Release...

Well, once again I have come to a place where I need to release and let go of something I thought I really wanted in my life and ultimately found out that it is not what I thought it was going to be.
Have you ever encountered that in your life? 
And, if so, what do you do at that point?
Are you like me and fuss and fume that it did not work out?  Or, do you trash yourself and degrade yourself for ever even thinking it would work out?  Or, do you doubt that you have a reasonable mind at all?  Or, do you accept that it did not work out the way you thought it would and simply acknowledge that?  Without blame, without shame, without guilt, or without regret?

Before you go belittling yourself, beating yourself up, or feeling sorry for yourself, let's look at the definition of release:
1) To free from confinement or bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; to let go, to release a prisoner, to release someone from a debt.
2) To free from anything that restrains, fastens, etc.; to release a catapult.
3) To allow to be known, issued, done or exhibited; to release an article for publication.
4) Law: to give up, relinquish or surrender a right or a claim.

Hmmmmm......to free, to free, to allow, and to give up!  Relinquish, surrender....release.  Then, go one step more and feel the relief of letting it go..........hook, line and sinker!!!
Yes, that's right unclench your fist, unclasp that hold on it, release, let go, leave it behind, let loose of and unhand it!!!

Just think!  Once you really let it go, there is room for something NEW!!!
WOW!!!

A New Year, A New Adventure!

January 1, 2018 - wow!  How did we get here???  It's a new day, a new month and a new year!  What a great way to start thinking about what adventures we want to take in this new year....

One of my favorite authors is Melody Beattie who has a wonderful way of approaching the new year with these sentiments in her book Journey to the Heart:
"Let yourself begin anew, pack your bags, choose carefully what you bring....take along some humility and lessons from the past, toss in come curiosity and excitement about what you haven't learned yet.  Say your good-byes to those your are leaving behind.  Don't worry who you will meet or where you will go.  The way has been prepared.  The people you are going to meet will be expecting you.  A new journey has begun.  Let it be magical. Let it unfold."

So, which one of these ideas resonates the most in your heart?  How will you pack your bags for this coming year?  Where would you like to go?  What would you like to do?  What are you curious about?  What are you excited about?  What would you like to explore for 2018?  If there something you need to let go of to make room for the new?  Contemplate these ideas and see what comes up for you as you begin this new year...

One of the ideas that sinks into my heart is the idea that there are people I am going to meet this year that are expecting me!  Think about that!  Who would want to meet me?  Or you? Then, reverse it!
Who would you like to meet?  Who would you like to have come into your life?  What are you hoping to happen in 2018?  What are you expecting?  Dig deep into your hopes and dreams for this year.  Think about your expectations and see what surfaces for you this first week of the year.  

Then, try something new!  Think differently about how you approach your life!  Allow yourself a new way of viewing the coming days, weeks, and months.  Get excited!!!  It truly can be a journey and an adventure!!!

It's new!!  It's begun!!!

Wonder.....

Wonder.....ahhhh....as Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, we move towards the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!"  For some of us, it IS the most wonderful time of the year. 

However, for many it may be the Most Difficult Time of the Year.....I am sorry if you are hurting and that this time of year is hard.....let's take a peek at how we might make it wonder-ful for you this year!!!

Wonder is the emotion excited by what is strange and surprising, a feeling of surprise or puzzled interest, or sometimes tinged with admiration.  Wonder may be a miraculous deed or event - a remarkable phenomenon.  Wonder can be thinking or speculating curiously about something or someone.  For example, to wonder about the origin of the solar system.  That's true wonder!!!  Or, to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe - to marvel at something so phenomenal that we can hardly believe it has happened!

Our Crossroads Church here in Cincinnati, just started a series called:  Rediscover the Wonder and today's message was Wonder-ful!!!  Chuck Mingo talked about finding something this season that is meaningful or transcendent.  What would that be for you?  Would it be going outside of your comfort zone and donating to a great cause?  Would it be delivering meals to shut in elderly people?  Would it be offering a family member forgiveness when you haven't talked for over a year?  Would it be inviting someone to Christmas who has no family?  

Many churches and organizations around the country had a Thanksgiving Drive or project to feed families who were not able to get all the trimmings or "fixin's" for a Turkey Dinner.  Did your church do something like that?  Crossroads Cincinnati did - they gathered 115,000 boxes and delivered them to families in need this year just in Cincinnati - that is pretty remarkable to me!!!  WOW!  What a blessing that was for those families receiving that gift!  And, guess what?  For those of us who participated it was a blessing for us to give....

Next, we move to the Angel Tree project.  Many organizations and/or families participate in this project so that children of parents who cannot provide a gift for Christmas get a gift.  Maybe because their parents are incarcerated or some other situation where their kids will not have a gift for Christmas.  So, we step up to the plate and provide PJ's, sweat pants, dress pants, outfits, hoodies, PS4 games, etc. etc. so that these kids can have one gift to open.  It is quite a project to undertake in some ways, and yet, so wonder-ful in others!  If we can give so that others can receive, isn't that what Christmas is all about anyway?

Chuck also suggested that we "disrupt our lives for God" this year.  What would you be willing to give or give up to pursue God?  What would you do to pursue a more meaningful holiday season?  What would you do to pursue a relationship with Christ?  What would you be willing to say "Yes" to for the sake of making someone else's Christmas happy?  Who would you be willing to share love, joy and peace with this year? 

I loved Chuck's suggestion:  Would you take 2 hours and $10 to do something of value for Christ?  It could be buying a cup of coffee for that person or old friend in your life you have been meaning to spend time with........maybe they lost a loved one, or their job, or their house.....would you be willing to make this season special, meaningful or wonder-ful for them?  Maybe YOU need that 2 hours to relax and regroup!  Would you be willing to be kind to yourself and take some time to find some peace amongst the chaos of the season?  Check out his sermon at Crossroads.net.

Awe and wonder..........they are gifts of the season if only we have the eyes to see it - if only we are willing to rediscover it!!!  Remember the longing you had when you were a kid?  The anticipation of Christmas morning?  What treasures are you hoping for this year other than a material gift?  Maybe it's slowing down and enjoying the wonder of the season!  Maybe it's grace or forgiveness with someone you have been estranged with.  Maybe it is visiting that neighbor that had to move into a nursing home this year.  Maybe it's the kid or parent across the street that never seems to get a break.  Maybe it is connecting with a group of people you have lost touch with and long to see again....pick up the phone!  Write out a text or email or perhaps a REAL hand-written note!  Connect with other people this season and see if the wonder doesn't shine through!!!

Wonder...........The Wise Men followed the star - they were in awe of the coming of the Christ Child.  Some say it took them 45 days to get to Bethlehem, some say 3 years!  What star will you follow this year?  Would you be willing to follow it until you found the Babe lying in the manger?

Isaiah 9:6:  

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Child is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And, He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

My prayer for you is this:  That you find the Babe lying in the manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes....that you find love so rich and rare that it makes your heart sing!  That you sing Joy to the World and really mean it!!! That you make peace with those you need to and find peace on earth, goodwill toward men in your little corner of the world!!!  That you stop and feel the wonder of what God has done for us.  That you look for the incredible, remarkable, phenomenal, spectacular, meaningful, transcendent and WONDER-FULL sights and sounds of this miraculous season!!!  

Blessings abound as we choose to make it the Most Wonder-ful time of the year.  Choose to see and experience the wonder and awe.  Every day.

Stranger than truth.........

Have you ever thought of Christmas as "strange?"  I never have until I listened to Brian Tomes, Pastor of Crossroads Cincinnati this past weekend.  If you want to hear his message in its entirety, go to Crossroads.net and look up the message for December 3, 2017.  It is strange..........yet beautiful.

Strange.....yet, in listening to Brian's explanation, it made sense to me!  On many levels the events of Christmas over 2,000 years ago WERE strange....

1)  A prophecy from centuries before coming true?  Yes - Jesus' birth happened!
2) A young Virgin  girl giving birth?  How is that even possible???  Yet, it happened!
3) The Wise men or Magi traveling a very long journey and led by a star?  What??? That is strange!
4) Angels speaking to humans saying:  "Fear Not!" - Yet, it happened, and it is strange!
5) Strange gifts given to a baby:  Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh - Gold, incense and embalming fluid?  What???  When was the last time you gave or heard of giving such gifts to a baby?  Strange!!!
6) Christmas is baked into our DNA - into our hearts!  Why do 87% of people celebrate Christmas if they don't believe the story of Jesus?  There are statistics out there that say even Buddhists and Hindu people celebrate Christmas - strange!!!

I hope this Christmas you will contemplate the strange things in your life and look for the beauty in them..........Strange events, strange people, strange feelings, strange places you have never been, strange words that someone might say to you, strange anything!  Think about them..........contemplate them........try to figure out what God is saying to you!!!

Yes, I believe that God does still communicate with us.........maybe not in an audible voice, but He is there........trying to get our attention...........trying to point out His Good Tidings of Great JOY!!!

Luke 2:10-11
"But the angel said the them, Do not be afraid!  I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

May you find the strange and absolutely wonderful news of Christmas settling into your heart this year.  Look for the Babe, lying in a manger, in swaddling clothes, in a strange atmosphere.........He is there...........and He is waiting just for you to come and adore Him!!!

Ardent...

Have you ever been ardent about something?  Intensely devoted?  Eager?  Enthusiastic?  So devoted that whatever it is you are ardent about is written in indelible ink in your mind??? If you have been devoted to something that you are adamant about - what is it?  And, why is that so important to you?

And, consider this:  Indelible means something that cannot be removed, erased, eliminated, forgotten or changed.  What in your life is written in indelible ink on your heart or mind or life?

Think about the people you know:  Family, friends, colleagues, co-workers, long-lost relatives, church members, parent-teacher supporters, sports enthusiasts, artistic fanatics, people you know, and
people you have never met.  Some are devoted to teaching, some to fellowship, some to breaking of bread together, some to prayer.  Some to music, some to art, some to wood-working, some to repurposing old items or antiques, some to contemporary.  Some are devoted to awe and wonder, some to nature and creation, some to science,  some to research, some to entrepreneurial endeavors, some to simplicity.  Whatever "it" is - they are completely enthralled by it!

We each have been given unique gifts, talents, abilities, and interests that can benefit other people.  What is your unique gift?  What can you fan into flame that would be advantageous to others?  Could there be an area that you have developed and become an expert at?  Would you consider teaching others your craft?  Your gift?  Your talent?  What can you share?

And, if you have never had a passion that you are ardent about or devoted to, consider finding one!
There is so much to explore in this world and I believe are meant to share it!!!

2 Timothy 1:6
"For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you!"

Try it - you may find a completely new adventure which you were born to ignite!!!

From 1,000 Gifts to 10,000 Reasons....

A friend of mine recommended a book called 1,000 Gifts a few years ago and the gratitude list that came from reading that book still lingers in my head and my heart....

Think about the little, tiny things that makes you feel grateful and brings a smile to your face:
Soap bubbles floating while you do the dishes,
A breeze that comes across your face,
The buzz of the summer locust,
Cardinals singing their tune each morning,
Flowers in bloom,
Butterflies,
Laughter,
Children giggling,
Warm, life-giving summer air,
Puppies licking your face and wagging their tails....

What are your gifts that cross your path? 
Why not take a few minutes to ponder those and write them down!!!

Then, I listened to one of my favorite songs on Christian Radio is 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman the other day....Let these words sink into your soul:

Bless the Lord, O my soul.........O, my soul.
Worship His Holy Name....
Sing like never before......O my soul, worship Your Holy Name.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing your song again
Whatever made possible
Whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening come.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul.
Worship His Holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul
Worship His Holy Name.

Your rich in love and your slow to anger
Your Name is great and Your Heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing,
10,000 Reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul.
Worship His Holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul
Worship His Holy Name.

10,000 Reasons for my heart to find.
Let me be singing when the evening comes....
I hope you'll be singing when the evening come tonight!!!

The Glorious Shades of Green in Spring...

Ahhh......Spring! Isn't it grand? Isn't it wonderful? I love Spring!

As I driving to and from Ohio this spring, I have had the incredible experience and privilege of witnessing the many glorious shades of green that the Lord has created! From Kansas, to Missouri, to Illinois, to Indiana, and finally Ohio I have driven by various shades of green such as: Emerald green, apple green, chartreuse green, jade green, moss green, Nile green, olive green, Paris green, pea green (YUCK!), peacock green, sea green, shamrock green, verde green, and myrtle green. That is fourteen shades of GREEN! Wow! I had no idea there were so many shades!!!

Green is the color of growing grass, green plants, foliage on trees of every variety and green leafy vegetables!!! What particular shade or tint of green is your favorite??? Think of the big box of 64 crayons and try to remember one of those colors!!!

Many years ago as a Medical Sales rep I had Salina, KS in my territory and in the Spring, Salina had the most beautiful wheat fields I have even seen anywhere!!! They are truly the most exquisite color of green I have laid my eyes upon..........I miss those fields!!!

One of my favorite folk songs from the 1970's is called: Pass It On.

These words offer a beautiful rendition of tribute to Spring and to God which go in tandem to create the beauty that we witness every year!!!

If you don't know the tune, listen with your heart:

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;

That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it:

You spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is Spring when all the trees are budding,

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;

That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it:

You want to sing, it's fresh like Spring, you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found,

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound:

I'll shout it from the mountain tops: Hey World! I want my world to know:

The Lord of Love has come to me, I want to pass it on....”

The glorious shades of green.........look around and find your favorite shade and pass it on!!!