Heroes...

I am constantly inspired by the spirit of generousity that lives in the heart of people. This photo op was from last week when our dedicated team of painters spent 4 whole days sprucing up our fellowship hall. I love this picture because it captures the spirit of these lovely women, and ALL the incredible men and women who give with such love and joy.

These are my heroes:

Those who give with no expectation of reward.
Those who give with no expectation of acknowledgement or praise or recognition.
Those who give, not to "fix" situations that others have "messed up," but because they see a need and they know they CAN do something about it.

My heroes are those who know that giving is its own reward and so they do... with zeal and joy and passion and zest!

There are too many heroes in my life these days to fit in one picture. So I share with you a peek at Karen and Sandy and Denise as representatives of them all. Thank you, friends, for brightening my world.

Sunday Extras!

Every now and then, there are bits of a Sunday talk that end up on the editing floor. This week, I had to trim a bit so that you could all eventually go eat lunch. But I wanted to share a bit that was cut to give you online followers a little something extra.

The scripture is from Mark 6:5 and it refers to that fact that Jesus was having a hard time performing any miracles in his hometown of Nazarus. It reads: "He could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their disbelief."

Isn't it interesting? JESUS, in all his spiritual perfection, being UNABLE to perform a deed of power in his hometown. To what degree were the miracles of Jesus a CO-CREATION with those He blessed? What was the consciousness that limited His power and caused such disbelief?

It is, to me, a reminder to step outside the limitations I see in people based on my past knowing of them. Imagine if you grew up next door to Jesus. If 30 years from now, the kid next door showed up in your town and started saying he was divine, how would you respond?

What miracles do I miss because I expect something different?

Nothin' but a Hound Dog...

Ted, our beloved church dog, is USUALLY a very sweet, spiritually grounded member of our welcome team. I was reminded yesterday morning, though, that beneath his gentle, unassuming facade, there lies a Hound Dog... and his inner hound dog became captivated in the early morning hours with the scent of a fox.

I saw the momma fox as I was tending to our labyrinth. She was keeping an eye on me. Ted saw her, too, and chased her into the woods before coming back proud and content. I was not too concerned about the fox. She was a fast mover and had a strong headstart.

After reporting back to me, Ted eventually wandered back into the tree line. That's when I heard it: the unmistakably terrifying sound of two wild animals hissing and yelping in a battle of life and death. One of them was Ted.

I now know the full depth of my vocal abilities as my screams of "No! No! No!!!" echoed past the church where Shawn heard me over the sound of his radio. But it did no good. Animal instincts has clicked in and Ted was completely oblivious to my presence.

As I trecked toward the commotion, I could see him shaking a small, furry body in his teeth. A baby fox. When he completed his task, he dropped the little one and headed back to me, proud and content.

It was a lesson for me in free will. It didn't matter how loudly I yelled, it did not matter. Ted was not listening. He was on auto-pilot doing his Hound Dog 'thang. Animal instincts. Total reaction. I've never been so frightened for him. If I could have thrown a blanket of safety around him, I would have...

I wonder how often in my life, God has been there on the peripherals shouting to me, "No! No! No!!! Don't make that mistake AGAIN!" And how many times I have been too much on autopilot to pay any attention. It has served as a reminder to be present, to listen, and trust that I DO have a safety blanket around me. It is called: Faith. The secret is in the remembering.

May you go forth today remembering...

P.S. Baby Fox was a bit dazed and traumatized, but seems to have pulled through. Ted still doesn't know what he did "wrong," and I am doing hot lemon water therapy to restore my tired vocal chords. Sounds like the makings of a good Disney movie...