can I say that I'm psyched about prayer suddenly? Ready to move mountains, to win victories, to crush the enemy big-time. Ready to roll up the sleeves and pound doors and see stuff happen. Really, really ready.

Yeah, I know. It's about time.

Vocalizing

The voice is rusty. No, really. Voices get rusty. I just wonder how "cleaned up" they can get. Here's the problem with my attempts: I get overly zealous. I know, I know. Hard to imagine. (Ahem...)

Here's my style: I pull out the volumes of show tunes, make a mental list of all the old favorites as well as several new ones to be learned -- and then I plow through the list. Every last one of them, sight-reading full voice and all that. I've warmed up a bit, of course, but the singing is such pure delight, the tones sound decent, and in no time I overuse, abuse, and in general leave myself with a slightly raspy lower voice and high notes that are a bit tired and squeezed. Hmmm...

Self-control. Slow warming up, careful pacing as I get back in the saddle. Since when has that ever been my approach?

Well, it just may need to be these days. I wonder if I will manage that? ;)

Varied

The family continues to be enlarged, both the natural and spiritual. With more people come varied situations and needs. Vast in number -- one faces death while one ushers in a new life, a fresh beginning alongside one who is finishing the race.

Sorrow juxtaposed with joy. Pain in this direction, sweetness across the way.

Be all things to all people. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

As we entertain happiness in one room, we find ourselves confronted with grief in the next. Cross the threshold; embrace the inhabitants, partake of their experience, share your heart and be touched by theirs.

God meets us in all things. He is able. Be the Body of Christ to those He puts in your world -- a living, moving, breathing, changing, responding organism. We are His body here, now.

Rejoice one minute, weep the next; grieve and then find joy. It is all from Him, side by side, moment by moment.

He will walk us through these days, these times. He will bring us to the end of all of this. In His Hand. Always.

Thoughts

Stuff that I have been thinking about lately:

1) Generational building. A phrase that became popular in the church in the recent past. Praying about my part in stirring up a passion for the next generation once again. It is vital. It is paramount. It is His heart.

2) My kids. They are growing into adults with adult-sized hearts and minds and plans and doings. Whew! Prayer is the only way I can invest consistently. So I pray.

3) Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. This famous and wealthy man is coming to my house today for lunch and dinner. No, it's not because of me. He's coming because he heard Julia and liked what he heard. So now he wants to meet the fam. Interesting. Isn't that interesting? I'll let you know how it goes. But it's definitely on my mind this morning!

4) Taxes. Economy. Healthcare. I only know these things for sure: I don't like exorbitant taxes and I have no idea of what US economy will look like five years from now. I definitely would not be surprised by horrific changes. But I'm in His hand.

5) Ancient world history. Egyptian, Greek, and Roman in particular. It is what we are studying this year at the Sinclair Academy of Fine Arts (well, for history, that is.) I am thoroughly enjoying the discovery of more "new" old things! Just finished reading The Egyptian by Mike Waltari. It was quite interesting to me as I am reading through portions of the Old Testament that correlate in time period with the setting of this novel. It brought the reality of this world to life for me. Unfortunately, it was not pretty. But it was real.

6) Summer months. Anticipating time with my younger set here at home as well as work on my role in Annie. Looking forward to gardens, grills, and good times!

A myriad of other odds and ends filter through the cracks of my mind (and it is quite cracked...)
But we will let them sift through unannounced. When the dust settles I will let you know.