A Legacy Worth Leaving

I attended a funeral yesterday. One of my dear friends lost her mother rather suddenly last Thursday...yes on the day of our blizzard.
As I sat there during the service listening to the minister comment about the legacy this woman left behind, I couldn't help but wonder what my own legacy would be. What will people say about me when I'm gone?
This dear woman was sweet and kind, and poured such love into her family. She was dedicated to her church, and was a good neighbor to all. Proverbs 31 was quoted about the Godly woman, and I know it's all true of Mrs. Jean. She was a sweetheart. She never failed to welcome me with a smile and open arms. And many times, she embraced me as one of her own on a holiday that found me many miles from my natural family.
The family and friends who are left to cherish her memory will hold near to their hearts each gesture of love. Mrs. Jean will be remembered with tenderness, and will be greatly missed.

What about my life? How will I be remembered? And better yet...how do I want to be remembered? ...because those very ideas will determine my actions now. If I only want to be known as a nice person, I probably don't have to change much. I smile at my neighbors, take cookies to the widow next door, and work hard for my boss. I don't drink or smoke, or toss litter in the streets. Is that enough?
So I sit and ponder these things. Without a doubt, the greatest thing in this life is knowing Jesus. He makes this life worth living. I am reminded (by Bill Johnson) that this life is not our home, but simply our assignment. This life is but a breath. Our purpose is eternal.
I was created in God's image to love Him and to have fellowship with Him...this world is only the practice session for heaven. I was also created to be a witness of His love and grace. This becomes the pursuit - to know Jesus so intimately that people can see Him when they look at me. And friends, I'm not there yet. But I so want to be...because I believe that's the secret to a legacy worth leaving.

Welcome Spring, Part 2

Ah, yes, the unpredictable weather of Colorado. Spring continues as we are in the midst of a classic March storm. The forecasts last night said this was coming, but we didn't know for sure how much snow we would get. When I got up at 5:00 this morning, we had practically nothing on the ground. By the time I left for work at 6:30, the roads were slushy. And by 11:00, our boss sent everyone home, lest we have to spend the night there. So this picture is my deck - and probably about 8 inches of snow on it. I bet we've only had about 5 inches of actual falling snow, but the crazy wind has it piled in certain places. And this is one of them. It would be nice to actually get outside and take some photos, but it's still coming down pretty good at the moment. So I'll have to wait for the real photography opportunities. In the meantime, I've got a few pictures just through windows, and an open door.

This one to the right is out my front door. The wind continues to push the snow off the roof, and it's created quite the overhang. It's hard to tell the actual size of such a thing, but it's about 5 feet wide, and growing by the minute. Such drifts have been known to cover an innocent passer-by, so I'll keep my eye on it.

I did attempt to shovel the driveway. Ugh. The wind has it drifted there as well, and it's deep. One of my neighbors has a snowblower, and he graciously cleared my sidewalk. But I'll have to fight my way through the driveway alone, if I ever want to get my car out of the garage again.

And the shrub next to the driveway is enjoying some much needed moisture. We all are!! It was so dry! So I praise God for the moisture. And my lawn is thankful!! I bet that even my little purple pretties - grape hyacinths (thank you Becky) - are enjoying it too. But they are currently buried under a foot of snow. However, I'm sure they are shouting praises to God for His goodness. Everything will benefit from this wonderful spring snow. We had one of these March storms a few years ago, and they provide great snow for building a snowman!!!

Enjoy life, friends. It's short!

Welcome, Spring!!

First day of spring! Hallelujah!! Yes, I know it could snow here next week...I don't care. I'm just excited to know that spring is here, and summer is on the way! And I have these little "purple pretties" popping up along the driveway. I'm not very good with flower names, much to the chagrin of mom and dad, I'm sure. They are probably leaning over the rails of heaven, looking at my yard and calling every bush and stalk by a scientific name. But for the life of me, it's just not something that stuck in my brain.

Nonetheless, I have these little bits of color to look at. Since I just moved into this house a few months ago, I really have no idea what all to expect from the yard. It was nicely landscaped, but I guess I'll get surprised every time something new decides to bloom. This is part of the fun of being somewhere new. I get to experience what someone else left behind for me...enjoying the fruit of their labors, if you will.

Spring is great. It proclaims life and new beginnings! Out with the old, and in with the new. Those things that have been dormant or dead for a season are now finding new sprouts of life.

Hmmm....kinda sounds like redemption. God gives us new life, even though we were dead in our sins. The old is gone, and the new has come. In Christ, we are new. He makes all things new... and gives us the opportunity to bloom.

Shine on little purple beauties! Your Creator delights in you!

And so do I!!

Girls and Grills

It has been a nice weekend in Colorado. Wonderfully mild temperatures - considering that the month of March could bring anything. But it was in the 60's today, and the perfect opportunity to officially break-in the new grill!! So I asked my best friend, Gwen to come over, and we fired up the grill. This was a special occasion, so there were no hot dogs or burgers. No, this called for fat, juicy steaks. And veggies drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. I popped a couple of potatoes in the oven, and before long, we had a really good lunch!! I suppose I should have spoken a few words in honor of the new grill, but the aroma of the steaks caused my heart to race and my lips to quiver. So there were no words except "How do you want your steak? Medium or medium rare?"

And I suppose I could have taken a picture of my steak to show you, but I couldn't wait that long! So I'll just post a photo of Gwen and me at my house-warming party.

Indeed, it was a noteworthy day! And I feel a habit forming. I like this grilling thing, and perhaps could find a way to cook everything out there!!

Did you ever have one of those days? You know the kind...somewhere about lunch time, you wonder why you even crawled out from under the covers that morning...

This is more than just a bad hair day - which I'm slowly getting used to, simply because of the extreme WIND we've had this winter. No, no, this is different.

It starts at 5:00 a.m. when you wander into the kitchen to feed your cat, only to find that he couldn't wait for you and decided to help himself to whatever he could see. Granted, he couldn't see much, because I rarely leave food on the counter. However he did find a box of crackers - and knocked them over so he could pull out one of the individual plastic sleeves of crackers. Much to his surprise, I'm sure, it wasn't what he wanted, so he only chewed on it and clawed at it, but didn't eat it. Moving from his first course, he found the fruit. Are you kidding me? Cats don't eat fruit!! This is true - but again, he found pleasure in chewing on a couple of bananas, just to leave the impression of his wonderfully perfect teeth. Let's just say that if he ever dies in a plane crash, I can identify his remains by the dental records I now possess.

I not only raised my voice at him, I shook a fistful of fingers, and told him I'd jerk a knot in his tail if he ever did that again. He ran under the table.

Somehow in the midst of cleaning up the chewed food pieces, I lost track of time and ended up being late for work. And I forgot it was trash day, so nothing got put on the curb. Oh well, it should be nice and fragrant by next week.

When I arrived at work, I found that my co-worker had not shipped the box that I left for him. It was still sitting right where I left it...with the FedEx label still snug and tight. Yes, he had specifically asked me to get everything ready for him, because this was "important"!! And the material I had requested for production to run, is still sitting patiently in the same cabinet as yesterday, in spite of my orders.

The receptionist decided to come in late today - which allowed me the ...ahem....opportunity to answer phones.

And while I have been trying to plan a vacation for the Grand Canyon - I have been unable to find a hotel/lodge room for less than $180 night for my planned week.

Can I blow a little steam, and say "This is not my best day!!!"



Do you ever feel invisible? Or like you're treading through the mud and making no progress? I feel both of those today...I'm slopping through deep mud one deliberate step after another, but nobody seems to be aware of anything.



Ugh. It's days like this that I have to make a conscious effort to turn to the Lord and allow Him to give much grace and strength. It's a deliberate action on my part to focus on who I am in Christ; because on days like today - I don't feel very righteous or holy - much less saved. But I am saved, I am God's child, I am chosen and predestined, created in Christ Jesus for good works. It's not about what I feel. It's about what God has already said about me in His Word. It's about truth. So in the midst of this "less-than-best" day, I call to the Lord, my refuge and strength, and require of Him. He is faithful and good, and is the One who never changes. As sure as the sun rises in the east, things around me will change...and tomorrow may find my cat being the perfect pet. But for right now, I choose to look to the Author and Finisher of my faith, for He is the Rock on which I stand. He loves me, and reassures me that He is in control. His kingdom is established, and His throne will not be shaken...not even by unruly felines and disruptive coworkers. He is God alone. And I belong to Him.

The Great Life

Have you ever wanted to do something really great? I mean, above and beyond, of excellent nature, something to remember - that kind of great. Doesn't everyone want to be remembered in a positive way?

However I think there is a problem between our ears - we have the wrong idea of what "great" really is. The world's view promotes greatness by how many movies you've made, and how many bathrooms are in your mansion. This fast-paced society looks to the bank accounts and magazine covers for a definition of greatness. Can I just say - that ain't it.


One of the greatest people I know stands every weekend at the church doors to greet me with a warm smile.
Another one cooks meals for those that are sick and homebound.
Still another one gives freely of her time to read the Bible to prison inmates.
And I know several that help sort out clothes and provisions to give to needy families.


This is true greatness. These are the deeds that will be remembered for eternity. Yet so many of these selfless acts will go without recognition in this life. Too many folks are gazing at the People magazine to get the latest story on their favorite celebrity. Pity.


But - there is ONE who does see every deed done in love. There is ONE who will have the last say of reward and recognition. When we seek to do God's will, and purpose to live our lives so that He is honored...that's a great thing.


In the study of Esther, Beth Moore encourages us to live the great life....and that's simply to live for the greatness of God. It has caused me to pray for God to break off the "small" mentality that religion has put on my mind like a helmet. After all, we're told that (God) is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" in Ephesians 3:20. I don't know about you, but I can think and ask a lot!! But I have the assurance that He can do more! He is not a small God! He is powerful and great! He laid the heavens out and daily displays His glory. He formed every tree and twig, every fish and fowl, every boy and girl. He is great. Let us seek to live the great life - by seeking the greatness of God.

Memory Lane

I've been taking a quick trip down memory lane this afternoon, as I have unpacked a few boxes that still linger in the garage from my recent move. Moving from an apartment to a house has been so wonderful!! I am so blessed to be in this great house - in a terrific neighborhood, too. But the joy of unpacking has long left me, and occasionally I stub my toe on a box that has refused to come into the house.

So on this Sunday afternoon, I decided to get through at least 2 more boxes - and might I say, mission is now accomplished. However, I can't just unpack a box...unless it's towels or something. No, I have to look at everything in it - and heaven forbid it to be a box of old cards and letters that are much too precious to discard - because I have to sit down and read every one of them. The first box was a breeze - just stuff that needed to be stored away in closets. But the second box...yeah, old cards, letters, a photo album from 30 years ago - and my very first scrapbook. Well, this has proved to be a long afternoon. I had to not only re-read all the letters, but turn every page in the scrapbook. Oh my.

This is the kind of scrapbook that you had to either glue or tape things into - my, how times have changed. The tape I had used is now brown and fragile, and has long lost it's stickiness, so as I turned pages, things fell out onto the floor.

I will admit, I kept some strange things over the years. There are newspaper clippings about odd animal situations...like a mistreated pony that was rescued, and a 2-headed goat. There are articles about excavations on a local Indian reservation, and even the headlines of Elvis' death.

But then there are birthday cards from relatives that passed on to Glory years ago. There are some certificates of achievement from elementary school, and recognitions from the festivals I attended when taking piano lessons. And I even kept the certificates handed out at the end of every VBS.

But one of my favorite things is something I made - either in Vacation Bible School at my church, or in art class at school. (Might I add this disclaimer...I'm not an artist.) This little piece was apparently important enough to me to keep. I look at it now, and can't for the life of me figure out why. I'm not even sure what it is!! It could me a mouse with pink wheels, or maybe a fuzzy Volkswagen with a tail!! As you scrutinize my clever artwork, please be kind - as I was probably only 4 or 5 yrs old. I would have no proof that I actually made it, except someone was kind enough to write my name on it. And please note the lovely border - ric-rac in rose tone. Yes, those were the days.

It's times like this I wish I could pick up the phone and ask mom all kinds of questions. Things I don't remember, but sure wish I could. My encouragement to you is to never tire of hearing the stories. You know the ones...you've heard them a hundred times...and think you have every line memorized...you roll your eyes when they start in on it again. But if you still have your parents on this earth, thank God for them; and then ask them how they fell in love....and ask them about the day you were born. Ask them what they have learned through the years regarding love and courage and strength; and soak up the wisdom and insight like a dry sponge. Listen to the stories, friends. Trust me, there will come a time when you would give your pink-wheeled mouse to hear them just once more.

Dissatisfaction

In the introduction of When Heaven Invades Earth (by Bill Johnson), there is one sentence that has particularly gripped me:
"I needed to see the gospel in life as it is in print".

I have read this book before, and am now re-reading it...or at least trying to. I can't get past the introduction. I started into chapter one, only to find myself flipping back to the page that is now getting somewhat wrinkled and ragged....and meditating on the need to see the gospel in life, as it is in print.

Yes, Bill, I'm there, too. I've read the Bible for as many years as I can remember - my folks had one of those huge Bible-story books, and we used to read that at night when we were kids before I could read the Bible itself. So I've become very familiar with much Scripture through the years. But do I see it in my everyday life - the same way I read it on the page? Do I see lame men getting up and dancing on new legs? Do I hear the blind man begin to praise God as he now sees pink booties on a newborn baby for the first time? Do I hear the sobs of a mother, as her once-dead son is now alive and well?

At our church, we've had a unique outpouring of God's amazing power within the last 8 months or so. And yes, we've had testimonies of people being healed and set free. It's awesome, and God deserves all praise!

But it only scratches the surface. I know there is more. And not just more for us to observe!! Heaven forbid we become casual observers!! We are to be participating in the move of God, co-laboring with Christ for the advancement of His Kingdom....The King's Domain, if you will. If we were not to participate, then Jesus would never have said in John 14 , "Anyone who has faith in ME will do what I have been doing; he will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in MY name, so that the SON may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in MY name, and I will do it." But since Jesus made this proclamation, His plan is for us to work with Him. And that means healing the sick, casting out demons, and yes, even raising the dead.

I know I probably just lost some of you right there...raising the dead? C'mon now, really?

Look at what Jesus said - we will do what He was doing...and even greater things.... So we just need to look at what He did, as He was in intimate fellowship with the Father and dependent on the Spirit's power to flow through Him. He didn't perform miracles because He was God, or else there would be no chance for us to follow in His footsteps. He set aside all of His "Godness" to be born on this earth and live life as a man. But, He opened blind eyes, caused the lame to walk, cast out demons, raised the dead - just to name a few.

This is the gospel I want to see - no, need to see. It's no longer enough to simply read about it. My heart has been pricked with a holy dissatisfaction.

Why Daddy's Girl?

OK - so I should explain this "daddy's girl" thing.

For anyone that is a daddy's girl, no explanation is needed. You already get it. But not everyone has had that privilege.

I was always a daddy's girl. When I was little, I followed daddy around and simply loved to be with him. I was his treasure - his baby girl, and the apple of his eye. He loved me with his whole heart. Even to his last days on this earth, he called me his baby. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But you see, I'm also a Daddy's girl - of the heavenly variety. My Heavenly Father loves me and treasures me. I am the apple of His eye too. He has loved me so much, that He gave His Son Jesus for me - just so I could live with Him forever. Pretty cool. It would be good for me to remind myself more often just how much I am loved. But like everyone else, I get distracted sometimes by the circumstances around me. And I start to focus on what's wrong in the world instead of the awesome God who has redeemed me. So for this post, I revel in the amazing love of my Heavenly Father, and quietly ask Him to tell my daddy that I love him, and miss him. Because you see, I'll always be a daddy's girl.

Creator of the sunrise

One of the things I love most about Colorado is the absolute beauty. It doesn't matter the time of day or the season, untamed beauty surrounds those who take the time to appreciate it.
We have had a mild winter, but still have had great mornings like this one - where the snow literally hangs on each twig and branch as if refusing to fall to the gound. The sunrises here are second to none, and just scream aloud to me "God is ALIVE and WELL!" This was a February morning, and the sky seemed to dance with shades of pink and orange.

I'm always shocked when people say there is no God. I truly do not understand it. Of course, I'm thankful for the advantage of being raised by parents who knew Jesus and took us kids to church every time the doors were open. Still, when I see the majesty displayed in the skies like this colorful morning, my very soul cries out to it's Maker - and I have no doubt that God is on the throne, and very much in control. I praise Him today.

OK. I know this is really quick - since I already posted this morning. But I just had an "urgent" email from my friend Joy. Her mom is elderly, and has been physically deterioratng and is on that road to Heaven, and Joy is getting on a plane to go be with her.
It isn't easy to see your mom leave this world, even though you know she will walk those streets of gold in Heaven. And if you are born again, you'll walk those streets too someday. But the initial shock of being without your mom on this earth is difficult.
It's been 2 years now since my mom went home to be with Jesus. And almost 4 years since daddy went home. At times, I still feel like an orphan - regardless of my age. Praise God I do have the assurance of eternal life with HIM - and I'll see mom and dad again. But because I have already walked this road, my heart goes out to my friend. I pray she is comforted by God's grace and love. I pray for her safety as she travels, and for strength in the days to come. I wish I could sit next to her on the plane and hold her hand...I know her mind will be racing over the next few hours...hoping she makes it there in time.

Something New

Well, I've never done this blogging thing. But some of my friends have continually badgered me until I find myself giving in to their persistance. That's cool.

My desire through this blog is simply to have space to talk about things of the heart. I often want to share what God is doing in my life, and just need the space to write it. This also gives opportunity for comments from others. Just know up front that I am a Christian...yes, the Bible-reading, regular church-attending, loving Jesus, seeking-His-presence-daily kind of Christian. I realize many people in our society call themselves Christian only because it labels them - they aren't muslims or buddhists, so they say they're Christian. That's OK. I've not come here to condemn anybody. I am only telling you who I am. And all of my writings and comments will be directed from my heart as I seek to know Jesus more and more through this life.

So, there it is. My first post. I will definitely try to do this every day - but that may be a lofty goal! HA!