Masks....

Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, remember, we all wear a mask of some sort at times...and there is One who sees past all of them....and loves us anyway.

No trick.

Only Treat.


Thank You God, for knowing us and loving us.

In His Dust,
DCC

No Worries...

We all have plenty of reason to worry...cancer...people aren't acting like you want them to...test results taking too long...we worry about going to sleep...staying asleep and then waking up late...
raising kids...the choices they are making...who is influencing them...taxes...bills...insurance...cars breaking down...flu...jobs...


Interested in a strong shelter?
Interested in, not only less worry, but No worry!

God, Thank You for providing a shelter that is always open and for meeting us there when we enter.

In His Dust,
DCC

Breakthroughs and Turtles...

Mikey: Why do just the big boys that get to run through the breakthrough?

Me: I don't know

Mikey: It's not fair so, I made my own...for me and Mark.

Me: really?

Mikey: yup, hold on Dubbi.

Me: Wow, Mike, you weren't kidding.

Mikey: Told you so.

Me: That is awesome Mike!

Mikey: You know what else is awesome?

Me: What?

Mikey: I know how to spell Turtle....T-U-R-T-L-E

The breakthrough...sometimes, the one made just for you is best.

God, when things don't seem fair, thank you for reminding me that Your plan for me is best. I don't need to worry about anyone else's.

In His Dust,

DCC

Focus...

Have a great weekend- and may you see God in all you do.

God, Thank You for being available for us to see...if we choose to look.

In His Dust,

DCC

Show Up and Listen...

You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them? Show up. Nothing takes the place of your presence. Letters are nice. Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message. You believe in your kids...you show up...at their games...their plays....their recitals. Do you believe in your friends? Then show up. Spend time with them. You want to bring out the best in someone? Then show up.

Listen up. You don’t have to speak to encourage.

The Bible says, “It is best to listen much, speak little” James 1:19.

We tend to speak much and listen little. There is a time to speak. But there is also a time to be quiet.

That’s what my father did. Dropping a fly ball may not be a big deal to most people, but if you are thirteen years old and have aspirations of the big leagues, it is a big deal. Not only was it my second error of the game, it allowed the winning run to score.

I didn’t even go back to the dugout. I turned around in the middle of left field and climbed over the fence. I was halfway home when my dad found me. He didn’t say a word. Just pulled over to the side of the road, leaned across the seat, and opened the passenger door. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. We both knew the world had come to an end. When we got home, I went straight to my room, and he went straight to the kitchen. Presently he appeared in front of me with cookies and milk. He took a seat on the bed, and we broke bread together. Somewhere in the dunking of the cookies I began to realize that life and my father’s love would go on. In the economy of male adolescence, if you love the guy who drops the ball, then you really love him. My skill as a baseball player didn’t improve, but my confidence in Dad’s love did. Dad never said a word. But he did show up. He did listen up. To bring out the best in others, do the same, and then, when appropriate:

Believe in them as God has believed in you.
~Max Lucado

God, Thank You for the reminder that all You call us to do is, be there and listen.

You will do the work.

In His Dust,

DCC

Playing Possum...

Since somebody's birthday is coming.....in March. So obviously the discussion naturally came up at dinner on Friday night.....

K-My birthday is coming.

Me-What should I get you for a present?

K-Ummmm.....a possum, I guess.

Me- Sure....exactly what I was thinking!

K-OK!

I'm not sure where she is planning to put it...or where I am going to get it...

I'm pretty sure I can find her a flat one on 35.

But the point is, that's what she asked for...and I love that she can ask me for anything.....ANYTHING.

How blessed are we that we have that same privilege with God.

God, Thank You for listening to all of our requests....You hear about all the "possums" we ask you for....and always answer with our best interest.

In His Dust,

DCC

Hallelujah...

Hot Dog! Cold front...football...football...more football and 3 cutest little girls in the whole wide world coming to town!!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father."

James 1:17

Hallelujah.

God, Thank You for all of the blessing sin my life....especially those I do not recognize.

In His Dust,

DCC

Hut on Fire...

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

What's your hut today?

Whether it is a wisp of smoke or a huge stack of fire...

He sees it...He cares....He's on His Way.

God, Thank You.

In His Dust,

DCC

Just Push...

This is an old story, I was reminded of last night by McNitzky-

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin, when suddenly his room filled with light and God appeared.

He told the man He had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his house.

God explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

So, he did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

Each night the man returned to his home sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the enemy (Satan) decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the weary mind:
“You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved.”

He gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. The man was discouraged and disheartened.

Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough. That’s what the weary man planned to do, but first decided to ask God.

“Lord, I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

God responded compassionately, “My son, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.

Your task was to push.

Now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.

Is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown: your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

Through opposition you have grown much, and our abilities now surpass that which you used to have.

True, you haven’t moved the rock.

But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise our faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done.

Now I, my son, will move the rock.”

God, Please show us the "rocks" in our lives we are so busy trying to move.

Thank You for the reminding us that You are "The Mover" of both the boulders and little pebbles.

In His Dust,

DCC

Monkeying Around...

"Once again, Adam had to talk to the apes about their bad habits

of gossiping and Eve-dropping."

God, Thank You for time to Monkey around on the weekends.

In His Dust,

DCC

*cartoon by Cuyler Black

www.inheritthemirth.com

Calm Down...

Seems like there are a lot of storms right now....
I've heard "try and calm down" alot lately.

For me, it is always easier said than done

Jesus was more than familiar with storms...as well as those who didn't ride them out too well.

I think, all too often we, and by we, I am referring to ME,

forget that He was not only ON the boat, in the middle of the storm,

....but He stood up and calmed the storm.

Why I can't get this through my head!?!?! He literally stopped the storm....wind....rain...thunder....waves....panic....

The next time I see this....

May I quickly remember this.

God, thank you for being present in the storms of my life.....and for all the times I think you are sleeping and forgotten me....I am sorry.

In His Dust,

DCC

Gardening....

All too often, I convince myself this is the fruit God is looking for.

You know...a hearty laugh...a good time...all of which I can plant seeds for...and have been working voraciously on since kindergarten.

However, according to His Word....it ain't what He's looking for.

"I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit,

fruit that will last."
John 15:16

According to God's Word...the fruit He is looking for is....

"...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23

A good gardener will do whatever it takes to help bear good fruit.

He has been known to clip away things that interfere. Usually, I'm busy fighting it...
stressing on how I can get along with out it....and in the end....I am always better off.
Not only does He have my best interest, but He sees the entire picture.
He is who hung it in the frame

God, Thank You for pruning, digging, pulling and cutting, even when it's painful and I don't understand. I trust You and You alone as my Gardener and Shepherd

In His Dust,

DCC

Be Headed...

There are so many things we misunderstand when learning about You.
We all miss the mark so often.

God, Thank You for your constant presence, no matter what I am going through.

In His Dust,
DCC

*Cartoon by Cuyler Black

www.inheritthemirth.com