No Matter What...

"Be Cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; 

thank God no matter what happens."

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

No matter what.

All the time.

Are you kidding me????

Even on...

Thursday night, when someone I thought was a friend, made a cold and hurtful comment? 

Friday afternoon, when we learned the biopsy results of a young mother were malignant?

Saturday morning, when we learned of a great friend from college lost his battle with cancer and left behind two young boys and a wife?

Even on those times God??

Yes. 

When God doesn't heal the way we think He should.

When test results are not what we think they should be.

When times and schedules don't line up like we thought.

When feelings are hurt.

Maybe, Paul knows that- If we are cheerful and prayerful and thankful all the time....no matter what...we will see Him.

God, Thank You for your constant desire to hear our prayers.

In His Dust,

DCC

More Tambourine & Cowbell...

"Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing." ~Exodus 15:20

Are you kidding me?

Here they were in the middle of escaping Pharaoh and Miriam stops to packs a tambourine.

(Are you picturing Stevie Nicks in the midst of the pyramids, or is that just me?)

Yes, a tambourine. 

As impossible and bleak as redemption looked at the time....she had faith. 

In the big fat middle of hard, depressing and challenging "end of their rope" times...

She KNEW that there would come a day for Praising God and celebrating His Work. 

So, she packed up that tambourine and headed out the door.

I believe God clapped when He saw the chutzpah of His Daughter Miriam!!  

She stepped out in faith and was the original, "when praying for rain, carry an umbrella."

Crocker preached on this story yesterday...and because I am mature and spiritual....

I couldn't stop picturing Will Ferrell. 

Then I couldn't shake wondering if Miriam said,

"I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell....ahem, tambourine."

We'd all be better off grabbing our tambourine, or even a cowbell...and expecting greatness, grace and redemption from our Awesome God,

For one day, He promises for each one of us....He will... 

"turn my wailing into dancing; 

remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy." ~Psalm 30:11

God, Thank You for a prescription we can all use today and in the days to come. May we all grab our "tambourines" daily.

In His Dust,

DCC

Grammy's...

James Taylor appearing at the Inauguration, like a knight on a white horse renewed my hope in seeing familiar music faces.
It messed me up. 
It raised my hopes and carried over into last night's Grammy's.

I watched...and kept my eyes and ears peeled for someone I knew or an outfit I understood.

Then around the corner like a pot of gold.....popped up Elton John.

and then Carrie....who was like a one woman coronation. 

(I am certain The Order of The Alamo is currently investigating this concept)

 and then a well dressed JT...

and dang...He was 18 levels of pretty.

And then as soon as I put my guard down....

this appeared. 

My reaction...was....akin to this.

I THINK he was part Liberace, a dash of Indian (Tatonka) with a side of Cher (circa 1970.)

I was quickly reminded to not put my guard down.

"Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. 

So keep a firm grip on your faith." ~1 Peter 5:9

God, Thank You for Your Encouraging Words. 

In His Dust,

DCC

Clouds and Fire...

Crocker preached on Exodus 13:21 yesterday. 

"By day The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, 

so that they could travel by day or night." ~Exodus 13:21

It was not the first time I had heard this verse....or actually even thought about it. 

However, it was the first time I slowed down enough to really think about.

That "Pillar of Fire", was not just  flames leading the way.

It was Very God Himself.

He was Personally providing Warmth & Security 

to scared, tired and anxious people on cold desert nights.

That "Pillar of Cloud", was not just an overcast day or a coincidence. 

It was Very God Himself. 

He was Personally providing Shade and Peace.

 to wiped out, insecure and beat down people.  

 

Make no mistake.....He still is. 
We don't need to be standing in a desert to see Him.
He is providing, wherever you are in need.
Whether or not you and I are recognizing Him.....is an entirely different story.
It might not look like a blazing torch pillar of clouds...
Chances are, it might look like a friend, a song, a text, a break in the calendar, a stranger...

Chances are it might look like you. Yes, you, to someone else.

God provides.
Always has
Always will

God, Thank You for Showing up.

In His Dust,
DCC

The Ring...

Had a dinner date this weekend with Will

Before you get all fired up and order Crane's stationary for me, you should know he is 7 years old and has a mop of hair that would make Tina Turner or even Sandi Taylor jealous.

After robbing his mom blind, he took off to the gum ball machines.

He returned with a surprise....well, many of them, one of which I was the recipient of.

10 precious muddy little fingers handed me this....

He announced the ring was a gift- because I was a very good friend 

(His mom got one too, for being a very good mom, which she is!)

His grin could have reached all the way to Bryan, Texas.

As did mine.

Michelle Shetler and Kelly Wade, you ain't got nuthin' on what he handed over to me.

Someone asked about the ring later- 

(8 carats on my pinky tends to draw attention.)

So, I told her the story, in front of him- as he watched for her reaction.

The lady's reaction was polite- but not nearly big enough for me.

She clearly did not know it's "worth."

Because, what makes it one of my favorite pieces of jewelry now, 

is who gave it to me- and why.

"There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish... 

But that's a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this." ~John 6:8,9

Made me wonder, about things I'm offering God- things that the world or others deems as minimal. 
My Father does not. 
He is on Heaven's Throne....beaming with pride.

We have a God that does wonders with the little ways we give spontaneously and without strings.

Which should make me look alot more gently at what others are "offering". 
Because, maybe where I am seeing a gum ball machine ring...
God is not.

What am I giving God that He sees as a Emerald Diamond ring?

Cuz, you'll have to pry this one off my pinky...

and I know mine is not ever coming off of his.

"See I have engraved you on The Palms of My Hands" ~Isaiah 49:16

God, Please help me remember that I have a Father in Heaven that is beaming with pride at what he offers 

His Dust,
DCC

Inauguration...

With our President's hand on The Bibles of President Lincoln and MLK. 

I was reminded of Martin Luther King's call, 

"To serve and make the most of the moments God has given us."

I am a sucker for pomp and circumstance.

It doesn't matter the candidate or the occasion--

Once I hear a drum roll and see the uniforms....100% chance...I'm in.

You add a side dish of JT? It's a no brainer for me.

57 Inaugurations the US of A has had....

I have a hard time keeping a tradition alive for a few years-much less 57!

There's something so comforting to me in tradition.

Hopefully, those watching were able to see beyond the politics. 

  That you were able to get past, eye rolls and gum chewing to remember, 

and feel grateful for those who had gone before us.

Those who's lives are remembered at Arlington and other solemn places.

God's Hand is on our country- 

I believe this and therefore shall not fear or waste time in worry.

The peaceful transition of power, sometimes among foes, has seen a new sunrise 57 times. We will surely see a better tomorrow.

"I will not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, 

for the battle is not mine, but God's"  ~2 Chronicles 20:15

"His Truth is marching on.

Glory, glory, Hallelujah!

As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on."

God, Thank You for new beginnings and the opportunities see things however we choose.

In His Dust,
DCC

Charlie....

Charlie coined himself, the church office curmudgeon. 

Before getting to know him, I might have believed it, 

just by the sign that hangs in between our desks. 

However, I have always been a "Grandfather's Girl."

I've never met a Granddaddy I didn't like. 

So, Charlie posing as a curmudgeon didn't match up. 

No one at the church fell for it either...although we let him think we did...out of respect.

He wasn't His cover was blown every Thursday, 

when he would show up with donuts for us and our kids. 

Our morning conversations went like this-

Me: How do you do today Grandfather?

Charlie: Do what!? (in curmudgeonesque tone)

Me: Anything, everything.

Charlie: I do all of it well. Very well.

This was the truth. Although, the only thing he didn't do well was acting as a curmudgeon.

Anyone that knew Charlie knew he probably had the solution to just about anything. 

He made our office, our church and The Kingdom of God a better place.

We would all be wise to seek out these elders in our lives.

Grandfather, you didn't fool me...I know full well that God has already said many times, 

"Well done good and faithful servant." 

I sure am gonna miss you...and our talks about wine, tennis & doctor's waiting rooms.

God, Thank You for the lives that touch our's.

In His Dust,

DCC