thrill

"to affect with a sudden wave of keen emotion or excitement, as to produce a tremor or tingling sensation through the body"-Thrill.  As in, "I was thrilled to see my family after our long absence from one another."  Or, "It was a thrilling sight; the sun setting over the mountains, casting beams of rose, orange, and deep purples throughout the sky."  To be thrilled is a feeling of pleasure.  

"You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me!"  Psalm 92:4.  I've never thought of God in that way, thrilling me, causing a tingling sensation through my body.  But there is truth, deep truth, because truly all that I am, any good at all, is because of God's mercy.  So often, I am quick to blame God for my troubles, my discomfort, my pain, and my sadness.  When I disengage from God being tied to faults, own them for what they are as a result of my choices, then I arrive at the place were God can thrill me.  

It's always a choice. I choose to be thrilled.

Learning to Live Loved

In Wm. Paul Young's book, The Shack, there is a line that reads, "learn to live loved."  When I read those words, the phrase jumped off the page, climbed into my heart and nestled into a warm spot, melting fear and uncertainty and anxiety away.  What does learning to live loved really mean?

I've turned the phrase over and over again in my mind since that moment, and I've found it to be  challenging and delightful.  If I am loved, and I am convinced that I am, than I have so much more to give, so much more to learn, and so much more to do.  Being loved means loving others, the kind of can't-help-yourself because you are so full of it that it spills over into everything kind of love.  Like when you are eating Thanksgiving dinner and you don't mind tipping over the top with fullness because it tastes so good.  Or like walking through the park of Walt Disney World, truly believing that your heart will burst because your kids are happy and your spouse is happy and you are happy.  Or like watching the stars on a bright night, so full of wonder that you know God is real.  Learning to live loved has the power to change everything.

36

36.  My age. 36.  The number of kids who came forward today at vacation bible school when I asked who prayed the prayer to ask Jesus into their lives to be their forever friend.  Gently reminding my audience that if they'd already asked Jesus to be their savior, they needn't ask him again.  36 kids came forward.  36 lives that will be changed.  36 new conversations to have with parents about what happened today and what it means now and and in the moments to come.  36 new directions to follow.  

I was nervous to invite kids to come up; not to lead them in a prayer, I've done that before in groups and individually, but I was nervous that no one would come.  That maybe I'd do it wrong. Until God reminded me that it was his job to change hearts, not mine.  I needed to play a part, be obedient and in the community of the vbs team around, we created an environment, but God did the work.  And they came.  As we reflected on the number, I was reminded that I'd set a goal of 25% ,the weekend before, of the 150 kids.  God brought that number to mind.  Crazy how 36 fits nicely into that number.  Wink. Wink.  God, you truly are perfect.

What is it about vacation bible school?

I got a comment today from a parent regarding vacation bible school.  She shared her daughter's experience so far.  She explained,"My daughter was hesitant to come.  Her response when she learned that I'd signed her up was not positive." The mom continued, "My daughter said she endured Sunday School on the weekend and didn't want 5 more days of it."  Ouch, a harsh statement.  Churched kids have generally seen it all.  And kids of active and engaged parents, who volunteer a lot, have especially seen it all. They know the answer to every question- "Jesus".  They know which kids to avoid-the trouble makers.  They know which staff to talk to.  They are seasoned veterans.  Day One of vacation bible school went off without a hitch.  The daughter came home to her mom and expressed joyfully,"That was the most fun I've had a church.  The crafts were great, the games fun, and the muuuuusic.  Wow, Mom!  I can't wait to go back."  What is it about vacation bible school?  With over 100 volunteers, 160 kids, loads of crafts, songs, and games; the better question to ask is what isn't happening at vacation bible school? Nothing.  It's all there.

why encouragement matters

I've had two meaningful conversations this afternoon; one via e-mail and the other face to face. Both included encouragement.  I walked away from both experiences ignited with focus, clarity, and renewed energy.  Why?  Why would a few compliments aptly spoken leave such an indelible mark?  Certainly they came from people I admire and respect.  And yes, they were spoken in community with other factors; but much more than that, they were delivered with love. Those phrases of encouragement propel me forward, like a finely-tuned engine, fully equipped to run for miles.  Encouragement matters.  Maybe even more than reality.  The belief that someone is supporting you, the faith that someone believes in you, it boosts you up.  It's powerful.  It's potential.  How can I pay forward their gift today?  What words of encouragement do I need to speak into the life of another?  

those crazy summer clouds

While Carry On Wayward Son pounds out in the background-the guitar groove is amazing- those crazy summer clouds waft by.  Imported from the scene of a Pixar movie, these clouds are perfect in their imperfection.  A transition of deep indigo to the palest of blues is the backdrop for lusciously full clouds.  The are spaced like perfectly planted rows of corn, not a sequence out of place, as they stretch mile after mile into the horizon.  And with vivid accuracy, my human eyes take them in.  Usually, I have to scrunch up my nose and squint just right to see distances beyond my own 3 feet sphere; but today, I've been gifted with the eyes of a red tail hawk.  And as abruptly as I've noticed them, they slip away, overtaking the last rays of sun and melting together into a doom-less gray.   The sun isn't protesting it's loss today, just amiably fading away as it brightens someone else's horizon.  Amidst the quarrelsome fervor of  3 kids home from school on summer break, the neighbor aflutter with a lemonade stand and nosy dogs demanding playmates, I sit admiring those clouds; I am taken to a new place of serenity, certainty, calm.  Ahhh...... 

communicating

Dr. Rodger Dean Duncan, in his book Crucial Conversations, informs us that, "The way we talk or don't talk affects our body, it could kill you." He continues, " Conversations strengthen your immune system, help ward off disease, and increase your quality of life." I didn't realize the importance of communication and the disaster of not communicating. It makes sense, we were born with brains to think and mouths to speak, but it is a new learning to see how much this impacts us as individuals. What ways do I need to communicate today? What conversations do I need to have? The threat of not having those conversations is of greater risk to my health, over the long haul than the convenience of brushing them aside. What do you need to talk about today? What have you been putting off?