lead sentence

In writing, the first sentence of each paragraph is always the most important sentence, or at least considered the 'lead' sentence. The fact that I never consider this to be the case may say something about me I guess.

I am ALWAYS drawn to the inside of a paragraph more than the beginning. I found the most profound, most memorable information hidden deep within the text. Always.

Now...this could be because it takes me a while to get focused whenever I begin most anything. Or it could be that writers hide goodies deep within a text just waiting for someone to discover what abides there. Either way - I never only read the first sentence and I am almost always glad that I read more. Kind of reminds me of God's Word...so many 'devotions' just take a verse or two and offer suggested readings - I think this robs us of the rich discovery waiting if it is studied in context. I have been very convicted of this lately - skimming - just squelching the nagging guilt of no study at all. I really do want the meat of the Word and that takes work - no 'just reading the first sentences'.

Are you a skimmer, or are you willing to do the work?

passing from this earth

My Uncle Smith passed away today. I was not able to be with my Dad as he lost his brother, this made me sad. As we talked he described my uncle's passing including how he seemed to linger until the final goodbyes were spoken.

I was reading the words of Deitrich Bonhoeffer earlier today where he talked about the scripture that says, "Sing unto the Lord a new song"... he goes on in much detail about what this means to the body of Christ, but, in the context of my Uncle's passing I loved this selection of his writing. "On earth it is the song of those who believe, in heaven the song of those who see..." No longer is it just by faith but by site!

He goes on to say "the fact that we sing it (on earth) only expresses the fact that our spoken words are inadequate to express what we want to say, that the burden of our song goes far beyond all human words."

My Uncle at this very moment can 'see' the song...their praise raising to their King, my Uncle singing perhaps the very loudest as one of the newest arrivals. Tonight he sees the song!

my day off

I heard someone say today, "vacation is not a luxury, rather something we need, time away to detach, withdraw, replenish..." I obviously didn't blog yesterday and considered taking a week off, but I find I miss writing too much. It's not that I have profound things to say, I just need to get thoughts out, written down, and organized instead of being globs of letters, words and sentences floating in my brain.

Today like many days I found myself surrounded by young adults, college students. They discussed the future, their plans, art, music and the desires of their hearts. They are ready at a moments notice to give opinions, share even risky ideas, they have more confidence than I possibly ever have had. Some are already leaders in their areas of study poised to create brand new never before thought of things. I watch and listen and can hardly contain my excitement as they plan and dream.

I am forced to look closely at my own life asking if I have followed through on the ideas of my youth. Do youthful thoughts only belong to those starting out, or can we dream too? Does God give dreams to middle aged people - dreams He wants fulfilled? Or are they simply moments of imagining and glimpses of what might have been?

I hope we never get too old for God ideas...could he be waiting for us to dream big enough so it can be recognized as God's? Our dreams must go with us into our everyday jobs and responsibilities - we need them with us where they can become something that inspires everyone to go off to dream their own God given dreams. The young do not own the only dreams and ideas-I have my own - do you?

my husband is home

FINALLY the Asia's Hope team returned! I am so thankful - praising the Lord for a life changing trip for this group of Crossroadians'! (That's slang for a team from Crossroads that just returned from Cambodia and Thailand yesterday).

How amazing to travel around the world and show God's love in practical ways as they showered the previously unvisited orphanage with belated Christmas gifts from all the people at Crossroads that sponsor them!

Reports include one little boy that was completely hidden from view by the size of his gifts! They love receiving gifts - but the love they GIVE back far, far outweighs anything we can possibly give.

So exciting to hear the stories of how Crossroads' love is changing these children's lives clear across the world!! Thanks Crossroads sponsors!

And - so glad to have hubby back safe and sound too!

anticipation

Wednesday is a day I have been looking forward to. I was blown away as I stepped from my door and saw a beautiful new blanket of snow. The difference this time was birds were singing at the top of their lungs (do birds have lungs?) and there was a sense of change in the air - anticipation. Hope for spring - and a promise from God's birds that it is not far away!

The anticipation (or dread) for our staff will end today as well! We are doing a staff 'late' valentine exchange/valentine box competition today at Crossroads. Although the planning team has endured quite a bit of teasing because of how corny this event is, today I watched as all the staff walked around looking at everyone's boxes as they dropped valentines into each box.

So... surrounded by criticism we pushed on...we now have turned the corner and the notes describing what they appreciate about one another will soon be opened during lunch together.

Sometimes it takes a corny, relaxed setting to bring out thankfulness and fun! (the last picture shows the homemade frames leftover from the Children's ministry - that will frame the smiling faces of our amazing staff by each place setting!)

Have you done anything at your place of business that ended up being a powerful or fun event for everyone? I would love new ideas!

my day off

I have thoroughly enjoyed my day off so far. My sabbath! How could you not enjoy a day that begins with your dear mother-in-law and pancakes? I'm just sayin...

Anyway, I followed up pancakes with the gym and then home sweet home!

As I sit on my couch working through my precariously teetering stack of books and papers waiting to be organized - I began preparing for the Artists Small Group tomorrow night. The new "Expressive Drawing Book" was right on top. My hope as I began this book was to come up with some exercises that we could use to have fun at our meeting. What I found was something that struck me as a parallel to some theological struggles I see around me.

"Drawing is often equated with rendering, or conveying accurate information about the visible world. Change came however, with the Modernism art age. This art era argued that art can be about the unseen - drawings could now be about internal realities - dreams, feelings and imagination. ... you as an artist are filtering experiences of your life to create a new reality as you draw."

In the area of creating an artistic drawing this is acceptable, in the area of theological doctrine it is not!. People and churches are creating a new reality and it's all about them. What's convenient, what feels good,what makes everybody happy and what in most cases allows them to live anyway they choose.

I have to assume the author of this art book had no interest in theological debate - but I thought it was a good description of what we have seen all around us recently, even here in little 'ole Mansfield, Ohio.

Be wise, study God's Word and let's join together to walk, speak and serve as Pastor Tim reminded us in Ephesians 4.

champion

Shall we not have some champions, in these times, who will deal sternly with heresies for the love of the truth,—men who will stand like rocks in the center of the sea, so that, when all others shake, they stand invulnerable and invincible? Thou who art tossed about by every wind of doctrine, farewell; I own thee not till God shall give thee grace to stand firm for his truth, and not to be ashamed of him nor of his words in this evil generation. Charles Spurgeon

I want to be a champion. Do you?