Thanksgiving...

1958

2008

May your day have the "feel" of a Rockwell Painting.

God, thank you in advance, for the time today, to slow down and just "be" with each other.

I love you.

Thankful beyond words,

DCC

Doc Weems...

(DCC and Doc circa 1970)

Fine, so this is not the actual drawing of my first visit to Doc Weems in 1970, but I think this is what we might have looked like if my mom had drawn the picture while she waited.

This morning I had my bi-annual visit to the dentist- Same trip I have been making...the same office...the same chairs...quite a bit of familiarity involved. Love seeing all of my friends over there.
The lack of fear is strange to most of my friends, who cringe at the mention of going to their dentists.

The difference, I trust my mom. (and I adore my dentist.)
She dragged me and my little-bitty teeth, scared to death, at 3 years old...and told me there was nothing to fear. She would be with me. I trusted her- I still do.

(Actual drawing of Doc working on my mouth.)

God Himself says the same thing.

So, what is the difference between God telling us not to fear and promising to be with us and my mom's promise?
Not much.
I am going to trust both of them.
Their track records are spotless.

Thank you God, for big lessons in simple every day events.

Grace and Peace,
DCC

Football Time...

It's Thanksgiving time and you know what that means-

Are you ready for some football!?!?

Some of us have trouble deciding who's team we are on....

We tend to switch "uniforms"- our loyalty wavers.

You know who's loyalty never wavers? Who is always on our team?

Yep- you know it- Jesus.

Do I look like I am kidding around?

It can be exhausting trying to figure out what team you are on...

God, thank you for giving us a place to rest, in Your Arms.
Thank you for Your Son, Who remains faithful to us no matter what.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

You Want a Piece of Me?

One Body, many parts, all are important. -1 Cor 12:12-26

Have a great weekend-

Grace and Peace

DCC

Word for Word...

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

I went to dinner with Christian, Jewish and Muslim women last week.

I have the utmost respect for Judaism and Islam. I was the least familiar with Islam and quickly learned of their unwavering beliefs and deep passion. It was so refreshing to be around people who were not afraid to speak about their faith- and made no apologies for their beliefs.

At one point, early in the evening-

Someone said- "did you know there are actually people who believe The Bible word for word- cover to cover....two by two...Noah, The Ark....all of it."

It was quiet- and they looked at each other almost with a disbelief...I could almost see the cartoon bubbles above their heads, "people are so gullible....Religious Right...Fundamentalist nut jobs"
The Muslims and The Jews, however, did not flinch. You see, it was other Christians who seemed to question this. It became very clear, very quickly, that I was the minority in this group.

It was at that moment that I raised my hand- looked them square in the eye- and spilled the beans.
"I am one of those people."


I do believe it.
Cover to Cover.
Word for Word.

God, please give us the boldness needed to stand up for what we believe in. That in all things YOU may be honored and glorified. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet. Thank you-

Grace and Peace,
DCC

One Line...

So on Friday I cleared my calendar-and booked it up I-35 to Austin....for what you ask?

One Line. "My Name is-----and I am 5 years old."

When this child walked into the room and I watched her march up there, I swear I think my heart stopped. There was nothing else I could see or hear, but her.

Someone mocked my travels for this "one line"-but I assured them, I would have gone if it had been one word. Oh, by the way, the time it just took you to read that, it was over, and she was marching, accessorized by Birthday crown necklace, back to her seat.

I think God must stop everything when we speak to Him. No matter what else is going on- He is listening- His calendar is cleared. What are you waiting for to talk to Him?

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Pretty Is as Pretty Does...

My Grandmother, Momo, taught this little ditty to me as a child. It was constantly reinforced by Mom. They were and are IS still, as always, correct.

I spent the week in different types of meetings....with different "acting" and "looking" people.

I saw lots of "pretty" and lots of "ugly." None of it was physical appearance.

I invested far too much time complaining about them...and not nearly enough time focusing on myself....and looking in the mirror to see if I was "acting pretty."

God, thank you for the simple lessons of my childhood...For "looking at the heart" (1Samuel 16:7b). May my actions be "pretty" and may you be pleased with what you see in me.

Hope you have a great weekend and look "pretty"-

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Bread Hogs...

Man allegedly steals communion wafers from priest

Police said they arrested a Connecticut man after he tried to steal communion wafers during a church service. 33-year-old John Samuel Ricci, of Canton, was cornered by fellow churchgoers when he grabbed a handful of wafers from the priest during communion services Saturday.
Ricci was being held down by seven offended parishioners when deputies arrived at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.
Ricci was charged with two counts of simple battery, theft and disruption of a religious assembly. He was being held Tuesday on $2,000 bond.

Let me begin by saying, I was not there.

However...REALLY?? You had to tackle him...with 7 people?

I have a novel idea for them, in case somebody tries to take too much of "Jesus' Body" again-

How about....give it to him!! Maybe see how you can help?? Oh wait, here is a really wild idea- pray with him. Or, maybe BE like Jesus....instead of "hogging" the bread.

I realize this sounds judgemental-but I take this as a reminder to myself-

There is plenty of Jesus to go around!!! I wonder where am I "hogging" Him? What am I showing others about Who He is?

God, thank you for always acting out of love, please teach me to do the same.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

It Is The Veteran...

This is my Granddaddy, Con Mims, junior.

He gave his very life for our country.

Although I never met him, on this day, as every day, I honor him and all others who have made this unspeakable sacrifice. May we all remember...

It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran, who salutes, stands and even dies for this flag.

Let us NEVER forget. Freedom was NOT, is NOT and will NEVER be free.

But we are - thanks to them.

God, please grant eternal rest to those who have given their lives for our country-
Give hope and grace to those left behind. Fill them with a peace that passes all understanding
until they are reunited with their loved ones. I am so thankful for the man my grandfather was and is. I look forward to meeting him in Your Very Presence.



Grace and Peace,
DCC

When You Are Five...

There are places you need to go and just giggle

There are LOTS of important things to talk about...

There are opportunities to meet famous people

You get to eat up every single second of life!

speaking of eating....even if you are just 2 1/2, you can sneak pizza. IF you keep your eyes closed, no one else can see you doing it! (and you can take down 4 pieces.)

God, I thank you for these two "gifts". I pray they will always see life with childlike wonder and gratitude. You said, "let the little children come to me."

Thank you for these living examples of why.

Grace and Peace
DCC

United We Stand...

I have been surprised at some people today.
One's candidate not prevailing, doesn't change the flag we live under.
And we are ALL still under the same flag.
I thought John McCain's' speech was, (in typical form), gracious and elegant. It was clearly a step in the right direction of getting us back on the right track.
Let's follow his lead on that- shall we?
WE all have ONE President- let us keep him in our prayers and move forward-united.

God, thank you for the country we live in...for it's freedoms and privileges.

Grace and Peace,

DCC

Gentle Ben...

One of the aspects of my job I love the most, is visiting people in the hospital-
some visits are easier than others.
Today I got to visit with Gentle Ben.
There he was in all of his Superman gear- complete with Velcro, in case a cape needs to be attached. (you never know when you are going to need one.)

As I stood over him, looking at all of his IVs, I realized how peaceful he was.
Here the rest of us are, on this election day, filled with fear, excitement, dread and hope...all at the same time. But, there is Ben, totally content....just chilling out, watching cartoons-
I realized, he is not afraid of the unknown...because his Mommy is there.
There is no need to worry. She is in charge.
May we all remember today and tonight and tomorrow...There is no need to worry....
we are with our Father....and He is in charge.
no matter what tomorrow's results show.
Thanks for the lesson Ben.
God, please bless this precious child. Thank you, for being in charge of all of it.

Grace and Peace,
DCC

Time Hangover...

I have a time change hangover.

I am all messed up...hungry too late...sleepy too early...then I am hungry too early...sleeping too late...I'm like a drunk toddler...

I need a nap-


I do love when the clocks fall back- much better than Daylight Savings Time-

I am not real good with change- and therefore I really appreciate the non-changing things in life....which there are none- accept for One.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed"

Yes, my dad is Mac and not Jacob and I am daughter not a son...however, what Malachi is talking about here is God never changes...His love endures forever...therefore we are not consumed- no matter what we encounter. ( We are all related to Jacob- thus, the shout out to his sons.)


Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."


Thank you God, for your consistency...for Your never changing Love, Patience and Protection.

Sweet Dreams
Grace and Peace,
DCC