Dolphins at Sunrise

Last Sunday morning I couldn't sleep in. I'd listened to the waves for much of the night, so happy to know we were right there by the ocean. One thing I really wanted to do was to see the sunrise on the ocean. I finally got up and went out on our little deck. Although the sun had not yet risen, it was already getting pretty light out. I listened to the waves, which were pretty big by then, and just felt so happy. That's when it happend!

Dolphins!

Lots and lots of dolphins!

They were really close to the shore. In fact, I worried they might beach themselves. I couldn't believe I was seeing dolphins right from our room. I quickly dressed and made my way down to the beach, soon joined by Mike.  Although I never got any photos of the dolphins (they slip through the air very quickly), we enjoyed them for quite some time.

I can't tell you how beautiful it was but I'll try to give you an idea with photos.

Do you see the bird in this one? A dolphin had just jumped below it, almost in the spotlight of the sunrise.

Joy.

Looking at all that water, seeing the sunrise there...I felt so humbled.

Mike came up to me with his cell phone showing me the most perfect verses for the occasion. 

From Psalm 8

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I think I need to give you more...

Well, that sure didn't do justice to the beauty and the feeling we were experiencing. I guess you will have to use your imagination.

Finally, we went back into our hotel and ate a nice breakfast with Ben and Sara in the hotel restaurant with another full ocean view.  It was a wonderful start to our day.

Mike & I found a sweet little congregation with which to worship. Mornings just don't get any better than that one! What a great start to what turned out to be a great day.  More tomorrow!

OBX

Our second day in North Carolina was sooooo, so exciting! I had recently become rather fascinated with the Outer Banks. If you are cool and in the know, you spell it OBX. You needed to know that.

The OBX is a long, skinny strip of land that runs about 200 miles long. It looks like land that broke off of North Carolina and part of Virginia. It includes places you've heard of.... Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Hatteras Island, Rodanthe and more. It is somewhere I really wanted to visit and last Saturday that dream came true!

We had about a 3 hour road trip to the OBX.  We crossed some long bridges, including one over Alligator River. We saw lots of swampy places that I didn't want to wade through!

We stopped for lunch on Roanoke Island, eating in the little town of Manteo. Andy Griffith used to live in Manteo and so did my brother and his wife for awhile. That's interesting, isn't it? It is a charming little place. This time of year a lot of places were closed but we enjoyed ourselves all the same.

Our Oldest Son, Ben

Ben and Lots of Seagulls

From there we crossed more water to head toward our hotel in Kill Devil Hills. That is actually the name of a town. I read that rum or gin or something alcoholic was once referred to as Kill Devil. There used to be a lot of pirates in the area and there was something about the alcohol being hidden in the sand hills there.

Before we got to our hotel we stopped at a state park where we could wander through sand dunes. This was not far from the sand dunes where the Wright Brothers made the first flight. I'm telling you, we were surrounded by history.  It was a fun place to wander after having ridden in the car for awhile.

Our daughter-in-law, Sara, got a little ride from Ben. 

I'm not sure how he knew where he was going.

The rest must have done her some good as she was pretty light on  her feet after that!

 I love that Sara has such a great sense of fun and adventure!

It was a place of unique beauty.

 There were weird piles of sand.

 It was really a unique place.

 It felt very much like a dessert but when we got up high on the dunes

we could clearly see that we were on a skinny strip of land with

ocean on both sides of us. 

I loved it!

We had to stop and empty a lot of sand out of our shoes but we were soon moving on to our hotel.

I almost burst into tears when I went out on the little deck off our room and saw 

how close we were to the ocean!

That is exactly what I wanted, an ocean view!

From Forest to Hockey Rink

Mike and I just returned this week from a wonderful vacation in North Carolina. We went there to visit Ben and Sara, our son and daughter-in-law. We had a great time there! I took a lot of photos, not all of which turned out quite as I'd hoped. Still, I have some good ones to share.

We always enjoy pleasant hikes near Ben and Sara's house and that was our first order of business. These photos were taken as we were walking into Duke Forest. It was pretty cool and windy but still so pretty and I was so happy to be with Ben and Sara. Their little dog, J-rake, led the way when allowed. I was impressed when Ben called out, "J-rake, Caboose!" That cool little dog stopped, walked backwards a few steps as we walked forward and then walked behind us all.

I enjoyed this area where the layers of grasses, little evergreens and then bigger trees lined up in order. The contrast was pleasing to me.

Just a pretty, crisp day and a stroll with our far-away kids. I felt so happy.

Later that evening we went to see the St. Louis Blues play the Carolina Hurricanes. We're talking hockey here people.  I'm not exactly a hockey fan but I was pleased we got to attend as I AM a Mike fan and this made him very happy.  I don't know that Ben and Sara are hockey fans in general but they seemed to have fun. For some ridiculous reason they felt  that since they live in North Carolina, they ought to cheer for the North Carolina team. They are lucky we acknowledged them at all!

The hockey game started right off with the St. Louis Blues making two goals. For those of you who follow hockey, you know that sometimes those games can go a looooooong time without a score. As it turned out, it was a pretty exciting game and I had fun as well.

And, yes, the Blues won!

I'll stop here for now but the vacation got even better the next day!

Retro Post...I Sometimes Forget

I posted this in March of 2011. I love this poem and for those who missed it, I really wanted to be certain to publish it again.  (I changed the photo as the original photo was a stock photo. This is one I took myself.)

I Sometimes Forget

I didn't write the following.  I found it probably 6 years ago, printed in a church bulletin for an advent service I attended.  It really spoke to me that night.  I stumbled upon it this morning and thought it was perfect following the blog about fear that I posted yesterday.  I would give credit to the author but no name was attached to it.  I hope the poem touches you as it did me.

 

In the dark,

I sometimes forget the light will come, the stars will shine.

In the rain,

I sometimes forget the sun will come out, the land will be green and fresh.

In the rush,

I sometimes forget how to slow down, how to be still.

In the noise,

I sometimes forget the quiet will come, peace will return.

In the loneliness,

I sometimes forget you are always here, you are holding me.

In the cold,

I sometimes forget who warms my heart, who holds my soul.

In the fear,

I sometimes forget to trust in you, to lean on you.

Forgive me, God, for not remembering that laughter will follow tears,

Joy will follow the sorrow, healing will follow the hurt,

Day will follow the night, because I sometimes forget. Amen

Retro Post... Women Supporting Women

No, I am not going to do retro posts every day this month, but I am going to indulge myself this way off an on throughout the month. I hope you don't mind. I wrote the following in March of 2011.

Women Supporting Women

Two things happened yesterday.  Both involved the interactions of women and it made me ponder the power we have with our most simple actions and words.

I received a phone call from a friend, always a nice thing.  We worked together at my last job and I so appreciate that she keeps in touch.  We had a nice conversation.  However, she did tell me that another woman had mentioned my name, blaming me for a problem she had caused herself.  It was just one sentence but it really caused a flood of negative emotions in me!  I wanted to do something!  I wanted to write the woman a strong letter!  I stewed about it for an hour or so.  Why would she do this?  What had I done to make her want to make me look bad?  Who else was she talking to?  Were people believing her lie?  I am sorry to say that I allowed this news to really sour my afternoon.

Then.... I went to Bible Study.

What a contrast!

Our little group had decided we wanted to offer encouragement to someone.  So, as a group, we decided to offer encouragement and support to a woman locally that we knew was under a lot of stress.  Most of us didn't really know this woman but she is an administrator of a healthcare facility that has been having a lot of problems lately.  We knew that she probably felt she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders right now.  In fact, we ended up deciding to spread the love and we are planning small ways to support not only her, but two other women who work with her.  We enjoyed talking about the little things we could do to let them know we are supporting them, without judgment...women supporting women.  Even just the planning made us feel good.

As I'm thinking about this I'm remembering other times when just a few words changed someone's outlook, if even only for a few minutes.  We have so much power! 

I watched a pharmacy clerk yesterday as she was preparing my order for me.  I've interacted with her many times before and she's always seemed a bit sad and maybe a little pinched, like she was tasting something bitter.  I'm a little scared of her.  She had a new haircut, though, and I was silently admiring it.  Finally, I decided to just do it, blurt out what I was thinking, "You've got a new hairstyle.  I really think it looks nice."  That's pretty much all I said but you should've seen the change!  Her eyes shot up and she looked right at me.  I don't think she ever did that before!  She smiled!  She tentatively reached her hand to her hair and smiled again.  It was a beautiful transformation to see.

We need to support one another, not discourage.  So, just remember, you have a lot of power!  Please use it wisely and for the good!  ...And use it often.

Retro Post... Homesteaders

This is day 3 of my retro posting. In case you missed my explanation, I am going through posts from my first year of blogging. This is another from February 2011.

Homesteaders

This is a picture of my great grandma, probably taken in the 70's.  This is pretty much how I remember her.  I was a teen-ager when she died.  I remember being sad but as I think back, I don't really remember having a lot of interaction with her.  I saw her only as she was then, an old lady.  I don't remember her being terribly cuddly or warm but she was always nice to us.  I do remember her Southern accent with a voice that stood out in a crowd.  We didn't have any cute name we called her.  In fact, I remember that we called her, "great-grandma".   It seems strange now that we didn't call her anything warmer or shorter.  I wish we'd called her Grandma Rhoda.  Too late now.  I'm sure at the time she was wearing this dress,  I probably just thought of it as an old lady's dress.  Today, as I look at this picture, I'm thinking, "Is that Orange Paisley?!"  

This is her in her younger years.  She and my great-grandpa were Wyoming Homesteaders.  They left North Carolina and arrived in Wyoming on an emigrant train.  My Grandma Rose was just a baby at that time and the homestead was so far out in the boonies that Grandma Rose was an adolescent before she ever got to come into town! 

Now, I am awed by what they did and how their life was.  I wish I'd had sense enough as a child to ask her questions about her life.  I really know nothing of her life before Wyoming.  I've heard stories of their homestead years but not from her point of view.  What was it like to live in a drafty log cabin on the Wyoming prairie?  How in the world did they provide food for all their children during the long winters?  Was she ever scared?  Did she ever have a moment to herself?  Did she have a chance to have fun or was her life always a struggle to keep up?  What about her faith?  How much contact did she have with her family in North Carolina?  Who helped her when she gave birth?  What was her grocery list like when my great-grandpa went to town maybe once or twice a year?  How did they make money?

So many questions.  Too late.

Retro Post... Life Interrupted

It is my birthday! Happy day to me!

I am continuing my self-indulgent trip back in time, posting reruns. In commemorating 4 years of blogging, I want to go back and pluck out some of the posts I enjoy most. This post explained a bit more about how I came up with the name for my blog. I wrote this in February 2011.

My Life Was Interrupted

I am attending a Women's Bible Study at our church.  We are about to complete our study of Jonah by Pricilla Shirer.  It is not the first time I've studied Jonah.  It seems each time I go through  it I get something new from it.  Pricilla started right off talking about how Jonah's life was interrupted.  That caught my attention in a personal way...

My life was whirling along just as I'd planned in early 2010.  I was working as an oncology nurse and absolutely loved what I did.  Yes, it was hard and stressful at times but I found such satisfaction working with these people.  I was up close and personal with people who were often discovering they were able to draw upon a strength they previously hadn't even acknowledged.  It was beautiful.

Then, early last year I got sick.  That's not supposed to happen!  I am a caretaker!  I was treated.  I got better.  I got sick.  I was treated.  I got better.  I got sick.  I went to the hospital.  I was treated for a long, long time.  I got a bit better.  I got sick again.  You get the idea.  Each time I got better, I returned to work.  Finally, it became apparent that I needed to give up the job I loved, at least for now.

MY LIFE WAS INTERRUPTED!

So, what now?  Maria (my daughter) and I came up with a plan to build on a little home business idea.  I'd made and sold a few pieces of jewelry before but was always too busy to really do much.  But now, we've made all sorts of things!  We've had a lot of fun and I've really enjoyed being creative.  It's been such a joy to be with Maria and Cordelia (grandaughter) so much.  There are many good things about it but I still fretted that I needed to get back to taking care of patients.  I thought that was my calling!

Through this study I've felt myself becoming more relaxed about the changes.  One of the things that bothered me was that being an oncology nurse felt like a ministry to me. I felt it was God's plan for me.  Well, it was, but maybe not forever...or maybe not again for just awhile.  Now, I realize that it doesn't have to make sense to me, but it is important that I just trust God to lead me to what his plan is for me.  It's humbling and it has been a bit hard on my ego, but it has been a growing experience for me for sure!  I don't know where it's going from here, but I know who is in charge!

The title of this blog, Only The Manager, is a result of this study and my life's interruptions.  God is the owner of my life, I am only the manager.

I bet you've had interruptions as well.  I'd like to hear about them. (That sounds strange to write since I have only 1 follower right now, but who knows?)

Retro Post... Painting

This month marks 4 years of blogging for me. When I first started, I didn't tell anyone.  I didn't expect I would keep up with it and I was kind of embarrassed by my efforts. That still happens sometimes but still, I keep writing posts. 

I thought that this month I'd like to resurrect some of my old posts, some I like. I'm going back to February of 2011 for this one...

Painting

I was painting our bedroom recently.  As is my custom, I began with a message.  

I like thinking that what I wrote is still there, under the coats of paint I added later.

A Word From Pastor Mike - Get In The Game

This is Mike's sermon from last Sunday...
********************************************************************************

 For those of you who don't know me, I grew up in a small farming town in North Central Montana about 10-15 miles from the Canadian Border. One of the interesting features of living in this community is having a Port of Entry nearby. Of course, when you have a Port of Entry nearby, you need border control people. These people often had families and their children attended our school.

One year a new border patrol family moved into the area and their children did attend our school. I think I was in the 7th grade and the boy in this family, Dave Mende, was in the 8th grade. Basketball is the sport going on in small town Montana; Dave Mende joined the team in mid-season. He didn't have a lot of experience playing. He didn't really even know the rules.

We were playing a basketball in Whitewater, Montana. Our coach was a pretty good guy and he believed in giving everyone playing time. At one point he looked the bench and saw Dave sitting there. Coach said, "Dave, get in there for Terry."

Dave got up off the bench and went running right onto the floor while the game was in progress! The players didn't know what to do. The game just came to a halt. Dave was supposed to check in at the scorekeeper's table and wait to be motioned in by the referees. But Dave was ready to get in the game.

(Following are the Bible Lessons that were read last Sunday during the service and to which Mike refers.)

Jonah 3:1-5New International Version (NIV)

Jonah Goes to Nineveh

3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Jonah 3:10New International Version (NIV)

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31New International Version (NIV)

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Mark 1:14-20New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Announces the Good News

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

God came to Jonah. God told Jonah to get in the game. Jonah went the other way. Jonah later repented. He got back in the game and proclaimed the message. People repented and God's mercy was revealed.

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul told the believers to get in the game, don't be preoccupied with other things, don't be anxious, get in the game. Your undivided devotion belongs to the Lord.

In the gospel, Jesus got in the game. He started his ministry. He proclaimed "The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." Then he got the disciples in the game. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. They got in the game. They left their nets and followed him.

The phrase, "getting in the game" means living the faith, not just having a faith. It means you aren't just sitting on the bench. The coach is calling your number. Even if you don't exactly know what's going on, even if you make mistakes, even if you're not perfect. The game's going on. It's your time to go in.

Jonah was a reluctant participant but he got in the game. Paul was against the Christian game entirely, but he got involved.

I never wanted to be a pastor. It was never a dream of mine. I never had anything against pastors. I always thought we needed pastors. I just didn't think that was my life's calling.

When I started to get this feeling that God was calling my number and telling me to get in the pastor game, I had all kinds of excuses not to do so:

• I'm not perfect. God's reaction was to let me know that if that was a requirement we'd have no pastors.
• But God, I'm an introvert. On a scale of 1-10, I'm about a 9. I'm this close to being a hermit. God seemed to be saying to me, "That's ok. I'm not looking for Lone Ranger Christians. I'll teach you why community is important."
• But God, public speaking makes me nervous. I have no experience. God's answer seemed to be, "Yep. People get nervous. You'll be fine."
• But God, what about sick people and dying people, tragedies, funerals...I don't know how to do that stuff. God seemed to be saying, "Where did I plant you? On a farm you see birth, life, death, tragedy all around you. You've seen it in your family and in your community. People get sick. There are tragedies. There is death. People need pastors. Some things aren't pleasant but I've been trying to train you so you can help others."

Here's a little bit of wisdom for you. You don't win arguments with God.

Now, for the most part, I enjoy being a pastor. There are ups and downs, like any job. I don't aspire to be "Pastor of the Year". I don't care to be a bishop. But I am willing to be an instrument for God and I'm willing to keep growing. I'm just hoping the growth won't be too painful.

Now, let me talk about you. If you're on the bench, if you are a spectator, God's calling your number - #31, get in there! Now, of course, God isn't calling everyone to be a pastor. But God has work for everyone - good stuff. It'll make you feel good when you do it. 

If you have excuses, God has answers. Of course God isn't a bully or a dictator. He gives us freedom. We can say no. But most people don't feel good about saying "no" to God. For most people, God isn't plucking us out and telling us to go preach repentance to your worst enemy. God says take baby steps, do a little something even if you fail, it's ok. God tells us, "Way to go! You got in the game. Now give me a little more."

And if you're already in the game, way to go! Keep it up! If you're tired, that's ok. There are time-outs and pauses. Keep at it; you're doing a good job.

If you've been in the game and you're frustrated or you've made mistakes, maybe you've hurt the team, well, that's not good but God, your coach, can get you straightened out. God can get in your face if you need that. He can also give a second chance. He can give you encouragement because God's not as obsessed about the past as you and I are. The game is going on now. God is concerned about you and me right now. The game continues. Get in the game.

One of the Popular Girls

If you ever want to know what it is like being one of  the popular girls, try being a grandma!

Relaxing While Multi-tasking

We recently had these girls at our house for a few days. I look at this photo I took and I have to admire them. They look so relaxed. I don't think I remember how to relax.

Are you good at relaxing? I think I have lost the skill of doing nothing. I am very good at avoiding housework and I love being in my home. I am most happy when I am not overcommitted but my down time is never just doing nothing.

For example, I love watching Netflix TV shows where I can keep going from episode to episode. But, I don't seem to be able to even watch 10 minutes if I am not multi-tasking. I need to be doing something on the computer or crocheting or making jewelry or something. I would like to say that I want to be productive but honestly, even playing Spider Solitaire on my phone is enough to settle me into watching something. 

Even reading is now a multi-tasking event for me. I set my Kindle to reading to me and then I can crochet or fold laundry or yes, play Spider Solitaire. 

So, tell me. Are any of you like that? Is it a result of being in such a fast-paced society?  Maybe it is a Mom thing and after years of multi-tasking to accomplish things for my family I just forgot how to sit still.

And tell me this, is it a bad thing? 

I have to go now. I am watching White Collar on Netflix while trying to figure out how I can crochet AND play Spider Solitaire at the same time. I think I can do it!

Kids and Balloons

I took quite a few photos tonight of the Grandgirls playing with balloons. Kids and balloons are the elements of great picture taking, or so I thought. I couldn't get them to stand still! Most of the photos turned out quite blurry but I caught a few. As part of my responsibility for being the grandma in town, I like to post photos of the girls for their other grandmas as well as some aunts and cousins. 

The girls wanted to "bonk" people with their balloons, a harmless little game. What was funny was they both stopped at me. I am too "kind" to be hit with a balloon. Hmmmm... While touched, I didn't want to be too precious too sometimes be fun grandma as well. So, I made them include me. 

I love the relationship I have with those girls. I love every snuggle, every sticky kiss and every balloon bonk!

A Word From Pastor Mike - Followers and Skeptics

John 1:43-51 NIV

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

50Jesus said, “You believe^h because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”51He then added, “Very truly I tell you,ⁱ you^j will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’^k the Son of Man.”  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C. S. Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1898. He was raised in the Church of Ireland (Anglican).
C. S. Lewis loved to read. In 1916 he was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University but WWI interrupted his study and he was sent to the front lines in the trenches in France.

In April of 1918 C. S. Lewis was wounded and two colleagues were killed when a British shell fell short of its target. His experiences in WWI left C. S.  Lewis and atheist, one who doesn't believe in God.

Lewis returned to Oxford and encountered Christian friends who gently persuaded and influenced him to return to Christianity. In his book, Surprised by Joy, he wrote, "Whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet, that which I had greatly feared, had at last come upon me. In the Trinity term of 1929 I gave in and admitted that God was God and knelt and prayed. (I was) perhaps the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England."

C. S. Lewis went on to become one of the most respected novelists and lay theologians of the last century. He went from believer to skeptic to atheist and back to believer.

Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph." Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Nathaniel was a skeptic. He wasn't willing to jump on the Messiah Train without a little sarcasm, "Can anything GOOD come out of Nazareth?" And he wanted proof... "Let's be reasonable about this."

I am reading a book called 10 Answers For Atheists - How to Have an Intelligent Discussion About the Existence of God." by Alex McFarland. Alex McFarland go to college campusus, the  hotbed of Atheism, and he debates Atheists. But one wonders why Atheism has any pull at all in our society. Alex McFarland wrote, "In one of the debates the topic was 'Does God Exist'. The Atheist said, "Get this trough your head. Your life has no meaning. Your dead grandmother... is now turning back into dirt. In the big scheme of things her life meant nothing. And neither does yours. But isn't that liberating? Now we can get on with the business of living." It was so quiet you could almost hear crickets chirp. He continued, "In an ultimate sense,  in a very real sense, your life, your dreams, your memories, you - it all means nothing."

Guess what? Nobody got up and cheered. You life has no meaning? What good is that? People need hope and meaning and love and respect in order to carry on. Atheism will never be popular because it leaves people with despair.  Alex McFarland calls us to love our Atheist/Agnostic/skeptical brothers and sisters, to pray and confess our faith for them, to be gentle with them and to try and understand them.

In his book he identifies 10 different types of Atheists.
     Angry Atheist - unbelief fueled by negative emotion
     Scientific Atheist - have science and reason on their alter, no room for anything else.
     Injured Atheist - unbelief associated with negative experience, prayers not answered
     Resident Contrarian Atheist - voice of dissent, like to argue, rejects what is popular
     Worldly Wise Atheist - jaded with life, where is God?
     Reflective Atheist - introspective and philosophical, focus on injustice/pain/flaws
     Antinomian Atheist - question everything - religion, morals, politics - don't limit freedom
     Activist Atheist - crusade for unbelief for office, school board, be a fly in the ointment
     Bible Scholar Atheist - studies the Bible but only looking for flaws
     Hasty Generalisationists - related to priest scandals, TV evangelist scandals, crusades

Well, that's enough; You've heard it before. It's been going on for centuries... There is no god/There are gods/It's all about me/It's all about pleasure/It's all about science and reason... In the garden the serpent comes with the original temptation, "You will be like God." Since then we've been trying to put ourselves in the center of the universe or find a fitting substitute, but God is God.

Look at the gospel for today. Do you think Philip & Nathaniel sat down one day and plotted to turn their worlds upside down and follow an itinerant preacher around Galilee? I don't think so, but that's what happened.

Someone from the outside stepped into their world and called them. For some reason they followed. No one can predict faith, plan faith or force faith. For some reason the light comes on and we believe. Of course, we always have the freedom to not believe or to reject or even be mad at God.

Marilyn Adamson was an atheist. She would ask people, "How do you know God exists?" This seemed to make some believers uncomfortable. They mostly responded, "Well, you just know."

Marilyn didn't feel comfortable with that answer so she reasoned that God probably didn't exist. But then she mentioned a friend who caused her to be interested in God. This friend was caring, kind and intelligent. It bothered Marilyn that someone so intelligent could believe in God.

So, Marilyn observed her friend for a year. This friend's faith was unwavering. She loved God. She loved people. She was convinced God loved her. So, Marilyn moved to the stage of wanting to believe. But first Marilyn had to read philosophers like Nietzsche, Hume, Sartre and Plato...but they were lacking. Something was missing.

Marilyn kept challenging her friend with every question she could think of. Finally her friend said she should read the Bible. She kept putting it off. She started asking her friend more questions. But finally her friend said, "You know, I can't make this decision for you and God's not going to wait forever."

Marilyn went home and she prayed to God, "OK, you win. I ask you to come into my life and you may do whatever you want with my life."

She went to sleep and woke up the next morning. She kind of sensed he was there, but now she wanted to read the Bible. She was still kind of skeptical but as she read, she felt like she was loved by God.

Still, her faith needed to be built not just on feelings but on facts and reason. For her, faith had to be logical, historical and scientific. She found those things and she has been a believer for many years.

Marilyn's story is one story. Philip had another story. Jesus said, "Follow me." He did. Nathaniel had another story. He was skeptical so was a "doubting Thomas". But they turned around and both made confessions of faith in Jesus.


The way of belief and following doesn't have to be hard. Sometimes we just make it that way. Just remember, God is behind the scenes in a supernatural world calling to us in the physical world, "Follow me." God is working for our good. God plants the seeds of faith in people and gives freedom to believe.

God had a good plan for Philip and Nathaniel and for you and for me. God is good and God loves you. Put your trust in him.

Bode and the Bed

Every now and then we get our hopes up that Bode, now 4 years old, is over his chewing stage. With that hope, he got a new dog bed. He kept it nice for about 6 weeks.

THEN, this happened...

Sometimes I feel like we're living through our own version of Marley and Me.

Almost Home

As promised, I have photos of the next piece of art I purchased.  It will be included in a show Maria is in this coming Spring, entitled Almost Home.  I wanted to be certain to lay claim to it now. 

I want to be sure you know that both Maria and Sara offered me their paintings as gifts. They are sweet to me! I just wanted to be a grown up and purchase art that I wanted so I insisted. 

Maria's painting is also a Wyoming scene. I love the colors.

I took a close-up so you could get a feel for the deep textures and details. 

If you are interested in Maria's gallery go to her website where she has lots to see.

Now, don't you feel all cultured up this week after having seen some new art?