Jell-O...

Last night I was reminded to check what I am standing on.

I often find myself trying to base my life and contentment on other people, places or things.

It doesn't work.

God is our Rock.

Any other foundation you base your life on

is like trying to stand on Jello.

God, I am so grateful for your willingness to pick me up off the Jell-O, over and over again.

In His Dust,

DCC

Yom Kippur...

Just before sunset last night, thousands of Jews filled synagogues for the start of Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur, also known as "The Day of Atonement," lasts 25 hours. It is marked traditionally with fasting that sharpens the edge of prayer, repentance and forgiveness.
Many Jews who rarely attend synagogue will participate in Yom Kippur services.

Traditionally, enemies and bad debts are forgiven,

as the slate is wiped clean for a new beginning.

Israel comes to a standstill during Yom Kippur: television and radio broadcasts are suspended, public transport, ports, airports and entertainment venues are shut down.

According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a "book" on Rosh Hashanah and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During these 10 days, a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against other human beings.

Some have asked me, as a Christian why I care so deeply about Judaism.

Simple.


A. The Rabbi I follow, Jesus, Yeshua, was the greatest Jew to ever live....if it is important to Him....then it is important to me.

B. They are God's Chosen people.

C. Their passion for God inspires me, challenges me and at time shames me for my lack of it.

God, May we all be challenged to follow the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur today. May we also remember your constant availability and forgiveness.

In His Dust,

DCC

Purpose....

You and your life are not by accident.

God, Thank You for picking me to be alive at this time and in this place.

Teach me to live my life with a purpose.

In His Dust,

DCC

His House...

David, the man after God's own heart, said: "I'm asking God for only one thing, to live with Him in His House my whole life long" Psalm 27:4

What is this house of God which David seeks? Is David describing a physical structure? Does he long for a building with four walls and a door through which he can enter but never exit? No. "Our Lord does not live in temples built by human hands" Acts 17:24. When David says, "I will live in The House of the Lord forever" Psalm 23:6. He's not saying he wants to get away from people. He's saying that he yearns to be in God's Presence, wherever he is.
-Max Lucado

I don't know about the rest of you - but sadly, this is not what I usually ask God for....I spend my time asking Him for things that help my relationships with other people....you know? Fix this particular relationship...or give me peace with so and so....

God, Thank You for the reminder this morning that YOU are Who I should be trying to spend time with. My relationship with You is what matters, before and above all else.

In His Dust,
DCC

Forever Forty...

Spent the weekend at a 40th birthday party in Rockport with old friends...and by old...
I mean...old.

After almost 25 years, I have grown familiar with the surroundings...the sites...the smells...the noises...the tastes...the faces...the laughter...the dance moves...

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Now remain in my love."

John 15:9

To abide is to be at home.
To abide in Christ’s love is to make his love your home. Not a roadside park or hotel room you occasionally visit, but your preferred dwelling. You rest in him. Eat in him. When thunder clasps, you step beneath his roof. His walls secure you from the winds. His fireplace warms you from the winters of life. As John urged,

“We take up permanent residence in the life of love” 1 John 4:16

God, Thank You for the comfort of old friends. More importantly for the safety of Your Love and The Invitation to Abide there with You.

In His Dust,
DCC

Banana Peels...

There are banana peels everywhere we turn...

sometimes we see them coming....sometimes...not so much.

Watch where you are going this weekend...and remember no matter what, He is there.

God, Thank You for Your Grace at all turns.

In His Dust,

DCC

*Cartoon by Cuyler Black

www.inheritthemirth.com

JT....

Seriously???

I'm so sick of hearing about Kanye and Taylor and Lady Gaga.

I miss James Taylor and people with manners and outfits that make sense...

with names that are easy to spell.

God, Thank You for reminder that we are all in desperate need of Your Grace and forgiveness.

In His Dust,

DCC

Hut Hut...

It's Fall...

the hottest summer on record...is over.

Are you ready for some football???

Fresh air, new season...

"I forget what happened yesterday, and I keep my eyes on what is ahead. I press on to win the prize that God is keeping for me - and that is to share in an everlasting life overflowing with love and happiness with Jesus." Philippians 3:14
Victory.

God, Thank you for sustaining us through another season...for never leaving our sides.

In His Dust,

DCC

Alice Mims...

Perfection.

Niece number 3- Thank you Jesus! "Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father" James 1:17

God, Thank You for Your gracious gift of life.

In His Dust,

DCC

Courtney...

"For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13,14

"My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:15,16

Courtney went to be with Jesus today. After 18 years, she finally said goodbye to wheelchairs, pills, breathing treatments, doctor's appointments, procedures, physical challenges.

She said hello to running, dancing, talking, walking, talking and singing.

She had a constant smile on her face. It was a smile of joy- not just happiness...I'm not sure I have ever seen this smile on another person.

I have watched her touch the lives of strangers and loved ones. Those that loved her have seen her change the lives and attitudes of surgeons, nurses, bus drivers, teachers, classmates, friends, morticians and hospice nurses, ministers and family....and themselves.

Those that knew Courtney, were in the presence of God's perfect works.

As made perfectly clear in Psalm 139, God makes no mistakes. Courtney was wonderfully and perfectly made. In her short life, she served a purpose greater than we were able to see with our human eyes.

God, Thank You for the precious life of Courtney Wright. Thank you for the family that loved her with a voracious and absolute love. As she held You in the Nativity and smiled from ear to ear, I know you now hold her, with an even greater joy. Thank you for allowing me to witness it.

In His Dust,

DCC

44 years...

September 4, 1965

44 years ago today...

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

~~~~~~~~~~

September 5,1942

67 years ago

"Now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love."

God, I Thank You, with everything in me, for the examples of love you set before me.

Happy Anniversary Mommy & Daddy and Momo & Big Con. I love you all!

In His Dust,

DCC

Where You Are...

There is no place you will be today.... where God is not present.

Not one place...

You may feel alone...

but...you wont be.

God, Thank You for Your precious and trustable promise, to be with us everywhere.

In His Dust,
DCC