April Showers

Psalms 30:11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing...

Just walking through my door after work, my Starbucks reward in hand, I noticed my Easter décor, still punctuating corners of my home, a few pink eggs here, a leaping bunny there—and I began to recollect this special month of April for me.  They always come fast, these 30-31 days in this stage of my life, but this month left marks on the calendar, marks I hope to remember well into eternity. 

April 7^th, I sat before a crowd of women peers, unfolding a story of great loss and sadness, a story I had told in pieces, but the complete puzzle picture never articulated out in words all at once like this.  In such personal and loving ways, God ministered to my heart during that day and continued through that night and into the next week.  He once again validated his great mercy and grace towards me and showered me with such peace and a treasured gift.  Lord, I am so grateful.

When given an opportunity to encourage, even across a great ocean, my story and more importantly, my Lord brings this world to my keyboard as I chat to a young mother in fear and uncertainty about her own future and that of her child. Was I equipped to take on such a task? I pray my words gave her peace and led her to knowing Holy God in a more personal way. 

April brought such nice storms our way; lovely rain that we needed in a powerful thunderstorm one week and a refreshing tropical shower this week. The ground is soft and eager to receive the seeds for a late summer and fall harvest.

Oh, the Hope of the Resurrection!


Lord, as I pack up my silly bunnies and speckled eggs, I give you praise for the Eternal Spring that washes through my life. Though past April showers, dreary and dark drenched my soul, Your light evaporates the tears and finds me dancing in the rain of your hopeful promise. 

Media Movement with a Mohawk

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. (NLV) 


So, what is it that caused me to pause, moved me this week?  Hmmm, as I pondered, thinking of this blog and its potential contents.  

Certainly, Dick Clark's passing brought back memories of mid morning Saturdays, copying the latest dance moves and listening...absorbing that LOUD NOISE better known as rock 'n roll. (I can hear my mother now, "TURN DOWN your Stereo!")

Or maybe I am inspired by Kim Kardashian's aspirations to be the mayor of Glendale, CA.

Nah.

One media mogul, one "dra-media" creation.

I watched contestant Colton Dixon on American Idol voted out last night.  Certainly one of my favorites, (actually, I think they are all great this year), Colton's reputation as an outspoken Believer got some press.  Producers of the show actually asked him to "tone it  down."

So gracious in his exit last night, we watched him give Praise to his Lord in a song written by Lifehouse called "Everything", a song he sang  a few weeks back.  Postured on his knees,  Colton worshiped his Lord, standing and lifting his hands and inserting words that emphasized his passion.

The camera panned over to the contestants still in the running. Many mouthed the same words, a corporate worship.  God's got a plan for this young man, Mohawk haircut and all.  My CD player awaits your joyful noise Colton,  and I can assure you I will be turning it up loud.

Lord, thank you for young people today who are not ashamed of the Gospel. I thank you for music and all the ways it brings beauty and healing into my life, even the loud stuff.

" Everything"

Find me here, and speak to me 

I want to feel You, I need to hear You 

You are the light that's leading me to the place 

Where I find peace again 

You are the strength that keeps me walking 

You are the hope that keeps me trusting 

You are the life to my soul 

You are my purpose 

You're everything

And how can I stand here with You 

And not be moved by You

Would You tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms and you give me rest 

You hold me in your hands 

You won't let me fall 

You steal my heart and You take my breath away 

Would You take me in, take me deeper now 

And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this 

And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this 

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need 

You're everything, everything 

You're all I want 

You're all I need 

You're everything, everything 

You're all I want 

You're all I need 

You're everything, everything 

You're all I want 

You're all I need 

Everything, everything. 

Shock and Awe

Jeremiah 10:13 When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Today, for a few hours, the rain came down in torrents, the thunder boomed right over head and lightning flashed.  In So. California, we don't experience this too often, and everyone gets quite excited.  By myself, I admit, the thunderous booms shook the house and made me a little nervous as well. 


What power!  


I am in awe. 

This week, I wanted to put away and store the collected words like raindrops, written in several  journals of some stormy days in my life. In that search and shuffle, God checked in and gave me an updated weather report.  The clouds parted, the Son shined bright into my heart and a rainbow appeared; a promise that He is faithful. He gave me a gift I thought to be washed away in the flood waters of lost memories.  

What power!

I remain in awe.

Thank you Lord for making your love for me so personal and so beautiful. Though the rain has subsided, it drenched the earth, soaking a soul ready to burst forth with blooms of inspiration and continued words to bring you glory. Amen.   

A Good Egg

Isaiah 1:18  "Come, llet us reason together."

EGGar, one of a dozen in his group, couldn't understand the EGGcitement of the others. Off in his own corner, he remained separated by his hard-boiled countenance. His eleven collEEGs, EGGhoed sentiment for their friend who was not so over-easy.

"Hey EGGar, come join us today. It's make-over week!"

"I'd rather be fried," EGGar cracked back.

"Oh, come on. It won't be as EGGcrutiating as you think."

EGGar, his friends continuing to EGG him on, broke a smile and decided to lay it all on the line. Maybe he could scramble some courage together and whip up a conversation with EGGerina. It seemed the time to break out of his shell.

Off they went, this dozen. One by one they took a dip into the pastel colors baptized in yellows, aquas, and lavenders. EGGar, his yolk feeling a little tossed, rolled on over toward EGGerina, blushing pink.

"Hello", he appoached her delicately. "That color looks very good on you."

"It's EGGzactly what I hoped for." she answered as she rolled up a little closer. "...and that yellow brings your sunny side up."

Together they left for the big outdoors, waiting in the tall grass to be discovered.  Placed in the same basket, Chocolate Bunny presided over the recipe, calling for the two to become one. Jelly bean witnesses sweetened the deal.

EGGar and EGGerina soon found their purpose. EGG salad sandwiches, delivered to the local homeless shelter, fed many in need. Lemon Meringue pie felt inspired by these two as he served beside them. No more EGGcuses; he would step out in faith as well.

Encouragement from your "carton of Grade A" buddies may just be the ingredient you need to lEGG-0 and let God, the EGGSpert and most EGGcellent authority on courage and purpose.

Lord, I cannot begin to thank you enough for this Season and for giving me a reason to pause today, this  Good Friday.  Jesus, you were  broken and spilled-out, sacrificed so that I may have life. May I live EGGarly for you in all that I do. Amen. 

(P.S. I am sure you know the spelling errors are made on purpose for this Eggcerpt. . But seriously, consider where you want to place all your eggs, hopefully they lay in a basket of faith).

Have a Blessed Easter Everyone! 

Whale Watching

John 8:36

^{Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.}  

Think about the biggest creature existing on this earth today and you're probably picturing an elephant or bigger still, a whale. The California Grays delight us this time of the year with their migration back to the cold waters of the North after spending time in the warmer waters down South, where the females gave birth. This week, three stories of these whales caught my attention. Trapped in fish netting, a burden that weighed them down, surfacing to breathe became an effort; even threatening their life. Two stories ended with a successful rescue; the net cut away from the struggling mammals.  One whale was not so lucky.

Rescuers attempt to untangle a fishing net from the fluke of a California gray whale off the coast of Southern California. Photo Credit: dolphinsafari.com.

 Even when we are feeling strong and powerful in our journey with the Lord, something can move into our path and cause us to slow down, even struggle to find God's breath. Experiencing this in my life with the loss of a house to a fire and even more tragically, the death of my oldest son four years later, I know what it feels like to be pulled down into the deep abyss and wonder if you will ever have the strength again to breach the surface and move forward.

It took a team of experienced rescuers to cut away at the net that wrapped around the tail of these awesome creatures.  It also took some time and patience, but eventually, the whale swam free, surfacing and blowing out as if to thank those that came along side.

Your Heavenly Father sees your struggle and He knows your burden. Trust Him that He will send the Holy Spirit to carefully cut away the net of hurt that holds us back from our purpose.  Sometimes the Spirit uses an experienced team, the Body of Christ to assist. What a blessing when we can look back and testify in thanksgiving what being "set free" really means.

Lord, I thank you today that though I have struggled with burdens that weighed on my heart and slowed me down for a season, your Holy Spirit came to my rescue and allowed me the grace to venture into the deep of your love and mercy, set free to continue the journey. Amen.

F.Y.I:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/whaletrappedinnet-144309275.html

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/oc-orange-county-whale-trapped-net-fishing-dolphinsafari-144803985.html


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/dead-whale-long-beach.html

THE HUNGER GAMES

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

When are you hungry?  


When you first get up?


When you come home from work?


Late night in front of the T.V.?


What is it that you  crave?  Sometimes it is something as common as ice cream or popcorn, while other times it is something from our past,  like Grandma's pot roast or Uncle Vinny's lasagna.


Stomach growling, blood sugar spiking, and irritability rising; a missed meal can pose a problem. 


Parched, dry-mouthed, and weak;  dehydration messes with our electrolytes, important because they make our heart beat in a nice rhythm. 


Can the same apply of our sustenance from the Lord? 


God longs for us to "do the right thing" and sometimes all it takes is a little guidance, a little everyday habit of feeding on His Word and keeping the "pantry" stocked with the staples of the Christ-like surroundings, fresh and ready for those hunger pangs of life. 


Other times,  the Holy Spirit, the Master Chef, invites us to His  banquet table of blessings, serving up a feast finished with the sweet dessert of hope and promise. Alive with His energy ;  we pass on a legacy,  like a favorite recipe for the soul. 


Jesus said,  "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”


Lord, You instruct us to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). How I long to be seasoned like a hearty broth to serve You as you see fit. May I always hunger after you Lord, and rest in the fullness of your Grace. 


Do I hear your tummy rumbling?  

A Devoted Saint to the Emerald Isle

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

It is said that Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, drove the snakes out of the country.

The snake-tatooed arms of the Druids were probably more like it.

St. Patrick used a Shamrock to illustrate the Trinity, three parts of one leaf equals one leaf, all are of one leaf, Father Son, Holy Spirit;  All God.                                                                                            

 Tomorrow as you sit down to watch a little basketball, eat some corn beef and cabbage or put a little Bailey's in your Coffee, be reminded of the work done in the name of our Lord many centuries ago. Probably in the 5th century, at  age 16, Patrick was captured and enslaved to Ireland.  After escaping and returning to his home land, he converted, becoming  a True Believer, one set on a mission to spread the Gospel of Christ. He then went back to Ireland to do the Lord's work.

Oh Lord, as I read this prayer, may I be ever conscious of Your Spirit and may I live my life as if I am conscious of this very thing. Amen.
                               
   HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY                                                    
                                                   

From Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Christ be with me Christ before me Christ behind me Christ in me Christ beneath me Christ above me Christ on my right Christ on my left Christ where I lie Christ where I sit Christ where I arise Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me Christ in every eye that sees me Christ in every ear that hears me Salvation is of the Lord.