Let My People Go!

During the forty years of wandering in the desert,

there wasn't much to read.

Cartoon from http://www.inheritthemirth.com/
Cuyler Black is creator-and his stuff cracks me up-

Hope you have a relaxing weekend with plenty to read-

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Muscle...

OK...so apparently- the prayer above doesn't work too well.

Yesterday morning, God reminded me that right there in His Word He is pretty clear that patience takes time...and it is something learned and practiced-

so I started thinking about muscles and exercising.
Later in the day- Lisa, a friend of mine in Michigan, pointed out to me that "Patience is like a muscle" sound familiar?

I love when God does that.....and I Bless Him for crossing our paths-

Well, I am off to workout...I suppose in one way or another....we all are.

As Tim Russert would always say- "Go Get 'Em"

Or more importantly- as Jesus said- "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS"

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Patience...

As my blog yesterday stated, I was starting the "patience project"

I should have known when I asked God to give me some patience, He would provide plenty of opportunities to grasp the concept. Oh, and He did.

I felt as if, the entire world was in on "game" At one point, I thought I could hear everyone around me saying-let's push all her buttons!

well, you should know, in the spirit of honesty- I failed, miserably.

However, I start again, fresh today....since "His Mercies are new every morning"-

Bring it on!

He has got the whole world in His Hands-and since I KNOW that fact...

I can slow down and rest in that- and notice the blessings around me in being patient-

Thank You Lord for the chances you offer us, over and over again- to get it right.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Glasses...

If we could just put on some glasses and see things like Jesus.
Today I am going to try -
which should mean- I will be patient and forgiving-

I have been lacking in these areas this summer....not sure if it is heat- or circumstances-
either way, all I can change is myself- and the way I view things.

So, today- I am going to give it a shot-
If you put on the "Jesus" glasses....what would be different for you today?

Grace and Peace,

DCC

William...

This is one of my Godsons, William.

(aka- "MoMo", "Mosephus", "Number One")

He went to his first spend the night camp last week.

I received many letters from him, yet, one of them, stuck out.

It was an empty envelope.
(addressed on the backside...complete with stamp in left hand corner.)
the outside said "I miss you so much."
The inside, I will never forget.

it was empty.
and there was a small note at the top, in the little triangle area...it said

"There is nothing in here except my love."

Yes, I chuckled at the same time...and wiped away a few tears at the same time.

Isn't this what God's Word is for us? No matter what stories in The Bible it is-
the miraculous, the scandalous, the scary, the happy...the lines you are familiar with...the ones you have never even heard of-
Isn't the bottom line....all He is really sending...

Nothing except His Love?

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Tastes Funny...

In case you find yourself out in "the desert" this weekend...
Take some time out to find the "funny" around you-

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Thump or Thud....

When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping it. If it "sings," it’s ready. If it "thuds," it’s placed back in the oven.
The character of a person is also checked by thumping.
Been thumped lately?
Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. You’ve-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat-footed. They aren’t big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor. Even as I write this, I’m being thumped. Because of interruptions, it has taken me almost two hours to write these two paragraphs. Thump. Thump. Thump.
How do I respond? Do I sing, or do I thud?
Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45). There’s nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.
If you have a tendency to thud more than you sing, take heart.
There is hope for us "thudders" Begin by thanking God for thumps. I don’t mean a half-hearted thank-you. I mean a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy thank-you from the bottom of your heart (James 1:2). Chances are that God is doing the thumping. And he’s doing it for your own good. So every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:5-8).
Learn from each thump. Face up to the fact that you are not "thump-proof." You are going to be tested from now on. You might as well learn from the thumps—you can’t avoid them. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump will help you or hurt you, depending on how you use it.
Be aware of "thump-slump" times. Know your pressure periods. For me, Mondays are infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be just as bad. For all of us, there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. The best way to handle thump-slump times? Head on. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don’t give up.
Remember no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God.
___________________________
From On the Anvil:Max Lucado

Summer tends to bring out a lot of "thud" in me-

Today, I'm working responding with song.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

PX for Summer...

It is pretty hot down here in Texas...which means, I think, God writes prescriptions for....

popsicles...
splashing around in swimming pools...

flying down waterslides...

spraying your puppy with the sprinkler...

and Ice cream...you have to- it's a rule

You are just trying to cool yourself down to avoid heat stroke.

What?

It is called taking care of yourself...it is practically health food.

Thank you God for the laughter and wonder of Summertime.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Full Armor...

The Full Armor of God

"Be Strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, put on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere." Ephesians 6:10-18

God says put it on...so what are we waiting for?

Grace and Peace,

DCC

House Calls...

Yep, He makes them...

even without you knowing what you need...

He is there.

Don't worry about hidden charges...or calling at odd hours...
not knowing enough about Him...

Just call Him.

He'll meet you where you are and take care of the rest.


Grace and Peace,


DCC

Good combo...

Usually on Fridays...I try and keep it pretty light on here....
so here you go-


I am a Diet Coke drinker-big time.
First stop in the morning is wandering into the kitchen and popping open and icy cold one.
Any morning...any where...including scaling the mountains of Israel...the bottom line is ,
I ain't budging until the DC gets going-


I also happen to love bacon-(not in my Diet Coke.)

When I came across this picture- I envisioned this being the kind of thing God is going to have on ice, in a styro, just for me, when I arrive.


Nothing I would expect...or have ever heard of...but something only He would know how to make...and knows just I would like. Just as He knows what YOU would like.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth-
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

This goes for all of us!
Have a great weekend-

Grace and Peace,


DCC

Don McMurray...

This is Don McMurray.

He headed off "searching for the pearly gates," Monday evening. Although, I know good and well, he was not out searching- but was sought out...and carried home gently and with great pride..

He was our friend. Out of 5,300 members at our church...Don had one of the strongest servants heart I have ever known.

My first day of work was spent digging fence posts at a Habitat for Humanity House, with Don, David Reed and Scott Heare. Habitat was one of Don's great passions.

I can only imagine how many children are crawling into their OWN beds, in their OWN rooms in their OWN homes tonight...thanks to Don for being the Hands and Feet of Christ.

We sat across from each other on the front row of Bible study...and traded jabs and laughs, for years. He constantly referred to his Bible Commentary and "added info" to what we were reading. He was always wanting to know more...to see more....to help more....to be more....

The last conversation I had with him was a few days ago-
his body was weak...but his humor was strong. There are not many people that make me laugh out loud....but Don did. The conversation went something like this-

Me- "We are all praying for you"

Don- "Let me get this straight, you are trying to tell me, that all 5300 members, who we can't get to come to church...but they are all sitting around praying for me?"

Me- "yes, it is a 24 candlelight vigil...Donna is leading it on the front steps"

Don- "Well, I would come, but I am a little busy right now, I am trying to find the rapture"

Me- "That is a good project for you"

Don-"Since you work at the church, do you happen to know when I am getting picked up?"

Me- "Well, none of us know the answer to that one"

Don- "True. Good point"

Don-"So, let me get this straight, if I get stuck in purgatory, YOU are who the church is sending to help? Debbi, Baby, I am not sure you can find your way back to Alamo Heights from here at Hospice."

Me-"Yep. If it is on a Tuesday, but don't worry I'll bring McNitzky and Reed"

Don- (big grin.)

It is a rare gift to make someone laugh.

To have the desire in your darkest hour...to make someone else giggle?
I will never forget.

Thinking of others until the very end...Just like Jesus. Which was a common pattern in all the days of his life.

Don will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, yes, THE one, among other heroes and those who deserve our deepest gratitude.

Thank you God, for Don McMurray and his life and humor.

Well done good and faithful servant and friend...
I will see you at the gym upstairs.

Grace, Peace and gratitude to His family and to him,

DCC

Abundance...

Sit...still

Watch...intently
Walk...slowlyJesus Words are written in the Book of John-

"I have come so that you may have life and have it in abundance."

-John 10:10

What are we wating for?

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Gadgets...

So...the new iPhone is supposed to be released today...

Sounds like it will do everything but wash your hair for you.

I am wondering how we can use it to spread the Gospel more effectively.

Seriously, as random as that may sound...it is the way we receive and deliver information...and to me, there is nothing more important than delivering anything and everything about Jesus.

I have found cool Bible application-

http://iphone.clearsight.org/index2.php

It amazes me how creatively and intelligently God has created us to be.

It should not amaze me of course, because after all, we are made in His Image.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Job...

The beginning of Job's misfortunes.

May we all have at least some of his patience-
Have a great weekend-

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Light...

Not only did He do it...but He did it in the dark-

Usually the only think I can find in the dark is a stubbed toe.

We all face challenges in our day to day life...some bigger than others...
and this is was a good reminder to me that He can handle anything I give Him...
He is not suprised or overwhelmed by any of it-

May all of us remember, "Nothing is impossible with God."

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Schoooools out for the Summa...

Seems like just yesterday we were heading off to our first day of school...

Slicked back hair....and ready for a new adventures...

and then, within the blink of an eye...

"Schoooools out for the summaa" (please sing Alice Cooper song here.)

We must stop and thank the teachers of our world....

for the differences they have made...some we remember in our own lives...

some we see in our children's lives.

Jesus was the ultimate teacher...He taught through Love and His actions...

may we all do the same, no matter what our profession may be.

And let us stop and take note of how quickly time passes.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Consider....

The Lilies of the field... When I was in Israel...I saw these fields....they are filled with Poppies.
I learned as I walked by them...that these were, more than likely, the flowers Jesus, Himself spoke of, when he asked us to consider them...and how beautifully "dressed" they were.
He told us to "stop worrying about how we are to dress...or what we are to eat" If God cared enough to make even these flowers this pretty....wouldn't He take care of us even more?


I love thinking about God actually thinking about Me! Because as He sees the fields of us...
within that field.....He sees individual faces.....worries....joys...needs....

Thank you Jesus, for pretty flowers.....that mean so much more than what we see on the outside-


Grace and Peace,


DCC

Hot Dog!

It's June...and you know what that means? Summer time!

Pools...beaches...lakes...sandy toes...messy hair...no makeup...camps...new friends...old friends...
hot seats in cars...water skiing...lightning bugs...flip-flops...naps...movies...popsicles...sticky faces...ponytails...

Life seems a little slower in the summer...which means more downtime...less schedules...
which means I should have plenty of extra time to spend with God.
To get to know Him better.
To get used to hearing His Voice more often.
To start seeing His Hands at work around me.

Grace and Peace,

DCC