Back To The Future

Hang on! Wait just a minute!

Is it time already?

The time to let go of 2012 is at hand.

Remember Back To The Future in 1985 when 2012 seemed so far away?

 

Where were you in
1985?
It kind of makes me chuckle. I can see my long, spiral-permed big hair, leggings, big shoulder pad sweaters....my little daughter and I had matching outfits - pink, teal and yellow sweaters (hers didn't have the shoulder pads), yellow leggings, and pink high-top tennis shoes.
No laughing here - we were cool.

I lived in Walsenburg Colorado, had three small children (one born in Februray.) The Sangre De Cristo Mountains were beyond my front door, and our drinking water came from La Veta Pass.

I was young then, and naive.

2012
I live in a rural community on the Colorado plains...no mountains in view.
My five children are grown up now. My youngest just graduated from college.
I'm married to a rancher...we have fresh well water to drink at the ranch.

I'm not as naive as I was in '85...well in some ways I'm not.
It's hard to imagine that it's been twenty-seven years.

I'd like to go back to 1985 and visit that young girl, enlighten her a little, change some things, like Marty McFly did in Back To The Future,  but then again - I guess I had to go through the stuff I went through to get where I am now.

Looking back, there have been
tears, and laughter,
joy and sorrow,
endings and new beginnings,
valleys and mountaintops,
celebrations, and solemnity.
It is the way of life.

At a time when there is so much changing in our world,
there is One who changes not.
I made a list while I was thinking about the past twenty-seven years of my life.

This is what I came up with....
~No matter how dark things get, God is deeper still (Corrie TenBoom said that.)
~God loves me unconditionally - even when I don't think I deserve it
~God is truly Jerhovah Jireh, my provider
~He makes a way where there doesn't seem to be a way
~God never fails, and is always right on time
~He takes care of His children, always
~God's grace is as big as we need it to be when we need it to be
~God is still in the healing business
~God takes broken people/hearts and makes them new
~God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow (important)
~He can be trusted

At the end of every year I am thankful for the opportunity to welcome in a new year.
Another chance to begin again,
to embrace life,
to dream and follow those dreams.

In this new year, may His peace fill our hearts, and minds in accordance to His Word - no matter what goes on around us.

I like what Eccliastes 3:1-15 says. It is one of my favorite songs
by The Byrds.
To everything there is a season.

Ok, back to the future -

 

 

 

 

 

May 2013 be a blessed year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “I have given Him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to Him; how, then, can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor?” (The Pilgrim's Progress) 

The Arrival

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.
Advent meaning the arrival of something important or awaited.
The four Sundays before Christmas.
Waiting for Jesus.

I remember when I was younger ~

There was a huge wreath that hung in the middle of church, with four candles. One was lit the first Sunday of Advent. Another was lit every Sunday, until all four were lit.
In my heart there was silent celebration as I anticipated every lit candle.
One more candle closer to Christmas!
One more day closer to the celebration of Jesus' birth!

Today I read

Isaiah 9:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

In this season we are
waiting for that same Jesus.
The One called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty, God!
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!
He came as a baby, and will come again in splendor and glory.
It is good to remember how Jesus came - as a baby in  a manger, and that He will come again.
But today, right now, He is with us.
He wants to be  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father, Prince of Peace in our
lives.

He meets us right where we are.
Whether we are filled with laughter or tears during this season,
He desires to be our Lord, to be with us.

Advent.
Arrival of something important.
Jesus arrives in our hearts when we turn to Him and invite Him in to be our Savior, our Lord.
We don't have to wait. We can do it wherever we are.

This one thing I know.
He is faithful.
Whether we are on the mountaintop or going through a valley -
He is there for us.
The arrival of His peace is ours if we ask for it.
He will be our Counselor if we turn to Him for wisdom
He will be Mighty in our midst if we trust in Him.
His peace is ours if we rely on Him.
He will be our loving Father of comfort and encouragement, of blessing, and assurance.


Father, I thank you for the arrival of Your Son in the world over two thousand years ago. I thank You that Jesus came to give us life, and save us from our sins. I thank You that He is coming again.
Today I thank You that as I wait in Your presence, Your peace and assurance fill my heart, and soul.
Your joy, and love permeate my being as I anticipate the arrival of the people You send into my daily life.
Oh, that I would share Your light, and love to those around me this Christmas season.
In Jesus name.
Amen.


Anticipate the arrival.

Foiled Turkey

I enjoy Thanksgiving.
I get up early that day, and start....rather, continue cooking.
It's a fun, quiet time for me.

We had a small gathering this year.
One son had to leave shortly after lunch to travel, and be at work Thanksgiving night.

No problem!
I was up at four thirty, and put Mr. Turkey in my faithful roaster.
I like using the roaster -
the ovens are then free for pies and other things.

I was so pleased.
I was ahead of schedule.
Everything would be ready before twelve.
We would be able eat right on time, so my son could enjoy the meal before he had to run.

I got dinner rolls ready, and left them to rise. Then I went to work on sweet potatoes.
I set the table, and did a few other things.

Seven o'clock, I thought I'd baste Mr. Turkey again.

Something appeared to be terribly wrong.
My featherless bird looked the same as it did when I first put it in the roaster.

No way.
Yes way.

My roaster, my faithful roaster had died.
That roaster had seen many football banquets through the years, and graduations, and holidays.

No matter what I tried, I couldn't revive it.
Time was ticking away, and Mr. Turkey had a time limit.
He had to be ready by noon.

Since I used my roaster all the time, I had no deep pans big enough for my huge bird.
I had no cooking bags.
There was no time to run to the store, not with the time limit.
Besides, it was too early for stores to be open in our little town.

So, I scrounged through pans from every cupboard.
I found a big sheetcake pan...long time in storage.
I pulled out the Reynolds Wrap.

It was going to have to do.
I plopped Mr. Turkey in the shallow cake pan, wrapped it up the best I could,
and placed it in the oven.

I didn't open the oven but once - to be sure it was working (you know how it is - I call it appliance conspiracy.)

Everything was ready.
I asked my dear husband to check the turkey.
Good news - it was browned, and looked done.
Bad news, the timer button on the turkey hadn't poked out yet.

We waited a little longer, and tested it again.

I didn't meet the twelve o'clock deadline with the turkey, so we began feasting on all the other food.
Twenty minutes later, the timer popped.
So, we got to enjoy turkey together as family.

When my son left, I sent him off with containers of food.
Since we had turkey at the end of the meal,
I also sent a pumpkin roll for dessert.

That evening I reflected on the day.
You know,
Foiled turkey wasn't bad at all.

Sometimes we have to detour from our plans, but it's all right.
Things work out.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Now it's onward to Christmas adventures!

Relax my friends.
Enjoy the heart of the season.

Proclamation of Thanksgiving 1777~In God We Trust

In one week, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving, gathering with family, feasting on turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie.

This year the holiday takes on a meaning that reaches deep in my heart, to the beginning...
In these troubled times, let's look back two hundred thirty-five years ago, to our young nation.

These are our roots.
This is our history.


The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in 1777 from its temporary location in York, Pennsylvania, while the British occupied the national capital at Philadelphia. Delegate Samuel Adams created the first draft. Congress then adapted the final version:

FOR AS MUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:
It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.

An Extra Hour To Share/Just Taking The Time

Ah! Time change.

What to do with that extra hour!
I decided it should be an adventure.

A walk with my dog, Griz would be nice. Nothing abnormal about that, except that today, I decided it would be a take-your-time walk.
The air was cool, and fresh.
The sky was spread with a layer of white creamy frosting that covered the blue sky.
The sun peeked through the clouds, like a flashlight glowing under the sheets.
Hope for another day.
A quiet, lazy Sunday....

Sparrows balanced on power lines, reminding me - my God cares about the sparrows. How much more does he care for his children.

Yards were filled with colorful leaves begging to be shuffled through, piled up and jumped in. Flowers were missing,but stems and green leaves remained...it was not quite winter yet.

We stopped and visited with my special friend, Delores. She always brings a ray of sunshine to any day. Through all the hardships she has experienced in her life, she has been an inspiration to me. ...the most amazing woman of faith I know.

The town seemed to be slow in waking today. Hardly any traffic, as stoplights changed in sync, waiting for the busyness of the day to begin.

We walked to the park.
We were the only ones there.
What a treat to watch Griz run around. His ears flopped up and down as he galloped across the wide open space, his jowls pulled back in a smile.
I had no choice, but to laugh. You'd have to have been there.

We passed the football field, where my five children spent ample time...playing football, playing in the band, running track, (cheerleading - that would be my daughter). . . such important times. Memories made, character formed, victories and losses - samples of life's ups and downs.

We walked down gravel roads, and I sang and danced to the music. It was my adventure, my extra time.

It's a small town where I live.
The adventures have been many.
I looked at things I see everyday, appreciating anew, where I live.

I could've been busy doing other things with that extra hour, but I'm glad I took the time to slow down.

~

I sit in my backyard in my quiet place.
I'll need to clean my Kaylee garden soon.
But right now I enjoy sitting here.
A cluster of daisies remain in the garden.
Some lamb's ears, or Stachys byzantina (Latin name,) continue to thrive.
A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, and Griz meanders through the yard, sniffing and peeking through the bushes.

I am thankful.

Thankful for the adventure of everyday life.
Thankful for the people who cross my path.
Thankful for the beauty I see when I take the time.


And later - - I think I'll have some chicken tortilla soup, warm up some cider and watch the Broncos with my family.

It's a good day to share the time.

Just Hit The Key

I'm not as brave as I seem - not in myself, anyway.

I thought back to all the years I'd sung and spoke at different events.
Yes, I went through this every time.
Butterflies.
But, butterflies are ok.
Another artist told me a long time ago, if you lose the butterflies then you've lost the quality of excellence, and the passion.


There were times when it was more than butterflies.


When I first started playing the piano in public, there were times my fingers would freeze, and I couldn't play. I'd sit there trying to get my fingers to hit familiar keys, panic setting in.
Or, I'd start to sing, and my throat would close and nothing would come out.

Those were not fun times.
I did overcome.
I spent time in prayer and had to tell the old nemesis he had no power over me.
I could do all things through Christ who strengthened me.

That was many years ago.

Then, yesterday came.
I was fine.
I was ready.
But, when people started coming in and taking their seats, I felt the old nemesis poking at my ribs.

"You're going to freeze up. Your fingers aren't going to move. You're going to hit all the wrong keys. You're not going to be able to sing. You're not going to hit those high notes -
you're going to fail,
fail,
fail,
fail."

My chest started to feel tight.
My hands started to sweat.
No.
It couldn't happen.

So, I prayed, taking the authority that belonged to me in Christ.
I was free from torment.
No, it wouldn't have control of me.
I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


Maybe there is some invisible enemy tormenting you,
trying to stop you from doing what you know in your heart to do.
Trying to stop you from pursuing the dream you hold dear.

You have authority over the enemy of your soul.
There is One bigger, who is always there to encourage you, to strengthen you.
He joys over you with singing
He loves you.

You belong to Him
I do, too.

Yesterday went well.
I played and sang.
I thanked Him for the gift, for the ability, for the grace.

I had to hit the first key, and he was there.

Remember,
You can do all things through Christ who is your strength.  Philippians 4:13


Think about it.
What are your goals, dreams?
Take the risk.
He is faithful.

Just A Kid ~ To My Neighborhood Friend Wade ~ Remember When

Pine needles pricked my back, my face.
My hands were sticky from tree sap.
My toes tingled as I crouched down as far as I could.
I tried to steady my breathing so I could hear any approaching footsteps.
I blinked.
Darkness surrounded me.

Off in the distance I heard a faint warning.
"Ready or not, here I come!"

I smiled. He'd never find me.

Remember those days?
Summer nights under the stars,
we giggled and talked in loud whispers.
"No, not there. He'll find you!"
"Over here! Come on, hurry!"
"Shhhh."

I lived in a neighborhood filled with kids.
After we all had supper, we'd gather in my yard, or in the middle of the street (back then, there were only a few houses past where I lived, and the paved street ended at the last house, so hardly anyone drove down the street.)
We played kick the can, or hide-n-seek.
We'd start at dusk, then the street lights would go on.
There was something about playing at night under the street lights.
There was enough light to see, yet it was dark enough to imagine we were brave.
The nights were cool. It was great being a kid.
Not a care in the world.
Enjoying the moment.
Enjoying life.

The other night my husband and I watched "The Middle" on TV. The mom, Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) tried to encourage her family to enjoy the things she enjoyed as a girl - she ran through the sprinkler to show them how fun it could be. Of course, they didn't get it. They rolled their eyes.
But, she had fun.
That episode brought back memories.
I thought about that neighborhood, and all the fun we had.
It was a long time ago.
But,
she reminded me of me.

I decided a long time ago, I just wasn't going to grow up.
Ok, wait a minute.
I know I'm an adult and have been for a long time now.
I've been a responsible parent, and citizen.
I'm even Grandma age.
But!
No matter our age,
we can still have fun.
We can enjoy the little things.
Yes, that's what I'm talking about.

There is still a kid in all of us.
Do we ever let him/her out?

I hope so.

Early in the morning when Griz and I take a walk, I look at the brand new day as it approaches.
Sometimes the sun is a bright red ball that bounces up in the sky before my eyes.
I want to clap and and jump up and down like a child at my Father's ability to know how to make me smile.

Sometimes I watch birds with wide wingspans soar as the breeze carries them effortlessly, high above the trees.
It takes my breath away, and I ooh and aaah.

I love those times when I'm alone with my dog and my Father....He takes me by the hand and leads me, his child, and shows me things I may miss during a busy day.


I'm a child at heart.
You are too....or you can be.
Sing a song (I do that, too - listening to Pandora on my iphone...I just sing along. So, if you're out and about early in the morning and it looks like I'm talking to myself....I'm probably singing to the Beach Boys, some other oldies songs, or Keith Green.)

Have some fun today.


How about you let me know what brought a smile, a memory, a giggle to your day?

A Rainbow of Hope~My Short Story

Today was not the best of days.
In fact, the past few weeks have been difficult.
Nothing major, just things.
I've shut myself away at times just to be alone with God.
Still, the clouds seemed to hover over.
Situations that hurt, and left me feeling discouraged, kept me on my knees
You know how it is...
Sometimes the sun is there, but it's hidden behind clouds.


I had entered a short story in a contest, about a month ago.
I'd check my emails everyday to see if I was in the contest.
Nothing.
The end of the first cut and voting ends the first of October.
I figured I hadn't made it, but kept checking.

Today, I checked.
Nothing.
I went online to the contest, figuring I would look at the list, and read some of the stories others had sent in.
I scrolled down page one, and went to page two.
Fourth story down was "A Love Like Ours."
It sounded familiar.
It was my story!

It may have seemed small, but it was a big thing to me.
A rainbow.
A blessing.
It made my day.

This is just the beginning!
Now I need your votes to continue in the contest.
Please go to the following link, read my story, "A Love Like Ours," and cast your vote for it.
 http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/create-romance-2012/page-2/

God knows when we need a rainbow in our days.
I am grateful.

Thank you for your support!

Sometimes You Just Have To Run

 

 

Run Forrest! Run!

Life can be a bully. Throwing knock-out punches, hitting us left and right.
We can stand and take the hits for so long.
Forrest Gump did.
He stood, trying to shield himself from bullies calling him names, pelting him with rocks.
But, when Jenny yelled, "Run Forrest. Run!"
He did.
He ran till the braces fell off his legs, and he kept on running.


Situations can be so overwhelming
we don't know what to do,
and we want to run, and run, and run. 
Run and hide.
Run and get away from it all.
Run and make it all go away.

But, we know we can't.
Like Forrest, we feel crippled with the braces of defeat, loss, or discouragement.

What to do?

I say do it!
RUN!
Run as fast as you can.

I have.
Ok, sometimes I haven't run right away.
Like Forrest - I've stood there, and tried to shield myself from the shock of sudden attack.
Then,
I hear a  small still voice saying, "Run! Run!"

So I do.
I may hobble at first.
It may be painful, and hard not to focus on the bullies who are after me.
But, I keep on going.
Eventually, the braces fall off. 
The  tormenters plaguing me fade farther, and farther away.
I run...
right into my Father's arms.
Abba, Daddy.

He's always there, ready to catch me in His arms.
He holds me in His secure love.


Psalm 91:1 says, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High,
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
(2) I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust.
(4)...He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge,
his faithfulness will be your shield and buckler..."

Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest."
              
Psalm 50:10 says, "Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you..."

His Word is true.
                         
Abba Father. Almighty God.
He is enough.

Yes,
we can run to our Father anytime.
We will find rest, comfort, and peace beyond our understanding.
In His presence we will find strength, overcoming courage.

When the battle is on, it's ok to run and hide in him.
Go ahead.
Run.
Now.
Run into his arms.

 

9-11 We Said We'd Never Forget

Tuesday
September 11, 2001

We will never forget.

Today is
Tuesday
September 11.

I get goosebumps thinking about it.

Eleven years have passed since
the curtain of protection over our country was attacked.
Evil whipped it's destructive finger at us.
We were no longer secure in the United States.
Life as we knew it changed
forever.

Days following 9-11, when the air space was silent, I stood on our patio, looking up at Colorado's clear blue sky, a sight I usually enjoy.
That day it was eerie.
No planes, no jet stream.
Just a hush.

My thoughts:
Life will never be the same.
Never.
The innocence of living in safety are gone.
The world my children knew is gone.

A few months following 9-11 my daughter and I flew to Florida.
Security had changed immensely.
People wondered, weren't we afraid to fly?
No, but the events of September were fresh in our minds.
We weren't naive anymore.

That's it.
We aren't naive anymore.
None of us.

"We will never forget."
It's what we said.
"We won't back down."
"We will be strong."
"This evil will not threaten our nation, our world."
There was an urgency.
We needed to pray.
We needed the hope of a living God.

Here we are, eleven years later.
9-11 was significant to our future.
It's up to us...
We aren't naive.
We have a responsiblity.
There is still an urgency.

II Chronicles 7 :14 says, "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

There is hope for our nation.
There is time.
It is now.
We said we'd never forget.
We've heard the saying
time heals all wounds.
... If the wounds are treated effectively.
If not, they are left to fester.
They can become infected and can end up worse than they were initially.
The wounds in our land can be healed.
There is a God who cares.
He loves us.
He knows the plans He has for us and for our children.
Plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
But we can't slumber.
We can't sit back and wait

9-11-2012
I stop and remember all those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives to save others.
I think of those whose loved ones whose remains were never found.
Those who are now single parents, raising little children.
Those who were in relationships, just married. Those looking forward to their futures.
I stop and remember those who survived, and who see Ground Zero every day.

Lord, help us not to forget.
Help us not to be complacent or deceived into a sense of false security.
Help us remember our true security is in You.
Every humble heart, every heartfelt prayer that is spoken reaches the heart of God.

Let us not forget.

As we pray, may we be encouraged.
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
Selah.

 

Believer Or Not - Revisiting My Words

A statement I made in my last blog has been bothering me. 

Transparency-here it goes.

 I said I was a new believer in the seventies which is interesting.  Sometimes terminology is lost in translation. I had a friend look at me with a blank look. "Glad you found what you were looking for." There was a pause. "But, we went to church together -I thought..."

Saying I was a new believer gave the implication I hadn’t believed prior to the seventies. I pondered my choice of words….
New believer? Hmmm…Ever since I can remember, I’ve believed in God – the God of the universe, the Almighty God. I’ve always believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day. I’ve always prayed, and believed He answered.  He was there and loved me.

So, what happened in the seventies?

I believed. But, somehow something was missing... I wanted to be closer to God, wanted a closer relationship, somehow.  I was longing for something, I just didn’t know what or how to get it.
I went to church more, prayed more, even thought I’d become a nun (that didn’t work out.)

Then, one evening I went for a walk.

It was a dark and lonely night. I was troubled, was searching, and was wondering about the purpose of it all.
I walked through the church yard, and a priest happened to be on his way to the rectory. He stopped and talked to me, and as we visited I talked to him about my troubled heart, “So, I go to school, get a degree, get married, have a family, have a career…then what? What does it all mean? Where does God fit in all this?” I wondered.

He said, “Have you ever given your life to God?”

No. I’d never been asked that question. How do I do that?
He said, “It’s simple. When you go home just pray and give your life to God.”

So I did. I answered the altar call in my heart. I lay on my bed, and cried out to God with all my heart. I told Him to take my life and do with it what He would. At that moment, I had peace like I’d never had.  God’s presence filled the room, filled my heart, and has never left.

Believer, and Christian…a Christian is one who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior, Messiah. In Christian circles “believer” and Christian are used interchangeably. What was new wasn’t that I believed something different, but that I was new with His love and life in my heart. My understanding was new. My life with Jesus Christ as Lord of every part of my life, was new. Crying out to Him with my whole heart, giving Him full reign of my life, released Him to fill my life with His love.

When I went to the Jesus Rocky Mountain Music Festival, I was introduced to others who had the same desire. Keith Green touched on that spot in my heart.

Yes, I wanted to be more like Jesus. Yes, I wanted to be sold out to him.
Keith Green challenged my commitment to let God work in my life.
That night deepened my commitment.

In the Bible, Jeremish 29:13, it says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

That, my friends, is the rest of the story.


Keith Green explains in his song, "Your Love Broke Through."

Tribute to Keith Green and How His Life Changed Mine

It was the seventies.

I was young and naive.

There were three days of concerts in the open air of the Rocky Mountains and I wanted to go. I didn’t really know much about the concerts. I just knew I wanted to be there.

I prayed. I figured if God wanted me to go, something would work out. I left it at that, and didn’t think any more about it, till the day got closer and it didn’t look like I’d be going.

But, the day the concerts were to begin my tax refund came in the mail. With that, I could go to the concerts.

I happened to run into some friends on their way to the concerts who said I could ride with them if I wanted. So, I packed a few things, grabbed my sleeping bag, pup tent, and hopped in the already packed van.

I was so excited. I loved music. There were a few names and groups I’d heard of who were going to be there, but I was a new believer – and didn’t know much about Christian music.

I knew heaven had to be like this Jesus Rocky Mountain event. Wonderful, contemporary Christian music, under a blue sky canopy by day, and a star covered night in the mountains – what could be better? Hundreds of people worshipping, listening to music with a message. It was a turning point in my Christian walk.

People like The Archers, a young girl just starting out named Amy Grant played her guitar in the rain. Reva (Dottie Rambo’s daughter), were a few who were there. They were all great. They shared and were a blessing.

 But, there was one young man who played the piano. While he sang there was a rainbow behind the stage, and to this day, I get goosebumps when I think about it. Keith Green sang and ministered with a heavenly backdrop, in a way that changed my life forever.

It’s hard to express the impact Keith Green had on my life. His music was a gift, but it was also heartfelt,  powerful, and rang with a timeless life message. He shared the Gospel with simplicity, and a heart hungry to serve.

When I ministered, I shared some of his songs. I followed his and his wife's ministry. They published Last Days Ministries Magazine with articles that challenged and encouraged believers in Christ to love, and live in Christ so others could see Him.

Then, July 28, 1982, he and two of his children - Josiah (three years old) and Bethany (two years old) along with nine others, were killed in a plane crash.
It was heartbreaking.

Today Keith Green’s ministry  continues with his wife Melody, who has gone through some tough times, and she continues to serve Jesus. Keith's music lives on, with the message that is alive and still changes lives. 

I've been thinking today.....

It's been thirty years - it seems like forever, and yet just like yesterday.

I'm going forward in life, but, funny as it seems, I feel like it's come full circle. I'm back in the place where prayer, repentance, and seeking His face is utmost. I'm not near perfect, but Jesus inside is. It's about Him.

I see that young girl I was, sitting on the ground in the Rocky Mountains with hundreds of others, her long hair whipping in the wind, looking up to the heavens, blessed beyond measure because of the reality of Almighty God listening to Keith Green sing,"O Lord You're Beautiful."

It may be thirty years later, but,  I'm still that girl - looking up to the heavens singing, "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful."

One day, Keith, we'll all sing and praise our Lord together in heaven, but till then, like you prayed in this song, my prayer continues to be, "Make My Life A  Prayer For You."

Second chance of a lifetime baby

I watched Nights in Rodanthe again.
I don't know why I do that to myself.
I end up crying every single time.
I know how it ends. I read the book. I've watched the movie. But, the tears come anyway.
Everytime is like the first time.

Why do I watch it? Is it because I can see myself with Richard Gere (sigh)?
Maybe it's Adrienne.
Yes.
I identify with her.
"When Jack left me, it wasn't just our marriage ending. It was the loss of all the hopes that I'd had for the future. I tried to move on, but the world didn't seem interested in me anymore. Then you came along and helped me believe in myself again."
I've been there.

So?
I was Adrienne once. My marriage had fallen apart. I was broken and lost. I didn't know who I was anymore. I had become a nonperson in a bad marriage.
Then,'Paul/Richard Gere' came into my life, and I started to live again. I began to believe in myself.
I learned to love again.

At one point in the movie Adrienne talks to her daughter and tells her how this new love is different from the love she had for the father of her children. "There is a different kind of love. A love that gives you courage to be better than you are, not less than you are. One that makes you feel that anything is possible. I want you to know you could have that. I want you to hold out for it."
At this point I am sobbing, because the love of her life has died.
But! Because of his love she has a new belief in herself that maybe she wouldn't have had, otherwise.


His son visits her and says, "You gave me my father back.You saved him." She answers, "We saved each other."
Certain people come into our lives at strategic times. They encourage us, and believe in us where maybe we've lost all confidence. They help us find ourselves again.

In a letter Paul writes to Adrienne he says,"I've been thinking of you constantly since I left, and wondering why the journey I'm on seemed to have led through you. I know my journey's not over yet, and that life is a winding path, but I can only hope it somehow circles back to the place I belong. That's how I think of it now. I belong to you."

I met my Paul/Richard Gere. He is my husband today. Our lives crossed on our journey through life. We stopped long enough to allow our paths to intersect. Two individual lives on totally separate paths, now sharing the journey.

How awesome is that - to get a second chance in life, at love? My nights are not in Rodanthe, on the shoreline. My nights are on the plains where the sun hits the horizon in wild hues of oranges and pinks. Where wheat glistens like gold, and little calves bawl and wobble beside their mommies.

Lives can change.
Love can happen.
Dreams can come true.

Here's to love that makes you feel anything is possible, and gives you the courage to be better than you are!

Happy Valentine's Day.