Great day yesterday with The Children's Chorus of San Antonio coaching Alexander Technique. They will be with SA Symphony on October 2nd!

Superhero Character

My son Evan has a best friend, Kenny. Many of you have followed Kenny's saga over the past two years, but for those who are new to The Purpose Post, a brief synopsis of Kenny's journey. Two years ago, just days after he turned five, the van in which Kenny was riding was t-boned. The vehicle hit right where Kenny was sitting. He sustained massive injuries to his spinal cord, and was hospitalized for 6 months.

Kenny practicing to be 'Aquaman'!

Thankfully and with God's great grace, Kenny is making amazing progress in his recovery! Just last week, he was able to take some very shaky steps in a swimming pool. This is a boy about whom some doctors said would never be able to move his legs again. You can view more of Kenny's story and progress at the Caring Bridge site link on the left.

Kenny just celebrated his seventh birthday and requested a Superman theme for his party this year. He rolled in to the party room with a huge smile and a Superman-style cape on; only his had a big 'K' in the center. His attitude in adversity is monumental. Kenny is truly the closest person I know to a real superhero!

We all have superheroes in our lives. Most of them don't think of themselves that way. I am very blessed to know several: a young single mom, a firefighter, a band teacher who spends a month before school starts with his students...Just the other day I ran into an acquaintance who is working at the new homeless shelter downtown. She is no doubt a hero to someone.

Being a superhero isn't just about the physical, either. Strength of character is just as important; more so, in fact. Are you getting tired of listening to the seemingly never-ending parade of people messing up and then having a million excuses and justifications for their motives? Bah. It's refreshing when you hear someone say, "I messed up. I did something wrong. I am sorry. I am ready to take the consequences." Even more so when they truly mean it.

Perhaps that is why King David is appealing to so many people. Almost everyone knows the story of David and Goliath. David became the greatest warrior king in the history of Israel. In his day, he was a superhero, strong and wise.

Most people also know the story of King David and Bathsheba. How he looked out over the city and saw a beautiful woman in her bath...and didn't do the right thing. How he had her husband Uriah killed and tried to act as if nothing had happened. But David knew the truth. And when God sent a prophet to chastise David, he said merely, "I have sinned against the Lord." That's all he said. No whiny explanations about women tempting him or how he was the King and could do whatever he wanted or how Uriah got in the way of the arrow that shot him. Nope. David admitted his mistake. And then did an amazing thing. He shut up. He took  responsibility and he shut up.

To me, this takes even more courage than facing a giant in battle. Admitting our mistakes and humbly asking forgiveness of the people we've hurt; risking embarrassment and gossip. This is superhuman character. The story of David is proof that even the best of us mess up. The good news is that, if we have a truly repentant heart, we can be forgiven. By God and by the people around us.

So how many superheroes do you know? A bunch, I'll bet. The caregiver for an ailing spouse or parent, the friend who rehabilitates abused dogs, the volunteer who makes sure the scout meeting happens. Maybe you could let them know how super you think they are. Do you have a friend fighting cancer or rebuilding a life after abuse? That takes superhuman strength of character, too. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for the example and the inspiration they bring to your life.

While you're at it, give yourself a pat on the back, too. Because you are probably a hero to someone. And don't worry if your cape gets a bit "wrinkled" at times! Just be a Character Superhero, admit it and ask for forgiveness. You'll get it from God. Chances are, from the people around you, as well.


P.S. Check out Kenny's amazing progress at the Caring Bridge link on the upper left!

Oatmeal for the Soul

I know, it's the thing your mom always made you eat for breakfast when you really wanted Cocoa Puffs. Now, it's the thing your doctor (or your spouse) is telling you to eat when you really want bacon and eggs. Oatmeal. Tan, mushy, sticky and bland. Boring.

Or is it?

I started eating oatmeal to help my cholesterol. It was creeping up, and I dislike taking medicine if I can manage my health in other ways. So,...heavy sigh...it was time to drop some pounds and hopefully, my hdl levels. Something unexpected happened, though.

My seven-year-old son started asking if he could have some, too. Eschewing waffles with syrup(!), he eyed my oatmeal one morning and requested a bowlful. My husband and I were speechless. Kids are supposed to hate this stuff, right?

We dished up a small quantity, thinking he'd take one bite and pull a face - yeech! Instead, he put a bit of butter, some sugar and some cinnamon on it and gobbled it up. Then he asked for more. And he's been having it every morning since. Amazing. The kid likes something healthy. How did that happen?

As I thought about it, I realized that part of the answer might be that the oatmeal was never presented to him as a healthy food or something that he had to eat. It just appeared in my bowl with a bit of butter and pepper and fruit and cinnamon. There was no commentary or coercion or parental wheedling involved. It was just...there. He got curious and he tried it. The fact that it is good for him is a bonus as far as he's concerned. And I am just glad he's eating it, even if he does add some sugar.

It got me thinking about how we 'do church'. We know it's good for us. It helps to center us, make us listen to and nurture our spiritual selves and resolve to do right with our lives. Then why do so many of us not like to go?

Some of us don't like to get up on Sunday morning. Some of us don't like being preached at. Some don't like the decor or the music or the people or the offering or the....., well, fill in the blank. Something we know we're supposed to like, but don't. It's boring, bland, mushy. Oatmeal for the soul.

Yum - blueberries!

Have you considered that the problem might not be the oatmeal, but what you add to it? Deconstructed, oatmeal is truly a wonderful gift. It is easy to grow. It is cheap, plentiful and filling. It is healthy and provides energy that gets you through the morning. Cooked well, it has amazing flavors: nuttiness and a bread-like quality in one little flake. It really is a kind of super-food! A foundation upon which to build a delicious meal.

Perhaps church is a bit like 'spiritual oatmeal' to some of us. Perhaps it has become a 'chore' because we were forced to 'eat' it. But just think, maybe if we add some 'toppings' we like, church could become a wonderful feast! Think about it: what if church was FUN? I don't mean a bounce-house in the sanctuary (although my seven-year-old would like that), but if you went to a church that was warm and joyous, filled with people serving its members and the community, would that make you more likely to 'eat your oatmeal'? Maybe you'd want to go to church. Maybe you'd get EXCITED about church! In Psalm 100, David tells us to:

"Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs." (vs.2)

See, like oatmeal, church doesn't have to be any one particular thing. There are some requirements: prayer, teaching, sacraments, confession and assurance. But other than the things we are given in the scriptures, we are able to add 'toppings'. It really doesn't matter if the carpet is green, blue or non-existent. If we have a choir or a band. If there are flowers or not. An auditorium or a steeple. These are matters of cultural and individual choice, not salvation issues.

So if you have kind of 'given up' on church, it could be that you still haven't been to a church that was the one for you. Please don't stop searching. Keep trying until you find the mix that 'tastes' satisfying to you. So how to do that? Start with church websites. They usually have a statement of faith and a run-down of missions and programs. If the church doesn't have a website, then that tells you something, too: it could be that traditional, old-fashioned church that you might prefer over a large, noisy congregation. (Or maybe they are just waiting for someone like you to help them set up that website!) If you like big, rock-band style worship, listen to your local Christian radio station. They are usually plugged in to which churches have vibrant services.

God has a place for you to be in a body that wants and needs your gifts and talents; a place for you to grow and be challenged. A place where you are called to be for service to his people. Whether they go to church or not.

And as to the oatmeal? Well, my cholesterol is lower by eleven points and in the 'normal' range. So it has been good for me to eat my oatmeal.

Fed Up

By now, many of you have heard the story of the JetBlue flight attendant who quit his job in a most spectacular way. 'Fed Up' with two squabbling passengers, one of whom cursed him out and banged him in the head with a suitcase, he delivered a 'colorful' farewell speech and grabbed a six-pack. He then deployed the emergency chute and exited the aircraft by sliding down like a kid at a water park. Hopefully it was worth it, for he is in no end of hot water and may even go to jail.

So much for his bad behavior. What about the woman who created the problem in the first place? Apparently she and another passenger got into a fight about overhead bins. Honestly, have we become so entitled that we cannot brook one moment of inconvenience? Is it really so awful to check your bag? (I know, they charge for that now...sigh...) Or to have to wait for a few minutes while they off-load it? Heaven forbid that a wheelchair-bound passenger has his chair put out before your Louis Vitton. Have we truly become so spoiled and uncivilized? And when you observe such nonsense, don't you feel a little 'Fed Up', too?

We've all seen it happen, and not just on an airliner. Ever been in line behind someone in a hurry at Starbuck's? How about some good old-fashioned road rage? Or, riffing on the airline theme,  felt that sinking pit in your stomach when you see the line for airport security? I admit that tries my patience. Can I be frank with you?  I just loathe it! 'Fed Up'!

As a recovering 'impatient-aholic', I have to check myself on these things. I get 'Fed Up', but that is no excuse for me making it worse by whining or having a tantrum. I try and get my sense of humor out when confronted with such situations - like the soccer-mom who was having a meltdown in the car behind me one day as we were picking up our children. The school zone is 20 mph, and there is usually a nice motorcycle officer ready to 'remind' you of that. So, impatient as I am, I go 20 mph. Well, one day the lady behind me was just 'Fed Up'. She was yelling at me and flinging her arms up, then started banging on her steering wheel. At first, I had a bad opinion of her, but then I got to watching how silly she looked, and it made me laugh out loud. I mean, what good was it doing? It didn't make me go any faster - I wasn't going to get a ticket to just make her feel better. Then I felt sorry for her. I have found myself in situations where I feel stressed for time, and it rarely brings out the best in me. And I realized that I must look just as ridiculous when I'm getting annoyed. That made me laugh, too.

It's things like this that make me think God must have a great sense of humor. He has to watch all of us get cranky and irritable and fussy. What a loving and grace-filled God we have that he does not get
'Fed Up' with us on a regular basis! Instead, he loves us and forgives our foibles; and gives us some practical advice for the times when we feel 'Fed Up'. In Ecclesiastes, chapter 5 he tells us:

"Do not be quick with your mouth,

do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.

God is in heaven and you are on earth, 

so let your words be few.

As a dream comes when there are many cares,

so the speech of a fool when there are many words."

So the best thing to do when we're feeling 'Fed Up' is, to use an impolite term, to 'Shut Up'. Just be quiet for a minute. ...'do not be hasty in your heart...' and think before we speak. Remember mom telling you to, "count to ten before you say anything..."? It's still good advice, isn't it? Godly advice, for the next time we feel "Fed Up'.

From Rick Warren: Everytime you take responsibility FOR someone,you take responsibility FROM them, creating dependency & weakening them.

If you are interested in ordering a copy of Kathy Price's What the Bible is All About for Moms, click http://ping.fm/jVBup

Ok, so I was early for my appointment. A whole day early. And I thought I was running late!

Needs to get busy on Twitter!

Congratulations to Anna Quesada! She won a copy of 'What the Bible is All About for Moms' from Good Gifts Unlimited Coaching.

Leave a comment and you might be the winner of Kathy's book!

Interview with author Kathy Pride!

 

Today on The Purpose Post, meet author Kathy Pride. Her latest book is What The Bible is All About for Moms. Welcome, Kathy!

First, a little bit about me and how this book came to be…

So, let’s chat.  I love chatting! And meeting new people, especially moms. 

I am a mom, I have a mom, and I have worked with moms for years as a childbirth educator. And my writing style is much like my teaching style, telling things like they are with truth, humor and transparency.

I hated it when the instructor told me in Lamaze class that the contractions wouldn’t hurt.  That was simply not true.  And I vowed then and there that everything I did in life had to be truthful, but that sometimes the truth hurts so humor tempers lots.

Anyway, I have four kids, two adult sons, 28 and 25 and two younger daughters, eleven and thirteen, and for those who wonder about the gap, our third child was actually the only one truly, truly planned for the time she arrived, as she was adopted and brought home from Vietnam at five months of age.

My husband and I have been married for almost thirty years and met in college and have hung in and on ever since. We live in a small town in Central PA where he is a physician and I spend most of my time after three pm in the car.

The opportunity to write this book came to be as a result of a totally divine happenstance conversation I had with editor extraordinaire and grace dispenser Kim Bangs who invited me to submit a concept sheet and then proposal for this book.

Well, what about that soft spot for moms?

Moms have a tough job, don’t you think?

We do have the Bible, and not to minimize that as an instruction manual in right living by any stretch of the imagination, but it tends to come in after friends and family and all their free advice, that can be pretty costly…

So the question arose, how can we take Biblical wisdom and stories, role models and examples, and weave them into relevant (and funny) stories to encourage moms? I know I need encouragement! Everyone else’s kids may be perfect, but mine are NOT. And, shocker, neither am I.  But guess what?  Neither were many of the moms, ok, all of the moms in the Bible. Remember, Jesus has the corner on the market in the perfection department, so God has provided lots of examples of moms and how they dealt with different situations, similar to what current day moms deal with. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.  But, the story of the Bible is one of redemption, and moms need to remember that.

So, the opening story for Genesis, is titled, “E is for Eve and Epidurals.”

So, tell us a little bit about how the book is laid out, and who is Henrietta Mears?

The book is inspired by the writing of Henrietta Mears, renowned Bible Teacher from Hollywood Presbyterian Church in the 1940’s and on. She believed in making the Bible accessible to everyone, and wrote her hallmark publication, What the Bible is All About, and was the founder of Gospel Light Publishing, Regal’s (the publisher of this book) parent company.  So Regal has now published two devotionals inspired by her writing.

The book is comprised of 66 chapters, one for each book of the Bible, each one bit sized for busy moms.

Each chapter starts off with a brief section entitled “Snapshot from Henrietta” which serves as a basic overview for that particular book of the Bible. It is then followed by selected Scriptures, also inspired by the writing of Miss Mears, with one specific Scripture from among her selections highlighted. This Scripture is one that has particular relevance to moms.

A short one sentence synopsis precedes each story under the heading, “Momento” and then is followed by the story under the heading, “Mama Mia” which focuses on a mom or mom theme.

Each story is followed by an encouragement, “Lightening the Mother Load” and then closes with questions for reflection under “Musings for Moms.”

Tell us a little about the stories; some of these titles make me laugh.

I am so glad they make you laugh. Every mom who has gone through labor can relate to labor pain. Well, it says there right in the Bible, women will experience pain in childbirth, so E is for Eve (the grande dame mama) and epidurals…

Then there are others, like, “Bath”-Is That for Bathing or Bathsheba? (Being noticed and admired…); “White Teeth and Plastic Surgery” (paying attention to appearances); “Mean Girls 101” (raising great daughters); and “Too Much Idling Will Ruin Your Engine” (Gossiping).

But the stories are relevant, honest, and will result in many nods of recognition. I am simply the scribe (oh, and experiencer of most of the stories, which are all true, although some names have been changed….)

But aren’t Moms too busy to read?

I will be the first mom to admit that we are busy…and I often fall asleep at night, sometimes drooling, while trying to read. But these chapters are bite sized, uplifting and include lots of Scripture, and can be read on the go. They are great for the car or purse. Plus, with the Bible overview, if you have friends who don’t think the Bible is particularly relevant, or not for them, this is perfect to introduce them to the Bible as the real deal!

Is this for all moms, or just young moms?

The challenges that moms face are really universal throughout their lifetime. It may be a different story, but ultimately it is the same script.  It may be sleepless nights with a colicky baby, but problems and not understanding what is wrong continues with your kids through a lifetime (sorry, if you have young kids you probably didn’t just want to read this…)

It includes single moms, young moms, older moms, and moms who aren’t yet moms. There are struggles in yearning to be a mom and God’s answers and timing that are also written about with bittersweet honesty.

Have you had experience with tough times in parenting?

Absolutely. But because God is in the grand business of redemption, while it doesn’t condone wrongs, He will use mistakes to help us reach out to others. I have experienced crisis pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, adoption and motherhood as a young fool, and older fogie…remember, we have seventeen years between number one and four. Our adult sons have had struggles (one son’s struggle with substance abuse is what paved the way to my relationship with Christ) and just real life issues, which would make it into my annual Christmas letter, and is why I no longer write one (no, I write a book instead…)

How has this book been redemptive to you?

That’s a great question, because the first draft of this manuscript was, well, a little let’s just say, sharp (ok, downright caustic in some places) and that showed me, through the eyes of another, that I still had significant healing to go through in my relationship with my own mother.  And it is amazing how God has accomplished that, through allowing me to write, re write and then learn from Him through the writing of this book.

What kind of feedback have you had so far?

You know, it’s been really encouraging. Moms are relieved that they are not alone, that there is someone else who will acknowledge that they don’t have it all together (and don’t drive a clean car, either…) I have had so many women remark that they felt like I was just chatting with them over coffee, that the stories are so real to life. And that’s what we need isn’t it? Encouragement from others that we journey through life together, God loves us, will redeem our mistakes, and then enable us to share with the next sojourner on the journey of life.

What else would you like to share?

I would love for people to join the conversation, come stop by for a visit at my web site:  www.kathypride.com, also known as The Mennonite Diva. Friend me on Facebook, although there I listed my “full” name for some unknown reason, Katherine Pride (so formal) follow my blog on the home page of my website, and just hang out.

Wait just one minute…did you say Mennonite Diva? Tell me about that.

Sure. First of all, my message of encouragement to women is that they all need to release their Inner Diva’s. They are Divinely Chosen, Inspiring, Valued and Amazing. I worship at a Mennonite Church where I also serve as the Outreach and Missions Director, and I love pink and having fun. So please drop by!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by the author in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

gaah. trial and error... I meant http://ping.fm/BDDYU
Hope that works!

Wow! The new templates on eblogger look great. Check out www.thepurposepost.com to see.

Check out The Purpose Post on July 19. I will be giving away a copy of Kathy Pride's latest book, What the Bible is All About for Moms.!

Having a great morning working from home.

Getting ready to host Kathy Pride, author of What the Bible is All About for Moms. Monday, July 19 on The Purpose Post. See you then!

Working on creative development today. Good to have some uninterrupted time for brainstorming!

Mama!

Four weeks after Easter this year brings us to Mother's Day. Mother's Day is an interesting holiday because we can all relate to it in one way or another. Maybe you are a mom, or maybe you want to be a mom. But one thing is for sure: we ALL had a mom.

For most of us, this Sunday will be a sweet day, a day to thank the woman in your life who raised and nurtured you. It may also be the day when others thank you for the nurturing that you do. But I was reminded last Saturday that there are some who struggle with Mother's Day, and those of you who fall into that category are particularly on my heart this week.

There are those who were not always blessed by the mothers they had. Sadly, some mothers are just not equipped to raise children, and for those who suffered abuse or neglect, Mother's Day can seem hollow at best, and a mockery at worst. If you are one who had a rocky upbringing, you are an inspiration to those around you - did you know that? The fact that you are here, and are doing your best to live a life of meaning and purpose is a testament to your strength of character. And if you know someone who is a survivor, lift her up!

Then there are mothers who have lost a child. I cannot think of a greater sorrow than to lay a beloved child to rest. If you have been through this, you must be the most precious of mothers in the sight of God. One of the first 'grown-up' books I ever read was called "Angel Unaware" by Dale Evans. She and husband Roy had adopted a little girl from Korea, whom they named Debbie. Sadly, Debbie was killed in a bus crash in her teens. Pouring out her grief on the page, Dale Evans wrote a delightful tribute to her beautiful daughter and in doing so, also took a journey of healing through her faith which also inspired million of readers.

You may be someone who has lost your mother. If so, Mother's Day can be a sad day for you. Perhaps it can be a day to think on her and remember the good times. Share a story with your children or grandchildren about her, or do something she liked. Those are precious memories for you, and family history for the younger members of your clan. They will appreciate knowing about their relative, and can then pass the memories of your mother on to the next generation. What better tribute to your mother than to have her seem alive and vibrant to her descendants.

I mentioned that last Saturday I was reminded of those who struggle with Mother's Day.. I was at a friend's Saturday church service and the pastor closed with a beautiful prayer for those who are suffering from infertility. I have friends in this category, and it never occurred to me before how hard Mother's Day must be for someone longing for a child. I cannot pretend to know the depth of your hurt, but the Bible gives us an idea as it tells the story of Hannah in I Samuel, chapter 1: Hannah is praying so hard and with such emotion that the priest thinks her drunk! She tells him, "...I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief" My prayer for you is that, like Hannah, the Lord grant what you have asked of Him; and if not, that the reason be shown to you and that you can begin to find peace.

There is someone in your life who would love to hear from you on Mother's Day. It might be your mama - call her! take her to lunch, dinner! get the kids dressed without asking her for help! It might be a friend, whose children are scattered all over the country - maybe you can be a surrogate daughter/son today. Or maybe you just need to get clear of the 'mama drama' this year - that's ok, too. Surround yourself with people who love you on every stage of this journey called life and have a blessed Sunday. If you are someone who revels in Mother's Day celebrations, take just a moment and say a prayer for those who are not as comfortable with the holiday. Lifting up our sisters is a great way to honor all of God's Daughters.

Smiles and Blessings,
Sharon

P.S. If you know a single mom, give her an EXTRA BIG HUG!! And, if you're so inclined, a free night of babysitting...

Springtide

It is three weeks since we celebrated Easter. During that time, we have seen the spring rains gently wash over the landscape and blankets of bluebonnets and perky yellow daisy-like flowers spread themselves over the rolling hills. In my son's classroom, two of the eggs have hatched and fluffy little baby chicks peep their greetings to us every morning. In my house, Lily cat is shedding ALL OVER the place. Spring has most definitely sprung, and our hearts feel lighter somehow and filled with anticipation for what may come.

What was happening with the disciples three weeks after the crucifixion and resurrection, I wonder? What was their spring like 2000 years ago? It was probably a beautiful one, with the wildflowers popping up through the rocks and covering the hillsides like an intricately designed carpet from Persia. Perhaps it rained a lot that year. Or, perhaps it did not rain much at all, leaving the people dusty and the landscape brown.

Above all, it  must have been a season of hope for the followers of Jesus. Spring always brings hope; of life renewing itself and going forward. Seeds are planted with the hope they will bear crops. Eggs are laid and carefully tended in the hope they will bear new life. For Jesus' disciples, this particular spring must have filled them with hope like they had never felt in all their springs past.

I just ponder how it must have been to live life wondering moment to moment when Jesus might appear.Talk about hope!! How could they do their daily tasks thinking that Jesus could turn up? Right Now! Right Here! I wouldn't want to leave for even a second! Did they just get so excited and taken up with the possibility that they did nothing else?

It puts me in mind of 9/11. Do you remember how everything stopped? We went up to church and someone plugged in a little TV and we all just sort of remained there; sometimes praying, sometimes talking, sometimes merely watching the story unfold. Nothing else happened that day; people left work early and stayed at church past dinner time. We all wondered, 'What would happen next? Where is the President? Is he o.k.? Are the people in New York, the Pentagon o.k.?' We needed to be together somehow, to hope.

Of course, the disciples had an enormously joyous time of waiting together. The most awful tragedy had turned into the most wonderful miracle! And like us on 9/11, they must have wondered, too: 'Where is Jesus now? Will he come to see us today? What will he say if he does come?' They needed to be together, to hope and rejoice.

What about you? How hopeful are you this spring? Is it a time of happiness, of anticipation for you? Perhaps you are sad and feeling like everyone is happy but you. Or are you feeling nothing special, just life plodding along like it always does?

The book of Lamentations is not one normally associated with hope. Its very name invokes images of sadness, of mourning. But there is a passage in Lamentations that speaks quite joyously about hope. From 'The Message', Lamentations 3, starting with verse 19, it says:

"I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all - oh, how well I remember - the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope. God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great is your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God."

Hope is an amazing state of mind. People who have hope can withstand almost anything, no matter the horror. Viktor Frankl and Corrie Ten Boom both survived the unique hell of the concentration camps with little more than hope. If you know someone who has survived cancer or beat an addiction, then you know someone with a doctorate in hope! (Maybe you are that person - if so, you are really quite AMAZING!!)

Don't you just love the phrase - '...I keep a grip on hope.'?  Sometimes it seems like that is all we've got, just a grip. A lot of the time it's a pretty shaky grip, isn't it? But a grip on hope! What a wonderful thing to think on. When our hope is in God, we are able to see his mercies all around us - like the verse says, they are 'created new every morning'. 

Something incredible for you might be just around the corner; a mercy from God created new this morning, special, for you. Maybe you will hear from a friend you were thinking about only yesterday. A prayer might be answered today. Maybe even Jesus could walk through the door. It happened once before, during a Springtide long ago.

If you have not heard the story of Kenny Hudnall, or visited his Caring Bridge website recently, please take a moment to read his story. If you need a 'grip on hope' let this incredible 6-year-old and his family inspire you! Just click on the link to your right.

The Ultimate Betrayal

Those of you who know me well (or have checked my profile) know that I love John LeCarre novels. I am a big fan of all types of spy vs. spy stories, real or invented and I am not fussy about what era they occur, as long as it's a riveting tale. I even like Bond stories, which is ironic, because John LeCarre apparently did not, and began writing his books as a response to what he felt were over-sexed, over-glamorized and downright silly representations of 'The Secret World'. The characters in John LeCarre's novels are decidedly not glamorous; his most beloved spy, George Smiley, is described as portly, stogy, fat...well, everything James Bond is not.

LeCarre fans will debate passionately about what they feel is his best work, but for me, it is 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', a thinly disguised telling of the true story of Kim Philby, the infamous 'mole' in the British secret service. Like Philby, the fictional mole is a member of the privileged British class with an Oxbridge education. It was while he was in school in the thirties that he was recruited by the Soviet Union to become one of its most secret and devastating of agents. He is employed by what eventually became known as MI-5, the British version of our CIA. He rises to fairly high rank and it is well on to 30 years before he is discovered, after betraying all manner of secrets, including the names of some British agents working behind the Iron Curtain, one of whom gets a bullet in the back as a result of the mole's betrayal.

I just happened to be re-reading this right after Easter, and it put me in mind of Judas' betrayal and its aftermath. In LeCarre's story, everyone knows there is a mole, but no one knows who it is, so everybody suspects everybody else. After the mole is revealed, everyone's spirits are crushed. You see, he was one of them. They had offices next to one another, joked at the water cooler, went on 'business' trips together, knew each others' wives. Can you imagine if you discovered that someone in your office, school, church was a mole? And what, I wondered, were the disciples thinking when Jesus said one of them would betray Him? How disjointed and dispirited must they have been! And not only was one of their closest friends a betrayer, but then Jesus was immediately taken from them! The one person who could have made things better was ripped away from them as a result of the disciples' 'mole' and his betrayal.

Have you ever felt betrayed? Maybe on a grand scale, by a cheating spouse or abusive parent? Or on a smaller scale, by a friend who lies or a co-worker who steals from you? Betrayal hurts, no matter how big or small, no matter if it's public or private. It is a horrible feeling, a violation not just of rules but of trust itself. And it is one of the hardest things to recover from; once betrayed it is hard to ever trust again. Perhaps some of the disciples felt this way, too. What confusion, sadness, shock, guilt they must have endured during those three days!

Unlike the characters in LeCarre's story, it doesn't end there for us. We have the empty grave to look to, the power of healing and redemption and peace at our disposal. Jesus returned to His followers several times after His resurrection. He wanted them to know that the story did not end with betrayal and death.

Our stories of betrayal do not have to end there either. There is healing in Him; your pastor or counselor can help you find it. There is redemption in Him; the scriptures promise this to us over and over again. And there is peace in Him; the peace that comes through understanding and forgiveness.

May you find yourself blessed during this Eastertide.

The Easter Doubter

I have always loved the story of Thomas, the disciple. You know, Doubting Thomas. It remains one of my favorite parts of the Easter passages in scripture. I remember hearing the story in Sunday School and in church and at school in Bible class. And it always seemed to me that the story was taught in such a way as to keep me from ever questioning my faith. Much was made of the words Jesus said, "...blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed." Appropriately so.

However, during my late teens and twenties, I went through a period of doubt. I was a journalism minor, and so learned to question everything I was told, for when you are interviewing someone, you always need to remember he could be lying to further his side of the story. Yes, it can lead to cynicism, but it gave me a valuable tool. You see, I was able to look at both sides of a question and do my best to put aside pre-conceived notions. About anything. Including my faith.

So for a time, I took everything I had been taught in Bible class and looked at it as though I didn't believe any of it. And oddly enough, over time I realized that I really did believe. Yes, there are a lot of things in the Bible that defy earthly explanation; there are texts that seem to contradict one another (just start with Genesis 1 & 2!). But faith is just that - a belief in that which cannot necessarily be proved by human standards, but which you still know to be true, and I realized that my faith was real and strong.

So I have always appreciated that God gave us the story of Thomas, the Doubter. I felt that Thomas got a bad rap, used by pastors and Sunday school teachers to stave off any murmurings of doubt among the faithful instead of thoughtfully addressing those doubts, as Jesus did. You see, Jesus could have rolled out any number of stories from the scriptures about doubters who "came around": Abram, David, Jonah just for starters. Then He could have used those examples to browbeat Thomas into conformity.

But He didn't. He thoughtfully addressed Thomas' doubts. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. And then He gently invited Thomas to "...be not faithless, but believing."

Of course, in the face of such logic and grace, Thomas believed. Then Jesus does something interesting. He does not dwell on Thomas' doubt. He mentions it, but He instead chooses to focus on the positive - on those who believed without seeing. The only distinction is that those who do this are blessed.

After Jesus left, the disciples went out into the world to tell the story of His ministry, death and resurrection. Can you imagine the story Thomas had to tell? Think for a moment about the setting: a gathering of people, some who might be believers, but also many who were not. They were probably doubters, too. I mean, it is a pretty unlikely story. But then Thomas gets up and tells his tale; of how he doubted and now believes beyond any doubt. Of how he put his hands into Jesus' wounds and perhaps fell to his knees, and said, "My Lord and my God." Can you hear the breathless silence in the room as Thomas describes that moment? How many people were won over by the testimony of this former doubter? Maybe there was a purpose to his doubt.

I now look at my Doubting Thomas period as a blessing in disguise. I can see that there was a purpose to my doubt. No matter what anyone says, I have been on a journey of faith that has strengthened my belief in God. And I know that, while God would have blessed my doubtless faith, He still blesses me for other things. And, thankfully, that He never stopped loving me.

My Room

My wonderful Sister-In-Law sent me this today, and I loved it so much I wanted to share it.

This really resonated with me for two reasons: 1. I am NOT a morning person, and 2. I have had a particularly hard time waking up these past two days due to a combination of Daylight Savings Time and Benedryl. But, I think this will help me out. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Morning Motivation

When I woke up this morning lying in bed, I was asking myself,
"What are some of the secrets of life?"
The answer is right here in my room:

The Fan said.......Be Cool
The Roof said.....Aim High
The Window said.....See the World
The Clock said......Every Minute is Precious
The Mirror said.......Reflect Before You Act
The Calendar said......Be Up to Date
The Door said......Push for your Goals

For now, I'll start with the Fan and the Roof, since I will be able to see them both at the same time!

Have a great morning tomorrow!


(If anyone knows who wrote this, please let me know and I will credit him or her.)

'Sometimes stumbling blocks can be stepping stones.' Rev. Carolyn Barsdale