COURAGE FOR TODAY

A Masterpiece of Scribble

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I have thoroughly enjoyed having my Daughter, Son-in-Law, and three Grand-children live with us temporarily.  Since their arrival from China, they'll be staying with us for a few months until they can get their own place.  It's been many years since I've come home every night from work and had children to welcome me after a long day, but you just can't beat the Grandkids world of video games and toys to remind you of your true priorities.

There is no way to put a price on learning to love the Grandkids personalities and interests and see the excitement in their eyes watching the latest episode of Sponge-Bob Square Pants.  My youngest Grandson is especially artistic and creative.  He loves to draw and color.  Almost everyday, he will spend time coloring a new page in his coloring book.  Of course, at five years old, the colors don't always match and he doesn't always color between all the lines, but he is so proud of his masterpiece.  He smiles from ear to ear when he finishes his artwork and can't wait to show it to me and everyone that will look.  To the casual observer, it wouldn't even be noticed, but to me, it's as beautiful as the greatest Picasso.  My grandson is an extension of me and I couldn't be more proud, no matter how his artwork looks.  He isn't worried about how the artwork will be judged.  He isn't worried what others will think.  He's just drawing and coloring to the best of his abilities.  In fact, he's so proud of his handy work that he has taped pictures that he's colored to his bedroom walls. Most people hang framed pictures and posters; he hangs pages from a coloring book.  It would never be part of Better Homes and Garden decor, but it's beautiful to me.

UnEducated and UnTrained

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13 (NIV)

I've been fortunate in life to cross paths with many, many different types of people and personalities.  I've met Presidents and CEO's of Major Corporations.  I've met famous politicians.  I've even met popular sports figures.  All in all, I guess you could say that I've been able to meet a lot of individuals that are held in fairly high esteem by the World's standards.

The World would look at these people and come to the conclusion that they were at the top of their respective fields.  Afterall, the Presidents and CEO's certainly must have advanced degrees and education.  The politicians certainly must have education plus all the "people" skills necessary to influence others.  And, of course, the sports personalities surely must devote their energy to hours upon hours of dedication and practice.  I think all of these things are probably true for the most part, but somehow that just doesn't impress me. 

The Righteous Man

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree...Psalm 92:12 (NIV)

Last year on our vacation, I had the pleasure of relaxing in a hammock tied between two Palm trees.  The weather was gorgeous.  The wind was blowing slightly.  The Palm trees provided just the right amount of shade from the blazing sun.  The ocean waves were rolling against the shore with such rhythm that I was lulled to sleep in just a few minutes.  You just don't get any more relaxing than that.

Footprints For Others

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  Galations 6: 9 (NIV)

My wife and I love to walk on the beach.  I'm not one to swim in the ocean too much.  I suppose I'm too scared of what's in the water.  But, I do enjoy laying on the beach and taking an occasional stroll.  There's really not much more relaxing than walking along the edge of the water and watching all the wonderful sights.  I really enjoy watching all the children playing in the sand and building those sand castle masterpieces.  The kids on the beach are so intense with their sand buckets and shovels and are so proud of what they've built.  I also really enjoying looking for seashells and watching for an occasional dolphin jumping in and out of the water.  There's just nothing like it.

Expose Yourself

My Wife and I were fortunate to be able to attend a Christian Music Festival recently in the Atlanta Area.  The Festival was set-up in a beautiful section of a large State Park.  We had an opportunity to sight-see and visit all the attractions in the Park and then drive over to the section where the Main Stage and Concerts were being held.  There were thousands of people there to see such groups as Casting Crowns and 10th Avenue North among many others.  It was hot and crowded, but it was such a joy to be around other fellow believers.

Flickered Out?

I love campfires.  I especially love to sit around a campfire with good friends and a bag of marshmallows to roast.  Our family has done a lot of camping over the years and I have to admit that there's just nothing better.  The coolness of the night; the stars shining up above; the warmth of the fire; and the gooey, sticky mess of roasted marshmallows on a stick.  Just the thought and the imagery makes me want to go camping right this minute.

If You Were Here

Little did I know that Mothers Day 2006 would be the last day that I saw my Mom in a talkative, cheerful frame of mind.  She had been ill for sometime by that point and had been in the hospital for several weeks.  My wife and I went to visit her that evening for Mothers Day not really knowing what to expect.  She had been having good days and bad days.  But, this day, was an up day.  It was almost as if she knew the day was special and she didn't want to miss it.  She was in good spirits and glad to see us.  She enjoyed the Mothers Day card we brought her and the short time we spent together talking.  We were truly blessed by her condition and frame of mind that special day.  After that day, her health slowly worsened until she went on to join the Lord a couple of weeks later.

The Three R's

The other day, I was watching an old episode of "Little House on the Prairie" with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert.  All the children were at the one-room schoolhouse and were getting ready to do their studies for the day.  In those days, school work was concentrated in three main subjects:  Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, or the Three R's as it's been come to know over the years.  By looking at current school curriculum, I'm wondering if we don't need to go back to the Three R's in modern day schools, but that's a story for another day.

Legacy For A Lifetime

I never cared much for History during High School and College, but over the years I've learned to be a student of History.  In my school years, I never saw much relevance in learning about Revolutions and Kings and Conquests, but old age has a way of mellowing us and giving us a new perspective in life. 

Living "Inside-Out"

I was visiting one of my favorite fast-food restaurants the other day for lunch and I couldn't help but notice the person in line in front of me.  I'm not sure if this person knew what they had done, or if they were trying to make some type of fashion statement, but he had his shirt on inside-out.  In thinking about it a little more, I really think he knew he had put his shirt on backwards.  He was a younger, teen-aged person, hanging out with some of his other friends so I imagine that he was dressing this way intentionally.