Beans Don't Burn On The Grill...

No. 

No, they don't burn on the grill.

Remember the nights of watching this.....
when you weren't sure if the things he was saying were ok to say on TV...and you didn't care.

Remember that awesome walk...the man was original swag....(shout out to Bill D) 
Mother Jefferson....who you shouldn't mess with.

Weezie,Tom, Helen, Lionel, Jenny, Florence, Bentley....

The whole gang is gone....makes me sad.

Not being able to get the theme song out of my head for 24 hours....God has used a great reminder to me, that we are all "escalating on up" to a heck of a lot better than better than a DE-luxe apartment in the sky.

We are headed to Our Father's House.....which He has promised has many rooms.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I am going there to prepare a place for you." ~John 14:2

There will be no one asking for a tip at the elevator

By the Grace of God Himself....one day you and I will be too, finally get a piece of the pie.

God, Thank You for the way you use the language of our culture to speak to us in such profound ways.

In His Dust,

DCC

Better Than Ever...

I gave the children's sermon yesterday in three different services....
It was a day of bluegrass/country old hymns....which led to my feeling emotional about missing my grandparents yesterday.

It was right before the 11:00 service started, that one of Momo's oldest friends came up to me and asked me "how my grandmother was doing?"I was stunned....and sad. I realized a couple things quickly.....
One, This precious friend was losing her memory.
Two, I was going to have to tell her that her friend since childhood passed away almost 8 months
Three, this brought a lump to my throat, that was going to be hard to hide in front of 800 people. 

So, I kneeled down and held the soft hand of this precious lady...I looked her straight in the eyes~and with honest answer, gave her a kiss on the cheek and said,
"Momo is better than she's ever been. I love you for asking."

As I watched her roll away in her wheelchair, I was and still am grateful to God that Momo IS better than she has ever been! She is healed and dancing with Big Con.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." ~Revelation 21:4

God, Thank You for the making all things new....and for the reminder, that those that we love and have lost...are not lost.

In His Dust,
DCC

P.S. Jesus hit it out of the park at 11:00.

Nancy's Movin' to Beverly....

"We walk by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

Peter stepped out of the boat.

He walked toward Jesus.

Jesus was waiting....with open arms.

Today my friend, is stepping out of the Lone Star State. 

Home of Black Gold, Texas Tea.

Nancy and I go back to the 5th grade....a time in which one of us wore coke bottle glasses with a #1 symbol and a golden NKS.


God has opened a door for her in another state- which means packing it up....all of it-

kids, clothes, furniture, cars, dogs, house on the market...the whole meal deal.

Apparently, Californy is the place she ought to be....

so they've loaded up the Tahoes and are headin' to Beverly.

The mere thought of it makes me hit my knees, and the Xanax, to be honest.

However, when The Lord says, "step out and walk in faith and a path will open to you,"
may we all have the faith of Nancy....and go. 

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Nancy, we are so proud of your faith and fortitude. 
We will all miss you beyond words- and look forward to many fantastic visits to California! Y'all come back now, ya hear?

We are all cheering you on.

God, Thank You for friendships that span almost 40 years...for friends that are as loyal as blue tick hounds, for those who encourage our faith. listen to our fears and brighten our already blessed lives. Thank You God, for Nancy. 

In His Dust,
DCC

Alive, Well and Funny...

Are you kidding me that this arrived in my mailbox last week???
Last week...as in July 2012. 
Which wouldn't be exactly earth shattering news, accept for the sender is currently standing with Jesus....

Yes....Libby, as in Bebinger.

"In My Father's House are many rooms.

 If it were not so, would I have told you to go prepare a place for you" ~John 14:2

I am not sure about you....but I was not familiar the US Postal System delivering from Heaven's Gate.
(Especially considering there are several times a month, that my own postman can not seem to deliver to the middle of Alamo Heights.) 

I was reminded once again, that God Himself, is alive and well...as are those who have gone on before us.

"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~Isaiah 40:31

God, Thank You for making Your Presence known to us in humorous and profound ways.

In His Dust,

DCC

Birthday Surprise...

"I am the ideal intercessor for you, 

because I understand you completely"- Jesus Lives

So...I celebrated my 45th birthday on Friday. 

Being the first time in 44 years that I would not wake up to Momo singing "Happy Birthday" to me....

I felt like this about it...

Lo and behold, God stepped in at lunch. 
He didn't just step in....(of course, He was already there.) 
However, He brought a strong reminder of His Sweetness and His Attention to every detail and desire of our lives.


The owner came up to say Happy Birthday and give me a hug. 
It was when I hugged her, I quickly recognized the scent. 
She was wearing Momo's perfume.
What were the odds? 
That I would be there when she was....that she happened to come upstairs...that I hadn't smelled it since Momo was wearing it...that she happened to be wearing THE perfume??? 


Yes, The Very God that is concerned about the homeless, the hurting and healing the sick...is also concerned about my heart....and your's. 

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." ~John 14:8

I became and still am, very aware of celebrating life this year. 

Every aspect of it...

I have also been aware of God's Promise to be with us in the midst of every morsel of it. 

"Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5b

God, Thank You......I am overwhelmingly full of your Grace and Love 

In His Dust,
DCC

The Fish...

I was talking with some kids the other day about the "fish." 

There are many theories as to why.

Early Christian believers often used the "fish" symbol. 

Jesus said, "Come follow Me and I will send you out to fish for people." ~Matthew 4:19

In the years following the ascension of the resurrected Jesus to heaven, the Christian church grew rapidly.  Christians were the subjects of persecution by both the Romans and the Jews. In many places, it was very dangerous to be known as a Christian. Therefore, when two strangers met and thought maybe they were fellow believers, one of them would draw, on the ground, the upper half of the fish symbol.

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Recognizing the symbol, the second person would add a second curved line and complete the drawing of a fish.

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Simple. It could be drawn quickly, and erased just as quickly if need be.

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Explaining it in the Valero parking lot's dirt, last week, made me question.....

Am I putting the initial line in the sand for people? 

Am I responding by, "completing the fish" when I see it?

Are you?

God, Thank You for the opportunities you give us in teaching, to be taught.

In His Dust,

DCC

Each Path...

I find myself a little more easily distracted easily in summer....
a little more downtime...leads to my mind wandering.....

Last night I found myself perusing social media....looking at all the "perfect lives."
Is it just me? Or would it be nice to read what people are really thinking on there...
my kid isn't really that smart...
I think my dog has aspergers....
my husband is driving me nuts...

As God would have it....at that moment my "Jesus Calling" popped up:
 
"I have called each of My children to a different path, distinctly designed for that one. Do not let anyone convince you that his path is the only right way. And be careful not to extol your path as superior to another’s way."

 

"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." `Micah 6:8

What a poignant reminder...that each of us have a path...designed by God...specifically for each one of us.

 

God, Thank You for Your perfectly timed messages. 

 

In His Dust,

DCC