Walking in Faith

Robyn from Kingsville gave me permission to share her story with you:

"This morning I decided that I needed to get back on my walking schedule. So I bundled up and took off. As I got just to the end of my street I noticed a young woman, who appeared to be by herself, unloading a truck, moving into a house. As I passed I waved and immediately starting thinking of spiritual opportunities. And of course, the obvious physical help it seemed she could use right here and now. I thought of how God, who is always faithful to my prayers (prayed with evangelism on my mind this morning) in that area.

"I continued to walk, thinking that I just got started good, and I really need to take care of my health (before I can take care of others, trying to heed my own counseling words to others). Rationalizing, trying to not feel guilty. So, I walked with purpose and determination, feeling good about disciplining myself toward lowering my cholesterol. At the same time I would not forget about what I might do for this young woman: take her homemade banana bread, welcome her to the neighborhood, invite her to worship services... I made my big loop of several blocks, and as I got close to my street I decided that I would double-back. I said, 'OK God, if she is still there and still unloading furniture, I will need your help to not injure my back,' which was already hurting.

"So, I rounded the corner and headed her way. I could not see if she was still there at first, so I kept walking. Then I could see her standing at the front door, just looking at the sofa, half was in the back of the truck and half on the front porch. I thought, 'OK God, maybe it's not too heavy and we can do this.' Just as I was about one house away, my husband drove up beside me. [He had taken the day off to make some repairs]. I told him what I was about to do, so of course he pulled over, and we went up and met our new neighbor. I held the glass door open out of the their way as they moved the sofa inside.

"I had faith that God would help me, and he sent my husband at just the perfect time. Isn't that cool?"

Are You a Faith Olympian?

To say the stories of the Olympic athletes are inspiring is an understatement. They can teach us to be gold medalists in our faith contest.

1. Olympians don't give up. Despite injuries, falls, personal tragedy, they keep their eyes on the goal. We can keep our eyes on Heaven. And we can never give up on bringing others to Christ.

2. Olympians do whatever it takes. Did you see the stories about cross-training? Skaters work out in the gym and jog. Skiers ride bikes. We need to be cross-disciplined, too. We need to pray, study, attend church--whatever it takes.

3. Olympians support their team. It's not all about the individual; it's also about national pride. Are we supporting our home team? Or are we gossiping, cutting each other down and being critical of ministry efforts? Support your team with encouragement, prayer and love.

4. Olympians sacrifice. The stories about parents giving up everything to provide training for their children get to me. Then the athletes themselves sacrifice their time, their diets and more. What are we giving up for the cause of Christ?

I will never stand on the podium and hear my country's anthem. But I hope to hear something even more special one day: "Well done, good and faithful servant." How about you?

Dealing with Dementia

As Baby Boomers age, the numbers for those getting dementia are going off the charts. Fortunately, there is an angel in Georgia who's been working for years to make life better for our elders. P.K. Beville is the founder of Second Wind Dreams and the creator of the Virtual Dementia Tour.

The VDT has been featured in national TV programs and in magazines, but just in case you haven't heard about it, the "tour" simulates what it's like to suffer from dementia. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch three people go through it in person. Wow. One woman broke down crying afterward. Even though she's worked in Long-Term Care communities for years, she said she had no idea that the people she worked with were going through these challenges. This will change the way she works.

What's so great about P.K.'s work is that she believes she is on a mission from God to change the way elders are perceived and treated. And despite her own health challenges, she lets nothing stop her.

There is a family version of the VDT -- if a parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent is suffering from dementia, please get a copy of this by going to http://www.secondwind.org/. You will be so much more understanding about what your loved one is going through.

And on another level, what is your mission in life? What issue would you like to change perceptions about? What can you devote your time to make this world better?

Miracles We Take for Granted

Isn't it amazing that we turn a knob and have hot, clean water? Isn't it wonderful that we flip a switch and have light? Isn't it terrific that we can go to store and find millions of choices? We are so blessed. We get so used to these fantastic gifts, that we take them for granted until an earthquake happens, a power line breaks or our favorite store closes.

By the same token, those of us brought up in church from Cradle Roll on, heard the Bible stories so early in our formative thoughts, that we sometimes do not realize the spectacular, awesome, amazing events that we take for granted. Specifically, I have been thinking about Jonah being swallowed by a big fish and being spit out without having any digestive juices tear up his skin, his eyes or limbs! I heard a great sermon Sunday from Mark--the story about the men who tore a hole in the roof to get their friend to Jesus. Some discount this, saying the roofs of that time were flimsy, thin and easy to tear. Maybe so, but it still wasn't that easy. There are so many other wonderful stories that only God could've orchestrated. We may rationalize by saying, "God can do anything."

That may be the point. When we need hope, when we need a miracle, when you are being swallowed by unemployment, illness, tragedy... remember that God can do anything. And you've got friends who will do anything to get you to Jesus.

Witness

Our church chooses a theme each year. We have a theme verse, and the sermons support the theme. Last year, the theme was so appropriate, and it was chosen months before the downfall in the economy! It was "Unshakeable."

This year, it is "Witness." The tagline is "Walk, Talk, Live the Light." The theme verse is "There came a man, sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man, was coming into the world." John 1:6-9

Yesterday, our preacher talked about what it means to be a witness. He says we have a passive and active witness. I'm eager to see how this challenge will unfold in 2010.

I have a girlfriend who chooses an inspirational theme for herself each year. Two years ago, it was "Be great in 2008!" What is your theme for this year? What is your theme scripture for this year?

A Prayer for our Times

Dear God:

Help the jobless to find work, the homeless to find shelter, the sick to find a cure, the heartbroken to find love and the hopeless to find you.

In Jesus' name...

Lose Your Temper?

A good friend of mine, who shall remain nameless to protect her reputation, confessed to me that she would like to control her temper better in the new year. This surprised me. In the years I've known her, she always seems calm and in control.

"Who do you lose your temper at?" I asked. (Not great grammar, but that's how it came out.)

"My husband and my kids," she admitted.

"You could get a goldfish to yell at."

"I wouldn't do that to a poor goldfish."

I started laughing at that response. Then she realized what she was saying and started giggling, too.

Goldfish don't have ears, memories, feelings or egos. And they cost a lot less than counseling.