Running the Marathon

Last month, I asked you to help me celebrate my birthday by figuratively running the Cowtown marathon with me. It was a humid day, a hilly course, and I was coming down with a stomach bug! But I finished, and thanks to all of you, raised about $900 for YouthHaven.

Why Preachers Shouldn't Talk Too Long

When I was a kid, we belonged to a non-demoninational Christian tradition. My dad was thrilled when the preacher didn’t take too long with the sermon. Dad would say, “Now we can beat the Baptists to lunch.”

A few years ago, I worked at the North American Mission Board and was required to attend a Southern Baptist Church. In the hallways, I would hear folks say, “I hope the pastor doesn’t go too long today. We want to beat the Methodists to lunch.”

The Methodists have always been so gracious to let me come to speak to their Sunday school classes… and in churches where some people went to early services, I was advised, “Don’t go over your time limit. We need to beat the Presbyterians to lunch.”

That tells me we are all more alike than different. We all like to eat lunch!

Running for a Good Cause

Normally, I wouldn't blatantly ask for a birthday gift, but this year is a little different. I had a chance to visit Youth Haven in Picacho, Arizona this past summer. It was amazing. This ministry gives kids a 100% free week of summer camp, then a weekend during the school year, and a Christmas experience, too.

About 50 percent of the children are in foster care. Many don't have running water at home, so they take long, hot showers at Youth Haven and think it's wonderful. Many of them have never been to church or heard about Jesus, and they fall in love with Him by the end of the week.

So, since I'm running a marathon on my birthday this coming Sunday, February 27, I wanted it to count for something, to support a good cause. Please consider helping me help Youth Haven and celebrate my birthday at the same time. These kinds of gifts are tax-deductible! For more information, please click on the link below.
https://www.youthhaven.org/lorri

Tucson Shootings

As a sheltered and over-protected only child, I chose a career in journalism because I thought it would be a one-way trip to adventure.

And in many ways, it has been. I've met people and seen places and ridden cars, hot air balloons and vintage planes and wagons. In many more ways, I've had a front-row seat to tragedy... and then had to meet a deadline to describe it.

The shootings on January 8 in Tucson hit close to home. The radio network at which I've been working sits 500 yards from the Safeway grocery store where "Congress on Your Corner" was being held that morning. Not only that, but twice in my career, I have been an aide to lawmakers. It feels different when you realize you could have been shot at, rather than just observe and journal the aftermath. That's a selfish thought. Here's a more altruistic one: we are supposed to be one of the most advanced societies ever... when are we going to get it right, whether "it" is mental illness, gun laws, safety... when are we doing to be enlightened enough so that we don't kill each other?

As a Christ follower, I can tell you the answer is only when we get to Heaven.

If you were listening to our faith-based radio network, you heard it again and again, "We live in a fallen world."

The good news, even for a fallen world, is that some people will search for the silver linings of this incident and find them. They are there: heroes who saved lives, heroes who sacrificed their lives to save others, a woman shot in the head at close range survives and walks and talks!

The better news, especially for a fallen world, is that Jesus offers eternal life, no matter how violently you die. People argue about how you take Him up on that offer, so read His message and decide for yourself. It starts with believing He is the son of God.

When you take that step, you're in for one-way adventure of a lifetime.

An Influential Book

Radical by David Platt has my husband and me re-thinking our budget, our retirement and investments. We have been talking about the book's challenges for more than two months, and slowly, we are beginning to live radically. To us, the author, an Alabama pastor, asks readers to forget everything they've been taught about the American Dream.

If you've felt a nagging whisper in your soul to raise the bar for Christ, Radical is a must-read. If you've ever wondered how a Savior who asked a rich man to sell everything and give to the poor could reconcile with the idea that more is better, read the book. If you've ever felt a tiny bit guilty about eating well when others are starving, you should! Ha ha... I was just seeing if you're still paying attention. This book tells you, in concrete steps, what to do about that guilt... or what to do if you feel led to do more in service and love. Jesus is counting on us to change the world, and many of us are too busy counting our money.

Blessing for a Baby

My radio co-host and his wife had a baby almost two weeks ago. While Joel was taking a few days off, I asked listeners to call with a blessing as a gift to little Madelyn. Ulysses called and said he started using this blessing with his boys when they were tiny and touches each corresponding body part as he says it. Other listeners quickly responded, wanting a copy. So thanks for sharing, Ulysses!


May God bless you with a strong capable mind...
Ears to hear only the truth...
Eyes to discern...
A mouth to speak praises to Him...
Shoulders to carry burdens for others less fortunate...
Hands to do God's work...
Feet to stand firm on His promises...
And a heart to love Jesus and others.

Buckle Your Seatbelt!

At work, in preparation for promoting the Phillips, Craig & Dean concert in our listening area, I checked the artists' website. This quote from Dan Dean about not having expectations caught my eye:

"We were just working in our churches, doing what we do, not even really looking for this. Then God said, 'Buckle your seatbelt. Have I got plans for you.'"

We don't have to be working in churches or creating award-winning music for God to use us in a mighty way. God has plans, amazing plans, for each one of us.

If God whispered, "Have I got plans for you!" in your ear, what would He be talking about? What would that whisper encourage, empower and inspire you to do?

He just whispered it, my friend. Buckle your seatbelt. The ride of your life is about to begin.